Xanthomonas hortorum pv. carotae (Xhc) is an epiphytic, plant pathogenic bacterium that causes the disease bacterial blight of carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus). Infection with Xhc can result in blighting of leaves and umbels and reduce quality and yield of carrot seed crops. Carrot production in the United States approaches...
Climate model simulations and paleoclimate proxies are two tools that enable an understanding of the climate history of the Earth. When utilized together, they form a powerful paradigm for understanding past changes. Proxies are the only physical link to the past conditions on Earth, and models “fill in the gaps”...
Intensifications in seasonal temperature variation, attributed to increased greenhouse gas concentrations, are having an adverse effect on the forest composition of the northeastern United States. New York’s temperate broadleaf forests are undergoing alterations including a decline of the native sugar maple (Acer saccharum), as the species’ population begins to decrease...
Coastal communities face heightened risk to coastal flooding and erosion hazards due to sea-level rise, changing storminess patterns, and evolving human development pressures. Incorporating uncertainty associated with both climate change and the range of possible adaptation measures is essential for projecting the evolving exposure to coastal flooding and erosion, as...
Wheat sharp eyespot (SES), caused by the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia cerealis is a common stem disease of wheat globally. The disease caused a severe and extensive epidemic throughout the Willamette Valley of Oregon in 2014 and has remained one of the most important wheat diseases in this region. However, litte...
Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapy has massive potential to treat various genetic disorders by providing effective proteins to the diseased cells and tissues. Its therapeutic applications include protein replacement, genome editing, and immunotherapy. For successful mRNA treatment, mRNA must be delivered to the cytosol of target cells. One of the leading...
In this dissertation, we explored multiple coding techniques to reduce energy consumption, improve performance, and secure wireless sensor networks specifically and ad-hoc networks in general. With the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technologies, wireless sensor networks are quickly emerging as an important and key technology in the...
The goal of the work in this dissertation was to identify alternative soil amendments to improve plant growth and yield during establishment of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid). Woody materials, such as sawdust and wood chips, have a high carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and low water holding capacity, which can...
Real transportation fuels contain a wide range of hydrocarbon species, and this complexity poses challenges for modeling. Surrogates with a simpler blend of hydrocarbon reference fuels can approximate the physical and chemical characteristics of real fuels and enable practical simulation of the reacting flows that occur in engines and combustors....