C-terminal Binding Protein (CtBP) is a transcriptional co-repressor that plays an important role in mammalian development and tumorigenesis. CtBP is known to interact with Ikaros, an important transcriptional regulator in the pituitary; however CtBP itself has not been examined in this gland. I examined the role of CtBP in pituitary cell growth and survival. Compared to control pituitary GH4 cells, CtBP1-deficient cells exhibit reduced proliferation and de-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle and growth factor signaling. CtBP1-deficient cells were more susceptible to hypoxia-induced apoptosis and showed a reduction in hypoxia-induced Ikaros expression. Interactions between CtBP and Ikaros isoforms were demonstrated in pituitary tumor cell lines. CtBP and Ikaros also bound a common region of the previously characterized Ikaros target, the LDL-R promoter. These results identify oncogenic properties of CtBP1 in the pituitary and set the groundwork for future studies into regulatory roles of CtBP and Ikaros in the pituitary.

P68 is a prototypical member of the DEAD box RNA helicase family. Implicated in numerous functions such as cell proliferation, cancer metastasis, transcription regulation and pre-mRNA spllicing, p68 is a multifunctional protein whose roles are still not completely understood. In the studies presented, we found that p68 was an important regulator of numerous cancer related genes. This study focuses on the cancer related genes Snail and hTERT. We show that p68 binds to the promoter and a downstream region within each gene, suggesting that p68 operates via the same mechanism with both genes. We also show that tyrosine phosphorylated p68 is the major player in transcription regulation. p68 was also discovered to recruit CREB-binding protein to the promoters of these genes as well as aid in the removal of HDAC1 from the promoters; these findings are consistent with chromatin remodeling and active transcription. Also, we found that p68 phosphorylation level correlates with the expression level of these genes. Finally, we describe other genes that are potentially regulated by p68 in the same manner, through the use of ChiP-on-chip technology.

No description available.

In eukaryotes, the organization of DNA into chromatin is a primary determinant of gene expression. Positioned nucleosomes in promoter regions are frequently found to regulate gene expression by obstructing the accessibility of cis-regulatory elements in DNA to trans-factors. This dissertation focuses on the chromatin structure and remodeling program at the S. cerevisiae PHO5 promoter, extending the use of DNA methyltransferases as in vivo probes of chromatin structure. Our studies address the diversity of histone-DNA interactions in vivo by examining nucleosome conformational stabilities at the PHO5 promoter. We present high-resolution chromatin structural mapping of the promoter, required to relate in vivo site accessibility to nucleosome stability and show that the PHO5 promoter nucleosomes have different accessibilities. We show a correlation between DNA curvature and nucleosome positioning, which is consistent with the observed differences in accessibility/stability. Kinetic analyses of the chromatin remodeling program at PHO5 show that nucleosomes proximal to the enhancer are disrupted preferentially and prior to those more distal, demonstrating bidirectional and finite propagation of chromatin remodeling from bound activators and providing a novel mechanism by which transactivation at a distance occurs.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-224).

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

“It must be kept in mind that architects do not design malls for architects; they design them for developers and retailers that are interested in creating malls and other shopping centres to attract consumers and keep them coming back.”(Richards, 1990) Concept of shopping centre (SC) originally emerged in nineteenth-century and the concept changes over time due to the ever-changing needs and perception from the customers. Shopping centre originated from an isolated and scattered of shops and developed into nowadays large commercial retail properties. They do not only provide leisure and entertainment for the public, but also a place of where provide business opportunity for investment and profit-making for the retailers and developers. However, any single property will be decayed and deteriorated over time. In order to upkeep the standard of the shopping centres, rehabilitation or renovation work has to be carried out in order to upgrade the appearance, facilities and equipment of shopping centres so as to maintain their attractiveness and competitive and keep customers coming back. The research topic concentrates on the renovation projects carried out by The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link REIT) inside public housing estates commercial properties after the privatization in 25 November 2005. After the privatization, renovation work of shopping centres becomes one of the main tasks of The Link REIT. Despite series of political pressure and criticism towards the management of The Link regarding their renovation work and rental policies, The Link REIT continues to expand their renovation projects to various public housing estates shopping centre. It provides a useful and interesting case to study the purpose of renovation on shopping centre. The privatization is a divestment exercise of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA), over 180 retails and car park properties were sold to The Link. After seven years of operation, 25 shopping centres are completed with different scope of renovation work, while others are in various planning stages. Base on the shopping centre hierarchy definite by The Link REIT, 3 details case studies will be carried out. The studies compare the data and changes before and after the renovation work, analysis will be made to compare the operating result during HKHA era so as to examine whether The Link could achieve the purpose of their renovation projects. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

Shopping centers are a kind of special commercial property that containing a variety of retail units with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit. They play an important role of the customers’ lifestyle. They are not just only a center for shopping but also a community center for social and recreational activities can take place. They are the complex buildings including the dining, entertainment, clothing, supermarket, clinics and daily necessities. Moreover, most of the shopping centers in Hong Kong are the main pathway to homes since they occupy the first few levels of a high-rise building with interconnected by walkways or footbridges. Buildings cannot have an infinite economic life. Refurbishment of the aged buildings can enhance their market value because it can restore and improve the building conditions physically and economically. After carrying out the asset enhancement works, the shopping centers can be improved. The physical structures, trade mix and customer services can be enhanced. It can also give beneficial returns to unitholders. The shoppers are served by more choice of shops, greater convenience and a better shopping environment. The aim of this paper is to discuss the effectiveness of enlivening the shopping center by asset enhancement projects in Hong Kong. The empirical background of shopping center and asset enhancement will be introduced first. The reasons for carrying out asset enhancement works and elements should be included in asset enhancement works are also discussed. One of the properties of the Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link REIT) named Choi Ming Shopping Center situated near the Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station is selected to be a case study. A survey is conducted to obtain the satisfaction level of the asset enhancement works of Choi Ming Shopping Center from the visitors. Moreover, in-depth interviews with selected ten shoppers, two tenants and two managers are also conducted to obtain the feedback of the asset enhancement works of the shopping center. The effectiveness of the shopping center by the asset enhancement projects is measured by the satisfaction levels of the visitors, shoppers, tenants and managers, including tenant mix, facilities, customer services, marketing promotions and carpark services of the shopping center. The revenue generated from the shopping center is also discussed. The survey questions included to collect the consumption pattern, satisfaction levels towards the shopping center in terms of trade and tenant mix, facilities, customers services, marketing promotions and carpark services and the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The major findings are most of the respondents satisfied with the asset enhancement works of the shopping center and meet their needs. The overall appearance, services and image of the property can be improved. In addition, in-depth interviews with six open-ended questions are designed to collect the feedback of the selected shoppers, tenants and managers of asset enhancement works of the shopping center. It included the physical structure, tenant mix, marketing promotion and customer services. The major findings are most of the interviewee satisfied with the asset enhancement works. The shopping environments can be rejuvenated by the implementation of the business strategies. Also, there are some drawbacks for asset enhancement works of the property. The increase of rent and fewer small local tenants would be found in the shopping center due to increase the cost of running businesses. Continuous asset enhancement projects should be carried out to generate higher patronage and investment returns to bring benefits to the shoppers, tenants and unitholders. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

Shopping Centers play an important role in the lives of Hong Kong people. Due to the rapid economic growth, lifestyle and the shopping behaviours of the shoppers has also changed accordingly. There are various thousands of shopping centers in any types and scales in Hong Kong and thus they are facing violent competition among themselves. In such connection, attracting of new shoppers and retaining of the existing customers are important to increase the patronage and rental income of the shopping centers. Additionally, any property will be decayed and deteriorated as time passed. In other words, buildings cannot have an infinite economic life. Hence, assets enhancement works are carried out by the property developers and business owners to improve the physical condition and enhance the market value of the shopping centers. The attractiveness and competiveness of the shopping centers can therefore be maintained. Different types of assets enhancement are adopted by the property developers and business owners. Some types can significantly make the shopping centers more competitiveness, while others might not make a significant contribution on the increasing of the attractiveness of the shopping centers. This dissertation will concentrate on the discussion of the types of the asset enhancement implemented for the shopping centers and find out the type(s) of asset enhancement which make the shopping centers more competitive. Two of the properties of the Link Real Estate Investment Trust ( The Link REIT) named Choi Ming Center situated near the Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station and Hau Tak Shopping Center situated near the Hang Hau MTR Station are selected for case study. Both of these two shopping centers are completed the asset enhancement works and the types of asset enhancement will be explored in this dissertation for comparison. Survey are conducted with visitors of Choi Ming Center and Hau Tak Shopping Centers to obtain their satisfaction level towards the improvement of accessibility, visibility, facilities and equipments and re-planning of space and layout in the selected properties. Besides, the respondents were also asked to rank the importance of these types of asset enhancement for affecting their visit to the shopping center. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with visitors and tenants of these two shopping center to collect their view on the asset enhancement work of Choi Ming Shopping Center and Hau Tak Shopping Center. Lastly, recommendation has been made for the developers and owners to strategically plan for their future asset enhancement work and also the marketing strategies in order to response to the demands of their target group since the factors causing the success of shopping center is interdependent and neither one should be overlooked. Besides, continuous asset enhancement work should be carried out and the marketing strategies should be adjusted to generate higher patronage and investment returns in the ever changing environment. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

The pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has become increasingly obvious due to the need to alleviate the impact of climate change. As the second largest GHG emitter in the world, the building sector should play an active role in reducing GHG emissions. Particular attention should be directed to existing buildings not only because of the amount of emissions caused by inefficient buildings but also due to the existence of a variety of sustainable refurbishment solutions for different levels and stages of building refurbishment. The emission reduction performance of different sustainable refurbishment options may vary enormously as a result of different building design conditions. With the majority of residential properties being high-rise buildings, the most suitable sustainable refurbishment options for a sub-tropical city like Hong Kong are yet to be fully investigated. The opportunity to reduce emission may not be high without a tool to help the owners, occupants and consultants to assess the emission of different refurbishment solutions for multi-storey residential building. The aim of this research has been to develop a systematic decision tool to identify suitable sustainable refurbishment solutions for multi-story residential buildings in subtropical regions like Hong Kong and to calculate the CO2emission reductions of these solutions. The research began with a comprehensive literature review of the existing sustainable refurbishment approaches. The results of this literature review formed the basis for a preliminary screening according to local climate and buildings features. Interviews with experts and questionnaire surveys with residents were carried out in order to confirm the applicability of the proposed approaches. Then, based on a case study, this research established a set of methods, through literature review and energy simulation, to calculate the CO2 emission reductions achievable by sustainable refurbishment. With the setup of criteria for identifying applicable refurbishment solutions, method of calculation of CO2 emission reductions and parameter input/output and user interface design, a decision tool was developed for sustainable refurbishment. Finally, a series of interviews was conducted to validate the major research outcomes. In this study, a residential building is divided into two zones, the common area and those occupied by owners/tenants. This study further identifies possible sustainable refurbishment solutions for each area, which can provide stakeholders with a variety of options for launching sustainable refurbishment projects. Moreover, a theoretical framework for emission assessment, consisting of system boundary and calculation methods, is also proposed in this study, which can provide better calculation of emission reductions as a result of various sustainable refurbishment solutions. The most significant outcome of this project is a decision tool which can generate a set of sustainable refurbishment solutions and calculate CO2 emission reductions according to the architectural features input by users. With the function of identifying the approaches for reducing CO2emission, owners and occupants of existing residential buildings can minimize the CO2emissions of their properties through refurbishing some of the building components in a sustainable manner. / published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy