Clostridium difficile is the causative agent of the majority of antibiotic associated diarrheas. C.
difficile spores are recognized as the morphotype of transmission, infection and persistence.
However, there is a lack of knowledge on how C. difficile spores interact with the host’s
epithelial surfaces. In this context, we have characterized...
Around the globe, an array of alternative agrifood movements has emerged largely in response to the ecological and socio-economic threat caused by industrialized agricultural processes. From organic agriculture, to Slow Food, Locavore, and the Food Sovereignty movement, people around the world are reasserting their right to healthy and culturally appropriate...
The variety of natural disasters provide different sets of characteristics and properties with unique challenges. One significant difference between hazard types is prewarning lead time, the amount of time individuals have from a potential warning to the disaster occurring. Rapid onset disasters may not provide an official warning about a...
Environmental DNA sequencing has revealed the expansive biodiversity of microorganisms
and clarified the relationship between host-associated microbial communities and host
phenotype. Shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing is a relatively new and powerful
environmental sequencing approach that provides insight into community biodiversity and
function. But, the analysis of metagenomic sequences is complicated...
Since the 1930's, many fields on the Crooked River National grasslands have been seeded to crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum). While some of these fields remain dominated by crested wheatgrass others had a greater presence of deep rooted native perennial grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Twenty eight fields previously...
Acculturative stress can be associated with increased conflicts between Latino parents and adolescent youth, and have negative effects on Latino immigrant parents' psychosocial functioning and parenting practices. Yet, the potentially deleterious effects of acculturative stress on Latino immigrant parents' psychosocial functioning and parenting practices may be mitigated through positive acculturative...
A beta Poisson dose-response model for Vibrio vulnificus food poisoning cases leading to septicemia was used when evaluating the effect of 15°C depuration on the estimated risk of raw oyster consumption. Statistical variability sources included V. vulnificus load at harvest, time and temperature during harvest and transportation to processing plants,...
Since the 1952 Bolivian agrarian reform, farmer unions have sought to establish themselves as producers for regional markets. Development strategies led by the World Bank and IMF have largely jeopardized small farmers, and challenged farmers to meet market demands. At present, a new agrarian revolution is being implemented and is...
The first goal of this master’s thesis was to investigate the linkage between a non-destructive testing method, surface resistivity, and premature concrete deterioration brought on by chloride ingress and or freeze-thaw cycling. The experimental method for this project consists of taking surface resistivity measurements of reinforced concrete slabs after they...
The most frequent cause of pseudomembranous colitis is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection. This type of colitis is characterized by an endoscopic pattern of numerous small, yellowish or whitish plaques diffusely distributed, which typically compromises the rectum extending to proximal colon. Occasionally, the pseudomembranes compromise only the transverse or right...