T cells are one of the key cells in the immune system. Although they are not the first line of defense against a pathogen, their functions can greatly enhance the phagocytosis and destruction of pathogens as well as the development of antibody responses. Furthermore, even when responding T cells have...
The immune system has been identified as a very sensitive target for the toxic effects of 2,3,7,S-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Exposure to TCDD has been shown to disrupt the generation of both cell-mediated and humoral T cell-dependent immunity in laboratory animals; however, the mechanism remains unknown. In this dissertation, the hypothesis is...
In the problem of testing the median using a random sample from a
certain distribution, and if no other parametric family is suggested,
the t-test is known to be the optimal procedure when this distribution
is normal. If the sample appears to be non-normal, one has the choice
either to...
The primary goal of my studies was to elucidate the mechanisms for the well-recognized interaction between two nutrients, vitamins E and K. The outcomes from my studies assess mechanisms for adverse effects of vitamin E and provide novel information on mechanisms for vitamin K homeostasis. These findings will provide information...
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related compounds are well-recognized for their immunosuppressive activity, which is mediated through an intracellular receptor and transcription factor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Laboratory animals exposed to TCDD are less resistant to infection and have severely impaired humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. This dissertation addressed the hypothesis that...
The spectrophotometric titration of the tyrosine residues,
their reaction with N-acetylimidazole, and the effect of pH on the
thermally induced conformational transition of ribonuclease T₁ have
been investigated. The results of spectrophotometric titration in
0.20 M KCl/0.001 M sodium phosphate suggest that titration of the
tyrosine residues occurs in two...
The immune toxicity of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been studied for over 35 years, but only recently has the profound immune suppression associated with TCDD exposure been linked to induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The effects of TCDD are mediated through binding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription...
Proper immune function is indispensable, as failure to mount an immune response against a pathogen can lead to serious complications or even death. T cells act by enhancing the activation of phagocytic cells as well as the activation of B cells. Their widespread influence on an immune response makes optimal...
The differential cross section for the reaction k⁻+p[forward arrow] k⁰+[uppercase xi]⁰ was measured in a spark chamber experiment for an incident k⁻ momentum of 1.8 GeV/c. The target was liquid hydrogen confronted
by an anti-coincidence counter to insure neutral particle production.
A 60 element hodoscope signalled the presence of four...
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has recently been described as a novel therapeutic target, given the potent suppression of multiple immune-mediated diseases following activation by the prototypic ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In the parent-into-F1 graft-versus-host (GVH) model, suppression of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response is associated with the presence of CD25⁺CTLA-4⁺IL-10⁺Foxp3[superscript...
A study of populations characteristics of T. turgidum ssp.
carthlicum and T. aestivum ssp. carthlicoides was completed using
numerical analysis. A sample of 74 accessions of ssp. carthlicum
and 20 of ssp. carthlicoides were scored for 46 characters. It was
established that three morphological distinguishable groups of ssp.
carthlicum can...
Electrodeposition is a versatile polymer deposition technique to create nano-microscale materials using an electrical field generated from a charged droplet of solution and a grounded collector. Electrospinning or electrospraying can occur during electrodeposition, leading to the creation of nanofibers or bead-like materials depending on the process parameters. Photopolymerization of the...
Compounds belonging to the vitamin K family possess anti-hemorrhagic
property, and are used in treating patients suffering
from hypoprothrombinemia and obstructive jaundice. Some of
these compounds also exhibit marked antimicrobial activity toward
various microorganisms. Vitamin K₅, 4-amino-2-methyl-
1-naphthol hydrochloride, a water-soluble analog of vitamin K
has been shown to possess...
Microchannel process technology (MPT) offers several advantages to the field of nanomanufacturing: 1) improved process control over very short time intervals owing to shorter diffusional distances; and 2) reduced reactor size due to high surface area to volume ratios and enhanced heat and mass transfer. The objective of this thesis...
High temperature microchannel heat recuperators (HTμRs) offer an efficient means of improving reactor process thermal efficiency by offering smaller form factors due to increased heat transfer surface area density and volumetric heat transfer rate over traditional heat exchanger designs. To date, HTμRs face cost and reliability challenges. In this work,...
Five forms of chromatin, which represent the in vivo folded forms
of nucleic acid, were isolated and used as the binding substrate for
model intercalating compound, ethidium bromide. For all forms of
chromatin, the affinity, location and structural effects of binding
were examined. On the level of the nucleosome, the...
The research examines the effect of restricted head and neck movement on
driving performance as measured by decision time at T-intersections. The traffic
safety and human factors literature was reviewed, and very little was found
concerning drivers with physical limitations. T-intersections were selected for
study because most accidents involving drivers...
A microfluidic nanofiltration module has been designed, fabricated and applied to the continuous-flow, pressure-driven, post-synthetic purification of macromolecules and nanoparticles via diafiltration using a commercially available organic solvent resistant nanofiltration membrane, STARMEM 122. This module will readily interface with other microscale components within a
"nanofactory" for the rapid synthesis, purification...
Incubation experiments with an acid poorly drained soil have
shown that the application of neutral soluble salts influenced the level
of extractable Mn. The application of a salt which lowered the soil
pH either increased the extractable Mn or retarded the oxidation
and/or fixation of extractable Mn. This effect was...
Human alterations of landscapes take many forms, one of which is anthropogenic pollution. Mercury (Hg) is a complex contaminant because its uptake into the food web is not driven entirely by loading to the system; methylation is necessary to make Hg bioavailable and toxic to fish and wildlife. Because methylation...
The goal of this dissertation was to improve our abilities in acquiring critical in vivo data by establishing embryo-larva zebrafish as an exemplary model to quantitatively evaluate cancer progression. The living environment that encompasses a tumor has a significant effect on how cancer develops, grows and metastasizes. In order to...
A crucial factor in determining the accuracy of DNA replication is
maintenance of a balanced supply of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates
(dNTPs) at replication forks. Perturbation of dNTP biosynthesis can
induce dNTP pool imbalance with deleterious genetic consequences,
including increased mutagenesis, recombination, chromosomal
abnormalities and cell death. Using the T4 bacteriophage system,...
This study had three objectives: (1) to determine the degree to which within-source genetic variation and genetic correlations differ among elevational sources of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb). Franco var. menziesii]; (2) to ascertain the degree to which phenotypic stability differs among and within elevational sources; and (3) to compare the...
The major objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the extent to which southwest Oregon populations of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii var menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) differ in quantitative genetic structure (QGS); (2) to determine whether differences in QGS are associated with the environments from which populations originate; and (3) to...
Plantation forests on mountainous areas in Tanzania, East Africa, were successfully
established in the 1950's. Harvesting started in the 1970's to meet increased national
timber demand. Current problems of unharvested areas and potential environmental
degradation are associated with uncontrolled harvests, mismatch of harvest systems to
site needs, and post-harvest practices....
The electrical and optical properties of semi-insulating, epitaxial and ion-implanted GaAs and InP have been characterized and analyzed. Electron and hole traps in semi-insulating GaAs and InP, with activation energies ΔE[subscript T] ranging from 0.16 ± 0.01 to 0.98 ± 0.01 eV, have been detected and characterized by Photo-Induced Current...
At a time when environmental conditions are rapidly changing, understanding how thermal extremes impact wildlife is imperative to fully understanding the consequences of climate change in natural ecosystems. While many organisms are currently impacted by rapidly warming and more erratic environmental conditions, identifying and investigating model species whose life histories...
A model is developed that allows the prediction of the stress-strain
distribution in a mixed carbide sphere pac fuel pin during
irradiation. The model is coupled with a previously developed model
for the thermal behavior of the pin. The one-dimensional (radial at
various axial locations) solution is for quasi-steady pin...
This study had three objectives: (1) to teat the hypothesis that multiple flushing of the terminal shoot (intermittent growth pattern) in Douglas-fir seedlings (Pseudotsuca menziesii var. menziesii) has an adaptive significance, especially in inland populations from the drier regions in southwest Oregon; (2) to evaluate the genetic and adaptive consequences...
A complete solution, exact to second-order, for wave motion
forced by a hinged-wavemaker of variable-draft is presented. A
solution for a piston type wavemaker is also obtained as a special
case of a hinged-wavemaker with negative infinite draft. The
existing Stokes inviscid theories for mass transport is extended to
include...
A global solution is presented that accurately accounts for the
singular behavior at all irregular points. The linearized boundary
value problem in a semi-infinite strip in the physical plane is
transformed into a smooth unit disk by two successive conformal
mappings. The global solution results from a Fredholm integral
equation...
Like other species interactions in ecological systems, host-pathogen interactions are influenced by environmental factors, landscape characteristics and the broader community context. My thesis explores the potential influences of food-web interactions (Chapter 2), climate change (Chapter 3), landscape structure and host movement patterns (Chapter 4), and the combined influences of local...
West Nile Virus (WNV), a vector-borne disease continues to be a serious threat to public health in the United States, particularly in the Southwest region. While all the states in the U.S. experienced a decreasing trend of WNV disease in 2010, the state of Arizona experienced a sharp increase from...
Biophysical, socioeconomic and geopolitical pressures from population growth and economic development are leading to an increase in tensions regarding the sharing of water within transboundary basins. Transboundary basins are surface rivers and groundwater resources that are shared among sovereign nations and autonomous regions. This dissertation focuses on surface water in...
Dearomatization reactions exist broadly in biosynthesis and chemical synthesis. The highly functionalized atoms of arenes can be masked by it aromaticity, and upon dearomatization, those reactive atoms can be readily applied to bond formation and further manipulation. The total synthesis of (–)-cephalotaxine and (–)- homoharringtonine is described via an oxidative...
A synthetic approach toward the two major fragments of cathedulin K-19,
euonyminol (4) and dimethyl cathate (69), was investigated. Synthesis of
dimethyl cathate was accomplished in 3 steps starting from 73. Efforts directed
towards the synthesis of euonyminol, a highly oxygenated dihydroagarofuran
sesquiterpene, was advanced to a stage in which...
Recent state and national standards have increased the interest in engineering at the K-12 level. Science standards, in particular, have begun to make the case for including engineering throughout the K-12 scope of study. Despite the increased attention to engineering, the characteristics and uniqueness of the field of engineering are...
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are a recent set of standards that leverage decades of research to present an innovative and coherent image for K 12 science education in the United States. Major themes in the NGSS include the intertwining of learning and doing science, addressing connections across scientific...
The properties of linear active coupled lines consisting of
electrically long GaAs MESFET structures are investigated for possible
applications as traveling-wave broad-band amplifiers. In addition,
the nonlinear coupled Schottky lines are studied for applications as
voltage tunable circuit elements.
The analysis of the general active asymmetric coupled transmission
lines in...
The general expressions for finding the network functions, e.g.,
the immittance and the scattering parameters, of a general, uniformly
coupled n-line structure in an inhomogeneous medium are derived in
terms of the normal mode parameters of the system. These are used to
compute or to derive the explicit expressions for...
Muitiregion annular geometry is a basic feature of energy removal
systems ranging from advanced heat exchangers to fission reactor fuel
rods. For the symmetric cases, the heat conduction through annular regions
is well defined. However, for a shift of an annular region, analysis
of the system must be made in...
Converting energy from ocean waves is a challenging area for control theory application because of the nonlinear dynamics in various time scales. Generally, wave energy converter (WEC) control is applied in order to maximize power absorption, in the most common wave conditions, and subject to the devices’ physical constraints. Commonly,...
The relationships of serum T₄
(thyroxine) levels and liver
nicotinamide nucleotide coenzyme (NAD and NADP) levels with production
of traits of beef cattle were investigated at both weaning (182
kg) and following performance testing (363 kg). In addition, the value
of these parameters as selection criteria for improved performance
was...
Setaria lutescens (yellow foxtail) plants, grown from five seed
sources were compared in California. Seed sources were: Connecticut,
Iowa, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California. Morphological
and physiological differences between biotypes include: plant
size, growth habit, time required to mature and reproductive capa
city. Most significant is the prostrate habit of the...
We have developed a compact micro total analysis system (μTAS) to serve as a platform for in-situ spectrophotometric water quality monitoring. Individual fluidic, optical, and electrical components were designed, developed, and characterized. These components were combined in both an integrated (single lithographic “chip-based” platform) and a modular manner. The microfluidic...
Conservation is, among other things, the expression of a relationship between humans and nonhuman nature. This relationship can be described empirically using the methods of social science, but it can also be prescribed in the form of philosophical arguments. Scholars in the field of environmental ethics have discussed and debated...
The present study has consisted primarily of an investigation
of the rates of isotopic sulfur exchange between sulfur dioxide and
various sulfur (VI) solutions, both 100% H₂SO₄ and, in particular,
related ammonia-containing sulfur (VI) solutions. One of the main
objects of the work was to obtain a comparison between exchange...
With increasing operating frequencies in CMOS RF/microwave integrated circuits,
the performance of on-chip interconnects is becoming significantly affected by the lossy
substrate. It is the purpose of the first part of this thesis to develop a rigorous field
theoretic analysis approach for efficient characterization of single and multiple coupled
interconnects...
Daily cyclical changes of light are brought on by the axial rotation of the Earth while seasonal changes in light are caused by Earth’s tilt as it revolves around the sun. Major life history traits, such as development, which are tied to metabolic processes, have a strong link to the...
A population of the Douglas-fir cone moth, Barbara colfaxiana
(Kft. ), was studied on the Buckhead Seed Production Area, Oakridge,
Oregon, during 1971 and 1972. A method of estimating cone and
insect populations is presented. Factors contributing to the mortality
of B. colfaxiana are discussed, with resinosis being the critical...
Since its discovery, the anomalous dielectric behavior of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO)
has drawn a great deal of attention for many possible applications in electronic
devices. The origin of the giant dielectric constant in CCTO was explained via an
internal barrier layer capacitor model, and it has been reported that the dielectric...
Grid-scale energy storage systems are urgently needed to increase the flexibility and rigidity of the grid for modern society and take full advantage of the renewable green energy resources such as solar energy and wind energy. Na-ion batteries (NIBs) and K-ion batteries (KIBs) have been emerged as one of the...
Issues of injustice in society (e.g. racism, classism, sexism, ableism) are perpetuated in and through educational opportunities, including mathematics learning (Freire, 1970/2000). Those that are committed to disrupting the interlocking systems that create disparities and oppression in mathematics education are considered to be “pursuing justice.” Pursuit of justice can involve...
Laboratory data of free surface elevations and fluid velocities were
obtained using a laser-Doppler velocimeter for the case of a periodic wave
plunging over an impermeable, steep (1:10) slope with a fixed bottom roughness.
The measurements were conducted over 15 cross-shore locations from the outer
surf zone to the swash...
The principal salinity extrema and extremum surfaces of the
world ocean are described by the analysis and plotting of data from
885 hydrographic stations in the three major oceans, the Southern
Ocean, and the American Mediterranean Sea. The distributions of
salinity, temperature, depth, and density along the extremum surfaces,
plotted...
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) encompasses a spectrum of lymphoid progenitors that have undergone malignant transformation and clonal proliferation at various stages of differentiation. Some cases of ALL have been documented to have prenatal origins and in particular neonatal exposure to various environmental pollutants is associated with increased disease risk, including...
Eight species of Lathvrus (Fabaceae, Faboideae) endemic to the
Pacific Coast of North America were the subject of a systematic
investigation. Taxa studied included Lathvrus vestitus, Nutt. ex T.
& G., L. laetif lorus Greene, L.. iepsonii Greene, £,. splendens
Kellogg, L. polvphvllus, Nutt. ex T. & G., L. holochlorus...
The purpose of this study was to determine the need
for mathematics inservice training for untrained and
trained teachers in K-7 rural schools in Manicaland,
Zimbabwe. The auxiliary teachers do not have any
professional preparation before entry into the teaching
profession. The study sought to determine the mathematics
areas needed...
A spectrophotometric study has been made of catalysis of the decomposition of sulfuryl chloride in carbon tetrachloride solution to an equilibrium mixture of sulfuryl chloride, sulfur dioxide and chlorine. The catalysts were activated charcoal, acetonitrile and 18-crown-6 polyether. A weak acetonitrile-sulfur dioxide complex also was established; formation constants found at...
Thermochemical water splitting cycles have been conceptualized and researched for over half a century, yet to this day none are commercially viable. The heavily studied Sulfur-Iodine cycle has been stalled in the early development stage due to a difficult HI-H₂O separation step and material compatibility issues. In an effort to...
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an in-service project for teachers of the social studies (K-12). The project was sponsored by the Region II Committee of the Oregon Council for Curriculum and Instruction (O.C.C.I.) during the period from November 1, 1966 to April 1, 1969....
Professional school counselors are tasked with providing effective and relevant career counseling and career-focused activities with all K–12 students; however, the career domain remains the area where school counselors feel least efficacious and competent to broach as part of their role. Addressing the career domain in schools is vital as...
Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a separation method in which a non-uniform electric
field is used to induce a dipole moment in a suspended particle. If the polarization
of the particle is greater than that of the suspending medium, the particle will move
towards the region of higher field strength (positive DEP);...
The research presented in this thesis evaluated the effects of
uranyl (UO₂⁺⁺) upon the absorption of Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cl. Due
to the biological importance of Na and K, these two ions were
studied in the greatest detail.
The results of this research showed that, at UO₂⁺⁺ concentrations...
Beginning in the 1980s, large-scale commercial harvest of Tricholoma magnivelare created a need for management of forests to ensure sustainability, but little was known of the biology or ecology of this species to guide management decisions. Four of the five studies presented here explore the basic synecology of T. magnivelare...
Elasticity properties of wood studs are essential inputs for
the structural analysis of wood-stud wall systems.
A theoretical procedure was developed to determine the probability
distributions for the deflection-load relations of stud samples.
The procedure is based on the finite element analysis and a Monte-
Carlo type simulation and accounts...
The precise measurement of a capacitance difference or ratio in a digital form is
very important for capacitive sensors, for CMOS process characterization as well as for the
realization of precise switched-capacitor data converters, amplifiers and other circuits
utilizing ratioed capacitors. This thesis introduces design techniques for on-chip capacitor
ratio...
Due to a number of disadvantages associated with the use of antibodies as
affinity stationary phases, researchers have recently began to explore the use of RNA
and DNA aptamers for use as affinity stationary phases. These molecules have been
shown to be a viable choice for applications in many methods...
High purity vanadium, both in the polycrystalline
and monocrystalline form, was strained in tension in
order to study the controlling deformation mechanism at
temperatures between 77 and 293°K. The temperature and
strain rate dependence of the flow stress for two grades
of material, 99.99% and 99.93%, was evaluated using temperature...
Small mountainous watersheds are disproportionate sources of land-derived particulate organic matter (POM) to long-term sinks like lake bottoms and the ocean. As such, these ecosystems are an essential component of the global carbon cycle. The burial of POM in lacustrine and marine sediments contributes to the drawdown of atmospheric CO2...
Two light sensitive mutants of the green alga Scenedesmus obliquus strain D₃ have been characterized. The photodynamic nature of their sensitivity has been established, the subchloroplast site of photodamage has been investigated, and their noncarotenogenic character has been verified. The two mutants possess several similarities, although mutant L. S. -41...
Alcohol is a widely consumed, nonessential, bioactive nutrient with end-organ effects on the skeleton. Moderate levels of alcohol consumption are generally associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD), whereas higher intake levels result in reduced bone formation, bone loss, and increased risk for osteoporotic fracture. Given the negative impact of...
Solid solutions based on the perovskite ferroelectrics Bi₀.₅Na₀.₅TiO₃ (BNT) and Bi₀.₅K₀.₅TiO₃ (BKT) might someday replace current Pb-based ferroelectric and piezoelectric devices. This is one goal of the Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) guidelines seeking to limit Pb in consumer devices. Although the Bi-based ferroelectrics are well suited to the task...
Leaf and fruit seasonal mineral fluctuations, fruit endogenous
ethylene, maturity and quality of 'Starkspur Golden Delicious' apple
(Malus domestica Borkh.) on six rootstocks: Seedling, Mailing (M)1,
M7, M26, Mailing Merton (MM)106, OAR-1, in a high density orchard
with two levels of each of the soil applied potassium (K₂SO₄) and
nitrogen...
This study examined the relationships between business, education, and the economy, and specifically addressed the significant impact that business has had on education and educational policy. A large amount of research exists on the history of school reform and the development of educational policy, but none of the research examined...
The use of efficient basis functions to model and represent flows with
internal sharp velocity gradients, such as shocks or eddy microfronts, are
investigated. This is achieved by analysing artificial data, observed atmospheric
turbulence data and by the use of a Burgers' equation based spectral
model. The concept of an...
Describing functions have traditionally been used to obtain the
solutions of systems of ordinary differential equations. In this
work the describing function concept has been extended to include
nonlinear, distributed parameter partial differential equations. A
three-stage solution algorithm is presented which can be applied to
any nonlinear partial differential equation....