Digital Commons Network^™

Accessibility Of Hiv Testing In Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area, Alina Prigozhina

LSU Master's Theses

This study examines HIV testing accessibility in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area (BR MSA) using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method to calculate accessibility scores for free, low-cost and all other HIV testing facilities. The two goals of this research are to apply accessibility estimation methods to HIV testing facilities, and to examine the accessibility of HIV testing facilities in the BR MSA. To achieve these goals, this study uses several research methods. The data about HIV testing providers and their locations were collected through Internet searches. By means of a fieldwork, the data were checked, revealing that …

Acoustic Characteristics Of Word-Final American English Liquids Produced By L2 Adult Speakers, Judith A. Espinal

LSU Master's Theses

In this study, the acoustic differences between native English speakers’ (L1) and native-Korean speakers’ (L2) production of American English liquids /ɹ/, /l/ and /ɹl/ were examined among 14 Korean speakers and 13 English speakers. Temporal measures included (1) relative timing of maximum constriction and (2) duration of vocalic nuclei. Spectral measures included (1) Euclidean distance between /ɹ/ and /l/ and (2) frequency difference between F2 and F3. The results indicated a significant interaction between speaker group and phonetic stimuli. That is, L2 speakers produced a similar degree of constriction across semivowels, whereas L1 speakers produced varying degrees of F2-F3 constrictions …

Research To Practice- Implementing Sign-Infused Intervention As A Novice Clinician, Loren Stoller

LSU Master's Theses

Speech-Language Pathologists often infuse manual signs into oral language interventions for children with various communication disorders. The current study was designed to learn more about sign-infused language intervention by examining one novice clinician’s use of signs during oral language intervention with a child diagnosed as a late talker. The researcher was the clinician, and while a novice interventionist, she was proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) and had five years of experience using ASL with others. The child was 26 months of age at the start of the study, and data collection included three pre-intervention sessions, 12 intervention sessions, and …

In Vitro Analysis Of Equine Platelet Rich Plasma And In Vivo Effect Of Cytokines After Repeated Intra-Articular Injections In Osteoarthritic Joints, Carlos Aguilar Miranda

LSU Master's Theses

INTRODUCTION- The use of biologic therapies like platelet rich plasma (PRP) has a potential benefit for the treatment of osteoarthritis in horses. However, key parts of it are still unknown. The objective is to evaluate the degree of platelet activation achieved when in contact with exogenous activators. As well as the long-term effect in the anabolism and catabolism of cytokines involved in equine osteoarthritis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS-In one in vitro study PRP was collected from 6-horses using a commercially available kit. Platelets were exposed to PBS as negative control or to varying concentrations of CaCl2. Activation was determined via cell …

Synthesis And Preliminary Ex Vivo Testing Of Sirna Targeting Tcrb: A Proposed Therapy For The Treatment Of Autoimmunity, Nicholas J. Magazine

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

Background:

As of 2018, the United States National Institutes of Health estimate that over half a billion people worldwide are affected by autoimmune disorders. Though these conditions are prevalent, treatment options remain relatively poor, relying primarily on various forms of immunosuppression which carry potentially severe side effects and often lose effectiveness overtime. Given this, new forms of therapy are needed. We propose small-interfering RNA (siRNA) for hypervariable regions of the T-cell receptor β-chain gene (TCRb) as a highly targeted, novel means of therapy for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Objectives:

To develop methods to produce siRNA targeting …

Retrospective Study Of Fmol Health System Utilization Using Geospatial Information, Deekshith Mandala

LSU Master's Theses

Medicaid Expansion and closing of Emergency Departments (ED) like Earl K. Long, Baton Rouge General Mid-City ED, and Champion Medical Center changed the health care landscape in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP). In this research study, a Geographical Information System (GIS) is used to analyze the impact of the expansion of Medicaid and the inauguration of Our Lady of the Lake North Baton Rouge ED (OLOL NBR ED) over the utilization of Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) for both emergency and non-emergency health care services. This study is performed across the 58 neighborhoods of EBRP. Overutilization of …

Experimental And Computational Tools For Single Cell Analysis In Cancer Diagnostics, Manibarathi Vaithiyanathan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Substantial evidence shows that cellular heterogeneity commonly exists within an isogenic or clonal population. Whether in isolation or caused through a combination of the above events, cellular heterogeneity can dramatically influence cellular decision making and cell fate, however, this can be masked by the average response from a population. One approach to solve this issue is to analyze a population at the individual cell level. The goal of this work is to develop high-throughput experimental and computational platforms to screen and quantify single cancer cells for specific intracellular enzyme activities. An interdisciplinary approach was taken to 1) better understand the …