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A Comparison Of Microbial Communities In Soil With And Without A Sugarcane Cropping, Carolyn Faye Savario Jan 2003

A Comparison Of Microbial Communities In Soil With And Without A Sugarcane Cropping, Carolyn Faye Savario

LSU Master's Theses

Sugarcane (inter-specific hybrids of Saccharum) is grown largely under long-term monoculture production in Louisiana. This can lead to a complex problem termed "yield decline" that results in poor root health and reduced productive capacity of sugarcane. This problem has been documented to be a limiting factor for sugarcane production in diverse regions, including Louisiana, Hawaii, Jamaica, and Australia. Previous work showed that biological factors affect root health and contribute to yield decline. The objectives of this study were to increase our understanding of microbial communities in sugarcane soils, to determine if there are differences in microbial communities associated with sugarcane …


Physical Function And Quality Of Life In The Very- And Oldest-Old: Gender Differences, Kellye A. Ferachi Jan 2003

Physical Function And Quality Of Life In The Very- And Oldest-Old: Gender Differences, Kellye A. Ferachi

LSU Master's Theses

Age is associated with deterioration in physical function (PF) and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Recent investigations suggest that a decrease in function may have a greater impact on perceived activities of daily living (ADL) competency in women than in men. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that the association between PF and HRQL among older adults is influenced by gender. We examined 108 older adults aged 60 years or older, for PF (Continuous Scale-Physical Function Performance test (CS-PFP10) and Functional Status Index (FSI)) and HRQL (SF-36). In order to address this question we assigned subjects …


Sensory Characteristics Of Flavored Milk Candies, Noemi Raquel Pavon Jan 2003

Sensory Characteristics Of Flavored Milk Candies, Noemi Raquel Pavon

LSU Master's Theses

A natural milk candy, composed mainly of milk powder, has not been commercially sold in the U. S. market. The milk candy we developed contains calcium and other essential nutrients, which make it a potential food supplement for adults and children. This thesis research was designed to characterize sensory properties of flavored milk candies and to determine the consumer sensory profile driving product acceptance and purchase intent. A descriptive trained panel (n=12) developed a lexicon and evaluated 3 milk candies (plain, chocolate, and coffee) in triplicate using a 15-cm line scale. 335 adult consumers evaluated acceptability of appearance, size/shape, texture, …


An Economic Analysis Of Homeowners' Preferences And Perceptions Regarding Termite Prevention And Control In Louisiana, Doleswar Bhandari Jan 2003

An Economic Analysis Of Homeowners' Preferences And Perceptions Regarding Termite Prevention And Control In Louisiana, Doleswar Bhandari

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis used a mail survey to collect data on homeowners' preferences and perceptions regarding termite prevention and control in four metropolitan areas of Louisiana (Monroe, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans). Respondents were asked to rank four different alternatives differing in cost, treatment choice, and number of inspections on termite control options. These ordered preference data were then analyzed using a contingent ranking method to determine the homeowner's choice for termite control. It was found that more than three-fourths (77%) of homeowners preferred to control termites and were willing to pay for it. In addition to contingent ranking, willingness …


Analyzing Changes In Contractual Practices In The Louisiana Nursery Industry, Roberto E. Navajas Jan 2003

Analyzing Changes In Contractual Practices In The Louisiana Nursery Industry, Roberto E. Navajas

LSU Master's Theses

The flow of nursery products through the different market channels has changed over the past decade. As mass-merchandisers’ market share increased, buyers of nursery product imposed conditions on nursery growers in terms of their business practices as well as the presentation of the product itself. This study analyzed changes in contractual terms between buyer and sellers for two market channels; mass-merchandisers and garden centers. The items evaluated were that product information tags be applied, barcode stickers be applied, special containers be used, transportation to retailer be paid by the seller, returnable shipping equipment be supplied by the grower, on-time delivery …


Economic Analysis Of The Best Management Practices (Bmps) In Louisiana Sugarcane Production, Ying Zhong Jan 2003

Economic Analysis Of The Best Management Practices (Bmps) In Louisiana Sugarcane Production, Ying Zhong

LSU Master's Theses

Agriculture has been identified as one of the major sources of nonpoint water pollution due to discharges running off farmland. This study assessed the current adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Louisiana sugarcane industry and provided policy recommendations based on the empirical results. Fifteen BMPs recommended by Louisiana State University Agricultural Center were examined in three categories: Soil Erosion and Sediment Control, Nutrient Management, and Pesticide Management. Based on neoclassical economic principles of individual’s utility maximization, this study evaluated seven multivariate probit models using primary data collected from a mail survey of Louisiana’s sugarcane producers. The results indicated …


Effects Of Mid-Season Avermectin Treatments Of Cattle On Pyrethroid Resistance In Three Populations Of Horn Flies, Haematobia Irritans Irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), Glenn R. Oremus Jan 2003

Effects Of Mid-Season Avermectin Treatments Of Cattle On Pyrethroid Resistance In Three Populations Of Horn Flies, Haematobia Irritans Irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), Glenn R. Oremus

LSU Master's Theses

The effects of mid-season avermectin treatments on pyrethroid-resistant horn fly populations were examined between 1999-2002 at three separate Louisiana State University Agricultural Center research stations; Red River Research Station (Bossier City, LA), Macon Ridge Research Station (Winnsboro, LA) and St. Joseph (St. Joseph, LA). The cattle were treated with pyrethroid ear tags in all years at all farms, and each farm received a mid-season avermectin treatment in one year. With consecutive yearly use of pyrethroids the number of weeks of control decreased for all farms. The number of weeks of control rebounded at Red River from 2 to 13 weeks …


The Effects Of Composition And Processing Of Milk On Foam Characteristics As Measured By Steam Frothing, Michael Levy Jan 2003

The Effects Of Composition And Processing Of Milk On Foam Characteristics As Measured By Steam Frothing, Michael Levy

LSU Master's Theses

Steam frothing of milk is required to produce an acceptable foam for many espresso coffee drinks. Specific aspects of composition and processing may affect the foaming properties of milk. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fat content, heat treatment, free fatty acid addition and storage time on the frothing properties of milk. The four treatments included: fat content (0.08% and 3.25%), pasteurization temperatures (171°F for 15 seconds and 210°F for 45 seconds), pre and post-pasteurization addition of lauric acid solution (0.0% and 2.0% of 0.5 M concentration) and storage time (1 and 10 days). For …


Purification And Antioxidant Activities Of Soybean Isoflavones, Qiju Wu Jan 2003

Purification And Antioxidant Activities Of Soybean Isoflavones, Qiju Wu

LSU Master's Theses

An efficient procedure was developed and used to extract and purify isoflavones from defatted soy flour. The purity of the final product reached 94%. The antioxidant activities of soybean isoflavones (genistein and daidzein purchased from Sigma Chemical Co, and a mixture of isoflavone glycosides extracted from defatted soy flour) were investigated by a cholesterol oxidation model accelerated by 2,2’-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH). All components exhibited very high antioxidant activities in the inhibition of cholesterol oxidation. Genistein had higher inhibition to the formation of 5,6beta-epoxycholesterol (5,6b-EP) and 7-ketocholesterol (7-keto), while no significant difference was found between the antioxidant activities of daidzein and …


Use Of Urine Ph To Predict Incidence Of Ketosis In Transition Dairy Cows, Amy Elizabeth Beem Jan 2003

Use Of Urine Ph To Predict Incidence Of Ketosis In Transition Dairy Cows, Amy Elizabeth Beem

LSU Master's Theses

Forty-one (10 primiparous and 31 multiparous) Holstein cows were used in an experiment to determine the effects of prepartum dietary energy (PDE) and supplemental Ca-propionate on the incidence of ketosis in transition dairy cows and to evaluate the usefulness of urine pH as a predictor for ketosis. Treatment factors were prepartum dietary energy concentration (normal vs. high) with or without 113.5g Ca-Propionate/day (Nutro Cal®, Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA). All cows were fed the same basal diet postpartum. Ca-propionate supplementation continued postpartum. Cows were individually fed and dry matter intakes (DMI) were measured daily. Milk production was measured and …


Factors Affecting Plant Location Decisions Of U.S. Broiler Executives, Pramod Sambidi Jan 2003

Factors Affecting Plant Location Decisions Of U.S. Broiler Executives, Pramod Sambidi

LSU Master's Theses

The broiler operations in the United States, which are concentrated in the southeast and south central regions are unevenly distributed within those states. The major concern for Louisiana¡¯s broiler industry is that even though its production is increasing every year it is relatively low compared to many other southeastern states. This study analyzes the relative importance of factors that affect location decision of a broiler complex. A national survey of broiler industry executives is conducted to analyze site-specific factors related to the broiler-complex location problem. Conjoint analysis is used to measure the relative importance of each attribute in the location …


Establishing The Economic Impact Of The Green Industry On Louisiana's Economy, Raul A. Pinel Jan 2003

Establishing The Economic Impact Of The Green Industry On Louisiana's Economy, Raul A. Pinel

LSU Master's Theses

The general objective of this study was to provide updated estimates of value of the green industry in Louisiana. Data collection was conducted for the production sector (Nursery Growers and Sod Producers, and Landscape Design, Installation and Maintenance Services) and the Golf Industry. In addition, expenditures on green industry products and services incurred by other sectors were obtained. Among those sectors were churches and cemeteries, public schools (elementary and secondary), public colleges and universities, private schools (elementary, secondary and college/university), parish/city grounds, state parks, road shoulder and median maintenance, and airports. To conduct the surveys, listings from those sectors were …


Six-Month Follow-Up Of A Primary Care Managed Weight Loss Program For Overweight And Obese African-American Women, Lee A. Marsh Jan 2003

Six-Month Follow-Up Of A Primary Care Managed Weight Loss Program For Overweight And Obese African-American Women, Lee A. Marsh

LSU Master's Theses

Obesity is the number one public health concern in the United States, and is more prevalent in African-American women and those from lower socioeconomic groups. However, many primary care physicians do not feel confident in their ability to assist patients in weight management. Thus the challenge for physicians is to provide patients better assistance with weight management. The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of a primary care-managed weight loss program on weight reduction and cardiovascular fitness in overweight/obese women. Participants were randomized to intervention (n=54; Age: 44+12 yrs) or standard care (n=62; Age: 44=12yrs) and followed …


Cryopreservation By Pellet Freezing Of Epididymal And Ejaculated Spermatozoa From Male Dogs, Brooke Fahrig Jan 2003

Cryopreservation By Pellet Freezing Of Epididymal And Ejaculated Spermatozoa From Male Dogs, Brooke Fahrig

LSU Master's Theses

In this study, I evaluated the cryopreservation by pellet freezing of spermatozoa from individual dogs. In Experiment I, spermatozoa from 15 pairs of epididymides were suspended in glycerol, frozen as pellets of 10, 50, 100, or 200 μl volumes, and thawed by dilution with TALP (Tyrode's solution plus albumin, lactate, pyruvate). In Experiment II, spermatozoa from 16 pairs of epididymides were suspended in glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide, or ethylene glycol, frozen as 100 μl pellets, and thawed by dilution with TALP, canine capacitation medium (CCM), or 3% sodium citrate solution. In Experiment III, spermatozoa from 15 pairs of epididymides were suspended …


Resistant Rice Starch Development, Siow Ying Tan Jan 2003

Resistant Rice Starch Development, Siow Ying Tan

LSU Master's Theses

This study showed that enzyme treatments were effective in producing resistant starch from rice flour and starch. Rice starch produced higher resistant starch yields than rice flour. The lower resistant starch yields in rice flour could be attributed to the presence of lipids and proteins which were competitively binding to amylose, resulting in decreased recrystallization of amylose. The gelatinization type and incubation periods were not as influential as enzyme treatments in the resistant starch formation. The rapid visco amylograph (RVA) analysis indicated that the gelatinized samples have minimal pasting characteristics since they had been gelatinized prior to enzyme treatments. Pasting …


Sugarcane Seed Response To 2,4-D And Alternative Herbicides For Red Morningglory (Ipomoea Coccinea L.) Control, Jonathan Daniel Siebert Jan 2003

Sugarcane Seed Response To 2,4-D And Alternative Herbicides For Red Morningglory (Ipomoea Coccinea L.) Control, Jonathan Daniel Siebert

LSU Master's Theses

Field studies conducted over two growing seasons evaluated the effect of 2,4-D applied at 1.6 kg ai/ha to LCP 85-384 sugarcane (Saccharum interspecific hybrid) 7, 5, 3, and 1 wk before planting (WBP). Sugarcane was planted in mid-September using both whole stalk and billet (45 cm) seed pieces. When 2,4-D was applied 5 wk or closer to planting, sugarcane shoot emergence and population averaged across planting methods was reduced 5, 7, and 28 wk after planting (WAP) when compared to the nontreated control. Sugarcane height in one of two years was reduced when 2,4-D was applied 5 wk or closer …


Consumer Perception And Application Of Edible Coatings On Fresh-Cut Fruits And Vegetables, Sirisha Sonti Jan 2003

Consumer Perception And Application Of Edible Coatings On Fresh-Cut Fruits And Vegetables, Sirisha Sonti

LSU Master's Theses

Plasticized whey protein coatings have been shown to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. This thesis research was designed to determine consumer acceptance and perception of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables (FCFV) and edible coatings (EC) and to determine effects of plasticized whey protein coatings on quality of fresh-cut apples. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, a questionnaire on FCFV and EC was prepared and completed by 611 consumers. The data were analyzed using Probit analysis. In the second study, physical and microbial quality of fresh-cut (FC) apples coated with three whey proteins (30% glycerol added) each at …


Effects Of Free Methionine And Lysine On In Vitro Fermentation And In Vivo Performance And Ruminal Fermentation Of Late Lactation Holstein Cows, Yi-Hua Chung Jan 2003

Effects Of Free Methionine And Lysine On In Vitro Fermentation And In Vivo Performance And Ruminal Fermentation Of Late Lactation Holstein Cows, Yi-Hua Chung

LSU Master's Theses

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of free Met and Lys supplementation on ruminal fermentation in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro study, supplementation of Met and Lys had effects on concentrations of total VFA and NH4+, proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, isovalerate, valerate, and the ratio of acetate to propionate. Percentages of microbial N synthesis in effluent pellets were not affected by supplementing Lys and Met. The combination of 0.52% Met and 1.03% (90% DM) Lys resulted in the highest concentration of total VFA, second highest concentration of NH4+, …


Random Centroid Optimization Of Lutein-Enriched Oil In Water Emulsion At Acidic Ph, Armen Khachatryan Jan 2003

Random Centroid Optimization Of Lutein-Enriched Oil In Water Emulsion At Acidic Ph, Armen Khachatryan

LSU Master's Theses

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a physiological condition that affects the elderly, diabetic patients, and leads to loss of vision. There are no effective therapies for AMD. The role of nutrition in preventing AMD is receiving strong scientific scrutiny. Lutein and zeaxanthin have been identified as dietary strategies that can delay the onset of AMD. Consumption of at least six milligrams of lutein per day has been reported to delay the onset of AMD by as much as 43%. However, most available food sources contain such low levels of lutein that it would be difficult to meet the daily requirement. …