Digital Commons Network^™

Command And Control Mechanisms For Post-Exploitation, Connor Hummel

LSU Master's Theses

The client-server model forms a core part of any existing network infrastructure. This interdependence between multiple client-server information systems means more vulnerabilities are open to exploitation. Once attackers gain control of an existing server, they can explore the vulnerabilities of a server system. To provide a more effective manner of defending against this type of persistent attack, this thesis aims to provide core information for understanding how post-exploitation of client-server systems works and an example attack scenario of a compromised system's behavior.

In this thesis, we identify several mechanisms used to control the attack flow and evade detection in the …

Evaluation Of Wood Fibers Derived From Different Tree Species And Processing Methods On Crop Growth And Microbial Activity In Soilless Substrates, Amanda Mizell

LSU Master's Theses

Soilless culture use is expanding as arable land and viable fumigants have decreased in availability. This has subsequently increased the demand for soilless substrates for container crop production. The primary component in most soilless substrates is Sphagnum peat moss, which is considered unsustainable due to the extensive time it takes to produce and the release of large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere during harvesting. Research into viable peat moss amendments to reduce reliance on this relatively non-renewable material has become a necessity. The most promising amendment that has been accepted in the horticulture industry as a viable amendment is …

The Role Of Siamese In G2 Checkpoint Regulation In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Martha A. Schwall

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Cyclin-cyclin dependent kinase (Cyclin-CDK) pairs regulate progression through the checkpoints of the cell cycle. They bind with some specificity and must be bound to for their regulative properties to be active. The presence of cyclin-CDKs is conserved throughout eukaryotes, while differences in specifics exist between yeast, animals, and plants. In Arabidopsis, SIAMESE (SIM) is a CDK inhibitor that restricts progression through mitosis. Overexpression of SIM is required for endoreplication in Arabidopsis trichomes, and overexpression of SIM results in increased endoreplication in leaf epidermal cells. SIM is expressed at high levels in the root elongation zone, where it plays a …

Exploring Pre-Service Teachers' Experiences With Emerging Technologies In Secondary Education: A Phenomenological Study, Richelle M. Decuir

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research was an investigation of the role of emerging technologies in preparing pre-service teachers to engage with secondary learners effectively. A phenomenological approach was utilized to explore how instructional design models and constructivist learning theories shape technology training in two Southeastern public universities. The research was focused on pre-service teachers' experiences developing digital competencies, integrating instructional design, and utilizing emerging technologies in educational settings. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and demographic surveys to understand the participants’ perspectives comprehensively. The study findings revealed that while pre-service teachers recognize the value of technology in enhancing student engagement and supporting personalized …

Enhancing Writing By Increasing Metacognitive Skills Through Socratic Seminars In A High Poverty Middle School Social Studies Classroom: An Intrinsic Case Study, Kirsten Hickingbottom

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to better understand the role metacognitive skills play within classroom settings to increase students’ writing through Socratic Seminars. A predominant question guided this study: Can improving student metacognition through the repetitive use of questioning techniques in Socratic Seminars lead to improved writing skills? This question, along with four additional research questions guided the research. There is a need for more activities that promote metacognition due to its correlation with academic achievement, critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and perceived self-efficacy (Keus, 2020). The significance of this study was to examine a method of …

Exploring The Interconnectivity Between Soilless Substrate Hydraulic Properties And Plant Root Morphology, Kristopher S. Criscione

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Horticultural container production heavily relies upon porous soilless substrates to mass produce specialty crops. Soilless substrates are responsible for continuously maintaining optimal water, mineral nutrients, and air balances to promote healthy root growth and support productive shoot yield (foliage or fruit). Increasing evidence of substrate research continues to highlight the strong relationships associated with root development and substrate physiochemical properties. Despite the importance of the root system for overall plant health, most horticultural research to-date has focused on shoot development. Research tends to report total root biomass as the primary root-growth metric; however, this results in several developmental features becoming …

Examination Of Musical Sophistication And Working Memory Correlates In High School Students, Abby South

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between musical engagement and cognitive ability in high school students. While musicians’ brains have long been of interest to those who study experience-dependent neuroplasticity, a lack of adolescent data grossly limits our understanding of the relationship between music training and observed neuroplastic changes in the brain. Advances in psychometric testing and brain imaging reveal relationships among musical expertise, changes in brain function, structure, and connectivity, and enhanced cognitive ability, but categorical groupings of dichotomously defined musicians and non-musicians prevent nuanced understanding of these complex relationships. In this study, 83 …

Precision Interventions Targeting The Maternal Metabolic Milieu For Healthy Pregnancies In Obesity, Alexandra M. Niclou, Hannah E. Cabre, Emily W. Flanagan, Leanne M. Redman

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Purpose of Review: Entering pregnancy with obesity increases the risk of adverse health outcomes for parent and child. As such, research interventions are largely focused on limiting excess gestational weight gain during pregnancy, especially in those with obesity. Yet, while many lifestyle interventions are successful in reducing GWG, few affect pregnancy outcomes. Here we review work targeting the metabolic milieu instead of focusing solely on weight. Recent Findings: Work done in non-pregnant populations suggests that specifically targeting glucose, triglyceride, and leptin levels or inflammatory makers improves the metabolic milieu and overall health. We posit that precision interventions that include strategies …

Exercise In The Management Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Position Statement From Exercise And Sports Science Australia, Angelo Sabag, Rhiannon K. Patten, Alba Moreno-Asso, Giorgia E. Colombo, Xela Dafauce Bouzo, Lisa J. Moran, Cheryce Harrison, Maryam Kazemi, Aya Mousa, Chau Tien Tay, Angelica Lindén Hirschberg, Leanne M. Redman, Helena J. Teede

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine condition amongst females of reproductive age, leading to lifelong cardiometabolic, reproductive, psychological, and dermatologic symptoms as well as a reduced quality of life. Lifestyle interventions, which can include structured exercise programmes delivered by appropriately trained exercise professionals such as clinical exercise physiologists, are considered first-line strategies in PCOS management due to their therapeutic effects on various health outcomes and quality of life. This position statement builds on the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS and describes the role of the exercise professional in the context of …

Brain Insulin Signaling Is Associated With Late-Life Cognitive Decline, Han Tong, Ana W. Capuano, Owen T. Carmichael, Kathryn L. Gwizdala, David A. Bennett, Rexford S. Ahima, Steven E. Arnold, Zoe Arvanitakis

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Type-2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of dementia, and the underlying mechanism might involve abnormal insulin signaling in the brain. The objective of this study was to examine the association of postmortem brain insulin signaling with late-life cognitive decline. Among participants of Religious Orders Study, a community-based clinical-pathological cohort, 150 deceased and autopsied older individuals (75 with diabetes matched to 75 without by age at death, sex, and education) had postmortem brain insulin signaling measurements collected in the prefrontal cortex using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. By using adjusted linear mixed-effects models, we examined the association of postmortem brain insulin …

Prescribed Fire Regimes Influence Responses Of Fungal And Bacterial Communities On New Litter Substrates In A Brackish Tidal Marsh, Viet Q. Dao, Crystal N. Johnson, William J. Platt

Faculty Publications

Processes modifying newly deposited litter substrates should affect fine fuels in fire-managed tidal marsh ecosystems. Differences in chemical composition and dynamics of litter should arise from fire histories that generate pyrodiverse plant communities, tropical cyclones that deposit wrack as litter, tidal inundation that introduces and alters sediments and microbes, and interactions among these different processes. The resulting diversity and dynamics of available litter compounds should affect microbial (fungal and bacterial) communities and their roles in litter substrate dynamics and ecosystem responses over time. We experimentally examined effects of differences in litter types produced by different fire regimes and litter loads …

Bimetallic Catalyst System For The Degradation Of Pcbs In Sediments, Balamurugan Subramanian, Dean Lay, Souhail R. Al-Abed, John L. Mckernan, Slawomir Lomnicki

Faculty Publications

In this paper, we report the successful application of a patent-pending reduced bimetallic nanoparticle catalytic system developed for the remediation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediment and aquatic media. The formation of bimetallic nanoparticles associated with the granular activated carbon (GAC) were confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the presence of the bimetallic matrix in reduced, albeit mixed, states. In the degradation studies, the bimetallic nanoparticles were deposited on a GAC substrate and utilized to treat both a surrogate PCB, 2-Chlorobiphenyl (2-CBP) in water and contaminated bottom-river sediments collected from a site with mixed-congener PCB contamination. The …

Louisiana Agriculture Magazine, Fall 2024

Louisiana Agriculture

Questions drive the science behind the LSU AgCenter. Researcher Erin Oberhaus wanted to find data to help educate Louisiana horse owners about the use of an important medication, and a water quality specialist wondered if noneconomic bodies of water, which include agricultural ponds, might help people generate electricity. The research projects that grew from their questions are detailed in this issue of Louisiana Agriculture.

Also in this issue, scientists share the results from important soybean studies, and the AgCenter farm to school team shares success stories from school gardens across the state.

Research is at the core of the LSU …

Fall 2024 Catalog, Lsu Press

LSU Press Seasonal Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Lignin Cationization For The Removal Of Phosphates And Nitrates From Effluents Of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Fannyuy V. Kewir, Carlos E. Astete, Divine B. Nde, Jessica R. Eberhard, W. David Constant, Cristina M. Sabliov

Faculty Publications

The removal of phosphates and nitrates from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents is important for preventing pollution of receiving waters. In this study, we chemically modified alkaline lignin (aLN) with quaternary ammonium groups to obtain biodegradable cationic lignin (cLN). We characterized the cLN and tested its efficacy for removing phosphates and nitrates in a lab setting and on field-collected WWTP samples. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies were performed in aqueous media, and the effects of several variables (contact time, pH, initial concentration, and adsorbent dose) were investigated. The Langmuir isotherm described phosphate and nitrate adsorption well, with R2 values of …

Prevailing Issues And Actions In Urban Best Practices Across Latin America And The Caribbean, Fabio Capra-Ribeiro

Faculty Publications

This research examines urban best practices (BPs) across Latin America and the Caribbean to illuminate the prevalent issues and actions associated with these locally implemented initiatives. An analysis of 45 BPs from the UN-Habitat repository was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods, organized into three phases. The first phase focused on collecting data such as BP sources, countries of origin, and years of implementation. The second phase identified common problems and actions within the BPs. The third phase involved a cross-sectional analysis to identify significant patterns and trends. The study found that many BPs originated from the Dubai International …

Early Preclinical Studies Of Ergosterol Peroxide And Biological Evaluation Of Its Derivatives, Taotao Ling, Luz V. Arroyo-Cruz, William R. Smither, Emily K. Seighman, Michelle M. Martínez-Montemayor, Fatima Rivas

Faculty Publications

Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that produces various pharmacological compounds, including triterpenoids. A major bioactive component of G. lucidum is ergosterol peroxide (EP), which is attributed to its anticancer effects. The current study focuses on the in vitro ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination), in vivo efficacy and toxicity of EP, and the synthesis of new EP derivatives to improve aqueous solubility. It was found that EP is metabolically stable in liver microsomes and plasma. In vivo studies showed that EP inhibits tumor growth in murine cancer models, and it is well tolerated by mice. The maximum tolerated dose …

Review Of Book Of George, Michael F. Russo

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Validity Of The Portionsize Smartphone Application For Estimating Dietary Intake In Free-Living Conditions: A Pilot Study, Hanim E. Diktas, Chloe P. Lozano, Sanjoy Saha, Stephanie T. Broyles, Corby K. Martin, John W. Apolzan

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective: Evaluate the validity of the PortionSize application. Methods: In this pilot study, 14 adults used PortionSize to record their free-living food intake over 3 consecutive days. Digital photography was the criterion measure, and the main outcomes were estimated intake of food (grams), energy (kilocalories), and food groups. Equivalence tests with ±25% equivalence bounds and Bland-Altman analysis were performed. Results: Estimated gram intake from PortionSize was equivalent (P < 0.001) to digital photography estimates. PortionSize and digital photography estimated energy intake, however, were not equivalent (P = 0.08), with larger estimates from PortionSize. In addition, PortionSize and digital photography were equivalent for vegetable intake (P = 0.01), but PortionSize had larger estimates of fruits, grains, dairy, and protein intake (P >0.07; error range 11% to 23%). Conclusions and Implications: Compared with digital photography, PortionSize accurately estimated food intake and had reasonable error rates for other nutrients; however, it overestimated energy intake, indicating …

Far From Their Origins: A Transcriptomic Investigation On How 2,4-Di-Tert-Butyl-6-(5-Chloro-2h-Benzotriazol-2-Yl) Phenol Affects Rainbow Trout Alevins, Andreas N.M. Eriksson, Justin Dubiel, Alper James Alcaraz, Jon A. Doering, Steve Wiseman

Faculty Publications

Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs) are a group of widely used chemicals added to a variety of consumer (e.g., plastics) and industrial (e.g., metal coating) goods. Although detected globally as an environmentally persistent pollutant, BUVSs have received relatively little toxicological attention and only recently have been acknowledged to affect development and the endocrine system in vivo. In our previous study, altered behavior, indicative of potential neurotoxicity, was observed among rainbow trout alevins (day 14 posthatching) that were microinjected as embryos with a single environmentally relevant dose of 2,4-di-tert-butyl–6-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) phenol (UV-327). In the present follow-up study, we performed whole-transcriptome profiling (RNA sequencing) …

Toward A Comparative Framework For Studies Of Altitudinal Migration, David Vander Pluym, Nicholas A. Mason

Faculty Publications

The study and importance of altitudinal migration has attracted increasing interest among zoologists. Altitudinal migrants are taxonomically widespread and move across altitudinal gradients as partial or complete migrants, subjecting them to a wide array of environments and ecological interactions. Here, we present a brief synthesis of recent developments in the field and suggest future directions toward a more taxonomically inclusive comparative framework for the study of altitudinal migration. Our framework centers on a working definition of altitudinal migration that hinges on its biological relevance, which is scale-dependent and related to fitness outcomes. We discuss linguistic nuances of altitudinal movements and …

Improving Bovine Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Lauren Gatenby

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Despite large efforts, there has been minimal improvements in bovine intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the last few decades. In this study, we investigate methods to improve embryo development rates with ICSI in cattle through addressing sperm and oocyte factors and modifying injection methods. Inducing the acrosome reaction in bull sperm prior to injection with progesterone increased cleavage (46.2% vs 16.2%) and blastocyst (21% vs 3.8%) rates compared to controls, respectively. Supplementing glutathione during in vitro maturation of the oocyte did reduce free reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the oocyte, but did not improve embryo development rates with ICSI or …

A Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Study Of Gas Hydrate Formation And Dissociation, Meisam Adibifard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The study of gas hydrates has increased significantly over the last two decades because of their potential application in energy storage, production and transportation, water desalination, refrigeration, gas separation, etc. There is a significant interest in commercially developing natural gas hydrates because the energy content of methane hydrate reservoirs (MHRs) is at least twice that of all conventional fossil fuels combined. Additionally, due to the higher storage capacity of hydrates, it is proposed to sequester CO₂ in the form of CO₂ hydrate, thereby reducing the amount of greenhouse gases. Hence, hydrates offer a dual solution to two of …

Catalytic Upcycling Of Waste Plastics By Induction Heating, Bernard Whajah

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The development of plastics over the past half century has led to rapid technological advances; however, the long-term negative environmental impacts of these materials compel new depolymerization and upcycling strategies. Plastics are indispensable due to their unique physical and chemical properties and affordability, leading to a significant increase in production rates. However, their recycling rates lag far behind their production rates. Polyolefins like LDPE and HDPE, which are common plastics, decompose very slowly in the environment. Converting these plastics into useful products often requires high-temperature pyrolysis, resulting in undesired distributions of products.

To address this challenge, this study focuses on …

Recreational Cannabis In Louisiana: Anticipating Potential Risks For Motor Vehicle Safety In The Short And Long Term, Aimee H. Moles, Andrew Burns, Ashley Tillison, Austin L. Matthews

Reports

This document, titled Recreational Cannabis in Louisiana: Anticipating Potential Risks for Motor Vehicle Safety in the Short and Long Term, provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts that cannabis legalization could have on road safety in Louisiana. The document is written to equip policymakers and concerned citizens with the necessary knowledge to navigate the complex landscape of cannabis legalization and its implications for public safety.

Key Objectives and Scope: The primary purpose of this document is to evaluate the potential risks associated with recreational cannabis legalization on motor vehicle safety, drawing on data and experiences from Canada and states …

The Evolution Of Science And Regulation Of Dietary Supplements: Past, Present, And Future, Paul M. Coates, Regan L. Bailey, Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ahmed El-Sohemy, Elizabeth Floyd, Joshua Z. Goldenberg, Aimée Gould Shunney, Hannah D. Holscher, Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Deshanie Rai, Barry W. Ritz, Wendy J. Weber

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Dietary supplement use in the United States is widespread and increasing, especially among certain population groups, such as older Americans. The science surrounding dietary supplements has evolved substantially over the last few decades since their formal regulation in 1994. Much has been learned about the mechanisms of action of many dietary supplement ingredients, but the evidence on their health effects is still building. As is true of much nutrition research, there are many studies that point to health effects, but not all are at the level of scientific evidence (e.g., randomized controlled interventions), rigor, or quality needed for definitive statements …

The Impact Of Obesity On Reproductive Health And Metabolism In Reproductive-Age Females, Samantha B. Schon, Hannah E. Cabre, Leanne M. Redman

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease that impacts >40% of reproductive-aged females. The pathophysiology of obesity is complex and can be understood simply as a chronic energy imbalance whereby caloric intake exceeds caloric expenditure with an energy surplus stored in adipose tissue. Obesity may be categorized into degrees of severity as well as different phenotypes on the basis of metabolic health and underlying pathophysiology. Obesity and excess adiposity have a significant impact on fertility and reproductive health, with direct effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the ovary and oocyte, and the endometrium. There are significant adverse pregnancy outcomes related to …

Youth's Political Identity And Fertility Desires, Heather M. Rackin, Christina M. Gibson-Davis

Faculty Publications

Objective: This study examines the association between political identity and young adults' fertility desires from 1989 to 2019. Background: Understanding the factors that shape fertility preferences is important because these preferences are the critical bridge between social forces and fertility. Identity is a theorized, but understudied, predictor of fertility desires. The increasing salience of political identity suggests that the association between political identity and fertility desires has strengthened over time. Method: Data come from the 1989–2019 waves of Monitoring the Future, a nationally representative study of 12th graders (N = 67,557). Regression models examined how political identity (measured by Republican …

The Risk Management Of Covid-19: Lessons From Financial Economics And Financial Risk Management, Don M. Chance

Faculty Publications

The United States had one of the worst outcomes in the management of COVID-19 risk, with a death rate in the 94th percentile of all countries. Setting aside the obvious politicized nature of COVID-19 public health recommendations and mandates, we argue that best practices in financial risk management provide parallels that could have served as valuable guidance. We demonstrate here that considerable signals were missed that would have required very little effort and would have been consistent with sound risk management. We also identify examples of misleading information such as that COVID-19 was particularly hard on the elderly. The data …

Editorial Introduction: Unveiling New Dimensions In Policy Process Theory Research, Geoboo Song, Saba Siddiki, Melissa K. Merry, Davor Mondom, Ben Galloway, Gwen Arnold, Aaron Smith-Walter, Holly L. Peterson, Creed Tumlison, Briana Huett, Heasun Choi, Nataliia Borozdina

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.