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General Stochastic Calculus And Applications, Pujan Shrestha

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In 1942, K. Itô published his pioneering paper on stochastic integration with respect to Brownian motion. This work led to the framework for Itô calculus. Note that, Itô calculus is limited in working with knowledge from the future. There have been many generalizations of the stochastic integral in being able to do so. In 2008, W. Ayed and H.-H. Kuo introduced a new stochastic integral by splitting the integrand into the adaptive part and the counterpart called instantly independent. In this doctoral work, we conduct deeper research into the Ayed–Kuo stochastic integral and corresponding anticipating stochastic calculus.

We provide a …

Advanced Communication And Sensing Protocols Using Twisted Light And Engineered Quantum Statistics, Michelle L. Lollie

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Advanced performance of modern technology at a fundamental physical level is driving new innovations in communication, sensing capability, and information processing. Key to this improvement is the ability to harness the power of physical phenomena at the quantum mechanical level, where light and light-matter interactions produce technological advancement not realizable by classical means. Theoretical investigation into quantum computing, sensing capability beyond classical limits, and quantum information has prompted experimental work to bring state-of-the-art quantum systems to the forefront for commercial use. This dissertation contributes to the latter portion of the work. A set of preliminaries is included highlighting pertinent physical …

Intact Mitochondrial Substrate Efflux Is Essential For Prevention Of Tubular Injury In A Sex-Dependent Manner, Allison Mccrimmon, Kerin M. Cahill, Claudia Kruger, Margaret E. Mangelli, Emily Bouffard, Timothy Dobroski, Kelly N. Michanczyk, Susan J. Burke, Robert C. Noland, Daria V. Ilatovskaya, Krisztian Stadler

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

The importance of healthy mitochondrial function is implicated in the prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Sex differences also play important roles in DKD. Our previous studies revealed that mitochondrial substrate overload (modeled by homozygous deletion of carnitine acetyl-transferase [CrAT]) in proximal tubules causes renal injury. Here, we demonstrate the importance of intact mitochondrial substrate efflux by titrating the amount of overload through the generation of a heterozygous CrAT-KO model (PT-CrATHET mouse). Intriguingly, these animals developed renal injury similarly to their homozygous counterparts. Mitochondria were structurally and functionally impaired in both sexes. Transcriptomic analyses, however, …

A Case Study Of The Underrepresentation Of African American Male Educators: Career Choices And Experiences In Secondary Schools, Anthony Wayne Graham Jr

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to examine the career choices and experiences of African American male teachers in secondary grade settings. Participants included 17 African American males who taught core subjects at varying grade levels. All participants worked at schools in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metropolitan area. The main source of data collection was completed through semistructured interviews with 17 African American male teachers. I arranged to visit the different schools and address all potential teachers interested in participating in this study. Additionally, I contacted all interested subjects through email. The findings provided important information related to …

Experts’ Views On Issues Affecting Egg Labeling In The United States: A Delphi Study, Rexanna Powers

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

When purchasing food, many consumers have reported they question the ethical and humane treatment of products derived from animals at the point of purchase. To complicate this issue further, many U.S. consumers lack exposure, interaction, and involvement with the agricultural industry. As a result, they have reported a willingness to pay premium prices for meats, dairy, and eggs whose packaging suggests quality welfare practices. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was three-fold: (1) establish operational definitions for poorly understood poultry industry terms, i.e., cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, and organic; (2) describe experts’ perceptions of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) …

Biomechanical Comparisons Of Metacarpophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Techniques In The Horse, Lawrence Ivan M. Kadic

LSU Master's Theses

INTRODUCTION - Break down injuries resulting in the disruption of the suspensory apparatus, or the development of moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and/or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, are well documented reasons to perform a surgical arthrodesis in horses. The objective of this thesis was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of different arthrodesis techniques for the equine MCP joint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS - The first cadaveric study evaluated the biomechanical properties of two constructs with 5.5 mm broad 10-hole LCP alone or in combination with a 2.0 mm stainless-steel cable under cyclic fatigue testing and single cycle to failure …

Does Your Opponent's Gender Make A Difference? A Content Analysis Of The Use Of Gender Stereotyped Issues In Female Candidates’ Campaigns In A Mixed-Gender Versus An All-Women Races., Caley R. Hewitt

LSU Master's Theses

All-women races are steadily growing in politics as more women run with every election. While research shows how women campaign and face stereotypes when facing a male opponent or a female opponent, it does not assess how candidates may change their strategies when facing a male opponent or a female opponent. I ask if female candidates’ campaign differently on stereotypic issues between a mixed-gender election to an all-female election, specifically looking at the use of Twitter. These results showed that Democratic female candidates used more feminine-based issues facing a female opponent versus a male opponent. These results also show that …

Nanoparticle Quantification And Distribution On Fluorescently Coated Angioplasty Balloons, Allison Dobson Zieschang

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Genetic Characterization Of Resistance To Bacterial Panicle Blight And Sheath Blight In Rice Using Qtl Linkage Analysis And Qtl-Seq, John Christian E. Ontoy

LSU Master's Theses

Bacterial panicle blight (BPB) and sheath blight (SB) are major diseases of rice causing significant yield reduction in conducive conditions. Few cultivars have shown reliable resistance to these diseases. In this study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the U.S. cultivars Jupiter (moderately resistant) and Trenasse (susceptible) was investigated to identify genomic regions associated with BPB and SB resistance. Phenotypes in BPB and SB, as well as days to heading (DH), of the RIL population were evaluated in the field. DH was found to be correlated to BPB and SB diseases. BPB was also positively correlated to SB. …

Effects Of Experimental Sleep Restriction On Energy Intake, Energy Expenditure, And Visceral Obesity, Naima Covassin, Prachi Singh, Shelly K. Mccrady-Spitzer, Erik K. St Louis, Andrew D. Calvin, James A. Levine, Virend K. Somers

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Background: Although the consequences of sleep deficiency for obesity risk are increasingly apparent, experimental evidence is limited and there are no studies on body fat distribution. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of experimentally-induced sleep curtailment in the setting of free access to food on energy intake, energy expenditure, and regional body composition. Methods: Twelve healthy, nonobese individuals (9 males, age range 19 to 39 years) completed a randomized, controlled, crossover, 21-day inpatient study comprising 4 days of acclimation, 14 days of experimental sleep restriction (4 hour sleep opportunity) or control sleep (9 hour sleep …

Estradiol And Predator Cues Affect Behavior And Brain Responses Of Captive Female House Sparrows, Courtney Harding

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Environment And Co-Occurring Native Mussel Species, But Not Host Genetics, Impact The Microbiome Of A Freshwater Invasive Species (Corbicula Fluminea), Marlène Chiarello, Jamie R. Bucholz, Mark Mccauley, Stephanie N. Vaughn, Garrett W. Hopper, Irene Sánchez González, Carla L. Atkinson, Jeffrey D. Lozier, Colin R. Jackson

Faculty Publications

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Family: Cyneridae) has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, resulting in dramatic ecological changes and declines of native bivalves such as freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae), one of the most imperiled faunal groups. Despite increases in our knowledge of invasive C. fluminea biology, little is known of how intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including co-occurring native species, influence its microbiome. We investigated the gut bacterial microbiome across genetically differentiated populations of C. fluminea in the Tennessee and Mobile River Basins in the Southeastern United States and compared them to those of six co-occurring species of native freshwater mussels. …

Behind The Timeline: The Gendered Dynamics Among Civilian Volunteer Search And Rescue Organizations, Kyle Breen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the aftermath of disaster, it is often neighbors and other civilians nearby who respond first. Civilian disaster response, then, is not new. However, a new phenomenon emerged following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and again after the 2016 Louisiana Floods and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Civilians convoyed to New Orleans with their boats to rescue others after Katrina, and again in 2016 and 2017. The difference in these more recent events has been the official formation of these volunteers into organizations that conduct search and rescue (SAR) as well as other relief activities. These civilian volunteer SAR organizations have gained …

Model-Guided Design Of Rna-Based Synthetic Circuits For The Dynamic Regulation Of Gene Expression, Jordan R. Ryan

LSU Master's Theses

A longstanding goal in synthetic biology has been to build synthetic gene circuits with the ability to harness nature’s capability of precise gene expression regulation. Advancements in RNA technology have established RNA-based regulators with distinct advantages over traditional protein-based regulators such as faster signal propagation, versatile programmability, and low cellular burden, which has created an interest in the field to construct innovative synthetic gene circuits using de novo RNA- based regulators. However, our understanding of the behavior and kinetics of RNA-RNA interactions for the construction of gene circuits is incomplete. This thesis proposes a model-guided design framework that integrates mechanistic …

Economic Values Of Potential Regulation Changes For The Southern Flounder Fishery In Louisiana, David R. Smith, Stephen R. Midway, Rex H. Caffey, Jerrod M. Penn

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Development And Structural Organization Of Mexico’S Mangrove Monitoring System (Smmm) As A Foundation For Conservation And Restoration Initiatives: A Hierarchical Approach, María Teresa Rodríguez-Zúñiga, Carlos Troche-Souza, María Isabel Cruz-López, Victor H. Rivera-Monroy

Faculty Publications

Mangroves provide ecosystem services worth billions of dollars worldwide. Although countries with extensive mangrove areas implemented management and conservation programs since the 1980s, the global area is still decreasing. To recuperate this lost area, both restoration and rehabilitation (R/R) projects have been implemented but with limited success, especially at spatial scales needed to restore functional properties. Monitoring mangroves at different spatial scales in the long term (decades) is critical to detect potential threats and select cost-effective management criteria and performance measures to improve R/R program success. Here, we analyze the origin, development, implementation, and outcomes of a country-level mangrove monitoring …

Louisiana Agriculture Spring, 2022, Lsu Agcenter

Louisiana Agriculture

LSU AgCenter researchers and extension agents are well known for their contributions to rice breeding, horticulture and helping the seafood industry, and examples of this important work are featured in the Louisiana Agriculture spring issue. Another AgCenter program, the Healthy Communities initiative, works throughout the state to improve the healthfulness and well-being of Louisiana residents. The initiative aims to make Louisiana towns healthier places to live, work, learn and play. Three articles in this issue of the magazine detail the activities of the researchers and agents involved in this important work.

Molecular Characterization And Expression Variation Of The Odorant Receptor Co-Receptor In The Formosan Subterranean Termite, Paula Castillo, Claudia Husseneder, Qian Sun

Faculty Publications

Subterranean termites live in underground colonies with a division of labor among castes (i.e., queens and kings, workers, and soldiers). The function of social colonies relies on sophisticated chemical communication. Olfaction, the sense of smell from food, pathogens, and colony members, plays an important role in their social life. Olfactory plasticity in insects can be induced by long- and short-term environmental perturbations, allowing adaptive responses to the chemical environment according to their physiological and behavioral state. However, there is a paucity of information on the molecular basis of olfaction in termites. In this study, we identified an ortholog encoding the …

Phylogenetic Placement Of Owl Monkey, Genus Aotus, Using Alu Retrotransposons, Morgan Brown

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Whole Blood Transcriptome Analysis Of Insulin Sensitive And Insulin Dysregulated Mares, Sarah Lackey

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Examining The Role Of Bullshit Receptivity On Covid-19 Vaccination Behaviors, Erica L. Leonard

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Phyllachora Species Infecting Maize And Other Grass Species In The Americas Represents A Complex Of Closely Related Species, Kirk Broders, Gloria Iriarte-Broders, Gary C. Bergstrom, Emmanuel Byamukama, Martin Chilvers, Christian Cruz, Felipe Dalla-Lana, Zachary Duray, Dean Malvick, Daren Mueller, Pierce Paul, Diane Plewa, Richard Raid, Alison E. Robertson, Catalina Salgado-Salazar, Damon Smith, Darcy Telenko, Katherine Vanetten, Nathan M. Kleczewski

Faculty Publications

The genus Phyllachora contains numerous obligate fungal parasites that produce raised, melanized structures called stromata on their plant hosts referred to as tar spot. Members of this genus are known to infect many grass species but generally do not cause significant damage or defoliation, with the exception of P. maydis which has emerged as an important pathogen of maize throughout the Americas, but the origin of this pathogen remains unknown. To date, species designations for Phyllachora have been based on host associations and morphology, and most species are assumed to be host specific. We assessed the sequence diversity of 186 …

A Nondestructive Method Of Calculating The Wing Area Of Insects, Kexin Yu, Gadi V.P. Reddy, Julian Schrader, Xuchen Guo, Yirong Li, Yabing Jiao, Peijian Shi

Faculty Publications

Most insects engage in winged flight. Wing loading, that is, the ratio of body mass to total wing area, has been demonstrated to reflect flight maneuverability. High maneuverability is an important survival trait, allowing insects to escape natural enemies and to compete for mates. In some ecological field experiments, there is a need to calculate the wing area of insects without killing them. However, fast, nondestructive estimation of wing area for insects is not available based on past work. The Montgomery equation (ME), which assumes a proportional relationship between leaf area and the product of leaf length and width, is …

Resistance Allele Frequency To Cry1ab And Vip3aa20 In Helicoverpa Zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) In Louisiana And Three Other Southeastern U.S. States, Shucong Lin, Isaac Oyediran, Ying Niu, Sebe Brown, Don Cook, Xinzhi Ni, Yan Zhang, Francis P.F. Reay-Jones, Jeng Shong Chen, Zhimou Wen, Marcelo Dimase, Fangneng Huang

Faculty Publications

The corn earworm/bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is a pest species that is targeted by both Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize and cotton in the United States. Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20 are two common Bt toxins that are expressed in transgenic maize. The objective of this study was to determine the resistance allele frequency (RAF) to Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa20 in H. zea populations that were collected during 2018 and 2019 from four southeastern U.S. states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina. By using a group-mating approach, 104 F2 iso-lines of H. zea were established from field collections with most iso-lines (85) from Louisiana. …

Directed 3d Chemotaxis Of Cancer Cells In Response To Oscillating Chemical Gradients Using A Microfluidic Device, Trevor R. Thrasher

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Non-Coding Alpha, Beta, And Gamma Heat Shock Tran, Lauren Meyer

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Expression Of Heat Shock Proteins And Glucocorticoid Receptors In Response To Metabolic And Reproductive Stressors In The African Cichlid Fish, Astatotilapia Burtoni, Jeong Hyerin

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Overexpression Of And Molecular Mechanism Utilized By Acetyl-Coa Carboxylase, Blaire Peterson

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Attenuation Of Maternal Obesity Before And During Pregnancy Restores Pro- Angiogenic Factors And Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines In The Bph/5 Mouse Model Of Preeclampsia, Brianna Rogers

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Wetlands In China: Evolution, Carbon Sequestrations And Services, Threats, And Preservation/Restoration, Siyuan Ye, Lixin Pei, Lei He, Liujuan Xie, Guangming Zhao, Hongming Yuan, Xigui Ding, Shaofeng Pei, Shixiong Yang, Xue Li, Edward Laws

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.