The relationship between nutrients and community structure is poorly understood in open-coast habitats. I created a system of artificial tidepools, of identical age and physical dimensions, at two sites that differed in wave exposure, and manipulated nutrient levels and the abundance of herbivores. Using these unique field mesocosms, I explored...
The intermittent or cyclic application of water to
furrows or borders, a method known as "surge flow irrigation",
can significantly improve the advance characteristics
of surface irrigation. Numerous field studies have
shown that the advance of furrows is considerably more
rapid when irrigated by surge flow than by the conventional,...
This investigation was motivated by the apparent increase in genetic
variability resulting from the systematic combining of gene pools
represented by winter and spring types of wheats.
It was the objective of this study to provide information regarding
the nature of this genetic variability for nine agronomic characters
in populations...
Translation surfaces can be viewed as polygons with parallel and equal sides identified. An affine homeomorphism φ from a translation surface to itself is called pseudo-Anosov when its derivative is a constant matrix in SL₂(R) whose trace is larger than 2 in absolute value. In this setting, the eigendirections of...
Objective: To describe a clinical case of Schmorl's node affecting the lumbosacral disc in an Airedale Terrier including surgical management, short-term outcome, and review of the literature.
Methods: A five-year-old male Airedale Terrier with signs of chronic spinal pain and right hindlimb muscle fasciculation was diagnosed, with a Schmorl's node...
Previous research on academic success in biology has focused on the influence of prerequisite knowledge and cognitive ability as measured by course grades or GPA. More recently, the field has considered the influence of non-cognitive factors such as grit, defined as passion and perseverance for long term goals. Both grit...
The rapid accumulation of plastic waste in landfill, waterways and oceans is becoming a critical problem, one that current recycling technologies are not capable of solving. Recent proposed approaches in the depolymerization of waste plastics employ an Olefin-Intermediate Process (OIP), where feedstocks like polyolefin plastics are ‘activated,’ producing an olefin...
This dissertation consists of two essays that address behavioral economics issues.
In first chapter we analyze the effects of psychological pressure on performance using National Basketball Association (NBA) free throw data from the 2002-2003 through 2009-2010 seasons. We find evidence that players choke under pressure – they shoot on average...
"On April 12, 1949 the Port Commission of Bayocean, Oregon made two test blasts directly out from Bayocean on Tillamook Bay. The purpose was to determine the feasibility of blasting a channel in that area to permit small boats to dock closer inshore. Although no consequential shellfish except oysters (beds...