This thesis considers likelihood inferences for generalized linear models with additional
random effects. The likelihood function involved ordinarily cannot be evaluated
in closed form and numerical integration is needed. The theme of the thesis is
a closed-form approximation based on Laplace's method. We first consider a special
yet important case...
The aim of this study was to gain more information about the
interactions between DNA and the histone octamer during the
process of transcription. This work used a pUC8 plasmid derivative
that contained the core promoter region of the RNA polymerase I of
Acanthamoeba castellanii, placed upstream of four repeats...
The first goal of this study was to understand the role of calpains in skeletal muscle
protein degradation in cultured cells. We have developed a genetic approach to inhibit
endogenous calpain activity through over-expressing dominant negative m-calpain (DN),
antisense m-calpain (AS) and calpastatin inhibitory domain (CID). We observed that,
under...
The "equilibrium partitioning theory" is one of the most widely used models to evaluate the
bioavailability of sediment-associated, nonpolar, organic contaminants and it makes
specific assumptions regarding the factors that influence this bioavailability. The objective
of this research was to test two assumptions of this theory: (1) that benthic organisms...
Growth phenology (i.e., timing of growth initiation and cessation) is important to adaptation. This study examined the extent of genetic control of bud and cambial phenology and their relationships with stem
growth in pole-size Douglas-fir (ages 13 to 16 years) from 60 open-pollinated families. The availability of bud phenology data...
The objective of this dissertation is to introduce low-cost processing methods for the fabrication of ZnO transparent thin-film transistors (TTFTs). A novel method for depositing ZnO body layers via spin-coating of a zinc nitrate-based spin solution is presented. The processing conditions of spin-coated ZnO are optimized to produce continuous and...
High hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP) is a nonthermal process in which foods are subjected to pressures in the range of 100-700 MPa at room temperatures or higher. HPP is effective in reducing microbial counts and enzyme activity. The ability of HPP to modify the functional properties of proteins has become...