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1998

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Perturbed Flows In Ribbed Ducts., Pradipta Kumar Panigrahi Jan 1998

Perturbed Flows In Ribbed Ducts., Pradipta Kumar Panigrahi

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Turbulent characteristics of a reattaching shear layer is important in gas turbine blade cooling, dump combustors, airfoil separation, internally ribbed heat exchangers, and in electronic cooling. In this study flow past a surface mounted rib encountered in the internal coolant channels of gas turbine blades and internally ribbed heat exchangers is studied. The main objectives of this investigation are: (1) to develop improved methods of coherent structures analysis, (2) to examine the spectral characteristics and length scale, (3) to investigate the types of turbulent motions using octant analysis, (4) to study the flow structures and kinetic energy budget for both …


The Effects Of Fiscal Structure, Leviathan, And Interdependent Demands On Local Public Spending Behavior., Rebecca J. Campbell Jan 1998

The Effects Of Fiscal Structure, Leviathan, And Interdependent Demands On Local Public Spending Behavior., Rebecca J. Campbell

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Understanding the fiscal behavior of subnational governments is increasingly important as fiscal responsibilities are devolved. In order to get a clearer picture of subnational government behavior, we employ a median voter model and local government data to perform tests of the fragmentation, decentralization, fiscal illusion, and overlapping jurisdictions hypotheses. A key theoretical result is that estimating horizontal effects of the leviathan and fiscal illusion models without accounting for the interdependent demands for the services of overlapping jurisdictions will result in upwardly biased estimates. We find that controlling for the overlapping jurisdictions relationship is important. This dissertation estimates each model using …


A Knowledge-Based System For Reliability-Centered Maintenance In The Chemical Industry., Daniel Jesus Fonseca Jan 1998

A Knowledge-Based System For Reliability-Centered Maintenance In The Chemical Industry., Daniel Jesus Fonseca

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

An innovative new framework for the implementation of reliability centered maintenance (RCM) in industrial settings was developed and implemented during this study. Fuzzy reasoning algorithms were designed to evaluate and assess the likelihood of equipment failure mode precipitation and aggravation. Furthermore, an alternative to the traditional RCM decision tree for prioritizing equipment failure modes was defined through the development of an approximate reasoning scheme. This priority scheme not only takes into account the relevancy of failure modes on local and product effects, but also their possibility of occurrence, as well as associated negative consequences on adjacent machinery. The new RCM …


Analysis Of Taper-Taper Adhesive-Bonded Joints In Composite Plates Under Tension And Cylindrical Bending., Jack Elwin Helms Jr Jan 1998

Analysis Of Taper-Taper Adhesive-Bonded Joints In Composite Plates Under Tension And Cylindrical Bending., Jack Elwin Helms Jr

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A taper-taper adhesive-bonded joint between two composite plates has been analyzed under tension and cylindrical bending. Two tension models were derived. The first model was based on mechanics of materials and the second model used laminated plate theory and shear correction factors. For the mechanics of materials model the condition of plane strain was assumed for the adherends and adhesive. Average stresses were used in the adherends and point-wise stresses were used in the adhesive. The model derived consisted of four second-order ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients. The adherends were characterized by the extensional Young's modulus. The equations were …


Localization And Biochemical Characterization Of The Cell Division Protein Ftsa In Escherichia Coli., Anand Immaneni Jan 1998

Localization And Biochemical Characterization Of The Cell Division Protein Ftsa In Escherichia Coli., Anand Immaneni

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Cell division protein, FtsA, is an inner membrane protein with a putative ATP binding motif. Although FtsA has been studied genetically, it has not been characterized biochemically. Immunoelectron microscopy with FtsA polyclonal antibodies permitted FtsA to be within the cell. Since native FtsA is present in low amounts, the cellular level of this protein was increased by induction of ftsA from an overexpression plasmid before processing the cells for immunogold labelling. The immunogold particles localized FtsA to the inner cytoplasmic membrane. Immunogold labelling of cells overproducing C-terminal deleted FtsA, displayed the gold particles throughout the cytoplasm. This suggested that the …


Physical And Chemical Properties Of Fibers Extracted From Sugarcane And Kenaf Rind., Simona Cristina Romanoschi Jan 1998

Physical And Chemical Properties Of Fibers Extracted From Sugarcane And Kenaf Rind., Simona Cristina Romanoschi

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Sugar cane fibers were extracted from the rind of cane stalks with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions of different concentrations, at atmospheric pressure, followed by a steam explosion. The extraction process was optimized using a central rotatable composite design, to study the influence of three reaction parameters (alkaline concentration, time of reaction and frequency of tumbling) on fiber bundle properties (weight, length, and tex). Tex was the objective function, with length as a constraint. Regression analysis indicated a quadratic polynomial response. Bleaching studies were conducted on sugar cane fibers extracted with 1.0N NaOH and on kenaf fibers mechanically processed only. Hydrogen …


An Analysis Of Reimbursement Methodologies And Cost Containment Policies In Medicaid Inpatient Hospital And Pharmaceuticals., Etienne Elmer Pracht Jan 1998

An Analysis Of Reimbursement Methodologies And Cost Containment Policies In Medicaid Inpatient Hospital And Pharmaceuticals., Etienne Elmer Pracht

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay provides an analysis of the interaction between special interest groups, public interest factors, median voters' tastes and preferences regarding the provision of medical services for the poor, and cost containment policies on one side, and drug reimbursement levels, the size of state Medicaid programs, and the size of states' drug budgets on the other. The relative strengths of special interest are shown to be one of the most important determinants of drug reimbursement levels and drug expenditures. The median voters' preferences significantly explain the size of states' Medicaid programs. The results …


Experimental And Theoretical Study Of Dynamic Water Control In Oil Wells., Ephim I. Shirman Jan 1998

Experimental And Theoretical Study Of Dynamic Water Control In Oil Wells., Ephim I. Shirman

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A dynamic water control, dubbed Downhole Water Sink (DWS) technology, is a well completion technique for production of hydrocarbons from reservoirs with bottom aquifer causing water coning. Typically, a DWS well is dually completed with top completion designated mostly for hydrocarbon production and bottom completion used for water drainage and coning control. Positions and flow rates of the completions are the DWS performance parameters to be determined by a process designer. This dissertation presents a theoretical and experimental study of DWS performance for various reservoir conditions and production schedules. A new mathematical model, developed in this work calculates steady state …


Beliefs And Practices Of Middle School Language Arts Teachers., Suzan Anderson Jan 1998

Beliefs And Practices Of Middle School Language Arts Teachers., Suzan Anderson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the instructional beliefs and practices of middle school language arts teachers as they relate to developmental appropriate/inappropriate instruction. Developmentally appropriate instruction is defined as matching the curricula to the level of children's emerging mental abilities. If the learner is seen as a growing individual with developing abilities, then the aim of education should be to facilitate this development. This in turn means that the curricula must be studied and analyzed to determine that level of mental ability that is required to comprehend curriculum materials (Elkind, 1970). There is some concern that what …


Three Essays On The Term Structure Of Eurocurrency Rates., Cetin Ciner Jan 1998

Three Essays On The Term Structure Of Eurocurrency Rates., Cetin Ciner

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation investigates the term structure relationship in financial markets by using Eurocurrency rates of several countries. The first essay tests the restrictions of the expectations hypothesis of term structure and the Fisher hypothesis in an interrelated fashion to characterize the changes in the slope and the level of Eurocurrency yield curves of numerous countries. It is argued that the Fisher relation explains the level of the yield curve and the expectations hypothesis determines the long run relationship between yields at different maturities at that level. Special emphasis is given to the information content of the yield curve for future …


Service Recovery's Influence On Complainant Attitudes And Intentions: A Perceived Justice Framework., James G. Maxham Iii Jan 1998

Service Recovery's Influence On Complainant Attitudes And Intentions: A Perceived Justice Framework., James G. Maxham Iii

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

I conducted two field studies (one in the banking industry, n = 692, and one in the new home industry, n = 339) that examined service recovery's influence on complainant perceptions of perceived justice (i.e., distributive, procedural, and interactional justice), satisfaction (i.e., transaction-specific satisfaction and overall firm satisfaction), and intentions (i.e., word-of-mouth intent and purchase intent). The studies assessed these perceptions over multiple time periods (i.e., post failure, post service recovery, and two weeks subsequent to service recovery) to better capture the perceptions as they form over time. The dissertation uses an equity theory framework in a service recovery context, …


The Solo Piano Music Of Violet Archer: A Study Of Selected Didactic Works., Angela Sue Willoughby Jan 1998

The Solo Piano Music Of Violet Archer: A Study Of Selected Didactic Works., Angela Sue Willoughby

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Canadian composer Violet Archer has made contributions to virtually every genre of musical composition. Her avid interest in orchestral music manifests itself in the large number of instrumental works she has composed, and her love of setting poetry and scripture can be seen in her music for voice and chorus. The works for solo piano span the entire length of her career and represent a significant portion of her total output. Aside from a scant number of brief analytical sketches of various pieces in periodicals and biographical sections of books, there is no comprehensive study of Archer's music for piano. …


The Role Of Curved Dna In Bacillus Subtilis Rna Polymerase-Promoter Interactions., Murad Mohammed Odeh Jan 1998

The Role Of Curved Dna In Bacillus Subtilis Rna Polymerase-Promoter Interactions., Murad Mohammed Odeh

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Intrinsically curved DNA upstream of promoters was shown to affect the Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase-promoter interactions leading to transcription initiation. The Alu156, a B. subtilis bacteriophage dependent on the curved DNA located immediately upstream of the $-$35 region, and modified forms of Alu156 were used. Promoters were examined using gel retardation and DNase I footprinting assays. DNase I footprinting analysis of the Alu156 promoter demonstrated a unique pattern of DNase I hypersensitive and protected sites characteristic of DNA wrapped around the protein. This wrapping was observed upstream of the curved DNA. To examine the nature of curved DNA, the native …


Cloning And Identification Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Genes And Proteins Upregulated Under Low Carbon Dioxide Conditions., Aravind Somanchi Jan 1998

Cloning And Identification Of Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Genes And Proteins Upregulated Under Low Carbon Dioxide Conditions., Aravind Somanchi

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A mechanism that concentrates CO$\sb2$ in cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, is induced when cells are grown at low CO$\sb2$ conditions. This mechanism increases the CO$\sb2$ concentration at the site of RuBisCO, and thereby improves the efficiency of C$\rm\sb{i}$ uptake and fixation. Cells adapting to low CO$\sb2$ show significant physiological changes. Few of the genes encoding proteins needed to produce these changes have been identified. A cDNA library has been constructed from C. reinhardtii to identify genes involved in these changes. The cloning and identification of several cDNAs that are upregulated under low CO$\sb2$ conditions are reported here. The possible roles …


Tobacco Farming In The Age Of The Surgeon General's Warning: The Cultural Ecology And Structuration Of Burley Tobacco Production In Madison County, North Carolina., Catherine Marie Algeo Jan 1998

Tobacco Farming In The Age Of The Surgeon General's Warning: The Cultural Ecology And Structuration Of Burley Tobacco Production In Madison County, North Carolina., Catherine Marie Algeo

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

This study analyzes the transformation of burley tobacco farming underway in the late twentieth century in light of social, political, and economic forces that make tobacco a contested crop. It focuses on one county in southern Appalachia, Madison County, North Carolina, where tobacco has been a cash crop for over a hundred years. A synthesis of the theoretical and methodological approaches of cultural ecology and structuration is proposed as a means of exploring the components of agricultural change within Appalachia at a continuum of scales from the local to the national, while contextualizing farming within its environmental and social settings. …


Dynamics And Management Of Insecticide Resistance In The Horn Fly, Haematobia Irritans Irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae)., Antonio Thadeu Medeiros De Barros Jan 1998

Dynamics And Management Of Insecticide Resistance In The Horn Fly, Haematobia Irritans Irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae)., Antonio Thadeu Medeiros De Barros

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Studies on resistance of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans irritans (L.), to insecticides were conducted in Louisiana from 1989 to 1998. These studies included monitoring resistance and resistance dynamics under different strategies of insecticide use, monitoring the efficacy of insecticide products, establishing a relationship between bioassay findings and product efficacy, and evaluation of a new insecticide class. In four years (1989--1992), efficacy of 20% diazinon-impregnated car tags used yearly was reduced from greater than twenty to just one week of control, and tag failure was observed with resistance ratios (RR) from 1.8 to 5.7. Diazinon resistance developed more slowly and …


Directed Search In K-System Reconstruction., Christopher W. Branton Jan 1998

Directed Search In K-System Reconstruction., Christopher W. Branton

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

K-systems analysis is a factor analysis technique created through the generalization of key reconstructability analysis definitions and algorithms. The method is applied to functions on systems of discrete variables to discover a set of factors which can explain the bulk of the function's variation from the mean. K-systems analysis uses principles of information theory to reveal interactions which are often masked by the assumptions implicit in traditional methods. The method has been used successfully to analyze systems in several disciplines. Despite the success of k-systems analysis, obstacles to the creation of a mature methodology still exist. Some issues and open …


An Exploratory Study Of The Impact Of Hypermedia-Based Approach And Science-In-Fiction Approach For Instruction On The Polymerase Chain Reaction., Lynda A. Britton Jan 1998

An Exploratory Study Of The Impact Of Hypermedia-Based Approach And Science-In-Fiction Approach For Instruction On The Polymerase Chain Reaction., Lynda A. Britton

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Exploration of meaningful learning of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed instruction by a researcher-developed hypermedia computer program that incorporated human constructivist principles and a "science-in-fiction" chapter of a novel that described PCR. Human constructivism is the Ausubel-Novak-Gowin (1997) meaningful learning theory that supports science learning through graphic representations and multiple examples. Science-in-fiction is a new genre of fiction introduced by the prominent scientist, Carl Djerassi, to engender an appreciation for science, and its ethical dilemmas. Chapter 19 of Djerassi's 1994 novel, The Bourbaki Gambit, was placed into hypermedia format to standardize the presentation. As part of a clinical microbiology …


Three-Dimensional Parallel Finite Element Simulation Of Natural Gas Flow In A Porous Media., James David Callahan Jan 1998

Three-Dimensional Parallel Finite Element Simulation Of Natural Gas Flow In A Porous Media., James David Callahan

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

A parallel-three-dimensional finite element simulation of natural gas flow in a porous media was developed for use in multiple well reservoirs. Developed with this simulation was a set of graphical applications to provide a geometric description of the reservoir, viewing of the generated mesh and viewing of results generated by the simulation. An adaptive mesh scheme for the dynamic refinement and derefinement of the mesh during the solution process is presented. The adaptive mesh scheme utilizes a mesh storage technique designed to reduce the space requirements of the mesh. This adaptive mesh technique was applied to an unstructured mesh. A …


A Survey Of Selected Solo Organ Works Of Calvin Hampton., Margaret Richard Campo Jan 1998

A Survey Of Selected Solo Organ Works Of Calvin Hampton., Margaret Richard Campo

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Calvin Hampton (1938--1984), American composer and organist, produced an impressive repertoire of organ works in his short life. In the period between 1973--1983, he composed eleven major organ works. In addition to writing for the organ, he composed vocal, chamber and orchestral works for varied instruments. The purpose of this monograph is to provide the first extended study of Hampton's solo organ works, focusing on his compositional style, which embodies the traditions of the German and French schools. Classical forms provide the framework of his organ works while the contrapuntal devices of the Baroque shape the textures. These features, combined …


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 …


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 …


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 …


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. …


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 …


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 …


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. …


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 …


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 …


An Economic Analysis Of Intellectual Property Rights: Justifications And Problems Of Exclusive Rights, Incentives To Generate Information, And The Alternative Of A Government Run Reward System, Steve Calandrillo Jan 1998

An Economic Analysis Of Intellectual Property Rights: Justifications And Problems Of Exclusive Rights, Incentives To Generate Information, And The Alternative Of A Government Run Reward System, Steve Calandrillo

Articles

This article examines and questions the traditional justifications for intellectual property (I.P.) rights in America (focusing on copyright and patent law), and explores incentives necessary to induce the creation of these works of information. I conclude that changes are needed to I.P. law in order to best foster society's dual goals of 1) promoting incentives to create I.P. works (such as currently patented drugs), while also 2) maximizing distribution of those products to all consumers who would stand to gain (and not merely those who can afford the monopoly price charged). Hence, I suggest the creation of a Government-Run Reward …