Decline in cardiac pump function is a hallmark of aging where mitochondrial decay is an important underlying cause. Although certainly multifactorial in nature, both dysfunction of the machinery involved in the chemiosmotic process of energy transduction and lower capacity to maintain fatty acid-driven respiration are identified as intrinsic factors of...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental contaminants produced mainly from the incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of organic matter. PAHs are among the major contaminants at over 800 Superfund sites, nationwide. Thermal remediation is used as a method to remediate soils contaminated with PAHs through the use of heat to mobilize...
Coral reefs have become vulnerable to climate change, with mass bleaching events, the loss of symbiotic algae (Symbiodiniaceae), increasing in both frequency and severity. As climate change continues to threaten the persistence and existence of coral reefs around the world, the biggest question posed for coral reefs is “can they...
Due to their viscoelastic properties, polymers and hydrogels are widely used in many applications. In this study, the viscoelastic properties of elastomer polymers were investigated for a series of hydrogel, hydrogel composites and silicon materials. A primary application for hydrogels and hydrogel composites is as a replacement for the degenerated...
Humpback whale populations in Antarctica are recovering after intensecommercial whaling in the 20th century. Along the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP)this recovery is occurring in an environment that is experiencing the fastest warming ofany region on the planet. To begin to understand the dynamics of this recovery undersuch dramatic climate change,...
Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an insect of global concern that causes serious damage to soft-skinned fruits. D. suzukii is widespread in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia and is listed as an invasive pest with strict quarantine protocols governing import and export. Given the damage caused by D....
Aromatic hydrocarbons represent a large class of environmental contaminants that have a broad range of structures, physicochemical properties, and toxicities. Arising from the burning of organic matter, particularly fossil fuels, they are both widespread and abundant in all environmental compartments. Both monoaromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are...
Schistosomiasis afflicts 200 million people and is responsible for 200,000 deaths per year. The infection is caused by a digenean trematode in the genus Schistosoma. The parasite must cycle through both a vertebrate (human) and invertebrate (snail) host to complete the life cycle. My dissertation focuses on the genetic mechanisms...
Rapid change-of-direction tasks have been associated with non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and females are more likely to suffer this injury compared to males. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of running and three rapid change-of-direction tasks and determine whether sex differences exist across...
Cover crop establishment in late-season crops, like sweet corn, may be difficult due to the relatively short operational window following crop harvest. In regions like western Oregon, where fall-precipitation can occur when the crop is still in the field, cover crops may not be able to be planted, due to...