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2004

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Marijuana Use By Juveniles: The Effects Of Peers, Parents Race, & Drug Abuse Resistance Education., Daniel J. Moeser Dec 2004

Marijuana Use By Juveniles: The Effects Of Peers, Parents Race, & Drug Abuse Resistance Education., Daniel J. Moeser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that affect the use of marijuana by juveniles and how outside influences such as peer pressure, race, parental influence, and prevention programs such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) contribute to the use of marijuana by juveniles. All of the variables used in this study came from the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) data collected by Esbensen and Osgood (1999). The analysis indicated that juveniles are most influenced by their peers such as friends, that African American juveniles would be less likely than Whites and Hispanics to become …

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Using Tort Law To Secure Patient Dignity, Robin Fretwell Wilson Dec 2004

Using Tort Law To Secure Patient Dignity, Robin Fretwell Wilson

Faculty Scholarship

The practice of using anesthetized patients to teach pelvic exams on female patients in university hospitals has been well documented for years. A 1992 study showed that 37 percent of U.S. and Canadian medical schools allowed students to use anesthetized women without their consent to learn how to perform pelvic exams. Anecdotal accounts in the U.S. confirm that men are not immune from such indignities. Although patients have been unable, thus, far to enforce their own interests and protect their dignity, the tort system may yet succeed in securing the right of patients to decide who touches their bodies and …

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Chapman Announces New Law Scholarship, Chapman University Media Relations Dec 2004

Chapman Announces New Law Scholarship, Chapman University Media Relations

Chapman Press Releases 2003-2011

No abstract provided.

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Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes 2004-12-17, Bowling Green State University Dec 2004

Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes 2004-12-17, Bowling Green State University

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

The official meeting minutes of Bowling Green State University's Board of Trustees.

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Divorce Law Goes Into Effect, Ladb Staff Dec 2004

Divorce Law Goes Into Effect, Ladb Staff

NotiSur

No abstract provided.

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Genetic And Chemical Studies Relating To Α-Aminoisobutyri Acid (Aib) Metabolism, Jeffrey A. Bickmeier Dec 2004

Genetic And Chemical Studies Relating To Α-Aminoisobutyri Acid (Aib) Metabolism, Jeffrey A. Bickmeier

Chemistry and Biochemistry

The non-protein amino acid a-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) occurs naturally in soil. Burkholderia cepacia utilizes Aib as a sole nitrogen source by virtue of a 2,2-dialkylglycine decarboxylase, which is encoded by the dgdA gene. In this study, 30 prokaryotes were cultured on minimal media containing Aib as the sole nitrogen source and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Several attempts were made to clone dgd genes from these organisms. Plasmid libraries were constructed in E. coli from DNA isolated from four Aib-utilizing bacteria. Libraries were screened for clones which demonstrated the ability to grow on Aib containing media and therefore contained …

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Tribological Comparison Of Materials, Bing Shi Dec 2004

Tribological Comparison Of Materials, Bing Shi

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Approximately 600,000 total joint replacement surgeries are performed each year in the United States. Current artificial joint implants are mainly metal-on-plastic. The synthetic biomaterials undergo degradation through fatigue and corrosive wear from load-bearing and the aqueous ionic environment of the human body. Deposits o f inorganic salts can scratch weight-bearing surfaces, making artificial joints stiff and awkward. The excessive wear debris from polyethylene leads to osteolysis and potential loosening of the prosthesis. The lifetime for well-designed artificial joints is at most 10 to 15 years. A patient can usually have two total joint replacements during her/his lifetime. Durability is limited …

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Who's "Fat", Who's Not: Sociocultural Influences On Female Adolescent's Body Image, Lindsay Astheimer Paxton Dec 2004

Who's "Fat", Who's Not: Sociocultural Influences On Female Adolescent's Body Image, Lindsay Astheimer Paxton

Counseling

Sociocultural influences, media, parents and peers, on adolescent females' body image, as perceived by female high school students of a military related community were investigated. A body image survey was administered to 26 adolescent females. Ultimately, the research revealed that media, parents and peer groups influenced adolescent body image and significantly contributed to female students' perceptions and attitudes.

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The Trial Of Harry Dexter White: Soviet Agent Of Influence, Tom Adams Dec 2004

The Trial Of Harry Dexter White: Soviet Agent Of Influence, Tom Adams

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s was fueled by claims of governmental espionage from former members of the communist underground. Harry Dexter White, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury was accused of being a Soviet agent of influence. This paper will analyze the current issues in the discussion of Soviet espionage and focus on White's activities in this regard. The evidence on White is clear enough to show that he did pass sensitive information to the Soviets. He also succeeded in subverting American policy to favor Soviet interests over U.S. interests. White's activities in government service suggest that …

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Three Factor Authentication Using Java Ring And Biometrics, Jyothi Chitiprolu Dec 2004

Three Factor Authentication Using Java Ring And Biometrics, Jyothi Chitiprolu

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Computer security is a growing field in the IT industry. One of the important aspects of the computer security is authentication. Using passwords (something you know) is one of the most common ways of authentications. But passwords have proven to provide weak level of security as they can be easily compromised. Some other ways of authenticating a user are using physical tokens, (something you possess) and biometrics, (something you are). Using any one of these techniques to secure a system always has its own set of threats. One way to make sure a system is secure is to use multiple …

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A Personnel-Driven Mini Assessment Approach For Supporting Continuous System And Software Process Improvement, Lee Mckinney Dec 2004

A Personnel-Driven Mini Assessment Approach For Supporting Continuous System And Software Process Improvement, Lee Mckinney

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Assessments are fundamental to the process improvement program of any organization in the software industry. Assessments provide a view of the state, capability, and maturity of processes in an organization relative to a reference model. Formal assessments are the most recognized, and are comprehensive in nature. Although the depth of their evaluation often results in significant process improvement opportunities, formal assessments are too costly for frequent use by many organizations. The interim between assessments typically leaves these organizations without the currency of process state information necessary to effectively drive continuous process improvement. Mini-assessments have emerged as a solution. This paper …

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Algorithms And Data Structures For Automated Change Detection And Classification Of Sidescan Sonar Imagery, Marlin Gendron Dec 2004

Algorithms And Data Structures For Automated Change Detection And Classification Of Sidescan Sonar Imagery, Marlin Gendron

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

During Mine Warfare (MIW) operations, MIW analysts perform change detection by visually comparing historical sidescan sonar imagery (SSI) collected by a sidescan sonar with recently collected SSI in an attempt to identify objects (which might be explosive mines) placed at sea since the last time the area was surveyed. This dissertation presents a data structure and three algorithms, developed by the author, that are part of an automated change detection and classification (ACDC) system. MIW analysts at the Naval Oceanographic Office, to reduce the amount of time to perform change detection, are currently using ACDC. The dissertation introductory chapter gives …

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Resource Estimation And Analysis For Offshore Placer Deposit Using Gis Technology, Hui Li Dec 2004

Resource Estimation And Analysis For Offshore Placer Deposit Using Gis Technology, Hui Li

Engineering

In this thesis, an advanced GIS system is developed to manage, analyze and distribute Alaskan near-shore marine mineral deposition data. The developed GIS system is applied in a case study of the marine gold deposits in the offshore area of Nome, Alaska. The data collected during the previous phases of the research project are compiled using several computer application softwares such as ArcGIS8.3, Microsoft Access 2000 and others. Two improved relational geodatabases are created, in which various maps integrated with digital data sets are stored. The first database is known as the 'Integrated Geodatabase', which stores all the relative data …

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University Of Nebraska At Omaha, December Commencement 2004, University Of Nebraska At Omaha Dec 2004

University Of Nebraska At Omaha, December Commencement 2004, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

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Characterizing Glucocorticoid Levels In Five Species Of Sea Ducks Occurring In Alaska, Peter B. Nilsson Dec 2004

Characterizing Glucocorticoid Levels In Five Species Of Sea Ducks Occurring In Alaska, Peter B. Nilsson

Marine Biology

Stress hormone analysis, used in conjunction with other physiological parameters, may help identify factors affecting sea duck populations in their natural environment. Corticosterone, the primary 'stress hormone' in birds, is secreted in response to a stressor and enhances an individual's chance of survival by inducing physiological and behavioral changes. Establishing a valid method for evaluating stress hormone levels in sea ducks and gaining basic information on baseline concentrations and stress response in these birds are important first steps to identify factors that may negatively affect sea duck populations. This study validated a radioimmunoassay (RIA) procedure to measure corticosterone concentrations in …

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A Comparison Of The Pulmonary Function Of Older Endurance Athletes With Age-Matched Sedentary Controls, James Carroll Buras Dec 2004

A Comparison Of The Pulmonary Function Of Older Endurance Athletes With Age-Matched Sedentary Controls, James Carroll Buras

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To compare the pulmonary function of older runners with non-runners and also the population norms. Method: 40 males ages 45 to 65 were compared for respiratory muscle strength, spirometry and maximum voluntary ventilation. Univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.05) were used to determine differences Results: No significant differences in age, height, or respiratory muscle strength were found. A significant difference was found for weight and BMI with the non-runners having greater values. The dependent variables of FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75%, PEF, and MVV resulted in a significant difference with the runners having greater values. A significant difference was also found for pulmonary function between runners and the general population. Conclusion: Continued and habitual aerobic exercise in the form of running in 45 to 65 year old men resulted in pulmonary function values that were significantly greater than those of the non-runners and also greater than population norms.

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Be Still My Heart: Determinants Of Support For Capital Punishment Attitudes, Patrick Thomas More Hall Dec 2004

Be Still My Heart: Determinants Of Support For Capital Punishment Attitudes, Patrick Thomas More Hall

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following research attempts to determine the factors used by an individual to develop an attitude on the political issue of capital punishment. Using data from the 2000 National Election Study and ordered probit analysis, this research produces a multivariate, multi-stage model of death penalty attitudes. Demographic factors such as race, age, gender, and education level are included in the initial stage of the model. Attitudinal variables such as party identification, ideology, and religiosity are added, one-by-one, in the second stage of the model to determine their own individual effect on death penalty attitudes, and their effect on the preceding …

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Get Flanagan: The Rise And Fall Of The Federal Theatre Project, Sean Patterson Dec 2004

Get Flanagan: The Rise And Fall Of The Federal Theatre Project, Sean Patterson

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an attempt to render theatrically the establishment and eventual dissolution of the Federal Theatre Project, from the point of view of its appointed director Hallie Flanagan. Drawn from a variety of historical sources, including subjective first-person accounts and objective transcripts of congressional investigation testimony, the play approximates the structure of the Living Newspaper, a style of presentation adopted by the Federal Theatre Project. This thesis also includes an appendix, which details my playwriting process for this particular play, from initial concept through to production.

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A Mourning Walk Around The World: A New Mother's Buddhist Journey Through Death, Grief And Beyond, Kathleen Willis Morton Dec 2004

A Mourning Walk Around The World: A New Mother's Buddhist Journey Through Death, Grief And Beyond, Kathleen Willis Morton

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

N/A

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Development And Characterization Of Controlled Drug Delivery Using Nanoparticles, Li Chen Dec 2004

Development And Characterization Of Controlled Drug Delivery Using Nanoparticles, Li Chen

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this project was to develop new controlled drug delivery systems using nanomeric particles and characterize the delivery of drugs into cells in real time by digital fluorescence imaging microscopy techniques. The project is based on the idea that it could be possible to improve efficacy of drug molecules when encapsulated in nanometer-sized particles. Due to their small dimensions the particles could permeate through cells and tissues and even through the blood brain barrier. The anti-cancer drug Doxorubicin was encapsulated into biodegradable Poly (DL-lactideco- glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles by simple nanoprecipitation method. The small size of these particles (<200nm) could be beneficial to realize passive tumor-targeted drug delivery through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects. These drug-containing particles showed a sustained release profile. Fluorescence images indicated that these particles can be internalized by human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by non-specific endocytosis. The bioactivity of the drugs was also tested against cell culture. The results indicated that DXR-loaded PLGA nanoaprticles could be used to deliver Doxorubicin into breast cancer cells.

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Effects Of Chronic Sleep And Food Deprivation On In Vivo Levels Of Prepro-Hypocretin (Pph), Kelly Dunn Dec 2004

Effects Of Chronic Sleep And Food Deprivation On In Vivo Levels Of Prepro-Hypocretin (Pph), Kelly Dunn

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The hypocretin peptides are two hypothalamic peptides known to be involved in both sleeping and feeding behavior, however their specific roles in these domains are not well understood. The present study sought to determine the effect of chronic (72-hour) sleep deprivation and (48-hour) food deprivation on preprohypocretin (PPH), which is the precursor for the hypocretin peptides. PPH levels were visualized and quantified via in situ hybridization. A three-factor ANOVA ( group x dorsal/ventral x medial/lateral) revealed a significant effect of subregion, specifically dorsal/middle and ventral/medial exhibited elevated PPH levels, however there was no effect of group. A between group one-way …

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Synthetic, Structural And Thermochemical Studies Of N-Heterocyclic Carbene (Nhc) And Tertiary Phosphine Ligands In The Ni(Co)2(L)X (L-Pr3, Nhc) Systems, Parisa Mahjoor Dec 2004

Synthetic, Structural And Thermochemical Studies Of N-Heterocyclic Carbene (Nhc) And Tertiary Phosphine Ligands In The Ni(Co)2(L)X (L-Pr3, Nhc) Systems, Parisa Mahjoor

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Carbonyl complexes of Ni(0) incorporating two N-heterocyclic carbenes of the type Ni(CO)2(NHC)2 (NHC = ICy [N, N'-bis(cyclohexylimidazol)-2-ylidene], IMes [N, N'- bis(2, 4, 6-trimethylphenyl)-imidazol)-2-ylidene]) have been prepared. The complexes Ni(CO)2(ICy)2 (8) and Ni(CO)2(IMes)2 (9) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The enthalpy of substitution reactions of Ni(CO)2(NHC) (NHC = ItBu [N, N'-bis(tert-butylimidazol)-2-ylidene], IAd [N, N'-bis(1- adamentylimidazol)-2-ylidene]) with NHC and tertiary phosphine ligands leading to the formation of Ni(CO)2(L)2 (L = NHC, PR3) complexes have been determined. The solution calorimetric investigations reiterate the greater electron donating property of the NHC ligands compared to tertiary phosphines. Thermochemical studies of …

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A Comparison Of Multiple-Model Target Tracking Algorithms, Ryan Pitre Dec 2004

A Comparison Of Multiple-Model Target Tracking Algorithms, Ryan Pitre

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

There are many multiple-model (MM) target-tracking algorithms that are available but there has yet to be a comparison that includes all of them. This work compares seven of the currently most popular MM algorithms in terms of performance, credibility, and computational complexity. The algorithms to be considered are the autonomous multiple-model algorithm, generalized pseudo- Bayesian of first order, generalized pseudo-Bayesian of second order, interacting multiple-model algorithm, B-Best algorithm, Viterbi algorithm, and reweighted interacting multiple-model algorithm. The algorithms were compared using three scenarios consisting of maneuvers that were both in and out of the model set. Based on this comparison, there …

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Kinetics Of Dcod Consumption By Bacterial Suspensions, Shirley Poliszuk Dec 2004

Kinetics Of Dcod Consumption By Bacterial Suspensions, Shirley Poliszuk

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this investigation was to study the kinetics of readily biodegradable soluble substrate, and the interactions between the bioflocculation process and such kinetics. Several batch test experiments were performed at different soluble-substratebiomass ratios in order to evaluate its impact on the kinetics and the order of the reaction. Similarly the consumption of dissolved substrate was compared using two different bacterial suspensions: (1) flocculated suspension; and (2) dispersed cells suspensions. In this research flocculated biomass from a complete mixed activated sludge (CMAS) system was tested using sequencing batch reactors (SBR). Results indicate that when the So/Xo ratio is low …

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Dynamic Website And Data Engine Generators For Distributed Enterprise/Business Architectures, Fareed Qaddoura Dec 2004

Dynamic Website And Data Engine Generators For Distributed Enterprise/Business Architectures, Fareed Qaddoura

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Creating websites providing dynamic services is an extensive process. Intelligent systems are used to create websites with dynamic services. Current intelligent systems are hard to use and configure by the average user. The generated websites are usually custom built to solve one problem and cannot be fully customizable for users on different environments. This thesis presents a technological solution that enables the average user to create websites with dynamic services by providing a number of parameters. The website generator is a web-based application that generates all the components of the website. The components act as portlets and the generated website …

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Relationship Between The Sludge Settling Characteristics And The Parameters Of The Activated Sludge System, Jose Angel Rojas Dec 2004

Relationship Between The Sludge Settling Characteristics And The Parameters Of The Activated Sludge System, Jose Angel Rojas

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The activated sludge process is one of the most commonly employed domestic and industrial waste treatment process. Different types of mathematical models have been proposed for design and operation of this process, most of which do not consider the relationship between the sludge settling characteristics and the aeration unit performance. This project studies the validity of a model developed by La Motta (2004b) which links the operating parameters of an activated sludge system and the classical limiting flux sludge settling theory. Favorable results were obtained demonstrating that the model predicts very similar values of the parameters of the system in …

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Secondary Municipal Wastewater Treatment Using The Uasb/Solids Contact Technology, Eudomar Silva Dec 2004

Secondary Municipal Wastewater Treatment Using The Uasb/Solids Contact Technology, Eudomar Silva

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Anaerobic pretreatment and aerobic post-treatment of municipal wastewater is being used more frequently. Recent investigations in this field using an AFBR/aeration chamber combination demonstrated the technical feasibility of this process. The investigation presented herein describes the use of a combined UASB/aeration chamber system for the treatment of municipal wastewater and attempts to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using the UASB process as both a pretreatment unit and a waste activated sludge digestion system. The results indicate that the UASB reactor has a TSS removal efficiency of about 37%. Of the solids removed by the unit, 33% were degraded by the …

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Environmental Performance Of Steel Grit And Specialty Sand As Abrasives, Xavier Silvadasan Dec 2004

Environmental Performance Of Steel Grit And Specialty Sand As Abrasives, Xavier Silvadasan

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Dry abrasive blasting is a surface preparation process used in shipyards for cleaning the surfaces of the metal plates to be used in various components of the ship. Commonly used abrasives include sand, steel grit, mineral abrasives, metallic abrasives, and synthetic abrasives. The basic objective of this study was to understand the environmental performance of two abrasives, Steel Grit and Specialty Sand. The project was funded by the Gulf Coast Region Maritime technology Center (GCRMTC) and USEPA. It simulated actual blasting operations conducted at shipyards under enclosed, controlled conditions on plates similar to steel plates commonly blasted at shipyards. The …

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A Novel Chirp Slope Keying Modulation Scheme For Underwater Communication, Lastri Simanjuntak Dec 2004

A Novel Chirp Slope Keying Modulation Scheme For Underwater Communication, Lastri Simanjuntak

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

A digital modulation method using Chirp-Slope Keying (CSK) is developed for coherent underwater acoustic communications. Effective signal detection is a critical stage in the implementation of any communications system; we will see that CSK solves some significant challenges to reliable detection. This thesis is primarily based on analyzing the effectiveness of CSK through simulations using Matlab's Simulink for underwater communications. The procedure begins with modulating a chirp's slope by random binary data with a linear-down-slope chirp representing a 0, and a linear-up-slope chirp representing a 1. Each received symbol is demodulated by multiplying it with the exact linear-up-slope chirp and …

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Wireless Intrusion Detection Sytem, John Louis Vigo Jr. Dec 2004

Wireless Intrusion Detection Sytem, John Louis Vigo Jr.

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The decrease in price and the ease of use of wireless network devices make them an attractive alternative to standard wired networks. However, the intrinsic insecurity of wireless media and weaknesses in the standards for use of wireless media leave wireless networks vulnerable to attacks from unauthorized users. The intrinsic insecurity of wireless media results from radio signals extending beyond the networks intended coverage area and the weaknesses in the standards result from the methods used for authorization and privacy. These insecurities restrict the use of wireless networks by entities that need a high level of security. This paper describes …

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