Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important crops in the world supplying about 18.8 percent of the world's caloric energy supply and 20 percent of the world's protein. In the Pacific Northwest (PNW), over one million hectares of wheat are grown every year. Wheat production is typically...
Using robotics in education allows students to become familiar with multiple topics in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With the use of robotic educational tools in the 8th – 12th grade classrooms, such as Sphero, Anki Cozmo, and Lego Mindstorms, few devices allow students to build the robots’ electrical...
This dissertation consists of a general introduction, three manuscripts, and general conclusions. The research integrates research on (1) the effects of barley genetics and production environment on the contribution of barley to beer flavor, (2) the effects of degree of malt modification on barley contributions to beer flavor and (3)...
The purpose of this research was to explore patients' perceptions of services provided by hospital dietitians. The two-phase study included: (1) personal interviews of thirty-one patients to determine service attributes believed important when receiving a dietitian's service, and (2) development of a survey instrument, NUTRI-SERVE. Responses were obtained from 103...
The following dissertation consists of six sections: a general introduction, three manuscripts, a general conclusion, and an overall bibliography. The three manuscripts report on: (1) identifying genetic interactions in diverse germplasm developed during introgression of a major gene conferring resistance to stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici), (2) mapping...
Oregon residents possess several options in installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This study examines a range of options--tax credits and rebates, a volumetric incentive rate program, power purchase agreements from third-party installers, and solar leasing--and compares the cost of these options to not installing. The paper considers the problem of...
Gas turbine engines for propulsion applications can use fuel as a coolant, exposing the fuel to high temperatures well within the ranges associated with thermal decomposition. Species produced as a result of these processes have been shown to correlate with changes in the combustion performance of the fuels. In this...
The short-term duration of most ecological studies can make it difficult to capture the long-term dynamics of ecosystems and populations. Infrequent or high-impact events can be missed, or erroneously documented as baselines. Long-term ecological research enables a deeper understanding of complex processes, provides a foundation for future insights, and can...
Fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful analytical technique due to bright signals that provide excellent measurement sensitivity. Many colors of fluorescent dyes are available to match the detection ranges of different equipments. Dyes can be chemically modified to bind to many different target analytes with high specificity1. Alternatively, sensors can be...
Museums, aquariums, and technology centers are informal learning environments that facilitate the understanding of scientific phenomena while supporting self-motivated learning. Families are a social group that frequently visits these sites. There are multiple opportunities for adults and children to engage in independent sense-making and collective discussion about their experiences with...