Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Louisiana State University

2011

Discipline
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 901 - 930 of 931

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Mechanical Evaluation Of Aluminum Oxide Roughened Screws In Equine Third Metacarpal Bone, Petrisor Baia Jan 2011

Mechanical Evaluation Of Aluminum Oxide Roughened Screws In Equine Third Metacarpal Bone, Petrisor Baia

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT Objectives – To compare the osseointegration of roughened and electropolished 5.5 mm cortical screws used to secure a 4.5 mm broad dynamic compression plate (DCP) in equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones. Study Design – In vivo study Animals – 5 Adult thoroughbred horses (2-7 years old). Methods – For each horse one MC3 was randomly assigned to secure a 4.5 mm broad DCP with 4aluminum oxide (Al2O3) roughened screws on the dorsal mid diaphysis. Four regular electropolished screws used to secure a similar plate on the contralateral limb served as control. They were removed at 12 weeks and the …


Fostering Compliance In Preschool-Aged Children Using Least-To-Most Assistive Prompt Hierarchy, Courtney Powers Jan 2011

Fostering Compliance In Preschool-Aged Children Using Least-To-Most Assistive Prompt Hierarchy, Courtney Powers

LSU Master's Theses

Previous research has shown that prompting can increase child compliance to adult directives (Tarbox, Wallace, Penrod, & Tarbox, 2007; Wilder & Atwell, 2006; Wilder, Atwell, & Wine, 2006). The purpose of this study was to train teachers to use prompting to increase child compliance to teacher directives. This study builds on the current literature by using least-to-most prompting (Horner & Keilitz, 1975) within the naturally occurring context of the preschool classroom. The participants consisted of 3 preschool teachers who interacted with a target child in an early childhood classroom. Child compliance was measured during free choice center time. Results were …


Efficient Replica-Exchange Across Distributed Production Infrastructure, Abhinav S. Thota Jan 2011

Efficient Replica-Exchange Across Distributed Production Infrastructure, Abhinav S. Thota

LSU Master's Theses

Replica-Exchange (RE) methods represent a class of algorithms that involve a large number of loosely-coupled ensembles and are used to understand physical phenomena -- ranging from protein folding dynamics to binding affinity calculations. We develop a framework for RE that supports different replica pairing and coordination mechanisms, that can use a wide range of production cyberinfrastructure concurrently. Additionally, our framework uses a flexible pilot-job implementation, which enables effective resource allocation for multiple replicas. We characterize the performance of two different RE algorithms - synchronous and asynchronous - at unprecedented scales on production distributed infrastructure (Teragrid and LONI). The synchronous RE …


Foldable Substrates For Micro-Ultrasonic Transducers, Karthik Balasubramanian Jan 2011

Foldable Substrates For Micro-Ultrasonic Transducers, Karthik Balasubramanian

LSU Master's Theses

Ultrasound has broad range of applications from underwater examination, nondestructive testing of materials and medical diagnosis and treatment. The ultrasonic transducer plays an vital role in determining the resolution, sensitivity, as well as other diagnostic capabilities of an ultrasonic imaging system. Current piezoelectric transducer which dominates the medical field has limited applications compared to the capacitive ultrasonic transducer. The capacitive transducer is easy to fabricate compared to the piezoelectric transducer. In this work, the fabrication of a foldable substrate for a capacitive ultrasonic transducer has been discussed. The foldable substrate was fabricated using an ultrathin silicon wafer which is 50 …


Single-Molecule Detection And Microfluidics: Generating Systems For The In Vitro Diagnostics Of Stroke, Brandon M. Young Jan 2011

Single-Molecule Detection And Microfluidics: Generating Systems For The In Vitro Diagnostics Of Stroke, Brandon M. Young

LSU Master's Theses

There is currently no available molecular diagnostic test for stroke; the common modality for diagnosis consists of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Unfortunately, the use of these diagnostic regimens can delay proper therapeutic treatment, which requires administration within the first 3 h of a stroke event. We are developing a molecular assay that can report, in near real time and at the point-of-care, the presence or absence of biomarkers specifically targeted for the diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The proposed strategy uses blood-borne mRNAs that are either under-expressed or over-expressed as a result of tissue damage within the …


Characterization Of Triggerable Quinones For The Development Of Enzyme-Responsive Liposomes, Maria Fabiana Mendoza Jan 2011

Characterization Of Triggerable Quinones For The Development Of Enzyme-Responsive Liposomes, Maria Fabiana Mendoza

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

For decades, there has been a lot of focus on the development of new carriers for drug delivery applications. From all of the carriers, stimuli-responsive liposomes have been studied extensively, but only a handful have been enzyme-responsive liposomes. Therefore, the field of endogenous proteins as activators of liposomes is a fertile field worthy of exploration. The research described in this dissertation involves how structural changes on the quinone moiety altered their electronic properties, as well as their behavior toward the human enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase type-1 (hNQO1, over expressed in certain tumor tissues), thus yielding a series of triggerable quinones to …


Characterization Of Biocompatible Parylene-C Coating For Biomems Applications, Quoc Phuc Nguyen Jan 2011

Characterization Of Biocompatible Parylene-C Coating For Biomems Applications, Quoc Phuc Nguyen

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis characterizes parylene-C films with respect to biological micro-electro-mechanical system (BioMEMS) applications. BioMEMS devices have fueled the growth and research in the area of detecting, analyzing and identifying pathogens rapidly with precision in the bio-medical applications, thereby positively impacting millions of lives and made it extremely popular among researchers. These devices are fabricated using state-of-the-art techniques usually involving more than one material which typically has different biocompatibility and is not acceptable for various BioMEMS and biomedical applications; therefore, a special biocompatible coating is required. The parylene polymer is an example of such a coating as it is known for …


Interpretation Of Power Phenomena In Three Phase Systems With Neutral Using Instantaneous Reactive Power P-Q Theory, Rahul Anil Kantharia Jan 2011

Interpretation Of Power Phenomena In Three Phase Systems With Neutral Using Instantaneous Reactive Power P-Q Theory, Rahul Anil Kantharia

LSU Master's Theses

The Instantaneous Reactive power (IRP) p-q theory considered as a major power theory as well as a primary fundamental for switching compensator control in three-phase systems, is analyzed in order to verify its ability to describe and identify the power properties or power phenomena in a 3pN system with asymmetrical and non-sinusoidal voltages along with unbalanced loads. This analysis is an outcome of the misinterpretations of power phenomena in three-wire circuits shown by IRP p-q theory under non-sinusoidal conditions. Different load and supply conditions such as balanced, unbalanced and Harmonic generating loads along with asymmetrical and non-sinusoidal voltages are assumed …


Assymmetry In Distribution Systems: Causes, Harmful Effects And Remedies, Isaac Plummer Jan 2011

Assymmetry In Distribution Systems: Causes, Harmful Effects And Remedies, Isaac Plummer

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT: Current and voltage asymmetry denigrates the power system performance. The current asymmetry reduces efficiency, productivity and profits at the generation, transmission and distribution of electric energy. Voltage asymmetry reduces efficiency, productivity and profits at the consumption/utilization level. There are a lot of conference and journal papers on the subject of voltage and current asymmetry, however, the information is scattered over a large number of journals and conferences and published over several years. Therefore, the thesis provides a comprehensive compilation of all possible published information on current and voltage asymmetry in the electrical power systems. Published information on sources of …


Comparison Of Tld Dose And Reconstructed Dose For Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy With Tomotherapy, Matthew Roberts Jan 2011

Comparison Of Tld Dose And Reconstructed Dose For Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy With Tomotherapy, Matthew Roberts

LSU Master's Theses

Purpose: To determine the dosimetric accuracy of TomoTherapy’s database technique for delivery verification and dose reconstruction in post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) treatments. Methods and Materials: Archived treatment data for 5 patients treated at MBPCC were restored to the TomoTherapy research computer system. Pretreatment MVCT images and exit detector dosimetry data collected during treatment of these patients were used to calculate the DV sinogram for each treatment fraction. The DV sinogram and MVCT image for each fraction were used to reconstruct the delivered dose for that fraction using a convolution/superposition algorithm. The reconstructed doses were compared to previously acquired TLD doses …


Effect Of Labeling Bias On Ratings Of Adhd Symptoms, Jessica Lynne Rodriguez Jan 2011

Effect Of Labeling Bias On Ratings Of Adhd Symptoms, Jessica Lynne Rodriguez

LSU Master's Theses

In a study by Fox and Stinnett (1996), labeling bias was defined as the “expectations that others might develop for a person given a particular label.” Research has repeatedly shown that negative characteristics are often attributed to children given a label, even when behavior does not differ from non-labeled peers. This study aimed to add to the understanding of labeling bias, specifically a label of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Teachers were recruited to participate in an online survey in which they were randomly assigned one of three variations of a vignette. The vignettes described two children with either no label, a …


Delivery Accuracy Of Image Guided Radiation Therapy Using Elekta Infinity's On-Board Imaging, Matthew William Sutton Jan 2011

Delivery Accuracy Of Image Guided Radiation Therapy Using Elekta Infinity's On-Board Imaging, Matthew William Sutton

LSU Master's Theses

Using the technique developed by Vinci et al. (2007), this project quantified the accuracy and precision of the Elekta Infinity using an end-to-end test for the entire image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) treatment process. The IGRT capabilities of the on-board imaging systems for megavoltage (MV) planar imaging and kilovoltage cone beam computed tomography (kVCBCT) were both evaluated. The accuracy of the on-board imaging systems will impact the size of planning treatment margins. A CIRS Radiosurgery head phantom with a Gafchromic EBT2 film dosimetry block insert was used to measure the dose distributions in the three orthogonal planes. A coplanar, isocentric, …


Guided Modes And Resonant Transmission In Periodic Structures, Hairui Tu Jan 2011

Guided Modes And Resonant Transmission In Periodic Structures, Hairui Tu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We analyze resonant scattering phenomena of scalar fields in periodic slab and pillar structures that are related to the interaction between guided modes of the structure and plane waves emanating from the exterior. The mechanism for the resonance is the nonrobust nature of the guided modes with respect to perturbations of the wavenumber, which reflects the fact that the frequency of the mode is embedded in the continuous spectrum of the pseudo-periodic Helmholtz equation. We extend previous complex perturbation analysis of transmission anomalies to structures whose coefficients are only required to be measurable and bounded from above and below, and …


Gay-Marriage In 2004 U.S. Presidential Election, James Dunphy Jan 2011

Gay-Marriage In 2004 U.S. Presidential Election, James Dunphy

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis looks at the factors that affected individual turnout and vote choice in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. Regarding the outcome of the election, a point of dispute among scholars pertains to whether evangelical Christians played a meaningful role in helping re-elect then-President Bush to a second term in 2004. The gay-marriage issue played a prominent role in the presidential campaign, due in part to a ruling the Massachusetts Supreme Court rendered in November 2003 that legalized the marrying of same-sex couples within the state’s borders. The Court’s decision had a reverberating effect, particularly among evangelicals, and subsequently, it …


Hmo2, A Yeast Hmgb Protein That Preferentially Binds To Dna Ends, Sreerupa Ray Jan 2011

Hmo2, A Yeast Hmgb Protein That Preferentially Binds To Dna Ends, Sreerupa Ray

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

DNA damage is a common hazard that all cells have to combat. Saccharomyces cerevisiae HMO2 is a high mobility group protein (HMGB) that is a component of the chromatin remodeling complex INO80, which is involved in double strand break repair. I show here using DNA end-joining and exonuclease protection assays that HMO2 binds preferentially to DNA ends. While HMO2 binds DNA with both blunt and cohesive ends, the sequence of a single stranded overhang significantly affects binding, supporting the conclusion that HMO2 recognizes features at DNA ends. Analysis of the effect of duplex length on the ability of HMO2 to …


Developing A Tool To Characterize The Ultradian Rhythm In Diploid Saccharomyces Cervisiae Using The Reporter Gene Green Fluorescent Protein, Imran Chiragh Jan 2011

Developing A Tool To Characterize The Ultradian Rhythm In Diploid Saccharomyces Cervisiae Using The Reporter Gene Green Fluorescent Protein, Imran Chiragh

LSU Master's Theses

Biological rhythms control many temporal behaviors of organism, such as the sleep cycle, hearts rhythms, seasonal animal migrations etc. Understanding these rhythms would provide insight into the temporal process of living organisms. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a budding yeast, is an ideal model organism to study biological rhythms in eukaryotic cells because of its sequenced genome and discerned processes. By characterizing the biological rhythm in budding yeast, insight can be gained into more complex organisms. Previous studies have exhibited oscillatory behavior of oxygen consumption and determined that deletion of the GTS1 gene dissipates this rhythm. However, to further understand the specific behavior …


Teaching High School Geometry With Tasks And Activities, Margaret Ann Fazekas Jan 2011

Teaching High School Geometry With Tasks And Activities, Margaret Ann Fazekas

LSU Master's Theses

Task-based learning is an instructional method in which students complete coherently-structured activities in order to meet objectives set by the educator. This thesis illustrates learning communities as the ideal environment for a task-based learning classroom. It discusses the teacher’s role in a task-based classroom. This paper also describes three examples of tasks performed in my high school geometry classroom along with my observations of students’ interactions and discussions.


The Design And Modification Of A Sputter System For Dc Reactive Sputtering Of Alumina And Zirconia Thin Films, Diane Van Ho Jan 2011

The Design And Modification Of A Sputter System For Dc Reactive Sputtering Of Alumina And Zirconia Thin Films, Diane Van Ho

LSU Master's Theses

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (7% YSZ) is the most used material for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) to reduce the conductive heat transfer on turbine blades, but it is not resistant to infrared radiation. In order to reduce radiation heat transfer, alternating materials, such as alumina and zirconia, can be used to fabricate multi-layer coatings in which each layer is optimized to reflect a targeted range of wavelength. This research aims to fabricate these multi-layer coatings by reactive magnetron sputtering. Reactive magnetron sputtering is the sputtering of an elemental target in the presence of a reactive gas that will react with the target …


Hbcu Crises And Best Practices In The Discourse Of Renewal: A Crisis Communication Case Study Of Three Institutions, Erica Courtney Taylor Jan 2011

Hbcu Crises And Best Practices In The Discourse Of Renewal: A Crisis Communication Case Study Of Three Institutions, Erica Courtney Taylor

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Crises have been a part of all societies over the course of time. Leaders of small, primitive societies may have dealt with these crises by directly communicating with their citizens or by taking other hands-on approaches to crisis management and recovery. However, in large post-modern technological societies, leaders must find more efficient ways to handle and recover from crises. This qualitative study examines three crises that occurred at three Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) in the last six years. Crisis communication planning and practices are explored with a special focus on elements of the discourse of renewal theory each …


"We Live In A Used World": Cultural Geographies Of American Garage Sales, Gentry Powell Hanks Jan 2011

"We Live In A Used World": Cultural Geographies Of American Garage Sales, Gentry Powell Hanks

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis seeks to understand the emotional geographies of American garage sales, which I argue are liminal. Through a methodology of narrative surveys (open-ended questionnaires), mental maps, participant-observation, and interviews, I make the case that garage sales, through absent and/or present items, narratives, and exchanged histories, can reveal much in terms of identity, values, and cultural practices. These archives on the margins hold stories, artifacts, and performances of a distant or near past, giving geographers an innovative lens through which to explore the intricacies of materiality, place, and representation. This thesis provides a range of theoretical and practical perspectives on …


Characterization And Prototyping Of The Rotating Modulator Hard X-Ray/Gamma-Ray Telescope, Brent Budden Jan 2011

Characterization And Prototyping Of The Rotating Modulator Hard X-Ray/Gamma-Ray Telescope, Brent Budden

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A hard x-ray/gamma-ray telescope with high sensitivity and wide field of view would be capable of performing an all-sky census of black holes over a wide range of obscuration and accretion rates. As an example, NASA's Black Hole Finder Probe mission was designed to provide a 5-sigma flux sensitivity in a 1-year observation of ~0.02 mCrab in the 10 - 150 keV energy range and 0.5 mCrab in the 150 - 600 keV energy range with 3 - 5 minutes of arc angular resolution. These are significantly higher sensitivity and resolution goals than those of current instruments. The design focus …


The Expression Of Cardiotrophin-1 Is Differentially Regulated In Murine And Human Obesity Type Ii Diabetes, Kelesha Crystal Sarjeant Jan 2011

The Expression Of Cardiotrophin-1 Is Differentially Regulated In Murine And Human Obesity Type Ii Diabetes, Kelesha Crystal Sarjeant

LSU Master's Theses

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in all developed nations. Several independent studies have shown that cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) serum levels are modulated in patients with various types of cardiovascular disease including ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, and accelerated arthrosclerosis. CT-1 is a member of the Interleukin-6 family, or gp130 family of cytokines. It is also known to induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo, and is a critical component for cardiomyocyte survival. CT-1 is a naturally occurring protein with a molecular mass of approximately 21.5 kD and a 200 amino acid long sequence, it was discovered …


On Greenberg's Question: An Algebraic And Computational Approach, David H. Chapman Jan 2011

On Greenberg's Question: An Algebraic And Computational Approach, David H. Chapman

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Greenberg asked whether arithmetically equivalent number fields share the same Iwasawa invariants. In this dissertation it is shown that the problem naturally breaks up into four cases, depending on properties of Galois groups. This analysis is then used to give a positive answer to Greenberg’s question in some nontrivial examples.


Evaluation Of Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Friction, Vivek Lal Das Jan 2011

Evaluation Of Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Friction, Vivek Lal Das

LSU Master's Theses

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the effect of asphalt mix designs to address skid resistance. The current Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) specification for friction design considers only the friction rating of aggregate defined by the polished stone value (PSV) obtained by the British pendulum tester (BPT), which is associated with only the micro-texture of asphalt pavement surfaces. The objective of this study is to recommend an asphalt surface friction mix design guideline which is based on both micro- and macro-texture of the wearing course mix. The objective was achieved by evaluating four typical laboratory prepared Louisiana …


Modeling Effects Of Coupled Convection And Co2 Injection In Stimulating Geopressured Geothermal Reservoirs, Tatyana Plaksina Jan 2011

Modeling Effects Of Coupled Convection And Co2 Injection In Stimulating Geopressured Geothermal Reservoirs, Tatyana Plaksina

LSU Master's Theses

Geopressured geothermal brines are a vast geothermal resource in the US Gulf of Mexico region. In particular, geopressured sandstones near salt domes are potential sources of geothermal energy because salt diapirs with high thermal conductivities may pierce younger, cooler strata. These characteristics enhance transfer heat from older, hotter strata at the base of the diapir into shallower strata. Moreover, widespread geopressure in the Gulf region tends to preserve permeability, enhancing productivity. As an example, the Camerina A sand of South Louisiana was chosen as a geomodel for a numerical simulation study of effects of CO2 injection and coupled convection as …


Psychometric Evaluation Of A Proposed, Alzheimer's Aggression Scale, Kristina Little Jan 2011

Psychometric Evaluation Of A Proposed, Alzheimer's Aggression Scale, Kristina Little

LSU Master's Theses

Aggressive behavior is a common symptom of mid- to late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, causing unique challenges for caregivers and healthcare professionals. In previous research, aggressive behavior related to dementia was linked to higher caregiver distress and burden. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of an aggressive behavior subscale of the Revised Memory and Behavior Problem Checklist (RMBPC) among Alzheimer’s disease caregivers. The subscale measures the frequency of aggressive behavior and the caregiver’s reaction. The sample consisted of 419 caregivers reporting some frequency of aggressive behavior by the care recipient. Exploratory factor analysis was favorable. Convergent validity …


Analysis Of Major Hydrologic Events In Ascension Parish, La, Jessica Irene Mason Jan 2011

Analysis Of Major Hydrologic Events In Ascension Parish, La, Jessica Irene Mason

LSU Master's Theses

Ascension Parish is located in Southern Louisiana and is characterized by low slope and low elevation. This combination allows for much hydrologic storage during a flood event. Because Ascension Parish is one of the most rapidly growing areas in the United States, it is necessary to accurately predict the hydrologic and hydraulic properties of flow and accurately model them. Several processes within a hydrologic model greatly influence the output flow hydrographs so selecting correct methods and parameters is important. Transform methods describe how excess precipitation is transformed into runoff. There are several methods that can be used as a transform …


The Impact Of Oral Fluency And Silent Fluency On The Comprehension Of Fourth Graders, Julie Adele Wright Jan 2011

The Impact Of Oral Fluency And Silent Fluency On The Comprehension Of Fourth Graders, Julie Adele Wright

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to discover if a connection exists between oral fluency and silent fluency. Comprehension was used as the consistent measurement instrument for the study. Understanding how oral fluency transitions to silent fluency helps educators understand how to assist students with this process. Most reading done to acquire knowledge after the fourth grade is performed silently. Students need to be an effective silent reader to be successful in school. In addition, reading comprehension and most other parts of standardized testing is read silently by the student unless accommodations are put in place before testing. If …


Miscible Column Studies Of Unfractured And Saturated Cores Of Topopah Spring Tuff From Yucca Mountain, Nevada Using Hydrophobic Organic Pollutants, Kody V. Kramer Jan 2011

Miscible Column Studies Of Unfractured And Saturated Cores Of Topopah Spring Tuff From Yucca Mountain, Nevada Using Hydrophobic Organic Pollutants, Kody V. Kramer

LSU Master's Theses

Miscible displacement column studies were conducted on unfractured cores of Topopah Spring Tuff to quantify transport characteristics of bromide&44; pentafluorobenzoic acid &40;PFBA&41;&44; trichloroethylene &40;TCE&41;&44; and naphthalene. Three 5 cm diameter by 2 cm long cores were flushed with pulses of simulated groundwater containing these tracers&44; followed by tracer&45;free solution. Effective porosities were gravimetrically measured as 11&37;&44; 10.6&37;&44; and 9.5&37;. The tracers achieved full breakthrough in an order correlating to their hydrophobicities. Bromide and PFBA sorbed least&44; achieving full breakthrough in fewer than 10 pore volumes. As water analogues&44; both exhibited no quantifiable sorption. Delay to full breakthrough was contributed to …


A Systematic Study Of Xylella Fastidiosa Strains Isolated From Pecan, Grapevine, Oleander, And Sycamore In Louisiana, Rebecca Ann Melanson Jan 2011

A Systematic Study Of Xylella Fastidiosa Strains Isolated From Pecan, Grapevine, Oleander, And Sycamore In Louisiana, Rebecca Ann Melanson

LSU Master's Theses

Xylella fastidiosa causes disease in a number of economically important crops and landscape shrubs and trees including grapevine, citrus, oleander, and sycamore. In pecan, X. fastidiosa causes pecan bacterial leaf scorch (PBLS), which leads to defoliation and reduces nut yield. No economically effective treatments are available for PBLS. In order to improve PBLS management practices, it is necessary to determine the subspecies of X. fastidiosa strains that infect pecan so potential sources of inoculum can be identified. Multiprimer PCR and phylogenetic analyses using nucleotide sequence data from the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region and pglA consistently identified strains …