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Chemical Effects On Microbial And Sensory Qualities Of Catfish In Planktonic And Dynamic Systems., Michael Adrain Land Jan 1996

Chemical Effects On Microbial And Sensory Qualities Of Catfish In Planktonic And Dynamic Systems., Michael Adrain Land

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Listeria monocytogenes has the potential to be a serious pathogen for the compromised health segment of our population (immunocompromised, young, elderly and the pregnant). While the infectious dose is generally believed to be high 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp6$, infectious dosages of 1.0 $\times$ 10$\sp3$ have been reported. Listeria monocytogenes poses a threat because of several factors: ubiquity in nature, isolation from fresh/salt waters, soil, ruminates and 17% of the human population. Listeria monocytogenes can colonize surfaces within 20 minutes, evade sanitizing, and is capable of growth from 37$\sp\circ$C to below refrigeration temperature. Fish and seafoods are high in water activity and …


Performance Analysis Of Multi-Echelon Inventory Systems., David Lee Peak Jan 1996

Performance Analysis Of Multi-Echelon Inventory Systems., David Lee Peak

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A two-echelon inventory and distribution system consisting of a centralized warehouse and N stores is considered in this paper. The inventories of the warehouse as well as the stores are controlled by periodic review (s,S) ordering policies. The expected levels of capital investment, storage space needs, capacity requirements for delivery vehicles, and reliable customer service are issues of great importance to practitioners when considering the introduction of a central warehouse and transportation system. Helmut Schneider, Dan Rinks, and Peter Kelle have developed a methodology that has been shown to provide approximately optimal (s,S) policies under various demand conditions, and are …


Allocation Of Two Dimensional Parts Using A Shape Reasoning Heuristic., Henry Joseph Lamousin Iii Jan 1996

Allocation Of Two Dimensional Parts Using A Shape Reasoning Heuristic., Henry Joseph Lamousin Iii

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A technique is outlined for the allocation of irregular parts onto arbitrarily shaped resources. Placements are generated by matching complementary shapes between the unplaced parts and the remaining areas of the stock material. The part and resource profiles are characterized to varying levels of detail using geometric "features". Information contained in the features is used at each stage of processing to intelligently select and place parts on the resource. Techniques for the efficient handling of complex profiles and other practical implementation issues are described. The utility of the proposed approach is verified using diverse problems from a marine fabrication facility. …


Efficacy Of Communicative Reading Strategies As An Instructional Approach For Adult Low-Ability Readers., Sara S. Reichmuth Jan 1996

Efficacy Of Communicative Reading Strategies As An Instructional Approach For Adult Low-Ability Readers., Sara S. Reichmuth

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Twelve adult low-ability readers participated in a pretest-posttest control group study investigating the efficacy of Communicative Reading Strategies (CRS) as an instructional reading approach. Six adults received CRS instruction and constituted the experimental group. The remaining six adults received skill-based instruction and served as the control group. All participants demonstrated instructional level reading skills at or below a fifth grade level and completed 40 hours of instruction. Changes in performance on measures of word recognition, comprehension, and reading rate from pretest to posttest were used to compare CRS and control groups. Results of Mann Whitney U analyses revealed that both …


Control Of African Striga Species By Natural Products From Native Plants., Joseph Kipronoh Rugutt Jan 1996

Control Of African Striga Species By Natural Products From Native Plants., Joseph Kipronoh Rugutt

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Obligate root-parasitic flowering plants of the genus Striga (family Scrophulariaceae) cause considerable yield reductions of various crops in tropical and semi-tropical countries. Mature Striga species (witchweeds) plants produce copious quantities of minute seeds which remain dormant in the soil for many years until exudates from roots of various host plants induce germination. Economically effective means of control of Striga species are not yet available for small-scale farmers in developing countries. In the present study data is presented which indicate that the two most effective Striga control measures are crop rotation and suicidal germination. For the first time we have analyzed …


Virtual Central Control., Raghuram A. Yedatore Jan 1996

Virtual Central Control., Raghuram A. Yedatore

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A distributed system is a set of cooperating computers (processes) communicating with each other to achieve a common goal. They are broadly classified as centralized and decentralised systems. In a centralized system, a single computer plays the role of central coordinator and controls all the system activities. Whereas in a decentralized system, all the cooperating processes have an equal role to play, therefore solutions to problems involve instructing all the processes and coordinating their actions. Although a centralized system facilitates program development, it has serious drawbacks. If the coordinator fails, the system effectively breaks down. Also, the coordinator can become …


From Object-Oriented Specification To Implementation: A Formal Refinement Methodology., Moonsung Yoo Jan 1996

From Object-Oriented Specification To Implementation: A Formal Refinement Methodology., Moonsung Yoo

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Traditionally, software development models use different methods and techniques in each phase from specification through design to implementation. Significant changes in the representations between phases have been common. The formal development method based on formal specification and stepwise development has been suggested to reduce the change in representation. The formal development method consists of a formal specification and verified design. In the formal specification step, a formal specification language is used to specify an accurate, consistent, and complete system. Vienna Development Method (VDM) is one of the most widely used formal specification languages. A verified design guides the development of …


Ostinato Patterns In The Opera "Antigone" By Carl Orff And An Original Composition For Organ And Orchestra, "In Nomine"., Wieslaw Sta Rentowski Jan 1996

Ostinato Patterns In The Opera "Antigone" By Carl Orff And An Original Composition For Organ And Orchestra, "In Nomine"., Wieslaw Sta Rentowski

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation consists of two parts: a discussion of the ostinato patterns in Carl Orff's five-act opera Antigone and an original composition for organ and orchestra, In Nomine. The purpose of Part One is to discuss the different applications of the ostinato idea throughout the opera Antigone as this is an integral part of the work. This part is divided into five chapters. The first chapter focuses on biographical background of the composer, his stylistic transformations, and his interest in a total musical theater. The second chapter introduces definitions and music examples of the ostinato and ground bass, associated with …


The Social Context Of Interpersonal Citizenship Behavior: A Mid-Range Theory And Test Of A Model., Randall Patrick Settoon Jan 1996

The Social Context Of Interpersonal Citizenship Behavior: A Mid-Range Theory And Test Of A Model., Randall Patrick Settoon

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Current day interest in acts of cooperation in organizations can be traced to classical writers such as Barnard (1938) and Roethlisberger and Dickson (1939), and more recently to Katz and Kahn(1966, 1978). Building on these foundations, considerable empirical research has examined what has been labeled organizational citizenship. Organizational citizenship behaviors are not specified in job descriptions or recognized by the organization's formal reward system. Yet, they are generally held to be essential to organizations in that they contribute to efficiency and effectiveness (Organ, 1988). Recently, researchers have called for the development of specific, mid-range theoretical models of organizational citizenship behavior …


The Effect Of Auditory Background On Cognitive Performance, Emily M. Elliot Jan 1996

The Effect Of Auditory Background On Cognitive Performance, Emily M. Elliot

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.


"All This World Is Full Of Mystery": The Fiction Of Ellen Douglas., Elizabeth Wilkinson Tardieu Jan 1996

"All This World Is Full Of Mystery": The Fiction Of Ellen Douglas., Elizabeth Wilkinson Tardieu

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation, "'All This World Is Full of Mystery:' The Fiction of Ellen Douglas," provides an introduction to the life of Ellen Douglas (pen name for Josephine Haxton) and a study of the author's major fiction from A Family's Affairs through Can't Quit You, Baby (1962-1988). The first chapter gives an overview of Douglas's life preceding her first novel, A Family's Affairs, with a focus on those people and events contributing to the themes and structure of her writing. The subsequent chapters trace the development of her craft, discussing in chronological order A Family's Affairs, Black Cloud, White Cloud, Where …


Boundary Layer Turbulence And Sediment Transport In An Inter-Tidal Mudflat Channel., Lun Xu Jan 1996

Boundary Layer Turbulence And Sediment Transport In An Inter-Tidal Mudflat Channel., Lun Xu

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Mudflats along the west coast of South Korea are influenced by high tidal ranges and strong winter monsoonal storms, and are drained by a network of incised channels. In a selected inter-tidal mudflat channel of Namyang Bay, seven levels of 3-D turbulent velocity data, five levels of water temperature data, and two levels of sediment concentration data were collected to analyze turbulent boundary layer flow with stratification. Using time series analysis techniques, the basic turbulent parameters such as turbulent intensity (variance of u$\sp\prime$), vertical momentum flux, $\rm\langle w\sp\prime u\sp\prime\rangle $, and variance of w$\sp\prime$ were obtained. The Reynolds stress distribution …


The Effects Of Ama Contributions In The United States Senate: An Analysis Of Roll Call Votes, 1979--1992., Karen Gutermuth Jan 1996

The Effects Of Ama Contributions In The United States Senate: An Analysis Of Roll Call Votes, 1979--1992., Karen Gutermuth

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Based on the economic theory of regulation, our model portrays U.S. senators as utility-maximizing agents and the American Medical Association (AMA) as a rational contributor. We use contributions from the AMA's political arm, the American Political Action Committee (AMPAC), and roll call votes in the U.S. Senate from 1979-1992 to test for AMPAC contributions effects, to test the hypothesis that the AMA "rewards" senators for their voting behavior, and to determine the role of issue specificity. We use pooled, cross-sectional data in a simultaneous Probit-Tobit-Generalized Least Squares framework and extend the traditional analyses by examining alternative timing specifications, election year …


Impacts Of Fire And Vertebrate Herbivores On Plant Community Characteristics And Soil Processes In A Coastal Marsh Of Eastern Louisiana, United States Of America., Mark Alan Ford Jan 1996

Impacts Of Fire And Vertebrate Herbivores On Plant Community Characteristics And Soil Processes In A Coastal Marsh Of Eastern Louisiana, United States Of America., Mark Alan Ford

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Both vertebrate herbivores and fire have long been known to have dramatic and important effects on wetlands. In the first part of this study, conducted in the Pearl River Basin coastal marshes of Louisiana, the interaction between the effects of mammalian herbivores, especially nutria and wild boar, and fire was examined in three marsh community types: those dominated by Sagittaria lancifolia, Panicum virgatum, or Spartina patens/Scirpus americanus. Overall, above-ground biomass was reduced by burning but increased by fencing. Richness only increased in plots that were both burned and fenced. In the three communities, only Scirpus americanus cover was enhanced by …


Relationships Between Brain Biogenic Amines And Reproductive And Defense Behavior In Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.)., Jeffrey Wayne Harris Jan 1996

Relationships Between Brain Biogenic Amines And Reproductive And Defense Behavior In Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.)., Jeffrey Wayne Harris

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation represents an attempt to relate behavioral states of worker honey bees to brain levels of biogenic amines. The first chapter describes the results of experiments which indicated that brain levels of octopamine, dopamine and serotonin were affected by factors including the degree of handling stress, worker age, season of sampling and the source colony from which the workers were sampled. These results helped shape the methods employed in the subsequent chapters. The second and third chapters relate changes in brain dopamine levels to worker honey bee ovarian development. In particular, chapter II showed that an increase in brain …


Analysis Of The Influence Of Genotype On Cayenne Pepper Fruit-Receptacle Detachment., Kay P. Gersch Jan 1996

Analysis Of The Influence Of Genotype On Cayenne Pepper Fruit-Receptacle Detachment., Kay P. Gersch

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Two genotypes of cayenne pepper, Capsicum annuum L., were identified that differ significantly in ease of fruit detachment. Both greenhouse and field-grown plants of these genotypes, Cajun 1-9027 and Cap-9004, were investigated for differences in cell type and organization at the fruit-receptacle junction. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that mature fruit of Cajun 1-9027, which did not separate, exhibited a distinct region of sclerified cells that extended from the periphery of the fruit into the receptacle for at least 15 cell layers. In contrast, mature fruit of the more readily detachable Cap-9004 had fewer sclerified cells at the region of detachment. …


Floral Development And Systematics Of The Caesalpinieae (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)., Katherine Ellen Kantz Jan 1996

Floral Development And Systematics Of The Caesalpinieae (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)., Katherine Ellen Kantz

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The floral development of representatives from some of the informal taxonomic groups of the Caesalpinieae was examined. The floral developmental data was then used in a phylogenetic analysis in combination with more traditional morphological characters, including floral, vegetative and fruit characters. The analysis of 53 taxa and 84 characters produced 1215 equally parsimonious trees of length 386 (CI =.317, RI =.585, RCI =.186). Based on this analysis Caesalpinia sensu lato is not monophyletic, since at least two of the other genera in the Caesalpinia group are nested within Caesalpinia sensu lato. Of the infrageneric groups within Caesalpinia sensu lato, the …


Perennial Weed Control Programs In Succession Planted And Fallowed Sugarcane (Saccharum Spp.) Fields., Donnie Keith Miller Jan 1996

Perennial Weed Control Programs In Succession Planted And Fallowed Sugarcane (Saccharum Spp.) Fields., Donnie Keith Miller

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Studies were conducted over two years to compare weed control programs in succession planted sugarcane and in fallowed sugarcane fields. Glyphosate combined with tillage during the summer fallow period was more effective in controlling bermudagrass than tillage alone. Bermudagrass ground cover 240 days after planting ranged from 7 to 47% when glyphosate plus tillage was followed by atrazine after planting and pendimethalin plus atrazine in February. Bermudagrass ground cover was no more than 5% with applications of terbacil after planting and metribuzin in February. Cane and sugar yields were equivalent for the herbicide/tillage treatments even though bermudagrass control differed. In …


Gravitational Radiation From And Instabilities In Compact Stars And Compact Binary Systems., Kimberly C. B New Jan 1996

Gravitational Radiation From And Instabilities In Compact Stars And Compact Binary Systems., Kimberly C. B New

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

We have examined three types of compact astrophysical systems that are possible sources of detectable gravitational wave radiation (GWR): nonaxisymmetric pulsars; rapidly rotating compact stars undergoing the bar-mode instability; and coalescing compact binaries. Our analysis of nonaxisymmetric pulsars, based on the assumption that any equatorial asymmetries present in these objects were rotationally induced, indicates that nearby millisecond pulsars are generally better candidates for the detection of GWR than the Crab pulsar, which has been the object of an ongoing search for GWR (Tsubono 1991). Our finite difference hydrodynamics (FDH) simulation of an object encountering the rotationally induced bar-mode instability results …


High 4-Momentum Elastic Electroproduction Of Vector Mesons At Hera., Vijaya Kumar Nadendla Jan 1996

High 4-Momentum Elastic Electroproduction Of Vector Mesons At Hera., Vijaya Kumar Nadendla

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The production of $\phi$ mesons in the reaction $e\sp+p\to e\sp+\phi p (\phi\to K\sp+K\sp-)$, for $7


Tonal Structure In The Mazurkas Op. 50/I Of Karol Szymanowski., Thais Egydia Perkins Jan 1996

Tonal Structure In The Mazurkas Op. 50/I Of Karol Szymanowski., Thais Egydia Perkins

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) is generally considered to be one of Poland's most significant composers after Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). His work represents a nationalistic link between Chopin and the twentieth-century Polish school, which includes Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994) and Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1933). Szymanowski's twenty Mazurkas, Op. 50 (1922-1924), are an important contribution to piano literature because they demonstrate the first true development of the genre after Chopin. Written during Szymanowski's 'Nationalistic' period (1920-1937), the Mazurkas reflect the composer's intent to utilize elements of Polish folk music in a twentieth-century musical context, thus contributing to the development; of the modern Polish nationalistic …


Vibrational-Rotational-Electronic Correlations In Molecular Photoionization., Rajasekhar M. Rao Jan 1996

Vibrational-Rotational-Electronic Correlations In Molecular Photoionization., Rajasekhar M. Rao

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Using the method of detecting dispersed fluorescence from electronically excited photoions, measurements of their vibrational and rotational distributions over a 200 eV photon energy range are presented. The vibrational distributions following 2$\rm\sigma\sb{u}\sp{-1}$ photoionization of N$\sb2$ show a non-Franck-Condon behavior over a very broad energy range of nearly 100 eV. Comparison of these new results with detailed theoretical calculations of Wang & McKoy allow the interpretation of this Franck-Condon breakdown as arising from a dependence of Cooper minima on molecular bond length. The results highlight the molecular character of photoionization dynamics, even deep in the ionization continuum. For a detailed investigation …


Conditioning The Auditory System With Continuous Versus Interrupted Noise Of Equal Acoustic Energy: Is Either Exposure More Protective?, Ruth Ann Skellett Jan 1996

Conditioning The Auditory System With Continuous Versus Interrupted Noise Of Equal Acoustic Energy: Is Either Exposure More Protective?, Ruth Ann Skellett

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Prior exposure to moderate-level acoustic stimulation (conditioning) can reduce and/or prevent the deleterious effects of subsequent higher level exposures (Canlon et al., 1988; Campo et al., 1991). Both continuous and interrupted schedules of moderate-level noise have been used as conditioning exposures, and both schedules have been effective in providing protection against subsequent noise trauma. However, there is evidence to suggest that continuous noise exposures are more damaging to the cochlea than interrupted exposures of equal acoustic energy (Bohne et al., 1985, 1987), and moderate-level continuous and interrupted noise exposures differ in the pattern of auditory sensitivity change that they produce …


Postexercise Hypotension (Peh) In The Dog: Possible Role Of Immune System Cytokines., Gerald Dwayne Thompson Jan 1996

Postexercise Hypotension (Peh) In The Dog: Possible Role Of Immune System Cytokines., Gerald Dwayne Thompson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated postexercise hypotension (PEH) in five normotensive dogs testing these hypotheses: (1) PEH is present in the dog model; (2) high intensity exercise of 85% HR$\rm\sb{max}$ as compared to moderate intensity exercise of 60% HR$\rm\sb{max}$ induces a greater PEH; and (3) IL-1 and its activation of PGE$\sb2$ are associated with PEH. In experiment I, it was found that 85% HR$\rm\sb{max}$ exercise decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) at 30 and 60 minutes postexercise (p $<$ 0.05). Both IL-1 and PGE$\sb2$ increased immediately following intense exercise, although temporal patterns were dissimilar. During non-exercise infusion of ibuprofen or dexamethasone (experiment II), blood pressure was not affected, but ibuprofen led to an overall inhibition of PGE$\sb2$. However, dexamethasone infusion led to a significant increase in PGE$\sb2$ at 180 and 210 minutes postinfusion. In experiment IIIA, after intense exercise following ibuprofen or saline infusion, PGE$\sb2$ increased at 120 to 180 minutes postexercise. Similar results were noted after exercise during dexamethasone treatment (experiment IIIB). In experiment IIIA & B, neither ibuprofen nor dexamethasone significantly affected PEH, although non-significant reductions in PEH was observed in dexamethasone treated animals. However, PGE$\sb2$ significantly increased after exercise at time points when PEH was not observed. These data indicate that (1) the intensity of exercise may have an effect on PEH, (2) there is partial support for the involvement of IL-1 and PGE$\sb2$ in PEH due to their immediate increase after exercise although a direct relationship was not observed, and (3) IL-1 still remains a possible mechanism responsible for PEH because of trends for attenuated PEH and PGE$\sb2$ responses following dexamethasone treatment.


A Numerical Modeling Study Of The Gulf Of Mexico Under Present And Past Environmental Conditions., Susan Elizabeth Welsh Jan 1996

A Numerical Modeling Study Of The Gulf Of Mexico Under Present And Past Environmental Conditions., Susan Elizabeth Welsh

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The Gulf of Mexico is an ideal location for paleoceanographic study using a three-dimensional ocean circulation model because of the availability of data to verify the model for the present. A description of the Gulf of Mexico circulation during the last glacial maximum is beneficial in interpreting the distribution of glacial fauna and adds to the understanding of global climate change because the Gulf of Mexico is an important link in the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Current originates in the Gulf of Mexico and contributes warm, salty water to the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream influences the …


Famine, Plague, And Greed: Socio-Historical Factors Affecting The Development Of The Middle English Dialect Of London., George Vincent Yonek Jan 1996

Famine, Plague, And Greed: Socio-Historical Factors Affecting The Development Of The Middle English Dialect Of London., George Vincent Yonek

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A significant factor in the rise of Standard English was the importance of London as a center of commerce and government, yet the foundation for Modern Standard English is not derived from the Southern dialects, which heavily influenced London in the late Old English and early Middle English period. The variety of English we speak and write today is derived mainly from the East Midland dialect and, to a lesser extent, the North in late Middle English. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the socio-historical causes behind this change in the distribution of features of the London dialect. …


A Physiological Study Of Common Carpetgrass (Axonopus Affinis) Subjected To Cultural And Environmental Stress., Edward Wayne Bush Jan 1996

A Physiological Study Of Common Carpetgrass (Axonopus Affinis) Subjected To Cultural And Environmental Stress., Edward Wayne Bush

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Common carpetgrass (Axonopus affinis Chase) is a low maintenance stoloniferous grass widely distributed throughout the southern coastal plains of the United States. This study investigated seed germination enhancement, seedhead suppression, waterlogging tolerance, winter hardiness, and maintenance practices for common carpetgrass. Pre-soaking common carpetgrass and centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro.) Hack.) seed was beneficial at the 30C germination temperature. Priming seed in KNO$\sb3$ solutions significantly accelerated seed germination of both centipedegrass and carpetgrass at 30C, and increased total germination percentage of centipedegrass. At 20 and 25C, seed priming significantly improved mean time of germination for both grass species and total germination percentage …


Modular Approaches For Designing Feedforward Neural Networks To Solve Classification Problems., Parvin Hashemian Jan 1996

Modular Approaches For Designing Feedforward Neural Networks To Solve Classification Problems., Parvin Hashemian

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Perhaps the most popular approach for solving classification problems is the backpropagation method. In this approach, a feedforward network is initially built by an intelligent guess regarding the architecture and the number of hidden nodes and then trained using an iterative algorithm. The major problem with this approach is the slow rate of convergence of the training. To overcome this difficulty, two different modular approaches have been investigated. In the first approach, the classification task is reduced to sub-tasks, where each sub-task is solved by a sub-network. An algorithm is presented for building and training each sub-network using any of …


Training Parents To Facilitate Language Through Storybook Reading., Linda K. Crowe Jan 1996

Training Parents To Facilitate Language Through Storybook Reading., Linda K. Crowe

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Six parent-child dyads participated in a single subject, multiple-baseline study evaluating the effectiveness of storybook reading as a context for parent training. Six children, ages 3;2 to 3;5 with specific language impairment, and their primary caregivers completed three-to-five baseline, eight-to-ten training, and two follow-up sessions. Parents were taught to use a complete reading cycle (CRC) based on a typical parent-child storybook reading format described by Ninio & Bruner (1978). The CRC consisted of four steps: (a) an attentional vocative to establish joint focus or topic for discussion, (b) a query to elicit a verbal response about the topic, (c) a …


Biochemical And Biophysical Studies Of Wild-Type And Active-Site Mutants Of Human Adenosine Deaminase., Qing Zeng Jan 1996

Biochemical And Biophysical Studies Of Wild-Type And Active-Site Mutants Of Human Adenosine Deaminase., Qing Zeng

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The focus of this work is structural and functional studies of wild-type and active-site mutants of human adenosine deaminase. Two active-site amino acids, Glu217 and His238, were previously substituted with alanine by site-directed mutagenesis. The Glu217Ala and His238Ala mutants showed little or no changes in Zn content and $\rm K\sb{m}$ value, yet dramatic loss of enzyme activity. Circular dichroism studies of the solution conformation of wild-type and mutant human adenosine deaminases indicate that 30 to 50% of $\alpha$-helical structure is lost in Glu217Ala and His238Ala, respectively, whereas $\beta$-sheet structure is fully retained. Inhibitor binding is measured by a fluorescent assay. …