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Biological Invasions: Biogeography And Multitrophic Interactions, Warwick Allen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Species interactions play a prominent role in the establishment and spread of many invasive species. However, rarely are invasions studied in more than a direct pairwise species context, or with consideration to how species interactions can vary biogeographically. I used field surveys combined with common garden and greenhouse experiments to investigate how multitrophic above- and belowground interactions influence plant invasions at large spatial scales. I focused on comparisons between sympatric native and invasive lineages of Phragmites australis, a wetland grass distributed throughout North America. I conducted a field survey to examine support for the enemy release hypothesis in a tritrophic …

Studies On Development Of End Rot In Sweetpotato, Ratchanee Pattaravayo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

End rot development in sweetpotato is caused by several pathogens and exacerbated by unfavorable environments. A critical need exists to know what factors in the environment trigger end rot development and how to manage the crop to minimize the incidence of end rots which are the overall objectives of this study. This research was divided into three studies: 1) Effect of environmental factors on expression of end rot in sweetpotato roots. Factorial combinations consisted of flooding/non-flooding; skinned/non-skinned; cured/non-cured; recommended storage/ambient storage are environmental variables not tested previously together in a systematic way. Results showed that curing at 29oC and 85-90% …

Cardiovascular And Autonomic Nervous System Function: Impact Of Glucose Ingestion, Hydration Status And Exercise In Heated Environments, Kate Suzanne Early

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Cardiovascular function is under the influence of autonomic nervous system, both of which can be assessed non-invasively. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine these non-invasive markers of cardiovascular and autonomic function and their relationships with exercise training, glucose ingestion and hydration status. A series of three studies were conducted to gain insight to various influences on cardiovascular and autonomic function. The first study examined the influence of exercise training of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) using meta-analytic techniques. Sixty-six studies included in the analysis demonstrated exercise training improves BAFMD compared to controls. Results indicated exercise training significantly alters …

Feeding Ecology Of Red Snapper And Greater Amberjack At Standing Platforms In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico: Disentangling The Effects Of Artificial Light, Kristin Leanne Foss

LSU Master's Theses

Approximately 2,300 petroleum platforms are currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), and are estimated to provide an additional 4 to 12 km2 of artificial reef habitat. The ecological role of platforms has often been overlooked and little is known about the effect of artificial light from the active platforms on surrounding fish communities. This is the first study to address the potential impacts of artificial light on the trophic ecology of fish communities surrounding offshore platforms through gut content (GCA) and stable isotope (SIA) analyses. Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) were collected quarterly from February 2014 to November 2015 …

Effects Of Premature Birth And/Or Low Birthweight On Developmental Outcomes, Rachel L. Goldin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Advances in neonatal technology have improved survival rates of children born at lower and lower birthweight and after fewer and fewer weeks of gestation. However, these children are at increased risk of experiencing developmental delays. As weeks of gestation and birthweight decrease, the risk of developmental impairment and severity increases. Yet to be determined is whether premature birth and low birthweight (LBW) effect development differentially, and if the combined, have an additive effect on developmental outcomes. The first part of this study aimed to examine the independent effects of preterm birth and LBW in children at risk for developmental delays. …

Nucleobindin-2: A Novel Regulator Of Immune-Metabolic Interactions, Anthony Ravussin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Over the past half century, obesity has become a widespread concern to human health. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index above 30 and is accompanied by altered metabolic physiology. Obesity is one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States and in the world. The prevalence of obesity has increased over the past few decades. High body fat in adipose, excess calorie intake, low aerobic fitness are all associated with the comorbidities of obesity. Recently, an emphasis has been given to increased leukocytes in adipose tissue and the resulting low-grade systemic inflammation on the development …

Evaluation Of Absorption And Uptake Of Soil- And Foliar-Applied Silicon In Rice And Its Accumulation Under Different Phosphorus Rates, Flávia Bastos Agostinho

LSU Master's Theses

Silicon (Si) fertilization has gained attention in rice (Oryza sativa) production. However, the common soil-applied sources are amended at high rates, whereas the efficacy of foliar Si application is yet to be proven. A series of pot experiments were conducted to (1) elucidate the effects of different Si sources on grain yield and Si accumulation of rice supplied with varying P rates, and 2) evaluate Si absorption and uptake by rice via foliar- and soil-application of Si fertilizers. First, three phosphorus (P) rates (0, 112, and 224 kg P ha-1) and three Si sources: two soil-applied (wollastonite and silicate slag) …

Evaluation Of Ammonia Volatilization And Zinc Nutrition Of Experimental Zinc Sulfate Coated Urea Fertilizers In A Drill-Seeded Delayed Flood Rice Production System, Nutifafa Adotey

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Approaches in controlling nitrogen (N) loss from preflood fertilizer applications in delayed flood rice (Oryza stiva) production in the mid-southern U.S.A. typically involves treating urea with urease inhibitors like N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT). Limited research exists on managing N utilizing the combined effects of treating urea with a urease inhibitor and subsequently adding a physical zinc (Zn) sulfate coating. Zinc deficiency is also a major soil fertility constraint in flooded rice production. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the ammonia volatilization potential of experimental zinc sulfate coated urea (ZSCU) fertilizers on four rice soils in a controlled …

Parenting The Gifted And Talented Child: A Qualitative Inquiry Of The Perceptions Of Mothers Regarding Their Unique Experiences In Raising Gifted And Talented Children, Mary F. Hidalgo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The lived experiences of mothers raising gifted and talented (G/T) children can differ from the lived experiences of mothers raising non-G/T children, and these unique experiences may spark concern, impact choices, and exacerbate stress and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to gather data in order to illustrate the distinctly defining experiences and perceptions of mothers currently raising G/T children as well as to consider both the internal and external factors affecting and influencing perspectives and self-efficacy. Utilizing a qualitative, case study research design approach, the researcher conducted interviews with eight volunteer mothers willing to share their thoughts and …

African-American Single Mothers' Experiences While Furthering Their Education, Kimberly Rayshun James

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The government as expressed the importance of a post-secondary education for career advancement, and they have displayed the income increase and rate of return between post-secondary degrees and a high school diploma. Due to the benefits of income and career advancement with a post-secondary education, more women are enrolling in colleges and universities, especially African-American single mothers; however, the graduation rate with this group is low. Little research concentrated on the experiences of African-American single mothers while obtaining their post-secondary education, and more research has focused on the connection between the women and stereotypes that followed the race since slavery. …

Exploring Intermedia Agenda Setting Effects Of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Andrew Abad

LSU Master's Theses

The HBO television program Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is a new and unique take on the typical political comedy show popularized by programs like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Uninterrupted by commercial breaks and with full creative control, host John Oliver and his team spend 30 minutes on Sunday nights discussing a typically underreported story at length, abandoning the monologue and interview portions reminiscent of traditional political comedy shows in favor of a long-form style investigation into a particular issue or topic. The main segment of each episode is then uploaded to the social media website, …

An Integrated Approach To Ambrosia Beetle Management In Ornamental Tree Nurseries: Biology Of And Control Measures For Exotic Xyleborina, Christopher Werle

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Ambrosia beetles have been a challenge to profitable nursery production for decades, with management recommendations focused on population monitoring and properly-timed insecticidal applications. Beetles disperse from forests starting in early spring, but few studies have determined the extent of this flight period, or how far they will fly into a nursery. And while the use of semiochemicals by ambrosia beetles has been widely examined, their use of visual cues including colors represents another gap in our knowledge. In addition to these under-studied behavioral traits, the available chemical control measures for ambrosia beetles are not completely effective, and repeated applications become …

Combining Forage And Cover Crop Benefits From Cool-Season Annuals In The Southeastern United States, Dustin John Smith

LSU Master's Theses

Cow-calf operations in the southeastern United States (U.S.) are based on warm-season perennial grass pastures. Stored forage feeding during the non-grazing season constitutes more than half of a cattle operation’s annual expenses. Cool-season annuals can extend the grazing season, thereby reducing stored forage feeding. A two-year field trial was conducted to determine the forage potential of a variety of crops commonly used as winter cover crops in the southeastern U.S. The ten cover crop treatments included seven monocultures (annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum], rye [Secale cereal], oats [Avena sativa], triticale [Triticale hexaploide], tillage radish [Raphanus sativus], hairy vetch [Vicia villosa], crimson …

Effects Of Glyphosate On Soybean Nutrition, Endophytic Colonization By Cercospora Cf. Flagellaris And Development Of Cercospora Leaf Blight, Teddy Garcia Aroca

LSU Master's Theses

Glyphosate (Roundup®, Monsanto, Inc., St. Louis, MO) is the most widely used herbicide in the world because of its broad spectrum and its efficacy in controlling annual broadleaf weeds and undesired grasses. The effect of glyphosate on mineral nutrition and plant diseases has been an important topic during the past decade, because of its controversial effects on plant mineral nutrition. In order to test the hypothesis that glyphosate affects soybean mineral nutrition, and therefore predisposes soybean to Cercospora leaf blight, six glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean varieties were either not treated or treated with glyphosate in field experiments. Plants were then evaluated …

Successful Aging In Oldest-Old Adults: Role Of Physical And Social Factors, Katie Elizabeth Stanko

LSU Master's Theses

Successful aging, increasing in chronological age while maintaining health, is related to a multitude of factors including social and physical behaviors. Older adults may report that they are aging successfully while biomedical outcomes suggest otherwise. In the present study, sociodemographic characteristics, social engagement, physical activity in relation to frailty and health-related quality of life (HR QoL) were examined using a lifespan sample of adults (N = 732) from the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study (LHAS). Four age groups were compared: younger (21-44 years), middle-aged (45-64 years), older (65-84 years), and oldest-old adults (85 to 101 years). A main effect of age …

Effects Of Truck Based Ultra-Low Volume Mosquito Adulticides On Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera) In A Real World Scenario, Vivek Pokhrel

LSU Master's Theses

Honey bees are crucial pollinators for many economically important fruit crops. The recent honey bee colony decline in the United States and other regions of the world has caused concern among commercial beekeepers, research groups, the government, and the general public. The role of pesticides in recent honey bee declines has not been fully determined. In Louisiana, it is a common practice to spray truck based ultra-low volume mosquito adulticides in Integrated Mosquito Management Programs to control mosquitoes and minimize the risk of vector borne viruses such as West Nile, chikungunya, and Zika. This study measured the effects of truck …

Functional Characterization Of A Novel Disaccharide Membrane Transporter In The Digestive Tract Of The American Lobster, Homarus Americanus, Olivia Scheffler

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In animals, the accepted model of carbohydrate digestion and absorption involves reduction of disaccharides into the simple sugars glucose, fructose and galactose. Previous studies have shown the presence of disaccharides maltose and trehalose in the blood of several crab species, the crayfish and the American lobster. In 2011, a gene for a distinct disaccharide sucrose transporter (SCRT) was first found in Drosophila melanogaster and characterized using a yeast expression system. The purpose of the current study was to identify and characterize a putative disaccharide transporter analog in crustaceans using the American lobster, Homarus americanus. Brush border membrane vesicles purified …

In Vitro Investigation On Therapeutic Potential Of Juglone, A Naphthoquinone From Walnuts Against Pancreatic Cancer, Namrata Karki

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Juglone, a naphthoquinone found in Juglandaceae family, which includes black walnut, European walnut, and butter nut possess various biological activities. The anti-cancer properties of juglone has been reported; however, the effect of juglone in pancreatic cancer (PC) has not been elucidated yet. PC is an aggressive lethal, highly metastatic disease associated with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. PC is usually diagnosed in advanced stage and chemotherapy is provided as a first line of treatment. The de novo chemoresistance that develops with chemotherapeutic treatment creates a critical need for identification of novel therapeutic agents for effectively targeting the disease. The …

Integrated Methods For Controlling Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections In Ewes And Lambs, Sarah Tammy Nicole Keeton

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) parasites cause extensive damage to small ruminants, and Haemonchus contortus is a major concern to production worldwide. With the development of GIN resistance to anthelmintics, alternative strategies for control are needed. The major component of this study compared two strategies for effect on animal health and changes in GIN population. One flock of ewes and lambs (Strategy 1, S1) employed targeted selective treatment (TST) with an anthelmintic based on FAMACHA score, and one flock (Strategy 2, S2) employed sericea lespedeza (SL) supplement feeding and TST with copper oxide wire particles (COWP) based on FAMACHA score. S1 ewes/lambs …

Human Norovirus In Artificial And Environmental Marine Water: Development Of Antibody Based Rapid Methods, Morgan Maite

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Norovirus (NoV) is the principal cause of viral gastroenteritis in the United States. It has been linked to filter-feeding molluscan shellfish, that bioaccumulate the virus from contaminated surrounding waters. The consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated oysters may result in acute gastroenteritis. We investigated the occurrence of NoV GI and GII and microbial indicators of fecal contamination in oysters and harvesting water from areas along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. We developed a filtration and concentration method for the detection of NoV from oyster harvesting waters. Lastly, this body of work compares commonly used molecular techniques (RT-PCR) and a commercial enzyme …

Mitochondrial Function Assessed By 31p Mrs And Bold Mri In Non-Obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats, Yuchi Liu, Xunbai Mei, Jielei Li, Nicola Lai, Xin Yu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The study aims to characterize age-associated changes in skeletal muscle bioenergetics by evaluating the response to ischemia-reperfusion in the skeletal muscle of the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a rat model of non-obese type 2 diabetes (T2D). ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI was performed on the hindlimb of young (12 weeks) and adult (20 weeks) GK and Wistar (control) rats. ³¹P-MRS and BOLD-MRI data were acquired continuously during an ischemia and reperfusion protocol to quantify changes in phosphate metabolites and muscle oxygenation. The time constant of phosphocreatine recovery, an index of mitochondrial oxidative capacity, …

Analysis Of The Geosocial Landscape In The City Of Toronto, Courtney J. Jones

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Microblogging on geosocial platforms is a popular form of online communication where users post information about their daily lives and challenges. Since the launch of Twitter in 2006, information sharing through social media has become a largely unused data repository. Tweets often convey content about the users sentiment as it is happening. As such, Tweets can be viewed as a proxy of public mood. In this thesis, I performed a sentiment analysis of all public geo-located Tweets posted by a variety of Twitter users between September 2013 and October 2014. Each Tweet was processed through a custom algorithm to extract …

Evaluating The Biogeochemical Functioning Of A Constructed Fen On The Post-Mining Landscape Of Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Fort Mcmurray, Alberta, Canada, Felix C. Nwaishi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Peatlands have a unique biogeochemical function, characterized by an imbalance between the rates of biomass accumulation and decomposition. These characteristics facilitate the ability of peatlands to support the sequestration of nutrients and carbon. In disturbed peatlands, these functions are compromised. Thus, reclamation targets amongst other key functions, the recovery of biogeochemical functioning. These functions could serve as a measure of recovery to conditions that are present in natural analogues. This thesis examines the recovery of microbially-mediated nutrient transformation processes in a fen peatland that was constructed on a post-mining landscape in the Athabasca oil sands region, Fort McMurray, Alberta. The …

Spanish River Carbonatite: Its Benefits And Potential Use As A Soil Supplement In Agriculture, James J

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

A critical problem facing agriculture today is being able to consistently and sustainably provide plants with adequate nutrients for growth. With this problem being exacerbated by the ever-increasing human population, new perspectives and techniques are required to ensure global food security. In order to fully realize potential solutions, however, plant growth and nutrition cannot be exclusively focused upon. The soil-microorganism-plant system is comprised of many interconnected and interdependent processes that together support plant growth: it is upon these processes that the focus must be placed. In this work, the agromineral Spanish River Carbonatite (SRC) is characterized using the framework of …

Implications Of Galling Herbivory On Ground Thaw In Canada’S Northern Boreal Forest, Allison Mcmanus

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Canada’s northern boreal forest has faced significant climate warming over the past century. This change can have direct and indirect effects on forest dynamics, including altering the disturbance patterns of herbivores and changing the abundance of natural enemies. Warmer air temperatures can impact the distribution and survival of arthropods, both novel species and resident natural enemies. Gall-inducing mites are a resident natural enemy in high latitude forests and have been shown to drive dramatic reductions in gas-exchange rates in infested plants. Physiological reductions in plants can directly affect the shrub energy balance and underlying soil processes. This can have major …

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (Mcda) For Agricultural Sustainability Assessment, Byomkesh Talukder

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT), Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) and Elimination methods of Multi-Criteria Decision analysis (MCDA) are tested to assess and compare the sustainability of different agricultural systems. Indicators and composite indicators are derived from data gathered using the agricultural sustainability categories of Productivity, Stability, Efficiency, Durability, Compatibility and Equity (PSEDCE).

Agricultural systems around the world face challenges from current agricultural practices, over-exploitation of natural resources, population growth and climate change. As a result, understanding agricultural sustainability has become a global issue. Assessment is a first step in benchmarking and tracking agricultural sustainability and …

The Effects Of Exercise Intensity On Acylated Ghrelin, Active Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, And Appetite: Examining The Potential Involvement Of Interleukin-6, Hashim Islam

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) stimulates the release of appetite-regulating hormones in animals and associates with decreased energy intake in humans. Thus, IL-6 may contribute to the intensity- dependent effects of exercise on appetite-related parameters. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise intensity on IL-6, appetite-regulating hormones, and appetite perceptions. Eight active young males completed four sessions: 1) Moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; 30 min running, 65% VO2max); 2) High-intensity continuous training (HICT; 30 min running, 85% VO2max); 3) Sprint interval training (SIT; 4 x 30 sec “all-out” running bouts separated by 4 min recovery); 4) Control (CTRL; no …

World Allergy Organization-Mcmaster University Guidelines For Allergic Disease Prevention (Glad-P): Prebiotics., Carlos A. Cuello-Garcia, Alessandro Fiocchi, Ruby Pawankar, Juan José Yepes-Nuñez, Gian Paolo Morgano, Yuan Zhang, Kangmo Ahn, Suleiman Al-Hammadi, Arnav Agarwal, Shreyas Gandhi, Kirsten Beyer, Wesley Burks, Giorgio W. Canonica, Motohiro Ebisawa, Rose Kamenwa, Bee Wah Lee, Haiqi Li, Susan Prescott, Lanny Rosenwasser, Hugh Sampson, Michael Spigler, Luigi Terracciano, Andrea Vereda, Susan Waserman, Holger J. Schünemann, Jan L. Brożek

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases in infants, whose parents and siblings do not have allergy, is approximately 10 % and reaches 20-30 % in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Intestinal microbiota may modulate immunologic and inflammatory systemic responses and, thus, influence development of sensitization and allergy. Prebiotics - non-digestible oligosaccharides that stimulate growth of probiotic bacteria - have been reported to modulate immune responses and their supplementation has been proposed as a preventive intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The World Allergy Organization (WAO) convened a guideline panel to develop evidence-based recommendations about the use of prebiotics in the prevention of allergy. …

Relationship Of Autonomy Social Support To Quitting Motivation In Diverse Smokers., Christi A. Patten, Kathy Goggin, Kari Jo Harris, Kimber Richter, Karen Williams, Paul A. Decker, Andrea Bradley-Ewing, Delwyn Catley

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Research examining relationships between social support and smoking cessation has paid little attention to non-treatment seeking smokers and not considered the role of autonomy support for fostering quitting motivation. This study examined if autonomy support received from family and friends was associated with quitting motivation and making a quit attempt among diverse smokers with varying levels of quitting motivation. Demographic characteristics associated with autonomy support were explored.

METHODS: Participants (N=312) responded to advertisements seeking smokers "not quite ready to quit," and were primarily Black, low-income, and unemployed. Most (255) enrolled in a clinical trial of smoking cessation induction strategies …

Comparison Of Affect And Cardiorespiratory Training Responses Between Structured Gym Activities And Traditional Aerobic Exercise In Children., David A. White, S D. Rothenberger, L A. Hunt, F L. Goss

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Physical activities (PA) that are pleasurable are likely to be repeated. Structured gym activities (SGA) are defined as dodging, chasing, and fleeing games. Traditional aerobic exercises (TAE) are defined as treadmill, cycle ergometer, and elliptical exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to compare affect and cardiorespiratory training responses between SGA and TAE in children. Thirty-two participants (9.3±0.2) were randomized to either the SGA or TAE group. Exercise training was seven weeks, with two sessions per week, for 35 minutes per session. Affect was measured by the (+5 (pleasurable) to -5 (displeasurable)) feelings scale. Affect was recorded at the mid-point …