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LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

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Nanostructure Modeling In Oxide Ceramics Using Large Scale Parallel Molecular Dynamics Simulations., Timothy J. Campbell Jan 1998

Nanostructure Modeling In Oxide Ceramics Using Large Scale Parallel Molecular Dynamics Simulations., Timothy J. Campbell

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the properties and processes in nanostructured oxide ceramics using molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations. These simulations are based on realistic interatomic potentials and require scalable and portable multiresolution algorithms implemented on parallel computers. The dynamics of oxidation of aluminum nanoclusters is studied with a MD scheme that can simultaneously treat metallic and oxide systems. Dynamic charge transfer between anions and cations which gives rise to a compute-intensive Coulomb interaction, is treated by the O(N) Fast Multipole Method. Structural and dynamical correlations and local stresses reveal significant charge transfer and stress variations which cause rapid …

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Purification Of Porphobilinogen Deaminase And The Sequencing And Expression Of Thehemc Gene Of Rhodobacter Capsulatus., Keith A. Canada Jan 1998

Purification Of Porphobilinogen Deaminase And The Sequencing And Expression Of Thehemc Gene Of Rhodobacter Capsulatus., Keith A. Canada

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Rhodobacter capsulatus uses the common tetrapyrrole pathway to synthesize heme, bacteriochlorophyll, siroheme and vitamin B-12. As part of our studies on the regulation of this pathway, the product of the hemC gene, porphobilinogen deaminase was purified approximately 200-fold. The molecular weight, isoelectric point, pH optimum and Km of the enzyme were all similar to other porphobilinogen deaminases. The stoichiometry of the enzyme was found not to be the expected four porphobilinogens used per one uroporphyrin formed. Rather a 9:1 ratio was typically seen. Further study of this atypical ratio uncovered evidence of possible in vivo regulation of porphobilinogen deaminase dependant …

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An Examination Of Automatic Versus Strategic Semantic Priming Effects In Broca's Aphasia., Janice Feagin Del Toro Jan 1998

An Examination Of Automatic Versus Strategic Semantic Priming Effects In Broca's Aphasia., Janice Feagin Del Toro

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The ability to recognize words is frequently investigated using a lexical decision (LD) priming task in which subjects make rapid yes/no judgements as to whether visually presented letter strings (targets) are words or not. A well established finding is that words are recognized faster when preceded by related words. This "semantic priming effect" is believed to represent both automatic and conscious, strategic driven processes. One factor that influences the degree to which subjects recognize words automatically or consciously, is the time interval between the presentation of the prime and the presentation of the target. This is referred to as the …

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Subterranean Echoes: Curriculum Theory As Cultural Studies., Toby Allan Daspit Jan 1998

Subterranean Echoes: Curriculum Theory As Cultural Studies., Toby Allan Daspit

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Cultural studies has emerged in recent decades as a popular realm of academic inquiry (During, 1993). Giroux (1994), while noting the field's increased acceptance, ponders why cultural studies has yet to permeate critical analyses of education and simultaneously questions cultural studies' reticence in considering schools as an important site of cultural production. Edgerton (1996) concurs with Giroux and notes that cultural studies' use in colleges of education is extremely rare. The realm of popular culture, one of the central foci of cultural studies, has especially been marginalized in academic discourses. My project is to explore the implications of curriculum theory …

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The Nature And Extent Of Species Interactions With The United States Gulf Menhaden Fishery., Janaka Anthony De Silva Jan 1998

The Nature And Extent Of Species Interactions With The United States Gulf Menhaden Fishery., Janaka Anthony De Silva

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

I employed categorical techniques to explain patchy data on the releasable bycatch in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico menhaden fishery looking for species and areas of potential concern and potential solutions. For fishing grounds east of the Mississippi River, the odds of observing sets with high bycatch in spring and summer were greater than in the fall. Furthermore, spring bycatch rates were higher east of 89°W than in areas west of 93°W. Correspondence analysis indicated that the fate of the releasable bycatch could be classified into three major species-fate groupings. Two distinct bycatch species assemblages from April through August that …

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Using Scaffolded Interaction To Improve Lld Readers' Inferencing And Narrative Abilities., Kathryn Patrice Dekemel Jan 1998

Using Scaffolded Interaction To Improve Lld Readers' Inferencing And Narrative Abilities., Kathryn Patrice Dekemel

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A time series control group study was completed to investigate the efficacy of Communicative Reading Strategies (CRS) as an instructional approach for improving the oral reading, question answering, and narrative retelling abilities of LLD students. The participants were 10 LLD students who ranged in age from 9 to 12 years and 5 reading-age matched (RAM) peers who ranged in age from 7 to 9 years. Five of the LLD subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group (TLD), while the remaining 5 LLD subjects were assigned to a no-treatment group (NLD). All three groups participated in a series of probes …

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A Review Of The North American Squalodontidae (Mammalia, Cetacea)., Alton Cline Dooley Jr Jan 1998

A Review Of The North American Squalodontidae (Mammalia, Cetacea)., Alton Cline Dooley Jr

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

All available North American specimens of squalodont whales were examined to determine species assignments, and to determine functional aspects and ecological implications. Only two existing species of the 17 referred to Squalodontidae from North America are members of that family, Squalodon atlanticus and Squalodon calvertensis. Of these two species, only S. calvertensis is based on adequate material for consideration as a valid species. Squalodon calvertensis is redescribed, based on the material which has been collected since 1923. These specimens indicate that the species is found from New Jersey to North Carolina, in the Miocene Kirkwood, Calvert, and Pungo River Formations. …

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Materials Fluxes Across Different Scales Of Time And Space In The Rhone Delta, France., Philippe Francois Hensel Jan 1998

Materials Fluxes Across Different Scales Of Time And Space In The Rhone Delta, France., Philippe Francois Hensel

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A study of materials fluxes across different scales of time and space was conducted in the Rhone Delta, France, to test the applicability of a conceptual model of deltaic ecosystem function in a scenario of accelerated sea-level rise to a mediterranean delta which has been heavily altered by human activities. Natural pulsing events such as tides, river floods and storms cause sediment surfaces to maintain elevation in the face of relative sea level rise through the process of soil formation. These pulses also enhance ecosystem function through habitat creation, food production, materials transformation, water quality and storm and flood protection. …

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A Comparative Study Of Communication Intervention For Nonverbal Children With Autism., Kelly C. Higgins Jan 1998

A Comparative Study Of Communication Intervention For Nonverbal Children With Autism., Kelly C. Higgins

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Communication intervention for 3 nonverbal children with autism was compared in an alternating treatment design. Subjects were three males, ages 4--7, 3--6, and 3--5 who met diagnostic criteria for Autism and who were considered to be nonverbal according to developmental history, parent/teacher report and behavioral observation. Alternating treatment conditions included the established treatment format that each subject was receiving in his school setting (Treatment A) and a developmentally-integrated format of intervention structured to facilitate integrated cognitive, social and communicative development (Treatment B). Each intervention was characterized according to profiles of Traditional-Behavioral or Semantic Pragmatic-Developmental intervention formats. Characteristics of adult interaction …

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Thermomechanical Characterization Of Heat-Activated Coupling For Advanced Composite Piping Systems., Patrick Fitzgerald Mensah Jan 1998

Thermomechanical Characterization Of Heat-Activated Coupling For Advanced Composite Piping Systems., Patrick Fitzgerald Mensah

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A new technology for joining advanced composite piping systems, based on heat-activated coupling (HAC) of a thermosetting pre-impregnated (prepreg) fiber reinforced material has been advanced. The successful design of a heat-activated coupled joint depends on achieving the following requirements: (1) uniformly cured prepreg bonded to the surfaces of coupled pipe; and (2) minimal residual thermal stress as a result of the curing process. In order to address the above concerns, thermal characterization of the uncured and cured prepreg used was undertaken in order to establish prerequisite chemical kinetics parameters and material property data required for the curing process models and …

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Investigation Of Two Treatment Approaches For Improving College Students' Comprehension Of Science Text., Nancy L. Martino Jan 1998

Investigation Of Two Treatment Approaches For Improving College Students' Comprehension Of Science Text., Nancy L. Martino

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Many college freshmen are unable to read expository material at a level of proficiency necessary for understanding and integrating information from their textbooks. Providing intervention that addresses these deficits and results in rapid improvements is critical if these students are going to pass their current courses and remain in college. This study examined whether an instructional approach termed Communicative Reading Strategies (CRS) would result in improvement in the ability to comprehend expository text. CRS uses interactive strategies that teach students to comprehend a text as it is read. The CRS approach was compared to a skills approach that addressed similar …

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Nonlinear Tracking Control Using A Robust Differential-Algebraic Approach., Michael Christopher Mickle Jan 1998

Nonlinear Tracking Control Using A Robust Differential-Algebraic Approach., Michael Christopher Mickle

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation presents the development and application of an inherently robust nonlinear trajectory tracking control design methodology which is based on linearization along a nominal trajectory. The problem of trajectory tracking is reduced to two separate control problems. The first is to compute the nominal control signal that is needed to place a nonlinear system on a desired trajectory. The second problem is one of stabilizing the nominal trajectory. The primary development of this work is the development of practical methods for designing error regulators for Linear Time Varying systems, which allows for the application of trajectory linearization to time …

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Assessing The Reuse Potential Of Objects., Maria Lorna Reyes Jan 1998

Assessing The Reuse Potential Of Objects., Maria Lorna Reyes

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In this research, we investigate whether reusable classes can be characterized by object-oriented (OO) software metrics. Three class-level reuse measures for the OO paradigm are defined: inheritance-based reuse, inter-application reuse by extension, and inter-application reuse as a server. Using data from a software company, we collected metrics on Smalltalk classes. Among the 20 metrics collected are cyclomatic complexity, Lorenz complexity, lines of code, class coupling, reuse ratio, specialization ratio and number of direct subclasses. We used stepwise regression to derive prediction models incorporating the 20 metrics as the independent variables and the reuse measures, applied separately, as the dependent variable. …

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Biology And Ecology Of The Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Sibling Species Complex In Louisiana., Cynthia Roxanne Rutledge Jan 1998

Biology And Ecology Of The Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Sibling Species Complex In Louisiana., Cynthia Roxanne Rutledge

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A polymerase chain reaction method for identifying individuals in the Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say sibling species complex was validated for wild mosquitoes from Louisiana and Mississippi. This method distinguished An. quadrimaculatus species A, B, C, and D by detecting species-specific differences in the 2nd internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA and was 100% specific and 95% sensitive. A polymerase chain reaction assay that detects differences in the second internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA was tested for its usefulness in identifying all immature stages of two representatives in the An. quadrimaculatus sibling species complex. The technique was successful in amplifying DNA …

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Pseudo Power Signatures For Nonstationary Signal Analysis And Classification., Vidya Venkatachalam Jan 1998

Pseudo Power Signatures For Nonstationary Signal Analysis And Classification., Vidya Venkatachalam

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This research focuses on the analysis and classification of multicomponent non-stationary signals of arbitrary duration. The proposed classification approach has potential applications in areas like moving target detection, object recognition, oil exploration, and speech processing. The wavelet transform is used as the basis for the analysis. The classification technique is based on novel scale energy density functions, called pseudo power signatures , which are independent of signal length, and which can be used to characterize the time-scale energy distribution of the signal. These signatures allow for fast classification of signals regardless of their length. Two approaches to determine pseudo power …

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Stress And Strength Of Laminated Composite Containing A Circular Hole., Yi Zhao Jan 1998

Stress And Strength Of Laminated Composite Containing A Circular Hole., Yi Zhao

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation is to study the stress and strength of a finite laminated plate containing a circular hole subjected to tension. Efforts were made in three aspects: theoretical modeling, computer simulation using finite element method, and experimental evaluation using unidirectional and crossply Scotchply laminates. The stress concentration factor, normal stress distribution and tensile strength of laminates with various hole sizes and gage lengths were investigated. Theoretically, two models were proposed to describe the normal stress distribution of a laminate with finite width and finite length. By defining a width correction function and a size correction function, the normal stress in …

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Of Rectangles And Centuries. A History Of The Use Of A Garden Pattern From Romanesque Europe To Nineteenth-Century New Orleans, David Dwayne Lewis Dec 1997

Of Rectangles And Centuries. A History Of The Use Of A Garden Pattern From Romanesque Europe To Nineteenth-Century New Orleans, David Dwayne Lewis

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Settlers of New Orleans brought with them ideas of gardens that influenced the way they shaped gardens in the colony. Although the influence of those ideas has been acknowledged in studies of New Orleans gardens, specific connections between the ideas and gardens in New Orleans have not been made. To illuminate some of those connections, this study focuses on one garden pattern — a composition of long, rectangular planting beds -- that is common to at least fifty gardens in New Orleans and to European gardens dating from the ninth century. A developmental history that chronicles the use of the …

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Nature And The Divine: Classical Greek Philosophy And The Political In The Thought Of Leo Strauss And Eric Voegelin., Todd Eric Myers Jan 1997

Nature And The Divine: Classical Greek Philosophy And The Political In The Thought Of Leo Strauss And Eric Voegelin., Todd Eric Myers

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The following work is an attempt to clarify the relationship of two of the most significant political thinkers of the later part of the twentieth century. Previous scholarship on the relationship between Leo Strauss and Eric Voegelin has focused on the two men's different interpretations of the religious traditions of Judaism and Christianity. In this work, we explore the two men's presentations of classical Greek philosophy to illuminate how their differing readings of the classics come to similar conclusions regarding the nature and limits of the political. Our investigation probes how Strauss's treatment of philosophy as being slightly more comic …

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Family Context And Premarital Sexual Activity In Kinshasa, Zaire., Yanyi Kasongo Djamba Jan 1997

Family Context And Premarital Sexual Activity In Kinshasa, Zaire., Yanyi Kasongo Djamba

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Studies on sexual behavior in Africa have shown that the proportion of women with premarital sexual experience is high, but the factors associated with premarital sexual behavior have not been clearly identified. This is partly due to the separation between theory and research. This study attempts to fill this gap by constructing a new conceptual framework in which hypotheses of rational adaptation, social disorganization, and patrilineal bias theories can be empirically tested. Based on a life history approach, the present framework emphasizes the role of three dimensions of family background in shaping individual behavior: financial capital, human capital, and social …

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A Micro-Mechanical Fatigue Damage Model For Uni-Directional Metal Matrix Composites., Rainer Echle Jan 1997

A Micro-Mechanical Fatigue Damage Model For Uni-Directional Metal Matrix Composites., Rainer Echle

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A micro-mechanical damage model for high cycle fatigue loading based on thermo-dynamical principles is developed for uni-directional continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composites. The model uses a micro-mechanical based theory to predict the fatigue damage evolution in the individual constituents of the composite material, namely the fibers and the matrix, from which the overall fatigue damage evolution in the composite is obtained. The micro-mechanical analysis is performed for each individual constituent using stress and strain concentration tensors based on the Mori-Tanaka method. A fatigue damage criterion based on thermo-dynamical principles is developed and applied to each of the constituents. Fatigue …

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Development Of A Prototype Computer-Assisted Well Control System For Deep Ocean Drilling Environments., Orville Allen Kelly Jan 1997

Development Of A Prototype Computer-Assisted Well Control System For Deep Ocean Drilling Environments., Orville Allen Kelly

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

An advanced prototype computer-assisted deep water drilling well control system was developed using process control technology. The goal of the system was to improve rig safety by reducing the potential for surface and underground blowouts through providing enhanced bottom hole and casing seat pressure control during the well kill process. The system developed is capable of full computer control of the fluid pump and drilling choke control functions during normal well control operations. The system provides computer-assistance in collecting and curve fitting slow circulation rate pump pressure data, in developing a well kill program (kill sheet), and in detecting anomalies …

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A Vector-Valued Operational Calculus And Abstract Cauchy Problems., Boris Baeumer Jan 1997

A Vector-Valued Operational Calculus And Abstract Cauchy Problems., Boris Baeumer

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Initial and boundary value problems for linear differential and integro-differential equations are at the heart of mathematical analysis. About 100 years ago, Oliver Heaviside promoted a set of formal, algebraic rules which allow a complete analysis of a large class of such problems. Although Heaviside's operational calculus was entirely heuristic in nature, it almost always led to correct results. This encouraged many mathematicians to search for a solid mathematical foundation for Heaviside's method, resulting in two competing mathematical theories: (a) Laplace transform theory for functions, distributions and other generalized functions, (b) J. Mikusinski's field of convolution quotients of continuous functions. …

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Unavoidable Minors Of Graphs Of Large Type., John Joseph Dittmann Jr Jan 1997

Unavoidable Minors Of Graphs Of Large Type., John Joseph Dittmann Jr

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In this paper, we study one measure of complexity of a graph, namely its type. The type of a graph G is defined to be the minimum number n such that there is a sequence of graphs $G = G\sb0, G\sb1,\... , G\sb{n},$ where $G\sb{i}$ is obtained by contracting or deleting one edge from each block of $G\sb{i-1}$, and where $G\sb{n}$ is edgeless. We show that a 3-connected graph has large type if and only if it has a minor isomorphic to a large fan. Furthermore, we show that if a graph has large type, then it has a minor …

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Evaluation Of Water-Seeded No-Till Rice Culture With Respect To Weeds And Seedling Disease., Roland Detleo Mendt Jan 1997

Evaluation Of Water-Seeded No-Till Rice Culture With Respect To Weeds And Seedling Disease., Roland Detleo Mendt

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Field studies were conducted over three years to evaluate preplant postemergence herbicides for red rice control in rice under no-till water-seeded culture. Application of paraquat or sulfosate plus thiobencarb and paraquat alone 3 days before seeding (DBS) resulted in the greatest red rice control 11 weeks after seeding (WAS). Rice yield was increased and percent red rice in rice grain decreased when paraquat or sulfosate was applied in combination with thiobencarb compared with the nontreated control. Rice yield was increased when herbicides were applied 3 and 7 DBS as compared with 14 and 28 DBS. Aqueous extracts of cursed buttercup, …

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Predictors Of Postconcussion Symptomatology In A Mild Head Injury College Population., Laurie M. Ryan Jan 1997

Predictors Of Postconcussion Symptomatology In A Mild Head Injury College Population., Laurie M. Ryan

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Mild head injury is the most common form of head injury and the majority of individuals who sustain such injuries are young adults. Following mild head injury, individuals often complain of a number of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms referred to as postconcussion symptoms (PCS). The most commonly reported postconcussion symptoms are headache, dizziness, decreased concentration, memory problems, irritability, fatigue, visual disturbances, sensitivity to noise, judgement problems, and anxiety. These symptoms can persist from months to years following injury and may even be permanent and cause disability (Brown, Fann, & Grant, 1994; Gouvier, Cubic, Jones, Brantley, and Cutlip, 1992). Both …

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Academic Misconduct: Methods Of Influencing Undergraduates' Perceptions Of The Seriousness And Frequency Of Cheating., Betty Diane Baugh Sistrunk Jan 1997

Academic Misconduct: Methods Of Influencing Undergraduates' Perceptions Of The Seriousness And Frequency Of Cheating., Betty Diane Baugh Sistrunk

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Academic misconduct is a problem that all institutions of higher education experience. Because few incidents are worthy of national attention, the media create the impression that cheating is rare. The truth is that, depending on the source, up to 75% of college students admit having cheated on exams, papers, and other academic activities. One approach to promoting ethical behavior on campus is a framework based on student development theories. William Kibler of Texas A&M University has created a comprehensive program which includes intervention strategies designed to promote an ethos that nurtures academic integrity. Two components in this plan are a …

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Use Of Informal And Formal Service By Noninstitutionalized Elderly Who Need Assistance., Lih-Yun Chen Jan 1997

Use Of Informal And Formal Service By Noninstitutionalized Elderly Who Need Assistance., Lih-Yun Chen

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purposes of this study were to examine where elderly people obtained assistance for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), to explore the relationship between the types of support system the elderly used and selected variables, and to formulate a conceptual model to explain and predict the use of informal or formal service in elderly assistance. The hierarchial-compensatory model and the complementary model were examined. Both models were supported by parts of the findings. A random sample of 263 noninstitutionalized elderly was interviewed from five Labor Market Areas in Louisiana. Only those who …

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Relationship Of Self-Injurious Behavior And Aggression To Social Skills In Persons With Severe And Profound Mental Retardation., Dee Duncan Jan 1997

Relationship Of Self-Injurious Behavior And Aggression To Social Skills In Persons With Severe And Profound Mental Retardation., Dee Duncan

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In the literature, self-injurious behavior and aggression are often lumped together collectively as maladaptive behaviors. This study examined the social skills characteristics between persons with self-injurious behavior, aggression and a control group using the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills in Persons with Severe and Profound Retardation (MESSIER). Persons engaging in self-injurious behavior were significantly different from persons engaging in aggression as well as from the control group on five of the six subscales. The self-injury group had lower scores on subscales measuring positive behaviors and higher scores on subscales measuring negative behaviors. As expected for persons engaging in aggression, scores …

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Southern Families And Their Daughters: The Self And The System In Selected Texts By Grau, Gilchrist, Welty, Spencer, And Douglas., Jo K. Galle Jan 1997

Southern Families And Their Daughters: The Self And The System In Selected Texts By Grau, Gilchrist, Welty, Spencer, And Douglas., Jo K. Galle

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

In this interdisciplinary study, I apply the materials of family systems theory to the study of five twentieth-century literary texts, each written by a Southern white woman. Arranged in the order they will appear in this study, the five texts are The Keepers of the House (1964) by Shirley Ann Grau; Net of Jewels (1992) by Ellen Gilchrist; The Golden Apples (1949) by Eudora Welty; The Voice at the Back Door (1956) by Elizabeth Spencer; and Can't Quit You, Baby (1988) by Ellen Douglas. In the analysis of these books--all examples of domestic and social realism--I analyze and measure the …

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A Case-Ready Modified-Atmosphere Packaging System For Beef., Brian Scott Smith Jan 1997

A Case-Ready Modified-Atmosphere Packaging System For Beef., Brian Scott Smith

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Beef tenderness and color stability were evaluated in conventional and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems. Equal portions of inside rounds removed immediately (PM0) or at 48 h postmortem (PM48) were vacuum packaged (VP) whole or cut into steaks and packaged in 80%N$\sb2$:20%CO$\sb2$ MAP. On day 12, MAP environments were exchanged for 80%O$\sb2$:20%CO$\sb2$. Calpastatin activity was lower at 2 d postmortem for PM48 steaks than PM0 steaks. Electrophoresis indicated more degradation of 50 and $>$250 kDA compounds at 2 d postmortem for PM48 than PM0 steaks. Steaks from PM48 required less shear force than PM0 steaks. HunterLab 'L', 'a' and …

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