In this paper we present and analyze on-line routing schemes with contant buuer size and hot-potato routing schemes for vertex-symmetric networks. In particular, we prove that for any vertex-symmetric network with n vertices, degree d, and diameter D = (log n), a randomly chosen function and any permutation can be routed in time { O(log n D), with high probability (w.h.p.), if constant size buu...

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs usually ranging in size 20-30 nt. They are playing important roles in plant-pathogen interactions. This thesis aimed at studying the sRNA populations in potato and Phytophthora infestans and their role in the potato-P. infestans interaction. An attempt was also made to implement such knowledge to improve resistance in potato against P. infestans. P. ...

The kinetics of glucoamylase-catalyzed hydrolysis of starch granules from six different botanical sources (rice, wheat, maize, cassava, sweet potato, and potato) was studied by the use of an electrochemical glucose sensor. A higher rate of hydrolysis was obtained as a smaller size of starch granules was used. The adsorbed amount of glucoamylase on the granule surface per unit area did not vary ...

Emergence phenology and fitness attributes of several Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), populations were measured under field and greenhouse conditions. Anecdotal observations by producers and pest managers in many locations of the upper Midwest increasingly suggested that select populations of Colorado potato beetle were emerging over a longer period in the spring and we...

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of short, non-coding, endogenous RNAs which play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. While the diverse functions of miRNAs in model plants have been well studied, the impact of miRNAs in crop plant biology is poorly understood. Here we used high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to analyze miRNAs in the tub...

Viroids are the smallest agents known to be pathogenic to plants. Unlike viruses, they are devoid of a protective protein coat and are composed entirely of circular ribonucleic acid of low molecular weight (ca. 85,000-130,000 d. In spite of their small size, viroids cause serious diseases of avocado, chrysanthemum, citrus, coconut, cucumber, hop, potato and tomato. Although viroid diseases have...

Field sweet potato plants showing virus-like symptoms, as stunting, leaf distortion, mosaic and chlorosis, were collected in southwest Portugal and tested for the presence of four potyviruses, sweet potato virus C (SPVC), sweet potato virus 2 (SPV2), sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), sweet potato virus G (SPVG), and the crinivirus sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV). DsRNA frac...

BACKGROUND Patatins encoded by a multi-gene family are one of the major storage glycoproteins in potato tubers. Potato tubers have recently emerged as bioreactors for the production of human therapeutic glycoproteins (vaccines). Increasing the yield of recombinant proteins, targeting the produced proteins to specific cellular compartments, and diminishing expensive protein purification steps ar...

This thesis tests if certain technology choices are associated with a reduction in the proportion of farming activities in the agro-food system in Maine. Goodman, Sorj, and Wilkinson define appropriationism as the replacement of farming sector activities by industrial inputs. Based on the concept of appropriationism, industrial fanning systems using large amounts of synthetic inputs contribute ...