Digital Commons Network^™

Silent Cavalry: How Union Soldiers From Alabama Helped Sherman Burn Atlanta And Then Got Written Out Of History, David J. Gerleman

Civil War Book Review

In Silent Cavalry: How Union Soldiers from Alabama Helped Sherman Burn Atlanta and Then Got Written Out of History, Howell Raines seeks to publicize the story of loyal Alabamians who fought for the Union. The First Alabama Cavalry is little known, he argues, due to early twentieth century collusion between unreconstructed Alabama officials and an influential cabal of Lost Cause scholars trained by William Dunning at Columbia University.

Interculturality, Creolization, And Globalization In "Ángeles Nómadas" By Minelys Sánchez, Cecily Bernard

Comparative Woman

No abstract provided.

Understanding Inequality In U.S. Farm Subsidies Using Large-Scale Administrative Data, Jisang Yu, Sunghun Lim

Faculty Publications

Using a large-scale, individual-level administrative data set for 2008–2021, we document the inequality in farm program payments across all recipients in the U.S. By examining the relationship between within-county inequality and demographic characteristics of farmers in a county, we find that there is a positive association between the share of Black operators and within-county inequality. We also provide suggestive evidence that a substantial portion of racial and gender disparities in farm payments are associated with crop production characteristics. We then utilize name information in farm payment data to infer the race and gender of individual payees. The analysis using approximately …

Expanding The Scope: Multimodal Dimensions In Aphasia Discourse Analysis—Preliminary Findings, Manaswita Dutta, Bijoyaa Mohapatra

Faculty Publications

Background: Aphasia, resulting from acquired brain injury, disrupts language processing and usage, significantly impacting individuals’ social communication and life participation. Given the limitations of traditional assessments in capturing the nuanced challenges faced by individuals with aphasia, this study seeks to explore the potential benefits of integrating multimodal communication elements into discourse analysis to better capture narrative proficiency in this population. Objective: This study examined how incorporating multimodal communication elements (e.g., physical gestures, writing, drawing) into discourse analysis may affect the narrative outcomes of persons with aphasia compared to those observed using methods that exclude multimodal considerations. Methods: Participants included individuals …

Transcriptomic Changes In Glomeruli In Response To A High Salt Challenge In The Dahl Ss Rat, Marharyta Semenikhina, Daria V. Lysikova, Denisha R. Spires, Mark Domondon, Krisztian Stadler, Oleg Palygin, Daria V. Ilatovskaya

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Salt sensitivity impacts a significant portion of the population and is an important contributor to the development of chronic kidneydisease. One of the significant early predictors of salt-induced damage is albuminuria, which reflects the deterioration of the renal filtration barrier: the glomerulus. Despite significant research efforts, there is still a gap in knowledge regarding the molecularme chanisms and signaling networks contributing to instigating and/or perpetuating salt-induced glomerular injury. To address this gap, we used 8-wk-old male Dahl salt-sensitive rats fed a normal-salt diet (0.4% NaCl) or challenged with a high-salt diet (4%NaCl) for 3 wk. At the end of the …

Do Children With High Callous-Unemotional Traits Have Attentional Deficits To Emotional Stimuli? Evidence From A Multi-Method And Multi-Informant Study, Anastasiya Ivanova-Serokhvostova, Kostas Fanti, Albert Bonillo, Hans Supèr, Montserrat Corrales, Iris Pérez-Bonaventura, Montserrat Pamias, Antoni J. Ramos-Quiroga, Rafael Torrubia, Roser Nadal, Paul J. Frick, Beatriz Molinuevo

Faculty Publications

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits in children and adolescents are linked to severe and persistent antisocial behavior. Based on past empirical research, several theoretical models have suggested that CU traits may be partly explained by difficulties in correctly identifying others’ emotional states as well as their reduced attention to others’ eyes, which could be important for both causal theory and treatment. This study tested the relationships among CU traits, emotion recognition of facial expressions and visual behavior in a sample of 52 boys referred to a clinic for conduct problems (Mage = 10.29 years; SD = 2.06). We conducted a multi-method and …

Climate Change Impacts On Asset Management Of Texas Concrete Bridges, Muhammad Ali, Jiannan Cai, Ao Du

Publications

This study investigates the interplay of climate-induced deterioration factors impacting concrete bridges in Texas, focusing on chloride and carbonation-induced corrosion. It integrates Fick’s second law to model chloride diffusion and employs empirical equations to predict corrosion initiation and severe crack damage. Sensitivity studies across representative Texas cities (Houston, Dallas, and Amarillo) shows varying deterioration risks due to climate change. Results highlight chloride-induced corrosion as more prominent, particularly affecting coastal bridges in Houston, while carbonation corrosion is negligible due to favorable concrete cover. Condition rating mapping simulations incorporating crack width effects, traffic impact, and maintenance interventions are calibrated against recorded National …

Impact Of Autonomous Vehicle (Av)-Based On-Demand Transportation Services On Traffic Crashes, Sharareh Kermanshachi, Sai Sneha Channamallu, Apurva Pamidimukkalla

Publications

This technical report investigates the burgeoning field of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), a transformative technology set to redefine transportation by enhancing safety, efficiency, and reducing human error. Despite their potential, AVs introduce complex challenges and safety concerns, particularly in urban environments. This study focuses on California from 2014 to 2022, offering a comprehensive examination of AV collision patterns, safety dynamics, and performance compared to Conventional Vehicles (CVs). Therefore, the objectives of this study are to (1) analyze trends in AV crashes to identify recurring patterns or anomalies that may indicate underlying issues or areas for improvement, (2) utilize the latest data …

Eco-Driving Of Connected And Autonomous Vehicles Approaching And Departing Signalized Intersections, Xiangyu Meng, Tonmoy Sarkar

Publications

Eco-driving is a driving strategy that focuses on reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and improving passenger comfort through the implementation of safe and anticipatory driving strategies. One method to improve eco-driving in autonomous vehicles is the optimal control approach, which utilizes ‘Signal Phase and Time’ (SPaT) information to determine an energy-efficient trajectory for vehicles approaching and departing signalized intersections. Camera-based vision systems and deep learning techniques can be implemented to recognize the traffic signal head and its phase information, further enabling the vehicle to adapt its driving patterns for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. This report reviews advancements in …

Postprandial Glucose Variability Following Typical Meals In Youth Living With Type 1 Diabetes, Susana R. Patton, Simon Bergford, Jennifer L. Sherr, Robin L. Gal, Peter Calhoun, Mark A. Clements, Michael C. Riddell, Corby K. Martin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

We explored the association between macronutrient intake and postprandial glucose variability in a large sample of youth living with T1D and consuming free-living meals. In the Type 1 Diabetes Exercise Initiative Pediatric (T1DEXIP) Study, youth took photographs before and after their meals on 3 days during a 10 day observation period. We used the remote food photograph method to obtain the macronutrient content of youth’s meals. We also collected physical activity, continuous glucose monitoring, and insulin use data. We measured glycemic variability using standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of glucose for up to 3 h after meals. …

Factors Affecting Reproducibility Of Change In Glucose During Exercise: Results From The Type 1 Diabetes And Exercise Initiative, Zoey Li, Peter Calhoun, Michael R. Rickels, Robin L. Gal, Roy W. Beck, Peter G. Jacobs, Mark A. Clements, Susana R. Patton, Jessica R. Castle, Corby K. Martin, Melanie B. Gillingham, Francis J. Doyle, Michael C. Riddell

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Aims: To evaluate factors affecting within-participant reproducibility in glycemic response to different forms of exercise. Methods: Structured exercise sessions ~30 minutes in length from the Type 1 Diabetes Exercise Initiative (T1DEXI) study were used to assess within-participant glycemic variability during and after exercise. The effect of several pre-exercise factors on the within-participant glycemic variability was evaluated. Results: Data from 476 adults with type 1 diabetes were analyzed. A participant’s change in glucose during exercise was reproducible within 15 mg/dL of the participant’s other exercise sessions only 32% of the time. Participants who exercised with lower and more consistent glucose level, …

Combining Uncertainty-Aware Predictive Modeling And A Bedtime Smart Snack Intervention To Prevent Nocturnal Hypoglycemia In People With Type 1 Diabetes On Multiple Daily Injections, Clara Mosquera-Lopez, Valentina Roquemen-Echeverri, Nichole S. Tyler, Susana R. Patton, Mark A. Clements, Corby K. Martin, Michael C. Riddell, Robin L. Gal, Melanie Gillingham, Leah M. Wilson, Jessica R. Castle, Peter G. Jacobs

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective: Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a known challenge for people with type 1 diabetes, especially for physically active individuals or those on multiple daily injections. We developed an evidential neural network (ENN) to predict at bedtime the probability and timing of nocturnal hypoglycemia (0-4 vs 4-8 h after bedtime) based on several glucose metrics and physical activity patterns. We utilized these predictions in silico to prescribe bedtime carbohydrates with a Smart Snack intervention specific to the predicted minimum nocturnal glucose and timing of nocturnal hypoglycemia. Materials and methods: We leveraged free-living datasets collected from 366 individuals from the T1DEXI Study and …

Local Social Capital, Disaster Housing Damage, And Mental Health: Insights From Hurricane Harvey, Ethan J. Raker, Kevin T. Smiley

Faculty Publications

Community-level social capital has been theorized to shape mental health, particularly in disaster contexts, but methodological complexities hamper prior studies. Pairing zip-code-level data on social capital from Opportunity Insights with repeated cross-sectional health survey data before and after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, we examine how local social capital moderated the mental health consequences of disaster housing damage. We first document null associations between local social capital and residents’ mental health before the disaster. Next, we fit models predicting psychological distress and poor mental health days, revealing that local levels of economic connectedness and rates of volunteering offset adverse mental …

Reproducible Brain Pet Data Analysis: Easier Said Than Done, Maryam Naseri, Sreekrishna Ramakrishnapillai, Owen T. Carmichael

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

While a great deal of recent effort has focused on addressing a perceived reproducibility crisis within brain structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI research communities, this article argues that brain positron emission tomography (PET) research stands on even more fragile ground, lagging behind efforts to address MRI reproducibility. We begin by examining the current landscape of factors that contribute to reproducible neuroimaging data analysis, including scientific standards, analytic plan pre-registration, data and code sharing, containerized workflows, and standardized processing pipelines. We then focus on disparities in the current status of these factors between brain MRI and brain PET. …

The Future Of Attosecond Science, Nirit Dudovich, Li Fang, Mette Gaarde, Ursula Keller, Alexandra Landsman, Maria Richter, Nina Rohringer, Linda Young

Faculty Publications

Conferences are incredible opportunities to strengthen the inclusive outlook of our scientific community. The participation of female scientists, postdocs, and graduate students in the ATTO VIII conference was remarkable, with more than 40% of female invited speakers. The Local Organizing Committee seized this opportunity to promote an atmosphere that welcomes all. An entirely female evening panel, with experience across the attosecond science spectrum, was convened to explore the Future of Attosecond Science in the evening session of Wednesday, July 13. Furthermore, a booklet entitled Perspectives in Attosecond Science was compiled by Dr. Shima Gholam-Mirzaei of the University of Ottawa and …

A Focus On Motivation, Summary Of Focus Group Findings Asking Educators For Insights On Means To Improve Student Motivation In Math, Nathaniel Armour, Alyssa Spears, H. Colleen Sinclair, Judith L. F. Rhodes

Reports

The research team at the LSU Social Research and Evaluation Center of Excellence in the LSU College of Human Sciences and Education conducted six focus groups with educators in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) in the summer of 2024. During the focus group sessions, we shared with participants some of our findings from the Math Mind Measure (MMM) survey administered to 5th to 8th grade EBRPSS students in the 2023-2024 school year. The survey asked about student motivations affecting their ideas about math. We found that some of the 10 different types of motivation measured by the …

The Beta-Decay Paul Trap Mk Iv: Design And Commissioning, L. Varriano, G. Savard, J. A. Clark, D. P. Burdette, M. T. Burkey, A. T. Gallant, T. Y. Hirsh, B. Longfellow, N. D. Scielzo, R. Segel, E. J. Boron, M. Brodeur, N. Callahan, A. Cannon, K. Kolos, B. Liu, S. Lopez-Caceres, M. Gott, B. Maaß, S. T. Marley, C. Mohs, G. E. Morgan, P. Mueller, M. Oberling, P. D. O'Malley, W. S. Porter, Z. Purcell, D. Ray, F. Rivero, A. A. Valverde, G. L. Wilson, R. Zite

Faculty Publications

The Beta-decay Paul Trap is an open-geometry, linear trap used to measure the decays of ⁸Li and ⁸B to search for a tensor contribution to the weak interaction. In the latest ⁸Li measurement of Burkey et al. (2022), β scattering was the dominant experimental systematic uncertainty. The Beta-decay Paul Trap Mk IV reduces the prevalence of β scattering by a factor of 4 through a redesigned electrode geometry and the use of glassy carbon and graphite as electrode materials. The trap has been constructed and successfully commissioned with ⁸Li in a new data campaign that collected …

The Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer 2.5 Years Later, Paolo Soffitta, Luca Baldini, Wayne Baumgartner, Ronaldo Bellazzini, Stephen D. Bongiorno, Niccolò Bucciantini, Enrico Costa, Michal Dovčiak, Steven Ehlert, Philip E. Kaaret, Jeffery J. Kolodziejczak, Luca Latronico, Frédréic Marin, Alan P. Marscher, Herman L. Marshall, Giorgio Matt, Fabio Muleri, Stephen L. O'Dell, Juri Poutanen, Brian Ramsey, Roger W. Romani, Patrick Slane, Allyn F. Tennant, Roberto Turolla, Martin C. Weisskopf, Iván Agudo, Lucio Angelo Antonelli, Matteo Bachetti, Stefano Bianchi, Raffaella Bonino, Alessandro Brez, Fiamma Capitanio, Simone Castellano

Faculty Publications

We have, at last, an observatory dedicated to X-ray polarimetry that has been operational since December 9^th, 2021. The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a NASA SMEX mission, in partnership with ASI, based on three X-ray telescopes, each equipped with a polarization-sensitive detector in the focus. An extending boom was deployed in orbit, positioning the detectors at the optimal distance from the optics, which have a 4-meter focal length. The spacecraft is three-axis stabilized, providing power, attitude determination and control, transmission, and commanding capabilities. After two and a half years of observation, IXPE has detected positive polarization …

A Nonlinear Least-Squares Convexity Enforcing C0 Interior Penalty Method For The Monge–Ampère Equation On Strictly Convex Smooth Planar Domains, Susanne C. Brenner, Li Yeng Sung, Zhiyu Tan, Hongchao Zhang

Faculty Publications

We construct a nonlinear least-squares finite element method for com­puting the smooth convex solutions of the Dirichlet boundary value problem of the Monge-Ampère equation on strictly convex smooth domains in R². It is based on an isoparametric C⁰ finite element space with exotic degrees of freedom that can enforce the convexity of the approximate solutions. A priori and a posteriori error estimates together with corroborating numerical results are presented.

Oxphos Capacity Is Diminished And The Phosphorylation System Inhibited During Diapause In An Extremophile, Embryos Of Artemia Franciscana, Yuvraj N. Patil, Erich Gnaiger, Alexander P. Landry, Zachary J. Leno, Steven C. Hand

Faculty Publications

Diapause exhibited by embryos of Artemia franciscana is accompanied by severe arrest of respiration. A large fraction of this depression is attributable to downregulation of trehalose catabolism that ultimately restricts fuel to mitochondria. This study now extends knowledge on the mechanism by revealing metabolic depression is heightened by inhibitions within mitochondria. Compared with that in embryo lysates during post-diapause, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity P is depressed during diapause when either NADH-linked substrates (pyruvate and malate) for electron transfer (electron transfer capacity, E) through respiratory Complex I or the Complex II substrate succinate are used. When pyruvate, malate and succinate were …

Ba5sb8: The Highest Homologue Of The Family Of Binary Semiconducting Barium Antimonides Bansb2n−2 (N ≥ 2), S. M.Gayomi K. Samarakoon, Alexander Ovchinnikov, Sviatoslav Baranets, Svilen Bobev

Faculty Publications

A novel binary compound within the Ba–Sb phase diagram, Ba5Sb8, was synthesized by combining elements with an excess of Sb in an alumina crucible. Structural elucidation was performed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2 with unit cell parameters of a = 15.6568(13) Å, b = 35.240(3) Å, c = 6.8189(6) Å, adopting its own structure type. The most distinctive features of the structure are the eight-membered [Sb8]¹⁰⁻ polyanionic fragments which have no known precedents among antimonides. They are separated by five Ba²⁺ cations, which afford the charge balance and enable adherence …

Lsu General Catalog 2024-2025, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

LSU General Catalog

The LSU General Catalog describes all undergraduate and graduate departments and programs with degree requirements and courses offered for each one. The LSU General Catalog includes information on registration and financial aid as well as academic services offered to all students.

Timing And Evolution Of Structures Within The Southeastern Greater Caucasus And Kura Fold-Thrust Belt From Multiproxy Sediment Provenance Records, Adam M. Forte, Eric S. Cowgill, Dawn Y. Sumner, Dominique I. Garello, Nathan A. Niemi, K. Colton Fowler

Faculty Publications

The Greater Caucasus (GC) mountains are the locus of post-Pliocene shortening within the northcentral Arabia-Eurasia collision. Although recent low-temperature thermochronology constrains the timing of orogen formation, the evolution of major structures remains enigmatic—particularly regarding the internal kinematics within this young orogen and the associated Kura Fold-Thrust Belt (KFTB), which flanks its southeastern margin. Here we use a multiproxy provenance analysis to investigate the tectonic history of both the southeastern GC and KFTB by presenting new data from a suite of sandstone samples from the KFTB, including sandstone petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, and detrital zircon (DZ) U-Pb geochronology. To define source terranes …

Molecular And Cellular Programs Underlying The Development Of Bovine Pre-Implantation Embryos, Zongliang Jiang

Faculty Publications

Early embryonic mortality is a major cause of infertility in cattle, yet the underlying molecular causes remain a mystery. Over the past half century, assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation and somatic cell nuclear transfer have been used to improve cattle reproductive efficiency; however, reduced embryo developmental potential is seen compared to their in vivo counterparts. Recent years have seen exciting progress across bovine embryo research, including genomic profiling of embryogenesis, new methods for improving embryo competence, and experimenting on building bovine embryos from stem cell cultures. These advances are beginning to define bovine embryo molecular and cellular …

Louisiana Survey 2024, Lsu Reilly Center For Media & Public Affairs

Reilly Center Louisiana Surveys

The 2024 Louisiana Survey is the latest in an annual series of statewide surveys from the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication.

Reflecting the continuing evolution of survey research, we used two approaches for this year’s survey. First, we used our traditional probability-sampling approach to draw landline and cell phone numbers for a live-interview telephone survey. Second, in partnership with the research firm YouGov, we administered an online survey to a nonprobability sample of Louisiana residents who participate in the YouGov panel. We use statistical weights in the analysis …

Fitness Promotion In College: The Relationships Among Students’ Perceived Physical Literacy, Knowledge, And Physical Fitness, Bin Long, Yang Liu, Senlin Chen, Yiwu Yang, Suna Tang, Jimei Yang, Yuhuai Wang

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among perceived physical literacy (PPL), knowledge of physical activity and fitness (PAF knowledge), and physical fitness. Methods: Undergraduates (N = 968, female = 414; Mage = 18.64) from a public university in central China completed a simplified Chinese version of the PPL instrument, an online test for PAF knowledge, and seven health-related physical fitness tests. The PPL includes three dimensions: (a) confidence and physical competence, (b) motivation, and (c) interaction with the environment. The fitness tests measured lung capacity, body mass index (BMI), and performances in 800 (female)/1000 (male) …

Variant Of The Lactase Lct Gene Explains Association Between Milk Intake And Incident Type 2 Diabetes, Kai Luo, Guo Chong Chen, Yanbo Zhang, Jee Young Moon, Jiaqian Xing, Brandilyn A. Peters, Mykhaylo Usyk, Zheng Wang, Gang Hu, Jun Li, Elizabeth Selvin, Casey M. Rebholz, Tao Wang, Carmen R. Isasi, Bing Yu, Rob Knight, Eric Boerwinkle, Robert D. Burk, Robert C. Kaplan, Qibin Qi

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Cow’s milk is frequently included in the human diet, but the relationship between milk intake and type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains controversial. Here, using data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, we show that in both sexes, higher milk intake is associated with lower risk of T2D in lactase non-persistent (LNP) individuals (determined by a variant of the lactase LCT gene, single nucleotide polymorphism rs4988235) but not in lactase persistent individuals. We validate this finding in the UK Biobank. Further analyses reveal that among LNP individuals, higher milk intake is associated with alterations in gut microbiota (for example, …

Monitoring Of Wave, Current, And Sediment Dynamics Along The Fog Point Living Shoreline, Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, Hongqing Wang, Qin Chen, William D. Capurso, Lukasz M. Niemoczynski, Nan Wang, Ling Zhu, Gregg A. Snedden, Matt Whitbeck, Carol A. Wilson, Michael Brownley

Faculty Publications

Living shorelines with salt marsh species, rock breakwaters, and sand nourishment were built along the coastal areas in the Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland, in 2016 in response to Hurricane Sandy (2012). The Fog Point living shoreline at Glenn Martin National Wildlife Refuge was designed with the “headland - breakwater - embayment” pattern. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, Northeastern University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Louisiana State University studied wave, current, and sediment dynamics to assess the effectiveness of the Fog Point living shoreline structures in terms of wave attenuation and erosion reduction. Wave gages, current meters, …

Human–Environment Interactions At Ta’Ab Nuk Na, A Submerged Maya Salt Works Site In Belize, Cheryl M. Foster, Heather Mckillop, E. Cory Sills

Faculty Publications

Sea-level rise and settlement are investigated at Ta’ab Nuk Na, an ancient Maya salt works in Belize, by examining samples from wooden posts and marine sediment. The samples included Post 145 of Building B and the Nunavut beam, along with marine sediment columns cut from beside both wooden posts. The sediment columns were sampled at 2 cm intervals. Loss-on ignition confirmed the presence of organic material. Identifying the organic content involved removing nonorganic material from the sediment and sorting the organic material under magnification. This procedure established that most of the organic material was red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). Red mangroves …

Dpal-Bert: A Faster And Lighter Question Answering Model, Lirong Yin, Lei Wang, Zhuohang Cai, Siyu Lu, Ruiyang Wang, Ahmed Alsanad, Salman A. Alqahtani, Xiaobing Chen, Zhengtong Yin, Xiaolu Li, Wenfeng Zheng

Faculty Publications

Recent advancements in natural language processing have given rise to numerous pre-training language models in question-answering systems. However, with the constant evolution of algorithms, data, and computing power, the increasing size and complexity of these models have led to increased training costs and reduced efficiency. This study aims to minimize the inference time of such models while maintaining computational performance. It also proposes a novel Distillation model for PAL-BERT (DPAL-BERT), specifically, employs knowledge distillation, using the PAL-BERT model as the teacher model to train two student models: DPAL-BERT-Bi and DPAL-BERT-C. This research enhances the dataset through techniques such as masking, …