Digital Commons Network^™

Computational Studies On Fatty Acid Synthesis: From Mechanisms To Drug Design, Matthew Edward Mckenzie

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The first committed steps of the Fatty Acid synthesis pathway involves the de/carboxylation reactions of biotin. By understanding this step, potential novel antimicrobial agents could be discovered. The current tools of drug discovery can only help the research in finding and modifying potential hits. Finding a lead candidate from these programs are often equated to finding a needle in a haystack, which is due to the many assumptions used in molecular docking. The fundamental reaction kinetics can not be described by these techniques and a detailed study of the decarboxylation reaction is investigated using ab initio molecular dynamics. In this …

Under Construction: Recollecting The Museum Of The Moving Image, Andr&Eacutee Elise Comiskey Betancourt

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

On February 27, 2008 the Museum of the Moving Image launched its $65 million renovation and expansion with a digital groundbreaking. Since opening its doors in Astoria, New York in 1988, the museum, originally devoted to film and television, has embraced digital media. From its “Hollywood East” Astoria Studio historic landmark site to its popular website, the Museum of the Moving Image provides a unique setting for studying the museumification of moving image culture, particularly the production and consumption of moving images. In response to the Museum of the Moving Image’s domestication of moving image culture in its core exhibition, …

Three Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With Broiler Production In Louisiana, Nirmala Adhikari Devkota

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The increasing trends of integrated and concentrated broiler production results in a serious threat to environment through excessive litter production and lack of its proper disposal. Production concentration in limited area is a major source of surface as well as ground water pollution. Nonpoint source pollution from broiler litter applied on land remains a major concern in Louisiana and elsewhere in Southeastern USA. This study examines alternative approaches to reduce pollution originating from broiler production. First, I evaluate why some producers adopt BMP faster than others and what kind of factors affect the time to adoption decision. The duration model …

Characterization Of Porcine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells, Kellie J. Williams

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Nuclear transfer (NT) results in low success rates and research has reported problems with the welfare of cloned animals produced. Evidence suggests the use of a less differentiated donor cell, such as a stem cell, may lead to an increase in the efficiency of the NT procedure. Stem cell characteristics must be clearly defined in order to isolate, identify and optimally culture potential donor cells. Stem cell characteristics such as self-renewal and differentiation have not been identified in stem cells from porcine adipose tissue, an easily attainable tissue resource. The phenotypic profile of cell surface proteins and chromosomal stability of …

Aristotelian Liberalism: An Inquiry Into The Foundations Of A Free And Flourishing Society, Geoffrey Allan Plauche

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

My dissertation builds on the recent work of Douglas Rasmussen, Douglas Den Uyl and Roderick Long in developing an Aristotelian liberalism. It is argued that a neo- Aristotelian form of liberalism has a sounder foundation than others and has the resources to answer traditional left-liberal, postmodern, communitarian and conservative challenges by avoiding certain Enlightenment pitfalls: the charges of atomism, an a-historical and a- contextual view of human nature, license, excessive normative neutrality, the impoverishment of ethics and the trivialization of rights. An Aristotelian theory of virtue ethics and natural rights is developed that allows for a robust conception of the …

The Economic Importance And Management Of Mercury Contamination In Pelagic Fisheries, Tina Marie Willson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The presence of mercury in the U.S. fish supply is a growing public health concern. At high levels, mercury can be harmful to humans and ecosystems, and represents a growing threat not only to public health, but also to the economic and ecological viability of many fisheries. This research examined the economic issues surrounding mercury contamination in fish, developed a population dynamics and bioeconomic model to investigate the problem, and compared a variety of management actions to reduce consumer exposure to contaminants. The dissertation begins with an overview of contamination issues in U.S. fisheries, including a review of the historical …

Experimental Design, Synthesis And Application Of Molecular Micelle Modified Polymeric Nanoparticles For Drug Delivery Systems And Free Radical Detection, Gabriela M. Ganea Visser

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles such as poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles have been extensively studied as drug delivery systems for a variety of pharmaceutical agents. Nanoparticle surface properties are primarily determined by the emulsifiers used in the synthesis process, which have a significant impact on nanoparticle physico-chemical and biological properties. Anionic amino acid – based molecular micelles were used in the emulsification process to prepare monodisperse, small (below 100 nm) PLGA nanoparticles with a well defined spherical shape. Such molecular micelle – modified nanoparticles were used as drug carriers for delivery of antioxidants. Thymoquinone is a natural antioxidant, and an …

Iron Mediated Pecipitation Of Phenol: Protein Aggregates From Sugar Cane Juice, Lee R. Madsen Ii

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Louisiana cane sugar industry is moving toward a vertically integrated arrangement where raw sugar producers will have an interest in refining. In the sugar refining process, raw sugar is affined to remove ~50 % of the color. The new refinery that will be built in Louisiana, however, will not include affining stations. To reduce costs of refining, either affining stations will need to be installed at each mill or new technologies that provide equivalent color reduction (~50% or ~750 IU) need to be implemented. As part of this dissertation a new technology for color reduction at raw sugar mills …

Isoflavone Distribution In Soy Seed And Antioxidant Activity Of Defatted Soy Flour Extract, Xiaohua Yue

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Soy isoflavones distribution in soy cotelydon, coat and germ were determined. The ƒÀ-Glucoside form of isoflavones was the major class of isoflavones in all three soy parts. Soy germ was the richest source of the isoflavones among the three soybean parts. Distribution of the isoflavones in soy cotyledon was different from that in soy coat or germ. As defatted soy flour is a main byproduct in the soy oil refining process, utilizing the low value byproduct as a valuable food antioxidant was investigated in this study. The level of isoflavones in the defatted soy flour extract was 55 mg/g, which …

Molecular, Statistical And Genetic Analyses Of Complex Agronomic Traits In Rice, Samuel Agbayani Ordonez Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Novel molecular and statistical approaches are needed for identification of DNA markers associated with complex traits in rice. The first research objective was to evaluate mixed-model and multiple regression approaches for their ability to identify molecular markers associated with complex traits in rice. A combined mixed model and multiple regression approach was optimal for selecting the smallest number of DNA markers associated with relatively high R2 values and for consistency with previous mapping studies. Support Vector Regression (SVR) was evaluated in the second research objective for the ability to generate high levels of accuracy and power for markers associated with …

Investigating Conceptual Teaching Strategies In A Computer Based Mathematics Curriculum: The Case Of R2r, Haitham Sleiman Solh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the various teaching strategies implemented by the teachers in a computer-based Mathematics course delivery model created by the LSU Math Department and applied in Louisiana High Schools. This model was referred to as R2R (Roadmap to Redesign). It was a course design that includes whole class instruction time (about 25% of class time) in addition to time spent with teacher assistance utilizing computer software (MathXL) to practice exercises, submit homework assignments, and take quizzes and tests.The study aimed to determine the proportion of teachers using the R2R model that opt to support a conceptual agenda in their …

Integrated Technology: Does It Affect Learner Outcomes?, Adam Ross Barrett

LSU Master's Theses

Because technology has become prevalent in classrooms, this study was undertaken to test whether the use of integrated technology, specifically computers and online activities, affects learner outcomes in a classroom setting. The outcomes from classes taught using integrated technology were compared to classes taught with traditional teaching strategies. Students in a 7th grade life-science class were given pre-tests and post-tests to determine their learning gains on the topics of genetics and photosynthesis. Each class was assigned different activities based on the subject. Each unit was covered in four 90 minute periods. When one set of classes was using integrated technology …

Analysis Of Progessive Lag Reinforcement Schedules And Environmental Cues On Verbal Response Variability, Brian Esteve

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of progressive lag reinforcement schedules to increase novel and appropriate verbal responses to academic skills for three children with language delays. The effect of visual cues on verbal responses was evaluated in conjunction with progressive lag reinforcement schedules using a multiple baseline with an embedded alternating treatments design. Basic research utilizing lag reinforcement schedules have shown to increase variable behavior in both animal and human participants; however, little research has been conducted to evaluate lag reinforcement schedules in applied settings. The results of this study preliminarily indicate that progressive lag reinforcement schedules are an effective …

Insights Into Expression, Cellular Localization, And Regulation Of Supernatant Protein Factor, A Putative Regulator Of Cholesterol Biosynthesis, Elzbieta Ilona Stolarczyk

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

SPF (Supernatant Protein Factor) is a cytosolic protein that stimulates at least two enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway: squalene monooxygenase and HMGCoA reductase. The mechanism of action has not been established but may be related to lipid transfer between intracellular membranes.

There are three human genes for SPF: SEC14L2 (SPF1), SEC14L3 (SPF2) and SEC14L4 (SPF3). The present study differentiates these closely related genes by evaluating their tissue-specific and relative expression levels. SPF1 mRNA was found to be most abundant in liver, mammary gland and stomach. SPF2 showed negligible expression in all tissues tested; SPF3 expression pattern was similar to …

Evaluating The Effects Of Organic And Conventional Inputs On Soil Chemical And Biological Properties In A Four-Year Vegetable Rotation And The Investigation Of Soil Microbial Properties On Plant Gene Expression, Audrey Law

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of conventional inputs on soil chemical and biological properties compared to organic systems in a four year vegetable rotation. Tillage and cover crops were the same in all treatments to avoid confounding factors often present in similar research. Additional experiments investigated plant gene expression in organic and conventional management systems and in soils with decreased microbial diversity. Experimental plots were prepared in the spring of 2004; four replications of three management treatments, organic, low-input and conventional, were arranged in a randomized complete block design. The rotation consisted of edamame soybean, …

The Pharmacogenomics Of Egfr-Dependent Nsclc: Predicting And Enhancing Response To Targeted Egfr Therapy, Justin M. Balko

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors to the clinic has resulted in an improvement in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, many patients treated with EGFR TKIs do not respond to therapy. The burden of failed treatment is largely placed on the healthcare field, limiting the effectiveness of EGFR TKIs. Furthermore, responses are hindered by the emergence of resistance. Thus, two questions must be addressed to achieve maximum benefit of EGFR inhibitors: How can patients who will benefit from EGFR TKIs be selected a priori? How …

Biology And Management Of The Bed Bug, Cimex Lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), Alvaro Romero

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The near absence of bed bugs from human dwellings for fifty or more years has left us with limited knowledge of its biology and few answers to eliminate populations. I explored a diverse set of objectives to answer key questions concerning bed bug biology and control. Major objectives were studies of circadian rhythmicity, pyrethroid resistance, sublethal effects of insecticides, synergism of pyrethroids, and evaluation of a pyrrole insecticides, chlorfenapyr. Additional studies included persistence of Borrelia in bed bugs after ingestion, and aggregation factors from feces.

In the absence of host stimuli, insects were much more active in the dark than …

Role Of Oxidative Stress And T Cell Homing In The Development Of Murine Syngeneic Graft-Versus-Host Disease, Jacqueline Perez-Rodriguez

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Syngeneic graft-versus-host disease (SGVHD) is induced by reconstituting lethally irradiated mice with syngeneic BM cells followed by a 21 day treatment with the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine A (CsA). Clinical symptoms of the disease appear 2-3 weeks following cessation of CsA therapy and disease-associated inflammation occurs primarily in the colon and liver.

The development of SGVHD is a complex process resulting from the cooperative interaction of multiple effector cell populations including NK cells, T cells and macrophages. T_H1 cytokines (IL-12, TNF-α, IFN- γ), produced by these effector cells, serve as inflammatory mediators contributing to the pathogenesis of SGVHD. The …

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Qpcr) Assay As A Molecular Tool To Assess Rickettsial Replications In Tick Hosts, Andrea S. Zanetti

LSU Master's Theses

During the past century, many species of the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR)have been described, especially, through the introduction of a variety of molecular techniques applied to detect rickettsiae inside of their host. In this study we developed a quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay (1) to characterize the growth and the distribution of a SFGR of unrecognized pathogenicity in naturally infected Amblyomma americanum ticks during physiological events; and (2) to terminate the influence of the host cell specificity in the replication patterns of recognized and unrecognized SFGR during a reciprocal rickettsiae challenge in both mammalian and tick cell …

Everyday, Jill Tucker Moore

LSU Master's Theses

In our everyday lives we are bombarded with thousands, even millions, of images. Suffering information overload, we filter out the vast majority of these impressions – the person we pass on the street or sitting in the car next to us at a stop light. We only ‘see’ those people, places and things that ‘matter’, all else becomes ‘noise’; filtered into the background of consciousness – vaguely familiar, yet simultaneously foreign, creating a ‘manageable paradigm’ or construct of the world we inhabit. I take photographic portraits every day. Not of the ‘important’ in my life, but the nondescript, often overlooked …

The Effects Of Stat Activators In The Crosstalk Of Gp130 Cytokines In Adipocytes, Ursula Antoinette White

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity is characterized by an overabundance of fat cells, or adipocytes, and is currently a global epidemic. Adipocytes store energy, respond to insulin, and participate in diverse endocrine signaling pathways by secreting adipokines. Obesity leads to the dysregulation of adipocyte function, which could lead to numerous metabolic diseases, such as Type II diabetes. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate adipocyte development and involvement in endocrine signaling will lead to a greater understanding of the importance of fat metabolism in full-body health. Many lines of evidence demonstrate the importance of various transcription factors in regulating adipogenic processes, and one of which is …

Nitric Oxide Cytotoxicity And Functions Of Iron-Sulfur Enzymes In Escherichia Coli, Binbin Ren

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Iron-sulfur proteins are ubiquitous in biological processes. Here we report that NO, a physiological free radical, can effectively inhibit cell growth of Escherichia coli in minimal medium under anaerobic growth conditions. Fractionation of the cell extracts obtained from NO-exposed cells shows a broad distribution of the protein-bound dinitrosyl-iron complexes (DNICs) formed by NO. On the other hand, the cell growth of E. coli can be restored when NO-exposed cells are either supplemented with the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) anaerobically or returned to aerobic growth conditions. It turns out that dihydroxyacid dehydratase (IlvD), an iron-sulfur enzyme essential for the BCAAs biosynthesis, …

The Effects Of Bait Type, Trap-Soak Duration, And Trap Modification On Harvest Of Red Swamp Crawfish, David C. Hardee

LSU Master's Theses

The effects of bait type, trap-soak duration, and a trap entrance modification were evaluated from February through May 2008 in a 1.29 ha crawfish (red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii) pond in southwest Louisiana. Commercial pyramid traps with three entrance funnels, 1.9-cm square-mesh vinyl-coated welded metal wire, were used. In trial 1, crawfish catch was evaluated in traps baited with Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), a formulated dry bait, or a menhaden+formulated bait mixture, each at 24-h and 48-h soak durations. In trial 2, the escape of marked crawfish was evaluated in the presence or absence of bait at 24-h and 48-h …

The Feasibility Of Using Select Landscape Species For Phytoremediation Of Cumene And 4-Cumylphenol Contaminated Groundwater, Kathryn Karsh Fontenot

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chemical manufactures are often associated with a negative publicity due to chemical spills that can cause human health problems and environmental pollution. Innovative methods such as phytoremediation in lieu of traditional remediation methods are being researched to determine environmentally friendly options for remediation. Phytoremediation was studied as an alternative remediation method for removal of chemicals in a contaminated groundwater plume in Louisiana. The main constituents of concern in the plume were cumene and 4-cumylphenol. Two pilot phytotoxicity studies were funded to determine an optimum tree species for removal and control of the constituents of concern. A greenhouse and hydroponic system …

Detection Of Stress Biomarkers In Sperm, Embryonic, And Early Larval States Of Aquatic Invertebrates Following Pesticide Exposure, Karen Perry Favret

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Current regulatory testing provides the basis for determining acceptable levels of pollutants in the environment, yet these acceptable levels of contaminants have resulted in undesirable consequences to organisms. The purpose of this dissertation was to test the hypothesis that biomarkers of cellular stress could be detected from sub-lethal exposure to pesticides in sperm and early life stages of broadcast spawning invertebrates. Exposures were conducted on oyster (Crassostrea virginica), mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis and Dreissena polymorpha), and sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) embryos and larvae for 4 and 24 h to Bayluscide® and Roundup®. DNA fragmentation, a characteristic of apoptotic cells, was detected …

Essays On Environmental Issues Associated With The Diary Production Region In Louisiana, Larry Michael Hall

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Louisiana dairy production region (LDPR) is located in southeast Louisiana and includes five parishes (Tangipahoa, Washington, Livingston, St. Helena, and St. Tammany). It is home to approximately 90% of the state’s dairy industry and is a major contributor to nonpoint source pollution (NPS) in the area’s watershed through nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment effluents. While point source (PS) effluents are easily identified and subject to federal and state regulations, NPS mitigation efforts must address uncertainties such as location of the NPS as well as stochastic parameters such as rainfall and its effect on nutrient and sediment flow. This dissertation presents …

Function Of Isca In Biogenesis Of Iron-Sulfur Clusters And Repair Of No-Modified Iron-Sulfur Proteins, Juanjuan Yang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are ubiquitous prosthetic groups that function in diverse fundamental life processes. However, the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters in vivo is not a spontaneous process. Previous studies indicated that Fe-S clusters maybe synthesized by three major systems: the Nif, the ISC, and the SUF systems. Among these three systems, IscU, NifU are the scaffold proteins for the Fe-S clusters assembly. IscA and its paralog, SufA are proposed as an alternative iron-sulfur cluster assembly scaffold proteins. The cysteine desulfurases: IscS, NifS and SufS catalyze desulfurization of the L-cysteine and provide sulfide for Fe-S clusters assembly. However, the iron donor …

Pulsed Electric Field Influences On Acid Tolerance, Bile Tolerance, Protease Activity And Growth Characteristics Of Lactobacillus Acidophilus La-K, Olga Antonina Cueva

LSU Master's Theses

Pulsed electric field processing represents a promising non-thermal technology which involves the application of pulses of high voltage (20-80 kV/cm) for less than one second to fluid foods placed between two electrodes. During the application of certain PEF conditions microbial inactivation occurs by causing a pore formation and destruction of the cell membranes. Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important probiotic bacterium used for the production of fermented dairy products. The objective of this study was to study the influence of pulsed electric field (PEF) on the growth characteristics, bile tolerance, acid tolerance, and protease activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-K. Freshly thawed …

Determinants Of Fluid Milk Quality, Jose Luis Vargas

LSU Master's Theses

The objectives of this study were to provide an overview of fluid milk quality in the U.S., determine if there is a correlation between rapid and traditional tests, determine if results from different analyses correlate with a sensory analysis and to determine any correlation between any of the analyses done in this study. Whole and 2% milks were received from 17 dairy processing plants located in the west, midwest, and southern regions of the U.S in duplicates. Samples were pasteurized at the processing plants by HTST method (161-175oF for 15-25 seconds). For standard plate counts at day 0 no significant …

A Systematic Investigation Into Relationships Within Mexican Pocket Gophers, Thomomys Umbrinus (Rodentia Geomyidae), Amber Gates

LSU Master's Theses

In the genus Thomomys, external phenotypic differences account for much of the variation among currently named species. Allozyme and mitochondrial studies of the Mexican species, T. umbrinus, have shown strong discordance between genetically defined clades and current species taxonomy. In this study, I analyzed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, chomosomes, and morphological characters, and used ecological niche modeling to investigate the phylogenetic status of a phenotypically divergent subspecies of T. umbrinus, T. u. atrovarius. Although quantitative morphometrics provided little discrimination among groups within T. umbrinus, the molecular data indicated that there are three allopatric clades. The Pacific coastal clade (T. …