Digital Commons Network^™

Digital Image-Based Frameworks For Monitoring And Controlling Of Particulate Systems, Bing Zhang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Particulate processes have been widely involved in various industries and most products in the chemical industry today are manufactured as particulates. Previous research and practise illustrate that the final product quality can be influenced by particle properties such as size and shape which are related to operating conditions. Online characterization of these particles is an important step for maintaining desired product quality in particulate processes. Image-based characterization method for the purpose of monitoring and control particulate processes is very promising and attractive. The development of a digital image-based framework, in the context of this research, can be envisioned in two …

Interrelationships Of Caregiving Characteristics, Burden Of Caregiving, Depressive Symptomology, Physical Health, Self-Care, Life Satisfaction And Social Support Of Social Workers, Katherine Riker Sternberg

LSU Master's Theses

With increasing numbers of Americans engaged in unpaid, informal caregiving for adults over the age of 18, there is a need for research that investigates caregivers’ experiences, with particular emphasis on their health and well being. This is the first known study to examine the experiences of social workers, engaged in direct practice, who are also managing responsibilities related to informal caregiving. The study examined interrelationships among social workers’ caregiving characteristics, burden of caregiving, depressive symptomology, physical health, self-care, life satisfaction and social support. Hypotheses included: (1) Burden of caregiving is positively correlated with depressive symptomology. (2) The burden of …

An Original Composition, "...And It Was Good For Orchestra" And A New Century, A New Audience : Concert Music's Evolution Into Pop And The Music Producer As Maestro, Matthew David Evancho

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The first part of this dissertation is a musical composition for full orchestra titled, ...And It Was Good. The work's title refers to the biblical text that follows each day of God's creation, "God saw all that he had made, and it was good." The architecture for the single movement work is framed within seven sections, each representing a different day of the biblical creation story. An arch form is used and each section is marked by a different tonal center taken from a whole tone scale beginning on F. The composer employs several songs from various world religions and …

Gene Set Based Ensemble Methods For Cancer Classification, William Evans Duncan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Diagnosis of cancer very often depends on conclusions drawn after both clinical and microscopic examinations of tissues to study the manifestation of the disease in order to place tumors in known categories. One factor which determines the categorization of cancer is the tissue from which the tumor originates. Information gathered from clinical exams may be partial or not completely predictive of a specific category of cancer. Further complicating the problem of categorizing various tumors is that the histological classification of the cancer tissue and description of its course of development may be atypical. Gene expression data gleaned from micro-array analysis …

Utilizing Community Media To Facilitate Cross-Cultural Communication Between Lsu Agcenter Field And State Agents And Louisiana Agricultural Producers, Ava Denise Attaway

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine how Louisiana agricultural producers get information related to their crops. Specifically, this study examined how Louisiana agricultural producers used the Louisiana State University AgCenter’s website and other media sources so that it could be determined which form of community media could be used to facilitate cross-cultural communication between LSU AgCenter field and state agents and Louisiana agricultural producers. Data for this study were obtained from 187 usable surveys completed by Louisiana agricultural produceragricultural producers. The data were analyzed to determine if producers utilized the LSU AgCenter website, the frequency they utilized …

The Employment And Economic Advancement Of African-Americans In The Twentieth Century, Kenneth G. Dau-Schmidt, Ryland Sherman

Articles by Maurer Faculty

In this article we examine the progress of African–Americans in the American labour market over the course of the twentieth century. We trace their progress as African-Americans moved from low-skill low-wage jobs in southern agriculture to a panoply of jobs including high-skill, high-wage jobs in industries and occupations across the country.We also document the migrations and improvements in educational achievement that have made this progress possible. We examine the progress yet to be made and especially the problems of lack of education and incarceration suffered by African–American males. Finally, we examine the importance of anti-discrimination laws and affirmative action in …

Rube Tube : Cbs, Rural Sitcoms, And The Image Of The South, 1957-1971, Sara K. Eskridge

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the factors that led to the creation of the CBS rural comedy boom in the 1960s, as well as the reasons for its demise. For years, historians have dismissed the rural comedy craze as the networks catering to the growing number of southern viewers in the late 1950s. However, there were not enough to southern viewers to dictate a network’s entire programming schedule for the better part of a decade. Also, rural comedy was the domain of a single network, CBS. Had it really been a major thematic trend, all networks would have at least attempted to …

Enforcement As Substance In Tax Compliance, Leandra Lederman, Ted Sichelman

Articles by Maurer Faculty

It is well known that the government's complete failure to enforce a law can nullify that law. But what are the effects of partial enforcement? This Article shows that imperfect enforcement can alter the de facto content of the written law in predictable and beneficial ways. Specifically, in the tax compliance context, even if perfect enforcement were costless, it would not always be socially optimal. When improving the substantive law is infeasible, the enforcement agency can effect beneficial changes in the law by adopting a probabilistic enforcement scheme that varies according to the category of taxpayer and type of transaction. …

Aqueous Red-Emitting Silicon Nanoparticles For Cellular Imaging: Consequences Of Protecting Against Surface Passivation By Hydroxide And Water For Stable Red Emission, Sheng-Kuei Chiu, Beth Ann Manhat, William J.I. Debenedetti, Anna L. Brown, Katye Fichter, Tania Vu, Micah Eastman, Jun Jiao, Andrea Mitchell Goforth

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Stable, aqueous, red-to-near infrared emission is critical for the use of silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) in biological fluorescence assays, but such Si NPs have been difficult to attain. We report a synthesis and surface modification strategy that protects Si NPs and preserves red photoluminescence (PL) in water for more than 6 mo. The Si NPs were synthesized via high temperature reaction, liberated from an oxide matrix, and functionalized via hydrosilylation to yield hydrophobic particles. The hydrophobic Si NPs were phase transferred to water using the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with retention of red PL. CTAB apparently serves a double role …

The Musical Life Of Carmen Petra-Basacopol And Her Various Contributions To The Harp Literature, Gabriela Chihaescu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The compositions of Romanian composer Carmen Petra-Basacopol (b. 1926) encompass a variety of musical genres such as solo instrumental music, chamber ensembles, and symphonic concert works, as well as opera, vocal, and vocal-symphonic works. Although not a harpist herself, Carmen Petra-Basacopol demonstrates great knowledge and mastery of idiomatic harp technique, including in her works an assortment of original timbre combinations such as knocking on the wood of the harp, pedal slides (is the sound effect produced when the pedal is moved while the string still vibrates), and près de la table (is the French expression for playing as close as …

Gumbos And Nanogumbos: Applications As Photosensitizers In Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Atiya Nicole Jordan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Renewable energy is a major concern due to increased world energy consumption. In particular, solar energy is a type of renewable energy source that uses devices known as solar cells to convert sunlight to electricity. Specifically, devices referred to as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) employ dyes to absorb solar energy. Dyes derived from ruthenium complexes have been typically used in DSSCs. Unfortunately, several disadvantages are associated with current ruthenium complex photosensitizers, which can be attributed to limited supply and expense of metals, as well as reduced absorption in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Accordingly, this dissertation is a …

Finite Element Modeling Of Hot-Mix Asphalt Performance In The Laboratory, Hao Ying

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The theoretical investigation of Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) response in the dynamic modulus and the semi-circular bending (SCB) laboratory test procedures is necessary to understand the influence of various design parameters on the performance of the mix. In addition, laboratory tests such as the dynamic complex modulus assume that this material can be dealt with as a homogeneous material while overlooking the particulate nature of this composite. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop an advanced theoretical framework, based on three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) methods and digital image analysis techniques to describe the behavior of HMA in two …

Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea Aestivalis) Population Structure Across The Southeastern Usa, Blain Annette Cerame

LSU Master's Theses

Understanding gene flow and population structure in wildlife populations helps managers to protect distinct genetic lineages and genetic variation in small, isolated populations at high risk of extinction. I assessed genetic diversity in Bachman’s Sparrows (Peucaea aestivalis) to evaluate the role of natural barriers in shaping evolutionarily significant units as well as the effect of anthropogenically-caused habitat loss and fragmentation on population differentiation and diversity. Genetic diversity was assessed across the geographic range of Bachman’s Sparrow by genotyping 226 individuals at 18 microsatellite loci and sequencing 48 individuals at nuclear and mitochondrial DNA genes. Multiple analyses consistently demonstrated high levels …

Implementing And Managing Self Assessment Procedures, Terry Leman Armstrong

LSU Master's Theses

This study tests the hypothesis that implementing, managing and enhancing self-assessment procedures may improve learning. One hundred and fifty seven (157) financial math students in a high school with a predominantly at-risk population were divided randomly into an experimental group (self assessment and reflection) and a control group (traditional practice work). The experimental group performed significantly better than the control group (p = 0.02). The experimental group increased their scores from an average of 5.3 out of 18 correct on the pre-test to an average of 11 out of 18 correct on the post-test. The control group increased their scores …

Pore-To-Continuum Multiscale Modeling Of Two-Phase Flow In Porous Media, Qiang Sheng

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract Pore-scale network modeling using 3D X-ray computed tomographic images (digital rock technology) has become integral to both research and commercial simulations in recent years. While this technology provides tremendous insight into pore-scale behavior, computational methods for integrating the results into practical, continuum-scale models remain fairly primitive. The general approach is to run pore-scale models and continuum models sequentially, where macroscopic parameters are simulated using the pore-scale models and then used in the continuum models as if they have been obtained from laboratory experiments. While a sequential coupling approach is appealing in some cases, an inability to run the two …

Gone Too Far: Federal Regulation Of Health Care Attorneys, Stacey A. Tovino

Scholarly Works

Outside health care counsel frequently obtain medical records, billing records, health insurance claims records, and other records containing individually identifiable health information in the course of representing health industry clients in medical malpractice, licensure, certification, accreditation, fraud and abuse, peer review, and other civil, criminal, and administrative health law matters. This Article is the first to argue that state rules of professional conduct, not federal health information confidentiality regulations, should govern outside health care counsel’s use and disclosure of confidential client information, and that outside counsel should be excepted from direct federal regulation under the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

The Effects Of Morphophonic Faces As A Method For Teaching Sight Words, Ashley Jean Williams

LSU Master's Theses

Previous studies exploring the use of superimposed pictures for sight word learning provide mixed results, with inconclusive benefits. One criticism is that even when sight word learning is enhanced, it does not improve the learner’s use of the alphabetic principle. A second criticism is that it is only feasible for easily depicted words. This study addressed these criticisms by using pictured sight words representing a hybrid between alphabet and sight word learning, MorphoPhonic Faces (MPF). MPF have the first letter drawn in the mouth of a face suggesting speech production cues. Thus, participants were provided alphabet cues first and then …

Across The Curriculum: Integrating Transactional Skills Instruction, Jean M. Whitney, Lori D. Johnson, Richard A. Rawson

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Wagging, Not Barking: Statutory Definitions, Jeanne Price

Scholarly Works

Legislative text is distinguished by the frequency with which it specifies the meaning of the words it employs. More than 25,000 terms are defined in the United States Code alone. In few other contexts is there a perceived need to so carefully and repeatedly clarify meaning. This Article examines the roles played by definitions in a reader's understanding and application of a legislative text; it demonstrates that the effects of defining are not as straightforward as we might assume. The discussion is framed by the distinction between legislation as a communication vehicle and as an instrument of governance. In some …

Mandating Precontractual Disclosure, Eric H. Franklin

Scholarly Works

Parties negotiating an arm's-length contract are generally not required to disclose facts to one another. Although this default rule is supported by both centuries of common law and freedom of contract principles, courts and legislatures treat certain transactions differently. This is particularly true in circumstances in which the default rule results in an unacceptable harm suffered by a broad group of persons. In such cases, lawmakers have acted to impose precontractual disclosure obligations. These decisions and statutes are largely reactive: A harm is identified in a certain transaction's precontractual period and disclosure is mandated to rectify the harm. These reactive …

The Blessing Of The Fleet : Heritage And Identity In Three Gulf Coast Communities, Audriana Hubbard

LSU Master's Theses

Annual Blessing of the Fleet festivals are held throughout communities all along the Gulf Coast; each year boats parade down local waters to receive the blessing of the priest before the opening of the shrimp season. The shrimping industry has a long history in the area and has become intrinsically tied to local individual and community identities. This thesis investigates three festivals held in Chauvin and Morgan City, Louisiana, and Biloxi, Mississippi to understand how the festival is used by participants as a way of negotiating their shrimping identities in a changing socio-economic environment. The tourism and the oil industries …

Social Connectedness Deficits In College Students With Schizotypy, Laura Brown

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder characterized by a variety of bizarre behaviors as well as deficits in neurocognition, social cognition, and functioning. This study focuses on individuals with schizotypy—those with the purported genetic liability for schizophrenia that do not display the full disorder. Prior research has identified potential risk factors for schizophrenia by studying this population, including deficits in social cognition. Studies of social cognition in individuals with schizotypy, however, have yielded inconsistent findings that have failed to fully explain the range of functional deficits seen in these individuals. Social connectedness, in contrast, may be a more useful risk factor …

Microfluidics For The Analysis Of Integral Membrane Proteins: A Top-Down Approach, Katrina Nychole Battle

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The development of fully automated and high-throughput systems for proteomics is now in demand because of the need to generate new protein-based disease biomarkers. Unfortunately, it is difficult to identify protein biomarkers that are low abundant when in the presence of highly abundant proteins, especially in complex biological samples like serum, cell lysates, and other biological fluids. Membrane proteins, which are in many cases of low abundance compared to cytosolic proteins, have various functions and can provide insight into the state of disease and serve as targets for new drugs making them attractive biomarker candidates. Traditionally, proteins are identified through …

Schizotypy: The Dynamic Relationship Between Trait And State Processes, Rebecca K. Macaulay

LSU Master's Theses

Importantly, elevations in emotional reactivity to stress are often found in individuals vulnerable for psychosis. This study investigated several meaningful factors that appear to either increase vulnerability to stress (degree of schizotypy traits, trait negative affect, low perceived control, and impaired selective attention), or increase resiliency to stress (trait positive affect). A modified Posner spatial-cueing task utilizing affective cues was employed to assess selective attention within a neutral and an uncontrollable stressor condition. Between group differences (high, medium and low in schizotypy traits) and interactions between affective traits, state affect, and perceived control were evaluated in order to shed light …

Ethanol Diverts Early Neuronal Differentiation Trajectory Of Embryonic Stem Cells By Disrupting The Balance Of Lineage Specifiers., Rosa Sánchez-Alvarez, Saurabh Gayen, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli, Helen Anni

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Ethanol is a toxin responsible for the neurodevelopmental deficits of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Recent evidence suggests that ethanol modulates the protein expression of lineage specifier transcription factors Oct4 (Pou5f1) and Sox2 in early stages of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation. We hypothesized that ethanol induced an imbalance in the expression of Oct4 and Sox2 in early differentiation, that dysregulated the expression of associated and target genes and signaling molecules and diverted cells from neuroectodermal (NE) formation.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We showed modulation by ethanol of 33 genes during ES cell differentiation, using high throughput microfluidic dynamic array …

Chronic Ethanol Feeding Alters Mirna Expression Dynamics During Liver Regeneration., Rachael P Dippold, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli, Gregory E. Gonye, Biswanath Patra, Jan B. Hoek

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Adaptation to chronic ethanol (EtOH) treatment of rats results in a changed functional state of the liver and greatly inhibits its regenerative ability, which may contribute to the progression of alcoholic liver disease.

METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of chronic EtOH intake on hepatic microRNA (miRNA) expression in male Sprague-Dawley rats during the initial 24 hours of liver regeneration following 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) using miRNA microarrays. miRNA expression during adaptation to EtOH was investigated using RT-qPCR. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) binding at target miRNA promoters was investigated with chromatin immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS: Unsupervised clustering of …

Early Stage Visual-Orthographic Processes Predict Long-Term Retention Of Word Form And Meaning: A Visual Encoding Training Study, Fan Cao, Ben Rickles, Marianne Vu, Ziheng Zhu, Derek Ho Lung Chan, Lindsay N. Harris, Joseph Stafura, Yi Xu, Charles A. Perfetti

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Adult learners of Chinese learned new characters through writing, visual chunking or reading-only. Following training, ERPs were recorded during character recognition tasks, first shortly after the training and then three months later. We hypothesized that the character training effects would be seen in ERP components associated with word recognition and episodic memory. Results confirmed a larger N170 for visual chunking training than other training and a larger P600 for learned characters than novel characters. Another result was a training effect on the amplitude of the P100, which was greater following writing training than other training, suggesting that writing training temporarily …

Improved Vocabulary Outcomes Through Student Reflection: Report From An Urban High School, Lindsay N. Harris

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Low-SES students are at a particular disadvantage when it comes to vocabulary acquisition, and poor vocabulary is a significant risk factor for poor reading comprehension. This paper describes an attempt to improve New York City grade ten students’ motivation to learn vocabulary by engaging them in a brief period of self-reflection after weekly vocabulary quizzes. At the end of the study, students reported greater time spent preparing for quizzes and had greater confidence in their performance.

Labor-Relations Privilege: How Far Can We Tip The Scales To Hide The Truth, The, Joanna L. Byrne

Journal of Dispute Resolution

In order to understand the precise effect the Peterson holding will have on labor-relations law and privilege creation, it is important to first understand how privileges have been created in the past, both traditionally and divergently. Next, it is important to apply the historical context of privilege creation to understand the critical thinking that determines when and how a new privilege should apply. Further, it is important to compare and contrast labor-relations privileges with other privileges in order to create proper limits and application of the labor-relations privilege. Applying this analytical framework to the facts, holding, and reasoning of the …

Read Between The Lines: Considering The Party Agreement When Determining Arbitrability In Bilateral Investment Treaties, Ryan Nichols

Journal of Dispute Resolution

This note will discuss the impact party autonomy and limited judicial review of arbitral awards have on the issue of arbitrability, concluding that parties should be held to their agreement despite strict judicial review limitations. It will also discuss the implications of BG Group for the manifest disregard of law doctrine. Furthermore, this note will also attempt to examine the future ramifications this decision may have on other courts and arbitration panels facing a similar issue. It will primarily focus on the role of party autonomy in arbitration and how such party interest analysis should and does supersede other legal …