Ribonucleotide reductase is a remarkable enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting
step in the synthesis of the 2'-deoxynucleoside triphosphates. The intent of this project
was to characterize the ribonucleotide reductase encoded by the orthopoxvirus,
vaccinia. The first objective was to study the structural and functional features of the
viral small subunit...
Foraging theory predicts that animals will
adjust their foraging behavior in order to maximize net
energy intake and that trade-offs may exist that can influence
their behavior. Although substantial advances have
been made with respect to the foraging ecology of large
marine predators, there is still a limited understanding of...
The neurohypophysial peptide system is involved in modulating a
variety of physiological, neurological, and behavioral responses in
vertebrates. The principal forms of these peptides in non-mammalian
tetrapods are vasotocin (VT) and mesotocin (MT). The studies described
in this thesis used pharmacological, molecular, and biochemical
techniques, along with phylogenetic analyses, to...
The role of the high density lipoprotein (HDL) molecule is currently an area of great interest within the scientific community. Previously, mouse and human studies have demonstrated an inverse association between HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and cardiovascular disease. Recent clinical trials, which increased HDL-C, have failed to reduce the number...
Pacific sardines (Sardinops sagax) are an economically and ecologically important forage fish which transfer energy from planktonic primary producers and secondary consumers to upper trophic predators. Previous genetics studies of Pacific sardine suggested a panmictic population with a shallow genetic structure. However, more than one subpopulation within the Central California...
Primocane management systems were compared for ‘Prime-Jan’® and ‘Prime-Jim’®, primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus, Watson), grown in a field planting in Aurora, OR. Treatments studied were: 1) no manipulation of primocanes (untipped; no floricanes); 2) untipped primocanes growing in the presence of floricanes; 3) untipped primocanes grown with rowcover...
Blastocystis spp. is a common intestinal parasite in humans and animals that has been associated with acute or chronic digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Serotonin mediates intestinal motility, sensation, and secretory function in the normal intestinal tract. Serotonin (5-HT) signaling is decreased in animal models of colitis, as...
In this dissertation, I qualitatively examined the meaning of mothering a child with autism in two countries: the United States and South Korea. The overarching research question focused on how sociocultural ideas about mothering and disability, particularly autism spectrum disorders, shape women’s understanding of themselves and their children with disabilities....
The distribution of mobile marine predators often reflects underlying dynamic ecological processes. The geographical focus of this PhD is the South Taranaki Bight (STB) of New Zealand, where wind-driven coastal upwelling generates productivity and prey to support a blue whale foraging ground. The STB is also New Zealand’s most industrial...
Surveys of flora and fauna were conducted in riparian areas of six streams in the general vicinity of the Iron Mountain mine near Redding, California. The surveys were intended to provide part of the information needed for a natural resource damage assessment (NRDA), should such an assessment be desired at...
In the canyon grasslands of Garden Creek Ranch Preserve in Idaho, where the threatened plant Silene spaldingii occurs and invasion by the exotic species Centaurea solstitialis and Bromus tectorum is proceeding rapidly, I examined environmental and community patterns of site invasion, and evaluated the apparent influence of invasion on Silene...
A new genus and species of chrysomeline, Stenaspidiotus microptilus, n. gen., n. sp., (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) is described from Dominican amber. Diagnostic characters include an elongate, flattened body; small eyes; a narrow, long pronotum with a width/length ratio of 1.6, an irregular pronotal surface with marginated lateral edges, distinct humeral...
Published March 1968. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog
Latinx youth in the US experience stark inequities in sexual and reproductive health, including rates of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. One promising way to reduce these inequities is to provide culturally centered, comprehensive sexual health education. However, such curricula are rarely offered to Latinx youth, in part because...