Digital Commons Network^™

Privacy At Scale: A Study Of Mobile App Privacy Practices, Katherine Perez

LSU Master's Theses

What is privacy in a world where people are more connected than ever? Due to the Internet and its rapid advancement, the way information is shared and accessed has fundamentally changed. Millions of people interact with social networks, websites, and applications daily—and with each interaction, some data is collected from the user. In many cases, users cannot access a website or application without first accepting the service’s Privacy Policy. However, these policies often obscure the details of how a consumer’s data is handled, burying important information under dense legal language. In response to growing concerns about transparency, some platforms have …

Unfitted Finite Element Methods For Shape Optimization And Liquid Crystals, Jeremy T. Shahan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We present an approach to shape optimization problems that uses an unfitted finite element method (FEM). The domain geometry is represented, and optimized, using a (dis- crete) level set function and we consider objective functionals that are defined over bulk domains. For a discrete objective functional, defined in the unfitted FEM framework, we show that the exact discrete shape derivative essentially matches the shape derivative at the continuous level. In other words, our approach has the benefits of both optimize-then- discretize and discretize-then-optimize approaches.

Specifically, we establish the shape Fréchet differentiability of discrete (unfitted) bulk shape functionals using both the …

“When Black Women Whisper”: An Exploration Of Why Black Women Stay In K-12 Education, Chelsea Lynne Murry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

From low retention rates to race and gender biases to being overworked and undervalued in the classroom, Black women leave education at higher rates than any other demographic. This study highlighted the experiences of Black women in K-12 education settings, the role of support systems in their retention and advancement, and why they stay in K-12 education. The study used Counter-storytelling in Critical Race Theory, Black Feminist Thought, and Womanism to examine the race and gender inequities that Black women face and to highlight their lived experiences. Through the use of Sista Circles/focus groups and one-on-one interviews, the research …

Modeling The Cystic Fibrosis Intestinal Environment To Study Microbial Interactions, Kaitlyn Emma Barrack

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The microbiome of the cystic fibrosis (CF) intestine is altered significantly in structure and function beginning in early life. Key taxa associated with health, digestion and immune-training are reduced in abundance, including but not limited to Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, Ruminococcus and other short-chain fatty acid producers. Conversely, there is an expansion of microbes with pathogenic potential, such as Escherichia, Veillonella, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. The shifts in microbiota composition direct community-wide changes with differences in beta diversity by genotype, whereby children with CF (cwCF) exhibit significantly different gut microbial compositions compared to nonCF children. Additionally, shifts in microbiota structure often …

A Study Of The Sum Of Divisors, Henry M. Willie

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Replicating And Testing The First Point-Contact Transistor, Lucas Ethington, Lana Herkenhoff, Braden Stillmaker, Punit Turlapati

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Exit Strategy: How Methods Of Gaining Independence From European Colonial Powers Impact Development In Post-Colonial African Nations, Sophia Wehle

Undergraduate Student Symposium

How does the way a colony gains independence from its power impact that colony’s future development? It is well documented that being a former colony has an impact on how a nation develops once they are independent, however, what is not clear is if a nation’s development is impacted by the way they separate from their colonial power. This paper argues that there is a correlation between the way a colony gains their independence and how developed they are. For the sake of this research three main ways of gaining independence will be considered: though violent resistance, peaceful negotiations, or …

Comparative Genomics Across Streptomyces Murinus Strains To Identify Biosynthetic Gene Cluster For Antifungal Metabolite 'Pentamycin', Nitish Dundigalla, Ashley Bran Sampson, Smrithi Mukund, Melianni Terrero Terrero

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Streptomyces are filamentous, Gram-positive bacteria in the phylum Actinobacteria that are known to produce a diverse array of antimicrobial metabolites. A Streptomyces murinus strain SPC1, contains a 15- gene biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) that produces an antifungal metabolite ‘pentamycin’ (fungichromin), and is shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity against fungal pathogens of palms¹. Using SPC1 strain as a reference, we analyzed the conservation of BGCs across 17 other S. murinus strains. A specialized bioinformatics analysis tool, antiSMASH² , was used to identify and annotate BGCs that produce pentamycin. Pairwise comparison of the 15 genes comprising the pentamycin cluster …

Empowering Gender Diverse Students: Developing A Resource Guide At Nova Southeastern University, Meghana Jagarlamudi, Kayla Sewell

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Between 2018 and 2022, faculty mentor and previous research partners conducted interviews and needbased assessments with transgender students at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) highlighting the need for greater awareness of university policies, procedures, and resources supporting the well-being of gender-diverse students. To address this, the research team collaborated to explore NSU's current policies on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Title IX, protocols for names and pronouns, housing and bathroom accommodations, advocacy processes, and student organizations across these campus offices. These findings led to the creation of the NSU Resource Guide for Gender Diverse Students (work in progress), which offers …

The Fascinations And Downfalls Of Undergraduate Pre-Health Students, Alexis Salcedo

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This project aims to research and discover the stress of Pre-health students and the effects that stress has on their passions for the field. The pre-health field is notorious for being difficult and requiring incredibly hard work, however, all pre-health students all have a common goal in mind and that is to become health professionals in their respective field. As a pre-health student myself, I came into college with a great passion for my field, however, I have certainly faced struggles along the way, but they have not deterred me from my goal. In order to get information, there will …

The Stability Of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids In Salmon Following Gamma Irradiation, Saya Seraj

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly omega-3 and omega-6, are essential nutrients for human health, with salmon being a significant dietary source. However, fish spoilage during refrigeration remains a concern. Gamma irradiation has been approved as a method to reduce bacteria in various foods such as chicken, beef, and shellfish, but it has yet to be approved for fish. To gain FDA approval, it is crucial to demonstrate that this process preserves the nutritional components, particularly PUFAs, in irradiated fish.

In this study, we investigate the effects of gamma irradiation on the PUFA content of salmon at doses of 0.5 kGy …

Buzz And Bloom: Attractiveness Of Odor And Petal Color In South Florida Native Flowers, Maria Castellon, Claudette Artiles, Fabie Gelin, Nia Lewis

Undergraduate Student Symposium

South Florida is home to many species of flowers, such as Tradescantia ohiensis (also known as Spiderwort) and Bidens alba (also known as Spanish needle). Spanish Needle is a common weed that has a small flower with white petals and a yellow center while Spiderwort is a wildflower with bluish-purple petals and yellow anthers. Flowers have adapted their physical traits to attract pollinators through their colorful petals and the aromas they emit. Bees are known to use visual cues to identify flowers over long distances and use odor cues for short distances. The objective of this study was to evaluate …

How Do Gamified Interventions Influence Long-Term Health Outcomes In Managing And Reducing The Progression Of Chronic Illnesses Among Children Under 18?, Taruni Singanamala, Mohit Belur, Jeremy Ignatius

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Despite the advancements in medical care, children below the age of 18 years and their parents or guardians face significant challenges in managing chronic diseases, such as strict treatment regimens with lifestyle modifications for effective management. Nutrition, exercise, and adherence to medication all prevent children from acquiring or assist them in managing a chronic illness. Recent studies have shown that gamifying these aspects makes these goals more attainable and could be the answer to encouraging children and their families. Gamified interventions show promise in improving behavioral adherence and longer-term health outcomes by including features such as rewards, challenges, and progress …

Socioeconomic Drivers Of Crime In France: Analyzing The Relationship Between Immigration, Poverty, And Criminality, Imadeddine Zmarou

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This study examines the relationship between immigration and crime in France, using departmental data from 2021. Amid rising political tensions and far-right claims linking immigration to insecurity, the research investigates whether these assertions hold statistical merit. Regression analyses assess the impact of immigrant population percentages on homicide and sexual assault rates, controlling for factors such as poverty and population density. The analysis finds no significant link between immigration and homicide rates. Instead, poverty emerges as a major determinant, with departments experiencing higher poverty levels reporting significantly more homicides. Conversely, areas with higher immigrant populations report fewer sexual assaults, a trend …

Exploring Vibrational Energy Transfer Between Dna And Water Molecules, Jarlynn Ramirez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Studies have shown that when DNA absorbs ultraviolet light it can become structurally damaged leading to a mutation. Absorption of ultraviolet light causes molecular vibrations in DNA and these vibrations are what likely leads to structural changes in the DNA. However, exposing DNA to ultraviolet light rarely leads to structural damage. This indicates that the energy from the absorbed ultraviolet light is often dissipated in a way that does not damage the DNA. One way the structural changes could be avoided is by vibrational energy transfer from DNA to nearby water molecules. To investigate this potential biological mechanism, molecular dynamics …

Impacts Of Early Childhood Intervention On The Cognitive Development Of Individuals With Down Syndrome, Ella Riddle

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Trisomy 21, commonly known as Down Syndrome, is a chromosomal condition that causes intellectual and developmental delays. It is one of the several intellectual disabilities that is protected in the education system under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. Though there is no “cure” for the syndrome, there are several therapies and interventions that significantly improve the cognitive capabilities of individuals diagnosed with Down Syndrome. In recent years, early intervention strategies taking place as early as birth until the age of three have been implemented through services …

Paradise Lost And Character Motivation: Sinful Behavior Or Inferiority Complex?, Esperanza Barrios

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sin is a concept mainly viewed from a religious perspective. But, through Paradise Lost, John Milton brought a further understanding of human nature and one’s sense of committing what’s perceived as sinful behavior without the veil of religion glazing over academic understanding. In religious terms, sinful behavior is the idea of defying God’s commandments. Still, for this research, sinful behavior may be described as abnormal behavior that damages our best interests and relationships for selfish gains. Sin is also synonymous with the term criminality, the act of committing immoral or deviant acts. Each of Milton’s main characters, Satan, Adam, …

Investigation And Reclassification Of Gordonia Bacteriophage Protein Folding And Function With Google Deepmind's Alphafold Artificial Intellifence Software, Taylor Butler

Undergraduate Student Symposium

As the rapid evolution of multi-drug-resistant bacteria inflict public health and environmental crises, the need for alternatives to convention antibiotics is necessary. Bacteriophage (phage) interventions has resurfaced as a prospective avenue of study. However, these viruses that are capable of infecting and killing bacteria are widely undiscovered and lack genetic characterization. Current methods utilize bioinformatics and comparative tools to identify genes and protein functions. Unfortunately, functional classification of phage proteins is difficult with limited experimental data. As a result, functional assignments are often made on synteny using genetically similar bacteriophages. However, many proteins are assigned “hypothetical” functions as no comparative …

Exploring The Effects Of Food Additives On Electroshock-Induced Seizures In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Sharvani Nune, Carina Pavlov, Japji G. Madan, Emma Hickey, Bhargav Potineni, Dillen-Preetesh Patel, Jeremy Ignatius, Mackenzie Mcgrogan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Many commercially available food products are laced with food additives, such as non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs, e.g. Equal and Splenda). Due to the minimal caloric content and increased palatability, these products are often preferred. Some research exists on the adverse effects of these food additives, but the neurotoxic effects of these compounds are not yet understood beyond anecdotes. In this study, we explore the effects of chemical sweeteners and food additives on seizure behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans. C. elegans are widely used in neuroscience research due to their simple and fully mapped nervous system. To study convulsant behavior of C. …

Effective Weight Cutting And Post Weigh-In Recovery Strategies In Professional Mma, Avanie Balram, Soleil Ramos, Victoria Potvin

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), currently in its 32^nd year, is highly responsible for the exponential growth and international interest in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA includes groups of contact activities. MMA athletes can kick, throw, punch, elbow, or grapple with their opponent. To gain a perceived advantage, MMA athletes undergo weight cuts/longitudinal weight descents (LDW), to compete in lower weight classes. The weight cut frequently occurs during the “Fight Camp” phase, which may last from 8-12 weeks. The week before a match is termed “Fight Week,” which consists of rapid weight loss (RWL) and acute water loss (AWL) …

Predicting Baseball Game Wins With Machine Learning, Alexandar Djidjev, Nathan Hellwege

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Lists Of Selected Full-Text Databases By Subscription In East Asian Studies, Michiko Ito, Ellie Kim, Jian P. Lee, Anlin Yang

Journal of East Asian Libraries

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Nanomorphology As Quantified Via The K‑Index On The Drug Delivery Properties Of Isocyanate-Derived Aerogels, Stephen Y. Owusu, A. B. M. Shaheen Ud Doulah, Vaibhav A. Edlabadkar, Kamden J. George, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Long Noncoding Rna Malat1 In Mitochondrial Modulation Induced By Ketosis In Human Cardiomyocytes, Meghana Divi, Eera Mehrotra, Colin Pulickathadam, Sathvi Gandra

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Heart failure, a major cause of mortality, is increasingly viewed as a metabolic disorder involving mitochondrial dysfunction. Ketone body treatments have shown promise in enhancing mitochondrial function and improving heart failure outcomes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins, play critical roles in regulating gene expression and mitochondrial activity. Despite the known modulation of lncRNAs during heart failure, their specific functions under ketotic conditions remain poorly understood. Based on our preliminary findings, this study aims to explore the impact of ketosis on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), particularly MALAT1, and …

A Computational Analysis Of The Monocation And Dication Porphyrins Stability, Dani Sheil, Andersen Cheong

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A computational analysis was used to study the changes on octaethyl (OEP) and tetraphenyl (TPP) substituted porphyrins when the solvents and acids were changed. The analysis used density functional theory to simulate the effects on the porphyrins’ basicity under different conditions at the B3LYP/6- 31g(d) level of theory and incorporated the solvent using the polarizable continuum model. The calculation accounted for different acid interactions (HCl, HF, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, toluene)) with the porphyrins in the gas phase and in a variety of solvents (heptane, dichloromethane, and acetonitrile). The freebase, monocation, and dication phases of both porphyrins were …

Coconut Oil As A Renewable Source For Carbon Dot Nanoparticles: Synthesis And Characterization, Amaan Khan, Aryan Rathi, Srika Saai Talanki, Pierce Canavan, Tasfia Tazri Howlader, Maria Guillén-Méndez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Carbon dots (C-dots) are zero-dimensional, carbon-based fluorescent nanoparticles that have gained significant attention due to their exceptional optical, chemical, and physical properties, along with their biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, and facile synthesis. These characteristics make C-dots versatile for applications in biomedical fields, food packaging, anti-counterfeiting, and semiconductors. Despite the exploration of natural products for C-dot synthesis, using oils to synthesize C-dots remains underexplored. In this study, we synthesized C-dots using coconut oil, a lauric acid-rich renewable resource, through a bottom-up approach. A mixture of coconut oil, citric acid, and ethylenediamine was treated at 180°C for 12 hours, followed by purification via centrifugation …

Examining The Impact Of Health Insurance On Covid-19 Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis Of England And The United States Of America, Dibya Mullapudi

Undergraduate Student Symposium

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries were put under tremendous strain due to the sudden increase in patients requiring immediate hospital care. The pandemic exposed latent issues within these healthcare systems that were only exacerbated under the pressure of COVID-19. Insurance remains a major factor in determining the quality and availability of healthcare services. This study will examine the distinct insurance systems of the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) and analyze how they impacted COVID-19 patients’ healthcare outcomes. The US has a mixed insurance system composed of various public and private systems with around two-thirds of the …

Exploring The Psychological Impact Of In-Vitro Fertilization, Japji G. Madan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) affects both men and women differently, impacting their physical and emotional health throughout the process. Understanding these dynamics is essential to offer support to couples navigating the complex journey of assisted reproduction. This paper delves into the multifaceted stages of IVF, addressing the psychological and emotional challenges faced by individuals undergoing this invasive treatment. With the increasing prevalence of IVF as a common fertility treatment, this review emphasizes the importance of considering both the short-term and long-term psychological implications for couples.

Health As A Global Priority: Challenges, Innovations, And Cross-Cultural Insights From Bangladesh To The United States, Afia Mushfika

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A thorough cross-cultural analysis of the traditional Eastern healthcare system in Bangladesh and the modern Western healthcare system in the United States reveals various distinctions. Recognizing these differences enables a better understanding and application of effective public health delivery and paves the way for improving healthcare on a global scale, including not only impoverished developing countries but established industrialized ones as well. Health equity and cultural competence could be advanced globally due to the comparison and analysis of the traditional healthcare system of Bangladesh with the modern healthcare system of the United States. Prior research independently depicts the nuances of …

Heavy Metal Distribution In Volcanic Hawaiian Sediment From Five Million Years Ago To Present, Lauren Nonnenmacher

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The increase in heavy metal contamination in the marine and terrestrial environments of the Pacific basin has raised concerns, as studies continue to display evidence of heavy metal bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity. Volcanism is a major source of the distribution of heavy metals through rock formation and weathering. The main Hawaiian Islands (State of Hawaii) were formed by hot spot activity in the central northern Pacific Ocean, where upwelling of a magmatic plume containing heavy metals solidified into an archipelago of volcanic islands over a five-million-year period. The combination of natural and anthropogenic metal(loid) sources generates the critical need to …