Digital Commons Network^™

Improvement Of Existing Stage-Top Incubator For Cell Imaging (Stici), Alyson Goree

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

On The Application Of Probabilistic Decline Curve Analysis To Unconventional Reservoirs, U. C. Egbe, O. O. Awoleke, O. M. Olorode, S. D. Goddard

Faculty Publications

Several authors have worked on combining decline curve analysis (DCA) models and stochastic algorithms for probabilistic DCAs. However, there are no publications on the application of these probabilistic decline curve models to all the major shale basins in the United States. Also, several empirical and analytical decline curve models have been developed to fit historical production data better; there is no systematic investigation of the relevance of the efforts on new model development compared with the efforts to quantify the uncertainty associated with the “noise” in the historical data. This work compares the uncertainty associated with determining the best-fit model …

The Intersectionality Of Race And Gender And Its Relationship To School Belonging And Student Mental Health, Kennedi Boatner

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Where Do We Focus? Self Regulated Learning Strategies In Encoding Unfamiliar Faces: The Region Of Proximal Learning Versus The Discrepancy Reduction Model, Lila Rigamer

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Earthquakes On Light Scattering In Ligo’S Gravitational Wave Detector, Ashley Patron

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Role Of The Drosophila Melanogaster Beaf Protein In Mediating Long Distance Chromatin Looping, Oluwatobi Ojemakinde

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Confederacy’S Last Stand: The Endurance Of Confederate Iconography In Brazil And In The United States, Heather Goss

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Application Of Heat Map Technology In Microscopic Analysis Of Saw Marks On Bone, Ian Plunkett

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Differential Expression Analysis Of Dorsal And Ventral Retinas Of The Four-Eyed Fish Anableps Anableps, Andrea Matus

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Regenerative Medicine For Tendon/Ligament Injuries: De Novo Equine Tendon/Ligament Neotissue Generation And Application, Takashi Taguchi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Tendon and ligament injuries are debilitating conditions across species. Poor regenerative capacities of these tissues limit restoration of original functions. The first study evaluated the effect of cellular administration on tendon/ligament injuries in horses using meta-analysis. The cellular administration was effective in restoring ultrasonographic echogenicity and increasing vascularity during early phase of healing. Additionally, it improved microstructural organization of healed tissue in terms of cellularity and fiber alignment. However, the study did not support its use for increasing rate of return to performance, expression/deposition of tendon-specific genes/proteins, or mechanical properties.

The findings led to the second study that engineered implantable …

A Stable Isotopic Profile Of Atmospheric River Precipitation Impacting Northern California, Erika Clarise Ornouski

LSU Master's Theses

Atmospheric river (AR) storms are an integral part of California’s hydrologic cycle, providing 30–50% of the state’s annual precipitation. However, “too much of a good thing” can swell

rivers beyond capacity leading to widespread flooding, erosion, and environmental damage. Northern California’s steep topography coupled with its seasonal Sierra Nevada snowpack puts this region at risk for floods and extreme weather hazards that can be triggered by strong ARs. Identifying AR contributions in the water cycle is crucial for informing water resource and emergency management decisions Stable isotope analysis provides a means to understand the movement of precipitation based on fractionation …

Decolonial Queer Poetic, Aparajita Dutta

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Queer bodies, produced by poetry, conjure dissident bodies who exist as citizens within the scope of the nation. In this analysis, I take into consideration Indian queer poetry, from both India and the diaspora, because bodies produced through this poetry reveal intersectional identities of queerness like race, and caste, that will help us understand how non-normative bodies exist along with other forms of marginalized identities like caste and race. In absence of academic scholarship on Indian queer poetry’s connection to the construction of nationhood, I aim to survey Indian queer poetry from mainland India and the Northern American diaspora, and …

Symmetric Functions Algebras (Sfa) Ii: Induced Matrices, Philip Feinsilver

Journal of Stochastic Analysis

No abstract provided.

Universal Screening For Student Mental Health: Selection Of Norming Sample As A Determinate Of Risk Status, Meagan Zeitvogel

LSU Master's Theses

The prevalence of student mental health concerns has increased the need for universal mental health screening. In turn, students may have increased access to services and support. Some screeners determine risk status by comparing student scores to norming samples that can be based solely on age (i.e., combined-gender) or on age and gender (i.e., separate-gender). Combined-gender norming samples assign risk status based on typical emotional and behavioral functioning across development. Separate-gender norming samples assign risk status based on developmental and biological differences between boys and girls. Currently, there is no research determining if students’ risk status changes based on norming …

Functional Domains Of The Hsv-1 Ul37 Protein In Virus Infectivity And Retrograde Transport In Neurons, Carolyn Clark

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus type 1 is large alphaherpesvirus with 20 envelope proteins and 23 tegument proteins. Virus entry is via fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes mediated by a complex of viral glycoproteins. Glycoprotein B (gB) is the only fusogenic glycoprotein, while other viral glycoproteins and membrane proteins including gD, gH, gL, gK and UL20 membrane protein modulate gB’s fusogenicity. Previously, Our laboratory developed the HSV-1 (VC2) vaccines strain with partial deletions in the amino termini of gK (ΔgK(31–68)) and the UL20 membrane protein (ΔUL20(4–22)). VC2 enters epithelial cells only via endocytosis followed by release of the capsid …

Kinetic And Chemical Effects Of Clays And Other Fillers In The Preparation Of Epoxy-Vinyl Ether Composites Using Radical-Induced Cationic Frontal Polymerization, Brecklyn R. Groce, Emma E. Lane, Daniel P. Gary, Douglas T. Ngo, Dylan T. Ngo, Fahima Shaon, Jorge A. Belgodere, John A. Pojman

Faculty Publications

Addition of fillers to formulations can generate composites with improved mechanical properties and lower the overall cost through a reduction of chemicals needed. In this study, fillers were added to resin systems consisting of epoxies and vinyl ethers that frontally polymerized through a radical-induced cationic frontal polymerization (RICFP) mechanism. Different clays, along with inert fumed silica, were added to increase the viscosity and reduce the convection, results of which did not follow many trends present in free-radical frontal polymerization. The clays were found to reduce the front velocity of RICFP systems overall compared to systems with only fumed silica. It …

Stellar Mergers With Hpx-Kokkos And Sycl: Methods Of Using An Asynchronous Many-Task Runtime System With Sycl, Gregor Daiß, Patrick Diehl, Hartmut Kaiser, Dirk Pflüger

Faculty Publications

Ranging from NVIDIA GPUs to AMD GPUs and Intel GPUs: Given the heterogeneity of available accelerator cards within current supercomputers, portability is a key aspect for modern HPC applications. In Octo-Tiger, an astrophysics application simulating binary star systems and stellar mergers, we rely on Kokkos and its various execution spaces for portable compute kernels. In turn, we use HPX, a distributed task-based runtime system, to coordinate kernel launches, CPU tasks, and communication. This combination allows us to have a fine interleaving between portable CPU/GPU computations and communication, enabling scalability on various supercomputers. However, for HPX and Kokkos to work together …

Apocalypse Then And Now: Narrative Influence And Thematic Subversion Of Victorian Literature In Modern American War Narratives, Douglas James Scully

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, I argue that by looking at the lasting impact of Victorian war literature on a variety of modern media, one can see that an increased cultural awareness of trauma has led to less humane depictions of the traumatized. The multitude of Sherlock Holmes adaptations produced and set in various time periods and covering assorted wars serves as a strong example in my first chapter of how a Victorian-produced text can have a lingering impact, and the veteran Watson serves as a strong tool for adaptors to use when commenting on the shifting nature of war and the …

Division I Softball Athletes' Perceptions On Stress, Coping, Performance, And Mental Health, Rhianna Weall

LSU Master's Theses

Collegiate athletes face numerous stressors in both athletic and academic areas of performance. Their perceptions of situations dictate coping responses and their ability to enact behavior or implement strategies to manage stress levels. This study investigated perceived stress and coping strategies using semi-structured in-person interviews with five current NCAA Division I softball players. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: (a) Pressure is Privilege, (b) Team Dynamic and Identity Development, (c) Softball-Centrism. In the first theme, pressure is viewed as a positive aspect and as an opportunity to perform in areas of high and low levels of confidence. Within the …

The Characterization Of Selected Α- And Β-Carbonic Anhydrases Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Hiruni Weerasooriya

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are zinc-metalloenzymes that interconvert two inorganic carbon (Ci) species, CO₂ and HCO₃^-. In Arabidopsis thaliana, there are eight αCA genes, six βCA genes, three γCA genes, and two γCA-like genes. The majority of CA research in plants has focused on finding a link between CA activity and photosynthesis rates. Since the CA genes are expressed in different plant tissues and multiple CA isoforms are distributed among various organelles of the plant cell, I hypothesize that CAs facilitate CO₂ diffusion among cell compartments and maintain Ci pools for carbon-requiring reactions by interconverting …

Optimization Of Host Cell-Compatible, Antimicrobial Peptides Effective Against Biofilms And Clinical Isolates Of Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Jenisha Ghimire, Robert J. Hart, Anabel Soldano, Charles H. Chen, Shantanu Guha, Joseph P. Hoffmann, Kalen M. Hall, Leisheng Sun, Benjamin J. Nelson, Timothy K. Lu, Jay K. Kolls, Mario Rivera, Lisa A. Morici, William C. Wimley

Faculty Publications

Here, we describe the continued synthetic molecular evolution of a lineage of host-compatible antimicrobial peptides (AMP) intended for the treatment of wounds infected with drug-resistant, biofilm-forming bacteria. The peptides tested are variants of an evolved AMP called d-amino acid CONsensus with Glycine Absent (d-CONGA), which has excellent antimicrobial activities in vitro and in vivo. In this newest generation of rational d-CONGA variants, we tested multiple sequence-structure-function hypotheses that had not been tested in previous generations. Many of the peptide variants have lower antibacterial activity against Gram-positive or Gram-negative pathogens, especially variants that have altered hydrophobicity, secondary structure potential, or spatial …

Assessing The Nutritional Value Of Dubia Roaches (Blaptica Dubia) As A Feeder Insect In Reptiles, Elise Barras

LSU Master's Theses

Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) have emerged on the market as a high protein and low-fat alternative to other feeder insects for captive reptiles. However, much like other insects, dubia roaches naturally have an inverse calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio. Offering insects to reptiles that are deficient in calcium can lead to nutritional disease (e.g., nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism). For dubia roaches to be a valuable feeder insect, their Ca:P ratio must be corrected. Several studies have assessed their nutritional composition, but no studies have manipulated the calcium content of these insects. Using a high calcium (8.3% calcium, dry matter) …

Image Analysis Methodology For Evaluating Coating Uniformity Of Drug-Coated Angioplasty Balloons, Allison Dobson Zieschang

LSU Master's Theses

Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) is a surgical procedure to treat peripheral artery disease, but restenosis causes suboptimal outcomes in many patients. Drug-coated angioplasty balloons (DCBs) were developed to reduce the risk of restenosis by delivering anti-proliferative drugs to the lesion. The efficacy of DCBs depends on factors like drug loading and drug release rate, both of which are directly impacted by the coating uniformity. This thesis evaluates the uniformity of DBCs using fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), qualitative analysis, and an image processing algorithm. Uniformity was quantified by three measurements: histogram standard deviation, histogram percentage of coverage, and …

Ion Selective And Water Resistant Cellulose Nanofiber/Mxene Membrane Enabled Cycling Zn Anode At High Currents, Wangwang Xu, Xiaobin Liao, Weina Xu, Kangning Zhao, Guang Yao, Qinglin Wu

Faculty Publications

Aqueous rechargeable zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are regarded as a promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices but strongly hindered by the limited utilization of the zinc metal anode (below 5%) due to the active water/anion corrosion. Herein, an ion selective and water-resistant cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene composite membrane has been developed through molecular sieving to restrict active water and anions from the electrode/electrolyte interface through dehydration of zinc ions, avoiding the water/anion-induced corrosion/decomposition. In this way, the CNF/MXene@Zn anode exhibits significantly enhanced coulombic efficiency (99.5 % at 10 mA cm-2) and low voltage hysteresis. Moreover, coated with CNF/MXene composite membrane, …

A Critique Of Aristotle: Countervoluntary Action And Moral Injury, Melissa Altsman

LSU Master's Theses

“A Critique of Aristotle: Countervoluntary Action and Moral Injury,” is a critique of Aristotle’s view that countervoluntary action does not affect character. I argue that a countervoluntary action can affect character when said action leads to a moral injury. Throughout this critique I use military experiences of moral injury to bolster my argument. This critique focuses on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and is directed at his Nicomachean Ethics specifically. The upshot of my critique is to not only argue that countervoluntary action affects character, but to spotlight specifically why it is character affecting. Essentially, my aim is to call attention …

Seasonal Seepage Fluid Flow And Pressure Detection Beneath Flood Protection Levees In The Lower Mississippi River Valley Using Non-Invasive Geophysical Methods, Daniel Locci

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study explores the use of shear-wave seismic reflection and electrical resistivity techniques to complement our understanding of seepage pore pressure variations and soil type estimation beneath earthen levees in the Mississippi River floodplain. The seasonal variations of water level in the river create changes in pore pressure in the adjacent aquifer, which can be detected using time-lapse shear-wave velocity analysis. The seismic reflection patterns during these pressure variations show changes in velocity that can be translated into changes in effective pressure, allowing us to distinguish between confined and leaky aquifers.

In addition, the integration of geophysical methods such as …

In Knowledge We Trust(Ed): A Case Study In Abolition Theatre, Misty Dawn Saribal

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation argues for performance art’s role(s) in growing abolition on higher education campuses. After defining abolition’s intersections with higher education, and discussing why performance is often diminished and overlooked, I examine a university abolitionist performance I co-directed that highlighted prison labor on our university’s campus titled ‘In Knowledge We Trusted: Red Tape, White Institutions, and Blue Students.’ A rationale for abolition performance and an abolition performance praxis is detailed with attention to avoiding the pitfalls of authenticity policing in prison abolition and genre policing in abolitionist art. Conclusions about how the performance contributed to and embodied abolition politics and …

The Social Support Experiences Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) Adults, Lindsay A. Duede, Colter Ray

LSU Master's Theses

Social support researchers commonly recognize that support is most useful when it matches the needs and desires of those receiving it. Yet, the majority of research regarding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social support frames questions of communication competence by placing neurodiverse communities at odds with neurotypical ones. This practice reinforces a hierarchy in which neurotypical individuals are viewed as correct and deviations from that norm as failures. Individuals with ADHD experience emotions differently than those without it; thus, it stands to reason that people with ADHD could have different needs and desires for support. Therefore, this study has two key …

The Non-Apprehension Of Selfhood And Metaphysical Freedom, Christopher Rinderle

LSU Master's Theses

In this work I take on one of the most axiomatic assumptions humans possess. The sense of self is embedded so deeply inside each one of us that to question it seems utterly ridiculous. Fortunately, I do not outright reject the notion of selfhood. I investigate what it is and is not through multiple angles – ancient and contemporary – which leads to investigations of free will and responsibility.

In the first chapter, I discuss the Buddhist anātman or non-self. I argue that the historical Buddha did not endorse the idea that the self must be overcome through enlightenment – …

Domain Specific Analysis Of Privacy Practices And Concerns In The Mobile Application Market, Fahimeh Ebrahimi Meymand

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Mobile applications (apps) constantly demand access to sensitive user information in exchange for more personalized services. These-mostly unjustified-data collection tactics have raised major privacy concerns among mobile app users. Existing research on mobile app privacy aims to identify these concerns, expose apps with malicious data collection practices, assess the quality of apps' privacy policies, and propose automated solutions for privacy leak detection and prevention. However, existing solutions are generic, frequently missing the contextual characteristics of different application domains. To address these limitations, in this dissertation, we study privacy in the app store at a domain level. Our objective is to …