Digital Commons Network^™

An Investigation Into Transcription Fidelity And Its Effects On C. Elegans And S. Cerevisiae Health And Longevity, Olivia S. Dinep-Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

mRNA molecules form an intermediate in the transfer of sequences from DNA to ribosomes in order to guide protein production. Errors can be introduced into mRNA, producing aberrant proteins which place a strain on cellular regulatory machinery, causing increased risks of apoptosis, cancer, and decreased fitness. These errors may be introduced due to decreased transcriptional proofreading capabilities, exposure to chemicals, or mistakes in RNA editing machinery. It is important to investigate these causes of transcription errors to better understand the long-neglected area of mRNA fidelity which has such significant impacts on our cellular functions. In this paper, it was determined …

Physiology Of Human-Equine Interaction During Substance Withdrawal, Molly Marie Friend

Theses and Dissertations

Psychotherapy incorporating equine interaction (PIE) is emerging as an effective treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), but research is limited concerning physiological impacts during substance withdrawal. This study investigated impacts of PIE on salivary cortisol concentrations, heart rate, anxiety, and depression during SUD withdrawal. Heart rate and cortisol concentrations were measured in horses to determine potential human-horse coupling. Saliva samples and heart rates were collected pre and post PIE from residential SUD patients (n=18) and their therapy horses (n=4) during and following the withdrawal period. Participants (n=10) also completed a survey measuring anxiety and depression (P = 0.05). A …

Determining The Importance Of Propagule Pressure And Dispersal Mechanisms For The Establishment And Spread Of Crapemyrtle Bark Scale, Acanthococcus Lagerstroemiae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), Erika Renee Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Non-native scale insects can be economically and ecologically important pests of urban forests. Crapemyrtle bark scale (CMBS), Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae), is a scale that causes declines in plant vigor for a popular ornamental tree in the southeastern United States, crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.). CMBS has spread rapidly throughout the Southeast and, more recently, into the Middle Atlantic. Despite problems associated with CMBS, important aspects of its ecology, such as the role of propagule pressure in establishment and the relative importance of mechanisms for between-tree dispersal, are not well-understood. We used field and laboratory studies to investigate these aspects of …

Roles Of Limestone Particle Size Ratios And Phytase Levels On Performance, Eggshell Quality, And Bone Health In Post-Peak And Late-Lay Single-Cycled W-36 Laying Hens, Charis Waters

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of fine (F) and coarse (C) limestone ratios and exogenous phytase at standard and superdosing activity on performance, egg quality, and bone quality of post-peak and late-lay Hy-Line W-36 hens. For post-peak, treatments with 40F:60C at 0 and 400 FTU/kg (standard phytase activity) increased hen-day egg production (HDEP). Treatments with 15F:85C decreased feed intake (FI) but also increased unsaleable eggs (UE) and eggshell-breaking strength (EBS). Treatments with 0 and 400 FTU/kg increased albumen quality and treatments with 1500 FTU/kg increased bone quality and phytate breakdown. For late-lay, interaction effects of …

Remote Physiological Monitoring Of The Giant Panda And Red Panda Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy And Machine Learning, Qingyu Sheng

Theses and Dissertations

Appropriate conservation decisions and efforts must be based on real−time and accurate information about wildlife populations. However, it is extremely challenging to monitor the population demography and physiological traits of many threatened and secretive animal species through direct observation and capture. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has the potential to be a remote tool to address questions concerning wildlife physiology and demography by analyzing “signs” of animals without seeing or capturing them. In this dissertation, two species, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) are used as a case study, to demonstrate NIRS’ feasibility …

Wildfire-Altered Geotechnical Soil Properties And Their Impact On Subsequent Landslides, James M. Kellogg

Theses and Dissertations

Wildfires result in altered landscape as well as altered soil properties. Wildfires result in conditions that are more susceptible to geotechnical hazards introducing a potential for cascading events in the surrounding area. Shallow landslides are common geohazards that result in a post-wildfire landscape. With an ever-increasing trend in wildfires, the need to better understand the impact wildfire-altered soil properties play on shallow slope instability is critical to evaluating risks to existing or planned development, mitigation of potentially hazardous conditions, prioritization of post-wildfire planning, and post-wildfire response preparation. The primary objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of …

Identifying Barriers To Data Use On U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Operations And Developing Solutions To Improve Cow-Calf Record-Keeping, William Isaac Jumper

Theses and Dissertations

Cattle health and production records (CHPR) are data collected by cattle producers and veterinarians in the form of measurements, observations, counts of events over time, and physiologic attributes that describe individual and group-level health and production. These data are useful to both veterinarians and cattle producers for making evidence-based decisions on cow-calf operations. Currently, there are no uniform, industry-wide methods of capturing and recording CHPR in the U.S. cow-calf industry. Although many cow-calf producers in the U.S. are thought to collect some form of CHPR, it is believed that relatively few are doing so in an electronic manner that facilitates …

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Breeding Season Calling Behavior And Roost Site Selection In A Working Agricultural Landscape In Clay County, Mississippi, Olivia A. Lappin

Theses and Dissertations

Research on northern bobwhite calling behavior and roosting ecology during the breeding season has received limited attention. However, variability in calling rate in response to conspecifics and environmental factors may affect avian monitoring strategies. We conducted 10-minute breeding season surveys (April-August) on B. Bryan Farms, Mississippi, from 2021-2022 to evaluate the impact of conspecifics and environmental covariates on male bobwhite calling rate. We observed a positive linear effect of conspecifics and temperature on calling rate. We did not find sufficient evidence to support a relationship between calling rate and cloud cover or barometric pressure. We also analyzed breeding season third-order …

Evolution And Epidemiology Of Channel Catfish Virus (Ccv), Arun Venugopalan

Theses and Dissertations

Channel catfish virus disease (CCVD) is the principal viral disease in the United States catfish industry. The CCVD is caused by channel catfish virus (CCV), with mortality reaching up to 100% in fingerlings. CCV is assigned taxonomically to the family Alloherpesviridae, genus Ictalurivirus, species Ictalurid herpesvirus 1 (IcHV-1). To date, virulence, immunogenicity, and genome plasticity of the CCV field isolates have not been investigated. Three genotypes of CCV (IcHV-1A, IcHV-1B, and BCAHV) were identified using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Virulence assessment of three representative isolates of RFLP groups suggests that IcHV-1B (pooled survival [mean ± SE]: 58.3% ± …

Macroecological Patterns Of Frugivorous Fishes’ Diversity (Serrasalmidae) In The Amazon Drainage Basin, Karold Vivianna Coronado Franco

Theses and Dissertations

The Amazon River drainage basin is known as the most biodiverse region in the world. Regarding freshwater fish, this region contains around 15% of the world's fish richness. The fish family Serrasalmidae have a variety of feeding preferences including Pacus (herbivores) and Piranhas (carnivores). Fruit eating fish species are evolutionarily the oldest species in the family and have a mutualistic interaction with flooded forests. Considering the diversity of feeding habits of the Serrasalmidae family, it represents an excellent model to study ecological questions related to factors that influence the spatial distribution of species and factors that contribute to the maintenance …

The Influence Of Overwatering, Underwatering, And Waterlogging On The Growth Of Kale (Brassica Oleracea Var. Acephala), Skyler R. Brazel

Theses and Dissertations

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted that there will be increases in precipitation and heat-induced drought events globally. Information on kale response to waterlogging is minimal. The purpose of this project was to identify the response of kale to three treatments of water stress: underwatering, overwatering, and waterlogging. Plant pigments analyzed displayed a varied response to underwatering and overwatering, with concentrations changing with maturity but with reductions and no changes, respectively, at full harvest maturity. Glucosinolate concentrations were also influenced by maturity and increased under waterlogging and underwatering but no differences with overwatering. Overall, water stress to any …

Surface Modification Of Wood Using Nano-Sized Titania Particles Coated By Liquid-Precursor Flame Spray Pyrolysis, Ganesh Sedhain

Theses and Dissertations

Wood is a renewable resource and versatile material used in tasks ranging from tools and furniture to advanced engineering structures. Although wood is light, mechanically robust, environmentally friendly, and abundant, some inherent properties of wood, such as degradation due to moisture and UV radiation from sunlight, are less desirable for extended service life and dimensional stability. In this dissertation, a novel surface modification of wood is explored by depositing nano-sized titania particles on wood veneers and cross-laminated timber (CLT) blocks by liquid-precursor flame spray pyrolysis to confer reversible wettability switching and enhanced durability to UV irradiation. The reaction between a …

Spatial Conservation Planning In The Southeastern United States: Alignments And Opportunities, Bradly Stewart Thornton

Theses and Dissertations

Conservation managers and planners need the ‘best available science’ to support robust and defensible decisions, ensuring that public resources are appropriately allocated. Spatial planning products and decision-support tools developed for this purpose should enable partner organizations to achieve focus, coordination, and increased effectiveness in their investments and actions. Whereas conservation partnerships have historically created distinct planning tools, there is increasing interest for improved coordination, communication, and unifying biological datasets to improve the cohesiveness of regional management activities. We sought to inform spatial conservation planning efforts in the southeastern United States through the development of species distribution models for focal avian …

The Mississippi Timber Severance Tax: Its Economic Impacts To Forestry And The State Economy, Sakar Nepal

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of dollars are collected through Mississippi’s timber severance tax every year which then funds the Forest Resource Development Program (FRDP). This study analyzed their contributions to Mississippi’s economy and found that the total possible contribution was estimated to be $6.0 million in industrial output and 222 full-time and part-time jobs in 2019. However, only about 70 percent of the FRDP funds were expended in that year, and the actual contribution was short by $1.80 million in output and 80 full-time and part-time jobs. This study also examined the impact of the severance tax and FRDP on forest investment, using …

Host-Acquired Virus Genes Support An Ancient Antiviral Role Of The Pirna Pathway In Dipterans, Rebecca Christian

Theses and Dissertations

Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) have been recently investigated as a source of transgenerational immune memory. These “viral fossils” are abundant in Aedes mosquitoes and partner with the host’s primary antiviral defense system, the RNA interference (RNAi) pathways. This partnership appears unique to mosquitoes, which encode an expansion of the Piwi endoribonucleases. To interrogate EVE-Piwi partnerships and their role in antiviral defense, I performed a comparative small RNA analysis of two naturally occurring EVE-virus pairs – one in the mosquito Aedes albopictus, and one in the midge Chaoborus americanus. Both express an EVE related to the nucleoprotein of their …

Integrated Neutrosophic Best-Worst Method For Comprehensive Analysis And Ranking Of Flood Risks: A Case Study Approach From Aswan, Egypt, Safa Al-Saeed, Nabil M. Abdelaziz

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

This paper presents a comprehensive framework for the analysis and ranking of flood risks with respect to regional variations and data uncertainties under a Neutrosophic environment. The research introduces a novel approach to flood risk mitigation and management, bringing together the scientifically robust Best-Worst Method (BWM) and single-valued Neutrosophic set for the first time. The unique application of a single-valued Neutrosophic set allows us to better illustrate and manage uncertainty, imprecision, and vagueness in data. Additionally, we employ BWM, a multi-factor decision-making method, for discerning and ranking the most influential flood risk factors. Together, the integrated methodologies provide a balanced, …

Efficient Cancer Modeling Through Crispr-Cas9/Hdr-Based Somatic Precision Gene Editing In Mice, Wen Bu, Chad J Creighton, Kelsey S Heavener, Carolina Gutierrez, Yongchao Dou, Amy T Ku, Yiqun Zhang, Weiyu Jiang, Jazmin Urrutia, Wen Jiang, Fei Yue, Luyu Jia, Ahmed Atef Ibrahim, Bing Zhang, Shixia Huang, Yi Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

CRISPR-Cas9 has been used successfully to introduce indels in somatic cells of rodents; however, precise editing of single nucleotides has been hampered by limitations of flexibility and efficiency. Here, we report technological modifications to the CRISPR-Cas9 vector system that now allows homology-directed repair-mediated precise editing of any proto-oncogene in murine somatic tissues to generate tumor models with high flexibility and efficiency. Somatic editing of either

Don't Forget Me: A Discussion On Social Memory And Commemoration, Anfernee Murray

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis examines the relationship between social memory and social identity development among groups who share contested interpretations of their shared social memory. With social memories being a collaborative process that requires consensus and compromise, there arises conflict when groups are divided in deciding on what event of their shared history is relevant to remember - for it is these memories that influence and shape how a group identifies itself.

For Black Americans, this contention arises in the conversations surrounding the difficult and traumatic histories of their enslaved ancestors by the ancestors of their white counterparts. This is further complicated …

Trem2 Inhibition Triggers Antitumor Cell Activity Of Myeloid Cells In Glioblastoma, Rui Sun, Rowland Han, Colin Mccornack, Saad Khan, G Travis Tabor, Yun Chen, Jinchao Hou, Haowu Jiang, Kathleen M Schoch, Diane D Mao, Ryan Cleary, Alicia Yang, Qin Liu, Jingqin Luo, Allegra Petti, Timothy M Miller, Jason D Ulrich, David M Holtzman, Albert H Kim

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) plays important roles in brain microglial function in neurodegenerative diseases, but the role of TREM2 in the GBM TME has not been examined. Here, we found that TREM2 is highly expressed in myeloid subsets, including macrophages and microglia in human and mouse GBM tumors and that high TREM2 expression correlates with poor prognosis in patients with GBM. TREM2 loss of function in human macrophages and mouse myeloid cells increased interferon-γ-induced immunoactivation, proinflammatory polarization, and tumoricidal capacity. In orthotopic mouse GBM models, mice with chronic and acute Trem2 loss of function exhibited decreased …

Creating Complex Monsters: Joint Operating Agreements And The Logical Invalidity Of Treasury Regulation 1.502-1(B), Darryll K. Jones

Florida Tax Review

This article questions the validity of Regulations section 1.502-1(b) and its resulting insistence upon virtual mergers. It argues that the regulation is invalid as having no basis in section 502, the statute under which it was codified. This article argues, instead, that the regulation is a logically incorrect amalgamation of two distinct judicial tax doctrines by which tax exemption may be or could have been gained vicariously: (1) the integral part doctrine which allows one organization to achieve tax exemption on the basis of another organization's charitable activities, and (2) the now-discarded destination of income doctrine under which tax exemption …

Unfair Business Competition And The Tax On Income Destined For Charity: Forty-Six Years Later, Donald L. Sharpe

Florida Tax Review

Central to the thesis of the article is the view, explored in Part II, that the private, nonprofit charitable organization represents generically a better model than the for-profit enterprise to provide the socially essential or important activities enumerated in section 501(c)(3). The tax exemption afforded to the charitable activities of nonprofit organizations is justified as a means of subsidizing and encouraging an institutional system that has historically fostered pluralism, diversity, and democratic decentralization in American society.

Time To Slapp Back: Advocating Against The Adverse Civil Liberties Implications Of Litigation That Undermines Public Participation, Jennifer Safstrom

LSU Law Journal for Social Justice & Policy

No abstract provided.

Time Is A Flat Circle: Lessons From Past And Present Conspiracy Theories, Lucy Jewel

LSU Law Journal for Social Justice & Policy

No abstract provided.

Conspiracy Theories And The Perils Of Government Error Correction, Noah C. Chauvin

LSU Law Journal for Social Justice & Policy

No abstract provided.

Alcohol And Tbi - Prophylactic Treatment Of Long-Term Symptoms Of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury, Isabella Canut, Kevin E. Wang, Diana Peterson

Research Day

INTRODUCTION: Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by both immediate and long term symptoms that are hypothesized to result from hyper-excitation. The use of a neural depressant as a prophylactic protective measure in mice exposed to blast-induced TBI was evaluated.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to determine if ethanol can decrease the long-term symptoms associated with TBI.

METHODS: Mice were either orally gavaged 95% ethanol or saline prior to blast-pressure wave exposure. Animals were exposed to a blast-pressure wave at 20 psi. Pre and post-blast exposure, animals were assessed for tinnitus, depression, and motor abilities via …

Determining The Concentration Of Ethanol Needed For Motor Impairment In Smn2 Mice, Roshni R. Patel, Julienne B. Ryland, Enzo A. Ferrera, Diana Peterson

Research Day

Introduction: While the effects of ethanol on humans are well known, its influence on SMN2 mice, specifically on motor movement and coordination, have not been established.

Objectives: The primary objectives are to determine how varying levels of ethanol consumption alters: 1) the motor ability of SMN2 mice, 2) the time window of coordination impairment, and 3) how ethanol influences free-field behavior.

Methods: Motor impairment in SMN2 mice were measured with a RotoRod test (to test for coordination), and a free-field test (to monitor free movement and behavior). For each test, groups of animals were orally gavaged different concentrations of ethanol …

Exploring The Mysteries Of Blast Induced Traumatic Brain Injury With A Custom Device, Julienne B. Ryland, Enzo A. Ferrara, Roshni R. Patel, Diana Peterson

Research Day

Introduction: Exposure from blast-pressure waves caused by explosive devices have resulted in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with a variety of symptoms (e.g., tinnitus, depression, coordination, and impaired motor abilities). Blast exposure causes tearing, shredding, and rotational forces on brain structures. This pathology is more prominent in cells at the edge of structures with varying density or in neurons with extensive physical volume or dendritic processes. Understanding the unique pathophysiology of TBI may be critical for appropriate treatment of these injuries. Our lab developed a blast-pressure wave device to produce a supersonic energy wave at 20 psi. This wave is identical …

The Effects Of Alcohol Treatment After Getting Blasted, Enzo A. Ferrara, Roshni R. Patel, Julienne B. Ryland, Diana Peterson

Research Day

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by exposure to blast pressure waves (i.e., bombs). Individuals in contact with blast pressure waves have been shown to experience various mental and physical symptoms, including tinnitus and depression. Blast-related damage causes micro-tears in the central nervous system that is caused by shearing, stretching, and rotational forces on neurons. This type of damage is too small to see in conventional imaging such as MRI or CT scans. Secondary damage can occur days or weeks after the blast-exposure. We hypothesize that this secondary damage is caused by hyper-excitation leading to excitotoxicity and cell …

Demystifying Lifo: Towards Simplification Of Inflation-Adjusted Inventory Valuation, Edward A. Morse

Florida Tax Review

This article analyzes the complexities of measuring inflation in an environment of changing inventory composition. It argues that administrative feasibility, rather than precision, should be the guiding principle for reform in this area. Externally generated indexes of inflation, such as those currently produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hold the greatest promise for meaningful simplification of last in, first out (LIFO) while continuing to protect taxpayers from inflationary effects on income. Such indexes are readily available and they offer consistent, objective solutions to problems of changing inventory items that otherwise cause administrative uncertainty for taxpayers and the government. …

Dedication To James J. Freeland, Jeffrey E. Lewis, Guy B. Maxfield, M. Carr Ferguson, Stephen A. Lind

Florida Tax Review

At the conclusion of the fall 1994 semester, Professor James J. (Jack)Freeland retired from his position as Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Florida College of Law. Professor Freeland is a graduate of this law school and served as a member of its tax faculty for more than 35 years. The Florida Tax Review is pleased to honor Professor Freeland on his retirement.