http://hdl.handle.net/1813/35 Cornell University Graduate School On-line Theses and Dissertations Thu, 23 May 2013 11:41:09 GMT 2013-05-23T11:41:09Z http://ecommons.library.cornell.edu:80/retrieve/49/grad_school2.jpg http://hdl.handle.net/1813/35 http://hdl.handle.net/1813/33230 Title: The cost and quality of school bus transportation and the distribution of state aid for transportation in New York State. Authors: Crane, Edmund Harold Abstract: The final purpose of this study was to suggest a method of distributing state aid for transportation in accordance with the equalization principle. Description: 196 l. illus. 28 cm. Fri, 01 Jan 1943 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/33230 1943-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/33154 Title: MEANS OF TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE Authors: Mouhtar, S.F. Wed, 01 May 1929 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/33154 1929-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31512 Title: Essays On Banking Authors: Zhang, Yu Abstract: Diamond and Dybvig (1983) provide an analytical framework of modern banking: The key role of banks is to provide risk sharing between different types of consumers, and the mismatch of short-term liabilities and long-term asset can cause bank runs. In this dissertation, I use Diamond-Dybvig framework to analyze some key issues on banking: banks and the asset market, bank runs and bailouts, and characteristics of deposit contracts. The first chapter addresses the coexistence of banks and the asset market. Jacklin (1987) showed that banks are redundant if the asset market exists. I show that if there is aggregate liquidity shock, then asset prices will be volatile. This will make the arbitrage opportunities in the market risky. Sufficiently risk-averse depositors will not arbitrage. Hence, incentive-compatibility constraint is relaxed, leaving room for the bank to provide "insurance" to the depositors. The second chapter addresses the relationship between the probability of bank runs and bailouts. Following Keister (2010), my model includes both a private good and a public good. The major innovation in this paper is to determine the run probability by using the global-games approach in Goldstein and Pauzner (2005), making the run probability endogenous. I show that bailouts increase the ex-ante run probability through two channels. The first channel works through the misaligned objectives of the bank and the government: Runs are less costly for banks when there are bailouts. Hence, banks take on more risk than is socially optimal. The second channel works through the change in the depositor's incentives to run: Bailouts increase the probability that a depositor will get her money if she participates in a run, thus increasing the likelihood of a run. The third chapter characterizes how optimal deposit contract is related to the probability of bank runs. Peck and Shell (2003) show that the optimal deposit contract can tolerate bank runs if the run probability is low. In their two-consumer example, the deposit contract is a step function of the run probability. I generalize that example and show that, for some parameters which permit bank runs, the optimal contract changes continuously with the run probability until it reaches the threshold probability level. Above that threshold, the optimal contract eliminates bank runs. Hence, the run probability affects not only whether bank runs will be tolerated (like Peck and Shell's example) but also how bank runs will be tolerated. Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31512 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31510 Title: Banks And The Bonding Hypothesis Authors: Gopalan, Yadav Abstract: Previous research has indicated the effect that regulatory jurisdictions have on firm corporate governance. Firms that need to finance investments can reduce their cost of capital by adopting stronger regulation by cross-listing their shares in overseas markets. By taking this idea as a point of departure, this study aims to see whether banks can improve governance by expanding banking operations into the United States. This is measured by examining banks' loan loss provisions as a mechanism of earnings management through an event study. The event study is structured as a set of cross-sectional ordinary least squares over time trying to capture the effect of US financial regulation on tendencies to manage earnings via loan loss provisions. The results are mixed, stemming from weak data and limited observations; however, other considerations are taken into account to potentially further the study in the future. Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31510 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31511 Title: Bacillus Subtilis Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factors Control Antibiotic Production And Resistance Authors: Luo, Yun Abstract: Bacillus subtilis, the model organism for Gram-positive bacteria, expresses seven extracytoplasmic function (ECF) [sigma] factors (called [sigma]M, [sigma]W, [sigma]X, [sigma]Y, [sigma]V, [sigma]Z and [sigma]YlaC). [sigma]M, [sigma]W, [sigma]X, and [sigma]V are well-characterized and mediate cell envelope stress responses. The functions of [sigma]Y, [sigma]Z and [sigma]YlaC remain largely unknown. One challenge in understanding the regulatory roles of ECF [sigma] factor is that they display significant redundancy in their regulons. In this study, we investigate the regulation of B. subtilis antibiotic production and resistance by ECF [sigma] factors using both global analytical techniques (cDNA microarrays, phenotypic arrays, and transposon mutagenesis) and classical genetic and physiological tests. This work began with the observation that a triple sigMWX mutant (strain [DELTA]MWX) lost its ability to inhibit the growth of other bacilli strains. We present evidence that deletions of [sigma]X and [sigma]M underlie this phenotype and that in wild type cells these ECF [sigma] factors activate the expression of a transcription factor Abh. Abh stimulates the production of a peptide antibiotic called sublancin, which is able to inhibit the growth of other bacilli. We also compared the transcriptomic profiles and phenotypic traits of strains lacking these three [sigma] factors ([DELTA]MWX) and all 7 ECF [sigma] factors ([DELTA]7ECF) with a wild type strain. Deletion of all 7 ECF [sigma] factors affects the i transcriptions of over 80 genes, most of which are regulated by [sigma]M, [sigma]W, or [sigma]X. The [DELTA]MWX and [DELTA]7ECF strains are more sensitive to several cell envelope disrupting compounds when compared to wild type including two [beta]-lactam antibiotics (aztreonam and cefuroxime). Finally, we investigated the ECF [sigma] factor-dependent genetic and biochemical mechanisms that mediate resistance to cefuroxime. [sigma]M is the major determinant in cefuroxime resistance with [sigma]X playing a smaller role. These [sigma] factors regulate at least three pathways involving the regulatory proteins Abh and Spx, and a cyclic-di-AMP synthase DisA. Collectively, the data in this work suggests that ECF [sigma] factors regulate an intricate regulatory network that contributes to both antibiotic production and resistance in B. subtilis. ii Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31511 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31513 Title: Structure-Function Studies On Novel Signaling Regulators Authors: Zhou, Yeyun Abstract: This dissertation studies the structures and functions of novel signaling regulators, with Chapter 2-4 focusing on sirtuins and Chapter 5 on the DOCK180 family of Rho GEFs. Sirtuins are NAD-dependent deacetylases that regulate important biological processes. Mammals have seven sirtuins, SIRT1-7. SIRT4-7 have undetectable or weak deacetylase activity. In Chapter 2 we identified SIRT5 as an efficient protein lysine desuccinylase and demalonylase. The preference for succinyl and malonyl groups is accomplished by their interactions with residue Tyr102 and Arg105 of SIRT5. Lysine malonylation and succinylation were identified in mammalian proteins. Additionally, SIRT5 can reverse succinylation in vivo. In Chapter 3 I delineated the desuccinylation reaction of SIRT5 in crystals, including the complex structure of SIRT5 with a bicyclic intermediate. The SIRT5 complex structures will provide insights to the design of SIRT5-specific inhibitors to investigate its biological functions. In Chapter 4, we investigated a sirtuin homologue from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, PfSir2A, which regulates the expression of surface antigens to evade the detection by host immune surveillance. We present enzymology and structural evidence supporting that PfSir2A preferentially hydrolyzes medium and long chain fatty acyl groups from lysine residues. This would facilitate the development of PfSir2A inhibitors as potential drugs in malaria treatment. As the Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs) of Rho GTPases, the DOCK180 family proteins are key regulators of cell motility, phagocytosis, and adhesion. Mammals have 11 members, DOCK1-11, which are classified into four subfamilies, A through D. The DOCK-C subfamily that includes DOCK6-8 has been proposed to activate both Cdc42 and Rac1. In Chapter 5 I show that DOCK7 promotes very weak activation of non-prenylated Cdc42 or Rac1 in solution, but robust activation of prenylated Cdc42 and Rac1 on model liposomes, demonstrating that the prenylation and membrane localization of GTPases are essential for the activation by DOCK7. Additionally, DOCK7 harbors residues that impart GTPase specificity and these can be mutated to shift a given DOCK7 activity profile. Finally, the DOCK7 possesses a distal site that binds preferentially to the active forms of Cdc42 and Rac1 and thereby forms a possible positive feedback loop in activating GTPases. Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31513 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31506 Title: Improving Risk Estimates Of Runoff Producing Areas: Formulating Variable Source Areas As A Bivariate Process Authors: Cheng, Xiaoya Abstract: Predicting runoff producing areas and corresponding risks is important for protecting water quality from nonpoint source pollution. However, the currently proposed engineering methods to do this do not account for antecedent soil wetness status, which may substantially impact risk estimates, especially where variable source area hydrology is a dominate storm runoff process. In this study, I developed a bivariate approach to estimate spatially-distributed risks of runoff production by incorporating both rainfall and antecedent soil moisture conditions into a method based on the Natural Resource Conservation Service-Curve Number equation. I used base flow immediately preceding storm events as an index of antecedent soil wetness status. Using the data from a study hillslope near Ithaca, NY, I demonstrated that my estimates agreed with independent field-observations. I further applied the proposed approach to the Upper Susquehanna River Basin and mapped predicted saturated areas with a Geographic Information System using a Soil Topographic Index. Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31506 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31505 Title: Characterization Of Genes In The Cyclohexanol Operon Of Polaromonas Sp. Strain Js666 Authors: Wan Johari, Wan Lutfi Bin Abstract: Polaromonas sp. strain JS666 is the only isolate capable of growth through the aerobic oxidation of cis-dichloroethene (cDCE). Study of the JS666 genome, along with previous results from transcriptomics and proteomics studies, have suggested the involvement of a cyclohexanone monooxygenase gene (chmo, chnB, Bpro_5565) in the process. Specifically, CHMO was hypothesized to catalyze the epoxidation of cDCE. We successfully inactivated the chmo gene through use of a suicide vector, and the resulting chmo-knockout strain (KO) was incapable of growth on cyclohexanone (CYHX), cDCE, ethanol (EtOH) and cyclohexanol. The overexpressed CHMO in Escherichia coli showed activity on CYHX; nonetheless, no activity was confirmed with cDCE. This suggests that CHMO is not involved in the first step of cDCE degradation, however, differences in cellular environments (i.e. pH, protein folding and posttranslational modification) between the E. coli and JS666 strains could have contributed to the outcome. Genes in the same operon with chmo, namely the adjacent, upstream hydrolase (chnC, Bpro_5566) and two adjacent, downstream alcohol dehydrogenases (chnD and chnA, Bpro_5563 and Bpro_5564, respectively) may serve important roles in cDCE degradation. When CYHX or EtOH was supplied as co-substrate, wild-type JS666 (WT) quickly exhibited cDCE degradation and sustained it through multiple additions, but not when succinate or acetate was co-administered, suggesting that CYHX and EtOH each elevate expression of proteins involved in cDCE metabolism. ChnD overexpressed in E. coli showed activity not only on EtOH and cyclohexanol, but also on 2,2dichloroacetaldehyde (DCAL), which is a hydroxylation product of cDCE by cyctochrome P450 (Bpro_5301), reducing it to 2,2-dichloroethanol. This suggests that ChnD is involved in cDCE degradation - not as a first step, but in subsequent steps. Changes in proteome levels during cDCE-degradation were explored using a quantitative shotgun proteomics technique, Isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ). iTRAQ studies showed that genes adjacent to chmo were still translated in the KO, but with reduced protein abundance, particularly with respect to downstream genes. Given that we demonstrated ChnD (and possibly ChnA) acts on alcohol, and given that the KO lost ability to degrade alcohol and cDCE, it is therefore reasonable to propose that the lower abundance of ChnD (and presumably ChnA) in KO is the explanation for the differing behaviors of KO vs. WT strains. Through iTRAQ studies, we found that cDCE increased the relative abundances of proteins involved in glyoxylate metabolism. Several proteins that may be involved in cDCE-degradation pathways were also identified, such as an aldehyde dehydrogenase (Bpro_3952) and enzymes that are hypothetically involved in glyoxal metabolism. This also supports a hypothesis of a cDCE-degradation pathway involving glyoxal formation from hydrolysis of cDCE-epoxide. Collectively, data gathered from these studies suggest possible roles of genes in the cyclohexanol operon and update our understanding on multiple pathways of cDCE-biodegradation in JS666. iv Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31505 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31507 Title: Essays On Social Networks: Relative Concerns, Social Interactions, And Unintended Consequences Authors: Chen, Xi Abstract: This dissertation is composed of a literature review, Chapter 1, an in-depth analysis of data used in the dissertation, Chapter 2, and three main essays, Chapters 3-5, on relative concerns, social interactions and unintended consequences. To uncover the nature of social interactions, Chapter 3 studies how rural residents form social networks, and what explains the recent gift spending escalation. Chapter 4 focuses on a typical market that carries significant social stigma - paid blood plasma donation in China. I explore the role of peer interactions in the networks. Building upon it, Chapter 5 evaluates how in utero exposures to frequent and costly social events for the impoverished families impacts early child nutrients intake and health status. Chapter 1 This chapter reviews the recent literature on inequality and income distribution in rural China utilizing panel datasets. On the basis of the review, this chapter identifies new research areas with existing panel datasets and my new household panel dataset, i.e., the IFPRI-CAAS, which could shape future research. Chapter 2 The tradition of keeping written gift record in many Asian countries offers researchers an old-fashioned but underutilized means of data collection for development and social network study. This chapter documents a long-term spontaneous household gift record I collected from the field. I discuss the data collection and network structure, highlighting its unique features for studies at household and dyadic link level. Chapter 3 The growth rate of gift and festival spending in some developing countries has been much higher than that of consumption and income. I test three competing explanations of the phenomenon-peer effect, status concern, and risk pooling-based on the IFPRI-CAAS and the gift network data. I find that gift-giving behavior is largely influenced by peers in reference groups. Status concern is another key motive for keeping up with the Joneses in extending gifts. In contrast, risk pooling does not seem to be a key driver of the observed gift-giving patterns. I also show that large windfall income triggers the escalation of competitive gift-giving behavior. Chapter 4 Despite the resultant disutility, people are still engaged in behavior carrying social stigma. Empirical studies on stigma behavior are rare, largely due to the formidable challenges of collecting data on stigmatized goods and services. Combining the IFPRI-CAAS and the gift network data, I examine frequent blood sales, widely regarded as a stigmatized behavior and the driving force of public health crises. Using a novel spatial identification strategy, I find social interactions with heterogeneous intensities affect plasma sales decisions. Peer effects are directional and work through preference interactions that reduce stigma. Families with unmarried son are more likely to sell plasma to offset costs of getting married in a tight marriage market, such as a bigger house, a higher bride price and a more lavish wedding banquet. Chapter 5 Participating in and presenting gifts at funerals, weddings, and other ceremonies held by fellow villagers have been regarded as social norms. However, it is more burdensome for the poor to take part in these social occasions than the rich. Because the poor often lack the necessary resources, they are forced to cut back on basic consumption, such as food, in order to afford a gift to attend the social festivals. Using the IFPRI-CAAS and the gift dataset, this chapter shows that children born to mothers in poor families who are exposed to a greater number of ceremonies during their pregnancies are more likely to display a lasting detrimental health impact. Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31507 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31508 Title: Controlled Hybridization With An Apple Breeding Selection Of Reduced Scion Vigor And The Study Of The Tree Architecture Of Its Offspring Authors: Yang, Xiaohua Abstract: Selection 1, an apple (Malus xdomestica Borkh.) progeny of 'Fuji' x Co-op 18, was characterized by reduced stature and repeated occurrence of forks (lateral branches of the same length). Crossing Selection 1 with parents with contrasting architectures generated progeny 805 and 806. Forked branching and reduced internode length were transmitted from Selection 1 to some of its progeny. Clear segregation of dwarf plants was observed in progeny 806 in the first growing season. These dwarfs resembled 'sturdy dwarf' suggested by Alston (1976) and were controlled by two recessive genes (d1, d3). Fewer columnar plants and more intermediate types were present in progeny 805 than expected, a manifestation of interaction of different architectural types. Shoots were collected from apple cultivar 'Redcort' (on 'M.M.106' rootstock), as well as dwarf and standard plants (own rooted) from progeny 806. These shoot were treated with [14C]GA12. Twenty-one metabolites were identified and used as tracers for the purification of endogenous GAs. The existence of endogenous GA12, GA15, GA53, GA44, GA19, GA20 and GA3 was demonstrated by GC-MS, an indication that [14C]GA12 was metabolized mainly through the 13hydroxylation pathway. Dwarf and standard seedlings from progeny 806 produced similar metabolites from [14C]GA12, except for peak N, which was only detected in standard plants between 3 and 6 h. The metabolic rate in standard plants was almost double that of dwarf plants, which may be due to the low vigor of the dwarf seedlings or to low bioactivity of certain enzymes in the pathway. Exogenous GA3 and GR24 (a strigolactone analog) were applied to plants in progeny 806. Branches treated with GA3 had more new growth due to increased number of nodes as compared to control branches in dwarf plants. Decapitation was conducted before the application of GR24 to induce outgrowth of axillary buds. Different degrees of dominance were observed for shoots induced by decapitation in the greenhouse on population 28 (derived from open pollinated Selection 1), whereas for plants in progeny 806, shoots from bud 1 and bud 2 always became dominant. GR24 did not effectively inhibit branching in our study. Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1813/31508 2012-05-27T00:00:00Z