BIOS 9231: Bayesian Statistics I

This course provides the student with an introduction Bayesian analysis and compares Bayesian methods to that of frequentists. The course includes selection of prior distributions, computing posterior distributions, and conjugate models such as the Beta-Binomial, Normal-Normal, and Gamma-Poisson models. Bayesian inference using point and interval estimation, Bayesian hierarchical models, and exchangeability will be explored. Topics including Empirical Bayes versus a fully Bayes approach, Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and model checking using Bayes factors and sensitivity analyses will be included. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B in BIOS 9131, or permission from instructor

BIOS/PUBH 6541: Biostatistics

This 4 credit course examines statistics in public health and related sciences, including sampling, probability, basic discrete and continuous distributions, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, categorical data analysis, regression, and correlation. Emphasis will be on the development of critical thinking skills and health data analysis applications with computer software

DEVELOPMENT OF A MINIATURIZED AMBIENT GLOW DISCHARGE IONIZATION SOURCE AND ITS APPLICATION IN ELEMENTAL AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS

Since the liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) was first developed as an excitation source for atomic emission spectroscopy, it has been improved upon and demonstrated as an ionization source for elemental mass spectrometry, molecular mass spectrometry, and ambient desorption mass spectrometry. Multiple functions coming from one package allowed the LS-APGD to hold a unique position among all atmospheric pressure glow discharges. It also has the capabilities to work with different sample forms including liquids, bulk solids, and solution residues. The high salt/matrix tolerance reduces sample prep work and thus provides convenience for its potential use as a field-Based ionization source. These versatilities all come on a small platform. It all started with Marcus and co-workers, who have developed a liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) as a low power, small footprint, and cost efficient ionization source for mass spectrometry. The glow discharge is sustained between the surface of an electrolytic solution (5-50 μL min-1), introduced through a 0.28 mm (i.d.) capillary housed inside a 1 mm (i.d.) metal capillary (with 0.1-1.0 L min-1 helium sheath gas flows between the two capillaries), and a solid stainless steel counter electrode mounted at a 90° angle with discharge currents of \u3c60 mA, and d.c. powers of \u3c50 W. Presented here, the design and fundamental operational aspects of the LS-APGD used as various spectroscopic sources will be demonstrated graphically. Sample analysis involving direct elemental analysis, organometallic speciation and organic compound in liquid solution, and direct surface analysis of solid sample and liquid residue will be presented to further explain the ability of the LS-APGD. It is believed that the LS-APGD ionization source holds a unique position and has great potential to be utilized in many fields of chemical analysis

BIOS/PUBH 6541: Biostatistics Fall 2018

This 4 credit course examines statistics in public health and related sciences, including sampling, probability, basic discrete and continuous distributions, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, categorical data analysis, regression, and correlation. Emphasis will be on the development of critical thinking skills and health data analysis applications with computer software

The Functions of the CID and lRG Operons in S. Aureus Programmed Cell Death

Staphylococcus aureus cid/lrg operons regulate the formation of S.aureus biofilm formation and programmed cell death based on previous in vivo work done in Dr. Bayles\u27s lab. cid operon, which encodes CidA/CidB/CidC proteins, has been shown to be an effector in leading to the lysis and death of the S.aureus; While lrg operon, encoding LrgA and LrgB proteins, is an inhibitor of the lysis and death. Recent studies suggest that CidA behaves like holin proteins from bacterial phage, by increasing the murein hydrolysis activity under aerobic culturing conditions. LrgA, together with LrgB, appears to inhibit this function. Another important studies on S.aureus under carbon-overflow condition indicates that CidC plays a critical function in the autolysis of the bacteria by producing acetic acid, and finally lead to the death of the bacteria. Based on these findings, we further characterize these proteins in this project with in vitro high concentration of purified proteins. Our result indicates that CidA/LrgA causes the leakage of smaller fluorescent dyes, but not large proteins, from the artificial membrane. And CidA showed a more rapid leakage compare to LrgA at the same concentration. This result may indicate that the function of CidA is penetrating the bacterial membrane and may induce the formation of nanometer level pores. CidC is also overexpressed and purified. The assay has conclusively proved that CidC is a pyruvate oxidoreductase and binds to the biological membrane, It passes the electron to menaquinone in vivo and produces acetate instead of hydrogen peroxide. The activity of CidC is strongly pH dependent and replies on the cofactor thiamine pyrophsophate and Mg2+ ion. In my last project, the effect of GC-rich sequence on the stability of thrombin-binding aptamer G-quadruplex was investigated. Two complementary GC-rich single strands are attached to the aptamer separately or both at the same time. The results showed that one single strand has a deleterious effect on the formation of the G-quadruplex but the other single strand has little effect on it, when both attached, they form a duplex on top of the G-quadruplex. The study has great indication on the mechanism of how the flanking sequence affects the stability of the thrombin-binding aptamer as well as the in vivo telomeric G-quadruplex

BIOS 9231 - Bayesian Statistics I

This course provides the student with an introduction Bayesian analysis and compares Bayesian methods to that of frequentists. The course includes selection of prior distributions, computing posterior distributions, and conjugate models such as the Beta-Binomial, Normal-Normal, and Gamma-Poisson models. Bayesian inference using point and interval estimation, Bayesian hierarchical models, and exchangeability will be explored. Topics including Empirical Bayes versus a fully Bayes approach, Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and model checking using Bayes factors and sensitivity analyses will be included. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B in BIOS 9131, or permission from instructor

BIOS 9231: Bayesian Statistics I

This course provides the student with an introduction Bayesian analysis and compares Bayesian methods to that of frequentists. The course includes selection of prior distributions, computing posterior distributions, and conjugate models such as the Beta-Binomial, Normal-Normal, and Gamma-Poisson models. Bayesian inference using point and interval estimation, Bayesian hierarchical models, and exchangeability will be explored. Topics including Empirical Bayes versus a fully Bayes approach, Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods and model checking using Bayes factors and sensitivity analyses will be included. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B in BIOS 9131, or permission from instructor

BIOS 7331: Multivariate Analysis

This course covers multivariate general linear models, including multivariate regression, multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, multivariate analysis of co-variance, multivariate analysis of repeated measures, and longitudinal data analysis for general and generalized linear models. The linear model basis of principal components and factor analysis will also be covered from the canonical correlation perspective

Being and Human Being

We may never understand what the phrase “human being” means if we do not try to understand ontological meaning of the concept “Being” or “being” or “beings”. With two essays presented together, the author tries to explain not only this concept but also its ontological consequence to other concepts such as “universe”, “life”, “organism”, “human” and “human mind”