Heterodera avenae and H. filipjevi are economically important cyst nematodes that restrict production of cereal crops in the Pacific Northwest United States and elsewhere in the world. Identification of these two species is critical for recommending and implementing effective management practices. Primers were designed from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)...
Pratylenchus neglectus is one of the most widespread and economically important nematodes that invades plant roots and restricts wheat productivity in the Pacific Northwest. It is challenging to quantify P neglectus using microscopic methods for studies that require large-scale sampling, such as assessment of rotation crops, wheat cultivars, and other...
This dissertation uses argon geochronology and cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating methods to address three research questions. The first question concerns a geomagnetic instability recorded in lava flows on the island of Floreana in the Galapagos Archipelago. Changes in the Earth’s magnetic field (intensity and orientation) occur frequently throughout geologic...
Mitigating for increased human impact to the seafloor associated with resource extraction activities and renewable energy development can benefit from an understanding of the distribution of sensitive marine benthic species. Habitat suitability predictive modeling is a cost effective statistical tool to infer species distribution patterns from constrained sampling locations. However,...
In this thesis I present the results of a comprehensive assessment of the Pacific-North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern in general circulation models (GCMs) and a regional climate model (RCM). The PNA teleconnection pattern is a quasi-stationary wave field over the North Pacific and North America that has long been recognized...
I surveyed epiphytic macrolichens and bryophytes in six stands in each of seven riparian stand types in the Oregon Coast Range. This study (Chapter 2) describes the association of epiphytes with stand types and the corresponding potential of forest canopy conversions to affect epiphyte communities. Species composition, diversity, and representation...
Research suggests that, in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), low
plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations are related to an increased incidence
and severity of symptoms associated with CTS. This study was designed to determine
the relationship between plasma and red blood cell PLP concentrations and the severity
and incidence...
This study was undertaken to determine the sensory differences in high pressure vs. heat processed food systems after storage at ambient and refrigerated temperatures as determined by a trained sensory panel. Spanish rice and spaghetti with meat sauce were prepared and treated with heat and with high pressure processing (HHP)....
This study investigated the impact of team-teaching in coordinated-studies programs
(CSPs) on community college faculty in three instructional development domains: personal,
social, and professional. Grounded in a social-constructivist theoretical framework, this
research examined whether development occurs best experientially, in collaborative
communities of knowledgeable peers. CSPs are team-taught interdisciplinary, problem-solving
enterprises...
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating, degenerative, and chronic disease that affects over 350,000 individuals in the United States. Symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity, weakness, gait and visual disturbances, numbness and balance problems affect many with MS on a regular basis. There are literally an infinite number of combinations of...