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2006

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Neoteny And The Plesiomorphic Condition Of The Plesiosaur Basicranium, F. Robin O’Keefe Jan 2006

Neoteny And The Plesiomorphic Condition Of The Plesiosaur Basicranium, F. Robin O’Keefe

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

The purpose of this paper is to describe the condition of the braincase in stratigraphically early and morphologically primitive plesiosaurs. Information on the braincase of plesiomorphic taxa is important because it establishes the polarity of characters occurring in more derived plesiosaurs. This paper begins with a short review of braincase anatomy in stem-group sauropterygians. Data on braincase morphology of the plesiomorphic plesiosaur genera Thalassiodracon and Eurycleidus are then presented and interpreted via comparison with other plesiosaurs, stemgroup sauropterygians, and stem diapsids (Araeoscelis). Early diapsids are relevant because plesiosaur skulls more closely resemble early diapsids than stem-group sauropterygians in several key …

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The Antipodes: On Rebellion, Michael Scott Robinson Jan 2006

The Antipodes: On Rebellion, Michael Scott Robinson

LSU Master's Theses

This essay argues that the term rebellion applies to two similar but distinguishable experiences representative of the limits to human action and capacity. The political rebel is a man who rebels against an oppressive political regime. Opposing him is the metaphysical rebel whose action is inspired by a grievance against the nature of existence generally, as a human being, which he has interpreted to be oppressive. These contradicting inspirations are matched by juxtaposing consequences, exemplified through a literary analysis of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novels, and a historical analysis of Václav Havel and the Velvet Revolution.

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Use Of Atomic Force Microscopy To Study A Molecular Micelle As An Anionic Polymer For Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Deposition On Polymeric Substrates, Angela Nakeeta Douglas Jan 2006

Use Of Atomic Force Microscopy To Study A Molecular Micelle As An Anionic Polymer For Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Deposition On Polymeric Substrates, Angela Nakeeta Douglas

LSU Master's Theses

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) have been used as stationary phases for various chiral and achiral separations in open-tubular electrochromatagraphy (OT-CEC). However, the physical characteristics of PEMs are not well understood. The production of PEM coatings involves flowing alternating rinses of positive and negative charged polyelectrolytes onto a surface. Although PEMs are typically deposited on fused silica capillaries, there is growing interest to use this approach in conjunction with microchip devices to enhance separation characteristics. Since microchips are fabricated using polymeric substrates, the deposition of PEMs on these substrates needs to be examined. The study reported in this thesis uses atomic force …

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The Relationship Between Mania And Feeding/Mealtime Behavior Problems Among Persons With Intellectual Disability, Rinita Laud Jan 2006

The Relationship Between Mania And Feeding/Mealtime Behavior Problems Among Persons With Intellectual Disability, Rinita Laud

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study represents the first to assess whether a relationship between mania and feeding/mealtime behavior problems exists in individuals with ID. Participants were compared across three groups (manic, non-manic psychiatrically impaired, and controls) on subscales and items of the Screening Tool for fEeding Problems (STEP). An attempt was made to assess for differences in problematic feeding behavior. Individuals in the manic group exhibited clinically significant symptoms of mania (n = 18), those in the non-manic psychiatrically impaired group exhibited symptoms of psychopathology other than mania (n = 18), and those in the control group did not exhibit symptoms of mania …

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Analysis Of Bioengineered Concrete For Use In A Submerged Reef Type Breakwater, Tyler Ray Ortego Jan 2006

Analysis Of Bioengineered Concrete For Use In A Submerged Reef Type Breakwater, Tyler Ray Ortego

LSU Master's Theses

The oysterbreak is a method of growing an oyster reef into a wave attenuating device. A study was conducted to determine an optimal material for the oysterbreak. As oysters grow on the oysterbreak, wave energy in the lee of the structure is reduced. It was predicted that more rapid oyster growth would lead to a more rapid reduction of wave energy. Louisiana is losing coastal marshes at an alarming rate. Wave action from storms erodes sediments from Louisiana's shorelines and barrier islands. Structures such as the oysterbreak may be used to protect Louisiana’s fragile shorelines. A material for the oysterbreak …

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Using Life-History, Surplus Production, And Individual-Based Population Models For Stock Assessment Of Data-Poor Stocks: An Application To Small Pelagic Fisheries Of The Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, Ronald B. Lachica Jan 2006

Using Life-History, Surplus Production, And Individual-Based Population Models For Stock Assessment Of Data-Poor Stocks: An Application To Small Pelagic Fisheries Of The Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, Ronald B. Lachica

LSU Master's Theses

Stock assessment methods that quantify the status of fishery resources are critical to effective fisheries management. There is a need for stock assessment methods applicable for management of tropical species based on limited, un-aged catch data. I applied four stock assessment approaches to situation with limited life-history information and with short-term, un-aged catch data. The four approaches are: life-history invariants, length-based catch analysis, individual-based modeling, and surplus production modeling. All four approaches were applied to catch data from Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. The life-history invariant, length-based catch analysis, and individual-based modeling were applied to monthly length-frequency data of commercial catch for …

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A Neural Network Model For Classification Of Coastal Wetlands Vegetation Structure With Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (Modis) Data, Evaristo Joseph Liwa Jan 2006

A Neural Network Model For Classification Of Coastal Wetlands Vegetation Structure With Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (Modis) Data, Evaristo Joseph Liwa

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Mapping coastal marshes is an important component in the management of coastal environments. Classification of marshes using remote sensing data has traditionally been performed by employing either parametric supervised classification algorithms or unsupervised classification algorithms. The implementation of these conversional classification methods is based on the underlying distributions concerning the probability density functions (PDF). Neural networks provide a practical approach to this classification because they are essentially non-parametric data transformations that are not restricted by any underlying assumptions. The major objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of neural networks using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) data to …

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Inhibition Of Hormone Dependent And Independent Breast Cancer Cells By Oyster(Crassostrea Virginica) Ceramide, Madhavi Chintalapati Jan 2006

Inhibition Of Hormone Dependent And Independent Breast Cancer Cells By Oyster(Crassostrea Virginica) Ceramide, Madhavi Chintalapati

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic properties of ceramide isolated from oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Ceramide was isolated from oyster by silicic acid chromatography, purified by alkaline hydrolysis, and analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In vitro, the activity of ceramide on human hormone-dependent (MCF-7) and hormone-independent (MDA-MB-435s) breast cancer cells was evaluated for cell viability and proliferation, VEGF-induced cell migration and invasion, apoptosis, and autophagy. The activity of ceramide was also evaluated for VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) tube formation. The protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor …

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College Student's Motivation For Physical Activity, Lori Lynn Delong Jan 2006

College Student's Motivation For Physical Activity, Lori Lynn Delong

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine college students' motivations to be physically active by merging the perspectives of self-determination theory and the transtheoretical model. The secondary purpose was to examine the effects of a required physical activity course on college students' levels of physical activity. The premise is that both the theory and model can be used to help predict physical activity outcomes. Participants were 277 male and female students at a small private college. Motivation, self-determination, stage of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, and leisure time activity levels were assessed using an online survey. Results revealed that activity …

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Created Environments Voluntarily Colonized By Spartina Alterniflora In Coastal Louisiana, Han Xu Jan 2006

Created Environments Voluntarily Colonized By Spartina Alterniflora In Coastal Louisiana, Han Xu

LSU Master's Theses

The coastal wetlands play a central role in maintaining productivity of the Gulf of Mexico while protecting coastal regions during severe storms. To help offset the loss of coastal marsh, there is growing interest in the beneficial use of dredge spoil for reconstruction of eroded areas. Hydraulic dredges are routinely employed to maintain navigation and the unconsolidated sediments can be pumped considerable distances to create gently sloping wetland areas. Some areas of these reconstructed wetlands are rapidly colonized by Spartina alterniflora, the dominant vegetative species in saline areas under tidal influence. Some areas, however, fail to colonize despite favorable positions …

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Links Between Environmental Mercury, Special Education, And Autism In Louisiana, Jessica Rury Jan 2006

Links Between Environmental Mercury, Special Education, And Autism In Louisiana, Jessica Rury

LSU Master's Theses

The number of children born every year with neurological disorders is increasing and some of this increase may be attributed to mercury exposure. Pregnant women ingest contaminated fish, which transfers high mercury concentrations to the unborn fetus. This exposure may result in methyl mercury buildup in the brain of the unborn fetus. Symptoms ranging from minor to severe may be observed as special educational needs in school systems. These include learning disorders, developmental delays, and autism. Louisianans are especially susceptible to mercury contamination because fish and shellfish are a major portion of their cultural diet. This study, through the use …

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Influence Of Typha Latifolia And Phragmites Communis Root Matter On Degredation Of Aged 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene In Bayou Sediments, Elaiza Maria Alvarez Jan 2006

Influence Of Typha Latifolia And Phragmites Communis Root Matter On Degredation Of Aged 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene In Bayou Sediments, Elaiza Maria Alvarez

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Typha latifolia and Phragmites communis root matter in degradation of sediments contaminated with aged 1,2,3,4- Tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,3,4-TeCB). In the present study, complete reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TeCB was observed in root matter systems, contrasting sediment with no roots present. Microcosms amended with Phragmites communis roots achieved the greatest first-order reaction rate constant over a 4-week period (0.113 d-1, half-life time of 6.13 days). Typha latifolia roots also played an important role in reductive dehalogenation of 1,2,3,4-TeCB, although the first-order reaction rate constant observed within the same period of …

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Monoclonal And Phage-Displayed Antibodies As Lipopolysaccharide Serotyping Reagents And Their Use In Typing Colony Variants Of Vibrio Vulnificus, Randall M. Schulz Jan 2006

Monoclonal And Phage-Displayed Antibodies As Lipopolysaccharide Serotyping Reagents And Their Use In Typing Colony Variants Of Vibrio Vulnificus, Randall M. Schulz

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative organism that is found in estuarine environments. The bacterium is capable of causing gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia, often resulting in death for susceptible individuals. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to five lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-serovars have previously been used as a serotyping system in epidemiological studies. Here is the first report of two additional MAbs capable of recognizing two new LPS serovars (O6 and O7), further increasing the number of V. vulnificus that can be typed. Analysis of V. vulnificus isolates from the United States, Europe, and Asia demonstrated that the O1/O5 serovar is dominate in clinical …

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The Influence Of Tobacco Merchant Education And Enforcement Activities On The Rate Of Tobacco Use Among Youth In Louisiana, Leslie Hope Brougham Jan 2006

The Influence Of Tobacco Merchant Education And Enforcement Activities On The Rate Of Tobacco Use Among Youth In Louisiana, Leslie Hope Brougham

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study is two-fold: 1) to determine whether a relationship exists between the self-reported tobacco use by secondary students in Louisiana and the tobacco sale rate to persons under the age of 18 in those parishes; and 2) to investigate the relationship between merchant education in a parish and the parish tobacco sale rate to persons under the age of 18 in those parishes. Multiple data sources were utilized to include tobacco use among secondary students, education provided to merchants, and tobacco sales to minors compliance checks. Aggregated parish data for each of the data sources were …

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Leadership For Scholarly Excellence: A Qualitative Examination Of Department Chair Facilitation Methods To Promote Research Productivity In Pre-Tenure Biological Sciences Faculty, Todd Anthony Pourciau Jan 2006

Leadership For Scholarly Excellence: A Qualitative Examination Of Department Chair Facilitation Methods To Promote Research Productivity In Pre-Tenure Biological Sciences Faculty, Todd Anthony Pourciau

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Leading a large, highly productive department that must compete on the global stage requires an increasingly broad skill-set. This study investigates whether there are methods that life science department chairs can employ to enhance the research productivity of their pre-tenure faculty and examines if leadership at the department chair level matters. Using a qualitative approach to examine six highly successful life science departments and their leaders as well as focus group interviews with nine pre-tenure faculty members, this study brings new discovery to the field of department chair leadership. This study validates the importance of department chair leadership while revealing …

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Suicide And Community Traumatic Events: Is There A Connection?, Regina T. Praetorius Jan 2006

Suicide And Community Traumatic Events: Is There A Connection?, Regina T. Praetorius

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between community traumatic events (CTEs) such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the temporal distribution of suicide in a metropolitan Louisiana parish (county) in the Southern United States over the period of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2004. The researcher used data on suicides (homicides and accidental deaths were used for comparison) in the selected parish to describe the distribution of suicides over the 11 year period. A procedure was developed for identifying and categorizing CTEs sustained by the selected parish (county). A spectral analysis …

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Effects Of Silvicultural Techniques And Landscape Management On Habitat Quality And Relative Abundance For Northern Bobwhites In A Pine Plantation Forest, Jason Douglas Burke Jan 2006

Effects Of Silvicultural Techniques And Landscape Management On Habitat Quality And Relative Abundance For Northern Bobwhites In A Pine Plantation Forest, Jason Douglas Burke

LSU Master's Theses

Pine plantation forests are increasing in scope across the southeastern United States, particularly Louisiana. These areas provide poor quality bobwhite brood-rearing habitats, and become increasingly degraded without periodic disturbance. Poor quality habitat conditions at a landscape-level scale usually results in reduced fall bobwhite body weights, creating low survival rates. We researched 4 understory vegetation management techniques (ie. mowing, no treatment, burn only, and imazapyr with burning) within pine plantations to evaluate their effects on vegetation composition and structure and on arthropod abundance and availability relative to bobwhite brooding habitat in 2002-2005. We used 1,155 human-imprinted bobwhite chicks to estimate foraging …

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The Sleep Problems Inventory: A Measure For The Assessment Of Sleep Problems In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Dennis R. Dixon Jan 2006

The Sleep Problems Inventory: A Measure For The Assessment Of Sleep Problems In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Dennis R. Dixon

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Sleep problems can have a broad impact across the day-to-day functioning of an individual. Persons with intellectual disabilities are at a particular risk for developing sleep problems, with prevalence estimates much higher than is found in the general population. Nonetheless, the assessment of sleep problems in persons with intellectual disabilities has been widely overlooked. The Sleep Problems Inventory (SLEEPY) was created to measure various factors related to sleep problems in persons with intellectual disabilities. The present study represents the first steps in establishing the reliability and validity of the SLEEPY in adults with intellectual disabilities.

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Rnai Knockdown Of Nopp140 Induces The Minute Syndrome In Drosophila: A Potential Model For The Human Treacher Collins Syndorme, Zhengfang Cui Jan 2006

Rnai Knockdown Of Nopp140 Induces The Minute Syndrome In Drosophila: A Potential Model For The Human Treacher Collins Syndorme, Zhengfang Cui

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Nopp140 is believed to play a chaperone function in pre-rRNA processing and ribosome assembly. Alternative splicing in Drosophila may yield two isoforms: the first, Nopp140-True, shares a conserved carboxy terminus with human Nopp140. The second contains a distinctive glycine and arginine rich (RGG) carboxy terminus typically found in vertebrate nucleolin. To further characterize Nopp140 in Drosophila, we expressed interfering RNAs in transgenic flies using the GAL4 inducible system. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed a loss of Nopp140 mRNA and protein in transgenic larvae. Resulting phenotypes fall within the Minute syndrome of Drosophila; they include slow growth, larval and pupal …

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Vitrification And Dehydration For The Preservation Of Gametes, Allison E. Moisan Jan 2006

Vitrification And Dehydration For The Preservation Of Gametes, Allison E. Moisan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Of the 36 species of felines in the world, all except the domestic cat are listed as endangered or threatened. To preserve the genetic diversity of felines and other species, genome resource banks have been established. Due to limited availability of germ cells for research, studies must use models to optimize the techniques before they are applied to endangered species. In this study, preservation of oocytes and spermatozoa was examined using the bovine as a model for felines. In the first series of experiments, bovine and feline oocytes were dehydrated, vitrified, warmed and cultured to assess their ability to undergo …

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Applying Intellectual Development Theory To College Student Drinking, Linda Marie Regira Jan 2006

Applying Intellectual Development Theory To College Student Drinking, Linda Marie Regira

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study evaluates the presence of a relationship between a student’s level of Intellectual Development, as measured by Moore’s Learning Environment Preferences (LEP) test, and harmful drinking behavior in college students. An online survey instrument was sent to a random sample of 3,000 undergraduate students at a large public research-intensive four-year college in the South via student email accounts. The survey instrument included items about student drinking behavior, perception of peer student drinking behavior, and the Learning Environment Preferences Test. The results showed that there is a statistically significant relationship (inverse) between intellectual development and binge drinking behavior, after controlling …

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A Community Approach To Identifying Essential Fish Habitat Of Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion Nebulosus, In Barataria Bay, La, Pamela Sharon Dawn Macrae Jan 2006

A Community Approach To Identifying Essential Fish Habitat Of Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion Nebulosus, In Barataria Bay, La, Pamela Sharon Dawn Macrae

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Louisiana wetlands are disappearing at a dramatic rate, providing an impetus for identifying essential fish habitat (EFH) in this region. The distribution, relative abundance, biomass, length and food web dynamics of spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, as well as the fish assemblage structure were examined in Barataria Bay, LA, in relation to habitat type and physical/chemical properties of the water. All fish were collected from three sites located along a salinity gradient, each contained the three habitat types of interest: marsh edge, soft bottom and oyster shell, and were sampled monthly from May 2003 to May 2004 with gillnets. Habitat preference …

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Cryopreservation And Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection With Bovine Epididymal Spermatozoa, Carlos Andres Guerrero Jan 2006

Cryopreservation And Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection With Bovine Epididymal Spermatozoa, Carlos Andres Guerrero

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Recently, interest in the preservation of epididymal sperm as a potential source of valuable genes for genome resource banks has escalated. The development of a successful protocol to recover and cryopreserve sperm harvested from the epididymides would salvage germplasm from genetically valuable males that are injured and can no longer mate or have unexpectedly died and can be used as a model for the preservation of male gametes from endangered species. In a series of experiments, epididymal sperm was successfully harvested, cryopreserved and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In Experiment I, ethylene glycol was found to cause significantly (P<0.05) less osmotic damage to bovine sperm during a one step addition and/or removal at 4°C as compared with glycerol in all concentrations evaluated. Furthermore, prolonged exposure (5 days at 4°C) of ethylene glycol was found to be less toxic than glycerol to sperm. In Experiment II, it was demonstrated that glycerol was more effective than ethylene glycol in providing protection against freezing injury during the cryopreservation process in the concentrations evaluated. In Experiment III, it was demonstrated that epididymal sperm retrieval using seminal plasma is beneficial to enhance sperm overall and progressive motility characteristics and to protect it from morphological abnormalities derived from the freezing process. In Experiment IV, a one step dilution process for removal of glycerol from cryopreserved epididymal sperm was found to significantly affect plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial function of sperm previously exposed to seminal plasma. However, seminal plasma exposure did not have any significant detrimental effect on acrosome integrity. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the longevity and survivability in vitro during a 4-hour incubation period at 37°C of post-thaw epididymal sperm exposed to seminal plasma prior to cryopreservation was not compromised when compared with the control extended sperm. In Experiment V, we have demonstrated that fertilization, blastocyst and fetal development could be achieved with cryopreserved bovine epididymal sperm by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). To our knowledge, this is the first report in the United States and second in the world to use bovine epididymal sperm for ICSI. We achieved far markedly improved blastocyst rates over those results recently reported in the first study originating in Japan.

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Racial Disparities, Birth Outcomes, And Changing Demographics Of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Misty D. Richard Jan 2006

Racial Disparities, Birth Outcomes, And Changing Demographics Of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Misty D. Richard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Racial and socioeconomic disparities persist throughout the country regardless of which specific disparity is studied; however, some geographic regions experience more significant racial disparities. East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana has a large racial disparity among birth outcomes. Many factors impact the degree of racial disparities, some of which include racial segregation, isolation, or centralization, access to and quality of medical care, and factors of the neighborhood environment. EBRP has undergone dramatic shifts in the demographics of its residents. The purpose of this dissertation was to study the demographic changes in the population; as well as to study the disparities among …

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Sva Elements: Hominid Specific Retrotransposons, Hui Wang Jan 2006

Sva Elements: Hominid Specific Retrotransposons, Hui Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

SVA is a composite repetitive element named after its main components, SINE, VNTR and Alu. There are ~3000 SVA elements in the human genome. A genomic distribution analysis indicates that SVA elements are enriched in G+C-rich regions but have no preferences for inter- or intra-genic regions. A phylogenetic analysis of these elements resulted in the recovery of six subfamilies that were named SVA_A to SVA_F. The composition, age and genomic distribution of the different subfamilies have been examined. Subfamily age estimates indicate that the expansion of four SVA subfamilies (SVA_A, SVA_B, SVA_C and SVA_D) began before the divergence of human, …

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Spaced-Retrieval Effects On Memory For Scenes In Older Adults With Probable Alzheimer's Disease, Emily Olinde Jan 2006

Spaced-Retrieval Effects On Memory For Scenes In Older Adults With Probable Alzheimer's Disease, Emily Olinde

LSU Master's Theses

Previous studies have found the spaced-retrieval memory intervention technique to be successful in training people with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to learn new, simple associations. In the present study, we expanded on these previous findings by training eight participants with probable AD to learn the names and pictures of countries via spaced retrieval. We demonstrated the flexibility of the technique, gave insight as to the effects of distracters on the spaced-retrieval training performance, and demonstrated the memorial effects of adding pictorial support to the text.

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From The Top Down And The Bottom Up: The Contemporary Practice And Choice Of Midwifery In Louisiana, Michelle M. Wydra Jan 2006

From The Top Down And The Bottom Up: The Contemporary Practice And Choice Of Midwifery In Louisiana, Michelle M. Wydra

LSU Master's Theses

This research examines the contemporary practice of midwifery in Louisiana, a state that very early on had progressive legislation, yet remains a tough place for a midwife to practice. What, then, are the social forces that affect the ability to practice midwifery in Louisiana? I try to answer that question by examining the narratives of midwives and their clients, and evaluating the options these women have access to in this state. The narratives provide opportunities to observe the authoritarian knowledge of biomedicine in our society, and apply Foucault’s theory of power/knowledge. I describe that although Louisiana’s regulation of the practice …

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Application Of Polymeric Microfluidic Devices For Separation Of Single-Stranded Dna, Shawn Llopis Jan 2006

Application Of Polymeric Microfluidic Devices For Separation Of Single-Stranded Dna, Shawn Llopis

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Microsystems targeted for DNA sequencing, especially those focused on electrophoretic separations, are rapidly proving their viability to genomic research, mimicking the progress made when capillary electrophoresis developed from miniaturizing slab gel electrophoresis techniques. Being the more recent electrophoretic separation platform, the commercial availability of microchip electrophoresis devices remains relatively limited. To this extent, high-aspect ratio microstructures formed in thermo plastics have been developed using rapid fabrication methods from molding tools designed for mass replication of high-aspect ratio microfeatures. In this work, the choice and compatibility of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) – the primary substrate for DNA separations in this work – was …

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Interactions Between Formosan Subterranean Termites, Brown Rot Fungus (Gloeophyllum Trabeum) And Some Of The Fungi Present On The Termite Integument And Gut, Poornima Jayasimha Jan 2006

Interactions Between Formosan Subterranean Termites, Brown Rot Fungus (Gloeophyllum Trabeum) And Some Of The Fungi Present On The Termite Integument And Gut, Poornima Jayasimha

LSU Master's Theses

Although the brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.:Fr.) Murrill, has been shown to be attractive and beneficial to subterranean termites, including Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, to date no research has been conducted to determine if the association is mutualistic. We first set out to determine if the fungus could be spread by termites. This would represent an obvious benefit to the fungus. We found that C. formosanus does not spread G. trabeum. Unexpectedly, Formosan subterranean termites were found to suppress the growth of G. trabeum. To further investigate this finding, Formosan subterranean termite workers were released into Petri dishes with wood …

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The Abc's Of Hiv: When "Just Say No" Is Not Enough-Queer Critique Of Aids Policy, Lisa Laura Ladwig Jan 2006

The Abc's Of Hiv: When "Just Say No" Is Not Enough-Queer Critique Of Aids Policy, Lisa Laura Ladwig

LSU Master's Theses

This paper will critique the United States' AIDS policy, both domestic and international. I demonstrate how queer theorists have used Jacques Lacan's concepts of "jouissance" and the "unconscious desire" to suggests ways in which the current policy has dangerous implications for real people, for public health, and human rights. I reveal how the problem of rising HIV infection is not due to the lack of availability of safer-sex information, but rather it is a problem of execution: the Religious Right's ideology inscribed in our public health policy. Finally, I wish to expose how people in this country and others are …

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