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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 …


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 …


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) …


The National D-Day Museum As Mystory Praxis, David A. Pye Jan 2004

The National D-Day Museum As Mystory Praxis, David A. Pye

LSU Master's Theses

Museums in general are shrines of collected memory and cultural values. The National D-Day Museum, in particular, presents the memory of World War II as a good and just action taken by the Allied forces against the evil of the Axis powers. In contrast with later wars, which might be seen as morally ambiguous or futile, World War II was and is thought of as "the good war." In this study, I explore and express how The National D-Day Museum encourages exploration and expression on the part of the visitor, using Gregory Ulmer’s concept and practice of mystory to analyze …


Design Of A Microfabricated Device For Ligase Detection Reaction (Ldr), Dwhyte Omar Barrett Jan 2004

Design Of A Microfabricated Device For Ligase Detection Reaction (Ldr), Dwhyte Omar Barrett

LSU Master's Theses

The Ligase Detection Reaction (LDR) is a mutation detection technique used to identify point mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Developed by Francis Barany and associates at Cornell University it is used to find specific low abundant point mutations that may lead to colorectal cancer in the early stages of disease development. The research objective was to design and manufacture a microscale Ligase Detection Reaction (LDR) device in polycarbonate. The LDR module will be incorporated with other microdevices such as: Continuous Flow Polymerase Chain Reaction (CFRCR) and Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) in modular lab-on-a-chip technology. In making the microdevice, the duration of …


Identification Of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Panicle Blight Of Rice In Louisiana, Xianglong Yuan Jan 2004

Identification Of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Panicle Blight Of Rice In Louisiana, Xianglong Yuan

LSU Master's Theses

Four hundred and two bacterial isolates isolated on the semi-specific S-PG medium from diseased rice tissues showing symptoms of panicle blighting. These isolates were purified using serial dilution in sterile water and replating on S-PG medium. A total of 420 single isolates were obtained. These isolates were subjected to pathogenicity tests on rice (Oryza sative L. cv. Cypress). Based on these tests, 339 isolates were used in BiologTM tests and identified to the species level. Bacterial strains from 39 species in 16 genera were identified, including 52 isolates representing15 Pseudomonas species and 261 isolates representing six Burkholderia species. The remaining …


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 …


Excavations At The Bayou Grande Cheniere Mounds (16pl159): A Coles Creek Period Mound Complex, Timothy M. Schilling Jan 2004

Excavations At The Bayou Grande Cheniere Mounds (16pl159): A Coles Creek Period Mound Complex, Timothy M. Schilling

LSU Master's Theses

The Bayou Grande Cheniere Mounds are a large Coles Creek mound group in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Excavations in January 2003 returned materials that allowed the site to be dated. Further analysis also suggests how these materials were used at the mounds. A settlement pattern study was undertaken and the results indicate that the social organization of coastal Coles Creek culture was sharply different than Coles Creek culture in the Lower Mississippi Valley. When viewed together, the material analysis and settlement analysis illustrates the processes and people that built the Bayou Grande Cheniere mounds.


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 …


The Orthographic Characters (In No Particular Order), Alison Christina Frank Jan 2004

The Orthographic Characters (In No Particular Order), Alison Christina Frank

LSU Master's Theses

My work focuses on the development of playful and absurd combinations of small creatures that co-exist in a state of odd logic. The creatures share a vulnerable, somewhat fragile, quality, yet are assigned vital force in their existence. This juxtaposition is metaphorical for certain aspects of human existence. The Orthographic Characters is the title of a series of prints and paintings I have created that form a non-linear narrative. Each piece is inspired by the alliteration of one alphabet character. The writings form a bizarre, feverish context for the characters.


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 …


Iddq Testing Of A Cmos First Order Sigma-Delta Modulator Of An 8-Bit Oversampling Adc, Anand K. Chamakura Jan 2004

Iddq Testing Of A Cmos First Order Sigma-Delta Modulator Of An 8-Bit Oversampling Adc, Anand K. Chamakura

LSU Master's Theses

This work presents IDDQ testing of a CMOS first order sigma-delta modulator of an 8-bit oversampling analog-to-digital converter using a built-in current sensor [BICS]. Gate-drain, source-drain, gate-source and gate-substrate bridging faults are injected using fault injection transistors. All the four faults cause varying fault currents and are successfully detected by the BICS at a good operation speed. The BICS have a negligible impact on the performance of the modulator and an external pin is provided to completely cut-off the BICS from the modulator. The modulator was designed and fabricated in 1.5 μm n-well CMOS process. The decimator was designed on …


The Effect Of Holding Bovine Oocytes In Follicular Fluid On Subsequent Fertilization And Embryonic Development, Angela Marie Klumpp Jan 2004

The Effect Of Holding Bovine Oocytes In Follicular Fluid On Subsequent Fertilization And Embryonic Development, Angela Marie Klumpp

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of Experiment 1 was to determine the effect of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) on nuclear maturation. Treatment A (Control) oocytes were stained with Hoechst-33342 immediately after aspiration from follicles, whereas, oocytes in Treatment B were held in bFF for 12 hours at 38¢ªC and then stained to determine nuclear status. No significant difference was detected between treatment groups. Results indicate that bFF inhibits resumption of meiosis. The objective of Experiment 2 was to determine the effect of bFF on embryonic development. Oocytes in Treatment A (Control) were placed into in vitro maturation (IVM) for 22 hours followed by …


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 …


Study Of Characteristics Of Plasma Nitriding And Oxidation Of Superalloy In738lc, Mary Shanti Pampana Jan 2004

Study Of Characteristics Of Plasma Nitriding And Oxidation Of Superalloy In738lc, Mary Shanti Pampana

LSU Master's Theses

IN738LC is a nickel base superalloy, widely used in various applications in turbine engines at high temperatures. Its oxidation and nitriding characteristics were focused in this study. Oxidation kinetics of IN738LC in dry air was studied at selected temperatures, specially chosen depending on the chemical dynamics of the alloy at such high temperatures during annealing. Isothermal oxidation in dry air was carried out at 1000°C, 1090°C, 1140°C and 1190°C. XRD results indicated an interesting onset of preferred orientation in the ã’ depleted layer in all the samples. The XPS and XRD analyses revealed the main oxide phases present in the …


German Stereotypes In British Magazines Prior To World War I, William F. Bertolette Jan 2004

German Stereotypes In British Magazines Prior To World War I, William F. Bertolette

LSU Master's Theses

The British image of Germany as England's "poor relation," a backward cluster of feudal states, gave way during the nineteenth century to the stereotype of England's archenemy and imperial rival. This shift from innocuous Old Germany to menacing New Germany accelerated after German unification in 1871 as German economic growth and imperial ambitions became topics for commentary in British journals. But the stereotypical "German Michael," or rustic simpleton, and other images of self-effacing servile, loyal, honest and passive Old Germany lingered on into the late nineteenth century as a "straw man" for alarmist Germanophobes to dispel with new counter-stereotypes. These …


Effects Of Automobile Seating Posture On Trunk Muscle Activity, Milton Maada-Gormoh Saidu Jan 2004

Effects Of Automobile Seating Posture On Trunk Muscle Activity, Milton Maada-Gormoh Saidu

LSU Master's Theses

Reports for adult population indicate that almost 80% of the adult population has reported some form of lower back aches. Each year American workers suffer more than 300,000 lost-time injuries involving musculoskeletal disorders of the back, with the costs that run into billions of dollars. Sedentary tasks are known to be major contributing factors of back pain. Prior studies have indicated that the myoelectric activity of the lumbar region decreases when the back rest inclination of a seat increased. An increase in seat pan inclination so that it increases pressure on the leg muscles is also a cause for back …


Brachial Artery Dimensions, Flow-Mediated Reactivity And Physical Function In Older Adults, Christina M. King Jan 2004

Brachial Artery Dimensions, Flow-Mediated Reactivity And Physical Function In Older Adults, Christina M. King

LSU Master's Theses

Human aging is associated with deterioration in physical functional ability. The causes are complex and multifactorial, but are presumed to include the presence and extent of cardiovascular disease. Purpose: To examine the associations between brachial artery (BA) dimensions, flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) and physical function in 28 older adults (age: 84.6±10.9, range 66 to 98 yrs). Methods: High-resolution ultrasonography was used to measure BA diameters at rest and following 5min of forearm occlusion. Physical function was assessed using the Continuous Scale-Physical Function Performance (CS-PFP) test. Results: Pearson correlation revealed that BAFMD (r =-.39), and all physical function parameters of the CS-PFP …


Cryopreservation Of Bovine And Caprine Oocytes By Vitrification, Sabrina Marie Luster Jan 2004

Cryopreservation Of Bovine And Caprine Oocytes By Vitrification, Sabrina Marie Luster

LSU Master's Theses

Cryopreservation of animal oocytes will permit germplasm of valuable or unique females to be preserved for extended times. The objective of this research was to derive a procedure to cryopreserve bovine oocytes by vitrification to be used as recipients for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Caprine oocytes vitrified by the same procedure were assayed by cytological examination of microtubules. In the first two of three experiments, bovine oocytes matured in vitro were vitrified in a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG), dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO) and trehalose, and then subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or SCNT. For vitrification, oocytes were first exposed …


Assessing Increases In Violence: An Analysis Of Homicide Cases From Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Helen Virginia Bouzon Jan 2004

Assessing Increases In Violence: An Analysis Of Homicide Cases From Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Helen Virginia Bouzon

LSU Master's Theses

Analysis of homicides in different cities can provide valuable research information. The information gathered from such an analysis can be used to aid those who are the primary targets of homicide. Such studies can also be used to understand the nature of homicide and what measures can be taken to decrease the rates of homicide. Information on the nature of homicide and who is primarily affected can be used by police departments and public organizations to develop methods to decrease the amount of homicide in any area. This study is an analysis of homicide cases from the Orleans Parish coroner's …


Assessing Perception Of Family Nutrition Program Characteristics And Nutrition Education Needs Of Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals, Denise Marie Holston Jan 2004

Assessing Perception Of Family Nutrition Program Characteristics And Nutrition Education Needs Of Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals, Denise Marie Holston

LSU Master's Theses

The Louisiana Family Nutrition Program (FNP) reaches up to 120,000 food-stamp recipients and other low SES individuals per year through direct and indirect nutrition education methods. To be effective in eliciting behavior change, a nutrition education program must be developed to be consistent with the needs, motivations, and concerns of the target audience; therefore, it is important that the needs, motivations, and concerns are being met by FNP. The purpose of this study was to determine, through the use of focus group discussions (FGD), whether nutrition education needs of FNP participants are being satisfied by the program. Nutrition education needs …


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 …


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 …


Performance Assessment Of Coated Cemented Carbide Tools In Turning Aisi 1018 Steel, Mohamad Nouilati Jan 2004

Performance Assessment Of Coated Cemented Carbide Tools In Turning Aisi 1018 Steel, Mohamad Nouilati

LSU Master's Theses

In this study, the machining performance of a series of commercially available coated tungsten based cemented carbides, with 55o diamond shape, were investigated during finish turning of AISI 1018 steel under dry conditions. The inserts tested had a coating of TiN, Al2O3, TiN/Al2O3 and TiC/Al2O3/TiN respectively. For comparison, uncoated cemented tungsten carbide was also tested under the same cutting conditions. The coated tools exhibited superior wear resistance over the uncoated tool. The TiC/Al2O3/TiN coated tool had the lowest flank wear due to the high abrasive resistance of the TiC layer. The Al2O3 coated tool showed superior wear-resistance over the TiN/Al2O3 …


Nature Is To Nurture: A Post Occupancy Evaluation Of The St. Michael Health Care Center, Texarkana, Tx, Leigh Lafargue Jan 2004

Nature Is To Nurture: A Post Occupancy Evaluation Of The St. Michael Health Care Center, Texarkana, Tx, Leigh Lafargue

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis explores therapeutic garden design and its role in landscape architecture. It also conducts a post occupancy evaluation (POE) for an existing therapeutic landscape. The St. Michael Health Care Center campus, Texarkana, Texas, is a Sisters of Charity institution and was designed and built in 1994 as a healing environment for patients, staff, and visitors. In this thesis, A POE was conducted to determine (1) user-perceptions and utilization of the campus, (2) whether the campus reduces stress and fosters restoration, and (3) any barriers or constraints to use of the campus. Results from visual analysis, behavioral observations, and survey …


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 …


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 …


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 …


Difference In Sleep Disturbances Among Severely And Profoundly Retarded Adults With High Risk Behaviors, Carrie Jo Malone Jan 2004

Difference In Sleep Disturbances Among Severely And Profoundly Retarded Adults With High Risk Behaviors, Carrie Jo Malone

LSU Master's Theses

Individuals with intellectual disabilities have been linked to higher incidences of a variety of mental illnesses when compared to the general population (Rutter, Tizard, Yule, Graham, & Whitmore, 1976; and Borthwick-Duffy, 1994). Because of the symptoms associated with mental retardation; such as limited social skills, delayed or minimal communication skills, and maladaptive behaviors, mental illness can be difficult to assess when combined with an intellectual disability (Sovner, 1986). Currently there is no available mechanism for diagnosing sleep disorders in adults with severe and profound mental retardation. The purpose of the first study is to provide validation of the Diagnostic Assessment …


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 …