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Modeling Of Cane Sugar Colorant Removal In Packed-Bed Ion Exchange Columns And An Investigation Into Pretreatment Methods, Bruce Malcolm Ellis Jan 2004

Modeling Of Cane Sugar Colorant Removal In Packed-Bed Ion Exchange Columns And An Investigation Into Pretreatment Methods, Bruce Malcolm Ellis

LSU Master's Theses

Cane sugar colorants have been extensively researched but still little is known about their exact compositions. Rather than distinct compounds, they are a mixture of many compounds. Some it is assumed can be classified into the pseudo components that have been defined using gel permeation chromatography, based on molecular weight. The defining of these components has allowed the colorants to be modeled independently, instead of as one lumped color parameter. The measured colored components were modeled using a linear driving force adsorption model, which could be applied in the design process for optimizing the decolorizing capacity of the resins. The …

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A Bio-Mems Device For Separation Of Breast Cancer Cells From Peripheral Whole Blood, Juan Feng Jan 2004

A Bio-Mems Device For Separation Of Breast Cancer Cells From Peripheral Whole Blood, Juan Feng

LSU Master's Theses

This work demonstrates the application of Bio-Micro Electro Mechanical System (Bio-MEMS) technology for early breast cancer detection and diagnosis. Early breast cancer detection and diagnosis typically uses conventional mammogram screening followed by biopsy, which can be problematic since mammography can only detect highly calcified tumors greater than 1 cm in size. A micro-device was developed to identify and specifically collect tumor cells of low abundance (1 tumor cell among 107 normal blood cells) from circulating whole blood. By immobilizing anti-EpCAM (Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule) antibodies on polymer micro-channel walls by the chemical surface modification of PMMA, breast cancer cells …

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Cox Regression Model, Lindsay Sarah Smith Jan 2004

Cox Regression Model, Lindsay Sarah Smith

LSU Master's Theses

Cox, in 1972, came up with the Cox Regression Model to deal handle failure time data. This work presents background information leading up to the Cox's regression model for censored survival data. The marginal and partial likelihood approaches to estimate the parameters in this model are presented in detail. The estimation techniques of the hazard and survivor functions are explained. All of these ideas are illustrated using data from the Veteran’s Administration lung cancer study.

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Validation Of Pet/Ct Dataset For Radiation Treatment Planning, Rajesh Manoharan Jan 2004

Validation Of Pet/Ct Dataset For Radiation Treatment Planning, Rajesh Manoharan

LSU Master's Theses

PET/CT scans are frequently used for radiation treatment planning (RTP). Our work demonstrates a practical approach for validating the PET/CT dataset for RTP. We tested this QA process on a Reveal HD PET/CT scanner. The phantom used is a TGM2 ISIS QA phantom, a 14 cm acrylic cube with a central bore for object inserts. It has four different built-in inserts for electron density verification. 22Na seeds are inserted into the pinholes at the side of the cube. PET/CT images of the phantom with 22Na seeds are acquired and fused in the scanner Syngo fusion software. Registration of the PET/CT …

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An Online Fabric Database To Link Fabric Drape And End-Use Properties, Ayse Gider Jan 2004

An Online Fabric Database To Link Fabric Drape And End-Use Properties, Ayse Gider

LSU Master's Theses

The main obstacle for adaptation of fabric selection through the Internet is that there is no objective selection method that is suitable for fashion fabrics. The purpose of this research is to develop an objective evaluation method for selecting fabrics through an online fabric database. The relationship between fabric mechanical properties and fabric drape was investigated. One hundred eighty-five commercial fabrics from different manufacturers were tested using the Kawabata fabric evaluation system (KES-FB) and Cusick drape tester. Applying regression analysis, the parameters that were significantly correlated with drape coefficient (DC) were determined. The test results, fabric structural parameters, and contact …

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An Examination Of The Relationship Between Environmental Science And Law Due To Emerging Micro-Scale Gas Chromatography Technology, Alfred Ruks Politzer Jan 2004

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Environmental Science And Law Due To Emerging Micro-Scale Gas Chromatography Technology, Alfred Ruks Politzer

LSU Master's Theses

The intersection of science and law is very complex. The two disciplines frequently interact due to environmental issues. Expert testimony is most often the method used to introduce scientific data into the legal system. Advances in technology have allowed scientists to increase the preciseness and reliability of data produced. The development of the gas chromatograph and the recent microFAST gas chromatograph has greatly increased the amounts of data available to the legal system. The legal system has relatively recently developed a set of guidelines with which to evaluate scientific evidence and determine whether it should be admitted into trial. Previously …

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Regional-Scale Eutrophication Models: A Bayesian Treed Model Approach, Angelina Freeman Jan 2004

Regional-Scale Eutrophication Models: A Bayesian Treed Model Approach, Angelina Freeman

LSU Master's Theses

Utilizing Bayesian hierarchical techniques, regional-scale eutrophication models were developed for use in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process. The Bayesian tree-based (BTREED) approach allows association of multiple environmental stressors with biological responses, and quantification of uncertainty sources in the water quality model. Simple parametric models are often inadequate for describing complex datasets; the BTREED approach partitions the dataset, and describes the localized subsets of data with linear models, thereby providing a comprehensive representation of stressor and response interactions. Nutrient criteria data for lakes, ponds and reservoirs across the United States were obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) …

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Estimating Impervious Surfaces From A Small Urban Watershed In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Using Landsat Thematic Mapper Imagery, Kurt Johnson Jan 2004

Estimating Impervious Surfaces From A Small Urban Watershed In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Using Landsat Thematic Mapper Imagery, Kurt Johnson

LSU Master's Theses

Many urban areas are using estimations of impervious surfaces as a means for better environmental management. This is because research over the last two decades indicate a consistent, inverse relationship between the percentage of impervious surfaces in a watershed and the environmental problems urban areas are experiencing. Although various methods for estimating impervious surfaces can be identified, few result in accurate and defensible estimations by which environmental problems can be assessed. This is especially important to rapidly expanding urban areas such as Baton Rouge, Louisiana where detailed records and planimetric data are lacking. Numerous studies have shown a potential for …

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Enhanced Flushing With Cyclodextrin For The Remediation Of Creosote Contaminated Soil, Monalisa Dutta Jan 2004

Enhanced Flushing With Cyclodextrin For The Remediation Of Creosote Contaminated Soil, Monalisa Dutta

LSU Master's Theses

Past practices of applying creosote and coal tar preservatives to wood, such as unlined pits and trenches, have resulted in contamination of the surface and ground water at thousand of sites. The low aqueous solubility, volatility and bioavailability of many these constituents limit their degradation by natural attenuation and standard remediation techniques such as ground water flushing, soil vapor extraction, and bioremediation. While research has shown that cyclodextrin solutions have the ability to enhance the solubility of some of the components of creosote, additional work is needed to evaluate its potential as a remedial agent for these sites. Equilibrium batch …

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Joint Optimization Of Process Improvement Investments For Supplier-Buyer Cooperative Commerce, Erick Comeaux Jan 2004

Joint Optimization Of Process Improvement Investments For Supplier-Buyer Cooperative Commerce, Erick Comeaux

LSU Master's Theses

This research focuses on supporting the formation of strategic alliances through the concept of cooperative commerce, where suppliers and buyers work together to jointly optimize their businesses. The general goal of this research is to examine existing cooperative commerce models for obstacles that would hinder their successful implementation into modern industrial applications and to address those shortcomings. Total annual cost equations are formulated to capture the joint total relevant cost of cooperative commerce business relationships. These total joint relevant cost models will include terms that capture the ordering cost, holding cost, and cost of quality, as well as any applicable …

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Design, Fabrication And Thermomechanical Testing Of A Vertical Bimorph Sensor In The Wafer Plane, Madhulika Sathe Jan 2004

Design, Fabrication And Thermomechanical Testing Of A Vertical Bimorph Sensor In The Wafer Plane, Madhulika Sathe

LSU Master's Theses

A bimetallic recurve device was designed, fabricated and tested as a temperature sensor. The device is to be used for sensing temperatures up to 300 C inside oil wells for downhole condition monitoring. Continuous downhole measurements at high temperatures and pressures are required to monitor conditions downhole instruments are exposed to during use. Currently mercury thermometers and resistive temperature detectors (RTD) are used for downhole temperature measurements. Microsensors have potential application downhole, due to their small size and inherent robustness. The principle of a bimetallic beam was used to measure temperature. A bimetallic beam deflects with changes in temperature due …

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A Historical Approach To Training The Vocal Registers: Can Ancient Practice Foster Contemporary Results?, Taylor Lee Ferranti Jan 2004

A Historical Approach To Training The Vocal Registers: Can Ancient Practice Foster Contemporary Results?, Taylor Lee Ferranti

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A review of the extant vocal literature containing the writings of Tosi, Mancini, and Garcí­a, shows that the topic of vocal registration appeared to be at the core of their training procedures. The essence of their vocal instruction centered around how the registers coordinated, separated, and developed to form the functional basis of a sound technique. However, of all the topics that encompass historical pedagogy, none will confound the diligent voice teacher more than the topic of vocal registers. For this reason, contemporary pedagogy has developed certain methodologies that appear to be at odds with the historical approach to training …

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The Spectral Conforming Model And Its Applications, Jaeho Shim Jan 2004

The Spectral Conforming Model And Its Applications, Jaeho Shim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

It has been observed that finite element or finite difference model of order can approximate with fair accuracy less than one-third of the eigenvalues of the underlying continuous system corresponding to the low spectrum. The new discrete model, namely the spectral conforming model, is developed to predict the eigenvalues of continuous systems in both the low and high spectra. The spectral conforming models are developed using an inverse vibration method. The classical vibration problem is the direct method. In the direct approach, the characteristic behaviors of the system, i.e. frequency response, natural frequency, and steady state response are analyzed and …

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Durability Of Pine Strandboard Modified With Low Molecular Weight Phenol Formaldehyde, Matthew Daniel Voitier Jan 2004

Durability Of Pine Strandboard Modified With Low Molecular Weight Phenol Formaldehyde, Matthew Daniel Voitier

LSU Master's Theses

A continuing challenge for wood and wood-based composite building materials has been durability--the power of resisting agents or influences which tend to cause changes, decay, or dissolution; lastingness. In the case of wood-based products, this often requires a resistance to biological degradation and moisture related dimensional instability (particularly in particle and flake or strand boards). Borden Chemical Company has developed a new low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde additive, PD-112, to improve durability in composite wood products. This study investigated PD-112’s contribution to durability in oriented strand board (OSB) through laboratory testing of treated southern pine strandboard panels versus untreated control …

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Stormwater Diversion As A Potential Coastal Wetland Restoration Method, Jennifer Howard Woods Jan 2004

Stormwater Diversion As A Potential Coastal Wetland Restoration Method, Jennifer Howard Woods

LSU Master's Theses

The Barataria-Terrebonne estuary has been eroding at a rate of up to 103.6 km2 yr-1 for several decades. If the current rate of loss is not reduced, an additional 2,550 km2 of coastal wetlands will be lost by the year 2050. Currently, stormwater in Terrebonne Parish is pumped into canals, ultimately discharging into the Gulf of Mexico. An opportunity exists to use this stormwater for wetland restoration; however, the ecological impacts of stormwater diversions on wetlands are unknown. The objectives of this project were to 1) to investigate the seed banks of a degraded marsh to determine if a viable …

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Properties Of Borate-Treated Strandboard Bonded With Pmdi Resin, Yiqiang Zhou Jan 2004

Properties Of Borate-Treated Strandboard Bonded With Pmdi Resin, Yiqiang Zhou

LSU Master's Theses

Random strandboards from mixed southern wood species were manufactured using calcium borate (CB) and zinc borate (ZB) as chemical additives and polymeric methylene diphenylmethane disocyanate (pMDI) as resin. There were four target levels of borate loading and two levels of resin content. Panel properties, including modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB) strength, linear expansion (LE), thickness swelling (TS), leachability, and swelling and strength retention properties under cyclic relative humidity, were measured. The influence of borate content, borate type, and resin content on various properties was analyzed. It was found that the addition of borate negatively …

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Solving A Locational Distribution Problem Of Non-Toxic Solid Waste On The Island Of Puerto Rico, Sandra A. Soto Jan 2004

Solving A Locational Distribution Problem Of Non-Toxic Solid Waste On The Island Of Puerto Rico, Sandra A. Soto

LSU Master's Theses

The island of Puerto Rico is confronting a crisis in waste management due to inadequate management from the local government, the decreasing number of landfills available, high population density, and paucity of places for waste disposal. This research develops a least-cost model for the disposal and transportation of non-hazardous solid waste. Location-allocation (LA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software are used to analyze the efficiency of the present pattern of waste allocation and to identify a near-to-optimal assignment of waste for the landfills in operation today and the landfills that will be open by 2008. The “near-to-optimal” models obtained from …

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Seismic Stratigraphic Investigation Of The Ukpokiti Field Channel Complex, Oml 108, Offshore Nigeria, Northwestern Niger Delta, Toby Latwan Stewart Jan 2004

Seismic Stratigraphic Investigation Of The Ukpokiti Field Channel Complex, Oml 108, Offshore Nigeria, Northwestern Niger Delta, Toby Latwan Stewart

LSU Master's Theses

Detailed seismic stratigraphic analyses and mapping show that a well defined Ukpokiti Field Channel complex (late Miocene) found on the up-thrown side of a major back-to-back fault system in the West Niger delta inner-continental shelf probably formed during a single eustatic fall. The channel (>500 msec, 10 km wide) shows several tributaries entering the trunk axis from what was probably a surface of subaerial exposure. Slumping is prominent on the north flank of the trunk channel. No channel unconformity is evident in the down-thrown block. This investigation seeks to resolve the lack of down-dip correlative seismic expression across the …

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Trajectory And Window Width Predictions For A Cased Hole Sidetrack Using A Whipstock, Harshad Prakash Patil Jan 2004

Trajectory And Window Width Predictions For A Cased Hole Sidetrack Using A Whipstock, Harshad Prakash Patil

LSU Master's Theses

The Trackmaster system manufactured by Smith Services consists of a multi-ramped whipstock and a trimill assembly used to perform a sidetrack from a cased well. Smith Services has observed evidence that the trimill assembly may prematurely leave the face of the whipstock and build excess inclination and dogleg severity or may fall into the original well immediately after leaving the end of the whipstock ramp thus creating a need to predict the borehole trajectory for sidetracking operations. The goal of this project was to predict the borehole trajectory and the window profile cut in the casing by the sidetracking equipment …

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Development Of A Neural Network Approach For The Assessment Of The Performance Of Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity, Nagajyothi Swargam Jan 2004

Development Of A Neural Network Approach For The Assessment Of The Performance Of Traffic Sign Retroreflectivity, Nagajyothi Swargam

LSU Master's Theses

The goal of the research was to develop a new predictive tool for assessing the performance of traffic sign retroreflectivity and to compare the developed tool with the existing linear regression models. Retroreflectivity decreases as sign sheeting ages. Currently Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) replace signs with low reflectivity based on driver complaints. This practice might have resulted in premature sign replacement (removal of signs with several years of in-service life still remaining) or in non-replacement of signs that are not in compliance with LADOTD minimum reflectivity standards. In this study, both neural network models and regression models …

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The Importance Of Fluent Component Skills In Mathematical Comprehension, Chisato Komatsu Jan 2004

The Importance Of Fluent Component Skills In Mathematical Comprehension, Chisato Komatsu

LSU Master's Theses

The primary question to be addressed by the present study was whether fluency on component skills is important in the development of overall competency in mathematics. Reading fluency has served as an excellent predictor of one’s reading comprehension. However, few studies have investigated whether the fluency on component skills is essential in the development of overall competency in mathematics. In fact, there has been a push for instructional strategies to deemphasize the importance component skills. In the current study, 140 students in second- through fourth- grade classrooms from general education participated. Each student took three curriculum-based measurement probes (a single-skill …

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Feeding Ecology And Morphometric Analysis Of Paddlefish, Polyodon Spathula, In The Mermentau River, Louisiana, Nicole Adele Smith Jan 2004

Feeding Ecology And Morphometric Analysis Of Paddlefish, Polyodon Spathula, In The Mermentau River, Louisiana, Nicole Adele Smith

LSU Master's Theses

Little is known about the morphometrics and the feeding ecology of paddlefish in Louisiana. I examined the morphometrics and feeding ecology of paddlefish from the Mermentau River, Louisiana from March 2002 to February 2003. Paddlefish were examined morphometrically by taking measurements of eye-fork length (EFL), body cavity length (BCL), girth (G), vent girth (VG), mouth vertical (MTB), mouth horizontal (MSS), and mouth gullet bottom (MGB) to determine which parameters would give a better estimate of weight (W). Regression analysis resulted in a morphometric model of the form: logW = 10.10 + 1.52 (logEFL) + 1.21 (logG) + 0.24 (logVG) (r2 …

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Travel Time Tomographic Imaging Of The Distribution Of The Effective Stress In Clean Sand Under A Model Footing, William M. Tanner Jan 2004

Travel Time Tomographic Imaging Of The Distribution Of The Effective Stress In Clean Sand Under A Model Footing, William M. Tanner

LSU Master's Theses

The use of high-speed data acquisition systems, inexpensive and reliable transducers, and better models of interpretation have combined to make elastic wave tomographic imaging of geotechnical engineering systems easier to accomplish both in the laboratory and in the field. An important application of these developments is that the evaluation of states of effective stress in soils using images of elastic wave velocity distribution. As a consequence, it is possible to experimentally estimate the state of induced and in-situ effective stresses and to compare these results with established models of stress distribution based on the theory of elasticity (e.g., Boussinesq’s solution). …

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Software Architecture: Styles And Representational Schemes, Somo Subro Banerjee Jan 2004

Software Architecture: Styles And Representational Schemes, Somo Subro Banerjee

LSU Master's Theses

Software architecture is being widely used today to describe a very high-level design methodology of large software systems. Software architecture represents the overall structure of a system in an abstract, structured manner. A good architectural representation scheme holds the key to the effectiveness of a software architecture description and usage. In this work we look at architectural styles and architectural representation schemes. We propound the idea that the layered architectural model is a suitable candidate for a generalized architectural style and that it can cater to many different problem domains, other than the message-passing systems it has traditionally been used …

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Experimental And Computational Modeling Of Granular Materials, Orlando Boscan Jan 2004

Experimental And Computational Modeling Of Granular Materials, Orlando Boscan

LSU Master's Theses

4-inch cubical sand specimens were been tested under drained conditions using a wide range of stress paths. The testing was performed by means of a true (cubical) triaxial device that has been conditioned for this study. This testing set-up consisted of a servo-controlled, single-boundary type apparatus, with six flexible membranes that create a center cavity surrounding the soil specimens. This thesis illustrates the functioning of the triaxial device, including detailed descriptions of the device components, sample preparation, and a practical application related to the mechanical characterization of granular materials using critical state soil mechanics. An experimental program, based on the …

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Quality Assurance Testing Of The Eclox-M In Detecting Terrorism Threats In Louisiana's Public Drinking Water Systems, Jessica Coleman Jan 2004

Quality Assurance Testing Of The Eclox-M In Detecting Terrorism Threats In Louisiana's Public Drinking Water Systems, Jessica Coleman

LSU Master's Theses

A quality assurance testing of the ECLOX-M™, a rapid water quality indicator used in potential terrorist attacks, was evaluated for its adequacy in nine regional Louisiana water systems. The ECLOX-M™ system uses enhanced chemiluminescence to measure toxicity in water by integration of a mixture of luminol (C8H7O3N3), and an oxidant in the presence of a catalyst enzyme - horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Water samples were tested for chemiluminescence, chlorine content, pH, and arsenic and/or nerve agent/pesticide contamination. In addition, three toxic industrial chemical standards were evaluated (mercury, a volatile liquid mixture, and a …

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Evaluation Of Growth, Production And Cold Tolerance Of Four Varieties Of Tilapia, Patricio Enrique Paz Jan 2004

Evaluation Of Growth, Production And Cold Tolerance Of Four Varieties Of Tilapia, Patricio Enrique Paz

LSU Master's Theses

As global tilapia production grows, it is important to characterize varieties available for production and generate data on environmental tolerances. This study generated data on tolerances, adaptabilities and production characteristics of four tilapia varieties. Goals of this study were to: (1) compare growth of four tilapia varieties in two types of recirculating systems, (2) evaluate juvenile growth of seven tilapia varieties in fresh and brackishwater mesocosms, and (3) estimate cold tolerance of juveniles of four tilapia varieties in fresh and brackishwater. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), Mississippi commercial strain tilapia (MCS), and Florida red tilapia (FRT) were …

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Constructive Habituation As An Educational Approach To Process-Object Reification In Mathematics, Alonzo F. Peterson Jan 2004

Constructive Habituation As An Educational Approach To Process-Object Reification In Mathematics, Alonzo F. Peterson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Sfard and Thompson (1994) state that what matters most is that educators develop ways of thinking, teaching, and learning mathematics. This study introduced constructive habituation, a new strategy developed to aid both students and teachers in the thinking, teaching, and learning of mathematics. Constructive habituation attempts to unite constructivist teaching methods aimed at supporting students’ conceptual understanding of content and habituationist teaching method aimed at establishing routine responses to routine tasks. This study is exploratory in nature, designed to investigate if constructive habituation is a more effective means than a traditional teaching method in helping students reach process-object reification as …

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The Syntheses Of Novel Indicators And Materials For Chiral Separation, Rolanda Johnson Jan 2004

The Syntheses Of Novel Indicators And Materials For Chiral Separation, Rolanda Johnson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The colorimetric properties of resorcinarene solutions had not been fully investigated since von Baeyer's initial synthesis. We find that the solutions containing resorcinarene macrocycles develop color upon heating or standing. In the presence of saccharides, these solutions exhibit significant color changes which are readily observable by visual inspection. We determined that the solution color is due to macrocycle ring opening and oxidation. The optical responses to saccharides are due to complexation of the sugar with the acyclic chromophores. We have applied these mechanistic insights towards the challenging problems of the visual detection of saccharides and other important biologically analytes. In …

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Optimization Of A Skewed Logistic Distribution With Respect To The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, James Charles Finney Jan 2004

Optimization Of A Skewed Logistic Distribution With Respect To The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test, James Charles Finney

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The four-parameter kappa distribution (Hosking 1994) was analyzed with respect to the various possible shapes of the probability density function. The general form for the cumulative distribution function when both h and k are non-zero is: F(x) = { 1 - h [ 1 - k ( x - ξ ) / α ]1/k }1/h. The parameters h and k work together to define the function's shape, ξ affects location, and α is the scale parameter. A method of selecting parameters to minimize the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test statistic, D, was developed. The technique was first described for the …

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