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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Changes In Climate And Moisture Availability In The Antarctic Eocene, Oligocene, And Miocene: Evidence From Palynological And Stable Isotope Geochemical Analyses Of The Shaldril And Andrill Cores, Kathryn Whitney Griener Jan 2014

Changes In Climate And Moisture Availability In The Antarctic Eocene, Oligocene, And Miocene: Evidence From Palynological And Stable Isotope Geochemical Analyses Of The Shaldril And Andrill Cores, Kathryn Whitney Griener

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Prior to the Late Eocene, the Antarctic continent experienced lush vegetation under temperate conditions. Just before the Eocene/Oligocene Boundary, the climate of the southernmost continent began to deteriorate dramatically. This cooling trend largely continued until most Antarctic vegetation disappeared, ~13.85-12.8 Ma. Classifying the nature and cause of Antarctica’s drastic climate change is essential for furthering our knowledge of Earth’s history, and also for grasping the potential effects of current and future climate shifts. Here, I present evidence from three new palynomorph-centric studies that deepen our understanding of Antarctic earth science, climate change, and of climate proxies. The first study involved …


Nutrient And Sediment Effects On Oligohaline Marsh Plant Community In Mississippi River Delta, Sareh Poormahdi Jan 2014

Nutrient And Sediment Effects On Oligohaline Marsh Plant Community In Mississippi River Delta, Sareh Poormahdi

LSU Master's Theses

The Mississippi River Delta comprises approximately 40% of the coastal wetlands in the conterminous United States, but has experienced more than 80% of the wetland loss in part due to flood control levees that have hydrologically isolated the lower River from the adjacent wetlands for a century. Thus, reconnecting the River to the wetlands through diversions is one of the approaches being used to reduce the rate of wetland loss. However, the diversion structures were originally designed to deliver freshwater rather than sediment. Furthermore, nutrient concentrations in the River water have increased during the past half-century as a result of …


Multi-Threaded Implementation Of Association Rule Mining With Visualization Of The Pattern Tree, Eera Gupta Jan 2014

Multi-Threaded Implementation Of Association Rule Mining With Visualization Of The Pattern Tree, Eera Gupta

LSU Master's Theses

Motor Vehicle fatalities per 100,000 population in the United States has been reported to be 10.69% in the year 2012 as per NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The fatality rate has increased by 0.27% in 2012 compared to the rate in the year 2011. As per the reports, there are many factors involved in increasing the fatality rate drastically such as driving under influence, testing while driving, and various other weather phenomena. Decision makers need to analyze the factors attributing to the increase in an accident rate to take implied measures. Current methods used to perform the data analysis …


Robust Preconditioners For The High-Contrast Elliptic Partial Differential Equations, Zuhal Unlu Jan 2014

Robust Preconditioners For The High-Contrast Elliptic Partial Differential Equations, Zuhal Unlu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this thesis, we discuss a robust preconditioner (the AGKS preconditioner) for solving linear systems arising from approximations of partial differential equations (PDEs) with high-contrast coefficients. The problems considered here include the standard second and higher order elliptic PDEs such as high-contrast diffusion equation, Stokes' equation and biharmonic-plate equation. The goal of this study is the development of robust and parallelizable preconditioners that can easily be integrated to treat large configurations. The construction of the preconditioner consists of two phases. The first one is an algebraic phase which partitions the degrees of freedom into high and low permeability regions which …


The Effect Of Manipulatives On Students' Understanding Of Chemistry Concepts, Jasmine W. Banks Jan 2014

The Effect Of Manipulatives On Students' Understanding Of Chemistry Concepts, Jasmine W. Banks

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of manipulatives on chemistry concepts. Manipulative activities were designed for four chemistry topics: Dimensional Analysis, Ionic Formulas, Molecular Shapes, and Stoichiometry. Seventy-five high school students were divided into a control or experimental group. The control group solved problems in small groups, while the experimental group used manipulatives to complete a guided activity. Students in the control group scored significantly higher on the posttest for the Dimensional Analysis and Ionic Formulas activities. There was no significant difference in the posttest scores for the Molecular Shapes and Stoichiometry posttest. While manipulatives can …


A Dosimetric Comparison Of Copper And Cerrobend Electron Inserts, Ben Rusk Jan 2014

A Dosimetric Comparison Of Copper And Cerrobend Electron Inserts, Ben Rusk

LSU Master's Theses

Purpose: To evaluate dosimetric differences of copper inserts compared to lead-alloy inserts for electron beam therapy. Methods: Copper inserts were manufactured by .decimal, Inc. and matching lead-alloy, Cerrobend®, inserts were constructed in-house for 32 square field sizes (2x2 to 20x20 cm&178;) for five applicator sizes (6x6 to 25x25 cm&178;). Percent depth-dose and off-axis relative dose profiles were measured using an electron diode in water for the copper and Cerrobend® inserts for a subset of insert sizes (6x6, 10x10, 25x25 cm&178;) and energies (6, 12, 20 MeV) at 100 and 110 cm source-to-surface distances (SSD). Dose outputs were measured for all …


Does Exploring Non-Linear Models Address High School Students' Misconceptions Of Linearity And Rate Of Change?, Kailyn Brabham Jan 2014

Does Exploring Non-Linear Models Address High School Students' Misconceptions Of Linearity And Rate Of Change?, Kailyn Brabham

LSU Master's Theses

Previous studies have shown that students at all levels—elementary, secondary and post-secondary—tend to apply linear reasoning in mathematical problems where non-linear models are needed. They rely on proportionality and linear equations without paying attention to the problem features needed for an accurate model. In the present study, students were taught using an activity-inspired by modeling curricula. In a hands-on activity, they explored the rate of change of linear and nonlinear functions that arise in describing elastic materials, recording average rates of change and noting key graphical features. This led them to articulate the relationship between nonlinear models, local linearity and …


Developing Auxiliary Resource Materials To Support The Engageny Geometry Curriculum, Joanne Griffin Jan 2014

Developing Auxiliary Resource Materials To Support The Engageny Geometry Curriculum, Joanne Griffin

LSU Master's Theses

With the advent of current education reform, and the introduction of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, the present offerings of the geometry curriculum have become dated. One contribution to remedy this situation is a project by the state of New York called EngageNY. EngageNY is a common core aligned mathematics curriculum across all grades. The EngageNY Geometry Curriculum Module 1 is the basis from which this thesis was developed. It is the purpose of this thesis to present a supplement to the EngageNY Geometry Module 1 Curriculum and to describe why it is advantageous to have such a …


Predicted Risk Of Post-Irradiation Cerebral Necrosis In Pediatric Brain Cancer Patients: A Treatment Planning Comparison Of Proton Therapy Vs. Photon Therapy, Derek Freund Jan 2014

Predicted Risk Of Post-Irradiation Cerebral Necrosis In Pediatric Brain Cancer Patients: A Treatment Planning Comparison Of Proton Therapy Vs. Photon Therapy, Derek Freund

LSU Master's Theses

Purpose: To predict the risk of radiation necrosis in a cohort of pediatric patients with glioma and ependymoma and compare the predicted risk between volumetric modulated arc photon therapy (VMAT), passively scattered proton therapy (PSPT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT). Methods: Thirteen pediatric patients with varying age and sex were selected for this study. A radiation oncologist contoured a clinical treatment volume (CTV) on 8 patients selected for glioma in the cerebral hemisphere and 5 with ependymoma located in the posterior fossa. A 1 cm margin was added to the CTV to define the planning treatment volume (PTV). VMAT …


Prevalence Of Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Diseases, Parasites, And Symbionts In Louisiana, Holly Rogers Jan 2014

Prevalence Of Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Diseases, Parasites, And Symbionts In Louisiana, Holly Rogers

LSU Master's Theses

Research on blue crab diseases, parasites, and symbionts has been sporadic in the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding the prevalence of diseases, parasites, and symbionts is important for managers to set informed regulations for the commercial industry and to understand the impacts of environmental disasters on aquatic animal health. The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of Lagenophrys callinectes, Urosporidium crescens, Hematodinium perezi, Loxothylacus texanus, reo-like virus (RLV), shell rot, and Vibrio spp. in crabs collected from four coastal locations and four shedding facilities in 2013 and the beginning of 2014. Additionally, I determined the prevalence of white …


The Impact Of Student Centered Learning Strategies In Middle School Earth Science, Zane Jay Whittington Jan 2014

The Impact Of Student Centered Learning Strategies In Middle School Earth Science, Zane Jay Whittington

LSU Master's Theses

Research continues to reinforce that student centered classrooms and interactive engagement (IE) strategies, when used effectively, can produce considerable gains compared to traditional instruction methods. In this study, IE strategies, primarily modeling instruction, were compared to traditional instruction in a middle school classroom to determine if IE strategies would have an impact in two specific areas: graphing ability and science reasoning skills. Class mean scores on tests were compared over time to show that IE strategies produced greater gains in graphing and science reasoning than traditional instruction for one group. The other group did not see significant differences in graphing …


Ionic Liquids And Gumbos For Biomedical And Sensing Applications, Paul Kipkorir Sang Magut Jan 2014

Ionic Liquids And Gumbos For Biomedical And Sensing Applications, Paul Kipkorir Sang Magut

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation is a synopsis of advancements in the field of ionic liquids and a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) in biomedical applications, especially with regard to cancer research. The toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents to normal tissues and drug resistance are a major concern in cancer treatment. In this dissertation, GUMBOS and nanoGUMBOS as well as ionic liquids and nanodroplets are explored as possible chemotherapeutic agents with minimal toxicity to normal cells. In the first part of my dissertation, exploitation of ionic liquid chemistry to modulate toxicity of rhodamine 6G is reported. Rhodamine 6G-based GUMBOS with …


An Efficient Approach To Epid Transit Dosimetry, Bart Alan Morris Jan 2014

An Efficient Approach To Epid Transit Dosimetry, Bart Alan Morris

LSU Master's Theses

Introduction: In order to maintain uniform standards in the accuracy of fractionated radiation therapy, quantification of the delivered dose per fraction accuracy is required. The pupose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a transit dosimetry method using the electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for dose delivery error detection and prevention. Methods and Materials: In the proposed method, 2D predicted transit images were generated for comparison with online images acquired during treatment. Predicted transit images were generated by convolving through-air EPID measurements of each field with pixel-specific kernels selected from a library of pre-calculated Monte Carlo pencil kernels …


Experiences Of A Novice Modeler Navigating The Alternative Certification Process, Melanie Matherne Dimler Jan 2014

Experiences Of A Novice Modeler Navigating The Alternative Certification Process, Melanie Matherne Dimler

LSU Master's Theses

Interactive Engagement methods of instruction have proven more effective than Traditional instruction in terms of conceptual learning in introductory physics classrooms. Modeling instruction is one type of Interactive Engagement methodology used in introductory physics at the secondary and collegiate level. This study compares the conceptual gains of students taught by an experienced traditional instructor to the conceptual gains of students taught by a novice, alternatively certified instructor who employs the Modeling methodology in physics classes at a large suburban high school. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to all groups using validated physics conceptual inventories and a scientific reasoning assessment. AP …


Effects Of Storm Surge And Nutrient Loading On Coastal Wetland Soil Processes: Implications For Ecosystem Function, Morgan Mckee Jan 2014

Effects Of Storm Surge And Nutrient Loading On Coastal Wetland Soil Processes: Implications For Ecosystem Function, Morgan Mckee

LSU Master's Theses

Coastal Louisiana is at risk from increases in salinity from storm surge and nutrient loading from the Mississippi River. Increased salinity causes plant death, decreases in microbial productivity, and shifts in biogeochemical processes. Eutrophication is linked to shifts in plant communities and changes in wetland biogeochemical properties. We hypothesized that 1) storm surge would increase soil porewater salinity and decrease extractable ammonium (NH4), and 2) long-term nutrient loading would decrease soil extracellular enzyme activity and increase total nutrients. Intact soil cores from two sites in the Wax Lake Delta were continually flooded with 35 g L-1 salt water for 1, …


A Hybrid Advection Scheme For Conserving Angular Momentum On A Refined Cartesian Mesh, Zachary Duncan Byerly Jan 2014

A Hybrid Advection Scheme For Conserving Angular Momentum On A Refined Cartesian Mesh, Zachary Duncan Byerly

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We demonstrate the capabilities of a new hybrid scheme for simulating dynamical fluid flows in which cylindrical components of the momentum are advected across a rotating Cartesian coordinate mesh. This hybrid scheme allows us to conserve angular momentum to machine precision while capitalizing on the advantages offered by a Cartesian mesh, such as mesh refinement. The work presented here focuses on measuring the real and imaginary parts of the eigenfrequency of unstable axisymmetric modes that naturally arise in massless polytropic tori having a range of different aspect ratios, and quantifying the uncertainty in these measurements. Our measured eigenfrequencies show good …


High School 4th Mathematics: Precalculus For Ap Calculus, Yong Suk Lowery Jan 2014

High School 4th Mathematics: Precalculus For Ap Calculus, Yong Suk Lowery

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to provide the needed instructional materials to those who are teaching a Precalculus course following Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. The recent adoption of the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) has left many teachers scrambling to find instructional materials that meet the graduation requirement as well as insuring that our students are college and career ready when they leave high school. Furthermore, the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus curriculum is generally accepted as the model for a twenty-first century calculus course serving as prerequisite for STEM related fields of …


The Impact Of Virtual Simulations On Student Comprehension Of Mechanics, Ann Sanchez Couch Jan 2014

The Impact Of Virtual Simulations On Student Comprehension Of Mechanics, Ann Sanchez Couch

LSU Master's Theses

The use of technology in classrooms has become an increasing trend throughout all levels of education. Often times, teachers are left to figure out how to incorporate the many different types of available technologies into their lessons. This study examines the use of one specific type of technology in the classroom: computer simulations, specifically the impact of virtual lab simulations on student understanding of mechanics concepts. In this study, the experimental group and the control group received identical instruction in the form of lectures, practice problems, homework, and tests. The difference between the two groups was the use of virtual …


Synthesis And Analysis Of Copper Beta-Diketonate Complexes, Jonathan Stephen Casey Jan 2014

Synthesis And Analysis Of Copper Beta-Diketonate Complexes, Jonathan Stephen Casey

LSU Master's Theses

This research addresses the synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) complexes of silicon-based multidentate β-diketonate ligands. The possible products of the synthesis include (where L represents the coordinated ligand) cube Cu12L8, decahedron Cu24L16, and dodecahedron Cu30L20. This study aims to determine the structure of these discrete molecules, which may have applications in drug delivery, fuel storage, and chemical retention. Different techniques were involved in the characterization of Cu(II) complexes: Electrospray Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC). In ESI-TOF MS, the exact mass of the molecules was attempted to be determined by …


Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics And Modeling - A Case Study In A Subtropical Shallow Lake, Zhen Xu Jan 2014

Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics And Modeling - A Case Study In A Subtropical Shallow Lake, Zhen Xu

LSU Master's Theses

As one of the most valued and treasured natural resources, today many lakes in the world face degradation of their water quality due to nutrient enrichment, toxic contamination, and hydrological modification from their drainage areas. Among various water quality impairments, dissolved oxygen (DO) depletion is often a leading stressor in lake systems. Despite numerous studies on DO in deep water lakes in temperate regions, the knowledge of DO dynamics in eutrophic shallow lakes in subtropical regions is still limited. This thesis research conducted intensive DO monitoring in an eutrophic shallow lake in south Louisiana to characterize diel cycles of DO …


Development Of Visible Light-Promoted Photocatalytic O-Glycosylation, C-H Activation Of Alkanes And Deoxygenation Of N-(Mesyloxy) Amides, Xiaoping Wang Jan 2014

Development Of Visible Light-Promoted Photocatalytic O-Glycosylation, C-H Activation Of Alkanes And Deoxygenation Of N-(Mesyloxy) Amides, Xiaoping Wang

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis is divided into four chapters reporting various aspects of the background of studies and the preliminary results I obtained in three projects. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to the concepts of photoredox catalysis, O-glycosylation, C-H functionalization and amidyl radicals. Chapter 2 describes the development of a visible light-promoted O-glycosylation catalyzed by Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2 or diphenyldiselenide under mild conditions. The glycosylation of primary and secondary alcohols with selenoglycosides was demonstrated with good yields, and disaccharides were constructed by coupling of the selenoglycosides in acetonitrile or dichloromethane with a glucosyl acceptor in moderate yields. The reactions catalyzed by Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2 were …


Creating Effective Mymathlab Problems Aligned With 7th Grade Pre-Algebra Common Core State Standards, Erin Ashley Glover Jan 2014

Creating Effective Mymathlab Problems Aligned With 7th Grade Pre-Algebra Common Core State Standards, Erin Ashley Glover

LSU Master's Theses

As states across the nation began to transition to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), new curriculums and supplemental resources were and are still being developed to guide and support the teachers and students. Pearson Education, the publisher of many mathematics textbooks, as well as the online program MyMathLab (MML), has been successfully providing meaningful, lasting mathematics learning materials for many years. Online learning programs, including MML, are used in thousands of middle school, high school, and college-level mathematics courses. However, these products were developed long before the adoption of the CCSS by 43 states, so they are not aligned …


Damage Evolution In Pressurized Domain: A Gradient Based Variational Approach, Navid Mozaffari Jan 2014

Damage Evolution In Pressurized Domain: A Gradient Based Variational Approach, Navid Mozaffari

LSU Master's Theses

Construction of appropriate models through mathematical analysis for materials in order to find their main properties and ingredients and enhance the numerical simulations to predict their behavior under specific conditions is in interest even in mathematics departments rather than material science and engineering branches. Among these models, gradient damage models have reached to the specific stage because of their ability to bring the effects of micro cracks propagation into conventional continuum mechanics formulation and approximate brittle fracture as one of the most phenomena in the area of material behavior simulation. This thesis includes the application and extension of a previously …


History, Nesting Population, Migration, Home Range And Habitats Used By Louisiana Bald Eagles, Nickolas Ryan Smith Jan 2014

History, Nesting Population, Migration, Home Range And Habitats Used By Louisiana Bald Eagles, Nickolas Ryan Smith

LSU Master's Theses

The population of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting in Louisiana reached precariously low numbers in the early 1970’s, and although the population has since increased markedly, resident eagles remain a species of conservation concern in Louisiana. Using statewide aerial nest survey data from 1975–2008, I documented the history and quantified the recovery of the nesting population in Louisiana. Known active nests increased exponentially from 7 to 387 during this period, exhibiting a mean annual rate of increase of 11.1 ± 0.3% per year with no indications of slowing. By 1990, the nesting population in Louisiana had exceeded all goals of …


Teaching Strategies For Proof Based Geometry, Kristina Marie Chaves Jan 2014

Teaching Strategies For Proof Based Geometry, Kristina Marie Chaves

LSU Master's Theses

This study aims is to discover the best methods for geometry students to master proof writing. Students who are taught how to write proofs in a traditional setting find proofs to be very difficult - struggling throughout the school year writing proofs on their own. Studies have been conducted regarding the use of dynamic geometry software in proof writing. To further study the effects of proof writing using dynamic geometry software, forty-eight freshmen students enrolled in an honors geometry course at a high performing suburban high school in Louisiana were given several proofs to complete, along with self-reflection surveys. During …


Does The Timing Of Feedback Affect Student Learning?, Tamara J. Hebert Jan 2014

Does The Timing Of Feedback Affect Student Learning?, Tamara J. Hebert

LSU Master's Theses

Online homework is becoming a common type of assignment for math courses in secondary and post-secondary schools in the U.S. This study attempts to determine whether in this setting immediate feedback offers any advantage over delayed feedback in promoting learning gains in high school math. To this end, a study involving two comparable groups of students was performed, one group receiving immediate and the other delayed feedback. Both groups received their feedback in a computer-assisted environment. No significant difference in achievement between the two feedback groups was found.


Teaching Climate Literacy Using Geospatial Tools, Steven L. Babcock Jan 2014

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 …


Hurricane-Induced Geologic Change And Palynological Assessment Of A Rapidly Subsiding Deltaic Environment In Coastal Louisiana, James Dustin Naquin Jan 2014

Hurricane-Induced Geologic Change And Palynological Assessment Of A Rapidly Subsiding Deltaic Environment In Coastal Louisiana, James Dustin Naquin

LSU Master's Theses

This study is focused on a paleoenvironmental history of a backbarrier coastal lagoon situated on the seaward margin of the Lafourche delta lobe in coastal Louisiana. A 2.2 meter long sediment core (Core BC 53) was collected from a mangrove-covered land strip on the northern margin of Bay Champagne, and was studied using pollen analysis, Loss-on-ignition (LOI), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, and Cesium-137 and radiocarbon dating techniques to establish sediment stratigraphy and core chronology. Bay Champagne, a backbarrier lagoon formed during the evolution of Bayou Lafourche, has shown to be highly sensitive to geomorphological and vegetation changes induced by sea-level …


A Comparison Of Capacity For Resilience Among Coastal Communities In The Northeast U.S. And The Northern Gulf Of Mexico Region, Emily Gootee Jan 2014

A Comparison Of Capacity For Resilience Among Coastal Communities In The Northeast U.S. And The Northern Gulf Of Mexico Region, Emily Gootee

LSU Master's Theses

Coastal communities face many threats from their surrounding environment, including floods and severe storms. These threats are exacerbated by climate change and sea level rise, which may cause increased frequency and severity of these events. Despite these hazards, population density along the coasts continues to rise. These areas of dense population and infrastructure are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Hurricane Sandy of 2012 was a powerful demonstration of the impact that severe storms can have on coastal populations. In the face of this reality, coastal communities must adapt and become more resilient to environmental changes. In order to assess …


Development Of An Alternative Bait For The Louisiana Commercial Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Fishery, Angelle Nicole Anderson Jan 2014

Development Of An Alternative Bait For The Louisiana Commercial Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Fishery, Angelle Nicole Anderson

LSU Master's Theses

The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important species in Louisiana coastal waters. Louisiana landings account for more than 80% of Gulf of Mexico hard crab landings. In 2012, over 24 thousand metric tons of blue crab were landed in Louisiana with an economic value over $52 million. The blue crab fishery in the northern Gulf of Mexico relies heavily on Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) for bait, which is a species with stock concerns resulting in approximately a 20% decrease in total allowable catch beginning in 2013. Decreased landings results in increased cost of B. tyrannus …