Digital Commons Network^™

Malware Recognition By Properties Of Executables, Cory Redfern

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores what patterns, if any, exist to differentiate non-malware from malware, given only a sequence of raw bytes composing either a received file or a fixed-length initial segment of a received file. If any such patterns are found, their effectiveness as filtering criteria is investigated.

Environmental Analysis Of The Habitat (Biotic And Abiotic Factors) Associated With Broadleaf Barbara's Buttons (Marshallia Trinervia), Jennifer L. Blanchard

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In June 2009 I conducted a study of the habitat associated with Broadleaf Barbara's Buttons (Marshallia trinervia) along Bird's Creek in Vernon Parish, LA. Twenty two plots were sampled for all vascular plants. Of these, 17 samples were from the area where M. trinervia was present and 5 samples were from the area where M. trinervia was absent. From each sampling plot a soil sample was collected and analyzed. There were significant differences in the species richness of all plant groups (p=0.0075), herbaceous plants (p=0.056), and woody vines (p=0.083) between the two locations. The soil texture was also significantly different …

The Influence Of Conflicting Role Obligations On Nontraditional Student Baccalaureate Degree Attainment, Rosaria Guastella

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the phenomenon of the conflicting roles, such as parent, spouse, employee, caregiver, and community member/volunteer, associated with the lives of nontraditional college students and to reveal how these conflicting role obligations influence these students' persistence toward the attainment of an undergraduate degree. This study provides a brief history of adult education in the United States as well as the study context, a continuing studies division of a privately endowed research institution located in the southern United States. The participants in this study were nontraditional students who were also recent graduates of …

Advanced Techniques For Improving The Efficacy Of Digital Forensics Investigations, Lodovico Marziale

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Digital forensics is the science concerned with discovering, preserving, and analyzing evidence on digital devices. The intent is to be able to determine what events have taken place, when they occurred, who performed them, and how they were performed. In order for an investigation to be effective, it must exhibit several characteristics. The results produced must be reliable, or else the theory of events based on the results will be flawed. The investigation must be comprehensive, meaning that it must analyze all targets which may contain evidence of forensic interest. Since any investigation must be performed within the constraints of …

Experiences Of Black Women Who Persist To Graduation At Predominantly White Schools Of Nursing, Francine Simms Thomas

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to explore the experiences of Black women who attended predominantly White nursing schools. A phenomenological design was used to investigate eight nurses who persisted through to graduation from their nursing programs in the 21st century. The study examined persistence through the lens of academic involvement, alienation, loneliness and isolation, culture, identity and fit, self-concept, and institutional climate and racism. In-depth interviews were conducted to answer the following questions: (1) What does it mean to be Black in a PWI? What are Black nurses' perceptions of the nursing school experience, (2) How did the Black culture fit …

Monitoring And Inverse Dispersion Modeling To Quantify Vocs From Msw Landfill, Sarit Kumar Das

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In USA, the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills accumulate about 130 million tons of solid waste every year. A significant amount of biodegradable solid waste is converted to landfill gas due to anaerobic stabilization by bacteria. These biochemical reactions produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like methane and others. Due to heterogeneity in refuse composition, unpredictable distribution of favorable environmental conditions for bacterial actions and highly uncertain pathway of gases, estimation of landfill gas emission for a particular landfill is complex. However, it is important to quantify landfill gases for health risk assessment and energy recovery purposes. This research is based …

Heavy Metal Removal From Bilge Water By Electrocoagulation Treatment, Milton Andrade

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to observe the removal efficiency for copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) using Electrocoagulation (EC) technique in a continuous flow reactor with a synthetic bilge water emulsion; and additionally, to discuss the operation cost of the treatment. The optimal configuration for EC treatment used combined electrodes, aluminum and carbon steel; flow rate of 1 L/min; effluent recycling and 7.5 amps; this optimal configuration achieved 99% of zinc removal efficiency, 70% of both, copper and nickel removal efficiency, and low operation costs. The current intensity did not have significance incidence on the removal efficiency. …

Electro-Disinfection Of Ballast Water, Elizabeth Kathleen Mccraven

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This research validates electro-disinfection as a potential secondary ballast water treatment technology. Electricity applied to bacteria laden water produced bactericidal effects, reactive oxygen species and chlorine generation which annihilated bacteria. Evaluation of electro-disinfection experiments showed titanium electrodes had the maximum kill efficacy while disinfection with aluminum and stainless steel electrodes had lesser kill efficacy. A continuous flow electro-disinfection reactor was evaluated utilizing artificial brackish and fresh ballast water. Brackish water had a 100% bacteria kill efficiency utilizing titanium electrodes at a current density of 10 mA/cm2. Fresh water was augmented with the addition of salt to increase its electrical conductivity …

Fast Algorithm For Modeling Of Rain Events In Weather Radar Imagery, Anirudh Paduru

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Weather radar imagery is important for several remote sensing applications including tracking of storm fronts and radar echo classification. In particular, tracking of precipitation events is useful for both forecasting and classification of rain/non-rain events since non-rain events usually appear to be static compared to rain events. Recent weather radar imaging-based forecasting approaches [3] consider that precipitation events can be modeled as a combination of localized functions using Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBFNNs). Tracking of rain events can be performed by tracking the parameters of these localized functions. The RBFNN-based techniques used in forecasting are not only computationally expensive, …

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Student Government Involvement At One Public Historically Black University On The Career Choice Of African American Student Participants, Morolake Laosebikan-Buggs

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate student participation in collegiate student governance, the impact of that involvement and its influence on career choice for African-American participants, and to enlighten educators about role and value of collegiate student government participation. If participation in student government and involvement in leadership activities is important in the overall development of a student, then the benefits and characteristics of that development may appear after the student graduates and enters society and the workforce (Cress, Astin, Zimmerman- Oster, & Burkhardt, 2001). Studies conducted over the last twenty years have attempted to measure the impact …

Comparison Of Linkage Disequilibrium And Haplotype Diversity On Macro- And Microchromosomes In Chicken., Hendrik-Jan Megens, Richard Pma Crooijmans, John Wm Bastiaansen, Hindrik Hd Kerstens, Albart Coster, Ruud Jalving, Addie Vereijken, Pradeepa Silva, William M. Muir, Hans H. Cheng, Olivier Hanotte, Martien Am Groenen

Department of Animal Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

The chicken (Gallus gallus), like most avian species, has a very distinct karyotype consisting of many micro- and a few macrochromosomes. While it is known that recombination frequencies are much higher for micro- as compared to macrochromosomes, there is limited information on differences in linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype diversity between these two classes of chromosomes. In this study, LD and haplotype diversity were systematically characterized in 371 birds from eight chicken populations (commercial lines, fancy breeds, and red jungle fowl) across macro- and microchromosomes. To this end we sampled four regions of ~1 cM each on …

Evaluation Of The Genetic Management Of The Endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane (Grus Canadensis Pulla), Jessica Renee Henkel

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The genetic status of the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) was analyzed using 2009 studbook data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed captive breeding and release program. Microsatellite DNA data provided information on shared founder genotypes, allowing for refined analysis of genetic variation in the population, and informed breeding recommendations. The genetic variation observed in the Mississippi sandhill crane was contrasted with variation observed in the Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis). Results show far less variation in the Mississippi population. Results also suggest that while gene flow no longer occurs between the two populations, …

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Implementation Of Reading First, Raenell Houston

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand teachers' experiences related to the implementation of Reading First in the classroom and more specifically, how Reading First has impacted curriculum, instruction, assessment, student achievement, and professional development. The participants for this study were five certified, kindergarten and first grade public school teachers. In depth interviews were conducted with each participant regarding her experiences with the implementation of Reading First. Once collected, the data was then analyzed according to a method advanced by Moustakas (1994) and reported. Findings and recommendations included, but were not limited to the following: 1. There are …

160th Commencement, Winter

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Influenza A (H1n1) 2009 : To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate?, Ali A. Al-Jabri, Sidgi S. Hasson

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Need To Teach Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Gilbert Pinard

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Challenges Of Childhood Uveitis, Reem Abdwani

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Chronic uveitis is a rare, but potentially sight-threatening disease. The most common cause of chronic non-infectious uveitis is “idiopathic uveitis”. However, some systemic diseases are associated with chronic uveitis in children and are discussed. Chronic uveitis merits special consideration in children. The unique differences in children are highlighted with special consideration for the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in their management. While corticosteroids remain the mainstay of initial therapy, a wide range of immunosuppressive agents have been used with variable success. The role of immonomodulatory agents such as methotrexate, cyclosproin and some of the new biologic agents such as etanecept, …

Cardiac Markers In The Early Diagnosis And Management Of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome, Hafidh A. Al-Hadi, Keith A. Fox

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Chest pain is a non-specific complaint and is the most frequent reason for patients seeking urgent medical attention. A small group of these patients will have acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The current diagnostic and triage systems based on clinical history and electrocardiograms are insufficient. They may result in some of these patients being misdiagnosed and being admitted to the wrong units or receiving inappropriate care, treatment and investigations. In some patients, the diagnosis is delayed resulting in the late administration (or no administration) of essential early treatment. A few patients with ACS may be inadvertently discharged from the emergency department …

The Struggle Against Pandemic Influenza A (H1n1) 2009, Abdullah Balkhair

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Relatives’ Advice And Health Care-Seeking Behaviour In Oman, Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Samir Al-Adawi, Ibrahim Al-Shafaee, Mohammed, Liyam Eloul

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: It has been well established that pathways to care are considerably modified by local, social and psychological characteristics as well as the doctor-patient relationship. Scant attention has been paid to the role of family advice in care-seeking. In Omani society, traditional family values and a collective mindset are the norm rather than the exception. This paper examines how family advice affects the trajectory of care seeking. Methodology: During 2006-2007, data was collected through face-to-face interviews among a randomised sample of patients seeking medical consultation in various primary health care centres in the northern region of Oman. This study enrolled …

Minor Oral Surgery Procedures In Patients Taking Warfarin : A 5-Year Retrospective Study At Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultanate Of Oman, Abdulaziz A. Bakathir

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Minor oral surgery (MOS) procedures in warfarinised patients carry the risk of post-operative bleeding. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis and to describe the profile of warfarinised patients who underwent MOS procedures at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Methods: A retrospective study of 124 warfarinised patients (41 men and 83 women), who had a pre-operative international normalised ratio (INR) of ≤ 3.5 and underwent different MOS procedures under local anaesthesia, without discontinuation of their warfarin therapy, was carried out over a 5-year period from January 2004 to December 2008. Results: Ninety (72.6%) patients had simple …

Comparative Study Of The Radial And Femoral Artery Approaches For Diagnostic Coronary Angiography, Mansour Sallam, Hafidh Al-Hadi, S Rathinasekar, Sunil Chandy

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Femoral artery access is the standard approach for coronary procedures; however, the radial approach has gained sound recognition as an alternative to femoral access. We present our early experience with the transradial approach. Methods: A prospective, non-randomised study of 221 candidates for diagnostic coronary angiography was carried out at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman between December 2008 and April 2009. The patients had their procedure performed from radial or femoral access according to operator discretion and the results were compared. Femoral and radial groups included 116 and 105 patients respectively. Results: Radial access was associated with a significantly higher …

Factors Contributing To The Spread Of Odontogenic Infections : A Prospective Pilot Study, Abdulaziz A. Bakathir, Khursheed F. Moos, Ashraf F. Bagg, Jeremy

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Spreading odontogenic infections (SOI) are the commonest type of serious infections encountered in the orofacial region. A prospective multi-centre study was conducted in the West of Scotland to investigate the contributing role of social, systemic and microbial factors in the pathogenesis of SOI. Methods: Twenty-five patients with severe odontogenic infections were recruited over a period of six months. At admission, clinical assessment included temperature rise, haematological and biochemical investigations. Demographic data, social and past medical histories were obtained. Microbiology samples were collected to identify causative microorganisms and the clinical management of each infection was recorded. Results: Most infections were …

Screening Of Five Common Beta Thalassemia Mutations In The Pakistani Population : A Basis For Prenatal Diagnosis, Muhammad Usman, Moinuddin Moinuddin, Rubina Usman, Sadia

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Thalassemia is one of the most common autosomal single-gene disorder worldwide. The highest prevalence of the disease is in the “thalassemia belt” which includes the Mediterranean region, parts of the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, the southern parts of the Far East, Pakistan and South-East Asia. This study aimed to detect the common molecular abnormalities of the beta thalassemia syndrome in Pakistan. Methods:The study was conducted at the Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan from August 2004 to November 2007. Blood samples of patients with beta thalassemia major (n = 400) were collected from hospital transfusion centres …

A Case Of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis : A Diagnostic And Therapeutic Dilemma, Sudheer Ahamed Ps, Abe Mathew

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Amiodarone is an iodine rich agent widely used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and flutter. However 14-18% of patients treated with amiodarone develop overt thyroid dysfunction in the form of either amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) or amiodaroneinduced hypothyroidism (AIH). Two different types of AIT have been recognised and designated as Type 1 and Type 2. Distinguishing between the two is often difficult, but necessary for instituting appropriate treatment. We report a case of a 56 year-old male patient who was started on amiodarone for atrial fibrillation and then developed AIT. The challenges in the diagnosis …

Surgical Technique For Retroperitoneoscopic Nephrectomy : A Case Report, Shahid Aquil, Joseph K. Mathew, Krishna Prasad Rehman, Khalid, Omar W. Sharef, Ghalib Al Baadi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

A case of right non-functioning kidney secondary to chronic pyelonephritis is presented. The successful management through retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy is described, emphasising the technique of this minimally invasive therapeutic option.

Role Of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography In The Evaluation Of Biliary Disease, Humoud Al-Dhuhli

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Magnetic resonace cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was introduced in 1991, as a non-invasive method of imaging the biliary tree. Although endoscopic cholongiopancreatography (ERCP) has been the mainstay for diagnosing and treating pancreatico-biliary disease, complications such as pancreatitis, cholangitis, haemorrhage and duodenal perforation have limited its use as a routine diagnostic test. Although ERCP is still the standard of reference for imaging the pancreatico-biliary system, MRCP is the examination of choice in a setting where ERCP is difficult or impossible. It is useful in cases with severe biliary obstruction to evaluate the ducts proximal to the obstruction. MRCP has specific advantages over ERCP …

Coronary Arteries Ectasia, Emad Al-Tamimi, Humoud Al-Dhuhli

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Write Effectively A Quick Course For Busy Health Workers, Anton Mclachlan

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Re: Silent Epidemic Of Depression In Women In The Middle East And North Africa Region, Zena Al-Sharbati

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

No abstract provided.