Digital Commons Network^™

A Review Of Methods Of Assessing Preference For Social Stimuli, Samuel L. Morris, Madison L. Gallagher, Alva E. Allen

Faculty Publications

Research on preference and reinforcer assessments has historically focused on the evaluation of edible and leisure reinforcers, but the identification and use of individualized social reinforcers may be beneficial for several reasons. Recently, many studies have evaluated methods of assessing preference for social stimuli. The procedures and outcomes across these studies have varied greatly, and the current state of evidence for methods of assessing preference for social stimuli remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a review to synthesize all previous research in this area, evaluate the evidence for the utility of this general methodology, and identify factors that may influence its …

The Impact Of Covid-19, Mental Health Distress, And School-Based Sociocultural Protective Factors Among Elementary-Aged Children And Their Caregivers, Aijah K.B. Goodwin, Anthony J. Roberson, Ar’Reon Watson, Grace L. Chen, Anna C.J. Long

Faculty Publications

Given the individual and systemic stress endured by children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, research examining culturally responsive school experiences and supports to enhance resilience is critical. This study examined the relationship between caregivers’ perceptions of COVID-19 impact, mental health distress among children and caregivers, and school-based sociocultural protective factors, including culturally responsive practices in schools and the relationships between teachers and caregivers, concurrently and longitudinally. Data were collected from caregivers of elementary-aged children at two-time points from March to April 2020 (N = 174) and one year later in 2021 (N = 114). Regression analyses revealed that COVID-19 …

Environmental Attitudes And Fertility Desires Among Us Adolescents From 2005–2019, Heather M. Rackin, Alison Gemmill, Caroline Sten Hartnett

Faculty Publications

Objective: This brief report examines links between environmental attitudes and fertility desires over time in the United States. Background: To understand fertility decision making, it is important to identify factors that influence fertility desires. Concerns about environmental problems may be associated with lower desired fertility, especially in recent cohorts transitioning to adulthood. Youth may feel that having one less child can reduce their “carbon footprint” or may be unwilling to bring children into an uncertain and difficult future due to climate change. Method: Data are from 12th graders in the Monitoring the Future study (2005–2019; N = 34,104). Regression is …

Total Daily Energy Expenditure Has Declined Over The Past Three Decades Due To Declining Basal Expenditure, Not Reduced Activity Expenditure, John R. Speakman, Jasper M.A. De Jong, Srishti Sinha, Klaas R. Westerterp, Yosuke Yamada, Hiroyuki Sagayama, Philip N. Ainslie, Liam J. Anderson, Lenore Arab, Kweku Bedu-Addo, Stephane Blanc, Alberto G. Bonomi, Pascal Bovet, Soren Brage, Maciej S. Buchowski, Nancy F. Butte, Stefan G.J.A. Camps, Jamie A. Cooper, Richard Cooper, Sai Krupa Das, Peter S.W. Davies, Lara R. Dugas, Ulf Ekelund, Sonja Entringer, Terrence Forrester, Barry W. Fudge, Melanie Gillingham, Santu Ghosh, Annelies H. Goris, Michael Gurven, Lewis G. Halsey, Catherine Hambly, Hinke H. Haisma

Faculty Publications

Obesity is caused by a prolonged positive energy balance1,2. Whether reduced energy expenditure stemming from reduced activity levels contributes is debated3,4. Here we show that in both sexes, total energy expenditure (TEE) adjusted for body composition and age declined since the late 1980s, while adjusted activity energy expenditure increased over time. We use the International Atomic Energy Agency Doubly Labelled Water database on energy expenditure of adults in the United States and Europe (n = 4,799) to explore patterns in total (TEE: n = 4,799), basal (BEE: n = 1,432) and physical activity energy expenditure (n = 1,432) over time. …

Victorian Aestheticisms: Art And Ethics In Swinburne, Wilde, Morris, And Pater, Evan Leonhard

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Sitting Advancement And Object Management Proficiency In Infants, Macy Laurent

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Viability Of Native Vegetation And Locally Sourced Substrate Mix In Green Roof Modules Under South Louisiana’S Subtropical Climate, Clara Jimenez

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Music Expertise On Visual Working Memory And Word Identification, Ariel Conner

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Maternal Ghrelin Levels On Infant Adiposity, Lacey Budd

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Perceptions, Experiences, And Stories Of Tied-Migrant Music Educators: How The Personal And Professional Blend, Rachel K. Broyles

LSU Master's Theses

Centering around the purpose of examining the lived experiences and perspectives of self-identified tied-migrant music educators and how the transitory aspects of their personal lives impact their professional careers, this phenomenological case study discusses the findings of both a review of literature and completed original research utilizing two participants who are tied-migrant spouses in the music education field and examine their stories. For this study, tied- migrant spouses are defined as persons who are married to individuals who frequently relocate due to their professional occupation (Mincer, 1978). Participants include tied-migrant military spouses and tied-migrant civilian spouses.

Specific research questions include: …

Framing Addiction: How Variations Of News Stories Affect Attitudes Toward Addicts, James A. Smith

LSU Master's Theses

Stigma toward drug addicts and alcoholics can act as a barrier to treatment and, ultimately, result in more lives lost. Over previous decades, journalists have largely framed addicts as problematic to society which contributes to public stigma. Prior research in social medicine has found that non-news portrayals of treated addicts can improve public attitudes. Similarly, studies in mass communication have found that different ways of framing news stories can elicit different attitudes from news consumers. The purpose of this study is to test the effects of thematic framing, episodic framing, problem framing, and solution framing on readers’ attitudes when journalists …

Beyond Machine Learning: An Fmri Domain Adaptation Model For Multi-Study Integration, Lauryn Michelle Burleigh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Traditional machine learning analyses are challenging with functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) data, not only because of the amount of data that needs to be
collected, adding a particular challenge for human fMRI research, but also due to the change in
hypothesis being addressed with various analytical techniques. Domain adaptation is a type of
transfer learning, a step beyond machine learning which allows for multiple related, but not
identical, data to contribute to a model, can be beneficial to overcome the limitation of data
needed but may address different hypothesis questions than anticipated given the analysis
computation. This dissertation assesses …

Consumer Shift: Examining Female Generation Y Consumers’ Activewear Consumption, Lauren Laporte

LSU Master's Theses

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a change to standard consumption patterns as consumers began prioritizing health and wellness, working remotely, and made a switch from material-based consumption practices to an experiential-value-based consumption mindset. Additionally, Covid-19 brought economic downturns, loss of jobs, and supply chain issues. Consequently, the activewear market demonstrated unclear results making it necessary to understand trends within the activewear market while also understanding consumer motivations to wear or not to wear activewear during these societal shifts. This research paper aims it’s focus on female members of Generation Y, a popular and growing market for activewear. …

Extending Token Economy Systems For Children With Learning Disabilities And Developmental Disabilities Using Operant Behavioral Economics, Parker Levins

LSU Master's Theses

Token economy systems have been used successfully in various general and special education classrooms. Although effective, educators seldom have a priori information on the performance of their reinforcers within the schedules of reinforcement that comprise the token economy. Most token economies are initially designed based on clinical judgment and respective schedules are typically selected on an arbitrary basis (e.g., token-production Fixed Ratio 1 [FR1], exchange-production FR5). This introduces uncertainty whereby the initial arrangement may be too lax (i.e., work expectations are low for the student) or too strict (i.e., work expectations are high for the student), which both have the …

The Black Performer's Toolbox: A Critical Authoethnography, Laura D. Oliver

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Blackness shines bright like the moon and beams outside of identity parameters that are limiting in Western society to determine its communicative function inside and outside systems of power. When Blackness intersects with performance, various ways to construct identity are highlighted to expand our understanding of theory and methods that emphasize difference and culture. This research project aims to reimagine Blackness as a performance methodology to explore the performer’s livelihood onstage and constructions of race that impact identity offstage. Additionally, this project is built from a specific method created from the continuous use of expressive work that reflects societal challenges …

Examining Real-Time Variations In Interpersonal Hopelessness And Suicidal Ideation Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, Jessica Lauren Gerner

LSU Master's Theses

The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS; Van Orden et al., 2010) hypothesizes that suicidal ideation (SI) arises from the simultaneous presence of thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). For SI to intensify to suicidal desire, hopelessness about the changes in TB and PB must be present (Van Orden et al, 2010). Recent research on the ITS has moved away from a general measure of hopelessness, instead focusing on hopelessness specific to the interpersonal constructs of TB and PB (Tucker et al., 2018). This construct, referred to as interpersonal hopelessness (IH), is further broken down into two correlated but distinct …

The Influence Of Child Maltreatment In The Manifestation Of Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms At The Age 18, Maria J. Velasquez

LSU Master's Theses

Child maltreatment affects thousands of children and adolescents every year. This phenomenon is multidimensional, meaning there are different subtypes (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect) known to predict various mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. While previous research has investigated mental health outcomes in maltreated youth, results may vary based on the dimensions of abuse considered. This study aims to expand on previous literature to examine how a history of child maltreatment subtypes influences the manifestation of anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth at age 18. The current study uses secondary data analysis of the Longitudinal …

Motivators And Preferences Of Route Diversion During Roadway Incidents, Grace Cole

LSU Master's Theses

When confronted with congestion and delay, drivers often divert their route. Depending on factors like purpose, urgency, destination, route alternatives, type of disruption, and mode options, common diversionary options can range from changing departure time, route, and mode to canceling a trip altogether. One of the foundational building blocks of travel forecasting is traffic assignment, which is used to distribute trips over a network using complex algorithms to aggregately represent the desire of drivers to minimize travel time.

While these assignment models are backed by decades of research and observational experience, they are also limited by the fact that they …

Evaluating Sensory Quality, Willingness To Try, Risk And Product Appropriateness Of Seafood Byproducts, Silvia Jessenia Murillo Miguez

LSU Master's Theses

Valorization of food wastes/byproducts has become a major subject of research to increase sustainability of the global food supply chain. Seafood industries generate a substantial quantity of byproducts. An online survey was used to evaluate Willingness-to-try (WTT), the effect of a Consumer Safety Statement (CSS) on WTT, perceived risks and product appropriateness associated with seafood byproducts in food as influenced by gender and race. Based on the finding from this survey, a clean label catfish bone powder (CBP) was developed and used for breaded catfish sticks which were evaluated for sensory liking, emotional profile, and purchase intent. Previous consumers of …

Effective Connectivity Of Functional Mri Via Deep Learning Methods, Kai-Cheng Chuang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Effective connectivity, based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) time series signals, is the quantification of how strongly brain activity in a certain source brain region contributes to brain activity in a target brain region, independent of the contributions of other source regions. Current methods to solve this problem have several limitations. They are either unable to model nonlinear relationships between source and target signals, unable to efficiently quantify time lags in source-target relationships, unable to identify time-varying relationships, or fail to account for variability in the hemodynamic response function that converts neuron activity to a measurable signal. In this …

Fighting The Illicit Antiquities "Artworld": A Critical Approach To The Heritage Laws Of Guatemala, Irene Marti Gil

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the suitability of the legal framework for the protection of cultural heritage in Guatemala, which is the country of origin for over thirty percent of the Maya objects traded in the antiquities market, and proposes strategies that improve the effectiveness of the law. To examine the heritage laws enforced by the Republic of Guatemala, I implement linguistic anthropological methods of qualitative research.

Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, and Conceptual Analysis on the national heritage policies of Guatemala reveal the existence of ontological problems regarding the conceptualization of heritage as a monolithic entity reflecting a State-led narrative with …

“Buried In The Bones”: Medical Racial Trauma And Mistrust In Black Families, Destiny Jelks

LSU Master's Theses

This exploratory study used a mixed-methods design and phenomenological approach to examine the ways in which the United States’ history of medical racism impacts Black young adults and their attitudes toward the healthcare system as well as healthcare utilization. This study examines the phenomenon through the lense of critical race theory, family systems theory, and historical trauma theory. This study also explored the concept of the intergenerational transmission of trauma focusing on medical racial trauma and medical mistrust in Black families.

A Multiple Case Study Of Adolescent Piano Students: Examining Motivation Through The Lens Of Interest Development, Carla Lucia Salas Ruiz

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

One way of understanding motivation is through the factors that influence it. These factors analyzed as psychological constructs give rise to the notion of motivation variables such as interest. Interest is a powerful variable that affects student motivation to learn (Hidi & Renninger, 2006; Hulleman et al., 2017; O’Keefe et al. 2017; Renninger & Hidi, 2016; Tin, 2013). In 2006, Hidi and Renninger proposed the “Four-Phase Interest Development Model” for the characterization of interest in learning. According to this model, learners can move from a situational level of interest development to a well-developed individual interest, in a sequential manner. This …

Recent Advances And Challenges In Implementing Ipm Programmes In The Entomological Context Of Indian Agriculture, Ruchika Geedi, Gadi V.P. Reddy

Faculty Publications

Integrated pest management (IPM) programmes are based on using multiple methods to maintain nuisance insects below tolerant levels in crop fields. Recent advances in IPM in developed countries have incorporated biological pesticides, microbial products, semiochemicals, and beneficial insects, but few of such programmes have been successfully implemented in developing countries, such as India. Semiochemicals play critical roles as signals in various interspecific and intraspecific interactions between insects and plants, and among interacting insects, plants, and microbes. In India IPM programmes have included mechanical, chemical, cultural, and biological management strategies. However, among these methods, biological management has its own limitations. Indian …

Effects Of Other People's Facial Emotional Expression On Consumers’ Perceptions Of Chocolate Chip Cookies Containing Cricket Protein, Yupeng Gao, Pitchayapat Chonpracha, Bin Li, Witoon Prinyawiwatkul

Faculty Publications

Abstract: Edible insects are recognized as a potential alternative and sustainable source of high-quality protein for the human diet. Entomophagy is highly related to negative emotions that may cause reluctance to adopt insects as food in Western countries. During human interaction, a person's facial emotional expression (FEE) may influence other people's emotional responses. A person's emotional state may affect his/her food preference and food choice. Understanding how other people's FEE would affect consumers’ emotional profiles, liking, and subsequent willingness to try (WTT) and purchase intent (PI) toward insect-containing food products may help increase the acceptance of entomophagy. This study identified …

Using Automated Speech Processing For Repeated Measurements In A Clinical Setting Of The Behavioral Variability In The Stroop Task, Terje B. Holmlund, Alex S. Cohen, Jian Cheng, Peter W. Foltz, Jared Bernstein, Elizabeth Rosenfeld, Bruno Laeng, Brita Elvevåg

Faculty Publications

The Stroop interference task is indispensable to current neuropsychological practice. Despite this, it is limited in its potential for repeated administration, its sensitivity and its demands on professionals and their clients. We evaluated a digital Stroop deployed using a smart device. Spoken responses were timed using automated speech recognition. Participants included adult nonpatients (N = 113; k = 5 sessions over 5 days) and patients with psychiatric diagnoses (N = 85; k = 3–4 sessions per week over 4 weeks). Traditional interference (difference in response time between color incongruent words vs. color neutral words; M = 0.121 s) and facilitation …

Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle Is Associated With Physical Performance Before But Not After Simulated Multi-Stressor Military Operations, Alyssa N. Varanoske, Melissa N. Harris, Callie Hebert, Neil M. Johannsen, Steven B. Heymsfield, Frank L. Greenway, Arny A. Ferrando, Jennifer C. Rood, Stefan M. Pasiakos

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Physical performance decrements observed during multi-stressor military operations may be attributed, in part, to cellular membrane dysfunction, which is quantifiable using phase angle (PhA) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Positive relationships between PhA and performance have been previously reported in cross-sectional studies and following longitudinal exercise training programs, but whether changes in PhA are indicative of acute decrements in performance during military operations is unknown. Data from the Optimizing Performance for Soldiers II study, a clinical trial examining the effects of exogenous testosterone administration on body composition and performance during military stress, was used to evaluate changes in PhA …

Factors Influencing Consumers’ Willingness-To-Try Seafood Byproducts, Silvia Murillo, Ryan Ardoin, Witoon Prinyawiwatkul

Faculty Publications

With increasing global demand for seafood, seafood byproducts (SB) utilization can contribute to a more sustainable food supply chain through waste-to-value food product development. However, consumer perceptions of SB (e.g., fish skin and bones) are underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate some factors influencing consumers’ willingness-to-try seafood byproducts. An online survey was conducted in the USA regarding intervention of SB informational cues with N = 904 adult seafood consumers internationally. The proportion of consumers willing to try SB increased significantly (McNemar’s test, α = 0.05) from 47% to 68% after SB safety and health claims had been presented in …

Florawear: Wearable Living Interface, Hye Yeon Nam, Janiece Campbell, Andrew M. Webb, Brendan Harmon

Faculty Publications

While nature can benefit people both mentally and physically, contemporary society has become increasingly disconnected from nature. To rebuild a stronger connection with nature in our everyday life, we introduce FloraWear, a do-it-yourself, wearable living interface, that enables people to easily and closely connect with plants. This pictorial introduces how knowledge is built and shared with others using hybrid craft and fabrication, illustrates the material experiments and design development for FloraWear, and discusses how it affects wearers. Then we summarize how FloraWear can help catalyze a shift in people's perspectives towards nature. By developing emotional ties to their wearable plants, …

Gamerfit-Asd Beta Test: Adapting An Evidence-Based Exergaming And Telehealth Coaching Intervention For Autistic Youth, Daniel P. Hatfield, Aviva Must, Winston Kennedy, Amanda E. Staiano, James Slavet, Rachael A. Sabelli, Carol Curtin, Linda G. Bandini, Phillip Nauta, Christopher Stuetzle, April B. Bowling

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: Health disparities faced by autistic youth are exacerbated by inadequate physical activity (PA) and sleep, whereas healthy PA and sleep may improve mood and function. Adaptive Game Squad (AGS) is an evidence-based telehealth coaching and exergaming intervention to improve PA and sleep for adolescents with diverse neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. This study aimed to adapt AGS for autistic youth ages 10–15 years; beta-test the modified intervention for feasibility, accessibility, and engagement; and further refine the intervention for a larger planned demonstration pilot. Methods: Interdisciplinary experts adapted AGS to create GamerFit-ASD, a 12-week intervention that included a progressive exergame schedule, …