Digital Commons Network^™

Editorial: Rising Stars In Systems Neuroscience: 2022, Mazyar Fallah, Juhee Haam, Ada Ledonne

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Phosphatidic Acid Produced By Phospholipase Dα1 And Dδ Is Incorporated Into The Internal Membranes But Not Involved In The Gene Expression Of Rd29a In The Abscisic Acid Signaling Network In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Ruth Ndathe, Naohiro Kato

Faculty Publications

Core protein components of the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling network, pyrabactin resistance (PYR), protein phosphatases 2C (PP2C), and SNF1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) are involved in the regulation of stomatal closure and gene expression downstream responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Phosphatidic acid (PA) produced by the phospholipases Dα1 and Dδ (PLDs) in the plasma membrane has been identified as a necessary molecule in ABA-inducible stomatal closure. On the other hand, the involvement of PA in ABA-inducible gene expression has been suggested but remains a question. In this study, the involvement of PA in the ABA-inducible gene expression was examined in the …

Transcriptomic Responses To Hypoxia In Two Populations Of Eastern Oyster With Differing Tolerance, Emma L. Crable, Heather Rodriguez, Rujuta V. Vaidya, Nicholas Coxe, Jerome F. La Peyre, Morgan W. Kelly

Faculty Publications

The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is a keystone species native to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of the United States and Canada. It provides habitat for other marine organisms and makes up the majority of oyster production in the United States. Despite its tolerance to hypoxic conditions, C. virginica is threatened by anthropogenic climate change, which is increasing both average temperature and the frequency and severity of hypoxic events. In this study, we explore the differences in hypoxia-transcriptional response between two populations of eastern oysters with known differences in hypoxia tolerance at three time points over the course …

Deep Purple – An Open-Pollinated Variety To Induce Haploids In Tropical Maize, Roberto Fritsche-Neto, Felipe Sabadin, Evellyn Giselly De Oliveira Couto, Pedro Henrique De Souza, Filipe Couto Alves, Giovanni Galli, Ronaldo Borsato Junior, Julio Cesar Dovale, Karina Lima Reis Borges, Deoclécio Domingos Garbuglio

Faculty Publications

Deep purple is an open-pollinated variety, well adapted to tropical conditions, developed to induce maternal haploids in maize. The founders were W23, Stock6, and an experimental tropical maize population. The inducer population inherits the dominant the R1-nj marker, and the expected real haploid induction rate is 3%.

Feature Engineering Of Environmental Covariates Improves Plant Genomic-Enabled Prediction, Osval A. Montesinos-López, Leonardo Crespo-Herrera, Carolina Saint Pierre, Bernabe Cano-Paez, Gloria Isabel Huerta-Prado, Brandon Alejandro Mosqueda-González, Sofia Ramos-Pulido, Guillermo Gerard, Khalid Alnowibet, Roberto Fritsche-Neto, Abelardo Montesinos-López, José Crossa

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Because Genomic selection (GS) is a predictive methodology, it needs to guarantee high-prediction accuracies for practical implementations. However, since many factors affect the prediction performance of this methodology, its practical implementation still needs to be improved in many breeding programs. For this reason, many strategies have been explored to improve the prediction performance of this methodology. Methods: When environmental covariates are incorporated as inputs in the genomic prediction models, this information only sometimes helps increase prediction performance. For this reason, this investigation explores the use of feature engineering on the environmental covariates to enhance the prediction performance of genomic …

Teaching Difficult Topics: Reflections From The Undergraduate Music Classroom, Olivia R. Lucas, Laura Moore Pruett

Faculty Publications

Teaching Difficult Topics provides a series of on-the-ground reflections from college music instructors working in a wide variety of institutional settings about their approaches to inclusive, supportive pedagogy in the music classroom. Although some imagine the music classroom to be an apolitical space, instructors find themselves increasingly in need of resources for incorporating issues of race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and historical trauma into their classrooms in ways that support student learning and safeguard their classroom communities. The teaching reflections in Teaching Difficult Topics examine difficult themes that fall into three primary categories: subjects that instructors sense to be …

Ba5sb8: The Highest Homologue Of The Family Of Binary Semiconducting Barium Antimonides Bansb2n−2 (N ≥ 2), S. M.Gayomi K. Samarakoon, Alexander Ovchinnikov, Sviatoslav Baranets, Svilen Bobev

Faculty Publications

A novel binary compound within the Ba–Sb phase diagram, Ba5Sb8, was synthesized by combining elements with an excess of Sb in an alumina crucible. Structural elucidation was performed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2 with unit cell parameters of a = 15.6568(13) Å, b = 35.240(3) Å, c = 6.8189(6) Å, adopting its own structure type. The most distinctive features of the structure are the eight-membered [Sb8]¹⁰⁻ polyanionic fragments which have no known precedents among antimonides. They are separated by five Ba²⁺ cations, which afford the charge balance and enable adherence …

Enriched Molecular-Level View Of Saline Wetland Soil Carbon By Sensitivity-Enhanced Solid-State Nmr, Wancheng Zhao, Elizabeth C. Thomas, Debkumar Debnath, Faith J. Scott, Frederic Mentink-Vigier, John R. White, Robert L. Cook, Tuo Wang

Faculty Publications

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a major role in mitigating greenhouse gas emission and regulating earth’s climate, carbon cycle, and biodiversity. Wetland soils account for one-third of all SOM; however, globally, coastal wetland soils are eroding faster due to increasing sea-level rise. Our understanding of carbon sequestration dynamics in wetlands lags behind that of upland soils. Here, we employ solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) to investigate the molecular-level structure of biopolymers in wetland soils spanning 11 centuries. High-resolution multidimensional spectra, enabled by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), demonstrate enduring preservation of molecular structures within herbaceous plant cores, notably condensing aromatic motifs …

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Gene Pa4880 Encodes A Dps-Like Protein With A Dps Fold, Bacterioferritin-Type Ferroxidase Centers, And Endonuclease Activity, Nimesha Rajapaksha, Huili Yao, Aisha Cook, Steve Seibold, Lijun Liu, Kevin P. Battaile, Leo Fontenot, Fabrizio Donnarumma, Scott Lovell, Mario Rivera

Faculty Publications

We report the biochemical, structural, and functional characterization of the protein coded by gene PA4880 in the P. aeruginosa PAO1 genome. The PA4880 gene had been annotated as coding a probable bacterioferritin. Our structural work shows that the product of gene PA4880 is a protein that adopts the Dps subunit fold, which oligomerizes into a 12-mer quaternary structure. Unlike Dps, however, the ferroxidase di-iron centers and iron coordinating ligands are buried within each subunit, in a manner identical to that observed in the ferroxidase center of P. aeruginosa bacterioferritin. Since these structural characteristics correspond to Dps-like proteins, we term the …

The Role Of Holistic Mentoring Ecosystems In Mitigating Covid-19 Pandemic Impacts On The Persistence Of Low-Income Stem Students, Raeshan D. Davis, Zakiya S. Wilson-Kennedy

Faculty Publications

Holistic mentoring ecosystems are a comprehensive approach to addressing the diverse needs of students through interconnected support networks. While mentoring has been well-documented in existing literature, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of mentoring ecosystems in mitigating the impact of critical junctures for vulnerable, high-attrition student populations. Guided by Tinto’s model of retention, this qualitative case study investigated the role of holistic mentoring ecosystems in mitigating the impacts of the two combined critical junctures—the COVID-19 pandemic and the first year of college—on low-income STEM undergraduates. Our findings suggest that holistic mentoring ecosystems were essential in helping students adjust …

Upper Bounds For The Lagrangian Cobordism Relation On Legendrian Links, Joshua M. Sabloff, David Shea Vela-Vick, C. M.Michael Wong

Faculty Publications

Lagrangian cobordism induces a preorder on the set of Legendrian links in any contact 3–manifold. We show that any finite collection of null-homologous Legendrian links in a contact 3–manifold with a common rotation number has an upper bound with respect to the preorder. In particular, we construct an exact Lagrangian cobordism from each element of the collection to a common Legendrian link. This construction allows us to define a notion of minimal Lagrangian genus between any two null-homologous Legendrian links with a common rotation number.

Lsu General Catalog 2024-2025, 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 Affordable Housing Crisis In New York City, Mexican Studies Institute Cuny, Hashim Abdul

Publications and Research

This paper examines the current housing crisis in The Bronx that worsened during and after the COVID pandemic. It examines social and economic factors that contribute to low home ownership and housing instability. Through a comparison with European models, the author concludes that solutions to alleviate the crisis may include rental price caps, increased Airbnb regulations and government “subsidization instead of profitability”.

Ukraine, Moral Outrage, And International Law, Heidi Gilchrist

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Section 1031 Qualified-Use Requirement, Bradley T. Borden

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Regional Trade Integration And Poverty Reduction In Africa: Do Complementary Policies Matter?, Dede Woade Gafa

Journal of African Trade

This study first examines the effect of regional trade integration on poverty reduction in Africa using a GMM approach and historical data covering forty-nine countries and the period 1995-2019. The results reveal that greater intra-regional trade would accelerate poverty reduction. Second, the paper investigates the role of complementary policies in shaping the poverty-reducing effect of regional trade integration. The findings suggest that without a minimum quality of institutions, business regulations, financial depth, and infrastructure development, greater intra-African trade would exacerbate poverty. Hence, by addressing institutional, financial, and infrastructural bottlenecks, countries would better leverage the growing intra-continental trade for poverty alleviation.

Do African Countries Still Pay More To Borrow? Evidence For 2006-22, Michael Olabisi, Howard Stein

Journal of African Trade

We examine the borrowings of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies on the international sovereign bond markets between 2006 and 2022 and found that African economies continue to pay a coupon rate about 1% higher than other economies with similar credit ratings, on average. Therefore, African countries will have paid at least $5 billion in additional interest that cannot be justified by their ratings when all current bond issues mature. We find that the premium did not disappear with the experience of African countries returning to the private bond markets, nor did it fall dramatically from the 2005-2014 period.

Data Regulation And Digital Services Trade In Africa, Erik Van Der Marel

Journal of African Trade

Using a structural gravity model, this paper assesses whether data-related regulations for 31 African countries have an impact on bilateral trade in digital services. Controlling for all possible directions of fixed effects, this paper finds that local storage requirements and regulations requiring partner countries to have similar privacy laws in place are associated with lower imports in digital services between Africa and partner countries. By contrast, this paper also finds that the requirement for similar privacy conditions by partner countries is associated with higher exports in digital services for African countries with trading partners. This export effect is driven by …

What Makes A Restaurant Successful?, Mia Patrick

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

The hospitality industry, restaurants specifically, is renowned for its failure rates and volatility. Is this a deserved reputation? Looking up the answer will provide mixed results; some studies will tell you that 60% of restaurants will fail in the first year and 80% will fail in the first five years (Krimmel). Other studies state vastly different facts. One study says there is only a 30% failure rate of restaurants (Sidney). Who are we to believe in this war of numbers? In this paper, I will not argue the validity of the numbers; instead, I will study what differentiates the success …

Experimental And Computational Investigation Of The Kinetic Evolution Of The Glutaminolysis Pathway And Its Interplay With The Glycolysis Pathway, Zohreh Mirveis, Nitin Patil, Hugh J. Byrne

Articles

Exploring cellular responses necessitates studying real-time metabolic pathway kinetics, considering the adaptable nature of cells. Glycolysis and glutaminolysis are interconnected pathways fundamental to driving cellular metabolism, generating both energy and essential biosynthetic molecules. While prior studies explored glycolysis tracking, this research focuses on monitoring the kinetics of the glutaminolysis pathway by evaluating the effect of glutamine availability on glycolytic kinetics and by investigating the impact of a stimulator (oligomycin) and inhibitor (2DG) on the glycolytic flux in the presence of glutamine. Additionally, we adapted a rate equation model to provide improved understanding of the pathway kinetics. The experimental and simulated …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Built Environment As A Key Mechanism Of Safety And Social Cohesion For Youth In High-Violence Communities, Lolita Moss, Kimberly Wu, Amber Tucker, Reanna Durbin-Matrone, Gabriella D. Roude, Samantha Francois, Lisa Richardson, Katherine P. Theall

Psychology

The characteristics of a neighborhood’s built environment may influence health-promoting behaviors, interactions between neighbors, and perceptions of safety. Although some research has reported on how youth in high-violence communities navigate danger, less work has investigated how these youth perceive the built environment, their desires for these spaces, and how these desires relate to their conceptions of safety and perceptions of other residents. To fill this gap, this study used focus group data from 51 youth ages 13–24 living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Four themes were developed using reflexive thematic analysis: community violence is distressing and disruptive, youth use and want …

Pipeline For Fast Digital Twin Development And Integration In Driving Simulation, Zhanqian Wu, Luying Zhang, Jaime Hernandez, Chase Leibowitz, Helen Loeb, Xiaoxia Dong, Erick Guerra, Rahul Mangharam

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

The use of digital mapping with precise GPS coordinates has allowed intelligent navigation, which is now ubiquitous in vehicles. The flat 2D imagery provided by Google maps was recently enhanced by the introduction of dynamic 3D representations of the Earth. Unity3D and Unreal Games Engines now offer Application Programming Interfaces that can be leveraged for geospatial applications. This technology, which offers visually compelling results for flight simulation and drone applications, opens new opportunities for driving simulation.This paper presents an innovative approach for developing a drivable Digital Twin of Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Boulevard to enhance urban planning and traffic management using advanced …

Leveraging Technology For Safer Roads For Vulnerable Road Users In South Africa, Ntombifuthi Ngobeni, Busisiwe Marole, Koketso Bosilong, Hlulani Nkuna

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

This research aims to enhance road safety, particularly for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists, through the use of both cutting-edge technologies and consideration of conventional engineering methods and solutions. The study focuses on innovative solutions related to the road environment and their impact on VRU safety, piloted at selected sites in South Africa. The research investigates the use of technologies such as video cameras, video analysis software, artificial intelligence and machine learning to conduct route risk assessments. These assessments inform the selection and implementation of effective safety measures tailored to enhance VRU safety. By understanding the …

In-Vision Issue # 12 | For The Year 2024, Department For Educational Development (Ded)

IN-VISION – Department of Educational Development Archives

• Message by the Outgoing Chair Dr Naveed Yousuf
• DED Welcomes Dr. Saniya Sabzwari as Chair
• Message by the Incoming Chair
• Farewell Interview with Tabassum Zehra
• 6th Educational Research Day
• Award Winners Oral Presentation
• Education Grand Rounds (EGR)
• Introductory Short Courses in Health Professions Education (ISC-HPE)
• 1st Certificate in Health Profession Education (CHPE) Course
• Master Of Health Professions Education (MHPE) - Spring Semester 2024
• Continuous Faculty Development Programme in Health Professions Education (CFDP-HPE)
• Other Faculty Development Workshops
• 18th Annual Mega Question Review
• DED Annual Recreational Day
• DED Annual Standardized Patients Appreciation Ceremony
• DED - Exam Cell Activities
• Faculty And Staff Highlights …

Inspire : Vol 7 Issue 1, Department Of Medicine

INSPIRE – Department of Medicine Archives

• Message from the Chair
• Medicine at National and International Forums
• AKUPI-NCD Symposium "A Dialogue on NCDs"| A Triumph in Health Discourse By Zeerak Jarra
• Department of Medicine Appreciation Evening 2023
• AKU Dermatology on International Fronts
• Developing Healthcare Leaders for Tomorrow
• Poem Section
• What Academics Are Reading
• Upcoming Events

One Cime | Year In Review 2024, Cime

Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) Archives

• Honouring Prince Karim Aga Khan IV Our Founding Chancellor
• Hear from Our Directors
• The Impact of SIMPACT
• Gamified Learning at Simulation Week
• Updates from Karachi
• Updates from Nairobi
• SeeMe Around the Globe
• Research at CIME
• The Dream Team

Review Of Island Shores, Distant Pasts, Maggie M. Klemm

Nebraska Anthropologist

Review of Island Shores, Distant Pasts by Scott Fitzpatrick and Ann Ross. 2010. University of Florida Press, Florida. ix + 201 pp. $26.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-8130-5468-1. Reviewed by Maggie M. Klemm, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Island Shores, Distant Pasts is an important read for archaeologists and anthropologists currently or potentially interested in studying Caribbean archaeology. This text contains current and relevant interdisciplinary research that will expand readers’ knowledge about human settlement and the timing of migration events in the Caribbean. A positive aspect of this book is that the authors discuss objective results from their research and avoid speculative conclusions. Additionally, …

Feminist Geography: Impact And Inclusion In Geographical Research, Michael Atuahene Djan

Nebraska Anthropologist

Feminist theories have significantly influenced the field of geography, challenging traditional notions of objectivity and shedding light on the intricate relationships between place, gender, and society. The emergence of feminist geography has been crucial in advocating for the inclusion of women's perspectives, countering historical marginalization in academic debates. This systematic review aims to summarize and assess the impact of feminist theory on geography, exploring topics such as gendered spaces, feminist methodologies, and the integration of women's voices in research. Utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Checklist, the study employed a thematic analysis of secondary sources. …

Review Of Soil Analysis In Forensic Taphonomy Chemical And Biological Effects Of Buried Human Remains, Erik Schulz

Nebraska Anthropologist

Review of Soil Analysis in Forensic Taphonomy Chemical and Biological Effects of Buried Human Remains, edited by Mark Tibbett and David O. Carter. 2008. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida. vii + 340 pp. US $47.35 (alk. paper), ISBN 978-1-4200-6991-4. Reviewed by Erik Schulz School of Global Integrative Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The content in this book is easy to read and understand as the authors and editors took time to simplify scientific terms and made sure to put the information in both scientific terms as well as simple enough for the public to understand. This …

Inter- And Intra-Observer Error In Forensic Anthropology: Based Upon Langley Et Al. 2016 Data Collection Procedures For Forensic Skeletal Material 2.0 For The Cranium And Femur, Maggie M. Klemm, Dakota L. Taylor

Nebraska Anthropologist

Following the Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993) ruling three decades ago, guidelines were established for determining the reliability and validity of expert testimony in court. These guidelines include considerations of whether the theory and methodologies employed have been tested, the establishment of potential or known error rates, and the existence and maintenance of the standards (Christensen, 2004). Testifying in court as an expert witness has become a critical role as a forensic anthropologist. As such, the methodologies, techniques, and standards utilized by forensic anthropologists must be carefully considered and adhere to the Daubert guidelines within the court system. One …