Digital Commons Network^™

Nesting Ecology Of White-Throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia Albicollis) : The Effects Of Variation In Clutch-Initiation Date And The Application Of Prescribed Fire On Nesting Success, Melissa Olmstead

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The study of nesting success is one of the most widely-used methods for examining the factors governing recruitment in birds. Many ecological influences act together to increase or decrease nesting success, and knowledge of these mechanisms is crucial for determining the habitat or conservation requirements of a given species. One ecological influence is the timing of breeding, which in many species is related to a decline in nest success later in the breeding season. Much of the research on this subject has focused on cavity-nesting species, and the hypothesis that this seasonal decline is caused by a mismatch between clutch-initiation …

The Role Of Body Size On The Outcome Of Mating Interactions In Drosophila Melanogaster, Adam C. Lounsbury

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Sexual selection is the process by which some individuals produce more and/or better quality offspring than others because they are better at securing mates. While this may be accomplished by defeating same-sex rivals (intrasexual selection), individuals of one sex (typically females) may also “decide” on the suitability of individuals of the opposite sex (typically males), resulting in intersexual selection on attractive traits. While a great deal of scrutiny has focused on how sexual selection influences male display traits, much less scrutiny has been directed toward the factors underlying female preference, including genetic variation, as well as the extent to which …

The Gaussian Radon Transform For Banach Spaces, Irina Holmes

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The classical Radon transform can be thought of as a way to obtain the density of an n-dimensional object from its (n-1)-dimensional sections in diff_x001B_erent directions. A generalization of this transform to infi_x001C_nite-dimensional spaces has the potential to allow one to obtain a function de_x001C_fined on an infi_x001C_nite-dimensional space from its conditional expectations. We work within a standard framework in in_x001C_finite-dimensional analysis, that of abstract Wiener spaces, developed by L. Gross. The main obstacle in infinite dimensions is the absence of a useful version of Lebesgue measure. To overcome this, we work with Gaussian measures. Specifically, we construct Gaussian measures …

Distribution And Elimination Of 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrophenol (Tfm) By Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus) And Non-Target, Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser Fulvescens), Michael W. Le Clair

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The pesticide, 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM), has been highly successful in the control of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations in the Great Lakes. Treatments with TFM involve applying it to streams, where it targets larval sea lamprey which live burrowed in the stream substrate. While the toxic mechanism of TFM has been elucidated, and its effects on sea lamprey described, its effects on non-target fish species such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are not as well understood. The present work demonstrated that rainbow trout show a great capacity to detoxify the lampricide using glucuronidation, when exposed to …

Investigating The Persistence And "Naturalization" Potential Of Salmonella In Non-Host Environments Using Culture-Based And Molecular-Based Fingerprinting Techniques, Robyn L. Morrison

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Recent studies suggest the potential exists for enteric microorganisms to become “naturalized” to the complex natural environment through maintenance of their populations via replication and adaptation to the stress imposed by their external surroundings. The aim of this research was to better understand the potential for antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Salmonella to become “naturalized” and the physiological adaptations that allow for non-host survivability as reflected by AMR and community profiling. To better elucidate the prominent factors leading to a “naturalized” condition, two approaches were taken: 1) survey-based field research to gain perspective on the prevalence of AMR Salmonella isolated from variously …

The Benefit Of A Clergy Union To The United Church Of Canada, Margaret J. Perry

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis was was motivated by the question of the effect of the union

organizing efforts of some of the clergy in the United Church of Canada. The topics of work, call and covenant/contract are examined in a secondary, qualitative manner to establish the way in which they affect the relationship between clergy and the various levels of the church. The work of philosophers, such as Hannah Arendt and sociologists, such as Richard Sennett, as well as theologians Martin Luther, Jean Calvin, John Wesley, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Abraham Heschel, and Walter Brueggemann are included in the study. A Biblical understanding of …

Surface Complexation Of Monosubstituted Organoarsenicals On Hematite: Atr-Ftir Investigations, Md Abdus Sabur

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Little is known about the surface chemistry of organoarsenic compounds with iron-containing materials commonly found in geosorbents and arsenic removal technologies. In this thesis, these organoarsenicals include aliphatic and aromatic arsenicals that historically have been used as herbicides, pesticides and in the poultry feed industry, respectively. Attenuated total internal reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the surface interactions of organoarsenicals at the molecular level under various environmentally-relevant conditions. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters extracted from these molecular level experiments provide trends that are not observed in any published bulk experiments. Apparent initial rates of adsorption and desorption …

Through An Intersectionality Lens: Service Provider Views On The Sexual Health Needs Of Racialized Lgbtq Youth In Toronto, Shanshan Yan

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis explores the needs and gaps in knowledge and service delivery in sexual health for racialized LGBTQ youth living in Toronto, Canada from the perspective of service providers. Through a grounded theory approach, data were analysed using an intersectionality lens with the intention that the complex identities of the youth be considered. The findings of this study shed light on the barriers that operate at the micro (ie. personal), meso (ie. community) and macro (ie. societal) levels that affect the sexual health outcomes of racialized LGBTQ youth. Key findings from this study point to: 1) the need to closely …

A Structure-Function Analysis Of The Arabidopsis Chloroplast Import Protein Attic20, James H. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Arabidopsis thaliana protein Tic20 (atTic20) is a member of the translocon at the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts. Evidence to date suggests it is part of the main preprotein conducting aperture in the complex, but its exact role is still debated. To help characterize its role, a protocol optimizing yield and purity of recombinantly expressed atTic20 was developed, and a series of experiments was performed to examine its secondary structure and its ability to interact with chloroplast transit peptides. The attempt to increase protein yield was successful, with growth at 20^oC in the auto-inducing media ZYP-5052 showing the …

Causes And Consequences Of Female Mate Choice In Drosophila Melanogaster: A Hemiclonal Analysis, Hannah Me Tennant

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

One of Darwin’s greatest questions, the reason why females prefer elaborate sexually selected male traits and displays, was elucidated by the Fisherian coevolution of male traits and female preferences. While variation in male attractiveness and ornamentation has received much attention, there has been little attempt to evaluate the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation in components of female preference. Furthermore, demonstrating a genetic basis to female preference does not answer the question of how within-population genetic variation is maintained.

Understanding the sources of variation in potential mating interactions between males and females is important because this variation determines the strength …

“Comfort, Comfort My People”: A Qualitative Study Examining Dying Persons’ And Their Caregivers’ Experience Of Spiritual Care As An Aid To Having A Good Death In Grey And Bruce Counties, Ontario, Dwight Biggs

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Dying persons and their caregivers encounter several needs as part of the dying journey. Spiritual care, when offered effectively, can help address many of those needs. When people’s needs are fulfilled, their suffering is lessened and there is an increased possibility of them experiencing a good death. However, when spiritual care is not offered effectively, dying persons and their caregivers often continue to face unalleviated suffering which limits their ability to experience a good death. This research project explores how dying persons and their caregivers experience spiritual care in their homes as an aid to dying well and having a …

Quantifying Rooftop Solar Power For The City Of Waterloo, Ontario, Shawn W. Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Climate change, pollution, and energy security are driving a worldwide transition away from traditional fossil fuel generated electricity. As the world moves away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy, electricity generated from photovoltaic solar panels is one of the most promising and capable technologies available today. Arguably the most suitable location to generate this electricity is at the source of consumption. Placing solar panels on unused rooftop space can subsidize the electricity demand that that building requires. This research quantifies the amount of electricity that can be generated within the City of Waterloo, Ontario. Using Natural Resources Canada data, …

An Exploratory Examination Of Families Engaged In An Adventure Running Kids Program, Heather Isnor

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Academics and practitioners have only just begun to delve into the health benefits of outdoor activities in the last few years. In general, the forested settings of these activities have been documented to decrease stress levels, increase recovery rates from disease, and lessen the symptoms of mental illnesses (Kuo & Faber Taylor, 2004). It is believed that the natural environment acts as a setting where humans can engage in physical activity, aesthetic experiences, and social interactions that, in turn, release stress and lead to improved well-being (Bird, 2012). Currently, however, children are experiencing limited exposure to nature and which has …

The Lived Experiences Of Adult Siblings Of Individuals With Asd, Brianne Redquest

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are the most prevalent neurological and severe developmental disorder affecting 1 in 88 Canadians, reflecting a 78% increase over the last 6 years (Autism Speaks Canada, 2013). ASD is a lifelong disorder which requires a tremendous amount of support and caregiving from family members. As a result, siblings may have unique experiences associated with having a sibling with ASD. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of adult siblings of individuals with ASD. The study employed a qualitative methodology, more specifically phenomenology (Patton, 2002). One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Coloumnar Mesophases Of Novel Substituted Dibenzanthracenes And Their Donor-Acceptor Mixtures, Katie M. Psutka

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In this thesis, the synthesis and liquid crystalline properties of a series of novel dibenz[a,c]anthracenes are reported. Specifically, two dibenzanthracenecarboxylate derivatives were prepared and were found not to exhibit a mesophase. In contrast, a series of novel N-substituted dibenzanthracenedicarboximides was also synthesized and found to exhibit broad columnar temperature ranges. Several dibenzanthracenedicarboximides substituted with different alkyl chains on the nitrogen atom were prepared and their mesomorphic temperature ranges were characterized. In general, it was found that having a longer, more flexible alkyl chain on the nitrogen atom resulted in a broadening of the columnar temperature range via a lowering …

Pro-Anorexia/Bulimia Interactions Online: Problematizing Complex Cultural Phenomena, Nicole D. Schott

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In the West, and increasingly globally, individuals, particularly women, are fixated on weight loss, driven by the goal of achieving a culturally-desired, and aggressively marketed, "skinny" female physique. There are online forums where individuals refer to themselves or their eating disorders as "pro-ana" and "pro-mia". Individuals who post on these sites both align with, and challenge, what medical and mental health professionals define as serious mental health problems that result in severe, sometimes fatal, medical complications. This thesis specifically focuses on interactions with, and within, the pro-ana/mia culture on the social media websites Tumblr and YouTube. Over sixteen months, and …

The Role Of Histone Methyltransferases In Determining Developmental Potential Of Bovine Oocytes, Jairo Alberto Sarmiento

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Histone proteins are proteins found in eukaryotic cells that associate with DNA to form the most basic structural unit of chromatin, called nucleosomes. The post-translational modifications of histones regulate developmental competence in bovine oocytes and early embryos. The difference in developmental competence between in vitro matured oocytes and in vivo matured oocytes was used to investigate the accumulation of transcripts for histone methyltransferases (HMTs) during oocyte maturation. Methyltransferases ASH1L, EHMT2, SUV39H1 and KDM6B were selected as genes of interest. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration (TUGA) was used to collect immature and in vivo matured bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Immature COCs collected via …

The Chronology Of Fremont Farming In Northern Utah, James R. Allison

Faculty Publications

Fremont maize cultivation in northern Utah occurred at the northernmost extent of prehistoric Native American horticulture west of the Rocky Mountains. Fremont chronology currently relies almost entirely on a large database of radiocarbon dates, but most of the existing dates are on wood charcoal subject to old wood problems; dated charcoal also often has unclear associations with maize or other cultural materials. Recent efforts to directly date archaeological maize from museum collections have helped refine the chronology of Fremont horticulture. These new dates indicate that the timing of the earliest appearance of maize varies across northern Utah, and that in …

Gumbos- And Ionic Liquid-Coated Quartz Crystal Microbalance Sensors For Detection And Molecular Weight Determination Of Organic Vapors, Bishnu Prasad Regmi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There has been an ever-increasing demand for the development of high-performance sensing devices for detection and discrimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in different environments. Among a number of sensing devices currently available, sorption-based sensors are particularly attractive because they are simple and inexpensive, require low power, and are appropriate for fabrication of multisensor arrays. A sorption-based sensor is comprised of a chemically active coating immobilized on the surface of a physical transducer. The chemically active film interacts with analytes, and the transducer converts the binding event into an electrical signal. This dissertation is focused on a sorption-based sensor …

Expression Of O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine Modified Proteins And Production And Characterization Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Ct663, Octavia Y. Goodwin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

O-linked â-N-acetylglucosamine is a regulatory post translational modification. This modification occurs on nearly all functional classes of proteins, in the nucleus and cytoplasm. O-GlcNAc is added to serine or threonine by O-GlcNAc transferase and removed by O-GlcNAcase. Previous attempts to study O-GlcNAc-modified proteins have resulted in low yields, making 3-dimensional structure determination impossible. In this dissertation O-GlcNAc transferase will be co-expressed with domains of human cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB1) and Abelson tyrosine-kinase 2 (ABL2) in E. coli, to produce O-GlcNAc-modified protein. The O-GlcNAc-modified protein was expressed in a variety of E. coli cell lines at a variety of conditions, …

In Utero Exposure To Second-Hand Smoke Aggravates Adult Responses To Inhaled Irritants, Rui Xiao

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In utero exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) has modulatory effects on adult lung responses to various irritants. To further elucidate diverse responses with different inhaled irritants and to understand how long the effects persist, we have focused on two environmentally-relevant and asthma-associated irritants--SHS and ovalbumin (OVA)--for adult mice that had been exposed in utero to SHS. We hypothesized that in utero SHS exposure aggravates lung responses to various inhaled irritants, including SHS and OVA, in adult mice beyond the age of 15 weeks; and that the responses will likely exhibit a sex bias. Pregnant BALB/c mice were exposed (days 6-19 …

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Induce Lipocalin-2 Expression In Vivo And In Vitro, Peng Zhao

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chronic inflammation in adipose tissue has been demonstrated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. The infiltration of immune cells results in a significant increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue that substantially affects adipocyte function. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is an adipocyte-secreted cytokine whose expression and secretion has been shown to be induced in obesity and insulin resistance in mouse and man. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been explored. Our studies indicate that interferon-gamma (IFNã) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFá), two primary pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted from immune cells, can induce LCN2 expression and secretion from adipocytes …

A Tale Of Lovers : Chopin's Nocturne Op. 27, No. 2 As A Contribution To The Violist's Repertory, Rafal Zyskowski

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to present a violist with complete transcription and performer’s guide of Fryderyk Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 27, No. 2 originally written for solo piano in 1835. Chopin wrote predominately for the piano, and the nocturnes are some of his most sublime works that have a personal quality that likely reflect a diary of his personal feelings. At the beginning of this document a brief overview of the composer’s lifetime and analysis of the events that took place around the time of composition are provided. Later on, the characteristic genre features, the formal structure, the influences …

Based On Teacher Perceptions, Would The Use Of Social Media Via Mobile Devices In Grades 9-12 Classrooms Increase Student Engagement In Learning Activities?, Rodney J. Johnson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research study addressed teachers’ perceptions of the use of social networking via mobile devices and the impact that social media accessed via mobile devices has on the learning engagement of students in grades 9-12 in select Louisiana high schools, in a rural southern parish of the United States (Gibbs, 2012). The study examined teachers’ perceptions of whether or not the use of social media improved students’ engagement in learning activities. Some researchers assert that the use of social media and smart cell phones is both the current and future mode of communication and that educators would do well to …

Applications Of Cfd Simulations On Studying The Multiphase Flow In Microfluidic Devices, Yuehao Li

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Microfluidics has been extensively investigated as a unique platform to synthesize nanoparticles with desired properties, e.g., size and morphology. Compared to the conventional batch reactors, wet-chemical synthesis using continuous flow microfluidics provides better control over addition of reagents, heat and mass transfer, and reproducibility. Recently, millifluidics has emerged as an alternative since it offers similar control as microfluidics. With its dimensions scaled up to millimeter size, millifluidics saves fabrication efforts and potentially paves the way for industrial applications. Good designs and manipulations of microfluidic and millifluidic devices rely on solid understanding of fluid dynamics. Fluid flow plays an important role …

Web-Based Computational Tools For Studying Plant Biodiversity, Timothy Mark Jones

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Large scale plant biodiversity bioinformatics projects are now making taxonomic datasets available at a frenetic pace via the World Wide Web (WWW). While these new resources provide the fundamental textual and visual backbone of expert level knowledge, their information structure often impedes the development of derivative works for identification. But when this information is rearranged from a traditional format, questions can be asked of the data that were previously thought to be unanswerable. The difficulty in transforming this ‘big-data’ is manifold: how to deliver it rapidly to researchers across the world while providing visualizations of data that encompass these large …

New Approaches To Smart Grid Security With Scada Systems, Bixiang Tang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The use of information technology in electric power grid introduces the vulnerability problem looming the future smart grid. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)is the first defense, which itself is undermined by potential malicious attacks. This dissertation studies two particular security threats facing the smart grid and SCADA systems: the unobservable attack and the replay attack. The former is well known in fault detection of the power grid and has received renewed interest in the past a few years, while the latter is motivated by the Stuxnet worm allegedly used against the nuclear facilities in Iran. For unobservable attacks, …

A Performance Guide To "Five Musings On The Past" By Elisenda Fábregas For Soprano And Piano, Megan Elizabeth Barrera

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This document is a performance guide to Elisenda Fábregas’ "Five Musings on the Past" for soprano and piano. Fábregas is a celebrated Catalan-American composer and concert pianist. Highly influenced by the Spanish tonalities and rhythms of flamenco, she has written compositions for piano, woodwinds, strings, guitar, choral, orchestra, symphonic band, and solo voice. Chapter one discusses the life and compositional style of Fábregas. Chapter two lists the premieres and influential poets behind Fábregas’ solo vocal works. Chapter three discusses Fábregas’ musical settings of her original Spanish poetry in Five Musings on the Past. Musical examples for each song are presented …

Rearing Children In Love And Righteousness: Latitude, Limits, And Love, Craig H. Hart

Faculty Publications

The First Presidency (1999) counsels parents to “devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church,” and further states that “no other instrumentality can take [the home’s] place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility.” The proclamation on the family supports parents in magnifying their divinely designed responsibilities in the Father’s great plan of happiness (see Alma 42:8) by specifically identifying the principles that ultimately will make the most difference in their efforts.

Prevalence Of Campylobacter Jejuni In Small-Scale Broiler Operations And The Effects Of Sulfadimethoxine Administered To Control C. Jejuni Infection In Broilers, Wannee Tangkham

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Campylobacter spp. particularly C. jejuni has been recognized as one of the most prevalent causes of foodborne bacterial illnesses in humans. Most previous studies have focused on the transmission routes of C. jejuni from commercial flock farms to the final retail product. To date, no in vivo studies have addressed the efficacy of sulfadimethoxine in the control of C. jejuni in poultry. This dissertation research proceeds along two lines of investigation. The objectives of the first line of investigation are to determine the enumeration of Campylobacter spp. and the prevalence on both Campylobacter spp. and C. jejuni on live egg …