Digital Commons Network^™

Volume 41, Number 17: December 19, 2003, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Montana World Trade Center Plans Mission To Australia, New Zealand, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Um Starts New Nasa Science Mission, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Commencement Program, December (2003), Minnesota State University Moorhead

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

University Of Nebraska At Omaha, December Commencement 2003, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

University Of Montana Events Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, Through Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

The Dynastine Scarab Beetles Of Costa Rica And Panama (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), Brett C. Ratcliffe

Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum (1924–2023)

The 157 species of dynastine scarab beetles that occur in Costa Rica and Panama are comprehensively reviewed. Keys, descriptions, distributions, and notes on biology are provided for all species as well as illustrations and maps. The larvae of Enema endymion, Heterogomphus chevrolati, and Dynastes hercules are described for the first time. Also included are synopses of the higher-level taxa, a glossary, a gazetteer of place names, and a species checklist.

The following new species are described: Cyclocephala alazona, C. enigma, C. labidion, C. marylizae, C. mustacha, C. stockwelli, C. una mas (all Cyclocephalini); Irazua dilicra (Oryctini); Amblyoproctus centroamericanus, Hemiphileurus curoei, …

Referendum Vote Boosts Left, Ladb Staff

NotiSur

No abstract provided.

An Accurate Vo2max Non-Exercise Regression Model For 18 To 65 Year Old Adults, Danielle I. Bradshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a regression equation to predict VO2max based on non-exercise (N-EX) data. All participants (N = 100), aged 18-65 years old, successfully completed a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to assess VO2max (mean ± SD; 39.96 mL∙kg-¹∙min&sup-1; ± 9.54 mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹). The N-EX data collected just before the maximal GXT included the participant's age, gender, body mass index (BMI), perceived functional ability (PFA) to walk, jog, or run given distances, and current physical activity (PA-R) level. Multiple linear regression generated the following N-EX prediction equation (R = .93, SEE = 3.45 mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹, %SEE = …

Decree N. 3683 Of 2003 - Renewable Energy Regulation, Ministerio De Minas Y Energía

Latin American Energy Policies

This decree regulates the rational and efficient use of energy, so that the country has greater energy efficiency to ensure full and timely energy supplies, competitiveness of the Colombian energy market, consumer protection and promotion of non-conventional sources of energy. Additionally, this decree creates an Intersectoral Commission for the Rational and Efficient Use of Energy and Non-Conventional Energy Sources.

Jewel Box Series: Dec. 19, 2003, Jewel Box Staff

Jewel Box Series

Rachel Barton, Matthew Hagel

Chamber Choir Concert - Welcome Christmas (2003), St. Norbert College Music Department

Music Performances

SNC Music Department presents: the Chamber Choir Concert - Welcome Christmas (2003).

Biofiltration For Control Of H2s From Wastewater Treatment Plant Gases, Vivian Bermudez

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

A low-cost and efficient methodology was used to test the performance of a biofilter removing gaseous hydrogen sulfide generated in the headworks and a primary clarifier of a local Wastewater Treatment Plant. The contaminated gas stream is distributed upward through 1,718 m3 of filter material. With a flow rate varying between 3,503.0 m3/h and 4,587.3 m3/h and hydrogen sulfide inlet concentrations between 0.8 and 146 ppm, hydrogen sulfide was efficiently eliminated by the wood bark biofilter. The removal efficiencies ranged from 97.5% to 99.9%. The mean water content of the filter material was determined to be 67.1%. The excess water …

Prevalence Of Tobacco Use Among African-American College Students, Michael Celestin

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study examined factors that may protect African-American young adults in college from early onset of cigarette smoking, and factors that may place them at risk for cigarette smoking, using the framework of the Social Cognitive Theory. It was hypothesized that existing regulation of smoking, positive attitude toward academics and school connectedness would be related to low cigarette-smoking rates, while exposure to pro-tobacco promotions would be related to high cigarette smoking rates. A convenience sample of 576 undergraduates at Dillard University of New Orleans completed a Harvard College Alcohol Study survey. Forty six percent (n=269) completed the survey. Ninetyone percent …

The Political Determinants Of The Impact Of Natural Disasters: A Cross-Country Comparison, Ezra Boyd

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

While people all over the world are vulnerable to natural disasters, the available data clearly demonstrate a great deal of cross-country variance in the impact of catastrophic events. For example, while Hurricane Mitch took an estimated 13,000 lives when it struck Honduras and Nicaragua, the stronger Hurricane Andrew took only 26 lives when it impacted the United States. What factors explain this difference? Thus far, disaster researchers have emphasized economic and social vulnerability as determinants of disaster impact; the conventional wisdom accepts that poor and underdeveloped countries are more vulnerable than wealthy, developed countries. I argue that the political institutions …

Perilous Polities? Regime Transition And Conflict 1950-2000, Ursula Daxecker

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

While evidence continues to mount that democracies resort to military force reluctantly, the transition to democracy may in fact be a dangerous and conflictual one. With the eyes of the world now focused squarely on democratization, a reassessment of the relationship between regime change and inter-state conflict seems fitting. To date, the evidence remains mixed. No clear consensus has emerged on whether regime transition either increases or decreases conflict propensities. The research here builds on models of democratization and conflict by including a more fully specified vector of conflict variables and by using an updated set of cases. Further, interaction …

Three Attempts At Cold War Neutralization: Its Success In Austria And Laos And Its Failure In Vietnam, Benjamin Crawford

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

During the Cold War, the inherent mistrust between the United States and the Soviet Union kept the two superpowers from cooperating even on many projects that might have proven mutually beneficial. Nevertheless, they were willing to work together at least occasionally; two such examples are the neutralizations of Austria (in 1955) and of Laos (in 1962). Despite very different world orders in those two countries at those times, the weaker superpowers in each contest, the Soviets in Austria and the Americans in Laos, took very similar actions. They followed the same three-stage process from the outbreak of the dispute to …

A Global Conservation Assessment Of Temperate Forests: Status And Protection, Jennifer Gagnon

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Global biodiversity protection requires the development of protected areas that include representative samples of different ecosystems and their associated biodiversity (Dudley 1992, Scott et al. 2001a). I compared long-term decline and protection of forests in three major biomes; boreal, temperate and tropical. I found that forests in the temperate biome are less abundant and less protected than forests in the boreal and tropical biomes. I conducted regional analyses for five continents on the degree of protection of temperate forests across naturally occurring geographic and elevational ranges. My results indicate that protected temperate forests do not represent the full geographic and …

Lekhost A Tize: An Experiment In Film Production Methodology, Talley Mulligan

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Proliferation and convergence of new technologies as well as the diverse media it has given rise to have had a dramatic impact on the theory and practice of contemporary filmmaking. This trend also holds considerable implication for the range of cinematic forms likely to be embraced in the future as well as the methodologies necessarily exploited in their making. The formal and expressive possibilities inherent in the climate of experimentation existing at this unique juncture in history encourage out-of-the-ordinary solutions to long-standing problems while begging important questions regarding the process and goal of filmmaking. Taking the films of the Czech …

Enhancement Of Cots Gis Web Publishing Software, Jin Chen

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In the modern geographic information systems, COTS software has been playing a major role. Customizing COTS software is inevitable because large organizations' needs usually exceed COTS built-in functions. However, this is often a challenge to COTS users, since the source code of COTS is rarely available. In my thesis project, I have enhanced some functions of a GIS COTS product, ArcIMS, by taking advantage of this web publishing tool's well-thought architecture of services and its applications of the XML messaging technology. Multiple users now can access the same ArcIMS map service but with only constrained viewing power. Login dialog has …

The Accidental Place: Louis Armstrong Park Out Of Place On The North Side, Yvonne Estrade

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The failed New Orleans Cultural Center Complex was cultural genocide to an area of the neighborhood known as Treme, where a tribute to the jazz great and native son, Louis Armstrong, was planned as an afterthought. The questions remain, was the planning and building of Louis Armstrong Park responsible for the genocide of the Treme neighborhood, is the park an appropriate use of land, and what are the prospects for the park's future? This thesis examines the cultural gumbo of New Orleans history, explores the early days of Louis Armstrong and the development of jazz, sets the record straight by …

Environmental Performance Of Coal Slag And Garnet As Abrasives, Sanjay Datar

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study was aimed at understanding the environmental performance of two abrasives, coal slag and garnet which are commonly used by shipyards and many other industries in surface preparation of metallic surfaces. Environmental performance evaluated in this study included, (1) productivity (ft2/hr), (2) consumption and or used-abrasive generation rate (ton/2000 ft2; lb/ ft2), (3) particulate emission factors (mg/ft2; mg/lb; lb/lb; lb/kg; lb/ton). In order to achieve the study objectives, an emission test facility was built and necessary equipment and materials were procured. Blasting was performed on rusted steel panels inside the test facility and emissions were measured using EPA Source …

Creating A Portable Wireless Display, Srivatsa Gundala

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Real time computing has become a vital part in military applications. Moreover certain operations require that the soldiers carry computing devices to assist them. These devices, besides providing them with location-based information, should also be transmitting the requested data. In this thesis, we present a portable wireless display prototype, which renders the desktop of a remote computer. The prototype functions under the range of an 802.11b or Bluetooth wireless network. The Software interfacing is done with Virtual Network Computing (VNC). This thesis is a first step towards analyzing and creating head/wrist mounted displays capable of transmitting images from a remote …

A Comparison Of Predicted Brace Loads In Temporary Retaining Structures And Observed Brace Loads In Two Full Scale Test Sections, Daniel Haggerty

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents analyses of the results of a geotechnical instrumentation program performed by Eustis Engineering Company for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) during the construction of two covered canals in New Orleans, Louisiana. At each site, a cast-in-place concrete culvert was constructed within a sheeted and braced excavation. Information provided by Eustis Engineering Company to the USACE is presented describing the existing soil conditions, the construction schedule, the geotechnical testing apparatus and instrumentation, and the data produced from the geotechnical instrumentation program. In this thesis, several theoretical approaches available for estimating the strut loads in braced excavations …

Novel Pitch Detection Algorithm With Application To Speech Coding, Vijay Kura

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a novel method for accurate pitch detection and speech segmentation, named Multi-feature, Autocorrelation (ACR) and Wavelet Technique (MAWT). MAWT uses feature extraction, and ACR applied on Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) residuals, with a wavelet-based refinement step. MAWT opens the way for a unique approach to modeling: although speech is divided into segments, the success of voicing decisions is not crucial. Experiments demonstrate the superiority of MAWT in pitch period detection accuracy over existing methods, and illustrate its advantages for speech segmentation. These advantages are more pronounced for gain-varying and transitional speech, and under noisy conditions.

Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Epibatidine Analogues, Ying Liu

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In an effect to develop for more selective neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor analgesics that have less toxicity and adverse side effects relative to epibatidine, three new classes of epibatidine analogues were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as potential potent selective nAChR ligands. Specifically, three analogues of epibatidine were synthesized to explore the structure-activity relationships of epibatidine relative to neuromuscular blocking activity as well as nAChRs. Both quaternary epibatidine analogues 2 and bis-epibatidine derivative 3 exhibited high binding affinity relative to nicotine. In addition, a new series of 2-(hydroxyalkylpyridyl)-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as potential ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. …

The Effect Of Faults Upon Ground Water Flow In The Baton Rouge Fault System, Mosa Nasreen

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The Baton Rouge Fault (BRF), a growth fault, traverses Baton Rouge Parish, the study area. This fault is a part of the Baton Rouge Fault System (BRFS), located in South Louisiana. There are ten aquifers in the Baton Rouge area, which are the main source of freshwater. Beds dip and thicken toward the south. Aquifers in the Baton Rouge area are disrupted by the BRF. Aquifers contain fresh water in the updip (north of the BRF) and saline water in the downdip (south of the BRF) directions. Saline water has intruded into some of the aquifers north of the BRF …

Determination Of Phase Fraction, Lattice Parameters And Crystallite Size In Mechanically Alloyed Fe-Ni Powders, Dileep Simhadri

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This is the first systematic report on the synthesis of mechanically alloyed Fe-Ni powders ball milled at liquid nitrogen temperature. Pure Fe-Ni samples were ball milled in a SPEX 8000 shaker mill at liquid nitrogen temperature. X-ray diffractometry was used to determine the phase fractions of the bcc and fcc phases in the alloys and to determine the lattice parameters and crystallite size. The main objective of this project is to study how the milling at low temperatures affects the region of two phase co-existence, phase structure and crystallite size. It was found that the composition ranges of the bcc …

An Investigation And Comparison Of Accepted Design Methodologies For The Analysis Of Laterally Loaded Foundations, Chad Rachel

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Single piles and pile groups are frequently subjected to high lateral forces. The safety and functionality of many structures depends on the ability of the supporting pile foundation to resist the resulting lateral forces. In the analysis and design of laterally loaded piles, two criterions usually govern. First, the deflection at the working load should not be so excessive as to impair the proper function of the supporting member. Second, the ultimate strength of the pile should be high enough to take the load imposed on it under the worst loading condition. Typically, pile length, pile section, soil type, and …

Tests Of Adaptive Coloration Hypotheses For Madtom (Notorus) Catfishes (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), Amanda Stokes

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Predators select for defensive adaptations, such as stings, toxins, and camouflage color patterns. Madtoms, Noturus, are diminutive catfishes with dorsal and pectoral stings. Thirteen of the 25 nominal species have serrated spines in the pectoral sting and a contrasting pigment pattern. Behavior of two saddled species, N. miurus and N. hildebrandi, and one uniformly colored species, N. leptacanthus, was investigated to test if the pigment pattern is camouflage. Saddle spacing and crypticity of the saddled species were measured against various substrates and were found to be unevenly spaced, which could be camouflage when viewed against gravel. Given substrate choices, madtoms …