Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Of Total Phenolic Contents, Dpph Activities And Anti-Lipid-Oxidation Capabilities Of Different Bioactive Beverages And Phenolic Antioxidants, Yongchao Zhu

LSU Master's Theses

Polyphenol compounds are widely used as antioxidants in food processing. The conventional phenolic content, scavenging DPPH free radical assays have been widely used for antioxidant evaluation. This research aimed to study the correlation between scavenging DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical activity, total phenolic content and anti-lipid-oxidation capability of natural and synthetic antioxidants and four beverages drinks. Synthetic phenol antioxidants, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), PG (propyl gallate), TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone) and naturally occurring phenolics ƒÑ-T(£\-tocopherol), CA(Chlorogenic acid), GA(Gallic acid), QCT(Quercetin), RSV(Resveratrol), and SA(Syringic acid) were examined for their total phenolic content (TPC) and scavenging DPPH free radical activity. The anti-lipid-oxidation …

Cardiovascular Tolerance And Safety Of Intravenous Lidocaine In The Broiler Chicken (Gallus Gallus Domesticus), Joao Manuel Lemos Brandao

LSU Master's Theses

Lidocaine, an amide local anesthetic agent, is commonly used in mammals, including humans. There is a general assumption that birds are more sensitive to lidocaine than mammals. Relatively low doses of lidocaine have been suggested to cause toxic effects in birds. While this information appears to be anecdotal, it has been perpetuated in the literature. The overall objective of this thesis research was to determine the tolerance and safety of intravenous lidocaine in broiler chickens. To assess the cardiovascular effects of lidocaine, relative changes on heart rate and mean blood pressure were calculated. Clinically significant cardiovascular effects were defined as …

A Comparison Of Calcium And Magnesium Ratios In Soilless Media For Optimum Vegetable Production Irrigated With Alkaline Ph Water, Sarah E. Bertrand

LSU Master's Theses

Home gardeners in areas with alkaline water sources do not have means of acidifying water for vegetable production. A solution to achieving optimal yields with alkaline irrigation water is to use specialized media; however, current media available does not meet these needs. New media recipes with varied levels (0 to 8 lbs/yd3) and sources of Ca (dolomitic lime, calcium sulfate) and Mg (dolomitic lime, magnesium sulfate) were tested using alkaline irrigation on lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower crops under high tunnel and on nursery yard sites. Media treatments with an 80:20 bark:peat and 7.1 kg/m3 slow release 15-9-11 base mix and …

Pah Degradation In Wetland Soils As Influenced By Redox Potential, Haoxuan Zhang

LSU Master's Theses

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a common contaminant in wetland soils. They are a group of compounds widely distributed in the environment and tend to accumulate in soils. Major contribution to removal of PAHs is biological degradation. For investigating the biodegradation potential of PAHs influenced by tidal actions, equipment was built for simulating the tidal actions, and concentrations of phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo[e]pyrene were added to the soils samples which were collected from wetland. Experiments were then conducted over 120 days. Redox potentials and PAHs concentrations were measured and analyzed. Results are concluded: 1) influenced by tidal action, phenanthrene, pyrene, …

Mechanical Behavior Of Frp-Confined Self-Healing Concrete, Yueqiang Sui

LSU Master's Theses

This research study is motivated by the need to reduce the costs of maintenance and repair of the aging transportation infrastructure in the US. The proposed approach is to use self-healing concrete. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that composite action due to fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confinement of cylindrical concrete specimens may improve the self-repairing properties of self-healing concrete materials. Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) is utilized as healing agent in this research. Concrete cylinders with 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% of sodium silicate (SS) by weight of cement were cast and tested to evaluate the effectiveness …

Decomposition And Entomological Associations Of Swine In Louisiana Micro-Environments, Rachael Ann Farris

LSU Master's Theses

Flies are commonly used as forensic indicators of an approximate time of death. This measurement of postmortem interval is influenced by factors such as climate and the environment in which the remains are placed. Each environment has its own set of influences that can accelerate or hinder the rate of decomposition. Remains left on dry land will decompose at a faster rate than remains in water due to the accessibility of the remains to scavengers and necrophagus insects. This research serves to provide a start to research into decomposition in the swamp environment of southern Louisiana. Three fetal pigs were …

Legacy Phosphorus Implications In The Lake Pontchartrain Estuary Sediment Due To The 2011 Bonnet Carre Spillway Opening, Nhan Thanh Nguyen

LSU Master's Theses

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for life and excess P in aquatic systems can trigger algal blooms. Nutrient-rich Mississippi River water is diverted into the Lake Pontchartrain estuary (LPE) periodically through the Bonnet Carré Spillway (BCS) to avoid downstream flooding to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana and can significantly increase the internal P load in the sediment. A sequential P fractionation procedure was performed on sediments collected before the opening and after the closing of the 2011 BCS operation to understand the role of these large river diversions on P dynamics. Before the 2011 BCS opening, 10,368 Mt …

A Treatment Planning Comparison Of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy And Proton Therapy For A Sample Of Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy, Margaret Hernandez

LSU Master's Theses

Purpose: The delivery of post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) can be challenging for patients with left-sided breast cancer due to the planning target volume (PTV) size and proximity to critical organs. This study investigates the use of protons, both passively scattered (PS) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), for PMRT in a clinically-representative cohort of patients, and quantitatively compares the predicted outcomes of volumetric modulated photon arc therapy (VMAT) to those of proton therapy to develop an evidence-based rationale for selecting a treatment modality for PMRT patients. Methods: Eight left-sided PMRT patients previously treated at our clinic with VMAT were included in …

Teaching Climate Literacy Using Geospatial Tools, Steven L. Babcock

LSU Master's Theses

Antarctica is the world’s coldest, driest and windiest continent. It is a harsh environment that few people will ever see but it is a very important part of our Earth system. Over the past 34 million years the climate in Antarctica has deteriorated from one that supported lush vegetation to the conditions observed today. By studying this trend and the associated changes to ice and vegetation we can gain critical insight into climate changes taking place today. This thesis presents three pieces of curricula that will help students and the general public understand some of the research currently underway in …

Does The Jigsaw Method Improve Student Conceptual Knowledge In Physical Science?, Althea Alisa Morgan

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT The goal of my research is to determine if the Jigsaw Method has an effect on student conceptual knowledge of Physical Science in a classroom setting that predominately uses cooperative learning. The assessment instruments that were given in pretest and posttest format to assess student knowledge were the Matter Concept Inventory (MCI) and Edusoft Assessments. The research study group consisted of two sections of a ninth grade Physical Science class (N = 42) in a rural high school in Louisiana. As an intervention prior to the study, students were introduced to working in cooperative learning groups. The students in …

Bone Modification In Male To Female Transgender Surgeries: Considerations For The Forensic Anthropologist, Shelby Buchanan

LSU Master's Theses

No forensic anthropological standards exist for the identification of transsexual individuals from skeletal material. In fact, current standards produce inaccurate biological profiles for transsexuals. The reason being that current standard for ascription of sex from skeletal remains relies on pelvic morphology. Positive identification of unidentified individuals relies on the accuracy of the biological profile, which includes sex, provided by the forensic anthropologist. In the case of male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals, ascription of sex based on pelvic morphology will result in an inaccurate assessment of sex. This study, therefore, attempts to determine whether or not there exists evidence in the skeleton of …

The Experience Of Peer Leadership And Its Impact On Stem Success, A.E. Dreyfuss, Guannian Zeng, Yanna Chen, Janet Liou-Mark

Publications and Research

How do Peer Leaders view their leadership experience? A survey was administered during the Spring 2013 semester to current and former peer leaders at New York City College of Technology (“City Tech”) of the City University of New York (CUNY). The survey examined peer leaders’ perseverance and retention in their science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines, and their views on how the facilitation experience had impacted their personal and leadership growth and skills.

Ecology And Physiology Of Antarctic Macrophytes Under The Influence Of Abiotic And Biotic Stressors., Kathryn M. Schoenrock

All ETDs from UAB

The physiology of many species of Antarctic marine algae was evaluated under a variety of biotic and abiotic factors found or predicted for the western Antarctic Peninsula. The potential biological stressors, filamentous algal endophytes, had few effects on their macrophyte host's physiology which may be the cause for their persistence in this marine community. Adversely impacted hosts include Pachymenia sp. and Iridaea cordata. In areas of high endophyte infection Pachymenia sp. was significantly less resistant to forces that could penetrate their thalli. Maximum quantum yield near endophyte infection was significantly lower in I. cordata. Endophyte abundance is significantly lower in …

Proteomic Analysis Of Mammary Epithelial Cell Development, Alyssa Kay Conly

Master's Theses

In this set of studies, a proteomic approach was used to investigate the protein profile of the mammary epithelial cell (MEC) through different stages of mammary development. The HC11 cell line was used to investigate protein changes between undifferentiated and differentiated MEC, which represent the pregnant and lactating states of the cells. This comparison revealed an interesting differential expression profile underscoring many recognized processes that occur in differentiated MECs, while others unveiled differences between MEC differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Primary MEC were also isolated from virgin, pregnant, and primiparous quiescent mice to compare the virgin state of the …

Growing Up With Hiv In Kisumu, Kenya: Participatory Action Research With Young People Living With Hiv, Zoe Alexis Hobbs Marinkovich

Doctoral Dissertations

Forty-one percent of new HIV infections are in young people between the ages of 15-24 (Masquillier, et al., 2012). In addition to new infections, advances in medications are now making it possible for children born with HIV to survive into adolescence and adulthood (Bland, 2011; Gray, 2010). Due to the growing population of youth living with HIV, there is an increased need for adolescent-appropriate care and intervention. While many studies have examined the role of education in preventing HIV transmission for HIV-negative youth in the Sub-Saharan context, few have focused on the education and experiences of young people living with …

An Investigation Of Special Education Teachers' Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of A Systematic 7-Step Virtual Worlds Teacher Training Workshop For Increasing Social Skills, Natalie Christina Nussli

Doctoral Dissertations

This study describes how a systematic 7-Step Virtual Worlds Teacher Training Workshop promoting inquiry, experiential learning, and sociocultural theory guided the enculturation of 18 special education teachers into three-dimensional virtual worlds. The main purpose was to enable these teachers to make informed decisions about the usability of virtual worlds for students with social skills challenges, such as students with autism. Mixed-methods data analysis and triangulation were based on the analysis of seven instruments. Six of the seven steps of the intervention received high ratings indicating its viability for teachers' professional development opportunities

Combinatorial Effects Of Corexit 9500a And Temperature Stressors On Embryo Development In The Zebrafish Danio Rerio, Erica Davis Anderson

All ETDs from UAB

the Kemp’s Ridley Recovery Program during the 2005-2008 nesting seasons. This

The Involvement Of The Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2ss In The Pathogenesis Of Type 1 Diabetes, Robert N. Bone

All ETDs from UAB

chapters test the role of non-steady moisture or temperature on sex ratios produced by the

Soil Properties Of An Urban Stream Along A Restoration Gradient In The Southern Piedmont, Japhia Melissa Jacobo

All ETDs from UAB

As awareness of the deleterious effects of urbanization on urban watersheds increases, restoration of degraded streams has increased. Ecologists understand the vital role healthy soil plays in nutrient cycling and the revegetation of degraded riparian ecosystems. However, restoration projects in the southeast typically focus on stabilizing streambanks and improving water quality, not recovering soil health. Manipulating riparian soils to facilitate restoration success is common, yet these methods do not influence soil health. This case study sought to discover if the recovery of critical soil properties is possible when the stressor of urbanization has not been removed. Additionally, this case study …

Mitochondrial Genetics Modify Body Composition, Metabolic Efficiency And Myocardial Metabolism, Kimberly Joanne Dunham-Snary

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity and cardiometabolic pathologies have reached epidemic levels worldwide over the last 30 years. Currently, the majority of research investigating possible genetic causes of obesity is focused on nuclear DNA (nDNA). While this has lead to the development of numerous animal models, it is apparent the etiology of obesity is more complex than single gene mutations. Recently it has also been suggested that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations sustained during evolution as a consequence of our prehistoric environment may influence individual propensity and risk of disease. Contemporary human populations are no longer faced with the challenges of our ancestors such as …

Unraveling The Mechanisms Of Skeletal Muscle Hyperplasia: Juxtaposing Divergent Growth Paradigms, Jacob Michael Froehlich

All ETDs from UAB

During the course of vertebrate evolution, two major growth paradigms have appeared: determinate, one in which an animal's final size is largely governed by predisposed genetic potential; and indeterminate, a paradigm involving life-long, largely environmentally governed somatic growth. Of the tissues constituting an adult vertebrate, skeletal muscle comprises ≥60% of that organism's mass, making it an important factor in overall body growth. To better understand the process by which many teleost fishes grow throughout their natural lifespans, the clade Danioninae and the model rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were utilized in a comparative manner. Contrary to current hypotheses, fish with indeterminate …

Urbanization And Land-Use Change In Puerto Maldonado, Peru: Categorizing The Landscape Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery For Potential Use In Public Health Research, Laura Brianna Gast

All ETDs from UAB

Environmental change, especially rapid urbanization, has measurable effects on human health. Over 70 percent of the global population is expected to live in urban areas by 2025, and at least 1 in 3 of these individuals will live in extreme poverty. Living in a slum or shantytown exposes individuals to health and safety risks including inadequate sanitation, lack of access to clean water, air pollution, violence, over-crowding and risk of infectious disease. Remote sensing technologies are an effective tool for detection and prediction of areas with significant land use change, which enables identification of populations with the highest risk of …

The Frontal Bone As A Proxy For Sex Estimation In Humans: A Geometric Morphometric Analysis, Lucy Ann Edwards Hochstein

LSU Master's Theses

Physical anthropologists have a toolkit for determining sex from skeletal remains composed of visual and metric techniques concerning the pelvis and the skull. However, complete elements are not always available and results can be indeterminate. The present study combines visual assessment of the skull with statistical methods of shape analysis, geometric morphometrics, to reach a better understanding of how cranial variation of the frontal bone is influenced by sex. The three-dimensional coordinates of frontal bone curvatures of 204 skulls from the Terry Collection were collected using a Microscribe digitizer. These data were used to assess the ability of this technique …

Bayesian Model-Building In Phylogenetics, Bradley Nelson

LSU Master's Theses

DNA sequencing costs have decreased dramatically over recent decades, resulting in a flood of phylogenetic information available to researchers. While it is often assumed that additional data will lead to more accurate conclusions, it also raises a number of problems for phylogeneticists, including mundane computational issues such as data management and complex statistical problems such as obtaining a single species tree from multiple conflicting gene trees. Developing new methods to make better use of existing data and probe the causes of conflicting signal will be necessary to confidently resolve phylogenies in the genomic era.

Here, we examine two current problems …

Memory Self-Efficacy And Beliefs About Memory Controllability In Late Life, Bethany A. Lyon

LSU Master's Theses

The Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model for lifespan development (Baltes & Baltes, 1990) holds that as we age, our goals change from growth to maintenance. When people face difficulties, they work to minimize losses in order to maintain skills they already have physically, mentally, and socially. Thus, we compensate when possible in order to maintain the life we have established. In the case of memory people assume that there is little they can do when memory starts to fail and forgetfulness becomes more prominent. In the present research, we examine memory self-appraisals to provide new evidence on memory self-efficacy …

Cdom Optical Properties Near Dwh Site, Gulf Of Mexico: Pot Oil Spill, Zhi Li

LSU Master's Theses

The Deep Water Horizon (DWH) oil spill resulted in the largest accidental release of crude oil in U.S. waters with both short- and long-term effects on the marine environment. Extensive studies conducted immediately following the oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico provided greater understanding of the physical processes influencing the distribution of the released oil, including the use of optical detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a toxic crude oil fraction in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In this study, the optical properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were …

Assessment Of Age At Weaning For Post-Contact Maya Of Tipu, Belize, Using Stable Carbon, Nitrogen, And Oxygen Isotope Ratios, Chaney Hiers

LSU Master's Theses

Age at weaning was assessed for a post-Spanish contact Maya population, the Tipu, by sampling 25 individuals (20 subadults less than seven years of age and five females from 18 to 45 years of age). Whole ribs, for younger subadults, and rib fragments, for older subadults and adults, were sampled for stable nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen isotope ratios. Five lines of evidence were used to assess age at weaning: stable carbon composition from collagen (δ13Ccol), stable nitrogen composition from collagen (δ15Ncol), stable carbon composition from apatite (δ13Cap), difference in collagen and apatite composition (Δ13Cap-col), and stable oxygen composition from apatite …

Evaluation Of Stromatolites From The 3.4 Ga Kromberg Formation, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, Corey E. Shircliff

LSU Master's Theses

Silicified sedimentary rocks from the 3.4 Ga Kromberg Formation of the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa contain laminated structures that have been identified as possible stromatolites in the field. Morphological evaluation and a variety of chemical analyses are presented here, in an effort to describe the samples in a sedimentary context and consider biogenicity of these laminated forms. Two major types of laminated structures were identified in the field – domical laminates and flat-laminated samples with little to no synoptic relief. The domical sample presents the best morphological evidence for biogenicity. There are several characteristics that suggest the deposition …

The Adoption Of State Wetland Policies: How Do Wetlands Fit Within The Theoretical Framework Of Environmental Policy Determinants?, Rachel Bogart Krech

LSU Master's Theses

Wetlands are an extremely important natural resource in the United States. They offer storm surge protection, sediment stabilization, groundwater recharging, carbon sequestration, and habitat for many species. Despite their values, wetlands have a long history of being misunderstood. It was not until the mid-1970s that scientific understanding helped transform policy from that of rapid conversion to that of conservation. By this time, the lower 48 states had already lost 53 percent of its total wetlands. The nature of wetlands and federal limitations make the management of this natural resource a primarily state-based responsibility. However, the way that states construct their …

A Diagnosis Feature Space For Condition Monitoring And Fault Diagnosis Of Ball Bearings, Ali Kahirdeh

LSU Master's Theses

The problem of fault diagnosis and condition monitoring of ball bearings is a multidisciplinary subject. It involves research subjects from diverse disciplines of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and in particular signal processing. In the first step, one should identify the correct method of investigation. The methods of investigation for condition monitoring of ball bearings include acoustic emission measurements, temperature monitoring, electrical current monitoring, debris analysis and vibration signal analysis. In this thesis the vibration signal analysis is employed. Once the method of analysis is selected, then features sensitive to faults should be calculated from the signal. While some of the …