Assembly of the large and small subunits of the <em>E. coli</em> ribosome is a complicated process that involves transcription, processing, and modifying of the ribosomal RNA, the binding of ribosomal proteins, and the folding of the particles into complex structures. A number of ribosome assembly factors, including maturation factors, GTPases,...
The light field is a 4D function that describes the flow of light in all directions through every point in free space. Digital cameras only capture a 2D projection of the 4D light field entering the camera lens. In this dissertation I modify the light field as it enters a...
I examine how consumers' purchase' decisions and intentions of purchases are affected by uncertainty about future deals (temporary price cuts or sales) for a product and how these results affect retailers' optimal pricing and marketing strategies. First I look at the effects of uncertainty about the timing of deals (i.e....
The promise of a clean, renewable, and abundant energy supply make the efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity a compelling scientific and societal goal. In the following chapters, I will describe my efforts to advance one class of photovoltaic technology, dye-sensitized solar cells, by demonstration and characterization of unexplored...
The mechanisms governing selective CaCO3 crystal nucleation in living organisms remain unclear. For example, nacreous layers from the inner surfaces of shells are built as brick-and-mortar complexes of plate-like aragonite single crystals and organic layers. Unstable [001] surfaces of calcite columns in prismatic layers are also stabilized by organic molecules....
In the first chapter we analyze profits and efficiency implications of a relation between an upstream duopoly and downstream monopoly in Hotelling linear city model. While exclusive contracts maximize the monopolist's profit, at the same time socially they are inefficient. Linear prices, while more efficient, usually also do not achieve...
Polarized epithelial cells are divided by tight junctions into an apical membrane domain, which faces the lumen of an organ, and a basolateral domain, which is in contact with underlying connective tissues. To establish and maintain polarity, newly synthesized and recycling transmembrane proteins are sorted to either the apical or...
Chagas heart disease, caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is still regarded as a major public health problem in Central and South America. The finding of cardiac specific autoimmunity during infection in both humans and experimental animals has provided a basis for investigation of its potential role...
Phagocytosis is an essential mechanism for clearance of pathogens, dying cells, and other unwanted debris in order to maintain tissue health in the body. Macrophages execute this process in the peripheral immune system, but in the brain microglia act as resident macrophages to accomplish this function. In the peripheral immune...
The Witten Laplacian corresponding to a Morse function on the circle is studied using methods of complex WKB and resurgent analysis. It is shown that under certain assumptions the low-lying eigenvalues of the Witten Laplacian are resurgent.