WASH complex regulates actin dynamics on endosomes by activating the Arp2/3 complex, which subsequently induces generation of branched actin patches. WASH complex is required for proper recycling of many important transmembrane proteins. Although the general physiological function of WASH complex is known, the role of its single subunits have not yet been adequately specified. This work focuses on one of these subunits - protein SWIP. This protein maintains vesicular localization of some WASH complex subunits in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum and a point mutation in its sequence causes a severe neurodegenerative disease - autosomal recessive intellectual disorder (ARID). Our results show that SWIP truncation results in its inability to incorporate into WASH complex. However, the C-terminal part of SWIP is able to localize onto intracellular vesicles, which are not WASH complex positive. We have also studied the impact of ARID-causing SWIP mutation, and we show, that it does neither change the protein's ability to bind the complex nor the overall localization of WASH complex.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2003. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xix, 219 p.: ill. (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Samuel J. Traina, Environmental Science Graduate Program. Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-219).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-219).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington. / Bibliography: l. [144]-154.

Thesis (B.D.)--Western Evangelical Seminary, 1952. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [75]-77).

Thesis (M.A.)--Boise State University, 2009. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-98).

Thesis (M.A.)--Boise State University, 2009. / Title from t.p. of PDF file (viewed Sept. 23, 2009). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-98).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 1986. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-167). Also available online.

xi, 114 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Different models have been proposed for the "drumbeat" earthquakes that accompanied recent eruptive behavior at Mount St. Helens. Debate continues as to whether seismicity is related to brittle failure during the extrusion of solid dacite spines or is the result of hydrothermal fluids interacting with a crack buried in the volcanic edifice. My model predictions of steady-state conduit flow confirm the strong control that degassing exerts on eruptive behavior. I discuss the necessary role of degassing for extruded material to attain the high density (low vesicularity) of the observed spine material and discuss the implications for generating seismicity. A brittle-failure source of seismicity requires that the gouge elastic properties accommodate some strain, since the magma compressibility in the upper conduit is too low to do so on its own. I also report on a novel method for generating high-resolution digital elevation models of fault surface textures. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Alan Rempel, Chair; Dr. Katharine Cashman; Dr. David Schmidt

The High Ross controversy was a problem in the management of an International river. An international river presents a special problem because the actions of a nation upstream may cause problems for a nation downstream or vice versa. A river is also a finite resource where uses for one purpose may exclude uses for other purposes. The use of a river for hydroelectric power, for example, may destroy fisheries. In the case of an international river, conflicting demands on water use may present serious problems if the nations riparian to the river fail to coordinate their planning with respect to the river. In this study, it is normatively assumed that the best system for insuring that the interests of all concerned will be heard is a democracy. In a democracy it is a principle that the decision system should respond to the preferences of its citizens. To do this it must first be able to perceive these preferences. A public hearing is one vehicle for accepting information concerning the preferences of citizens. The goal of this study is to assess certain public hearings which were held in reference to the raising of Ross Dam on the Skagit River in Washington State. The issue of whether to raise the dam has created an international controversy lasting for years and involving the energies of hundreds of persons on both sides of the border. The hearings of interest in this study are certain hearings of 1970 through 1972 held by the International Joint Commission, the Washington Ecological Commission, and the Seattle City Council. The approach taken in this thesis began with isolating two normative criteria among many which any democratic system must have: openness and efficiency. Openness is the ability of a system to perceive the preferences of its citizens. This means that there should be no arbitrary restrictions upon what the decision-makers should see. Efficiency means that the process should be simple and not limited to a select group with the most time, money, and expertise to participate. Having established these criteria, the next step was to isolate the location in the hearings system where one might expect to find evidence of openness and efficiency. To do this, a theoretical paradigm of a communication system was constructed from political communications theory. This paradigm contained the basic components of a simple communication system. Thus, it was found that any communication system will have messages (input), sources for those messages (input sources), and receptors for perceiving those messages (intake elements). In rational systems there will also be a memory process which selects relevant input from among the mass of intake (screening element). These elements were analyzed in order to assess the hearings investigated. To assemble the data necessary for assessment, a multi-method approach was used. Over four hundred articles in newspapers and periodicals were surveyed. The transcripts of the hearings and resulting reports were closely analyzed. Finally, selected participants who- had key roles in the hearings were interviewed. The information from these sources was used in tandem to examine particular aspects of the hearings process which were suggested by the communication model as relevant. The conclusions derived from this study were that with certain exceptions the procedures used in the hearings studied facilitated openness. Also, while the cost of using the hearings was very high, the participants with few exceptions felt that the expense was justified because the issue was crucial to their interests. However, the weaknesses that did exist in openness and efficiency merit attention and should be remedied to strengthen the system. The result of this strengthening would be a more responsive and democratic process for managing international rivers. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate