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LSU Master's Theses

2003

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Studio Design Critique: Student And Faculty Expectations And Reality, Elizabeth Marie Graham Jan 2003

Studio Design Critique: Student And Faculty Expectations And Reality, Elizabeth Marie Graham

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis explores the use of criticism in the landscape architectural design studio. Criticism is a very useful tool in the communication of ideas and the evaluation of designs, yet its application in design studios has not reached its full potential in the discipline of landscape architecture. To develop an understanding of criticism as a pedagogical tool in the design studio, along with faculty and students expectations of criticism, this thesis uses a two-step approach. The first step explores the intentions of critique used by design instructors during desk crits and juries. The second step explores the students’ perceptions of …

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Salinity Tolerance Of Juveniles Of Four Varieties Of Tilapia, Robert Welsh Nugon Jan 2003

Salinity Tolerance Of Juveniles Of Four Varieties Of Tilapia, Robert Welsh Nugon

LSU Master's Theses

Juvenile (4 g) tilapia of four varieties, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), blue tilapia (O. aureus), Florida red tilapia (O. urolepis hornorum x O. mossambicus), and Mississippi commercial tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) were tested for salinity tolerance. This was accomplished by subjecting them to four salinity regimes during a 97-h period with as long as 63 h acclimation. Salinity regimes represented salinities found along coastal Louisiana. Each variety was challenged individually against every other variety and thus in triplicate. All four varieties are commercially produced in the southeastern United States. The Florida red tilapia and Mississippi commercial tilapia are hybrid-based varieties (distinct …

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The Effects Of Mutations And Viruses On Yield And Quality Of Sweetpotato, Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam, Heather Wallace Carroll Jan 2003

The Effects Of Mutations And Viruses On Yield And Quality Of Sweetpotato, Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam, Heather Wallace Carroll

LSU Master's Theses

Twelve virus-tested mericlones were derived from virus-infected 'Beauregard' clones to compare relative effects of viruses and mutations on yield and quality. Virus-tested refers to plants derived from meristem-tips that have been assayed three times with virus sensitive indicator plants Ipomoea aquatic and I. sestosa. The clones represent various selections from 10 production areas in Louisiana, two clones from the foundation seed program at Louisiana State University AgCenter Sweetpotato Research Station, and the industry standard virus-tested B-63 mericlone. Two yield plantings were made in the years 1998 and 1999. Overall, in three of four planting dates, virus-tested mericlones had significant yield …

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Macroinvertebrate Abundance And Distribution Of Hydrilla And Ceratophyllum Habitats In The Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana, Jose Checo Colon-Gaud Jan 2003

Macroinvertebrate Abundance And Distribution Of Hydrilla And Ceratophyllum Habitats In The Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana, Jose Checo Colon-Gaud

LSU Master's Theses

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) plays an important role in aquatic systems, providing shelter, breeding habitat, and epiphytic forage for numerous fishes and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Since 1960, many lentic habitats in the southern U.S. have been invaded by Hydrilla verticillata, and in the last two decades this aggressive macrophyte has become the dominant species of SAV in the Atchafalaya River Basin in south central Louisiana. Because of its highly branched morphology and characteristically high densities, I found it difficult to quantitatively sample the macrofauna inhabiting hydrilla stands with traditional gears such as sweep nets, particularly under the canopy. As a consequence, …

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Arithmetic Logic Unit (Alu) Design Using Reconfigurable Cmos Logic, Chandra Srinivasan Jan 2003

Arithmetic Logic Unit (Alu) Design Using Reconfigurable Cmos Logic, Chandra Srinivasan

LSU Master's Theses

Using the reconfigurable logic of multi-input floating gate MOSFETs, a 4-bit ALU has been designed for 3V operation. The ALU can perform four arithmetic and four logical operations. Multi- input floating gate (MIFG) transistors have been promising in realizing increased functionality on a chip. A multi- input floating gate MOS transistor accepts multiple inputs signals, calculates the weighted sum of all input signals and then controls the ON and OFF states of the transistor. This enhances the transistor function to more than just switching. This changes the way a logic function can be realized. Implementing a design using multi-input floating …

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C.C. Pat Fleming: Houston, Texas, Landscape Architect, Paige Allred Phillips Jan 2003

C.C. Pat Fleming: Houston, Texas, Landscape Architect, Paige Allred Phillips

LSU Master's Theses

C. C. Pat Fleming practiced landscape architecture in Houston and the surrounding South from the 1920s through the 1990s. He came to be considered one of Houston’s preeminent landscape architects, and his role in the profession cannot be overlooked. This thesis traces the evolution of Fleming’s design style over the course of his career, analyzing a selected cross section of his works against three design movements that occurred during his lifetime: the Beaux-Arts tradition, the Colonial Revival movement, and the Modernist movement. For investigating the work of Pat Fleming, the method of historical research is used. A historical context study …

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Carbon Dioxide Capture From Flue Gas Using Regenerable Sodium-Based Sorbents, Ya Liang Jan 2003

Carbon Dioxide Capture From Flue Gas Using Regenerable Sodium-Based Sorbents, Ya Liang

LSU Master's Theses

The overall objective of this project is to develop a simple and inexpensive process to separate carbon dioxide (CO2) as an essentially pure stream from a fossil fuel combustion gases using a regenerable sodium-based sorbent. This objective of this phase of the project is to evaluate CO2 capture using sodium-based sorbents in single-cycle and multicycle tests as a function of calcination and carbonation conditions. The sorbent precursors investigated were sodium bicarbonates supplied by Church and Dwight, Inc., and natural trona supplied by Solvay. All precursors were first calcined to sodium carbonate and then converted to sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or Wegscheider’s …

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The Relationship Of Feeding Problems With The Use Of Antiepileptic Medication Among Persons With Severe And Profound Mental Retardation, Rinita B. Laud Jan 2003

The Relationship Of Feeding Problems With The Use Of Antiepileptic Medication Among Persons With Severe And Profound Mental Retardation, Rinita B. Laud

LSU Master's Theses

Epilepsy and/or seizure activity are frequently occurring phenomena and a significant co-morbid condition for persons with severe to profound intellectual disability (Burke, McKee, Pathak, Donahue, Parasuraman & Baltenhorst, 1999). The majority of seizure activity leads to deficits across a number of social, physical,occupational, and personal variables, and if left untreated, may lead to death in these individuals. The treatment of this condition frequently utilizes anti-epileptic medication, but these medications are often associated with a variety of side effects such as dental complications and disturbed gait. Previous researchers have suggested that these side effects may be manifested in forms of maladaptive …

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Fine-Scaled Movements And Habitat Use Of Black Bears In South Central Louisiana, Dwayne Allen Hightower Jan 2003

Fine-Scaled Movements And Habitat Use Of Black Bears In South Central Louisiana, Dwayne Allen Hightower

LSU Master's Theses

Animal movements are related to many parameters of interest such as the search for food and other life requisites. Several measures, including home range, have been used to quantify and describe animal movement. However, fine-scaled movements of mammals have received less attention even though they are more directly related to energy expended for locating resources and provide information on how a home range is used. I tracked radiotagged female black bears (Ursus americanus) from two geographically separate populations in the Atchafalaya River Basin in south central Louisiana: the Coastal population at the southern extent and the Inland population at the …

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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 …

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Influences On State-Level Policies For Wildfire Risk Reduction, Marios Anastasis Valiantis Jan 2003

Influences On State-Level Policies For Wildfire Risk Reduction, Marios Anastasis Valiantis

LSU Master's Theses

Wildland fires are part of the United State’s history and culture. The human dimension of State wildland fire management, - the relationship of people and wildland fire in America- is an important and driving force in how federal and state agencies respond to wildland fire, now and in the future. In many ways, the critical element for the management of wildland fire is the management of people, communities, and organizations. Explosive growth in the wildland-urban interface puts entire communities, their associated infrastructure and the socioeconomic fabric that holds communities together at a high risk from wildland fire. Year after year …

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Modeling A Mississippi River Diversion Into A Louisiana Wetland, Stephan Alexander Capps Jan 2003

Modeling A Mississippi River Diversion Into A Louisiana Wetland, Stephan Alexander Capps

LSU Master's Theses

Wetland loss has significant impacts. Numerous loss mechanisms have been hypothesized, and a greater number of solutions have been proposed. One proposed solution is to divert river water into a degraded area with the intent of increasing sedimentation, introducing nutrients, and/or decreasing salinity within the wetland. However, wetland hydraulics and hydrology are complex processes and any hydrologic modification may result in unintended consequences. Predicting these consequences can be problematic due to the complexity and difficulty associated with proper modeling of the hydraulics and topography. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the suitability of established one- and two-dimensional …

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Surface Water Pesticide Contamination In The Upper Terrebonne Basin Of Louisiana, John S. Walther Jan 2003

Surface Water Pesticide Contamination In The Upper Terrebonne Basin Of Louisiana, John S. Walther

LSU Master's Theses

Triazine herbicides are the most heavily used pesticides in the United States. Atrazine and Simazine are the primary triazine herbicides used for broadleaf weed control in the production of corn, sugarcane, and sorghum. Recent monitoring studies of surface waters in the Upper Terrebonne Basin of Louisiana indicate elevated amounts of triazines are running off fields and entering drinking water supplies. Atrazine has been classified as a possible carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Recent epidemiological studies have revealed increases in breast cancer and pre-term births following exposure to triazines at levels detected in drinking water. Non-point source pollution …

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Robert Lowell's Life-Writing And Memory, Gye-Yu Kang Jan 2003

Robert Lowell's Life-Writing And Memory, Gye-Yu Kang

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis examines Robert Lowell's use of memory in such autobiographical works as Life Studies and Day by Day. In those volumes, Lowell returns to recollect his private past; his act of remembering becomes the poetic process by which Lowell is able to create the retrospective truth of his life. The most important feature of memory in his life-writing is in its role as an imaginative reconstruction. In the first chapter, I review recent models that regard memory as a reconstructive process. Memory involves more than fact, according to these investigations; it also represents a fictionalizing process of self. In …

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Perspectives On Comparative Literature, Alexandru Boldor Jan 2003

Perspectives On Comparative Literature, Alexandru Boldor

LSU Master's Theses

The main objective of this dissertation was to provide researchers interested in the history and evolution of "comparative literature" with a collection of references delineating the evolution of the concept and the development of academic departments dedicated to its study. The paper includes a first section describing the main issues contributing to the "identity crisis" with which studies and departments defining themselves as "comparative" were consistently confronted ever since the term was coined. The "preliminary concepts" section offers an overview of the elements that usually confer a "comparative" quality to a literary study, such as interdisciplinarity and multiculturalism, together with …

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Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Modulation And Inter-Carrier Interference Cancellation, Yao Xiao Jan 2003

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Modulation And Inter-Carrier Interference Cancellation, Yao Xiao

LSU Master's Theses

The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technique, wireless channel models, and a pair of new intercarrier interference self-cancellation methods are investigated in this thesis. The first chapter addresses the history of OFDM, along with its principles and applications. Chapter two consists of three parts: the principal, the modern OFDM models, and the Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) problem. Chapter two also summarizes possible PAPR solutions. Chapter three discusses a series of well-known wireless channel models, as well as the general formula for wireless channels. In Chapter four, ICI problem has been discussed, along with its existing solutions. Chapter five …

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Major And Minor Life Events As Predictors Of Medical Utilization, Gareth R. Dutton Jan 2003

Major And Minor Life Events As Predictors Of Medical Utilization, Gareth R. Dutton

LSU Master's Theses

Research suggests stressful life events can negatively influence physical and mental health in a number of ways. While previous research indicates both major and minor life events contribute unique variance to the prediction of physical and mental symptoms, little research has examined the relationships of both major and minor life events with medical utilization. The current study included a predominantly African American, low-income sample of adults (N = 207) attending two primary care outpatient clinics and assessed their experience of both major and minor life events over the course of one year. Medical utilization data were collected over a subsequent …

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Scalable Parallel Molecular Dynamics Algorithms For Organic Systems, Satyavani Vemparala Jan 2003

Scalable Parallel Molecular Dynamics Algorithms For Organic Systems, Satyavani Vemparala

LSU Master's Theses

A scalable parallel algorithm, Macro-Molecular Dynamics (MMD), has been developed for large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of organic macromolecules, based on space-time multi-resolution techniques and dynamic management of distributed lists. The algorithm also includes the calculation of long range forces using Fast Multipole Method (FMM). FMM is based on the octree data structure, in which each parent cell is divided into 8 child cells and this division continues until the cell size is equal to the non-bonded interaction cutoff length. Due to constant number of operations performed at each stage of the octree, the FMM algorithm scales as O(N). Design and …

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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. …

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Compositional Systematics Of Deep, Low Salinity Formation Waters In The Upper Wilcox Of Southeastern Texas, Kathleen (Kt) Moran Jan 2003

Compositional Systematics Of Deep, Low Salinity Formation Waters In The Upper Wilcox Of Southeastern Texas, Kathleen (Kt) Moran

LSU Master's Theses

Overpressured Eocene Wilcox sandstones in the Newton County, Texas Sabine Tram field contain water with salinities ranging from 14 to 28 g/L. The solutes appear to fall loosely into three groups. Na, Ca, and Mg follow systematics previously known globally for saline formation waters whereby their concentrations are controlled by fluid-mineral equilibrium. Cl, Br, I, and B are conservatively diluted constituents of some saline endmember that is not solely connate marine. Potassium does not follow any known basinal systematic, and the formation water is supersaturated with respect to SiO2 by an order of magnitude. Meteoric water is not a probable …

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Factors Affecting Participation In City Recycling Programs, Stacy Marie Lockhart Jan 2003

Factors Affecting Participation In City Recycling Programs, Stacy Marie Lockhart

LSU Master's Theses

Recycling consists of diverting or recovering materials from the solid waste stream that would otherwise end up returning to the environment as a potential source of pollution. These collected materials are then used as raw materials in the manufacture or assembly of a new product or package. Over the years the amount of municipal solid waste being generated per person has steadily increased. Waste disposal costs are also increasing, making recycling even more important. To address this issue cities are developing recycling policies or plans. The type of plan varies according to the area; as of this time there are …

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Design Guidelines Of A Therapeutic Garden For Autistic Children, Bonnie Barnes Hebert Jan 2003

Design Guidelines Of A Therapeutic Garden For Autistic Children, Bonnie Barnes Hebert

LSU Master's Theses

This study establishes a set of guidelines for designing a therapeutic garden for autistic children. To understand how a garden may provide benefit, the literature on healing gardens is reviewed. The history of gardens in hospital settings and other healthcare institutions is examined. In addition, published work on the effects of nature on stress and health outcomes and theories as to why nature is restorative is included in the review of the literature. Because the focus of the study is outdoor environments for autistic children, published works on children’s outdoor environments and the topic of play are reviewed as well. …

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The Development Of Molecular Diagnostics For Breast Cancer, Anna Henrik Israyelyan Jan 2003

The Development Of Molecular Diagnostics For Breast Cancer, Anna Henrik Israyelyan

LSU Master's Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. It continues to be a major burden and cause of death among women worldwide. Molecular oncology is now one of the most promising fields that may contribute considerably to diagnosis of breast cancer and its metastases addressing major problems with early detection, accurate staging, and monitoring of breast cancer patients. The overall objective of these feasibility studies was to contribute to improved diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of breast cancer disease through the development of reagents and protocols for the use of molecular biological advances and the assessment of the …

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A Comparative Analysis Of The Deterioration Rates Of Textiles And Their Role In Determining Postmortem Interval, Kellie Marie Gordon Jan 2003

A Comparative Analysis Of The Deterioration Rates Of Textiles And Their Role In Determining Postmortem Interval, Kellie Marie Gordon

LSU Master's Theses

A predominant problem that must be solved in the medico-legal field of forensic science is when death occurred. Accurate determination of postmortem interval (PMI) enables investigators to narrow the time frame of events for a case, a crucial step for law enforcement in forensic analysis. Multiple taphonomic variables affect the decay rate of the human body and the subsequent formation of PMI estimates. Employing a two-phased strategy, this study seeks to analyze the correlation between the deterioration rates of various fabric types in relation to determining the PMI of a forensic case. First, an analysis was completed based on a …

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A Stellar Parameter Calibration Of Iue Data For The Determination Of The Present Day Mass Function Of High Mass Stars, Kenneth Thomas Taylor Jan 2003

A Stellar Parameter Calibration Of Iue Data For The Determination Of The Present Day Mass Function Of High Mass Stars, Kenneth Thomas Taylor

LSU Master's Theses

A study of stellar atmosphere models and the photometric quantity R is presented here, with R being the ratio of the integrated de-reddened fluxes from the two wavelength regions of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite cameras. The effective temperatures and surface gravities of the stellar atmospheres were calibrated against R and absolute magnitude, using stellar evolution tracks from the literature, and applied to over 156 LMC stars whose masses and mass function are then derived from the results. The results show that the effective temperatures and surface gravities of stars derived from R and absolute magnitude correlate well with …

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Bathroom Issues, Craig Edward Clifford Jan 2003

Bathroom Issues, Craig Edward Clifford

LSU Master's Theses

"Obscenity is a human manifestation. The toilet has no central nervous system. No level of consciousness. It is not aware; it is a dumb toilet; it cannot be obscene; it's impossible." Lenny Bruce How to Talk Dirty and Influence People Things that make people uncomfortable intrigue me and I find that these same things are very ones that make us laugh the hardest. The fact that sex and bodily functions both make people laugh in addition to making them feel uncomfortable is no accident.

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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 …

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Biomechanical Effects Of Cyclic Loading On The Lower Back, Lakiesha Claude Jan 2003

Biomechanical Effects Of Cyclic Loading On The Lower Back, Lakiesha Claude

LSU Master's Theses

More than 30 million people in the United States may have low back pain at any time, and 10 million of them have chronic symptoms. Epidemiological studies indicate that along with axial compressive loads, other factors including repetitive twisting or lateral bending and lifting are significant risk factors for low-back disorders. Literature repeatedly confirms that cyclic occupational functions expose workers to a 10-fold increase in episodes of low back injury and pain. This study examined the biomechanical effects of cyclical loading on the lower back. Twenty in vivo feline preparations were subjected to passive cyclic loading at 20 N (n=6), …

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Rhizome Manipulation Affects Growth And Development Of Ornamental Gingers, Maria Del Pilar Paz Jan 2003

Rhizome Manipulation Affects Growth And Development Of Ornamental Gingers, Maria Del Pilar Paz

LSU Master's Theses

Ornamental gingers are popular cut flowers and have been promoted as a promising potted flower crop because of unique foliage, long-lasting colorful bracts, and few pest problems. Rhizomes are the primary means of propagation in late spring followed by shoot growth and flowering, and plants enter dormancy under short days in the fall. Termination of dormancy is important for greenhouse forcing and extending the growing season. Rhizomes of five ginger species (Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep., C. cordata L., C. roscoeana Wallich, Globba winittii C.H. Wright, and Kaempferia galanga L.) were either: 1) stored for 0 to 16 weeks at 15, 20 …

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Bombarding The City Of The Dead: Who Has A Right To The Past?, Corey David Hotard Jan 2003

Bombarding The City Of The Dead: Who Has A Right To The Past?, Corey David Hotard

LSU Master's Theses

This study focuses on the relationship between tourism and archaeology at Saint Louis Cemetery Number One in New Orleans. In the past two decades, the discipline of archaeology has been thrust into the gaze of the public. The Information Age has led to the increased accessibility of archaeological sites to anyone who may have an interest. Due to this increased accessibility, professional archaeologists have turned to public archaeology in order to satiate the public’s curiosity. Although public archaeology is a growing field, a good bit of the subject still deals mainly with legislation and preservation rather than direct contact with …

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