Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) are a long-lived forest owl and range-wide declines in their numbers have resulted in the species being listed as threatened under the endangered species act. While many studies have been focused on population trends and reproductive performance of Spotted Owls from different age-classes, none...
This research explores the mechanisms of Track III diplomacy employed by EcoPeace Middle East, in the context of environmental peacebuilding within the Jordan Basin region. Focusing on how these mechanisms contribute to improving water quality and quantity, the study delves into their processes in facilitating cooperation among conflicting parties—Israelis, Palestinians,...
Documented trends in rising sea levels, storminess, and extreme wave heights have the potential to increase the frequency and magnitude of coastal change hazards, increasing risks to coastal infrastructure and environmental resources. Coastal planners and decision makers need information about the impacts of future hazards in order to apply mitigation...
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Peter Ruggiero
Documented trends in rising sea levels, storminess, and extreme wave
Although the biology of Bradyrhizobium has been studied for almost
one hundred years, virtually nothing is known about the ecology and genetic
variation in natural soil populations of this genus. The majority of
information has been obtained from studies of one species, Bradyrhizobium
japonicum, and the diversity within soil populations...
Nodulation success by two indigenous Rhizobium
trifolii serogroups, 6 and 36, on subterranean clover
(Trifolium subterraneum L.) was affected by the addition
of phosphate to Abiqua soil (Ultic Haploxeroll). To
understand the impact of phosphorus nutrition on the
survival and nodulation characteristics of the two
serogroups, studies were carried out...
In recent years considerable interest has been shown in the diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in soil communities. The majority of the research has been carried out in Northern Europe where soils have received high atmospheric inputs of nitrogen over the past two centuries. In contrast, although much work has been...
Reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes is dependent upon suitable substrates promoting microbial activity and creating anaerobic conditions. At the periphery of active reductive dechlorinating zones combinations of lesser chlorinated ethenes should exist along with end products of the anaerobic metabolism that is driving reductive dechlorination. Potential end-products of anaerobic metabolism...
In most environments, ammonia (NH₃) is oxidized to nitrate (NO₃⁻) via the intermediate nitrite (NO₂⁻). This is a microbe-driven process involving phylogenetically distinct types of microorganisms, namely, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and Thaumarchaea (AOA), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrobacter winogradskyi are the best studied AOB and NOB, respectively,...
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PeterJ. Bottomley
In most environments, ammonia (NH3) is oxidized to nitrate (NO3-) via the
Although legumes have been widely studied for their nitrogen-fixing ability, it is uncertain to what extent legume cover crops achieve their nitrogen-fixing potential under the climatic conditions encountered in western Oregon. Furthermore, it is unknown what factors control the proportions of legume cover crop N that are either sequestered into...
In a series of greenhouse experiments, isolates representing serotypically
distinct subpopulations of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii recovered from root
nodules of field-grown subclover Trifolium subterraneum cv. "Nangeela"), were
evaluated for their symbiotic effectiveness potential, their effect on regrowth
potential of subclover, and for their competitive abilities to form nodules. Isolates...
Although much has been learned about the comparative
nodulating behavior of simple mixtures of rhizobial strains
under non-soil situations, it is unclear how these findings
relate to the factors influencing nodulation success by the
complex mixtures of strains found within soil-borne
rhizobial populations. Information on the structure and
physiological behavior...
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi of the genera Piloderma and Ramaria form dense hyphal mats in the organic and upper mineral soil layers, respectively, in coniferous forest floors of the Pacific Northwest. Previous studies have determined that fungal mats change the chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soil within. Little information...
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PeterJ. Bottomley
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi of the genera Piloderma and Ramaria form
The chloroacetanilide herbicide alachlor is the second most widely used herbicide
in the US, where it is used on major crops such as corn and soybean. Although alachlor is
mineralized slowly in soil, metabolites of alachlor have been found in soil indicating that
alachlor is subject to chemical or biological...
The role of unusual geologies in plant distribution and form is well-known. Serpentine (ultramafic) soils exert a particularly strong influence on plants, as evidenced by a high level of endemism and the morphological and physiological traits displayed in adaptation to the extraordinary chemistry of these substrates. Adaptation may lead to...
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Robert J. Meinke
The role of unusual geologies in plant distribution and form is
Numerous properties of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria have been studied with respect to the saponins in the plant. These saponins are present in the extract as well and have been utilized commercially in the food and cosmetic industry for various products. Saponins have detergent-like properties in the presence of...
The photohydrodebromination of brominated paracyclophanes was studied to
help elucidate the possible mechanistic pathways leading to product for
bromoarenes in general. Several brominated [2.2]paracyclophanes were studied to
determine the effect of substitution patterns on this reaction. [2.2]Paracyclophanes
were chosen for this study in order to investigate possible intramolecular excimer
formation...
Coastal flood hazard zones and the design of coastal defenses are often devised using either the maximum recorded total water level (TWL) or a 'design' event such as the 100-year return-level flood, usually projected from observed extreme events. Despite technological advances driving more consistent instrumental records of wave heights and...
The metal-organic–framework MOF-5 is used as an adsorbent in advanced systems for vehicular hydrogen storage that are currently under development. Presently, these systems are limited by poor thermal conductivity of the adsorption bed, and thus our research addresses how the interfaces between grains of MOF-5 can be engineered to improve...
A stalagmite (sample OCNM8-02A) collected from Oregon Caves National Monument (OCNM) was sampled for stable isotope ratios in order to develop a record of Pacific Northwest climate history. Nine U-series dates indicate that the record spans the time period - 13.5 - 9.5 ka. The stalagmite growth rate varied from...
The coast of Oregon is highly dynamic, with beach and dune morphodynamics constantly evolving in response to physical and ecological forcing at scales ranging from seconds to decades and meters to tens of kilometers. Evaluating spatial and temporal trends in shoreline evolution is paramount in understanding and eventually developing a...
This study utilizes probabilistic surrogate modeling techniques around San Diego Bay with an emphasis on naval infrastructure and operations to evaluate the impact of five global mean sea level rise scenarios (GMSLR). Spatially continuous total water levels (TWLs) are combined with a digital elevation model (DEM) of the region to...
Coastal communities throughout the US West Coast and elsewhere are facing the daunting task of preparing for climate change impacts, particularly the hazards from increased flooding and erosion. With sea-level rise, changing storminess patterns, and possible changes to the frequency and severity of major El Niño events, communities are already...
This thesis presents the results of an investigation into the measured and modeled
mass balance of the Collier Glacier, a small (0.70 km²), valley glacier located in the
Oregon Cascade Range (44° 10' N, 121° 47' W). Here we present mass-balance
measurements conducted for the 2009 and 2010 balance years...
Oregon’s foredunes are part of a dynamic coastal environment that constantly evolves in response to both ecological and physical forces. Invasive beachgrasses have outcompeted native dune grass in the region and have influenced the shape of Oregon’s foredunes via species-specific biophysical feedback mechanisms. As climate change induced sea-level rise will...
Recent coastal disasters (e.g., Hurricane Sandy, Typhoon Haiyan) and chronic issues (e.g., Florida's "nuisance flooding") provide numerous examples of coastal communities struggling to adapt in the face of climate change impacts. Decision-makers and the public alike must reconcile the lack of "fit" between a rapidly changing environment and the effects...
Understanding sandbar dynamics and variability is integral to developing a predictive
capacity for nearshore flows, sediment transport, morphological change, and
ultimately for determining coastline exposure to damaging storm waves. Along the
high-energy U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) coast, sandbars typically dominate the
bathymetry of the active zone. Here we report on...
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Peter Ruggiero
Understanding sandbar dynamics and variability is integral to developing
Hazards threaten coastal communities and ecosystems over a wide range of spatiotemporal scales. One of the most pressing concerns for coastal property owners, decision makers, and researchers is the uncertain role that a changing climate will have on the intensity and frequency of these hazards. The significant uncertainties associated with...
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Peter Ruggiero
Hazards threaten coastal communities and ecosystems over a wide range of
Soil organic carbon (SOC, kg C m-2) is an important component in evaluating global C stores. The nitrogen (TN, kg N m"2) cycle is closely linked to C and understanding its role is also important. Contents and distributions of SOC and TN in soil profiles, to 1-meter depth, were estimated...
Non-target effects are one of the greatest potential risks of weed biological control programs, and understanding non-target effects of biological control at the population level is crucial for predicting when they will occur and altering the perception of biological control as a whole. In this thesis, we assessed the ecological...
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Peter B. McEvoy
Non-target effects are one of the greatest potential risks of weed biological
Meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) is a winter annual oilseed crop
native to the Pacific Coast states. Seven experiments were conducted
to evaluate extracted meadowfoam meal (MFM) as a feedstuff
for poultry, rabbits and sheep.
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate MFM as a protein
supplement for broiler chicks and weanling rabbits....
A two-part study was conducted to investigate some of the nutritional
relationships between dietary tri-o-cresylphosphate (TOCP), a
toxic stress material, and dietary vitamin E and selenium. In part
one, growth rate of male weanling Long-Evans rats and day-old
Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) was used to determine the
protective action...
The objective of this research is to determine the correlation of lacustrine micro-fossils in Lake Tanganyika to changes in climate and lake levels during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene.
Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest and one of the oldest lakes in the world. The horst and graben geometry...
DNA reassociations, measured by optical and double label
membrane filter techniques, were used to assess genetic relationships
among Aeromonas and enterobacteria. Aeromonads from human
sources, food, fresh water, fish, and pet turtles were examined. The
base compositions of three A. salmonicida isolates were 58% G+C
while the base compositions of...
The purpose of this work is to broaden the theoretical foundations of interpolation of spatial data, by showing how ideas and methods from information theory and signal processing are applicable to the the work of geographers. Attention is drawn to the distinction between what we study and how we represent...
An Internet Map Server (IMS) web site was constructed with the goal of
helping middle- through high-school students learn about ocean processes. This IMS was
developed in conjunction with the activities of the Science & Math Investigative
Learning Experience (SMILE) program, and for eventual use with the Oregon Coastal
Atlas,...
An Internet Map Server (IMS) web site was constructed with the goal of
helping middle- through high-school students learn about ocean processes. This IMS was
developed in conjunction with the activities of the Science & Math Investigative
Learning Experience (SMILE) program, and for eventual use with the Oregon Coastal
Atlas,...
High yield unbleached kraft pulp for linerboard and bag paper
was deshived in a PFI mill and a Bauer model 187 double disk refiner.
Levels of plate gap, specific energy consumption, throughput rate,
and stock consistency were varied to control PFI mill and Bauer 187
deshive refining. Shive content reductions...
Surface-geology, oil-well, seismic-reflection, and magnetostratigraphic data are
integrated to evaluate structural style and shortening rate at the Himalayan front (Sub-Himalaya) of northwest India. The Sub-Himalaya, between the Main Boundary thrust
and the Himalayan Frontal fault, is the actively deforming front of the Himalaya. At
certain locations, the Himalayan Frontal fault...
Rotating disc electrodes (RDEs) exploit the induced flushing of a radially spun electrode to increase the overall rate of analyte flux to an electrode sensing surface and its resulting signal current (i). Here initial efforts to evaluate a rotating platinum (Pt) microelectrode for efficacy as a rapid in situ dissolved...
In situ bioremediation of pentachlorophenol-contaminated ground water in a sequential anaerobic-aerobic down borehole permeable barrier reactor requires a non-toxic primary substrate for dichlorophenol cometabolism. Serum bottle tests comparing the effectiveness of eight primary substrates for aerobic dichlorophenol degradation showed phenol to be the most effective followed by imitation vanilla flavoring,...
Today's power systems are undergoing dynamic changes in their operation.
The high cost of capital improvements that include new generation and transmission
projects has prompted power system planners to look for other alternatives in dealing
with increased loads and overall system growth. A dynamic braking resistor is a
device that...
Many high-elevation stands of noble fir in the northern Oregon Cascades are being
actively managed. Forest managers are investigating different activities that will control
stand impacts and the subsequent spread of Heterobasidion annosum a rot pathogen on
the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The purpose of this study was to quantify...
The widespread introduction of trout to naturally fishless mountain lakes in the western United States has been accompanied by little research. The ecological role of trout populations occurring in 91 lakes of the central Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, Idaho, was examined with respect to 1) the sampling variability of biological and...
This research considers the availability of the appropriate geospatial data in support of
vulnerability mapping of the Oregon coast. An online experiment, Voicing Climate Concerns,
was developed to give community stakeholders, researchers and other interested parties the
opportunity to voice their concerns on climate change and their perceived vulnerability to...
A simple heat exchanger network has been studied as
an example of a dynamically interactive process. The
process is relatively simple, requiring only temperature
measurements and flow rate manipulations. Equations are
presented for the design of a physical process having a
specified steady-state Relative Gain Array and specified
dynamic characteristics....
Frankia from root nodules of nine different species of Ceanothus were
characterized. DNA was amplified directly from nodular material using the polymerase
chain reaction (PCR). The amplified region includes the 3' end of the 16S rRNA gene,
the intergenic spacer (IGS), and a large portion of the 23S rRNA gene....
Salicylate-induced, lux gene dependent bioluminescence was measured using a cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) camera to evaluate its potential as a quantitative measurement of cell density of Pseudomonas fluorescens HK44 in porous media. The CCD camera was able to detect bioluminescence from cell densities between 1x10⁶ and 1x10⁸ cells/ml in both...
Photolysis of pentachlorobenzene was carried out in the absence
of an electron donor species at 254 nm in cetyltrimethylammonium
bromide surfactant solution. The results are consistent with the
excited triplet undergoing homolytic cleavage of a C-Cl bond in
competition with formation of the excimer, in which the radical anion
undergoes...
Byproducts of bamboo processing, such as leaves and branches, may have potential as a livestock feedstuff. The objectives of this study were to evaluate seasonal changes in proximate composition of several bamboo species and reed canarygrass, and subsequently determine the digestibility of bamboo in ponies. Monthly samples of Phyllostachys bissetii,...
The photochemistry of aldicarb and two related compounds,
0-(methylcarbamoyl) isobutyraldehyde oxime and 0-(methylcarbamoyl)
trimethylacetaldehyde oxime was explored under laboratory
conditions. Upon irradiation aldicarb decomposed rapidly to
methylamine, dimethylamine, tetramethylsuccinonitrile, and
1-methylthio-2, 3-dicyano-2, 3-dimethylbutane. The other two
compounds decomposed only after a long period of irradiation. The
difference in reactivity was...
The objective of this research project was to evaluate the toxicity of
local pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants and to examine the influence
of dietary protein, with particular reference to the amino acid cysteine,
upon this toxicity.
Senecio vulgaris (common groundsel) was shown to be more toxic than
Senecio jacobaea (tansy...
Objectives of this study were to examine effects of dietary pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) on copper and vitamin A metabolism in the chicken which are very susceptible to the hepatoxic effects of PA and Japanese quail which are highly resistant to PA. Also, the possible interaction between copper and vitamin A...
The tosylhydrazones of exo-3-deuteriocamphor and 2- deuterio-2,4-dimethy1-3-pentanone were treated with Nbromosuccinimide (NBS) and pyruvic acid to regenerate the parent ketones. The ketones from the pyruvic acid cleavage show a significant loss of deuterium. The ketones from the NBS cleavage show no loss of deuterium, indicating that stereochemical integrity at. C[subscript...
A series of experiments were conducted to determine
the utilization of fibrous feeds by the rabbit. A review
of literature was performed to ascertain the results of
similar studies. The first two experiments involved
various levels of alfalfa substituted for corn or barley.
Results indicated that a 50 percent alfalfa...
Glacial deposits on San Francisco Mountain, Arizona, were mapped in order to provide constraints on ice extents in separate valleys for late Pleistocene glacial events. Qualitative and semi-quantitative relative dating methods were employed in order to correlate moraines between drainages and to provide a basis for distinguishing between separate glacial...
An extensive literature review into the causes and
controls of diarrhea was followed by three weanling rabbit
performance trials to examine the influence of dietary
modifications on diarrhea in the rabbit.
In the first set of experiments, the ion exchangers
clinoptilolite (0, 1.5 and 3.0%) and sodium bentonite (0 and...
Senecio jacobaea (tansy ragwort) is a poisonous plant responsible
for livestock deaths in the Pacific Northwest. Horses and cattle are
susceptible, while sheep are resistant to the toxic action of the
pyrrolizidine alkaloids which the plant contains. Hepatic enzymes
are responsible for the biotransformation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
into tissue damaging...
Deposition of the Middle Devonian part of the Denay Limestone
and Bay State Dolomite in the northern Antelope Range and Fish
Creek Range, respectively, took place on and in front of a carbonate
platform with a lime sand shoal at the shelf edge. In the Givetian part
of the Denay...
The Diels-Alder reaction represents a promising tool for use in
asymmetric synthesis. The reaction involves a rigid transition state
that facilitates the formation of one diastereomeric transition state
and is reversible. This satisfies two necessary criteria for
asymmetric synthesis.
The Diels-Alder reactions of 1,l-dialkylspiro[2.4]-4,6- heptadienes
with maleic anhydride and p-benzoquinone...
The effect of the conjugation with cyclopropyl rings
on the activation parameters for the formation of
carbenes from the corresponding diazo compounds was
investigated using diisopropylcarbene (46), cyclopropyl-isopropylcarbene
(47), and dicyclopropylcarbene (48).
Each of these three carbenes was generated by the
thermolysis of the parent benzenesulfonylhydrazone
potassium salts using DMSO...
Several experiments were undertaken to investigate the mechanism of
photodechlorination of pentachlorobenzene. The thermal methoxydechlorination
reaction of pentachlorobenzene was studied. In DMSO at 50 °C sodium
methoxide reacts smoothly with pentachlorobenzene to give three
tetrachloroanisole isomers. A second-order kinetic plot for this reaction is linear to
high precision, indicating that...
Five experiments were conducted to evaluate tree forage as a feedstuff for small livestock, using the foliage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp.). In the first trial, rabbits were fed diets containing 40% alfalfa (control), and 10%, 20% and 40% poplar leaves (PL) from untrimmed or...
I used field experiments to study how plants in two grassland communities colonized
soil mounds made by the Camas pocket gopher, Thomomys bulbivorus (Richardson). I
identified potential mound colonizers in each source of colonization (buried propagule bank,
seed rain, and established vegetation) and then measured species specific rates of
colonization...
In the first experiment the minimum dietary toxic levels of vitamin A were determined in pregnant rabbits over three parities. The treatments consisted of basal diet plus 10,000, 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 IU/Kg added vitamin A. The basal diet was formulated to be free of vitamin A and beta-carotene; rice...
A series of four trials was conducted to evaluate activated
sewage sludge (AcSS) as a protein source. In the first trial the protein
efficiency ratio (PER) of sun-dried and auto-claved, sun-dried
AcSS was measured with rats. Growth of AcSS-fed rats was extremely
poor as compared to those rats fed casein,...
Several studies have been conducted to examine the
utilization of non-protein nitrogen by the New Zealand
White rabbit.
Soybean meal (SBM) or urea added to a low protein (13%
CP) diet and a positive control diet were fed to does and
their offspring during a nine month experiment. Urea and...
In part one, levels of dehydrated alfalfa meal greater than 60% of the diet significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the growth of rats fed isocaloric diets. Purified cellulose fed to provide the same amount of acid detergent fiber as contributed by the alfalfa did not affect growth. Feed intake was...
A study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary protein on
performance of commercial New Zealand White rabbits.
In Part I of this study, three levels of crude protein (17.5, 19
and 20.5%) were fed to lactating does and their offspring during a 12
month period. Total rabbits born...
Chromium spills on soils are causing severe groundwater contamination
problems. To increase the performance of cleanup methods, the chemical behavior
of chromium in soils and its transport through soils have to be understood. The
objectives of this research were to investigate the sorption characteristics of
chromium(VI) in soil and to...
A series of eight trials was conducted to determine if supplementation
with arginine improved growth of young rats, Japanese quail
and swine fed low-lysine diets. In five rat trials, with a variety of
basal diets, no evidence of a "sparing effect" of arginine on the lysine
requirement was found. A...
Several experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of
dietary factors such as amino acids, B vitamins, butylated hydroxyanisole
(BHA) and phenobarbital on pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicosis
in rats and horses. The influence of St. John's wort, bracken,
comfrey, and alfalfa on tansy ragwort toxicity was also examined.
Effects of dietary...
In the field of forest planning, assumptions regarding the appropriate modeling of management behavior, translated through management prescriptions, minimum harvest ages, green-up periods, and other variables are needed if a stand-level optimization process is not used to guide the selection of stand management regimes Forest planners thus generally have a...
Fast ice flow and unstable ice sheet behavior were characteristic features of the Lake Michigan Lobe of the southern Laurentide Ice Sheet. Such behavior may result from some combination of subglacial-sediment deformation and decoupled sliding at the ice-bed interface. Both mechanisms depend on high water pressure relative to ice pressure....