Digital Commons Network^™

Characterizing And Modeling The Impact Photorepair Conditions Have On Parameters Governing The Regrowth Of Escherichia Coli After Uvc Irradiation, And Investigating Potential Mitigation Strategies, Andrea J. Martinez Ballen

LSU Master's Theses

Ultraviolet disinfection has been used to treat water and wastewater for decades. Previous studies highlight the significance of disinfection conditions and attempt to model bacterial regrowth behavior according to disinfection dosing parameters. The emergence of light-emitting diode (LED) technology provides the ability to further explore bacterial repair methods after UV disinfection, which has been a growing concern within the UV community. However, it is necessary to also consider post-disinfection conditions to model the regrowth patterns of bacterial organisms more accurately. By varying reactivation wavelengths, and their respective intensities, experiments using Escherichia coli ATCC 15597 revealed how these parameters impact the …

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 …

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 …

Control And Optimization Of Multi-Agent Systems With Applications In Connected And Autonomous Electric Vehicles, Shaopan Guo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A multi-agent system (MAS) is a system in which multiple autonomous agents interact with each other to achieve a common goal. Nevertheless, current designs of MAS controllers typically rely on particular requirements, such as time-triggered communication, linear dynamics, and access to global information. These limitations restrict the applicability of MASs. This thesis aims to eliminate these constraints and optimize the energy consumption of a specific MAS, namely connected autonomous electric vehicles (CAEVs).

This thesis first addresses the consensus problem of linear MASs with intermittent communication. An adaptive distributed control algorithm that integrates edge-based event-triggered (ET) communication mechanisms is presented in …

Tcf21 Marks Visceral Adipose Mesenchymal Progenitors And Functions As A Rate-Limiting Factor During Visceral Adipose Tissue Development, Qianglin Liu, Chaoyang Li, Buhao Deng, Peidong Gao, Leshan Wang, Yuxia Li, Mohammad Shiri, Fozi Alkaifi, Junxing Zhao, Jacqueline M. Stephens, Constantine A. Simintiras, Joseph Francis, Jiangwen Sun, Xing Fu

Faculty Publications

Distinct locations of different white adipose depots suggest anatomy-specific developmental regulation, a relatively understudied concept. Here, we report a population of Tcf21 lineage cells (Tcf21 LCs) present exclusively in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that dynamically contributes to VAT development and expansion. During development, the Tcf21 lineage gives rise to adipocytes. In adult mice, Tcf21 LCs transform into a fibrotic or quiescent state. Multiomics analyses show consistent gene expression and chromatin accessibility changes in Tcf21 LC, based on which we constructed a gene-regulatory network governing Tcf21 LC activities. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identifies the heterogeneity of Tcf21 LCs. Loss of …

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 Effect Of High Fraction Of Inspired Oxygen On Human Motor Learning Processes, Zheng Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Human motor learning processes are fundamental for our daily activities and can be adversely affected by neurologic conditions. Motor learning largely depends on successfully integrating cognitive and motor-related sensory information. A simple, easily accessible treatment that could enhance these learning processes would be exciting and clinically impactful. In this dissertation, we explore the effect of normobaric 100% oxygen treatment (NbOxTr) during different motor learning tasks and investigate the brain oxygenation changes during the process. In the visuomotor adaptation task (VMA), when participants adapted to a visual distortion between visual feedback and hand movements, participants with NbOxTr exhibited better movement planning …

Physics-Based Crystal Plasticity Model For Predicting Microstructure Evolution And Dislocation Densities, Juyoung Jeong

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work presents three different studies investigating plastic deformation mechanisms in metals and alloys using crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) modeling. The first study presents a new nonlocal crystal plasticity model for face-centered cubic single crystals under heterogeneous inelastic deformation. The model incorporates generalized constitutive relations that incorporate the thermally activated and drag mechanisms to cover different kinetics of viscoplastic flow in metals and describes the plastic flow and yielding of single-crystals using dislocation densities. The model is compared to micropillar compression experiments for copper single crystals and clarifies the complex microstructural evolution of dislocation densities in metals. The second …

Computational Reverse-Engineering Analysis For Scattering Experiments For Form Factor And Structure Factor Determination (“P(Q) And S(Q) Crease”), Christian M. Heil, Yingzhen Ma, Bhuvnesh Bharti, Arthi Jayaraman

Faculty Publications

In this paper, we present an open-source machine learning (ML)-accelerated computational method to analyze small-angle scattering profiles [I(q) vs q] from concentrated macromolecular solutions to simultaneously obtain the form factor P(q) (e.g., dimensions of a micelle) and the structure factor S(q) (e.g., spatial arrangement of the micelles) without relying on analytical models. This method builds on our recent work on Computational Reverse-Engineering Analysis for Scattering Experiments (CREASE) that has either been applied to obtain P(q) from dilute macromolecular solutions (where S(q) ∼1) or to obtain S(q) from concentrated particle solutions when P(q) is known (e.g., sphere form factor). This paper’s …

Analysis Of Imported And Local Chert From The Paynes Creek Salt Works, Belize, Using 3d Technology And Traditional Methods, Hollie Lincoln

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents information about ancient Maya trade, stone tool use, tool technology, and the every-day activities at the Paynes Creek Salt Works in southern Belize. Research on chert stone tools follows traditional analysis methods with emphasis on material composition. The feasibility of stone tool analysis conducted using 3D technology is also explored, emphasizing the limitations and benefits of these methods. While chert stone tools and stone resource allocation are predominantly the foci of this work, excavations at submerged ancient salt making sites present additional artifacts, including wood and pottery, that also characterize the daily activities of people living and …

Will Digital Fashion Be The New Normal In The Metaverse Era: Examining Consumers’ Perceptions Of Digital Fashion, Yanbo Zhang

LSU Master's Theses

Digital fashion might bring an innovative and revolutionary answer to address environmental and social issues in the textile and apparel industry because it could simultaneously deliver sustainability and fashionability. To stay in the lead in the fashion kingdom and maintain innovativeness, luxury fashion brands are embracing digital fashion. Instead of constantly balancing or trading off between exclusive values and accessibility, luxury brands could enhance both through digital fashion items. As such, investigating consumers’ perceptions and evaluations of digital fashion in general and luxury brands’ digital fashion in specific is critical to fueling digital fashion. Accordingly, the current research has twofold …

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 …

Frontal Polymerizations: From Chemical Perspectives To Macroscopic Properties And Applications, Benjamin A. Suslick, Julie Hemmer, Brecklyn R. Groce, Katherine J. Stawiasz, Philippe H. Geubelle, Giulio Malucelli, Alberto Mariani, Jeffrey S. Moore, John A. Pojman, Nancy R. Sottos

Faculty Publications

The synthesis and processing of most thermoplastics and thermoset polymeric materials rely on energy-inefficient and environmentally burdensome manufacturing methods. Frontal polymerization is an attractive, scalable alternative due to its exploitation of polymerization heat that is generally wasted and unutilized. The only external energy needed for frontal polymerization is an initial thermal (or photo) stimulus that locally ignites the reaction. The subsequent reaction exothermicity provides local heating; the transport of this thermal energy to neighboring monomers in either a liquid or gel-like state results in a self-perpetuating reaction zone that provides fully cured thermosets and thermoplastics. Propagation of this polymerization front …

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 …

Effect Of Type Of Mulch And Biological Soil Amendments Of Animal Origin (Bsaao) On Microbial Food Safety Risk On Cucumbers And Carrots Irrigated With Contaminated Or Chlorinated Water, Juan Fernando Moreira Calix

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A comprehensive understanding of the effect biological soil amendments of animal origin and physical soil amendments have on produce contamination is important for developing strategies to mitigate this risk. Our studies investigated the persistence of generic E. coli, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. in soil and produce surfaces with different BSAAO and mulch applications, as well as the effectiveness of chlorine treatments in reducing enteric bacteria in the field. Cucumbers harvested from plots with paper mulch had the highest levels of E. coli (3.76 Log CFU/cm²) while samples from maize mulch had the lowest levels (1.68 …

Dc Circuit Breaker With An Alternating Commutating Circuit, Shahab Mehraeen, Sudipta Sen

College of Engineering Patents

The present disclosure provides a DC mechanical circuit breaker that can utilize two switches, one of which can generate zero-crossing with an alternate oscillatory circuit for the other one, which can be a conventional zero-crossing-based AC breaker and can be used in the main circuit. This is different from the conventional single-switch commute-and-absorb method currently used. The present disclosure shows that disclosed circuit breaker improves the fault current extinction and significantly reduces the voltage rate-of-change while creating the current zero-crossing faster compared to the available technology. Thus, disclosed circuit breaker is capable of interrupting high DC currents with minimal arc …

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 …

Baldcypress (Taxodium Distichum) And Their Growth And Development Under Abiotic Stressors Related To Restoration Efforts, George Washburn

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Baldcypresss (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) forests are crucial to the Southeast coastal region for the trees’ ecosystem services. Many organizations have been trying to restore the ghost and dead forests found throughout the Gulf region through restoration events. Baldcypress seedlings and saplings face several abiotic and biotic stressors, including but not limited to elevated levels of salinity, nutrients, temperature, and light intensity. These stressors can be the limiting factor in the success or failure of these massive planting efforts.

To assess which stressors were of most concern to the restoration efforts, we conducted common garden experiments with baldcypress seedlings …

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 …

Analytic Continuation Of Toeplitz Operators And Commuting Families Of C*-Algebras, Khalid Bdarneh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this thesis we consider the Toeplitz operators on the weighted Bergman spaces and their analytic continuation. We proved the commutativity of the $C^*-$algebras generated by the analytic continuation of Toeplitz operators with special class of symbols that are invariant under suitable subgroups of $SU(n,1)$, and we showed that commutative $C^*-$algebras with symbols invariant under compact subgroups of $SU(n,1)$ are completely characterized in terms of restriction to multiplicity free representations. Moreover, we extended the restriction principal to the analytic continuation case for suitable maximal abelian subgroups of the universal covering group $\widetilde{SU(n,1)}$, and we obtained the generalized Segal-Bargmann transform, where …

Stellar Binaries And Post-Merger Evolution: A Framework For Stellar Evolution And Nucleosynthesis In R Coronae Borealis Stars, Bradley Munson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We have developed a framework for simulating binary stars through all three relevant
timescales: the dynamical merger, thermal, and nuclear evolution. The framework begins by simulating a dynamical merger in a 3-dimensional hydrodynamics adaptive mesh refinement code, Octo-Tiger, and performing a spherical averaging calculation to map the post-merger remnant into the 1-dimensional stellar evolution code, MESA. In this work, we primarily utilize this framework for simulating double white dwarf mergers, which are believed to be the progenitor to R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. We evolve the post-merger in MESA and compare the computed surface abundances to those observed …

A Data-Driven Multivariate Process Monitoring Platform For Knowledge Discovery And Model Building In Industrial Applications, Estelle E. Seghers

LSU Master's Theses

In industrial chemical manufacturing processes, the amount of raw data generated can add complexity in the analysis and understanding of the process dynamics. Being able to properly interpret this data can help improve plant operation, especially regarding safety and profitability. This research has culminated in FastMan-JMP, a platform proposed for monitoring of industrial processes and optimization of the offline data-driven model-building process as part of the process monitoring workflow. FastMan-JMP is a tool developed in Python to apply various data mining and machine learning techniques quickly and easily to better understand valuable patterns and hidden trends in process data. One …

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 …

Modelling Illiquid Stocks Using Quantum Stochastic Calculus, Will Hicks

Journal of Stochastic Analysis

No abstract provided.

Diurnal Time-Activity Budget And Habitat Use Of Whooping Cranes (Grus Americana) In The Reintroduced Louisiana Nonmigratory Population, Phillip L. Vasseur, Sammy L. King, Michael D. Kaller

Faculty Publications

Time-activity budget studies provide valuable insights for better understanding animal behavior relative to spatial and temporal habitat use. We examined a reintroduced, nonmigratory Whooping Crane (Grus americana) population to determine how time-activity budgets change relative to crane age, sex, habitat type, and season. Our study area encompassed natural marshes and working wetlands primarily in southwestern Louisiana. From June 2012 to January 2016, we conducted continuous focal sampling on individuals (n = 27) from the first 4 captive-reared cohorts released in the state. We classified age groups as juveniles, subadults, and adults, and identified 5 main habitat types utilized by cranes …

Strengthening The Ti/Tin Interface Against Shear Failure With Al Dopants: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Nisha Dhariwal, Abu Shama Mohammad Miraz, W. J. Meng, Collin D. Wick

Faculty Publications

The impact of Al doping on the stability and shear strength of the Ti/TiN interface was investigated using a newly developed modified embedded atom model interatomic potential. The model was parameterized to the interfacial properties of pure Al, TiAl and AlN binaries as well as TiAlN ternary system. The results of the new model are in reasonably good agreement with those obtained using Density Functional Theory and experimental data from the literature. A Ti/TiN system with a misfit dislocation network present on the Ti layer adjacent to the TiN interface was chosen for doping because of its low interfacial energy. …

Thresholds Of Quantitative Swallowing Measures Following Intensive Prophylactic Therapy In Head And Neck Cancer, Deirdre Larsen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This retrospective, case-controlled study sought to identify salient features of swallowing physiology in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and the threshold for features associating with increased dysphagia severity or decreased functional status. Quantitative measures of videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) were taken during three graduating liquid boluses and a paste bolus. Fifteen HNC subjects that received high frequency swallowing exercises (2 - 5 weekly sessions) during (chemo)radiation were compared pre- and(n = 15) or normal (n = 15) swallowing. HNC subjects were also stratified to compare those attending only pre- and(n = 8) to those also returning with dysphagia complaints …

Delineating The Effects Of Molecular And Colloidal Interactions Of Dissolved Organic Matter On Titania Photocatalysis, Mostafa Maghsoodi, Céline Jacquin, Benoit Teychené, Geoffroy Lesage, Samuel D. Snow

Faculty Publications

In the face of significant challenges to practical applications of photocatalysis for water treatment, recent reports revealed a potential route to overcome a problem posed by dissolved organic matter (DOM). These studies showed that inhibition of photocatalytic processes by DOM is driven largely by competition for active surface sites on TiO2 or other catalysts, and controlling the type of DOM present in solution could significantly mitigate DOM fouling. Whether or not control of solution parameters could achieve the same preventative action is not known. Here, a series of DOM isolates, including humic acid (HA) and transphilic (TPI), hydrophobic (HPO), or …

Uncovering The Optimal Molecular Characteristics Of Hydrophobe-Containing Polypeptoids To Induce Liposome Or Cell Membrane Fragmentation, Tianyi Yu, Marzhana Omarova, Meng Zhang, Istiak Hossain, Jianqiang Chen, Omead Darvish, Vijay T. John, Donghui Zhang

Faculty Publications

Cellular functions of membrane proteins are strongly coupled to their structures and aggregation states in the cellular membrane. Molecular agents that can induce the fragmentation of lipid membranes are highly sought after as they are potentially useful for extracting membrane proteins in their native lipid environment. Toward this goal, we investigated the fragmentation of synthetic liposome using hydrophobe-containing polypeptoids (HCPs), a class of facially amphiphilic pseudo-peptidic polymers. A series of HCPs with varying chain lengths and hydrophobicities have been designed and synthesized. The effects of polymer molecular characteristics on liposome fragmentation are systemically investigated by a combination of light scattering …