Effects of 4-inch (10.16 cm) suction dredge mining on benthic macroinvertebrates in 3rd to 4th order streams were investigated in 1996 by evaluating four mining claim operations in Althouse Creek, Sucker Creek, and Taylor Creek in southwestern Oregon's Rogue River basin. The effects were site-specific. The study showed no significant (p>0.05) differences between treatment and control areas in density and species diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates. However, mean taxa richness significantly (p<0.05) increased thirty days following the end of the mining period. Collector-filterers were significantly (p<0.05) lower in dredged areas thirty days after the mining season. Because of constraints in sampling design, sample sizes and relatively small treatment areas, the results from this study are tenuous at best. There were apparent inherent differences in species dominance among sites possibly a result of differences in stream size and riparian conditions. This further confounds results of this study. / Graduation date: 2000

An important disease of Vitis vinifera production in Oregon and all other commercial growing regions is powdery mildew of grape, caused by the obligate fungal pathogen Uncinula necator (Schwein.) Burril. Grape production can be characterized as a long-term investment in the establishment and maintenance of the vineyard. Establishment times have been reduced with the use of plastic vine shelters, but powdery mildew disease pressure within vine shelters had been an unaddressed issue. Control of the pathogen requires frequent spray applications and costly cultural management of the grape canopy. Industry interest in forecasting programs have shown promise in regulating spray applications to times when they are most effective, or needed. The timing of when to begin spray programs is believed to be a point of weakness in the forecasting programs currently available for grape powdery mildew. The influence of vine shelter use on the development of powdery mildew was investigated in the field during the 1998 and 1999 growing season. Industry standard installations of various brands of vine shelters were tested against modified installations for both incidence and severity of Uncinula necator infection. The industry standard installation of 76 cm high tubes hilled with 8 cm of soil at the bottom to prevent airflow, were effective in reducing the incidence of powdery mildew in both field seasons. Disease reduction was associated with prolonged temperatures above 36��C and the exclusion of infective spores by the artificial barrier created by the vine shelters. The effectiveness of three forecasting programs for predicting the initial spray application was investigated for three seasons. Actual disease onset dates were determined by using trap leaves or plants. The forecasting programs consistently predicted initial spray dates between 31 and 44 days prior to the detection of powdery mildew with the trapping system. Modifications to the existing forecasting programs were attempted to adjust the forecasting programs to more closely predict the actual detected disease onset dates. The UC-Davis program performed the best over the three years of the study, but improvements will be necessary for an adequate forecasting program in the region. Flag shoots were reported for the first time in Oregon. / Graduation date: 2000

In this study I explored the variety of educational opportunities available in museums. Next, I examined the museum education programs in the Portland, Oregon area and described what types of opportunities are available to teachers. Finally, I made suggestions for teachers on how to best access museum programs and for museum educators on how to best reach teachers. Interactions between schools and museums exist on a variety of levels. From limited interactions to collaborative programming, schools and museums have found ways to work together to accomplish their joint goal of education. Museums offer self-guided or guided tours, curriculum packets, teacher education programs, access to collections or informational programs related to special exhibits. Some museums and schools have developed deeper relationships in which each give and receive help carrying out their missions. I interviewed museum educators at nine museums in Portland and the surrounding areas. I asked questions regarding the types of programs available, especially focusing on programs suitable for school groups or those that might be helpful to teachers. The programs available in the Portland area vary by institution. Each museum, historic home or zoo offers unique programs on a variety of topics. While history predominates, science, math, social studies and art are readily available. Teachers should be able to supplement nearly any classroom topic. Teachers should take the time to get to know the educators in the institutions. Overall, the key for an individual teacher seeking museum education for students is to ask what is available. The programming at most institutions is flexible, especially when there are traveling or temporary exhibitions. Teachers should get onto mailing lists so they will be notified when special or new programs are available. Also, teachers need to keep in contact with the museum educators. Developing a personal relationship will prove invaluable for a teacher who is trying to fill a gap in a unit or supplement his or her curriculum. Museum educators will benefit from time spent analyzing where their current programs meet state guidelines or focusing planning on meeting specific state common curriculum goals (CCGs) when designing new programs. Schools are reorganizing their curriculum to meet state standards and museum personnel would be wise to do the same. / Graduation date: 2000

Graduation date: 1954

Three studies were conducted to evaluate: 1) rotationally grazed forage for late-summer stockpiling; 2) effects of lactation on self-fed supplement intake; and 3) influence of cow age on hand-fed supplement intake. For the first study, treatments consisted of non grazed, 2X and 3X grazed. Crude protein of forage grazed 3X was greater (P<.10) than non-grazed. Yield of non-grazed forage was greater (P<.10) than forage grazed 2X and 3X. Non-grazed forage displayed the greatest stockpiled yield and grazing influenced quality of stockpiled forage to a small magnitude. Treatments for the second study consisted of non, mid, and late-lactation on two experimental diets. Late-lactation cow BW change was less (P<.10) than non-lactating in both experiments and less (P<.10) than mid-lactating cows in Exp. 1 only. Forage intake for late-lactating cows was less (P<.10) than mid-lactating cows in Exp. 1 and tended to be greater (P=.13) than non-lactating cows in Exp. 2. Self-fed supplement intake was highly variable but not influenced by lactation. Treatments for the third study consisted of five age groups. In yr 1, weight change at d 57 for 11-yr cows was greater (P<.10) than 5-yr cows. In yr 2, weight change at d 28 for 8-yr cows was less (P<.10) than 4, 6, and 10-yr cows and 4-yr cows was greater (P<.10) than 6, 10, and 12-yr cows. At d 56, weight change for 4-yr cows was greater (P<.10) than 6, 8, 10 and 12-yr cows and 12-yr cows was less (P<.10) than 6 and 10-yr cows. Weight change at calving for 4-yr cows was greater (P<.10) than 6, 8, and 12-yr cows. Forage intake of 10-yr cows was greater (P<.10) than 8 and 4-yr cows. Supplement intake of 4-yr cows was greater (P>.10) than 8, 10, and 12-yr cows. Six-yr cows had greater (P<.10) supplement intakes than 12 and 8-yr cows. Three and 4-yr cows displayed the best performance and 4-yr cows consumed the greatest amount of supplement. / Graduation date: 2000

Graduation date: 1999

This study describes the experience of homelessness and pregnancy for seven women and their partners in Lane County, Oregon. Homeless pregnant women provide a unique challenge to health care providers and social workers. These women are at increased risk for many negative factors that could affect their pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of the study was to collect information from pregnant women experiencing homelessness in Lane County. Data was analyzed to identify demographic characteristics, service use patterns and recurring themes. It is expected the results will be the basis for further research with homeless pregnant women in Lane County. The project utilized a mostly qualitative research design supported by limited quantitative data. The sources of data included client records, written surveys, and face-to-face personal interviews. Findings indicated that there is a service gap for women less than eight months pregnant with no other children in her custody and that over half of the participants had other children that were not in their current custody. The investigator recommends that further research examine the psychosocial aspects of homelessness and pregnancy. Also, the association between current pregnancy and the previous removal of a child from a mother's custody should be further explored. / Graduation date: 2000

The Safety Analysis Report (SAR) of the Oregon State University TRIGA Research Reactor (OSTR) was prepared and used as a safety baseline for the reactor's operation since 1968. Although, in general, revision of the Safety Analysis Report of a research reactor is not a regulation requirement, it should be revised from time to time to include changes to the facility or procedures or update to current regulatory standards. The ANS 15.21 workgroup developed a draft standard format and content for safety analysis reports for research reactors. An area of this guidance, which was selected for this work's revision of OSTR-SAR, is the radiation protection program and waste management chapter. The Health Physics program of the facility was observed. The radiological data were obtained from the annual reports for more than 10 years of operation. The related data, such as meteorological data, were obtained and prepared for the analysis processes. The current federal regulation limits and recommendations were used as the references for dose assessments. The results show the OSTR has a sufficient radiation protection program not only for the facility's workers, but also for the general public, and the program is in full compliance with the federal regulations. The dose estimation shows that the workers and general public can not receive and have not received doses in excess of regulatory limits from the normal operation of the OSTR. / Graduation date: 2000

Breadmaking quality is an important criterion in breeding and development of hard wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. Improvements in N management are needed to produce superior quality grain and satisfy market demands for protein content. Field experiments with three hard red and two hard white spring wheat cultivars were conducted in 1998 and 1999 at Corvallis and Pendleton, Oregon. Nitrogen rates were varied from 0 to 250 kg N ha�����, applied all at planting, or split between planting and stem elongation. Resulting grain was evaluated for protein content, protein quality, dough handling, and bread-making quality. Grain protein content of the five cultivars increased with increasing levels of applied nitrogen. There was a concurrent improvement in bread-making quality, as indicated by increasing protein quality, loaf volume, loaf crumb score. Use of split nitrogen applications contributed to increased grain protein content at both the intermediate and high N rates. At the higher N rates, a split application had no apparent influence on protein quality. However, at intermediate N rates, a split application contributed to improvements in protein quality and loaf volume. Nitrogen use efficiency and wheat end-use quality can be improved by using split applications of nitrogen during the crop cycle. / Graduation date: 2001

The purpose of this thesis was to gain insight into why female college students initiate smoking. This study examined the major factors influencing the formation of such habit among this group. The tool used to study these factors was the questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected female students on the Oregon State University (OSU) campus. The Memorial Union and campus library were the only locations where these questionnaires were administered. Results of the study suggested that peers and curiosity were paramount in influencing smokers to initiate smoking. The results also indicated that, with the exceptions of curiosity and the belief that smoking was "adult", there were no differences between early and late initiators in the extent to which the factors under examination influenced them to start smoking. Both curiosity and the belief that smoking was "adult" had greater influence on early initiators to smoke their first cigarettes than they did with late initiators. Lastly, college-related stress was found to increase the daily level of smoking among smokers. For non-smokers, health concern and odor were factors that influenced them greatly to remain smoke-free. Overall, the findings suggested that prevention efforts should focus on strategies that reduce the acceptability of smoking in the social environment. / Graduation date: 1999