Digital Commons Network^™

A Data-Driven Examination Of Apathy And Depressive Symptoms In Dementia With Independent Replication, Miguel Vasconcelos Da Silva, Gerardo Javier Melendez-Torres, Zahinoor Ismail, Ingelin Testad, Clive Ballard, Byron Creese, Michael Weiner, Paul Aisen, Ronald Petersen, Clifford R. Jack, William Jagust, John Q. Trojanowki, Arthur W. Toga, Laurel Beckett, Robert C. Green, Andrew J. Saykin, John Morris, Leslie M. Shaw, Enchi Liu, Tom Montine, Ronald G. Thomas, Michael Donohue, Michael Donohue, Sarah Walter, Devon Gessert, Tamie Sather, Gus Jiminez, Danielle Harvey, Matthew Bernstein, Nick Fox, Paul Thompson, Norbert Schuff, Charles Decarli, Bret Borowski

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Apathy is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Research that helps define the apathy phenotype is urgently needed, particularly for clinical and biomarker studies. We used latent class analysis (LCA) with two independent cohorts to understand how apathy and depression symptoms co-occur statistically. We further explored the relationship between latent class membership, demographics, and the presence of other NPS. The LCA identified a four-class solution (no symptoms, apathy, depression, and combined apathy/depression), reproducible over both cohorts, providing robust support for an apathy syndrome distinct from depression and confirming that an apathy/depression …

Wooing “Willing Dupes”: The Bush Administration’S Use Of Emotional Language In The Drive Toward War With Iraq, Michael F. Russo

Faculty Publications

The publicly available texts of the George W. Bush administration from September 11, 2001, to March 19, 2003, as presented in The Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, were analyzed for word frequency and the words themselves analyzed for emotional weight using the NRC Emotion Intensity Lexicon. Transcripts of six television news agencies (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX, and PBS) were also analyzed for word frequency to determine the extent to which these agencies may have repeated and consequently amplified the rhetoric of the administration. Public opinion polling for this same period was examined in an …

Transcriptome Analysis Of Two Near-Isogenic Lines Of Bell Pepper (Capsicum Annuum) Infected With Bell Pepper Endornavirus And Pepper Mild Mottle Virus, Cesar Escalante, Noa Sela, Rodrigo A. Valverde

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Black:White Health Inequalities, Genes Versus Environment—A New Chapter?, Richard Cooper

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gene-Educational Attainment Interactions In A Multi-Population Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis Identify Novel Lipid Loci, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Karen L. Schwander, Michael R. Brown, Amy R. Bentley, Thomas W. Winkler, Yun Ju Sung, Patricia B. Munroe, Clint L. Miller, Hugo Aschard, Stella Aslibekyan, Traci M. Bartz, Lawrence F. Bielak, Jin Fang Chai, Ching Yu Cheng, Rajkumar Dorajoo, Mary F. Feitosa, Xiuqing Guo, Fernando P. Hartwig, Andrea Horimoto, Ivana Kolčić, Elise Lim, Yongmei Liu, Alisa K. Manning, Jonathan Marten, Solomon K. Musani, Raymond Noordam, Sandosh Padmanabhan, Tuomo Rankinen, Melissa A. Richard, Paul M. Ridker, Albert V. Smith, Dina Vojinovic, Alan B. Zonderman

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Educational attainment, widely used in epidemiologic studies as a surrogate for socioeconomic status, is a predictor of cardiovascular health outcomes. Methods: A two-stage genome-wide meta-analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels was performed while accounting for gene-educational attainment interactions in up to 226,315 individuals from five population groups. We considered two educational attainment variables: “Some College” (yes/no, for any education beyond high school) and “Graduated College” (yes/no, for completing a 4-year college degree). Genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10−8) and suggestive (p < 1 × 10−6) variants were identified in Stage 1 (in up to 108,784 individuals) through genome-wide analysis, and those variants were followed up in Stage 2 studies (in up to 117,531 individuals). Results: In combined analysis of Stages 1 and 2, we identified 18 novel lipid loci (nine for LDL, seven for HDL, and two for TG) by two degree-of-freedom (2 DF) joint tests of main and interaction effects. Four loci showed significant interaction with educational attainment. Two loci were significant only in cross-population analyses. Several loci include genes with known or suggested roles in adipose (FOXP1, MBOAT4, SKP2, STIM1, STX4), brain (BRI3, FILIP1, FOXP1, LINC00290, LMTK2, MBOAT4, MYO6, SENP6, SRGAP3, STIM1, TMEM167A, TMEM30A), and liver (BRI3, FOXP1) biology, highlighting the potential importance of brain-adipose-liver communication in the regulation of lipid metabolism. An investigation of the potential druggability of genes in identified loci resulted in five gene targets shown to interact with drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including genes with roles in adipose and brain tissue. Discussion: Genome-wide interaction analysis of educational attainment identified novel lipid loci not previously detected by analyses limited to main genetic effects.

Biochemical Alterations In The Follicular Fluid Of Bovine Peri-Ovulatory Follicles And Their Association With Final Oocyte Maturation, Noof Abdulrahman Alrabiah, Constantine A. Simintiras, Alexander C.O. Evans, Patrick Lonergan, Trudee Fair

Faculty Publications

Follicular fluid (FF), a product of vascular transudate and granulosa and thecal cell secretions, is the milieu that has evolved to support oocyte growth and maturation which plays a central role in oocyte quality determination. Therefore, a suboptimal FF composition may be reflected in compromised oocyte progression through maturation, fertilization, or embryo development. To date, the composition of bovine FF remains understudied. To address this, we comprehensively characterized the metabolomic constituency of bovine FF in the period during which the oocyte undergoes meiotic maturation. More specifically, FF from pre (-24 h) and peri (-2 h)-ovulatory follicles was profiled by high-throughput …

Evidence For The Efficacy Of Pre-Harvest Agricultural Practices In Mitigating Food-Safety Risks To Fresh Produce In North America, Naresh Devarajan, Daniel L. Weller, Matthew Jones, Aiko D. Adell, Achyut Adhikari, Ana Allende, Nicole L. Arnold, Patrick Baur, Sarah M. Beno, Donna Clements, Elissa M. Olimpi, Faith Critzer, Hyatt Green, Lisa Gorski, Angela Ferelli Gruber, Jasna Kovac, Jeffery Mcgarvey, Claire M. Murphy, Sarah I. Murphy, Nora Navarro-Gonzalez, Jeb P. Owen, Alda F.A. Pires, Nicole Richard, Sandipan Samaddar, Radomir Schmidt, Kate Scow, Nikki W. Shariat, Olivia M. Smith, Austin R. Spence, Don Stoeckel, Thao D.H. Tran, Gretchen Wall, Daniel S. Karp

Faculty Publications

Consumption of contaminated produce remains a leading cause of foodborne illness. Increasingly, growers are altering agricultural practices and farm environments to manage food-safety hazards, but these changes often result in substantial economic, social, and environmental costs. Here, we present a comprehensive evidence synthesis evaluating the efficacy of soil, non-crop vegetation, animal, landscape, and irrigation water management strategies aimed at reducing produce-safety risk in North America. We systematically summarized findings from 78 peer-reviewed papers on the effect of 21 management practices on the prevalence, abundance, or survival of four foodborne pathogens (i.e., E. coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Campylobacter spp.), …

Optimization Of Lycopene Extraction From Tomato Pomace And Effect Of Extract On Oxidative Stability Of Peanut Oil, Dinh Thi Tran, Lan Thi Hoang Nguyen, Cuong Ngoc Nguyen, Maarten L.A.T.M. Hertog, Bart Nicolaï, David Picha

Faculty Publications

Lycopene, the pigment principally responsible for the red colour of tomatoes, is well-known for its strong antioxidant property and substantial health benefits. In this study, the optimal combination of factors for lycopene extraction from tomato pomace was identified using response surface methodology. The best practically feasible results maximising both lycopene yield and antioxidant activity of the extract were obtained by applying a ratio of ethyl acetate to tomato waste of 35:1 (v/w), at a temperature of 55°C for 100 min of extraction. The extract was then added to the peanut oil to evaluate its oxidative stability during 60 days of …

Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Of Qtl And Gene Expression Studies Identify Candidate Genes Associated With Aspergillus Flavus Resistance In Maize, Niranjan Baisakh, Eduardo A. Da Silva, Anjan K. Pradhan, Kanniah Rajasekaran

Faculty Publications

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination, caused by Aspergillus flavus, compromises the food safety and marketability of commodities, such as maize, cotton, peanuts, and tree nuts. Multigenic inheritance of AF resistance impedes conventional introgression of resistance traits into high-yielding commercial maize varieties. Several AF resistance-associated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and markers have been reported from multiple biparental mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in maize. However, QTLs with large confidence intervals (CI) explaining inconsistent phenotypic variance limit their use in marker-assisted selection. Meta-analysis of published QTLs can identify significant meta-QTLs (MQTLs) with a narrower CI for reliable identification of genes and linked markers …

The Inheritance Of Energy And The Evolution Of Unsustainability, Brian Snyder

Faculty Publications

Across contemporary and historical human groups, there is variation in how cultures interact with the environment and this variation is inherited through culture. Some human-environment relationships maximize group fitness relative to other relationships. Thus, there is heritable, fitness-associated variation in human-environment interactions and so human-environment interactions may be understood to be an evolved trait. However, one fitness-maximizing human-environment relationship could be unsustainable resource extraction. Anthroecological theory proposes that human cultures and genotypes have been selected for unsustainability, although several mechanisms have been proposed for how this selection may have worked. Here, I extend anthroecological theory and argue that energy inheritances …

Going With The Flow: The Supply And Demand Of Sediment Retention Ecosystem Services For The Reservoirs In Puerto Rico, R. De Jesus Crespo, M. Valladares-Castellanos, Volodymyr V. Mihunov, T. H. Douthat

Faculty Publications

Impounding surface waters in reservoirs is a major mechanism for providing water for human consumption, including potable water, hydroelectric power, and industrial uses. Building reservoirs incurs environmental and social costs, and therefore safeguarding their effectiveness and longevity is a concern of clear public interest. One factor that affects the longevity of reservoirs is sedimentation, a process exacerbated by land use conversion in upstream watershed areas. Despite the economic importance of preventing sedimentation in existing reservoirs, few consumers are aware of the natural features that provide sediment retention services and the relevance of their conservation in their daily lives. Moreover, managing …

Charting The Course To Advance Dei In The Ocean Sciences A Case Study, Christopher F. D’Elia, Katherine Falls, Sibel Bargu, Linda Hooper-Bùi

Faculty Publications

The Louisiana State University College of the Coast & Environment (LSU CC&E) developed a multi-faceted strategic initiative to increase its diversity, equity, and inclusion. Elements of this initiative began one-by-one over the last decade and were aggregated into a comprehensive implementation plan—the 2020 CC&E Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan. Based on best practices in the “physical sciences” (i.e., geosciences, including oceanography), the plan aims to augment recruitment and retention using limited resources and personnel. The long-range goal is to increase the number of PhD graduates from underrepresented groups by employing strategies that start at the 6–12th grade level. The …

Lsu General Catalog 2023-2024, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

LSU General Catalog

The LSU General Catalog describes all undergraduate and graduate departments and programs with degree requirements and courses offered for each one. The LSU General Catalog includes information on registration and financial aid as well as academic services offered to all students.

The Link Between Marine Thermal Discharges And Nemopilema Nomurai Blooms Around Nuclear Power Plants, Jiawei Wu, Jie Kong, Edward A. Laws, Xin Liu, Changyun Wang, Jixin Chen, Mianrun Chen, Qingzhen Yao, Yantao Wang, Yu Zhen, Chaolun Li, Bangqin Huang

Faculty Publications

Recent research has shown that jellyfish blooms occur more frequently near nuclear power plants (NPPs), and a relationship between thermal discharges from the NPPs and the blooms has been hypothesized. There is, however, no direct evidence that links the thermal discharges with jellyfish blooms. In this study, we conducted 3 cruises (pre-bloom, bloom, and post-bloom) during July to September 2017 in the area surrounding the largest NPP in northern China. The water temperature near the cooling water outfall rose by 2 °C. Although we found no significant impact on phytoplankton abundance or community composition near the outfall, a broader analysis …

The Dose-Response Effect Of Aerobic Exercise On Inflammation In Colon Cancer Survivors, Justin C. Brown, Stephanie L.E. Compton, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, Guillaume Spielmann, Shengping Yang

Faculty Publications

Background: Physical activity after surgical resection for colon cancer is associated with significantly longer disease-free survival. Inflammation is hypothesized to mediate the association between physical activity and disease-free survival in colon cancer. Methods: In this exploratory analysis of a randomized dose-response trial, 39 colon cancer survivors who completed standard therapy were stratified by cancer stage and randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three treatment groups for 24 weeks of usual-care control, 150 min/wk of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (low-dose), or 300 min/wk of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (high-dose). Inflammation outcomes included high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), and soluble tumor …

Parental Engagement And Implementation Fidelity In A Mhealth Motor Skills Intervention For Young Children, Amanda E. Staiano, Sanjoy Saha, Robbie A. Beyl, Chelsea L. Kracht, Robert L. Newton, E. Kipling Webster

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: Mobile apps (i.e. mHealth) provide unprecedented opportunity for widespread dissemination of health behavior programs. However, for programs directed towards young children, parental engagement may explain differing results of mHealth programs. Within the context of an app-based fundamental motor skill (FMS) intervention that improved children’s motor skills (PLAY), this paper examines parents’ fidelity to the intervention and the extent to which fidelity was related to children’s motor skill improvements. Methods: In the PLAY trial, 72 children aged 3–5 years were randomized for their parents to access a Motor Skills app or Free Play app for a 12-week intervention. The Motor …

Phylogenomics Of Trans-Andean Tetras Of The Genus Hyphessobrycon Durbin 1908 (Stethaprioninae: Characidae) And Colonization Patterns Of Middle America, Diego J. Elías, Caleb D. Mcmahan, Fernando Alda, Carlos García-Alzate, Pamela B. Hart, Prosanta Chakrabarty

Faculty Publications

Hyphessobrycon is one of the most species rich and widely distributed genera in the family Characidae, with more than 160 species ranging from Veracruz, Mexico to Mar Chiquita Lagoon in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The majority of Hyphessobrycon diversity shows a cis- Andean distribution; only nine species are trans-Andean including H. compressus (Meek 1908). It is well established that Hyphessobrycon is not monophyletic but it has been suggested that natural groups can be identified within the larger Hyphessobrycon species group. In this study, we tested the monophyly of trans-Andean species of Hyphessobrycon and investigated the placement of H. compressus. We inferred …

Special Issue In Honor Of Dr. Alfred L. Gardner, Jacob A. Esselstyn, Giovani Hernández-Canchola

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Editorial: Innovative Approaches To Coral Reef Science By Early Career Researchers, David A. Paz-García, Eric J. Armstrong, Iva Popovic, Raúl A. González-Pech, Michael E. Hellberg

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Estradiol And Predator Cues On Behavior And Brain Responses Of Captive Female House Sparrows (Passer Domesticus), Melanie G. Kimball, Courtney T. Harding, Kaitlin E. Couvillion, Keegan R. Stansberry, Tosha R. Kelly, Christine R. Lattin

Faculty Publications

The presence of predators can cause major changes in animal behavior, but how this interacts with hormonal state and brain activity is poorly understood. We gave female house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in post-molt condition an estradiol (n = 17) or empty implant (n = 16) for 1 week. Four weeks after implant removal, a time when female sparrows show large differences in neuronal activity to conspecific vs. heterospecific song, we exposed birds to either 30 min of conspecific song or predator calls, and video recorded their behavior. Females were then euthanized, and we examined neuronal activity using the expression of …

The Use Of Single-Cell Sequencing To Reveal Stem/Progenitor Cells In Animal Organ Regeneration, Suxiang Lu, Igor Schneider, Honghui Zeng, Shunping He

Faculty Publications

Advances in single-cell sequencing technologies have made it possible to reveal the cellular basis of complex organ regeneration processes. In this review, we briefly introduce commonly used high-throughput single-cell sequencing platforms and their characteristics. We discuss in depth how single-cell sequencing techniques can be used in the study of regeneration to reveal stem/progenitor cell types and their developmental trajectories. From the perspective of stem cells, we review animal models of regenerative biology and organ models involved in regenerative medicine, with a focus on limb/fin/digit-tip regeneration. Finally, we discuss previous prospective work on improving systematic approaches to explore the origin and …

Genotypic Variation Of Adaptive And Yield Component Traits Of Introduced Grain Oats (Avena Sativa L.) Grown In Bangladesh, Md Nashir Uddin, Md Ali Babar, Stephen A. Harrison, Ummea Khairun Fatema, S. M.Mostafa Kamal Khan

Faculty Publications

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is considered a nutritious cereal. Its demand has surged across the globe steadily for half a decade, including in Bangladesh. Because there is no local variety, the current supply in Bangladesh solely relies on imports. This study aimed to introduce grain oats from the United States of America (U.S.A.) to Bangladesh and determine the extent of their adaptability and yield in this new environment. One hundred oat accessions were introduced in collaboration between North South University, Bangladesh and the University of Florida, U.S.A. They were evaluated in field conditions from November 2019 to April 2020 in …

Germplasm The Key Factor For Development Of Oat Cultivars Urs Olada And Urs Poente, Marcelo Teixeira Pacheco, Stephen Harrison, Luiz Carlos Federizzi

Faculty Publications

Cultivars URS OLADA and URS POENTE, with superior agronomic performance were bred by the Oat Breeding Program of UFRGS. These cultivars were developed using germplasm from the Quaker Oat International Nursery, a long-term collaborative program of open exchange of oats superior germplasm among breeders in a global scale.

Classification Of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Inoculation Status And Prediction Of Growth-Related Traits In Tropical Maize Using Hyperspectral Image And Genomic Data, Rafael Massahiro Yassue, Giovanni Galli, Roberto Fritsche-Neto, Gota Morota

Faculty Publications

Recent technological advances in high-throughput phenotyping have created new opportunities for the prediction of complex traits. In particular, phenomic prediction using hyperspectral reflectance could capture various signals that affect phenotypes genomic prediction might not explain. A total of 360 inbred maize (Zea mays L.) lines with or without plant growth-promoting bacterial inoculation management under nitrogen stress were evaluated using 150 spectral wavelengths ranging from 386 to 1,021 nm and 13,826 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Six prediction models were explored to assess the predictive ability of hyperspectral and genomic data for inoculation status and plant growth-related traits. The best models for hyperspectral prediction …

In-Vision : Issue 11 - Jan - Dec 2023, Department Of Education Development

IN-VISION – Department of Educational Development Archives

• Message from Dr Naveed Yousuf Chair, Department of Education Development
• Faculty in Focus Dr. Sana Saeed
• Hallmark of the Year 2023
• Education Grand Rounds (EGR)
• Introductory Short Course in Health Professions Education (ISC-HPE)
• Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE)
• MHPE Elective Course
• Meet the MHPE Graduates - 2023
• Continuous Faculty Development Programme in Health Professions Education
• Other Faculty Development Initiatives
• Mega Question Review
• Faculty & Staff Highlights
• Awards & Appointments
• Meet the new DED members
• Publications
• Learning Resources
• Upcoming events
• Med Ed How to Increasing the Impact of Teaching Presentations
• Med Ed How to: Case Based Learning

Brief Relationship Support As A Selective Suicide Prevention Intervention: Piloting The Relationship Checkup In Veteran Couples With Relationship And Mental Health Concerns, Dev Crasta, Jennifer S. Funderburk, Tatiana D. Gray, James Cordova, Peter Britton

Psychology

Introduction: Close relationship problems play a key role in many contemporary theories of suicide. However, the potential of relationship support in suicide prevention is understudied. This study explores the feasibility, safety, acceptability, and promise of utilizing the 3-session Relationship Checkup (RC) in veterans with mental health and romantic relationship concerns. Methods: We conducted a single-arm pilot of telehealth RC in veterans with a positive mental health screen and their romantic partners. Couples completed baseline and post-treatment assessments of study outcomes. Results: Feasibility analyses showed we were able to recruit an elevated-risk sample (30% history of attempts or interrupted attempts), take …

Behavioral Diversity And Biomechanical Determinants Of The Outcome Of A Fish Predator–Prey Interaction, Milton Q.G.A., Iii, Philip Bergmann

Biology

Predator–prey interactions are ubiquitous and under strong selection because of the consequences experienced by both predator and prey if they lose the interaction. Biomechanics and behavior play important roles in the outcome of these interactions, but many studies focus on the prey, restrict the range of behaviors considered, and the role of prey boldness in the outcome is not understood. We used high-speed video to test for effects of multiple measures of performance and kinematics of both the predator and prey, and boldness of prey on the outcome of interactions between Pike Cichlids (Crenicichla sp.) and Guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We …

On Women Professors Who Teach Legal Writing: Addressing Stigma And Women's Health, Amanda L. Stephens, Sean A. Vina

Faculty Articles

Since the late 1980s, legal writing (LW) professors have been disproportionately white women because the LW field has been stigmatized as "women's work. "As a result, these teaching positions typically have been low status and afforded with less pay and job security in comparison to tenure-track doctrinal law professor positions. Compounding--or intersecting--with the stigma of teaching LW are LW professors' social statuses as women and/or other marginalized statuses. These statuses intersect and influence how and what they teach and the legal academy's attitudes toward them.

Although previous scholarship has briefly addressed legal skill classes' stigmatization, no scholarship to date has …

The Marriage Nullity Process In The Reform Of Pope Francis With Special Reference To The Processus Brevior (Book), Roberto Rosas, Yeshica Umaña

Faculty Articles

Marriage in the Church is considered the greatest symbol of mystical life and has been instituted by God, representing the sacrament of the spousal union of Christ with the Church. Multiple canons include the Church's requirements and regulations for marriage since its institution as a sacrament. The last marital reform was introduced in the 18th century by Pope Benedict XIV and remained as legal norm until Pope Francis announced the publication of a new reform for the annulment of marriages within the Church on August 15, 2015.

Despite reactions against maintaining strictness in favor of marriage, Pope Francis emphasized that …

Modulatory Effects Of Deacetylated Sialic Acids (A Sugar Residue) In Nk-Mediated Cytotoxicity And Targeted Therapy By Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors, Mathias Tawiah Anim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The complex nature of the biology of cancer is still an unraveling science, yielding several biomarkers that have served as molecular targets for detection and treatment of the disease. How sugars, glycans, play a role has remained relatively uninvestigated. Sialic acid (Sia), a sugar residue on the surface of cells, has been identified as a hallmark of cancer and its progression. Sialic acid can be highly functionalized, but we became interested in acetylated Sias. This functional group is modulated by Sialate O- acetylesterase (encoded by the gene SIAE) and Sialate O-acetyltransferase (encoded by CASD1), enzymes that play a crucial role …