DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/CYQ0-FS36

Defense Date

2010

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Biostatistics

First Advisor

Chris Gennings

Second Advisor

Edward Boone

Abstract

In risk analysis, Benchmark dose (BMD)methodology is used to quantify the risk associated with exposure to stressors such as environmental chemicals. It consists of fitting a mathematical model to the exposure data and the BMD is the dose expected to result in a pre-specified response or benchmark response (BMR). Most available exposure data are from single chemical exposure, but living objects are exposed to multiple sources of hazards. Furthermore, in some studies, researchers may observe multiple endpoints on one subject. Statistical approaches to address multiple endpoints problem can be partitioned into a dimension reduction group and a dimension preservative group. Composite scores using desirability function is used, as a dimension reduction method, to evaluate neurotoxicity effects of a mixture of five organophosphate pesticides (OP) at a fixed mixing ratio ray, and five endpoints were observed. Then, a Bayesian hierarchical model approach, as a single unifying dimension preservative method is introduced to evaluate the risk associated with the exposure to mixtures chemicals. At a pre-specied vector of BMR of interest, the method estimates a tolerable area referred to as benchmark dose tolerable area (BMDTA) in multidimensional Euclidean plan. Endpoints defining the BMDTA are determined and model uncertainty and model selection problems are addressed by using the Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) method.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

August 2010

Included in

Biostatistics Commons

Share

COinS