Digital Commons Network^™

Habitual Use Of Glucosamine And Adverse Liver Outcomes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Masld, Yun Shen, Yaxin Wang, Jingyi Lu, Yifei Mo, Xiaojing Ma, Gang Hu, Jian Zhou

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: Glucosamine is a dietary supplement commonly used to support joint health. However, there has been interest in exploring other effects of glucosamine on health outcomes due to its ant-inflammation effect. Objective: This study compared the risks of major adverse liver outcomes (MALOs) between regular users and non-users of glucosamine among patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) using the data from a large prospective cohort study. Methods: Demographic, anthropometric, laboratory and medication prescription information among 18 753 patients with type 2 diabetes and MASLD was obtained from the UK Biobank. MASLD was identified …

Temporal Scales Of Mass Wasting Sedimentation Across The Mississippi River Delta Front Delineated By 210pb/137cs Geochronology, Jeffrey Duxbury, Samuel J. Bentley, Kehui Xu, Navid H. Jafari

Faculty Publications

The Mississippi River Delta Front (MRDF) is a subaqueous apron of rapidly deposited and weakly consolidated sediment extending from the subaerial portions of the Birdsfoot Delta of the Mississippi River, long characterized by mass-wasting sediment transport. Four (4) depositional environments dominate regionally (an undisturbed topset apron, mudflow gully, mudflow lobe, and prodelta), centering around mudflow distribution initiated by a variety of factors (hurricanes, storms, and fluid pressure). To better understand the spatiotemporal scales of the events as well as the controlling processes, eight cores (5.8–8.0 m long) taken offshore from the South Pass (SP) and the Southwest Pass (SWP) were …

A Review Of Agrivoltaic Systems: Addressing Challenges And Enhancing Sustainability, Amro A. Zahrawi, Aly Mousaad Aly

Faculty Publications

Agrivoltaics is a relatively new term used originally for integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems into the agricultural landscape and expanded to applications such as animal farms, greenhouses, and recreational parks. The dual use of land offers multiple solutions for the renewable energy sector worldwide, provided it can be implemented without negatively impacting agricultural production. However, agrivoltaics represent a relatively new technology, facing challenges including economic viability, vulnerability to wind loads, and interference with growing crops. This paper reviews the recent research on integrating agrivoltaics with farming applications, focusing on challenges, wind impact on agrivoltaics, and economic solutions. The effect of agrivoltaics …

Geothermo-Mechanical Alterations Due To Heat Energy Extraction In Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Overview And Prospective Directions, Mary C. Ngoma, Oladoyin Kolawole, Olufemi Olorode

Faculty Publications

Geothermal energy from deep underground (or geological) formations, with or without its combination with carbon capture and storage (CCS), can be a key technology to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and meet the 2050 net-zero carbon emission target. Geothermal resources in low-permeability and medium- and high-temperature reservoirs in sedimentary sequence require hydraulic stimulation for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). However, fluid migration for geothermal energy in EGS or with potential CO2 storage in a CO2-EGS are both dependent on the in situ flow pathway network created by induced fluid injection. These thermo-mechanical interactions can be complex and induce varying alterations in …

Energy Expenditure In Humans: Principles, Methods, And Changes Throughout The Life Course, Rodrigo Fernández-Verdejo, Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, Eric Ravussin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Humans require energy to sustain their daily activities throughout their lives. This narrative review aims to (a) summarize principles and methods for studying human energy expenditure, (b) discuss the main determinants of energy expenditure, and (c) discuss the changes in energy expenditure throughout the human life course. Total daily energy expenditure is mainly composed of resting energy expenditure, physical activity energy expenditure, and the thermic effect of food. Total daily energy expenditure and its components are estimated using variations of the indirect calorimetry method. The relative contributions of organs and tissues determine the energy expenditure under different physiological conditions. Evidence …

Vibrational Study Of Co, O2, And H2 Adsorbed On The Cocrfeni (110) High Entropy Alloy Surface, Frank Mckay, Andrew N. Okafor, David P. Young, Ye Xu, Phillip T. Sprunger

Faculty Publications

The vibrational properties of CO, O2, and H2 molecularly or dissociatively adsorbed on a CoCrFeNi(110) surface have been probed using high-resolution energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and modeled using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Large (∼20 mm3) single-crystal, quaternary face-centered cubic CoCrFeNi was synthesized via a modified Czochralski technique. We show strong evidence that CO adsorbs primarily on bridge and on-top sites in compositionally varied local environments, which reflect the random, multielemental surface composition inherent in a high entropy alloy. A variation of adsorption sites is also found with oxygen, which exhibits two broad groups of modes. Comparison to previous photoemission …

Detecting Sand Ingress And Migration Using Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing Technology And Computational Fluid Dynamics During Oil And Gas Production, Rishikesh Shetty

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Sand production in oil and gas operations presents significant challenges, leading to equipment damage, reduced production efficiency, and costly well interventions. Conventional sand detection techniques, primarily surface-based acoustic sensors, fail to provide real-time insights into sand ingress and migration within the wellbore. This dissertation explores the use of distributed fiber optic sensing technology for monitoring sand transport in pipelines and wellbores.

This research is divided into two experimental phases: a surface flow loop and a wellbore setup. The surface flow loop experiment involves a 40-ft-long, 2-in. diameter PVC pipe to simulate sand transport in horizontal pipelines. Sand slurry, with varying …

Sources And Transport Of Dissolved Organic Carbon In Barataria Basin, Louisiana, Mukseet Mahmood

LSU Master's Theses

The fate of soil organic carbon loss from eroding coastal wetlands is of great importance, given its potential impact on atmospheric CO2 concentration. A large fraction of this soil organic carbon upon coastal erosion is released as dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC) to adjacent water bodies.

In this study, we investigate the seasonal distribution and transport of DOC and DIC in Barataria basin in Louisiana, USA, bordering northern Gulf of Mexico. This region is currently undergoing one of the highest land-loss in the USA. Seasonal measurements of DOC, DIC and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were carried …

Coastal Sedimentary Records Of Extreme Events And Human Activity: Examples From Hurricanes And Microplastics, Nicholas T. Culligan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Coastal regions are uniquely vulnerable to a myriad of natural and anthropogenically caused stresses such as hurricane strikes and chronic microplastic pollution. Both hurricanes and microplastics have major negative effects on global coastlines and are forecast to become more damaging in the future. However, current model trends are based on limited modern data and may not provide an accurate or comprehensive view of the future. Therefore, this dissertation investigates coastal stratigraphic records to determine long-term past trends of these presses and pulses so that researchers, stakeholders, and policy makers can use them to enact strategies to mitigate damages from worsening …

Analysis Of Traffic Operation And Safety At Cloverleaf And Diamond Interchanges With And Without Connected And Autonomous Vehicles, Nischal Khadka

LSU Master's Theses

Even though diamond and cloverleaf interchanges are commonly used in road networks, comparative studies on their operational safety and efficiency remain limited. Also, previous studies have explored the impact of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) at diamond interchanges, but the effects on cloverleaf interchanges are not yet thoroughly investigated. This study addresses these gaps by evaluating the traffic operation and safety performance of cloverleaf interchanges compared to diamond interchanges. It also assesses the influence of various Market Penetration Rates (MPRs) of CAVs on travel time, queue lengths, and conflict points at cloverleaf interchanges, considering different weaving lengths.

Data on peak-hour …

Creating A Wholistic Manufacturing Score To Highlight The Effects Of Hidden Inefficiencies In Automated Manufacturing Caused By Soft Dedication And Preventative Maintenance Failures, Oded Tal

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The semiconductor industry is one of the most advanced manufacturing sectors, operating at an unparalleled scale and complexity. A new manufacturing facility costs between $500 million and $15 billion, and the industry's investment in automation is unmatched. However, the intricate and cyclical nature of semiconductor manufacturing creates very complex manufacturing facilities where the boundaries between planning and real-time operations often blur.

For the industry to keep improving, there is a need to create a new method that allows comparison among different manufacturing environments to uncover hidden losses that may be obscured by automation.

To better understand these hidden losses, the …

Trends In Hot Carrier Distribution For Disordered Noble-Transition Metal Alloys, Eklavya Thareja, Kevin M. Mcpeak, Phillip T. Sprunger, Ilya Vekhter, William A. Shelton

Faculty Publications

We developed and tested an approach for predicting trends for efficient hot carrier generation among disordered metal alloys. We provide a simple argument for the importance of indirect transitions in the presence of disorder, thus justifying the use of joint density of states (JDOS)-like quantities for exploring these trends. We introduce a new JDOS-like quantity, JDOSK , which heuristically accounts for longer lifetimes of quasiparticles close to the Fermi energy. To demonstrate the efficacy of this new quantity, we apply it to the study of Cu50X50 where X = Ag, Au, Pd and Y50Pd50 where Y = Au, Ni. We …

Photoactivated Cyclic Polyphthalaldehyde Microcapsules For Payload Delivery, Youngsu Shin, Jared M. Schwartz, Anthony C. Engler, Brad Jones, Oleg Davydovich, Paul A. Kohl

Faculty Publications

Microcapsules with a cyclic polyphthalaldehyde (cPPA) shell and oil core were fabricated by an emulsification process. The low ceiling temperature cPPA shell was made phototriggerable by incorporating a photoacid generator (PAG). Photoactivation of the PAG created a strong acid which catalyzed cPPA depolymerization, resulting in the release of the core payload, as quantified by 1H NMR. The high molecular weight cPPA (197 kDa) yielded uniform spherical microcapsules. The core diameter was 24.8 times greater than the cPPA shell thickness (2.4 to 21.6 μm). Nonionic bis(cyclohexylsulfonyl)diazomethane (BCSD) and N-hydroxynaphthalimide triflate (HNT) PAGs were used as the PAG in the microcapsule shells. …

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 …

Engineering Electronic Properties Of Random Alloys For Catalytic Applications, Andrew N. Okafor

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Engineering catalytic materials is a key endeavor in the catalysis science to improve the catalytic activity of existing catalysts for specific applications and reduce the dependence on rare metals and minerals. While alloying, or mixing of metals, has been extensively studied, the focus has conventionally been placed on intermetallic phases or nanostructures such as core-shell particles, which are conceptually described by simple lattice models. This research focuses on understanding the catalytic properties of structurally ordered but compositionally disordered (or random) alloys, which have remained under-explored due to complexity at the atomic scale. Existing research focuses on synthesizing multicomponent alloys and …

Continuous Pressure-Induced Valence And Magnetic Transitions In Eumnsb2, Raimundas Sereika, Greeshma C. Jose, Silu Huang, Rongying Jin, William A. Shelton, Weiwei Xie, Jiyong Zhao, Barbara Lavina, Esen E. Alp, Yuming Xiao, Dongzhou Zhang, Yogesh K. Vohra, Wenli Bi

Faculty Publications

EuMnSb2 is a unique and promising compound with complex magnetism (Eu and Mn sublattices) to realize magnetic control of topological quasiparticles. By applying pressure (P) to this system, we have observed a continuous pressure-induced valence change from Eu2+ to Eu3+. Remarkably, despite the significant valence change in Eu ions, an extremely large increase in the magnetic ordering temperature (TN,Eu) from 21 K at ambient pressure to 180 K at 28.4 GPa is detected. The substantial enhancement in TN,Eu is likely the consequence of the reduced distance between neighboring Eu ions and the enhanced indirect exchange interaction through increased 4f-5d mixing …

A Tribute To Gregory A. Voth, Jaehyeok Jin, William G. Noid, Jianing Li, Revati Kumar, Jianshu Cao, Seogjoo Jang, Francesco Paesani, David Reichman

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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 …

Building A Simplistic Automatic Extruder: Instrument Development Opportunities For The Laboratory, Stefanie Klisch, Dylan Gilbert, Emma Breaux, Aliyah Dalier, Sudipta Gupta, Bruno Jakobi, Gerald J. Schneider

Faculty Publications

This work presents an automatic extruder as a research experience for undergraduate students. The system offers a user-friendly approach to preparing vesicles, such as liposomes or polymersomes, with a defined size and polydispersity─properties crucial for research in biology and macromolecules. It comprises two syringe pumps connected by a membrane filter. The setup is controlled by software. Compared to manual extrusion, this automated system provides advantages, such as precisely controlled variables. The project describes a tool to enhance undergraduate learning in science and engineering laboratories. Building an automatic extruder serves as a simplified model of a complex industrial process. It offers …

Bernoulli Convolution Of The Depth Of Nodes In Recursive Trees With General Affinities, Toshio Nakata, Hosam Mahmoud

Journal of Stochastic Analysis

No abstract provided.

International Consensus On Fasting Terminology, Daniela A. Koppold, Carolin Breinlinger, Etienne Hanslian, Christian Kessler, Holger Cramer, Anika Rajput Khokhar, Courtney M. Peterson, Grant Tinsley, Claudio Vernieri, Richard J. Bloomer, Michael Boschmann, Nicola L. Bragazzi, Sebastian Brandhorst, Kelsey Gabel, Alan C. Goldhamer, Martin M. Grajower, Michelle Harvie, Leonie Heilbronn, Benjamin D. Horne, Spyridon N. Karras, Jost Langhorst, Eva Lischka, Frank Madeo, Sarah J. Mitchell, Ioannis Eleemon Papagiannopoulos-Vatopaidinos, Maria Papagiannopoulou, Hanno Pijl, Eric Ravussin, Martha Ritzmann-Widderich, Krista Varady, Lilian Adamidou, Melika Chihaoui, Rafael De Cabo, Mohamed Hassanein

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Although fasting is increasingly applied for disease prevention and treatment, consensus on terminology is lacking. Using Delphi methodology, an international, multidisciplinary panel of researchers and clinicians standardized definitions of various fasting approaches in humans. Five online surveys and a live online conference were conducted with 38 experts, 25 of whom completed all 5 surveys. Consensus was achieved for the following terms: “fasting” (voluntary abstinence from some or all foods or foods and beverages), “modified fasting” (restriction of energy intake to max. 25% of energy needs), “fluid-only fasting,” “alternate-day fasting,” “short-term fasting” (lasting 2–3 days), “prolonged fasting” (≥4 consecutive days), and …

Why Are There So Many Definitions Of Eutrophication?, Alexandrine Pannard, Philippe Souchu, Christian Chauvin, Monique Delabuis, Chantal Gascuel-Odoux, Erik Jeppesen, Morgane Le Moal, Alain Ménesguen, Gilles Pinay, Nancy N. Rabalais, Yves Souchon, Elisabeth M. Gross

Faculty Publications

Because of the first observations in the 1900s of the oligotrophic and eutrophic states of lakes, researchers have been interested in the process that makes lakes become turbid because of high phytoplankton biomass. Definitions of eutrophication have multiplied and diversified since the mid-20th century, more than for any other ecological process. Reasons for the high number of definitions might be that the former ones did not sufficiently describe their causes and/or consequences. Global change is bringing eutrophication more into the spotlight than ever, highlighting the need to find consensus on a common definition, or at least to explain and clarify …

Key Uncertainties And Modeling Needs For Managing Living Marine Resources In The Future Arctic Ocean, Julia G. Mason, Andrea Bryndum-Buchholz, Juliano Palacios-Abrantes, Renuka Badhe, Isabella Morgante, Daniele Bianchi, Julia L. Blanchard, Jason D. Everett, Cheryl S. Harrison, Ryan F. Heneghan, Camilla Novaglio, Colleen M. Petrik

Faculty Publications

Emerging fishing activity due to melting ice and poleward species distribution shifts in the rapidly-warming Arctic Ocean challenges transboundary management and requires proactive governance. A 2021 moratorium on commercial fishing in the Arctic high seas provides a 16-year runway for improved scientific understanding. Given substantial knowledge gaps, characterizing areas of highest uncertainty is a key first step. Marine ecosystem model ensembles that project future fish distributions could inform management of future Arctic fisheries, but Arctic-specific variation has not yet been examined for global ensembles. We use the Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Intercomparison Project ensemble driven by two Earth System Models …

State Of The Science On Brain Insulin Resistance And Cognitive Decline Due To Alzheimer's Disease, Elizabeth M. Rhea, Manon Leclerc, Hussein N. Yassine, Ana W. Capuano, Han Tong, Vladislav A. Petyuk, Shannon L. Macauley, Xavier Fioramonti, Owen Carmichael, Frederic Calon, Zoe Arvanitakis

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is common and increasing in prevalence worldwide, with devastating public health consequences. While peripheral insulin resistance is a key feature of most forms of T2DM and has been investigated for over a century, research on brain insulin resistance (BIR) has more recently been developed, including in the context of T2DM and non-diabetes states. Recent data support the presence of BIR in the aging brain, even in non-diabetes states, and found that BIR may be a feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and contributes to cognitive impairment. Further, therapies used to treat T2DM are now being investigated …

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 …

Solubilization Of Paclitaxel With Natural Compound Rubusoside Toward Improving Oral Bioavailability In A Rodent Model, Jian Zhang, Jicheng Shu, Rhett W. Stout, Paul S. Russo, Zhijun Liu

Faculty Publications

Paclitaxel, which features low water solubility and permeability, is an efflux pump substrate. The current paclitaxel drugs are given intravenously after resolving the solubility issue. Yet, oral delivery to achieve therapeutic bioavailability is not effective due to low absorption. This study evaluated a natural compound, rubusoside, to improve oral bioavailability in an animal model. Free paclitaxel molecules were processed into nano-micelles formed in water with rubusoside. The particle size of the nano-micelles in water was determined using dynamic light scattering. The oral bioavailability of paclitaxel in nano-micelles was determined against Cremophor/alcohol-solubilized Taxol after oral and intravenous administration to pre-cannulated Sprague …

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 …

Changes In Energy Expenditure And Physical Activity Over 15 Years Of Environmental Changes: The Maycoba Project, Alexandra Niclou, Julián Esparza-Romero, Rene Urquidez-Romero, Yan Y. Lam, Jennifer Rood, Leslie O. Schulz, Peter H. Bennett, Mauro E. Valencia, Eric Ravussin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective: This work aimed to parse out the role of changing environments on body composition, total energy expenditure, and physical activity in the Mexican Pima, a population experiencing rapid industrialization. Methods: Using doubly labeled water, we compared energy expenditure and physical activity in a longitudinal cohort of Mexican Pima (n = 26; female: 12) in 1995 and 2010. Body mass and composition were assessed by bioimpedance analysis. To determine the effects of environmental factors on body weight independent of age, we compared the 1995 longitudinal cohort with an age- and sex-matched cross-sectional cohort (n = 26) in 2010. Results: Body …