Digital Commons Network^™

Agronomic Performance And Beef Cattle Grazing Preference Among Three Prairie Bromegrasses, Allen Stewart Hubbard

Theses and Dissertations

Prairie bromegrass is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass with potential as a valuable forage crop in the southeastern USA. The objective of this study was to compare dry matter production, persistence, nutritive value, and beef cattle grazing preference of two experimental lines and a commercial species (cv. Matua) of prairie bromegrass. Plots were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. When each plot accumulated at least 20 cm of growth, plots were grazed with Hereford x Angus steers at a stocking rate of 8400 kg/ha until the first plot was grazed down to 7 cm in height. Pre- …

Lost Cove, North Carolina: The Life And Death Of A Thriving Community (1864-1957)., Christy A. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the history and events that shaped the people and community of Lost Cove, an isolated Appalachian settlement. Chapter 1 surveys previous written and oral accounts of Lost Cove and the physical/cultural attributes of the community. Chapter 2 explores Lost Cove's identity, name, and first settlers. Chapter 3 explores the community's buildings and the families' livelihood. Chapter 4 examines the effect that the CC & O Railway and the sawmills had on the community. Chapter 5 examines moonshine selling in Lost Cove. Chapter 6 reveals how the church and school acted as a gathering place and how sermons …

Localization Of A Microsporidia Adam (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease Domain) Protein And Identification Of Potential Binding Partners., Carrie E. Jolly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microsporidia are spore-forming, obligate intracellular pathogens typically associated with opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Treatment options for microsporidia infections in humans are limited and additional research is necessary to create better therapeutic agents. For many pathogenic organisms, adhesion to the host cell surface is a prerequisite for tissue colonization and invasion. Our previous research has demonstrated a direct relationship between adherence of microsporidia spores to the surface of host cells and infectivity in vitro. In an effort to better understand adherence, we have turned our attention to determining what proteins may be involved in this process. Examination of the …

Design And Construction Of The Audrey Ii Puppet Series For The Play Little Shop Of Horrors., Chad David Fraley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project's objective was to design and build 4 stages of the Audrey II puppet for the East Tennessee State University production of Little Shop of Horrors (Ashman, 1982). The puppets were to be created with consideration for the production space, budget, and operator ease, along with audience impact. This paper will present the design and construction in a step by step-bystep fashion using illustrations and photographic examples.

Each puppet in the series was originally conceived using references to living plants and animals combined with an artistic vision of the designer. The puppets were built with light, modern materials using …

From Teacher To Teller: How Applied Storytelling Informs Autobiographical Instruction., Peggy Rosann Kent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses autobiographical inquiry to "re-member" how I came to understand that applied storytelling was a valid teaching tool in facilitating autobiographical expression in mature learners. It is an examination of how story sharing and story listening can transform a continuing education classroom into a learning community. Applied storytelling can help elders reframe their negative mental models about the value of their stories, memory, and mythology and create opportunities for positive story sharing experiences. I selected highlights of my journey that best represented my experience and use of applied storytelling techniques. Each chapter includes an exercise and reflection as …

Blood Into Milk: Poems, Ginny Kaczmarek

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Climate Change And The Great Plague Pandemics Of History: Causal Link Between Global Climate Fluctuations And Yersinia Pestis Contagion?, Richard Christian Bilich

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The two great bubonic plague outbreaks of history, Justinian's Plague and the Black Death were responsible for the deaths of over one hundred million individuals across Eurasia and Africa. Both occurrences of the plague coincided with climatic shifts that are well documented by both literary and physical evidence. This thesis explores the possibility that both Justinian's Plague and the Black Death were precipitated by climatic shifts preceding their respective eras and that these changes also contributed to disappearance of each pandemic. A scientific analysis investigating the climatic changes including the anomalous weather of 535-536 A.D., the Medieval Warm Period, and …

Probability And Statistics For Third Through Fifth Grade Classrooms., Melissa Taylor Mckinnon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This document contains a variety of lesson plans that can be readily used by a teacher of intermediate students. This thesis contains two units in Probability and one unit in Statistics. Any educator can supplement this document with any curriculum to teach lessons from vocabulary to concept.

Principal Leadership And Its Perceived Influence On Teacher Morale In Elementary Schools., Anne Runyan Littleford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to construct a theoretical framework explaining the connection between principal leadership practices and the phenomenon of teacher morale. The study also focused on principal leadership practices and the perceived effects that style has on how teachers feel about themselves and their jobs. First, a review of extant literature defined what constitutes effective leadership in school related environments. Second, the researcher defined teacher morale, both high and low, and how it relates to work performance. Third, the researcher attempted to explore how teacher morale and the leadership style of their principals relate.

This qualitative …

Integration Of Fifth Grade Math And Science Curriculum, Accompanied By Increased Parental Involvement, Produces Higher Virginia Test Scores., Kathy Diane Perkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The National Educational Society, through much research and testing, discovered that American students are not performing as well on the academic level as their counterparts. As a nation the math and science scores fell behind other tested disciplines. The Virginia Department of Math and Science Report Card scores confirm that students are struggling in these areas.

As a resolution to correct this problem a proposal for the integration of fifth grade math and science curriculum accompanied by increased parental involvement was devised. The program involved thirteen elementary students and their parents. Pretesting, math and science labs, worksheets, posttesting, and a …

"Reclaiming The Child": Mountain Mission School As A Successful Appalachian Home Mission., Rachel Rebecca Hood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mountain Mission School of Grundy, Virginia, founded by Samuel Robinson Hurley in 1921, is an anomaly of the mission school era of 1880 to 1940. Unlike other mission schools, Mountain Mission School was independent from its inception and was founded by a self-taught, self-made millionaire from southwest Virginia. The school's purpose to "reclaim" the child from material and spiritual poverty lay in Hurley's desire to develop a child's mind, body, and soul through a Christian, industrial education. Through personal commitment to the school and tireless fund-raising efforts for the school, he inspired others to continue the mission he began. Primary …

My Journey Home: A Study In Hand-Felted Wool., Ashleigh Robertson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is a supporting paper for a Master of Arts Graduate Exhibition entitled My Journey Home: A Study in Hand-Felted Wool, held at Slocumb Galleries October 30 through November 3, 2006. The work in the exhibition represents a concentrated study in the graduate program in Fiber Art at East Tennessee State University. My artwork is an expression of my feelings and emotions toward my family, particularly the women in my family.

The paper begins with an introduction detailing my artistic research and culminates with a reflection of the work shown in the exhibition. The cultural and historical influences that shaped …

Conservation Planning, What Is Used And What Is Needed: A Needs Assessment Survey Of The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jeremy Neal Murdock

Theses and Dissertations

How important is conservation planning to society today? It impacts the quality of our most precious natural resources: water, air, soil, wildlife, and plant material as well as every aspect of one of the largest industries in the United States: agriculture. In order to gain a better understanding of the conservation planning process, as well as the elements involved in creating an effective conservation plan, a Web-based survey was administered to one of the leaders in the advancement of conservation planning and planning technology, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose of this …

Effects Of Prescribed Burning And Herbicide (Imazapyr) On The Abundance And Diversity Of Selected Invertebrate Communities In Thinned Pine Plantations Of Mississippi, Raymond Bruce Iglay

Theses and Dissertations

Prescribed fire and herbicides are 2 silviculture tools used by forest managers to control hardwood competition in pine (Pinus spp.) forests. I tested effects of prescribed burning and herbicides on selected invertebrate communities, including carabid beetles, and compared 2 invertebrate sampling approaches in thinned, intensively managed pine stands in Kemper County, Mississippi. I used 6 replicate stands containing 4, 10-ha treatment plots each that were randomly assigned treatments of burn only, herbicide only, burn/herbicide, and control. I suction-sampled invertebrate communities and pitfall trapped carabid beetles to examine treatment responses. Direct effects of burning and overall vegetation response influenced communities most …

Effects Of Soil Region, Litter Size, And Gender On Morphometrics Of White-Tailed Deer Fawns, Amy Castle Blaylock

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research documented that white-tailed deer body mass and antler size varied across physiographic regions of Mississippi. Deer from regions with greater soil fertility had greater body mass and antler size; however, this information is known only for individuals 6 months of age and older. I monitored birth mass and skeletal size of fawns produced by bred, adult, female white-tailed deer transplanted from the Delta, Thin Loess (Loess), and Lower Coastal Plain (LCP) soil regions to fawn in the Mississippi State University Rusty Dawkins Memorial Deer Unit. I evaluated the effect of soil region of origin, litter size, and fawn …

A Multi-Scale Approach To Evaluate The Effect Of The Invasive Aquatic Plant Hydrilla (Hydrilla Verticillata) On Littoral Zone Habitat Of Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides), Alexander James Perret

Theses and Dissertations

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the hypothesis that exotic macrophytes alter littoral zone habitat and impact fish that inhabit these areas. The pond experiment was conducted to explore impacts of exotic invasive plants on growth and condition of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The second experiment was conducted at a smaller scale in aquaria to simulate an invasion of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and its influence on juvenile bass foraging. Fish experienced slower growth in the hydrilla treatment than in the diverse, and the ability of bass to capture prey fish was impeded in hydrilla. Juvenile bass growth decreased in …

Integrated Management Tactics For The Control Of Cogongrass [Imperata Cylindrica (L.) Beauv.], Matthew Thomas Myers

Theses and Dissertations

Cogongrass has become a major problem in many parts of the southern United States for several years. Hundreds of studies have been conducted upon this species with varying results. Management of cogongrass can be grouped into five major areas of control: preventive, cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical. Each of these methods provides a certain level of control, but an integrated management strategy is the key to success. Three field studies were conducted from 2004 to 2006 in southern Mississippi to evaluate the most effective integrated management programs for cogongrass control. Results indicated that foliage removal either by fire or mowing …

Factors That Influcence African Americans To Enroll In Agricultural Science Programs, Levar Desmond Graham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that most influence African Americans to enroll in agricultural science programs at 1890 and 1862 Land Grant universities. This study used a quantitative approach in researching the problem of identifying the factors that led minorities to enroll in agricultural science programs at 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions. A survey instrument was designed which collected the factors, demographics, and attitudes that influenced minority enrollment in agricultural sciences at 1890 and 1862 universities. The setting for the data collection in this study is 1890 and 1862 land grant universities in the southern …

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Infections Affect Professional Antigen Presentation In Bovine Monocytes, Sang-Ryul Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Monocytes are professional antigen presenting cells (APC). They serve as precursors of macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). We have used cytopathic (cp) and non-cytopathic (ncp) Bovine Viral Diarrhea Viruses (BVDV) to determine the genes and proteins expression levels in bovine monocytes. Four specific aims were accomplished in this study. The first aim was to assess the baseline expression of the proteins involved in professional antigen presentation in bovine monocytes. The results showed that the differential detergent fractionation (DDF) approach can provide interpretable and meaningful functional information in bovine monocytes. The second aim was to evaluate the role of in vitro …

Occurrence Of Diseases And Insect Pests In Select Soybean (Glycine Max (L.) Merr.) And Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Rotations In Mississippi, Sergio Tomas Pichardo

Theses and Dissertations

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted during 2004 through 2006 at the Rodney R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, Starkville, MS. Six sorghum and soybean rotation treatments were tested to determine their effect on plant pathogen, insect, and nematode diversity and density levels. Treatments included 1) continuous sorghum, 2) continuous soybean, 3) sorghum-soybean-sorghum rotation, 4) soybean-sorghum-soybean rotation, 5) sorghum-soybean-soybean rotation, and 6) soybean-sorghum-sorghum rotation. Several nematode and insect species were identified during the study, but were always below economic thresholds. Six insect species were identified on soybean during each growing season and used as the indicator species for this study. …

Selection For Reduced Seed Dormancy In Seven Native Grass Species, Kyle Bradley Holmberg

Theses and Dissertations

Lowland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), upland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), beaked panicum (Panicum capillare), and purpletop (Tridens flavus) all show strong signs of seed dormancy which contributes to extremely poor field establishment. The objective of this work was to reduce seed dormancy by selecting individuals that exhibited reduced pre-stratification dormancy in laboratory tests. The classical breeding method of phenotypic recurrent selection was used to enhance germination. Of the three tall-stature species, lowland switchgrass made the greatest improvement in pre-stratification germination, followed by indiangrass and big bluestem. The four short stature species …

Sensory And Quality Assessment Of Grazing Standing Corn Versus Commercially Feed Lot Finished Beef, Husniye Imamoglu

Theses and Dissertations

This study compared feed lot finished beef and grazing standing corn beef from young steers for sensory acceptance, sensory quantitative descriptive analysis attributes palatability and Warner–Bratzler shear force values. In comparing both feeding treatments results indicated no differences (P > 0.05) between feeding treatments for all attributes including appearance, aroma (with handheld) and (with sniff bottle), texture, flavor and basic taste. However, there was difference (P < 0.05) in flavor, offlavor for different feeding systems by panelists. Analysis of variance for Warner- Bratzler shear force values revealed no differences (P > .05) between steaks from two treatments. Based on this research, the meat industry may wish to provide the consumer with the option of choosing beef that was traditionally feed lot finished or beef finished by …

Physiologically-Based Toxicokinetic And Toxicodynamic (Pbtk/Td) Modeling Of A Ternary Organophosphorus Insecticide Mixture In Rats: Model Development And Validation, Julian Thomas Pittman

Theses and Dissertations

A physiologically-based toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic (PBTK/TD) model was developed, from the open literature, to predict the toxicokinetic disposition and toxicodynamic response (acetylcholinesterase inhibition) of a ternary organophosphorus (OP) insecticide mixture: chlorpyrifos (CP), methyl parathion (MP) and parathion (P). In vivo studies were conducted in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, orally administered one of two CP/MP/P mixtures (2.5, 0.5, 0.5 mg/kg or 5, 1, 1 mg/kg) with selected tissues (blood, brain, diaphragm, liver, lung and skeletal muscle) collected at 30min, 4, 12 and 24hr postdosing. Low dosages were studied so the mixture did not result in significant disruption of cardiovascular function nor …

Subcanopy Response To Variable-Density Thinning In Second Growth Forests Of The Pacific Northwest, Emily Julia Comfort

Theses and Dissertations

Variable-density thinning (VDT) is a management option designed to increase structural heterogeneity in second-growth conifer stands. This study examined subcanopy tree growth response to two variations of VDT. At the Forest Ecosystem Study in western Washington, thinning intensity was found to have a significant effect on height growth of Douglasir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings which established following the thinning. At the Olympic Habitat Development Study in western Washington, basal area growth response was examined for residual midcanopy western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata ex. D. Don). Both species retained the ability to respond to …

Relationships Between Volatile Flavor Compounds, Sensory Descriptors And Consumer Acceptability Of American Dry-Cured Ham, Alessandra Julian Pham-Mondala

Theses and Dissertations

The relationships between volatile flavor compounds, sensory descriptors and consumer acceptability were determined for eight commercial American dry-cured hams using external preference and flavor mapping. The majority of consumers preferred (p<0.05) hams that had more intense caramelized, smoky, savory and molasses aromas as well as more intense sweet and savory flavors. Sixteen aroma impact compounds were identified from the headspace volatiles of dry-cured hams. The consumers with the highest acceptability scores preferred (p<0.05) hams that were characterized by 4-methyl-2-methoxyphenol (sweet ham), 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol (sweet ham), 2-methoxyphenol (smoky, cocoa), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (smoky ham, savory) and 2uranmethanol (burnt meat, vitamin). Fourteen percent of consumers preferred (p<0.05) two hams that were characterized by methional (baked potato). Consumer acceptability scores were lower for hams either characterized by methanethiol (sulfur), carbon disulfide (sulfur), 2-butanone (sweet), 3-methylbutanal (malty, fermented), 2-heptanone (burnt meat, vitamin), hexanal (cut grass), benzeneacetaldehyde (floral), 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom) or characterized by benzaldehyde (burnt meat, cooked meat) and limonene (citrus).

Proteomic Analysis Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Sana Mujahid

Theses and Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes is a deadly, Gram-positive foodborne pathogen that is ubiquitous in the environment. The bacterium expresses a number of virulence and stress adaptation proteins that support its pathogenic capabilities. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to map L. monocytogenes surface proteins, which play a central role in virulence, and to examine protein expression by L. monocytogenes grown on ready-to-eat meat, an important source of Listeria infections. A novel method for solubilization of surface proteins from L. monocytogenes for 2-DE was developed. Additionally, the unique proteome expressed by L. monocytogenes grown on a meat matrix was uncovered. The developed solubilization …

Purification And Structural Analysis Of Newcastle Disease Virus V Protein And Flowering Locus T (Ft) Protein, Swapna Jayapalan

Theses and Dissertations

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the paramyxovirus that has been studied at length since this virus infects the birds of all species. NDV is highly virulent in chickens and results in a high mortality rate because the V protein of NDV is found to inhibit the avian immune response system. No drugs are available for treating NDV therefore, determining the structure of V protein would help in developing a drug that can inactivate the V protein, thereby increasing the host immune response against viral infection. The research here is focused on purification and initial structural analysis of the …

Influence Of Habitat Associations And Distance From Low-Order Streams On Amphibian And Reptile Communities On Public Lands In East-Central Mississippi, Sarah Louise Gallagher

Theses and Dissertations

This project evaluated the influence of habitat parameters and distance from low-order streams on herpetofauna communities, in addition to evaluating the efficacy of 2 sampling methods. Amphibians were associated with mature hardwood forests with high density of large, highly decayed woody debris. Reptiles were associated with mixed pine-hardwood forests, woody debris, and vertical canopy structure. Overall, woody debris was an important habitat feature for amphibians and reptiles. Amphibians were detected in greater abundance and species richness near the stream. Reptiles were similar in abundance and species richness as distance increased from low-order streams. I recommend a SMZ width ¡Ý50 m …

The Effects Of Hurricane Katrina On The Structure, Performance, Capacity, And Future Of The Lumber Industry, Thomas Eric Mcconnell

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation focuses on the effects of hurricane Katrina on the structure, performance, capacity, and future of the lumber industry in the impacted area. The basis of the examination is a survey of both hardwood and softwood lumber mills in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Total response rate was 42.4%. Results support the hypothesis that the storm did have a significant and negative effect on the commerce of responding facilities. Contribuing factors, such as raw materials supply and procurement, physical damage tothe mill and resulting variations to operation, productivity and quality issues, as well as human resources, were impacted in differing …

Traction-Induced Injury Of Rat Achilles' Tendon: New In Vivo Biomechanical Model For The Assessment Of Tendon Disease And Injury, Edward Brown Silverman

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this project is to advance the understanding of tendon disease and injury through the design and validation of a new model of tendon injury. Controlled, mechanically-induced traction injury was created in rat Achilles’ tendons with a tensioning apparatus through a minimally invasive surgical approach. Tendons were tensioned to subailure loads. Assessments of damage to tendons included gross morphology, evaluation of biomechanical of load strain curves, histopathology under light microscopy (H&E), collagen fibril structure and disruption under scanning electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical study of MMP-13 expression under confocal laser microscopy. Tendon injuries were found to be more severe …