Digital Commons Network^™

Rendezvous: Stories And A Novella, Heath Fisher

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

People are often a product of their environment, and each of the characters in this collection is an example of that shaping effect. These stories take you to the southern plains–land of red dirt, Bluestem, and prairie wind. Themes like hope, loss, and the exploration of frontier appear throughout the collection. In each story the setting becomes a character, forcing us to recognize the importance of place in our lives.

Death By Design: Giving Life To Mark Twain’S Posthumous Success, Is He Dead?, Mignon Charvet

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The following thesis documents the costume design process and execution for the staged production of Mark Twain’s Is He Dead? as adapted by David Ives. It was produced at the University of New Orleans as part of the Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts Department 2011-2012 season in collaboration with New Orleans theatre company, The NOLA Project.

In conjunction with the director and the design team, it is the role of the costume designer to support the overall concept of the production. The documentation of this process begins with the textual, historical, and visual research pertaining to the design concept. …

The Effects Of Intracerebroventricular Leptin On Milk Availability In Lactating Rats, Brittany Lynita Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reports have linked energy balance along with adipocyte derived leptin action to improved fertility. Recent evidence indicates that leptin hormone is present in breast milk and leptin receptors are well expressed in mammary epithelial cells. The hypothesis that insufficiency of leptin restraint in the hypothalamus may underlie infertility in rodents and the failure of lactating breast to express adequate amount of milk was tested. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected leptin through intracerebroventricular cannulation (ICVC) of the third ventricle. Female rats were mated with stud males and observed throughout gestation. Compared to the control groups, leptin treatment increased prolactin levels in …

A Comparison Of Inclusion And Pullout Programs On Student Achievement For Students With Disabilities, James Matthew Hurt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities have traditionally achieved to a lesser degree than have their nondisabled peers. Since the 1950s the federal government has enacted laws to provide free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities. In the first decade of the 21st Century the government has produced legislation requiring schools to be responsible for improving instruction for students with disabilities. One of the major trends in accomplishing this task is a move toward inclusive education. This study determined the relationships of assessment type (Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments versus Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) assessments) and models of service delivery (general …

A Correlational Pilot Study Of Fatalism And Self-Efficacy Among Appalachians With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus., Dwyn Mounger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Despite the vast amount of research regarding type II diabetes, little is known about the relationship between fatalistic beliefs and self-efficacy in individual self-care among adult Appalachians with type II diabetes. As a result of multiple predisposing risk factors that include high rates of obesity and poverty, as well as a lack of access to preventative care services, the prevalence of diabetes is very high in this region and has become a major health issue. In addition, a history of exploitation and lack of diverse economic development has profoundly influenced the cultural beliefs of those living within the region, which …

Wal-Mart: Going Green Or Gimmick?, Andrew Childress

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Sustainability is quickly becoming one of the hottest topics among green conscious consumers, as well as managers looking to capitalize on the growth of such interests. Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, is currently marketing itself as a pioneer in sustainability, particularly in the retail industry. With innovations such as a Sustainability Index that measures the environmental and social impacts of products stocked by Wal-Mart, the company is currently marketing their efforts as being exceptional among “big box” retailers. However, few studies have tested those claims to determine if they are accurate. The purpose of this research is to gather data …

Rescue Or Rape, Genji Or Murasaki: The Role Of Gender Relations And The Unsung Heroines Of The Genji Monogatari., Jessie Nutter

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Written early in the 11th century, the Tale of Genji is considered to be the world's first novel. Women's issues and relationships between men and women are central themes in the tale. In fact, in the last couple decades some critics have come to see the women of the Genji Monogatari as the novel's intended focus rather than Genji himself. Through Genji, the reader is able to experience the sad, interconnected fates of a host of women and thereby share in their trials and tribulations.

Forgiveness, Mental Health, And Adult Children Of Alcoholics., Khia L. Sams

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Research has shown that spirituality can play a role in addiction and recovery. However, little work in this area has focused on adults who have grown up with parents who have had alcohol and/or drug problems. Cross-sectional data was collected from college students from a regional university in southern Appalachia. Multiple dimensions and aspects of forgiveness and mental health were examined among undergraduates, including differences based upon participants’ likelihood of being an adult child of an alcoholic (ACOA). Individuals likely to be an ACOA had poorer levels of the forgiveness and mental health related variables. Among ACOAs forgiveness of others …

Withstanding Cruel Teasing: Does Dispositional Mindfulness Fortify Target Immunity?, Ruth Catherine Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cruel teasing can be pernicious for targets' psychological health. In this thesis I examined the extent to which trait mindfulness might mitigate the negative psychological effects associated with cruel teasing. Correlation results confirmed cruel teasing history related significantly and directly, and mindfulness inversely, to poorer psychological health. Moderated regression analyses confirmed that among targets of frequent cruel teasing those with high levels of mindfulness did not evidence the detrimental psychological effects as did those low in mindfulness. Subsequent moderated regression analyses with cruel teasing history, mindfulness, and sexual identity status suggest that when people are low in mindfulness cruel teasing …

Blogging In The Fatosphere: A Qualitative Study Of Perceptions Of Personal Risks And Benefits For Women Who Blog About Weight, Weight Loss, And Dieting Issues, Melissa Marie Sneed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the perceptions of the personal risks and benefits of women who blog about weight, weight loss, and dieting issues. Many overweight women use blogs as a tool during their weight loss journeys to garner support. The experiences of 5 women who blog about weight and dieting issues were collected through 45 minute in-depth interviews. The author's own experiences with blogging is analyzed as well. A qualitative approach was taken when analyzing the data. Eight emergent themes came from the research data. The benefits of this study are significant for current and future research regarding the influence of …

Novice Teachers Perceptions Of Prior Mentoring Experiences, Gloria Freels Mcelroy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More than 50% of novice educators leave the profession in the first 5 years of service. Novice educators were defined as educators with 5 or fewer years of teaching experience. The State of Tennessee has estimated the cost for that decision to around $28,000.00 per teacher for each local educational authority. Many researchers believe mentoring increases novice satisfaction in the classroom. Even though many enter the field of education, Freedman and Appleman (2009) found that teachers leave the profession in rates higher than other professions. Ingersoll and Merrill (2010) showed the annual turnover rate for teachers was higher than for …

Populus Species And Hybrids For Use On Bottomland And Upland Sites In The Southern United States, Bryce D. May

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to evaluate the performance of Populus species and hybrid poplars in short rotation biomass production systems. Eastern cottonwood and hybrid clones were evaluated at both an alluvial and upland test site in 2010 and 2011. Age-one and age-two measurements included tree survival, total height, and overall health. Age-two measurements also included breast height diameter and volume. Generally, eastern cottonwoods exhibited greater growth than hybrid clones on the alluvial site while the reverse was true for the upland site. Faster tree growth occurred on the alluvial site, but foliage diseases were more prevalent. Hybrids showed …

Conceptual Change: The Integration Of Geologic Time Into The Teaching Of Evolution, David L. Ramseyer

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempts to discern if geologic time is a threshold concept for student understanding of evolutionary theory. A threshold concept enables the learner to unpack other concepts because of its importance in thought construction. In this study three teachers and ten sections of biology were investigated from the same high school. Each teacher used the same activities, in the same sequence, and with identical evaluation methods. Students in the treatment group covered a unit on geologic time prior to completing course work on evolutionary theory. Student misconceptions in both control and treatment groups were assessed using a composite concept …

Effects Of Preblending And Water Addition On Physical And Sensory Characteristics Of Seasoned Pork Patties, Molly Sheppard Field

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to establish the consumer acceptability of preblended and nonpreblended post rigor seasoned pork patties with added water levels of 0, 3, 6, and 9 percent for each formula. Other parameters measured were proximate analysis, texture, cooking loss, and consumer acceptability. Nonpreblended treatments had a higher (P<0.05) percentage of protein and a lower (P<0.05) percentage of fat as compared to preblended treatments. Texture analysis revealed a lower (P<0.05) amount of total energy required to shear through a single patty in preblended treatments than nonpreblended treatments. No differences (P>0.05) were detected among treatments at varying water levels. Consumer acceptability showed no differences (P>0.05) among selected treatments. Consumer acceptability scores indicated that consumers would consume both preblended and nonpreblended seasoned pork patties at varying water levels.

Effects Of Supplemental Citrulline Malate During A Resistance Training Protocol, William Kinnard Luckett

Theses and Dissertations

Ergogenic L-citrulline and malate are amino acids used in specific combination to effect muscular endurance during athletic performances. Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the ergogenic properties of citrulline-malate (CM) during a resistance training protocol. Methods: Utilizing a randomized, counterbalanced, double blind study, fifteen trained males completed a resistance training protocol once using placebo (PL) and once with CM (8.0g). Results: CM supplementation increased repetitions in chin-ups, reverse chin-ups, push-ups, and total trial repetitions. Blood lactate was significantly increased post-exercise compared to pre-exercise, but was not significantly different between CM and placebo. Further, a significant interaction effect was revealed for …

Effects Of Television Weather Broadcasters On Viewers During Severe Weather: To Be Or Not To Be On-Screen, Amanda Marie Lea

Theses and Dissertations

An association was tested between the presence of a television weather broadcaster on-screen and viewers’ likelihood to seek shelter, measured via risk perception and preventative behavior. Social networking websites were used to recruit respondents. Four clips of archived severe weather videos, one pair (on-screen and off-screen broadcaster) using the reflectivity product and another pair (on-screen and off-screen broadcaster) using velocity product, were presented to participants. Viewers’ trust and weather salience were also quantified for additional interactions. A relationship between viewers’ risk perception (preflectivity = 0.821, pvelocity = 0.625) and preventative behavior (preflectivity = 0.217, pvelocity = 0.236) and the presence …

Ecology Of The Tick-Borne Pathogen, Rickettsia Parkeri, In Its Primary Vector, Amblyomma Maculatum, And Select Vertebrate Hosts, Gail Miriam Moraru

Theses and Dissertations

Rickettsia parkeri is a tick-borne microorganism, only recently recognized to cause disease in humans. The ecology of this disease is largely unknown, and was addressed through a series of laboratory and field investigations. Feeding behavior of immature stages of the primary vector, Amblyomma maculatum, on mammalian, avian, and reptilian host models was investigated. It was determined that this tick does not feed on anoles, and nymphs do display longer periods of attachment to and are significantly heavier having fed on cotton rats as compared with quail. Field surveys indicate evidence of exposure to spotted fever group rickettsiae in small mammals …

Effect Of Hand Pinching, Dikegulac-Sodium, And Gibberellic Acid On Chile Pepper (Capsicum Annuum), Abdulfatah Mousa

Theses and Dissertations

Hand Pinching increased branching and fruit yield. At first harvest dikegulac-sodium at 50 ppm increased fruit yield compared to the control. However, dikegulac sodium at 100 ppm reduced fruit yield initially but had no effect on fruit yield at 2-4th harvests. Digkegulac-sodium, Gibberellic acid, and hand pinching did not affect fruit length at third and fourth harvests. However, first and second harvests dikegulac sodium reduced fruit length whereas GA3 had no effect. None of the treatments affected fruit width. Dikegulac sodium and Hand pinching increased the number of branches after three weeks, but GA3 did not. At 8 weeks after …

Cryopreservation Of Equine Spermatozoa: Identification Of Good And Poor Freezer Stallions And Effect Of Sperm Density Per Straw, Abed Sharqy Fahad

Theses and Dissertations

This study was carried out primarily to evaluate the cryo-tolerance of equine semen from four stallions through assessing the spermatozoa motion characteristics with Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). Four stallions were collected during the breeding season (summer). For each ejaculate, fresh and cryopreserved samples were taken for sperm motility characteristics evaluation. Data analysis demonstrated that sperm cells of stallions were significantly affected by (P<0.05) cryodamage. Stallion (A) was cryotolerant, and was classified as a good freezer, whereas stallion (D) was not and classified as a poor freezer regardless of the concentration of sperm. In addition, a concentration of 0.4 x 109 sperm cells/ml had higher percentages of rapid sperm and velocity parameters (P<0.05) compared to 0.8 x 109 sperm/ml. Further research is necessary to identify potential biomarkers for good and poor freezer stallions.

Enhancing Plant Tolerance To Cold, Heat And Drought Through The Use Of Selected Plant Health Protectants, Diana Renae Cochran

Theses and Dissertations

Studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of plant health protectants Pageant (pyraclobstrobin + boscalid), Regalia (extract of Reynoutria sachalinensis) and MBI-501 (an anti-transpirant) on drought, heat and cold tolerance. To measure effects on drought tolerance, Pageant, Regalia or MBI-501 were foliar applied to impatiens at four rates (0.0×, 0.5×, 1.0×, and 1.5×) based on the label rates of 0.228 g·L-1 (Pageant), 10 mL·L-1 (Regalia) and 2 mL·L-1 (MBI-501) and to tomato plants at two rates (0.0× and 1.0×) based on the label rates of 0.559 g·L-1 (Pageant), 10 mL·L-1 (Regalia) and 2 mL·L-1 (MBI-501) grown with different target substrate …

Evaluation Of The Immune Response Of Angus Heifers With Different Genetic Markers For Marbling When Challenged With Lipopolysaccharide, Joe O. Buntyn

Theses and Dissertations

Nineteen heifers (274 ± 24 kg) were blocked into two treatment groups based upon DNAm; heifers with no DNAm (noQG), and heifers with one or more DNAm (1+QG). Prior to challenge (24 h), heifers were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters and indwelling vaginal temperature (VT) monitoring devices. Blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals while RT were collected at 1-min intervals from -2 to 8 h relative to a lipopolysaccride (LPS) challenge (0.5 ìg/kg BW) at 0 h. Serum was analyzed for concentrations of cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines. All physical, endocrine, and immune measurements increased relative to LPS challenge. No …

Examining Public Administrators' Perceptions Of Welfare Policy Performance, Elizabeth D. Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Efforts to meet the needs of poverty stricken Americans have resulted in the passage of numerous federal and state policies. Current Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) policy emphasizes sharing the responsibility for meeting citizens’ needs through partnerships with those in poverty. Such reforms challenge local administrators to define and assess the terms of welfare policy reform success. This study’s adaptation of the theory of positionality examines how position in public organizations can inform employees’ views of welfare policy performances. Specifically, it seeks to determine if the type of administrative responsibility and interaction (positionality) with citizens leads to differing views …

Expanding Protection Motivation Theory: The Role Of Individual Experience In Information Security Policy Compliance, Leigh A (Leigh Ann) Mutchler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study is to make contributions to the area of behavioral information security in the field of Information Systems and to assist in the improved development of Information Security Policy instructional programs to increase the policy compliance of individuals. The role of an individual’s experience in the context of information security behavior was explored through the lens of protection motivation theory. The practical foundation was provided by the framework of Security Education, Training, and Awareness (SETA) programs which are typically used by organizations within the United States to instruct employees regarding information security. A pilot study …

L222w Of Hemagglutinin Affects The Receptor Binding Affinity Of Avian Origin H3n2 Canine Influenza Virus, Guohua Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Emergence of avian origin and equine origin canine influenza viruses (CIVs) in Asia and the United States brings important concerns. Humans are in closer and more frequent contact with dogs than other common hosts of influenza. Thus, CIV is a potential threat to human health. However, little is known about the determinants of CIV host tropism or the transmissibility of CIVs to humans. An amino acid change (W222L) was implicated in modifying hemagglutinin receptor binding by CIV. This was tested using reverse genetics, glycan microarray and virus histochemistry. Glycan microarray demonstrated that avian-origin CIV (H3N2-222W) bind predominantly to alpha-2, 3 …

Field Survey Of Native And Non-Native Subterranean Termites In Southeastern United States Forests, Nathan Allen Blount

Theses and Dissertations

Subterranean termites are ecologically and economically important insects that play major roles in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. The Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is an invasive species known to cause significant damage in urban areas through aggressive consumption of wooden structures and infestations of living trees. Little is known about the presence and impact of C. formosanus in forested ecosystems of the southeastern U.S. as the majority of studies have taken place in urban settings. This study investigates the prevalence of C. formosanus in localized forests, as well as the utilization of living trees by C. formosanus …

Fungal Communities On Flooded Building Materials, Frederick Skrobot Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Flood waters will penetrate the wall cavities of a home and the wall materials then serve as a substrate for mold development. This study measured the effect of flooding and subsequent drying on the extent and type of mold on different residential wall materials. Wet and dry wall samples were analyzed by cloning and sequencing and twenty-one mold species were identified from above and below the water line. Real-time PCR quantitated selected species on fiberglass batt insulation, gypsum wallboard, wood stud, plywood panels, vinyl siding, and house wrap. The mold species found in the highest concentration were Aspergillus fumigatus, Paecilomyces …

Gender Differences In Parenting Dimensions And Contraceptive Use At First Sexual Intercourse, Sherelle Cohen

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the gender differences in how parents exhibit parenting dimensions (control, monitoring, support and warmth) towards sons and daughters and how those dimensions influence contraceptive use. The data analysis uses the Add Health data and the sample includes 918 adolescents within two-parent homes. This study adds to the existing literature in three ways. First, this study investigates four different parenting dimensions whereas previous research focuses on control and communication. Second, this study looks at how each dimension influences contraceptive use. Third, this study examines how parents exhibit parenting dimensions differently towards sons and daughters and whether each dimension …

Generation Of Biodiesel And Carotenoids From Rhodotorula Glutinis Using Sweet Sorghum Juice, Miriam Llanto Revellame

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of Rhodotorula glutinis in sweet sorghum juice in three levels of three factors of temperature, carbon to nitrogen ratio and pH was evaluated. Accompanying of this growth was the generation of lipids converted to fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) and carotenoids. The optimized condition for maximum biomass and carotenoid accumulation was determined to be at 25C, pH of 5.5 and carbon to nitrogen ratio of 10. This condition yielded 22.7 g/L biomass with specific growth rate of 0.213 hr-1. At this condition the carotenoids generation was also maximum with 2.6 mg/gram biomass, comprising of torularhodin, beta-carotene and torulene. …

Pond Management Approaches And Effects On Trophic Dynamics, Michael Scott Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

Mississippi has an abundance of ponds which provides a number of opportunities for anglers. Several enhancement strategies are used to improve fish production in ponds, including fertilizing and supplemental feeding. These strategies may ignore the potential ecological impacts that may unexpectedly arise, such as prolific plant growth. This study consists of two phases; first, a mesocosm experiment investigating fertilizer application rates (mg P/L) in relation to potential sunfish growth, and second, a replicated pond experiment consisting of four treatments to simulate commonly used enhancement strategies. Mesocosm experiment showed a peak of sunfish growth at the 0.6 mg P/L level and …

Patterns Of Mammal Incidents With U.S. Civil Aircraft, Kristin Michele Biondi

Theses and Dissertations

Wildlife collisions with U.S. civil aircraft (hereafter incidents) pose safety and economic concerns. Terrestrial mammals represented only 2.3% of wildlife incidents, but 59% of these incidents caused damage to aircraft. I examined 2,558 incidents in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Wildlife Strike Database to characterize and analyze overall mammal incidents by airport type, emphasizing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and bat incidents with U.S. civil aircraft. Mammal incidents caused 5 times greater damage than other wildlife which varied by airport type and appeared associated with species’ behavior. I provided relative hazard scores to determine which species were most hazardous to …