The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. A key function of the pathway is to regulate the subcellular distribution and activity of Yorkie in Drosophila or Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcription co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in mammals. The dysregulation of the...
Sustainable management of planted forests requires maintenance of soil function
to promote 1) root growth; 2) storage and cycling of water and nutrients; 3) optimal gas
exchange; and 4) biological activity. Soil quality measurements can be used to monitor
short- and long-term changes in these soil functions, allowing managers to...
Cells represent microcosms of spatial and temporal structural organization, with the achievement of internal spatial organization relying upon a collection of macromolecular motor complexes to transport and localize components throughout the cell. Cytoplasmic dynein is one such motor complex, and is the principal ATP-dependent motor for retrograde transport along microtubules...
Chemoreception is one of the dominant sensory modalities for many species of salamanders (reviewed in Chapter 2). At least seven of the ten currently recognized salamander families are known to respond to some sort of chemical cue. These responses are as varied as delaying hatching, seeking refuge, or initiating aggressive...
In recent years considerable interest has been shown in the diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in soil communities. The majority of the research has been carried out in Northern Europe where soils have received high atmospheric inputs of nitrogen over the past two centuries. In contrast, although much work has been...
Accurate chromosome segregation and cell cleavage are critical to maintaining genomic integrity. Both events involve the spindle apparatus, but the exact mechanics is as puzzling as the contradicting models proposed in the last two centuries. In this dissertation, current prevailing models of chromosome segregation and cell cleavage are tested using...
Previous attempts to understand the factors affecting the energetic cost of locomotion have found a direct link between the energetic cost and the mechanical work done during periods when the limb is in contact with the ground. However, when the limb is not in contact with the ground during the...
Shallow landslides are a prevalent concern in mountainous regions that can result in severe societal, economic, and environmental impacts. The challenge is further compounded as the size and location of a potential slide is often unknown. This study presents a generalized approach for the evaluation of shallow landslide susceptibility using...
Circadian clocks are endogenous molecular mechanisms that coordinate daily rhythms in gene expression, cellular activities, and physiological functions with external day/night cycles. Breakdown of circadian rhythms such as sleep/wake cycles is associated with the onset of several neurological diseases; however, it is not clear whether disruption of rhythms is a...
This study examined fish movements and assemblage dynamics in the Wenaha, Grande Ronde, Snake river system of northeast Oregon and southeast Washington. I investigated the role of fish movement in the dynamics of stream fish assemblages and evaluated relationships between species movement, assemblage structure, and the heterogeneity of habitat at...