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Yoga And Young Children, Jayapriya Ranganathan, Cynthia F Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

Abstract:

This article examines the role of yoga as an effective pedagogical tool to support social-emotional learning (SEL) and physical development in early childhood education settings. Grounded in current understandings of mindfulness and executive functioning, the integration of yoga practices—such as breathing exercises, meditation, and developmentally appropriate postures—can promote self-regulation, attention, and emotional resilience in young children. Drawing on classroom-based observations from a toddler program, the article outlines practical strategies for incorporating yoga into daily routines, emphasizing accessibility, consistency, and engagement through imaginative play and storytelling. The findings suggest that regular yoga practice fosters a calm, focused learning environment and …

Leading With Heart: How New Directors Can Build Trust And Morale Among Child Care Staff, Kamille Watson, Cynthia Dicarlo

Spark! Innovations in Early Childhood Education: A Research-to-Practice Journal for Educators

For both new and seasoned directors, leading a new childcare center requires navigating the complex work of building staff trust and sustaining morale, particularly when teams have endured repeated leadership changes or existing internal concerns. Because early childhood programs rely heavily on relational, emotionally demanding work, effective leadership must be rooted in connection, transparency, and compassionate engagement. This article provides a practical framework to help novice directors cultivate strong, trust-based relationships that support both staff well-being and program quality. Drawing from current research on compassionate leadership, emotional intelligence, and organizational consistency, the article outlines actionable strategies for building rapport, fostering …

This Body Held Others, Mia I. Pons

LSU Master's Theses

The exhibition this body held others examines the body's invisible depths, the unseen, and its interpersonal memories. These ideas are explored through printmaking, book arts, and papermaking, with a focus on their connection and response to the materiality and nature of the body. Through the examination of my personal archive this work explores the collection, reconstruction, and recycling of imagery. The exhibition explores an unfolding story that examines how the ephemeral and corporeal survival and legacy of self and maternal lineage. These ideas are explored through the exhibitions three sections; emergence, body merger / departure, and the return. The attention …

Techno-Economic Assessment And Life Cycle Analysis Of Electrocatalytic Reduction Of Co2 To Ethanol., Omotolani Elizabeth Oduyebo

LSU Master's Theses

This study presents a techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of the electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to ethanol, a multi-carbon (C₂) product with significant market value. Prior TEA studies have relied on simplified lump-sum separation cost estimates, and prior LCA studies have rarely examined the combined effect of CO₂ source and electricity supply on carbon intensity gaps that this work addresses through process-simulation-grounded analysis. An Aspen Plus process simulation was developed for an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer system coupled with an extractive distillation separation train using ethylene glycol as the entrainer, achieving 99.9 wt.% ethanol purity …

Models, Agency, And Expectations: A Mixed-Methods Study Of How Character Develops In Middle School, Aaron J. Schwindt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study investigated how character develops among middle school students at an international school recognized as a "National School of Character." Despite significant investment in character education (CE), a lack of formal evaluation exists, particularly regarding the process of development during the critical middle school years, a period of intense neurological and social change. Grounded in Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this study aimed to (1) understand how character develops, (2) compare development before and after program enhancements, and (3) assess the program's impact on discipline. Phase 1 collected Character Growth Index (CGI) survey data from students …

Within These Walls, Nicholas J. Roberts

LSU Master's Theses

I was raised to understand home through labor. In the working-class household I grew up in, in rural Southeastern Pennsylvania, value was earned through work, identity took shape through trade, and rest was often an afterthought. That framework was not chosen. It was inherited. And it has not been easy to see it clearly from the inside.

The Exhibition, Within These Walls, examines that inheritance through printmaking and sculpture, using the material and spatial language of domestic construction as both subject and method. Through fragile paper structures that resemble wood but cannot hold weight, a staircase that cannot be climbed, …

Silent No Longer: Pedro Albizu Campos And The Fbi, Noah D. Dubroff

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis explores the Puerto Rican revolutionary, Pedro Albizu Campos, and how he evolved from a typical independence-minded young man into a radical who actively rebelled against the colonial rule of the U.S. because of the pressures applied by law enforcement agencies, especially the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The United States annexed Puerto Rico in 1898 at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. Ever since, many Puerto Ricans have strongly advocated for their independence from the continental U.S., shaping the relationship into the present day. This article argues that the pressure and strain of such an imperial relationship influenced Albizu …

Climate Change Attributable Flooding And Post-Disaster Housing Market Dynamics: Evidence From Hurricane Harvey, Kaylynn Larrison

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, yet the social consequences of climate change attributable impacts remain relatively underexplored. This dissertation examines whether flooding attributable to climate change was associated with distinct post-disaster recovery outcomes following Hurricane Harvey in Harris County, Texas. To explore this link, parcel-level flood model outputs are integrated with Harris County Appraisal District parcel data and OpenFEMA records on tract-level flood insurance policies and post-Harvey aid. Response variables are operationalized as change scores to capture differences between pre- and post-storm conditions and outcomes are measured over a five-year post-storm period. Across …

Momentum Space Algorithm For Electronic Structure Of Double-Incommensurate Trilayer Graphene, Kenneth Silver Beard

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Numerical algorithms for computing the electronic structure of incommensurate 2D-materials using ab initio models are critical for predicting material properties and guiding experiments. For bilayers, momentum space and continuum models have been introduced to approximate observables of ab initio tight-binding models using a momentum description, despite the lack of periodicity in the tight-binding model required for Bloch theory. A similar structure has been introduced for double-incommensurate trilayers using a continuum model, where the three lattices are mutually incommensurate. However, this description leads to a four-dimensional lattice space, and numerical convergence of the density of states has been observed to be …

Greedy Algorithms And Matroids, Kiri M. Strack

LSU Master's Theses

In a connected graph with weights on the edges, a minimum-weight spanning tree can be obtained by repeatedly choosing minimum-weight edges while avoiding choosing the edge set of any cycle. This algorithm is known as Kruskal’s Algorithm, although it was first introduced by Boruvka in 1926. Prim introduced an alternative algorithm in which, at each step, the chosen set of edges forms a connected graph. Both of these algorithms make locally optimal choices that eventually yield a global optimum. This thesis considers how these algorithms can be extended to matroids. In particular, it is shown that matroids are exactly the …

Automated Analysis Of Radiation Oncology Incident Reports Using Large Language Models, Nathan A. Dobranski

LSU Master's Theses

Patient safety incident reporting in radiation oncology requires expert analysis that is time-intensive and subject to variability. This thesis presents the development and technical validation of a locally deployed large language model (LLM) system for automated incident report analysis across multiple cancer centers. The system was designed for automated summarization and taxonomy assignment of Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System (RO-ILS) reports, operating entirely on local infrastructure to preserve patient privacy. A two-round, multi-rater evaluation methodology was employed, incorporating 600 total expert evaluations from two academic cancer centers. Round 1 established baseline performance using Mistral 7B and Mixtral 8x7B models with …

Noncontingent Parental Attention Leads To Independent Play And Is Preferred By Toddlers Over Screen Time, Kristen Newell

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Caregivers often rely on screen media to occupy young children during periods when caregiver attention is unavailable, despite evidence linking early screen exposure to adverse developmental outcomes. An alternative approach is to provide high-quality, noncontingent attention (NCA) during play prior to independent activity. Although NCA reduces attention-maintained challenging behavior, the optimal duration of NCA and children’s preference for caregiver interaction relative to screen time remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of varying durations of caregiver-delivered NCA on young children’s independent play, attention-seeking behavior, and preference for NCA compared to screen time. Three caregiver–child dyads participated in a multielement design …

Excavating Building C And Plaza A To Discover Ancient Activities At The Ancient Maya Salt Works Of Ch’Ok Ayin, Belize, Alex J. Broussard Jr.

LSU Master's Theses

Ch'ok Ayin is part of over 110 known ancient Maya salt works surveyed in Paynes Creek National Park, Belize. The salt works are associated with wooden architecture preserved below the sea floor and submerged due to sea level rise. The purpose of the excavations of Ch'ok Ayin Building C and Plaza A was to determine the function of the space based on recovered material remains.  An eleven meter transect was placed in Building C to extend inside and outside of the building to capture activity areas associated with the building. A 2 x 2-meter excavation was placed north of Building …

Comparing The Effects Of Suicide Stigma Reduction Interventions On Adult Help-Seeking Intentions: An Experimental Investigation, Max Stivers

LSU Master's Theses

With relatively few individuals who experience suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors (STB) engaging in formal treatment, one critical aspect of bridging the treatment gap is to reduce barriers to their seeking help (WHO, 2014). Stigma regarding suicide and mental health help-seeking has been identified as a barrier to care, inspiring development of interventions and public health campaigns targeting stigma reduction as a means of increasing help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behavior (Corrigan et al., 2004). However, because efforts focusing specifically on reducing stigma may fail to address other logistical and psychosocial barriers to engaging with treatment, their broader impact in promoting help-seeking …

Analyzer-Less X-Ray Interferometry With Super-Resolution Methods, Murtuza S. Taqi

LSU Master's Theses

X-ray interferometry provides valuable information on attenuation, small-angle scattering, and differential phase contrast. This multi-modal contrast can aid in many clinical applications, such as lung diseases and breast cancer. However, standard inter- ferometry has an analyzer grating that can increase the dose requirement to maintain the same image quality as a standard X-ray. We propose the use of super-resolution methods for X-ray grating interferometry without an analyzer, with detectors that fail to meet the Nyquist sampling rate needed for traditional image recovery algorithms. Detector phase- steps are used to nominally recover the sampling and iteratively recover the visibility and the …

Recent Wetland Elevation Dynamics In Coastal Louisiana, Usa, Elizabeth Harris

LSU Master's Theses

Coastal marshes globally are increasingly vulnerable to accelerating relative sea-level rise (RSLR), which threatens their capacity to maintain elevation through feedbacks among sediment supply, vegetation productivity, hydrology, and soil processes. Although many marshes can persist under moderate rates of sea-level rise through vertical accretion and belowground biomass production, this resilience is strongly constrained by sediment availability and subsurface processes such as autocompaction and organic matter decomposition. High accretion is often assumed to confer marsh resilience; however, subsurface processes, particularly autocompaction driven by surface loading, can substantially offset elevation gains. Coastal Louisiana experiences among the highest rates of RSLR worldwide due …

Setbacks And Stigmas: The Career Consequences Of Mental Health Treatment For Soldiers In Combat Roles, Micah Mark Marchand

LSU Master's Theses

This study examines how potential career consequences, perceived stigma, and confidentiality concerns influence mental health help-seeking among United States Army Soldiers, with particular attention to differences across Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) categories. Despite the availability of behavioral health services, many service members delay or avoid treatment due to fears that seeking care may negatively impact their careers, including risks to promotion, deployment eligibility, and retention. Guided by Systems Theory, this research explores how interconnected military structures, policies, and cultural norms shape these perceptions and behaviors.

Using a confidential survey design, data were collected from current service members and recently separated …

The Right-To-Work Debate In Louisiana: How A Moment Of Violence Changed Law, Emma K. Thigpen

LSU Master's Theses

These two projects focus on the rise of business communities in twentieth century politics of the South and how they shaped national visions of the United States’ economic future. Chapter 1, a primary source project about how labor violence led to a Right-to-Work law, examines the actions of the La. AFL-CIO, led by Victor Bussie, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, led by Edward Steimel, as they pursue alternate visions of economic progress and the “American way.” A major theme of this chapter is how violence was manipulated and refashioned to legitimize a lobbying organization and legislation intended …

Public Understanding Of Ai-Enabled Cyber Threats And Its Impact On Cybersecurity Governance In The United States, Charlotte M. Barbrick

LSU Master's Theses

Artificial intelligence is spreading quickly in workplaces and everyday life, and that fast growth is creating cybersecurity and privacy risks that current laws and organizational practices do not fully address. This thesis asks whether AI-specific knowledge shapes public support for cybersecurity governance of AI-enabled systems in the United States. Using nationally representative survey data from the Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP) Wave 119, fielded December 12--18, 2022, I estimate weighted regression models to test how objective AI knowledge shapes support for cybersecurity governance. I also test whether concern about data misuse helps explain that relationship and whether AI …

The Effects Of Dietary Protein Manipulation On Operant Demand, Brianna R. Lilly

LSU Master's Theses

Previous work with dietary protein restriction in rodents has demonstrated that rodents fed a low protein diet exhibit physiological effects such as lower rates of weight gain and increased levels of circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Dietary protein restriction also produces behavioral effects. Compared to rodents that are not protein-restricted, rodents that are protein-restricted exhibit increased food intake and higher preference for a protein vs. carbohydrate solution. Additionally, protein-restricted rodents will respond at higher levels for a protein reinforcer than non-restricted rodents. The current study assessed the effect of dietary protein restriction on operant protein demand during and after …

Exploring Perspectives Of Autistic Individuals And Caregivers On Autism Inclusive Services In Public Libraries, Ayva J. Rose

LSU Master's Theses

Public libraries are increasingly recognized as important community hubs designed to promote literacy, learning, language, family engagement, and inclusivity. Despite this, autistic individuals may experience language, literacy, sensory, and social differences that could impact their ability to participate in literacy-based programming in libraries. Librarians currently report a desire to provide services that not only include but meaningfully support autistic children in their families; however, little research has examined how key stakeholders within the autism community perceive autism-inclusive programming within libraries. This research seeks to explore these perspectives and identify (1) perceived barriers to attending children’s library programs, (2) accommodations and …

Implantable, Sensor-Embedded Vascular Graft Towards Wireless Monitoring Of Stenosis, Nnamdi Dike

LSU Master's Theses

Arteriovenous (AV) grafts are commonly used to provide vascular access for hemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease. Despite their widespread use, AV grafts are prone to complications such as stenosis and thrombosis. Early detection of these conditions remains challenging with current monitoring methods too costly or insufficient. This work presents the design, fabrication, and validation of an LC pressure sensor embedded within a model AV graft to enable real-time monitoring. The proposed system integrates a parallel-plate capacitive pressure sensor with a spiral inductor to form an LC circuit embedded within an elastomeric graft wall. The Ecoflex 00-30 dielectric layer …

Movable Bed Physical Model Investigation Of Bed Level Changes Caused By River Sediment Diversions, Hayden Cole Franklin

LSU Master's Theses

Since 1932, due to human and natural processes, over 2,000 square miles of Louisiana’s coast have been lost. River sediment diversions have been proposed as sustainable options to combat land loss. These projects, like the proposed Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, are designed to deliver sediment-rich Mississippi River water into nearby bays and estuaries, helping build and maintain land. However, river sediment diversions may alter river hydraulics and sediment transport, potentially inducing upstream degradation and downstream aggradation. Using the Lower Mississippi River Physical Model (LMRPM), this study quantitatively analyzed bed level changes as well as hydraulic conditions associated with the proposed Mid-Barataria …

An Analysis Of The Extended Techniques In The Timpani Works Of Christopher Deane, Chase D. Gillett

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The timpani were first introduced to the orchestra in the 1700s, and composers immediately used the instruments in unique ways. To this day, timpani literature continues to experiment with new techniques to create diverse sounds. One such composer who created unique sounds for the instrument was Christopher Deane. Deane is one of the most influential composers of percussion literature whose works are frequently programmed on concerts and recitals. Throughout his career, he has received many commissions from across the United States, won awards for his compositions, and had numerous world premieres at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. His use …

Lisa Cristiani: A Survey And Analysis Of Her Musical Travels Through The Russian Empire (1848-1853), Emilia González Dorantes

LSU Master's Theses

Information about French cellist Lisa Cristiani (1825–1853) and her travels through Imperial Russia has mainly reached us thanks to two articles in French periodicals published around the first decade since her death. These sources prioritized the journey itself, centering the narrative on her travels rather than on her musical activities. Recent scholarship on Cristiani has expanded our previously limited knowledge about her life. Scholars such as Hoffmann (2011) and Deserno (2018) have focused on biographical and feminist analysis, and DeVries (2014) has unveiled new documents from Russian sources. Nonetheless, a detailed examination of her musical performances within Imperial Russia has …

Machine Learning Based Models For Simulation And Analysis Of Bulk Earth Melt System, Abin Shakya

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Understanding the segregation of bulk Earth melt systems into metallic (core) and silicate (mantle) phases under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions is central to modeling Earth’s interior, yet relevant experimental and computational studies remain limited. This work develops a machine learning–based simulation pipeline that iteratively couples first-principles (quantum mechanical) calculations with neural network training to generate high-fidelity force fields. Using major-element Fe–Mg–Si–O melt systems, with and without H and N, as testbeds, we demonstrate that this framework enables large-scale molecular dynamics simulations at near first-principles accuracy. We further introduce a sequence of phase identification methods, progressing from statistical binning of elemental …

Bridging Traditions: A Study And Performance Of Chen Yi's Chamber And Vocal Works, Oufeifei Hu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chinese-American composer Chen Yi (b. 1953) is widely recognized for her distinctive integration of Chinese musical traditions and Western classical compositional techniques. Her music frequently incorporates elements of Chinese folk melodies, traditional musical idioms, and cultural aesthetics within a contemporary art-music framework. Despite her growing international reputation, detailed analytical studies of many of her individual works remain limited.

This study examines four selected works by Chen Yi—Chinese Ancient Dance, Meditation, Fisherman’s Song, and From Old Peking Folklore—from both analytical and performance perspectives. Through musical analysis, the study explores how Chen Yi incorporates Chinese musical elements and transforms them within modern …

Exploring Sequential Technical Practices Towards Skill Development And Musical Expression In Violin Performance And String Pedagogy Methods, Erin Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation proposes the Erin Kim System, a pedagogical framework designed to support sequential technical development and musical expression in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of violin performance. This system examines how structured technical progression, guided repertoire sequencing, and a nurturing learning environment with the teacher and parents can foster skill acquisition and long-term musical engagement among violin students. Musical enjoyment and inspiration serve as primary motivators for learning, particularly when students are encouraged to work toward performing aspirational repertoire such as the Sibelius Violin Concerto. By organizing repertoire and supplemental exercises in a clear step-by-step process, this system enables …

The History, Development, And Continual Evolution Of The Percussion Theatre Genre, Steven L. Wimberley

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

During the twentieth century, artists in every discipline sought to create new, original art that would both challenge societal norms and expand their respective art to new extremes. This expansion in contemporary music saw the emergence of electronics, chance elements, “found sounds,” speaking, acting, and physical gestures. As we continue through the twentieth century, we also see the onset of the percussionist as an independent musical artist and a desire for original music for percussion. The intersection of these new developments created what is known as percussion theatre.

Percussion theatre can be broadly defined as a genre of musical composition …

Extremal Connectivity In Graphs And Matroids, Yiwei Ge

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Connectivity is a central theme in both graph theory and matroid theory. This dissertation investigates extremal connectivity in graphs and matroids, with emphasis on unavoidable structures and minimal connectivity phenomena.

Chapter 2 introduces cycle-contraction minors of graphs and investigates their structural properties. We establish a connection between cc-minors and induced subgraphs via graph duality. The main result gives an unavoidable-families characterization for cc-minors of sufficiently large loopless $2$-connected graphs.

Chapter 3 studies super-minimally $3$-connected graphs, namely $3$-connected graphs that have no proper $3$-connected subgraphs. We establish extremal bounds on structural parameters of these graphs, including the minimum number of degree-$3$ …