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Articles 1651 - 1680 of 2496

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Influences Of Maternal Corticosterone On Incubation Length And Hatchability Of Eggs Laid By Quail Hens Selected For Divergent Adrenocortical Stress Responsiveness, Jason Berante' Schmidt Jan 2008

Influences Of Maternal Corticosterone On Incubation Length And Hatchability Of Eggs Laid By Quail Hens Selected For Divergent Adrenocortical Stress Responsiveness, Jason Berante' Schmidt

LSU Master's Theses

Unstressed and stressed quail hens selected for exaggerated (HS, high stress) rather than reduced (LS, low stress) plasma corticosterone (B) response to brief restraint deposit more B into their eggs than do their LS hen counterparts. HS hens implanted with B also show reduced egg lay when compared to LS- and HS-control and LS-B-implanted hens. Herein, the effects of stress line on length of egg incubation (LEI) and chick body weight at emergence (BWTE) (Exp. 1) and the interactive influences of line with maternal B-treatment (sub-Q control, CON-, or B-implants) on LEI (Exp. 2) and on egg fertility (FERT), total …


Systematically Increasing Contextual Interference Is Beneficial For Learning Novel Motor Skills, Jared Marak Porter Jan 2008

Systematically Increasing Contextual Interference Is Beneficial For Learning Novel Motor Skills, Jared Marak Porter

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Traditionally, contextual interference (CI) has been investigated by the use of extreme low and high levels of CI (blocked and random practice schedules); with results generally suggesting that higher rather than lower amounts of CI facilitated motor skill learning (Magill & Hall, 1990). To better understand the CI effect, two experiments were conducted investigating an alternative form of practice schedule. Practice using this alternative schedule provided novices experiences with systematic increases in CI, which were compared to traditional blocked and random scheduling. Experiment 1 tested the hypothesis that practicing variations of the same tasks with systematic increases in CI would …


Novel Methods For The Control Of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), Thomas Michael Mascari Jan 2008

Novel Methods For The Control Of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae), Thomas Michael Mascari

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In arid and semi-arid parts of the Old World, Phlebotomus paptasi is a significant biting pest of man and is the primary vector of Leishmania major, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). Phlebotomus papatasi exhibits a close association with the burrowing rodents that serve as the reservoirs of L. major. Rodent burrows are considered to be the primary habitat of immature P. papatasi in ZCL foci, and sand fly larvae have been observed feeding on rodent feces. In laboratory studies, five insecticides (diflubenzuron, novaluron, methoprene, pyriproxyfen, or ivermectin) were incorporated into the diet of Syrian hamsters and evaluated …


The Use Endocrine Markers To Predict And Monitor Performance In Strengh [Sic] And Power Activities, Jason B. Winchester Jan 2008

The Use Endocrine Markers To Predict And Monitor Performance In Strengh [Sic] And Power Activities, Jason B. Winchester

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Hormones are typically considered to be chemical messengers, which are designed to be released from specific cells where they are carried to their target tissues for binding to receptors. It is this binding of a hormone molecule to its specific receptor which allows for an action to occur (Hadley and Levine 2006). Testosterone is the predominant androgen in the majority of mammalian species and is largely responsible for regulation of reproduction and maintenance of sexual function. In addition, in adult mammals, T has multiple other roles including the growth of muscle and bone, hematopoesis, blood coagulation, development and regulation of …


Molecular Diversity And Coat Protein Expression Of Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus, Dina Lida Gutierrez Reynoso Jan 2008

Molecular Diversity And Coat Protein Expression Of Sweet Potato Leaf Curl Virus, Dina Lida Gutierrez Reynoso

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Leaf curl virus diseases have been reported in sweetpotato throughout the world. One of the causal agents is Sweet potato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) which belongs to the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae). In the United States, SPLCV has been found infecting an ornamental sweetpotato and several breeding lines but not in sweetpotatoes grown for commercial production. SPLCV does not cause symptoms on Beauregard, the predominant sweetpotato cultivar in the US, but it can reduce its yield. Since SPLCV could become an important constraint for sweetpotato production; diagnosis, identification, and characterization are essential steps to develop an effective management program. The …


Evaluation Of Aflatoxin-Related Products From Ozonated Corn, Alfredo Domingo Prudente, Jr. Jan 2008

Evaluation Of Aflatoxin-Related Products From Ozonated Corn, Alfredo Domingo Prudente, Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study assessed the efficacy of the ozonation process in degrading aflatoxin in corn, and investigated the chemical reaction between aflatoxin and gaseous ozone. Ozonation (12-13 wt%) totally degraded aflatoxin B1 in a model system. Conversion of aflatoxin into polar compounds was observed during ozonolysis of 100 µg aflatoxin B1 in an aqueous environment and in solid form. Seven intermediate reaction products were separated by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography. HPLC analysis of ozonated AFB1 revealed the presence of six major peaks. MALDI-MS analysis detected compounds that have higher molecular weights than AFB1. The dichloromethane fraction contained compounds with molecular ion …


Exercise And Peripheral Vascular Function In Health And Disease, Arturo Arce Jan 2008

Exercise And Peripheral Vascular Function In Health And Disease, Arturo Arce

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

“Chronic disease will never reach its clinical horizon to compromise health if it is attacked at its origin” [1]. Knowledge that one’s risk for cardiovascular events is related to the severity of endothelial dysfunction, and evidence that exercise training can improve endothelial function, has prompted speculation that measures of vascular function may serve as a “barometer” for cardiovascular health. This dissertation consists of three experiments intended to study vascular function and the manner in which it may influence or may be influenced by physical function. Project one examined the influence of high and low volume circuit weight training on forearm …


Wax Extraction And Characterization From Full-Fat And Defatted Rice Bran, Junghong Kim Jan 2008

Wax Extraction And Characterization From Full-Fat And Defatted Rice Bran, Junghong Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Rice bran oil (RBO) contains 3-4% waxes (rice bran wax, RBW), which are composed of wax esters (WE), hydrocarbons, and other minor constituents. Saponified rice bran wax esters (RBWE) generate fatty acids, long chain alcohols, and phytosterols. Phytosterols and long chain fatty alcohols (policosanol) are known to reduce serum cholesterol and inhibit hepatic cholesterol synthesis. The yields and RBWE contents of RBO and RBW extracted from full-fat RB (FFRB) and defatted RB (DFRB) were determined using 6 different conditions with Soxhlet and Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The compositions of WEs from RBO and RBW were also compared. RBW was obtained from …


Maternal Corticosterone Influences On Fear Responses In Offspring Of Quail Divergent Stress Response Lines, Kyndal A. Davis Jan 2008

Maternal Corticosterone Influences On Fear Responses In Offspring Of Quail Divergent Stress Response Lines, Kyndal A. Davis

LSU Master's Theses

Increased fearfulness has been associated with adrenocortical activation. Maternal corticosterone (B) treatment increases egg yolk B, and elevated B in ovo enhances chick avoidance of humans. Quail selected for exaggerated (high stress, HS) as opposed to reduced (low stress, LS) plasma B response to stress are more fearful, and more B is found in the egg yolks of HS than LS hens. Therefore, the underlying fearfulness (tonic immobility, TI) and timidity (hole-in-the-wall box, HWB, emergence) responses were assessed in chicks hatched from eggs of LS and HS hens implanted with silastic tubes containing no B (CON) or B (B-IMPLANT) during …


Resistance To Bacillus Thuringiensis In Sugarcane Borer, Diatraea Saccharalis (F.), Xiaoyi Wu Jan 2008

Resistance To Bacillus Thuringiensis In Sugarcane Borer, Diatraea Saccharalis (F.), Xiaoyi Wu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a dominant corn stack boring pest and a major target of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-corn in many areas of the mid-southern region of the United States. A Cry1Ab-resistant strain of D. saccharalis, capable of survival on commercial Bt corn plants, was established using an F2 screening procedure. Larval survival of Cry1Ab-resistant, -susceptible, and -heterozygous genotypes was evaluated on five non-Bt and seven Bt field corn hybrids at two plant stages. During the vegetative stages, all seven Bt corn hybrids were highly efficacious against the three genotypes, while 8-18% of the heterozygous genotype survived on …


Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Vasodilation: Effect Of Chemical Analytes, Diet, Exercise, And Genetic Markers, Joanie Brocato Wilson Jan 2008

Brachial Artery Flow Mediated Vasodilation: Effect Of Chemical Analytes, Diet, Exercise, And Genetic Markers, Joanie Brocato Wilson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this research was to gain a better understanding of interplay between molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, functionality with disease and interventions. The primary findings of the first study were that there was a significant inverse correlation between homocysteine and brachial artery flow mediated dilation (BAFMD) and baseline brachial artery diameter. Interestingly, there was a significant difference in BAFMD between methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype groups. Regression analysis indicated that the MTHFR genotype, homocysteine and age were significant predictors of BAFMD. The second study revealed that vascular reactivity as measured by BAFMD was modifiable. A meta-analysis of 22 intervention …


Survival, Growth, And Behavior Of Helicoverpa Zea (Boddie) And Heliothis Virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) On Genetically Engineered Cotton Expressing The Vip3a Insecticidal Protein, Padma Latha Bommireddy Jan 2008

Survival, Growth, And Behavior Of Helicoverpa Zea (Boddie) And Heliothis Virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) On Genetically Engineered Cotton Expressing The Vip3a Insecticidal Protein, Padma Latha Bommireddy

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Larval behavior, survivorship, and injury potential of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), was evaluated on cotton plants genetically engineered to express Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins, Vip3A and Vip3A +Cry 1Ab (VipCot™). Larvae (2-d-old) of both species were infested on plant terminals of vegetative or flowering stage cotton plants. Regardless of species, more larvae migrated from the plant terminals of Vip3A and VipCot plants compared to larvae infested on a conventional non-Bt cotton line (Coker 312). Larval (2-d-old) survivorship on VipCot™ plant structures was generally lower than that on similar structures of the Vip3A cotton line. …


Is Oxidative Stress The Cause Of Death When Recalcitrant Spartina Alterniflora Seeds Are Dried?, James Hammond Chappell Jan 2008

Is Oxidative Stress The Cause Of Death When Recalcitrant Spartina Alterniflora Seeds Are Dried?, James Hammond Chappell

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Recalcitrant seeds, which die when desiccated, can be difficult to study because of their generally large size, high metabolism, and poor storage properties. However, recalcitrant seeds from the salt-marsh grass Spartina alterniflora are unique when compared to most other recalcitrant species because the seeds are dormant and small; Spartina pectinata and S. spartinae, which produce orthodox seeds, can be used as controls. Because of these somewhat rare characteristics, S. alterniflora is a good model system to study recalcitrance. In the present study, the following physiological parameters were examined: Cardinal temperatures for germination, a viability test to determine if seeds are …


The Influence Of Peripheral Neuropathy On Walking Kinematics And Physical Function, Bradley Manor Jan 2008

The Influence Of Peripheral Neuropathy On Walking Kinematics And Physical Function, Bradley Manor

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The 108th Congress (2005) has reported that 20 million U.S. citizens suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). Characterized by sensory nerve deterioration, PN reduces somatosensation (Padua et al., 2005) and increases the risk of fall-related injury (Richardson et al., 1992). The purpose of this dissertation was to provide insight into 1) the effects of acute loss of foot sole sensation on locomotor system health, 2) the effects of PN on locomotor system health, and 3) the underlying impairments associated with reduced physical function within the older adult and PN populations. Locomotor system health was assessed by the magnitude of stride-to-stride variability …


The Use Of Serum Uric Acid As An Indicator Of Amino Acid Utilization In Diets For Broilers, Amanda L. Donsbough Jan 2008

The Use Of Serum Uric Acid As An Indicator Of Amino Acid Utilization In Diets For Broilers, Amanda L. Donsbough

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to determine if serum uric acid (SUA) could be used as an indicator of amino acid (AA) utilization in broilers and to determine the Lys requirement of broilers using SUA as a response variable. Treatments were replicated with at least 6 pens with at least 6 broilers per pen. Experiments (Exp.) were conducted from 0- to 14, 17, or 18- d posthatching in brooder batteries. Five experiments were conducted to determine if SUA and uric acid content of the excreta (UAE) could be used to determine AA adequacy of a diet. The results of …


The Effects Of Quercetin On Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis And Oxphos Regulation, Jeff Lee Soileau Jan 2008

The Effects Of Quercetin On Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Biogenesis And Oxphos Regulation, Jeff Lee Soileau

LSU Master's Theses

A high fat diet causes a reduction in the expression of the genes of the electron transport chain, mitochondrial carrier proteins, and PGC-1α and PGC-1ß mRNA. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to numerous chronic diseases. The antioxidant quercetin has been shown to protect against damage caused by exogenous and endogenous free radicals. The purpose of this study was to determine if quercetin would protect the genes of mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α and PGC-1ß) and OXPHOS regulation (NDUFB5 and SDHB) from the downregulation caused by consumption of a high fat diet. The quadriceps muscle was removed from 21 male, C57BL/6J mice that …


The Integration Of Mosquito Avian Host Preference With West Nile Virus Activity In Wild Bird And Mosquito Populations In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jessica Erin Brauch Jan 2008

The Integration Of Mosquito Avian Host Preference With West Nile Virus Activity In Wild Bird And Mosquito Populations In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jessica Erin Brauch

LSU Master's Theses

West Nile virus (WNV) infection rates in wild birds and mosquitoes, and the blood-feeding patterns of mosquitoes were examined at two study sites in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to identify the potential avian reservoir hosts and mosquito vectors of West Nile virus (WNV). Blood samples from a total of 2,442 wild birds in the orders Passeriformes, Piciformes and Columbiformes were collected from May 2006 to April 2008 and tested for the presence of WNV RNA using RT-PCR and antibodies to WNV using an epitope-blocking ELISA. WNV was detected in 3.77% of wild bird blood samples and antibodies to WNV were detected …


Examination Of Blueberry Anthocyanins In Prevention Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Through Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Culture Study, Naomi Marie Sundalius Jan 2008

Examination Of Blueberry Anthocyanins In Prevention Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Through Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Culture Study, Naomi Marie Sundalius

LSU Master's Theses

This research investigated the ability of blueberry anthocyanins to inhibit the uptake of N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E) by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells as quantified by pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF) levels in RPE cells. The A2E was synthesized and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Freeze dried blueberry powder of 50/50 blend (Tifblue/Rubel) anthocyanins were extracted by acetone and concentrated through chromatography. A RPE cell culture study investigating four treatments using a combination of 100 ìM A2E in DMSO and 100 ìg of blueberry anthocyanins in DMSO was tested. The treatments included: (A) control RPE cells; (B) RPE …


Analysis Of The Impact And Importance Of Re-Wholesalers In The Ornamental Market, Marco Absalón Velástegui Jan 2008

Analysis Of The Impact And Importance Of Re-Wholesalers In The Ornamental Market, Marco Absalón Velástegui

LSU Master's Theses

Sales by ornamental nurseries in the United States have grown, recently, at an impressive rate. For example, sales of the greenhouse and nursery crops component increased about 18% from 2000 to 2006 (USDA, 2007). The evolution of a diverse set of market channel alternatives, including the garden center, landscaper, home center, mass merchandiser and re-wholesaler channels, has been one of the reasons for this growth. Knowledge about growers’ use of the individual marketing channels is indispensable for the development of appropriate sales strategies for better income and profits. Periodic survey data indicates that the re-wholesaler channel is a frequently used …


Antidumping Investigation In Agriculture: Issues Of Trade Diversion-Named Vs Non-Named Countries, Nandini Bandyopadhyay Jan 2008

Antidumping Investigation In Agriculture: Issues Of Trade Diversion-Named Vs Non-Named Countries, Nandini Bandyopadhyay

LSU Master's Theses

This study addresses the issue of antidumping investigations and their effect on trade of agricultural products. The question which this study addresses is whether antidumping is helping domestic industries or is simply diverting trade away from the named countries to the non- named countries (countries not mentioned in the antidumping petition). Antidumping has emerged as an important tool in the hands of importing countries over the last two decades The World Trade Organization (WTO) has defined dumping as a situation of international price discrimination. Dumping occurs when exporting countries are selling the product in the international market at a price …


The Utilization Of Red Blood Cells In Diets For Swine And Poultry, Emily Dawn Frugé Jan 2008

The Utilization Of Red Blood Cells In Diets For Swine And Poultry, Emily Dawn Frugé

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to determine if increasing levels of RBC would affect growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs and growth performance of broilers. Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of incremental levels of red blood cells (RBC; 0 to 4% and 0 to 2%), and thus increasing levels of dietary Leu on growth performance and linear carcass measurements of finishing pigs. Our results suggest that feeding 3 or 4% RBC causes a decrease in growth performance. However, feeding 1 or 2% RBC in the diets of finishing pigs had no detrimental effects on …


Distributions And Associations Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In The Leptin Gene Of Bos Taurus And Bos Indicus Cattle, Douglas Henry Fischer, Jr Jan 2008

Distributions And Associations Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In The Leptin Gene Of Bos Taurus And Bos Indicus Cattle, Douglas Henry Fischer, Jr

LSU Master's Theses

In recent years, the use of genetic markers has become more and more prevalent in beef breeding programs. This research focused on four previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms in a leptin gene on chromosome 4 of beef cows. The SNP were E2FB, T945M, UA1, and UA2. Beef cows used in this research were maintained at the Louisiana State University AgCenter Central Research Station. Cows consisted of purebred Bos tauras and Bos indicus cattle as well as crossbreds. The objectives were to estimate genotypic and allelic frequencies for each SNP and to determine the influence of cow breed type, cow age, …


Development And Quality Evaluation Of Pre- And Post-Workout Sport Beverages, Maria Christine Pfister Jan 2008

Development And Quality Evaluation Of Pre- And Post-Workout Sport Beverages, Maria Christine Pfister

LSU Master's Theses

Athletes and gym goers are continuously searching for sports supplements that will set them apart from others. Resistance training is a popular form of exercise that enables one to increase in strength and power. Resistance or strength training, however, results in several degradation processes. A popular way of enhancing workouts and recovering after workouts is through the consumption of sports drinks. In study one, a preliminary study, eight pre-workout and eight post-workout sports drinks were formulated that contained whey proteins, sugars, natural fruit flavors, and other vitamins and supplements. A consumer acceptance test was preliminarily conducted to evaluate consumer acceptability …


Evaluation Of Novel Dietary Feed Additives For Nursery And Growing/Finishing Pigs, Victor D. Naranjo Jan 2008

Evaluation Of Novel Dietary Feed Additives For Nursery And Growing/Finishing Pigs, Victor D. Naranjo

LSU Master's Theses

The objectives of this research were: 1) to compare the effect of source and level of inclusion of dried whey permeate (DWP) and a carbohydrate product (CHO) on growth performance of nursery pigs, 2) to evaluate the effect of a fortified nutrient pack (FNP) on growth performance and total tract nutrient digestibility in growing/finishing pigs, and 3) to compare chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and acid insoluble ash (AIA) as digestibility markers for total tract digestibility determination in growing/finishing pigs. Three experiments were conducted to compare the feeding value of DWP (80% lactose) and CHO (40% lactose, 30% sucrose, and 10% glucose) …


Spatial Economics Of The Louisiana Wetland Mitigation Banking Industry, Ryan Joseph Bourriaque Jan 2008

Spatial Economics Of The Louisiana Wetland Mitigation Banking Industry, Ryan Joseph Bourriaque

LSU Master's Theses

Bourriaque, Ryan Joseph, B.A. Louisiana State University, 2005 Master of Science, Summer Commencement, 2008 Major: Agricultural Economics Spatial Economics of the Louisiana Wetland Mitigation Banking Industry Thesis directed by Assistant Professor Rex Caffey Pages in thesis, 86. Words in abstract, 265. ABSTRACT Wetland mitigation banking has become prevalent in many states across the US, with the number of banks increasing 780% from 1992 to 2005. Louisiana led the nation in the total number of banks in 2006 with 96. Despite rapid growth associated with this industry, economic data in regards to the market for wetland mitigation bank transactions has been …


Factors Potentially Influencing The Abundance Of Mosquitoes In Louisiana Rice Fields, Ana Maria Sanchez De Cuadra Jan 2008

Factors Potentially Influencing The Abundance Of Mosquitoes In Louisiana Rice Fields, Ana Maria Sanchez De Cuadra

LSU Master's Theses

The rice stink bug (Oebalus pugnax) is the major pest of late-season rice in Louisiana. Prior studies indicate that large populations of mosquitoes are often present in rice fields during the time that rice fields are infested with rice stink bugs. Lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate®) is widely used to control rice stink bugs. The purpose of this study was to determine if application of the insecticide Karate® at a rate of 0.033 kg/ha, for rice stink bug control had an effect on the population of mosquitoes in rice fields. This effect was assessed by monitoring natural populations of mosquitoes before and after …


Enzymatic Production And Biological Activities Of Cellobio-Oligosaccharides From Lignocellulose, Misook Kim Jan 2008

Enzymatic Production And Biological Activities Of Cellobio-Oligosaccharides From Lignocellulose, Misook Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer in nature and is the major component of lignocellulosic biomass. It has potential to produce not only glucose but value¨Cadded products such as cellobiose and oligosaccharides. Typically, enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose produces glucose and a small amount of cellobiose. Modification of cellulase solutions altered ratio of glucose to cellobiose produced. The addition of glucose oxidase, gluconolactone, or gluconic acid significantly increased the amount of cellobiose remaining at the end of cellulose hydrolysis. Addition of glucose oxidase resulted in cellobiose being 23.7% of the product sugars from pure cellulose and 14.1% from ligonocellulose (sugarcane bagasse). …


A Comparison Of Fall-Related Psychological Measures In A Community-Based Setting, Delilah Susanne Moore Jan 2008

A Comparison Of Fall-Related Psychological Measures In A Community-Based Setting, Delilah Susanne Moore

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Falls and the fall-related psychological concerns associated with these events pose a serious public health problem among aging adults. Fall-related psychological instruments can be useful in quantifying important endpoints for fall prevention programs (Jorstad et al., 2005), yet no research currently exists to justify the use of these psychological instruments in a community-based falls risk screening. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine the psychometric properties of several fall-related psychological measures in a falls risk screening context by: (a) examining the reliability and validity of the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), modified Survey of Activities …


Succession Of Coleoptera On Freshly Killed Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda L.) And Southern Red Oak (Quercus Falcata Michaux) In Louisiana, Stephanie Gil Jan 2008

Succession Of Coleoptera On Freshly Killed Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda L.) And Southern Red Oak (Quercus Falcata Michaux) In Louisiana, Stephanie Gil

LSU Master's Theses

Wood is important in forest ecology because its large biomass serves as a nutritional substrate and habitat for many organisms, including Coleoptera, and beetles contribute greatly to nutrient recycling in forests. Overlapping complexes of beetles invade dead wood according to the species of tree, ambient conditions, and most importantly, stage of decomposition. Beetle succession was studied in loblolly pines (Pinus taeda L.) and southern red oaks (Quercus falcata Michx.) by documenting beetle arrival and residency in cut, reassembled, and standing bolts. Twelve trees of each species at Feliciana Preserve in West Feliciana parish, LA were felled during October 2004 and …


Three Papers On The Behavior Modeling Of The Shrimp Fishermen In The Gulf Of Mexico, Tao Ran Jan 2008

Three Papers On The Behavior Modeling Of The Shrimp Fishermen In The Gulf Of Mexico, Tao Ran

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The overall goal of this research is to empirically analyze shrimp fishermen behavior to help improve the management of the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fleet. Given that optimal management requires consideration of more than the net benefits derived from shrimp harvesting, this research also seeks to provide an empirical framework that would allow future investigators to measure benefits lost through bycatch-related management actions. This paper expands on previous fishing behavior literature by focusing on two of the most important short-run decisions confronting Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishermen (where to fish and how long to fish). A better understanding of these …