Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Compton Telescope Imaging With Maximum A Posteriori Estimation A Modified Richardson–Lucy Algorithm For The Compton Spectrometer And Imager, H. Yoneda, T. Siegert, I. Martinez-Castellanos, S. Gallego, C. Karwin, H. Bates, S. E. Boggs, C. Y. Huang, A. Joens, S. Matsumoto, S. Mittal, E. Neights, M. Negro, U. Oberlack, K. Okuma, S. Pike, J. Roberts, F. Rogers, Y. Sheng, T. Takahashi, A. Valluvan, Y. Watanabe, D. Hartmann, C. Kierans, J. Tomsick, A. Zoglauer

Faculty Publications

We present a modified Richardson-Lucy (RL) algorithm tailored for image reconstruction in MeV gamma-ray observations, focusing on its application to the upcoming Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission. Our method addresses key challenges in MeV gamma-ray astronomy by incorporating Bayesian priors for sparseness and smoothness while optimizing background components simultaneously. We introduce a novel sparsity term suitable for Poisson-sampled data in addition to a smoothness prior, allowing for flexible reconstruction of both point sources and extended emission. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using simulated three-month COSI observations of gamma-ray lines of ⁴⁴Ti (1.157 MeV), ²⁶Al (1.809 …

Editorial Introduction: Bridging Policy Theory And Practice In Uncertain Times, Geoboo Song, Saba Siddiki, Holly L. Peterson, Melissa K. Merry, Ben Galloway, Camille Gilmore, Travis Wagher, Annette Nyoni

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Testing For Normality In Regression Models: Mistakes Abound (But May Not Matter), Stephen Midway, J. Wilson White

Faculty Publications

This study examines the misuse of normality tests in linear regression within ecology and biology, focusing on common misconceptions. A bibliometric review found that over 70% of ecology papers and 90% of biology papers incorrectly applied normality tests to raw data instead of model residuals. To assess the impact of this error, we simulated datasets with normal, interval, and skewed distributions across various sample and effect sizes. We compared statistical power between two approaches: testing the whole dataset for normality (incorrect) versus testing model residuals (correct) to determine whether to use a parametric (t-test) or nonparametric (Mann-Whitney U test) method. …

Fishing For Solutions: Compensation For Bycatch Reduction In The Gulf Of Mexico Shrimp Fishery, Daniel W. Harris

LSU Master's Theses

Bycatch, unintentionally caught non-target species, harms the profitability of commercial fishing operations and leads to death and injury of hundreds of thousands of marine animals per year. In the Gulf of Mexico, commercial shrimpers are required to use a bycatch reduction device (BRD). Better BRDs are being tested to further reduce bycatch. Because their use will not be mandatory, it is important to measure shrimper willingness to voluntarily adopt this conservation technology to predict potential fleet participation. This study uses contingent valuation to elicit commercial shrimpers’ willingness to accept compensation for using these new devices.

We employ an incentivized payment …

Proteomic Comparison Of Canine Gallbladder Versus Hepatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms, Nadia Richmond

LSU Master's Theses

Hepatobiliary neuroendocrine neoplasms (HBNENs) are uncommon tumors in people and dogs, and the limited understanding of their biologic behavior often poses a diagnostic and prognostic challenge in the clinical setting. Though only a low number of cases have been described in dogs, there is evidence to indicate that primary gallbladder NENs may carry a more favorable prognosis compared to primary hepatic NENs. The emergence of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in proteomic analysis has permitted large-scale analysis of neoplastic proteomes, allowing for better understanding of tumor pathophysiology while simultaneously enabling the rapid identification of protein biomarkers. Previous work in our laboratory …

Advanced Manufacturing Of Multifunctional Shape Memory Polymer Composites And Self-Healing Systems, John B. Konlan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The need for multifunctional light weight structures for engineering applications is on the rise. Multifunctional composites are desired because of their ability to combine multiple functionalities into one structure. The advantages of a high strength-to-weight ratio of multifunctional composites make them desirable and suitable for use in energy-efficient applications. Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted interest over the past several decades because of their multifunctional nature. They have found use in many applications such as aerospace, satellites, automobiles, textiles, and biomedical devices, where lightweight and multifunctionality are key. The self-healing nature of most SMPs makes them suitable for use in lightweight …

Promoting Social Inclusion Through Sport: A Case Study Of Uyghur Youth In China, Hongxin Li, Yunchao Bai, John Nauright

Faculty Publications

This study examines the role of sports as a means of promoting social inclusion among Uyghur youth in China, drawing upon social inclusion theory. Utilizing a qualitative case study methodology, we explored the perspectives of Uyghur youth athletes to gain insight into the challenges they face in achieving social inclusion without feeling “othered” or excluded. Data analysis followed an inductive grounded theory approach, identifying first‐order concepts, second‐order themes, and aggregate theoretical dimensions. Our findings reveal that social inclusion of Uyghur youth through sports participation is influenced by multiple factors, including language barriers, stereotypes, cultural differences, high expectations, and government policies. …

Through The Looking Glass : Diversity Through The Eyes Of A Dress Form, Amara Copeland

LSU Master's Theses

This article aims to look into educational institutions and how they address diversity using curatorial displays. Does fashion and costume curation add to the seclusion of luxury? Looking into this correlation, this study aims to answer these next couple of questions. How does museum curation add to fashion social norms? Is it a subconscious or conscious decision when deciding on a mannequin or dress form? How do museum and fashion curations add to the exclusion of minorities in the world of luxury? What is costume luxury, and who do we say can obtain it?

This research aims to understand the …

Impacts Of Climate Change On Cannibalism And Disease Transmission In The Fall Armyworm, Kale Rougeau

LSU Master's Theses

Climate change may alter host-pathogen dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems due to rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels. Here, we examined cannibalism and disease transmission using the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive agricultural pest, and its species-specific lethal baculovirus, Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV), under various potential challenges of climate change. We used three temperature treatments (cooler, optimal, warmer) based on the fall armyworm’s thermal performance curve to simulate a changing climate and four artificial diets with various protein-to-carbohydrate ratios (low, equal, high, standard) to manipulate resource quality from altered carbon dioxide levels. We found that higher …

Animal-Assisted Therapy With Children In Hospitals And Schools: A Systematized Review, Tantine Kendig

LSU Master's Theses

It has been demonstrated that animals can offer humans significant health benefits. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing form of therapy used in various settings to enhance the health of children, encompassing both physical and mental wellness. The challenges of hospitalization and the school environment have been shown to pose different challenges for children, such as an increase in anxiety, stress, depression, and others that have the potential to affect their mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, specifically dog-assisted therapy, on children in hospital and school settings by conducting a …

“En Clave” Tania León And Roberto Sierra: Autochthonous Music Of Cuba And Puerto Rico, Contemporary Music Composition And The ‘Puente’ In Between, Omar A. Ramirez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This document is in two parts. The first examines selected works of Latin-American composers Tania León and Roberto Sierra. Both composers cite their cultural background as a force that shapes their artistic expression. Many of their works are titled in Spanish, with compositions referencing their homelands in subject and narrative, and incorporate the autochthonous music(s) of Cuba and Puerto Rico. Elements of these afrodiasporic musical traditions can be found in their works: Alegre, Batá, Stride, (León), Loiza, and Concerto for Viola (Sierra), each examined here.

Autochthonous musical elements are highlighted in score excerpts and described using …

Decadal To Millennial-Scale Morphodynamic Evolution Of Microtidal Marshes, Samuel Mason Zapp

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Tidal marshes are susceptible to rapidly converting to open water due to their low elevations within the tidal frame. A continuous supply of externally supplied mineral sediment and in situ organic material production is necessary to offset elevation losses from relative sea level rise and erosion. Complex feedbacks between hydrodynamics, the erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment, and physical modification of the landscape by the establishment of intertidal vegetation govern the spatial and temporal patterns of elevation response. This dissertation focuses on modeling how these dynamics drive marsh landscape evolution in the past, present, and into the future under changing …

Ligo Detector Characterization In The First Half Of The Fourth Observing Run, S. Soni, B. K. Berger, D. Davis, F. Di Renzo, A. Effler, T. A. Ferreira, J. Glanzer, E. Goetz, G. González, A. Helmling-Cornell, B. Hughey, R. Huxford, B. Mannix, G. Mo, D. Nandi, A. Neunzert, S. Nichols, K. Pham, A. I. Renzini, R. M.S. Schofield, A. Stuver, M. Trevor, S. Álvarez-López, R. Beda, C. P.L. Berry, S. Bhuiyan, L. Blagg, R. Bruntz, S. Callos, M. Chan, P. Charlton, N. Christensen, G. Connolly

Faculty Publications

Progress in gravitational-wave (GW) astronomy depends upon having sensitive detectors with good data quality. Since the end of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory-Virgo-KAGRA third Observing run in March 2020, detector-characterization efforts have lead to increased sensitivity of the detectors, swifter validation of GW candidates and improved tools used for data-quality products. In this article, we discuss these efforts in detail and their impact on our ability to detect and study GWs. These include the multiple instrumental investigations that led to reduction in transient noise, along with the work to improve software tools used to examine the detectors data-quality. We end …

From Roses To Pixels; Design For Kashan’S Golab Festival, Safiyeh Niknami

LSU Master's Theses

This research aims to elevate the visibility and appeal of the Kashan Rose Water Festival through innovative graphic design strategies and a user-friendly festival mobile application. The primary objective is to integrate the rich cultural heritage of Kashan with contemporary design elements to create a cohesive brand image that attracts both local and international visitors. By utilizing traditional Persian motifs and modern user experience design, the project seeks to enhance visitor engagement and provide a comprehensive digital interface for festival attendees.

Central to this research is the development of a mobile application that serves as an interactive guide and planning …

Ai-Based Accessibility Widget (Aibaw) Shortcomings For Blind Web Users, Joshua A. Rovira

LSU Master's Theses

With legal, ethical, and financial motivations to make their websites more accessible, many businesses and sites have begun to employ the use of artificial intelligence (AI) based widgets to automatically make necessary modifications to their sites' pages and subdomains. In this work, we conduct a qualitative case study to determine the efficacy of these AI tools as they pertain specifically to blind users. We analyze pages from twelve websites using accessiBe's AI accessibility widget and provide a taxonomy of their violations against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA compliance. We found each website to bear numerous violations …

Wind-Resilient Solar: Harnessing Cfd For Enhanced Load Estimation, Aly Mousaad Aly

Faculty Publications

Solar panels are a cornerstone of renewable energy infrastructure, playing a pivotal role in global sustainability efforts. To ensure their resilience and long-term viability, accurate wind load estimations are essential for designing supporting structures, which account for nearly 50% of their total cost. However, traditional building codes lack comprehensive guidance for solar panels, resulting in inconsistent estimations due to discrepancies in scaled wall-bounded wind tunnel testing methodologies. These inaccuracies pose safety risks, increase costs, and hinder adoption. Emerging technologies like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations offer a promising alternative by enabling full-scale analysis under realistic conditions of complete turbulence. This …

The Impact Of Visual Stimuli And The Properties Of Green Walls On Human Well-Being In Built And Immersive Virtual Environments, Alireza Sedghikhanshir

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The built environment significantly influences human well-being, particularly in the context of stress recovery and cognitive restoration. This dissertation investigates the impact of visual stimuli, particularly green walls, on human responses related to stress, restoration, and thermal comfort. The research is guided by three primary objectives: (1) examining the role of visual stimuli and their properties in promoting stress recovery and restoration, (2) evaluating the potential of Immersive Virtual Environments (IVEs) as tools for delivering and studying restorative environments, and (3) investigating the influence of green walls on indoor environmental conditions.

A series of experimental studies were carried out to …

Stoicism As A Panacea For Contemporary Problems, Taiwo Oriyomi Akande

LSU Master's Theses

The contemporary world is battling with the persistent problems of racism and environmental crises that threaten human co-existence and constitute an existential threat in general. These pressing issues have led to injustice, disunity, and ecological destruction. Though human history has recorded some victories in the advancement of human rights and environmental policies yet, there are still some forms of racism that are entrenched in society's structure. Environmental degradation also continues due to the failure or limitation in policies meant to tackle it, and the unsustainably bad attitudes of humans toward the environment. This thesis argues that Stoicism, a philosophical tradition …

Growing The Good: A Communal Garden Case Study Among Marginalized, Rural Populations, Claire Barbier

LSU Master's Theses

Community and Communal gardens (CG) have been documented as early as the late 1800s during periods of economic recessions and high food insecurity (The MIT Press Reader, 2022). However, C.G. adoption rates are expanding on a global scale as communities and municipalities see the potential for the tool to bring relief to environments in dire need of additional resources. Utilizing a communal garden can be used to address a surplus of systemic barriers a community faces; it has a significant opportunity to bring forth the interconnected tiers of public health altogether (Twiss et. al, 2003). Modernized C.G projects bring forth …

Exploring The Impact Of Social Media And Social Networks On Juvenile Sexual Behavior Problems: A Scoping Review, Shaleen Clay

LSU Master's Theses

The issue of juvenile problematic sexual behavior has become a pervasive problem, and little research exists on the topic. How social media and social networks impact problematic sexual behaviors in juveniles is even less known and understood. The objective of this scoping review was to determine what is known about the impact of social media and social networks on juvenile sexual behavior problems. Four key themes appeared in the literature including the use of adult terminology, rather than juvenile, to describe juvenile relationships; the normalization of abusive behaviors within adolescent relationship; the influence of social networks/peer groups on aggression and …

Faith And Freedom: The Role Of Religion In The Bishops' Wars, Christopher S. Jordan

LSU Master's Theses

Despite their overall importance to British history, the Bishops’ Wars (1639-1640) remain relatively obscure conflicts. They are more often studied and recognized in larger narratives, such as the English Civil War or the Covenanting movement in Scotland. Regardless, these wars perhaps deserve more attention in themselves to recognize their significance in their own time. While most historians and commentators on this war have noted the many political aspects and undertones of this conflict, which there are many, this thesis will examine the religious aspects and undertones and attempt to argue that religion that had the largest role in the start, …

“They Love Our Rhythm, But Not Our Blues:” An Examination Of The Relationship Between Hip Hop On Depression, Anxiety, And Self-Care Among African American And Hispanic/Latinx Emerging Adults, Richard W. Wiley Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health problems for emerging adults of color in higher education. Specifically, African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx emerging adults on college campuses have poorer mental health than their White counterparts. Considering the systemic oppression and cultural stressors that impact mental health among African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx students, Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Emerging Adulthood Theory were theoretical frameworks for this study. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Hip Hop music and depression, anxiety, and intentional use as self-care among African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx emerging adults who were college …

“When Black Women Whisper”: An Exploration Of Why Black Women Stay In K-12 Education, Chelsea Lynne Murry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

From low retention rates to race and gender biases to being overworked and undervalued in the classroom, Black women leave education at higher rates than any other demographic. This study highlighted the experiences of Black women in K-12 education settings, the role of support systems in their retention and advancement, and why they stay in K-12 education. The study used Counter-storytelling in Critical Race Theory, Black Feminist Thought, and Womanism to examine the race and gender inequities that Black women face and to highlight their lived experiences. Through the use of Sista Circles/focus groups and one-on-one interviews, the research …

The Influence Of Life Skills, Teammate And Coach Behavior, And The Sport Environment On The Mental Well-Being Of Intercollegiate Athletes, Lauren A. Shute

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

Intercollegiate athletics generate significant interest in the United States, where concerns about the health and well-being of student-athletes have gained increased attention in recent years. Student-athletes face the same developmental challenges as their non-athlete college peers, but they also encounter biological, psychological, sociocultural, and spiritual challenges often introduced or exacerbated by their participation in sport. To assist this subgroup of the college student population in managing their various athletic, academic, and personal responsibilities, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has prioritized and implemented life skills programming. Yet, while much has been documented regarding life skills development at the youth …

Scholarship Through Service: Exploring City Year Partnerships With Land-Grant Universities, Clarence Sutton Iii

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of graduate students at land-grant universities who have successfully navigated and completed the City Year scholars program. I utilized interviews with scholars as well as stakeholders to better understand the experiences of the scholars and the factors of the program that impacted their decision to apply and be retained at the institution until completion. This study also explored how these partnerships are developed and maintained. Through understanding the scholar experience this study explored the mechanics of the program and its effectiveness in terms of scholars’ career goals. This dissertation study …

Becky With The Good Hair? The Perpetuation Of Eurocentric Dating Preferences, Black Women & Contemporary Dating Shows, Carolyne C. Tarver

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

This thesis examines perceptions of the portrayal of Black women in contemporary reality dating/romantic television shows, emphasizing the persistence of Eurocentric beauty standards and harmful stereotypes. In this thesis, I examine these stereotypes: Jezebel, Angry Black Woman, The Strong Black Woman, and The Rejected Black Woman, which I refer to as the "not my type" archetype/image. My research is significant for several reasons, including filling in the gap where previous literature surrounding reality TV, dating shows, and their impact on Black women was scarce. My research incorporates 25 interviews with Black women to examine audience reception towards representation and …

Redefining Actor Training: Prioritizing Mental Health And Ethical Pedagogy In Higher Education Actor Training Programs, Dori R. Leeman

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In recent years, higher education personnel across the country have referred to the pervasiveness of mental health challenges on college campuses as an epidemic. Students majoring in theatre and performance are no exception. This dissertation examines the unique factors of actor training programs and their impact on student actors’ mental health and well-being. Many traditional actor training programs have long upheld the notion that great artistry requires personal sacrifices, which include a lack of work-life balance and, at times, practices that blur the boundaries between life and art. I argue that actor training programs have failed to evolve alongside current …

Access And Aid In Higher Education: An Account Of Students' Perceptions Of Louisiana's Tops, Melissa Ann Whitley

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Perhaps now more than ever, merit-based financial aid is vital to the economic well-being of states. In Louisiana, many high school students do not have the same access and aid to post-secondary education, therefore permanent and sustainable changes are needed to the Louisiana TOPS program to remove barriers and address student needs. The purpose of this study is to provide an account of the Louisiana TOPS program, explore whether TOPS contributes to the persistent disparities across different socioeconomic groups in college participation and completion, and if the TOPS program alleviates brain drain of the workforce.

This study employed a case …

Identifying Saharan Air Layer Events And Their Relationship To Instability And Rainfall Patterns In The Tropical North Atlantic Ocean, Charles H. Dolce

LSU Master's Theses

Every year, strong North African winds across the Sahara loft dust particles and advect them westward within the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). These plumes of dust often reach the Caribbean Sea and can heavily affect regional weather patterns by suppressing convection. When concentrations are high, decreased rainfall can yield negative societal and ecological impacts, potentially leading to drought. The Puerto Rican early rainfall season (ERS), spanning from 1 April through 31 July, overlaps with Saharan dust migration periods, and systematically detecting instances of SAL activity near the island is important for understanding longer-term drought-forcing trends in the region.

Corridors of …

Can You See Nature?, Jalia M. Payne

LSU Master's Theses

Can You See Nature? is an 8-part song cycle designed for various voice types and flutes, accompanied by piano. This cycle explores themes of nature and emotion through vivid poetic imagery. It features poems by Victor Hugo, William Blake, Sara Teasdale, and Madison James Cawein, all of which are in the public domain. The cycle weaves together a narrative that reflects on humanity's relationship with the natural world. The cycle includes the following pieces: 1. Morning for Alto and Piano 2. Little Bird for Flute and Piano 3. Tyger for Soprano and Piano 4. Song of the Harbinger for Piccolo …