Apr. 29, 2024
Measurement & Analysis Instruments
I am studying International Business and Marketing and a minor in French with a European concentration. I am in the Responsible International Leadership cohort, a program that USC has with ESSEC Business School (Cergy, France). The RIL Cohort program focuses on leadership in a global context and emphasizes understanding societal and environmental impacts, sustainability, and ethical obligations in business analysis and decision-making, which are critical skills for business leaders in tomorrow’s global world. I was one of five students selected to be a part of the RIL 2 program, and we spent the year 2022 studying at ESSEC. I completed coursework in areas such as people and organizations, socially responsible marketing, globalization and business, business ethics, leading teams, and French. Between my studies and program requirements, I completed a field experience as a live-in volunteer at L’Arche, a community specializing in aiding handicapped adults. My time at L’Arche was profoundly rewarding as I built genuine, personal connections with its remarkable residents and staff. The connection between my volunteer experiences and my classes both at the University of South Carolina and ESSEC has provided me with the following key insights: In today’s world, where quick judgments and labels are often passed without truly understanding the depths beneath the surface, embracing kindness has become my guiding principle. Kindness is not merely a virtue but a force that has the potential to bridge divides and foster a more compassionate and inclusive world. The experience I had through global learning, was instrumental to my education and career, and ultimately in shaping me into a better global citizen.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.Though skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, it is also considered one of the most preventable. By adopting habits to reduce ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure, an individual’s risk of developing skin cancer is greatly decreased, especially if these habits are initiated early and maintained throughout one’s life. For this reason, college students have a particular need to understand the importance of and correct implementation of these behaviors, especially those who are preparing for a career in health sciences. The purpose of this study was to explore health-sciences majors’ current knowledge and behaviors regarding skin cancer and prevention. This was a descriptive, concurrent mixed-methods study; data included quantitative survey responses and qualitative open-ended questions. Data integration involved mapping quantitative descriptive results to themes revealed by thematic analysis of qualitative data; comparative statistics examining differences between majors and year in school were also generated. Participants included 188 students representing 11 majors. There was no significant increase in student knowledge as year in school increased and minimal significant differences in knowledge among majors. Student behaviors were categorized into three themes: prioritization, knowledge, and conformity to societal expectations. 85% of responses noted prioritization as a key factor and others indicated that time, cost, discomfort, and heat prevented them from prioritizing skin cancer prevention. It is imperative that educators and healthcare providers address shortcomings in skin cancer education, along with community health initiatives to slow the rate of skin cancer. Attempts to educate young adults should focus on cessation or alteration of tanning behaviors along with prioritization. Further research and education should focus on student knowledge deficits to increase knowledge of the consequences of UV exposure and the importance of skin cancer prevention.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Range anxiety has been a significant limitation in the electrification of ground freight fleets, particularly for middle-mile and long-haul electric trucks that heavily rely on highway-side charging facilities. In this paper, we propose a novel electric truck operations model that incorporates trailer battery exchange strategies to reduce the dependence on constructing charging infrastructure along highways. An operator manages two types of vehicle fleets with the objective of minimizing the total operational cost: (1) Trucks comprise an electric tractor and a trailer that may be equipped with backup batteries; (2) Feeder vehicles that distribute electric trailers at exchange locations. Trucks that drain out batteries can detour to these exchange locations and replace charged trailers to save charging times. The planning problem of this electric truck network is a location-and-routing problem that can be reformulated as a bi-level program, where the upper level seeks the optimal locations for exchanging trailer. and lower level is a Mixed Integer Program (MIP) for mixed fleet routing. We conduct computational experiments using the real-world Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) data in the Southeastern United States. Our results demonstrate that this novel network design can significantly enhance operational efficiency compared to traditional battery recharging methods, such as battery swapping stations, while reducing the demand for constructing new charging facilities. Moreover, our analysis provides detailed insights into how to choose between various electric truck operation strategies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.American older adults, a population where over a quarter experience loneliness, which is associated with a 26% increased risk of premature death rates (Holt-Lunstad, 2015). The study seeks to understand how this demographic perceives the role of technology in reducing feelings of loneliness and to identify the barriers and facilitators influencing their use of technology. With the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., calling for immediate attention to the "epidemic of loneliness and isolation," the research highlights the potential of technology, such as video calls, phone calls, messaging, and social media platforms, to reduce loneliness. Despite the increasing use of technology across diverse populations, a digital divide persists due to social determinants like race, age, economic status, and infrastructure, leading to disparities in technology access and literacy. Prior research has largely focused on predominantly White participants, leaving a gap in understanding the experiences of African American older adults. This dissertation aims to fill that gap through semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 15 individuals, analyzed using thematic analysis. The anticipated findings are expected to contribute to the development of targeted interventions that can leverage technology to enhance social connections and support for African American older adults, addressing a significant public health challenge.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The thrill of uncovering new possibilities, solving challenges, and experiencing those "Aha!" moments has always existed within me; but it was the Marketing Scholars program that allowed me to go after that excitement and responsibility. The program only selects ten students per year to participate in a client-facing brand project, acting as a real agency to solve a client problem. When I was selected to be a member of the Fall 2023 cohort, I had done marketing internships and projects before, but not to this scale. Along with my team, we learned “through fire” how to create an integrated marketing plan, work efficiently with clients (even when their expectations are not what the consumer wants), set and achieve goals, run productive meetings, and effectively convey both the message and values of a brand. Through my Scholars experience, I learned what it means to “own a brand” and establish myself as a leader while working with an equally passionate team. With this knowledge, I am now confident in my ability to guide and motivate my peers toward achieving our common objectives. The project has allowed me to pursue personal passions as well, such as art direction via can design and web mockups as well as finding consumer insights through data. But the process of discovery and all the “Aha!” moments along the way showed me that I really did have a passion for finding the Why behind everything, and how to share that passion with a client. With my experience in Fall 2023, I was honored to come back to the program in Spring 2024 and complete a film marketing project with Lionsgate. Rather than shying away from the challenge of a Lionsgate project, I welcomed the adversity and risk with open arms. I am eager to channel this passion into tangible results, both for the program and as a foundation for my future endeavors in creative consulting. I have never been known to back away from a challenge, and the challenges encountered as a Marketing Scholar have been the most rewarding of my college experience.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In May 2022, I was a volunteer at Les Rocher Oasis des Cités in Les Mureaux, France. Les Mureaux is a city heavily populated by immigrants. Les Rocher is an organization of community centers that focus on bridging the gap between the old lives of these immigrants and their new lives in France. I participated in this experience because the school where I studied abroad requires students to complete a month long field experience. The reasoning for this is so their students have the opportunity to make connections with people and see how different communities are affected by different factors, and not just how to send emails and answer phone calls at a job. During this month-long experience I lived in Les Mureaux and participated in many different activities. I participated in homework help and games with younger kids, morning coffee with the ladies of the community, home visits to the elderly, and other community building activities. During this time, I learned how a strong sense of community is important for somebody going through a transition as big as immigrating to a new country. In French 309: Reading French Texts, we learned about cultural adaptation, illustrated through the stories of immigrants. The people I interacted with during my experience shared the common story of having to start a new life in a new place. Though I learned stories like these in my class, I started to truly understand what it was like by seeing it first hand while volunteering at Les Rocher. The support that these community members had for each other, always willing to help or simply be a listening ear, made me want to be a supportive part of my community as well. It may not be something as big as immigrating to a new country, but there is always someone around you that might be going through the same things as you and being there for each other can be more powerful than one can imagine.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Physical activity (PA) has been shown to positively impact the frequency and severity of non-motor symptoms experienced by people with Parkinson’s Disease (pwPD). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between severity of non-motor symptoms (pain, fatigue, depression, and cognitive difficulty) and physical activity in pwPD. Fifteen pwPD completed seven days of remote PA monitoring (via accelerometer) while simultaneously rating presence and severity of non-motor symptoms five times per day. Spearman’s r was used for analysis. Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were found between increased fatigue and increased age (rs=0.611), increased cognitive difficulty (rs=0.576) and increased pain (rs=0.604). Additionally, increased age was significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with increased levels of pain (rs=0.537), between increased cognitive difficulty and increased levels of depression (rs=0.557), and with increased self-report PA with decreased severity of depression were found. No correlations were found between measured PA and pain (rs = -0.495), fatigue (rs=-0.416), depression (rs=-0.372) or cognitive difficulty (rs=-0.171). While the presence of non-motor symptoms was not found to be related to measured PA in pwPD, the presence of non-motor symptoms was found to be correlated with other non-motor symptoms. Further research is indicated for determining associations between non-motor symptoms and quality of life in pwPD.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in patients under fifty years old in the USA. Several environmental factors may be correlated with the rise of EOCRC. Specifically, the increasing incidence of EOCRC over the past four decades parallels the increased use of antibiotics (Abx) globally. Abx revolutionize our ability to fight infections; however, its overuse has become a public health concern. Abx alters the gut microbiome (dysbiosis), leading to increased inflammation in the colon and increasing the risk of developing EOCRC. Previous studies in mice demonstrate that exposure to Abx at an early age (5-days old) to two commonly prescribed classes of Abx (beta-lactams and macrolides) altered the gut microbiota and predisposed mice to inflammation, immune disease, and obesity, which have been linked to colorectal cancer. The impact of Abx on the microbiota and the distal colon, where EOCRC occurs, and incidence of EOCRC have not been studied before. Thus, we proposed that early life exposure to Abx will cause dysbiosis that leads to faster, more frequent, and more aggressive tumors as compared to Abx exposure later in life. There are two separate studies that comprise this project. First, female A/J mouse models were exposed to multiple doses of Abx to observe the changes to the microenvironment of the colon. The results from this experiment prompted us to question if there is a developmental window of susceptibility to Abx which increases the risk of developing EOCRC. Next, exposure to Abx at the perinatal age (0-2 weeks of age) was examined using mouse models. Five-day old pups were exposed to Abx for seven days through their mother’s milk by administering Abx to nursing mothers. To induce tumor formation, the mice were injected with carcinogen after Abx exposure. We expect to see a developmental window of time where the colon is susceptible to dysbiosis, and changes in the microenvironment in response to Abx exposure will predispose mice to developing EOCRC. If proven, it will be important to implement probiotic supplementation after exposure to antibiotics in infancy and childhood to normalize the gut microbiome.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with significant racial disparities. Black women suffer disproportionately, facing two to three times higher risks of pregnancy-related complications and severe disability than White women. In South Carolina, Black women and women of other races/ethnicities experienced 2.4 times higher mortality rates than White women. This research project aimed to address a crucial gap in understanding the lived experiences of Black mothers in the Southern United States, particularly in relation to the impact of structural racism on maternal health outcomes. Specifically, this qualitative study explored Black women’s perceptions of maternal health services and structural racism in South Carolina. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 Black mothers in South Carolina, focusing on their experiences throughout the perinatal period. The study utilized Critical Race Theory and Black Feminist Thought to frame and analyze these experiences, with a focus on how structural racism shapes Black women’s interactions with healthcare systems. Using grounded theory analysis, preliminary results suggest that Black mothers’ perceptions of maternal health care in South Carolina are deeply influenced by their experiences of navigating structural inequities within the healthcare system. These experiences are shaped by a complex interplay of personal advocacy, regional disparities, provider biases, and systemic challenges, all of which are underpinned by underlying issues of structural racism. This understanding is further varied by individual differences in support systems and financial situations. Overall, this project hopes to inform future research on this public health crisis in the Southern United States and nationally. Understanding the relationship between structural racism and maternal health outcomes is key to building collaborations between social work and other health-related disciplines working to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, social workers can play a pivotal role in healthcare organizations to improve their typical practices to avoid the impacts of structural racism.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background/Significance Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. In 2023, over 150,000 will be newly diagnosed with CRC and over 52,000 individuals will die. More than half of these cases will be attributed to causes that could have been detected with screening, like precancerous polyps. Adherence to CRC screening significantly decreases morbidity and mortality of the disease. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare cancer screening adherence among individuals with and without health insurance, along with urban/rural status, using nationwide survey data. Methods A secondary analysis of the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey was conducted. The sample included 7,472 total cases, male and female, over the age of 45. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of completing a CRC screening, using health insurance and urban/rural residence as the variables. Evaluation Gender and urban/rural residence were not significant when looking at CRC screening adherence. The odds of CRC screening adherence with an endoscopy was 20%, CI [.151, .265], higher with the presence of health insurance. The odds of CRC screening adherence with a stool test was 46.9%, CI [1.057,2.042], if living in an urban area. Insurance status and gender were not factors in stool testing adherence. Discussion Health insurance contributes to completing CRC screening with a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Urban residence accounted for higher adherence rates versus rural residence with stool tests. More research needs to be done to explore access to CRC screening for those who do not have health insurance and who live in rural areas.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The summer after my freshman year of college, I had the opportunity to work as a senior cabin counselor at an overnight summer camp. I attended summer camp from a young age, and I had always dreamed of working as a camp counselor. When I was presented with the opportunity to work at Camp Highlander, I was excited to work somewhere that provided me with the opportunity to gain professional experience in a unique way. Working at Camp Highlander is not like working a typical job, you are responsible for leading your campers and constantly participating in different activities, leaving you feeling like a kid again. Camp Highlander is located outside of Asheville, North Carolina and their mission is focused on restoring and building confidence of school-aged boys and girls in a safe environment. Working as a counselor, I had the responsibility to apply basic youth development principles such as respecting diversity and building relationships when working with our campers. I was responsible for determining what was common and uncommon for campers of a certain age and understanding the importance of identifying campers’ socioemotional cues. Along the way, I learned counseling a younger camper was going to be very different from counseling an older camper as they are at different stages of life and need varying types of guidance and support. Using what I learned in my Developmental Psychology class, I was able to apply my knowledge of the different socioemotional cues associated with different stages of life to my counselor role. The experience I gained working with the different ages of campers provided an opportunity to see a vast difference in socio-emotional development. I was also successfully able to deal with situations between the different age groups, which gave me confidence in my ability to communicate with different aged individuals, which will help me in the future as I work towards my professional goals of becoming a nurse. Additionally, I was able to work in an environment that allowed me to gain different life-skills like patience, empathy, and decision-making, all while being able to act like a kid.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Relationship of Diet and Nutrition with Self-Reported Heart Failure in Women Mari J. Platanis, RN, BSN, MA Abstract Background Heart Failure (HF) affects nearly 6.5 million adults in the US with increasing prevalence¹ and malnutrition in HF is associated with increased mortality². Early detection of malnutrition and initiation of nutritional support for women experiencing HF may improve functional recovery.3, 4 Aim- The purpose of this study is to determine if women who self-report HF have poorer nutrition than those who do not. This study includes data on 20,458 women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey5 (NHANES) dataset from 2005-2018. Methods- Using SPSS®6 a binomial logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect of BMI, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake in grams, and race on the likelihood of women self-reporting HF. The independent variable was self-reported HF by women which was defined by yes/no. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Squared tests of Independence was used to determine whether there is an association between marital status, and race. Results- Of the five predictor models four were statistically significant: Race, BMI, fat intake, and protein intake. Overweight or obese women were 1.4 to 2.2 times as likely to report HF respectively. Women who consumed less fat (p<0.014)) and proteins (p<0.049) were at higher odds of reporting HF. Carbohydrate intake was not statistically significant but left in the model. Excessive protein and fat intake appeared to be protective of HF. Conclusion- Women who reported HF were more likely to be overweight or obese yet appeared to consume less carbs and fats. While protein intake is borderline significant, eating an excessive amount of protein, may be protective of HF and warrants further study. It is unclear if inadequate nutritional intake is related to HF or provider recommendations. Future strategies will need to focus on the emerging issues of obesity as well as sarcopenia in the female HF population.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This study investigates the multifaceted connection between medication adherence, healthcare utilization, and associated costs in schizophrenia patients based on their two routes of administration, oral and injectables, through a comprehensive third variable analysis framework. -To analyze medication as interaction term in relation between treatment and healthcare utilization outcomes and economic outcomes. -To analyze medication as mediator variable in relation between treatment and healthcare utilization outcomes and economic outcomes. -To analyze medication as confounding variable in relation between treatment and healthcare utilization outcomes and economic outcomes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (CODHP) is a promising technology to produce propylene with high yield and stability. Currently, oxygen (O2) is commonly used as the oxidant in CODHP. However, O2 can lead to overoxidation of propylene, resulting in lower product selectivity. Replacing O2 with a soft oxidizer, such as CO2 (also a greenhouse gas) for CODHP could mitigate the overoxidation while delaying the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. However, the current CODHP-CO2 development is hindered by the severe catalyst fouling caused by coke formation. Here in this study, we show a tubular plug-flow reactor based on a mixed carbonate-ion and electron conducting membrane that is capable of capturing CO2/O2 from flue gas and instantly utilizing it for CODHP reaction with a CrOx/SiO2 catalyst. The tubular plug-flow design of the membrane reactor enables a gradual, continuous, and controlled addition of CO2/O2 (in 2:1 mole ratio) into C3H8 stream along the axial length of the membrane, thus striking an excellent balance between conversion and selectivity, while avoiding overoxidation and suppressing coking. The membrane reactor exhibits a C3H6 yield of ~30%, C3H8 conversion of ~35% and C3H6 selectivity of 85% at 600 oC for an impressive 173 hours of operation with minimal degradation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Significance There has been a significant increase in early-onset cancers, defined as cancer in adults under 50 years of age, especially gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, cancer diagnosis and treatment disparities continue to rise, especially in South Carolina (S.C.); however, risk factors contributing to early-onset cancer diagnoses are mainly unknown. To address this gap, we first examined the characteristics of patients with early-onset gastrointestinal cancers in S.C. Purpose To determine 1) prevalence of patients with early-onset gastrointestinal cancers in S.C. and 2) characteristics and social determinants of health of patients with early-onset gastrointestinal cancers in S.C. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of electronic medical records (EMR) (1/1/2020-8/30/2023) to identify patients with newly diagnosed early-onset colorectal or appendix cancer at a community oncology clinic in S.C. We determined potential cases using an electronic report (i.e., age, new patients, diagnosis). Eligibility criteria was confirmed by EMR review, and data was entered into REDCap database, including socio-demographics and cancer-related information. Using SAS (v.9.4), we computed descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, to characterize the patient sample and chi-square of independence for potential associations among variables of interest. Results Total number of colorectal and appendix cancer cases (all ages) seen during the three years was N=562. Seventy-two cases met study entry criteria (N=63 colorectal; N=9 appendix). Early onset prevalence was 13%. Most patients had stage III (39%) or stage IV (35%) cancer. The average BMI was 30.21 (SD±6.85). Most were female (60%) and 40% were African American. Other sociodemographic characteristics included 50% married/partnered, 32% unemployed, and 53% lived in a rural area. About 48% had commercial insurance, 29% had Medicare/Medicaid, and 23% had no insurance, department of corrections, or veteran’s insurance. There was a statistically significant association between insurance and race (p=0.0010), employment (p=0.0002), and marital status (p=0.0067). Discussion Findings suggest disparities in healthcare access remain in S.C. and potentially for individuals with early-onset gastrointestinal cancers. Future research is needed to examine health disparities concerning race, geography, gender, and socioeconomic status to elucidate risk factors for early-onset cancer and provide a basis for creating multilevel screening and intervention strategies to improve patient mortality and survival.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The monitoring of jet fuel ignition characteristics is an integral part of ensuring the efficient and safe performance of an aircraft engine. The derived cetane number (DCN) is a commonly used metric that summarizes fuel ignition characteristics, including but not limited to ignition propensity and combustion quality. Traditional methods for determining the DCN of jet fuels are ASTM standards that involve large-scale, laboratory-based experiments. While recent advancements include the estimation of DCN via NMR and infrared spectroscopy, the search persists for a method capable of real-time and even in-situ estimations. This work proposes the use of a compact, time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) system employing custom hardware and controls for the acquisition of jet fuel T2 relaxation curves. The system is validated using relaxometric experiments and demonstrates the ability to acquire consistent, structurally viable data on a time-scale of just minutes. Further, an interpretable approach for relaxometric data analysis is presented that allows for the estimation of a sample’s DCN with little computational complexity. The importance of extracted T2 relaxation curve features for DCN regression is considered, and a model trained on less than 200 total observations is validated using four novel jet fuel samples. Finally, the performance and applicability of the proposed scheme are discussed.
1:00-2:30 p.m.From 1900 to 1970, widespread racism, particularly in the form of Jim Crow Laws, severely restricted healthcare access for the African-American community in the South. African-Americans could not access the same healthcare resources as their white counterparts, leading them to establish and staff alternative healthcare institutions to support their community. Such institutions faced debilitating issues such as chronic financial shortages and patient overflow. Despite these problems, oral histories, media, and primary written sources show that Black healthcare workers in alternative healthcare institutions demonstrated a greater ability to meet the health needs of Black patients due to specialized cultural understanding and external community involvement. The Good Samaritan Waverly Hospital was an alternative healthcare institution created by the African-American community in Columbia, South Carolina. Though it struggled with an overflow of charity patients and with bankruptcy throughout its operation, the hospital staff demonstrated specialized cultural understanding with its patients through equitable hospital policy and compassionate patient interactions. Dr. Matilda Evans was an African-American woman physician who became a leader in medicine, public health, and education. She founded the Taylor Lane Hospital and Training School for Nurses and subsequently, the Evans Clinic and the Zion Baptist Church Clinic. Outside of her medical practice, she constantly involved herself in uplifting the wellbeing of the Black community. Dr. Evans widely distributed public health education and operated a farm to provide jobs, food, and recreation to her community. This presentation includes a cumulative biography of the Good Samaritan Waverly Hospital and Dr. Evans along with an extensive analysis of how each of them uniquely met the health needs of Black patients. The comparison of an institution versus an individual healthcare worker offers an additional perspective into how a group of healthcare workers worked together to improve public health versus an individual healthcare worker’s personal journey.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Agape is a Greek concept for a universal love which stems from a dedication to creating a community of kindness with everyone you meet. An Agape community is one which is built on compassion, support, and forgiveness. Through this project, I will tell my own story of Agape, which started one cold November morning in the parking lot of a liquor store and has led me to a myriad of amazing experiences. This concept has motivated me to join amazing fundraising organizations such as Relay for Life and Dance Marathon, guided me throughout college and high school as I work to become a doctor, and helped me to find my own community of people with which I share this Agape love. In school, my love for biochemistry and the sciences has grown as I have found a passion for learning both in and out of the classroom. I have seen this agape spirit in my professors and peers as we navigate difficult courses and strive to succeed, creating a community of learning and discovery. As my communities have continued to grow and expand through every person I have met, my path for the future has been illuminated and made clearer, driving me to pursue a career in medicine so that I can make a difference in the lives of others. Along this journey, I have developed my character and grown as a person, learning countless lessons from the many people I have had the opportunity to meet. Everyone has a story to tell and a lesson to be learned. I have found that listening with compassion, empathy, and respect is the greatest way to bring others into your community and make people feel the Agape love. My mission in this world is to share the concept of Agape with everyone I meet, forming communities of love and respect that are dedicated to making the world a better place.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Asthma is the most common chronic disease affecting children each year. Although there are specific qualifiers embedded in the EMR to help specify a diagnosis of asthma, there are still patients with an unspecified asthma diagnosis. Project Aim: The goal of this quality improvement project aimed to have accurate asthma documentation, treatment and follow up appointments in 90% of patients over a 9-month period. Methods: An “asthma checklist” was created to aid in correct documentation and to provide reminders to residents regarding a standard asthma visit. Charts were abstracted at random pre- and post-intervention. They were checked for diagnosis filed, medications prescribed, and if a follow up appointment was made. ***(PDSA 2?) Results: Prior to the intervention, 64% of charts were found to have follow up appointments scheduled, 74% had a correct and specific diagnosis for their asthma based on history and 96% had the appropriate treatment for their asthma based on history. In the post-intervention group, 88% of charts had scheduled follow up, 92% had a correct and specific diagnosis for their asthma and 96% had the correct treatment prescribed. Conclusions: We successfully increased the accuracy of asthma documentation and scheduled follow up appointments in the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center while maintaining accuracy of treatment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are a controversial topic in tobacco control and public health more broadly. Recently the terminology around who uses cigarettes (smokes) and who uses e-cigarettes (vapes) has been debated with prominent journals and researchers calling for an end to the use of certain terms including “smoker”, “vaper”, and “dual user” among others. However, regardless of the terminology used by researchers, people who smoke and/or vape may still self-identifying as a smoker and/or vaper (those identifying as dual users being people who self-identify as a smoker and a vaper). The link between smoking and self-identity has been studied previously, indicating that identifying as a smoker can be barrier to successful and sustained smoking cessation (i.e., quitting). Methods This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2023 SC Adult Tobacco Survey (ATS). Respondents (n=1370) answered items relating to tobacco and nicotine use. Logistic regression was performed and compared responses from those who self-identified as smokers, vapers, dual users, and people who identified with neither label to responses from people with no history of tobacco use. This study focuses on differences in identity rather than differences in behavior. Results Among the analytic sample (n=596), people identifying as smokers were more likely to believe that breathing secondhand vape aerosol caused no harm than people with no history of tobacco use. About 10% of all current and former smokers and/or vapers in this study have a mismatch between their current behavior and their self-identity as a smoker and/or vaper respectively. Smokers who tried switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes were no more likely to identify as a smoker or a vaper than those who did not report trying to switch products as a means of smoking cessation. Smokers were four times as likely to be susceptible to trying an e-cigarette in the next year than people who do not identify as a smoker. Conclusion Researchers should take care to use terms people identify with, such as smoker or vaper, while recognizing that not all people who smoke or vape identify with the respective behavior’s group identity or label.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The power that mentorship holds is a major contributing factor to my personal and professional growth, development and success throughout my time at the University of South Carolina. One of my significant contributions to USC has taken place in my role as an Mentor for the Pillars for Carolina Program. The program allows incoming students an opportunity to feel encouraged, welcomed, and excited over an extended orientation program the summer leading into their first semester on campus. In this position I was able to develop relationships between incoming students, create a supportive community, and provide support as they enter a new environment for the first time. Through facilitating group activities and being intentional in all conversations and interactions, I was able to foster an inclusive space where all members of my family group felt valued. Following this experience, my passion led me to support the transition not only from high school to college, but from their first semester and beyond in the classroom as a University 101 Peer Leader. Through my time in these roles, I learned how impactful it is to be part of and contribute to a student's journey to success, and how every small action is a pivotal part of the larger picture. My presentation underscores the positive impacts and teachings these experiences have shaped a value I never knew would become so integral to my life today.
1:00-2:30 p.m.A secular decline in motor competence (MC) and physical fitness among U.S. youth has contributed to a national security crisis due to the alarming number of young adults unable to demonstrate adequate physical fitness levels to qualify for Army service. Previous research reveals strong associations among MC levels, physical fitness, and Army fitness test performance/failure rates in adults. As MC levels track across youth, a continued decline in youth MC levels may further exacerbate recruitment issues and physical military readiness. The purpose of this study was to apply growth curve modeling coefficients from longitudinal MC data to predict future recruitment age physical fitness and potential Army fitness test performance. An initial sample of children (N = 262, female = 135, Mage = 8.8 years) completed MC (standing long jump distance, throw speed, & kick speed) and physical fitness (grip strength & push-ups) assessments across three years. Using linear regression, tracking coefficients were calculated for MC and physical fitness measures to predict MC and physical fitness levels at age 14 (β =.44 to 1.01). Using growth curve modeling, we further extrapolated MC and physical fitness levels to military recruitment age (17 years) by applying longitudinal tracking coefficients for the same MC and physical fitness variables from a different longitudinal data set (ages 15 to 18 years - β = 0.34 to 0.68). Predicted MC and physical fitness levels at age 17 years were compared to MC and physical fitness levels from a current sample of young adults in a pre-military setting (N = 306, Mage = 19.55) to calculate the initial sample’s predicted MC and physical fitness percentiles. The extrapolated growth curves revealed that 80% of females and 63% of males are predicted to be in the lowest 25%tile of MC and physical fitness at age 17. Approximately 75% of individuals at or below the 25%tile of MC are predicted to fail the current Army fitness test at age 17 (Terlizzi et al., 2022). This innovative predictive growth curve modeling application highlights the potential significance of developing MC as a critical antecedent for future physical military readiness.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays an important role in sensing environmental signals such as changes in the circadian rhythm, oxygen tension, or redox potential. Along with regulating many genes, AhR also mediates the toxicity of environmental pollutants such as TCDD (Dioxin). In this study, we investigated the effect of four AhR ligands: TCDD, Resveratrol (RES), Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C), and 6-Formylindolo [3,2-bicarbazole (FICZ) on the gut microbiota in mice. To this end, C57BL/6 mice were treated with either vehicle (VEH), TCDD (10 µg/kg), RES (100 mg/kg), I3C (50 mg/kg), or FICZ (50 µg/kg). On day 3, the mice were euthanized, and fecal contents were collected. Using gut microbiome DNA, 16S sequencing was performed on Illumina MySeq platform. Data generated from MySeq were analyzed using Nephele and Partek software. There was significant dysbiosis in the gut microbiota population in mice treated with TCDD, RES, I3C or FICZ when compared to gut microbiota populations of mice treated with Vehicle (VEH). There were also significant changes in the gut microbiota of mice at family, genera, and species levels treated with TCDD, RES, I3C, or FICZ, when compared to VEH-treated mice. Moreover, a significant increase in the population of Clostridium leptum was observed in FICZ-treated mice, and a significant increase in Muribaculum intestinale, was observed in RES- and I3C-treated mice, when compared to VEH-treated mice. These bacteria are associated with regulating intestinal immune system homeostasis and colitis. In summary, the current study demonstrated that various AhR ligands have differential effects on the regulation of the gut microbiota populations in mice. Differential effects of AhR ligands on dysbiosis of gut microbiota may play a crucial role in the health of the gut as well as in the regulation of the mucosal immune system (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01ES030144, P20GM103641, R01AI123947, and R01AI160896).
1:00-2:30 p.m.In 2023, I joined Carolina Productions, a branch of Gamecock Entertainment on the University of South Carolina campus. I was assigned to be the event coordinator for Cockstock. Cockstock is the University of South Carolina’s annual homecoming concert. On October 6, 2023, COIN took the stage and performed on Greene Street. We welcomed 1,558 students. I joined this organization and worked for Cockstock in order to gain unique music industry experience. I was able to learn to negotiate contracts, budget, coordinate production, and work directly with a band and their team. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of an organization that impacts all students at the university. In order to make this event a success, I had to collaborate with other students across campus and work directly with the booking agent in order to secure a band. Through this opportunity I found that people are placed in leadership positions to improve the lives of the people they are leading. Being in a leadership role and remaining stagnant is nearly pointless. Therefore, it is essential that leadership provides an opportunity for change. Working as an event coordinator for Carolina Productions taught me a lot about the music industry and the importance of change. Moving forward, I will take these lessons with me as I enter the workforce and begin my professional career. In this presentation I will cover my journey as the event coordinator for Cockstock, and how that experience led me to where I am today in terms of making changes. I will reflect on how I can use what I learned in this experience to be successful in my professional career.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In my second semester of junior year, I studied abroad for the second time as a member of the International Business Education Alliance cohort studying IB/Managment/German in Singapore at ESSEC Asia Pacific. There, I traveled and encountered many new cultures with different traditions and behaviors to my own. I had to adapt to these to be successful in my friendships and schoolwork. Singapore is a diverse mix of people, predominantly of Malay, Chinese, and Indian backgrounds. However, ESSEC was a French international school with students from every continent. Living in Singapore and studying at ESSEC meant interacting and adapting my behavior to the expected cultural norms, from eating at restaurants to completing group projects. I had to use various models for cultural values that I learned in Management classes, most notably Hofstede’s 6 values. Everyone comes from a unique background and upbringing that shapes who they are. Understanding whether someone is risk-avoidant or comes from a collective society is beneficial to connect with them on a deeper level. As someone who wants to continue to work and live abroad, these principles will guide my actions and behavior to successfully adapt to any environment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This article explores the complex history and extensive effects of soybean cultivation in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, Brazil, highlighting its critical influence on shaping the economic landscapes at local, national, and international levels. Over the last forty years, a significant metamorphosis has occurred within Brazil's agricultural sector, with the development of agriculture in Sorriso playing a vital role in this change. The amalgamation of rich natural resources, technological advances, and a forward-thinking community has propelled Sorriso to the forefront of soybean production worldwide. This study argues that examining soybean cultivation's historical and ongoing impacts on Sorriso fills essential gaps in historical, geographical, economic, and agricultural studies. It scrutinizes Sorriso's evolution from a small farming community to a formidable agribusiness titan. The area's advantageous position, ideal climate, and fertile lands were pivotal for its swift agricultural expansion. This document underscores the socioeconomic benefits of such growth, including attracting investments, enriching the local economy, and creating job opportunities. Furthermore, the surge of people moving to the area for better living conditions has led to rapid population increase and urbanization, turning Sorriso into a thriving and economically varied hub. Key words: agribusiness; mato grosso; soybean; crop production; sorriso
1:00-2:30 p.m.Due to the continuing lag in achievement in the US, and the difficulty retaining qualified teachers in public schools, many localities use performance bonuses to retain the “best” teachers and improve student outcomes. North Carolina introduced an annual performance bonus of $1500-$2500 for top teachers within their local school or the state, notably with no concurrent (teacher) cohort incentives or professional development. This allows us to exclusively examine the individual incentives’ effects on both teacher turnover and student proficiency. Using administrative data provided by the North Carolina Education Research Data Center, we estimate an “intent to treat” effect of being within a bonus-eligible cohort. We used Synthetic Difference-in-Differences and Callaway Sant’anna (2021) staggered TWFE and models, leveraging grade/subject boundaries for identification. We observe statistically significant results for student outcomes; however, both models report economically negligible effect sizes for teacher retention and student outcomes. We believe negligible results are driven by the small amount of the bonus relative to the effort required, although lack of information may play a part.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Following the 27 December 2021 Mw=3.3 Elgin–Lugoff earthquake in South Carolina (SC), a swarm of small-magnitude earthquakes has been consistently occurring in the area. The origin of the Elgin–Lugoff swarm is subject of current research to improve the understanding of the causes behind the swarm. This research aims at analyzing the crustal structure in South Carolina from the coast to the Appalachians. We will map two perpendicular 2D profiles; first from Charleston to Lake Jocassee (~365 km), and later from Hawthorne to Birdtown (~190 km). The second cross-section will allow us to map across the Eastern Piedmont Fault System (EPFS), which serves as a tectonic boundary between the predominantly sedimentary southeast and the cratonic northwest of SC. By using the time domain deconvolution method, we will calculate teleseismic receiver functions (RFs) for a set of 1567 Mw≥5.5 earthquakes from 2010–2023. For converting the RFs to depth, we will use a recently developed local velocity model determined by using the seismic data recorded by our SmartSolo 5Hz three-component nodes deployed between Elgin and Lugoff from October 2022 until February 2023. Our results will improve the accuracy of the velocity model and test the effectiveness of the SmartSolo 5Hz three-component nodes in RF determinations, by examining the RFs from a co-located node and broadband station in the place of the swarm. We test the hypothesis of an east-west dipping Moho, with the most pronounced Moho discontinuity located beneath the EPFS. We suggest the oceanic crust to be ~25 km thick, increasing rapidly to the northwest and reaching about ~45 km thick under Lake Jocassee. A thinning of the crust underneath the Elgin–Lugoff swarm is suggested (probably by delamination) allowing fluid migration from the upper mantle to the shallow crust, which could explain the continuous seismic activity in the zone. Our findings would corroborate the existence of a dipping Moho along the east coast of the United States and also a thinning of the crust under the Elgin swarm. This research will contribute valuable insights for a better understanding of the Elgin–Lugoff swarm and also the tectonics of the east coast.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my Spring 2023 semester, I studied abroad on exchange at the ESSEC Business School in Cergy, France. I had been studying French from the beginning of middle school onward, and I had hopes to study in France in order to achieve linguistic and professional goals that I had set for myself. In college, I majored in International Business and Accounting with a minor in French because I have hopes of practicing international corporate law – potentially tax. I also simply have a passion for cultural experience and wanted to develop firsthand experiences to contribute to my Honors Thesis on the topic of ethnocentrism. The ESSEC Business School offered a wide variety of business classes on topics beyond what is offered in the United States, and these classes counted toward my USC coursework. As an aspiring International Tax Lawyer, I wanted to understand French (and general European) culture through the lens of business, and I did this by traveling to over 20 locations in Europe during my semester abroad. This was a significant experience in my life, as I was raised in a multicultural family, yet I had never traveled outside of the United States. I have always been told that the best place to grow in your cultural understanding and awareness as well as your language skills is through firsthand immersion, and that is what I did. I threw myself into the unknown – I grew, I learned, and I became more culturally aware and more open to new ideas and perspectives. I learned to communicate better with French individuals not only through language development but also through understanding French behavior and etiquette. I met individuals in my exchange program from almost every country in Europe and Asia, creating a HUGE network of individuals that I can learn and grow from. I began to understand myself and my behaviors more, beginning to understand that I am a product of my own culture. It was a life-changing experience that has only fueled my passion for culture, for learning, and for traveling even more.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The national opioid crisis has raised awareness of alternative modalities to reduce opioid usage in surgical patients. There is a large body of evidence showing that poor postoperative pain control is associated with increased opioid use and abuse postoperatively. Peripheral nerve blocks using local anesthetics have been suggested as an effective alternative to opioid analgesics for intraoperative and postoperative pain management. Cardiac surgery anesthesia traditionally relies heavily on opioid analgesics, and as such is an area of interest for potential alternative analgesia modalities. This paper details a systematic literature review which highlights the effectiveness of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) as an analgesic for cardiac surgery and reducing postoperative opioid use. The pre- and post-test survey results of the study represent the impact of the educational presentation on the knowledge of the cardiac anesthesia team and their perceptions of the ESPB.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My name is Stephanie Ripp and indulging myself in different cultures and experiences makes me who I am. While I could go on and on about these topics, I have chosen the most memorable moments to give you some insight into what exactly I want to say about the tourism industry. I clearly remember walking onto the Semester at Sea boat filled with just about every emotion possible. Oblivious to the profound wisdom I was about to hear, I sat down in the massive auditorium to hear the Dean of student affairs introduce himself. Dean Dan, who would soon become one of my favorite professors, told the entire ship the danger of a single story. For word count purposes I will just sum it up by saying it is a warning about going into a new situation with a predetermined image of someone or something. I didn’t realize it then, but that story directly correlates with each of my key points. My first key insight is discussing the differences between a tourist and a traveler. Before going to Semester at Sea, I completed my education abroad pre-departure class in Fall 22’ and it taught me so much about how to be an aware traveler, not an obnoxious tourist. No one is perfect, and it’s hard to fit in when you're a foreigner, but there are ways to show respect and be considerate of others which is something I experienced firsthand during my time in India. The next topic I want to discuss is the importance of having access to information. During my time in Jordan, I realized how much power the freedom of speech can have. Sustainable tourism, which I took in the fall of 2023, reassured my conclusions about the significance of information. Finally, I would like to talk about the power of finding your niche and using your voice for good. Taking public communications in the fall of 2021 taught me that you need to speak about things that you are passionate and knowledgeable about or else you won’t make any difference.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Purpose: Defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, obesity has been linked to numerous medical conditions and significant healthcare costs. The Prisma Health/USC Family Medicine Center cares for an underserved patient population in an under resourced area in Columbia, SC. Our patients often have difficult access to obesity medications and other evidence-based weight management tools. This study aims to address the growing obesity rate through a quality improvement program by decreasing total body weight and increasing perceived quality of life for participants. This project is a resident-driven implementation of group visits for weight management. Methods: Approximately 50 obese participants will be recruited and meet for 1-hour sessions, 6 times over 3 months. Each meeting will include a physical activity component and educational information on lifestyle modification variables such as nutrition and goal setting. Results: Weight trends before and after group visits will be analyzed, as well as patient quality of life. The study anticipates a 5 percent reduction in total body weight for all participants who complete the intervention. Additionally, the study anticipates a significant increase in perceived quality of life from pre- to post-intervention. We also hope to demonstrate the feasibility of this type of intervention in a residency clinic. Conclusion: This study will provide preliminary data on the effectiveness of a quality improvement intervention on total body weight and perceived quality of life in individuals living with obesity. It will also provide information on the applicability of such a service in residency clinic setting. A successful outcome could have large-scale implications on how medical clinics approach the growing obesity epidemic facing as many as 41 percent of Americans.
1:00-2:30 p.m.For my Beyond the Classroom experience, I interned as a Workplace Health and Safety Specialist at an Amazon Sort Center in Fife, Washington. In the Spring 2023 semester, I took ENHS 321, Environmental Health and Pollutants, where I learned about different pollutants in our environment, and I found that the section on workplace pollutants really interested me, and I wanted to explore it as a career. During the internship, I learned about common workplace hazards, and I got to work on a project to address a common source of injuries at the job site I was at. I found that many of these injuries were caused by a lack of education, another of my public health interests. I was able to leave a guide for an implementation of what the site could do to educate new employees and re-educate current employees to reduce injuries. This experience was very meaningful to me, as it solidified my choice in my career, and I plan to work in this field and improve workplace safety for all.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Dietary amino acids play important roles in metabolic processes that support normal tissue growth, repair, and development. Amino acid transporters facilitate migration of amino acids into the cell. In Drosophila, we have previously shown that amino acid transporter knockdown in adult adipocytes mediates ovarian responses to dietary protein input. The Drosophila genome encodes 51 genes thought to be amino acid transporters and high-throughput studies suggest differential tissue expression. We hypothesize that distinct tissues including the fat body, ovary, brain, muscle, and gut require distinct dietary protein inputs to mediate their normal physiological functions. Thus, we first set out to determine the complement of amino acid transporters expressed by several tissues using an RT-PCR screen of 26 solute carrier amino acid transporters. We find that expression of the 26 amino acid transporters tested varies between these distinct tissues. For example, the ovary expresses low levels while the brain expressed high levels of Aralar1. Currently, we are determining if an organism’s physiological state influences amino acid transporter expression by measuring amino acid transporter transcript and protein levels in tissues across different ages, diets, and sexes. In future studies, we will focus on determining amino acid transporter expression under obesogenic conditions. The genetic screen of amino acid transporter expression will help elucidate specific amino acid requirements for distinct tissues under D. melanogaster homeostatic and non-homeostatic conditions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends early GDM screenings for patients with a combination of BMI > 25 and one other risk factor due to the increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in patients with higher BMI. Our previous study with the MOMs Clinic, a program that specializes in pregnancy diabetes care for rural South Carolina, showed that 100% of patients who had diabetes mellitus and were diagnosed with an IUFD had a BMI > 25.0. Based on these findings, we suggested that pregnant patients with BMI > 25 should undergo glucose challenges before 24-28 weeks, which are the current guidelines. We decided to implement a quality improvement project for glucose tolerance testing in high-risk patients at their initial prenatal visit. We implemented interventions such as provider education and technology improvements with the ultimate goal of increasing prenatal A1c collections for high-risk women by 25% in 6 weeks.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This study investigated the effect of the number of observed variables (p) on SEM fit indices in the context of ordinal data. The behaviors of three fit indices including the comparative fit index (CFI), the Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) were examined under ordinal factor analysis models with the unweighted least squares (ULS) estimation method. We manipulated various simulation conditions by varying the number of observed variables, levels of model misspecification, sample size, number of response categories, and magnitude of factor loadings. The results showed that given the same level of model misspecification, the population values of CFI, TLI, and RMSEA were generally stable as the model size (p) increased. At the sample level, as p increased, the sample CFI estimates became closer to their corresponding population values, especially when the sample size was small, and the magnitude of factor loadings was low. No clear pattern was observed regarding the effect of p on the sample TLI and RMSEA. Drawing on our findings, we discussed the practical implications of our study and suggested directions for future research.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my time at the University of South Carolina, I served as president of the University of South Carolina’s Teaching Fellows organization, which is the state’s collegiate teacher recruitment program. This program recruits high school seniors into the teaching profession and helps them develop leadership qualities through providing professional development opportunities. As president, my role included assisting in refining our program manual, convening and chairing meetings of the Teaching Fellows’ organization, as well as continuously monitoring and addressing areas of improvement for the program. A defining moment for me while serving as president was addressing a need I observed within the field of education by highlighting relevant legislation and the importance of advocacy at one of our meetings. More specifically, I spoke in January 2023 about legislative updates including the Governor's Inaugural Address, in which Henry McMaster stated his plan to raise teacher pay to $50,000 over the next four years. Additionally, I spoke about the importance of our members joining teacher advocacy organizations such as The Palmetto State Teachers Association (PSTA). As a future educator, I did this because I developed a personal passion for political advocacy after taking EDLP 517: Law and Policy Studies in Education. In this course, I was required to learn about a plethora of legislation that pertains to education in the United States. In this course, we also heard from guest speakers including legislators and educator advocates who often advocated for increased teacher engagement in politics in our state. These in-class experiences compelled me to share this newfound understanding of the importance of engaging in political advocacy with all Teaching Fellows. I learned to use my role as president to educate and inform future teachers so that they are aware of what political advocacy is and its importance in the field of education, so that we can collectively address pressing policy issues in South Carolina. I plan to continue my political advocacy into my future role as an educator and I hope to inspire other teachers to do the same.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with increased incidences of depression in patients. The mechanisms that define this comorbidity remain poorly understood. Our lab previously showed supplementation with indole-3-carbinol (I3C), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, can reduce disease severity in models of colitis. We aimed to determine the behavioral impact I3C supplementation has on colitis-induced depression via alterations in the gut metabolome. Colitis was induced in using the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) method and treatment groups were given a regimen of 40 mg/kg I3C as previously reported. Untargeted metabolomic studies revealed quinolinic acid (QA), a metabolite produced by the kynurenine (KYN) pathway and linked to depression, was found to be significantly reduced in I3C-treated mice when compared to colitis controls. To determine the effects of I3C and QA modulation on depressive-like behavior, colitis mice were treated with either I3C or an inhibitor of a major enzyme involved in QA production. Depressive-like behavior was measured using the Tail Suspension Test (TST) method, along with evaluation of neural biomarkers of depression (dopamine, BDNF, GFAP) and stabilization of the blood brain barrier (BBB). Results showed I3C reduced depressive-like behavior and altered select biomarkers associated with depression. These studies provide evidence that AhR can be a potential therapeutic target for both colitis and colitis-associated depression.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background and Objectives. Pediatricians have the unique responsibility of caring for children in foster and kinship care. It is of the utmost importance for pediatric residents, and clinicians in general, to provide care that is specific, informed, and thorough because this population is subject to pervasive health outcomes. This quality improvement project aims to improve resident confidence, competence, and practice in caring for children in foster and kinship care using an educational method that is effective and non-burdensome. Methods. This project was conducted within a pediatric residency program and included residents from all three post-graduate years; 38 total. A reference sheet addressing confidence, competence, and practice pertaining to children in foster and kinship care was created and displayed in resident work areas. A pre and post survey with statements relevant to the three areas was sent via Google Forms, and residents rated them using a Likert scale. Resident perception of the burden of medical education was queried with questions on how residents best learn/retain information. Results. The study demonstrated improvement in all three categories- confidence, competence, and practice. However, there was a marked decrease in response rate between the two surveys. Experiential learning was voted the best format for retaining knowledge, although educational handouts were also effective. Conclusion. There is an ongoing need for pediatric graduate medical education to prepare trainees for quality care of children in foster and kinship care. Methods for incorporating this topic can be as simple as an identifiable and accessible reference guide.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Substance misuse is an occupational hazard for anesthesia providers, with stress identified as the most prevalent risk factor within the literature review conducted in this study. Student Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists (SRNAs) are at similarly high risk for substance misuse due to the addition of rigorous clinical training and educational demands. Substance misuse by SRNAs has devastating and far-reaching consequences, warranting efforts to identify and address the risk factors specific to this population. A wellness assessment survey was created and administered to voluntary SRNA participants attending 32 graduate nurse anesthesia programs across the Southeastern United States (U.S.), which successfully identified the most deficient areas of wellness among SRNAs. The findings in this study indicate that wellness is impaired among SRNAs, and specific areas, including physical, emotional, and occupational wellness, are the most insufficient. These findings could aid future research efforts to create targeted wellness-improvement programs for SRNAs, ultimately reducing the risk of substance misuse. Keywords: student registered nurse anesthetists, SRNA, certified nurse anesthetist, CRNA, controlled substance misuse, substance abuse, substance use disorder, substance-related disorders, stress, wellness, coping
9:30-11:00 a.m.In pursuit of graduating with Leadership Distinction in Global Learning, I studied abroad at the Chinese University of Hong Kong my sophomore year as a member of the IBCE cohort. Spending at least a semester abroad is a requirement for International Business majors, and I have always been interested in becoming more culturally awareness and working abroad after graduation. During my time there, I was able to take courses with regional focus, become more independent and flexible, better understand myself and the Hong Kong culture, and build an international network. I lived on-campus with both local and exchange students and was able to explore the hidden gems of Hong Kong during my time there. Thanks to GLD, I have been able to connect within-the-classroom experiences with beyond-the-classroom ones. Specifically, the focus on being an effective and convincing debater in my IBUS 310 class, combined with my previous experiences of camera fright with SGTV and not being able to speak the main dialect in Hong Kong, allowed me to rediscover my voice in an academic setting and build confidence as I did so. The GLD process has showed me not only the benefits of diversity and multiculturalism but also how to use what I learn in class and apply it to my own development on personal, educational, and professional levels. Having participated in several enhancement experiences and completed additional coursework, I understand that there is power in feeling like you belong; I aim to foster this sense of belonging in the clubs I lead and plan to continue encouraging acceptance wherever life takes me in the future. I hope others will also see the advantages of study abroad and approach everything with an open mind and heart.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A novel lasso peptide, taiwanodin, from Paenibacillus taiwanensis DSM18679 was bioinformatically identified and subsequently purified and studied. Taiwanodin contains unique structural elements including a highly hydrophobic tail region. The biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) encoding the biosynthetic machinery required to synthesize taiwanodin additionally contains three putative transport proteins with homology to the nisin transport system. Nisin is an extremely potent antimicrobial lanthipeptide discovered found in the related genus Bacillus. Due to the similarity of the taiwanodin BGC transporters and the nisin BGC transporters, we reasoned that taiwanodin may also exhibit potent antimicrobial activity. We also observed cell death in an attempted heterologous expression host, further suggesting that taiwanodin may have antimicrobial activity. We performed an agar disk diffusion assay and a 96-well plate minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay using se veral ES KAPE pathogens. We demonstrated that taiwanodin has activity against several of these pathogens and found that taiwanodin exhibits potent activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis at 6.3 micromolar.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The school-to-prison pipeline is a metaphor used to describe the ways in which educational policies and practices funnel youth out of public schools and into the justice system. Exclusionary school discipline, such as school expulsion, is an important component of the school-to-prison pipeline and associated with youth drop out, delinquency, and justice system contact. Mentoring interventions for students who have been expelled from school may represent a key, untapped potential lever of change for promoting positive youth development and resilience, thereby disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline from a midstream vantage. This poster presents data from a university-school partnership program that matches trained university student mentors with youth who have been expelled from their traditional high school and attend a disciplinary alternative school. We explore the strategies employed by mentors to foster the 5Cs of Positive Youth Development (PYD) – competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring. Through a mixed methods analysis of mentor-mentee interactions as described in weekly mentoring journals, the research unveils how mentors effectively adapt PYD principles to meet the unique needs and circumstances of their mentees.
9:30-11:00 a.m.While in Barcelona during Spring 2023, through the help of my study abroad program, SAI, I deepened my connection with the local community by volunteering weekly as a teaching assistant in an English class at a local elementary school. I am passionate about engaging in experiences that support youth and was encouraged to volunteer at Escola Pia Sant Antoni as a requirement for SAI’s Global Leadership Certificate and International Service Certificate. Over the course of the semester, I dedicated over 15 hours to this role, helping young students in this classroom from all over the world feel more confident in their abilities to speak English. The most significant aspect of this volunteer experience was the day in which I was responsible for planning and leading the entire class period. I met with the teacher outside of class time in order to effectively prepare for this endeavor. One aspect of my lesson plan was to teach the young kids about English body parts through the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song and dance. Following, I observed a heightened excitement for learning among the children during my leadership. Through this volunteer experience, I was reminded of the importance of compassion and open-mindedness, especially when working with diverse populations. Cultural competency is a crucial aspect of the Arnold School of Public Health curriculum, and the positive environment of Escola Pia Sant Antoni represented broader themes related to Barcelona’s cultural norms. Furthermore, looking at the bigger picture of my experience studying abroad, I realize that volunteering, coupled with other requirements of the Global Leadership and International Service Certificates, allowed me to compare and contrast Spanish and American sociocultural norms. This ultimately led to a better understanding of the differences of the healthcare systems of these countries. In summary, as I prepare for a career in medicine with a foundation in public health, I am equipped with a newfound understanding of connecting with diverse populations, of community building, and of the importance of considering sociocultural norms in assessing populations’ opinions of their healthcare system thanks to my semester-long emergence in the culture of Barcelona.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Technology advancements have greatly improved oral health in the south trough providing more efficient and effective methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of oral diseases. The history of dentistry offers a pathway to better understand how these improvements have helped rural and impoverished populations in the region. In the twentieth century, traditional X-rays were commonly used for dental imaging, but included limitations regarding image quality and radiation exposure. Digital imaging technologies such as digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and 3D imaging have revolutionized the way dentists diagnose and treat oral health issues, which has also allowed dentists to provide greater access of care to broader populations. These tools provide more detailed and accurate images, allowing for better diagnosis and planning of treatment. Tele-dentistry, or virtual dental consultations, have become more common in recent years, especially in rural areas where access to dental care is more limited. This technology specifically allows patients to connect with a dentist remotely for consultations, follow-ups, and treatment recommendations. Implant technology has also advanced significantly, leading to more durable and natural-looking results. Despite these advancements, there are still some challenges and problems that have created the need for these tools in the first place, such as limited access to dental care in impoverished rural communities. Many areas in the south, particularly in rural and underserved communities, face a shortage of dental providers. This lack of access to care, often cause by historical health disparities, can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment of oral health issues. Certain populations in the south, including low-income individuals, minorities, and rural residents, are more likely to experience disparities in oral health outcomes due to these structural remnants from historical oppressions. These current disparities can be attributed to factors such as socioeconomic status, education level, and access to preventive services. Also, some individuals may not prioritize their oral health or may not be aware of the importance of regular dental care. This lack of awareness can lead to the development of preventable oral health issues.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Lack of precise clinical documentation of developmental delay can make it difficult to find the supporting evidence CHAMPS needs for SSI disability cases. Current templates for well-child check notes do not include any specific descriptors for the severity of developmental delay when present. Project Aim: Improve clinical documentation of developmental delay in patients ages 6-months to 36-months at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Clinic at Prisma Health by embedding a developmental delay assessment tool within the age-specific well-child check note templates with the goal of achieving 70% consistent documentation of this tool by May 24, 2023. Methods: Created a series of interlinked SmartPhrases and SmartLists that utilizes Ages and Stages Questionairre-3 to assess severity of developmental delay using specific descriptors. The tool also gives general recommendations based on findings. Results: There were 279 well-child check visits for 6-months to 36-months-old patients between 3/22/23 and 5/24/23, and the developmental delay assessment tool was included in 246 notes from these visits. Conclusion: There was 88% compliance with using this tool for routine well-child check visits between 6- to 36-month-olds. Based on resident feedback, this tool is a useful reminder for using ASQ3 and what interventions are recommended based on the severity of delay. The effectiveness of this tool on improving chart review and increasing efficiency for successful case closures will need to be investigated in the future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Library careers are rewarding, but any workplace can be a “nexus point for social oppression” (Blustein, 2008). Work routines constructed in public libraries whose professional workforce is largely white females can pose barriers to workers with marginalized identities. To understand routines and the affordances, disaffordances, and workarounds encountered and used by library workers, we used a combination of audio diaries and interviews. Diary methods allow research participants to record their experiences and thoughts close to the event, allowing a “life as it is lived” perspective (Bolger, Davis, & Rafaeli, 2003). In addition to flexibility and ease of use, the audio diaries allowed participants to speak candidly about their experiences without a researcher present. Since the PI and RA are white, straight, and cisgender, our absence during audio diary recording provided a layer of safety for participants. During subsequent interviews we unpacked the intersection of identity and work routines with participants.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists (CRNAs) present an increased risk for burnout given the demanding nature of the education, coupled with the responsibilities associated with the role. Burnout is defined as “a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long-term exposure to demanding work situations, or the cumulative result of stress” (Chipas & McKenna, 2011). Elevated levels of burnout in this population leading to CRNAs leaving the profession will impact the entire healthcare landscape, including patient care and safety. This project aimed to assess the severity of burnout amongst CRNAs at a large Level 1 Trauma Center. The Burnout Assessment Tool-12 (BAT-12), a twelve-question survey utilizing the Likert scale to measure the severity of burnout, was sent securely via email to sixty-five CRNAs employed by the Level 1 Trauma Center. The survey results were stored securely and anonymously in REDCaps, from which they were exported and analyzed in Excel. Out of sixty-five individual CRNAs, thirty-one complete and one incomplete response were obtained and analyzed, rendering a response rate of 49.23%. The average scores were divided into four categories: Low, Medium, High, and Very High individual average burnout scores. The Low, Medium, High, and Very High classifications included two (6.25%), fifteen (46.875%), fourteen (43.75%), and one (3.125%) participants, respectively. Based on a Two-sample Z-test between this study and results found in Hadžibajramović et al. (2022), the P-value of 0.0138 of the -2.77 Z-score was found to be statistically significant. This can lead us to derive that there is a more significant proportion of individuals experiencing higher burnout rates as qualified by the BAT-12 scoring system in this study population. With this information, looking at contributing factors and investigating different interventions could potentially ameliorate the severity of burnout amongst CRNAs.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the summer of 2023, I shadowed at Eau Claire Cooperative Women’s Health Hopkins (WHH). The outpatient practice works to facilitate medical OB/GYN care of underinsured and uninsured women and families. My time at WHH encompassed a variety of prophylactic treatments, assessments, and patient education. Prophylaxis can be defined as taking preventive action to decrease the risk of a certain disease or complication among a population. Patient prophylaxis encompasses this while also incorporating patient health promotion and education, which is known as preventive health. Preventative women’s health is my focus and the clinical insight I gained at WHH. We facilitated birth control placement and removal, offered vaccinations, provided pre-pregnancy counseling and prenatal care up to the 36th week of gestation, conducted sexual health counseling, and comprehensive well-women examinations. I became increasingly passionate about women’s health during my time here at Carolina as a nursing major. Holistic and affordable women’s health is a big part of my life and is an underrepresented sector of the medical field where many women who experience health disparities do to have access to preventive women’s health facilities. It is my aspiration in the future to promote more efficient quality access to prophylactic women’s health treatment plans. In addition, during my Maternal and Newborn course, along with my time at WHH, I learned the importance of preventative health through civic engagement. Understanding how to provide patient prophylaxis impacted the kind of nurse I want to be post-grad. The clinical significance of women’s health prophylaxis highlights preventing infection and providing longevity and safety to our patients from all backgrounds. I want to educate women to ask for preventive health interventions going forward in their continuation and continuity of care. My plans include applying to be a Labor and Delivery nurse and eventually working to be a women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) after earning an advanced practice registered nursing degree.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Over the summer, I had the opportunity to work as a youth chaperone leader in Memphis, Tennessee for Eastminster Presbyterian Church. I found that the work was hard and tiring- but totally worth it! There are always people and places that need help, the work will never run out. To get to Memphis, youth and chaperones took a 12-hour bus ride to Memphis. While there, we assisted 3 main organizations: Mid-South Food Bank, Project Transformation Summer Day Camp, and First Congressional Church. My motivation for volunteering was because I have had first-hand experience of the positive impact of communities coming together. In 2015 my family’s house flooded killing some of our pets and destroying most of our house. Although the experience resulted in loss, it was eye opening to see so many people that I knew and even strangers pulling together in support of my family. I have now completed over 300 hours of community service to pay forward what others did for me and my family during a time of hardship. While working with different organizations, we completed tasks such as clearing and sanitizing children’s day schools, picking up trash on the street/roads, helping children practice reading, and delivering meals. The most memorable part of the mission trip was making connections with people. Some were volunteers from other organizations, and some were clients. Being able to talk and work with others from various situations helps me to gain perspective and continue to learn how I can be of service and help others. When reflecting on my experience I want to let others know that there will always be communities and people who need help. You never know what someone is going through. Even one small gesture or conversation will change someone, especially yourself.
9:30-11:00 a.m.To evaluate the impact of mentorship on self-efficacy, convenience sampling was utilized at the University of South Carolina’s Nurse Anesthesia program to construct a new peer mentorship program. Implementation of this program included: participation survey, pairing survey, mentorship education, as well as guidelines to ensure outreach during the mentorship phase. Tools used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program included: baseline, mid-point, and post General Self Efficacy (GSE) surveys taken by the underclassmen being mentored in this program. Overall results of this study were positive, with a 2.14 point average improvement in GSE score from baseline to post-test results.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction Ischemic stroke significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality, impacting quality of life and work capacity, especially among younger individuals. It is widely recognized that the risk factors and etiology of stroke in young adults vary considerably from those observed in older patients. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by recurrent episodes of narrow QRS complex tachycardia initiated by the atria and/or atrioventricular node. Traditionally considered as a benign rhythm disorder, recent studies have suggested that patients with SVT may have a higher risk of ischemic stroke. However, there is limited literature on the subject of cardioversion in the setting of SVT and the associated risk of CVA. In this case we present a 25 year old female who underwent cardioversion for SVT and subsequently developed a right ICA stroke. Case Presentation: A 25 year old female presented to the ED with a heart rate in the 250s bpm. Cardiology was consulted and the patient was chemically cardioverted with adenosine 6 mg. No echocardiography was performed at the time of cardioversion. Hours after cardioversion, the patient developed acute onset of left lower facial paralysis, dense left hemiplegia, and sensory loss resulting in a NIHSS of 14. Noncontrast CT head showed no acute hemorrhage and the patient received Tenecteplase. CTA head/neck demonstrated a right ICA occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed with TICI 3 flow achieved post-intervention. The patient had significant recovery, with full strength and sensation on post-stroke day 1. Post-op MRI brain showed areas of acute ischemic infarction predominantly in the right frontal lobe as well as basal ganglia. Patient progressed well and was transferred out of the ICU on post-stroke day 4. Discussion: The risk of CVA following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is well established and thus guidelines dictate when to get a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) prior to cardioversion. However, TEE is not found in the cardioversion protocol for SVT. This unique case presents an interesting discussion on the etiology of the patient’s stroke as well as the futility or efficacy of TEE prior to SVT cardioversion.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The history of accidental surgical inventions serves as a rich tapestry that encapsulates the unpredictable nature of scientific exploration and innovation. These stories illuminate the fact that some of the most transformative breakthroughs have emerged not from meticulously planned endeavors but from chance encounters, accidental observations, and unintended consequences. As we reflect on the past, the lessons gleaned from serendipity guide us toward future surgical frontiers. Embracing the spirit of exploration and remaining open to unexpected discoveries may well be the catalysts for the next wave of surgical innovations. This historical analysis weaves together stories of chance and brilliance, beckoning the audience to appreciate the interconnectedness of serendipity and surgical progress; we invite contemplation on the untrodden paths that may lead to groundbreaking revelations in the future. In this historical analysis, we will delve deeper into specific instances of accidental surgical inventions, including laparoscopy, laser eye surgery, Surgicel™, and pacemakers. Through this journey, we aim to inspire a new generation of surgeons, researchers, and innovators to embrace the unpredictability of scientific exploration and harness the power of serendipity in shaping the future of surgical practice.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I am currently a Sports and Entertainment Management student with minors in events management as well as Advertising and Public Relations. As a student in the sports and entertainment program, I am required to complete 2 internship opportunities during my time here at the University of South Carolina. While my out-of-classroom work experiences did not stop at just those two, they had the biggest impact on my career choices and my outlook on the industry. I was able to complete not only one but two internships my summer going into my junior year of college to complete SPTE 295, my first practicum. was able to work with Key Signature Entertainment as a Sales and Marketing intern and Live Nation as an Operations and Production intern. Throughout this process, I learned how important it is not only to learn what you do like, but what you do not as well. Expanding your horizons and trying new things is important and allows you to flourish in the path you are truly passionate about. It was also important to me to see how many departments in the entertainment world correlated with one
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the spring of 2023, I spent four months living in Helsinki, Finland as part of an exchange program between the University of South Carolina and Aalto University. Since I am studying international business I was able to participate in this exchange program. I had previously travelled to Norway for an international business maymester and wanted to have another Nordic experience in a different country and for an extended period of time. I had the opportunity to be completely immersed in the Nordic way of living and have a firsthand look into their culture. I took masters and undergraduate level courses at Aalto University as well as travelled around Finland to different cities where I explored the different ways of living. I used my spare time when I wasn’t taking classes to travel to Northern Finland and other neighboring countries in order to get an additional perspective on different cultures around Europe. Something especially meaningful to me that I was able to experience was spending two weeks in Lapland, which is located in Northern Finland. Here I was able to see the Northern Lights, sleep in an igloo for a night in order to see what a night is like there, as well as go snowshoeing and snowmobiling. This experience has had a lasting impact on me and has given me experiences I will carry with me as a future international business professional. This year is the 40th year of a partnership between Aalto University and the University of South Carolina. To celebrate this, the Dean of Aalto University Business School visited Darla Moore School of Business. We were able to have lunch together at the McCutchen House on the USC campus. I was so grateful to be able to celebrate such an influential period of my life with the people who made the experience possible. I am hopeful to return to Finland in the future and plan to use sustainability tactics, management and communication skills, and overall experiences I learned and apply them to my personal and professional life.
9:30-11:00 a.m.We report the case of a female Caucasian child who presented initially with seizure-like activity. Further seizure-like episodes occurred with symptoms including headache, bladder incontinence, loss of speech, single-sided weakness, and more. Following the discovery of a possible infarct, the patient was transferred to a regional children’s hospital, where she was later diagnosed with Moyamoya when a CT scan confirmed vascular hyperdensity. The patient was placed on a regimen for symptom management and referred for neuropsychiatric evaluation. This case study demonstrates that, although Moyamoya is most commonly diagnosed in people of East Asian descent, it is an important diagnostic consideration for patients of other ethnicities when symptoms such as ischemic seizure present.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The CONNECT Lab (Zarrett, PI) is a research lab focused on examining how the implementation of a social-motivational climate physical activity (PA) program can improve adolescent’s motivation and daily activity levels. The lab hopes to make a connection between increasing PA in student’s lives and preventing negative health outcomes. I began with the lab as a Research Assistant in 2021 and I am now the Intervention Specialist, and oversee the implementation of our Intervention programs. I originally began working with the project to share my passion for exercise with others. Since beginning, my goal has grown, I hope to analyze the relationship between having a positive outlook on PA and the implications it has on overall wellbeing. The CONNECT intervention implements one of two programs (CONNECT Wellness and CONNECT Move) at six schools each year. CONNECT Wellness schools receive a one-day a week classroom-based initiative that educates students on the importance of healthy habits. CONNECT Move schools receive a PA curriculum in which PA games are introduced three times a week for 16 weeks. During the study, we provide students with accelerometers that are worn at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint for five days to measure their levels of activity. Concurrently, the measurement team conducts systematic observations of the social-motivational climate, measures anthropometrics, and collects self-report surveys of the students and staff. To date, the data has shown that between baseline and endpoint there is an increase in student physical activity levels within the afterschool program (ASP) and across outside student settings. Therefore, it seems there is a correlation between improving the social-motivational climate in ASP for both increasing PA and motivating students to engage in PA outside the program. Through personal observation, I watched student’s attitudes and demeanors change tremendously from baseline to endpoint. Observing the positive changes in mental, physical, and emotional health; in these students gives me hope that what we are teaching will remain with the students as they mature. It also gives me hope for the future success in using physical activity to prevent negative outcomes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Individuals of reproductive years with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are up to three times more likely to have mental health issues such as depression, and seven times more likely to attempt suicide. However, mental health issues associated with PCOS often go unrecognized. Without proper treatment, mental health conditions can worsen over time. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how physical, mental, and social experiences and perspectives impact the mental health of individuals with PCOS aged 18-26 years. Methods: Participants were recruited using flyers, social media, the snowball method, and ResearchMatch (NIH digital recruiting technology). Using a semi-structured interview guide created through the lens of the biopsychosocial theory, interviews were conducted and audio recorded using Zoom and surveys were sent to be returned after the interview. All data were de-identified. Interview data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Survey data were entered in SPSS and analyzed. Results: Participants (n=24) were aged 22.2 (+/- 2.3) years, single (75%), and resided in different regions of the United States. Mean depressive symptom scores (PHQ-8) were 10.9 (+/- 7.3), indicating moderate depression. Preliminary interview themes were: 1) feeling initially dismissed by healthcare providers when discussing PCOS and pharmacological interventions; but validated after receiving a PCOS diagnosis; 2) perceiving that mental health was affected by physical symptoms, such as weight gain, hirsutism, and fatigue; and 3) expressing concerns about the future given recent changes concerning reproductive rights. Conclusion: HCPs should consider biopsychosocial aspects of PCOS to better provide patient-centered care and earlier recognize signs of mental health distress. A holistic medical assessment could improve patient-provider communication, inform individualized treatment plans, and ultimately lead to better mental health outcomes for individuals with PCOS. Further research could help develop PCOS-specific evidence-based biopsychosocial screenings, consider their point of integration, and create decision-trees based on results.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury are stigmatized in offline spaces and will find platforms such as TikTok appealing. Users can share mental health topics, yet the Community Guidelines ban content that shows evidence of self-harm. The nonsuicidal self-injury community faces biased surveillance surrounding this form of mental health, leading to marginalization in this digital space. Objective: To understand how users who have previously engaged or are engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury avoid algorithmic detection while staying within the bounds of the Community Guidelines in the seeking, using, sharing, and creating of nonsuicidal self-injury content. Methods: Adults aged 18 and older who resided in the United States, spent at least 2 hours a week using TikTok, and have a history of nonsuicidal self-injury were eligible to participate in the 1-hour semi-structured interviews on Zoom. Demographics were collected during the pre-screening questionnaire. NVivo 12 was used to code interview transcripts, and themes were identified via formal thematic analysis using emic and etic perspectives. Content analysis of 150 TikTok videos labeled with #scars, #sh, and #shawareness were also collected and analyzed independently by two researchers (κ=0.74) to triangulate findings from the interviews. Results: Eight participants (M age=24.50±2.07 years; 75% female) completed the interviews. Qualitative findings illuminated four emergent themes: sense of community, coping strategies, normalizing self-harm discussions, and awareness of audience. Themes from the content analysis (81% female; 92% White) included using nonsuicidal self-injury related hashtags, signaling, and algospeak to avoid algorithmic detection and violating the Community Guidelines to remain transparent on TikTok. Avoiding detection has allowed users to participate in discussions of nonsuicidal self-injury, increase social support, reduce stigma, and promote a safe, online space. Conclusion: Users who engage or have previously engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury have an understanding of how to get around the TikTok guidelines as it relates to seeking, using, sharing, and creating of nonsuicidal self-injury content via self-surveillance and self-censorship. Content moderation, however, will continue to obstruct progress towards reducing stigmatization of nonsuicidal self-injury. Future research should identify other ways users circumvent the algorithm and Community Guidelines to amend current policies regarding nonsuicidal self-injury content on TikTok.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In my journey through Social Work 201, I delved deeply into the core values and principles of social work, including service, social justice, individual dignity, human relationships, integrity, and competence. Concurrently, during my sophomore year at USC, I served as a resident mentor, where I integrated these principles into my daily interactions. The element of service, fundamental to social work, guided my efforts in providing support and prioritizing the needs of my fellow students over my own. Building trusting relationships with my residents was paramount, and I actively engaged in one-on-one interactions to foster rapport. Organizing events aligned with their interests, such as crafting Valentine's cards for senior citizens, exemplified the application of these values in action. The impact of the Valentine's Day event resonated deeply, culminating in my recognition with the "Rookie of the Year" award at the Residence Life Banquet at the end of the year. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of embodying social work values in practical roles and serving as a role model for peers.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Being a peer leader, specifically a peer consultant, at the Student Success Center here at the University of South Carolina has been such a pivotal experience and one that we are both very grateful for. In this role, we have been able to develop numerous skills including communication, time management, and leadership and ultimately, this opportunity has positively shaped our university experience. When first starting this role our fall semester of our sophomore year, we did not know the impact that it would cause in our college journey. As a peer consultant, you are responsible for a considerable amount of the operations of the student success center, including working the front desk to check in students to their appointments, as well as making and taking calls from students who are interested in the resources offered at the Student Success Center, but you are also responsible for working with students to guide them down their journey of academic success through one hour consultations called success consultations. In these success consultations topics such as academic success and study skills, prioritization and procrastination, motivation and discipline, and prepping for exams can be discussed and are all geared to lead the student to success. Overall, in this role, we have been able to develop numerous skills, but most importantly we have also been able to fulfill a calling of helping others proceed in their college academic journey to the best of their abilities, which is something that we both would not trade for the world.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction Pacemakers are often implanted in patients to solve cardiac dysrhythmic problems. As with any implanted medical device sometimes malfunctions occur. This case illustrates a rare cause of pacemaker malfunction in a newly implanted device. Case Presentation JM is a 61-year-old female who presented to the ED for evaluation of “palpations”. Her first episode occurred 3 days prior and felt like “tight intense contractions” that began in her lower right ribs and migrated to the center of her chest. The “palpitations” began again in the center of her chest about 1-2 hours before her presentation to the emergency department and have consistently been present since then. She described the “palpitations” as a contraction type feeling that you could see involving the muscles of her chest. She stated that her pacemaker that had been placed 17 weeks prior to evaluation had been irritating her and she had been rubbing it. On evaluation in the ED, she was in no acute distress, had clear bilateral breath sounds, and regular heart rate and rhythm. She had a healed surgical incision over her left pectoralis muscle and the pacemaker could be felt low in her Left chest. Her chest wall pectoralis muscles were contracting at the same rate as her heart on auscultation. Chest x-ray in the ED showed “interval retraction of a left sided cardiac pacer leads” with complete dislocation of the pacer leads from the heart. The leads were coiled around the pacemaker generator. Outcome Cardiology was consulted for pacemaker dislodgement and replacement. Her left sided pacemaker was removed the next day and a new right sided pacemaker was placed without difficulty. Discussion This case represents an extremely rare case of Twiddler’s Syndrome in which the patient admitted to unintentionally manipulating the pacemaker generator. The manipulation caused the leads to be removed from her heart, coil around the pacemaker, and reimplant into her chest wall causing cell wall stimulation and contraction. Fortunately, she suffered no other ill effects and underwent replacement without difficulty.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Despite classroom instruction and high-fidelity simulation exercises, anesthesia induction sequencing remains a critical and stressful aspect of clinical training for first-year student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs). Based on the literature review conducted as a part of this project, virtual reality (VR) simulation is a beneficial tool in anesthesia education. This project examined what effect the addition of computerized VR simulation to induction training had on reducing stress levels in first year SRNAs prior to starting clinical training. This project was produced at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia (USC GPNA). Participants included students in the 2025 graduating class, split randomly into intervention and control groups. Both groups received classroom instruction followed by high-fidelity simulation experiences. In addition, the intervention group participants received a didactic presentation of computerized VR anesthesia induction sequencing and home access to the computerized VR program, with the requirement to complete a minimum of five inductions. Pre-survey results showed similar induction stress baseline characteristics between the two groups. The intervention group showed improvement between pre- and post-training stress levels related to induction sequencing with 100% agreement on understanding anesthesia induction. The control group did not show a difference between pre- and post-training stress. Therefore, computerized VR training was found to be a useful adjunctive learning tool to help reduce stress related to the induction process for first-year USC GPNA SRNAs.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As an international business major with aspirations of working for multinational corporations, it is essential for me to learn how to work with people from diverse backgrounds with differing perspectives. As a part of the International Business Education Alliance (IBEA) Cohort Program, I studied abroad in Germany for months during the spring of 2022, and I had experience working with 41 different students from countries all around the world. During the spring of 2023, I studied abroad at ESSEC University in Singapore, Singapore. Through a partnership with a local art gallery in Singapore, I was able to work with students from Brazil, China, Germany, and the US to help bring our expertise to our Singaporean client to work on profitability measures and potential ways to expand using different internal measures. While I had worked on previous projects with other students on previous consulting projects in both Germany and the United States, this experience was especially significant for me because I felt like I had finally gained enough in class knowledge and project experience to finally understand the importance of maintaining and encouraging diverse perspectives. The three months that I spent on this project was full of collaborating on our individual ideas to contribute unique knowledge, challenging each other to think beyond the traditional metrics, and using innovative brainstorming activities that helped to exponentially increase our idea fecundity. We used this brainstorming activity to suggest ideas out of range, ideas free of charge, and actual viable solutions to our problems. Through this, we were able to develop more than 90 unique ideas, and while we weren’t able to implement them all, several of them turned into profitable measures for expansion and addressed the primary concerns of our client, which is an invaluable skill I know I will utilize in every aspect of consulting in the future. Understanding the inherent value of utilizing unique perspectives to their full capacity is essential for any aspiring international business professional, and this experience taught me about the many unique ways to maximize this value in the future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Through dedicated community service I have gained plentiful knowledge relating to the field of community service and its impact within the field of education. Differentiation, specified instruction, and comprehensive research allows for a positive impact within the field of education and beyond. Through these, we can give students the best possible education that is available, specifically giving them the time and attention they so desperately deserve. Despite prevalent research regarding different aspects towards literature and education, the learners are key aspects towards the successfulness of the learning. Individuals doing the best for other individuals allows for the betterment of all learning, no matter the environment or capabilities denounced by other individuals. Through the active engagement of individuals connected through community service, education, and outcome awareness can make a significant impact towards the betterment of those as well, not defined by any other attributes such as location and ability. In a way to continue to better the world of education and growth, recognition of the effects of the future and outcome are detrimental to the overall success.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Nearly 1 in 2 US households own a dog, and dog walking may be a common form of activity among dog owners. Participation in physical activity has many health benefits, including improved sleep quality. Therefore, this study aimed to explore differences in sleep quality among dog walkers and non-dog walkers. Methods: Dog owners (primary caregiver of their dog(s) and at last 18 years old) completed an online survey (between August-September 2023) that assessed human demographics, sleep quality via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and dog walking behaviors. A PSQI global score was computed (sum of the 7 component scores: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction) on a scale of 0-21, with a higher score indicating worse sleep quality. Participants were split into two groups; 1) “dog walker” if they reported walking their dog at least once per week when asked how many d/wk they walked their dog(s) (0-7 days), and 2) “non-dog walker” if they reported 0 days. Independent t-tests compared sleep quality between dog walkers vs. non-dog walkers. Results: Dog owners (n=301) from 38 US states completed the survey. Participants were primarily white (92%) and female (86%) with an average age of 35.212.9 years and BMI of 26.96.1 kg/m2. Eighty-eight percent of the dog owners were considered dog walkers and the participants walked their dog(s) an average of 5.52.6 d/wk. Additionally, participants PSQI global score was 6.33.2. Dog walkers (6.13.1 PSQI global score) had a significantly lower/better PSQI global score than non-dog walkers (7.53.8 PSQI global score, p= 0.041). Conclusion: The current study found dog walkers reported a better sleep quality score than non-dog walkers. Dog walking may influence one or multiple determinates of sleep quality including lifestyle, mental health, social, and/or physical factors. In addition to the benefits from the physical activity, dog walking, or being active with a furry companion, may serve as social support, aid in stress reduction, or positively influence mental health. Promoting dog walking among dog owners, ~50% of US households, may improve sleep quality in these individuals.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My name is Maherah Shaik, and I selected Research as my pathway of distinction. I am currently majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. My goals post-graduation involve pursuing admission into graduate school related to biochemistry, specifically drug discovery. My long-term goal is to work as a researcher and contribute to healthcare development in underprivileged countries. While I was always aware of my passion for chemistry, I initially thought I wanted to pursue medical school and choose biochemistry as my major with that goal in mind. However, very soon, classes like Biochemistry and Genetics changed my mind and diverted my goal to pursue a career as a researcher instead. I took BIOL303 Honors with Dr. Ely, which allowed me to express my interests to him and join his lab, which led to a 2-year long research internship and Dr. Ely becoming my primary research mentor. This experience combined with my previous microbiology internship with Dr. Selvan reinforced my commitment to medical research and a career as a scientist. Volunteering as an educator with organizations like Parikrma and Carolina Survivors Clinic which initially began as a way to contribute back to my community soon allowed me to gain confidence and apply and pursue teaching assistantships within the Department of Biochemistry. Being a TA for Organic Chemistry has been my most full-filling experience thus far and further reinforces my commitment to academia.
9:30-11:00 a.m.With the ubiquity of QR codes in contemporary digital communication, cybercriminals have rapidly adopted this technology as a convincing lure for URL-based email phishing attacks. These malicious QR codes often serve as vectors for crimeware, exploiting the quick response mechanism to mislead victims into disclosing sensitive information. The challenge confronting cybersecurity vendors is the daunting task of scrutinizing each email for embedded QR codes, a process which is both computationally intensive and impractical at large scale. This research addresses this challenge by exploring the application of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automate the detection of QR code images embedded in email messages. It details the iterative development and refinement of a CNN model aimed at distinguishing between benign and malicious QR codes and assesses its integration potential within email scanning workflows. Extensive experimentation reveals a machine learning approach that achieves high accuracy in initial generations but faces the common pitfall of overfitting, highlighting the delicate balance required in model training. The research culminates in a proof of concept that demonstrates the viability of CNNs for scalable threat detection solutions and underscores the importance of model adaptability in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. This advancement suggests a new frontier in email security, offering a sophisticated tool to counteract the surge of QR code-based phishing threats.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time as an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to intern for both a private law firm, Evan Guthrie Law Firm, and a state agency, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. My role at Evan Guthrie Law Firm was to conduct research for the defense of the attorney’s clients, whereas my role at SCDPS General Counsel was to shadow and aid in the prosecution side. With these two roles, I had the unique perspective of seeing and working for both sides of the criminal justice system. All together, I have 240 hours of experience total—120 hours each—of both prosecution and defense experience. This presentation will introduce and inform the audience of the two sides of criminal law, how they work together, and give a first hand account of an experience working in criminal justicre, as well as how this ties into classroom experience at UofSC.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project aims to advance computational neuroscience by utilizing programming and mathematical expertise to simulate dynamic systems and construct neuronal network models using imperative languages such as C, Python, and MATLAB. The main objective is to develop multi-neuron models that can simulate and generalize neuronal network dynamics. Starting with fundamental mathematical principles, the study introduces various neuron models, including the Hodgkin-Huxley and integrate-and-fire models, and explains their programming implementations. Using these mathematical frameworks, numerical simulations of neuronal dynamics are performed, resulting in the creation of neuronal network models that incorporate stimulus inputs and electrical outputs. The project seeks to extract generalized principles from these simulations that can be applied to broader contexts within neuronal dynamics. The anticipated outcomes include the use of generated data for event tree analysis, which will provide insights into the complex interplay of neuronal activities. Upon completion, this interdisciplinary endeavor promises to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of computational neuroscience, fostering proficiency in developing sophisticated multi-neuron models that emulate intricate neuronal network dynamics. This research not only advances theoretical understanding but also cultivates practical skills in programming, mathematical modeling, and data analysis, providing a strong foundation for further exploration and innovation in the field of computational neuroscience.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In the U.S., 45% of households own dogs, with many allowing them to share beds. This study aims to explore how co-sleeping with dogs affects sleep quality and physical activity (PA) among dog owners. Adults who are a primary caregiver of a dog (at least 6-months old) were recruited for an online survey which asked about human demographics, sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; higher scores indicate worse sleep quality), and PA. Demographics included race, sex, age, and number of dogs in the household. Participants reported their weekly PA frequency (days with at least 30 minutes of PA sufficient to raise their breathing rate). Participants were categorized as "co-sleepers" if they shared their bed with their dog or if their dog slept in the bedroom and as "non-co-sleepers" if their dogs slept in a different room. Independent t-tests compared sleep quality and PA across the two groups. Participants (n=301, age = 35±13 years) were primarily white (92%) and female (86%). Most participants (60%) owned only one dog and 46% of participants reported co-sleeping with a dog. There was no significant difference in the numbers of active days reported by co-sleepers (3.9±2.0 d/wk) and non-co-sleepers (4.0±2.2 d/wk, p=.655). Global PSQI scores did not significantly differ between the groups (6.6±3.3 vs. 6.0±3.2, p=.102). Sleep efficiency scores were significantly higher for those who co-slept than those who did not (.76±.96 vs. .48±.79, p=.006). Sleep duration scores trended higher for those who co-sleep than those who did not (1.0±0.8 vs. 8.4±0.8 p=0.098).The lack of significant distinction in PA levels may suggest that disturbances caused by co-sleeping with dogs do not notably affect daytime PA. Co-sleepers had lower sleep efficiency, possibly due to interactions with their dogs at night. Monitoring both human and dog behavior in future studies could clarify how co-sleeping affects physical activity and sleep patterns.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Restrictive Dermopathy (RD), is an autosomal recessive rare genetic disorder that is neonatal lethal. If children are liveborn, they usually do not make it through the first week of life due to pulmonary insufficiency. RD is commonly caused by insertion mutations that produce premature termination codons in both copies of the ZMPSTE24 gene. ZMPSTE24 is a protease that plays a key role in the post-translational processing of lamin A, an essential protein in a structure called the nuclear lamina that plays a critical role in a variety of nuclear functions. The form of lamin A produced in the absence of ZMPSTE24 is permanently farnesylated and methylated. Previous studies from our lab and other groups have shown that other mutant forms of lamin A that are incompletely processed disrupt the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and cause a decreased ability to maintain genomic integrity. To enhance our understanding of the biology of RD, we are investigating the effects of ZMPSTE24 deficiency on DNA repair and damage accumulation. To do so we have stably transfected a DSB repair reporter substrate into the genome of a HeLa cell line that expresses ZMPSTE24 and into a second HeLa cell line in which ZMPSTE24 expression had been knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9. A DSB can be induced within the substrate through exogenous expression of endonuclease I-SceI, and DSB repair events occurring via either homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) are recoverable by genetic selection. Repair by HR is an accurate and templated form of repair, while NHEJ is an error-prone non-templated rejoining of DNA ends that may lead to deletion or insertion mutations. Our work aims to reveal the impact of ZMPSTE24 deficiency on repair pathway choice. We are also investigating DNA damage accumulation in cells that express ZMPSTE24 and ones that do not by directly visualizing γH2AX foci using immunofluorescence approaches. Results to date indicate increased damage in the absence of ZMPSTE24. We present our ongoing studies using our model system to investigate the effects of ZMPSTE24 deficiency on genome integrity.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Adnexal torsion is a surgical emergency and is a diagnosis that continues to stump healthcare providers. Independent predictors of torsion have been identified and incorporated into a composite scoring system. Research studies are underway to determine the generalizability of these scores in hopes that they aid in improving efficiency in diagnosis and treatment of adnexal torsion. Previously, a retrospective chart review using this composite score on the Prisma Health pediatric population found an average door-to-door time from ED to OR of 47.1 hours for adnexal torsion cases between 2010 and 2019. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to use the original Schwartz et al. composite score and apply it to our patient population at Prisma Health Midlands in a prospective manner in order to further validate its generalizability. We aim to investigate the average time to OR for suspected cases of torsion between 2021 to 2023 after implementing the CAT score and compare this time to that of previous retrospective studies to assess improvement in time to intervention. Methods: We created an Epic smartphrase for the torsion predictor scoring system and encouraged providers at Prisma Health Midlands to utilize this diagnostic tool. Statistical analysis will then be performed to determine the reliability of the CAT score in identifying adnexal torsion in pediatric and adolescent patients as well as identifying any improvement in ER to OR door-to-door time. Results: Our early prospective data appears to be corroborating the utility of this composite score in predicting adnexal torsion. Composite score had 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity in our patient population. Average time to OR for confirmed torsion cases, thus far, after presentation to the ED decreased from 47.1 hours to 8.14 hours. Conclusions and Implications: The torsion predictor score appears to be generalizable to our diverse patient population and will likely serve as a valuable diagnostic tool in providing prompt surgical management for adnexal torsion in the future. From the data gathered thus far, ER to OR door-to-door time has significantly decreased. However, our sample size of surgically proven torsion cases remains low and data is still being collected.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The LIS1 gene, present in nearly all animal cells, is vital for diverse cellular functions. The primary function of the LIS1 protein is to regulate dynein, a microtubule motor protein. Dynein transports cargo along microtubules and is critical for the appropriate localization of cellular components to subdomains within the cell. In humans, mutations in the LIS1 gene cause lissencephaly, a severe developmental brain malformation accompanied by seizures, learning disabilities, and a severely shortened life expectancy. LIS1 is critical for both the developing and developed nervous system when depleted from all tissues in adult mice. However, the underlying cellular defects causing these severe phenotypes remain unknown. Given the important role of LIS1 in regulating dynein-dependent axonal transport, we hypothesized that LIS1 depletion in axons contributed to the phenotypes observed in the global knockout of LIS1 in adult mice. Projection neurons are cells of the nervous system with long axons, this places significant demands on microtubule-based intracellular transport. We therefore tested the role of the LIS1 protein specifically within projection neurons in adult mice. We selectively knocked out LIS1 in adult mouse projection neurons using a Cre/LoxP system in which the Cre recombinase expression was driven by the Thy1 promoter in mice that also carried “depletable” LIS1 genes(Thy1-LIS1iKO). The Thy1 promoter also drives YFP expression in these mice, enabling visualization of the specific neurons expressing the Cre recombinase. Tamoxifen was administered to activate Cre, at a dosage of 0.05 mg/g body weight per day for 5 days. The experimental mice, but none of the controls, exhibited neurological phenotypes, including severe shivering and leg clasping behaviors, followed by seizures that ultimately resulted in their death within 10 days after the initial injection. We confirmed knockdown of the LIS1 protein in tissues and cultured neurons by performing immunostaining on brain sections and dorsal root ganglion neurons of Thy1-LIS1iKO mice. We have also seen structural changes to axons via confocal microscopy in Thy1-LIS1iKO mice compared to control mice. Our results indicate that Lis1 has a critical role in the post-developmental mammalian nervous system, specifically within projection neurons.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Diet impacts organismal health by providing macromolecules to support cellular survival and function. Obesogenic, or high-fat and high-sugar, diets can lead to long-term detrimental health effects including multiple cancer types, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and excess body fat. Over 60% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese and 42% of obese individuals also present with chronic inflammation. Despite this association, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that link obesity and associated diseases remain unclear. We use Drosophila melanogaster as an in vivo model to better understand the effects of obesogenic diets on the immune response and begin examining the potential therapeutic effects of dietary plant compounds on obesity-associated chronic inflammation. Given the broad range of “standard” diets and “control” fly lines used in the field, we are first characterizing lifespan and reproduction of several control lines across commercially and non-commercially available foods to identify an optimal base diet. Thus far, we find there is a difference in lifespan and reproduction patterns across the different control lines fed different standard diets. Oregon-R and yw control lines have a longer lifespan on a diet in which the sugar source is molasses, while w1118 control line has the shortest lifespan. A high fecundity rate was observed in yw control line fed a corn syrup-based diet and molasses diet. While molasses diet supports higher egg production for all control lines. We will also identify an obesogenic dietary condition that induces immune responses in adult flies by measuring immune response pathway activity and antimicrobial peptide production in flies fed high-sugar or high-fat diets. In future studies, we will use this approach to screen botanical supplements for their ability to suppress the diet-activated immune response. We hope that this work will inform the development of treatments for diet-induced obesity-associated diseases in humans.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/Purpose: The DOSE trial compared bolus vs. continuous infusion loop diuretic therapy and found no significant difference in patient symptoms or renal function. Due to no bolus given prior to continuous infusion in this trial, there is further need for investigation into optimal diuresis strategies. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of bolus dosing prior to continuous infusion compared to continuous infusion alone on urine output. Methodology: This was a retrospective, cohort study of adult patients hospitalized in the heart failure unit or CPICU at Prisma Health Richland from June 2022 through June 2023. Patients diagnosed with acute decompensated heart failure who received a continuous infusion of furosemide or bumetanide for at least 24 hours were included in the study. The primary outcome was cumulative urine output at 72 hours. The secondary outcomes were changes in serum creatinine, days to euvolemia, and changes in weight. Results: In Progress Conclusions: In Progress
1:00-2:30 p.m.This follow-up project provides data on the longer-term effects of a mindful walking program on previous participants’ mood, cognition, physical fitness, and quality of life through the execution of various surveys and assessments. 20 past participants were contacted and asked a series of questions, including if mindful walking was sustained after program completion and whether they are experiencing one or more modifiable risk factors (activity level <150 mins, BMI > 25, subjective memory complaint, and high blood pressure). The outcome will help determine if mindful walking has a positive effect by administration of surveys and tests that are comparable as to what was done in the baseline visit. Data collection is ongoing. As of February 15, 14 out of 20 participants agreed to come in for a follow-up and we anticipate completion of data collection by the end of February. Change in variables collected during the mindful walking study will be determined by comparing baseline measures to follow up measures. Additionally, we will report the frequency of the use of mindful walking and its critical components at follow-up. These components include staying off your phone, recognizing but dismissing distracting thoughts, attention to breath or steps, completing a body scan, and walking alone or in silence.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Carolina Judicial Council (CJC) is a student-run organization through the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. The main role that CJC members play on campus is participating in hearings concerning alleged violations of the USC Student Code of Conduct and Honor Code. Hearings are a way for students to be heard by a panel of their peers, presenting their case and allowing the council to come to a finding of responsible or not responsible. Members also serve as ambassadors of the Carolinian Creed, promoting USC’s values and striving to instill them in others. We also participate in regular trainings and professional development, as well as one-on-ones with advisors and weekly discussion boards. I was able to serve as the Vice President of Creed Programming, planning and executing tabling events, promoting service activities, and highlighting academic achievements. I joined CJC as a way to get more involved, specifically within my future career interests. CJC allowed me to practice legal ideas and see policies enacted, with a strong impact on students. As a member of the executive board, as well as a hearing panelist, I learned how to communicate more effectively and practice empathy when having difficult conversations. I became a better writer, communicator, and listener through writing and delivering rationales. I’ve been able to see ideas that I learned within the classroom come to life as a member of CJC. CJC has shown me ideas such as policy implementation when dealing with institutional constraints, standards of proof, and the need for cooperative existence. I have also been able to improve my speaking skills and build upon ideas that I was taught in my speech classes. Through educational sanctions, I have been able to have an impact on students and help them learn through their mistakes, rather than experience punitive sanctions, while at the same time bettering myself. Being able to see these ideals take place within USC has reaffirmed my decision to attend law school. Based upon everything I’ve learned and my experience as a member of CJC, I know this is the right career path
1:00-2:30 p.m.Student leaders come in various forms and I believe that having an involvement on campus can make a student’s experience more exciting and fulfilling. My biggest contribution to the University of South Carolina has been my involvement with the Conference Center. Within this organization I have had the privilege of starting off as a conference assistant, then moving up to an event manager, office staff, and lastly, a summer building manager this past summer. I had little to no hospitality experience prior to this so I was hesitant to apply, but I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and give myself the room to grow. Not only did this experience give me a great introduction to the world of hospitality, but it also allowed me to enhance my critical thinking and leadership skills. Each of my roles within the office have given me the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients from various backgrounds and cultures. This was a benefit that I did not expect to gain when I initially applied, but I am very glad that I did. To add a bit more to the list of benefits, I have also been able to develop my professional skills, discover my leadership/work styles, and implement team building practices. The main reason I am so passionate about this is because of how transferable the skills are. My post-graduation goal is to take what I have learned from this experience and apply it to my future roles, regardless of its relevance to hospitality or not. This presentation will allow me to share my insights and hopefully inspire future student leaders to do the same.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Serum sex steroid levels fluctuate throughout the reproductive cycle. However, the degree to which sex steroid tissue content mimics circulating content is unknown. Understanding the flux and physiological quantity of tissue steroid content is imperative for targeted hormonal therapy development. Utilizing a gold-standard ultrasensitive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method we determined sex steroid (17β-estradiol [E2], testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone) fluctuations in serum and in 15 tissues throughout the murine estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, and diestrus I) and in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. We observed dynamic fluctuations in serum and tissue steroid content throughout the estrous cycle with proestrus generally presenting the highest content of E2, testosterone, and androstenedione, and lowest content of progesterone. In general, the trend in circulating steroid content between the stages of the estrous cycle was mimicked in tissue. However, the absolute amounts of steroid levels when normalized to tissue weight were found to be significantly different between the tissues with the serum steroid quantity often being significantly lower than the tissue quantity. Additionally, we found that OVX mice generally displayed a depletion of all steroids in the various tissues assessed, except in the adrenal glands which were determined to be the main site of peripheral E2 production after ovary removal. This investigation provides a comprehensive analysis of steroid content throughout the estrous cycle in a multitude of tissues and serum. We believe this information will help serve as the basis for the development of physiologically relevant, tissue-specific hormonal therapies.
9:30-11:00 a.m.BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This analysis investigates the potential effects of race/ethnicity on the associations between metabolic syndrome (MetS), Nativity, and Diet Quality (DQ). A clear inverse relationship between DQ and MetS exists[26]. Associations between MetS and other exposures are reported, as are those between nativity and various cardiometabolic factors within a single race/ethnicity. Current literature does not thoroughly explore race-based differences in the association between MetS, Nativity, and DQ [2-3, 9, 20, 28-32, 37-38]. This analysis fills gaps in current literature by accounting for multiple races/ethnicities and DQ in its analysis of the known association between MetS and Nativity. METHODS: All analyses were performed through SAS Studio 3.8 Survey Procedures. DQ was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015)[5, 22-25, 34]. Differences in proportions and means were analyzed using chi-square and 1-way ANOVA tests. RESULTS: Race/ethnicity had significant interaction with nativity (P = 0.0124). Stratifying logistic models by race/ethnicity showed that U.S.-native non- Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) have significantly higher odds of developing MetS than their non-U.S.-native counterparts (OR: 0.430, 95%CI: 0.196 - 0.944), even after controlling for diet quality (OR: 0.391, 95%CI: 0.174 - 0.881). CONCLUSION: The U.S. has more immigrants than any other country, who bring diverse values, beliefs, lifestyles, attitudes, and food consumption patterns. Exploring race and nativity-based differences in cardiometabolic and nutrition-related health outcomes, alongside surveillance of the changes in food demand trends in the U.S. can be valuable predictors of health outcomes and advance the development of culturally-relevant preventative and treatment approaches.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Over the past few summer and winter breaks, I have had the opportunity to work as a Patient Care Technician in a Women’s Care Unit. I worked at Rochester General Hospital, where we had twenty rooms to care for forty patients (mom and baby couplets). Growing up, my best friend’s mom was a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and I was always so interested to hear what she did at work. This was one of the first reasons I decided to pursue nursing. I had always been interested in women's health and thought this would be a great way to gain healthcare experience. I participated in the hands-on care of both the moms and babies during their stay. I worked with patients to show them how to bathe, swaddle, and feed their newborns. Before patients could go home, they had to learn how to properly take care of themselves and their new baby. Many patients were non-native English speakers, had learning disabilities, or had low health literacy. I saw this firsthand as many patients were readmitted due to improper care of themselves or their infants. As a student in the College of Nursing, many of my classes have focused on social determinants of health and how these can affect our patients. Classes have also discussed the importance of patient education and individualizing patient resources. I hope to use my knowledge of social determinants of health when educating and providing resources to my patients. I also hope to use this knowledge outside of my practice as a nurse. Learning about health equity benefits everyone. Healthcare workers can use this knowledge in practice, and patients can use this knowledge to advocate for themselves. My presentation will discuss in further detail the importance of promoting health equity for patients and peers.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: The risk of infective endocarditis (IE) in streptococcal bloodstream infection (BSI) is species-specific. The updated Duke-International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases criteria consider Streptococcus species as typical for IE, except for group A Streptococcus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. This retrospective cohort analyzed echocardiogram utilization in BSI patients with low-risk vs. other Streptococcus species. Method: The study included patients with Streptococcus species BSI admitted to Prisma Health hospitals in South Carolina from February 1, 2016, to June 30, 2020. Excluded were patients with polymicrobial BSI, missing data, and clinically insignificant positive blood cultures as determined by the treating provider. Chi-square analyzed echocardiogram use between low-risk and other Streptococcus species. Kaplan-Meier assessed 90-day mortality with and without echocardiograms. Results: Among 166 patients with streptococcal BSI, the median age was 62 years (interquartile range 53-71) and 88 (53%) were women. Most patients had BSI due to low-risk Streptococcus species (56 [34%] S. pneumoniae and 30 [18%] group A Streptococcus). Group B and viridans group streptococci accounted for 42 (25%) and 38 (23%) of BSI, respectively. The most common source of BSI was skin and soft tissue (58; 35%) followed by respiratory tract infection (60; 36%). Overall, 94 (57%) patients with Streptococcus species BSI had echocardiograms performed. Patients with low-risk Streptococcus species BSI were less likely to have echocardiograms than those with other species (41/86 [48%] vs. 53/80 [66%], P=0.02). None of the 41 echocardiograms obtained in patients with BSI due to low-risk Streptococcus species demonstrated evidence of valvular vegetation. Acute severity of illness measured by Pitt bacteremia score and delayed response to antimicrobial therapy within the first 3-4 days of BSI determined by early clinical failure criteria were not associated with the probability of obtaining echocardiograms (P=0.95 and P=0.76, respectively). Obtaining an echocardiogram was not associated with improved survival (log-rank P=0.50). Conclusion: Although echocardiograms were performed less often in BSI due to low-risk Streptococcus species, there was still overutilization despite low diagnostic yield and lack of significant impact on overall prognosis. Educational and other diagnostic stewardship efforts may reduce the cost of unnecessary echocardiograms in this population in the future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In collaboration with the University of South Carolina's SCAWWA/WEASC Carolina Water Club Student Chapter, EJ Strong has initiated a significant water monitoring endeavor in partnership with Lower Richland High School students as part of the Lower Richland's CEAL Initiative. Beginning in November 2022, collaboration efforts identified flooding and water quality concerns in the area, leading to the establishment of a Community Water Monitoring Group spearheaded by Beata Dewitt, La'Nya Green, and Robert Reese of EJ Strong. On February 10th, 2024, students conducted water sampling along Cedar Creek of Congaree National Park using DHEC's Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater Monitoring Kits, facilitated by the Carolina Water Club. This event marks the start of several planned student-led sampling sessions aiming to enhance understanding of water quality's impact on Lower Richland, analyze and communicate collected data to the public, and foster student and community engagement in water monitoring and sampling activities throughout the spring semester.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Using half-metals (e.g., Heusler alloys) as ferromagnetic elements in spintronic devices sometimes leads to unexpected results. While using identical magnetic materials for both fixed and free layers already generate some interesting properties [1], it may be challenging to implement magnetization switching in such system experimentally because the boundary between materials is not well defined in their parallel state. Moreover, materials’ symmetry cancels the linear term in voltage dependence of the out-of-plane torque. In this study, we calculate electric and spin currents using a Stoner model description of half metals and find the out-of-plane torque and exchange energy of an F/F device. Voltage dependence of the out-of-plane torque is calculated as well. The lack of material’s symmetry generates additional anisotropy in this torque’s angular dependence. [1] V. Shablenko, Ya. B. Bazaliy, APS March Meeting 2023, S56.00012: Spin-transfer torque for two half metals in direct contact
1:00-2:30 p.m.Radiology is a specialty that is used in virtually all specialties of medicine (1). Medical students also believe that more radiology should be incorporated into their medical education, and they believe they need it to become a competent physician (2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a supplemental radiology teaching resource for assisting with learning anatomy for first year medical students and to investigate the difference in knowledge between students who did and did not use this resource. A supplemental radiology database was developed using the Anki flashcard software commonly used by medical students (3). The database had 965 cards that covered high-yield anatomy and radiology concepts for each of the four blocks of anatomy (back and thorax, abdomen and pelvis, upper extremity and lower extremity, and head and neck). This database was made available to all first-year medical students during their fall semester anatomy course after they consented. A survey was obtained at the end of the semester which evaluated the utilization and effectiveness of the supplemental resource. The student’s name and database utilization were merged with the student’s examination scores by block and then de-identified. Of the 96 students that consented, 81 responded to the survey, which was an 84% response rate. Of the students who indicated that they utilized the database frequently, 75% of them thought it was very useful. Of the students who used the database occasionally or less frequently, 83% indicated that the database was useful. Therefore, the database was found to be useful for those students that used it, and further research should be done to see if this model could be used at other medical schools. References: 1. Straus CM, Webb EM, Kondo KL, et al. Medical student radiology education: summary and recommendations from a national survey of medical school and radiology department leadership. J Am Coll Radiol JACR. 2014;11(6):606-610. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2014.01.012 2. Poot JD, Hartman MS, Daffner RH. Understanding the US medical school requirements and medical students’ attitudes about radiology rotations. Acad Radiol. 2012;19(3):369-373. doi:10.1016/j.acra.2011.11.005 3. Anki - powerful, intelligent flashcards. Accessed January 23, 2024. https://apps.ankiweb.net/
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: External ventricular drains (EVD) allow for monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and for cerebrospinal fluid diversion in the setting of acute hydrocephalus. Infectious complications have been reported in up to nearly one-third of patients following EVD placement. The purpose of this study is to compare the utilization of periprocedural antibiotics for infection prophylaxis for Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) patients undergoing EVD placement before and after the implementation of an EVD bundle. Methods: An IRB-approved, retrospective, pre-/post-study was conducted on adult patients who underwent EVD placement and were admitted to the NSICU during the same admission. Notable exclusions were those patients with a documented ventriculitis and/or meningitis prior to EVD placement or a ventricular drain present upon admission. Baseline characteristics and endpoints were manually collected using a pre-specified REDCap form. The primary endpoint of the proportion of patients who meet the criteria of receiving perioperative antibiotics was evaluated in the pre-EVD group from August 1, 2021 to July 31 2022 and in the post-EVD group from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023. Key secondary endpoints included the rate of documented or suspected CNS infections per 1000-EVD days, length of hospital and ICU stay, and 30-day inpatient mortality. Results: In Progress Conclusions: In Progress
1:00-2:30 p.m.Problem Statement: Adults with both Type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease experience higher risk for progression to end stage kidney disease, which negatively impacts health, increases medical costs, and decreases quality of life. Purpose: Determine if an audit and feedback intervention in a local nephrology clinic can increase provider adherence to a clinical practice guideline that supports prescription of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to decrease progression of renal disease in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Methods: A pretest-posttest design will be used to determine if an audit and feedback tool delivered to providers at three-week intervals for a duration of three months increases provider adherence to a clinical practice guideline that supports prescription of SGLT2 inhibitors in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. A clinical decision guide and personalized one-on-one education will be provided to participants at the onset of the intervention with follow-up face-to-face discussion accompanying the audit and feedback data distribution. Inclusion Criteria: English speaking physicians and mid-level providers will be recruited from a local nephrology outpatient clinic in the southeastern United States. Analysis: Paired t-tests will be used to evaluate whether providers increased prescription of SGLT2 inhibitors to patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease three months after the intervention compared to the three months prior to the intervention. Multivariate logistic regression will further examine the relationship between the intervention and proportion of new SGLT2 inhibitor prescriptions generated during the project. Implications for Practice: Increasing prescription of SGLT2 inhibitors in adults with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease may lead to a decrease in progression of chronic kidney disease, lower healthcare costs, and better quality of life for adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Prostate cancer is the most prevalent non-skin cancer among all men, but African-Americans have morbidity and mortality at significantly higher rates than White men. To reduce this burden, authorities such as the American Cancer Society recommend that men make informed/shared screening decisions with a healthcare provider. Informed/shared screening decisions require that men have adequate prostate cancer knowledge. Virtual assistants are interactive communication technologies that have become popular for seeking health information, though information quality has been mixed. No prior research has investigated the quality of prostate cancer information disseminated by virtual assistants. The purpose of this study was to determine the response rates, accuracy, breadth, and credibility of three popular virtual assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri) for supporting informed/shared prostate cancer screening decisions for African-American men. Each virtual assistant was evaluated on a tablet, cell phone, and smart speaker using 12 frequently asked screening questions. Responses were rated dichotomously (i.e., yes/no), and analyses were conducted using SPSS. Alexa on a phone or tablet and Google Assistant on a smart speaker had the best overall performance based on a combination of response, accuracy, and credibility scores. All other assistants scored below 75% in one or more areas. Additionally, all virtual assistants lacked the breadth to support an informed/shared prostate cancer screening decision. African-American men may be especially disadvantaged by using virtual assistants for prostate cancer information because of the lack of emphasis on their greater disease risk, higher mortality rates, and appropriate ages at which they should begin screening conversations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Burnout is a common issue affecting many individuals. However, healthcare workers are at enhanced risk due to fast-paced and stressful work environments. Burnout has been shown to have negative consequences on academic performance, decreased quality of care for patients, and significant mental and physical impacts (Chipas & McKenna, 2011). Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (SRNAs) are at increased risk for burnout when compared to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and reported more depressive symptoms and even suicidal ideations during their schooling program (Horvath & Grass, 2021). For these reasons, an evidence-based practice project was developed and implemented to determine if mindful meditation via Headspace application would reduce burnout amongst SRNAs in the University of South Carolina (USC) Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) class of 2024 cohort. This project implementation took place when SRNAs attended a lecture where burnout was discussed as well as the project implementation plan. After the lecture, a pretest survey was then sent to students to determine their baseline burnout score prior to mindful meditation interventions. The students then participated in guided meditation of at least 10 minutes per day using the Headspace application for 14 days. A posttest survey was sent to compare pre and post test results. Results showed statistically significant reductions in burnout when Headspace was used for the recommended 10–14-day period. Our findings indicated that mindful meditation could decrease burnout amongst SRNAs and should be implemented as a prevention strategy during anesthesia training programs.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/Aim Med Students Making Change (MSMC), led by USC SOM medical students in collaboration with The Free Medical Clinic, aims to improve diabetic control in South Carolina. Approximately 13.2% of South Carolina’s adult population has diabetes, with an additional estimated 123,000 individuals having undiagnosed diabetes. With serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, and amputation, diabetes costs South Carolina an estimated $5.9 billion each year (Dall et al., 2019). By pairing medical student volunteers with diabetic patients for routine check-ins, MSMC seeks to strengthen patient understanding of their health and lifestyle trends with the goal of improving patient glycemic control as measured by A1C levels. Previously relying on clinic personnel for patient recruitment, six patients were enrolled in the fall of 2023. By implementing a new recruitment method of sending medical student volunteers to the clinic weekly to participate in A1C screening and patient recruitment, MSMC patient enrollment and A1C screening capabilities at the clinic will increase. Methods Recognizing resource shortages at The Free Medical Clinic, MSMC implemented a weekly A1C screening and enrollment clinic in 2024. During this session, medical student volunteers review A1Cs from the previous week, contact eligible patients, and attempt to enroll those meeting criteria: age >18 years old, diagnosed type 2 diabetes, and an A1C >6.5%. Results 133 patients have been screened at the Columbia, SC location between January 10, 2024 and February 7, 2024. Twentynine patients met inclusion criteria and were contacted. Of those, five patients enrolled in the program. Ineligible patients either had an A1C <6.5% or language barriers. Discussion The average A1C for the enrolled patients is 8.85. Nationally, 11.5% of patients have an A1C of 8.0% - 9.0% (CDC, 2023). The clinic’s high A1C average highlights a need for lifestyle and therapeutic interventions within this demographic. This preliminary data further emphasizes the need for patient education and intervention to improve glycemic control and thereby attenuate the complications associated with insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes. Our goal is to increase patient recruitment and further enhance preventative healthcare endeavors (e.g., including pre-diabetics in the screening process) to assess the effectiveness of our current methods.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction. Established under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid health homes are designed to provide comprehensive health care for enrollees with chronic health conditions. Given high rates of substance use disorder (SUD) in Medicaid, health homes have the potential to enhance SUD identification and treatment. In this study, we assessed the proportion that health homes screen, treat, and refer for SUD, the extent to which health homes are compliant with state regulations, and how these trends may differ among health homes that focus on physical versus behavioral health conditions. Methods. We administered a pilot survey in 2022 to all health care providers in active Medicaid health home plans. Health home models were categorized as physical- or behavioral health-focused. We estimated the percentage of health homes engaged in SUD screening, treatment, and referral practices, and the percentage of health homes that complied with state requirements in these domains. Results. Our sample included responses from 113 health homes in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Findings indicate that Medicaid physical health-focused health homes were more likely to conduct at least some screening for SUD than behavioral health-focused health homes (81.0% and 61.5% respectively). The majority of physical health-(81.8%) and behavioral health homes (84.6%) referred out at least some SUD treatment, and among those health homes that did refer out, fewer than 20% had a formal contractual agreement with an SUD treatment program. The vast majority of health homes complied with state requirements for referral. However, among health homes required by their state to offer SUD screening, 38.5% of physical health-focused health homes and 16.0% of behavioral health homes failed to do so. Similarly, 5.9% of physical health-focused health homes and 67.8% of behavioral health homes did not offer onsite treatment for SUD, even when required to do so by the state. Conclusions. While Medicaid health home plans were established to promote care coordination and integration, relatively few health homes in this study reported doing so. Moreover, a concerning number of health homes also fail to comply with state plan requirements regarding screening and treatment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Synthetic musk fragrances are used in almost all scented consumer products, such as perfumes, cosmetics, dryer sheets, and laundry detergent. While some musk human exposure routes are clear, it is suspected that bottled drinking water stored in close contact with products containing musk fragrances may be a route of exposure. In our research, different cleaning products were exposed to different bottled water brands and the water was analyzed using a liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine if any musks transferred into the water.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to be the Bioscience Marketing Intern at Lonza, a multinational company specializing in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and nutrition. Part of my responsibilities within my role was to lead major projects. The first project was the Web Redesign project, for which I was responsible for conducting a comprehensive website audit to assess strengths and identify areas for improvement. This included evaluating content, product photos, documentation, data, and FAQs. Additionally, I was responsible for harmonizing and updating FFM product website pages. My second project was Portfolio Rationalization, in which I reviewed the company's product offerings and provided recommendations for discontinuations or deactivations of SKUs. I collaborated closely with the product managers and demonstrated a strong understanding of product lifecycle development. As a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major with a major interest in healthcare marketing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and life sciences research, my future goal is to make a positive impact on human health and well-being by combining my love for both science and marketing. My summer internship with Lonza provided valuable exposure to the business and marketing aspects of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. I also improved my leadership skills and gained professional experience. From my SPCH 140 class, I was able to use my public communication and persuasive skills to deliver great presentations to my team and provide better communication with the product managers. Being the Bioscience and Marketing Intern confirmed my passion for making a difference in the science and healthcare industry by delivering healthcare products and new technologies to the market. Through this experience, I hope to continue my career path in healthcare marketing and the bioscience industry, pursuing my passion for making a difference.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A 17-year-old African American male wrestler suffered a head injury during a match. He was pushed headfirst down onto the gym floor off the mat. The AT approached him after he stood and looked dizzy and felt his neck for any deformities before walking him to the bench to sit down and continue the evaluation. He was immediately sensitive to light, had a headache, pain in his head, dizziness, blurry vision and ringing in his ears. Within 5-10 minutes he was unable to focus his eyes and his grip strength was weak bilaterally. His dermatomes were WNL, but he reported tingling in his right hand. The AT advised his parents to go to the ER for further evaluation. He was diagnosed with a concussion, vasovagal syncope/response to pain. 5 days of rest at home, then return to learn and play progressions were started. He was offered adjustments to school assignments and class work and schedules due to his concussion. He chose to take some assessments because he didn’t want to get behind in school. He had 4 days of no activity once he returned to school because he was symptomatic. Once he did present asymptomatically, he began riding the bike for 20 minutes and then he was reevaluated to check for any symptoms. Next was running and jogging with his body weight exercises. Next, he did a 20-minute run with a 5-minute cool down, and he had 30 minutes of non-contact drills with his coach. After this he had a spike in symptoms, so his RTP was paused until he was asymptomatic again. Once he reported asymptomatic, he biked for 20 minutes to see if symptoms increased. When it didn’t, he went to the doctor to be cleared and he participated in a full non-contact practice without symptoms. This case shows how important it is to know your athletes and how they react to pain because his vasovagal response pointed to something more going on that we couldn’t see when it is his body’s response to pain. It also highlights the importance of patient, coach, and parent education on concussions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Glycine max, commonly known as soybean, is an important crop that make up 90% of all United States oilseed production. The U. S. is currently #1 in the world for soybean production and #2 in the world for soybean export. Identifying the genes that control soybean growth is critical to the genetic improvement of this crop. The Hancock laboratory identified a G. max plant line with decreased height, smaller leaves, and significantly lower yields in a mutant population. To identify the mutations present in the dwarf mutant, we Illumina sequenced the entire genome and assembled it to the Williams 82 reference soybean genome using Burrows-Wheeler Aligner. Picard was used to mark duplicates and convert it to a BAM file. Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) was then used to identify the variants present in the genome. Candidate mutations that disrupt genes will be identified using SNPEff. Once candidate genes are identified, the team will use PCR analysis of an F2 segregating population to determine which mutation is linked to the phenotype. Once the Hancock laboratory team can identify what gene is causing the mutation, further research into the function of the gene can be conducted.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My name is Jenny Hu, and I'm a senior at the University of South Carolina, majoring in International Business and Operations and Supply Chain with a minor in Chinese. This presentation will show my journey and transformative experiences throughout my time at the university, focusing on my first key insight and leadership experience, how my experiences as a student and a peer leader help me make a positive impact on the student body. I've honed my leadership skills through roles like being a Supplemental Instructor and Program Assistant Mentor at the Student Success Center. These positions allowed me to interact with diverse students, shaping my understanding of the impact I can have as a peer leader and mentor. One of the most significant lessons from my undergraduate is the impact of connection. Studies highlight its importance in guiding students through post-graduation uncertainties. As a SI, I engage with students, offering guidance on academic and career paths. As I continue my involvement with the SSC, I'm proud to be a resource for my peers, both academically and personally. I use my voice to advocate for students whose academic needs are not being met. I help them navigate higher education as mostly Freshmen and Sophomores by accommodating their needs during SI sessions with a variety of session plans that they respond the best to. I also help connect them with further campus resources so further needs can be met. I help my mentor group each year as a PAM by helping lead bi-weekly staff meetings for continuous improvement on the quality of education the University can provide. As I approach graduation, I reflect on my journey at the University of South Carolina, recognizing the growth and lessons learned along the way. I've come to understand the importance of humility and openness to new perspectives, realizing that there's always something to learn from everyone, even the most unexpected sources.
9:30-11:00 a.m.From May through November of 2024, excluding August, I worked at Advanced Prosthetics, a prosthetics and orthotics clinic in Columbia, South Carolina. Initially, I worked as a shadow. I followed the practitioners and technicians as they went about their days interacting with patients and fabricating devices. My mentors in this role believed that hands-on learning is the best way to grow, so I was allowed to get involved very quickly. I spent May through July working full time laminating prosthetic sockets, pulling materials for orthotics, and interacting with patients under supervision, as well as going on house calls and hospital trips with the prosthetist-orthotists. Over the course of the summer, my skills grew significantly, and I was hired as a technician, a role I worked in part time from September through November. This role kept me in the lab at the clinic, where I contributed to the fabrication of prosthetics and orthotics more independently. I took on this role because I am going into prosthetics and orthotics. Not only was I eager to learn more about the field, but I also wanted to build a strong application for graduate school. One of the most significant things I took from this experience was the importance of mental health to a recovering amputee. Losing a limb can be an incredibly traumatic experience, so a recovering amputee must also recover mentally, and struggling with one can make the other harder. This is reflected in what I learned in Dr. Yang’s class, Psychology of Physical Activity (EXSC 410), in which we were taught how mental health can impact one’s achievement of a physical goal. I also learned that having control over what a prosthesis looks like can contribute greatly to a patient’s confidence in wearing, and therefore using, a prosthesis. This impacted me by firmly establishing to me the value of self-image and autonomy to those using prosthetics and orthotics. Based on this, I will demonstrate a variety of ways in which self-image and autonomy can be supported in amputees.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The proliferation of dollar stores across the United States, particularly in impoverished communities and communities of color, has ignited concerns regarding their impact on community health, economic development, and food security. This study aims to investigate the food environment within dollar stores, focusing on their potential to offer healthier food options and participate in federal nutrition assistance programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Recent assessments have highlighted a prevalence of highly processed and limited food selections in dollar stores, though initiatives like “DG Fresh” suggest a potential shift towards offering fresher food options. With nearly 30 municipalities having already implemented policies to regulate the presence and offerings of dollar stores, there is a pressing need for a standardized assessment tool to systematically evaluate and compare the food environment across different dollar stores. This study proposes the development and piloting of a new tool, the NEMS-DS, across 300-dollar stores in 11 states, to assess their readiness for WIC participation and other healthy retail metrics. The tool will measure the availability, affordability, and quality of key food items, alongside the presence of ultra-processed foods and food marketing strategies. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance our understanding of the dollar store food environment, inform policy and program development, and ultimately, improve food access and nutrition security in underserved communities.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Depressive disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Bipolar Depression, form the class of neurological conditions with the most significant contribution to the global burden of disease. This global burden is driven by an estimated 280 million people in the world living with a depressive disorder, affecting roughly 5% of adults globally. Modern therapeutics like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) represent an improvement to traditional tricyclic antidepressants, but may elicit considerable side effects including serotonin syndrome. Thus, there is an urgent need to design efficacious anti-depressants based on novel mechanisms. Recent literature suggests that the most successful antipsychotic medications of the current generation interact with multiple targets in the brain to attenuate different circuits in the central nervous system simultaneously. This theory directly contradicts the traditional drug design paradigm based on the “magic bullet” concept – where one drug is intended to interact with a unique target to treat a singular condition. The new theory, first postulated by Dr. Bryan Roth to explain the relative success of atypical antipsychotic drugs, has been called the “magic shotgun” concept. As evidence of this theory, many of the most effective neurological drugs of the modern age are often “dirty” drugs; drugs that act promiscuously at various targets in the brain. For example, clozapine, the former gold standard of antipsychotic medications, exhibits a highly complex pharmacological profile acting on dopamine, serotonin, muscarinic, and adrenergic receptors at the same time. However, this conceptual approach remains largely unexplored in the context of other neurological conditions, including depression. This project describes the design and synthesis of novel monoaminergic phytocannabinoids intended for multimodal activity at neurological receptors implicated in depression. To this end, compounds were conceived based on the monoamine hypothesis of endogenous neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin in depressive disorders. Cannabidiol was chosen as a starting point due to its modest affinity towards several monoamine receptors, with the goal of enhancing affinity and potency towards a subset of these targets, starting with the serotonin 2C (5-HT2C) receptor.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A 34-year-old G5P1121 with history of multiple uterine dilation and curettages presented for a growth ultrasound at 34 weeks secondary to Gestational diabetes. Sonographically a uterine wall defect and 8cm sacculation was noted with fetal parts present outside the uterus. Obstetrical ultrasound 5 weeks prior was reported within normal limits. She was delivered urgently via low transverse cesarean section and Intraoperatively, a uterine defect with scarred, hemostatic margins was noted along the posterior right uterine wall with protruding placenta. The defect was closed in layers of 0-Vicryl. Fourteen months prior to delivery, the patient underwent laparoscopic myomectomy of a 5cm transmural fibroid located in the posterior wall of the right cornua. The endometrial cavity was entered creating a 1cm defect. The uterine surgical bed was closed in multiple layers using 2.0-V-loc for endometrium and 0-V-loc for myometrium and serosa. A foley ballon was placed into the endometrial cavity. Following normal sonohysterogram, initial embryo transfer was performed three months post-myomectomy resulting in failed pregnancy. Second transfer was performed at 7 months post-myomectomy resulting in gestation of interest. In cases of fibroids as the suspected cause of infertility, myomectomies are indicated to restore normal anatomy and allow for successful pregnancy. MIS laparoscopic or robotic are the commonly used methods. Both uterine rupture (.5%) and uterine sacculation (1/3000) are rare, but potential complications in pregnancy following myomectomy. Currently, data suggests similar outcomes for different approaches for non-hysteroscopic myomectomies (2). In this case, what was initially sonographically diagnosed as uterine sacculation, was found intra-operatively to be a asymptomatic myometrial rupture with intact serosa. Early identification and delivery likely prevented a catastrophic outcome. There is no clear approach on how to methodically identify these events, though surveillance with MRI imaging could be considered.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Prior research has shown that both academic and financial support is crucial to the success of first-generation students, however, it is also crucial to understand the guilt felt by undergraduate students. This is so faculty and staff know how to support them in their endeavors better after they arrive at USC. This study aims to find the academic support and familial support of first-generation students at the University of South Carolina, with the following research question in mind: Do undergraduate first-generation students have the overall support they need at the University of South Carolina to succeed academically compared to that of continuing generation students? Three hypotheses will be evaluated to answer the research question: (1) First-generation students will score differently than continuing-generation students on the Student Support Needs Scale, (2) First-generation students will score differently on the Family Achievement Guilt Scale-Revised, and (3) First-generation students will have different academic performance than continuing-generation students, relative to their academic and familial support impact. Online methods were used, with participant recruitment via email and word of mouth, data collection via a Google form questionnaire, and data analysis on SPSS. This seminal study has received IRB exemption and is currently ongoing; however, it is predicted that through this research project, first-generation student understanding will be heightened at USC, possibly opening an opportunity to add a new non-financial resource specifically for first-generation students. With the poster presentation of this research project at DiscoverUSC, audience members will learn of the implications of first-generation student support at USC. Undergraduate student success is important, especially in populations with less fortunate circumstances.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As a senior Sport and Entertainment Management major at the University of South Carolina, I have many opportunities to work at different sporting events across the country. In March of 2023, I was able to travel with eight other Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management (HRSM) students to work at the WGC Dell Match Play, a golf tournament within the PGA, in Austin, Texas. I went with hopes of learning how events work outside of my classroom knowledge from SPTE 444: Event Management in SPTE, and gained so much more than that. I was chosen to stand in as a supervisor of event staff for the player-only accessible areas, and was able to gain experience in managing part-time employees and volunteers, as well as collaborating with other staff members in each area. Working together with the other supervisor, we learned the roles for each location and rotated out our staff for breaks throughout the day. We were successful in our position as no players were made to feel uncomfortable by fans while in our private area. This work experience is what led me to take SPTE 545: Managing Part-Time Employees and Volunteers at UofSC. I led various part-time employees throughout the event, but I know there were some things that I could do better as a manager, so SPTE 545 aided those shortcomings. By taking part in this event, I gained insight into different departments that I was working side by side with, like Media and Marketing. I ended the experience with so much more knowledge than I started with, and found new areas towards a career path that I had never considered. My world after graduation will now look different as I look for more managerial-inspired roles and positions that allow me to put my newfound knowledge to use.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Students benefit from close, supportive relationships with their teachers. When students feel supported by their teachers, they tend to perform more strongly on social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes compared to peers whose relationships with their teachers are conflictual or strained. Emerging evidence suggests that the quality of these relationships may be improved through interventions that increase teachers’ relationship-building behaviors. Yet, the field lacks a measure that explores teacher-student relationship quality by examining the frequency of the specific relationship-building behaviors that may be subject to intervention. The current study aims to address this problem by developing and pilot testing a behavior-based measure of teacher-student relationship quality. Findings from the large-scale field test suggest that the scale demonstrates adequate preliminary evidence of reliability and construct validity. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The American South, and specifically South Carolina, is home to the innovation of alkaline-glazed ceramics, which replaced lead and salt-glazed stoneware for many storage and heavy duty vessels and aided in the reduction of imported vessels. Edgefield, South Carolina is often studied by archaeologists and historians for its relevance in South Carolina folklife, especially since it was home to the famous African American potter, Dave. There is extensive research from Edgefield, where alkaline-glazed stoneware was produced, but was found in other areas of South Carolina as well. In assisting Dr. Kelly Goldberg in her analysis of artifacts excavated in 2022 and 2023 from Sesquicentennial State Park, we seek to investigate the origins of the alkaline-glazed stoneware found there. Once home to enslaved individuals, and then tenant farmers and turned into a State Park by the CCC, important information has been lost about the history of the individuals who lived there. Locating the production sites of the stoneware that belonged to the African American individuals living there can reveal details about pre and post Reconstruction ceramics economies. By the 1840s, potteries were in operation in Columbia, South Carolina, further complicating stoneware exchange patterns between Columbia, Edgefield, and local residents. My research compares ceramics produced at Edgefield with locations throughout the state in order to better understand alkaline-glazed stoneware distribution patterns. Learning more about local history can help to show Columbia locals more context about the interactions of those that lived here before them.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Impacting the University of South Carolina community through the Student Success Center as a supplemental instructor defined my college experience. As a supplemental instructor, I attended the class periods of the course I supported, held three, fifty minute sessions weekly for over two hundred students to enhance their understanding of the material, attended cohort training and biweekly staff development training, and collaborated with the professor of my course to best support the students. As someone who is passionate about math, I wanted others to know this subject was something they could master and even enjoy. I was surprised to find that not only did my students glean much from the sessions, but I did also. I honed my public speaking abilities, time management skills, professionalism, confidence, perseverance, adaptability, creativity, critical reflection skills, collaboration, and feedback delivery. Besides this, I learned that the best way to enhance someone’s success is to build their self efficacy so that they can build anything. As I look forward to a career in data science and analytics, I know that these skills will allow me to achieve excellence as I work with teams and present my work.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Incidental appendectomies (IAs) are often performed in laparotomies to prevent future complications caused by the buildup of scar tissue. Although neoplastic findings are rare, all appendectomy specimens should be sent for histopathological analysis. We present the case of a 38-year-old man found to have an appendiceal neuroendocrine tumor (NET) after receiving an IA secondary to a traumatic rectal perforation requiring exploratory laparotomy. Well-differentiated NETs isolated to the appendix have an excellent prognosis. Appendectomies are considered curative for NETs smaller than 2 cm that have not metastasized beyond the appendix. Appendiceal NETs are capable of secreting vasoactive substances and, therefore, causing carcinoid syndrome. However, the progression to carcinoid syndrome generally coincides with metastasis to the liver, indicating a poor prognosis. While histopathological analysis of appendectomy specimens rarely yields atypical findings, this analysis is crucial to ensure that the proper treatment is selected based on tumor progression in an appendectomy specimen staining positive for somatotropin and chromogranin.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My time at the University of South Carolina was marked by my engagement in the Carolina Judicial Council. As defined by the University: “The Carolina Judicial Council (CJC) is a recognized Experiential Learning Opportunity in which students uphold and promote the standards of the Carolina community. Members of CJC serve on panels in judicial council hearings while upholding the strictest confidentiality, in addition to promoting the vision set forth by the Carolinian Creed”. As a part of this engagement, I was placed in unique situations in the form of student hearings where I served as a panel member to determine the responsibility findings for students in a situation where they were alleged to have violated the Carolinian Honor Code or Code of Conduct. These situations allowed me to grow as an empathic professional with the ability to navigate tense situations. Additionally, I gained impactful leadership skills after serving as President of the CJC that will continue to positively impact me as a future professional. The main lesson I learnt was of the importance of professional, empathetic communication to be an effective leader and professional. My presentation will aim to share this learning and how it impacted my involvement in the CJC as I communicated with my peers and how it will continue to impact my professional life.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This poster showcases my current research on food history in Brazil and the development of a curated online collection of Brazilian cookbooks from the pivotal period of 1840 to 1945. Employing digital humanities methodologies, or "distant reading," examine the construction of taste in Brazil, delving into the connections between foodways, national inclusion, and identity. By scrutinizing cookbooks, I am able to identify patterns and evolutionary shifts in culinary practices, shedding light on the underlying social, racial, and gender dynamics that shaped Brazilian history. Combining Natural Language Processing (NPL) techniques with close textual analysis, the project dissects the multiple layers of these culinary texts, revealing a wealth of cultural influences from European traditions rooted in the colonial era to indigenous and African legacies. My study illuminates how diverse racial backgrounds contributed to the culinary landscape, particularly through the lens of the intellectual elite who authored these cookbooks. Gender dynamics figure prominently in culinary literature through aspects such as authorship, target audiences, and visual representations that aid in deciphering evolving patriarchal hierarchies in Brazilian society. By contextualizing culinary evolution within broader historical narratives, my research offers unique insights into nation-building processes and the incorporation of diverse cultural legacies under the umbrella of national identity. The significance of this research lies in its pivotal contribution to expanding our understanding of Brazilian history through the lens of culinary literature, unlocking the wealth of knowledge contained within previously overlooked sources. Moreover, by rescuing and preserving these neglected titles through digitization, the project champions the preservation of invaluable cultural heritage.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since I started learning French when I was 12, I knew I wanted to study abroad in France. I had big dreams to visit the place where Ballet gained popularity and to finally eat an authentic croissant. In the spring semester of my junior year of college, I finally embarked on my journey to Paris, France. Even though I am not a French major or minor, throughout my time at USC I yearned to travel as much as possible and see as much of the world as I could. I wanted to go to France to learn the language, but more importantly, I wanted to immerse myself in a brand new culture and learn a new way of life. During my four months abroad I traveled to seven countries. I was able to see the Chateaus of France, experience SpringFest in Germany, have afternoon tea in England, explore the beaches of Spain, marvel at art in Italy, eat chocolate in Belgium, and witness King’s Day in the Netherlands. Throughout my time abroad, I learned the importance of respecting and appreciating cultures that I am not familiar with, how to best learn and teach a new language, and that how people live can greatly impact their health and quality of life. Studying in France will forever be one of my favorite times in my life. I gained independence, confidence in my abilities to communicate with others (regardless of language barriers), and as the French say, “joie de vivre.” In my future career as a Public Health professional, it is necessary for me to be able to interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and values. It is vital that I am able to look at the culture of whatever community I am serving through their own eyes to understand how to provide the best aid. My time abroad taught me that culture is not a one size fits all model, and that every culture has its own unique beauty and story to tell.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Accurate neural wiring in the developing brain is mediated by growth cones, which are the pathfinding tips of growing axons that respond to environmental cues to find their synaptic partners. Environmental cues stimulate the local translation of mRNAs, such as beta-actin, within growth cones to regulate this process of axon guidance. Although it is well-established that neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), stimulate local translation, the contribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as laminins, to this process is poorly understood. Our lab has previously shown that point contacts, which are growth cone adhesions that link the ECM to the intracellular cytoskeleton, are a preferred site for local translation of beta-actin mRNA. Thus, we hypothesized that laminin may stimulate local translation in axonal growth cones. Embryonic day 17 mouse cortical neurons were acutely stimulated with laminin 111 +/- BDNF by bath application and used in (1) an O-propargyl puromycin (OPP) assay to label nascent protein synthesis and (2) a puromycin-proximity ligation assay (Puro-PLA) to label only newly translated beta-actin. Stimulation with laminin 111 and BDNF together significantly increases local protein synthesis, as compared to either laminin 111 or BDNF alone. Stimulation with laminin 111 and BDNF together also increases axon length and point contact density. Interestingly, stimulation with BDNF alone significantly increases beta-actin local translation, suggesting that laminin 111 signaling may not be needed for beta-actin local translation. However, there are multiple isoforms of laminin, each with unique temporal and spatial distributions. Thus, we repeated the puromycin assay using BDNF and either Laminin 111, 511, 211, or 221. Neurons cultured on laminins 211 and 221 in the presence of BDNF show a remarkable decrease in local protein synthesis and axon length compared to the other isoforms, suggesting that laminin isoforms have differential functions during development. Thus, these results indicate that laminin and BDNF synergistically affect local translation, thereby impacting neuronal growth during axon guidance.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Objectives Pharmacists play an important role in addressing vaccine hesitancy and training student pharmacists to do so is critical. Therefore, the objective was to assess students’ perceptions of their ability to address vaccine hesitancy using health behavior models and motivational interviewing after completion of a vaccine hesitancy assignment. Methods Student pharmacists received instructions on vaccine hesitancy, motivational interviewing, and health behavior models within a first-year Introduction to Pharmacy Practice course. Students were presented with a vaccine hesitancy scenario and asked to respond to a series of questions. These included identification of the patient’s stage of change, management strategy, health belief model construct to be emphasized, motivational interviewing technique, and communication plan. Student perceptions were solicited via a brief and anonymous Qualtrics survey in 2022 and 2023. Students were provided the survey link via Blackboard and announcements in class. The anonymous survey included six items in a Likert-type format as well as student demographics. Results 68 students (2022) and 29 students (2023) completed the survey for a 72% and 32% response rate in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Over the two years, the majority of students strongly agreed that the vaccine hesitancy assignment improved their understanding of the pharmacists’ role in addressing vaccine concerns (70%), improved their understanding of the Health Belief Model (63%), improved their application of motivational interviewing (73%), improved their understanding of transtheoretical model (62%), overall was valuable to their learning experience (72%), and should be continued in the future of the course (73%). Conclusion After completion of this assignment, students had positive perceptions of their ability to address vaccine concerns. Future iterations may incorporate more active role play to test the effectiveness of these interactions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Abstract: Beginning in the early 16th century, Europeans began to import 1000s of enslaved Africans into the Caribbean to transform their islands into profitable colonies based upon plantation agriculture. The social structure of plantation slavery created a hierarchy that would place those of European ancestry classified as White at the top. In contrast, those of African ancestry are classified as Black at the bottom. In between the top and the bottom of this social hierarchy based on race and legal status, there was a range of other classifications reflective of job tasks, wealth, being mixed race, and gender. For example, Europeans created social divisions among the slaves to keep them divided, which also included skin color, slaves with certain job skills such as artisans, and field hands. My research poster will explain how these social divisions served to maintain a white minority on top of the Caribbean social structure and served to maintain colonial rule. In explaining this Afro-Caribbean Social Structure my research poster relies on research using published articles such as “The Afro Caribbean Community, a story”, “Colorism in the Caribbean, and The Casta System”. These articles explain the history of and the legacy of the plantation hierarchy system. These social structures set up throughout the Caribbean to serve colonialism and slavery have had a long-lasting effect on present-day Afro-Caribbean people. Over a century after the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean in the 19th century, the lasting effect of this racial hierarchy based upon skin color from light-skinned to dark-skinned, and white to black still influences such factors as employment, education, and class relations in the Caribbean today.
9:30-11:00 a.m.E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among US youth. Previous studies identified positive associations between youth exposure to e-cigarette ads and susceptibility to e-cigarette use; however, many were conducted prior to recent market changes, such as the rise of disposables. This study used recent data to investigate associations between e-cigarette ad exposure, ad appeal, and susceptibility to e-cigarette use among youth. Methods: We analyzed US data from the 2022 International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey, an online survey of youth (ages 16-19). US youth with no prior e-cigarette use (n=2367) were included in analyses. We measured ad exposure as self-reported frequency [1=Never, 5=Very often] and total channels of exposure [e.g. websites/social media, range=0-17]. Participants with any exposure also reported perceived ad appeal [1=Very unappealing, 5=Very appealing]. Susceptibility was measured using 4 items: 1) curiosity about using e-cigarettes, 2) potential to use e-cigarettes in 1 year, 3) potential to use e-cigarettes if a friend offers, and 4) potential to use e-cigarettes in 5 years [1=Definitely not, 4=Definitely yes]. Participants with responses other than “Definitely not” on one or more items were defined as susceptible. Regression models investigated ad exposure and perceived ad appeal as predictors of susceptibility to e-cigarette use. Results: The sample was mostly female (65.5%), White (50.1%), and students (86.5%), with a mean age of 17.6 years (SD=1.0). Ad exposure frequency was not a significant predictor of youth susceptibility to e-cigarettes (OR=1.08, 95% CI=1.00-1.16), whereas total number of channels (OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01-1.06) was significant. Higher ad appeal ratings were associated with susceptibility among youth (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.11-1.30). Conclusion: Number of ad exposure channels and ad appeal were associated with e-cigarette susceptibility among US youth, whereas ad exposure frequency was not. Perhaps the number of channels of ad exposure, in addition to the content of ads and its perceived appeal, are important in explaining youth susceptibility to e-cigarettes. This analysis used cross-sectional data and thus cannot ascertain the causal direction between ad exposure/appeal and susceptibility. Future analyses will investigate predictors of ad exposure and potential mediating effects in adjusted models.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Since August 2023, I have been the sole production and content intern at South Carolina Educational Television and Public Radio (SCETV). SCETV is South Carolina’s public educational broadcasting network, providing news to educate and strengthen the public while creating a more connected and informed state. As PBS and NPR affiliates, SCETV provides national and local news content to viewers, reporting on anything impacting the Palmetto state. This role has introduced me to political journalism in reporting on the 2024 presidential election, tasking me with creating concise and unbiased political pieces that shape public opinion. At SCETV, I research presidential candidates, attend rallies, interview voters, and contribute as a guest speaker on the political podcast, SC Lede. These responsibilities have enhanced my ability to educate others on politics while following the principles of ethical journalism: accuracy, clarity, and fairness. This internship has deepened my understanding of how the First Amendment and media law influence broadcasting, inspiring me to pursue a specialization in media law in law school. SCETV has provided me with a platform to apply the knowledge gained at USC in real-world scenarios. Moving forward, I aim to utilize the skills cultivated at SCETV to lead efforts in creating a more politically informed and engaged society.
9:30-11:00 a.m.For over one year, I have served as Editorial Director for the USC Student Organization, Spoon University. Spoon University is a national online publication of food-related content created by college students, with chapters at over 80 colleges in the United States. I began as a writer with the club in September 2022, producing articles that explored the many facets of the Columbia, South Carolina culinary scene. As an English major and avid foodie, I was quick to apply for membership when I discovered it on Garnet Gate, USC’s student organization website. When I came into my role as Editorial Director in January of 2023, I found that my responsibilities extended far beyond just editing, fact-checking, and publishing articles for the chapter. My role is more like an acting president, requiring me to schedule and conduct chapter meetings, oversee the chapter’s social media channels, and initiate food-related gatherings outside of the regular school week. I struggled learning to be real leader for the club, but it was my enrollment in the Capstone Scholars Leadership Program that helped me to refine my leadership skills and come into my own in my position. The main idea of CSLP (as us Capstone Scholars call it) is that leadership is learned, not innate. Over the course of eight weeks, I acquired ways to be a strong leader and created a Campus Impact Plan to apply them to my role with Spoon University. By implementing this plan over the past year, I discovered that the meaning of the club is about so much more than writing. Spoon University is a publication, but it is first and foremost a culinary community. I have learned the importance of balancing chapter productivity with fostering a positive environment that shares a love for all things food. I want to continue this leadership style in the future, valuing the importance of team accomplishment and shared passion.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Although 2019 EACTS Guidelines on Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Adult Cardiac Surgery recommend against routine use of prophylactic corticosteroids, perioperative glucocorticoids are still often used to mitigate hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory failure following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. This study evaluated the effect of postoperative intravenous (IV) hydrocortisone use after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, which has not been described in current literature. Methods: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database was used to identify patients at a single academic medical center from 2021 to 2023. Adult patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery and required vasopressor support postoperatively were included. Patients who were in atrial fibrillation at the start of surgery were excluded. The primary outcome will evaluate incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients who received or did not receive IV hydrocortisone postoperatively. Secondary outcomes will evaluate the impact of IV hydrocortisone on pulmonary complications, insulin requirements, hospital length of stay, surgical site infections, and vasopressor requirements. A logistical regression analysis will be performed to further elucidate the relationship between hydrocortisone and atrial fibrillation and identify variables that influence the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Results: In progress with anticipated date of completion March 1, 2024. Of the 643 patients identified, 452 patients did not meet vasopressor requirements, 38 patients had documented atrial fibrillation at the time of surgery. Ultimately, 153 patients will be analyzed. Conclusion: The results will be discussed.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Animal-sourced foods (ASF) contain essential nutrients for human growth, maintenance, and repair. This study quantifies the relationship between the age of ASF introduction and later child nutritional outcomes in low-income Kenya informal settlements. A two-stage sampling method selected seven wards with high ASF value chain activity in Nairobi, Kenya, and randomly sampled 304 mother and child (6-59 months) dyads from low-income households in September to October 2019. Mothers completed a cross-sectional survey that assessed breastfeeding duration, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and age of introduction of animal milk, poultry, red meat, and eggs. Child anthropometrics were collected. Linear regressions examined associations between breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices with child anthropometrics, adjusted for maternal age, education, household size, and income, stratified by child age in years. Over 99% of children were breastfed, averaging 19 ± SD=6 months, and 35% were still breastfeeding during assessment. Exclusive breastfeeding lasted 4±3 months, with 58% exclusively breastfed for six months. Breastfeeding was not associated with child anthropometrics. Mothers introduced animal milk earliest (6±3 months), followed by poultry and red meat (8±5 months), and eggs (9±5 months). Later introduction to ASFs associated with higher weight-for-age z-scores at 24-36 months: animal milk β=0.07 [95% CI=0.01,0.12]; poultry 0.04 ± 0.02 [0.003,00.08]; red meat 0.04 ± 0.02 [0.002,0.08]; eggs 0.05 ± 0.02 [0.001,0.09]). Age of introduction to ASFs were not associated with length-for-age, weight-for-length, or BMI z-scores. In Nairobi’s informal settlements, we found that most children were breastfed, with over half exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Mothers typically introduced animal milk first, followed by meat and eggs. Later introduction to ASFs is associated with improved nutritional.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Our project aims to transform the already cutting edge smart glasses by employing advanced deep learning techniques for an enriched user-environment interaction. our innovation is a sophisticated image captioning system, utilizing state-of-the-art computer vision and natural language processing (NLP) to instantaneously generate descriptive textual captions for visuals. This system is intricately designed to interpret a diverse range of images in a human-like manner, thus rendering digital interactions more natural and enlightening. Furthermore, we integrate facial recognition technology to identify individuals within the user's immediate view, enhancing both social interactions and personal security. Complementing this, sentiment analysis is utilized to gauge emotional cues from conversations, offering users a deeper understanding of social dynamics. This project, by melding these innovative technologies, seeks to develop smart glasses that not only augment visual perception but significantly improve social connectivity, personal navigation, and overall quality of life.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Trisomy 13 is one of the more common and more lethal trisomy disorders with patients rarely surviving the gestational period, and even fewer surviving the neonatal period. Within the constellation of potential symptoms patients with heart defect abnormalities have been correlated with more severe outcomes and decreased survivability. Despite the association some patients with heart related sequelae do survive the neonatal window and potentially live well into their teenage years. Providers should be aware of the clinical presentation and treatment approach for an adolescent patient with Trisomy 13 related heart abnormalities. We present a case report on a 15 year old with Trisomy 13 and complex comorbidities including congenital heart defects presented to the children’s hospital in multi-organ failure induced septic shock. Despite the heart related sequelae of trisomy 13 being a leading of cause of intra-uterine demise and neonatal death of affected patients, a Trisomy 13 adolescent with heart sequelae faces greater risks from comorbid and iatrogenic conditions than from heart functionality. Throughout our provided treatment timeline the patient’s chronic lung disease resulted in most focused care directed toward proper oxygenation while imaging studies were obstructed by scoliosis of the thoracic spine. Her time to discharge was impacted by hospital acquired bacteremia but recovered with treatment further showcasing the relative strength of her heart. While heart sequelae are a known comorbidity for trisomy 13 patients, this case report highlights the priority of care for treating physicians should always focus on the immediate issues at hand rather than a syndrome’s expected complications.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This project’s goal was to analyze and compare population data for papillary and follicular thyroid cancer to determine at risk populations for further investigation of novel exposures and potential causes associated with the disparity between incident rates of thyroid cancers. The NCCR SEER database identified patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer from 1975-2020. Demographic, pathologic subtype, and survival trends were analyzed by year over year trendline progression followed with a thorough literature review of known and theorized risk factors for thyroid cancer development in discussion. Calculated Annual percent change for Follicular Thyroid Cancer found a noticeable difference in incidence rate between 1997-2009 amongst male and female patients with net 7.5% difference in reported rate per 100,000 with men (12.1%) more than doubling the reported percent change rate for women (4.6%). Analysis for papillary thyroid cancer however found no significant difference between male and female rates with a slight, statistically insignificant difference of 0.3% favoring men (10.9%) over women (10.6%). When analyzed along racial or age demographic lines no variations between historic annual percent changes to analyzed data sets were observed. Comparing the incidence rates between both papillary and follicular subtypes of thyroid cancer revealed an asymmetric distribution between gender for reported cases of Follicular thyroid cancer between the years of 2000-2010. Both subtypes share the same risk factors of family history, genetic family syndromes and radiation exposure, with radiation therapy at a young age being the leading risk factor for both cancer subtypes. Despite the shared risk factors between subtypes only the Follicular subtype favored an increased incidence amongst men suggesting additional factors at play. The likelihood of social exposure trends being the cause for the gender discrepancy remains in question and would benefit from additional epidemiologic studies. A final takeaway from these finding is that there is a statistically significant discrepancy in the incidence rate of follicular thyroid cancer diagnoses amongst men when compared to women and more epidemiologic studies are warranted to determine the root cause of these worrying trends.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Bacteria have evolved restriction modification systems to counteract bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. Phages often have a limited range of hosts that they can infect, and their infection efficiency varies with each host. Two Caulobacter strains, CB2 and CB13, are believed to have an efficient restriction and modification system. They restrict (cut) incoming foreign DNA but methylate (modify) their own DNA to protect it from the restriction enzyme. Previous studies with CB2 have shown that phage infection efficiency is reduced when CB2 is the host strain. In contrast, the strain SC1004 is highly vulnerable to phage infections and plating efficiency is high on this strain. To better characterize these differences in plating efficiency, we exposed CB2, CB13, and SC1004 to five different Caulobacter phages, ERS, KSC, Lullwater, RBC9, and RBC21. Plating efficiencies were consistently lower with CB2 and CB13 hosts when compared to the SC1004 host. However, plating efficiencies were high on the CB2 and CB13 hosts if the phage lysate had been grown on these hosts. Since prior growth on a CB2 or CB13 host would modify the phage DNA, subsequent infection of the same host strain would not result in restriction since the incoming phage DNA would have the protecting modification. Therefore, these results reinforce the idea that CB2 and CB13 have strong restriction modification systems.
1:00-2:30 p.m."Artificially Red, Naturally Risky: Exposing the Health Hazards of Common Food Dyes," authored by Athul Vikas, investigates the adverse health effects of Allura Red AC (Red 40), a prevalent synthetic food dye, on colonic health. This paper employs a rigorous literature review to examine the multifaceted impacts of Red 40, including its potential to trigger inflammation, cause DNA damage, and alter the gut microbiome. These alterations are critically evaluated for their role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC), a significant public health concern. The research highlights the extensive use of Allura Red AC in ultra-processed foods and uncovers the profound disconnect between the existing scientific evidence of its hazards and the general public's awareness. Utilizing a unique and innovative approach, this paper provides clear, specific actionable steps along with the integration of scientific analysis with public engagement through art. The study presents a unique interdisciplinary approach to heightening awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of the implications of synthetic dye consumption; the findings advocate for an immediate reevaluation of dietary choices, stricter regulatory standards, and proactive public health policies to mitigate the identified risks. Additionally, it outlines a direction for future research, emphasizing the need for comprehensive studies to further explore the mechanisms by which processed foods impact colonic health and contribute to CRC risk.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are devastating neurological insults that can lead to significant hemodynamic disturbances. Secondary injury can occur due to impairment of blood flow that can lead to ischemia of the spinal cord therefore, maintaining spinal cord perfusion is recommended to improve neurological outcomes. The majority of data supporting the use of vasoactive agents in SCI pertains to intravenous (IV) agents with alpha and beta effects. The use of IV vasopressors can lead to complications as well as prolonged stays in the ICU. Enteral agents, such as midodrine and pseudoephedrine have been studied to decrease patients’ needs for norepinephrine to maintain elevated MAP goals. The purpose of this study is to evaluate all patients requiring norepinephrine to maintain elevated MAP goals following spine surgery or spinal cord injury and if the addition of oral adjuncts, midodrine or pseudoephedrine, reduces the duration of norepinephrine. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of persons 15 years or older who are admitted to the trauma service for spinal cord injury or post spinal surgery between March 1st, 2021 and December 31st, 2023 at Prisma Health Richland, will be conducted. The primary outcome is the duration of IV norepinephrine in patients with and without oral adjuncts. Secondary outcomes include ICU length of stay, incidence of bradycardia (heart rate < 50 beats/minute), incidence of tachycardia (heart rate > 110 beats/minute) and proportion of patients that were continued on an oral agent after MAP goals were discontinued. Results: In progress Conclusion: In progress
9:30-11:00 a.m.Restrictive Dermopathy (RD) is an autosomal recessive rare genetic disorder that is neonatal lethal. If children are liveborn, they usually do not make it through the first week of life due to pulmonary insufficiency. RD is commonly caused by mutations in both copies of the ZMPSTE24 gene. Expression of ZMPSTE24 also decreases with age in healthy people. ZMPSTE24 is a protease that plays a key role in the post-translational processing of lamin A, an essential protein in a structure called the nuclear lamina that plays a critical role in a variety of nuclear functions. The form of lamin A produced in the absence of ZMPSTE24 is permanently farnesylated and methylated. Previous studies from our lab and other groups have shown that other mutant forms of lamin A that are incompletely processed disrupt the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and cause a decreased ability to maintain genomic integrity. To enhance our understanding of the biology of RD and of possible changes in genome stability with age, we are investigating the effects of ZMPSTE24 deficiency on DNA repair. To do so we have stably transfected a DSB repair reporter substrate into the genome of normal human fibroblasts. A DSB can be induced within the substrate contained in these cells through exogenous expression of endonuclease I-SceI, and DSB repair events occurring via either homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) are recoverable by genetic selection. Repair by HR is an accurate and templated form of repair, while NHEJ is an error-prone non-templated rejoining of DNA ends that may lead to a variety of mutations. We have induced DSBs in cells that had been treated with HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PIs) and in cells that remained untreated. HIV-PIs, such as Lopinavir and Ritonavir, have been shown to inhibit the activity of ZMPSTE24, causing prelamin A accumulation like that seen in RD patients. Our work aims to reveal the impact of biochemical inhibition of ZMPSTE24 activity on DSB repair pathway choice. We present our findings to date on the role played by ZMPSTE24 in maintaining genome integrity.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Stigma against sexual and gender minorities (SGM) populations has negative health effects for SGM populations. Despite the growing need for accurate stigma measurement in SGM, there are insufficient valid measurement instruments. Moreover, the lack of consistency in construct usage makes comparisons across studies particularly challenging. A critical review and comparative evaluation of the psychometric properties of the stigma measures for SGM is necessary to advance our understanding regarding stigma measurement. Based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a search was conducted in 4 databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, & Web of Science) for empirical articles published from 2010 to 2022 that evaluated the psychometrics properties of measurement instruments assessing stigma against SGMs. The extraction and scoring of the psychometric properties and methodological quality of instruments were performed by following the established standards and COSMIN (Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments) checklist. Of the 2031 studies identified, 19 studies were included that reported psychometric properties of 17 measurement instruments. All instruments, except two, were developed for SGMs (n=15/17). Most instruments included men who have sex with men (MSM) (n=11/15), whereas less than half of the instruments assessed stigma among SGM women (n=6/15). Internal consistency and content validity was reported for all instruments (n=17); construct and structural validity was also reported for majority of the instruments (n=15 and 10, respectively). However, test-retest reliability and criterion validity was reported for very few instruments (n=5 each). Based on the COSMIN checklist, we identified the most psychometrically and methodologically robust instruments for each of the five stigma types: combined stigma, enacted stigma, internalized stigma, intersectional stigma, and perceived stigma. For each stigma type, except anticipated stigma, at least one instrument demonstrated strong promise for use in empirical research; however, the selection of instruments depends on the population and context of the study. Findings indicated a growing use of instruments assessing stigma types. Future studies must develop intersectional stigma instruments that account for the intersecting social identities of SGMs. Existing instruments would benefit from further psychometric testing to different LGBTQ+ populations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I facilitated this ethnographic case study to better understand potential successes and difficulties music improvisation presents in music facilitating and learning from the student perspective. The purpose of this research was to examine my fourth-grade music students’ perceptions of music improvisation via improvisatory music circles using the following guiding research questions. Regarding 30-minute improvisatory music circles: 1) How do fourth-grade students (a) define music improvisation, (b) respond to facilitator-selected improvisatory music activities during improvisatory music circles, and (c) make decisions while participating in improvisatory music circles? 2) How did those students’ perceptions change throughout data collection? During this study, I collected data from five, 45-minute fourth-grade music classes over the course of three weeks. To achieve triangulation, I employed a variety of data collection sources: my learning plans, voice-recorded small-group opening discussions, video recordings of improvisatory music circles, student projection sheets, voice-recorded small-group closing discussions, passive participant-observer fieldnotes, moderate participant-observer memos, a focus-group discussion with member-checking, students’ personal transcriptions, and voice-recorded, member-checking interviews. Through my data analysis process, I identified six emergent themes: students defined music improvisation in a variety of ways, determined our classroom music community elicited feelings of trust and prompted students to help each other and respond with empathy, utilized music improvisation as a tool to express their emotions and focus their energy, used a variety of thinking strategies to inform their decision-making during improvisatory music circles, reported a balance between novelty and familiarity in facilitator-selected activities for improvisatory music circles improved their situational interests and engagement, and realized that improvisation, as an extramusical skill, may be used outside of music classes. Through those findings, I gleaned insight from students’ perceptions of music improvisation to determine that a co-constructed classroom music community is essential to developing an effective music learning environment. Exploring improvisatory music circles within that effective learning environment yields benefits for both music education and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).
1:00-2:30 p.m.In today's world, blending Media Arts with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is changing traditional teaching methods. It creates a space where creativity and logic merge to spark endless innovation. Our poster presentation discusses our journey in integrating media arts with STEAM, with a particular focus on chemistry, to make learning more engaging and profound. Driven by our eagerness to discover new things and innovate, this research demonstrates how media arts and sciences can work together. We show that media arts can simplify scientific concepts and transform learning into an enjoyable journey of discovery. We share examples of how media arts can transform complex scientific concepts into tangible, imaginative experiences. These stories highlight successes and how STEAM education can evolve to meet future demands. Indeed, we faced challenges such as integrating different subjects, adapting our use of technology, and securing resources. However, the significant benefits—such as igniting new ideas, fostering creativity, and enhancing understanding of complex topics—far outweigh these difficulties. We invite faculty and students to explore this innovative approach to learning with us. By incorporating media arts into STEM, especially chemistry, we can demystify academic subjects and ignite creativity. This effort prepares a new generation of thinkers, creators, and innovators ready to navigate and shape the future.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Down syndrome (DS) results from the trisomy of human chromosome 21. Phenotypes of DS include intellectual disability and impaired wound healing. This study uses fibroblasts, cells that contribute to the wound healing response, to provide insight into both of these phenotypes; this is because fibroblasts utilize similar migration mechanisms to neuronal growth cones, which are found at the tips of developing neurons and help regulate the formation of neural wiring during neurodevelopment. Two mechanisms that regulate motility are adhesion and local translation. Focal adhesions are cellular structures that link the extracellular matrix to the intracellular actin cytoskeleton and are important for both fibroblast motility and axon guidance. Local translation is the process by which mRNAs are transported to specific cellular regions and translated in response to molecular cues. Previous studies have shown that fibroblast and growth cone motility are dependent on the local translation of b-actin mRNA at focal adhesions. Taken together, these studies call for further investigation into fibroblast motility and local b-actin translation in DS, to better understand the molecular basis for the intellectual disability and wound healing phenotypes of DS. Using a transwell membrane assay, we found decreased migration of DS fibroblasts. We then used a puromycin assay and found decreased local translation in the leading edge of DS fibroblasts. We are currently using immunocytochemistry to quantify ribosomal subunits in fibroblasts, as well as colocalization analysis of the adhesion protein vinculin with ribosomal subunits, to determine if ribosomes are localized to adhesion sites, and if this is altered in DS. Taken together, our results suggest that decreased local translation may contribute to migration deficits in DS fibroblasts. Future research will determine if the local translation of target mRNAs, such as b-actin, at adhesions is decreased in DS to better understand the migration and translational deficits in DS fibroblasts. This will provide a foundation for future research on the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental and wound healing changes that occur in Down syndrome.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since my junior year of high school, I have known I wanted to be an occupational therapist. My undergraduate education has been filled with lessons on what the field means to me and how I can make the largest impact on our communities. In 2022, I was involved in an Early Learner’s Summer Camp through Skills on the Hill in Arlington, Virginia. Skills on the Hill, a private practice pediatric therapy group, focuses on empowering children through learning and addressing a variety of disabilities through speech, physical, and occupational therapy. I was immersed in the therapy process and learned the importance of creating a supportive environment to elicit positive treatment outcomes for patients. The following year I interned at Prisma Health’s Rehabilitation Clinic in Lexington, South Carolina. In addition to strengthening my knowledge in pediatric therapy, I observed and assisted with hand and spine treatments with occupational therapists. My time at Prisma allowed me to become more involved with patient experience beyond our thirty minutes of treatment. I began to evaluate the meaning of holistic approaches to rehabilitation, as occupational therapy is often categorized as using comprehensive methods for healing. Reflecting on my observation opportunities, I identified challenge areas for patients and how they were addressed within my organization. While occupational therapy treatments can address cognitive, physical, and mental deficits I plan to place special importance on advocacy as well. My presentation will include different dimensions of health that occupational therapy can treat and discuss the increasingly pertinent foundation advocacy creates for occupational therapists and their patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The locus coeruleus (LC) is the main source of norepinephrine (NE) to the cerebral cortex, where this modulatory neurotransmitter calibrates neural activity in response to arousing or stressful stimuli. The effects of normal aging on LC cellular integrity and activity are sparse and conflicting. Due to these contradictions and the fact that the LC mediates arousal and coordinates responses to perceived stressors, influences of the LC-NE system on cognition during normal aging may vary in response to stress. To address these questions, we examined the effects of chronic variable stress (CVS) on working memory and the LC in aging (4-6 or 22-24 months) male and female F344 rats. Working memory was assessed using a delayed match-to-sample operant task. In unstressed (UNS) rats, working memory accuracy of female rats was superior to males, who exhibited marked, age-dependent working memory deficits. Exposure to CVS, entailing twice-daily exposure to stressors (forced swims, physical restraint, predator urine exposure, and cage floods) for 21 days after working memory testing, led to significant improvement of working memory in aged males relative to age-matched UNS controls, returning working memory to a level of accuracy indistinguishable from young rats. To determine whether the LC is involved in this sex- and age-specific behavioral effect of stress, we harvested brains from all rats immediately following the final working memory testing session, approximately 18 hours after the final stress exposure. The hindbrain, containing the LC, was dissected, fixed, and prepared for immunohistochemical staining. Ongoing studies will quantify the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH+) neurons in the LC. We predict that chronic stress may reverse age-related changes in TH expression in the LC or increase the fraction of active LC neurons in males, and these increases will associate with working memory rescue. Once complete, our results will establish interactions among biological sex, aging, and LC-NE cellular responses to stress and how these changes may influence working memory. These data will improve our understanding of the role this brain nucleus plays in mental health and cognitive well-being over the lifespan and may direct the development of future therapeutics.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe clinical disorder characterized by increased vascular permeability, pulmonary edema, and inflammation. Therapeutic options are sparse and often ineffective, leading to over 40% mortality. There are limited studies addressing the role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) in the regulation of ARDS. To that end, we used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), a potent AHR ligand, to study the effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated ARDS. C57Bl/6 mice were treated with 30 ug/kg TCDD via intraperitoneal injection. ARDS was induced via intratracheal injection of 10 mg/kg LPS 24 hours post-TCDD treatment. Lungs were collected 48 hours after ARDS induction and whole-body plethysmography, flow cytometric analysis, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) were carried out. Plethysmography data demonstrated that LPS at 24 hrs increased enhanced pause, an indicator bronchoconstriction, and reduced breathing rate, effects which were reversed by TCDD. LPS exposure led to a significant increase of neutrophils and monocytes in the lungs while the LPS+TCDD group showed a significant decrease. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that several chemokines and their receptors expressed on neutrophils and monocytes such as CXCL3, CXCL1, CCL2, CCL7, and CCL9 were significantly decreased after TCDD exposure. Also, endothelial cells from the LPS+TCDD group showed significantly downregulated levels of pro-inflammatory molecules S100a8/S100a9, which act through TLR-4 pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that AHR activation ameliorates the ARDS phenotype. Also, scRNA-seq data demonstrated that part of this mechanism involves the prevention of leukocyte chemotaxis to the alveolar space by downregulation of chemokines and their receptors (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01ES030144, P20GM103641, R01AI123947, and R01AI160896).
9:30-11:00 a.m.Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are essential iron cofactors used for various metabolic and redox functions in most organisms. Fe-S cluster formation in E. coli occurs in two primary biogenesis pathways, Isc and Suf. Each pathway contains trafficking A-type carrier type II (ATC-II) proteins, IscA or SufA, that have previously been shown to traffic [2Fe-2S] to downstream targets such as ATC-I protein ErpA. In addition to ATCs, in vivo evidence has suggested a role in Fe-S trafficking for the sole monothiol glutaredoxin found in E. coli, GrxD. GrxD Fe-S cluster coordination involves an active site cysteine residue and glutathione thiol from each monomer to form a GrxD homodimer. Additionally, E. coli houses two BolA-like proteins, BolA and IbaG, that can form heterodimers with GrxD. The heterodimers can also coordinate [2Fe-2S] clusters due to the contribution of new coordination ligands by BolA or IbaG. This prompted investigation of the BolA/IbaG interactions with GrxD that may occur during iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. Specifically, this project probes the extent to which the GrxD heterodimers can traffic [2Fe-2S] to the ATCs during Fe-S biogenesis. Cluster transfer experiments are performed anaerobically due to the oxygen sensitivity of the clusters. Transfer is monitored via UV-visible absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopies in the visible region of the spectrum that can differentiate between different cluster-bound proteins.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects 1.5 million people in the United States. Past studies from our laboratory have shown that Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 THC), a cannabinoid, can attenuate colitis through its anti-inflammatory properties. However, one of the drawbacks of using Δ9 THC is that it is highly psychoactive. In the current study, we tested the efficacy of Δ8 THC to determine its efficacy to attenuate the pathogenesis of colitis. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and these mice were treated with vehicle or 30 mg/kg of Δ8 THC i.p. every other day for 8 days and mice were euthanized on day 9. Δ8 THC reversed the loss of body weight and decreased colon lengths in mice with DSS-colitis. Colonoscopies, and histopathological studies showed that the overall structure of the colonic tissue was disrupted by colitis accompanied by inflammatory cells, while Δ8 THC treatment mitigated these pathological changes seen during colitis. Δ8 THC treatment caused a significant decrease in the number of CD45+ CD11b+ CCR2+ macrophages, granulocytes (CD45+ CD11b+ Ly6G+) and neutrophils. Δ8 THC decreased TNF-α secretion by the bone marrow derived macrophages. In summary, Δ8 THC treatment effectively attenuated colitis through suppression of inflammatory myeloid populations, especially macrophages. Together these studies demonstrate that Δ8 THC, which is less psychoactive, may constitute an effective treatment agent against colitis (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01AI160896, R01ES030144, P20GM103641, R01AI123947, R01AI160896 to MN and PN as well as by R0160986 Supplement to JG-S).
1:00-2:30 p.m.To explore how beliefs and perceptions about animal-source foods (ASFs) influence mother and child dietary intake in Nairobi, Kenya. Cross-sectional surveys assessed ASF beliefs and perceptions in informal settlements from 7 wards with high ASF activity in Nairobi, Kenya in Sept-Oct 2019. A random sample of 304 low-income mothers with children 6-59 months reported how much ASFs they and their child should consume per week and likelihood of getting sick or fat from ASFs. ASF intakes were collected with 24-hour recalls. Open-ended responses on sickness causes and mitigation were thematically analyzed. Logistic regressions assessed associations between ASF beliefs and perceptions with intake, stratified by 6-23 24-59 child mo of age, gender, and maternal primary education. Most mothers (88%) and children (91%) consumed ASF, mainly milk (81%, 88%). Mothers believed they should consume one more egg than children, but similar amounts of meat, fish, and milk. Belief in higher milk and meat intake increased odds of intake in girls (OR: 1.51 [95% CI: 1.21,1.88]; 1.32 [1.003,1.74]) and older children (1.28 [1.05,1.58]; 1.30 [1.01,1.66]). Mothers perceived eggs, meat, and poultry led to weight gain (69%, 58%, 58%) and sickness (39%, 49%, 32%). Perceived weight gain from eggs reduced odds of intake in mothers older (0.97 [0.95,0.99]) and less educated (0.96 [0.94,0.99]). Sickness concerns from lack of processing raw milk (65%), overprocessing packaged milk (24%), animal health in poultry, organs, and red meat production (25%, 14%, 14%), and overconsuming eggs (45%). Mothers (77-97%) mitigated concerns by boiling milk, properly cooking poultry and organs, and reducing red meat and egg intake. General mitigation included trusted sources; proper hygiene, handling, preparation; and fresh consumption. Perceived sickness from eggs increased odds of any ASF intake in girls (1.02 [1.001,1.05]), while sickness from raw milk reduced odds of any ASF intake in younger children (0.96 [0.93,0.99]). All other associations were insignificant. ASF beliefs and perceptions influence diets, particularly for older girls and older, less educated mothers. Individual-level mitigation addressed food safety concerns along the supply chain.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The majority of young adult women do not do daily physical activity, putting them at a greater risk for negative health effects. Through the use of technology, specifically a smartphone fitness app, young women can gain the tools and motivation necessary to achieve higher levels of physical activity. A review of the epidemiology of physical activity trajectories among young adult women points to the need to harness the relationships between social components of apps and psychological constructs associated with physical activity (motivation, self-efficacy, social support) to promote physical activity in this target population. Additionally, the mHealth behavior change literature points to four key evidence-behavioral strategies that a solid fitness app should have. These four strategies are self-monitoring, goal setting, gamification, and social support. I use existing research and theories to outline (and illustrate with mocked-up screenshots) the elements of a fitness app tailored for this at-risk population. The app incorporates physical activity promotion principles with Taylor Swift to appeal to young adult women. This combines their interest in the music and life of Taylor Swift plus encourages ongoing physical activity engagement, which will enhance the uptake and success of physical activity apps in this target population. There will be workouts synched to Taylor Swift’s discography, daily challenges, goals, and badges. Overall, my fitness app targets young adult women, combining their interest of Taylor Swift with exercise to promote greater physical activity.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This article explores the rhetoric of providentialism in England from 1625, when Charles I became King of England, to 1660, when Charles II was restored to the throne. During this period, England welcomed a new King to the throne, broke into Civil War, executed its sovereign, established a commonwealth with Oliver Cromwell as its Lord Protector, watched the commonwealth fail, and reinstated its monarchy. Before this period, English ministers and leaders used providential rhetoric to show God as the writer of English history, supporting England for its continued faithfulness to his true religion of Protestantism. This article seeks to understand how the rhetoric of providentialism changed, why it changed, and the effects of this change from 1625 to 1660. Providential rhetoric remained largely the same throughout the period, but a diverse range of employers used it. Sometimes political and religious groups used the same rhetoric against one another as changing events favored different groups at different times. The rhetoric that built up a kingdom could be used to tear it down years later. Furthermore, the merging of religious and national identity that began previously during the reign of Elizabeth I led to the development of such nationalistic providential rhetoric that strengthened during the heightened tensions of the Civil War and the interregnum period. This rhetoric encouraged a bold reformation against the reign of King Charles I, and after this reformation failed, it encouraged a return to monarchy. The rhetoric of providentialism has long been used to encourage bold actions and is employed in modern times. Much courage comes from being told that failure is impossible because God supernaturally guides his faithful nation. Looking back on past uses for this rhetoric and its implications heightens the senses to its fickle nature and purposes in modern use.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Objective Seeking physical therapy for pain management before seeing a physician for treatment has the potential to reduce opioid use among patients with musculoskeletal conditions. In this study, we assessed whether greater initial or early use of physical therapy in states permitting more direct access was associated with reductions in subsequent opioid use. Methods We used instrumental variable methods to assess opioid use among patients whose physical therapy use was influenced by state direct access laws. Using Medicare claims data from 2016 to 2018, we selected opioid-naïve beneficiaries with a new onset of shoulder pain (index date) in 2017 with a subsequent diagnosis of atraumatic rotator cuff tear (N = 75,859). Outcome measures included any opioid use, total morphine milligram equivalent (MME), days of opioid use, and long-term opioid during the first year after diagnosis. We used an instrumental variable estimator with state direct access laws as an instrument that promotes initial physical therapy use. Results Among the subset of patients whose initial provider choice was influenced by state direct access laws, our instrumental variable results show that patients who visited a physical therapist first had lower MME (by 3843 mg), reduced total number of days of opioid supply (by 70.74 days) and a 20% lower rate of long-term opioid use. Those who saw a physical therapist within the first 30 days of the index date (early physical therapy) also had lower MME (by 958 mg), reduced total number of days of opioid supply (by 19.2 days), and a 10% lower rate of long-term opioid use. All p-value < .05 Conclusion Among Medicare patients with atraumatic rotator cuff tear, greater initial or early use of physical therapy in states permitting more direct access is associated with lower opioid use. Our results suggest that opioid use could be reduced by liberalizing state direct access laws to physical therapy, with further implications for health insurance policies that require physician referral for physical therapy. Future studies should examine the impact of these laws on other orthopedic conditions and include the impact of such laws on health expenditures.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Resident Assistant job is a full-time student selected position to advise, refer resources, and be a positive role model to residents through their Carolina experience. With a focus on fostering a safe and supportive community, Resident Assistant provides and ensures the safety of residents through protocols, administrative support, and larger departmental initiatives. As a Resident Assistant I oversaw 27 out of 54 residents in my building, playing a crucial role in their transition to independent living on campus. I built strong relationships through positive communication, planning events, weekly staff meetings, desk shifts, and participating in duty shifts at night and on weekends. My motivation for pursuing this position stems from my desire to be the mentor I wish I had starting my college journey. Recognizing the value of guidance and support in college, I wanted to pay it forward by empowering others to make the most of their college experience. This experience has completely changed the way I look at conflict and my career. Through navigating conflicts, collaborating with my team, orchestrating events, and handling administrative tasks, I’ve learned valuable skills in leadership, interpersonal dynamics, problem-solving, conflict resolution, time management, and community building. These skills have taught me how to learn new skills and apply them quickly to my current and future career. Within your college journey, it’s crucial to recognize that you’re never alone. Here at USC, a vibrant community is dedicated to supporting your social and academic growth. There are so many people who want you to succeed and will offer assistance and guidance socially and academically. In May 2024, I will be proudly graduating with a major in Visual Communications complemented by a minor in Studio Arts, with a Double Concentration in Graphic Design and Photography. Currently, I’m applying for jobs as a Graphic Designer, Product Designer, and Account Manager as a steppingstone to becoming a Creative Director in the future. I plan to take all these new skills I have learned and apply them to my future career.
1:00-2:30 p.m.When I chose to attend the University of South Carolina, I was nervous leaving my comfort zone back home in Raleigh, North Carolina. I was a scared freshman during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I signed up for a program called Pillars for Carolina, hoping to ease the college transition. Pillars is a program designed for incoming students to meet other Carolina students, learn more about campus life, and gain the confidence that they can succeed here at USC. I met some of my best friends and mentors that I’ve carried with me over my past three years here at Carolina. Once I had gotten settled, I chose to serve as an Extended Mentor, wanting to give back the love and support that Pillars had offered me as a freshman to other incoming students. I spent as much time as I could in the Leadership and Service Center, gaining valuable connections and learning more about my leadership abilities within the Pillars program.. Most Extended Mentors only serve one summer, but I wanted to give more. I became the Director of Staff Development on the Leadership Team, where I spent hundreds of hours planning the summer program. As Staff Dev, my responsibility was training the largest staff in program history and building a family built upon love, mutual trust, and confidence in one another. Each member of that 71 person staff has a piece of my heart forever, and they taught me how to be a better leader, a better Gamecock, and a better human. I learned how to cater my mission to those I serve and to create change with my community in mind. Finally, I realized the power of grassroots efforts to improve our community, as Pillars is entirely student-run and reliant upon the passion of students giving back to the next generation of gamecocks. Pillars had an immeasurable impact on myself and countless other students, rooting us to Carolina as a place to call home. I hope to continue serving my community through work in the public history field, educating others on their passions and interests.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The rheological properties of cytoplasm, such as elasticity, diffusion, and viscosity, play a crucial role in regulating cellular processes. However, our understanding of how cells regulate and utilize these properties remains limited. This study presents a model that elucidates the regulation of rheological properties via the formation of stress granules, a type of liquid-liquid phase separation. Stress granules assemble from RNA and proteins in response to various types of stress, including osmotic stress, temperature shock, oxidative stress, and ER stress. While stress granules are typically described in the context of translation arrest, evidence of their involvement in other processes, such as transport and metabolism, has started to emerge. However, there is surprisingly still very limited data regarding the connection between stress granules and the viscoelastic properties of the cytoplasm. The importance of understanding this link is heightened in the context of senescence. Cell senescence leads to a drastic enlargement of cell volume, resulting in an abnormal decrease in cytoplasm density and an increase in diffusion of macromolecules. However, under stress conditions, senescent cells exhibit increased formation of stress granules, which disassemble at a slower rate and tend to form persistent stress granules. This contradicts the research that showed the positive correlation between the decrease in cytoplasm density and stress granule disassembly under hypoosmotic conditions. We hypothesize that the formation of stress granules in senescent cells compensates for changes in viscoelastic properties during senescence, potentially supporting the functioning of senescence-associated secretory cell phenotypes that contribute to neurodegenerative and age-associated disorders. To test the hypothesis, we measured the viscoelastic properties through particle tracking of 40 nm genetically encoded nanoparticles (GEM) and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) of tdTomato in U2OS cells before and after the induction of oxidative stress-associated stress granules during induced senescence. FRAP of tdTomato shows the behavior of cytoplasmic proteins. Tracking of 40 nm nanoparticles shows changes in the level of ribosomes. As a result, we show an increase in diffusion at the level of ribosomes after the formation of stress granules. The changes in viscoelastic properties in normal and senescent conditions will be compared.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Transitioning to adult care services is a crucial time for young adults with a genetic disorder. Many of these conditions are diagnosed early in childhood, with follow-up care fragmented and dependent on the specific needs of the individual. Williams Syndrome (WS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by multisystemic features. The variation in clinical presentation of adults with WS can influence the individual’s ability to transition from pediatric care because of its medical complications, variable and poorly characterized psychiatric needs, and intellectual disability that cause difficulty communicating health-related needs to providers. This study focused on understanding the needs of adults with WS and their caregivers during adulthood and the current landscape of transitional healthcare for these families. An electronic survey was distributed to caregivers of adults with WS over the age of 18 to provide insights into the care accessed and resources desired. Following the survey, virtual paired interviews were completed with an adult with WS and their caregiver. 177 survey responses from caregivers were recorded with 97 completed and 8 virtual paired interviews were performed. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. Free response questions and interviews were transcribed, and a ground theory approach was performed for thematic analysis. Over 45% of caregivers reported being dissatisfied with the adult with WS's care, with the most dissatisfaction present in relation to mental health care (63.9%). Both caregivers and adults with WS note improvements to satisfaction of care and perceived provider knowledge about WS when they were involved with a WS clinic, were provided resources on the transitional process, and received information on adult health issues. These findings highlight the importance of continued support and education to adults with WS and their caregivers. Several recommendations for adult care have been made including increased access to WS clinics, providing open communication with adults with WS, and expanding practice guidelines to address adult health needs. Future research should continue to explore the needs of the WS community during the transition to adult health care.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Social anxiety disorder is characterized by consistent fear or anxiety in social or performance situations and can be developed at an early age (APA, 2013). It has the potential to severely interfere with a child’s daily routine and quality of life, resulting in significant distress and avoidance of social situations (Hitchcock et al., 2009). While social anxiety is prevalent in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and fragile X Syndrome (FXS), little is known about how social anxiety symptoms change across childhood in these neurodevelopmental disorders. This knowledge is critical to informing early identification and treatment of social anxiety in high-risk populations (e.g., NDDs). The present study analyzed symptoms of anxiety in early and middle childhood across ASD, FXS, and TD groups, using the Modified Anxiety Dimensional Observational Scale (M-Anx-Dos) and the Social Anxiety and Motivation Scale (SAMS). The M-Anx-Dos is an observational measure that includes “presses” designed to elicit different dimensions of anxious responses (e.g., affective and behavioral displays of fear and separation distress) in young children with NDDs. The SAMS, a behavioral observational measure designed to elicit behaviors related to social anxiety and social motivation, was used to assess anxiety symptoms in middle-aged children with NDDs. Specifically, the SAMS contains four distinct conditions with varying levels of social demand and is coded from video for behaviors associated with social anxiety (e.g., gaze, vocal length, time to first utterance) and social motivation (e.g., social responsiveness, positive emotional affect, social initiation). This study includes 8 children with ASD or FXS, and 4 typically developing children ranging from in age from 3-7 years and 6-11 years. The M-Anx-Dos and SAMS scores will be compared between the early childhood and middle childhood ages. I hypothesize that the M-Anx-Dos scores from early childhood will be a predictor for the SAMS scores from middle childhood.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the spring of my freshman year, I decided to rush Alpha Sigma Rho Sorority Inc. (ASR), an Asian-interest organization that strives to promote sisterhood and Asian awareness within the university campus and the community. Initially, I joined this organization because I felt a bit isolated from the community during my first semester here and knew that I needed to get out there. Through this wonderful organization however, I have been able to further engage with my community, demonstrate my leadership capabilities, and formulate connections that I would not have made otherwise! In ASR, we participate in a variety of activities for our local philanthropy, Sistercare, and national philanthropy, Ovarian Cancer Awareness. We also participate in sisterhoods, fundraising, and recruitment efforts. Taking part in these activities with fellow sisters who have had similar backgrounds and experiences as me has allowed me to further connect with my Asian culture and learn more about a variety of other Asian ethnicities. Throughout the years, I have even taken the Sisterhood and Fundraising chair positions, as well as the executive-board Secretary position. With both the sisterhood and fundraising positions, I learned how to organize events that meet necessary goals for sorority connection and financial security. With the secretary position, I learned how to navigate and resolve internal conflicts and participate in decision-making that benefits the entire organization as a whole. In these roles, I gained valuable professional skills that are universal to any workplace. Ultimately, I am proud to say that I am a part of an organization that prioritizes sisterhood bonding, academic excellence, philanthropy, and service. ASR has given me a multitude of opportunities for growth and connection that I will forever be grateful for.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a genetic disorder and the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability, resulting from a mutation on the FMR1 gene. Common behaviors of children with FXS include ADHD, anxiety, sensitivity to touch and sounds, and temper tantrums. Typically, mothers of children with FXS have the fragile X premutation (FXpm), which results from a partial mutation of the FMR1 gene. Women with the FXpm often have neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Some studies have linked maternal well-being and child behaviors, but these were all in samples of young children (Fielding-Gebhardt et al., 2020; Potter et al., 2022). This study examined relationships between child behaviors and maternal well-being (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms) in an older sample of children, as well as whether these relationships changed with age.
1:00-2:30 p.m.LIS1 (PAFAH1B) is a dynein regulatory protein that stimulates dynein motor activity by binding to dynein heavy chains (DYNC1H1) and promoting the formation of active motor complexes. Dynein is a motor protein responsible for various cellular processes including transporting cellular cargo. Mutations in LIS1 have been known to cause lissencephaly, a rare disorder characterized by severe cognitive and motor impairment. Our previous research showed globally induced LIS1 knockout (iKO) causes severe neurological defects and rapid lethality in adult mice, showing a vital post-developmental role for LIS1. Recombination occurred in a mosaic fashion in both neurons and glia. However, the specific cell type responsible for the observed neurological phenotypes remains unclear. We used two tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 driver strains, Thy1 promoter and Aldh1/1 promoter, to selectively remove LIS1 from projection neurons (Thy1LIS1iKO) and astrocytes (Aldh1/1LIS1iKO), respectively. This approach will help us determine whether either of these cell types contributes to the severe phenotypes observed in global LIS1KO mice. To determine the cellular source of the severe phenotype, we administered a tamoxifen dosage of 0.05 mg/body weight for five consecutive days to both Thy1LIS1iKO and Aldh1/1LIS1iKO mice. Our results show that selectively depleting LIS1 from adult mouse projection neurons promptly induces severe neurological phenotypes, including shivering, leg clasping, gait abnormalities, and seizures, ultimately leading to death within 10 days. Contrarily, the targeted depletion of LIS1 specifically from astrocytes did not cause any noticeable neurological symptoms over the same timeframe, highlighting the observed phenotypes were due to LIS1 depletion specifically in neurons. No observable phenotypes were seen in control groups treated only with vehicle. The dosage of tamoxifen correlated with the phenotype in Thy1LIS1iKO mice, as a lower dosage resulted in a milder phenotype, implying the involvement of fewer projection neurons. In future studies, we will assess long-term behavioral changes in Aldh1/1LIS1iKO strains compared to Thy1LIS1iKO strains. The rapid onset of phenotypes observed in Thy1LIS1iKO mice indicates possible synaptic-level alterations. Additionally, the synaptic structure will be examined using advanced imaging techniques.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) play a vital role in macrophage differentiation. The production of ROS has previously been shown to be required for macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-induced differentiation of macrophages from bone marrow cells. M-CSF is a secreted cytokine that results in the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into macrophages, as well as the proliferation of myeloid cells. Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a well- studied cannabinoid, has previously been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant properties and thus, in the current study, we examined the role of THC in blocking ROS production and its impact on macrophage differentiation. The addition of THC to the M-CSF cultured bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice resulted in marked blocking of macrophage differentiation. Additionally, in the same cultures, THC decreased ROS levels as measured by CellROX Deep Red assay at 3hrs, 24hrs, and 48hrs following culture. RNAseq analysis of cultured cells at 48hrs showed that the addition of THC resulted in the increased expression of Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) genes such as Hmox1, Sqstm1, Nqo1, and Gclm. The majority of the differentially expressed genes were shown to be induced by NRF2 in both KEGG and IPA pathway analysis. Western Blot analysis showed an increase in Nrf2 protein levels in the THC group at 48hrs. Interestingly, some of the antioxidant genes induced were shown to be Nrf2-independent, showing that THC can induce multiple antioxidant pathways. Together, the current study demonstrates that THC can effectively block macrophage differentiation from the bone marrow stem cells in vitro through downregulation of ROS (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01ES030144, P20GM103641, R01AI123947, and R01AI160896).
1:00-2:30 p.m.Thermoelectric materials harvest waste heat and convert it into reusable electricity. Thermoelectrics are also widely used in inverse ways such as refrigerators and cooling electronics. However, most popular and known thermoelectric materials to date were proposed and found by intuition, mostly through experiments. Unfortunately, it is extremely time and resource consuming to synthesize and measure the thermoelectric properties through trial-and-error experiments. Here, we develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) classification model that utilizes the fused orbital field matrix (OFM) and composition descriptors to screen a large pool of materials to discover new thermoelectric candidates with power factor higher than 10 μW/cmK2. The model used our own data generated by high-throughput density functional theory (DFT) calculations coupled with ab initio scattering and transport (AMSET) package to obtain electronic transport properties without assuming constant relaxation time of electrons, which ensures more reliable electronic transport properties calculations than previous studies. The classification model was also compared to some traditional machine learning algorithms such as gradient boosting and random forest. We deployed the classification model on 3,465 cubic dynamically stable structures with non-zero band gap screened from Open Quantum Materials Database. We identified many high performance thermoelectric materials with ZT > 1 or close to 1 across a wide temperature range from 300 K to 700 K and for both n- and p-type doping with different doping concentrations. Moreover, our feature importance and maximal information coefficient analysis demonstrates two previously unreported material descriptors, namely mean melting temperature and low average deviation of electronegativity, that are strongly correlated with power factor and thus provide a new route for quickly screening potential thermoelectrics with high success rate. Our deep CNN model with fused orbital field matrix and composition descriptors is very promising for screening high power factor thermoelectrics from large-scale hypothetical structures.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Experiential learning experiences that expand in-class learning to the real world is impactful, but none so much as working as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) at Ascension St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Aligning with Ascension's core values and their emphasis on inclusivity, I assisted in providing care to the greater Nashville community. This position not only exposed me to a variety of medical specialties and specific needs of each patient, but also deepened my understanding of holistic patient care. Each day began with comprehensive reports from the departing techs, moved quickly into rounds of vital assessments, making sure to note any deviations in temperature, blood pressure, or respiration. Outside of these clinical tasks, I took the time to introduce myself to each patient, establishing a personal connection as well as learning about any mental or physical restrictions. The bulk of my responsibilities involved assisting six to twelve patients with various activities of daily living. These ranged from traversing the hall to aiding in basic personal hygiene tasks. Additional tasks required of me included drawing labs, assisting other healthcare professionals in procedure and exercises, and liaising with patient families. Initially, this position was a stepping stone on my path to medical school but quickly became a pivotal juncture in my educational journey the summer after my junior year. This role confirmed my inclination towards a career in healthcare, underscored the significance of a person-oriented approach to care, and emphasized the collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team. In an effort to become part of this team, I utilized skills I learned in EDLP 520 in order to apply leadership to even the smallest role. In advocating for my patients and setting a good example, I practice leadership in my everyday life. I realized that spending time with patients on an individual level encouraged healing in a way that traditional medicine cannot and that genuine patient care extends beyond procedures and consultations. This experience has not only encouraged my passions as a healthcare professional but also enhanced my understanding of the collaborative and person-centric essence of the field.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Transposable elements (TEs) are segments of DNA that naturally alter plant genomes by excising and reinserting when mobilized by specific transposase proteins. Our research focuses on the highly active mPing miniature TE from rice which relies on ORF1 and TPase protein provided by the Ping or Pong element for mobilization. Insertion of mPing-based activation tags was previously shown to upregulate nearby genes and recent studies have shown that fusing Pong TPase to Cas9 allows for targeted mPing insertion in plants. To improve the efficiency of this system, we are developing a yeast assay for Cas9-mediated targeted mPing insertion. We previously showed that the TPase:Cas9 fusion proteins can induce mPing transposition in yeast, while maintaining Cas9 function. We are developing a mPing-based activation tag and yeast reporter strain that will indicate when targeted insertion occurs. The hyperactive mPing carrying the GPD promoter was inserted into MET15 gene to allow for selection of excision events. The target sequence we are using is an ADE2 gene controlled by the GAL2 promoter, paired with a gRNA specific to the GAL2 promoter. We will measure the targeted insertion rate by screening for ADE2 expression in the Met15 revertant colonies in the absence of galactose. We anticipate that TPase:Cas9 fusion constructs will allow for targeted insertion of mPing:GDP into the GAL2 promoter, thus producing adenine on plates lacking galactose, resulting in white colonies. The development of this assay will provide an efficient method for studying the mechanism of targeted insertion so that we may further develop this system for plant genome engineering.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Katherine Brown, Emily Owens Pickle, Sean Sweeney, Kyndall Braumuller, Wayne Knee, Michael Skvarla, Kayla Bramlett, Martha Weber, Melissa Nolan Zoos are vital societal resources that provide conservation education, cultural value, and economic revenue to their local community. Further, they provide a unique opportunity to study the impact of native vector-borne diseases in exotic zoologic species. This pilot study brought together medical entomologists, vector-borne disease epidemiologists, and exotic animal veterinarians to examine vector-borne disease risk in Columbia, South Carolina. From August to December 2023, researchers executed a prospective surveillance initiative of host-seeking and host-attached ectoparasites. Tick trapping included CO2-baited traps and density-dragging methodologies. Mosquito trapping included CDC light traps baited with CO2. Avian ked collections, performed by zoo staff, involved attached ectoparasites extraction from wild raptors originating from surrounding counties that were undergoing medical care at the zoo—IACUC approval was provided by the zoo’s Animal Welfare Committee. Tick and mosquito collections were conducted along the property perimeter adjacent to animal habitats and a wooded area abutting the Saluda River embankment. Over a four-month period, 600 mosquitoes representing 17 distinct species, one nymphal Ixodes scapularis tick, and 29 Icosta americana avian keds were collected. The avian ked identification was a significant and novel discovery, as Icosta americana species can vector West Nile virus and are understudied vectors in the USA. These study results fostered a new international collaboration and have prompted an exciting second phase of research. An unexpected finding was the low number of Ixodes scapularis ticks collected in an area known to be rich with native deer populations. Vector pathogen testing is underway. In closing, this collaborative pilot surveillance identified several vectors of public health importance at a popular tourist destination, that warrants further study of prospective human and zoonotic health implications.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Tick-borne diseases (TBD) are the primary cause of vector-borne disease in the United States (USA) accounting for 75% of the total annual burden. TBD incidence has tripled since 2016 with seven novel pathogens being detected in the same time frame. In South Carolina (SC) tick and TBD public health surveillance are deficient and evidence suggests TBD could be emerging. A grass-roots effort tick surveillance program implemented in 2019, revealed that 83% of host-attached collected ticks from humane societies, and 79% of host-seeking ticks collected from state parks have evidence of at least one pathogen including Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, or Borrelia. Despite the high pathogen prevalence among ticks, TBD cases reach roughly 100 reported human cases annually, which are likely underrepresented by physician unawareness. Among exposed groups, outdoor workers and animal handlers are at risk of tick bites and thus, are susceptible to TBD. Three occupational groups were identified in SC as high-risk: veterinarians, state park employees, and SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) employees. Our aim is to identify differences among these high-risk groups, to better understand occupational exposure, and determine potential interventions. For this reason, a Knowledge Attitudes and Practices survey was developed to unearth the estimated occupational exposure rate among SC state employees and characterize the common practices and concerns that would require intervention. A survey with 38 questions on tick-bite exposure, illness development, prevention and management, and level of concern was emailed to 240 employees across 29 state parks, 21 animal shelters, and 12 SCDNR programs. Associations between knowledge and exposure risk were assessed using Spearman’s correlation and univariable regression analyses. The results of this study provided preliminary tick-exposure assessment results among occupational risk groups. Targeted education programs and interventions are warranted to adapt TBD risk prevention across the different disciplines, and should aim to create occupational risk assessments and management in the future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Caregivers of young autistic children frequently turn to the internet for emotional regulation (ER) resources, while autistic adults are actively producing psychoeducational materials related to emotion regulation. However, these two communities often operate in separate spheres, leading to a lack of communication. Moreover, the perspectives of the most marginalized autistic adults are often excluded. By incorporating a photo elicitation component, the researchers aim to amplify the voices of all stakeholders involved. The aims of this study were 1) to identify perceived gaps as identified by parents of birth to 5-year-olds with Autism in accessible & printable ER resources (main idea: what parents need now) and 2) among autistic adults, investigate the perceived effectiveness of current printable ER resources to enhance coping strategies for autistic birth to 5-year-olds (main idea: what autistic adults wish they had then). COLABorate will utilize a two-population focus group to engage in a community partnered exploration approach to access the acceptability, accessibility, and feasibility of emotional regulation psychoeducation. The researchers will explore stakeholder perspectives on Autism psychoeducation to bridge accessibility gaps among caregivers of Autistic young children access to ER resources. I hypothesize that qualitative content analysis results will reveal gaps in functional health literacy, awareness of available resources, and content differences between what parents of autistic parents need and what autistic adults will recommend. Future directions include analyzing the photo elicitation elements for both focus groups as well as the emotion regulation measures (EDI, EDI-YC, and DERS) in conjunction to the themes of the focus groups through a mixed-methods approach. These results will be considered to design and distribute autistic-designed ER resources to caregivers. Key Words: Autism, caregivers, health literacy, emotion regulation, photo elicitation, implementation science, qualitative analysis, intellectual disability, plain language, community partnered exploration, social model of disability
9:30-11:00 a.m.National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tri-County is a non-profit organization that strives to enhance the quality of life for individuals with mental health issues through education, support, and advocacy. We are in Lancaster, Rock Hill, and Chester. One of the many things that we do is go to different community events and let people know that we are here to help and support them in any way that deals with mental health. We talk about the services that we provide and what we do. In my role as an Intern, we pass out packets with information about suicide and the warning signs of it, along with a bracelet that has the suicide hotline number on it too. We pass these packets out to the schools, local businesses, and anyone who wants one. We attend events that other non-profits organizations have, along with attending community festivals. We are here to help those who need it and want it, to give people support to those who are struggling. During my Internship, I have helped with a couple of different events that NAMI does, like the NAMI Walk and the golf tournament. I also run errands for my boss and attend events that she can’t make it to, along with helping create posters for the different events that they do. It is important to let people know we are here to help, so then we can prevent them from doing something drastic like committing suicide. During my time interning at NAMI, it has allowed me to see the positive impact that they have on the people in my community. Seeing the positive impact of the NAMI has motivated me even more to go into counseling and help people with mental health issues. I am planning on getting my master’s in psychology and then getting license as a therapist or counselor.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/significance: The healthcare transition (HCT) from pediatric to adult care is a complex, multifaceted process. This HCT involves healthcare interventions, learning long-term management of one’s health, developmental changes, and negotiating new systems and procedures.1 For people with physical disabilities (PWPDs), successful HCT requires even more collaboration among the patient, their caretaker(s), and their current and future providers. However, little research has explored pediatric to adult HCT in the context of physical disabilities. Purpose: To explore experiences of PWPDs who are currently going through or have recently undergone HCT, with a goal of better understanding HCT challenges, successes, facilitators, and outcomes. Methods: This qualitative, descriptive study was guided by Meleis’ Transitions Theory (TT)2. PWPDs aged 15-35 years old were recruited from social media sites and snowball technique. An interview guide was developed with questions addressing TT constructs. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and de-identified to protect privacy. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis;3 resultant themes were theoretically organized. Results: Sixteen individuals participated. Three themes with 11 subthemes emerged from the data analysis: nature of transitions (two subthemes), facilitators and inhibitors (three subthemes), and patterns of response (six subthemes). Participants reported several hardships within the HCT, creating excess stress and frustration. One female participant with a spinal cord injury recounted barriers to accessing care: It is easier to go get a gun than it is for me to get a wheelchair. Discussion: PWPDs experience unique challenges when undergoing HCT. There is a need for better communication, interprofessional collaboration, and compassion to facilitate an efficient and successful HCT. Implications: Health sciences programs should integrate information about HCTs in general and the specific challenges PWPDs face. Pediatric healthcare providers that care for PWPDs should initiate early conversations about processes and challenges associated with HCT and offer specific resources, guidance, support, and education.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Short interval pregnancies are strongly associated with poor maternal, child and social health outcomes. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that in the first year postpartum, at least 70% of pregnancies are unintended. Initiation of postpartum contraception plays a significant role in lowering the rate of unintended and short interval pregnancies and reduces adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. This is especially true when considering high-risk pregnancies, such as those pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). GDM carries a category 1 rating in the US Medical Eligibility Criteria for all contraceptive methods. To determine the association between multidisciplinary care and postpartum contraceptive outcomes to reduce short interval pregnancy, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine postpartum contraception methods and rates in women 18-55 with prediabetes, diabetes, or a history of gestational diabetes receiving care in a multispecialty pregnancy diabetes clinic in Sumter, South Carolina. Out of a total of 177 women, 87% attended a 6 week postpartum visit and 47.8% were documented to be on a method of contraception at the time of follow up. Only 13 women had a repeat positive pregnancy test within one year of delivery. Our findings underscore the positive impact of a multidisciplinary approach on comprehensive postpartum follow up and highlight the importance of postpartum counseling to include contraceptive health.
9:30-11:00 a.m.How can rare artworks be made more accessible through digital technology for students, scholars, and interested users? For this project, I work alongside Dr. Jeanne Britton once again to better her project, The Digital Piranesi, by using my art history interest and knowledge to properly categorize images according to metadata standards, which is done through my recognition of elements in each piece that I then catalog individually. In the generation of metadata, blocks of information are put into a spreadsheet that can be utilized to make a website and its contents easier to navigate, such as recognizing keywords per image; through this work, I pursue my interests in architectural history by choosing keywords from a controlled vocabulary that will help users locate images with specific subjects. Jeanne Britton has been working on her project, The Digital Piranesi, for many years. I began working with her last year when she hired me with a grant she had received to fund student research and aid within her work. This website, Digitalpiranesi.org, is a digital record of the copies of Piranesi’s art books, of which the Irvin Dept of Rare Books and Special Collections has 29 volumes (1835-39), and these copies date into the 1800s. Since older books must be handled with care and not all persons have access to such content, the website’s goal is to share the work in an easily accessible way without risking the books’ care and preservation. These etchings of Giovanni Battista Piranesi are beautifully done and well-known, depicting classical Italian life in an almost fictitious manner; he illustrates the daily life of people and animals, as well as ruins and studies of architecture. Additionally, the project makes his works searchable in ways that his images and books are not. While Dr. Britton has hired me to write metadata for her, she herself has written full metadata for two volumes but needed additional aid to finish all books.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time at the University of South Carolina, I have had the opportunity to work multiple internships to learn more about the professional world and my career journey after I graduate. I have had the great fortune to start my experience journey as the Vice President of Community Relations (VPCR) for my sorority, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, then became a sports event operations intern for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), and most recently been able to intern at Poston Communications as a public relations intern. As a mass communications major and business administration minor, these opportunities and internships have helped me gain first-hand experience in the fields that interest me, event management and communication. As the VPCR I was able to help build my sorority’s brand through social media and philanthropic efforts to all stakeholders and constituents. Then, moving to Florida for my internship with AAU, I was able to see what it is like moving to a new place for work and understanding what goes into events and supporting those efforts. Finally, at Poston, I have been able to work directly with my clients in creating a brand for them and pushing them in their desired markets to grow their businesses. Participating in these opportunities has helped develop me into a professional who can thrive in my dream career as a public relations professional and expanded my skills in so many fields and industries, diversifying my knowledge. Through these experiences, I hope to pursue a career at my current internship at Poston Communications post-graduation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cesarean section is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain that is typically managed with intrathecal morphine (ITM) due to its proven efficacy. However, opioid related adverse effects associated with this method remain problematic, highlighting the need to explore alternative techniques with a more favorable adverse effect and safety profile. The purpose of the project was to determine through an extensive literature review whether or not Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks (TAPBs) could serve as this alternative solution, and to provide education regarding this potential solution to anesthesia providers. The results of the literature review suggested that TAPBs performed under ultrasound guidance were not associated with any procedural related complications of toxicities (Ma et al., 2017). Conversely, ITM was associated with nausea and vomiting, pruritus, delayed respiratory depression, and urinary retention (Ryu et al., 2022). Additional findings included the ability of TAPBs to contribute to expedited recovery and improved patient satisfaction related to decreased opiate related adverse effects (Jarraya et al., 2016). Findings were disseminated to the anesthesia department of a level one trauma center in South Carolina in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. Data was collected using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with comparison to norms through the platform survey monkey. Survey results demonstrated that the intervention was successful in educating the providers of the benefits of using TAPB and given the opportunity, would advocate for its use over ITM.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I worked at Bosch as a co-op manufacturing engineer from Jan 2023 to Jan 2024. I was assigned to EV14 - a team focused on manufacturing automotive fuel injectors. Our job was to manage and improve the manufacturing process. I specifically worked on designing, developing, and monitoring small sub-processes. It was ordinary for me to manage more than five projects at a time, bringing them from A to Z. This was a new endeavor for me, and this fast-paced industry challenged me to develop technically and professionally. I was surrounded by brilliant engineers, and exposed to new techniques such as lean manufacturing, measurement system analysis, injection molding, and laser welding. All this contributed to a deeper understanding of what it means to be an engineer. Mechanical engineers can be employed in a variety of fields, so this co-op was critical in guiding me to which fields of engineering I want to take my career. I learned mostly about two fields that I am excited about - automotive and manufacturing. I gained experience in employing classroom knowledge in the industry and developed new skills in communication and leadership that can only be described as monumental to my professional development.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Substitute teaching is a career path that focuses on fulfilling the responsibilities of teachers during their leave of absence, ranging from half-days to perhaps months. Every county and school district has their own requirements for substitutes, my experience being in the Chester County School District. During my involvement, I worked at middle and elementary school levels. It was my job to sign in, prepare the classroom, welcome the students, guide them through different learning activities, take them to lunch, walk them to electives, make sure they are properly dismissed from the school, clean the classroom, and sign out. It was my duty to act as a leader to the students and be responsible for their learning accomplishments of the day. Such a role is extremely important to the function and continued growth of society. As we all know, knowledge is power. Without substitute teaching, students can face a gap within the curriculum, causing their learning to idle. For me, my purpose is to not only booster their educational goals, but to allow students to feel capable. I enjoyed leading them to their self-confidence, whether it be academic or personal. I let them know that someone was there to help them along the way, someone to support and root for them. In turn, the knowledge that I gained from substitute teaching has permanently changed my career pathway. Realizing the impact I can have on future generations has propelled me to earn a degree with which I can teach.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: In 2015, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allowed for chronic care management (CCM) to be billed under the Physician Fee Schedule. Patients are eligible for CCM if they are enrolled in Medicare and have two or more chronic disease states, including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and depression. For patients enrolled in CCM at Tandem Health, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in rural South Carolina, the average A1c is uncontrolled at 8.5%. Of these patients, 20% have an A1c ≥ 10%. CCM offers pharmacists as part of the interdisciplinary team, the opportunity to optimize patients on guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) as indicated by the 2024 American Diabetes Association guidelines. There are few data available about the impact of CCM services on chronic disease metrics within a FQHC. Methods: This retrospective, multi-center, observational cohort analysis evaluated the impact of the newly implemented pharmacist-led CCM program in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study analyzed mean change in hemoglobin A1c in the pharmacist-led CCM group compared to patients not routinely followed by a pharmacist. The proportion of patients who achieved a hemoglobin A1c less than 7% was also assessed. Secondary objectives included to determine the proportion of patients placed on GDMT, proportion of patients who achieved blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg, and proportion of patients who achieved individualized LDL goals. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Results: In progress Conclusion: In progress
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my sophomore year, I was given the opportunity to go on a spring break study abroad trip to Guatemala. With a cohort of 11 other members of the Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students (APPAS), we traveled to Panajachel, Guatemala to run a free medical clinic in a remote village nearby. I had the opportunity to practice basic medical Spanish, learn how to perform basic diagnostic tests such as blood glucose and urinalysis exams, practice taking vitals, and learn how to write prescriptions all while collaborating with doctors to provide care to an underserved population. We also made home visits to see the living conditions of villagers where we were able to have meaningful conversations with them about their experiences and learn about their culture. I chose to take this opportunity in order to learn about healthcare systems in other countries and have a unique chance to develop critical skills necessary for my future as a PA. I was able to make connections with patients who had backgrounds that differed greatly from my own, challenging my prior idealistic view of healthcare, and raising my cultural competency. It was through this experience that I learned how important it is for providers to listen to patients, to hear their whole story, to be able to provide the best quality of care. I believe this experience has motivated and equipped me to be a better future provider for my future patients.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Much of my time outside of the classroom at USC has been devoted to preparing myself for physician assistant school by gaining hands-on clinical experience, specifically working as a medical assistant (MA) in pain management. As an MA, I had the opportunity to play a key role on the clinical care team for each patient and worked with other nurses, doctors, and physician assistants to provide quality, patient-centered care. In my role, I held several responsibilities including obtaining detailed past medical histories, identifying chief complaints, monitoring vital signs, and maintaining medical records and referrals. Additionally, I also assisted PAs and physicians in preparing patients for epidurals, rhizotomies, botox injections, and trigger point injections by performing intravenous cannulation, as well as constituting various medications. After being exposed to patients representing many different populations during my time in pain management, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and learn about a vast array of clinical presentations and their corresponding diagnoses, allowing me to gain further knowledge about common diseases and conditions in the field of pain. During my position as an MA, one of my key takeaways has been learning the importance of patient education, patient advocacy, and preventative care. For many patients, being referred to pain management comes towards the end of their clinical journey, oftentimes being the result of a lack of preventative care leading to the development of chronic diseases. Gathering clinical experience as a medical assistant and supporting member of the clinical care team has enabled me to encourage, empathize with, and educate patients on a smaller scale, which I hope to one day continue practicing and pursuing as a physician assistant.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Every aspect of our daily lives, from the time spent outdoors to the contents of our dinner plate, plays a pivotal role in shaping our health outcomes. These seemingly mundane details are linked to the broader framework of social determinants of health, which encompass the circumstances in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age. The profound impact of social determinants is especially apparent in underserved communities' health outcomes. Through partnering with Global Community Health Volunteers, I was able to see the disparities faced by individuals in rural, mountainous regions of Guatemala, where factors such as inadequate housing, limited education, and geographical barriers to healthcare access exacerbate health inequalities. I witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects this had on children and families in impoverished communities. As a future healthcare provider, I know there is a crucial role of understanding and addressing the social determinants of health for patients. It emphasizes the importance of fostering health literacy, creating safe environments for patients, and taking a preventive approach to medicine. As I embark on a long journey to becoming a physician, I will continue to be mindful of the social determinants of health and their intricate linkage to every aspect of our wellbeing.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Literature is a medium that transcends time and space, and one of its most fascinating aspects is the way readers react to it. According to Rosenblatt's Reader Response Theory (1938;1978), the meaning of a text can be constructed through the interaction between its author and the reader. Readers can have varying emotional responses to the text depending on their backgrounds, knowledge, and personal experiences. This study explored five undergraduate students' responses to various literary genres and the factors shaping these responses. Guided by three research questions, this study explored individual and textual influences on readers' responses and examined the role of prior genre experience. Understanding reader response is essential for educators, scholars, and writers seeking to comprehend literature's impact on individuals and society. Specifically, this study holds significance in three domains: facilitating educators' selection of engaging texts, informing scholars studying the psychology of reading, and aiding writers in crafting resonant literature. Drawing from genre theory, which posits that each genre carries distinct styles and conventions shaping reader expectations, this study engages a qualitative design to explore subjective experiences. The study comprises five undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds, ensuring a varied perspective on the texts examined. Data collection involves a pre-survey capturing participants' demographics, reading habits, and motivations. Subsequently, participants engage with three texts—non-fiction, fiction, and poetry—chosen for their exploration of social themes across different genres. The findings of this study contributes to literary education, advocating for inclusive learning environments that honor students' cultural backgrounds, and enriches our understanding of how literature intersects with readers' lives, offering insights into the intricate dynamics shaping literary engagement and interpretation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Voting is an integral part of a democracy. Scholars have looked at the multiple factors that impact voter turnout and behavior, among them political affiliation, education level, and the perceived identity of the candidate. Studies have shown that women of color tend to vote for more women of color than white women. This paper explores the role of descriptive representation in voter turnout and behavior. Description representation is the characteristics of representatives that match their citizens. Drawing on a review of the literature and a small sample of interviews with college-aged women of color, I examine whether descriptive representation affects people’s decision to vote and their choice of candidate. With an increasingly diverse government, this research will provide insight into the future of women of color in elective offices. Keywords: descriptive representation, women of color, voter turnout, voter behavior
9:30-11:00 a.m.Only 5% of seniors live in nursing homes, yet they account for a shocking 20% of fall-related deaths in their age group. The purpose of this study is the development of intelligent infrastructure solutions for nursing homes. Through the utilization of vibration technology to detect and predict falls, the researchers primarily aim to reduce fall related deaths in nursing homes. The start of the study dates to 2009 and is a collaborative effort between the University of South Carolina, the National Institute of Health, and Advanced Smart Systems and Evaluation Technologies. The primary focus of the research is the development of a non-intrusive vibration-based product through supervised machine learning and object localization. The usage of supervised learning in combination with a fall detection product will enable the researchers to classify and detect various event types such as a fall versus someone’s footsteps. The continued development of intelligent infrastructure solutions will enable the researchers a new way to locate activity anywhere in or on any structure.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Mosquito-borne diseases continue to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The transmission process of infectious pathogens from mosquitoes to humans occurs through the bite of a disease-carrying mosquito. A pathogen-carrying mosquito can transmit life-threatening diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, malaria, West Nile virus (WNV), Zika virus, Chikungunya virus, etc. WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that leaves 80% of those infected asymptomatic, <20% infected with mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue as well as neck and joint pain, and <1% will have West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND). WNND can cause encephalitis, meningitis, and flaccid paralysis and may end in death. Approximately 1 in 150 cases of WNV will acquire WNND. In the state of South Carolina in 2022, there were at least 11 confirmed West Nile Virus (WNV) cases in the Midlands region, with more than half coming from Richland County. Unfortunately, one death was also reported. In poor mosquito surveillance communities, pathogen-carrying mosquitoes remain a public health threat. The primary vector of WNV is the culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. We focused on two seasonal temperature changes that may affect the incidence of this vector: increased temperature and increased precipitation. Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes rely on a hot and humid environment for optimal breeding habitats. Water pools may be built in birdbaths, abandoned fountains, and puddles throughout communities as climate change worsens. Female mosquitoes only require a small pool of water and will lay up to 100 eggs at a time. Once these mosquitoes lay eggs, an accumulation of vectors are born that can acquire WNV and spread it to humans. In Richland County, six endemic neighborhoods were surveyed for geospatial factors as well as the prevalence of vectors. 200-meter buffers were used to analyze five homes in each endemic neighborhood and survey the surrounding environment. We tested people who lived in the surveyed homes and those who lived in these endemic neighborhoods. Utilizing immunoassays for WNV-specific IgM, we discovered the seroprevalence rate of WNV to be ≈22%. Further outbreaks can be prevented by examining the spatiotemporal relationship between mosquito WNV vector incidence and climatic changes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Clinical case: A 30-year-old male with past medical history IV drug use presented to an outside hospital with several months of progressive left sided weakness leading to difficulty with ambulation. CT head showed patchy areas of decreased density in white matter of right frontoparietal region. He was found to have HIV with CD4 count of 19/37% and viral load of approximately 2 million. MRI Brain w/ and w/o contrast revealed hyperintensity involving right cerebral hemisphere and right pons with mild involvement of left hemisphere. Lumbar puncture showed normal opening pressure, protein 54, glucose 50, and 3 white cells. Other CSF studies included: meningitis/encephalitis PCR panel negative, CSF cryptococcal antigen negative, CSF VDRL negative, negative CSF bacterial and AFB cultures, and JC virus PCR inconclusive. Serum toxoplasma IgG negative. Repeat lumbar puncture verified JC virus PCR negative. He was discharged on Biktarvy for HIV and bactrim for pneumocystisjiroveci pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis. He was seen in clinic one month later and had mild worsening of his motor symptoms. HIV viral load had fortunately improved to 1720. Repeat MRI brain showed markedly abnormal appearance of the white matter in the right cerebral hemisphere; however, this had improved as compared to imaging one month prior. This repeat MRI showed no enhancement or other features characteristic of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), nor was there a mass or other findings concerning for CNS lymphoma. Given improvement on imaging after initiation of antiretroviral therapy, his overall clinical picture was determined likely to be HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. The current plan is to continue Biktarvy and bactrim with repeat MRI brain in 4-6 weeks. Discussion: Important diagnoses to consider in this immunocompromised patient with new neurological deficits include cryptococcus meningitis, CNS tuberculosis, cerebral toxoplasmosis, primary CNS lymphoma, and PML/JC virus. All of these were evaluated and ruled-out, leaving HIV encephalitis/HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder as this patient’s diagnosis. In addition, his mild worsening of neurologic symptoms approximately 4 weeks into Biktarvy raised concern for Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), however thankfully no other labs or imaging suggested this complication.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background:, We developed institutional guidelines to prioritize cefoxitin monotherapy for intra amniotic infections and endometritis over prior ampicillin and gentamicin plus potentially clindamycin based recommendations and order sets. This change was motivated by the recent intravenous clindamycin shortage, toxicity concerns about aminoglycosides and the availability of modern cephalosporin antibiotics with improved antimicrobial coverage profiles. Methods: We performed retrospective review comparing treatment outcomes of patients who had an ICD diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, endometritis, or septic abortion receiving intravenous antimicrobial therapy before and after initiation of our new protocol. Primary outcome was a composite of serious clinical events post-delivery, including readmission, ICU admission, death, need for surgical debridement and deep surgical site infections. Differences between groups were compared with t-testing for continuous variables and chi square testing for categorical variables. Outcomes were controlled with logistic regression analysis. Results: 472 patients were identified, 350 (74%) prior to the treatment change and 122 (26%) after. Groups were different by race, Medicaid eligibility, and delivery site. Prior to the guidelines, cefoxitin was rarely used (n=1, 0.3%) compared to after implementation (n=86, 71.1%). After controlling for group differences, patients receiving cefoxitin had decreased odds of a serious event post-delivery (0.372 [95% CI: 0.166 - 0.760], p=0.010), with significant decrease in the readmission (OR 0.306 [95% CI: 0.085 - 0.840], p=0.037). Conclusion: Cefoxitin provides an acceptable alternative to traditional antimicrobial regimens for IAI, with a favorable toxicity and administration profile.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Clear cell carcinoma of the anterior abdominal wall is extremely rare and is thought to arise from ectopic implantation of endometrial tissue on a previous uterine surgical scar. In this case, we present a patient with rapidly growing metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the abdominal wall requiring extensive surgical interventions. Due to its rarity, there is no established treatment protocol, and after a comprehensive review of existing literature, we created a stepwise diagnostic workup and treatment plan to guide future clinicians with suspected cases.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Following traumatic injury, axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) can spontaneously regenerate, albeit rather slowly. This regeneration requires messenger RNA (mRNA)-localization into and translation within the axons. One such mRNA originates from the CDC42 gene, which produces two mRNA splice variants: prenyl-Cdc42 and palm-Cdc42 mRNAs. Prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA, is particularly significant for promoting axon growth and regeneration. The prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA is found in both central nervous system (CNS) and PNS axons, where it can be translated into the Prenyl-CDC42 protein. Prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA’s axonal localization is dependent on a short motif within the 3’ untranslated region (UTR), within nucleotides (nt) 764-800. RNA affinity mass spectrometry (RAMS) using biotinylated synthetic oligonucleotides [764-838 nt (localization motif), 801-875 nt (AU rich region), scramble] as bait were used to identify RNA binding proteins that recognize these regions. To validate candidates identified from the RAMS experiment, RNA affinity western blot was performed using the 764-800 nt sequence as bait and probing for specific RNA binding protein targets CCAR1, PTBP3, and MBNL1, from PC12 cell lysates. This showed CCAR1 and PTBP3 bind to the oligo containing the axon localization sequence, but MBNL1 interaction was not validated. To further test possible interaction between the localization motif on prenyl-Cdc42's mRNA, CCAR1 and PTBP3, fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence (FISH/IF) was performed using mouse primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. CCAR1 showed colocalization with axonal prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA. siRNA knockdowns for CCAR1, but not PTBP3, in DRG cultures showed significantly decreased axonal signal for prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA in DRG axons compared to the non-targeting condition. These findings suggest that CCAR1 is necessary in axonal localization of the mRNA of Cdc42.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Down Syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the triplication of human chromosome 21 and can lead to multiple phenotypes such as congenital heart disease, intellectual disability, and slow wound healing. Down syndrome is a complex disorder with numerous downstream effects on the genome that are not well understood. To examine the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes, we utilized fibroblasts from individuals with DS and age, race, and sex-matched apparently healthy control individuals to determine changes in cellular morphology. We find that DS fibroblasts have a greater area, perimeter, and smaller aspect ratio (length/width) than control fibroblasts. One primary mechanism that regulates cellular morphology and motility is adhesion. Focal adhesions link the intracellular actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix and are made up of a multi-protein complex, including vinculin, paxillin, talin, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Using immunocytochemistry, we examined the adhesion protein, vinculin, and found no significant changes in the fluorescence intensity of vinculin between DS and control fibroblasts. This suggests that vinculin is not a major contributor to the cellular morphology changes in DS. We are currently investigating FAK because it regulates focal adhesion dynamics. FAK is recruited to focal adhesions in response to integrin activation, and together with Src, it catalyzes phosphorylation events, which affect important cellular processes such as morphology and motility. Overall, investigating the proteins responsible for altered morphology and motility will give us greater insight into the slow wound healing and intellectual disability phenotypes of DS because fibroblasts share many similar cellular and molecular mechanisms with developing neurons.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The University of South Carolina ranks #1 among public universities for its first-year student experience and the University 101 course that is designed to transition students into life at the university. In the fall of my senior year, I had the opportunity to hold the role of a peer leader, a student teacher who co-teaches the course with a faculty member of the university. The faculty member I taught with is a career coach for the College of Engineering and we expressed our professional interests and goals to our students early on to create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment. The course teaches first-year students a variety of important topics in order to be successful as a student at USC. Some of these topics include alcohol education, university resources, registration information, housing options, etc. The class is very interactive and encourages participation and collaboration from our students. We also incorporated teamwork into fun activities such as Jeopardy and a trivia game show against another section. Throughout the semester, it was rewarding to watch these first-year students grow from naive high schoolers to college students experiencing independence for the first time. My instructor and I met weekly and kept open lines of communication with each other to ensure we were prepared with each class's lesson plan. I also facilitated lessons and activities to give my students the perspective of someone who was in their shoes three years prior. U101 is an excellent way for new students to become comfortable at the university and learn tips to increase their chances of success. As a peer leader, it was rewarding and beneficial for me to learn mentoring and leadership skills through assisting my students and sharing my personal experiences to better connect with them. I am appreciative of my co-instructor and how our relationship demonstrates the importance of teamwork.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Girls are four times less likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to boys, yet parents express concerns at similar ages regardless of sex (Hiller et al., 2015). To better understand how ASD manifests differently in males and females, sex-related differences should be examined in infants who have an older sibling with ASD (ASibs). ASibs are 15-20% more likely to develop ASD, which allows early sex differences to be studied prospectively during infancy. Using an eye-tracking paradigm, Chawarska et al. (2016) found that ASib females demonstrated greater attention to social targets than ASib males from 6 to 12 months of age, and this heightened social attention was associated with less severe social impairment at 2 years old. Their results suggest that enhanced social orienting in the first year of life may have long-term implications for social communication. In our study, we will be looking at infants at ages 9, 12, 18, and 24 months to see how social attention differs among genders during these critical periods. Objectives: This project aims to examine sex-related differences in ASib infants, specifically their social communication skills. Social communication is the use of verbal and nonverbal skills, social interaction and understanding. These actions make look like: gestures, object use, emotion, sounds, etc. Based on previous research, we expect that female ASibs will display greater social engagement than male ASibs. Our findings will focus on critical time points in which differences may be more or less apparent, signaling a critical period for identification. Methods: Participants (n=38) were enrolled in a longitudinal of infant development and assessed at 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. Parents completed the Communication and Symbolic Behavior (CSBS) questionnaire to report their child’s social communication skills across three distinct domains: Social (Emotion and Eye Gaze, Communication and Gestures), Speech (Sounds and Words), Symbolic (Understanding and Object Use). This questionnaire provides raw and standardized scores that will be used to compare groups. We plan to use Excel and RStudio for data analysis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Student Success Center at UofSC offers students an opportunity to receive academic support in an easily accessible manner; roles include peer tutors, specializing in writing and financials, and the supplemental instruction program. My most significant contribution during my time here has been accepting and pursuing a role as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for Introduction to Finance. When I first became an SI Leader, I was unaware of how impactful this experience would be. The role taught me leadership skills, patience, and an immense amount of time management. SI leaders provide a supportive atmosphere where students can come on their own time and build confidence in their understanding of course material. During each session, there was one student who consistently attended, contributing to a strong sense of connection and engagement. Building on that connection, we stayed in touch afterward which has further enriched my experience as an SI leader. The small-group setting allowed me to have a more personalized approach, addressing individual concerns and fostering a sense of academic self-efficacy. While my chapter as an SI Leader has been closed, the impact it had on me is enduring. I am grateful for the unique insights, personal growth, and sense of fulfillment that came with helping my peers succeed academically. This role not only enhanced my understanding of the subject matter but also instilled in me a passion for facilitating learning experiences. In retrospect, being a Supplemental Instruction Leader for Introduction to Finance was a transformative journey that shaped me into a more capable and empathetic individual. I carry forward the valuable lessons and skills acquired during this experience, knowing that my contributions have played a part in the success stories of my fellow students.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most difficult form of breast cancer to treat due to a lack of diagnostic and drug targets. TNBC is also more aggressive and harder to detect than other forms of breast cancer, making it the deadliest subtype of this disease. The discovery of novel biomarkers is necessary for the development of targeted drug therapies and improved detection methods. Our lab developed synthetic lectins (SLs), which are short amino acid sequences immobilized on a bead with the capability to bind selectively to glycoproteins. Glycoproteins are convenient biomarkers in the detection and treatment of cancer due to aberrant glycosylation, a common occurrence in cancer. A library of SLs was configured, which consists of over 160,000 SLs, each with a unique binding potential to glycoproteins using a “lock and key” mechanism. We developed a dual-dye competitive screen to isolate SLs that act as preferential binders to glycoproteins from cancerous samples in vitro. These preferential SLs were sequenced and resynthesized to act as a solid phase for isolating these unique biomarkers. Once isolated, the biomarkers were removed from the SL and analyzed via liquid chromatography electrospray ionization orbitrap mass spectrometry, which utilizes protein fragmentation for structural analysis and library comparison of these fragments for accurate identification. Identification and analysis of these glycoproteins will lead to further studies involving the development of drugs and diagnostic screenings which utilize these biomarkers.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Prickly pears, belonging to the Cactaceae family, a group of around 1,800 species predominantly found in the New World, are a fascinating subject of study. Among them, the Opuntia genus, comprising approximately 150 species, stands out as an ancient and noteworthy cohort. The Eastern Prickly Pear, with its distribution spanning east of the Rockies, holds prominence in the United States. This resilient species exhibits distinctive characteristics, such as photosynthetic stems serving as leaves, efficient water storage mechanisms, and an ability to withstand freezing temperatures in the northern and central states. Flourishing in open, arid environments on calcareous rock or thin soils, it populates diverse locations, including fencerows, roadsides, rocky glades, cliffs, old quarries, dunes, and prairies. Interestingly, despite recent challenges in water availability, the Eastern Prickly Pear has expanded its territorial range. The Opuntia genus demonstrates a preference for high temperatures, elevated CO2 levels, and low rainfall. Simultaneously, it showcases remarkable biomass productivity and extensive root system growth. However, the concerning issue arises when observing declining numbers in Coastal South Carolina. Several factors contribute to this decline, including the intricate interplay of climate change, erosion as a response to long-term sea level changes, habitat loss due to development pressures, and the introduction of an invasive species identified as Cactoblastis cactorum. Understanding the dynamics influencing the population trends of the Eastern Prickly Pear in Coastal South Carolina requires a comprehensive investigation into these multifaceted environmental factors. This research not only contributes to our understanding of plant ecology but also sheds light on the intricate balance between native species and environmental stressors, serving as a crucial aspect in biodiversity conservation efforts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.62 y/o female with history of Sjogren’s, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (s/p chemotherapy), and hypogammaglobulinemia presented with a two-day history of 8/10 epigastric abdominal pain. She reported nausea and vomiting but denied fever, hematemesis, melena, hematochezia, dysuria, or hematuria. She also presented with a diffuse erythematous maculopapular rash affecting her face, chest, and upper extremities that began two weeks prior; she had similar rashes in the past. Significant workup included a lipase of 1950; CT abdomen/pelvis showed acute pancreatitis with small volume ascites. Incidental CT findings showed avascular necrosis of both hips secondary to prior steroid use due to Sjogren’s. Additional labs included normal liver function enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, lipids, and serum calcium. Past surgical history included cholecystectomy 20 years prior. She denied alcohol use. A right upper quadrant ultrasound was negative for any acute pathology. Given her rheumatologic history, there was a question if her pancreatitis could be related to Sjogren’s versus possible autoimmune pancreatitis. Further evaluation included a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Both studies were consistent with interstitial acute pancreatitis. Given concern of possible autoimmune pancreatitis, a rheumatologic panel was obtained. Results showed positive ANA at 1:160 homogenous pattern, ESR 34, CRP 155.4, anti-SSA 5.7, anti-SSB >8.0, normal C3 and C4, IgG 575 (low), and normal IgG4 subclass at 11. CBC showed pancytopenia. Normal IgG4 made the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis less likely. So, the primary cause of her pancreatitis was thought to be secondary to Sjogren’s disease. Additionally, given her pancytopenia, erythematous rash, positive ANA, and high anti-SSA and SSB titers, she met criteria for systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Biopsy of her rash showed interface dermatitis, a nonspecific finding seen in SLE. She was diagnosed with overlap syndrome between SLE and Sjogren’s. She was started on hydroxychloroquine and prednisone, with improvement. However, given avascular necrosis noted on CT, steroid use was judicious. Additionally, due to history of lymphoma and hypogammaglobulinemia, further immunosuppressive therapy was to be reassessed outpatient. She was later discharged with close rheumatology and oncology follow-up.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for involuntary functions such as breathing and heart rate. ANS dysfunction is correlated with difficulty regulating emotional responses, which is often observed in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ANS dysfunction can be indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure of heart rate variability coordinated with breathing (Porges et al., 1996). Higher RSA indicates greater variability determined by the vagus nerve; the higher one's vagal tone, the more efficiently one can respond to stressful stimuli and return to a restful state. In this study, I will investigate the physiological response of 36 ASD children and 41 neurotypical (NT) children ranging from 36-72 months during a previously recorded frustration task (“End of the Line”). This is part of the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery, a standardized test designed to evaluate temperament. Physiological data was collected using heart rate monitors and analyzed using QRSTool, CardioEdit, and CardioBatch software programs. During this task, researchers give the child a toy to play with (Toy Play); after 30 seconds, the parent takes the toy away (Challenge). They then return the toy after 30 more seconds (Toy Return). Based on prior findings with children with fragile X syndrome, I expect to find a significant difference in RSA between ASD and NT groups (Roberts et al., 2012). During the Challenge phase, the ASD group will display more blunted suppression (i.e., less of a decrease in RSA) than the NT group. During Toy Return, the ASD group will remain in a state of suppression (i.e., RSA will have dropped during Challenge and will remain low during Toy Return; Hogan et al., 2021). The NT group, however, will return to a state similar to the Toy Play phase. Overall, the ASD group will exhibit a less intense physiological response to frustration as well as a slower recovery. Emotion dysregulation is a key characteristic observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, and understanding underlying biological mechanisms in ASD will help build compassionate therapies and promote widespread awareness of reasons for the emotional and physiological characteristics observed in neurodevelopmental disorders.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Neurons are the largest cells in the human body as their axons can extend for more than a meter. These axons serve as the basis of long-range communication in both the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS) which are the basis of all movement and sensation. After an injury, CNS neurons are unable to spontaneously regenerate their axons, which is from failure to activate growth-promoting gene expression and an inhibitory microenvironment in the injured brain and spinal cord. Conversely, PNS axons spontaneously regenerate, but at a limited speed such that function is typically only regained when short distances are needed to reach their targets of innervation. A recent study identified blebbistatin, a non-muscle myosin II (NMII) inhibitor, as an axon growth-accelerating agent in human iPSC-derived motor neurons. NMIIs contribute to cell migration and growth via interactions with the actin cytoskeleton. Similarly, we found that disruption of stress granules (SG) using a short peptide derived from G3BP1 protein also accelerates axon regeneration. A mass spectrometry screen for proteins binding to the G3BP1 peptide identified NMII proteins as the top hits. This raises the possibility that blebbistatin promotes axon growth by disrupting SGs and releasing mRNAs for translation. Initial testing shows that cultured primary mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) have altered SG numbers and sizes upon exposure to blebbistatin. Additional testing will identify functional outcomes of this SG disruption, including changes in global translation or SG protein-RNA composition. The overall goal of the project is to identify how inhibition of NMII modulates axonal growth and growth-promoting pathways in primary neuronal cultures, specifically how alterations of the actin cytoskeleton activity can impact protein synthesis in the axon.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute disease of unknown etiology that primarily affects children under the age of 5. It is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed countries, involving inflammation of medium-sized arteries, with the coronary arteries being of main concern. The diagnosis is one of exclusion and revolves around a set of clinical criteria, though it can become much more difficult to diagnose when presented as atypical or incomplete KD. Presented here, a child with high fever was reported and subsequently misdiagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and sent home with children’s Tylenol. The child presented the following day fever, elevated CRP, and erythematous tympanic membrane, for which he was misdiagnosed with acute otitis media. The child developed a characteristic maculopapular rash, periorbital swelling, and persistent fever, for which an atypical KD diagnosis was made and an echocardiogram was ordered. Treatment with IVIG, aspirin, and steroid revealed diminished symptoms at 10-day follow-up. This case highlights the diverse possible presentations of atypical KD and the importance of continuing to look for classic symptoms, even late in the disease presentation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In May 2023, I attended a Maymester trip with the College of Social Work to Japan. While here, we explored, integrated, and immersed ourselves through Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and overall Japanese culture. I decided to participate in this program to get the study abroad experience from a social work lens. With this major, not many opportunities are available to apply classroom knowledge abroad. With this understanding, I took it upon myself to join this program. To prepare for this trip, I attended a series of meetings to get familiar with the itinerary, group members, and the country. Prior to departing from the country, I recorded a brief video of my expectations, what I hope to learn, and any challenges I thought I would face. While on this trip, I got to experience traditional Japanese cuisine, sleeping experiences, travel, and culture. I also participated in local tours of historic Japan from farming techniques to the bombing and aftermath of Hiroshima. Through these experiences, I was able to identify and apply several Council on Social Work Education competencies to each and engage in critical self-reflection which would be useful at then future practicum placement working with international students. To me, this program was impactful to me because not only did I fulfil a desire of my college experience, but I was also able to learn about the applications of the social work profession in multiple forms and be a part of the representation of being Black and Abroad.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my junior spring semester, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and visited eight different countries along with 16 different cities. This experience allowed me to integrate my academic studies at USC with real-world experiences seamlessly. My primary focus was on immersing myself in various cultures and approaching them through the lens of a PR/marketing student. My goal was to gain insights from each city visited and fully engage with Florence to experience life as a local. Throughout my time abroad, I attended a French Food Fair in Paris, adopted a Florentine lifestyle, explored Munich and Germany, and immersed myself in many different cultures. These diverse experiences and academic insights enabled me to explore the intersection of different cultures, living in a foreign country, and historical reconciliation. Motivated to bridge my marketing and public relations background with global learning experiences, I aimed to draw connections between these elements. Integrating these experiences, I applied frameworks from marketing and public relations classes to analyze the delicate balance between cultural immersion, marketing strategies, and historical comprehension. While at USC, I took Principles of Marketing, where I learned how important marketing is for consumers and organizations in any economy. I took how crucial global marketing is to attract tourists and tied it to my experiences abroad. Taking what I have learned for my future career in marketing, I see the potential to implement similar strategies in various industries. The French Food Fair highlighted how marketing strategies could transform cultural experiences, emphasizing the importance of unconventional approaches. My Italian marketing class enabled me to compare global marketing approaches, shedding light on how countries present themselves globally. The visit to Dachau underscored Germany's commitment to remembrance and rebuilding, showcasing the role of public relations in managing crises, fostering intercultural understanding, and reshaping national narratives. My time abroad exemplifies the profound impact of immersive experiences on shaping perspectives. I am well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the multifaceted marketing and public relations landscapes within and beyond the classroom.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Recent research studies have revealed intricate connections between the human gut microbiome and prevalent health conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) with it exhibiting considerable variations in biogenic signaling molecules and external factors. However, there are significant gaps in the understanding of the interplay between these factors, cellular signaling molecules, and human health conditions. Within this context, one avenue that requires exploration and understanding is electron transfer mechanisms in the gut. Several bacteria, including Escherichia coli, present in the human gut can transfer electrons to and from external electron acceptors in a process called extracellular electron transfer (EET). This process can be mediated by soluble electron shuttles (also known as mediators), such as quinones. Although proposals have been made for where EET occurs along the cellular membrane, this question remains unanswered. This project investigates quinone-based EET mechanisms in the glucose oxidation metabolism of E. coli using quantitative electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammetry was first used to determine the reversibility of quinone-based electron transfer. The results indicate that quinones demonstrate quasi-reversible electron transfer mechanisms. The impact of different quinone structures and concentrations during glucose oxidation in E. coli was then evaluated using chronoamperometric methods, where the resulting current from oxidation metabolism was monitored over time. Additionally, the impact of quinone mediators was examined with regard to E. coli growth rates to provide qualitative data supporting the quantitative electrochemical measurements. Our results demonstrate that the structure and concentration of quinones has an impact on the magnitudes of oxidative currents measured as well as the growth rate of E. coli. In general, increasing concentrations of quinone lead to increasing oxidative currents, suggesting the ability of quinone mediators to shuttle electrons to and from the conductive electrode surface during glucose oxidation metabolism in E. coli. Based on the data, it is hypothesized that quinone-based EET in gut E. coli occurs within the cellular membrane. In future studies, the experimental electrochemical results will be integrated with a computational model based on density functional theory and multivariate linear regression modeling to confirm that the limiting electron transfer step occurs in the lipophilic membrane of bacterial cells.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Since the summer of 2022, I have worked at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in the Emergency Department (ED) as a patient care technician (PCT). The ED is a level 1 trauma center used to provide emergency medical care and provide life saving measures to patients. I work alongside doctors, PA’s, and nurses to provide care to these patients. I was primarily responsible for obtaining EKGs for patients experiencing chest pain to rule out a STEMI (heart attack), taking manual blood pressure on our trauma patients, obtaining vitals upon patients checking in, and providing compressions to patients who are coding. I learned about what needs to be done in emergency situations and how to assess what situations were more serious. I also learned what it looked like for patients to present symptoms of stroke, allowing me to take them back immediately for evaluation. I decided to be a PCT in the ED because it is a good way to obtain patient care for Physician Assistant school and also because I desired to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment. Also, every day is different and you never know what can come through the doors. I also got involved because it is my passion to help people from all different backgrounds and be there for patients on some of the worst days of their life. Through working in the ED and my PUBH 302 class, I have learned about the health disparities in our society between different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. I also learned how the ED system is not being used for what it was originally intended to do because there are patients coming in with non-life threatening issues that make the ED demand increase significantly. Working in the ED has impacted me by making me think quickly on my feet and be able to remain calm in emergency situations. It has furthered my desire to become a PA and provide care to patients in all populations. I learned that the healthcare field is not all sunshine and rainbows, but instead there are many flaws that need solutions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A sorority put simply is an organization of women on a college campus formed around common goals and aspirations. My sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, is an organization that builds confident women of character who celebrate sisterhood and make a difference in the world. The chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at the University of South Carolina has given me the opportunity to better myself and the world around me as a member and a sister to almost 300 other girls. This year I am the president of Gamma Phi Beta at USC, and I am able to create the environment the organization strives for, by promoting academic excellence, fostering sisterhood, and encouraging philanthropy. As president, I am the principal executive officer for all members, and devote time to chapter operations, crisis management, strategic planning, exit interviews, and various meetings with other officers. This experience in leadership has introduced me to my passion, which is to lead others toward excellence, especially in large organizations. I joined the sorority in 2021 because of my father, and his experience as a fraternity man in college. He is the reason I have so much love for the Greek community, and I would not have had all of these incredible opportunities without him helping me to make this decision. I chose this path of leadership because of the women involved in the chapter. The people I have met in this organization are the reason I am confident enough to lead and have helped me learn my path. In my leadership, I have been able to inspire this confidence in other women and show them how they can do more than they ever thought possible. I am able to inspire kindness and understanding in others, and have made lifelong connections with women who have the same motivation I have found through sorority life. I want to use my experience to show others how life-changing it can be to join Greek life, and show how the sorority experience can be the most positive and impactful choice a woman can make.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Obesity, a longstanding health concern, contributes to the risk for several pathophysiologies including type two diabetes, cancer, and reproductive issues. In addition to adipose tissue accumulation, obesity disrupts the endocrine function of adipocytes, leading to altered inter-organ communication. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, our goal is to identify the fat-derived molecules that relay nutritional information to other organs. Recently, several adipokines have been shown to be critical for tissue growth during larval development. We set out to determine if these larval adipokines are also utilized for inter-organ signaling in adults. Since we know that nutrient sensing by the Drosophila fat body influences oogenesis, we focus on how larval adipokines may mediate fat-to-ovary communication in adults. Our study focuses on upd2, egr, ccha1, ccha2, gbp3 and sun, a group of adipokines that are critical to larval development, homeostasis, and growth. Utilizing the UAS/Gal4 system along with fat-body specific drivers, we generated progeny that had temperature sensitive knockdown of our target adipokines. After at least 10 days of transgene expression, ovaries were dissected to examine blocked ovulation patterns, changes to the germline stem cell number, and presence of cell death during vitellogenesis through confocal microscopy. Triglyceride content and adipocyte size were also examined to determine phenotypical changes to the fat body. Knockdown of upd2 and egr in adult adipocytes have no effect on the number of GSC or cap cells in the germaria, but may disrupt vitellogenesis, as higher levels of cell death was present in egg chambers that were post-vitellogenic. Gbp3 knockdown in the fat had no immediate effects on GSC or CC counts, but did alter the morphology of the adipocytes, with fat bodies that had less triglycerides and lower sizes. In future experiments, we want to use the Crispr/Cas9 system as an alternative method to determine if ovary function is disturbed after adipokine knockdown in the fat. We also want to look at how fecundity is affected by adipokine knockdown. In future projects, we would like to examine how dietary changes influence adipokine production and if they are relevant for maintaining adipokine to ovary signaling.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Different light environments pose distinct challenges to animal visual systems. For example, tidal creeks are challenging for vision because contrast is often low. These environments can be spectrally narrow, which decreases contrast between colors; in addition, suspended particles in the water scatter light, which reduces the sighting distances of objects. As a further challenge, the light environment in tidal creeks is constantly shifting due to local conditions like weather and tides. To learn how visual systems enhance contrast within tidal creeks, we investigated the vision of the Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii. We used behavioral optomotor assays to estimate visual acuity and test polarization sensitivity in P. herbstii, and electroretinography (ERG) to measure spectral responses from its eyes. Using achromatic optomotor stimuli, we found mud crabs have a visual spatial acuity between 4 and 10°. We then tested how crabs responded to polarized optomotor cues created by arranging strips of linear polarized filter 10° wide. For experimental trials we arranged the strips so their angles of polarization were perpendicular, and for control trials we arranged them in parallel. Mud crabs followed perpendicularly arranged strips but not parallel ones, suggesting they are sensitive to the angle of linearly polarized light (AOLP). By fitting known visual pigment templates to spectral response curves from ERG, we found P. herbstii have two classes of photoreceptors with peak spectral sensitivities at about 470 nm and 540 nm. To investigate whether polarization sensitivity is wavelength-dependent, we tested whether crabs still followed polarized stimuli under spectrally narrow conditions. We re-ran polarized optomotor trials under four different colors of narrow-spectrum light, UV (410 nm), blue (450 nm), green (515 nm) and red (660 nm), and tested each color at two different light intensities. We found that mud crabs are still sensitive to AOLP under UV, blue and green light but only when the light is bright enough. Mud crab vision appears to be sensitive to AOLP and dichromatic. We hypothesize P. herbstii uses color and AOLP to increase contrast within the visually challenging tidal creeks in which they live, but only when there is sufficient light available.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I discovered that making my presence know on campus at a Predominately White Institution as an African American student has helped encouraged my peer to go after what they want no matter the circumstances. I did this my getting involved in many clubs and organizations that has opened door for me to do what I love which is helping other succeed. These organizations mainly focus on the importance of mentoring/mentorship. My main purpose is to help others to make their transition into college smooth and prevent them from making the same mistakes I made coming into college and as a college student.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My passion for writing, learning about the world and meeting new people converged when I joined Carolina CrossTalk my sophomore year. Carolina CrossTalk is the student-led undergraduate research magazine at USC. We feature researchers from any discipline, conveying their studies in a way that a reader from any academic background can understand. Carolina CrossTalk provided me a supportive setting to develop crucial interviewing skills and hone my writing abilities. Each semester as an associate writer I interviewed researchers, then wrote personalized and informative stories about how their experience influenced them. I also collaborated with CIEL to facilitate the certification of Carolina CrossTalk as an academic publication towards the Graduation with Leadership Distinction program. It attracted more researchers, leading some to pursue GLD. Also, I created a new spotlight series focused on alumni who graduated with GLD in research. It demonstrated how GLD can enhance your college experience while supporting professional and post-undergraduate academic goals. In Spring 2023, I was promoted to editor-in-chief. While I still write articles, I am also responsible for guiding researchers through the writing process, copyediting all articles, and approving the magazine for publication. Additionally, I recruit researchers and new members, write email marketing campaigns, and lead staff trainings. I learned how to build promotional material and create website content. As editor-in-chief, I understand the magazine publishing process from beginning to end. Our team’s open communication and willingness to share knowledge with others helps us run efficiently. My experience with Carolina CrossTalk has taught me how to manage my time, write clearly, and effectively lead a team. It confirmed my love for publishing, which I will pursue as a career after graduation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In 2023, I studied abroad for two semesters at the Facultad de Economía y Negocios (FEN)– Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile. I am an International Business major with a Spanish minor, which partnered together, allowed me to learn about different cultures inside and outside of the business world, and how they impacted business on a global scale. In Chile, I was able to use my knowledge from classes at USC to create international relationships, use cultural frameworks to adapt and understand a new culture, and open my mind to a transnational mindset. During my time, I learned a lot in university about the Pinochet dictatorship and how it affected the economic status of the country, but while living with my host family, I was able to use the Hofstede Framework to explain the Chilean culture today and the aspects of their culture that is influenced by the Pinochet dictatorship. This experience was significant to my future as I wish to pursue a position in a Latin American focused division of a company. I feel confident that I can use my experiences in Chilean to adjust and overcome the challenges of living in a different country or assimilate to different work cultures in the future.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Throughout the past three years, I have been the sole intern at the Office of the Board of Trustees here at the University of South Carolina. I navigated a steep learning curve, primarily focusing on contract review and approval. My role requires meticulous attention to detail, especially in coordinating communication between the Trustees and the University and working with the General Counsel's Legal office. Initially struggling with a lack of confidence and misplaced priorities, I grew my skills through practical experiences and mentorship from Cameron Howell, the Secretary of the University. Using information taught in my Constitutional Law course, I learned the ability of effective communication by identifying key details and delivering information concisely. This newfound precision not only improved my function in contract approval but also enhanced my role as a liaison, ensuring swift and accurate responses to Trustees’ questions. Recognizing the significance of attention to detail and effective communication, I prepare to enter law school following my graduation in May, equipped with the vital skills of attention to detail and effective communication, learned through my internship experience with the Board of Trustees Office.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Four years ago, I chose to transform myself by enrolling as a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program. This opportunity has allowed me to discover crucial leadership skills to prepare myself for a career as a United States Air Force officer. I had the remarkable experience of attending Air Force ROTC Field Training, a rigorous two weeklong evaluation of weapons and survival instruction, deployment skills, aircraft indoctrination, and physical conditioning. Above that, it’s an essential test for cadets to exhibit followership, teamwork, and leadership skills. This training is designed to be a high stress environment, to best evaluate military discipline and organization that will be crucial when serving as an officer. Within the first day, I quickly discovered the goal of the program was not to simply be the best, it was to see how effectively you can work with others, lead peers, and adapt to challenging scenarios. My experiences made me recognize the strong values behind adopting transformational leadership. I learned that transformational leadership involves creating personal relationships with followers, by building positivity and striving to help them reach their fullest potential. I wanted to be a leader that would inspire my followers with challenging goals, provide vision and meaning, all while stimulating the expansion of their own skills and abilities. I have been able to use transformational leadership in my professional and personal endeavors, so that I am best able to succeed in my career as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Although at 17 years old I did not know much, I am very thankful I knew that I belonged in Chi Omega here at the University of South Carolina. I will always be proud of that shy and nervous girl, knowing that she set me up for the single handedly best experience of my life by joining an organization with so many overachieving, supportive, and intelligent women. Suddenly, three years later, and still trying to figure out who I was during the most formative years of my life, I was unexpectedly chosen to be on the Executive Board as the Social and Risk Management Chair. Through this position I learned skills such as self-assurance, how to accept liability and responsibility, navigate uncomfortable conversations, budget and event plan, contract negotiation, and most importantly prevent Risk in an environment where unsafe drinking practices are so normalized. This experience not only taught me valuable leadership and interpersonal skills that I will carry for years to come, but made me realize how lucky I am to be a member in such an amazing Chapter who saw these skills in me and knew I would rise to the occasion gracefully. The education and risk protocols I implemented have not only changed the way I view alcohol misuse but have promoted alcohol safety and education in our Chapter members for years to come, which will follow me into adulthood, as well as my peers. I hope this gives you a glimpse into the leadership skills I gained and the knowledge I learned from being in such a safety and prevention-based position in Chi Omega.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My days at the University of South Carolina haven't followed the conventional path of a typical student. Instead, they've been a blend of academic and hands-on professional growth, better explained as class in business casual every day. Serving as a page for Senator Ross Turner, I confronted real-world challenges, refining the professionalism and effective communication skills instilled through my Professional Communication, MGMT 250 class. Discovering opportunities through Handshake, I joined the Alumni Engagement team at the Moore School. This experience became a melting pot of refined marketing skills and insights from marketing courses. Beyond the practical, it ignited a passion for alumni engagement, potentially steering my future career in this impactful field. Reflecting on this journey, I've learned the art of intentional time management and prioritization. Juggling academics, work, and extracurriculars has been more than a challenge; it's been a masterclass in structured multitasking. This structured approach not only streamlined my tasks but also laid the foundation for a seamless transition post-graduation. Essentially, my USC journey showcases the integration of classroom-acquired knowledge with hands-on experience in various professional settings. Each position, be it at the State House or within the Alumni Engagement team, has contributed to my multifaceted skill that I know will prove to be valuable well beyond graduation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: The main protein component of extracellular matrix is collagen, which fills spaces and supports cells. In the heart, collagen provides the scaffolding for cardiomyocytes and aids in contractile forces. In the ovary, collagen gives follicles their structural support. MMP14 or membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase is a membrane bound proteinase that cleaves extracellular matrix proteins, including type I and III collagens. MMP-14 is important for remodeling of cardiac and ovarian tissue. Goal of Study: Our goal was to evaluate the effects of overexpression of a human MMP14 (hMMP14) transgene in fibroblasts on the levels of collagen in heart and ovarian tissue and cardiomyocyte size. Methods and Results: hMMP14 transgenic and FVB/NJ wildtype mice were sacrificed at pregnancy day 17 (ed17) or postpartum day 49 (ppd49) or as age-matched virgins. Heart and ovarian tissues were histologically prepared and stained with picrosirius red (PSR) and Masson’s trichrome stain. Cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and PSR content were measured using Image J. Data was analyzed by Two-way ANOVA and by Sidak’s (for genotype) or Tukey’s (for reproductive status within genotype) post-hoc test. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction of reproductive status and genotype for percent PSR content in ovarian tissue, P=0.04. Sidak’s post-hoc test showed that ppd49 ovaries had significantly higher PSR content in hMMP14 mice than wildtypes, P=0.04. Comparison of PSR content in left ventricles between wildtype and hMMP14 mice revealed no differences with reproductive status or genotype. There was no significant effects of reproductive status or genotype on cardiomyocyte area in left ventricle tissue. Conclusions: hMMP14 expression did not have an effect on type I and type III collagen abundance in the left ventricles and did not affect cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area. In addition, there was no effect of reproductive status on these cardiac endpoints. hMMP14 exhibited altered collagen content in ovaries compared to wildtypes, but collagen content was not affected by reproductive status. Funded by SC INBRE P20GM103499 & USC ASPIRE I award.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States and worldwide. CRC in younger patients (less than 55 years) is known as early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). It is a growing global phenomenon whose incidence and mortality has incidence from 11% to 20% between 1995 to 2019 and is expected to increase by 140% by 2030. The cause and mechanism of EOCRC are unknown. Based on our current knowledge of the disease we believe that exposure to certain exposomes during childhood and young adult years can increase the risk of EOCRC development. In our study, we hypothesized that early life exposure to antibiotic causes dysbiosis and inflammation in the colon which leads to mutation and epigenetic alterations that promotes EOCRC. We treated A/J mice multiple times with commonly prescribed antibiotics and then exposed them to azoxymethane carcinogen to develop tumors. Our results showed higher tumor burden, systemic inflammation and increased immune cell infiltration in the colon of antibiotic treated mice compared to control mice. Moreover, antibiotic treatment was able to cause dysbiosis in the gut. Results of this experiment suggests possible involvement of antibiotics on increased risk of EOCRC.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I studied abroad in the Galapagos Islands during the 2022 Maymester. I took a class called SPTE 490 that focused on sustainability in the scuba diving industry, lived with a host family, and was immersed in Ecuadorian culture. My classmates and I were responsible for designing our own liveaboard experience based on what we learned from Blue Evolution (the dive shop we partnered with) and from our personal experiences on the island. I am very passionate about the ocean and grew up watching David Attenborough talk about the wonders of the Galapagos. I was taking MSCI 210 with Dr. Zolkowski and she announced the trip to our class and went into further detail about what kinds of experiences would be offered there. The motivation behind designing the liveaboard experience was to blend the lucrative world of tourism with the vital world of sustainability. We learned how to be responsible when profiting off of precious land. I learned about the importance of sustainability in tourism, got first-hand experience with Ecuadorian life and culture, and learned about the work that goes into defending the precious wildlife found on the islands. This experience opened my eyes to how we can appreciate the beauty of the world and profit off of it without destroying it.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The university experience is defined not only by academics but also by the organizations you choose to devote your time to. In my three years at the University of South Carolina, I found myself a home in Garnet Media Group’s marketing team within the Department of Student Media. Within my time serving as an Event Coordinator for two years and now serving as the Assistant Director of Promotions, I have been able to learn valuable skills in multiple areas that I hope to take into my future career. Garnet Media Group strives on communication, creativity, and freedom of student speech. I have been able to grow these skills by publishing articles in our biannual publications, Carolina Insider and Best of Carolina, as well as drafting and editing social post copy for the entire team. Digital media has become a large part of marketing in such a short period of time, and as time passes, we as a society are relying more and more on this outlet. As I learn about this in my classes, it’s been beneficial to put that knowledge into application with running the Garnet Media Group social media pages. I also got to see how events can fit strategically into plans while working as an Event Coordinator. Planning events for the mass student body was definitely a lot of fun and hard work but also rewarding when our team won a national student media award. When I started college, I had no idea what would be in store for me. I didn’t know that I would have published pieces of writing, plan events for the USC student body, or even travel halfway across the country to better my career development. Participating in Garnet Media Group has shown me and let me explore the multiple avenues of the future careers I could have with my marketing degree but has also developed my leadership and team building skills that I will carry with me long after graduation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As a student at the University of South Carolina, I was given the opportunity to expand my beliefs academically and individually by studying beyond the classroom in a study abroad experience. During the Spring 2023 semester, I studied in Paris, France as a part of a French language immersion semester program. I was highly driven to participate in a semester abroad as I aimed to be able use my education from USC and build on it while abroad. During this experience away from the University of South Carolina, I was challenged in unexpected ways. I was able to emphasize with multiple different groups of people while traveling and in the classroom. For example, I learned about multiple different religions and visited holy sites to grasp the true meaning of the religion. I also visited museums and saw artifacts of time periods I have spent a great deal learning about. Finally, I talked to real people from the countries I visited. I learned about what was important to them and how they viewed their surroundings. Since having my experience abroad, I have taken what I gained there and implemented it into my life in Columbia. I continue to search for multiple perspectives and hope to achieve the same in my future professional career.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Intellectual disability (ID) is defined as a combination of deficits in cognitive and adaptive function, both of which must be present early in life. Adults with ID frequently have unique healthcare needs; however, they also require care that is routine for all adults. This includes cancer screening. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether or not adults with ID are undergoing cancer screening, understand the barriers they have faced in obtaining screening, and collect recommendations from parents and caregivers on ways to improve access to and facilitate screening for this population. We surveyed parents and caregivers of adults with ID via an original electronic questionnaire on REDCap. Data from 20 respondents was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and quotes from open-ended responses. Twelve patients were noted to have a family history of cancer, and nine had undergone one type of cancer screen at least once. The majority of parents or caregivers had thought about cancer screening for the patient with ID and had mentioned this topic to healthcare providers in the past. Respondents cited a variety of barriers to obtaining cancer screening for the patient with ID, including lack of healthcare provider knowledge in how to care for adults with ID and the inaccessibility of routine cancer screening options. Some suggestions to improve accessibility of cancer screening included better communication between caregivers and medical professionals, alternative, less invasive screening options, and the ability to bring a support person or item to appointments and procedures.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the fall semester of my senior year, I worked as the social media manager for a small business, Seed to Spoons. The owner of the business had no spare time to devote to marketing, so developed a social media marketing strategy after extensive market research. Each week after using my strategy, I would track the Meta Business Suite insights to see my progress. My strategy was a success and I ended up doubling the number of Facebook followers after only 3 months of managing and gaining some new customers. During this internship, I learned how to apply what I have learned in the retail major to help a small business grow. It made me feel confident in my studies to see the effects of my hard work adding value to a company. I have spent a lot of time and money in the pursuit of my diploma, so it can feel scary not knowing if it will pay off for the rest of my life. I believe that by applying what we have learned to work experience while still in school, we can gain even more knowledge about the field and gain confidence in ourselves. After my internship was over, the owner Seed to Spoons asked me to continue working as the social media manager.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the Spring of 2023, I participated in the Washington Semester Program (WSP) through the Honors College. The WSP allows students to work full-time at an internship of their choosing while taking two night classes in Washington D.C. I chose to apply for the program as I had no prior internship experience as a Junior in college and felt lost in my career path. During my semester, I worked for my own representative, Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05). The internship provided me with my first hands-on application to politics and allowed me to see behind the scenes of legislation. More specifically, I was tasked with drafting constituent response letters, conducting tours of the Capitol, and researching different political issues to help staffers formulate bills. The most eye opening part of the semester was the reality of bipartisanship between members of Congress that is often not portrayed in the media. D.C. is the center of networking for politics and, thus, the capital for communication. I learned that to get legislation passed, compromise must occur. Participating in this program has reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a career in politics to help those at home. Because of this, I plan to move back to Washington D.C. and work on the hill come May.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/Significance: Nursing is a physically and emotionally demanding profession. The varying challenges that come with the job, paired with the demands of the profession, lead to burnout among many nurses. This burnout has even been found to occur in nursing students. There is a lack of research about the role of resilience in navigating or avoiding burnout, what factors promote resilience, and how people develop resilience. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore personal factors and/or health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, sleep, and diet) associated with resilience in nursing students. Methods: A cross sectional survey was used to collect resilience levels, demographics, health behaviors, and personal traits of nursing students. Correlations, ANOVA, and T-tests were used to examine proposed associations. Results: Participants included ninety-one students enrolled at the College of Nursing, University of South Carolina. Factors such as good sleep, excellent self-perception of overall health quality, more physical activity, and strong social support were associated with higher resilience levels. No associations were observed between burnout and resilience. Conclusion/Implications: These results may help guide students, nurses, and nursing programs with how to modify health habits to help this population increase their resilience levels. These results also suggest that resilience does not prevent burnout and further research is needed.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Senior Semester is the capstone experience for Journalism and Broadcast Journalism majors at USC. The School of Journalism and Mass Communications became my home, where I met the 9am-5pm requirements Monday through Friday. Instead of taking Carolina Core classes, participating in an internship or having a job, the 13 other multimedia journalists and I fully embraced our Senior Semester experience. The purpose of Senior Semester is to give the students an opportunity to be in a newsroom-like setting. Our tasks were to report on local news, hold interviews, create video and capture images. At the beginning of Senior Semester, we were told to pick a mini-beat, which is a journalist’s specific area of reporting. I chose to focus on local women entrepreneurs in Columbia, writing mostly about small businesses around the area. This started out with reporting on the opening of Farmers Market Xchange in the Vista and the rise in popularity of fitness studios in Columbia. These stories were both called dailies, which are stories that are on the shorter side and should be able to be completed in a day or so. We also wrote longform stories, which is a more in-depth story that takes three weeks to publish. The most impactful longform story I wrote was titled The Beirut bombing 40 years later: Columbia’s Tony Rodriguez tells his survival story.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my collegiate experience, I have studied abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica and Alicante, Spain. Broadening my global awareness, I have experienced differences in Spanish culture and their healthcare systems. I am an Exercise Science major with a double minor in Dance and Spanish, in hopes to matriculate in Emory’s DPT program June 2025. University of South Carolina’s Global classroom has offered a variety of countries and locations to visit while expanding the knowledge of cultures and first-hand experiences. The experiences I have undergone in Costa Rica and Spain were significant, which in turn led me to pursue physical therapy as preventative care. The time I spent abroad came with understanding the differences in healthcare systems and the health-disparities that affect everyone. My Spanish-speaking country experiences and travels, allowed me to recognize that taking preventative measures can lead to a decrease in illnesses and death. Through the experiences of serving the community of UofSC and Columbia, understanding cultural competency, and taking on preventative measures, I learned that it is important to take action and interact with a growing diverse population. Ultimately, these experiences led me to want to advocate to abolish health-disparities in the public healthcare system and create equitable opportunities for healthy living, specifically in the underserved population.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the Summer of 2023, I attended a professional development training for the United States Air Force. This training took place in Montgomery, Alabama for three weeks. During this training I was placed into several different situations where I had to lead. I was in charge of 19 individuals and had to lead them through their Field Training, a requirement to commission into the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. There were times that would come up that would require me to be more hands on and direct with the people I was in charge of. However, there were also times where I could sit back and let them lead and make the decisions for us. As time went on, I was able to adapt more to my role and figure out what each situation required from me as the leader. I believe that for someone to truly be a situational leader it takes them figuring out what it is they are tasked with first. Then figuring out how as a leader they can achieve the mission whether it is through themselves or through the people they lead.
9:30-11:00 a.m.History: A 26-year-old right hand dominant male presented to an orthopedic office for evaluation of difficulty lifting overhead bilaterally. Patient states that he has always had difficulty with overhead activity, but that he recently started weight training and had significant weakness and balance issues with overhead activity compared to the rest of his workout routine. He decided to continue working out other muscle groups until he was able to be evaluated. He denied any issues participating in sports throughout his childhood but mentioned that he was always told that he had "interesting form" when it came to throwing and other overhead motion. The patient also described tenderness to deep palpation on his shoulders anteriorly and posteriorly as well as being bullied for the odd appearance of his shoulders Physical Examination: Bilateral bony prominences were appreciated 2 mm proximal to the glenohumeral joint, and superior to the distal clavicle. These bony prominences are 1 inch in height and are rounded at the end of the projection. Deep palpation of the prominences elicited pain and sensitivity unrelated to the pain causing presentation. Further physical exam revealed elicited pain with internal rotation of the shoulder and pronation of forearm on the left. He also had a positive O'brien's and a positive bicep load test. He was able to push superior against resistance with minimal weakness. Lastly, the boney structures of the scapular spine were not palpable Differential Diagnosis: 1. Superior Labral Tear 2. Congenital Defect of the scapula 3. Supraspinatus Tendonitis 4. Supraspinatus tear 5. Bicep Tendonitis Tests & Results: Imaging of the shoulder started with an initial anteroposterior x-ray of bilateral shoulders. X-ray revealed bilateral absence of acromion processes/scapular spines with rotation and thickening of free-floating clavicular ends producing the bony prominences. The glenoid, coracoid, and humeral head remained in normal anatomical position. MRI confirmed anatomical malformation. Muscular attachments of the deltoid and trapezius were difficult to appreciate. No cuff tears noted. Superior labral tear. Final/Working Diagnosis: Bilateral agenesis of the scapular spine and acromion. Mild superior labral tear of left shoulder
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process utilizes advanced composite materials to produce structures that are commonly used on aircraft and other aligning industries. The AFP process consists of laying strips of composite materials on a desired tool surface to construct a part. The strips are referred to as tows, and are placed onto the tool surface in groups, which are called courses. Courses are laid up until a desired surface area is covered, which constitutes a ply, and multiple plies are laid on top of each other to form a laminate. Tows can consist of materials like carbon, glass, and aramid fibers pre-impregnated with resin to construct a part. Once a full laminate has been laid up on the tool surface it is considered to be in a green state. The next phase is to cure the part which results in the final structure. The advantage the material used in AFP provides is the impressive mechanical strength that can be achieved while also maintaining lightweight properties. In the aerospace industry especially, AFP is becoming more prevalent every day, making every bit of optimization more valuable.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My presentation will focus on the preservation of Maori culture in New Zealand and how culture and environmental/marine science go hand in hand. In order to make insights about these different topics, I have spent a Maymester in the Galapagos studying Biology and completed a two-month internship in New Zealand where I worked with a university research group studying different species of dolphins and toothed whales in the surrounding waters. My observations during these trips related back to multiple classes I took while at USC, including Oceans & Human Health, Linguistics, and Understanding Other Cultures. I will discuss the means in which Maori language usage has grown exponentially in recent years through governmental influence, and how indigenous and non-indigenous New Zealanders may feel differently about the everyday language implementations. I experienced this through everyday experiences such as reading emails, taking the bus back and forth to my internship, and conversing with my internship supervisor and family friends about the increased indigenous language use. I will also showcase the cyclical relationship between human and environmental health, especially through the usage of marine mammals as indicator species. This relates directly back to experiences I had in the Galapagos having to do with pollution and the public health issues in the area, as well as different observations I made about cetacean health in my New Zealand internship. Finally, I will detail how there are intricate relationships present between the public and environmental researchers, especially in New Zealand. This observation comes from my New Zealand internship, where research on stranded dolphins and whales was controlled by the decisions of Maori whose stretches of beach the animals landed on. My main takeaways from these beyond the classroom experiences were that the viewpoints of indigenous cultures by different groups in society are complicated, and that human health and environmental health go hand in hand.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Social anxiety is a socially debilitating form of anxiety that is characterized by extreme fear in social and unfamiliar environments due to the thought of negative evaluation from others. While social anxiety is often diagnosed and intervened on later in life, once the symptoms are fully expressed and debilitating, early intervention can help reduce the anxiety. Social fear, or fear of social situations and strangers, in early childhood is a strong indicator of later social anxiety. Among individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), social anxiety is one of most frequent co-occurring anxiety disorders and contributes to poorer outcomes and quality of life. Despite high rates of co-occurring social anxiety in these disorders, very little is known about early indicators of social anxiety (e.g., social fear). A better understanding of how social fear is expressed early in childhood in FXS and ASD can help improve early identification of children at elevated risk for social anxiety, which in turn facilitates early preventative intervention. The current study uses the Stranger Approach press of the Modified Anxiety Dimensional Observation Schedule (M-Anx-DOS) to investigate how children with FXS and ASD express social fear compared to typically developing (TD) children. Expressions of facial fear, verbal fear, and postural fear were coded from video and will be compared between groups to determine (a) if social fear is elevated in FXS and ASD; and (b) if the pattern of expression of social fear differs between children with FXS and children with ASD. The study includes 35 children with FXS, 48 children with ASD, and 24 TD controls, all between the ages of 2.83 and 6.56 years. Groups will be compared on the three fear variables (i.e., facial fear, verbal fear, postural fear) using analyses of variance (ANOVAs) to determine whether children with FXS and ASD exhibit elevated social fear and if they exhibit similar patterns of social fear expression.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Semester at Sea is a 4-month study abroad experience where you live on a ship and explore 11 different countries in 3 continents. On the boat, we took classes as a college would normally, and then every week we would stop in a new country to apply our classroom learning to. For each class, we would have one day in one country to go with our classmates to visit places of our professors choosing. For International Marketing, our field class was in Jordan. I have always been interested in International Marketing, so having the opportunity to take that class and apply the content to our field class in Jordan was such an eye-opening experience. As we learned about Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and how they apply to Asia and Europe along with what we know about the United States, I made connections that I would never see as clearly if I was only in the classroom. In Jordan, we visited two very different places and evaluated where the Cultural Dimensions compared and contrasted. Visually noticing different behaviors even within these two places in Jordan was very interesting. In my presentation, I will be talking about how I learned to tailor messages to different groups of people during my time abroad and how that changed my mind set for future marketing endeavors. I will be comparing both places marketing tactics and how Hofstede’s theory shifts the perspective to reach their target market best.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Last summer, I had the incredible opportunity of interning with the Los Angeles Rams within their football operations department. My internship lasted the entire duration of training camp where I had responsibilities that included overseeing the entire team’s day-to-day scheduling, the 45-person rookie class with their onboarding and engagement sessions as they transitioned into the world of professional football, coordinating team travel for over 100 individuals, and assisting all of the coaches and players when needed. Within team side operations, you often become a liaison for not only the team but for their 200+ family and friends to provide logistical information, in addition to all of the support staff working in various departments. This internship allowed me to be directly involved with our training camp practices, three preseason games, as well as joint practices with Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos. I had the unique responsibility of being the team lead for our last preseason game versus the Broncos where I was a part of the 7-person advance team to Colorado. I was tasked with leading the preparation of the team’s arrival on top of overseeing the entire check in process for all of the players, coaches, and additional staff traveling from Los Angeles. This internship allowed me to gain proficiency in technological applications that included Teamworks, Figma, and flight manifests. As I pursue the professional and civic engagement pathway as a Sport and Entertainment Management major at the University of South Carolina (USC), this opportunity allowed me to gain firsthand experience in the football industry while being able to utilize what I have learned from within the classroom. Participating in this experience has reaffirmed my decision to continue pursuing football operations at the professional level upon graduating from USC. In regard to my final presentation, I will be discussing the pivotal moments that I experienced while working in various leadership roles throughout the Rams organization as well as how my responsibilities helped me to exponentially grow as an individual and better employee.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As the Capstone medical service-learning trip brought me to Panajachel, Guatemala, the breathtaking sight of Lake Atitlan and the majestic volcano that sat on its shores left me in awe. Amidst the enchanting beauty of this city and its surrounding landscape, it was impossible to overlook the reality that many of its residents faced: poverty, healthcare disparities, and the lack of other necessary resources. I was drawn to participating in this trip to gain clinical experience that would solidify my passion for medicine and to use my privilege of education to give back to a community in need. The very first day of clinic in the village included house visits, where we went from house to house with a local doctor to gather the medical histories of potential patients, to observe their living situations, and to invite them to the weeklong clinic that our Capstone cohort would be assisting. It was a truly eye-opening experience seeing how far apart the houses were, the lack of a proper toilet system, and the lack of water access. Being able to meet patients and gaining that understanding for how they live and seeing what they do for work was an experience I will never forget. The rest of the week consisted of our cohort being split into teams of three in which we worked alongside local doctors and translators to provide free medical care to the population of various Guatemalan villages. Our main tasks were to gather patients’ medical histories, obtain their vitals, and discuss possible diagnoses and treatment plans with the physicians. These interactions with patients not only provided valuable clinical exposure but also afforded me the opportunity to immerse myself in Guatemalan culture, observing customs, attire, and culinary practices. Beyond clinic hours, exploring Panajachel and engaging in cultural activities further enriched my understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. Participating in a medical mission trip abroad grew my passion for addressing healthcare disparities, embracing diversity, and the importance of health education.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Student organizations are a key part of getting acclimated, promoting personal growth, supporting academic success, meeting people with similar interests and goals, as well as pursuing to better yourself and those around you to foster long-lasting friendships and relationships. My most notable contribution to the University of South Carolina is my participation and commitment to guide others in their paths to graduate school, more specifically Physician Assistant school. As an active member of the Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students, it became apparent how beneficial this organization was and how much the older students helped me in my beginning stages. I then decided to campaign for social director of the club where I was peer-elected for this position. Through this position, I have gained leadership skills as well as organizational and communication skills. I had to quickly learn and adjust my outlook to be fair and comparable to 150 other students. My presentation will discuss the insights I have gained on adjustments and leadership skills, as well as the crucial effects APPAS has had on molding me into the person I am today.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the Spring of 2023, I embarked on a transformative journey studying abroad in Madrid, Spain at IE University (Instituto de Empresa). This choice was driven by my enduring passion for the Spanish language and my dedication to cross-cultural communication. With a foundational understanding of Spanish from high school, and my Spanish minor at USC, I aimed to improve my language skills, traverse beyond my comfort zone, and broaden my worldview. Throughout my five-month semester abroad, I had the amazing opportunity to experience Madrid's rich cultural landscape. I participated in new academic environments and explored various European countries as well. I built on my classroom knowledge by making meaningful relationships with native Spanish speakers, and fostered enduring connections that transcended borders. Moreover, I experienced a diverse set of lifestyles, and learned a plethora of customs from other countries. Through these experiences, I not only strengthened my Spanish communication skills, but also cultivated resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. I navigated through the typical phases of study abroad: from the exhilarating highs of the "honeymoon phase" to the daunting challenges of culture shock, homesickness, and unfamiliarity. Gradually, I grew accustomed to my life in Europe and adapted to my surroundings. I developed a greater sense of independence, and maintained agility within difficult situations. My experience abroad has laid an incredibly solid foundation for my future endeavors. As I move forward, I am determined to approach my professional life with strength amidst uncertainty, and determination despite challenging circumstances. In an increasingly globalized world, I will strive to connect with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds to achieve common goals. In my personal life, I will cherish the relationships I forged abroad and remain confident in my ability to overcome any obstacle that arises.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The bulk of scholarly research on correctional programs is centered on evaluating formal long-term educational and vocational programs. These studies typically evaluate large-scale programs, such as GED classes, in order to determine if they decrease recidivism rates. These programs, however, often exclude large portions of the prison population, are susceptible to budget cuts & changing socio-political climates that affect the longevity and support for these programs, and do not focus on improving the mental well-being of incarcerated individuals. There is thus a lack of substantial research done to evaluate informal short-term programs that solely revolve around providing workshops and lessons that prioritize improving the mental health of detainees. I intend to address this gap in correctional literature by developing a conceptual framework as to why book clubs implemented in correctional settings have the potential to promote successful outcomes in the well-being of incarcerated individuals by promoting the following: education, community, and purpose. Book clubs are also a more inclusive and sustainable type of program as they welcome all detainees and they do not rely on taxpayer money, limiting the role politics has on the success of the program.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I have spent every summer during college as a participant of the Medical Experience (MedEx) Academy with Prisma Health in Greenville, SC. The purpose of MedEx Academy is to expose students to various careers in healthcare to increase the number of healthcare providers in South Carolina. I was drawn to this program given the opportunity it provides to pursue my passion for medicine, be able to shadow physicians, and receive mentorship along my journey to applying for medical school. During the summer of 2023, I participated in Tier 4 of the program which consisted of shadowing experiences, medical school mock interviews, and application preparation. As a student intern in Tier 4, I had multiple shadowing experiences in specialties such as OB/GYN, pediatrics, and psychiatry. I also engaged in various workshops focused on different interview questions and formats for medical school such as group, multiple mini-interviews, and independent interviews. I also received guidance on my application, including curating my personal statement. Because my role consisted of a lot of independent work, I was tasked with setting goals and creating a timeline for myself to accomplish these goals. I was also responsible for reaching out to my lead interns, mentors, and peers for assistance with my application as needed. While rewarding, navigating this experience was unfamiliar and required vulnerability, especially while preparing applications, personal statements, and interview responses for medical school. The transferrable skills that I identified through UNIV101 as a first-year student, such as written and verbal communication, helped me navigate new situations and succeed in unfamiliar environments. Through my experience during MedEx, I have learned to be more comfortable with being uncomfortable. Vulnerability was the biggest takeaway from MedEx and I truly believe it is something that will allow me to be a better friend and an extraordinary physician in the future. I hope that others who find themselves in my position can learn to sit with their life experiences in hopes of being able to talk openly and freely about them.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Fragile X syndrome (FXS) are neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) marked by developmental delays and social-behavioral challenges. Mothers of children with FXS with the FMR1 premutation (FXp) are at increased risk for anxiety due to elevated genetic risk. Mothers of children with ASD and FXS also exhibit lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), an index of physiological regulation shown to support emotional adaptation. Reduced capacity for physiological regulation, elevated anxiety, and child behavioral challenges may increase vulnerability for higher parenting stress. This study examines the associations between RSA, heart rate (HR), trait anxiety, and parenting stress in ASD and FXS mothers. We hypothesized that lower RSA and higher HR would be associated with greater anxiety symptoms and parenting stress across groups. Participants included the FXp group (n=29; Mage =35.59, SD=6.39) and the ASD group (n=35, Mage =37.50, SD=4.79). Heart activity was recorded during a resting period and processed via CardioEdit/CardioBatch softwares (Porges, 2007). Trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Spielberger et al., 1983) and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index-Fourth Edition, Short Form; Abidin, 2012) were measured via parent -rating scales. Pearson's correlations and multiple linear regressions were used to examine associations between variables and group differences. FXp and ASD groups did not differ on RSA, HR, trait anxiety, or parenting stress. Heart rate was significantly related to parenting stress for the ASD group only (r(34) = -.37, p<.02) and trait anxiety for the FXp group only (r(22) = .48, p <.02). RSA was not associated with trait anxiety or parenting stress for either group. Elevated trait anxiety (t = 2.10, p = .04), but not group or group*anxiety interaction, significantly predicted greater parenting stress (F(3,31) = 6.72, p < .01) across groups. Findings suggest that parenting stress for the ASD group and trait anxiety for the FXp group are associated with physiological regulation likely driven by sympathetic input. Trait anxiety may predispose parents of children with NDDs for greater parenting stress. Similar results between groups suggest similar interventions and resources may benefit both FXp and ASD groups to help manage and support parenting stress and anxiety.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background School nurses have been identified as key personnel who foster connection, especially for the most marginalized of students by decreasing absenteeism and providing a “safe space” for students who are struggling in their relationships. It has been posited that school nurses affect academic outcomes due to these factors, but little research has explored this. This research project sought to understand if school nurses played a significant role in academic outcomes in schools across Georgia. Methods Secondary data was collected from GADOE College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) and staffing headcounts by school district for the 2019 school year. Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) from the USDA and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) total scores from the CDC were also collected. Data was analyzed for relationships. Results Urban school districts had more school nurses as compared to rural districts. In addition, it was discovered that 7 school districts had no school nurses on staff. Districts located in counties that were the most urban had an average of 76.21 on the CCRPI, 20.3 school nurses, 5.76 nursing assistants, and 1.3 special education nurses. School districts located in the most rural counties had an average of 72.97 on the CCRPI, 1.88 school nurses, 0.13 nursing assistants, and 0 special education nurses. Urban counties with large populations of economically disparaged groups saw higher CCRPI scores and higher staffing levels of school nurses than their rural counterparts. Linear regression showed statistical significance between school nurse headcount numbers and CCRPI score. Discussion The analysis revealed school health staffing disparities across the state of Georgia with urban counties being better resourced in terms of school health personnel. The data indicates that rural schools with lower enrollment are often left without access to school health services. The analysis also revealed that school health resources may be impacting academic outcomes. It may be possible that the magnitude of this disparity is having an even greater effect, especially in the low resourced school districts post-COVID-19. Future work will focus on understanding the factors driving the disparity in school health personnel and further understanding how school nurses impact academic outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Emotion Regulation (ER) refers to mitigating emotions’ intensity (Ochsner and Gross, 2005), and is correlated with positive parenting behaviors and secure attachments with children. The Dialectical Skills Training for Parents (DBT4P) program was started in USCA this semester as an eight-session intervention aimed to improve behaviors known to increase parenting effectiveness, including ER. This is a novel intervention program that incorporates multiple therapeutic strategies, yet this intervention has not been experimentally tested to support whether ER skills do improve. Therefore, our study will utilize pre and post measurements to assess any improvements in targeted behaviors. My specific aspect of the study pertains to brain activity associated with these targeted behaviors, specifically ER. Method: Electroencephalogram (EEG) sessions will occur pre- and post-DBT4P to help assess brain changes in the parent group between sessions and correlations in behavioral ER outcomes. More specifically, this is a within-subjects experimental design that will test the effect of DBT4P (independent variable) on ER and theta power (dependent variable). Participants (N = 20) will complete an EEG task that will involve a computer-based paradigm that randomly displays images of either neutral or negative visual stimuli paired with a command to regulate the induced emotion. Analyses: Using a Fast Fourier transform, theta power will be examined from electrodes F3, Fz, and F4 after it is normalized using the ratio of theta during task (ER during the image) over baseline (pre-stimulus) theta power. Theta power as well as ER scores pre-and post-intervention will be analyzed using a repeated measures ANCOVA in SPSS, including age as a covariate. Additionally, theta power pre-intervention will be entered into a regression model to determine if this can predict the change in ER scores pre and post intervention (ERt2 - ERt1). Conclusions: This research will help evaluate the effectiveness of the new DBT4P program as it pertains to changes in brain activity. Additionally, our results will determine if intervention success can be predicted by these neural changes. If treatment outcomes are successful, our research will help to identify predictors of this success for future implementation and guidance on parenting interventions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The APOE ε4 allele is the best-known genetic risk factor for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Although new evidence is emerging, the extent to which lifestyle improvements can reduce Alzheimer’s risk needs further investigation. Research suggests that individuals with a higher genetic risk may be more likely to engage in risk-reducing health behavior changes following results disclosure. This study aimed to better understand these findings by assessing the health behavior and perceptions of Alzheimer’s actionability among consumers of DTC genetic tests. Our study revealed that individuals with 2 copies of the APOE ε4 allele were less likely to make lifestyle modifications as compared to individuals with 1 copy of the allele (p=.015, Fisher's exact test). Furthermore, there was a nonsignificant trend towards lower perceived actionability among individuals with 2 copies of the APOE ε4 allele compared to those with 1 copy. Ultimately, our results appear to reflect a sense of genetic determinism among our highest-risk cohort, whereby a reduced sense of actionability or control regarding disease development translates into a reluctance to modify lifestyle factors. More research is needed to understand the different responses among our genotype groups, and how genetic deterministic mindset may serve as an adaptation to a high risk for late onset Alzheimer's disease. Our study did identify that the decision to make lifestyle changes is largely driven by family history (p=.027). This finding has been demonstrated broadly in the literature, suggesting that an individual’s personal health context is a more reliable predictor of post-test lifestyle modifications than genotype. The results of our study may have important implications for genetic counselors when discussing results interpretation and integration of genetic test results.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Being a marketing major, interning on a movie set is one of the last places I expected to find myself at the beginning of last summer, but by the end the experience had completely changed the trajectory of the career I want to pursue. Having an interest in social media, I decided to take the unique opportunity to work with Local Cinema Studios on-set of a feature film they shot capturing content for their social media platforms. Taking a less traditional internship allowed me to push me further creatively, grew my strategic thinking skills, allowed me to lead a team to execute my vision and gave me hands on skills and added to my portfolio. It gave me ownership over these accounts that I could make my own and allowed me to explore and grow a passion of mine which is to share the stories of others to bring people together. By the end of the summer, I decided that film marketing was something I wanted to pursue a career in, and it’s a direction that I want to take my business in. Without stepping out of my comfort zone, I would have never discovered a career option that makes me as excited as this one.
9:30-11:00 a.m.With his De Occulta Philosophia, Agrippa aimed to deliver a way for early modern occultists to unify with God, in doing so he established theoretical and applied principles for Christian Kabbalah, through reinterpretation of both mystic and practical Jewish Kabbalah. In his encyclopedia on occult science, De occulta philosophia, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa gives detailed explanations and sources on natural, numerical, and ceremonial magic. Although Agrippa was influenced by Johann Reuchlin and Giovanni Pico della Mirandilo he delivered his own interpretations of Kabbalah in his De occulta philosophia, formally establishing theurgical and ecstatic principals for Christian Kabbalah. To discuss Kabbalah, I define the word and explore how occultists during and before Agrippa’s time discussed its practical and mystical aspects using primary and secondary sources. In my research I point out kabbalistic influences in Agrippa’s magic, where he is influenced by Reuchlin and Pico, and where he separates from the two. I also discuss what sources Agrippa most likely read and where they originated from. My poster board will visually show my abstract, who Agrippa was, and my primary source on the center part of the board. The left side will show Agrippa’s letterism and numeric talismans and compare it to Judaic practical kabbalah and use of numeric magic. The right side will show my evidence of intentionality with direct quotes, and photos comparing his 1530 De vanitate to the final draft of his 1533 De occulta philosophia.
9:30-11:00 a.m.For all of 2023, I had the opportunity to study abroad through the Darla Moore School of Business. My study abroad experience was a part of my international business cohort called the RIL (Responsible International Leadership) cohort. From January to December 2023, I studied at ESSEC Business School right outside of Paris, France. My coursework focused on learning about sustainable marketing practices and strategies. Whilst being at the international university, I was able to expand my knowledge of different cultures and gain an increased cultural awareness. Through interaction with my classmates, I was able to gain valuable insight into working with people from backgrounds different from my own, which has prepared me for international work in the future.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The objectives of this research were to examine the effectiveness of a pre-semester workshop in encouraging strength training behaviors and identify commonly experienced barriers to strength training for collegiate dancers. Dancers have reservations surrounding strength training due to unfounded fears of interference with artistic elements and aesthetic aspirations embedded in dance culture. As physical demands of new, innovative choreography continue to escalate, implementation of strength training in a dancer’s cross training regimen can significantly help reduce risk of injury, increase metrics of power and flexibility, and allow dancers to focus on artistry. Collegiate dance programs must equip their students with the knowledge of how to supplement their dance training with safe strength training form and principles. This research was deemed exempt by the institution’s IRB review board. The workshop lasted two weeks; programming consisted of two upper body days, two lower body days, and one plyometric day. Four collegiate dancers who attended the pre-semester workshop consented to participate in surveys over the course of sixteen weeks. Data was exported and analyzed at the conclusion of the semester. Results of the four case studies were analyzed independently, but several trends were observed including the inverse relationship between dance exposure hours and number of strength training sessions, desire for motivation through community, and intention to continue strength training. All four dancers described benefits of strength training in their responses to the open-ended questions. Time, fatigue/soreness, academic obligations, and social obligations were cited as the four most prevalent barriers to strength training. An expansion of this pre-semester workshop into a semester-long, credit-bearing course may mitigate several of these barriers, especially time and academic obligations, as well as provide motivation of community. Further research with a larger and more gender diverse sample is needed to generalize findings to all collegiate dance programs. By seeking to understand dancers’ hesitations surrounding strength training, changes can be made at an institutional level to best prepare collegiate dancers for the professional realm.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Starting August 2023, I began working as a student editor of the university's undergraduate email. In this role, I keep people informed about campus events, write weekly feature articles, and conduct interviews with students. My goal is to provide students with quick and concise university-related information. I track click rates to provide students with the most relevant content, tailoring my writing each week to keep their attention. Developing website content has taught me valuable multitasking and analytical skills. This spring, I will train the next student editor on writing in AP style, website content creation, and interviewing to continue the tradition of sharing valuable information. My favorite part about my job is the Campus Conversation, an interview and photo of a student on a different topic of their choosing. The featured stories must remain neutral and applicable to all students, so this is an opportunity to spotlight unique voices. Each week, I pull a blurb from an interview with a student who discussed their passions, organizations, or leadership around campus. For instance, I interviewed the kicker of Gamecock football, a twirler in the band, students from the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and students who started their own clubs on campus. I find students through friends, clubs, or word-of-mouth, and I track potential stories on a running Excel document. Through my conversations, I discovered that USC students are extremely ambitious and talented. By highlighting the diversity of experiences and perspectives of students at USC, I represent the student body. The Campus Conversation has made USC feel smaller, and it has connected me to this campus.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I had the pleasure of volunteering in the NICU as a baby hugger for 9 months. Unfortunately, many babies did not have families to visit them. Those were the ones that I made sure to spend several weeks with, showering them with the love and comfort that they lacked. I also helped them reach developmental milestones such as the acquisition of hand-eye coordination. As a prospective pediatrician, acquiring an experience that involves interacting with babies in a clinical setting was like a dream. I searched for opportunities to become a baby hugger for months, as I faced many COVID-19-related barriers. Through this opportunity, I became adapted to nurturing infants who were addicted to drugs, those that recently underwent surgery, one baby with a bleeding stoma, and many other adverse circumstances. I learned how to read monitors, and the purpose of several pieces of equipment in the NICU. I also learned that babies without frequent visitors tend to be fussier, experience more medical complications, and reside in the NICU for longer. This experience sparked my desire to do similar work, so I recently became a volunteer for Make-A-Wish. During my gap year, I plan to continue volunteering and become a medical scribe in a children’s hospital. It has also impacted my career desires, as I now aspire to become a neonatologist, a pediatrician who specialize in neonatal care. I want others to know that devoting a few hours each week to holding sweet babies could significantly improve their health outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic inflammatory disease of the large intestine, which impacts millions worldwide. Current interventions aimed at treating UC symptoms can have off-target effects, invoking the need for alternatives that may provide similar benefits with less unintended consequences. This study builds on our initial data, which showed that panaxynol can suppress disease severity in murine colitis. Here we explore the underlying mechanisms by which panaxynol improves both chronic and acute murine colitis. 14-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were either given 3 rounds of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water to induce chronic colitis or 1 round to induce acute colitis. Vehicle or panaxynol (2.5 mg/kg) was administered via oral gavage 3x/week for the study duration. Consistent with our previous findings, panaxynol significantly (p<0.05) improved the disease activity index and endoscopic scores in both models. Using the acute model to examine potential mechanisms, we show that panaxynol significantly (p<0.05) reduced DSS-induced crypt distortion, goblet cell loss, and mucus loss in the colon. 16s sequencing revealed panaxynol altered microbial composition to suppress colitis-enriched genera (i.e., Enterococcus, Eubacterium, and Ruminococcus). Additionally, panaxynol significantly (p<0.05) suppressed macrophage polarization and induced regulatory T-cells in the colonic lamina propria. The beneficial effects of panaxynol on mucosal and crypt architecture, combined with its microbial and immune-mediated effects, provide insight into mechanisms by which panaxynol suppresses murine colitis. Overall, this data is promising for the use of panaxynol to improve colitis in the clinic.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Case Summary: 63-year-old male with PMH of HTN and CAD presented with a 2-day history of left knee pain and a sore throat. He was found to have fever to 103+, leukocytosis of 18.5 with left shift, ESR >130, and CRP 205. Synovial fluid analysis showed only 12,198 white blood cells. Further infectious work up included negative blood cultures, negative gonorrhea/chlamydia PCR, and negative mononucleosis screen. His initial ferritin was surprisingly significantly elevated at 7,716 and trended upwards daily until it reached peak of >40,000 on hospital day 3. He also continued to have daily fevers to 103+ despite broad coverage antibiotics. Extreme hyperferritinemia (ferritin >25,000) has a small differential, including potentially fatal conditions like hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), acute hepatitis, malignancy, and septic shock. HIV and acute Hepatitis A/B/C labs were negative. CT neck/chest/abdomen/pelvis with contrast revealed no malignancy. For concern for HLH/MAS, he had no splenomegaly, no cytopenias, had elevated fibrinogen (HLH would have hypofibrinogenemia), and triglycerides were not elevated. Hematology agreed that his clinical picture was not consistent with HLH/MAS. After all potentially fatal conditions were ruled out, he was evaluated for another cause of extreme hyperferritinemia, Adult Onset Still’s Disease (AOSD). He met four of the five major Yamaguchi criteria (fever >39°C lasting 1 week, arthralgia lasting 2 weeks, leukocytosis >10,000 with >80% polymorphonuclear cells, sore throat). He did not initially meet the final major criteria of typical rash, however wife later mentioned that she did remember him having a rash prior to admission. He also met several of the minor Yamaguchi criteria with abnormal liver function tests, negative ANA, and negative RF. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with AOSD and was started on prednisone and then transitioned to canakinumab infusions. At clinic follow up, his symptoms have completely resolved. In addition, his ferritin, CRP, and ESR have all normalized, further confirming rare diagnosis of AOSD. Conclusion: Extreme hyperferritinemia is associated with a short list of rare and potentially fatal diseases. Thorough work-up must be done to exclude conditions such as HLH/MAS and lymphoma. Yamaguchi criteria can be used to support a diagnosis of AOSD.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Communities in Schools of South Carolina is a nonprofit that works to build relationships with students K-12 who are facing challenges. I have been an intern with CIS at both Sandel Elementary School and Airport High School working with the site coordinator to support students who are facing attendance, academic, behavioral, or socioemotional challenges. I have had the opportunity to lead small groups and work one one-on-one with students who need extra support. I mentor around 8 students and check in with them weekly to look at grades and attendance, and just check in on how their lives have been going. It has been rewarding to see the trust grow with the students and see them meet their goals! Keeping children in school all the way to graduation is a part of Communities in Schools mission and I have been proud to work with students to let them know that there is someone who cares about them at school encouraging them to graduate! This opportunity has benefited my professional goals by allowing me to have my own clients as I gain more autonomy and be able to support the students. Having real-life experience to be able to apply to everything that has been learned in my Social Work courses has been extremely valuable in bringing meaning to everything that I have learned. I have learned how to connect with people who come from all different walks of life by hearing their stories and realizing the importance of having a listening ear and someone who is knowledgeable about local resources. I have worked with students who are food insecure, are in foster care, and students whose families are unsheltered. Getting to serve them and their families by connecting them with resources has allowed me to build my toolbox of resources in the community. Working with Communities in Schools of South Carolina has been a valuable experience to learn from the site coordinators and the students that I have worked with.
9:30-11:00 a.m.DNA transposable elements are found in virtually all eukaryotic organisms and can jump around the genome and insert/excise themselves from the DNA. mPing is a Tourist-like miniature inverted repeat transposable element derived from the autonomous element, Ping. Currently, mPing is being developed into a targeting insertion tool for genome editing in plants. It has been shown that mPing, mobilized by transposase proteins, can be inserted into Cas9-cleaved sites. Our goal is to identify proteins that promote transposition and thus, increase the efficiency of mPing-based gene discovery and genome editing. A study found that HMGB1 protein increased the mobility of a Mariner-type transposon, Sleeping Beauty, in mammalian cells by bending the transposase binding site to facilitate transposase binding. This project is testing if NHP6A, the yeast homolog of HMGB1, affects mPing transposition. An overexpression NHP6A construct was made amplifying NHP6A and Gateway cloning it into the pAG426 GPD plasmid. NHP6A null mutant yeast will also be transformed with a hp_mPing:URA3 construct, designed to integrate into the genomic copy of ADE2. Using an mPing transposition assay that measures excision from ADE2, we will be able to determine the hp_mPing transposition frequencies with various levels of NHP6A. We anticipate increased transposition when NHP6A is overexpressed and decreased transposition in the NHP6A knockout. Moving forward, our next steps would be to test if expression of a NHP6A homolog in Arabidopsis will also increase transposition in plants.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I attended a conference known as the SEC Career Tour. They invite a student-athlete through the Southeastern Conference to attend a weekend long conference in Atlanta, GA. They invite 27 other student-athletes from other SEC schools, and you can meet others in the same shoes as yours just at different campuses. I applied for this opportunity because it was with the Southeastern Conference and the career field, college sports, that I would like to work in. I also felt that as a senior this was a perfect way to get in front of people and start networking for jobs and meeting people that I can connect with when I graduate. In the mornings we had leadership and professional building seminars and then went out into the city and toured different companies around the area. Touring these companies, we were able to hear from their former student-athletes on how to develop transferrable skills from athletics into the corporate world. This was also an opportunity we could use to network with these companies and connect with their employees. From my class HRSM 301: Professional Development Seminar I already had a background in how to start networking and “pitching” yourself to others. However, I have also struggled with the concept of networking because it seemed so impersonal and that I was using them, but after this class I learned that it was so much more than networking, but it was building a genuine relationship. The biggest highlight for me was I found it very helpful when we had the seminars in the morning and then went out to the companies where we could put the material into practice. One of the mornings we had a lecture done by Randy Hain, an author on leadership and wisdom where he taught us the “Trust Formula”. This was (Authenticity + Vulnerability) x Credibility = Trust. Randy was teaching us that to build true relationships you must be authentic and vulnerable with yourself first, then mix in credibility where you get trust, and building relationships is all on the foundation of trust.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects one in seven adults in South Carolina (1). If left untreated, DM has significant consequences including high healthcare costs, blindness, chronic kidney disease, neuropathy, and infections. Ensuring both proper treatment and adequate glycemic control are important for prevention of these devastating complications. The goal of this project was to first determine the key contributors to uncontrolled DM and then implement meaningful change in a clinic to reduce the number of patients with uncontrolled DM. We performed a retrospective observational analysis utilizing data from January 2021-March 2023 from Prisma Health Internal Medicine Ambulatory Care Clinic in Columbia, South Carolina to identify patients with uncontrolled DM. We identified that 198 patients had uncontrolled DM as defined by a hemoglobin a1c value greater than 9%. Chart review of the 198 patients in the electronic medical record system revealed the top three key factors that contributed to uncontrolled DM were medication adherence, access to resources, and being lost to follow up. With these results, a multidisciplinary team meeting will be conducted to continue developing and ultimately, finalize several change ideas to target the identified key factors with the goal of improving the clinic’s overall DM control rate from 67.15% to 77% by December 2024. Plan-do-study-act cycles will take place during Spring of 2024 to implement process changes, determine the effect on DM control, and make additional improvements to best care for patients with DM in the clinic. Citations: 1. Diabetes impact - SCDHEC. (2020, February). Retrieved February 25, 2023, from https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/DISC%20Diabetes%20Impact%202020.pdf.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I worked three mega golf tournaments during my time at USC because I wanted something to add to my resume as industry-related experience. I came in with no expectations of my experience beyond earning some extra money, and I came away with a newfound love for the sport and invaluable life lessons regarding leadership and how to effectively build a team. Although not fully aware of the fact, I had only really experienced dysfunctional teams during my time in the workforce, and the management within these country clubs showed me that's not the way it always has to be. The Players Championship taught me the necessity of finding ways to motivate your team and keep them excited about their job despite long hours and mundane tasks. The Masters Tournament taught me the effectiveness of using mistakes as a learning opportunity rather than a reason for punishment. The Presidents Cup taught me the importance of establishing good and consistent communication amongst upper management so that it can filter down to the communication styles of even the lowest-level staff. As a student worker who was with each tournament for a week or two at most, I only got to see the surface level of each country club's unique operational style, and yet I was able to dissect that each club’s leadership style revolved around supporting and building up their team. I learned that you can not be an effective leader if you are only focusing on yourself and your own success, and I now bring that with me into every job and experience I have.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During Spring Break of 2023, I went to Alajuelita, Costa Rica with the Foundation for International Medical Relief for Children (FIMRC). In Costa Rica, we helped run a volunteer-based clinic that served children and women without government medical coverage. I rotated through different jobs, working at the front desk, in the pharmacy, in the exam room, and in the office, filing patient records. In the afternoons, we did some form of community engagement activity.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Student organizations have such a big impact on a student’s life, big or small. Being a part of an organization there are different lessons and memories that come out of these experiences like communication skills, creating lifelong memories with a new friend, fostering growth through leadership or just being a part of a bigger community here at the University of South Carolina. Over my time at USC, one of my biggest accomplishments was being able to start from the bottom and be elected to Vice President of Events for Carolina Productions. Carolina Productions provides free and fun entertainment for the student body throughout the academic year. Starting as a general body member known as PIT (Programmers in Training) my freshman year, I was able to see growth in the organization by becoming an Event Coordinator during my second semester at USC and ended up serving two terms over two years in that position. Throughout my time with Carolina Productions, I wanted to see an improvement in the organization's overall reach to different demographics and also widen my event planning skills whether that was creative thinking, coming up with solutions to a problem, or working with vendors and artists. What I ended up learning was problem-solving skills and that I also saw myself grow as a leader which I never thought I would see myself doing when it came to planning events or overseeing four event coordinators. From start to finish, I saw the changes that not only came with the organization but also the changes in myself by seeing what the true leader in me has become over the past few years.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A common symptom of anxiety disorders and trauma- and stress-related disorders is overgeneralizing fear. This is characterized by the expression of fear in new or ambiguous environments and can disrupt normative functioning. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a critical node in a larger circuit that regulates fear and adaptive generalization to contextual cues. Our work demonstrated that the ACC and its projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) control generalized fear when rodents experience new contexts in which threat is uncertain. However, the role of the ACC in context fear learning is not well understood. In this study, we used neuron activity analysis, pharmacological inactivation, NMDA receptor blockade, and circuit-specific manipulations of the ACC to determine its role in context fear learning. We found that pharmacological inactivation of the ACC and NMDA receptor blockade during context fear learning eliminates generalized fear when mice are tested in a novel context but do not alter specific fear to the training context. We then investigated the role of BLA inputs to the ACC during fear learning to determine circuit mechanisms involved in encoding generalized fear. We used a chemogenetic, intersectional approach to inactivate BLA-to-ACC projections during context fear learning. We used a similar chemogenetic approach to drive this circuit during weak fear training. Our data show that chemogenetic silencing of BLA-to-ACC projections during context fear learning eliminates fear in a novel context but leaves specific fear in the training context fully intact. Further, we found that driving the BLA-to-ACC inputs was sufficient to produce fear generalization under conditions that normally produce specific fear. These results suggest 1) a critical role for NMDAR-dependent plasticity in the ACC in encoding generalized memories and 2) that a BLA-ACC circuit is both necessary and sufficient for learning generalized fear. Thus, the role of the ACC may be to encode highly salient experiences that shape subsequent behavior in new similar environments or situations.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Our research is focused on developing nutraceuticals that could potentially improve the quality of life of cancer patients by mitigating cancer and cancer treatment-associated cachexia, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal toxicity, chemobrain, and pain. Our previous studies have identified natural compound emodin as a versatile therapy for breast cancer in mouse models. Emodin could suppress breast tumor growth and lung metastasis, enhance the efficacy of doxorubicin, and ameliorate doxorubicin’s cardiotoxicity. A common mechanism underlying these effects is the ability of emodin in modulating macrophage activation in the tumor microenvironment. Since macrophage activation is also involved in cancer-associated pain, we aimed to performing a pilot study to examine if emodin can mitigate lung cancer associated pain in a mouse lung cancer model. Female C57BL/6 mice were injected Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells intravenously to establish tumors in the lungs. Mice were thereafter treated with emodin or vehicle for two weeks. Mice without tumor cell injection were included as control. Three types of nociceptive assessments were performed before the cancer cell injection (baseline) and at various timepoints after cancer cell injection, including Von Frey Mechanical Sensitivity Test, Cold Plate Temperature Test, and Spatial Preference Test. The results showed a promise that emodin may be able to alleviate cancer-associated pain in the mice, but a larger study is needed to confirm the finding and draw a conclusion.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Domestic violence is highly prevalent worldwide and the United States is no exception. In 2020, the prevalence rate for victimization was 16.4 per 1,000 persons aged 12 or older (United States Bureau of Justice Statistics). As a member of the growing Latin community in the U.S., I want to learn more about its struggles. Domestic violence is something that can happen in these communities and people who need help may not seek it. Probably the biggest barrier in seeking help has been the language barrier, as it can be difficult to find resources for Spanish speakers here in the U.S. Citizenship status is another factor for many immigrants before they consider taking any action (Messing et al., 2022). With these factors in mind, I wanted to find a dataset where I could understand differences across ethnicity and citizenship status. The national dataset I will use for this project is the National Crime Victimization Survey (United States Bureau of Justice Statistics) from 2021 with 8,982 participants. Through this dataset, this project will allow me to understand what communities need to be better served regarding this issue. I hypothesize that non-minority individuals will have higher rates of experiencing domestic violence in this dataset, but they will also have higher rates of seeking professional help after exposure. I also believe that citizenship status will impact how often people seek help. It is likely that people from minority backgrounds have issues seeking help that non-minorities in the U.S. do not have to even consider. Based on the hypotheses, there are significant implications for the future and the local community. With national statistics confirming these discrepancies, the people in our local community may be at greater risk. With this project, I am taking the first important step in understanding what these statistics look like nationally, in hopes of bringing those numbers back to my local community and advocating for change.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Tick-borne diseases constitute the majority of the reported vector-borne illnesses in the United States of America. Ticks serve as vectors for varying diseases, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease. There are several unknowns about the transmission of disease from ticks, hence, the establishment of tick colones and upgrading laboratory facilities are imperative. The Institute for Infectious Disease Translational Research is establishing new colonies of lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), gulf coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum), and the american dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) to advance our understanding of how insect vectors become infected with novel pathogens and how disease transmission is propagated. As nationally only one tick colony existed previously, the establishment of this colony developed novel methodologies for innovative future research.This poster will present a ‘how-to’ guide to achieving biosafety protocols for a ACL-2 laboratory (arthropod containment biosafety level II), acquiring naive, non-infected ticks, and sustaining ticks through multiple life cycles. Further, this study will describe the hypotheses and brief approaches for future studies to be executed in summer 2024: Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia amblyommatis interference studies, and tick chemotaxis attractant behavior studies.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Axonal mRNAs are translated into new proteins after neurotrauma and these new proteins are needed for regeneration. We previously showed that the stress granule protein G3BP1 serves as a mRNA storage depot in axons and slows axon growth after injury. Exogenously expressing the acidic domain of G3BP1 disassembles axonal G3BP1 granules and accelerates PNS axon growth. A cell-permeable peptide (CPP) consisting of G3BP1 amino acids 190-208 triggers rapid disassembly of axonal G3BP1 granules and promotes axon growth in culture. Here, we show that the 190-208 CPP increases axon regeneration and acutely improves NMJ reinnervation when applied 2 d after nerve crush. G3BP1 granules are also seen in CNS axons, including in the spinal cord. Following spinal cord transection, injured reticulospinal axons will grow into the permissive environment of a peripheral nerve graft (PNG) but halt growth upon reaching the distal cord. AAV transduction of reticulospinal neurons with the G3BP1 acidic domain accelerates growth within the PNG. Similarly, AAV transduction of retinal ganglion cells with G3BP1 acidic domain increased axon regeneration following optic nerve crush, indicating thatG3BP1 granules attenuate CNS axon regeneration. Surprisingly, injecting the 190-208 CPP into the proximal transected spinal cord triggered sprouting-type growth within a PNG. In contrast, injecting 190-208 CPP directly into the graft promoted axon growth across the distal interface back into the spinal cord. Finally, returning to the PNS, treatment with the 190-208 CPP did not increase regeneration in chronically injured sciatic nerve axons. Together with the sprouting response in reticulospinal neurons, this raises the interesting possibility that response to the 190-208 CPP, which triggers G3BP1 granule disassembly in acutely injured axons, is context-dependent and possibly influenced by the environment of the injured axon.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Over the past two years, I have worked as an intern at the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office in the Constituent Services division. As a criminal justice major who will begin attending law school next fall, I applied for this job because I wanted to learn more about how the legal field works, especially in my state. My ultimate career goal is to become a prosecutor, so I thought that working for the chief prosecutor of South Carolina would give me some good insight and networking opportunities. Although this experience was not what I originally thought it would be, I have learned so much about how to work with the public, what legal resources are available to residents of South Carolina, and how to help vulnerable individuals evaluate their legal options. Many residents who wrote to my supervisor and I suffered from mental illness or were going through a traumatic situation, so it was imperative that we handled the situation with care and did our best to provide support. Throughout my time working at the Attorney General’s Office, I have gained an enhanced sense of compassion and understanding that I will carry with me as I enter into the legal field, never forgetting to take the time to help those who need it the most.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In every healthcare profession it is necessary to maintain and build an empathetic approach when engaging with clientele. According to Derksen et al. (2013) there is a positive correlation between physician empathy and patient satisfaction. Understanding the feelings and perspectives of everyone will result in better clinical outcomes and improved patient-physician relationships. However, for budding healthcare professionals, this concept can be difficult to grasp and apply in everyday interactions. For example, the development of empathy can be stunted by high volumes of patients, lack of adequate time, and the absence of education on empathy (Moudatsou et al., 2020). To address these shortcomings researchers applied a virtual reality intervention focused on the teaching of empathy and the enhancement of skills necessary to maintain it. Virtual reality has been identified as one of the most promising resources in the development of empathy. Especially in empathetic interactions towards stigmatized groups and individuals (Marques et al., 2022). Thus, making it an excellent choice in the improvement of empathy education. To measure the impact of this intervention a sample size of around 40 University of South Carolina physician’s assistant students between the ages of 22-28 was recruited. These students were then enrolled in a two hour long “empathy” class that utilized three different virtual reality apps. All three apps highlighted the sensitivities and perspectives of different patient populations. After the completion of the class a 10-question survey was sent to measure their newfound attitudes and empathetic understanding.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The classification of automorphism groups of del Pezzo surfaces over any algebraically closed field was recently completed in a sequence of papers by I. Dolgachev, A. Duncan, and G. Martin. We will discuss results toward the classification of automorphism groups of del Pezzo surfaces over any field of characteristic zero. These groups are instrumental in the classification of finite subgroups of the plane Cremona group, the group of birational automorphisms of the projective plane, up to conjugacy. Namely, any subgroup up to conjugacy in the plane Cremona group is realized as a group of regular automorphisms of a rational del Pezzo surface or a conic bundle. For this reason, we also examine the rationality of the del Pezzo surfaces that exhibit various automorphism groups.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Prenatal and cancer genetic tests are recommended by many professional medical organizations. Previous studies have shown that autistic adults have a negative opinion towards genetic testing for autism but have not explored if this sentiment is shared for other types of genetic testing. We used a descriptive, web-based survey of autistic adults to assess their attitudes towards prenatal and cancer genetic testing (n=36). Our data showed that overall attitudes towards prenatal and cancer genetic testing are positive. Notably, participants had slightly more positive attitudes towards prenatal genetic testing related to neurodevelopmental disorders when compared to testing for disorders primarily affecting physical health. Free response answers suggested concern for a eugenics movement related to neurodevelopmental disabilities. Overall, autistic adults have a more positive attitude towards prenatal and cancer genetic testing compared to genetic testing specifically for autism. Future research should continue to explore the autistic adult perspective on genetic testing, as this research suggests a nuanced view.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research project was dedicated to a thorough examination of how the complex effect of medication adherence impacts healthcare outcomes, such as hospitalization rates, and the associated costs for schizophrenia patients, with a particular emphasis on the comparative analysis of oral and injectable medication forms. Medication adherence emerges as a pivotal element in the management of schizophrenia, where poor adherence is often correlated with increased healthcare utilization and escalated medical expenses. Medication adherence, particularly, is a critical factor that can significantly alter the disease's progression, affecting both clinical outcomes and healthcare expenditures. The primary objective was to uncover how adherence to prescribed medication regimens influences overall healthcare utilization and associated economic burdens in this vulnerable population. The investigation is structured around a multifaceted analysis, aiming to dissect the multifarious roles of medication adherence as an interactive (interaction term), mediating (mediator), and confounding factor (confounder). This approach is intended to shed light on its influence over treatment effectiveness, the frequency of healthcare service engagement, and the consequent financial ramifications for both individuals living with schizophrenia and the broader healthcare infrastructure. Utilizing a comprehensive third-variable analysis framework, this study aimed to assess the relationship between medication adherence, healthcare utilization, and cost implications. By categorizing medications based on their route of administration—oral versus injectable—this research seeks to understand how these different administration routes influence adherence patterns and, subsequently, patient outcomes and costs. Through this exploration, the research anticipates offering evidence-based recommendations that can guide clinicians, policy-makers, and healthcare stakeholders toward informed decisions aimed at enhancing care quality for schizophrenia patients while also addressing the economic considerations of treatment sustainability.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In an effort to improve the lives of individuals and families by giving back to the community, I pursued community service and internship opportunities that helped me to better understand and apply concepts I have learned in my Social Work courses. I have a passion for advocacy and activism, so I began volunteering in various places to help others take steps to achieve their goals and succeed. Eventually, I realized that my calling included children, adolescents, and the homeless population with an emphasis on mental health and education. I volunteered and interned at places to help further the education of children and adolescents as well as to enhance the mental health of minors, the homeless population, or minors who have or were experiencing homelessness. Initially, my service was for myself because I just wanted to help others; however, when I switched my major to Social Work, I began to see correlations between what I was learning in classes and the work I was doing. Through being a counselor at multiple summer camps for kids and an intern at Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, I have gotten to work closely with the stated populations. In particular, I have been able to see firsthand how theories, concepts, and frameworks such as ACEs, human behavioral theories, and environmental effect frameworks have played a role in the lives of different populations. With the knowledge I have gained, I will be able to better assist and advocate for my clients and their needs in my professional career.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This past summer, I had the opportunity to work as a Student Nurse Extern at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, back home in New Jersey. In this role, I worked alongside a registered nurse full-time for 10 weeks and gained insight into what a career in nursing is like. As a BSN student at USC, I have participated in 8 clinical rotations on different hospital units. Taking part in this externship complemented my clinical experiences with USC because I had a more individualized learning environment. I was placed on the Cardiovascular Step-down unit where I took care of post-operative heart patients in addition to medical and surgical patients. For the duration of the summer, my preceptor worked with me on skills related to assessment, documentation, education and nursing interventions. I experienced firsthand how valuable providing compassionate care is and how a supportive environment impacts patient outcomes. Additionally, I rotated through several units including the Pediatric ICU and ER, CVICU, Labor and Delivery and the Operating Room. With this externship under my belt, I felt more confident to take on my capstone in the Surgical and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. On my capstone unit, the patient population has similar health conditions as those from my externship, but these patients need a higher level of care. Throughout my experiences as a nursing student, I have developed a passion for providing care to patients in a vulnerable state, opening my eye to the world of critical care nursing. The skillset I have cultivated up to this point serves as a strong foundation for the knowledge and expertise I intend to develop throughout my career.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Changing Carolina Peer Leaders (CCPL) is a club at the University of South Carolina that has taught me how to advocate for my peers while practicing my leadership and professional skills. Changing Carolina Peer Leaders strive to educate students about free resources on and off campus for mental, physical, and sexual health, as well as information about keeping a healthy lifestyle to improve students' health and well-being. As a CCPL, I made social media content for mental health practices. One example is the “Is My Friend Having Mental Health Issues” Instagram post to help our students recognize signs of mental health issues in their friends and how they can safely and respectfully help. My second responsibility is to attend University 101 classes and hold events on Greene Street to connect with students and have conversations to discuss healthy lifestyle skills. I gained my skills for these responsibilities in Practicum in Health Promotion, HPEB 301, as it taught me the Social-Ecological Theory. This theory discusses how the environment shapes who we are and how we shape the environment around us. By understanding the Social-Ecological Theory, I understood the importance of being a Changing Carolina Peer Leader and how we can improve the campus community around us. As a nursing major, I have always been interested in health and finding reasonable resources our community has to offer; by joining CCPL my freshman year I was able to dive into becoming a well-rounded nurse who understands how to find free community services for my patients. Through these experiences, I learned many students do not know about the free resources our university offers and I made an effort to resolve this issue while improving my professional skills by presenting and reaching out to students to connect them with the resources suited for their personal needs. Through this, I learned many students on campus have similar experiences and needs. By increasing my awareness of campus resources and gaining leadership skills to communicate this to other students, I can improve the environment around me and grow into the leader I am today.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Mentorship led by medical students is essential to develop compassionate physician leaders of the future. The Vertically Integrated Training Program is an organization led by medical students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia that mentors pre-medical undergraduates at the University of South Carolina. As an established pre-medical mentorship organization, VITP has refined its strategies over the past seven years. Frequent self-evaluation and passionate leaders have led to innovative events and insightful guidance. The program has attained a level of maturity where it can be replicated across South Carolina and beyond. This poster offers an analysis of the current program, recent successes, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, initial plans for expansion, and potential challenges.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Since the beginning of my freshman year, I have been involved with USC’s Relay for Life. Originally it was just a way to get involved on campus, but after I lost a close friend of mine to cancer, it quickly became an organization that I was passionate about and proud to be a part of. Losing a friend to cancer was an experience I never knew I would have to navigate but being involved in Relay for Life gave me a purpose and a community that inspired me to make a change. I knew I wanted a bigger role in the organization, so I joined the executive board my junior year as Cancer Advocacy Chair and have been in the position ever since. In this position, I worked with local cancer survivors and caregivers, educated the community on cancer awareness and prevention, and raised money for the American Cancer Society. Throughout the year, our organization worked towards our Main Event. Relay for Life’s Main Event is a twelve-hour event to celebrate survivors, remember those we’ve lost to cancer, and fight back by raising money for the American Cancer Society. As Cancer Advocacy Chair, in addition to fundraising, my responsibilities included leading various ceremonies. I planned the Luminaria ceremony, where Blatt field was covered in illuminated paper bags, with each bag telling a story to remember those touched by cancer. Additionally, I lead ceremonies to celebrate cancer survivors in attendance and was responsible for promoting our mission of working towards a world without cancer. This experience opened my eyes to the number of people that have been touched by cancer. Together as an organization, we raised $206,494 for the American Cancer Society during our Main Event last year. Overall, being involved in Relay for Life has surrounded me with a community of like-minded people that worked towards the same goal of fighting against cancer. As I graduate and begin my career as a nurse, I will continue to be passionate about cancer advocacy, and I feel driven to provide the best care possible for my future patients.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Improving the quality of life of survivors of early-stage lung cancer (NSCLC, Stages I - IIIa) requires attention to persistent, burdensome symptoms, including sleep disturbances. While research exists regarding sleep quality in cancer survivors, minimal research targets this minority survivor population. Purpose: To measure and assess sleep quality and quantity among African American survivors of lung cancer. Based on the Symptom Management Theory, our comprehensive assessment focuses on a racial minority group and multiple diagnostic groups (COPD vs. No COPD). Methods: This two-group, cross-sectional, descriptive study utilized cancer registry data to recruit survivors. Measurement tools included sleep and symptom-focused questionnaires, accelerometry, sleep diary and interviews. After consent was obtained, participants answered study specific questionnaires, wore a waist accelerometer for 7 days, kept a 7-day sleep diary, and completed an interview. Results: Most participants were female (68.8%, n = 11), with a mean age of 68.9 years, average time since diagnosis of 6.5 years, 56.3% had Stage I lung cancer (n = 9), and 50% (n = 8) had COPD with a mean of 4.3 comorbidities. Preliminary results reveal the mean global PSQI score was 11.4 (range 8 - 16) for participants with COPD and was 8.1 (range 1 – 12) for participants without COPD; mean reported hours asleep per night was 5.5 (range 3.5 - 8) and 93.8% (n = 15) scored 5 or higher, indicating poor sleep quality. Implications: This study provides insight into a historically understudied minority group. Survivors of early-stage lung cancer experience poor sleep. Our study provides new evidence that sleep is an important clinical problem among this population, providing support for effective assessment strategies to understand and improve sleep. Elucidating a thorough understanding of sleep will help vulnerable survivors recover from their cancer treatments, lower risk of cancer recurrence, and manage the burden of co-morbidities.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Youth mentoring programs have the potential to promote positive youth development. However, disparities in mentor demographics, with a prevalence of White mentors, raise concerns about potential harm to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) youth. The current project aims to address this gap by developing and testing a behavior-based measure assessing mentors’ cultural responsiveness within mentoring relationships. This presentation will delve into the measurement development process following Bandalos’ (2018) test development guidelines. Future directions for this project include conducting a large-scale field test to assess the measure’s effectiveness across diverse mentoring programs. This critical step aims to evaluate the measure’s performance, reliability, and potential contributions to assessing and enhancing mentors’ cultural responsiveness in mentoring relationships.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A model of preeclampsia prediction was created using the All of Us database V7. From the 16,1663 pregnancies, those with preeclampsia were from areas with a higher deprivation index (112.3 vs. 44.7). The risk of PE was highest in Asian patients (1.99-fold), followed by Black patients (1.37-fold) and Hispanic/Latino patients (1.23-fold). In addition, expected risk factors such as obesity (p<0.001), hypertension (p<0.001), proteinuria (p<0.001), CKD (p=0.008), and shorter gestation lengths (p<0.001) were significantly associated with preeclampsia. This study is among the first using a national EHR and service database that emphasizes the critical need for tailored preeclampsia prediction approaches for diverse, underserved populations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Aquatic macroinvertebrates are key components in headwater streams (1st-3rd order). Macroinvertebrates process organic matter and energy through the food web, but are highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations in stream temperature and discharge. As temperature and discharge become more variable, macroinvertebrates are expected to be negatively affected. We can examine this effect by calculating community synchrony, a measure of species abundance correlations in a community over time. Communities that are more synchronous are at higher risk for extinction. Additionally, species turnover, the rate at which species composition changes over time, is expected to lead to more asynchronous communities with some streams seeing higher turnover than others. We expected that higher temperature and discharge variability will lead to lower community synchrony because of macroinvertebrates' high sensitivity to changes in abiotic drivers and their relatively narrow tolerance range. Additionally, community synchrony is expected to decrease with increasing species turnover due to higher changes in community composition. We examined the relationship between environmental variability (temperature and discharge) and species turnover with community synchrony across a time-series (2014-2022) in 18 streams in the United States using macroinvertebrate data from the National Ecological Observatory Network. Environmental variability was calculated as the standard deviation across the time-series for temperature and discharge. We found that temperature variability was significantly negatively associated with community synchrony across all sites (r = -0.53, p = 0.02, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient) while discharge variability was found to have no significant relationship with community synchrony(r = -0.12, p = 0.63, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient). Species turnover also had no significant relationship with community synchrony (r = 0.005, p = 0.99, Pearson's Correlation). Overall, temperature variability was a driving factor of community synchrony unlike discharge variability and species turnover, highlighting the important role of temperature in shaping community structure.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This paper presents a novel path planning method for real-time robotic path planning in a dynamic environment involving moving obstacles. It combines on a holistic platform a global approach to rapidly generate initial paths of prominent diversity and a heuristic approach to enable local path refinement for enhanced computational efficiency, exploration, and robustness. The global approach innovates a formulation that treats a path planning problem with a visibility graph as a Markov decision process and decomposes the process into many subproblems. A new evolutionary dynamic programming approach (EDP) is proposed to solve these subproblems in an iterative manner using GPU computing to allow backpropagation of state values from goal to start points. The EDP generates multiple feasible initial paths with salient state values, each initializing an independent GA optimization on waypoints only near the mobile robot, and all GAs are run in parallel on GPU, further improving exploration and convergence speed. The strategy to fully utilize CPU/GPU resources for various components in the pipeline is also established. The proposed algorithms are then implemented on an edge computing device (Jetson AGX Xavier) onboard a mobile robot (TurtleBot 3 Waffle Pi). Optimal paths can be continuously generated at the rate of 0.1 seconds/path, enabling successful obstacle avoidance and robot navigation through dynamic environments and, hence, verifying the real-time capabilities and accuracy of the present method.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The project proposal aims to address the critical need for creative mental health interventions that are especially designed to reduce stress in American young adults. Based on the growing occurrences of stress-related issues in this population, the project focuses on outlining a novel mental health phone-based application to reduce stress. The project aspires to enhance the well-being of young adults by advocating for the adoption of effective and evidence-based stress reduction strategies. Through a comprehensive approach, the project incorporates insights from diverse disciplines, including psychological, technological, and user-centric perspectives. This integration is facilitated by synthesizing valuable insights derived from extensive literature reviews in psychology, technology and user experience. By amalgamating these perspectives, the projects aims to create a holistic and informed framework for developing a robust stress reduction intervention that is tailored to meet the unique needs of young adults. The project will offer a theory-based conceptualization with research to support it. The prototype mHealth app's screenshots will be essential for graphically communicating the intended features and functionalities in line with the theory-based conceptualization. The conceptual framework will take into account the transactional nature of stress and the significance of individual differences in stress appraisal and coping strategies, drawing on theories of stress and coping. Additionally, the project will use components of positive and behavioral psychology to design features that support young adults aging 18-25 in psychological wellbeing and positive behavior change. In conclusion, this prototype app presents a personalized mobile solution designed to actively involve young adults in effectively mitigating stress within the context of their daily lives. It lays the foundation for comprehensive research aimed at assessing the intervention's efficacy within this high-risk population, marking a significant step toward understanding the enhancing stress reduction strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by young adults.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I developed an interest in politics in high school, during the 2016 Presidential Election. Ever since then, I’ve been heavily involved within the political sphere. Since the beginning of my undergrad, I’ve been involved in the Turning Point USA chapter at the University of South Carolina – a student, non-partisan political organization that values small government, free markets, the Constitution, and low taxes. I became the President of this organization my senior year, organizing and leading a group of 160+ students. Out of the numerous events our organization hosted, one of my standout initiatives was Range Day— a hands-on learning opportunity for students to properly learn how to safely operate firearms from professionals within our community, aiming to promote individual learning and reduce stigma around the use of firearms. In the process of planning and executing Range Day, I realized the immense potential that networking holds. Little did I know that a connection made with Jay Harris, a retired US Army Ranger and instructor at Panteo Sportsman Club, during a firearms class in my sophomore year would unfold into a remarkable opportunity. Jay Harris, now the CEO of Champion Defense, became a valuable connection. Through this established relationship, I was able to secure a generous discount for the Range Day event. This experience prompted me to reflect on the art of persuasion, a skill extensively studied in my courses SPCH260: Argumentation and Debate, ENGL102: Rhetoric and Composition, and PHIL213: Communicating Moral Issues. These courses delved into the pillars of ethos, logos, and pathos but omitted the explicit link between persuasion and networking. Exploring this connection revealed a shared goal—achieving objectives through collaboration and influence. As I navigate my legal career, I now recognize the enduring impact of networking. Connections I make in law school could potentially open doors to legal opportunities beyond what formal education might provide. Networking with fellow law students, professors, and legal professionals may unveil avenues that align with my aspirations. This realization underscores the indispensable role of networking in shaping not only specific events but also the trajectory of my professional and personal future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Intrathoracic kidneys, a rare form of ectopic kidneys often associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernias, present unique challenges in diagnosis and management. This case highlights the complexity of managing renal tumors in ectopic locations, particularly in the context of an intrathoracic kidney. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, treatment modalities, and postoperative outcomes in a patient with papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) arising in an intrathoracic kidney within a Bochdalek hernia. Case: A 72-year-old male with hypertension, CAD, COPD, renal cysts, urolithiasis, and known intrathoracic left kidney within a chronic Bochdalek hernia presented with upper abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Imaging revealed a stable hernia and an intermediate-density renal lesion, concerning for malignancy. Preoperative diagnosis was T1a pRCC, and the patient underwent robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy and hernia repair. Pathology confirmed grade 1 pRCC with 1-2mm margins. Postoperative course was uneventful, and at 6-month follow-up, imaging showed no recurrence or metastasis. Discussion: The presentation of pRCC in an intrathoracic kidney associated with Bochdalek hernia is exceedingly rare, often posing diagnostic challenges due to atypical symptoms. While the patient lacked classical symptoms of pRCC, including hematuria and flank pain, the incidental finding of the renal mass warranted further investigation. Treatment guidelines for RCC in intrathoracic kidneys are undefined due to its rarity. Options include partial nephrectomy, ablation, or active surveillance, each carrying risks. Radical nephrectomy is standard, though its applicability varies. Regular surveillance is crucial to monitor for malignancy development. While the link between ectopic kidneys and malignancy is unclear, monitoring is essential to mitigate potential complications. This case underscores the importance of tailored management and vigilant follow-up in patients with intrathoracic ectopic kidneys. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of regular surveillance in patients with intrathoracic kidneys to monitor for potential complications, including malignancy. The rarity of pRCC in intrathoracic kidneys highlights the challenges in diagnosis and management, necessitating further research to establish optimal treatment approaches. Despite the challenges, timely diagnosis and appropriate management can lead to favorable outcomes in these rare clinical scenarios.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by severe lung inflammation, resulting in rapid respiratory deterioration. Its global prevalence ranges from 10 to 86 cases per 100,000 individuals. Despite its severity, there is currently no definitive cure, and palliative care is the mainstay of treatment. This investigation delves into the potential therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid from the cannabis sativa plant, in alleviating ARDS induced by Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB), which is produced by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Utilizing 8-week-old mice exposed to SEB, followed by CBD treatment at 5mg/kg, the study examines CBD's impact on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers, revealing a reduction in lung inflammation. Results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that CBD caused an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and a decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Additionally, DNA sequencing of lung cells explains the molecular mechanisms underlying CBD's modulation of ARDS. This research contributes to our understanding of novel therapeutic approaches for managing ARDS and related inflammatory lung conditions. (Supported by NIH R00GM147910).
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Pedestrian and bicyclist crashes are of great concern in the Southeast U.S., especially within disadvantaged neighborhoods with poor infrastructure. Little research has evaluated how characteristics of the built environment are associated with active transportation safety, or how this association may differ by neighborhood disadvantage. This study examined the relationship between neighborhood walkability and pedestrian and bicyclist crashes, including variations by social vulnerability across census tracts in South Carolina (SC). Methods: Four key variables were collected for each census tract in SC (N=1,103): walkability, pedestrian crashes, bicyclist crashes, and social vulnerability (SV). Walkability was measured by the EPA’s National Walkability Index (NWI), which scores block groups from 1-20 (low to high) and includes key indicators for intersection density, proximity to transit, and land-use diversity; scores were averaged across block groups to determine walkability per tract. Pedestrian (N=10,689) and bicyclist (N=4,802) crash count and severity were obtained from SCDOT [2011-2021], aggregated per tract and adjusted for average trips per day. SV, the degree of susceptibility of a community to hazards, was measured via the CDC SV Index (SVI); a higher percentile rank indicates greater SV. Stepwise linear regressions were conducted to determine the relationship between neighborhood walkability and pedestrian and bicyclist crash count and severity, including interactions between NWI and SVI. Results: Across all SC census tracts, there was a significant and negative relationship between neighborhood walkability and pedestrian crash count (B=-0.005, SE=0.001) and severity (B=-1.073, SE=0.193) per trip, and for bicyclist crash count (B=-0.020, SE=0.003) and severity per trip (B=-2.831, SE=0.492). This relationship significantly varied by SVI; as walkability increased, crash count and severity declined, especially within tracts at mean and high SV compared to low SV values. Conclusion: As neighborhood walkability worsened, pedestrian and bicyclist crash count and severity increased, especially within tracts at high levels compared to low levels of SV. These findings help identify neighborhoods in SC in need of infrastructure improvements to address active transportation safety, thereby facilitating greater physical activity, reducing chronic disease, and creating equitable environments for all.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The University 101 program is one of the key factors in USC continually having a top-ranked overall freshman experience – 5 years in a row, to be exact. Freshman seminar courses are designed to aid in the transition from high school to college – holistic student success is the key driver of U101 at USC. Serving as a U101 peer leader for two years allowed me to have a first-hand look at all of the good things that come from U101 – my favorite being the emphasis on community. Community is something that humans inherently crave – it is in our DNA to have relationships with each other. A huge part of U101 is forming relationships and creating a lasting community. One goal of mine through both of my semesters as a peer leader has been that each of my students leaves the course with one person they would consider to be a friend – someone they could sit down in the Gamecock Park dining hall with and have a meal. It all comes back to community and feeling like USC is somewhere you truly belong. As a U101 student, then peer leader, and now pursuing a career in higher education, there is nothing that has impacted my college years more than U101. In guiding students through this transition, I learned about the role that community plays and how it is a determiner of success.
9:30-11:00 a.m.DNA transposons are sequences that can jump in and out of the genome using the enzyme transposase. These elements naturally produce genetic variation along with changes to gene function and expression. A method to direct the mPing transposon from rice into specific locations in plant genomes using Cas9 targeting was recently developed. This provides a mechanism to place specific genetic cargos that modify the expression and function of plant genes. The Hancock lab previously discovered a hyperactive (hp) version of mPing with twenty-one bases altered near the three-prime end. We made the same alterations to an mPing carrying a BAR herbicide-resistance cargo and mPing carrying six heat shock elements (HSE) cargos to see if transposition frequency would be increased. These elements were tested in an established yeast transposition assay where element excision results in colonies on Gal-CSM-Ade-His-Leu-Ura plates. We observed that hp-mPing BAR and hp-mPing HSE had significantly increased transposition compared to the control elements. These hyperactive elements will be tested in Arabidopsis to determine if they improve Cas9 targeted insertion efficiency in plants.
1:00-2:30 p.m.College students with ADHD are more likely to use alcohol and cannabis regularly than their non-ADHD peers. Additionally, peer group behavior has been found to influence substance use in college students with ADHD. Thus, social challenges linked with ADHD may also affect substance use. One such social challenge is rejection sensitivity, or a skewed perception and heightened fear of rejection by others. The current literature regarding the association between ADHD and rejection sensitivity shows mixed findings. Further, no previous studies have investigated the potential associations among rejection sensitivity, ADHD, and substance use. The current study examines the relation between ADHD symptoms and alcohol/cannabis use (as well as problems associated with use) in college students with rejection sensitivity as a potential moderator. Participants (n= 4,748; mean age=19.7) in the multisite Undergraduate Learning, Emotion, and Attention Research Network (U-LEARN) study across 7 U.S. universities were administered an online survey during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters that included measures of rejection sensitivity, cannabis use/consequences related to use, alcohol use/consequences related to use, and ADHD symptom severity. Bivariate correlations showed associations between ADHD symptom severity and rejection sensitivity, ADHD symptom severity and alcohol/cannabis use associated problems, and rejection sensitivity and alcohol/cannabis use associated problems. Rejection sensitivity predicted problems associated with alcohol use and cannabis use as outcomes and moderated the relation between ADHD symptom severity and problems associated with cannabis use, such that at high levels of ADHD symptom severity, rejection sensitivity is protective against problems associated with cannabis use. No other moderation effects were detected. Our findings indicate that rejection sensitivity and ADHD symptoms are related, and that rejection sensitivity plays a moderating role in problematic cannabis use for college students with ADHD. Mixed findings regarding rejection sensitivity and ADHD necessitate further research; however, ADHD-related interventions for college students should begin to consider the implications of rejection sensitivity in minimizing adverse substance use outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.At present, there is limited literature on e-sports as it relates to rehabilitation and recovery. There is even less research available on e-sports as a measure of biofeedback. We are exploring the role e-sports can play in the mental and physical rehabilitation of female collegiate athletes with sports injuries. For Discovery USC, we will not yet have gathered data, and thus will present our study in the form of a dissertation proposal. We will be performing a minimal risk study utilizing mixed methods explanatory sequential design. We plan to examine the efficacy of heart rate beats per minute (BPM) as a biofeedback measure of emotion regulation. We will be determining whether virtual reality and e-sports is an effective recovery technique for female athletes. We have finished our literature review and are working on finalizing our methods. We will be collecting quantitative data and analyzing it with a linear regression. We also plan to collect qualitative data through interviews and utilize In Vivo coding (thematic analysis). By the day of the presentation at Discover USC, we plan to have a proposal submitted to the Institutional Review Board and potentially begin sampling for participants. Our study aims to bridge the gap between physical and mental rehabilitation with focuses on holistic treatment, translational treatment, and rehabilitation and recovery.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: High levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lp(a) levels are primarily determined genetically, around 90%. Although Lp(a) remains a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, little is known about how individuals with genetically elevated levels of Lp(a) respond to exercise training. Purpose: This research investigates whether the cardiometabolic responses to exercise differs based on LPA genotype. Methods: We measured LPA genotype (SNP rs3798220) and phenotypes in 666 Black and White participants of the HERITAGE Family Study who completed 20 weeks of exercise training. Phenotypes were measured before and after training, including body composition, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, lipid panels, inflammatory markers, and measures of glucose homeostasis. Student’s t-tests and general linear models were used to determine whether mean training-induced changes in phenotypes differed between LPA genotypes. P<0.05 was used to determine significance. Results: At baseline, individuals with genetically predicted high levels of Lp(a) (rs3798220 CT genotype, n=22) had a generally worse cardiometabolic profile (e.g., higher concentration of triglycerides, apoB, and small LDL) compared to the TT genotype (n=644). For several phenotypes both LPA genotypes experienced similar improvements in response to training, including increases in VO2max and HDL-C and decreases in submaximal exercise blood pressure (all p<0.05 for within group changes). However, the rs3798220 CT genotype group experienced some training responses in an unexpected direction, including significant increases in resting blood pressure (+3.0 (6.6) mmHg SBP; +3.0 (6.1) mmHg DBP) and LDL-C (+7.7 (15.5) mg/dL) that were not observed in the TT genotype. Conclusions: LPA genotype reflects a subset of the population with higher lifetime CVD risk that may experience unfavorable cardiometabolic responses to exercise training for select phenotypes. These findings may have important clinical implications, as individuals with genetically predicted high Lp(a) levels should still exercise for its many other beneficial effects. However, these individuals may need to focus on dietary and pharmacological interventions to maximally reduce CVD risk. Larger studies with measured Lp(a) levels are needed to validate these genetic findings.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Atlantic common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops erebennus, serve as sentinel species for the health of estuaries in the Southeast USA. Considering the massive population growth of Beaufort County, South Carolina (263% from 1969 – 2021) and associated risk of human-based stressors, we initiated a population monitoring program in 2016 for the Port Royal Sound Area (PRSA). In this study, our overall goal was to investigate the population patterns of bottlenose dolphins in the PRSA. Do abundance patterns change seasonally? Is there evidence for resident and migrant dolphins? To answer these questions, we conducted monthly, boat-based visual surveys in two areas: (i) the May River (2016 - 2023) and (ii) Chechessee Creek, Chechessee, Colleton, and Okatie Rivers (2019 - 2023). For each sighting, our team recorded the abundance of neonates, calves, and sub-adults/adults as well as their GPS locations. Over the last eight years, we acquired high resolution photographs of dorsal fins to create a photo-ID catalog and to assist in tracking individual dolphins. After each survey, we used the photo identification program Darwin to accurately identify individuals from our catalog. Next, we determined site fidelity for each unique individual using the following equation: total number of sightings/the number of surveys X 100%. This percentage helped determine whether the dolphin was a resident (i.e., sighted in all seasons in multiple years), seasonal resident (i.e., sighted during the same seasons in multiple years), or non-resident (i.e., sighted only in 1 or 2 seasons). In both survey areas, abundance followed similar patterns and increased in the spring and summer to 30 – 50 dolphins at each site, then decreased in the fall and winter to 10 – 15 animals. These data provide ample evidence that non-resident dolphins migrate into the PRSA in the spring/summer and contribute to the overall abundance (i.e., residents plus migrants). The PRSA has a very small resident population (i.e., low winter abundance) and a larger non-resident, migrant population (i.e., high summer abundance). Moving forward, our Team will continue to monitor resident and migrant populations in the PRSA to determine if human population growth negatively impacts local abundance.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: There is a significant amount of research which suggests that college students who exhibit poor sleep quality tend to have worse academic performance. Additionally, studies have shown correlations between stress levels and academic performance. In the current study, it was expected that college students with higher stress levels and lower sleep quality would report worse perceived academic performance. Methods: Participants included 130 (male=21) full-time undergraduate students (mean age=19.65, SD=1.54 years). Participants completed an online survey that consisted of a series of questionnaires that examined demographics, perceived levels of academic performance, depression, anxiety, stress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; DASS-21), and sleep quality and duration (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI). Results: Preliminary data analyses were conducted. Average sleep duration (PSQI) was 7.00 hours per night (SD=1.36) and sleep quality (PSQI) was poor (M=6.86, SD=3.33). Mean depression (M=21.66) and stress (M=28.46) scores fell into severe categories, whereas anxiety scores (M=23.06) were extremely severe. Pearson correlations revealed that depression (r=.472, p<.001), anxiety (r=.419, p<.001), and stress (r=.527, p<.001) were related to sleep quality. A One-Way ANOVA (F(4, 124)=2.507, p=.045) revealed that students who perceived making all A’s had the best sleep quality (M=5.22) compared to those who perceived making mostly A’s (7.00) or A’s/B’s (7.57). Depression, anxiety, and stress were not significantly related to perceived academic performance. Conclusion: Higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with poorer sleep quality. Students with better sleep quality perceived better academic performance compared to those with poorer sleep quality. A ceiling effect may have occurred with stress, potentially explaining the lack of relationship with perceived academic performance. Limitations include preliminary data analyses and the surveys were completed by participants within the last three weeks of the semester. The end of the semester likely contributed to high levels of stress and anxiety. Support: None.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As a senior nursing student, I have come to understand the inherent responsibility within our profession to understand our community and make a difference in it. It is essential for us to know their pain, suffering, and limitations that then lead to them being in our care. The way I saw it, the only way to understand the community of patients I would be caring for, is by meeting and getting to know them. Giving back to my community, and putting myself in uncomfortable situations was my ultimate goal as a freshman. I started by being an active member of the Capstone Scholar’s Service team because the mission and community that they built on campus was something that drew me in, and ultimately was the foundation that had me yearning for new experiences. I gave back to my very own community, by becoming a Teaching Aide at the Islamic School that I attended. This allowed me to be transferred into the mind of a child which proved to be very helpful during my clinical orientations, and learn about the importance of communication. For my final adventure, I went on a service trip to going to Honduras during Spring Break and worked with a team of professionals to provide free healthcare to the areas that have limited resources and aid. This allowed my passion to cross oceans, and see a whole new variety of people, cultures, and practices that I was not have been familiar with until then. Whilst on this trip, I had the role of the Communications Director where I conversed with the locals and gathered their stories to share with the HQ in Charleston. This allowed us to spread awareness about the health disparities and situations of people living in that area. I will have now by the end of my four years have accumulated more than 500+ hours of community service, and through this, I have formed my own reasoning, communication techniques, and leadership abilities that I will forever carry with me as I progress in my career.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Eyes are physiologically costly organs to produce and maintain, making the development of secondary eyes intriguing. Caridean Shrimp possess reflecting superposition primary eyes, but some species across fourteen families possess an additional pair of eyes called accessory eyes along the dorso-posterior margin of the primary eyes. Some shrimp may optimize their visual system’s efficiency by using accessory eyes to communicate directly with endocrine organs in their eyestalks. The X-organ sinus gland complex in the shrimp eyestalk releases hormones which serve a variety of functions, including regulating pigment dispersal within chromatophores, which is a light influenced behavior. The function of accessory eyes is not known, however we have shown using electroretinography (ERG) that they are responsive to light between 380-700 nm in Saron marmoratus. We are using histology and optic nerve tracing to ask how the accessory and primary eyes of caridean shrimp connect to the X-organ sinus gland complex and the optic neuropils of the brain in S. marmoratus. We predict that the nerve tracts carrying information from the accessory eyes lead directly to the sinus gland and from there to a direct hormonal response, whereas information proceeding from the primary eye is integrated separately in the brain. We propose that this is used by the shrimp to quickly adapt their chromatophores to their environment without affecting with the tasks of the primary eyes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.GLP-1 agonists have seen a recent expansion in clinical use and have provoked considerable research interest. Beyond glycemic control and weight loss, the recent results of the SELECT trial indicate cardiovascular benefit in non-diabetic, obese patients. Preclinical evidence suggests multiple neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects facilitated by GLP-1 agonists. Concomitantly, dozens of clinical trials have emerged to assess GLP-1 agonist effectiveness in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the fundamental mechanisms by which GLP-1 agonists function in the central nervous system are inadequately characterized. Some basic research is confounded because peripherally administered GLP-1 agonists exhibit regional specificity in their distribution throughout the mammalian brain. The effects of GLP-1 agonists on feeding and other integrative physiological functions suggest the involvement of hypothalamic regulatory centers such as the lateral hypothalamus. A prime candidate for mediating GLP-1 responses in this area is the orexin/hypocretin system, which projects to many areas of the brain including the basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS), habenula, and locus coeruleus. Here, our goal was to begin to elucidate the potential mediators of GLP-1 agonist effects on neural functions. Adult male rats received an acute intraperitoneal administration of the GLP-1 agonist, semaglutide (0.12 mg/kg) or vehicle (1:8 DMSO: NS). Two hours later, the animals were euthanized, and their brain processed for immunohistochemical detection of c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activation. Dual labeling was performed to further examine the phenotype of semaglutide-activated neurons. Semaglutide treatment elicited significantly increased activity in hypothalamic orexin neurons and cocaine and amphetamine-related transcript (CART) neurons in the habenula (Hb). In the brainstem, there was a trend towards decreased activity in noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus, and no effect in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra or ventral tegmental area. These anatomical regions and cell populations are components of neural circuits that regulate feeding, metabolism, sleep, cognition and behavior, and immune function. Accordingly, pharmacologic modulation of these specific neuronal populations may underscore observed clinical adverse effects and/or unrealized therapeutic potential with the GLP-1 agonists. Further inquiry into the neural mechanisms of GLP-1 agonist neuroprotective effects is needed as these drugs become more prescribed in clinical populations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Bullying is harmful. For victimized youth, it can have significant consequences on their development including low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, anxiety, social rejection or isolation, and difficulties in the completion of schoolwork (Juvonen & Schacter, 2017; Menesini & Salmivalli, 2017; Cantone et al., 2015). Teachers play a crucial role in anti-bullying efforts (Yoon & Bauman, 2014). As the adult figures in the classroom, they are most likely to witness bullying and are responsible for addressing these issues (Troop-Gordon, 2015; Veenstra et al., 2014). However, sometimes teachers do not get involved. This could be because they do not see it or because victims do not disclose their experience to them (Frisén et al., 2012). To better understand why students may not tell their teacher about bullying, this study asked emerging adults to share their reasons for not disclosing their experience with their teacher. Participants were undergraduate students enrolled in a course from a large southeastern university in the United States. Students were asked whether they were bullied during K-12 and if yes, whether they spoke with the teacher about the bullying. For those that responded “never,” they were asked to write out their response to the question: “Why didn’t you tell the teacher about the bullying?” Responses were coded according to content (i.e., open coding). Similar codes were then connected via axial coding into thematic categories. Results suggest that students do not tell their teacher for a variety of reasons which include: (1) fear of getting in trouble, (2) wanting to handle the situation independently, (3) doubting the teacher’s willingness or capacity to help, and (4) fear of escalating the situation among others. Implications for antibullying efforts in schools are discussed.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cancer cachexia is the unintentional loss of lean mass and directly contributes to functional dependency, poor treatment outcomes, and decreased survival in cancer patients. While the pathogenicity of cachexia is multifactorial, metabolic dysfunction remains a key contributor to its progression. Despite this, there is a lack of evidence investigating the role of altered muscle lipid homeostasis, lipid droplet dynamics, and lipid droplet-mitochondrial interactions in contributing to this wasting syndrome. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of cancer cachexia on skeletal muscle dysfunction and mass loss, intramyocellular lipid droplet content and morphology, and lipid droplet-mitochondrial contact using the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) murine model. C57/BL6 male mice (n=20) were implanted with LLC cells [106] in the right flank or underwent sham surgery. Skeletal muscle was excised for transmission electron microscopy (TEM; soleus), oil red o/lipid staining (tibialis anterior), and protein (gastrocnemius) 25 days following implantation. One-way ANOVAs were used to assess statistical differences (p<.05). TEM analysis unveiled LLC mice had greater number (232%; p=0.0055) and size (130%; p=0.0226) of intramyocellular lipid droplets further supported by increased oil-red o positive fibers (87%; p=0.0109) compared to controls. Additionally, morphological analyses of lipid droplets show altered morphometrics (i.e. roundness, circularity, aspect ratio, etc.) as well as decreased lipid droplet-mitochondria contact (86%; p=0.0042) and dysregulation in lipid droplet regulatory proteins in cachectic muscle (p<0.05). Collectively, these data demonstrate that cancer cachexia induces myosteatosis, alters lipid droplet morphology, and decreases mitochondrial interactions likely contributing to the decrements in skeletal muscle mass and function experienced by cancer patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As a part of the International Business Education Alliance (IBEA) Cohort, I studied abroad three times across three continents throughout my time in college, with destinations including Germany, Singapore, and Brazil. I decided to join this cohort in order to learn more about other cultures and become a more well-rounded citizen of the world. In the fall of 2023, I spent six months in Brazil and fell in love with the country. During my time there, I wanted to give back to the community that I loved so much, which is how I came across the non-profit Edumais. While working there, I was able to draw connections between the class I took at the University of South Carolina on Brazilian film (PORT 309) and my real-world experience. In the class, we discussed the ways that favelas are portrayed in Brazilian media, specifically focusing on stereotypes and how they can be harmful. We discussed how Brazilian media portrays everyone living in favelas as extremely poor and violent. During my semester abroad in Rio de Janeiro, a city comprised of many favelas, I was able to teach within a favela and learn a considerable amount from the experience. I found that poverty looks different for everybody and within underprivileged communities, there are different social classes. I also learned how stereotypes can be harmful to communities who are trying the cycle of poverty. Through this experience, I gained a new perspective on favelas in Brazil while building meaningful connections with students at the same time.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My internship in the Human Resources Division at the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has been an eye-opening experience, revealing the paramount importance of adaptability in both individual roles and overall organizational dynamics. Throughout my role as an intern, adaptability emerged as a central skill, requiring me to seamlessly transition between diverse tasks and respond to the ever-changing demands of HR. Whether immersed in meaningful assignments or navigating through routine tasks, the need for adaptability became evident, especially as I observed my supervisor and colleagues addressing the complexities of HR with grace and flexibility. The dynamic nature of HR, centered around dealing with people and their various needs, underscored the indispensable nature of adaptability. From handling challenging hiring processes to managing resistance to organizational changes, such as telecommuting initiatives, adaptability became a critical aspect of successful HR practices. Additionally, witnessing representatives from other agencies react to our organizational practices, like our recent adoption of a business casual dress code and the absence of casual Fridays, highlighted the potential hindrance posed by a lack of adaptability to modern practices within the public sector. Reflecting on these experiences, my internship has reshaped my perspective on the role of adaptability in state agencies. The challenges faced by the Attorney General’s Office, including high turnover rates and resistance to modern HR practices, point to the necessity of fostering a culture of adaptability. I firmly believe that embracing adaptability as a core value is not just beneficial but imperative for the growth and effectiveness of state organizations. Personally, I have incorporated these insights into my work style, taking more initiative, offering assistance beyond my usual tasks, and seeking substantial projects. As I move forward, I am committed to advocating for and embodying a culture of adaptability, recognizing its transformative potential in the ever-evolving landscape of HR and state governance.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This study analyzes the naloxone prescribing trends among regions and providers in the United States (US) to Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The opioid overdose epidemic continues to take tens of thousands of lives each year in the US, and there is a gap in knowledge about how Medicare Part D beneficiaries are being impacted. Naloxone hydrochloride, commonly referred to as naloxone or Narcan, is an opioid overdose antidote that reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and/or central nervous system depression. This project serves to fill gaps in the current literature around the opioid epidemic and the understanding of how providers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants have been prescribing naloxone to Medicare Part D beneficiaries over the 2013-2020 time period. This project is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The study data was obtained from US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website’s most recent Medicare Part D Prescriber Public Use Files (PUF). SAS statistical software and R are used to analyze data that will later be descriptively discussed in the context of the current literature surrounding state differences in naloxone prescribing laws and recommendations, the opioid epidemic statistics, and factors impacting naloxone prescribing among different provider specialties. The data analysis is focused on descriptive statistics to detail how prescribers across the US and across different disciplines have changed prescribing habits. This will show the trajectory of future naloxone prescribing trends and highlight what geographic regions and specialties could benefit from interventions, including education, state laws, changes in recommendations, or targeted programs. The variables describing the cohort of prescribers and the prescription claims will be compared across years, regions, and provider types. Preliminary results indicate a vast increase in opioid prescriptions from all prescriber types and in all US states from 2013 to 2020. The providers prescribing the highest volume of naloxone are nurse practitioners, family practice physicians, physician assistants, internal medicine physicians, and pain management physicians. Naloxone prescriptions to Medicare Part D patients h expanded from 4 states in 2013 to all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2020. Data analysis is still being conducted.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, and most phages have double-stranded DNA genomes, although some have RNA or single-stranded DNA genomes. To better understand the diversity and biology of bacteriophages and their hosts in natural environments, I have conducted extensive sampling of plant roots and soil sampling sites along Rocky Branch Creek on the University of South Carolina campus. I have isolated 56 phages from a soil and plant roots sampling site next to Rocky Branch Creek, and a high percentage of the soil bacteriophages sampled are phages that appear to have ssDNA genomes. A total of 41 phages are ssDNA phages with turbid plaques, and 15 phages are dsDNA phages with clear plaques. This is the first time anyone has isolated a single-stranded DNA phage that infects Caulobacter. The morphology of these bacteriophages was observed through transmission electron microscopy, and their genome sizes were determined using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Additionally, the characteristic plaque size and appearance of the plaques generated by each bacteriophage were documented. A high percentage of bacteriophages have a broad host range, as they infect not only a wide variety of our laboratory Caulobacter and soil Caulobacter strains but also different bacterial genera. The morphology and genome size of dsDNA phages are similar to that of CbK phages, ranging from approximately 190 to 240 kbps. The genome size of ssDNA phages is 8 kbps, and they form turbid plaques with a broad range of larger plaque sizes. Interestingly, the ssDNA phages usually have titers of 1010-1011. My preliminary results suggest that a high percentage of soil bacteriophages sampled are not lytic phages. Since these phages were isolated from soil and plant roots, we anticipate that they represent new species, new genera, or even new families of viruses.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Researchers have pointed to perceived racism and racial discrimination as contributors to health inequities and a wide range of negative health outcomes for both adults and children (Williams & Mohammed, 2009). Police interactions with Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) continue to make news waves due to discriminatory actions by officers (Kahn et al., 2017). The current study aims to understand how BIPOC beliefs about discrimination impact their interactions with interpersonal domains. The first research question examines whether there are racial and ethnic differences in the perception of differential treatment by race in police interaction. The second research question expands the first question to precisely identify the racial and ethnic groups who perceive unequal treatment with police interaction concerning discrimination. Lastly, is there a significant relationship between the perception of discrimination by police interaction and physical and mental health outcomes? The current study is based on National Public Radio, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health data. For this study, we primarily utilized the sample of 802 African Americans, 803 Latino individuals, 500 Asian Americans, 342 Native Americans, and 902 white Americans. A crosstabs analysis indicated that Black non-Hispanic individuals reported that they believe they experienced personal discrimination when interacting with police officers due to their race compared to ethnic minority counterparts. To address the second question, ANOVAs were conducted to explore racial/ethnic differences in relation to discrimination by police. Findings suggest that there were significant group differences in experiencing discrimination when interacting with police by race [F (5, 950) = 23.71, p <.001]. Lastly, hierarchical regressions were conducted, focusing primarily on the Black sample and controlling for gender. We found that there was a significant association between perceptions of Black individuals experiencing discrimination when interacting with police and physical health outcomes (B=0.08; SE=0.04, p<.05), suggesting that discrimination experiences are deleterious to physical health. These findings indicate that physical health is negatively impacted by perceptions of discrimination due to police interactions. Implications of these findings will be discussed in how community-wide interventions are needed with regard to police and community interactions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My research examines the extent and success of Indigenous resistance to Spanish Colonialism after Spain firmly established settlements in the closing years of the fifteenth century. To examine this issue in detail, I am particularly focused on the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Haiti. Because of the eventual dominance of colonial powers and near extinction of local populations to disease, the timeline for my research is Columbus’s landing in 1492 to approximately 1580. I seek to answer the question of where and how did natives most successfully resist the Spanish colonization after colonies were reliably established? My research is based on primary sources that include Spanish Government records, correspondence between Spanish Colonial Governors and the Spanish Crown, and surviving first-hand accounts. This research shows the strong desire to not submit to Spanish rule by indigenous tribes and highlights ways in which local cultures survived Spanish contact intact.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My name is Julia Smith, and I am a senior Elementary Education major pursuing graduation with leadership distinction in professional and civic engagement. I am part of a program at the University called Teaching Fellows, a professional organization and fellowship geared towards building professional relationships and growing as an educator. Teaching Fellows as a program has been influential in my college career as it has provided me with numerous professional development sessions that have impacted my view on education. These professional development sessions have led me to inquire about mental health within education, both for teachers and students, as well further shaping the belief that I hold that relationships are an integral part of a successful classroom. In this program I am head of the mentor-mentee committee which has shaped me into a leader with a focus on relationships. Throughout my team as the head of this committee I have grown in my belief in the importance of relationships, especially when in leadership. By maintaining a strong professional relationship with those in my committee I have become more flexible when dealing with personal issues and have been able to relate to those I am leading.. In my internship, which is a third grade public school classroom setting, relationships are an important part of how the classroom is run and is included in the 4.0 rubric under classroom community, which is the rubric that all teachers in South Carolina are graded upon. I have built a relationship with my students and from this relationship have learned where my students are in content areas. Through trust that has been built through relationships, my students will listen to me and know that I care about them and will therefore be more engaged and listen to what I have to say and demonstrate learning. This is the goal of relationships in a classroom, that these relationships will lead to student growth and learning and by forming these relationships students are able to learn.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Down Syndrome (DS) results from the triplication of human chromosome 21. Due to the high number of genes located on chromosome 21, people with DS exhibit varied phenotypes, including congenital heart defects, intellectual disability, and slow wound healing. Fibroblasts are cells critical for appropriate wound healing. The motility of fibroblasts depends strongly on focal adhesions, which are connections between the cell’s actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. Previous work from our lab has shown that the morphology and motility of fibroblasts are altered in DS. These findings suggest that focal adhesions are also altered in DS through dysregulation of protein expression, but due to the high number of proteins involved in focal adhesion formation, it is unknown which proteins are affected. Here, we use fibroblasts from 1- and 2-year-old individuals with DS and matched apparently healthy individuals. We examined multiple proteins involved in focal adhesion formation, including talin, receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), and paxillin. Additionally, we examined translation at the leading edge of fibroblasts using a puromycin assay. In fibroblasts from a 1-year-old with DS, we find increases in cell area and perimeter and increases in protein expression of RACK1, talin, and paxillin. In fibroblasts from a 2-year-old with DS, we find decreases in area and perimeter, an increase in the expression of talin, decreases in the expression of RACK1 and paxillin, and a decrease in translation at the leading edge. Results gained from this study will be used in the future to normalize protein expression in DS fibroblasts and determine if that can rescue the altered motility phenotypes; this information is important for individuals with DS who exhibit the slow wound healing phenotype and could help restore the fibroblasts’ ability to mediate the inflammatory response. Furthermore, when neurons innervate their synaptic targets during development, they utilize similar mechanisms to control their movement. Thus, these results will also inform experiments in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Taken together, this research is highly relevant to improving our understanding of both the slow wound healing and intellectual disability phenotypes of DS.
1:00-2:30 p.m.A maternal stressor can negatively influence the survival and reproduction of offspring raised in ideal conditions. The degree to which offspring generations are negatively impacted and their ability to recover is directly related to the magnitude of maternal stress. If a maternal generation of red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) is reared in a habitat containing corn flour (a substandard resource), offspring generations exhibit transgenerational effects of decreased population growth rate, and increased extinction probability despite being raised in an ideal environment. The intensity of these transgenerational effects is expected to be proportional to the percentage of corn flour in the maternal habitat. To assess our expectations, we examined populations of T. castaneum along a gradient of maternal (treatment) habitats with varying ratios of wheat (good resource) to corn (bad resource) flour. Across each treatment (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% corn flour), maternal populations (n=10) were reared in their respective habitats, while their offspring were placed into ideal (100% wheat flour) habitats and were allowed to reproduce for several generations. Across all treatments, we observed a significant decline in population growth rate as a result of maternal habitat treatment. Further, we saw increased extinction risk in more corn-dominated treatments. The treatments that fell between these two extremes, i.e. a combination of wheat and corn flour, experienced a decrease in population growth rate proportional to their percentage of corn media. In later generations, the population growth rates of all treatments increased and eventually stabilized to a baseline. Together, these results suggest that if a maternal generation of T. castaneum is subjected to an environmental stressor such as corn flour, their offspring will exhibit transgenerational effects of decreased population growth rate, and increased extinction probability despite being raised in an ideal environment and that the magnitude of these effects is directly proportional to the severity of the corn flour stressor.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Heart rate (HR) measure agreement between wrist-worn devices and standard chest straps during non-steady-state exercise is unclear. PURPOSE: To assess agreement between wrist-based photoplethysmography (PPG) devices (Apple Watch Series 8 [AW], Polar Grit X [PX] compared to Polar H10 chest electrocardiographic device (H10) estimated HR. METHODS: After determining velocity at VO2max (vVO2max), participants (50% male; age 18-35) completed two testing days wearing the PX, AW, and H10. Day 2 consisted of two, 4-minute bouts on the treadmill at 50% and 75% of vVO2max followed by an 8-min interval effort (30:30) at 100-120% of vVO2max. Day 3 consisted of a high intensity functional training (HIFT) protocol comprised of 3 rounds of 5 exercises with a 40:20 work:rest ratio. Agreement between HR from wrist-based PPG and H10 devices were analyzed via inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals. An alpha level of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: There were strong significant correlations between H10 and AW all interval intensities for average and max HR (Average50%: ICC=0.99, CI=0.98-1.00; Average75%: ICC=0.84, CI=0.62-0.94; Average100%: ICC=0.95, CI=0.84-0.98; P<0.0001; Max50%: ICC= 0.97, CI=0.91-0.99; Max75%: ICC=0.97, CI= 0.91-0.99; Max100%: ICC=0.97, CI=0.91-0.99; P<0.0001). In contrast, average HR between PX and H10 were significantly moderately correlated at 50% and 75%, but not 100% ( Average50%: ICC=0.70, CI=0.18-0.89; Average75%: ICC=0.50, CI= 0.01,-0.80; P<0.01), and max HR between PX and H10 was only significantly correlated at 50% (Max50%: ICC=0.79, CI=0.50-0.92; P<0.001). There was strong agreement between AW and H10 (ICC=0.92, CI =0.59-0.98; P<0.0001) but not PX (ICC=0.19, CI =-0.11-0.55; P=0.05), during HIFT. CONCLUSION: While AW shows strong agreement across multiple exercise intensities and modalities, the PX does not demonstrate as strong of agreement. The PX showed decreased agreement as running interval intensity increased and poor agreement during HIFT. While the non-invasive nature, affordability, and convenience of PPG shows promise, consumers and researchers should take this information into account when selecting a PPG device. The novel inclusion of HIFT sets this study apart and indicates the need for agreement testing across multiple exercise modalities in the field.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) treatment of food wastes and other wet wastes has shown the ability to recover and convert resources into environmentally beneficial value-added carbonized products (hydrochar). Hydrochar is considered a promising, possibly advantageous soil amendment. For the HTC process to be adopted in the food waste management area, a more thorough understanding of the post-treatment processes required to make food waste-derived hydrochar a viable soil additive is important. Post treatment processes—water-washing and solvent-washing—are being conducted on hydrochar generated from the HTC of five representative food waste feedstocks at different temperature conditions—200 °C and 250 °C. Germination index and testing of soil fertility related chemical compounds including Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and volatile acids, were performed on the varying hydrochars. Analysis of the resulting phytotoxicity and chemical concentrations is currently being performed to: (a) understand how food waste properties and HTC reaction conditions affect chemical properties of carbonization products and their potential use as a soil amendment; (b) determine the post treatment needs for using hydrochar as a soil amendment; and (c) generate life cycle inventory (LCI) data to perform a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the HTC process. Results from this work will be used to identify the factors that influence the environmental impact of carbonization product use so that environmentally beneficial and economically attractive operational strategies of the HTC of food waste can be developed.
9:30-11:00 a.m.WW domain-containing protein 1 (WWP1) is a member of the C2-WW-HECT family of E3 ubiquitin ligases and has been shown to mediate the post-translational modification (ubiquitination) of a multitude of substrates, particularly those containing proline-rich regions known as PY motifs. WWP1-mediated ubiquitination can influence target protein subcellular localization, stability, and/or function, thus serving an important regulatory role in homeostasis. While dysregulation of WWP1, specifically through its overexpression, is associated with a number of prevalent pathologies like human cancers or heart failure, the molecular mechanisms by which WWP1 promotes these phenotypes remain underexplored. Therefore, to identify proteins that interact with WWP1 in the human heart, a yeast two hybrid (Y2H) screen of a human heart library was performed using WWP1 as the “bait”. From this screen, 22 putative interactors of WWP1 were identified. Chief among these was the oncoprotein WW-domain binding protein 2 (WBP2) whose function in the heart is completely unknown, but, because of the parallels between WBP2 and WWP1 in oncogenesis, this interaction was further scrutinized. The specificity of this WWP1-WBP2 interaction was verified by switching the open reading frames of these proteins within the “bait” and “prey” constructs of the GAL4 Y2H system and noting activation of reporter genes only when both WWP1 and WBP2 were present in the same cell. In order to elucidate which domains of WBP2 mediate this interaction, site-directed mutagenesis was used to create WBP2 mutants with one or more nonfunctional PY motifs. The relative effects of these sequence-confirmed mutants on WBP2’s interaction with WWP1 were subsequently evaluated through serial dilution assays and β-galactosidase activity assays, revealing that the second and third PY motifs of WBP2 were essential for its interaction with WWP1. Co-immunofluorescence studies are currently underway to determine whether these proteins co-localize endogenously in the human heart. This study represents a critical step in understanding the regulation of key signaling pathways involved in human disease phenotypes in order to identify novel therapeutic interventions targeting one or both of these proteins.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EuDKA) represents only 2.6-3.2% of all DKA cases and is characterized by blood glucose less than 250 mg/dL with metabolic acidosis and ketonemia. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a new, popular class of oral diabetes medications. However, recent studies suggest that there is a sevenfold increased risk of EuDKA in type 2 diabetic patients taking an SGLT2i with an overall incidence of approximately 0.1%. DKA is a medical emergency and euglycemia often hinders making this diagnosis. When left untreated, DKA can have catastrophic consequences such as severe dehydration, cerebral edema, and coma. This is a case of a 50-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had been taking insulin Detemir 28 units daily and Canagliflozin 300 mg daily. Upon admission for encephalopathy, she was found to have severe metabolic acidosis, elevated anion gap, blood glucose of 270 mg/dL, ketonemia, and marked glucosuria and ketonuria. The diagnosis of DKA was made and intravenous insulin and fluids were started. After 3 days of treatment blood glucose remained under 200 mg/dL, bicarbonate improved to 21, and anion gap was consistently closed. Thus, DKA was presumably resolved and transition to subcutaneous insulin was made. However, she unexplainedly remained without improvement in mental status. This prompted more extensive work-up including lumbar puncture, autoimmune encephalitis panel, EEG, head imaging, urinalysis, and repeat blood cultures. All findings were unremarkable, except urine was found to still have high levels of glucose and ketones. Repeat blood testing showed persistent ketonemia. With these new findings, the diagnosis of EuDKA was made and insulin drip was restarted. After 2 more days of aggressive hydration and intravenous insulin the patient’s mental status began improving with concomitant decrease of ketones in the blood. The patient’s Canagliflozin was held during the admission and later presumed to be the culprit of her unusual EuDKA presentation. Currently, resolution of DKA is defined by normalization of blood glucose, serum bicarbonate, pH, and anion gap. There are no guidelines describing the need to trend urine or blood ketone levels in DKA patients, but this case may suggest otherwise.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Students often feel a negative stigma and embarrassment when it comes to seeking academic help, especially in the collegiate level. Through working with the Student Success Center and Leadership and Service Center, I have worked to destigmatize requesting resources through proactive outreach to students. However, I have also seen a misunderstanding with some students equating using academic resources to admitting failure when in reality, these services are meant to support students at all levels. As a peer leader, I have learned the importance of effective communication with students while maintaining a peer relationship. Most students that attend places like the Student Success Center see positive changes in their academics. In my experience, I have discovered how fulfilling it is to create a positive impact. I hope to continue to work with others and provide support to make a positive impact on my peers and beyond.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Our study examined the relative levels of mRNA expression of the gene TBK1 in Daphnia pulex exposed to various hypoxic environments. Daphnia pulex, a common planktonic crustacean model organism, were chosen as the model organism because they have a homologous gene to the human TBK1 gene, they are quick and easy to rear, and they can respond rapidly to their environment (Ebert, 2022). The loss of function of TBK1 in humans can cause neurodegenerative diseases (Xu, 2018). Another risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases in humans is exposure to neurotoxins such as heavy metals (Reuben, 2019). Daphnia have been used for decades in the study of heavy metal exposures (and are commonly used by water treatment facilities to analyze treated water). We hypothesized that Daphnia reared in an environment that had toxic heavy metals present would stop expressing TBK1. In the tests completed using two of our three designed primers, TBK1 was expressed in both the control and experimental groups, which did not support our hypothesis that the expression of TBK1 would be silenced in Daphnia reared in an environment with heavy metals. However, we were successful in finding two primers that effectively isolate the TBK1 gene in the Daphnia genome. Our future directions include changing the concentration of heavy metals, analyzing protein expression of TBK1, and determining the impacts of knocking down the expression of TBK1 in Daphnia pulex exposed to heavy metals. With neurodegenerative diseases on the rise, studies such as ours are crucial steps in finding potential therapies and hope for a truly debilitating set of diseases.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the Summer I worked with DHL at their Mann Hummel site in Cowpens, South Carolina. DHL is a world leader in third-party logistics (3PL), hired to control warehouse operations and other logistic roles within companies. My position during the summer was as an Operations Intern, meaning I helped the operations team with day-to-day tasks and sometimes week-long projects. As a Operations and Supply chain major here at the University of South Carolina, my internship provided me with a summer full of professional experience and knowledge. I had the opportunity to aid in the completion of warehouse projects, and other challenges thrown our way. The Mann Hummel site was 1.6 million sq feet (about half the area of The Vatican) and was packed full of various air and oil filters waiting to be distributed to customers. Our Primary customers were big companies such as Ford, Tesla, Walmart, and AutoZone. Specifically, I managed Excel spreadsheets and helped solve cases in the warehouse where something along the distribution process may have gone wrong, resulting in an unhappy customer. Near the end of the Summer, I had the pleasure of being able to attend DHL’s Capstone event in Ohio. This is a major networking event for interns across the company over the summer. My time with DHL has allowed me to fall in love with the world of supply chain, and fully know what I want my career path to look like going forward.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This is my GLD presentation through the Globalization pathway. My name is Jack Calvery. I am a current senior, majoring in Marine Science with a concentration in biology, and minoring in Anthropology. While at the University of South Carolina I have learned multiple lessons through classwork, which were then reinforced in extracurricular activities, and seen implemented while traveling abroad. My first lesson includes the importance of movement, primarily in the marine field through migration, but more importantly in my life while pursuing goals. My second lesson was on the value of cooperation, especially in conducting research but also in becoming the fullest version of myself. Finally, I focused solely on the act of service, and how important it is to be of service to others. While abroad I spent four months in Ecuador and another four in Ireland. My time in Ecuador was spent living with two host families, one for seven weeks in Quito, and another for ten weeks on San Cristobal Island, in the Galapagos. My second semester was spent living in an apartment style in Dublin, Ireland. Here I travelled across Europe visiting Switzerland, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Austria and Portugal.
1:00-2:30 p.m.For the past three years, I have worked as a Resident Assistant (RA) in Patterson Hall, helping incoming freshmen adapt to life in college. I applied for this position in my freshman year of college when I realized I wanted to build more connections on campus and ensure students had an enjoyable experience in their first year. During my time in this position, I have been responsible for various tasks including responding to high-stress situations, managing floor events, building connections with over sixty residents, and enforcing housing policies. My main goal in this position was to provide students with a role model they felt comfortable bringing problems to and whom they could trust. I did this by fostering personal relationships with every resident on my floor and being a constant figure in the building that they could count on. I discovered that the best way to foster these relationships was to have an open and clear line of communication. Treating residents with care and compassion when they have problems, using an understanding tone, and being open about my own struggles made students feel understood and seen. Communication is the best way to build connections across different backgrounds. This presentation will show the insights I have gained about my leadership abilities and how this experience has not only shaped my college experience, but also me as a person.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I have been working as an intern at Rummel, Klepper & Kahl (RK&K). RK&K is a multi-discipline civil engineering firm, and I work at their downtown Columbia location in their roadway department. As a civil engineering major at the University of South Carolina, my internship allowed me to experience the design of projects first-hand. I was given the opportunity to research design criteria for roadways and apply the information I’d learn to designing a project. I was also able to assist in other disciplines of civil engineering when needed. I’ve worked on numerous projects, such as intersection improvements, bridge replacements, scour reports, design-builds, and many more. I also had the opportunity to attend my first Public Interest meeting (PIM) on an intersection improvement, when I had designed the PIM poster. I was able to experience the social aspect of civil engineering since community impacts are an important concern. I got to speak with many community members and explain the design and its improvement, as well as how it would affect them as a community during and post construction. During my first two internships I started to doubt my decision to pursue engineering. However, during this internship I found a passion for road design and for this career, and I will be working full time at RK&K post-graduation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction In recent decades the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in individuals <50 years old has increased at an alarming rate (Hofseth et al., 2020). Adiposity and diet drive metabolic dysregulation (Kabat et al., 2018; Reilly et al., 2020) and thus understanding their interaction is key to understanding the genesis of EOCRC. However, there is an absence of critical clinical trials and mechanistic studies involving lifestyle interventions to address this problem. This NCI Funded U01 study aims to address this gap. We focus on dietary modulation of gut microbes to reduce metaflammation and subsequent metabolic dysfunction in obesity with a goal of preventing EOCRC. This study aims to (1) establish the metabolic protective effects of an anti-inflammatory diet in obese, high-risk African-American and European-American adults and children (2) establish gut microbes as mediators between anti-inflammatory dietary input and reversal of metabolic dysfunction and associated CRC risk. Methods We are conducting an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention trial in dyads of adults and children at elevated risk for CRC. We are also conducting a complementary mechanistic animal study. This work is supported by infrastructure built over the past decades in two key centers at the University of South Carolina (1) Center for Colon Cancer Research (2002 - present – which specializes in mouse models of CRC); and (2) the Cancer Prevention and Control Program (CPCP, 2000 - present –which specializes in the epidemiology of cancer and lifestyle intervention trials for cancer, with a focus on cancer disparities). Hypothesis We hypothesize that an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention will reverse metabolic dysfunction, and this will be associated with reduced inflammation as indicated by Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), IGF-1, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, Interleukin 6, and C-Reactive Protein, and a more favorable microbiome signature. Conclusion Results from this work will address the role of metabolic dysregulation in relation to factors that are known to be important in carcinogenesis, that therefore could have profound effects on EOCRC, have implications for other obesity-related cancers, and have great promise for moving the field forward by addressing mechanisms that drive large health-related disparities that consistently disfavor African Americans.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) is a rare disorder that includes a variety of symptoms primarily affecting the skin, lung, and kidneys. Specific manifestations include fibrofolliculomas, lungs cysts, and variants of renal cell carcinoma. This case describes a 49-year-old male with Birt-Hogg-Dubé presenting with bilateral lung cysts resulting in two spontaneous pneumothoraxes in the span of six months. Surgical intervention and future goals of care are discussed given the patient’s high risk of recurrence.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The University of South Carolina U101 Program continues to be ranked the number one first-year experience in the nation and much of that achievement can be attributed to the peer leadership program. The program plays a large part in promoting academic success, aiding in transition, and giving students an immediate community to feel recognized within. In my college career, I was able to devote my time to being a peer leader for 56 first-year students as well as work as a Senior Peer Leader in the Teacher as Manager course, EDLP 520. Working with these students proved to be greatly beneficial for me. In these roles, I became more familiar with various learning styles, honed my skills in effective communication, and adapted to the dynamic needs of the classroom environment. It was in this context that I experienced significant growth as a leader. During my presentation, I will delve into the insights I’ve gained about my personal capabilities both inside and outside the classroom, reflecting on how the University 101 program has influenced my college journey and equipped me for navigating life beyond academia.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Nuclear fusion reactions power the sun and are currently being researched as a viable alternative energy source on earth. Fusion operates by joining together two hydrogen-isotope nuclei to form a helium atom and a high energy neutron. However, there are many challenges that are posed in this process. Aside from the large energy requirements to make this a reality on earth, there are also concerns related to the treatment of the radioactive materials that result as byproducts, such as tritiated ammonia. In the reaction, tritium is used as a starting material but will react with nitrogen to form tritiated ammonia. Due to the limited quantities of tritium, there is a goal to recycle the tritium back to the reactor to fuel the fusion process. Therefore, it is advantageous to catalytically decompose the tritiated ammonia that is produced and recycle the tritium back to the reactor. This study determined an optimal trimetallic ruthenium-based catalyst for the decomposition of tritiated ammonia. To determine the weight loadings of ruthenium, yttrium, and potassium for the catalyst, a statistical design of experiments was conducted, and the catalyst’s activity was tested with 5% ammonia balanced in both argon and hydrogen over a temperature range of 250°C-450°C. The catalytic activity decreased when tested in a hydrogen balance due to hydrogen poisoning. To reduce the effects of hydrogen poisoning, a palladium membrane was utilized, and it was found that when the inlet ammonia concentration was 4 vol%, only 2 ppm of ammonia was detected in the outlet, which demonstrates the high activity of the catalyst. The reaction conditions were also changed to mimic the conditions of the fusion reactor to determine the thermal and chemical stability of the catalyst. While imposing a thermal cycle between 25°C-450°C, the catalyst was found to be stable when placed in a reducing environment. To test the chemical stability of the catalyst, it was exposed to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The impurities had an initial negative effect on the catalytic activity; however, the catalyst reached stability and full conversion over time.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Peer leading plays a crucial role in many challenging courses and aspects of life, benefiting not only the teachers and students but also peer leaders. Over the past five semesters, I've been a part of the Student Success Center, initially as a Peer Financial Consultant (PFC) and later transitioning into a Supplemental Instructor (SI) during my junior year. My motivation for joining the SSC came from many places. I sought to share the knowledge and skills I had acquired, contribute to my personal development, and participate in fostering a collaborative culture of learning within our USC community. From assisting students with financial matters to leading supplemental instruction sessions, I've directly interacted with hundreds of students, supporting them in achieving their academic and financial goals. Through this enriching experience, I've not only positively impacted my peers, but also greatly enhanced my own educational and personal growth. I've cultivated essential qualities such as empathy, patience, and effective communication, while also supporting the creation of a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This journey was very significant to me, echoing my dedication to academic excellence and professional and civic engagement.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Most people are familiar with the biomedical applications of tissue scaffolds. However, tissue scaffolds can also be utilized as an animal-friendly way to engineer cell-based meat that produces lower carbon dioxide emissions than the current meat industry. Various types of scaffolds exist, as well as different modes of scaffold and tissue preparation. This research highlights methods that have been documented in recent decades to support the growth of in-vitro skeletal muscle tissue for the purpose of cell-based meat production. The research that was carried out was literature-based, and this presentation is entirely focused on methods that have been utilized by past research teams to produce cell-based meat scaffolds and areas of improvement.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In the summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to get experience with an internship at the AI Institute. Here, I worked with a multidisciplinary team to analyze medical data on preterm infants. The aim was to apply data science to predict sepsis in pre-terms, a critical challenge in neonatal care. This work showed the importance of integrating computer science with healthcare. Demonstrating a practical application of Uncle Iroh's wisdom: drawing insights from various fields to avoid rigidity in problem-solving. The internship involved a detailed analysis of data collected from nurses across five universities and hospitals. The approach combined data cleaning, exploratory data analysis, and the application of predictive modelling techniques to identify patterns indicative of sepsis in preterm babies. Collaboration was key. As I held discussions with doctors and medical interns to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the findings. This interdisciplinary method emphasized the importance of leveraging expertise from various domains. While specific outcomes of the research are confidential, the process led to a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to sepsis in preterm infants and improved predictive models. The internship experience underscored the potential of data science in transforming healthcare by providing actionable insights that can lead to better patient outcomes. The findings from this internship reinforced the initial belief in the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Applying computer science techniques in the medical field not only broadened my skill set but also provided a unique perspective on solving healthcare challenges. This experience has implications for future research, particularly in exploring other areas where data science can be applied to improve healthcare outcomes. The internship was a profound learning experience, emphasizing the significance of drawing wisdom from different disciplines. It has solidified my interest in applying computer science to healthcare and underscored the impact of technology in advancing medical care. Through this experience, I have gained valuable insights into the complexities of neonatal care and the potential for data science to make a meaningful difference.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The conventional methods of energy generation have been found to have a detrimental impact on the environment. As a result, researchers are actively investigating alternative, clean, and renewable sources of energy. Among these options, solar power has emerged as a highly efficient and sustainable means of generating electricity. One of the methods for employing solar power Is the utilization of concentrated solar power systems (CSPs) systems where heat energy is stored in heat transfer fluids (HTFs) from mirrors or lenses that are positioned to concentrate sunlight to a small area. Traditional HTFs that have been used in the past to produce steam for energy production include Therminol VP-1 (eutectic mixture of biphenyl and diphenyl oxide), thermal oil, and molten salt. The problems associated with traditional HTFs are high melting points and low decomposition temperatures which increase operation costs, reduce system efficiency, and diminish energy storage potential. Ionic liquids are a class of organic salts that have low melting points, low volatility, low flammability, and high thermal conductivity which make them ideal candidates for HTFs. Additionally, ionic liquids have been found to possess negligible vapor pressure and high thermal stability that simplify the heat transfer process. Nanoparticle-enhanced ionic liquids (NEILs) are a new class of HTFs created by dispersing metal/metal oxide nanoparticles into ionic fluid. Subsequently, metallic nanoparticles have high thermal conductivities and thereby increase the thermal properties of NEILs. Although the thermophysical properties of NEILs have escalated, little research has been conducted to demonstrate their feasibility in existing CSPs. In order for NEILs to be utilized on a commercial scale, it is imperative that they can be employed without incurring expensive modifications to CSPs. A crucial aspect that necessitates investigation is the efficiency of pumping NEILs within the confines of pre-existing CSPs. Here it is proposed to show a comprehensive study of the pressure drop of nanoparticle-enhanced ionic liquids (NEILs) compared to other currently used heat transfer fluids in concentrated solar power plants.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The key to successfully transitioning to college has always been developing meaningful connections within the new college environment. In my three years as a Resident Assistant at Preston Residential College, I have had the privilege of cultivating meaningful connections with my residents, playing an essential and positive role in their transition to college. Prioritizing empathy in all my interactions, I dedicated myself to fostering an environment of support and inclusion. My desire to serve as a Resident Assistant stemmed from my deep-rooted passion to support others in their times of greatest need. In this role, I saw the impact of seemingly small gestures, like remembering names and offering a listening ear, on my residents. These simple acts opened doors to meaningful connections and taught me the fundamentals of building trust. Alongside strengthening my administrative, crisis, and risk management skills, this role expanded my social network by 90 peers. I take pride in having built and maintained the majority of these connections today. The same passion that guided me in this role has also fueled my ambition to pursue a career as a physician. As I apply to medical school after graduation, I am confident that the skills I have gained, particularly in relationship building and fostering success, will be extremely valuable in the next chapter of my life.
9:30-11:00 a.m.file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/Nicolas-Checa-Abstract-Text.html
9:30-11:00 a.m.As artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more advanced and readily available, so is its impact on people. AI is rapidly progressing in its ability to generate realistic faces and videos, which has significant social implications when considering the advancements of deepfakes—which are realistically generated videos of real people who can be made to say/do anything— and virtual friends/influencers. Prior research suggests that the brain is typically able to distinguish between photo-realistic, artificially generated images and authentic images, even if the individual does not know they perceive the difference (Moshel et al., 2022; Tarchi et al., 2023). It is unknown how this processing intertwines with processing at different levels of facial familiarity. This study aims to identify how the brain differentiates between (1) AI generated faces and real faces and (2) familiar intimate (friend), familiar non-intimate (celebrity), and unfamiliar (stranger) faces using electroencephalograph (EEG) recording. We expect that there will be a difference in amplitude between the familiar and unfamiliar faces (Collins et al., 2018) and between AI generated faces and real faces. There may be less of a difference in response to AI-generated faces and real ones for white faces, as AI tends to be trained with majority white facial data, so those faces appear more realistic (Miller et al., 2023). To do this, we will use AI programs on photos of the participants’ friends to generate the AI-generated stranger photos and match known celebrities to friends based on similar facial features, which allows for the generated images and matched celebrities to share facial commonalities to the friends while still being unfamiliar and/or non-intimate. To better establish differences in responses to AI generated photos and real photos, we will also include real photos of strangers that are matched to the friend photo based on age, gender, and race. We will examine adolescent and adult brain responses to faces based upon type (photograph versus AI) and context (familiar friend, familiar celebrity, stranger). Amplitude and latency will be extracted for the three primary EEG outcomes, post-face onset: P1 component (80-150ms), N170 (180-300ms), and P2 component (180-300ms).
1:00-2:30 p.m.GeSb2Te4 has widespread applications in thermoelectricity, memory devices, and quantum information process. We have successfully synthesized GeSb2Te4 single crystals by the modified Bridgeman method. Its electrical resistivity exhibits metallic behavior in temperatures between 2 K and 400 K. Positive Hall coefficient (R_{H}) suggests dominant holelike carriers with carrier concentration to be 7.2 x 1020 cm^-3 at the room temperature. While it is both temperature and magnetic field dependent, the magnetoresistance (MR) falls into a single curve when plotted as a function of H/\rho_{0}, where H is the magnetic field and \rho_{0} is the resistivity at 0 T. This indicates that the system follows Kohler’s rule, reflecting the semimetallic electronic structure of GeSb2Te4. Moreover, MR shows linear field dependence above ~ 6 T at all measured temperatures, which can be attributed to its nontrivial topology of the electronic structure.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Flowering plants are incredibly important organisms in Earth’s ecosystems and the study of molecular processes within plants has exploded in recent years. Arabidopsis thaliana is a model organism that is used in laboratories across the world for the study of cellular and molecular processes in plants. GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR 2 (GRF2) is a transcription factor that promotes leaf growth in Arabidopsis. It is a member of a family of transcription factors that is conserved across all land plants. Previous studies have characterized GRF2 expression in leaves, but GRF2 expression in floral organs has not been studied as extensively. GRF2 acts redundantly with other members of the GRF transcription factor family during floral development. grf1/2/3/5 quadruple mutants show malformed gynoecia, severe fusions between floral organs, and a reduction in the number of stamens and/or petals. These defects are much more severe than in grf1/3/5 triple mutants. Here, we created a pGRF2:GUS transcriptional reporter to visualize the transcriptional activity of the GRF2 gene in Arabidopsis flowers. Inflorescences from transformed plants were embedded in wax and sectioned via microtome. Tissues that express the GUS enzyme under the transcriptional control of the GRF2 promoter are stained blue, allowing us to visualize the transcriptional activity of GRF2. We found that GRF2 is expressed in the inflorescence meristem and broadly in young flowers. The staining is somewhat variable with dark spots of GUS staining visible in some tissue sections. Further work is needed to elucidate the regulatory networks responsible for controlling GRF2 expression. In particular, additional translational reporters are being made to investigate whether GRF2 expression is regulated by MIR396a in flowers, as it is in leaves. This study provides valuable insights into the expression of GRF2 in Arabidopsis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive intracellular bacterium, can cause invasive disease, often dismissed initially as viral gastroenteritis before progressing to neurolisteriosis in immunocompromised individuals. We present a case of an elderly patient with listeria bacteremia and signs of rhombencephalitis. Aim: In the era of nucleic acid amplification tests such as PCR, there may be a tendency to rely unilaterally on these tests for diagnostic decision-making. The common meningoencephalitis panel may miss Listeria monocytogenes below 1000 CFU/mL due to its reliance on a single undisclosed gene target. This case underlines neurolisteriosis, identified through positive blood cultures and clinical signs, despite negative cerebrospinal fluid studies. Case presentation: An 86-year-old woman, receiving prednisone and biweekly tocilizumab for giant-cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica, presented with a 3-day decline in function. She had an ataxic gait but was afebrile on initial emergency room evaluation. Laboratory data is included in Table 1. CT scans of the head, abdomen, and pelvis were unremarkable. Twenty-seven hours later, two sets of blood cultures collected on admission, revealed aerobic and anaerobic growth of gram-positive rods. Later, identified as Listeria monocytogenes. This triggered an infectious disease consultation with further workup including transthoracic and then transesophageal echocardiograms with no valvular vegetations. MRI brain with and without contrast revealed new infiltrative signal abnormalities affecting the cerebellum and pons. A lumbar puncture with 17 cm H2O opening pressure and 12 mL of blood-tinged spinal fluid was obtained. An analysis of this is outlined in Table 2. Intravenous Ampicillin 2 g every 4 hours was planned for six weeks along with Gentamicin 3 mg/kg/day of which she tolerated for one week. Post-treatment, she followed in the infectious disease clinic where she showed improvement with no residual neurological sequelae. A Follow-up MRI brain proved the resolution of the earlier abnormalities. Conclusion: Listeria monocyogenes rhomboencephalitis is a rare entity of the neurolisteriosis spectrum with high mortality and morbidity associated with significant neurological sequelae. Advanced diagnostics, while helpful, need to be interpreted in the context of their limitations and the larger clinical picture. Incorporating history and physical exams remains the cornerstone of diagnosis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that can cause favorable blood circulation, muscle growth, and recovery outcomes. Due to its significant impact on vasodilation, studies related to nutritional support of nitric oxide production may provide insight on racial and ethnic differences in cardiovascular related outcomes. Because of this, racial and ethnic representation in nitric oxide production research is important. Purpose: To evaluate current reporting of race and ethnicity of participants in sports science research regarding nitric oxide promoting nutritional supplementation. Methods: Five thousand sixteen academic papers published in top sport science journals between 2018 and 2023 were initially identified. An initial screening of the abstracts revealed that of these papers, thirty-seven included either nitric oxide, nitrate, citrulline- malate, L-citrulline, beetroot, or pomegranate as the supplement being studied. Full-text screening was used to extract information on reported race and ethnicity, study country, participant demographics, sport, and competition level. Prevalence of reporting race/ethnicity was evaluated using frequencies and percentages; all other study characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the thirty-seven identified studies on nitric oxide promoting supplementation, no studies (0%) reported race as participant demographics. Only one study (3%) reported ethnicity (non-Hispanic). Thirteen studies were conducted in the United States, seven in the UK, and the rest (n=17) were conducted in other countries. Recreational athletes were studied in twenty-nine of the thirty-seven studies. The remaining studies (n=8) had participants that were either college, professional, or master athletes. Conclusion: Results demonstrate that there is low prevalence of reporting race and ethnicity in nitric oxide supplement research and there were no studies that examined the differences between racial and ethnic participants in relation to the effect of nitric oxide supplementation. Reporting of racial and ethnic profile has important performance, recovery, and health implications for nitric oxide supplementation. Future studies should evaluate this supplement to determine if it plays a role in the different cardiovascular outcomes between races.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Race and ethnicity are major determinants of body composition, including fat and fat-free mass and distribution. In turn, body composition is a significant factor affecting sport performance, injury risk/prevention, training, and nutritional interventions. Due to high racial and ethnic representation within sport, it is important to account for race and ethnicity in studies characterizing body composition to ensure valid representation of athletic populations and accurately apply the findings. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of reporting the racial and ethnic profile of athletes in body composition research. Methods: Fifty-two studies pertaining to body composition with an athletic population were identified from an initial pool of 5,016 sports science studies. Studies were deemed eligible for inclusion if they included a healthy collegiate or professional athletic population with a mean age ≥ 18 years and assessed body composition components such as fat mass, fat-free mass/lean mass, body mass, or body fat percentage. From the included studies, prevalence of reporting race/ethnicity was evaluated using frequencies and percentages. Other participant characteristics, including country, mean age, sport, and competition level were also extracted. Results: Approximately 13% (n=7) of studies reported race/ethnicity in their participant data. The most reported race/ethnicity was Caucasian/white (n=5 studies), followed by Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (n=2), other (non-specified; n=2), Asian (n=1), African American/Black (n=1), and Hispanic (n=1). An additional 10% (n=5) of studies reported entering race/ethnicity into body composition software but did not report race/ethnicity in participant data. Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of reporting race/ethnicity among athletes in body composition research. The majority of those studies reported Caucasian/white participant populations suggesting an uneven and insufficient representation of race and ethnicity in research investigating body composition. Future studies should aim to report race/ethnicity in participant demographics as it would allow for more accurate applications of the findings.
9:30-11:00 a.m.BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with impaired glucose metabolism which is thought to play a role in a variety of obesity-linked comorbidities. These metabolic impairments are evident in the liver as it plays a pivotal role in glucose metabolism. Thus, developing liver-centric therapies is a viable option to remedy the metabolic perturbations seen in obesity. Administration of systemic exogenous sex steroids has previously been shown to beneficially impact metabolic processes, however, the off-target effects and potential negative health risks associated with global steroid therapies hinder their use clinically. Therefore, there is a critical need to understand the tissue-specific effects of steroid action to develop targeted therapeutics which bypass any potential unwanted side effects. PURPOSE: The purpose of these experiments was to interrogate the role of liver estrogen receptor alpha (ERα ) as well as aromatase expression in regulating metabolic outcomes as well as the potential therapeutic applications. METHODS: We developed three novel mouse models that allow for inducible deletion of liver estrogen receptor alpha (Liver- ERα ID), inducible overexpression of liver ERα (Liver-ERα↑), as well as inducible aromatase overexpression in the liver (Liver-Arom↑). Male mice were fed either a purified LFD or HFD for 13 weeks Liver-Arom↑ and Liver-ERα↑ study, and only HFD was given to the Liver- ERα ID study for 13 weeks. Body weight was assessed throughout the course of the experiment, while body composition (DEXA), glucose tolerance tests, and insulin tolerance tests were performed near the termination of dietary treatment. RESULTS: Each genetic manipulation had little to no effect on bodyweight, however, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance test results were impaired with aromatase overexpression and estrogen receptor alpha deletion in the liver, however, estrogen receptor alpha overexpression lead to an improved glucose tolerance test with significantly lowered insulin levels independent of changes to liver weight or adiposity metrics. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a Goldilocks principle in estrogen receptor signaling within the liver, where an excess of ligand-receptor interaction is undesirable, complete deletion is harmful, and elevated expression of estrogen receptor alpha could achieve the optimal level.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological processes such as heart rate and blood pressure. The two branches of the ANS, the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) systems, are activated in stressful and restful conditions, respectively. Their combined complementary action is referred to as autonomic activity. In this project, we implemented two measures, the sympathetic activity index (SAI) and the parasympathetic activity index (PAI), as defined by Valenza et al. [1], to characterize ANS activation in clinical populations. To evaluate these indices, we used an ECG dataset from PhysioNet comprising ten subjects recorded during postural changes (slow tilt, fast tilt, stand up, rest) [2]. From the literature, we expected the SAI to dominate in slow tilt, fast tilt, and stand up, and PAI during rest. We used this expectation to validate the behavior of the indices. This method models heartbeat dynamics as a function of a weighted sum of past inter-beat intervals and Laguerre functions. We used the recursive least square method to estimate model parameters. The indices were calculated at each time t as a combination of parameters and clinically derived sympathetic and parasympathetic coefficients. Our preliminary results show the average correlation between SAI and postural angle as -0.1528, PAI and postural angle as 0.1370, and SAI and PAI as .1319. Although sharp changes in SAI and PAI values at the transition between postures support their sensitivity to ANS modulations, the directionality of these correlations is opposite to expectations and needs further investigation. SAI and PAI have great potential to assess the dynamics of the ANS. Monitoring this system is essential for conditions characterized by a dysregulation of the ANS like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Pathological mechanisms in such conditions may affect SNS and PNS differently, highlighting the importance of reliably assessing their separate influences. In future work, we plan to apply these indices to ECG recordings in ASD to better understand and monitor this condition. [1] Valenza G, et al. (2018) J Appl Physiol. 125(1):19-39. [2] Heldt T, Oefinger MB, Hoshiyama M, Mark RG. (2003) Comput Cardiol, 30:263–266.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Greek life at the University of South Carolina has played a pivotal role in my college experience. Joining Alpha Gamma Delta has allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals who have helped me grow socially, personally, and mentally. In the spring of 2022, I learned that my sorority would no longer have a house on campus due to our lease ending with the fraternity we were leasing from. With the importance that a house holds in Greek Life, I had to decide if I was up for the challenge of running as Chapter President, and ready to navigate the issues that come with such drastic housing changes. As it turns out, I was more ready than I thought. Through my time serving as Chapter President, I was able to be an advocate for my chapter while we determined the best course of action for this unchartered territory. Although this new, unexpected chapter of life was thrown upon the sorority, we were greatly supported by our international headquarters to solve the issue at hand. I worked closely with my sorority’s international headquarters to address this issue with the help from Chapter members who served on the housing committee previously and currently. From the time that I served as Chapter President, I learned to become confident in my decision-making skills, how to communicate effectively, and be the voice for many. My presentation will discuss the knowledge I gained from being my sorority’s advocate and the impact it had on my leadership development.
9:30-11:00 a.m.PERK, an ER resident protein kinase senses ER stress to activate signaling pathways for restoring cellular homeostasis. PERK phosphorylates the α subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), which prevents translation initiation, leading to a decrease in general protein synthesis while allowing induction of selected genes (e. g. ATF4) that promote cellular recovery. PKR is another protein kinase that phosphorylates eIF2α, however, it is normally activated by double-stranded RNA present during viral infections. Previous research from our lab has shown that PKR is activated in response to ER stress by its protein activator PACT. Although it was established previously that PACT phosphorylation in response to ER stress is essential for PKR interaction and activation, the identity of the kinase that phosphorylates PACT has remained unknown. I hypothesized that PERK phosphorylates PACT directly, which in turn binds to and activates PKR. To test this, I compared the activation of PERK and PKR in PERK, PKR, and PACT knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to that of wild type MEFs after inducing ER stress with tunicamycin. PERK and PACT deficient cells failed to activate PKR under ER stress indicating that PERK and PACT are essential for PKR activation. PACT and PKR deficient cells also showed delayed ATF4 induction indicating that PKR activation is essential for timely eIF2 phosphorylation leading to ATF4 induction. This suggests that PKR is activated by PACT after ER stress in a PERK dependent manner and that PACT may be a direct substrate of PERK. Further research to demonstrate a direct interaction of PACT with PERK using coimmunoprecipitation analysis, and PERK kinase assays to test direct phosphorylation of PACT by PERK will conclusively prove PERK’s essential role in activating PKR via PACT after ER stress.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Invasive species pose a severe threat to ecosystems by preying on native species, outcompeting native species for resources, and lowering biodiversity. Blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, are a predatory fish native to freshwater river basins in North America. Through stocking, blue catfish were introduced to the southeastern United States, and they are now considered an invasive species. The impacts of invasive blue catfish have been extensively studied in the Chesapeake Bay region but are understudied in the southeast, including South Carolina. This research aims to quantify the diet of juvenile blue catfish in Winyah Bay, an open-water estuarine ecosystem that drains a large, impacted watershed in South Carolina. Findings from this research will provide insight into the ecology of blue catfish in estuaries, predator-prey dynamics within Winyah Bay, and the impact of blue catfish on native prey populations. With this information, we can develop constructive management strategies to reduce their negative impacts on critical coastal ecosystems.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The estrogen receptor-positive subtype of breast cancer (ER+BC) represents the majority of breast cancer diagnoses in clinical practice, highlighting the urgent need to research effective therapeutic strategies targeting this subtype. While several cell lines derived from human ER+BC tumors are widely used in cancer research, the use of such cell lines for in vivo studies is challenging, since their growth as xenografts in immunodeficient mice requires frequently toxic estrogen supplementation, and estrogen-supplemented xenograft tumors still grow slowly. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models have emerged as indispensable models for cancer research, largely maintaining heterogeneity of the patient’s tumor, in contrast to immortalized cell lines. In our in vivo efficacy studies of drug combinations, we turned to PEN027, a PDX model derived from the ER+ aggressive human tumor. We found that PEN027 PDX was growing very rapidly and did not require estrogen supplementation. We used this PDX model to investigate the interaction of palbociclib (IBRANCE®), an inhibitor of the cell cycle-promoting cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), approved by the FDA for the treatment of ER+BC, with SNX631, an inhibitor of transcription-regulating Mediator kinases CDK8/19. Combining these two drugs extended the survival PEN027-bearing mice relative to mice receiving vehicle control or individua drugs. However, despite its initial classification as ER+ BC, PEN027 was found to lack estrogen receptor expression at both protein and RNA levels, presenting a puzzling deviation from expected characteristics. Furthermore, RNAseq data revealed a staggering 99.83% alignment to mouse-specific genes, corroborated by qPCR findings. Analysis of the expression of 119 lineage markers from RNAseq suggests that PEN027 are likely to be of murine hematological origin. These findings indicate that PEN027 represents an aggressive mouse tumor that spontaneously arose during the initial propagation of the human PDX in mice, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive characterization of PDX models.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder in USA, the first two being essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease and gaining mechanistic knowledge about its pathobiology is essential for effective therapies. Therapies currently available are invasive procedures such as deep brain stimulation or frequent botulinum toxin injections, it is critical to understand the underlying mechanisms leading to dystonia. A maladaptive integrated stress response (ISR) involving dysregulation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF2) mediated signaling is observed in DYT-PRKRA patient cells. Recent research has indicated that dysregulated eIF2 signaling is a convergent mechanism in etiologically diverse, genetically inherited primary dystonias. Secondary dystonia is triggered by antipsychotic therapy, and in this study, we investigated if ISR is induced in response to antipsychotic drugs possibly leading to drug-induced dystonia (DID). This was done by using western blot analysis to study induction of the transcription factor ATF4 after endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with or without prior treatment with the antipsychotic drugs. Our results indicate that the antipsychotic drugs alter the ISR by either changing the intensity or the duration of the response. Precise regulation of eIF2 signaling in neurons is critical and both up- or down-regulation of ISR pathway can have significant negative consequences. To investigate the effects of antipsychotics on neuronal function, a mouse neural crest-derived cell line was used, the induction of ATF4 and its target gene CHOP were investigated in response to treatment with antipsychotics. Results showed that all 7 antipsychotics induced ATF4 and CHOP expression, demonstrating that antipsychotics activate ISR in neuronal cells. To characterize any involvement the known ISR kinases, we tested the effect of C16, GCN2iB, GSK2656157 inhibitors on ATF4 induction by Aripiprazole. Results indicate that C-16 and GSK2656157 attenuate ATF4/CHOP expression, thereby indicating that Aripiprazole activates PERK as well as PKR. Some studies have indicated that modulation of ISR may contribute to neuroprotection and/or neuronal development as measured by neurite outgrowth in N2A cells. Thus, future studies will include investigating effects of antipsychotics on neurite outgrowth using High-Content Imaging/Analysis. The results will offer important mechanistic knowledge about the pathobiology of DID.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Hyperbilirubinemia is a common condition affecting over half of term and preterm infants in the first week of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening all neonates for elevated bilirubin levels within the first 72 hours of life via either a total serum bilirubin measurement (TsB) or via transcutaneous bilirubinometry (TcB). Although TsB measurements are considered the gold standard for hyperbilirubinemia screening, TcB measurements offer the benefits of being a non-invasive, pain-free tool that can be repeated easily and provides instantaneous results. Implementing a protocol for the use of TcB measurements for term and late preterm infants can help reduce patient discomfort and complications in addition to reducing overall health costs. Chart review was conducted using the slicer dicer feature on epic. Patient lists were sorted by pulling patient charts who met the following parameters: Gestational age at delivery of greater than 246 days, patient's born at Prisma Health Richland, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery. The pre-intervention group included infants that met the previously listed parameters who were born from January 1, 2022 through January 30, 2022. The post-intervention group included infants that met the previously listed parameters who were born from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. A total of 133 infants qualified for the pre-intervention group. 63 of the 133 infants were screened with transcutaneous bilirubin measurement as their initial hyperbilirubinemia screening with 70 of the 133 screened with serum total bilirubin measurements. The rate of transcutaneous bilirubin measurements as the initial screening for hyperbilirubinemia in the pre-intervention group was 47%. A total of 172 infants qualified for the post-intervention group. 114 of the 172 infants were screened with transcutaneous bilirubin measurement as their initial hyperbilirubinemia screening with 58 of the 172 screened with serum total bilirubin measurements. The rate of transcutaneous bilirubin measurements as the initial screening for hyperbilirubinemia in the post-intervention group was 66%. Our results showed an improvement of 19% for the use of transcutaneous bilirubin measurement for the initial screening for hyperbilirubinemia.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The immunometabolite itaconate accumulates during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of macrophages and microglia. Itaconate non-enzymatically reacts with cysteine residues to generate 2,3-dicarboxypropylcysteine (2,3-DCP), referred to as protein dicarboxypropylation. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolite fumarate non-enzymatically reacts with the amino acid cysteine to form S-(2-succino)-cysteine (2SC), resulting in irreversible protein succination. Since fumarate and itaconate levels dynamically change in activated immune cells, the levels of both 2SC and 2,3-DCP reflect the abundance of these metabolites and their capacity to modify protein structure and function. We generated esters of 2SC and 2,3-DCP from protein hydrolysates and used stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine the abundance of these in LPS-stimulated Highly Aggressively Proliferating Immortalized (HAPI) microglia. Itaconate derived 2,3-DCP, but not fumarate derived 2SC, increased in LPS-treated HAPI microglia. Stoichiometric measurements demonstrated that 2,3-DCP increased from 1.57 to 9.07% of total cysteines upon LPS stimulation. This methodology was extended to the quantification of 2SC in serum from experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) mice treated with the fumarate ester, dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an immunosuppressive compound. As expected, DMF resulted in pronounced succination resulting in elevated 2SC levels. The quantification of 2SC in serum samples may have utility for monitoring DMF exposure in patients treated with DMF for multiple sclerosis (marketed as Tecfidera®). Lymphocyte counts are routinely measured in patients treated with DMF to prevent severe lymphopenia, while also suppressing disease relapses. Monitoring 2SC levels may provide a direct measurement of the effect of fumarate esters on irreversible cysteine modification in at-risk patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The need for sugar within the European countries was high and strong causing the farming industries to become much more commercialized. Sugar as a delicacy, drove much of the slave trade within the Caribbean and created the need for an inexpensive labor resource. Using slavery to lower the expenses for harvesting and growing the high amount of sugar, colonizer countries were able to create more money than lose it. One of the most important things in agriculture is ensuring that you can make a profit off of the product that you are growing and selling. This also includes knowing if you can make money based off of how much work and money you are putting into the product. By not paying for labor with slavery, you are able to cut down the cost of production and create larger industries off of less money. Also, the slave trade itself, helped to make sugar a worldwide commodity. By creating such cheap labor, European countries were able to make sugar a needed product all throughout the world and made it much more mainstream than it usually was. This led to the creation of Colonization causing large scale sale in products that were not usually a mainstream product. This became a trend in colonization countries but was popularized by the need for sugar and the use of slaves to make such a cheap labor source.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In 1986 and 2011, the infamous Chernobyl and Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disasters occurred, respectively. Following the release of large amounts of radioactive contamination, exclusion zones were created to surround each site and minimize citizen exposure. In the absence of anthropogenic disturbances, native animal populations remain and freely roam each zone. We examined how the interaction of chronic radiation exposure, a lack of human disturbance, and environmental variables influence the distribution and abundance of Sus scrofa (wild boar) in Fukushima and Chernobyl. A camera trap network was established in each zone to capture images of medium- to large-sized mammals and it was hypothesized that cameras in areas of high ambient radiation would record fewer sightings of wild boar than those in areas of low ambient radiation. Additionally, because the Fukushima accident is more recent, it was hypothesized that the relative abundance of wild boar would increase each year during the study period whereas Chernobyl’s would remain relatively constant because its population has had more time to rebuild and stabilize. Based on the camera trap data, ecological models were developed to discern which factors most strongly influence wild boar distribution. Moreover, a relative abundance index (RAI) was calculated at each camera per year to quantify changes in population size. In Fukushima, wild boar abundance exhibited an increasing trend each year but Chernobyl’s numbers were variable, not exhibiting a clear pattern. Across both sites, however, radiation levels did not prove to be the most important variable driving boar distribution, falling behind some environmental factors. Ultimately, this work is important for differentiating the acute and chronic effects of ionizing radiation exposure on wild boar populations and adding to the limited body of knowledge on the ecological effects of nuclear disasters.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Pentobarbital is an important medication used in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting for multiple diagnoses including status epilepticus, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and sedation. However, the use of pentobarbital in intubated patients increases their risk of developing a ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) due to the immunosuppressive qualities of this drug. The use of famotidine (Pepcid), MetaNebs and Pulmozyme has been shown to reduce incidences of VAP in intubated patients individually, but there have been few studies analyzing their cumulative effect on the incidence of VAP. The goal of this quality improvement project is to create a Pentobarbital order set, including the order for the pentobarbital, along with preventative famotidine, MetaNebs and Pulmozyme, with the aim of decreasing the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in intubated patients in the Prisma Health Midlands PICU requiring pentobarbital by 10% within a year of this order set going live. This QI study then utilized retrospective chart review for data collection. The charts of patients who were given the diagnosis of VAP prior to the release of this Pentobarbital order panel were isolated using the Slicer Dicer feature of Epic and their charts were then thoroughly reviewed for gastrointestinal (GI) prophylaxis, use of MetaNebs and the use of Pulmozyme. Then, the charts of patients who developed VAPs and requiring pentobarbital after the release of the Pentobarbital order panel were also reviewed. These pre- and post-intervention patients and their orders were then compared in a systematic fashion. In the Prisma Health Midlands PICU from 2018-2022, prior to the release of the Pentobarbital order panel, 50% of the VAPs were associated with pentobarbital usage. After the release of the Pentobarbital order set, in all patients receiving pentobarbital, there were no cases of VAPs. The Pentobarbital order set created from this QI project is successful at decreasing the incidence of VAP in ventilated patients in the Prisma Health Midlands PICU who require pentobarbital.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Recent seismic studies have proven that the inner core is seismically anisotropic with the western hemisphere recording stronger anisotropy than the eastern hemisphere. This anisotropy, measured with PKIKP waves that traverse the inner core, increases with depth in the inner core along a temperature and pressure gradient. The anisotropy is thought to result from preferred alignment of iron crystals caused by deformation as the inner core grows. Using previous ab initio calculations that determine properties of iron at varying temperatures and pressures, we are seeking to determine through visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) modelling which light element (C, O, S, or Si) mostly likely comprises the inner core. First, we use pre-calculated isothermal and isobaric elastic constants (Cij) of eight different hexagonally close packed Fe-X alloy single crystals (Zhang et al., 2022) and interpolate across the pressure and temperature range of the inner core. For each Fe-X alloy, we then use VPSC to calculate the effect of the growing inner core on the alignment of these single crystals at all pressures and temperatures within the inner core. Lastly, we compare each light element’s simulated inner core anisotropy with seismically observed PKIKP travel time anomalies to determine which best matches, thus mostly likely comprises the inner core. The current best fit is Fe60O4 at 2000K and 340 GPa; however, this is highly subject to change as there are further Fe-X alloys to test. Given that any of the eight Fe-light element alloys tested here closely fit the observed anisotropy models, it can be determined that the crystals comprising the inner core are hexagonally close packed as opposed to perfectly aligned [1 1 1] body centered cubic iron as argued in the past. Additionally, this work will provide more insight regarding Earth’s formation, age, and thermal geodynamic elastic properties.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Medical education was replaced with necessary medical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic¹. As such, there is a generation of young doctors who did not have the same pre-clinical experience or clinical rotations as in years past. To better assess intern comfort level and ability at performing a physical exam, and then describing those findings, the intern class of Prisma Health-Midlands in 2022 were asked a series of questions pertaining to their comfort level of performing physical exam maneuvers. Interactive, in-person lectures on organ based systems were created and taught to interns after the completion of the survey. Afterwards, interns were again asked on their comfort level and perceived ability to perform a competent physical exam. Interns was also surveyed for recommendations on improving the lectures. Overall, interns felt more comfortable with performing, explaining, and describing the exams and exam findings after the lectures.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time in Mexico, I spent most of my time with my grandparents. Even though I did not officially attend school over there, I still learned many valuable things. This was my first time outside the country and being away from my immediate family. When I first went at fifteen, I was not the greatest Spanish speaker and had to learn from my grandparents and cousin. The way that they spoke and the differences in cultures are something that I learned that I will never forget. I also learned about the Mayan language “Cho’l” and where it came from, by my cousins. This indigenous language was surprisingly everywhere in this region of Mexico and it was fascinating the way that it was blended in with their everyday Spanish. I wanted to keep learning as much as possible, but I only had a small amount of time there; therefore, when I returned, I decided to keep learning more about Mexico and the Spanish language so I took Spanish 109 and 110 in order to improve my Spanish and learn more about the culture.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This year I have had the opportunity to serve as an intern for the South Carolina House of Representatives Education and Public Works. The committee has six subcommittees, including K-12, Higher Education, Early Childhood, Public Safety, Transportation and Motor Vehicles. Throughout my time, I have worked closely with the representatives and staff of the committee. My primary roles included researching education policies and preparing for and attending meetings. I applied for my internship to learn more about the pivotal role education plays in shaping individuals and societies. I was eager to contribute to the development of policies that would enhance educational opportunities for all students. I saw my internship as an invaluable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of state government and expand my network in the field. I have gained insight into the legislative process and the development and implementation of policies. Over the last seven months, I have been able to enhance my research, analytical, and communication skills while also learning about educational challenges and opportunities. My internship has been a compelling factor in shaping my future career goals. Through my experiences with the committee, I have solidified my passion for advocating for children’s rights, which has motivated me to continue working towards creating a more inclusive educational system.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Obesity remains a pressing public health concern in America, with rates continuing to rise over recent decades. This complex condition stems from a number of factors, including genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and dietary habits. Studies have suggested a link between obesity and alterations in the innate immune response, particularly in the context of chronic low-grade inflammation. Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as fruit flies, serve as a valuable model organism for understanding various biological processes in humans, including immunity and metabolism. Recent research has focused on exploring the innate humoral immune system of fruit flies and its potential implications for human health, including obesity. The humoral immune response in flies involves the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which play a crucial role in defending against microbial pathogens. For this study, our goal is to better understand the link between obesogenic diets and chronic inflammation. Specifically, we investigate how high-sugar and high-fat diets impact the expression of AMPs in Drosophila melanogaster by utilizing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) as a molecular tool. In fruit flies, there are 20 AMPs across seven different classes that mediate immune defense against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and viruses. We have designed qRT-PCR primers to measure transcript expression for 17 AMPs and are currently testing their efficiency. Following primer validation, we will measure AMP expression from the fat body, which is the primary organ that mediates the immune response in fruit flies. We will test high-sugar and high-fat diets that vary in sugar and fat concentration across different time points. Ultimately, this research holds promise for informing strategies to combat diet-induced obesity-associated chronic inflammation and related metabolic disorders through targeted dietary interventions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I have always enjoyed being a leader. From student counsel to varsity sports, I feel so rewarded when I help others progress forward. The summer after my freshman year of college I served as an Orientation Leader for the University of South Carolina. I was part of a team of fifty-four other Orientation Leaders, and we worked together to lead new students around campus and introduce them to university culture. As an Orientation Leader, I had the opportunity to shape new student’s perspectives from the very beginning. I would take them to their academic colleges, facilitate important discussions, and help them register for classes. My role as an Orientation leader taught me the importance of communication and listening. I learned how to deliver information to a large audience and an intimate group. My connection to the university also grew as I learned about the history and traditions of USC. I gained an abundance of skills and knowledge from my time as an Orientation Leader.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: There is currently no standardization related to optimal intensive care unit (ICU) pharmacist coverage models related to patient outcomes. As a result, there may be wide variability in the number of patients and units that ICU pharmacists are responsible for. Pharmacists have become a regular part of the interdisciplinary team, with objective data demonstrating increased healthcare cost avoidance. As an ICU census or number of units covered increases, it is relatively unknown if this would hinder the pharmacist’s ability to provide the same level of care. Currently, there are several studies examining patient outcomes regarding intensivist or physician to patient ratio. Up to this point, however, there has not been any objective data examining patient outcomes related to ICU pharmacist-to-patient or pharmacist-to-unit ratio. This study aims to assess if increased ICU pharmacist unit coverage results in worse patient outcomes. Methods: This is a single part of a larger multi-center, observational cohort study. Patients admitted to an ICU at Prisma Health Richland between August 7th, 2023 and November 15th, 2023, for which the pharmacist covering the medical or cardiopulmonary ICU during first day of admission, were included. Data collection occurred in two phases: a prospective phase, where pharmacist-to-patient and pharmacist-to-unit ratios were collected, and a retrospective phase examining patient outcomes. Data collected consisted of hospital/ICU length of stay, mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, SOFA score at 24 hours from ICU admission, and MRC-ICU score. The primary outcome is ICU length of stay for patients seen by an ICU pharmacist covering one unit versus more than one unit during the first day of admission. Secondary outcomes include days of mechanical ventilation, and duration of hospital and ICU length of stay. Results: In progress Conclusions: In progress
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the summer, I worked as a technology consultant intern at Protiviti, a global consulting firm. My Protiviti internship experience consisted of hands-on client projects in SAP, many networking opportunities, and most notably, The Intern Challenge. The Intern Challenge was a four-day event that signaled the start of the internship, where all Protiviti interns from around the country were taught how to be a consultant and engaged in Protiviti’s culture. As a technology intern, I learned how to be an effective team member on a new team with diverse strengths and skillsets. We were challenged to approach a client’s business problem from a consultant perspective, collaborating to make decisions and find effective solutions, ask critical questions, and communicate important information to our managers and the client. One specific challenge we had to solve was within the client’s enterprise financial system, since they had user permissions incorrectly configured. This experience taught me how to translate the technical information I know regarding cybersecurity to my team members who were not as knowledgeable about technology. From there, our team could effectively brainstorm solutions, make a final decision about possible next steps, and relay our strategy to our manager and the client. Participating in The Intern Challenge reshaped how I can be an effective team member on a consulting team where members come from different backgrounds and was great preparation for my internship and my future career as a consultant.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Since I was a little girl, I found myself yearning to fulfill the need of being a part of something bigger than myself. I would find myself later in life at a large SEC school hoping to find my worth amongst a sea of students looking for the same thing. I joined Greek life my freshman year and was immediately enriched with the tools to pursue countless leadership roles. The summer going into senior year I would join the Panhellenic Recruitment Staff where I would take on the role of Potential New Member (PNM) Relations. On paper, I was advocating and enriching the experience of all girls going through the recruitment process. But the role was far beyond this. It is here that I learned just how important it is to have emotional awareness in a role where people are looking to you to be their voice. Continuously educating myself on the proper ways to address situations, becoming a strategical thinker, and knowing the impact you have on others are all tactics I learned to enhance my success in this role. Many times, it is not about how much you think you are ready for something, but how you will handle the pressure once a situation has arisen. To become a pivotal role in the lives of others while maintaining a voice of authority creates a balance that is often overshadowed by analytical aspects of a position. To dive into a position that makes everybody feel like somebody is a powerful tool that I learned that I will carry with me to every leadership position I take on.
9:30-11:00 a.m.At Discover USC I will be presenting a summary of my experience working with Pro Links Sports and the 3M Open. I worked with 9 other interns representing different majors, home states, levels of experience in the sports industry, etc. which was a great experience, but brought about many challenges. Throughout the summer we worked on many projects together that culminated in 4 Pro-Ams and a tournament hosting 100,000 people. I worked as the Corporate Partnerships and Pro-Am intern meaning I worked with our Pro-Am Director on the organization of 4 different Pro-Ams including a sponsors Pro-Am, a tournament suppliers Pro-Am, a celebrity Pro-Am, and a 3M Leadership Pro-Am, as well as worked on contract fulfillment for some of our tournament sponsors and suppliers. Through my presentation I hope to convey the information I learned that is applicable to the sports industry as a whole such as working in partnership fulfillment, sponsorship activation, general sales, and working as a team. I will discuss the general everyday topics that I worked on in my internship as it relates to working with people with different communication styles outlined through the framework of True Colors. I will discuss what is necessary to create a Pro-Am, as well as working with partners, sponsors, and all those that make sporting events possible. I will also outline some of the difficulties and frustrations I encountered over the course of my internship, and how my second key insight developed through those experiences, as well as how I have applied the key insight to projects, collaborative efforts, etc.. I will connect my experience working at the 3M Open with a group project I recently completed, and how that showed the growth I have seen in myself since my internship. I feel confident now in my skills, and I believe that, professionally, I will have greater success working with others because I now feel more comfortable with open communication, and I realize that this open communication is the very thing needed to establish understanding with other team members, co-workers, colleagues, etc. in order to effectively collaborate.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Starting in the Fall of my senior year I began working as a research assistant in the Exercise Oncology Lab at the University of South Carolina. The Exercise Oncology Lab is a research team dedicated to studying the effects of exercise, nutrition, and psychology in combating the side effects of cancer before, during, and after treatment. As an exercise science major at the University of South Carolina, this research position has provided me with firsthand experience in creating and executing exercise protocols. I had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the scientific process by collecting and analyzing data. I also was able to participate in a meta- analysis. Specifically I worked closely with three participants and created personalized exercise programs for each of them. I then worked with them individually for 8-10 weeks until the completion of the exercise program. I led each participant through baseline testing and was able to compare their fitness levels at the beginning of the study and the end of the study. I also had the opportunity to assist in a muscle biopsy procedure. Participating in this research project reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career in healthcare and grew my research skills greatly.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people in China faced prolonged isolation, which prompted many to turn to the Internet to establish intimate relationships and social connections. Against this backdrop, some online shops began offering "virtual lover" role-playing services to meet the needs and desires for interpersonal interaction during times of societal upheaval. However, in the transaction process, such services not only fulfill emotional needs but also involve erotic performances. This article, framed within the theories of erotic capital and softcore pornography, delves into the emerging trends of the pornographic industry within contemporary Chinese Internet culture, focusing on in-depth interviews with digital laborers represented by virtual lovers. The study explores how virtual lovers eliminate potentially censored elements in traditional hardcore sexual transactions, dedicate themselves to nurturing sexual fantasies and mobilizing their agency through subtle self-branding. This approach involves negotiation and interaction with the national censorship system. The research also examines how, in contrast to the regulatory system, the affordances of communication software and the actions of their managers inadvertently facilitate or even tacitly endorse the proliferation of erotic transactions despite of the explicit prohibitions. Additionally, the study reveals how, within the seemingly safer and more liberated online sex industry, female performers are lured into the field with the illusion of controlling their bodies but end up being alienated and ruthlessly stripped of the surplus value of their work. By addressing these issues, this article, based on the consumption of sexual services by contemporary young people on the Chinese Internet landscape, aims to present a distinct sexual landscape with Chinese characteristics.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Abstract: Objective: The current study investigates differences in male and female Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients with Attention Concentration Disorder (ACD) and Cognitive Communicative Disorder (CCD) using pharmacological and demographic factors. Method: Data for this study was collected from the Prisma Health Upstate Alzheimer’s patient registry between 2016-2021. Multivariate analysis was used to predict pharmacological and demographic factors associated with males and females with ACD and CCD. Results: A total of 64.24% ACD and 35.76% CCD patients were identified. In the adjusted analysis, male AD patients that were administered Memantine [OR=0.189, 95% CI, 0.091-0.393, p<0.001], and Aripiprazole [OR = 0.065, 95% CI, 0.015-0.278, p<0.001] were more likely to be associated with ACD, increasing age [OR = 1.023, 95% CI, 1.017-1.028, p<0.001] was associated more with CCD. In women with AD, ETOH use [OR =0.807, 95% CI, 0.643 – 1.011, p=0.062] and Escitalopram use [OR = 0.782, 95% CI, 0.588 – 1.039, p=0.090] was more likely to be associated with ACD. Increasing age [OR =1.034, 95% CI, 1.029-1.039, p<0.001], Citalopram use [OR = 2.470, 95% CI, 1.751-3.484, p<0.001], African Americans [OR = 1.643, 95% CI, 1.229 – 2.196, p<0.001] were associated with CCD. Conclusion: Our findings identified specific demographic and pharmacological factors that were associated with males and females with ACD and CCD. These findings suggest the need to develop strategies to eliminate disparity in the care of AD patients with ACD or CCD patients.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Throughout my academic journey, I have had the wonderful opportunities to discover various fields of healthcare. My experiences range from shadowing physician assistants, physical therapists, and nutritionists to working as patient transport at CentraState Medical Center and finally to being an accredited Personal Care Aid with Caring Inc. in Columbia, South Carolina. As a Public Health major pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, these experiences brought insight into what a career in healthcare really looks like. Countless encounters with frustrated patients afflicted curiosity within me to bring change to the current system. While taking Introduction to Public Health, PUBH 302, with Professor Galloway, we dove into the reality of the flaws that lie within the United States Healthcare system. Learning about various factors such as physicians being paid per patient, the trajectory of chronic diseases and the over-prescription of pharmaceuticals, it was clear to me that changes are needed immediately. I correlated my out of classroom experiences as a bikini body builder, working with a nutritionist, and being a personal care aid to reflect the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition, and a fixed healthcare system. Through my experiences, I have shifted my focus towards ensuring I will not be a healthcare worker who prioritizes a quota over the well being of my patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Up to 20% of women following childbirth are impacted by postpartum depression (PPD)-- a challenging mood disorder. Women with PPD report difficulty bonding with offspring, a reduction in energy levels, and feelings of hopelessness. Furthermore, PPD’s impact extends beyond the mother, as the offspring of afflicted women have a greater risk of developing psychiatric conditions both during childhood and later on in life. Despite the detrimental effects of PPD on both maternal and offspring health, the underlying pathology of the condition is largely understudied. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles involved in numerous crucial cellular processes and potential mediating targets due to their pivotal role in the physiological changes occurring during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We previously established that gestational stress decreased postpartum mitochondrial complex I protein expression and function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in association with PPD-relevant behaviors. Here we hypothesized that enhancing mitochondrial complex I respiration during gestational stress would prevent the effects of gestational stress on mitochondrial and metabolic protein expression in the PFC. To test our hypothesis, we subjected primiparous (pregnant) and nulliparous (virgin) rats to chronic, mild, unpredictable stress with a co-treatment of Nicotinamide (NAM) or Vehicle (VEH, water) in the drinking water during gestation. NAM is a vitamin B3 derivative known to enhance mitochondrial respiration. We then measured postpartum behavior. In the mid postpartum, dams were euthanized and the PFC was dissected out and prepared for respirometry and protein analysis via western blot. Preliminary data suggest that NAM treatment during gestational stress altered both the expression levels of proteins associated with mitochondrial complex-I coupled respiration and PPD-related behaviors in the mid-postpartum. Future studies will further explore the effect of NAM on the physiological changes transpiring in the late postpartum.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Sepsis QI project
1:00-2:30 p.m.The rise in use of nuclear power has proposed a need for safe storage of nuclear waste. A higher level of safety can be ensured through the creation of nuclear waste forms. Such waste forms are created through reactions that sequester elements of the nuclear waste into a crystalline lattice. The purpose of my research is to synthesize alkali metal lanthanide borates and evaluate their ability to act as a nuclear waste form for Am3+ and Cm3+ (common nuclear wastes). To accomplish such a synthesis, a method known as molten salt flux growth is utilized. Salt flux growth refers to the use of salt materials that upon heating to above their melting point act as a solvent to facilitate the formation and control of crystalline products. A molten salt flux helps to control the kinetics of a desired reaction, allowing them to form at lower temperatures and to a desired lattice structure. Using this method, alkali metal lanthanide borates of new structures will be synthesized and evaluated for their ability to react with Am3+ and Cm3+. We report on the use of salt fluxes for the growth of alkaline earth lanthanide borates. Their synthesis, structures, and optical properties are presented.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Significant research supports the idea that oral health is a powerful predictor of cognitive function in both healthy older adults as well as various clinical populations (ie.. Alzheimer’s and related dementias). While oral health typically declines as individuals get older, a recent study in which total tooth count was manually extracted from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of healthy older adults suggests that the number of teeth a person retains can provide important prognostic information regarding cognition, above and beyond chronological age alone. The current study attempts to extend these findings by examining the relationship between oral health and aphasia severity and treatment response in an open-access retrospective longitudinal convenience sample (N ≈ 150) of individuals with left hemisphere stroke and chronic aphasia that were scanned at the MCBI over the last two decades. Based on data from healthy older adults suggesting a significant relationship between oral health and cognition, we hypothesized that oral health would also be an important factor in aphasia recovery. Accordingly, we predicted that individuals with poorer oral health (MRI-derived total tooth count) would 1) have more severe aphasia and 2) show smaller treatment responses than individuals with better oral health. As predicted, total teeth went down with age, rho(84) = -0.207, p < 0.05. A series of planned Pearson’s correlations revealed that there was neither a significant correlation between total teeth and aphasia severity (as measured by the Western Aphasia Battery [WAB]), rho(94)=0.009, p = 0.533, nor was there a relationship between total teeth and treatment response, rho(29)=0.019, p = 0.460. The relationship between oral health and recovery in chronic stroke is complicated, and likely complex and bidirectional. Current null findings could be due to limited sample size, interactions between stroke severity and oral care as well as other factors. Future studies could address some of these issues by examining the relationship between oral health and cognition in larger, acute stroke samples.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Significant research supports the idea that oral health is a powerful predictor of cognitive function in both healthy older adults as well as various clinical populations (i.e. Alzheimer’s and related dementias). While oral health typically declines as individuals get older, a recent study in which total tooth count was manually extracted from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of healthy older adults suggests that the number of teeth a person retains can provide important prognostic information regarding cognition, above and beyond chronological age alone. The current study attempts to extend these findings by examining the relationship between oral health, brain health and stroke severity in an open-access retrospective convenience sample (N ≈ 200) of individuals with acute stroke in the state of SC. We predicted that individuals with poorer oral health (MRI-derived total tooth count) would 1) have more severe impact of stroke (NIHSS scores), 2) have larger lesions and 3) have worse brain health (i.e. brain age gap [BAG] and white matter hyperintensities [WMH load]). We conducted a series of planned Pearson’s correlations controlling for age, sex, race and BMI. NIHSS scores were significantly worse in individuals with fewer teeth, r(165) = -0.130, p = 0.049. Individuals with more teeth also had significantly larger lesion sizes, r(164) = -0.213, p = 0.003. Finally, individuals with fewer teeth had significantly greater WMH load, r(162)=-0.186, p = 0.009, and had larger BAG values indicating a larger discrepancy between chronological age and brain age calculated based on tissue integrity. Contrary to our findings in individuals with chronic stroke, our data show that oral health is strongly related to critical acute stroke metrics including lesion size, brain health and stroke severity. Future studies could address the impact of oral health in other chronic or neurodegenerative diseases.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/Aim Med Students Making Change (MSMC) is a student-led organization that works with The Free Clinic in Columbia, SC to help improve diabetic control in uninsured patients. Nationally, 10% of adults do not have health insurance. However, this number in Richland county is a staggering 24.5% (1). The lack of health insurance is associated with a variety of additional social determinants of health (SDOH), making it the strongest predictor of health outcomes in diabetic patients (2). One of the goals of MSMC is to ensure that the barriers to care and treatment compliance that patients face are able to be addressed. It’s necessary to address these obstacles from multiple directions – on one end as volunteers by providing them with knowledge of community resources they can utilize, and secondly by relaying that information to The Free Clinic physicians in notes on the EMR. The first step in addressing these barriers was figuring out what specific SDOH are most affecting this patient population. Methods Working with the USC School of Public Health, MSMC created a SDOH screening tool that volunteers can use on phone calls with the patients. This partnership resulted in a 5 question screening tool that addresses food insecurity, barriers to exercise, transportation, and housing insecurity. Additionally, a second form that goes more in depth was designed for patients who have additional SDOH barriers covering mental health, substance use, disability, and public safety. Results Using this screening tool so far, MSMC has identified that 30% of patients have housing insecurity, 23% of patients have transportation barriers, and 23% of patients do not have sufficient money for food and/or medications. Discussion A better understanding of how phrasing questions elicits improved responses from patients has greatly improved volunteers' understanding of what SDOH are most prevalent in South Carolina’s uninsured diabetic population. The ability to quickly and effectively identify these barriers allows MSMC volunteers more time addressing potential solutions to help improve their patient’s access to care.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Whitewater kayaking is an extreme outdoor sport that is growing in popularity. Difficulty can range from easier, Class I and II rivers with low risk to extreme, high-risk Class IV and V rivers. The nature of whitewater kayaking requires above-average physical fitness and adequate nutrition to fuel the activity, especially for paddlers who are on the water for extended periods of time. Kayakers need to react quickly to avoid obstacles while maintaining enough stored energy to paddle for several hours or on multi-day trips. This becomes more important as the difficulty level rises. While some research has been conducted on the nutrition of endurance athletes and the energy requirements of adventure sports, there is a lack of specific research into the nutritional habits of whitewater kayakers. The purpose of this study is to identify the current nutritional habits of whitewater kayakers and evaluate the efficacy of these diets. Through an online survey, we have compiled data regarding the current nutritional habits of 19 whitewater kayakers: 12 male and 7 female. With this information, we have developed basic nutrition recommendations for both male and female whitewater kayakers as well as specific suggestions for meals and snacks before, during, and after paddles. These findings will give whitewater kayakers a basic understanding of adequate and effective intake that will support performance on the water.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The next generation of advanced nuclear reactors are expected to produce high-level wastes including metals, oxides, and halide salts. A ceramic-metallic composite waste, CERMET, is one possible waste form for this waste. In order to form a suitable CERMET for the immobilization of the waste, the water-soluble halide salts need to first be converted into durable oxyhalide ceramics. Herein, reaction pathways to convert the expected chloride salts into oxychlorides are presented.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Since 1979, Iranian women have been fighting against the Islamic Republic of Iran for gender equality. However, in September 2022, this fight gained renewed momentum among Iranian women and, subsequently, renewed urgency in the public eye following the suspicious death of a young Iranian woman that can reportedly be traced back to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s police forces (Nahvi). Despite the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strict censorship in regard to news outlets and media platforms, Iranian women utilized social media and online forums to raise awareness of their dire situation and to organize protests and support groups amongst themselves. In addition to Iranian women utilizing media resources, external news platforms have reported on the Iran Women’s Movement through a myriad of lenses highlighting varying aspects of the issue. In the current digital age, it is clear that the media plays a central role in the development of social movements such as the Iran Women’s Movement. However, whether that role is beneficial or detrimental to the social movement at hand is not always clear. It is essential to the vitality of a social movement such as the Iran Women’s Movement—which, as a result of strict governmental censorship, relies on citizen journalism and external media coverage—that the role of the media is ultimately beneficial. Given these stakes, this research and analysis aims to uncover both the negative and positive effects of the media on the women’s movement in Iran and to identify areas in which improvements can be made.
9:30-11:00 a.m.HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) are complex neurocognitive diseases related to HIV and remain difficult to model. EcoHIV, also known as chimeric HIV, has been developed to model HIV in rodents and does not infect humans. This was achieved by putting the gp120 envelope protein from HIV-1 into the envelope protein of the rodent retrovirus, Moloney Leukemia Virus. As a result of this modification, the chimeric virus gains the ability to infect rodent cells but cannot infect humans. However, tracking infected cells using this model within a cell culture or in animals is challenging. We modified the virus to express mScarlet, a bright red fluorescent protein, along with the HIV genes. When we infected primary rat neuronal cell cultures with the virus, we determined the red fluorescents of microglial cells and were able to capture the motility of microglia cells. In the future, we will test the virus in animal brains to determine HIV-infected microglia's in vivo distribution and movement.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Compared to younger patients with similar injuries, patients > 55 years old with chest wall injuries have a higher risk of adverse outcomes, such as respiratory complications, ventilator use, and increased hospital length of stay (LOS), 1,2 Current data indicates that among elderly patients (>80 years old) with rib fracture, SSRF is associated with improved mortality compared to their counterparts who undergo non operative management. There is no published literature, however, which evaluates the effect of patient frailty on SSRF outcomes compared to non-operative management in patients of similar frailty in elderly age groups. Using the modified frailty score, we hypothesize that at similar times to operative intervention (early vs late), surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) improves mortality at all frailty levels versus nonoperative treatment. Methods: We are in the process of reviewing the Prisma Richland Trauma Registry and conducting a retrospective chart review of 2,072 trauma patients with rib fractures age 55 and older. 132 were treated with SSRF between January 1, 2014, to February 12, 2024. This study seeks to prove that operative management of rib fractures via surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) improves mortality at all frailty levels when compared to nonoperative management (NOM) in patients of similar frailty and at similar time to operative intervention. Primary outcome measures include 30-day mortality, length of stay (LOS), number of ventilator days, tracheostomy, ICU LOS, incidence of pneumonia and discharge disposition. Results and Conclusions: Ongoing References: 1. Shi HH, Esquivel M, Staudenmayer KL, Spain DA. Effects of mechanism of injury and patient age on outcomes in geriatric rib fracture patients. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2017; 2: e000074. 2. Bulger EM, Arneson MA, Mock CN, Jurkovich GJ. Rib fractures in the elderly J Trauma. 2000;48:1040–6.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The search for topologically non-trivial magnetic materials with unique electronic properties has become the focal point in condensed matter physics. One effective way to study the unusual electronic properties is via Hall effect measurements, which stand as a pivotal experimental avenue for probing novel transport phenomena. We report the experimental investigation of the Hall effect in EuZn2As2, which is within the realm of emergent magnetic materials. Careful analysis of the Hall resistivity reveals the presence of ordinary Hall resistivity (\rho_{xy}^0), anomalous Hall resistivity (¬\rho_{xy}^{AHE}) and the residual Hall resistivity (\Delta\rho_{xy})\ above and below the antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN = 19 K. The magnitudes of ¬\rho_{xy}^{AHE} and \Delta\rho_{xy}\ are extremely large and spread in a wide temperature and magnetic field range. Our results indicate unusually strong field and topological effects in EuZn2As2 despite its simple crystal and magnetic structure at zero field.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since Highschool I have had an interest in politics. I became a political science major at the University of South Carolina to further my interest and because of the unique opportunity of going to school in a Capital City. My project will be about my time at the South Carolina House of Representatives where I have worked since sophomore year as a page. I was assigned to the Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee Chaired by Representative Sandifer III who I worked directly under. During the Spring semester, the state house is in session and legislators are present on the State House grounds debating legislation on the floor Tuesday through Thursday. While they are debating my duty is to run correspondence and legislation through the state house grounds and help the lawyers and law clerks with research on legislation. It is a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but when legislation that I have worked on is presented on the floor it is very fulfilling. I was motivated to take this position because I knew it would help me with connections in future jobs and better understand the South Carolina State Legislature. I was able to learn much about the state legislature as I had hoped along with the processes and type of legislation that is passed in South Carolina. I was also able to create connections and this being my first in-person internship, I learned how to be a professional in a very conservative setting. I will be able to use this information to apply for jobs with lobbyists and congressional figures that I have already forged connections with. I want to continue working around Columbia in a government relations job or at a lobbying firm after college. Having the knowledge and connections that I do now about how the South Carolina Government works I will be able to transition into one of these roles easier than if I had not had this experience.
1:00-2:30 p.m.It is useful to be able to predict rainfall for a variety of reasons. The practice of rainfall agriculture relies on predicting rainfall. In preparation for the rainy season, farmers prepare their fields for planting crops. Floods can also occur if we don't know how much rain is expected. Rainfall can be predicted based on a variety of climate factors. Five predictors were collected based on data sets available from 1995 to 2021 from NOAA and Weather Underground. In this work, a variety of statistics, such as r-squared, adjusted r-squared, and multiple regression lines, will be presented, followed by a discussion of their usefulness based on real data.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As a Biology major with plans to become further educated on sustainability practices, I applied for a peer leadership position with Sustainable Carolina. Sustainable Carolina is the student branch of The Office of Sustainability at the University of South Carolina. I served as a peer leader on three different teams: K-12, Environmental Justice, and the garden team. Through various methods of outreach (team meetings, youth lesson plans, garden maintenance, professional development workshops, coaching meetings, and group volunteer work) I was able to work in partnership with other students to promote sustainability practices within the campus and community. Through my peer leadership experience, I learned how to build a community, challenge ideas and perspectives, and efficiently work together to serve one another. This peer leadership experience had significant impact on not only the type of student I am, but also the person I am. My experience as a peer leader has fine-tuned my communication and leadership skills through one-on-one career planning and professional developmental workshops. This experience will allow me to achieve my future goals which are centered around growth and community partnership. The impact this leadership experience had on me is unparalleled. It gave me the why behind my actions, built up my key life values, and has shaped me into an individual motivated by service.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the summer of 2022, I was fortunate enough to secure an internship with Terry Environmental Services. Terry Environmental is an environmental consulting company based in Summerville, South Carolina that focuses on groundwater testing and remediation. While I worked here, I obtained valuable, hands-on experience as an Environmental Technician. I participated in activities such as conducting groundwater sampling and constructing monitoring wells. As a student studying Geological Sciences here at the University of South Carolina, I have been able to connect my knowledge from the classroom with what I saw in the field. Classes such as ‘Environmental Hydrogeology’ and ‘Structural Geology and Tectonics’ have been vital to my understanding of how water moves through aquifers, and how contaminants can potentially seep into them. Pairing the internship opportunity at Terry Environmental Services with what I have learned in the classroom has helped me gain a solid understanding of the mechanics and importance of the world of environmental consulting, and has inspired me to pursue a career in this field of work.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During Spring semester of 2023, I studied abroad at the WU (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien) in Vienna, Austria. Studying abroad in Austria has a personal significance because it was my first-time visiting Europe. Vienna has a significant global presence, especially as a world capital of art and culture, which resonated with me as a violinist. My time in Vienna also provided me an opportunity to start learning a new language, German, as my fourth language. I took the CEFR A1 level pre-semester German course, which happened for 2 weeks. Joining the language class was a chance to expand my global network further; I met people from all around the world, such as Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Luxembourg, and Greece. I also believed traveling around the different countries in Europe while studying abroad will steer me to step outside of the comfort zone and to immerse myself in different cultures. I traveled to 17 cities in 10 countries, most of the time as a solo traveler. This experience of being alone in a country where I was visiting for the first time, trying to adjust in a new environment, helped me to rediscover myself: what I like to do, what makes me happy, what my strengths are. Meeting people with different identities and diverse ideas taught me how to stay culturally sensitive. As an international student from South Korea, studying in the U.S. and Austria, my experience of living in 3 different continents helped me to envision and expand the meaning of “home.” I learned that home can be where we are heading to – new or visited does not matter, but where our heart lies in. As a person who will work in multinational company post-graduation, all this learning will help me to communicate with and to understand better my colleagues. Also, one of my life goals is to live in different countries, while working as a professional. Perceiving a new place as my home will assist me to cope actively with the changing environments and enjoy life, aligning with my future endeavors.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the summer of 2023, I worked for The SEFA Group, now acquired by the German multinational building materials company, Heidelberg Materials. The core of SEFA Group's business is to process and market fly ash for use in concrete. In addition to fly ask marketing and sales, SEFA is home to 3 other business units: CCP services, Transportation, and Industrial construction services, all of which provide for a large and diverse employee base. Because of my Psychology Minor and Business major, the company offered me an internship in which I was both able to work in the Human Resources and Marketing department simultaneously. For the greater half of my typical week, I worked alongside the Corporate HR Team to help facilitate new hire employee orientations, file important employee documentation, and assist with the transition their new HR and Payroll software, Kronos. I was also able to work with the Training and Development department branch of HR, helping create training lessons and follow-up knowledge tests for employees. In the marketing department, I designed several social media posts, researched current competitor press releases, and assembled new hire employee welcome boxes with company merchandise. Through this internship, I was able to discover which area of business administration I loved most and find my true passion in the Training and Development department, which combined my love for teaching with the business world. Because of this experience, I will be looking to continue my education in this field by completing a Masters in HR and pursuing a career in the Training and Development department after graduation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This submission and experience - all wrapped into one - explores life in Barcelona while experimenting in the arts, specifically in digital design. For a total of 15 weeks in Barcelona, I attended a historically known design university while exploring Catalan culture, the diversity of Spain, and a constant collaboration with other artists/designers from around the world. The scope of this experience going abroad was to accomplish two things. Primarily to be exposed to new processes of design and learn how to create realistic solutions to help very existent and common problems our communities face. Secondly, to leave Barcelona bi-linguial in Spanish, even though Spanish is not the first language spoken in that region. The courses I completed while abroad were a mix of unfamiliar design tracks and fine art mediums I have never tapped into before. I was able to indulge in Food Design, Film and Videography, Visual Merchandising & Retail Design, and Documenting Historical Contexts of Barcelona. I learned so much living in Barcelona whether it be professionally, socially, creatively, and I encountered so many new experiences. The biggest impact for me was meeting so many unique people, collaborating with different designers, and having the opportunity to help teach English in a local elementary school. I also was able to participate in traditional Catalan holidays, festivals, and public city events that let me understand the history of this community and what they are working towards for the future of Catalonia. My professors and classes opened my mind in so many ways with how I can communicate important messages or feelings while selling concepts, research, and more. Most of my case studies and projects at Elisava were collaborative, which often meant working with different work-styles, language barriers, and culturally different backgrounds. This allowed and encouraged a great amount of experimentation using unfamiliar methods/materials: food, video, motion graphics, 3D modeling, public installations, and walking tours. I discuss the profound shifts in my academic and personal life both inside and outside the classroom, following my return from a transformative global learning journey!
1:00-2:30 p.m.Understanding the temporal rhythms and spatial patterns of underwater soundscapes is an emerging field in marine ecology. Soundscapes are composed of acoustic signals of biological origin, naturally occurring geophysical sounds, and human-made noise. Soundscape data can be used to monitor animal behavior at multiple levels of biological complexity (e.g., from snapping shrimp to fish to marine mammals), and current technology allows one to remotely detect these sounds at time scales ranging from minutes to years. A key advantage of this technology for marine ecology is that acoustic recorders allow for high temporal sampling (e.g., 24 samples per day), which is not possible through traditional abundance or biodiversity surveys. In the present study, our goal was to illustrate data from the Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS), which listens to underwater sounds in four estuaries of South Carolina (SC) – the May River (2013-present), Chechessee Creek/Colleton River (2019-present), Charleston Harbor (2017-present), and North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (2020-2023). From our longest listening stations in the May River estuary (i.e., a ten-year dataset), we provide a heat map time series of high frequency sound pressure levels (SPLs), which illustrates how sound levels change seasonally following the acoustic behavior of snapping shrimp. In addition, we present a heat map, time series of low frequency SPLs, which illustrates how sound levels change daily and seasonally following the collective courtship sounds of fish. The soundscape approach provides the ability to ‘eavesdrop’ on key behaviors of marine animals, which can change rapidly or gradually in response to environmental changes and human impacts. This approach can provide a measure of resilience or shifting baselines in a globally changing environment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Flexible batteries are the key enabler of a broad range of applications from wearable biomedical sensors to foldable electronics for the Internet of Things (IoT). There has been a considerable enhancement in flexible battery research owing to the progress in lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology. This progress has been primarily in the electrochemical performance of LIBs. Yet, modern LIBs, with graphite-based anodes and transition metal oxide-based cathodes, lack structural stability when exposed to mechanical fatigue, which is inevitable in flexible gadgets. Therefore, alternative material chemistries and electrode designs for flexible batteries are imperative. In the search for alternative cathode material, Sulfur has become a promising candidate. Because of its high theoretical capacity, low price, and non-toxicity, sulfur cathode is the optimal choice to create high-energy-dense batteries, known as lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Sulfur intrinsically does not offer significant mechanical stability, however its processing methods during electrode preparation addresses this issue. Sulfur is an insulating material, which inhibits electron transfer through the electrode. Therefore, it is normally mixed with a combination of conductive carbon materials. This results in a mechanically robust sulfur/carbon composite that can stand the repeated stresses under curvature, while providing sufficient electrical conductivity. In this project, the impact of carbon materials and ratios on sulfur cathode performance were studied in lithium-sulfur batteries. Two types of carbon materials were selected including Ketjen Black and Graphene. The Ketjen Black:Graphene ratios of 100:0, 50:50 to 25:75, 15:85, 5:95, and 0:100 were investigated. The sulfur and carbon mix were combined with a binder solution to create an ink, which was coated onto an aluminum foil current collector using doctor blade technique. The cohesion and integrity of coated electrodes were studied as a function of carbon chemistry and content. The study reveals that a 5:95 ratio of Ketjen Black to Graphene yields the most significant capacity improvement and crack reduction, making it promising for flexible batteries. Future research will focus on transitioning to mechanically stable substrates like bucky paper to mitigate battery degradation under mechanical stress.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The orexin/hypocretin neuropeptide system, primarily found in the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical region, modulates sleep, wakefulness, appetite, and cognitive function. One region with dense orexinergic projections is the basal forebrain (BF), which is the major source of acetylcholine in the neocortex and limbic structures such as the hippocampus. The basal forebrain cholinergic system mediates cognition and dysfunction is one of the key hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. We have previously shown significant reductions in orexin signaling and orexinergic innervation of cholinergic cells within the BF of aged rodents. Loss of orexin impairs cholinergic neurotransmission and cognition, but the mechanisms responsible remain poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests neuroinflammation as a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. It has been suggested that orexin may be neuroprotective, and we hypothesize that the age-related loss of orexin neurons diminishes the brain’s anti-inflammatory response, leading to basal forebrain cholinergic dysfunction. Here, we administered lentivirus mediated expression of Preproorexin antisense or sense into the lateral hypothalamus of young adult (3 months; antisense) and aged (22-26 months; sense), male and female Fisher 344/Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats. Three weeks later, a neuroinflammatory response was induced with an acute lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) challenge. 6 hours later, brains were removed and bilaterally dissected with one hemisphere post-fixed for immunohistochemical analysis and one hemisphere frozen for cytokine analysis. Lentivirus efficacy was verified using immunohistochemistry for green fluorescent protein expression and changes in orexin expression within the lateral hypothalamus and terminal regions. There was no significant difference in total Iba-1 (a marker of microglia—the brain’s resident immune cells) in the basal forebrain, but there was a shift in activation state towards a pro- inflammatory, “M1” phenotype in the orexin antisense-treated rats. In addition, there was an increase in the inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the prefrontal cortex of orexin antisense treated male rats. Loss of orexin expression in aging may facilitate neuroinflammatory processes in key regions, such as the BF and prefrontal cortex, and thereby contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Supported by NIH R01 AG050518 and 2RF1 AG050518.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the Spring of 2023, I worked as a Legislative Tracking Intern at Hannah News Service in Columbia, SC. Hannah News Service is a legislative news provider that tracks the status of current and past legislation, sends out updates on statehouse news, and researches trends. Located just a few blocks from the South Carolina State House, Hannah News Service is a useful tool for lobbyists, lawyers, legislators, and anyone with interest in state policies. As a pre-law student at the University of South Carolina, and aspiring environmental law student, my internship at Hannah News Service served as an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the state legislature, different types of legal careers, and commonly used data tracking systems. In my role, I was responsible for taking detailed notes on committee meetings, compiling data in the tracking system, and updating clients through the portal. Because of my experience as well as my class in environmental advocacy, I am better able to inform my future career decisions and in what sector I want to practice environmental law. Instead of finding a career in government, like I originally thought I would want, I now know that public interest environmental law is where I should focus my career goals. I think that other students considering legal or government careers would benefit from a legislative tracking internship, and that it would help them narrow their career interests – just like it helped me do.
1:00-2:30 p.m.An estimated 43% of people in state prisons have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. The effects of a mental disorder can include impaired decision-making, reasoning, and cognitive understanding capabilities, which often co-occurs with substance abuse disorders and other challenges, such as unemployment, homelessness, and poverty. Each of these factors can increase the likelihood of committing a criminal offense, make it infinitely more difficult for a person to understand and successfully complete their sentence, and significantly increase their risk of reoffending. Mental Health Courts have been established throughout America to address concerns regarding the incarceration, rehabilitation, and recidivism of mentally ill criminal offenders. Unfortunately, there remains a considerable void in the general understanding of MHCs, which are left to largely operate upon their own discretion. Investigation into the specific practices and missions of these MHCs can provide a strong basis to influence policy regarding the treatment of mentally ill criminal offenders. As such, the purpose of this research project is to narrow the gap in knowledge surrounding the missions and practices of these Mental Health (MHCs). First, using information provided online and by contacting individual MHCs, the research term created a cumulative database of adult MHCs around the country. Then, the research team qualitatively coded and analyzed mission statements found on the respective websites of each of these courts, identifying key themes in the missions of these courts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In the Fall 2023 semester, I had the chance to intern at The Carolina Agency (TCA) as the Co-Director of Accounts. The Carolina Agency is a full-service strategic communication agency in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. It is a student-run agency that produces a variety of deliverables to real clients. In The Carolina Agency, we had three different departments: Accounts, Creative, and Research. I had the chance to contribute to the agency’s development by leading the Accounts team of 15 students alongside my coworker Lindsey. We collectively managed nine clients, such as Game Changers, CreateAthon, and others. I was responsible for advising our team’s students on effective communication with clients and providing guidance on managing workload and client expectations. I also practiced my writing skills by being responsible for proofreading and editing all of the media pitches and other writing materials that needed to be received by clients. Interning at TCA gave me an opportunity to get a hands-on experience and improve my previously gained skills. I wanted to see what it was really like to work in the public relations field, and I couldn’t have found a better way for that. Collaborating with such a diverse group of individuals and witnessing their success was definitely inspiring. Facing challenges of working with real clients has made a great impact on my professional approach. With TCA, I learned how to manage my time better and deal with unexpected changes and potential crises. I got a clearer understanding of the concepts that I had previously learned in my Principles of Management and Principles of Public Relations classes. For instance, Lindsey and I had to deal with our students not reaching all the goals in their work and us making last minute changes to prevent the clients being affected. My experience at The Carolina Agency has not only allowed me to apply knowledge and leadership skills but has also deepened my comprehension of the public relations field and conflict management.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign bone tumor that comprises approximately 5% of all benign bone tumors and 1% to 2% of all primary bone tumors. These tumors are known to have a propensity for the epiphyses of long bones in skeletally immature patients, with surgical management being the preferred treatment modality. Thus, this study aims to investigate the clinical outcomes and recurrence rate of surgically managed chondroblastoma of the extremities. Methods: A retrospective review was performed at a tertiary pediatric hospital between 2004 and 2019. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients treated surgically for pathologically confirmed chondroblastoma with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Patients with initial treatment at the institution for a recurrent tumor or incomplete records were excluded. Electronic medical records were used to collect patient demographics, lesion location, treatment technique, incidence of recurrence, and presence of deformity. Statistical analyses were performed through STATA and Microsoft Excel. Results: Thirty-three patients met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 13.82 ± 2.08 years (range 9-18) and a mean follow-up of 2.15 ± 1.13 years. The cohort consisted of 25 males and 8 females. The tumors were most commonly located in the femur (15, 45.5%). Recurrence was found in 3 (9.1%) individuals, and angular deformity developed in 5 (15.2%). The mean tumor size was 2.8 ± 1.4 cm. There was no significant correlation between age and recurrence (p = 0.616) and tumor size and recurrence (p = 0.247). Conclusion: With a recurrence rate of 9% and a deformity rate of 9.1%, our results are consistent with previous literature. All studied adjuvants appear equally effective although potentially underpowered to detect a difference. Importantly, this study identified the development of angular deformities in 15% of patients, with each patient requiring subsequent treatment. Thus, it may be important for physicians to consider these findings when determining patient follow-up and counseling families on long-term outcomes during the treatment of chondroblastomas.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The health of the nervous system is dependent upon axons successfully traveling to their synaptic targets during neural development. The accuracy of this process relies on axonal structures and their ability to respond appropriately to extracellular cues. Growth cones, transient structures enriched in microtubules and actin and present on the ends of axons during neural development, are the main drivers behind axon guidance. Dynamic adhesion sites within growth cones, termed point contacts, link the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the intracellular actin cytoskeleton and generate force to direct growth cone motility. When a chemoattractant is encountered, point contacts increase on the side of the growth cone closest to the cue. When a chemorepellent is encountered, point contacts disassemble on the side of the growth cone closest to the cue. This dynamism of point contacts is vital for the precise navigation of growth cones through the developing nervous system. Paxillin, talin, and vinculin are adhesion proteins that localize to and collectively can adjust the amount of force within the adhesion sites. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an attractive guidance cue that has been shown to affect point contact dynamics in Xenopus neurons. However, much remains unknown about adhesions and the role BDNF plays in forming adhesion sites within the developing mammalian nervous system. Here, we show that BDNF increases the overall fluorescent intensity of paxillin, but not talin or vinculin, in embryonic murine cortical neuron growth cones. BDNF also does not increase the colocalization between the proteins paxillin, talin, and vinculin. Lastly, we show that BDNF does not alter the average fluorescent intensity of colocalized puncta of the three proteins. These results suggest that BDNF signaling increases the localization of paxillin within growth cones during neural development, indicating that BDNF may regulate adhesion formation to mediate axon growth and guidance. Together, these analyses allow us to understand better the dynamics of adhesion sites that are critical to the formation of the mammalian nervous system.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Prosocial behavior, behaviors that are beneficial to an individual’s needs, has been a subject of interest in research as it relates to video games. Research has shown that exposure to prosocial video games can lead to an increase in prosocial thoughts and behaviors (Li & Zhang, 2022). This association is mediated by the impact of prosocial video games on individuals’ affect and thoughts, indicating a potential mechanism through which these games influence behavior (Greitemeyer & Osswald, 2010). Furthermore, cooperative gameplay has been found to increase cooperation, emphasizing the positive effects of playing video games cooperatively (Greitemeyer & Cox, 2013). Results have indicated that playing collaborative games increases cooperation in prosocial individuals by facilitating trust within their gaming partners (Zheng, et al., 2020). However, it is important to note that the relationship between video games and prosocial behavior is complex. While cooperative gameplay has been associated with positive outcomes, there is also evidence suggesting that engagement with violent video games may not necessarily lead to increases in aggression or reductions in prosocial behavior (Hollingdale & Greitemeyer, 2014). Furthermore, multiplayer video games may also pose challenges that promote competitiveness and cooperation among players. Li and Zhang (2023) discovered that utilizing prosocial video games, games where players must cooperate in order to succeed (Harrison & O’Connell, 2016), helps encourage prosocial thoughts, thus promoting prosocial behavior. This highlights the need for further research to comprehensively understand the impact of different types of video games on cooperation and prosocial behavior (Ruiz-Fernandez, et al., 2021). In conclusion, the literature suggests that cooperative gameplay in video games has the potential to enhance cooperation, teamwork, and prosocial attitudes; however, the relationship between video games and prosocial behavior is multifaceted, and further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms through which video games influence cooperation and prosocial behavior.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I will be presenting on my experience studying abroad in Morocco for two weeks with the Preston and Maxcy Living and Learning Communities in the spring of 2022. I chose to go on this trip because I wanted to push myself to experience the world outside of the United States in order to gain a fuller understanding of the diversity of culture and language and develop a better understanding of the experiences of Moroccan people. A small group of about twenty UofSC Students travelled to Morocco with the organization CIEE, which allowed us to experience the country with native guides. While in Morocco, I discovered a beautiful nation that operates very differently from the United States in both governmental organization and daily life. The experience allowed me to truly understand the variety of perspectives that exist in the world and helped me examine my own views, beliefs, and biases. This experience will help me to better communicate and work with people of varying opinions and beliefs in my future internationally focused career.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Following the course of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which occurred roughly from 1500 to 1808, international colonization efforts, predominantly led by European powers, exploded across continents in an effort to export natural resources and construct their own agricultural empire. This research project focuses on Caribbean colonization justification from 1500 to 1808. Colonization is defined as settling on native land followed by the violent exploitation of human lives and raw material in order to enrich the respective mother country monetarily. European justification of colonization efforts emerged under the guise of religious conversion of the native population in the early time period of colonization, as well as the employment of natural law. As colonies morphed into profitable enterprises, native, imported slaves, and indentured servant treatment at the hands of the colonial government escalated. Employing primary sources and archival records this research seeks to ask: Did colonization justification evolve over time?; Were colonization justifications different based on the population it served to exploit? My research explores the use of religious and political justification in order to propagate the exploitation of people and resources from Caribbean territories for the duration of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. This project emphasizes the importance of defending colonization practices because it allowed European countries to stay in power in the Caribbean from the late 15th century to now.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Due to the ongoing rise in fossil fuels costs as well as the associated environmental impact, researchers are constantly investigating alternative methods of energy production. Solar energy is a renewable energy source in which solar radiation is absorbed and converted to thermal energy for later use. Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems collect solar radiation from a large area and store the energy in a heat transfer fluid (HTF) for subsequent power generation. In order to further increase the efficiency of these systems, nanoparticles can be dispersed into the liquid to achieve more desirable heat transfer properties. Traditional HTFs, such as water, have increasingly been replaced by ionic liquids due to their low volatility and high thermal stability. Over time, multiple studies have been conducted to determine the properties and potential use for solutions that make use of both nanoparticles and ionic liquids. These nanoparticle-enhanced ionic liquids (NEILs) have been synthesized using a variety of ionic liquids as well as nanoparticles, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), graphene, SiC, and carbon nanotubes. Even though the thermophysical properties of NEILs enhances the solution, one of the major limitations of NEILs are their dispersion stability because of the tendency for nanoparticles to aggregate and then settle in solution. Those aggregations are disadvantages for NEILs as a HTFs because the sedimentation can cause clogging of flow channel and form resistances in heat transfer. Presently, I propose to investigate the nanoparticles shape effect on the dispersion stability of NEILs. Methodology NEILs will be synthesized by dispersing 1 wt% Al2O3 nanoparticles into 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][NTf2]) ionic liquid. The molecular weight of the IL is 419.37 g/mol. Measurement of Zeta Potential ZEN8005-Zitasizer (Malvern Panalytical Inc.) will be used to measure the zeta potential, particle size, and molecular weight of suspension. Particle size with respect to time will give an idea of how the nanoparticles are aggregating. Zeta potential is directly proportional to NEILs stability, which means that stable NEILs will have higher zeta potentials compared to the less stable or unstable nanofluids.
1:00-2:30 p.m.To address growing public concern over radioactive contamination from nuclear weapons decommissioning, it is critical to develop new methods to safely handle and dispose of nuclear waste. A key factor in effectively addressing these challenges, and doing so in a timely manner, is having a comprehensive understanding of the chemical processes related to radionuclides and developing effective strategies for designing materials containing actinides. Addressing this issue involves four key parts: sequestration, storage, separation, and sensing of radioactive substances. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), known for their porous structure, large surface area, and adaptability, show great promise as materials for capturing radioactive elements. Specially, Zr-MOFs are known for their stability and have been found to be air, water, and thermally stable. To sequester radionuclides, the synthesis of a Zr-MOF with an unsaturated metal node capable of coordinating an 18-crown-6 derivative linker has proven successful in altering the kinetics of the diffusion-controlled leaching of radioactive cations. Synthesized crown ether linkers were further characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) in order to determine the crystallinity of the MOFs. The ability to control the release kinetics of MOFs through postsynthetic installation of crown-based linkers, as well as their detailed structural analytics and their thermochemical stability showcase how MOFs can be used to address the challenges presented by nuclear waste.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Research indicates that bilingualism confers cognitive advantages, but what about bidialectalism? Until recently, speaking a dialect other than General American English (GAE) has been treated as a risk factor for future academic difficulties, not a strength (Washington et al., 2018). Likewise, language assessments operate from this deficit centered approach, where current practice focuses on ruling out dialect as an explanation for low scores on GAE tests. The current evidence base is limited by lack of attention to dialect use among children who score in the average range on GAE assessments. However, it is known that both social and linguistic factors, including gender and the formality of the discourse context, influence dialect feature use. From a strengths based perspective, the current study aims to examine how different types of elicited responses within a formal language assessment influence dialect feature use among children who have average or above average language abilities. Examining dialect use within a normal language population measures bidialectal feature usage, or the amount of dialect-specific markers, not just assuming dialectal use by exposure to multiple dialects. Participants include 52 African American second grade students (M = 7;8) who completed 3 assessment tasks that elicited responses of varying lengths. All participants earned average scores on standardized language assessments to rule out language disorder. We hypothesize that students will use AAE dialect features at higher rates in tasks that elicit longer responses and where their attention is focused on recalling semantic, rather than grammatical, information. Implications of these results for clinical assessment and consideration of bidialectal advantages will be discussed.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway and enhanced kynurenic acid (KYNA) occurs with multiple insults, including infection and neuropsychiatric illness. KYNA antagonizes 7nACh and NMDA receptors and is postulated to impact sleep and arousal. As females report more sleep disturbances during critical windows of the lifespan (adulthood and pregnancy), we presently focused on impacts of chronically elevated KYNA in female Wistar rats. To do so, we employed a paradigm wherein rats are fed a diet supplemented with 100 mg kynurenine, the direct bioprecursor of KYNA, daily for 8 days (embryonic days 15 to 22 during pregnancy). Sleep was recorded with radio telemetry devices to acquire EEG/EMG. Prior to treatment or pregnancy, each animal underwent four days of baseline sleep recordings. Vigilance states were classified as wake, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and non-REM (NREM) sleep. Our findings revealed that kynurenine treatment, in non-pregnant females, reduced light phase REM sleep (P<0.05) and increased dark phase NREM sleep (P<0.05). In pregnant control and kynurenine treated rats, we observed increased total sleep in the dark phase (P<0.05). In pregnant kynurenine treated rats, we observed decreased light phase REM sleep (P<0.01) and REM sleep theta power (P<0.01) at ED 20 compared to their non-pregnant baseline. Also at ED 20, kynurenine treated pregnant rats displayed less dark phase sleep compared to pregnant controls (P<0.05). We observed reduced dark phase relative cage activity in pregnant controls (P<0.0001) only. Taken together, we observed that pregnancy significantly alters the effects of chronic kynurenine treatment on sleep-wake behaviors in rats. Our data indicate that kynurenine treatment during pregnancy impedes restorative sleep and supports our hypothesis that elevated KYNA affects sleep. Given that prenatal insults like disturbed sleep are linked to increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, this work serves to better our understanding of the etiology of such disorders. Importantly, our novel findings will inform future work on a novel therapeutic target, to reduce KYNA, for preventative treatments for individuals suffering from sleep disturbances. Future work will investigate if implementing this therapeutic strategy during pregnancy can improve maternal and child health outcomes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Scholars of Caribbean history heavily investigate the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries as a means to understand the economic boom in the Caribbean during this era—namely, the Triangular Trade. The commerce and production of alcohol in the West Indies not only fostered this prosperous boom between nations, but simultaneously labeled social classes within the Caribbean. A new take on Caribbean life during the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade is gained with analysis of class in society through the lens of alcohol consumption. Drawing upon accounts of the time and studies thereafter, these consumption patterns beg the question: How did alcoholic commodities label social hierarchy in colonial Caribbean during the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, distinguishing the wealthy from the socially subhuman? Creation of various drinks portrayed wealth and status. Greater diversity of alcoholic drinks displayed superiority and prestige over others, expressing and widening the gap between classes. With comprehension of Caribbean class though the lens of alcoholic consumption, modern day historians can personify Caribbean people of all levels on the social hierarchy—slaves, indentured servants, planters, poor individuals, and trades-people of various races—and how alcohol-based hospitality formed into a critical aspect of Caribbean planter lifestyle.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The nervous system is needed for all sensations, thoughts, emotions, and movements in the body. This is possible because the neurons provide long-range communication to their targets via action potentials down their axons. Thus, injury to axons can have detrimental effects on bodily functions. Peripheral nerve injury triggers a switch to a pro-regenerative state, supported by transcription factors that promote a growth-associated transcriptome. Additionally, Schwann cells (SCs) in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) transition to a regeneration-promoting phenotype to assist with axon regeneration after injury. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is an oxidative stress-induced transcription factor that has historically been linked to cell death in neurons. However, data from the Twiss Lab links ATF4 to axon growth promotion. Using adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures containing both sensory neurons and SCs, we find that ATF4 has distinct outcomes based on the cellular context. Overexpression of ATF4 increases axonal outgrowth in DRG neurons, while simultaneously triggering death of SCs. This is surprising because SCs promote axonal regeneration following injury. We hypothesized that this could be due to differential transcriptome changes in neurons vs. SCs in response to elevated ATF4. To test this, we conducted RNA-seq analyses and found 935 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in neurons vs. 603 DEGs in SCs with ATF4 overexpression. siRNA knockdown studies of top upregulated genes validated from the RNA-seq confirm that Slc16a14 is necessary for the increased DRG axon growth, and Cox6a2, Stc2, and Sfrp4 are necessary for SC death in response to ATF4 overexpression. Overall, our data indicate that ATF4 can have a growth-promoting or cell-death-promoting effect based on the cellular context.
1:00-2:30 p.m.One of the current, most prominent ozone-depleting greenhouse gasses is nitrous oxide (N2O), which is primarily produced by microorganisms. However, now much is known about N2O production by fungi in marine environments. Salt marshes are an area situated in between land and the ocean, having a buildup of nutrients from runoff and tides. This ecosystem is a top natural source of nitrous oxide-producing microorganisms, including fungi, because of this buildup of biologically available nitrogen. By isolating and testing the contribution of salt marsh sediment fungal species producing N2O, it will help to understand and figure out treatments that can be used to limit the amount of N2O that they produce. Then, this could aid in reducing their overall contribution to the total amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. We collected sediment samples from Clambank and Thousand Acre and prepared sediment slurry incubations. Two antibiotics, Chloramphenicol and Captan, were added to sediment slurries and then incubated to optimize the amount of antibiotics that would ideally only inhibit either bacterial or fungal activity. Through these sediment samples, the production of CO2 and N2O was monitored through the use of gas chromatography. An additional set of incubations were performed with 15N-labelled nitrate and the production of 15N-labelled N2O was measured using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. These findings will highlight previously unrecognized roles that fungi play in coastal saltmarsh habitats, contributing to the discovery of ways to limit their production in these habitats.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Retail 495 is an internship requirement in the college of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management. The internship a student chooses is supposed to be an opportunity for growth and professional development in their field of choice. I chose to complete my internship with a company called Poppy and Sage as their marketing and social media intern. Poppy and Sage is a small business based out of Charleston, South Carolina and their main goal is to make beautiful handcrafted goods ethically and sustainably accessible to the community while supporting local artisans in Bali, Indonesia. My primary role was to run their social media and engage with returning customers or potential customers. I found that connecting with consumers and growing the target market through creating relationships beyond the screen is the goal, as it creates more customer retention and ultimately lifelong loyalty. When the website and social media accounts are curated for specific consumers they feel a personal connection, they have that “this website/brand was made just for me” moment connecting them with the brand and building community. For smaller businesses, optimizing social media is extremely crucial. I found that I was able to keep consumers engaged through social media and website content past their purchase creates lifelong consumers. The consumer continues to choose your brand over a competitor's time and time again simply because they love your brand and stand with its values and core beliefs. Between Retail 310 and my internship at Poppy and Sage, I learned how to best connect to a current and future target market through search engine optimization marketing and meeting the target market's values and needs. This internship has given me insight into what I want to do in my future. I want to help companies through optimizing their social media platforms to give them the best social media marketing for their brand. I want to optimize smaller business social media and SEO marketing through connecting them with their target market through humanizing the brand and connecting them with the community.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can examine the organic compounds found in the water due to nuclei of elemental isotopes having their own characteristic spin. It can take measurements every five minutes, allowing for consistent data to be analyzed showing the changes that can occur over time. By analyzing the hydrogen relaxation rate (R2) of the nuclei, NMR can measure the concentration of magnetic particles due to its direct linear relation with R2 relaxation. This relation can be used in a flow through system in order to detect magnetic contaminents in the water.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This past summer, I had the privilege of interning at Nemours Children’s Hospital, specifically in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. At the heart of Nemours Children's Hospital's mission is the unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care for children and their families, advancing medical research, and championing education and community health. As a biomedical engineering major at the University of South Carolina, this internship provided me with invaluable firsthand experience in working with diverse medical devices, medications, and procedures. My primary objective throughout was to make a positive contribution to the cardiac center team and deepen my understanding of the intricacies of a pediatric hospital in-patient environment. Engaging actively with the entire staff—including unit clerks, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and technologists—I consistently sought to broaden my knowledge by asking insightful questions about their roles and the tasks they performed. In my daily responsibilities of verifying and restocking equipment, I gained insights into the significance of various medical devices in patient care. Witnessing remarkable surgeries led by industry leaders in cardiothoracic specialties was a truly transformative experience. This internship not only provided me with hands-on exposure to the medical field but also solidified my determination within the biomedical engineering domain and a future healthcare profession. My presentation will share the profound insights I gained into the true essence of biomedical engineering, the refinement of my leadership abilities, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills. This internship at Nemours Children’s Hospital has been a pivotal chapter in my academic and professional journey, reinforcing my commitment to contributing meaningfully to the healthcare landscape.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the spring of my sophomore year, I interned with A+E’s Law and Crime Trial Network. The Law and Crime Network broadcasts live court video, high-profile criminal trials, crazy crime, celebrity justice, and offers legal analysis of it all. As a broadcast journalism major at the University of South Carolina, my internship offered my first, hands on, journalism experience in the field. I had the chance to craft teasers for their script, select segments of the trial for the anchors to discuss, and delve into social media content creation. Additionally, I logged court proceedings, formulated questions and topics for the anchors, took on the role of producer by cueing up breaks, and performed various other tasks. Law and Crime’s morning show covered one of the largest public trials, the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard Trial. I was granted the opportunity to produce the last fifteen minutes of their show where I selected which clips the anchors would discuss, and its overall significance to his case. Participating in this internship solidified my love and passion for broadcast journalism, while also uncovering new areas of journalism I want to continue to pursue. This experience propelled me forward searching for other internship opportunities to continue to expand my knowledge in the journalism field, while also reaffirming my decision to pursue journalism as a full-time career.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Weyl Semimetals have received considerable attention due to their exciting physical properties. Manganese pnictides AMnPn2 (A= Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu, Pn = Sb or Bi) host Weyl fermions due to their nontrivial topology with broken time-reversal symmetry. Their low-energy electrons can be described by the relativistic Dirac equation, with a zero effective mass. BaMnSb2 crystallizes in a layered structure characterized by alternating stacking of MnSb and Ba-Sb-Ba layers. While theoretical calculations suggest that only the square lattice of the Sb layer can generate gapless Dirac cones, quantum properties have been observed in BaMnSb2 with the zig-zag-chained Sb layer. In order to understand the influence of the local structure on the electronic and magnetic properties, experimental investigations using various techniques are necessary. We have probed the crystal symmetry using the rotational anisotropy second harmonic generation (RA-SHG) technique. The RA-SHG data and polarized light microscopy indicate that the crystal has domains, mm2 point group symmetry, and an unknown component. Variable temperature RA-SHG shows symmetry and intensity changes accompanied with the magnetic ordering transition (~286 K). Since single crystal x-ray diffraction shows no evidence for bulk structural change, the symmetry change observed in RA-SHG may be attributed to the magnetic ordering.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Macrophages are immune cells that respond to inflammatory stimuli throughout the body. Macrophage dysfunction contributes to many aspects of chronic inflammatory disease. Thus, macrophages are an important target for therapies to resolve chronic inflammation. In previous work, we successfully synthesized poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) particles surface-functionalized with phosphatidylserine (PS). On the surface of cells undergoing apoptosis, PS functions as an “eat me” signal and a cue to resolve inflammation. Accordingly, macrophages bind and take up PS-bearing apoptotic cells through cell-surface receptors, and subsequently initiate an anti-inflammatory response. Likewise, we have shown that PS-presenting PLG (PS:PLG) particles are readily taken up by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-inflamed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and decrease the section of inflammatory cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 while increasing the release of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. However, for those studies, the PS used was derived from porcine brain, which is not recognized as safe by the FDA due to concerns involving the transmission of infectious encephalopathies such as mad cow disease. Hence, in this study, we sought to use 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (DOPS), a synthetically derived PS, and compare its efficacy to the porcine brain-derived PS. Using transmission electron microscopy to investigate the organization of PS on the particle surface, we observed that PS:PLG particles made with DOPS (DOPS:PLG) presented a unique flower-like morphology when compared to PS:PLG, which presented a spherical morphology. Despite this difference, DOPS:PLG particles achieved the same loading of PS as measured by NMR. Importantly, we found that DOPS:PLG particles were able to target and modulate LPS-induced inflammation in BMDMs with the same efficacy as particles made with brain-derived PS. These findings advance the use phosphatidylserine-PLG hybrid particles as a potential therapeutic for patients with chronic inflammation. Future studies will investigate the use of these DOPS:PLG particles to deliver small-molecule drugs that can further modulate the anti-inflammatory effects of the particles.
1:00-2:30 p.m.We have developed a sustainable method for the synthesis of biphenyl amine molecules using diazobenzene precursors, achieving advancements in green chemistry. Biphenyl amines are critical to the polymer industry and are conventionally produced via routes involving carcinogenic halogenated precursors. Because of this, current synthetic methods pose significant environmental and health risks. Our approach introduces a safer, environmentally friendly synthetic pathway that aligns with the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) principles of green chemistry, aiming to minimize toxic chemicals, maximize efficiency, and employ safer solvents. The synthesis we developed starts with the synthesis of intermediate azo complexes using environmentally benign potassium permanganate oxidant. Next, the azo complexes are reduced with earth abundant zinc in ACS approved "green" solvents and this reduction results in the targeted biphenyl amine molecules. Our pathway has demonstrated the successful synthesis of a variety of biphenyl amines bearing various functional groups which indicates the viability of our green synthetic pathway. This research underscores the potential of innovative green chemistry solutions in addressing the challenges of traditional synthetic methods, offering promising solutions for the sustainable production of industrially relevant chemical compounds. Future research will focus on refining this method to further increase yield and explore its scalability for industrial applications.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Transition metal oxides (TMOs) exhibit significant potential for use in high-temperature thermoelectric (TE) applications. To develop oxide TE materials with a large power factor (PF), enhancing both electrical conductivity (σ) and thermopower (S) is indispensable. However, due to the trade-off relationship between S and σ, the maximum achievable PF has a limit. To overcome this trade-off relationship, metal exsolution recently emerged and shows promise to improve both S and σ. However, the effect of metal exsolution with different particle sizes and densities on S and σ is still largely unexplored. This study demonstrates an unusually large PF enhancement through the exsolution of Ni nanoparticles in epitaxial La0.7Ca0.2Ni0.25Ti0.75O3 (LCNTO) thin films. Metal exsolution leads to a decrease in the carrier concentration while increasing the carrier mobility due to energy filtering effects. Consequently, the exsolution of metal particles results in a significant enhancement in S in accordance with the highly increased σ compared to the as-grown film. Overall, the TE power factor of LCNTO is dramatically enhanced by up to 8 orders of magnitude owing to the presence of exsolved metal particles. This study highlights a novel approach for tailoring the interconnected physical and chemical properties of oxides, thereby leading to the significant enhancement of TE conversion efficiency.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The snapping shrimp have both a defense mechanism against rivals and against shockwaves. Their claws are used as a defense against rivals by snapping quickly, forming cavitation bubbles that collapse, producing shockwaves that can injury nearby organisms. Due to their weaponized claws, the snapping shrimp face an increased risk of traumatic brain injuries from the shockwaves they or other shrimp produce but have developed a theorized mechanism of dampening shockwaves in the form of an orbital hood. The orbital hood is a helmet-like extension of the exoskeleton that functions to dampen shockwaves by expelling water out from underneath, redirecting the kinetic energy from the shockwave away from the nervous system of the shrimp. This study aims to identify the material and microstructural properties of the orbital hoods. The orbital hoods were studied along with another part of the shrimp’s exoskeleton as a control, the carapace. Tensile mechanical testing was used to measure the material properties, in which the orbital hood and carapace samples were subjected to a 0.3 tensile strain over 5 seconds and held in place for another 65 seconds. Force-displacement data was measured and converted to stress-strain data, which was fitted to a Maxwell-Weichert constitutive equation. The results from the mechanical testing were incorporated into a finite element (FE) simulation to quantify the differences in shockwave protection when the brain is protected with orbital hood and carapace material properties, or with no protection. The results from the mechanical testing show stiffness values for the orbital hood that are approximately half those of the carapace. A t-test displays p-values less than 0.05, indicating the stiffness of the orbital hood is significantly different from the stiffness of the carapace. The FE analysis shows that the orbital hood reduces the shockwave-induced stress in the brain by 48.0%, while the carapace only reduces it by 39.5%. Upon testing and analysis, there is data to suggest that the orbital hoods of the snapping shrimp have different material and structural properties than their carapace counterparts. Further studies can be conducted to better understand the role the material properties have in shockwave dampening.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In a complex environment, the brain processes hundreds of sensory stimuli to determine which are most relevant for survival. Salient stimuli elicit a motivated behavioral response through activity and plasticity on the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc), a motivation-related brain region. Excitatory projections to the NAc converge on the major projection neurons, medium spiny neurons (MSNs); however, it is unclear which of these brain pathways cause sensory-dependent activation of the NAc. To first determine which neutral stimuli are capable of activating NAc MSNs, we used fiber photometry in mice to assess MSN calcium activity. Mice were lightly anesthetized to suppress any activity induced by movement and isolate sensory-induced activation. We showed that NAc MSNs are activated by foot pinch, auditory cues, and blue and green light input delivered to the retina, indicating that these neutral, non-conditioned stimuli alone may be able to elicit motivated response. Visual input produced the most consistent and robust activation of NAc MSNs, likely due to activation of retinal ganglia cells and their connections to multiple brain regions that process light. To investigate these pathways by which NAc activation occurs, we injected mice in the NAc with Retrobeads to retrogradely label NAc inputs. Mice under light anesthesia were either subjected to 30, 1 sec light pulses delivered to the retina or no light and were sacrificed 90 min later to assess for c-fos expression as a marker of neural activity. We are currently evaluating c-fos expression in known light-sensitive excitatory and modulatory inputs of the NAc including thalamic nuclei, the basolateral amygdala, midbrain dopamine inputs, and prefrontocortical nuclei. A significant increase in c-fos expression in these regions in light exposed mice versus light non-exposed mice would suggest their involvement in light-induced NAc activation and may indicate the mechanism by which this occurs. These findings will provide an understanding of how sensory input may activate the NAc to influence motivation, neural plasticity, and learning.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Transition metal oxides (TMOs) possess a variety of fascinating properties, ranging from superconductivity and ferroelectricity to electrochemical and piezoelectric phenomena due to the intricate interplay of charge, orbital, spin, and structural properties within TMOs. Particularly, ABO3 perovskites are widely used in many energy applications. With the rapid development of two-dimensional (2D) thin films, it is highly anticipated that exemplary functionalities will be achieved from epitaxial oxide thin films. However, the application of epitaxial thin films in energy devices faces limitations, especially the substrate impact on the properties. A breakthrough involves weakening epitaxial crystals and integrating water-soluble sacrificial layers, enabling the detachment of ultrathin oxide crystals from substrates, and forming freestanding thin films. Despite various methodologies, the wet etching method using water-soluble sacrificial oxide layers is considered the most promising approach for producing high-quality freestanding perovskite oxide single crystals. However, achieving freestanding perovskite thin layers remains challenging due to a lack of understanding of the sacrificial layers and transfer step. In this project, we demonstrate the synthesis of freestanding La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 (LSC) nanomembranes, which are widely used in electrochemical energy applications. Membranes are fabricated by employing water-soluble (Sr,Ca)3Al2O6 sacrificial layers epitaxially grown on SrTiO3 (001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Once LSC thin films with the sacrificial layer are synthesized, all samples are coated with a polymer support layer that enables the transfer of the sample onto other substrates. Subsequently, wet etching in DI water is employed to dissolve the sacrificial oxide. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrical conductivity relaxation are employed to determine the electrochemical properties of the samples. This study demonstrates the potential to transfer perovskite films with tailored properties onto desired substrates.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Point cloud shape completion, which aims to reconstruct the missing regions of the incomplete point clouds with plausible shapes, is an ill-posed and challenging task that benefits many downstream 3D applications. Prior approaches achieve this goal by employing a two-stage completion framework, generating a coarse yet complete seed point cloud through an encoder-decoder network, followed by refinement and upsampling. However, the encoded features suffer from information loss of the missing portion, leading to an inability of the decoder to reconstruct seed points with detailed geometric clues. To tackle this issue, we propose a novel Orthogonal Dictionary Guided Shape Completion Network (ODGNet). The proposed ODGNet consists of a Seed Generation U-Net, which leverages multi-level feature extraction and concatenation to significantly enhance the representation capability of seed points, and Orthogonal Dictionaries that can learn shape priors from training samples and thus compensate for the information loss of the missing portions during inference. Our design is simple but to the point, extensive experiment results indicate that the proposed method can reconstruct point clouds with more details and outperform previous state-of-the-art counterparts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The 1490s proved a tumultuous time for the social order of the islands of the Caribbean. Upon Columbus’ first expedition and later return to the island of Hispaniola, modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the hierarchies of the indigenous people were exploited and transformed to represent a social order dominated by Europeans. The sudden shift from peaceful coexistence to forced slave labor as well as exposure to new diseases and violent conflicts left the Indigenous peoples devastated and cleared the path for a new workforce to exploit the lands natural wealth for the gain of the Spanish crown. But how were The Spanish so successful in uprooting the indigenous social order and implementing their own? Many scholars have taken on this question including Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo who argues that the Spanish were well versed in colonizing and dominating newly won land and conquered people from past experiences in the Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula and colonization of the Canary Islands. Understanding the methods of obtaining power and influence over the natives whether by land acquisition, religion, or pure violence, is key to analyzing the shift of not only the political structures of the Caribbean, but major shifts in the demographics and subsequent social orders as well.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether incorporating a simulated standardized patient curriculum into a didactic curriculum increased the competency and comfort level of family medicine residents with sports medicine and musculoskeletal conditions. Methods and Study Design: This study was an observational cohort study. Current family medicine residents took a pre-test with questions taken from the MSK 30 Competency Test. Residents then completed a simulation that included three standardized patients presenting with common conditions during a sports PPE. Residents took the competency test again 1-3 days later and were asked for feedback about the teaching method. Results: There were 15 participants in the study, with 10 completing the pre- and posttest. The participants who dropped out had to either leave the simulation early or were unable to complete the post test . Though the sample was small, the Shapiro Wilk test for normality suggested a normal distribution between test answers. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in mean score averages from 48% to 70% (p= 0.012) and median score averages improved from 60 to 80 % (p= 0.027) post intervention. When assessing individual questions, using the Fischer's Exact test, the questions focused on exam findings showed significant improvement after intervention with 10 % correct to 80 % correct (p=0.006). The rest of the questions showed either no change or better, but the results were not statistically significant. Participant feedback stated that the standardized patient simulation was enjoyable and a great way to learn. Conclusions: This study supports previous research showing that family medicine residents underperform in sports medicine. While our study population was small, the statistically significant improvement on test scores supports the impact of simulation on education. Residents reported that this was an effective and enjoyable way to learn. Future research could include a larger population and evaluate in-training exam scores to better establish efficacy. Significance of Findings: This study could help improve musculoskeletal education in primary care residencies as well as improve the baseline musculoskeletal/sports medicine competency of physicians prior to entering sports medicine fellowship.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This study examines the impact of different visible light wavelengths on the reproductive behavior of Daphnia, a key aquatic organism. Daphnia exhibit sensitivity to light cues, influencing their reproductive patterns. By exposing Daphnia populations solely to visible light wavelengths, excluding ultraviolet, we aim to delineate the effects on reproductive parameters such as mating frequency, brood size, and offspring viability. This research sheds light on the intricate relationship between light conditions and Daphnia reproductive dynamics, with potential implications for ecological management strategies in aquatic environments.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Dance serves as a powerful medium for expressing human emotions, but the lifelike generation of dance is still a considerable challenge. Recently, diffusion models have showcased remarkable generative abilities across various domains. They hold promise for human motion generation due to their adaptable many-to-many nature. Nonetheless, current diffusion-based motion generation models often create entire motion sequences directly and unidirectionally, lacking focus on the motion with local and bidirectional enhancement. When choreographing high-quality dance movements, people need to take into account not only the musical context but also the nearby music-aligned dance motions. To authentically capture human behavior, we propose a Bidirectional Autoregressive Diffusion Model (BADM) for music-to-dance generation, where a bidirectional encoder is built to enforce that the generated dance is harmonious in both the forward and backward directions. To make the generated dance motion smoother, a local information decoder is built for local motion enhancement. The proposed framework is able to generate new motions based on the input conditions and nearby motions, which foresees individual motion slices iteratively and consolidates all predictions. To further refine the synchronicity between the generated dance and the beat, the beat information is incorporated as an input to generate better music-aligned dance movements. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art performance compared to existing unidirectional approaches on the prominent benchmark for music-to-dance generation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the parotid gland is an exceedingly rare finding following parotidectomy. A recent literature review from Japan reports that only 43 cases of this particular finding have been described. Our case involves a 65-year-old female who presented to her plastic surgeon for removal of a growing mass in her left parotid gland. Fine needle aspiration of the mass showed atypia of undetermined significance, and she was referred to a head/neck surgical oncologist. She underwent a superficial parotidectomy with the final pathology demonstrating the rare SFT. Among SFTs found, the tumor is located in the parotid gland only 0.5% of the time. While a majority of SFTs are benign and only locally destructive, there is a significant portion that develop malignant potential. Due to the infrequency of this disease, there is little guidance on how to classify or prognosticate SFTs. Wide local excision with R0 margins remains the mainstay treatment with controversy regarding adjuvant therapy for tumors with positive margins or recurrence. Our presentation will provide a broad overview of the epidemiology, common presentations, pathology, treatments, and surveillance of this rare occurrence. We hope that our case will meaningfully contribute to the literature, and one day aid in developing a more systematic approach to the disease.
1:00-2:30 p.m.We sought to explore how social media influences the mental health of college aged students. We conducted a literature review to assess the previous research of social media usage. We found a noticeable gap in research surrounding how social media impacts mental health. Consequently, we designed a study on exploring and understanding the potential beneficial and negative effects of social media within college-level students at the University of South Carolina. Our study will create several focus groups of four to five participants grouped into subcategories based on factors such as age, minority status, and gender. Focus groups will be semi-structured with the help of a session leader. The session will begin with several rapport-building questions before moving into questions related to social media. There will be several questions asking about participants’ social media usage and the amount of time spent on social media, along with how it correlates to general wellbeing. From there, we will look into the potential negative effects that social media can have on college students. There are still many unknowns within the realm of social media; it is our aim to bring more awareness to the impacts of social media and the potential detriments that it can have on one’s mental health.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I have been a part of the executive council of Sigma Alpha Epsilon since I was a sophomore at USC. The executive council is a very important part of the governance of any fraternity, especially SAE. There are various positions that all work together to plan events, organize philanthropy, and maintain a good relationship with the school and nationals. Over my four years, I was the recorder, social chair, president, and now senior advisor. I am proud of my participation and my accomplishments in those roles. However, I was fortunate to have great leaders ahead of me who paved the path before me and showed me how to excel in each position. With every position that I had, I learned not only how to do that job but more about the other jobs on Exec. Because of those two things leadership on the Executive council is a very fluid and collaborative path in SAE. As I moved through the ranks I tried my best to help the younger leaders emerge and find their own direction within the fraternity. Over my four years, I realized how much mentorship meant to me and potentially how much it could do for younger people in my chapter. I strive to be a good role model for those individuals and also teach them how to mentor the guys coming in after I leave. In this presentation, I hope to explain how leadership within SAE is a positive cycle where old leaders educate the new ones on how to be as productive, influential, and successful as possible.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction/Problem Statement: Assessing postoperative neuropathic mastalgia (PNM) among oncology breast surgical patients is not commonly performed using a surgery specific pain scale at large South Carolina healthcare organization and is historically misdiagnosed, mismanaged, despite representing a common and significant complication (Gong et al., 2020; Humble et al., 2015; Mejdahl et al., 2019). Studies show that early identification of patients with neuropathic-specific pain following breast cancer-related surgery facilitates better pain management and patient outcomes (Pereira et al., 2017; Sipilä et al., 2012). Assessing organizational readiness to adopt Evidence-Based Practice change is recommended to facilitate the identification of potential barriers to implementation and to increase stakeholder buy-in (Melnyk, et al., 2010). Purpose: The primary purpose of this EBP quality improvement (QI) project is to determine provider and key stakeholder perceived organizational readiness for implementing a Surgery Specific Scale for Neuropathic Pain (SSSNP) among breast cancer patients. Method(s): Organizational readiness for EBP was assessed using the Organizational Culture & Readiness for System-wide Integration of Evidence-Based Practice (OCRSIEP) survey (Melnyk, et al., 2010). Measurements used pre-survey and post-survey assessments for the identification of organizational readiness among the key stakeholders after SSSNP training (Melnyk, et al., 2010). Analysis: Matched T tests and descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis. Results: No statistical improvement in EBP readiness for EBP change indicating an overall lack of readiness for implementing a neuropathic surgical pain scale, further review is indicated. Conclusion/Implications for practice: This project determined clinical preparation and barriers for EBP and the utilization of SSSNP. Key words: mastectomy, lumpectomy, persistent pain, mastalgia, organizational readiness, evidence-based practice, EBP, breast cancer, neuropathy, neuropathic.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension are major comorbidities affecting treatment outcome in male and female ischemic stroke patients with recombinant tissue plasminogen therapy (rTPA). However, risk factors contributing to the exclusion from rTPA for male or female ischemic stroke patients with a history of CAD and hypertension are not fully understood. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data from 5469 patients with an ischemic stroke event from a regional stroke center collected from January 2010 to June 2016. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with gender differences in ischemic stroke patients with a history of CAD and hypertension excluded from rTPA. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each clinical risk factor were used to predict the increasing odds of an association of a specific clinical baseline risk factor with the male or female acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with CAD and hypertension excluded from rTPA. Results: In the population of male patients with CAD and hypertension, heart failure (OR = .590, 95% CI, .428-.811, P = 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (OR = .978, 95% CI, .970-.986, P < .001) were found to be significantly associated with exclusion of rTPA. In the population of female patients with CAD and hypertension, age (OR = 1.033, 95% CI, 1.020-1.045, P < .001) and BMI (OR = 1.037, 95% CI, 1.017-1.057, P < .001), were associated with exclusion of rTPA. Conclusion: The findings indicate that there is a gender difference for AIS patients with CAD and hypertension excluded from rTPA. Further studies to explore management strategies to eliminate gender differences will improve the inclusion of more male and female AIS patients with CAD and hypertension for rTPA therapy.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Black drum (Pogonias cromis), silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are among many fish species that produce sounds associated with courtship behavior and spawning in South Carolina (SC) waters. By listening to estuaries and quantifying fish sounds, we can evaluate the reproductive potential of these ecologically and economically important species from one year to the next. In this study, our objectives were to (i) investigate long-term, temporal patterns of fish sounds and (ii) compare patterns across four estuaries in SC. As part of the Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS), we monitored biological, geophysical, and anthropogenic sounds in the May River (2013-2023), Chechessee Creek/Colleton River (2019-2023), Charleston Harbor (2017-2023), and North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (2020-2023). We utilized passive acoustic recorders mounted onto instrument frames that recorded sound underwater for two minutes on the hour at nine stations. We subsampled the ESONS dataset and reviewed even hour sound (i.e., wav) files using Adobe Audition, which equated to analyzing 39,420 wav files per year. Fish calling was scored on a scale of 0 to 3 (i.e., 0 = no calls; 1 = 1 call; 2 = multiple calls; and 3 = overlapping calls or chorusing) for all species in each 2-minute sound file. Across all stations and estuaries, fish sound production was highest from spring to fall and lowest during the winter. More importantly, species-specific calling patterns were consistent across estuaries. Black drum, silver perch, and oyster toadfish began calling in early spring and ended in early summer; spotted seatrout chorused all summer long; and red drum chorused during the fall months. Future work will report the start and end dates of the chorusing season and total hours of chorusing for each species from 2013 to 2023 for all stations across estuaries. These data will offer insights into the temporal synchrony of fish chorusing and spawning across estuaries in SC that can be used to assess the effects of anthropogenic noise in more urbanized estuaries such as Charleston Harbor.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As a student in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, I have become an advocate for underrepresented populations and pressing public health issues beyond the classroom. I am very involved in my local community, serving as an emergency medical technician, baby hugger in the NICU, personal touch volunteer, and maternal and child health innovator. Through these different pathways, I observe many different public health issues and can see firsthand how it is affecting the community. Reflecting on a specific emergency call I worked on, I was able to see how poverty and drug use affect family dynamics and children’s ability to thrive. On a Thursday afternoon, an eighteen-year-old called for a “sprained ankle”, upon arrival at the scene my partners and I quickly realized this was not going to be a simple case. I look to my right to see the teenager’s father in and out of consciousness he was so drunk and I look back to a poor boy craving the attention and love he deserved. After my patient assessment, it became obvious the boy was abusing drugs to cope with his environment. I applied my knowledge of social determinants from PUBH 302 to increase my exposure to concepts beyond the classroom. I hope to inspire fellow students to become more engaged with their local community by stressing the importance of unification and involvement in combating public health issues. There is power in knowledge, if I can show students how easy it can be to get involved and how rewarding it is, not only to the community but to oneself, then my goal will be met for this project. Service can be a great outlet to understand better the public health problems local members of the community face every day. As a public health major, I find community service a great way to learn hands-on what I am learning about within the classroom. Throughout my portfolio, I will expand on my volunteer experiences and how it has shaped me into the public health advocate I have grown to be.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Transposable elements (TEs) are segments of DNA that “jump” within an organism’s genome. They cause mutations that result in genetic diversity and facilitate evolution. TEs are also being developed into genome editing tools because they can be inserted into targeted locations. We study the transposition behavior of mPing, an active TE from rice that is being developed for targeted insertion in plants. This element is mobilized by the ORF1 and Transposase (TPase) proteins from the related Pong element. We previously developed a hyperactive version of Pong TPase, named 1C-C12. In addition to mutations that disrupt a nuclear localization signal, this version of Pong TPase has two mutations V422E and A456V that both increase mPing mobilization in yeast. Our goal was to make a fused 1C-C12 TPase and ORF1 construct that could be expressed from a single promoter, to improve the efficiency of mPing-based genome manipulation in plants. We cloned a T2A peptide between our hyperactive TPase and the hyperactive ORF1 SC1 ONE version of ORF1 using bridge fusion PCR to link the ORF1 and TPase genes. This fragment was Gateway cloned into the pAG425 GAL plasmid to allow for testing of the construct with the yeast transposition assay. If this T2A construct shows improvement in yeast, we will test it using our Arabidopsis transposition assay.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Repetitive behaviors are observed in a plethora of neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. While SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy provide symptomatic relief for some, these approaches are not effective for all patients, highlighting a need for new therapeutic strategies. Mice in which the SAPAP3 gene is knocked out are phenotypically characterized as displaying excessive grooming behaviors, and provide a preclinical model for understanding repetitive behaviors and testing novel therapeutic strategies. Our study aimed to determine if potentiation of M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors could reduce repetitive grooming in SAPAP3 knockout mice. To evaluate the repetitive behaviors of SAPAP3 mice, experimental animals were assessed for grooming patterns and movements. We hand scored the videos of the mice grooming and compared the results to MoSeq, a machine learning method for quantifying mouse behaviors. Grooming was assessed following an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of an M4 positive allosteric modulator (M4 PAM) that acts by amplifying the signaling and response to acetylcholine (VU0467154). Mice that were injected i.p. with vehicle were assessed as a control. Both hand scoring and MoSeq analysis indicate that the M4 PAM decreased grooming in the KO mice at all doses greater than 0.3 mg/kg, while having no effect on grooming in WT mice. Further, the M4 PAM suppressed multiple behaviors at higher doses (3 mg/kg), but selectively reduced grooming at lower doses (0.3 or 1 mg/kg). The results provide the first evidence that M4 PAMs can decrease repetitive grooming behaviors in SAPAP3 KO mice. Additional studies are being conducted to evaluate potential brain circuits, such as striatal dopamine projections, whereby M4 PAMs may act to mediate these behavioral effects.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In Beaufort County, South Carolina (SC), the population growth has dramatically increased with a rate of 263% from 1969 – 2021. With this increase in population, it is very possible that recreational vessels in surrounding estuaries have become more abundant. Boating can have environmental consequences including chemical pollution, injuries to marine life, and noise pollution. One consequence of noise is acoustic masking, which is the perceptual interference of an acoustic signal (e.g., produced by a species) by human activity (e.g., produced by a vessel). For example, a male red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) chorus can be masked by boat noise, leading to a loss of communication with females during courtship, which could affect spawning success. In this study, our objectives were to (i) investigate long-term, temporal patterns of vessel detections from 2013 to 2023 in the May River estuary and (ii) determine if these detections have increased over this 10-year period. As part of the Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS), we monitored anthropogenic noise in the May River estuary using passive acoustic recorders mounted onto instrument frames. These instruments recorded sound for two minutes at the beginning of every hour, and we subsampled the dataset and reviewed even hour sound (i.e., wav) files using Adobe Audition. Each two-minute wav file was scored a 0 or 1 based on the absence or presence of vessel noise. Boat noise was more prevalent in the summer compared to the winter and during the day compared to night. Recreational boaters are more active on the water on summer days, which may impact fish populations that chorus earlier in the day such as red drum. Based upon the 10-year dataset from 2013 to 2023, vessel detections have increased in the May River estuary, which elevates the risk of chemical pollution, injuries to marine life, and acoustic masking.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Contracting muscle has metabolic demands. The body must be able to facilitate perfusion of muscle mass, increase oxygen extraction, and remove waste products, such as lactic acid. This phenomenon is known as exercise-induced hyperemia; known in fitness communities as “the pump”. This project focused on using ultrasound to quantify the effects of exercise-induced hyperemia on muscle volume, specifically that of the biceps brachii.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Racial trauma is defined as traumatic symptoms due to the cumulative effects of racial discrimination. Racial trauma has been shown to cause immense distress to minoritized populations. Since traumatic symptoms have been shown to worsen mental health, it is important to examine the impacts from racial trauma on overall wellbeing. The current study aims to examine 1) how racial trauma impacts mental and physical health, 2) if different racial identity groups experience racial trauma differently, 3) how different coping mechanisms (active, socio-emotional, avoidance) moderates the effects racial trauma has on mental and physical health, and 4) how different racial identity groups cope with racial trauma. Data was collected from survey responses via Amazon Mechanical Turk (n=932). Linear regression analyses, one-way ANOVAs, and moderation analyses were conducted through SPSS to analyze the data. The results found that racial trauma had a positive correlation with depression symptoms and a negative correlation with physical wellbeing. This demonstrates the potential causal relationship between racial trauma on mental and physical health. Additionally, the results demonstrated that avoidance coping moderates the effect racial trauma has on physical health. The results of this study could potentially inform future interventions to improve the wellbeing of individuals impacted by racial trauma.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The marine barnacle Semibalanus balanoides is a major foundation species in rocky intertidal marine communities of the cold-temperate waters of the northern hemisphere. S. balanoides are important in occupying space in marine environments and consequently play a major role in what other species may persist in these habitats. Despite their importance in the ecological dynamics of rocky intertidal communities the early settlement, growth, and recruitment of S. balanoides is not well known. In this study we examine the effects of climate on the growth rate of S. balanoides shortly after settlement from the plankton. We examined early growth rate across the latitudinal range of the species in the United Kingdom. We found that initial size upon settlement has no significant effect on early juvenile growth rate. Initial analysis found no clear pattern of growth rate during the first 30-days following settlement with latitude or temperature. This result suggests that variation in early growth rate depends more upon local environmental circumstances than on large-scale patterns of temperature variation. We attempt to incorporate local food supply and temperature effects on feeding rate to determine whether these factors are better predictors of early growth rate than is large scale patterns of temperature variation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Parents exposed to major and cumulative stressors such as history of trauma, mental health challenges, substance misuse, financial strain, HIV, and racial discrimination, potentially experience difficulty in engaging in positive parenting strategies. Furthermore, parents exposed to cumulative stressors may exacerbate child health difficulties related to socioemotional outcomes, physical health, and sleep. Research has supported that parent-based preventive-intervention programs have been associated with improving the parent-child relationship and child developmental outcomes; however, parents exposed to cumulative stressors may not fully benefit from these preventive-intervention programs due to the lack of emphasis on improving parent self-regulation. The current study aims to address both parent self-regulation skills and child developmental outcomes in children ages 3-9. Addressing parents' self-regulation skills, while also targeting child developmental outcomes, may improve positive parenting skills and parent-child relationships, family functioning, and children's socioemotional and physical health outcomes. This study seeks to enhance parent-based preventive-intervention programs by addressing parental stress in families with cumulative stressors using an intervention that further cultivates positive parent-child relationships. The program will provide the necessary feedback and data needed to determine efficacy and validity to implement on a larger scale, allowing greater accessibility to programs that improve the well-being of both parents and children. Moreover, the impact of the current study will inform researchers of the importance of addressing parent self-regulation to improve child socioemotional, sleep, and physical health outcomes. Lastly, the results from the study will provide insight on specific aspects of the study that were most impactful in improving parent self-regulation and child outcomes for families exposed to major stressors.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Globally, the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region exhibits the widest gap in perinatal mental health disorder (PMHD) screening and treatment. Considering the human resource shortages in the region and evidence showing that PMHDs persist even among mothers on pharmacotherapy, community health workers (CHWs) can play a crucial role in bridging the PMHD management gap. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends task sharing to optimize resource utilization in human resource crisis settings to uphold successes and enhance future health outcomes. Aim: To summarize the evidence on CHW-delivered screening, psychoeducation, and social support for PMHDs in SSA. Methods: We developed a search strategy for articles in the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and WHO Regional Databases for Africa databases, scoping and systematic reviews, and reference lists with the help of a university librarian. Inclusion criteria comprised studies that reported i) task-sharing, ii) CHWs in the delivery of PMHD screening or interventions, and iv) data that originated from SSA. We did not limit the publication date. Conference abstracts and protocols were excluded. A data sheet was used to extract study characteristics, and a narrative synthesis of articles was coded descriptively to analyze findings and derive conclusions. Results: Twenty-eight studies from eight countries consisted of nine randomized controlled trials, seven quasi-experimental, six cross-sectional, two cohort, and four qualitative studies. About 54% of the studies were from South Africa, 68% were conducted in peri-urban/urban contexts, and 96% focused on self-reported maternal depression. All studies used validated tools for the assessment of mental health symptoms. The findings regarding the effectiveness of CHW-delivered interventions were either non-significant or positively associated with reduced depressive symptoms, and additional conditional cash transfers had no benefit in reducing PMHDs. CHW-delivered PMHD screening was acceptable and feasible. Conclusions: The high burden of PMHDs in SSA calls for urgent scaling up of CHW-delivered interventions. We recommend expanding the scope to neglected PMHDs, such as stress and anxiety. Future studies should focus on rural mothers and integrate technological advances in the screening and managing of PMHDs. Collaboration between the community and formal health system can help sustain maternal mental health in SSA.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The glucocorticoid (GC) hypothesis posits that effects of stress and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity accumulate over the lifespan and contribute to impairment of neural function and cognition in advanced aging. The validity of the GC hypothesis is bolstered by a wealth of studies that investigate aging of the hippocampus and decline of associated mnemonic functions. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediates working memory which decreases with age. While the PFC is susceptible to stress and GCs, few studies have formally assessed the application of the GC hypothesis to PFC aging and working memory. Our study tested the hypothesis that chronic stress will impair working memory and alter PFC gene expression in a manner that replicates behavioral and molecular signatures of PFC aging.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global health issue. IPV refers to the violence or a pattern of abusive behaviors between partners, encompassing sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and physical aggression. According to the USPSTF, 36% of US women and 33% of US men will experience IPV at some point during their lifetime. Screening for patients experiencing IPV in the healthcare setting provides several potential advantages. One-on-one conversation with a staff member allows for the safe disclosure of sensitive information. Providers are also able to establish trust with patients over multiple visits allowing patients to become more comfortable discussing IPV. Community resources and local experts are needed to best support patients who have screened positive for IPV, and to educate providers on identifying signs of domestic violence. The Links to Care IPV project was created with the intent to evaluate and improve the current IPV screening process as well as to assess provider readiness in treating patients who screen positive for IPV at the Prisma Health Internal Medicine – Sunset Drive Clinic in Columbia, SC. Links to Care was created by medical students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine to follow up with patients who have screened positive for food and transportation insecurities. During this project we identified several changes that could improve IPV screening during an appointment. These changes were implemented by clinic staff and were positively received. Supporting patient confidentiality through physical isolation during screening increased the positive screen rate for IPV from an initial 5.2% to a 6.5% positive screen rate (workflow changes are detailed in Methods). This 1.3% increase brings the clinic’s positive screen rate closer to the estimated 12-month IPV prevalence in the United States of 7-8%.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As someone who is going into the field of nursing, I have always had a passion for caring, teaching, and assisting those around me. Most significantly, this passion has stemmed from my love for working with children. As children grow, they need the assistance of someone to guide them, teach them right from wrong, and help them develop their skills effectively. In psychology, I learned that Kohlberg’s moral development theory establishes the stages of an individual's moral development. This plays a significant role in how students learn, contextualize, and communicate information, both internally and externally. Along with this, Vygtoskys theory explains why a skilled person is essential for helping students do tasks independently. In my experience as a student assistant at an elementary school, I was able to apply these practices by assessing students' level of morality to be able to assist and give them the support they need. This experience of serving as a leader for students altered my daily interactions and communication skills with children and all individuals. Through this experience, I learned how to connect with and care for the modifications in a child’s skills and moral reasoning, interact with a diverse group of children, and communicate efficiently. My presentation will discuss the positive associations and the shift in outlook that leading and communicating with children can have on my ability to adapt in various environments and to all individuals I interact with.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Parents have an important role in supporting children's development in both social-emotional wellbeing and lifestyle behaviors. However, parents who deal with major stressors may experience more parental stress which in turn contributes to poor socio-emotional health and lifestyle behaviors for children. The Improving Health for Parents and Children Together (ImPACT) study is a pilot randomized study that examines the impact of family stressors, such as chronic illness, racism, trauma, HIV, financial strain, and parental substance use, on child health and parent-child relationships. Primarily, the study focuses on the parents’ role in promoting child health and preventing the intergenerational transmission of risk. The study focuses on parents with children between the ages of 3-9 who are dealing with major stressor. As an undergraduate researcher in the lab, I partake in various roles. In the initial development of the project, I was responsible for creating the recruitment flyers, later on I worked on various literature reviews such as reviews focusing on Ecological Momentary Assessments, Daily Diary as well as Parental Acculturation which allowed us to understand the current gaps in the literature. Further, I played a role in creating greeting cards for study participants and assist in survey development. In the future, I will be responsible for preparing accelerometers for the children in the study as well as assist with childcare. Through this study we hope to promote ways in which parental stress can be reduced which mutually correlates with healthy development of the child. The optimal goal of this research is to promote health equity by using knowledge about risk and protective factors to guide the development of family based, trauma-informed prevention and intervention efforts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Problem Statement: Older people in hospitals may face a greater risk of falls due to the use of medication, lower body weakness, and some difficulty with balance and walking. Over the past five years, there has been a steady increase in the prevalence of falls with the targeted unit reporting over 5 falls per 1000 patient days, which is higher than the national average. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to decrease falls and decrease falls with injuries in this patient population. Methods: The project employed a pre-post intervention design that measured fall incidence in the targeted unit after the implementation of a validated fall prevention toolkit based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) fall prevention toolkit. Data sourced from the clinical systems were used to determine whether the use of the toolkit led to an improvement in the incidence of falls. Inclusion Criteria: Inpatient falls, and the patient should be at least 65 years of age. Analysis: There was a clinically significant drop in the rate of falls from 4.30 falls per 1000 bed days before the implementation of the toolkit to only 2.05 falls per 1000 bed days after the implementation of the intervention. However, the test for proportion revealed that the change in the fall rate was not statistically significant. Implications for Practice: The use of the AHRQ fall prevention toolkit or strategies based on this toolkit may contribute to lowering the incidence of falls among elderly patients. The acute care facility should consider integrating the toolkit into practice guidelines to ensure that the observed improvements in fall rates are sustained. Keywords: Falls, older people, fall prevention toolkit, fall incidence, acute rehabilitation center
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project entails the use of the Swarm Intelligence (SI) algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to solve the Rendezvous or Consensus problem. PSO uses a swarm of virtual birds (called particles) which fly around looking for the optimal answer to an optimization problem. The flight of these particles is influenced by their own memory and the location of the best particle in the neighborhood around them. Running this algorithm results in all particles in the swarm converging on the optimal solution to the problem. PSO is effective for controlling distributed systems, which are systems comprised of multiple agents not controlled by a central agent. In the multi-agent Rendezvous problem, a distributed system of 3 robots equipped with sensors that allow them to see a small area around them are placed in an unknown environment, and they are tasked with meeting at a single point, while minimizing energy waste through movement and pathing. We intend to solve this problem by having each robot calculate an optimal rendezvous point using its own knowledge of the environment around it and the positions of the other two robots. This calculated optimal location is then sent to the other two robots, which in turn use PSO to alter their trajectories while considering this optimal rendezvous point and their own experiences. As the robots move further and encounter more obstacles, their trajectories change until they meet up at a single point. Incorporating PSO into this problem has the potential to achieve faster convergence times and improve efficiency. It also opens the door to future innovations, which may incorporate more specialized PSO algorithms or more complex environmental conditions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Plant transposons are DNA sequences capable of moving to a new location within the genome. Their mobility contributes to genetic diversity by altering gene function or regulation and they have been harnessed as tools for plant genome modification. The goal of this investigation was to study the transposition mechanisms of a Mariner-like element from Zea mays called ZmMar20, that showed evidence of recent transposition. Our hypothesis was that ZmMar20’s transposition behavior would be similar to the related OsMar5 element from Oryza sativa, which exhibits up to 8 bp footprints and overexpression inhibition. Utilizing yeast transposition assays, we found that Zmar20 excision sites also showed footprints of up to 8 bp. However, increasing ZmMar20 Transposase expression using a high copy plasmid resulted in higher transposition, suggesting that overexpression inhibition was not occurring. To test if the Transposase was not efficiently entering the nucleus, we tested the effect of addition of a strong Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS) to N or C-terminal of the protein. Addition of the NLS to the C-terminal resulted in a significant increase in transposition, consistent with protein localization regulating transposase activity. The outcomes of this study advance our knowledge of Mariner element mobility and have implications for transposon based genetic engineering.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tau protein neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain. Plaques are primarily comprised of isoforms Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, which are formed by the miscleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Though both isoforms can form plaques, Aβ1-42 aggregates faster and forms more stable soluble oligomers that appear first and are hypothesized to be the primary pathogenic entity, while Aβ1-40 forms large insoluble fibrils over time that deposit in the brain and surround dysfunctional neurons. Current therapeutic options of cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) are costly and only treat symptoms of AD as opposed to its underlying biological causes, warranting the development of cost-effective, naturally occurring therapeutics. Polyphenols are a broad class of compounds found in plants that exert numerous health benefits. Betalains, a subcategory of polyphenols, exhibit strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that show promise in ameliorating disease conditions. Betanin, a red-beet pigment classified in the betalain subcategory of polyphenols, has exhibited inhibitory properties in Aβ oligomerization and fibril formation. In this study, the inhibitory effects of betanin in the presence of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 monomeric species were characterized using monomer aggregation assays analyzed by fluorescent probes and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and oligomerization assays analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and western blots, respectively. Notably, treatment with 500 µM red-beet betanin significantly reduced the formation of larger aggregate species, suggesting that betanin pigments can inhibit Aβ aggregation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was enacted in 2009, colleges and universities have seen an influx of student service members and veterans (SSM/Vs). Though these educational benefits have allowed more military personnel access to an undergraduate degree, much remains unknown about their experiences in a college atmosphere. Given the elevated risk of alcohol misuse among SSM/ Vs, the high-risk nature of college campuses is particularly concerning. Alcohol misuse often coincides with common mental health issues in service members and veterans (PTSD, depression). Previous research shows an increased risk of using alcohol to cope with mental health problems in this population. The challenges of adjusting to college life may further exacerbate maladaptive drinking. Additionally, the extent to which college increases alcohol misuse risk among SSM/Vs is not fully understood, and limitations in prior research hinder a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. To address this critical gap in literature, a scoping review was conducted on the extant research of alcohol use among SSM/Vs. This scoping review aims to increase understanding of the risk for alcohol misuse and related problems for SSM/Vs in college settings by summarizing existing research and identifying literature gaps for future research guidance. The protocol was written following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols and registered with Open Science Framework. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology for scoping reviews. Eligible citations included those reporting quantitative or qualitative, primary or secondary data on (a) alcohol-related concepts (cognitive, behavioral, associated problems, etc.), (b) among US military service members or veterans, (c) enrolled in an undergraduate program. The search strategy was developed in consultation with a university health sciences librarian and included the following databases: PUBMED-Medline, PsychINFO, and ERIC (EBSCO interface). Covidence software was used for duplication removal, screening, and data extraction. Findings will provide a comprehensive assessment of the existing literature on alcohol use among SSM/Vs, including limitations and key directions for future research. In turn, this information will be essential for identifying those at greatest risk and for developing effective interventions tailored to SSM/Vs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.From May to August of 2023, I worked as a Research and Development intern at Boston Scientific in Marlborough, MA. Boston Scientific is a global leader in medical device manufacturing, encompassing various business units worldwide. In this role, I contributed to the Single Use Imaging Franchise within the Endoscopy Division. During my internship, I played a key role in a high-priority project focused on developing a next-generation medical device. My responsibilities included assisting with test method development, engineering investigations, fixture prototyping, and testing of the device. Working within a large team, effective communication was essential, especially when relaying testing data to ensure clarity. Given the project’s urgency, time management was crucial in meeting multiple deadlines. My involvement in this internship was motivated by a growing passion for the medical device industry, fostered by a prior experience as an R&D Intern at Rhythmlink International, LLC. While attending the career fair during the Society of Women Engineers Conference in 2022, I had the opportunity to interview with Boston Scientific and was later offered the position. Boston Scientific provided an excellent opportunity for me to further expand my skills and knowledge in this field. Through this experience, I gained valuable insights in the overall process of bringing a medical device from conception to reality. I developed a deeper understanding of the medical device industry and the collaborative nature of large-scale projects. I also learned to appreciate the diversity of skills and perspectives within a multidisciplinary team. This experience has reinforced my passion for contributing to advancements in medical technology after graduation. As I reflect on this internship, I want others to understand the significance of hands-on experiences in shaping one’s professional journey. The exposure to a high-priority project at Boston Scientific not only enhanced my technical skills, but also instilled in me skills of collaboration in a professional setting. By seeking out diverse opportunities that align with my passions, I was able to have continuous growth and development in this industry.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In the spring semester of 2023, I studied abroad in Rome, Italy at the American University of Rome. I had not planned on studying abroad before coming to college, but I was able to fit it into my schedule. I saw a lot of posts on social media and heard peers talk about their time abroad, so I had high expectations and preconceived notions about how a successful semester abroad “should go”. These beliefs were challenged when I went abroad myself and faced some of the challenges that study abroad presents like stepping out of your comfort zone. My semester, of course, did not go exactly as I thought, which at first felt like a failure. However, as I reflected further and relinquished control, I realized the growth in independence I was experiencing and the other ways I was having a successful semester by growing as a person. I traveled throughout the city alone and experienced the Italian culture I learned about firsthand, which opened my eyes to different world perspectives. Through this, I learned that there is more than one definition of success, and having an open mind set on where you can find success will allow you to achieve more. Overall, this learning experience helped me redefine success, so now I can apply that mindset to every aspect of my life including in the professional and civic engagement world in order to be a better young professional.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time at Carolina, I had different experiences while serving my community. One that has impacted me was the opportunity to plan, lead, and facilitate a Small Education Group specifically a small support group for Spanish Speaking parents or guardians at my internship. My internship is at Catawba Trail Elementary school with the school social worker in Richland School District Two. This project was significant to me as I am of Hispanic/Latinx background as well as my future career aspirations involve wanting to work with this population. I have a strong passion to assist the Hispanic/Latinx population and getting them involved in their child’s academia. Using the needs-based approach we began hosting these group sessions and asking parents or guardians what they needed or would like to learn more about. Using research and evidence-based practice I was able to use restorative circle practice to engage attendees in active discussion. Most of the parents and attendees expressed how they wanted more events and ways to be involved in their child’s school. Along with this they also wanted the language barrier between the school faculty, staff, and the parents to be addressed. Using this feedback, I can advocate for these parents and guardians to the administration. As well as set a foundation for other initiatives to be done in the future. Getting the client’s needs and desired expressed is a vital part of social work and serving our communities and individuals.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In coastal South Carolina, white and brown shrimp are abundant species that are key inhabitants of estuarine ecosystems. These species are ecologically and economically important members of estuarine communities. Predation is a primary source of mortality for juvenile shrimp, the effects of which impact the population density of adult shrimp. The juvenile and nursery phases are critical to fishery outcomes and landings later in the year. This work aims to answer the question of how cannibalism and reduced growth density impact populations of estuarine shrimp. This question will be answered through a mathematical model of differential equations. This model will take both prey size and population density into account, considering cannibalism within species as well as competition between species. Using numerical simulations, we will investigate the emergent effects of high growth rates and low cannibalism (at low density) and reduced growth and increased cannibalism at high densities on populations of shrimp and a fish predator. Although significant to South Carolina and its ecosystems, the results of this project will have implications throughout the Southeast United States and Gulf of Mexico, where penaeid shrimp are important fishery species.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As a part of my Professional and Civic Engagement pathway. I used the knowledge I had obtained from my coursework in Music 110 and my own observations, I started an investigation into the complex ways that music affects human experiences while I worked at Food Lion. The goal was to explore the ways in which music influences emotions, thought processes, and cultural contexts. It also explored the practical uses of music in everyday situations, particularly cart retrieval tasks. It was discovered that deliberate music selection can reduce stress and increase productivity during routine tasks through reflective analysis and the application of concepts acquired in Music 110, such as the relevance of varied musical genres and the transforming potential of music. Customizing playlists to suit personal tastes led to a renewed understanding of the role that music plays in offering comfort, happiness, and platforms for personal expression. This change of viewpoint—from considering music to be only for enjoyment to realizing how much of an impact it has on daily routines and personal growth—highlights the transformational potential of music. In the end, our investigation deepened awareness of the value of music and encouraged a more thoughtful approach to both making and interacting with music in a variety of contexts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my junior year, 2022-2023, I served as one of the Overall Directors (Co-Directors) of Pillars for Carolina. Pillars for Carolina is a student-led, first year program to both freshmen and transfer students offered over the summer for two different weeks to promote a smooth transition to Carolina. After serving as an eXtended mentor (XM) in the program in 2021-2022 and seeing the impact the program had on my family group of 10 incoming students along with more, I knew I wanted to come back in a higher leadership position to help expand and grow the program. As one of the Overall Directors of the program, I not only designed the set-up of the weeks of Pillars with my partner and advisors, but I also spent time leading a group of 6 other student leaders that served as our Leadership Team, contacting different organizations to partner with us, attending Admitted Students Day and New Student Orientation to talk to incoming students and parents, and staying on top of our staff of current students of various years and major backgrounds to serve as mentors in the program. Through this position, I not only grew as a leader, but I also developed in my skills with becoming more confident in various online programs, leading meetings and conversations, and having ultimately a better grasp on how large organizations function.
9:30-11:00 a.m.BACKGROUND: Strength training is an important component of health as it can impact body composition and continued functional ability. This is particularly important to athletes as they constantly participate in physically demanding activities. Self-reported survey data are important tools used to assess physical activity. Seven-day recall of physical activity has been shown to be a valid and reliable measure. The purpose of this study was to compare fat-free mass (kg) and dominant handgrip strength (kgf) between those who self-reported strength training (SRST) in the last seven days and those who did not (NST). METHODS: 15 traditional-aged (18-25y), full-time female NJCAA student-athletes (13 soccer players and 2 volleyball players) at a rural, commuter-based, predominantly two-year university, were recruited during the pre-season. Surveys inquiring about basic demographics and self-reported physical activity were collected. Height (cm), weight (kg), and body composition (fat-free mass, tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance analysis, RJL Systems Quantum X) were measured. Athletes indicated their dominant hand and handgrip strength was measured (Jamar handgrip dynamometer). Participants were divided into two groups based on whether they self-reported strength training in the last seven days (SRST, n=6 and NST, n=9). Independent sample t-tests were used to determine if significant differences between the groups existed. The significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in fat-free mass (SRST=41.58 ± 2.40kg v. NST=42.66 ± 3.25kg, p=0.266) or average dominant handgrip strength (SRST=31.16 ± 3.50kgf v. NST=33.43 ± 3.98kgf, p=0.139). DISCUSSION: Although increased fat-free mass and handgrip strength are related to strength training, there were no significant differences between the two groups. This study relied on self-reported frequency of strength training with no indication of the intensity or duration of the training. The handgrip strength values fall within the normative handgrip range (18-19y=32.5kgf, 20-24y=32.0kgf), indicating that the lack of difference may be a result of this apparently healthy population of physically active young adults. These data are preliminary from a larger multifaceted study. Additional participants may strengthen the results as the sample size increases. Supported by the Research and Productive Scholarship Grant.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Sometimes in medicine you see atypical presentations of a rare disease or injury, making the diagnosis difficult. Airplane crashes provide a different injury pattern than is commonly seen in our area. This case of a significant mechanism of injury well illustrates that concerning findings of neck trauma should be worked up thoroughly even when days passed from injury to presentation to emergency department. The stability of the patient would lure the clinician into a false sense of security and lead the physician to prematurely conclude a low severity of injury despite concerning findings on exam. Case Presentation: CT is a 63-year-old male with a history of hypertension who was involved in an early model light plane crash at a local airport. The day before, while landing his plane, he skidded off the runway striking his head and neck on the dash and yoke. He suffered no loss of consciousness and was able to self-extricate. Overnight he developed mild hoarseness and difficulty swallowing. The next day he underwent Emergency Department evaluation revealing a large ecchymotic area to his anterior neck. CT angiography of his neck revealed a fracture of the thyroid cartilage with overlying edema and edema of the vocal cords. Patient was discussed with ENT and the decision was made to admit patient for further evaluation and management as patient was at a significant risk for worsening airway status. Outcome: He was admitted for overnight observation and ENT consultation. Flexible laryngoscopy showed a non-obstructing hematoma of the aeroepiglottic folds with hemorrhage into the true vocal cords with no active bleeding. He was discharged with outpatient follow-up with ENT and his primary physician. Discussion: The delayed presentation to the ED can lead the physician to incorreclty conclude the airway is stable and patient is at no risk for airway compromise. This case serves as a good example that trauma to the neck should always undergo a thorough investigation. Certainly, changes in voice or difficulty swallowing mandate advanced imaging and specialist consultation. Missed laryngeal injuries can have numerous complications including respiratory distress and death. Fortunately, this patient had a full recovery.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Translational research in global health often utilizes a typical research-to-practice model from the U.S. which has often resulted in poor fit and limited sustainability in low-to-middle-income countries. While ‘necessary’, the typical core intervention components and their cultural adaptations are typically not ‘sufficient’ to effectively translate global health interventions into positive and sustained impacts. As such, more research is needed into the drivers of implementation and scaling-up in global health. The scale-up of the Partnership in Implementation Science for Geriatric Mental Health (PRISM) project provided a unique opportunity to investigate this phenomenon. PRISM was a research hub for implementation research on capacity-building and scale-up for the translation of a caregiver training program called Reducing Disability in Alzheimer Disease (RDAD) for older adults with dementia in Thailand. This project evaluated implementation and clinical outcomes of a culturally modified RDAD using standard government administrative procedures versus a modified Getting-To-Outcomes (GTO) implementation support model. GTO is a 10-step customizable process for improving program implementation. As the project approached its wrap-up phase, the research team noted extraordinary interest and activity from numerous project stakeholders in scaling-up the programs beyond the confines of the research trial. To understand the extent of this scale-up and its drivers, we conducted seven interviews as part of a pilot study, drawing participants from the PRISM research team, clinical professionals, and community health workers. Participants were asked to describe the scale-up process, adaptations made to the program, and endorse potential drivers of the scale-up process and of program sustainability. Interviews were either conducted with a translator over video call or in survey format. Preliminary results point to several key drivers of successful scale-up: a key partner team to build a strong network of key implementation players; the adaptation, redesign, and integration of practitioner-relevant aspects of the program into the host-country’s health systems; a collaborative and knowledge-sharing culture among engaged practitioners; endorsement from local authorities; alignment with current government policies; and demonstration projects. The full set of findings will be presented providing key lessons for the design of global health research projects—with important implications for dissemination and implementation science.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In “The Art of Conjecture” Bertrand de Jouvenel presents “prediction” not as placing a bet on the future, but rather as a goal statement (Jouvenel 1967). As it is impossible to factually predict events, Jouvenel and his fellow “futurists” were left only with impressions of the present and how they felt it would evolve. In the early Space Age (1957-1971), media was rife with this form of prediction. Futurist design, especially, was critical in imagining the world of tomorrow (Toffler 1970). While futurists of the era dedicated book after book to life in a Space Age future, they left fashion out of this narrative. The traditionally feminine field was relegated to anecdotes about silly daughters and miniskirts (Toffler 1970). Designers like Paco Rabanne, André Courrèges, and Pierre Cardin, filled in the gaps with their own visions (Harden 2007). Space Age fashion presented its own set of goals for the future. In the eyes of Futuristic designers, the increasing pace of life would revolutionize the roles of women, requiring new forms of clothing and design (Pieced in Plastic 1966). Fashion needed to be armor, it needed to be accessible to all, and, in some instances, it needed to be unisex (Wilson 1967). These aspirations for women, of course, were not originated by women themselves.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Seek to do justice in every matter. These were the words that resonated with me on a field trip to the federal courthouse. In my senior year of high school, my AP Government class and I visited the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. Federal Courthouse. There, we met a federal prosecutor. She started her presentation by reciting the mission statement of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. This ended with the words “seek to do justice in every matter.” Going into my junior year of college, I reached out to that same federal prosecutor seeking an internship opportunity. I was fortunate to land an internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for which I will always be grateful for. As an intern, I gained invaluable experience conducting research for cases and attending court with the attorneys. However, the most valuable insight from this internship is my ongoing desire to continue seeking justice. At the center of all of this is serving the public who we are actively seeking justice for. This internship has motivated me to pursue a legal career focused on public service and helping deliver justice. In the political theory classes that I have taken at the University of South Carolina, I have learned about the different conceptions of government and grappled with the philosophical question of what is good government? A recurring principle has been that of justice. My internship experiences have redefined my understanding of justice. Justice is a lofty ideal, one that can seem distant and intangible. Justice is slow but impartial. Seeking justice can be heavy but also provide comfort. This is the conception of justice that I so fervently want to help seek.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In May of 2023, I started working with AMAROK Security as a human resource intern. As the HR intern at AMAROK, I have had the privilege to work very closely with the HR Manager and HR Generalist on the administrative side of HR. At AMAROK, I assist with running employee reports, handle employee time cards for hourly employees, work with other departments such as the accounting department on expenses, and am there when help is needed. One of my biggest motivators at AMAROK has been my ability to help relieve stress from the members of my team and my positive vision for my future at AMAROK. Working as an intern, I assist the HR Manager and HR Generalist with tasks such as employee time cards, which has allowed them to work on more in-depth projects. This experience has allowed me to improve my communication skills and professional development in a real-life professional setting. Looking back on when I first started as an intern at AMAROK, I have found that I have grown so much as an employee, team member, and business professional. This growth has a lot to do with realizing the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. The concept of EI is especially important in HR because one must create a trusting environment that encourages emotional support, warmth, friendliness, and trust. When I first started my internship, I never thought about the importance of EI in the workplace, especially while being "just an intern." Thanks to my class Management 403: Leadership in Organizations and my view of a future at AMAROK, I have seen the importance of EI in my professional development. This knowledge helped me improve how I presented myself during my internship. In doing this, individuals such as my coworkers and my manager have seen this growth and noticed my professional development. This knowledge of the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace has helped me secure a job at AMAROK directly after graduation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Patients have constant access to health information though online platforms such as blogs, online newspapers, social media, and other online apps. With so much information available, it can be difficult to distill information down to what is relevant, safe, and applicable. As a result, patients often present to their doctor’s office with questions about their health or chronic disease management that they were first informed of by something that was read or seen online, television, or radio. Our patient population is particularly at risk from poor diabetes outcomes as the zip code 29203 has recently been noted for having one of the highest rates of diabetes-related amputations in the country. The aim of this project is to create a series of educational videos that is easily accessible and digestible for patients who receive diabetes care at the Family Medicine Center to provide a singular, reliable source of information to help improve their health literacy as it relates to managing their diabetes. Methods: Patients established with the FMC diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are provided with short 5 question surveys to evaluate pre-intervention diabetes knowledge. Patients are then shown a 60-second video clip during appointments or through the Family Medicine social media page featuring physicians at their family medicine office discussing general topics related to diabetes and diabetic care. Patients are then surveyed following the intervention to determine change in their knowledge base as a result of the intervention. Results: Data analysis will be completed and results will be used to improve patient health literacy and ultimately self-management of diabetes. Discussion: Online access has changed patients’ ability to find and apply health information. Providing a resource to patients produced directly from their primary care physician’s office could provide a reliable resource in an online format that is convenient and familiar. Results of this pilot survey could be used to further refine this series of videos about diabetes and also inspire further media for other common chronic diseases with an end result of improving patient self-management of their chronic conditions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My beyond-the-classroom experience took place in a yarn-and-weave plant, known as the Limestone Plant, where fibers entered and woven fabric emerged for finishing. My primary responsibilities revolved around two key projects: optimizing production efficiency and enhancing new hire training. The initial phase of my internship involved shadowing experienced professionals in weaving, technical maintenance, and human resources, absorbing insights and gathering feedback on areas for improvement. Driven by the desire to streamline operations, I embarked on a journey of experimentation and analysis aimed at boosting weaving efficiency of a difficult production fabric. Through trial and error involving varying parameters, I explored avenues that would potentially alter the current process of producing this fabric. While not all experiments yielded the desired results, the overall study, focus, and apprenticeship, with the addition of an improved maintenance assignment and diagnostic system led to a notable 30% efficiency increase across approximately 20 looms. This underlined the significance of optimizing existing processes for tangible improvements and not necessarily aiming to add to current methodologies. When not working on weave efficiency, through shadowing several employees among varying departments, I was able to create supplemental and engaging material for new hires that expedite and ease the ability to learn their role. Videos, presentations, worksheets, and websites all were formulated to provide aid and reference for employees. Moreover, my internship provided a platform for personal and professional growth. I acquired practical skills in data analysis using Microsoft Excel, gained proficiency in BMS Vision Software, and developed effective communication and collaboration abilities across different departments. As I concluded my internship, I ensured the preservation of progress made by devising strategies to sustain the momentum upon my departure. Establishing comprehensive documentation protocols, properly storing experimentation data, fostering a culture of intentional continuous improvement, and assigning several employees as evaluation experts emerged as vital tactics to uphold the initiatives' longevity. My experience at Milliken & Company epitomized a journey marked by learning, teamwork, and tangible impact. Armed with newfound skills and insights, I am equipped to navigate future endeavors with confidence and contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving landscape of industry and innovation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Charleston Joint Airforce Base Palmetto Spark Lab needed to secure laptops in the cockpit of a C17 plane during flight. This solution needed to be durable and able to withstand the G forces felt during flight, easy to remove and transport, and, most importantly, quick to replicate in other C17 bases with similar equipment. Thus, the project team utilized the Palmetto Spark Lab's 3D printer and CNC machine to design a table to fit these requirements. The project was executed using an agile/scrum methodology in four two-week sprints. During the first sprint, the team used CAD software to design the table and to perform stress analysis. Subsequent sprints focused on manufacturing and testing the table outside and inside the cockpit. Upon finalizing the design and assembly, the team created documentation that detailed the assembly and printing processes for replication.
1:00-2:30 p.m.One in five teenagers experience depression and of this group, only 33% are diagnosed by their primary care physician at the time of presentation. The importance of standard depression screening templates and scoring is important in identifying and assessing positive results. This resident-led quality improvement project aimed to increase the documentation rate of PHQ9-A scoring and assessment in the Prisma Health CHOC environment by 15% over a 12 month period by implementing the electronic PHQ9-A EPIC template and dot phrase for documentation. We implemented a team-based PHQ-9A reporting system as a replacement to the previously used TeenScreen in the Prisma Health CHOC. PDSA Cycle 1 incorporated the transition from the administration of the written handout of the TeenScreen to the PHQ9-A for standard depression screening in CHOC. PDSA Cycle 2 incorporated the transition from the administration of the written handout of the PHQ9-A to the electronic PHQ9-A EPIC template and dot phrase for documentation. We evaluated the interventions noted above with a controlled before-after study design and compared the rates of depression screening scores and resident physician plans. A total of 60 randomized patient charts were retrospectively reviewed from >/= 12 year old well child visits ranging from June 2022 to April 2023. Documentation rates for depression screening results and subsequent plan during utilization of the TeenScreen at the Prisma Health CHOC was respectively 70% and 10%. No significant change was observed in the percentage of documented results through the transition from the TeenScreen to the paper PHQ9-A. However, there was a notable increase in documentation by twenty percent following the transition to the electronic PHQ9-A with the electronic dot phrase. Likewise through each step of the project, documentation of the projected plan increased by 50% and 60% respectively. We successfully redesigned the administration with the Prisma Health CHOC depression screening through implementation of an electronic PHQ9-A EPIC template and dot phrase for documentation of PHQ9-A scoring.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Dalbavancin is a long-acting lipoglycopeptide, FDA approved for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Emerging data show benefit for treatment of bacteremia, prosthetic joints, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and endovascular infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of dalbavancin for the treatment of invasive gram-positive infections. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study of adult patients from February 27, 2021 to December 31, 2023 included those that received at least one dose of dalbavancin for the treatment of a confirmed or presumed invasive gram-positive infection. Invasive infections were defined as bacteremia, endovascular, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint, endocarditis, or other infection requiring more than four weeks of therapy. Patients were excluded if they received dalbavancin for indefinite chronic suppression. Intention to treat (ITT) was defined as patients who received at least one dose of dalbavancin, and per protocol was patients who received at least two doses within 7 days of expected date of administration. The primary outcome was proportion of patients with clinical failure in the per protocol group. Secondary outcomes were proportion of logistic failures, clinical failures, and those with treatment-emergent adverse events in the ITT group. Multivariable logistical regression models were performed to identify factors associated with clinical and logistical failure. Results: IN PROGRESS Conclusions: IN PROGRESS
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cowper's duct syingocele is a cystic dilation of the bulbourethral glands, typically occurring in boys and young adults. These glands are responsible for the excretion of an alkaline fluid into the genitourinary tract just prior to ejaculation to lubricate and protect sperm int he acidic environment of the vagina. A syringocele of the Cowper's duct is a rare diagnosis with a varied symptom profile, including hematuria, voiding difficulty, perineal pain, and abscess development. This is typically diagnosed by urethrography or MRI and treatment options include conservative management with resolution, cystoscopic unroofing or perineal incision and drainage. In this case report, we discuss an unusual presentation of Cowper's gland synringocele, anejaculation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The summer between my junior and senior year, I had the opportunity to intern at Under Armour’s global headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. My job was to work with the human resource team to revamp global learning initiatives for Under Armour employees by recreating their online learning platform and content. I was also tasked with creating and facilitating Rookie Week - a week-long networking/learning opportunity for their 59 summer interns across the United States. As a marketing major at the University of South Carolina, I was hesitant to take this position at first, as I did not know if human resources would bring much value to my studies. However, this internship provided me with first hand experience in product/service creation, marketing strategy/implementation, content creation, and even product innovation. This gave me confidence to thrive within a matrixed organization. This is a concept I learned about in my MGMT 478 course, where we talked about how big of an impact organizational structure has on innovation. Because of the extensive work I was able to do, participating in this internship has shown me how I can leverage the connections that a matrixed organization creates to come up with innovative solutions to create products and marketing strategies. With this experience, I hope to obtain a job in marketing with Under Armour or an equally strong brand after graduation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Close to half of the US adult population (47%, or 116 million) has hypertension or is taking medication to treat hypertension with only 1 in 4 (24%) having their condition under control1. Literature would suggest that 80-90 percent of modifiable contributors to healthy outcomes are broadly termed SDoH: health-related behaviors, socioeconomic factors, and physical environment factors and are not specifically accounted for by medical care2. A prospective, single site, implementation study, at the Prisma Health Family Medicine Center from January 2022 to February 2023, evaluated the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring in hypertension (HTN) control within a family medicine residency clinic. Data regarding socioeconomic factors impacting HTN control was surveyed; however, impact of such factors, particularly SDoH, were not able to be fully evaluated. Objectives/Purpose: The purpose of this project was to correlate individual SDoH to uncontrolled HTN within a single site to identify area(s) for future intervention to improve HTN control. Methods: This was a retrospective, single site, observational study (reviewed by the Prisma Health IRB). As part of the original project, patients enrolled for RPM were asked to complete a pre-study SDoH survey. Aggregate SDoH and blood pressure data from the prior study were analyzed to elicit the strongest factor(s) correlating to uncontrolled HTN. Results: A total of 87 participants were enrolled in the original RPM study from January 2022 to February 2023. A majority of participants were female (67.8%) with the average age determined to be 54.6 years (age range 24-84 years). A total of 65 unique SDoH responses were collected. Original data suggested the most common socioeconomic factors screening positive were tobacco use (31.0%), food insecurity (29.9%), and stress (26.7%). Statistical analysis of SDoH responses and HTN data was completed to identify the strongest correlated factor(s) with uncontrolled HTN. Discussion: Identifying the strongest SDoH correlates may provide specific focus for impacting healthy outcomes not otherwise accounted for in medical care. Study data was limited by insufficient responses from 22 of the originally enrolled 87 participants. SDoH impact on disease management goes beyond HTN and may be a consideration for future studies.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Grit, or the ability to maintain interest and effort in fulfilling long-term goals, has been positively related to academic motivation and achievement. It has additionally been found to negatively predict burn-out among college students. For students of minoritized backgrounds, grit has specifically been related to higher grades, motivation, and positive psychological functioning. Among first-generation college students, grit has been reported to be higher in comparison to other students, although the impact of grit on positive academic outcomes has had conflicting results. However, there is a lack of research on the connection between grit and ethnic identity affirmation. Since ethnic identity affirmation, in combination with cultural values, has previously been reported to benefit minoritized students with respect to their mental health and academics, it is important to understand how ethnic identity may relate to grit. To address this gap, the present study will examine if a higher degree of ethnic identity affirmation is associated with greater grit among college students from minoritized backgrounds. Secondly, if such an association exists, the study will additionally determine if there are any differences by first-generation college student status. Data will be utilized from seven universities across the U.S. The measures used for this study will be the Grit Scale and the Ethnic Scale-Brief (EIS-B). Multiple regression analyses will be used to test the research questions. The present study will have important implications for understanding why ethnic identity affirmation may relate to increased grit among college students from minoritized backgrounds, subsequently predicting positive academic outcomes within this population.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are viruses that can infect bacterial cells at high specificity. They can be found in abundance within almost any microbiome in which bacteria are present (i.e., rhizosphere, biosphere, etc.). Since they are so highly abundant and diverse, continual isolation and characterization of phages are crucial to deepening the current understanding of these interactions. The objective of this research was to isolate and characterize phages from potential phytopathogenic bacteria Acidovorax sp. (RBW13) and Brevundimonas vesicularis (RBW18). Phage isolation was conducted by obtaining plant root samples from the moist soil located by the Rocky Branch Creek. Enrichments were created using these samples with the respective bacteria (i.e., RBW13 or RBW18) as well as antibiotics that these bacteria are resistant to. Phages were isolated from a series of centrifugation and plaque isolations to produce the final phage lysates. Once the isolation process has been finalized, phage characterization through genomic analysis can be conducted through host range analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and genomic sequencings. Data from the genomic sequencing will be compared to known data using NCBI Blast. So far, seven total phages have been successfully isolated and one more is in progress. Four of these phages were isolated from RBW13 bacteria and the others were isolated from RBW18 bacteria. Once sequenced and characterized, these phages will be used to conduct phage biocontrol experiments by introducing them into a bacteria (RBW13 or RBW18) and plant host (Arabidopsis thaliana) system. This would establish a tripartite system that can be used to study the symbiotic relationships present.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: First predicting the type of activity (e.g., lying down, card games) then developing activity-specific equations could improve estimates of free-living (i.e., occurring in everyday environments) physical activity energy expenditure in children. While studies have shown pattern recognition approaches trained on accelerometer features can predict children’s free-living activity type, there is potential to improve the classification of children’s activity type using accelerometry (accel) and heart rate (HR) features. Purpose: This study evaluated underlying accel and HR features from consumer wearables to predict children’s activity type compared to accel and HR data from research-grade devices. Methods: Children (n=191, 5-12 years, 53% male, 57% White) completed a 60-minute protocol consisting of simulated free-living activities (e.g., walking, running, soccer, etc.). These activities were directly observed and categorized into four activity classes: Lying Down, Enrichment, Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS), and Sports/Games. Random Forest (RF) models were trained on the underlying accel and HR features from wrist-placed consumer wearables (i.e., Apple Watch Series 7, Fitbit Sense, and Garmin Vivoactive 4S) and the combined accel and HR features (i.e., GT9X accel + Actiheart 5 ECG) from a wrist-placed research-grade accelerometer and a chest-placed HR monitor. Thirteen time and frequency domain features were extracted at each second, and 21 additional features were extracted at each second by looking at a neighborhood of 60 seconds and using sliding windows. Leave-one-subject-out cross validation was used to evaluate model performance. Results: Underlying features from Apple exhibited the highest accuracy (89.7%, 95%CI: 89.6%, 89.8%) followed by GT9X accel + Actiheart ECG (87.6%, 95%CI: 87.6%, 87.7%), Fitbit (87.5%, 95%CI: 87.3%, 87.6%), and Garmin (85.5%, 95%CI: 85.4%, 85.6%). Apple also exhibited the highest sensitivity (88.2%, 91.5%, 92.7%, 79.4%) and specificity (98.0%, 95.6%, 94.3%, 97.6%) across the four activity classes, respectively. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential of RF models trained on underlying features from consumer wearables to predict children’s activities with similar (or better) precision than research-grade devices. Future studies should evaluate whether an open-source approach using features from consumer wearables can predict children’s activity type with high accuracy in independent samples and in free-living environments.
9:30-11:00 a.m.By the year 2030, almost 50% of adults in the United States are expected to be obese. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk of several chronic metabolic diseases, several cancers, and is associated with impaired skeletal muscle function and metabolism. Despite this, little it is known about the role of altered muscle lipid homeostasis, lipid droplet dynamics, and lipid droplet-mitochondrial interactions in contributing to muscle dysfunction in obesity. Therefore, we sought to investigate the impact of high-fat diet induced obesity on overall skeletal muscle lipid deposition, intramyocellular lipid droplet content and morphology, and lipid droplet-mitochondrial contact. Male C57/BL6 mice (n=20) were divided into two groups: one group received LLC cell implants (106 cells) in the right flank, while the other group underwent sham surgery. After 25 days, skeletal muscle samples were collected transmission electron microscopy (TEM; soleus), oil red o/lipid staining (tibialis anterior), and protein analysis (gastrocnemius). Statistical analysis was performed using a Student’s T-test with an alpha level of 0.05. Protein analyses revealed dysregulation in key metabolic regulatory proteins (Atrogin-1, Adiponectin, PLIN-2, p:t AKT (S473 & T308), MURF1) accompanied by increases in oil red o staining in obese compared to lean mice. This was further supported by obese mice exhibiting a greater number of intramyocellular lipid droplets. Furthermore, morphological examination of lipid droplets showed alterations in shape parameters (e.g., roundness, circularity, aspect ratio), along with reduced contact between lipid droplets and mitochondria. Collectively, these findings suggest that obesity-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction may be driven, at least in part, due to changes in lipid droplet-mitochondria interactions resulting in excess accumulation of lipids and altered lipid droplet morphology.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The legacy of Leonard James Thomas Murphy (1914-1994) is punctuated by his classic work, The History of Urology. He was a committed Australian urological historian. He specifically mentions that his work was intended to fill a gap from the 1930s to the 1970s. This is a historical investigation into the previously undocumented life and writings of Leonard Murphy. We accessed the Archives of the University of Melbourne where Murphy worked. Next, direct contact with Charles C. Thomas Publishing Company to identify information by and about the publication of Murphy’s classic work was accomplished. The Archivist of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS, Helen Laffin) had key missing information regarding Murphy wherein resides his personal library. Finally, the hospital where Murphy practiced, St. Vincent’s Hospital’s archivist, Barbara Cytowicz was an invaluable resource. Leonard Murphy rose to become Secretary (1952) and then president (1959) of the Urological Society of Australia. He had a genuine interest in the history of urology, writing almost a dozen underappreciated papers on the history of surgery. In 1973, John Herman published his little book on history, and Murphy promptly wrote him a congratulatory letter which we’ve reproduced for this paper. Murphy was a bibliophile, antiquarian collector of surgical instruments, and writer. Murphy becomes a real individual with the unearthing of his gifts enshrined in RACS and St. Vincent’s Hospital archives and museum. Leonard J.T. Murphy in the opening paragraph of his 1972 work The History of Urology wrote the following: “The study of the history of medicine, a very rewarding exercise, is being appreciated to a much greater extent in recent years. Among the ever-increasing numbers of new books and reprints on the subject, one outstanding lack is a history of urology…This volume is intended to fill this gap until a more detailed and definitive history of urology is compiled by a medical historian.” Murphy appears to be a cautious, anticipatory type of historian and we await anxiously for the more “detailed and definitive” history of urology.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Arthritis is a prevalent health condition and a leading cause of disability for adults. Physical activity (PA) interventions are an effective way to manage symptoms of arthritis however, most adults with arthritis do not meet recommended PA guidelines. There are many PA interventions available for this population but one of the challenges is regular adherence to the program. If we can identify factors that are associated with lower adherence, we could tailor our interventions to help these groups. The purpose of this analysis to investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) levels on adherence to coaching calls in a PA intervention. This is a secondary analysis of data collected from a larger study in South Carolina examining the effectiveness of the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program – phone-based intervention for increasing PA via walking. Adults ≥18 years with arthritis enrolled in the intervention group received two calls per week for 6 weeks from a trained WWE leader. The first call was a group call with other participants followed by an individual call. This analysis only used data from the intervention participants as they received the program immediately. Height and weight were measured objectively at baseline assessment. Linear regression was used to examine the association between BMI and coaching call adherence. The sample population (n=132) included 92.4% female, 60.6% African American, 64.2 ± 9.4 years old with an average BMI of 34.0 ± 7.5 kg/ m2. The average number of calls completed was 9.78± 2.58. A higher BMI significantly predicted lower adherence to coaching calls in adults with arthritis (r2 = 0.044, F (1,129) = 6.004, p = .016). Implementation of future PA interventions should incorporate involvement of community stakeholders with a higher BMI. These stakeholders can provide researchers better insight of challenges and how to better guide participants to overcome barriers. However, more research is needed to investigate the causal link between adults with higher BMI levels and adherence to coaching calls in PA interventions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily characterized by the atypical development of social interaction and communication. Motor deficits are among the earliest-emerging signs of ASD. Additionally, children with ASD often have language deficits or delays in (Boucher, 2012). Interestingly, research shows that motor development is linked to language development in infancy (Alcock, 2010). For infants with ASD, early motor deficits predict later language deficits (Iverson, 2019). However, it remains understudied if motor deficits relate to early social communication abilities that precede language abilities. The current study therefore compared motor skills and social communication skills in 8-month-old infants at elevated likelihood (EL) and low likelihood (LL) for ASD. A total of 34 8-month-old infants (20 EL, 14 LL) participated in the study. Parents completed the Early Motor Questionnaire (EMQ) to determine the infant’s gross and fine motor abilities and the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Caregiver Questionnaire (CSBS Caregiver) to determine the infant’s early social communication abilities. We found no differences between groups in fine motor abilities (EL: -21.85 (25.51); LL -14.21(19.97); t(32) =-0.94, p=.36) or gross motor abilities (EL: -13.40 (24.85); LL -13.5 (19.12); t(32)=0.01, p=.99). We similarly found no differences in social communication abilities between groups (EL: 99.44 (12.50); LL 99.38 (15.72); t(30)=0.02, p=0.99). Fine motor and social communication abilities were significantly positively correlated for both LL and EL infants (LL: r(10)=0.77, p=.001; EL: r (18)=0.56, p=.02). However, gross motor and social communication abilities were only significantly positively correlated for LL infants (r(10)=0.56, p=.04), not EL infants (r(18)=0.39, p=.11). Despite EL infants displaying typical motor or social communication abilities, we found that EL infants’ gross motor skills were not correlated with their social communication skills. This suggests a disruption in the relationship between motor and social communication that may relate to later-emerging deficits in language abilities. To better understand how motor abilities serve as a mechanism for language development, our future work aims to understand if motor abilities in infancy moderate the relationship between social communication and later language abilities for EL and LL infants.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Recent technological advancements have allowed people to access a larger range of consumer options than ever before. Although early economic theories of choice argue that having more options is always better, contemporary research has revealed that having too many options can lead to negative impacts on decision outcomes and subjective experiences. The conflict between the positive and negative aspects of greater choice is commonly referred to as the “paradox of choice”, wherein having more options can be viewed as undesirable (Schwartz, 2004). Research has demonstrated that excessive numbers of options can produce “choice overload”, a mental state that occurs when the complexity of a decision problem exceeds the cognitive resources of the decision maker (Chernev et al., 2015). We investigated these issues using a simulated online grocery shopping paradigm and presenting choice sets of different sizes (3, 9 and 24 options) while also manipulating choice complexity and time pressure, both moderators of choice overload. Choice complexity was varied by introducing dominance relationships between options on half of the trials, which reduces the processing cost of the decision problem (Chernev, 2006). Time pressure was manipulated between groups by restricting decision time to 15 seconds or including no time restrictions. On each trial participants would view the options available for a given grocery product described in terms of price and quality. After choosing their preferred option they rated the difficulty of the decision, satisfaction with the number of options, and satisfaction with their choice. This study was designed to test for basic choice overload and complexity effects in a within-subjects experimental paradigm that can be used in a neuroimaging study. In addition to standard general linear modeling of the proposed effects, we include computational modeling of individual differences in decision strategies and factors that influence experiences of choice overload.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In mathematics, a variety is the solution set to some collection of polynomials. If we also define an addition operation on a variety, we obtain an algebraic group. An example of an algebraic group is the circle group, which is the set of solutions to the equation x^2 + y^2 = 1 (i.e., the unit circle) with the operation of angle addition. Algebraic tori are special examples of algebraic groups, such as the circle group. Every algebraic torus can be thought of as a group of n x n matrices for some positive integer n, and the representation dimension of the torus is the smallest such n for that particular torus. In this work, which is supported by a USC SPARC grant, we find bounds on the representation dimensions of algebraic tori.
9:30-11:00 a.m.White sharks, alongside other Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays), are known for their ability to endure treacherous environments. A key aspect of their durability is their unique wound-healing abilities, but the mechanisms behind this fast wound-healing remain primarily unknown. However, one theory is that the bacteria found on the surfaces of white sharks have a symbiotic relationship that supports wound healing and survival. For this reason, bacteria collected from eight white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, were tested against multiple pathogens to examine their ability to produce antibacterial activity and to investigate the potential of these to become sources of novel antibiotics for humans. In total, 281 of the 2,327 bacterial isolates (12.08%; Table 1) produced antibacterial activity against one or more human or marine pathogens. Our research team conducted inferential statistical analyses to investigate whether any body location on the shark was statistically more likely to harbor bacterial isolates that produced inhibition against a bacterial pathogen than another location on the shark's body. The results of this research further illuminate the relationship between the different body parts of white sharks and the antibacterial profiles of the bacteria harbored on these parts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.While minoritized individuals in the U.S. have experienced discrimination and disparities since long before 2020, the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities and social inequities. Specifically, Black women who contract COVID-19 face far greater risk of complications and mortality compared to their non-Black counterparts (Chandler, 2021). Womanist scholars have recognized the need for the voices of women of color to be amplified and “to explore the reciprocal influence between race, class, gender, and power relationships,” also referred to as “intersectionality” (Taylor, 1998). Women have historically struggled to receive adequate healthcare and for their health concerns to be recognized as legitimate, having severe implications on women’s health and overall well-being (Thompson, 2022). Additionally, the intersectionality of race and gender puts Black women in a position to face greater discrimination due to the compounding of racism and sexism. Complications often arise due to discrimination, mistrust, and cultural barriers in patient-provider interactions (Abedayo, 2020). Further, social determinants of health such as residential segregation, educational disparities, systemic racism, and other forms of discrimination are directly linked to chronic stress, poor health conditions, and therefore greater susceptibility to contracting and suffering from COVID-19 (Samuel, 2021). Considering these previous findings, the current study aims to take an intersectional approach in understanding the unique experiences of Black women during COVID-19. Based on previous findings and current literature, I anticipate that the results of this study will reveal that Black women experienced significantly worse healthcare experiences and health outcomes, related to COVID-19, compared to the sample at large. More specifically, I anticipate that Black women will have had greater difficulty receiving appropriate medical treatment and experienced greater anxiety and distress compared to other racial, ethnic, and gender groups. The study has a sample size of 628 individuals, 16.2% of whom identify as Black women. Moreover, analyses will be conducted to compare the experiences of Black women with those of the entire sample, with the ultimate goal of validating and amplifying Black women’s experiences as well as addressing inequities in the U.S.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) poses a multifaceted origin and imposes significant societal and personal burdens. Conditions such as major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia serve as recognized catalysts for PTSD advancement. The identification of biomarkers linked to PTSD and its triggers holds promise for uncovering the underlying disease mechanisms. Additionally, pinpointing pivotal genes in PTSD and related disorders offers avenues for tailored treatment strategies. This study leverages gene expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) encompassing PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, childhood abuse, and TBI. Utilizing diverse analytical techniques including Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), co-expression module analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, Gene Ontology, and Disease Ontology, we aim to elucidate the underlying disease mechanisms. Machine learning methods are employed to identify key hub signatures. Moreover, receiver operating curve analysis, monogram prediction, and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) are utilized to explore immune cell infiltration and its correlation with biomarkers. Drug repurposing approaches are applied to investigate potential drug-target interactions for personalized PTSD treatment. Our findings unveiled common signatures between PTSD and other mental disorders, emphasizing their shared biological underpinnings. Functional enrichment and GSEA highlighted associations with immune response, inflammatory regulation, and cellular stress. Feature extraction methods pinpointed 11 critical signatures, namely HLA-DQA1, CD24, MMP8, DEFA4, TNFRSF9, TIMP1, TRPM3, TAPBP, IGFBP6, DEFA1, and OLFM4 associated with PTSD comorbidities, while ssGSEA revealed 10 types of immune cell infiltration (B cell, Immature dendritic cell, Macrophage, Regulatory T cell, Central memory CD4 T cell, Memory B cell, Effector memory CD4 T cell, Eosinophil, Type 2 T helper cell, Central memory CD8 T cells) and 7 immune cells (Macrophage, Mast cells, Memory B cells, Natural Killer Cells, CD4 T cell, CD8 T cell, and Dendritic Cells) that correlated with hub signatures. (Supported in part by NIH grants P20GM103641, R01ES030144, R01AI123947, and R01AI160896).
9:30-11:00 a.m.Throughout my time at the University of South Carolina, I have found my experiential learning opportunities to be of great significance to the learning process in my coursework and molding my future ambitions. One of the most impactful beyond the classroom experiences I participated in was my time as a Wealth Management Capital Markets Summer Analyst for Morgan Stanley. This internship brought me to New York City for ten weeks and pushed me time and time again beyond my comfort zone. There, I rotated between three different asset classes: equities, fixed income, and structured investments, which allowed me to learn a great deal about the technicalities of finance and myself. Daily lectures and observations on the trading floors allowed me to build upon my learnings from my finance major at USC and when I returned to the campus that fall, apply the new concepts I learned to my coursework. Through weekly investment pitches, I learned to examine assets to evolving market conditions which was extremely applicable when I was asked to pitch a stock for my Financial Statement Analysis coursework. In pitches, I learned how to examine the risk of an investment from all angles in order to properly communicate the risk-reward ratio to the perspective buyer. Honing the concept of risk assessment in portfolios allowed me to confirm my ambitions to help businesses adapt to new and evolving markets, particularly to my passion of fighting climate change. From my internship at Morgan Stanley, I learned how to examine the risk of investments from a new perspective; building upon that going forward I anticipate using that knowledge to assess the various risks companies will begin to face due to climate change—which includes an evolving regulation landscape, changing consumer preferences, and damage from weather-related events to their physical infrastructure. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply my finance and accounting coursework in practice examining investment opportunities at Morgan Stanley, and to continue utilizing the foundational technical skills in finance into a meaningful career in climate change finance.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background An efficient, standardized patient transfer process is key to both patient safety and bed flow. A recent sentinel event occurred where a patient was transferred out of the ICU and 36 hours passed before nursing determined no physician handoff had occurred and no clinician was seeing the patient. Similar events happen several times a year, suggesting our current hand-off process was inadequate. Methods Our root cause analysis began with evaluating the current transfer process by interviewing the ICU physician, nursing, and Hospitalist teams which indicated that there is not a standardized process being consistently executed. Creating a standardized process for transfers could improve workflow and optimize patient safety. This led to a two-fold implementation plan consisting of reworking the current Telmediq messaging process to facilitate closed loop communication of patient handoffs as well as to track compliance. After working with IT, Telmediq transfer messages are now sent to both the charge nurse and ICU team in the same thread. After the ICU resident has completed the patient handoff to the floor team, they notify the ICU charge nurse through Telmediq that handoff has occurred and that it is safe to transfer the patient. This step is critical to close the communication loop and ensure the standardized process is consistently followed. New nursing and resident orientation PowerPoints were made to educate the frequently rotating staff on the new standardized transfer process. Results In one week of implementation there was a 36% compliance rate of residents facilitating closed loop communication via Telmediq. Several residents indicated that they notified the charge nurse of the handoff verbally. Discussion/Conclusion Compliance rates during the first week show that education on the units has begun. With further emphasis on new nursing and resident education we expect to see improved compliance data. This education will aim to decrease verbal handoffs with a goal of 100% compliance to the new Telmediq-guided process by April 1, 2024. The current implementation of this process suggests that Telmediq can be used as a safe, effective route of closed loop communication in the patient transfer process.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project aims to utilize advanced machine learning techniques to expand the analysis of dietary factors and refine dietary patterns predictive of metabolic syndrome. Using methods such as multivariable logistic regression, principal component analysis (PCA), classification and regression tree (CART), and support vector machine (SVM), we examined the association between dietary components and metabolic syndrome using data from the Women’s Health Initiative. Initial analyses revealed significant associations between certain dietary components and metabolic syndrome, supporting the expected directions of association. PCA revealed distinct dietary patterns, notably highlighting that high vegetable/fruit and low meat intake were associated with lower risk of incident metabolic syndrome. Further, CART and SVM analyses identified key dietary predictors, with variations observed among individuals with and without obesity. Recently, we have employed integrated artificial neural networks to comprehensively explore the complex relationship between dietary factors and metabolic syndrome. This advanced technology is expected to provide deeper insights into predictive modeling and unique advantages in processing high-dimensional data. Statistical validation techniques may also be used in the future to enhance the robustness and generalizability of neural network models. The expected outcomes include identifying the association between dietary factors and metabolic syndrome, validating previous research findings, and generating actionable insights to provide information for individual dietary recommendations, with a particular focus on obese individuals. Moreover, we aim to compare the predictive accuracy of neural network results with the other methods previously used (logistic regression, PCA, CART, and SVM). This comparative analysis will offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of different analytical approaches in predicting metabolic syndrome. Overall, this project endeavors to advance our understanding of the complex interplay between dietary factors and metabolic syndrome, with implications for public health interventions and personalized dietary recommendations.
1:00-2:30 p.m."Discrete Math in Your Hands" is an Android Application designed to serve the academic needs of university students studying discrete mathematics. The project, initiated after thorough planning, aims to provide a modern, accessible resource for students in this field. Utilizing Android Studio, the development process involved creating a clean and intuitive interface with the menu consisting of 12 buttons, each dedicated to a specific chapter. Implementations include explicit intents for navigation, efficient code structures, integrating of PDF viewer library, and incorporation of google ads for potential revenue generation. The project's progression involved transitioning from planning to practical development, ensuring a robust yet user-friendly application. In conclusion, the app bridges the gap between traditional learning to modern learning by providing on-the-go education in the realm of mathematics.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This past summer, I studied abroad in the United Kingdom (UK) to develop a more extensive understanding of law and government through experiencing academic lectures, observing parliaments, and witnessing court proceedings. I created this project to connect my knowledge of public health with my interest in the legal field and public policy. The United States (US) operates on a mixed healthcare system that consists of both private and public health insurance, while the UK operates on a single-payer model where the government is the single provider of healthcare – commonly referred to as “universal healthcare”. The goal of my research was to see how differently these two systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to establish if the universal healthcare system presented in the UK was more effective at preventing health disparities during a time of unique pressure. I aimed to use this information to better understand if the application of a universal healthcare system could bridge gaps in healthcare inequity in the US or if the concept of application in the US is overinflated as a byproduct of political tension. I found that, although there is a distinct difference in healthcare services and fees within a single-payer model of healthcare, regarding COVID-19, there was minimal difference in the treatment among those living below the poverty line in the US and the UK. This was largely due to the “state of emergency” declarations across the US that expanded access to healthcare throughout the pandemic. Emergency declarations enabled the US to alter many requirements of Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance which resulted in streamlined access and expanded care. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no outright disadvantage to the US healthcare system because of adaptations in the dispersal of services due to emergency declarations. Understanding this information is extremely important to developing a more comprehensive understanding of the US healthcare system, which can provide direction in making future improvements to the field.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Russian psychological operations have historically combined the persuasive power of fundamental cognitive biases with deep knowledge of cultural preferences. These operations are advanced greatly by technical means and Russia is continually seeking to discredit pro-Western, democratic views as foreign, immoral, and dangerous. Today, Russian methods include AI and Machine Learning to aim-shoot-persuade through millions of salvos on social and traditional media playing up threats to nation, family, culture and church as vectors of interference and influence1,2,3. Russia is specifically using the country of Georgia as testing grounds for further development of these social media malign influence operations (IO)4. To counter these malign IO, allied nations are seeking help from the private sector, teaming up with each other and organizations around the globe. The Georgia Strategic Analysis Center, The European School in Tbilisi and the University of Oxford recently teamed with a domestic, international and celebrity network of Georgian partners to propose a solution for Georgia’s resilience to state-of-the-art information warfare. Their goal is to empower a vibrant Georgian democracy, aligned with the West, ensuring free and fair elections and impervious to foreign-backed information operations based on real time intervention by public-private partnerships. Israel is also a major player in this field with cutting edge research on cybersecurity and countering malign influence operations.
1:00-2:30 p.m.While there is extensive research on physical activity (PA) and the role it plays in preventing obesity, African American populations continue to be understudied despite reporting lower levels of physical activity compared to White Americans. Additionally, there is limited data on the relationship between parenting factors and adolescent PA in overweight African American adolescents, despite theories that suggest that authoritative parenting factors, such as demandingness (e.g. control, monitoring) and responsiveness (e.g. warmth), can influence adolescent behaviors, including their motivation and self-efficacy for engaging in PA. One’s confidence in their ability to be active (self-efficacy for PA) has been shown to impact PA levels, which makes it another topic of interest in research. The purpose of this study was to examine how parenting factors (levels of responsiveness and demandingness) and adolescent factors (self-efficacy for PA) predict adolescent PA levels (light PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA). To investigate the relationship between parenting factors, adolescent factors, and adolescent PA levels, regression analyses were run using data from the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss randomized controlled trial (N = 227 dyads, M age = 12.83, 63.43% female). Two regression models were run, with both models including variables of parent responsiveness, parent demandingness, and adolescent self-efficacy to predict adolescent light PA (LPA) levels and adolescent moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels, respectively. Both models included covariates to adjust for variables that were not controlled or randomized but might have an impact on outcomes (e.g. income, adolescent sex, adolescent age, adolescent zBMI). Regression analyses indicated that parent responsiveness was a significant predictor for increased LPA (B = 8.35, SE = 3.41, p = 0.015). This shows that in a sample of African American adolescents with overweight or obesity, the level of parent responsiveness towards their adolescent is positively associated with their adolescent’s LPA levels, which replicates previous research in this area. Future research should continue to investigate factors affecting African American adolescent health behaviors and integrate parenting factors such as responsiveness into health promotion programs for African American adolescents.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cancer therapeutics is an evolving field of research and is growing as cancer incidence increases around the world. Historically, physicians used targeted medications or pharmacological therapies to shrink or remove tumors, and as our knowledge about tumors has grown, the options for treatment have as well. One mechanism of potential treatment has been to identify signaling pathways within tumors and manipulate them to facilitate cell death. Dysregulation of microRNA (miR) expression has been implicated in tumorigenesis, and targeting these dysregulated miRs is emerging as a promising approach to tumor treatment. miR-7 and miR-124 have been identified as tumor-suppressive miRs that are downregulated in various tumors. Our research explores restoring expression of these tumor-suppressive miR in tumor cells as a means of inhibiting tumor growth. Delivering the miR and ensuring their progression into the right tissues has been another recent field of study. There are many proposed delivery methods, but one that is cost effective, easily accessible, and efficient is exosomes. Exosomes are small, cell-derived vesicles that shuttle cargo between cells. Their ability to easily fuse with target cells and their high stability in the body make them an ideal delivery vehicle for cancer treatments. In our study, exosomes loaded with miR-7 and miR-124 were evaluated as a combinatorial approach for treating glioblastoma (GBM). GBM is a highly aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis. Current therapeutic approaches, which include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, are largely ineffective and often result in tumor recurrence. Our research aims to address this need for an effective GBM treatment. In our experiments, murine and human GBM cells as well as patient-derived primary GBM cells were treated with exosomes loaded with tumor-suppressive miR-7 and miR-124. Data collected from cell viability assays and microscopy demonstrate that delivery of miR-7 and miR-124 via stem cell-derived exosomes is a promising therapeutic approach for treating GBM. While our therapeutic approach is pending validation in animal models of GBM, our preliminary data presents promise to halt tumor cell progression.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Growing up I have always enjoyed volunteering for various organizations and giving back to those that I can. In my sophomore year of college I had the opportunity to serve as philanthropy chair for my sorority, Delta Zeta. In this position, it was my responsibility to lead the committee to plan a large philanthropy event to fundraise for either our national or our local philanthropic partner each semester. A longstanding philanthropic tradition in my sorority has been hosting a big semester-long fundraiser event called BarkBQ, benefitting the Starkey Hearing Foundation. When I was serving my term as philanthropy chair, it was the first year in three years that we were planning this event again, due to Covid canceling the previous years. This meant that for the current women in our chapter, it was not a tradition they had experienced, or sometimes were even aware that it was a tradition. This led to a new problem but also an opportunity to make this event our own, and almost start from the very beginning creating our own new idea. We experienced several challenges from figuring out how to actually facilitate an event with over 600 guests, to gaining the support of our chapter members as well as those in the community around us. I learned the technical skills in planning an event, as well as the intangible skills such as educating others on certain topics in order to advocate for what we are passionate about. The projects I worked on this semester meant so much to me because I was able to see first-hand how impactful we could be to our local community. I know the hands on experience aided in us being so successful. Overall, the courses I have taken at the University of South Carolina have taught me the necessary skills to be an effective communicator. I understand how to analyze problems in order to seek out potential solutions. With these skills I can then educate my peers and others around me to fight for change.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cytokines are important signaling proteins that mediate cellular communication across normal and inflammatory settings. Controlling cytokine expression plays a significant role in developing immunotherapies, but current tools to regulate them often lead to abnormal levels and tissue toxicity. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is an important cytokine that upregulates major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on antigen presenting cells and promotes differentiation of antigen-specific T cells. Increased IFN-γ signaling can also inhibit the growth of tumor cells. Here, we developed artificial transcription factors (ATFs) to facilitate control of IFN-γ signaling. These ATF proteins comprise zinc finger sequences that recognize the promoter region of the IFN-γ gene, in addition to containing signaling sequences that induce gene transcription and translation. We evaluated these constructs in human T cells to demonstrate intracellular ATF expression and IFN-γ signaling. Fluorescence microscopy showed successful ATF transfection into the cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) revealed that one ATF induces potent levels of IFN-γ expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) indicate that the ATF selectively recognizes the corresponding gene target. Biophysical studies suggest that the ATF adopts a folded protein under typical biological conditions. These studies collectively show that ATF-mediated targeting of the IFN-γ promoter region can induce cytokine production in human T cells. The success of these studies demonstrates the capability of developing engineered proteins to regulate cytokine levels and shows future promise for combining these proteins with immunotherapy platforms.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Some individuals with misophonia, a disorder that is characterized by extreme emotional and physiological reactions to certain sounds, may respond to those sounds by cringing. Yawning is also a common response that is observed during physiological data collection. It is not clear if these facial movements only affect facial muscle activity, or have broader implications on other physiological signals driven by the autonomic nervous system, such as electrodermal activity and heart rate. It is also unclear if these facial movements have distinct physiological signatures across people, or merely represent motion-related artifacts in physiological recording. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of cringing and yawning on physiological signals. Participants sat at a computer while connected to a series of electrodes measuring muscle potentiation, heart rate, and skin conductance. The first part of the experiment examined the effect of cringing on physiological responses to aversiveness. Participants were presented with aversive (e.g., baby crying) and non-aversive (e.g., birds chirping) audiovisual stimuli and were asked to cringe or not cringe. The second part of the experiment explored the potential physiological signature of yawning across physiological measures and across people. Participants were prompted to yawn with videos of individuals yawning and were asked to press a button on the screen when they yawned themself. Physiological data will be analyzed using AcqKnowledge software to examine the effects, if any, present during the two facial movements. This experiment will help us to better understand how physiological recordings are affected by different actions that may be an individual’s response to a trigger or a common occurrence during the experiment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: College students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at an increased risk of cannabis use and are vulnerable to experiencing problems related to their use. The motivational factors driving cannabis use vary among college students and warrant further exploration in students with ADHD. Prior studies found that sleep serves as a potent motivator for cannabis use. Moreover, insomnia commonly co-occurs in individuals with ADHD, regardless of their medication status. However, it is unclear what role sleep plays in the relation between ADHD and cannabis use among college students. Thus, this study examined whether ADHD diagnosis impacts cannabis use (i.e., lifetime cannabis use; concern related to cannabis use) and whether sleep problems (i.e., time to fall asleep; insomnia) moderate this relation. Methods: Participants included 1062 college students with and without ADHD (Mage = 26.51; 74.8% White) at the University of South Carolina who participated in the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment in the Spring 2023 semester. Data on a wide range of health and wellness issues were collected via an online survey, including questions related to ADHD, sleep, and cannabis use. Results: Approximately 14.4% (n = 153) of students in our sample reported receiving an ADHD diagnosis, while 44.7% (n = 475) endorsed using cannabis at least once. A comparison of means indicated that students with ADHD who have used cannabis within the past three months were twice as likely to use cannabis every day compared to students without ADHD. Linear regressions showed that ADHD diagnosis was significantly associated with higher lifetime cannabis use and concern related to cannabis use. Additionally, ADHD diagnosis was significantly associated with longer time to fall asleep and a higher likelihood of insomnia. However, sleep problems did not moderate the relation between ADHD diagnosis and cannabis use. Discussion: The significant relationship between ADHD diagnosis and both sleep problems and cannabis use highlights the importance of addressing sleep problems and substance use in individuals with ADHD within college settings, which has important implications for targeted intervention. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying this multifaceted relationship.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This work addresses two primary challenges in end-to-end object detection within artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) systems: (1) the energy-intensive analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) required for the conversion of analog pixel arrays to digital matrices, and (2) the high data transfers between the sensing unit and computing unit. Our proposed solution involves the implementation of an in-sensor binary segmentation model on the analog memristive cross- bars to identify the important pixels. Additionally, we propose a data transfer scheme that adaptively selects between dense and sparse data transfer formats based on the sparsity ratio measured from the segmentation mask obtained by the segmentation model. Our results demonstrate that the proposed object detection system achieves significant energy savings along with a considerable 95% reduction in data transfer, all while maintaining high accuracy.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Proposal Topic The Students Taking Initiative and Responsibility Program (STIR) is based on promoting student empowerment through BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention of College Students) and risk reduction. The program is traditionally broken down into three one on one, in-person sessions with the goal of supporting college students in changing their substance use to limit negative consequences. The primary focus of this research is to analyze demographic trends of referred students, to identify social and/or cultural influences on alcohol and cannabis use.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Bacteriophages are a subset of viruses that target bacteria and can be found in a wide range of habitats. In the Ely Lab, there has been a focus on isolating and analyzing the genome of bacteriophages from the site of Rocky Branch Creek in Columbia, SC. To better examine the diversity of bacteriophages, this project focused on isolating bacteriophages from another site located on the Broad River in Columbia, SC, which has much more stagnant water compared to Rocky Branch Creek, thanks to its location upstream of a dam. The first goal was to isolate the bacteriophages using laboratory Caulobacter cultures, and eight new phages were isolated. Host-range experiments using seven different bacterial strains revealed little diversity among the new bacteriophage isolates. However, when genome sizes were compared, two different genome sizes were observed. Four phage genomes were approximately 300 kb and four were approximately 200 kb. Next, the nucleotide sequence of the eight genomes will be determined to identify specific differences in their genetic makeup, as well as how closely related the phages are.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the most common chronic viral infection and the leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation in the US. Despite recent advancements in antiviral treatment that are safe and effective, HCV contributed to the deaths of over 14,800 people in 2020. HCV is often asymptomatic, so many people who have HCV are not diagnosed unless screened. In 2020, the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommended universal screening for all adults between the ages of 18-79, regardless of risk factors. Furthermore, those who are diagnosed face barriers to treatment due to time delays in referral to specialists and insurance approval for treatment. The objective of this study was to improve HCV screening rates in a primary care clinic and analyze its management of HCV patients. Methods: This project consisted of a quality improvement intervention and retrospective chart review at the Family Medicine Center (FMC) in Columbia, SC. We analyzed screening rates before and after an electronic medical record (EMR) alert and a patient messaging intervention for 8 weeks. We also performed a chart review of all patients treated for HCV at FMC from July 2017 to July 2023 and compared cure rates by demographics. Results: During the messaging intervention, HCV screening was performed at 3.4% of appointments, compared with 0.7% with no intervention and 2.4% with an EMR alert. A total of 71 patients completed treatment for HCV at the clinic, with an overall cure rate of 68/71 (95.8%). The linkage to care time in days was an average of 116.8 days, with uninsured patients having the shortest time at 70.1 days. Conclusion: We found that EMR alerts and messaging interventions help improve screening rates for HCV in primary care clinics. We found that primary care physicians can have similar cure rates as specialists, including for uninsured patients. This reinforces the importance of primary care in the management of HCV as a public health crisis, as they can help identify and treat cases of HCV earlier in the disease process to improve outcomes and disease burden.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Resident-led teaching clinics typically experience lower rates of continuity and encounter distinctive obstacles when striving to enhance continuity due to the demands of the curriculum, intricate scheduling, and frequent turnover of providers. The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education requirements for family medicine mandate all residents care for a panel of continuity patients. The objective of this quality improvement project was to assess the impact of new scheduling protocols on resident continuity in a family medicine teaching clinic. Methods: From Oct 2023 through March 2024, optimized scheduling using “resident teams” and a symbolized “star system” for patient follow-ups was implemented in the Family Medicine teaching clinic. The monthly continuity rates were compared with corresponding months in the prior year and the intervention year. Results: Over a 6-month implementation process, continuity for resident physicians increased using the new scheduling system. Conclusion: This initiative aimed to enhance continuity within a family medicine teaching-clinic resulted in a rapid and sustained improvement in provider continuity. This outcome shows that utilizing tools and protocols to optimize scheduling and a team-based approach can enhance continuity overall. This intervention can potentially be implemented in clinical settings within residency programs and physician practices across various fields.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Alzheimer's Disease (AD) poses a significant challenge to global health, necessitating advancements in predictive models for early detection and intervention. This study aims to develop an innovative predictive model of cognitive impairment that combines MRI-based measures of brain structure-derived cortical genetic expression maps of genes relevant to dementia and cognitive decline including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and apolipoprotein (APOE). Our model was based on data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. A total of 1700 participants in this repository had both structural (T1-weighted) MRI data and associated cognitive scores (MoCA = measure of general cognitive function, ADAS-Cog = measure of Alzheimer’s specific cognitive function). Cortical genetic expression maps for BDNF and APOE in standard (MNI) space based on data from the Allen Brain Institute were downloaded from NeuroSynth. Our primary analysis will evaluate changes in model fitness (R^2) achieved by combining structural and genetic brain data, as compared to using structural brain data alone. While data analysis is ongoing, it is anticipated that the combined model will better predict cognitive scores than the model based on brain structure alone. These findings are expected to enhance our understanding of AD mechanisms and contribute to the development of personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This research promises to offer critical insights into the complex relationship between genetic factors and neuroimaging markers in AD — highlighting the potential for multi-modal approaches in neurodegenerative disease research.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Understanding the resonance of nonverbal communication (i.e., communication without spoken words; Schrier & Schaenfield, 2016) between romantic partners is valuable to unravel the complex intricacies associated with interpersonal interactions and illuminate the uniquity of amorous relationships. Additionally, as sending, receiving, and encoding of nonverbal communication (e.g., facial expressions, body language, tone, eye contact) is a process that occurs rapidly in the brain (Givens, 2015), it may be informative to understand how the brain responds to nonverbal communication in romantic relationships. However, romantic partnerships are a particularly under-researched population (Sillar, 1985) because they are dynamic in nature and difficult to examine experimentally. This study aims to (1) identify differences in individual brain responses across four conditions of nonverbal communication, (2) evaluate the relationship between an individual’s brain responses and their self-reported non-verbal communication measures, and (3) determine if there is resonance among romantic partners’ brain responses during nonverbal communication and explore trait-level predictors of this correlation. To accomplish these aims, electroencephalography (EEG) data was recorded across 15 adult dyads (N=30) in self-identified heterosexual romantic partnerships during four conditions, including (1) no contact, eyes closed; (2) handholding with eyes closed; (3) no contact, eyes open; and (4) handholding with eyes open. EEG signals were converted into frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), which is often associated with approach motivational processes (Harmon-Jones & Gable, 2018). Additionally, participants completed the empathy and nonverbal sections of the Multidimensional Social Competence Scale (MSCS). We predict that individuals engaging in physical touch (hand holding) with eyes open would have the greatest FAA (frontal alpha asymmetry) brain response across the four conditions. We also predict that individuals who scored high in non-verbal communication would have a greater FAA approach responses compared to individuals who scored lower. However, we do expect a greater FAA response in conditions where eyes are open. Lastly, we predict that individuals that score similarly in nonverbal communication skills will have high agreeance in FAA approach response. This study aims to advance a greater understanding of nonverbal communication within romantic relationships and examine the utility of FAA in identifying responses to certain social interaction.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Faces provide information that is critical for the successful negotiation of the social world. Face perception is a cognitive process that aids in rapidly detecting and encoding face information (Fuhrmann et al., 2007), and underlies an individual’s ability to recognize other social features like identity, age, and the emotional states of those around them (de Hann et al., 2002). This is increasingly important to study in adolescence as it is a crucial developmental period for developing and maintaining social relationships (Blakemore & Mills, 2014). Additionally, electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have been useful in linking certain biological markers in the brain to facial perception. For example, the N170 has been identified as a critical component that is sensitive to differences in face presentation (e.g., upright versus inverted faces; de Hann et al., 2002). While the N170 is also sensitive to developmental changes in response to face perception (de Hann et al., 2003), it is unclear how the N170 is modulated by other individual differences. For example, social awareness (i.e., the ability to identify social cues) may be correlated with the brain's ability to perceive faces and, therefore, impact the N170 response. Accordingly, we sought to investigate how individual differences in social awareness impact face perception neurally and behaviorally in adolescents differently for upright and inverted faces. To do so, sixty-five adolescent (aged 10-14) participants completed a social awareness skill measure (i.e., Social Responsiveness Scale—2; Constantino & Gruber, 2012). Additionally, participants completed an EEG task where they viewed inverted and upright faces and indicated if the person identified as male or female. We plan to investigate how individual differences in social awareness and other participant characteristics impact N170 amplitude and response time differently to upright and inverted faces. We predict that higher social awareness in adolescents would lead to higher peak amplitude in the N170 biomarker for upright faces as opposed to inverted faces and overall quicker response times. As such, this study will provide insight into how differences in social awareness in adolescence impact foundational cognitive processes for social interactions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Using the electroencephalogram (EEG) to study whole-brain effective connectivity can help understand how the brain processes sensory stimuli and generates behaviors. Model-driven approaches, like dynamic causal modeling, provide principled frameworks for simulating and analyzing causal relationships but are limited to networks comprising only a few brain regions. The computational complexity of these approaches has prevented them from being used to map the entire causal network of the brain. We aim to develop an approach bridging this gap and enabling comprehensive analysis of effective connectivity across the brain. The proposed approach employs a recurrent deep learning architecture, the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), to learn to predict from large-scale neural dynamics the parameters associated with a corresponding generative model. For modeling brain networks, we used the Wilson Cowan (WC) neural mass model (NMM) as implemented in The Virtual Brain (TVB). We considered six parameters: the maximum response of the excitatory (ke)/inhibitory (ki) neurons, the synaptic integration time constant of excitatory (τe)/inhibitory (τi ) neurons, and the refractory period of excitatory (re)/inhibitory (re) neurons. We carried out an analysis to evaluate the sensitivity of the EEG signals to variations in the values of these parameters and determine which are learnable. For training and inference, all parameters were set to TVB default values, except for τe (the only sensitive parameter) values that were randomly drawn from a normal distribution with a mean of 75ms and a standard deviation of 43.3ms. The training procedure emphasized minimizing the mean-squared estimation error. LSTM inference showed a limited learning capability for τe (the only sensitive parameter) with a 0.34 Pearson’s coefficient of correlation. For future work, we plan to refine our analysis by experimenting with different NMM, given the limited sensitivity and learnability observed in the parameters of the WC model. Additionally, once we obtain satisfying prediction accuracy, we will use this approach to analyze EEG recordings. With this approach, we hope to enhance our capability to study the complex dynamics and interconnectivity of the brain.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The paper focuses on real-time facial expression recognition (FER) systems as an important component in various real-world applications such as social robotics. We investigate two hardware options for the deployment of FER machine learning (ML) models at the edge: neuromorphic hardware versus edge AI accelerators. Our study includes exhaustive experiments providing comparative analyses between the Intel Loihi neuromorphic processor and four distinct edge platforms: Raspberry Pi-4, Intel Neural Compute Stick (NSC), Jetson Nano, and Coral TPU. The results obtained show that Loihi can achieve approximately two orders of magnitude reduction in power dissipation and one order of magnitude energy savings compared to Coral TPU which happens to be the least power-intensive and energy-consuming edge AI accelerator. These reductions in power and energy are achieved while the neuromorphic solution maintains a comparable level of accuracy with the edge accelerators, all within the real-time latency requirements.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The aim of this study will be to compare the pre-hospital Glasgow Coma Scale (pGCS) against the arrival Glasgow Coma Scale (aGCS) in the emergency department among trauma patients that present to Prisma Health Richland and Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. The pre-hospital Glasgow Coma Scale is determined by the EMS personnel who evaluate the patient during initial resuscitation and transport. The arrival Glasgow Coma Scale is determined by the Emergency Medicine staff or Trauma Surgery team upon arrival to the trauma bay during their initial evaluation. The objective will be to analyze the agreement in the pGCS and aGCS to determine accuracy of EMS GCS. We will also analyze the difference between each EMS system to determine if there are statistically significant differences among GCS calculations between systems.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The United States has seen a staggering increase in opioid misuse in recent years, contributing to the emerging public health crisis. Working musicians, often in close contact with community members vulnerable to substance misuse, are uniquely positioned to spearhead harm-reduction efforts in South Carolina. As opposed to an abstinence approach, harm reduction focuses on minimizing the negative effects of substances through a holistic, strength-based recovery process, prioritizing the health and wellness of individuals and communities. The current study’s aim is twofold: 1) To understand the perceptions and attitudes of local musicians towards harm reduction as an approach to substance use recovery, particularly in the context of the opioid crisis and 2) Assess the challenges and supports in implementing harm reduction strategies with musicians in a community setting. Utilizing a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) framework, the study leverages community insights to identify needs and enhance community health. A mixed-method approach, featuring semi-structured interviews and surveys with 16 local musicians, examined their views on opioid overdose, harm reduction strategies, and sense of community. Preliminary findings highlight a vibrant sense of community through music and widespread exposure to substance misuse. While participants initially showed limited harm reduction knowledge, further discussion revealed a unanimous agreement on its importance. This consensus underscored the potential community benefits of adopting harm reduction strategies. These insights serve as foundational research for developing public health initiatives to combat the opioid crisis in South Carolina. Additionally, by adopting a collaborative approach, the project aims to inform effective harm reduction interventions and strengthen community bonds.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Faces provide information that is critical for the successful negotiation of the social world. Face perception is a cognitive process that aids in rapidly detecting and encoding face information (Fuhrmann et al., 2007), and underlies an individual’s ability to recognize other social features like identity, age, and the emotional states of those around them (de Hann et al., 2002). This is increasingly important to study in adolescence as it is a crucial developmental period for developing and maintaining social relationships (Blakemore & Mills, 2014). Additionally, electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have been useful in linking certain biological markers in the brain to facial perception. For example, the N170 (an event-related potential commonly used in face perception studies) has been identified as a critical component that is sensitive to differences in face presentation (e.g., upright versus inverted faces; de Hann et al., 2002). While the N170 is also sensitive to developmental changes in response to face perception (de Hann et al., 2003), it is unclear how the N170 is modulated by other individual differences. For example, social awareness (i.e., the ability to identify social cues) may be correlated with the brain's ability to perceive faces and, therefore, impact the N170 response. Accordingly, we sought to investigate how individual differences in social awareness impact face perception neurally and behaviorally in adolescents differently for upright and inverted faces. To do so, sixty-five adolescent (aged 10-14) participants completed a social awareness skill measure (i.e., Social Responsiveness Scale—2; Constantino & Gruber, 2012). Additionally, participants completed an EEG task where they viewed inverted and upright faces and indicated if the person identified as male or female. We plan to investigate how individual differences in social awareness and other participant characteristics impact N170 amplitude and response time differently to upright and inverted faces. We predict that higher social awareness in adolescents would lead to higher peak amplitude in the N170 biomarker for upright faces as opposed to inverted faces and overall quicker response times. As such, this study will provide insight into how differences in social awareness in adolescence impact foundational cognitive processes for social interactions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project focused on an end-of-life (EOL) Care study that could address the disparities in EOL care, including sociodemographic, physical health, and clinical aspects. Another focus was the impact of 2016 Medicare policies on advanced care delivery. Secondary analysis was based on several clinical outcomes and EOL Care services over a lifetime. The added goal was to simplify access to data for use in probabilistic learning algorithms. The multidisciplinary research team consisted of a medical oncologist, a palliative care physician, a statistician, a health informatician, and a doctoral student(data engineer). An Extract-Transform-Load data pipeline was built to harmonize the data, and the characteristics and usability of data elements were assessed. Data collection and analysis presented for this study was comprehensive across 20 hospitals and 600 provider services over the lifetime of 15306 cancer decedents. A significant increase in palliative care consults was observed for two three-year windows: 29.5% to 36.8% (p=0.0000). This increase was supported by the 2016 Medicare changes. Several challenges were addressed, including mapping clinical requirements to EPIC Cogito data elements, transforming cancer registry data into an analytical schema, determining EOL Care indicators in the presence of missing data and anomalies, and simplifying access to data for analysis with probabilistic and statistical AI learning algorithms. Capturing timed events over the deceased's lifetime was also a crucial component of our analytical model. Many of the required variables for the study did not exist in native form within the EHR. As a result, the measures of EOL Care were engineered from timed events over the lifetime of patients. Such events include the diagnosis of cancer and services leading up to the death of individual patients. It was impossible to model and relate all life-prolonging and life-sustaining treatments for each patient due to the limitations of structured data in the EHR. Evaluating EOL Care is complex ongoing clinical research. Research that could improve EOL care and decrease the likelihood of burdensome, low-value, and perhaps unwanted care. This work was supported by the BDHSC grant and received approval from institutional IRB to use decedent data as the source for EOL care research.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cancer remains the forefront of disease research due to its complicated nature and difficulty to treat. Many of these cancers are seen with stem cell characteristics that allow for proliferation beyond the normal scope of the cell. Inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4), a tumor suppressor protein, plays a key role in the regulation of cell proliferation and other cellular pathways, including NF-kB, HIF-1α, ribosomal biogenesis, and more. In colorectal cancer cell lines- HCT116, HCT15, and DLD-1- the expression of ING4 is lost, leading to the resistance of conventional chemotherapy. In this study, we used targeted small molecule inhibitors to alleviate the effect of ING4 deficient phenotypes in zebrafish and colorectal cancer cell lines. Previous RNA-seq data identified multiple mis-regulated pathways associated with ING4 loss of function such as OXPHOS, mTOR, and MYC. Preliminary results in zebrafish identified effective inhibitors, of the mis-regulated pathways in Ing4-deficiency, that remediated HSPC specification upon treatment. Testing the relevance of these drugs in colorectal cancer cells, we found that upon treatment these targeted therapeutics significantly reduce colony formation, cell invasion, and cancer cell viability. This study demonstrates that these small molecule inhibitors remediate ING4 deficiency, consequently opening the pathway to larger findings in the role of ING4 in tumorigenesis, and potential therapeutics for ING4 deficient cancer cells.
9:30-11:00 a.m.After the advent of modern antibiotics to fight microbial pathogens, drug-resistant microbes began to emerge more and more frequently as an evolutionary response to the use of antibiotics. This provides a substantial threat to the treatment of infectious disease as new drugs must be developed faster than bacteria can build up a resistance to them. In recent years, antimicrobial polymers that are modeled after antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been developed in order to address the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial polymers are especially promising in fighting against the mechanisms of resistance that bacteria express against conventional antibiotics because antimicrobial polymers act through total disruption of the bacterial cell membrane, as opposed to most antibiotics which target biological pathways that bacteria rely on for survival. This research seeks to determine the effectiveness and likelihood of developing antimicrobial polymers through synthesis of a facially amphiphilic peptide polymer that exhibits a greater tolerance to mechanisms of antibiotic resistance expressed by many bacteria and is able to selectively target bacterial cells over mammalian cells. In preliminary testing trials, the crude polymer was highly effective against gram-positive non drug-resistant bacteria, and moderately effective against gram positive multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Greater levels of antibacterial effectiveness will be achieved through further purification and engineering of the crude polymer.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Pregnancy imposes dramatic physiologic changes upon the cardiovascular system and is considered a stress test of a woman’s heart. Moreover, complications during pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the postpartum or later in life. CVD is the leading cause of non-obstetric maternal death, yet our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the unique risk factors for CVD that are imposed by pregnancy is unclear. Chronic stress is a pervasive disruptor of physical, mental, and emotional well-being, undermining resilience and vitality across various aspects of life. Importantly, it is a significant risk factor for CVD for both men and women. We and others have shown that pregnancy is a critical period vulnerable to stress. Studies suggest that high levels of cortisol from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure and increase biological markers of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that chronic stress exposure in pregnant females will enhance the risk for postpartum CVD through cardiac remodeling, evidenced by increased left ventricle size and markers of CVD including Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and Troponin 1. We specifically targeted the left ventricle as it is the thickest of the heart's chambers and is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to tissues all over the body. To test our hypothesis, we exposed pregnant and non-pregnant female rats to chronic mild unpredictable stress during the last 10 days of gestation. Animals were euthanized in the mid-postpartum on postpartum days 11 and 12. The left ventricle of the heart was weighed and dissected, and subsequently homogenized for protein extraction. Protein expression of CVD markers was measured in left ventricle homogenates using Western blots. While dams stressed during pregnancy did not exhibit differences in left ventricle weights, they did show alterations in protein expression of the markers ANP, BNP, and troponin 1. Our data suggest that chronic stress during gestation can induce cardiac remodeling that persists nearly 2 weeks after the last stress exposure and highlights the gestational period as a critical period for cardiac health.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Hospital-acquired delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by a range of symptoms that significantly impact cognition and functioning. Its prevalence is particularly pronounced among hospitalized elderly patients (aged 65 years or older), affecting approximately 50% of this population. Moreover, within intensive care units (ICUs) where mechanical ventilatory support is required, the incidence of delirium can soar to as high as 80%. The persistence of delirium post-discharge is concerning, as 56.9% of affected patients continue to experience it after leaving the hospital. The adverse clinical outcomes associated with hospital-acquired delirium underscore the critical importance of early recognition and intervention. The failure to identify and address the underlying causes often contributes to prolonged hospital stays and unnecessary healthcare costs. To address this issue, we evaluated current practices in preventing hospital-acquired delirium at the Prisma Health Baptist inpatient unit. Our investigative approach involved shadowing and observing healthcare professionals to gain insights into existing protocols. Subsequently, we conducted a thorough literature review to identify best practices, revealing a consensus on the central role of prevention. The literature emphasizes nonpharmacological interventions and the avoidance of sedatives as key strategies in reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired delirium. Armed with this knowledge, we developed educational materials to disseminate preventive measures. An informative PowerPoint presentation was created for self-study, to be circulated among the nursing staff via email. Additionally, a concise flyer, featuring essential points from the educational material, will be strategically placed at nursing stations and other high-visibility areas for quick reference. In conjunction with these educational efforts, an order set is under development for implementation by nurses in their daily patient care routines, with a particular focus on high-risk patients. To measure the impact of these interventions, a questionnaire will be distributed to the nursing staff both before and after implementation. The subsequent analysis of this data will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the interventions in preventing hospital-acquired delirium. This comprehensive approach, incorporating education, practical tools, and ongoing assessment, aims to enhance awareness, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the overall reduction of hospital-acquired delirium.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Geriatric patients are the largest patient population at risk for a fall. One in four geriatric patients, or patients over 65 years of age, will experience a fall within the year. Therefore, providers must be mindful to assess this patient population for potential fall events. Fall risk assessments are a multifactorial test typically utilized by providers to assess the likelihood of a fall for a specific patient. In South Carolina, Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) utilizes the fall risk assessment in their patients to categorize them as low, medium, or high risk for a fall event. Medications are one of the criteria typically scored in a fall risk assessment. In this quality assurance project, no patient identifiers will be disclosed. Medications involved in the fall risk assessment will be analyzed to measure the primary objective. The primary objective is to determine what medication associated with falls is most prevalent throughout a PACE facility’s fall risk assessments. Secondary objectives will be to analyze which drug classes occur most often and how many fall events have occurred on average with patients based on their risk category. We aim to share this data with the PACE fall risk assessment committee to improve patient care.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cybersecurity is an ever-increasing issue with hacks threatening the longevity of a business as well as their productivity. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the lead federal agency that collaborates and partners with other organizations to reduce risk to the nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure, while also coordinating critical infrastructure security and resilience. Employing some of the skills that cyber criminals use can lead to success when it comes to stopping cybercrimes. To do this, it is vital to analyze the data that criminals leave behind, just as they collect/harvest and analyze data. To understand, manage, and reduce risk to cyber and physical infrastructure CISA collects data from various sources. Some of the variables in the collected data for this project include the type of cybersecurity vulnerability, and other parameters (or factors) associated with the vulnerability such as the product and its vendor, the common weakness enumeration, The common vulnerability scoring system, the complexity, and the severity. Analyzing the collected data and interpreting the results is essential. This project examines CISA 2022 cybersecurity attacks data from Kaggle and uses multinomial logistic regression model to solve a cybersecurity risk severity classification problem. The dataset is divided into a training set and test set. The model is built using python and the accuracy of the model is determined.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are a significant source of morbidity and cost in the healthcare setting. Incidence of HAPIs in the pediatric population is reported from anywhere between 1.4% to 35%. At Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands (PHCH-M), it has been noted that improperly fitting spinal braces led to pressure injuries in 16% of inpatients with spinal braces from March 2021 to December 2023. This QI project aimed to implement and improve the rate of compliance with a standard pressure injury prevention process. AIM Statement: By April 1st, 2024, we will increase compliance with a standard pressure injury prevention process in inpatients with spinal braces at PHCH-M by 10%. Methods: Electronic medical record data from all PHCH-M inpatients who received spinal braces were analyzed for documentation of brace fit, compliance with skin assessment protocol, use of skin barriers, and wound care consults for HAPIs due to braces. PDSA cycle 1 began with educating nursing staff on the standard skin assessment protocol and distributing handouts that outline the standard pressure injury prevention process. PDSA cycle 2 consisted of vendor-led education on the proper sizing and application of spinal braces used by the hospital. Results: At baseline, 63% of patients had brace fit documented, with 34% of braces fitting properly. Standard skin assessment protocol was followed for 95% of patients, and skin barrier use was documented in 29% of patients. Following the completion of PDSA cycle 1, documentation of fit increased to 67% with 50% of braces having a proper fit, skin assessment compliance was 100%, documentation of skin barrier use was 16%, and zero patients developed a brace-related HAPI. Conclusion: This project was designed to increase compliance with a standard pressure injury prevention process at PHCH-M by educating on the skin assessment protocol, proper pressure-off loading interventions, and correct sizing of braces. These efforts were shown to improve compliance rates within one month of implementation, but due to the longitudinal nature of this study, we plan to see a decrease in brace-related HAPIs as we have a consistent increase in compliance over a notable time period.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Given enough time and geographic separation, populations of the same species can begin to evolve differences in important fitness-related traits. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, males have evolved a complex repertoire of mating behaviors to achieve reproductive success, including both courtship and copulation practices. Typical courting involves the male following the female, tapping her with his forelegs, and performing a courtship song by vibrating its wings. Typical copulation involves the male mounting the female and transferring sperm and seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) before dismounting. SFPs stimulate egg production, support sperm competition, and reduce female receptivity to other males, aiding in the fitness of the mated male. We have acquired five “laboratory island” populations of D. melanogaster; two from North America (Massachusetts and California), one from West Africa (Benin), and one from Europe (Valais, Switzerland). Our fifth population is a GFP-marked transgenic population more recently established from the LHm population. Each population has been maintained in isolation for thousands of generations in the lab. Therefore, each is predicted to have evolved significant genome-wide genetic differences which we hypothesize have manifested in distinct mating behavior between individuals from separate populations. Mating behavior can have significant effects on the reproductive success of an individual. Increasing copulation duration, for example, increases the quantity of SFPs transferred, aiding in male fitness but hindering female fitness. Here, we are interested in how variation in population-level genetic measures such as effective population size, and genetic variation, relate to mating behavior and individual fitness. To this end, we conducted multiple experiments to measure mating behavior across all five of the island populations. We found significant differences in courtship and copulation behavior measured by latency to mate and mating duration, respectively. We extracted DNA from hundreds of flies from each population and have prepared it for a genome-sequencing method called pooled sequencing (Pool-seq). Pool-seq is a cost effective and highly accurate method to obtain genomic data. With this information I will be able to analyze the magnitude of genetic variation in each “laboratory island” population to look for relationships between genome-wide population genetic measures and mating phenotypes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My experiences within the School of Public Health and my study abroad program have ignited a profound interest in global health systems, emphasizing insights from comparative analysis and experiential learning. Delving into the study of global health systems and immersing myself in Melbourne, Australia, illuminated key disparities in access, affordability, and quality of care. In addition to my coursework in global health systems, I seized the opportunity to immerse myself in the Australian healthcare system during my five-month stay abroad. Enrolling in BUPA Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provided me with firsthand exposure to the Australian healthcare landscape, offering valuable insights into its differences from the US system. Contrasting the US and Australian healthcare systems demonstrated the pressing need for equitable solutions in Public Health, as evident disparities persisted even in an overseas setting. During my time abroad, I had the opportunity to research how Australia’s Indigenous population faces significant barriers to equitable and appropriate care. This experience, coupled with insights from the Health Belief Model, shed light on individual perceptions and behaviors within healthcare systems, emphasizing their impact on health outcomes. My involvement with an overseas healthcare system highlighted both successes and limitations in healthcare access, reinforcing the imperative for comprehensive global initiatives to address healthcare disparities. Moving forward, I am committed to leveraging research, policy advocacy, and community engagement to tackle the root causes of health disparities and advocate for health equity on a global scale within my career in Public Health.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Many natural and biological processes, including, for example, communication between the brain and muscles, rely on networks of independently controlled processes that can be activated by many different external stimuli. Despite the many elegant examples in nature, achieving the described level of control over a synthetic multifunctional material using external stimuli (e.g., heat or light) remains challenging. One approach to preparing materials composed of multiple stimuli-responsive units is to integrate distinct photochromic molecules (i.e., molecules which undergo isomerization in response to an appropriate excitation wavelength) in a porous host scaffold, such as a metal-organic framework (MOF). In this work, we integrate two classes of photochromic molecules, spiropyran and diarylethene, into a single framework and demonstrate both cooperative and orthogonal behavior of the photochromic units depending on the choice of either light or heat as the external stimulus. For example, upon exposure to UV light, the prepared dual stimuli-responsive MOF exhibits cooperative behavior of the spiropyran and diarylethene units, allowing access to energy transfer pathways between the photochromic units. Thus, their cooperative behavior enabled studies on resonance energy transfer as well as control of photoinduced charge transfer processes. In contrast, choice of heat as the external stimulus promotes orthogonal behavior in which the spiropyran unit undergoes isomerization, while the diarylethene derivative does not. Spectroscopic studies combined with theoretical modeling revealed a non-linear effect on the material electronic structure. The described thermo-photochromic behavior demonstrated a pathway to modulate photophysics and electronics of multidimensional functional materials. We envision that this type of dual stimuli-responsive platform can be important for advancing optoelectronics, multilevel anti-counterfeiting and information encryption, systems for modulating gene expression, and smart pharmaceuticals.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Children experience displacement due to war, feminine, and politics. There are many reasons why people get displaced from their country but what happens to them after displacement? Children internalize trauma differently than adults. How do we help these children adjust to a new country when they experience trauma? Does being a child refugee impact the development of children? In my research, I explore the knowledge gaps regarding refugee children's needs following displacement and how these experiences may have impacted their development. This study uses qualitative data analysis of interviews of two to three young adults who either are refugees are come from a background of refugees.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Higher education is a strongly supported path for young adults in the United States and is portrayed to be a vehicle of success and attaining a desirable career. Academic institutions have grown exponentially in the last 50 years and have expanded their scope to accommodate the development of new and innovative job options. Academics are a way to credit your area of expertise and education, but engaging in volunteerism and work experience gives credit to your employability. Engaging in non-academic activities paired with your academic studies provides a platform for individuals to expand their networks, sharpen inter-personal skills, and showcase their ability to produce or achieve employable skills." In this project, I use my experience with Changing Carolina Peer Leaders (CCPL), facilitating sexual health presentations, and my volunteerism and leadership with South Carolina Pride as case studies for my beyond-the-classroom (BTC) experiences for my GLD. In this presentation, I highlight, through these two examples, how work experience and volunteerism are great ways to expand hard and soft skills that may lead to new opportunities (e.g., a dream job, personal project, entrepreneurship, etc.). The relationship between work, civic engagement, and academics is a great way to expand one’s network and develop strong relationships with individuals and potential employers.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the colonization of the Caribbean, revolts became a common theme throughout the settlements. Though, of all the revolts one particularly stands out as unique. The Haitian Revolution which lasted from 1791 to 1804 was the first time a country had ever been founded by the former slaves who once worked the land. As this revolt was happening during the time of the French Revolution, many might ask if it was an extension of the French Revolution. However, it may have just been a separate revolt with different motivations. According to historian Franklin Knight, he refers to the Haitian Revolution as the inadvertent stepchild of The French Revolution”. Researching multiple articles that compare these simultaneous conflicts, suggests that Haiti was the backbone of French importation. Supplying the country with 66% of its tropical produce and helping make up 33% of Tropical Trade. My research suggests that the conflicts were separate but both with similar motivations in response to French rule. I will argue that though, the Haitian revolution was a social revolution, it differs from the French revolution in that it did not revolve around re positions of the ruling classes. After the American and French revolutions, the elite classes were still the ones in charge after the conflicts. By contrast, in the Haitian Revolution, former slaves were now the rulers of the country; one of the most radical transformations of power in a short period in World History."
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time at USC, my most significant contribution has been my leadership roles as a University 101 Peer Leader and Senior Peer Leader. Throughout these experiences, I learned how to lesson plan, facilitate, maintain professional relationships, and so much more. My biggest challenge occurred when I assumed dual roles, serving as a Peer Leader for first-semester freshmen in University 101 and simultaneously taking on the responsibilities of a Senior Peer Leader, guiding first-time Peer Leaders in understanding the essentials of mentoring first-year students. By working through learning curves associated with adapting teaching methods to different demographics, I gained insights into the importance of listening to my students understand their needs rather than making assumptions based on my own narrow set of personal experiences. This new understanding became pivotal in effectively promoting and supporting them through the educational experience. Throughout the semester, I was able to become a more adaptable leader who can understand the needs of others and how I can adjust my behavior to meet my students where they need me. My presentation will discuss how my roles in the University 101 program have helped me gain invaluable professional skills as well as the impact the program had on me throughout my four years at USC.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Sustainable Carolina has provided a foundation to form connections across the university with students and faculty to bring awareness to sustainability as a project coordinator for campus outreach. Sustainability is a huge topic defined by the United Nations under the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals, so focusing on how a college student can approach the concepts can be confusing, but simplifying it makes it more applicable to everyday life. This strategy includes presenting to University 101 classes, collaborating on events with organizations, and finding ways to reach new audiences through marketing and tabling events. In addition to campus connections, a huge part of the experience has been managing a team of undergraduates to find their role on campus as sustainability advocates and leaders in their own ways. I have become a better communicator of science through the role, leading me to have a passion for education and outreach even with a background in environmental science. Exploring a new aspect of science has led me to desire to continue this through graduate school, pushing me to new possibilities academically. Project coordination is more than just the behind-the-scenes work, more importantly, it is finding your way to grow as a student and develop professionally.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In my job as an EMT, I assist my patients in their worst moments. My responsibility as a healthcare professional is to provide my patients with appropriate prehospital treatment that is within my scope of practice. I have a duty to respond to emergency situations and reflect a calm and collected demeanor for the well-being of my patients. I am trained to advocate and offer support for my patients. Being in this occupation has allowed me to see my reason for wanting to pursue medicine in the future. As a student with a pre-medicine concentration, I have taken many classes to prepare for my current and future careers in medicine. These classes provide the necessary insight on my topics including human anatomy and physiology, psychology, biology, chemistry, physics, and leadership. After participating in this job and these classes, I have learned to be more confident in my abilities to handle and pursue medicine.
1:00-2:30 p.m.University Ambassadors serve as the front door of the University of South Carolina; as Ambassadors, we are oftentimes the first person visitors and prospective students encounter on campus. From giving 90 minute Campus Tours to prospective students, working Admissions events, answering phone calls and welcoming prospective students and families at the Visitor Center, being a University Ambassador entails a lot of work and preparation. The process of becoming a Certified Ambassador is rigorous, with a year long training cycle of weekly meetings, shifts within the Visitor Center, assessments about admissions information and campus history, and most importantly, the process of learning how to effectively communicate with Visitors within your campus tour, and learning how to take feedback from Visitors and other Ambassadors who serve as your Coach. Within the Ambassador Certification, learning how to effectively communicate necessary information to visitors in an authentic way, while also adapting your content based on your tour participants is vital. Public Communication (SPCH 140), provides students with “critical and working understandings of oral communication”. In connection with Ambassadors, this course provides vital and necessary opportunities to learn about developing and creating speeches, how to inform and persuade others, and how to take feedback; all of which support Ambassadors through the Certification process.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that affects individuals with chronic diseases such as cancer, AIDS, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. It has been linked to inflammation and fibrosis, with cytokines such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta contributing to the progression of muscle loss and weakness. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of silybin in a preclinical model of cancer cachexia due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. We utilized a preclinical model of cancer cachexia, ApcMin/+ mouse, which exhibits chronic inflammation, muscle wasting, and loss of strength. We found that silybin treatment could ameliorate muscle mass loss and improve grip strength. In summary, our data suggest that silybin holds promise as a potential complementary treatment to impede the progression of cancer cachexia.
1:00-2:30 p.m.For the past two years (2022-2024) I have served on the exec board for Women’s Club Rugby. Through this experience as recruitment and retention officer, I have learned the importance of intentionality and how it not only impacts your representation as a club but also affects the community you build within the club. I originally joined rugby because I wanted to be involved in something on campus and make new friends. My involvement in this club has been the most beneficial thing of my college career. Through this Women’s Rugby, I have found the most supportive group of women who have become my best friends. I also found a sense of belonging in my rugby community and as recruitment and retention officer I have taken part in bringing other people into this community. When advertising on our Instagram or at club fairs the main thing I want to get across is our authenticity. As a member of the club, we want you to feel welcome and supported and we really try to be intentional in our Instagram posts along with in person when talking about the club and the sport. Our mission of the club is to overall grow the sport of rugby in South Carolina and it is because of every one of my teammates that we can do this each season.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I began working as a certified surgical technologist in 2018 after completing my associate's degree and certification in the field. I clock in at 6:30am and by 7:00 I am usually scrubbed in setting up for whatever the first surgery of the day is. My primary surgeons are neurosurgeons so I have been incredibly lucky to become competent in spinal fusions and brain surgery (including awake craniotomies). My primary responsibility is to be the expert in sterile technique in the operating room which I take incredibly seriously for the safety of my patients. Through this job I have completely fallen in love with medicine, despite all of its flaws. I hope to continue working in surgery or at least a field of medicine focused on procedures in the future as a physician assistant and I know this has given me valuable experience for my future.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time as an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina, I have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of capacities, all of which have shaped my outlook on the essence of leadership. My most noteworthy positions during my college career have been serving as a University 101 Peer Leader and Senior Peer Leader. In these roles, I was tasked with working alongside co-instructor(s) to lesson plan, facilitate, and lead groups of students through their first-year of college and first-time peer leader experiences. The challenges I faced in these roles taught me to embrace discomfort and helped me build confidence while navigating unfamiliar situations. During my time in these positions, I discovered the profound value of talent to an organization, and more specifically, within the classroom. By collaborating closely with my students, I gained a deeper understanding of their individual leadership styles and distinct talents, allowing me to be more deliberate, and effectively tailor my own leadership approach. By investing in my students, developing their talents, and fostering a community that celebrates their uniqueness, I was able to help them unleash their leadership potential. In my presentation, I will share insights from serving in these roles, the incredible experiences they gifted me with, and the ways in which this program influenced my four years of college.
1:00-2:30 p.m.For the past four years, USC has given me endless opportunities with powerful outcomes. One experience that has solidified my passions and interests has been my position in the Student Success Center as an Academic Engagement Peer Consultant. In this position, I am able to work with students to discuss their experiences on campus, as well as how they define success. In this, I can supply information on campus resources and refer the students to other offices that can provide the assistance they need. Because of classes like EDCE 570: Seminar in Counseling, and EDCE 510: Introduction to Counseling, I have been able to implement skills and theories, like the Person-Centered Approach, introduced by Carl Rogers, into my work. This approach encourages the idea of clients being able to guide the conversations that they have with their counselor or consultant. Instead of forcing conversations or making the client feel uncomfortable with the topics discussed, it is important for the consultant to give the client the autonomy in discussing what is feasible and appropriate. I utilize this approach as a peer leader in how I begin each of my consultations, which involves letting the student know that the conversation is solely based on what they expect to get out of it - whether it is about academics or personal student-life experiences. I assure the students that I am simply here to be a resource, and I allow the student to start the conversations with their current concerns or reasons for scheduling an appointment. I have found that the use of this approach positively affects the behaviors and attitudes of students towards the consultation, as they become noticeably comfortable and provide beneficial feedback about my practices. I have been thanked for acknowledging students’ needs throughout conversations, as this approach prioritizes the need for clients to feel accepted and not rushed to speak about certain topics. I think that the implementation of the person-centered approach in all conversational spaces can ensure that people feel acknowledged, comfortable, and heard.
1:00-2:30 p.m.When I am asked to describe my experience navigating a public health degree, I often find it difficult to articulate what public health is in a way that will encompass all its moving parts. We are taught to hold an understanding of health as a holistic, population-based concept that not only emphasizes health outcomes but also how we get there. We study a causal web of influence over human health outcomes and one of these major facets is the environment that surrounds us. ecosystems are the source of many of our vital resources for life, such as food, water, and the air we breathe, and human action can subsequently affect the health of the environment and the other organisms that inhabit it. Such a concept is known to be a dogma of public health, and this was illustrated to me in my soil lab as an undergraduate research assistant, particularly my work with the most common – and underrated – animal on our planet: nematodes. The ubiquity of these microorganisms is a mere indicator of their influence on the health of our environment, especially as we understand their role in acting as a mediator for nutrients between plants and other organisms within the soil microbiome as well as other functions to support biodiversity. I was endlessly inspired when working to develop methods to isolate them from soil samples and learning to identify them based on morphological differences. When placing a focus on such an imperceptibly small thing, we can tend to downplay its importance relative to other, larger influences in our local environments. Still, in doing so we are allowing some of our most illustrious allies to be overshadowed in endeavors to uphold balance in the greater system. Gazing down the chain for support may as well lead to greater effects further ahead.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The aim of the research is on robotics education in K through 12 schools. The project is investigating recruitment rates in STEM, academic achievement, success and interest in STEM, both informal and formal, with a focus on robotics in education. The population for this project are students who are in K through 12 with a focus on children within rural communities and children of Hispanic ethnicity. The meta-analysis will look at the importance of STEM education and robotics within the classroom. The goal of this meta-analysis is to add to the current existing literature and answer the following: research questions: how do students benefit from integrating robotics in the classroom, are there any gender differences with learning robotics education and grasping STEM concepts, does introducing robotics in the classroom increase interest knowledge and understanding in STEM?
9:30-11:00 a.m.The study of dam breaching due to overtopping has become increasingly important because breaches have had devastating impacts on urban and rural communities. The ability to predict and understand breaching is critical to flood prevention and evacuation. Experiments on dam breaching due to overtopping were run on non-cohesive model embankments of heights varying between 10 cm and 45 cm. Experiments were performed in a 3-foot wide and 4-foot-tall flume in the Hydraulics Laboratory at the University of South Carolina. The dams were built in 5 cm lifts with equal compaction. Slopes equal to 3H:1V were then cut to create the final shape. A pump was used to create a constant flow discharge and a weir was used to control a constant head elevation in the reservoir. A rectangular pilot channel of 2.5 cm in width and 1.2 cm in depth was used to direct the breach over the center of the dam. Preliminary results suggest that failure time and breach geometry are both functions of dam height. A noticeable increase in breach flow occurred earlier in experiments with smaller dam height. The increase in breach flow was associated with the occurrence of dam crest erosion. Interestingly, the final breach was narrower in experiments performed with higher dams.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Repeating a behavior until it becomes harmful or disruptive to one’s life is a common symptom of many disorders including autism spectrum disorders. Understanding the underlying neurological mechanisms behind these behaviors may provide insight into the disorder as well as possible treatments to help manage these symptoms. The dorsal striatum plays an important role in goal-oriented and habitual behaviors, and dysfunction of dopaminergic signaling in the region has been implicated in repetitive behaviors. In a mouse model exhibiting repetitive behaviors, SAPAP3 KO mice, we have shown administration of an M4-positive allosteric modulator (PAM), VU0467154, at 0.3 and 1 mg/kg to reduce over-grooming without decreasing general activity and without significant behavioral changes to WT mice. To determine the circuitry involved in repetitive behavior we measured dorsal striatum dopamine activity during grooming in both SAPAP3 KO and WT mice using fiber photometry approaches. 15 minutes prior to testing, mice were injected with either the M4 PAM VU0467154 or vehicle. Grooming was identified by manual behavioral scoring of each session by multiple scorers and time locked to photometry recordings. For each observed grooming bout dopamine activity was calculated in the 10 seconds preceding grooming initiation and for the duration of the bout. Collectively, these studies will provide key information on how dopamine circuit activity correlates to repetitive behaviors and elucidate the ability of M4 receptors to alter these behaviors and brain circuit activity.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Naturally derived hydrogels have a wide range of medical applications, including drug delivery, biological scaffolds, and wound dressings. They can be engineered to meet the specific needs of a certain application, and thus their chemical and mechanical properties are extremely important. Hydrogels must be sterile for human use, but the sterilization process can degrade the original mechanical, biological, and chemical functions. The three common FDA-approved sterilization methods (steam/dry heat, ethylene oxide, and gamma irradiation) utilize high temperature and/or aggressive chemicals that alter the material’s original properties. Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) has shown promise as a “cold sterilization” method for heat sensitive and porous materials. Previous work in Dr. Matthews’ research lab developed a sterilization process using scCO2 and applied it to hydrogels. This research aimed to determine if this method is an appropriate sterilization method for a compressed, dried hydrogel wrap developed in Dr. White’s lab. To determine the efficacy of the means of sterilization, mechanical and biological properties of sterilized wraps were compared to untreated wraps. To achieve sterilization, wraps were treated under supercritical conditions for four hours with a piece of cotton wool that had 5 uL of hydrogen peroxide pipetted onto it. Pressure inside the system was kept between 2700-2950 psi and the temperature was 36 oC. Treated wraps showed slight discoloration from untreated wraps and there were bubbles observed on them that was not seen on untreated ones. Tensile testing showed that the treated wraps were stiffer with a Young’s Modulus of 1.088 compared to 0.55. Cytotoxicity testing performed on the wraps showed a high number of lysed and metabolically inactive cells when exposed to the wraps. It is believed that CO2 and H2O2 residues were left on the wraps following sterilization, resulting in the death of cells exposed to the wraps and bubbles in treated wraps. Further work is necessary to refine the process and remove leftover CO2 and H2O2 residues from treated samples, which may limit mechanical changes and prevent cell death when exposed to wraps.
1:00-2:30 p.m.A non-destructive method for real-time bond strength measurement, with a focus on weak bond defect detection, during the automated manufacturing of Carbon Fiber- reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composites was developed. Based on the automated tow placement (ATP) process, the aim is to enhance autonomous manufacturing capabilities for high quality and high strength composite parts. With an increased demand for lightweight composites in civilian aerospace, mass produced cars and other industries, the need for defect detection and real-time bond strength measurement during manufacturing is needed. While automated defect detection methods exist, manual production remains a critical part of the composite industry. Most automated processes can only detect defects post-manufacturing which leads to increased downtime and often require manual intervention. The development of a deformable probe (attachable to the ATP head) that serves as both an actuator and a force transducer would apply a compressive load to specimens during manufacturing. Measuring the deflection of the probe to determine real-time tow-to-tow bond strength will eliminate the extensive manual inspections and repairs that result from defects during manufacturing. Current methods, such as laser line scanning, are limited in assessing tow-to-tow adhesion or bond strength. This method seeks to overcome these challenges by introducing a deformable probe and validating its effectiveness through standard destructive testing of bond strength. This research holds promise for revolutionizing defect detection and real-time bond strength measurement in the manufacturing of CFRP composites, contributing to more efficient and autonomous production processes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During Spring Break of my Junior year, I attended a medical mission to a free clinic outside of San José, Costa Rica with the student-led organization Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC). Our mission was to the small town of Alajuelita, where thousands of Nicaraguan refugees reside. Throughout the trip, we fulfilled administrative roles such as check in, charting and filling medications in addition to triaging and taking patient vitals. In the afternoons, we participated in community outreach. This included demonstrating how to properly brush teeth to children, planning a sketch about chores for an adult special needs clinic and making posters for the local women’s health group. I participated in this trip because I am passionate about the issue of health disparity/equity. I have worked in the local free medical clinic throughout all of college, and felt like helping communities outside of the United States was the next step in my work. I learned several things from my trip. First, healthcare issues transcend physical and cultural boundaries. Those refugees in Costa Rica were facing the same issues of health disparity as those in Columbia, SC. Second, the emphasis in the healthcare system should be on access. Since the systems in both Costa Rica and the USA are for-profit, healthcare access is significantly decreased in areas of low SES where there is less money to be made. This dilemma describes the central tenet of health disparity. Finally, Project Alajuelita taught me that the world operates on the genuine goodness of people. The patients at these free clinics receive the medication they need to survive by the incredible virtue of the volunteers, administrators and providers who operate them. I want others to know that the struggles of access to healthcare are universal and international, and transcend many boundaries. I want people to know that accessible healthcare is possible in the name of goodness, virtue and nobility. I plan to continue volunteering with the free clinic in Columbia, SC after graduation, and want to use my experiences to help combat health disparity as a trained medical professional.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Serving as a University Ambassador has transformed my college experience as it has improved my professional habits, connected me to campus resources, and reassured my love for the University of South Carolina every single day. Being able to serve as “the front door” of USC has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. Through University Ambassadors, I present 90-minute campus tours to groups of prospective students where I am able to see where students can see themselves at Carolina. I wanted to be a part of this program because I remember how difficult the college process was and how much of an impact my University Ambassador had on my decision to attend USC. With this position, I am able to give back and create a lasting legacy of future gamecocks providing campus tours and connections.I knew the role consisted of giving campus tours but there was so much more that I learned about myself beyond that. I learned about the importance and power of properly giving and receiving feedback, understanding your peers and their work styles, and encouraging those around you to foster a strong community. Feedback is an essential aspect of the organization in order to complete the training process and understanding why it is given and how to apply it is crucial. After completing my training year, I was able to coach the training ambassadors on my shifts. It was important to understand how they liked to receive feedback, how they liked to be taught material and most importantly, acclimating the training ambassadors into such a special organization of student leaders. When I joined University Ambassadors, I didn’t realize the relationships that would spark out of it but here, I was able to learn more about different colleges, organizations, and communities on campus from other ambassadors. Each of us has our own story to share about why we chose USC and it is such a special part of our organization. I am extremely proud to represent the University of South Carolina and am thankful for the lessons that being a University Ambassador taught me.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition, characterized by higher levels of pain, inflammation, and functional impairment. Movement behaviors such as increased physical activity (e.g., walking, swimming) are encouraged to promote positive health-outcomes with RA. However, minimal research has investigated the effects of prolonged sedentary time (e.g., sitting, lying down) and the health-related outcomes among adults with RA. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to measure the association between sedentary time and symptom severity in RA. Methods: Participants ≥18 years diagnosed with RA from an ongoing walking physical activity study were included. Visual Analog Scales were used to measure self-reported pain, stiffness, and fatigue on a scale of 0-100 mm, with 0 being no symptom presentation, 100 being severe. Participants were asked to wear a waist worn accelerometer for 7 days during waking hours. Cumulative, non-domain specific, sedentary time was categorized as ≤100 counts/minute, and was reported as the percentage of the day spent based on daily wear throughout the week. Measures of association between daily sedentary time and self-reported symptom severity (stiffness, pain, fatigue) were conducted using Pearson’s correlations. Results: A total of 63 participants were included in the analysis (96.8% female, 71.4% African American, 65.2 ± 10.2 years). Average daily sedentary time among the sample population was 70.4% ± 8.9%. Self-reported symptom severity averages included pain 37.5 ± 28, stiffness 43.1 ± 29.5 and fatigue 39.2 ± 29.6. For symptom severity, higher fatigue was associated with more sedentary time (r=.268; p=.034). Further, stiffness was found to be trending with higher sedentary time (r=.247; p=0.051). No significant association between daily sedentary time and pain was found (r=.197; p=.125). Conclusions: Higher fatigue was associated with more daily sedentary time among adults with RA. Subsequently, emphasis should focus on breaking up sedentary time in addition to increasing physical activity to assist with health-related outcomes associated with RA. Future research should examine the causal relationship between sedentary time and fatigue to better help develop sedentary time reductions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that must be obtained via diet; over 95% of the Trp is degraded through the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway, a pathway that is involved in the modulation of many biological and physiological processes including immune response and neurotransmission. The initial rate-limiting step of the kynurenine pathway is to transform Trp to N-formylkynurenine (NFK) through IDO1, IDO2, and TDO. An imbalanced (elevated) ratio of Kyn/Trp has been linked to a wide range of diseases and conditions such as cancer, depression, chronic/neuropathic pain, neurodegeneration, HIV immune dysfunction, etc.1 Regulating the ratio of Kyn/Trp by inhibiting the activity of IDO and TDO is therefore a potential strategy for the development of medical therapeutics for these diseases. To develop efficacious IDO and/or TDO inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized novel compounds constituted of both imidazothiazole and urea motifs. These compounds have been examined for their inhibitory activity against IDO1 and TDO using cell-based enzymatic activity assays. HeLa cells treated with IFN-γ induce a high-level expression of IDO1,2 while SW-48 cells constitutively express a high level of TDO.3 Two biological assays have been used for determining the inhibitory activity of the compounds toward IDO1 and TDO. One assay is to detect the concentration of NFK by recording the fluorescent emission intensity of the NFK-Kyn Green complex, while the other is to measure the concentration of Kyn by deformylation of NFK to Kyn, followed by reacting with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (p-DMAB) to form a complex that has a maximum absorbance at 480 nm.4 By using the cell-based IDO1/TDO enzymatic activity assays, we have identified 17 compounds exhibiting dual inhibitory activity against IDO1 and TDO, with 10 compounds having an 50 % inhibitory activity (IC50) of 1–6 μM against IDO1, as well as 4 compounds exhibiting an IC50 of < 10 μM against TDO. Thus, a novel scaffold of potent, selective IDO1 inhibitors as well as dual IDO1/TDO inhibitors has been identified. References exceed text limit
1:00-2:30 p.m.Context: Blood pressure (BP) assessment is a staple of pre-participation examinations and may assist athletic trainers (ATs) with diagnosing hypertension. The current pedagogical technique of practicing BP assessment on healthy individuals may limit healthcare providers’ ability to recognize Korotkoff sounds at abnormal pressures during clinical practice. Objective: To assess AT's confidence in accurately measuring blood pressure and interpreting the results. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Simulation lab. Patient or Other Participants: 100 ATs from various job settings (age=31±11 years; men=37, women=63, clinical experience=8±10 years) Main Outcome Measures: Participants verbally reported the professional guidelines they used in clinical practice to interpret BP findings and completed a practice trial BP assessment to familiarize themselves with the provided stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, and high-fidelity manikin. ATs completed three randomized BP assessment trials out of 11 pre-set BP cases. For each trial, participants reported the systolic and diastolic reading, interpretation (hypotension, hypertension, normal), and their confidence (0%=no confidence, 100%=complete confidence) in assessing the BP and the interpretation for that case. Reported BP was categorized as correct if within ±5 mmHg of the case’s systolic and diastolic measures. Interpretation data were classified as correct if they aligned with the professional guidelines identified by the participant. We calculated assessment correctness scores by case, with each correct systolic or diastolic value within the range counting as 1 and each incorrect value as 0. Results: Participants had a low overall assessment correctness score (42.67±20.88%) with only 50% of the systolic values (n=150; mean difference=-5.85±13.32) and 68.7% of the diastolic values (n=206; mean difference=-0.34±9.60) reported within ±5 mmHg. The participants correctly interpreted the BP by their reported guidelines in 56.3% of the trials (n=169). Despite the poor performance, participants expressed high confidence in BP assessment (80±16%) and interpretation (87±16%). Conclusion: We identified a confidence-to-practice gap, with ATs reporting high confidence levels in assessing and interpreting BP but performing poorly in both areas. Most ATs could accurately assess and interpret a normal BP case; however, participants struggled with assessment and interpretation for hypertensive cases.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Prenatal stress significantly affects offspring behavior and development. One such behavior is ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) which measure pup communication with their dams. Rat pups generate 40-kHz USVs that are considered distress calls because they are emitted upon separation from the mother and litter. USVs following maternal separation are considered a reliable indicator of neonatal anxiety. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are important for energy production and cell survival and are critically affected by stress. Our lab has shown a role for brain mitochondrial function in social behaviors and trait anxiety in adult rats. However, whether links exist between brain mitochondrial function and early postnatal behavior is unclear. Thus, we have hypothesized that prenatal stress will decrease the duration and number of USVs emitted by rat pups in association with differences in cortex mitochondrial respiration. To test this hypothesis, we exposed pregnant, outbred Wistar rats to either chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) or control conditions (handling) during gestational days 10-20. On postnatal day 4, the litters were weighed and one male and female from each litter was chosen at random for measuring ultrasonic vocalizations. Ultrasonic vocalizations were recorded for three minutes utilizing a microphone while the pups issued distress sounds as they were separated from their mother and litter. The rodent calls were manually scored and analyzed using Noldus UltraVox XT. Several call metrics were measured, including the total number of calls and the mean call duration. Immediately following USV measures, pups were euthanized, and mitochondrial oxygen consumption was measured in the frontal cortex using high resolution respirometry. Our preliminary findings show that stress tended to decrease the duration of calls but not the number of calls. This effect appeared more prevalent in male pups, as female calls were unaffected by stress. Similarly, prenatal stress significantly decreased mitochondrial respiration in the cortex of male pups, but not female pups. Additionally, we found that mean call duration positively correlated with mitochondrial respiration in the cortex across all groups, though interestingly, this correlation was strongest in female pups. Our findings highlight a possible relationship between mitochondrial function and neonatal social and anxiety-like behavior.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Sustainable Carolina Garden (SCG) is a student-led urban garden and agri-business that incorporates sustainability in gardening with permaculture practices and hydroponics. However, hydroponics has failed to cycle efficiently some years and maintain SCG intern interests due to being prone to failure from seedlings not being watered and having a less clear connection with sustainability due to being less interactive, using inorganic nutrient solutions, and having a higher energy dependency. Despite these challenges, hydroponics cannot be disregarded in the concept of sustainable agriculture since it is an efficient and optimized system that is applicable in urban areas, where less land is available. To mitigate the watering problem, I created a propagation nursery system that can automate seedling watering and grow microgreens at the same time since there is growing consumer interest in microgreens. This system was designed based on commercial propagation systems, where there are periodic flood and drain cycles, and lettuce and arugula seedlings were started in this system to later be transferred in a passive system, each with a different type of nutrient solution: organic, organic with micronutrient mixes, or inorganic. It was found that the created propagation system was successful for both seedlings and microgreens, and growth rates were improved when compost tea was added in the reservoir. However, the growth rate of the seedlings was always slower than the growth rate of the microgreens, which could be due to the growing medium for seedlings retaining more water. So far, with the nutrient solutions, it was found that there were obvious signs of nutrient deficiencies for both plants in both organic nutrient solutions leading to slower growth, which was expected. Because of that, it is unlikely that organic nutrients will be incorporated in SCG’s hydroponic systems; however, since the propagation system was successful, it will be used in the future and make transitions between grow cycles much easier, which increases the overall success of hydroponics in the SCG. I hope that from my experience, SCG interns will further investigate organic nutrient solutions and find ways to integrate it in hydroponics sufficiently.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The colonial period in the Caribbean, especially from the 16th to 18th centuries, is dominated by racial dynamics that highlight the influence of imperial powers on indigenous groups. My research will examine these racial dynamics and how they influenced the intertwining of native African and European cultures in the American tropics. An important aspect to studying race during this time period is to consider the societal view on race, which differs from what it is today. During this time, the idea of “whiteness” and “blackness” developed, creating legal and cultural identities around two groups of people separated by the color of their skin. Contrary to views of race today, most every ethnic group without pale skin was considered “black”. Despite no one having completely black skin, this idea of “blackness” spread, grouping individuals deemed as lesser than those who are “white”. With the onset of enslaved Africans being brought to the Caribbean, race became more complicated, with ethnicities mixing and European powers still exerting their “divine right” to rule over anyone deemed as lesser than them. I will examine sources such as Nancy Denton and Douglas Massey’s “Racial Identity Among Caribbean Hispanics” as a way to examine how racial dynamics set in place hundreds of years ago have impacted cultures today. I will also examine the idea of “whiteness”, including the controversy surrounding labeling some Irish as “slaves” during the Transatlantic slave trade era. Through studying racial dynamics in the Caribbean, as well as the onset of “black” and “white” labels born out of colonialism and race relations, I will present the impact these labels have had on culture today around the world.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a non contacting evaluation method to obtain full field strain and deformation data from a given sample. For this test two 5mp cameras were arranged in stereo to capture images as a battery was discharged at high current causing it to expand. The images were processed using VIC-3D software provided by Correlated Solutions founded by former USC professor Dr. Michael Sutton.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Bacteriophages are considered the most numerous biological organisms on Earth and are 10x more prolific than the bacteria they infect. As a result, the study of bacterial genetics and phages is rapidly expanding. Adsorption rate describes the speed of bacteriophages binding to host bacterial receptors. Phages infect hosts using tail proteins that react and bind to molecules present on the outside of a bacterium prior to the phage genome’s entry into the organism. Adsorption occurs at different rates depending on both the kind of phage and the host bacteria. RBC13 was originally isolated from plant roots found near the University of South Carolina’s campus at Rocky Branch Creek and its original host bacteria has been identified as SC1004. This research project aims to observe and quantify the adsorption rates of broad host range single-stranded DNA bacteriophage RBC13 onto Caulobacter host bacteria SC1004, CB13, and CBR1. Based on preliminary results, we expect the majority of RBC13 phage to adsorb onto host bacteria within 30 minutes at 30 C. Further experimentation will be performed to test this hypothesis and observe how long it takes for phage to identify bacterial surface receptor molecules and bind to host cells. Upon the completion of this project, comparison data will have been collected for each host species.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In the laboratory environment, polymers can be substituted in reactions for harmful solvents that may not be recyclable. For example, halogenated solvents such as methylene chloride and trichloroethane are carcinogenic and volatile. In experimental trials, many animals exposed to these solvents developed tumors in multiple parts of their bodies. Halogenated solvents have also been linked to reduced fertility and increased spontaneous abortions in women. Recognizing polarity changes in the polymer microenvironment is important as it helps define which polymer microenvironments can mimic certain solvents by attaining the same polarity that the solvents have. This project focuses on measuring changes in polarity to better understand how dramatically polymer side chain composition (specifically ether side chains) affects the microenvironment polarity of polymer systems. Multiple styrene-based polymers were synthesized with varying ether side chains. All polymers were synthesized utilizing the RAFT polymerization technique and precipitated using multiple hexane washes and vacuum technology. Changes in polarity were tested by attaching a chromophore via reductive amination, substitution, and Neigishi coupling to the polymers. Color changes in the chromophore were indicative of polarity change. Different colors corresponded to different polarities, and these colors were compared to solvent-tested chromophores to determine which solvent the polymer microenvironment mimicked. Results showed color changes in the solvent close to the polymer, not in the entire solvent present. In the future, the focus will shift to successfully scaling up the results of this project so that the entire solvent polarity changes. The results of this project will allow the Wiskur group to create more effective polymers that mimic bulk solvents, reducing solvent use, introducing greater recyclability in chemical reactions, and ultimately encouraging greener, safer chemistry practices.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Many patients may experience prolonged symptoms after the acute illness resulting in long COVID. We report a rare case of eosinophilic asthma and rhinosinusitis presenting with chronic cough and post-nasal drip after a RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection in a previously healthy 46-year-old male. The patient’s symptoms began 3 months after COVID-19 infection and were resistant to over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroids. He later complained of shortness of breath and wheezing which partially responded to multiple courses of steroids and bronchodilators. During the initial workup, a CBC showed an eosinophil count of 1325 cells/μL. A computed tomography scan of the chest and sinuses showed nonspecific patchy opacities of the lung bases, mucosal thickening throughout the ethmoid and maxillary air cells with bilateral obstruction of the maxillary sinus ostia and absence of air-fluid levels. A pulmonary function test revealed mildly decreased FEV1 and FEF 25-75% with normal FVC and DLCO, obstructive flow volume loop and response to bronchodilators. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed with negative fluid cultures and cytology and showed an absence of eosinophils. Symptoms persisted despite multiple courses of corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and inhaled corticosteroids, and thus the patient started monthly monoclonal antibody therapy with mepolizumab, which resulted in significant symptomatic improvement. Many hospitalized patients with COVD-19 have eosinopenia. Some studies have concluded that eosinophils and enhanced Th-2 immune responsiveness provide some protection against acute COVID-19 infection. With the emergence of long COVID and the diagnosis of some cases of eosinophilic asthma in long COVID, it is possible that an early protective mechanism of elevated eosinophils is later manifesting as an auto-immune disease. To our knowledge, few reports exist in the literature highlighting the association between long COVID and eosinophilic asthma and rhinosinusitis. We suggest a high degree of suspicion in suspected long COVID-19 patients. Our case shows a favorable response to monoclonal antibody targeting of eosinophils. Trials are needed to further characterize this association.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Heart failure (HF) is a multifactorial syndrome that affects 64 million people in the world. Despite incremental advances in pharmacologic treatment, there remains a 50% mortality rate. Current medications to combat HF, such as Entresto, target upregulation of the angiotensin/renin system, however, these serve as add-ons to reduce HF progression rather than providing preventative effects. Research in HF medication at Carolina Biologics LLC, a startup company from the USC School of Medicine founded by Jay Potts, and its associated labs have led to the development of an HF preventative drug that utilizes alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP), a 37 amino acid neuropeptide. Native α-CGRP possesses both positive inotropic and chronotropic effects and currently serves as the most potent vasodilator. It has been found that systemic administration of α-CGRP decreased blood pressure (BP) in both hypertensive and normotensive humans, making it the ideal target for a novel peptidergic drug. An engineered form of α-CGRP has been created to increase bioavailability and decrease proteolytic degradation; two major hurdles in using an α-CGRP therapeutic. The development of our synthesized α-CGRP peptide contains two monomers of N-methoxyethylglycine (NMEG) peptoid at the N-terminal end (N-N-CGRP) and C-terminus (C-N-CGRP). This side chain substitution makes peptoids more protease-resistant while retaining the native bioactive property. Interestingly, only N-N-CGRP peptoid (NMEG-CGRP) showed BP reduction. A transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced pressure overload HF mouse model was used to test cardioprotectivity of our NMEG-CGRP peptoid. We demonstrated that NMEG administered subcutaneously every other day for 28 days following TAC surgery showed a significant reduction in cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, while maintaining cardiac function. Moreover, we proved our NMEG-CGRP peptoid was dramatically more stable than native peptide in an in vitro digestion assay. The immunological blood biome profile between TAC, TAC-CGRP, SHAM (open chest surgery without TAC), and SHAM-CGRP samples taken every 7 days for 6 weeks along with CGRP knockout vs. wild-type samples are currently under investigation. The development of Carolina Biologics novel peptidergic therapeutic alone or combined with its patented alginate-based encapsulation delivery system has the potential to become a standard of care treatment for HF and potentially many other cardiovascular diseases.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Sleep quality is a partially modifiable factor that can impact brain health and cognition. Women are more likely to have poor sleep quality than men and sleep quality worsens with age. Behaviorally, studies have shown that poor sleep may impact women more negatively than men. Neuroanatomically, sleep has been shown to be related to the structure and function of the entorhinal cortex, which is important for memory and cognition. What is lacking is a direct investigation of sex differences related to how sleep quality may affect memory and the brain. Here, we addressed this gap using (f)MRI in a large cohort of neurotypical older adults. Methods: 104 (74 females) participants aged 60-80 were recruited by the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep, and the National Insitute of Health List Sorting Working Memory (NIH-WM) task was used to assess working memory. A moderation model was used to predict NIH-WM using age, education, sex, PSQI, and the interaction between sex and PSQI. We hypothesized that poor sleep would more negatively impact NIH-WM in women than in men. Structural and functional MRI scans were collected separately. We correlated grey matter volume (GMV) and resting-state activity (rs-fMRI) of the entorhinal cortex (EC) with PSQI and NIH-WM to investigate brain-behavior relationships. Results: Our model significantly predicted NIH-WM scores (F(5, 95) = 2.787, p = .0215). The PSQIxSex interaction term was significant, demonstrating that NIH-WM in women was more negatively affected by poor sleep quality than men’s (β = -1.1037, p = .045). Lower GMV in the left EC was significantly related to lower NIH-WM (p = .03), and worse sleep quality had a trending effect of lower GMV in the left EC (p = .08). Lower rs-fMRI in bilateral EC was related to lower NIH-WM (p < .05), but there was not a significant relationship between EC activity and sleep. Discussion: In the context of healthy aging, poor sleep quality affects memory more in women than in men. Neural correlates of disrupted memory were identified, but those correlates had only a modest relationship with sleep.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As we get closer to 2030 there will one out of every six people that will be over the age of 60. Aging is a complex process characterized by progressive functional and cognitive decline. However, it is not known if functional decay is impacted by metabolic changes and/or influences behavioral deterioration. To better understand these age-related changes, we utilized female and male mice at different ages (3, 5-7, 8-11, 12-17, and 18-24 months). We observed no functional changes across lifespan in female mice with respect to grip strength and rotarod tests. However, decreases in directed locomotor activity and stereotypical behavior were observed as early as 12-17 months of age in female mice. A pronounced decline in wheel running was evident at 8-11 months of age in female mice. Regarding sleep patterns, female mice increased sleep duration at 8-11 month of age and 12-17 month of age. When female mice had wheel access, a reduction in sleep duration was observed at 18-24 months of age. Peak oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production was observed at 5-7 month of age in female mice. Regarding male mice, neuromuscular functional decrements were observed as early as 12-17 months of age. A significant reduction in strength was also observed at 18-24 months. Our study suggests that metabolic changes may precede functional decay and behavioral deterioration in female mice.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Our project, “What is Aphasia: Video Series,” conducted at the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR), focuses on spreading awareness of aphasia. Aphasia occurs after someone has a stroke, affecting their language comprehension and language fluency. We interview individuals with aphasia and create videos to share their personal stories, including their challenges, accomplishments, as well as any advice they may have for other individuals just diagnosed with aphasia. Since aphasia is not well known by the general public, when patients first get diagnosed, they usually do not know what to expect. This leads to confusion and patients feeling lost in terms of where to go for resources and assistance. A big question many patients have when first diagnosed is ‘what is the cure and when will I recover and speak fluently again?’ The main goal of our project is to spread awareness of aphasia throughout the community and lead those in need to resources that may answer the questions they have. Oftentimes when interviewing individuals with aphasia, they have expressed the importance of specific tools that have increased their abilities to communicate. For example, some patients have carried writing utensils with them as well as notebooks with helpful vocabulary for their everyday communication. Patients' families and loved ones play a big role in the recovery process as well. Interviewees have expressed the importance of helpful methods that improve communication like labels around the house. Aphasia is a heterogeneous disorder that looks different in each individual depending on the extent of their lesion damage. Our project showcases the individual's brain scans and how different forms of aphasia affect someone’s ability to communicate. We recently started incorporating patients' brain scans into our videos, so viewers can see speech production in comparison to specific damage locations. We often see patients able to comprehend what’s being said to them but struggle producing a response, while others speak better but are slower at comprehension and understanding. We are eager to continue spreading the word about aphasia, while offering advice and resources to those newly diagnosed who are feeling lost.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In my presentation for Discover USC, I will be presenting my Honors Thesis material on the correlation between Test Anxiety and Heart Rate Variability. Heart Rate Variability is a biometric measure of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity which can be used to calculate stress and anxiety levels as well as Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous System activity. Heart Rate Variability measures the difference between two subsequent heart beats and uses that variation to calculate ANS activity. I conducted an analysis on the correlation between Test Anxiety levels and the Heart Rate Variability measures in college students in psychology courses. This research is important as it can show how anxiety, specifically Test Anxiety, can manifest into physiological symptoms. With my research, I will be able to inform various individuals on the risks of chronic stress on the body and share methods to reduce physiological symptoms of stress in daily life through Heart Rate Variability. As a result of my research, there will be more information on the physical manifestations of anxiety and how to combat those symptoms through accessible Heart Rate Variability measuring methods.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic syndrome that results in accelerated aging and ultimately results in the premature death of its patients at around fourteen years of age. The patients typically die of cardiovascular illness, a result of their abnormally accelerated aging. HGPS is caused by a mutation in exon 11 of the LMNA gene. This mutated gene produces a truncated protein referred to as “progerin.” Rapid and overwhelming accumulation of progerin ultimately results in the accelerated aging seen in HGPS patients. Interestingly, progerin accumulation is an indicator of normal biological aging. It is the overexpression of progerin in HGPS that creates the syndrome’s adverse outcomes. It is understood that progerin is associated with impaired DNA double strand break repair, meaning that as progerin accumulates, the cell becomes increasingly less adept at repairing DNA damage and hence the genome becomes less and less stable over time. In our lab, we are looking to further understand how progerin impairs DNA end-joining, one of the primary methods cells use to repair DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). We are developing a novel model system using cultured mouse cell lines both expressing and not expressing progerin in which we will be able to artificially induce DSBs and then recover a broad and unbiased spectrum of repair events. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences around the repaired DSBs will allow us to compare how the cells expressing progerin differ in DNA end-joining when compared to cells not expressing progerin. This comparison will provide insight into how progerin may destabilize the genome and contribute to aging. We report on progress to date on the development of our experimental system.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Neurons extensively use post-transcriptional regulation to fine tune gene expression, and RNA binding proteins (RBPs) drive this post-transcriptional regulation. The RBP KHSRP regulates the stability of mRNAs by binding directly to AU-rich elements in mRNAs. Depletion of KHSRP from neurons increases axon and dendrite growth, indicating that KHSRP has a growth inhibitory role. In searching for signals that might regulate Khsrp mRNA translation in regenerating axons, earlier work from the Twiss lab showed that Reg3a mRNA localizes in peripheral nerve axons 3 days after nerve injury. We have since found a corresponding increase in axonal REG3A protein and a concordant increase in Khsrp mRNA translation with recombinant REG3A (recREG3A) treatment. Based upon these observations, we hypothesize that an autocrine signaling loop comprised of axonal translation and secretion of REG3A after injury activates intracellular signals to keep KHSRP elevated and slow nerve regeneration. REG3A likely binds to a cell surface receptor that mediates its downstream signaling, but the identity of such protein(s) in neurons is not clear. To identify the potential neuronal REG3A receptor, we performed binding and extracellular cross linking with HIS-tagged recREG3A, followed by mass spectrometry. Curating the mass spectrometry hits for membrane proteins showed that CKAP4, TENM3, SOGA3, TJP1, ITGB4, ITGA6, RTN4, and NRPL4 are among the top hits. These potential REG3A receptors will by systematically tested by siRNA depletion and analyzing responsiveness of the DRGs to see if the decrease in axon growth and increase in axonal KHSRP levels are lost. This will allow me to functionally assess which protein drives the REG3A-dependent increase in axonal Ca2+ and Khsrp mRNA translation. We anticipate that this information will guide us to the signaling pathways that REG3A uses to trigger release of intra-cellular Ca2+ stores that activate PERK and Khsrp mRNA translation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Growing up, I continued to be gradually introduced to the concept of social advocacy. Whether it was myself or others around me, I was consistently experiencing situations that highlighted discrepancies among an array of social issues. Despite my own struggle with mental health during my freshman year of college, I witnessed a dear friend of mine fall victim to the snowball effect of mental health and poverty ultimately kickstarting my avid passion for advocacy. It soon became evident that all the preconceived notions I had relating to many social issues were false. I began indulging myself in experiences both on and off campus that would allow me to learn more about different social injustices. Through my work as a Mental Health Ambassador, I realized how rewarding it is to be able to address social injustices firsthand. Storytelling, teaching, and engaging audiences are the core of the initiative. As a result, we see the stigma around mental health decreasing as well as increased knowledge about resources on campus, and coping skills. This experience, along with others I’ve been fortunate enough to have been involved in, instilled and continue to foster a sense of purpose in me that I plan to incorporate in all aspects of my life.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Abstract Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and patellar instability have multifactorial anatomic pathoetiologies and are challenging to diagnose due to the dynamic nature of patellar maltracking. Traditional static imaging fails to capture the complexity of this condition, necessitating improved diagnostic protocols. Objectives: The objective of this study is to introduce a novel dynamic CT protocol that includes scans in three knee positions (45° flexion, extension, extension with quadriceps contraction) and to evaluate its efficacy in distinguishing patellofemoral maltracking phenotypes: dislocation, subluxation, and neither. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent surgery for PFPS at a single institution from April to December 2022. This dynamic CT protocol was compared with standard radiographs in assessing patellofemoral indices amongst patients with patellofemoral maltracking. Statistical analyses included bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The study included 65 patients. No significant associations were found between patellar maltracking groups and demographic or PROMIS domain scores, except for PROMIS Mobility. Significant differences in patellofemoral indices were observed with the novel CT protocol, particularly when knees were extended with quadriceps contraction. (1) Lateral Offset and (2) Insall-Salvati Ratio measured on CT with knees in neutral extended position, as well as the difference in (3) Lateral Offset and (4) Lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA) between knee extension and knee extension with quadriceps contraction, were identified as four independent predictors of patellar maltracking severity.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Physical activity is beneficial to cognitive function, overall health and well-being, and may help prevent or delay disease progression and cognitive decline. However, the optimal intensity and dosage of exercise required to maximize these potential benefits remains uncertain. Some research suggests that low intensity exercise, like walking, is important (Miyawaki et al., 2017), some data supports the beneficial effects of moderate intensity exercise (Chang & Etnier, 2009), and some data suggest that vigorous intensity exercise, like HIIT, is most beneficial (Barreto et al., 2016). We hypothesized that greater physical activity would be associated with better cognitive performance. We analyzed a subset of data from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) repository at USC (N = 239, MAGE = 48.4, SDAGE = 19.97, Females = 144, Males = 95), a multi-modal database encompassing various measures of brain and behavioral data in a population of healthy aging adults (Newman-Norlund et al., 2021). To evaluate cognitive performance, we used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (Nasreddine et al., 2005), and to evaluate exercise, we used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (Craig et al., 2017). A planned one-tailed Spearman correlation between MoCA and IPAQ total scores (controlling for age, race and sex) was significant in the predicted direction. This effect was driven by the beneficial effects of moderate exercise which was the only type of exercise that was significantly associated with MoCA scores, p = 0.035. A subsequent mediation analysis confirmed that the IPAQ total scores and MoCA scores were mediated by moderate exercise (indirect effect, 95% CI: -0.032 [-0.061, -0.002]. Our results demonstrate that only moderate intensity exercise had a significant effect on cognitive performance in the ABC sample, despite previously reported benefits of both low and vigorous intensity exercises. Future studies should investigate the effects of various exercise intensities along with other aspects of health to further optimize the science of exercise dosage.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is the largest non-federally recognized Native Nation in the United States. This is, in large part, due to the fact that federal mechanisms for documenting and authenticating tribal membership have operated to largely efface the presence of Lumbee tribal citizens. This happens by ignoring Lumbee oral traditions and arguing deficiencies in documenting tribal history with the United States. In the face of this, however, tribal members continue to forge recognition mechanisms through interpersonal and collective practices largely oriented around collective memory. In this poster, I trace several of the ways Lumbee and Lumbee ancestors use memory to articulate tribal sovereignty in defining Lumbee belonging and citizenship. Lumbee ancestors used recollections and oral stories about ancestors to articulate Lumbee constructions of indigeneity. For example, such as with governmental agents in the 1910s, and during Carl Seltzer's physical examinations in the 1930s. Lumbee leaders reference individuals who fought in early colonial wars, such as the Tuscarora Wars, and American conflicts such as the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812. Some elders interviewed in the 1930s reference grandparents who could speak an American Indian language. From 1985-1987, the Lumbee Regional Development Association, the first Lumbee government, created an Elders Review Committee. This committee interviewed applicants for tribal membership and judged their responses to determine if their family was Lumbee and that they maintained social connections to the tribal homeland. In these cases, applicants referenced important figures who were remembered as speaking a Native language or highlighted that their families were recognized as being Indian. To demonstrate my argument, drawing on oral testimonies from the early 1930s, recorded minutes of the ERC from 1985-1987, and ethnographic observations from fieldwork conducted during the summers of 2021, 2022, and 2023, this poster documents the ways collective memory serves as a recognition strategy employed by Lumbees through time to articulate their relationship to the United States and to regulate who can claim to be Lumbee.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Sedentary behaviors have a wide variety of unfavorable impacts on overall health. Additionally, physical activity is known to decline from adolescence into adulthood. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to determine if a difference exists between average daily self-reported and measured sedentary activity in female NJCAA athletes. Methods: The sample included 12 college female athletes from a two-year university campus in Lancaster, SC (19.4±1.56 y). Participants completed a demographic survey and the Sedentary Behavior Questionaire, a categorical, multiple question instrument examining sedentary activities during a typical weekday and weekend day. Basic anthropometric values and body composition were measured. Participants were then instructed to wear an Actigraph accelerometer (GT3X, Pensacola, FL) for 7 consecutive days for all waking hours. A paired T-test was used to determine if a difference exists between self-reported and measured sedentary activity in the female athletes. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results: There was no significant difference between self-reported sedentary time and measured sedentary time (Self-reported sedentary time 675.89±350.92 min v. Measured sedentary time 495.14±115.25 min, p=0.062). However, there was a moderate effect size, measured by Cohen’s d (d=0.481). Discussion: Although there was no statistical difference between the two groups, 180.75 minutes is practically significant given the magnitude of the mean difference. Participants in this study overreported time spent performing sedentary activities. This is supported by previous findings showing that a difference between estimated and measured values of sedentary activity in young adults. In addition, participants in this study represent preliminary data and an increase in sample size may result in a statistical significance.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature, accelerated aging that provides unique insight into the relationship between DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair mechanisms and aging in mammalian cells. HGPS is caused by a de novo point mutation in the LMNA gene, which normally encodes two nuclear proteins lamins A and C, essential components of the nuclear lamina. The mutation activates an internal cryptic splice donor site, resulting in the deletion of 50 amino acids and the production of a truncated, mutant form of lamin A called progerin. The overexpression of progerin in cells has profound consequences on critical cellular processes, contributing to misshapen nuclei, distinguishable by the presence of blebs and invaginations, all of which compromise nuclear functioning and introduce alterations in chromatin organization. However, nuclear architecture, especially concerning the structural soundness of the nuclear lamina, must be maintained to prevent genomic instability. Recent work within our lab has demonstrated that exogenous expression of progerin corrupts DNA repair pathways, leading to DSB accumulation and heightened susceptibility to DNA damage. We now report that overexpression of wild-type (wt) lamin A has impacts on DNA repair and genome stability that differ from the impacts brought about by progerin. Our results demonstrate that progerin’s influence on the genome is due specifically to its expression, rather than a generalized alteration in the expression levels of nuclear lamina components.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Transformer models have become a dominant architecture in the world of machine learning. From natural language processing to more recent computer vision applications, Transformers have shown remarkable results and established a new state-of-the-art in many domains. However, this increase in performance has come at the cost of ever-increasing model sizes requiring more resources to deploy. Machine learning (ML) models are used in many real-world systems, such as robotics, mobile devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, that require fast inference with low energy consumption. For battery-powered devices, lower energy consumption directly translates into longer battery life. To address these issues, several edge AI accelerators have been developed. Among these, the Coral Edge TPU has shown promising results for image classification while maintaining very low energy consumption. Many of these devices, including the Coral TPU, were originally designed to accelerate convolutional neural networks, making deployment of Transformers challenging. Here, we propose a methodology to deploy Transformers on Edge TPU. We provide extensive latency, power, and energy comparisons among the leading-edge devices and show that our methodology allows for real-time inference of large Transformers while maintaining the lowest power and energy consumption of the leading-edge devices on the market.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Physical activity improves depressive symptoms and enhances quality of life. However, it is unclear how depression levels vary in this population and how those symptoms relate to physical function and physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine differences in physical function and physical activity in African American women (AAW) with arthritis with high or low depressive symptoms. Methods: Adults ≥18 years with arthritis enrolled in a phone-based Walk With Ease intervention completed baseline assessments of depressive symptoms, physical activity, and physical function. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) 10-item questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptoms. Participants responded on a 4-point Likert scale of 0 to 3. Total scores ranged from 0-30 with higher scores indicating higher depressive symptoms. Physical activity was assessed with Actigraph GT9X link waist-worn accelerometers for 7 days. Total MVPA/week (≥2020 counts/min) and steps/day were used if there was ≥10 hours of wear time for ≥4 days. Physical function was assessed through a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) by total distance traveled (ft), and repetitions performed in the 30-second chair stand test (30CST). Independent t-tests were used to examine differences in physical activity and physical function between those with high vs. low depression symptoms. A median split was done in CES-D 10 scores where low depression symptoms were indicative of <6 (47.5%) and high depressive symptoms ≥6 (52.6%). Results: Participants (n=154) were 63.1±9.2 years old. AAW with low depression symptoms had a lower BMI (34.1±7.5 kg/m2) than those with high depression symptoms (36.67±7.5 kg/m2, p=0.037). AAW with high depression symptoms walked shorter distances during 6MWT (1181.6±284.8 vs 1308.3±253.9, p=0.004) and had fewer 30CST repetitions (7.6±2.8 vs. 9.1±2.7, p<0.001) than AAW with low depression symptoms, respectively. No significant differences were seen in MVPA or between high and low depression symptom groups. Conclusion: AAW with higher depressive symptoms have lower physical function levels. Future physical activity programs for AAW with arthritis could provide those with higher depression symptoms additional strategies to assist with improving physical function levels.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Having knowledge is great for yourself and can help in many ways, however, sharing this knowledge with others can have an impact that you would have never thought of. In this presentation I hope to show that my experience sharing my knowledge and skills with others has allowed me to understand that I can help others. Through my experience as a peer tutor for the Student Success Center and my operation and supply chain capstone project, sharing my knowledge and skills and applying them in situations where others need me the most has been an extremely rewarding experience for me, and I hope to continue to do this beyond my time here at USC. Seeing the looks in students’ eyes when they make progress academically and creating real results for Harvest Hope Food Bank to feed more people in need in a more equitable manner has proven to me that I can apply myself to have an impact on not just my own personal growth but others too. As a result of this presentation, I want to convey the growth that has allowed me to share my knowledge with others.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Development of solid-state stimuli-responsive materials for directed energy transfer processes is crucial for the next advancements in the energy sector. The efficiency of energy transfer processes, such as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which occurs between a donor molecule (D) that has an emission profile that overlaps with the absorbance profile of an acceptor molecule (A), could be selectively tuned by altering either the emission intensity or absorbance profile of the D-A pair. Photochromic molecules (e.g., hydrazone derivatives), which undergo isomerization between two distinct states under an appropriate excitation wavelength, offer an opportunity to modulate emission or absorbance of a system using light as an external stimulus. Progress in this area of solid-state materials development has previously been hindered because hydrazone derivatives exhibit restricted photoisomerization in the solid state due to close packing and intermolecular forces. However, integration of hydrazone photoswitches in a porous framework provides the void space necessary for photoisomerization to occur in a solid-state material. Thus, a hydrazone-based photoswitch was integrated into a three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) to promote efficient photoisomerization within the pores of a crystalline extended structure. The prepared hydrazone-based MOFs were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Changes in emission intensity associated with E-to-Z photoisomerization of the hydrazone photoswitch were used to modulate the FRET efficiency between the hydrazone-based MOF and guest acceptor molecules as determined by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. In fact, the estimated FRET efficiency nearly doubled upon E-to-Z photoisomerization for the hydrazone-based MOF, which illustrates the potential to achieve noninvasive control of energy transfer pathways through integration of photochromic molecules in porous frameworks.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Before making my way to the United States, I had spoken with my parents, friends, and my head coach around the concept of culture shock and how I would most likely feel. Despite the warnings, I believed I was practically immune to any large shock. The South's strong religious culture, a need for firearms, distinctive accent, and even driving on the opposite side of the road were all things I had known and prepared for. However, I was not expecting that culture shock would come in as a smell. Oddly enough, it didn't quite smell like the normal sweets or chocolate I was used to. I was shocked by the fact that the normal sandwich bread was an odd and weird, sweet smell. Bread isn't supposed to smell like that, I thought. Strangely enough, the smell of that bread served as a reminder that I was in another country, set to call it home for the next four years. In that moment, I finally felt the culture shock everyone had warned me about. As an International Student-Athlete, keeping a solid diet is extremely important for maintaining my health, growth, and mental stability, but given my financial situation, I have had to make do with more pocket-friendly foods. Staying disciplined got tougher the longer I was here, as cooking got old and eating the same stuff turned into a chore. Skipping meals, especially lunch, became a routine which pushed me to start getting into unhealthy snacks day in and day out, and I was starting to just eat sugary bread-based sandwiches. The realization that my diet was going downhill hit me square in the face during my EXSC 191: Physical Activity and Health class during Fall, 2022. By using a My Fitness Pal website, we tracked our weeks’ worth of eating habits to see how we could improve our diets. That's when the culture shock struck me again. The shock of seeing just how much sugar I was ingesting daily and the effect that this new culture was having on my health.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Nationally, domestic violence is an alarming issue, especially when these cases escalate to homicide. According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Currently, many studies on domestic violence focus on the Northeast, Pacific, and Midwest regions of the U.S., resulting in a lack of regional data in the Southeast despite high rates of domestic violence in this area. Also, when looking at the processing of domestic violence cases, there is currently a gap in existing research when it comes to applying a multiple decision point process to understand how a case travels through the courts after the decision to file charges/prosecute. This project focuses on the case processing of domestic violence homicides in one South Carolina circuit. The goals of this project are to: (1) map the case pipeline for domestic homicides, or how the case progresses through the court system and (2) identify themes and patterns within incidents and processing of these cases. The data will be derived from redacted case information involving three domestic violence homicides in the 14th circuit from the years 2017 and 2018. A mixed methods approach is adopted to both quantitatively and qualitatively analyze these cases. The implications of the findings for domestic violence homicide prosecutions are considered.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In this presentation, I’ve drawn inspiration from the singularity of the college experience, which is, for many students, the first and only chapter of their lives defined by the juxtaposition of new independence, endless opportunities, and massive proximity to peers within their age group. After finding a network of positive and uplifting friendships that would lay the foundation for my undergraduate experience, I discovered the importance of surrounding myself with the right people. Countless studies have shown that your social networks strongly influence the type of person that you become. From my gratitude for the people around me came a calling to become an individual who uplifts others. The first significant experience that allowed me to do so was becoming a volunteer tour guide at the University of South Carolina’s Anne Frank Center and engaging my closest friends in important conversations about advocacy and activism. This experience allowed me to leverage my unique voice as a peer to share powerful messages and create positive impact within my closest social circles. I was then able to further expand my influence into the workplace by serving as a Co-Facilitator of Peer Leader Cohort at the Student Success Center. In this position, I embodied the core mission of the SSC itself by distilling my unique experiences and skillsets as a peer leader into knowledge that helped other budding peers develop their individual leadership styles to help others. Additionally, I was able to leave a lasting legacy on my entire sorority bridging the passions that drove the first two experiences by implementing Exam Breakers, a week-long event dedicated to promoting sisterhood, academic success, and self-care that persists to this day. By creating positive environments as a peer for those around me, I experienced a rebounding net positive effect on my character as well. As a result of this presentation, I hope that my audience will leave feeling inspired to synthesize their own experiences, passions, and knowledge towards taking the first small step towards uplifting others and seeing the compounding effects as a result.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In a nation where chronic diseases are of particular focus, those like Type II diabetes mellitus are of increasing concern. Beyond metabolic impacts, Type II diabetes has been correlated with the onset of cognitive dysfunction because of decreased insulin sensitivity in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the causal relationship between this insulin resistance (IR) and cognitive impairment is largely unknown. The knowledge gap directs focus toward the hippocampus, as it is the subcortical brain region most often associated with learning and memory. Furthermore, insulin receptors in the CNS are known to be concentrated in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and olfactory bulb. Specifically, this project analyzes how this IR impacts cognition and dendritic structure of hippocampal neurons. An animal model of hippocampal specific-IR further illuminated the mechanism by which decreases in insulin activity impairs cognitive function in humans. The project tests IR effect on behavioral memory through the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test and identify morphological changes in immature neurons within the hippocampus using confocal microscopy with immunofluorescence (IF) and light microscopy. The project design focuses on the impact of IR on neurogenesis and how the effect on recognition memory has direct implications toward refining the connection with memory decline observed in Type II diabetic patients. Further understanding of the pathology of Type II diabetes in the hippocampus may improve treatment efficacy for patients with cognitive deficits. We developed an experimental model of hippocampal-specific IR, injecting a lentivirus-encoding insulin receptor antisense sequence (LV-IRAS) into the hippocampus. We hypothesize that the downregulation of insulin receptors, specifically in the hippocampus, will impair recognition memory and decrease dendritic arborization in immature hippocampal neurons. Upon completion of the NOR test, we observed a statistically significant decrease in interaction with the novel object in LV-IRAS rats when compared to LV-Control, suggesting that IR in the hippocampus impaired recognition memory. Additionally, significant decreases in dendritic complexity in LV-IRAS rats, paired with the clear confocal images, demonstrate morphological simplification in the newly formed hippocampal neurons.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Through this presentation, I will convey my unique work experience at Flour Power, a kids cooking and baking studio, and how this manager role has inspired me to think outside of the box and use creative thinking to find innovative solutions. I chose this experience because it can be applied to any occupation within the future. My experience illustrates that by adapting to each child’s tailored needs and discovering alternative solutions when things are not working, it can improve the overall experience and allow for accommodations to be made in the future. I feature my in-classroom experience, HSPM 500, where my group project consisted of reviewing a case study and finding alternative solutions to decrease misdiagnoses and reduce medical errors. Through this presentation, I am hopeful to give insight to the impact that this opportunity had on my overall collegiate journey.
1:00-2:30 p.m.A wealth of evidence indicates that early life adversity is associated with deleterious outcomes across domains (Banyard et al., 2017, Wade et al., 2022). Likewise, hostile parenting, or parenting characterized by active rejection of the child, has marked implications for child well-being (Stover et al., 2016; Harold et al., 2012). Parents who experience family adversity are at a higher risk of engaging in insensitive parenting practices (Newland et al., 2013), such as those including more anger and hostility (Neppel et al., 2015). The current study draws on an existing longitudinal dataset to evaluate a prospective model wherein early life adversity (e.g., residential instability, violence exposure; age 0-4) is expected to predict later childhood psychopathology (age 6), via parental hostility (i.e., isolating children for misbehavior, regular shouting at child; age 4). When children were 4, parents reported on their family’s prior exposure to various biological environmental and relational adversities using the Early Trauma Inventory (Bremner et al., 2000). At the same time point, trained coders assessed parental hostility by observing children and their caregivers completing various teaching tasks adapted from prior studies (Block & Block 1980), such as sorting beads by color. At age 6, trained experimenters reported on children’s psychopathology symptoms using the Test Observation Form (TOF) from the Achenbach test battery (Achenbach & Verhulst 2010). Adversity exposure was positively associated with parental hostility (r = .239) and psychopathology (r = .212). Parental hostility was positively associated with psychopathology (r =.153). Mediation analyses conducted using R Studio (Allaire, 2012) revealed a significant indirect effect of early life adversity on child psychopathology outcomes via parental hostility (B = 5.784, SE = 2.646, z = 2.186, p = 0.029). All analyses controlled for child sex assigned at birth, child ethnicity race, and prior levels of psychopathology. Findings from this study highlight the importance of parental hostility as a mechanism by which early life adversity impacts later childhood psychopathology. The current research is well-poised to inform intervention practices aimed at improving outcomes for children facing adversity which should seek to encourage positive parenting tactics among parents within adverse environments.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Antipseudomonal β-lactams (APBL) are commonly used for empirical therapy of Gram-negative bloodstream infection (BSI). The safety of early de-escalation from APBLs to narrower spectrum antimicrobial agents in Enterobacterales BSI has been previously demonstrated. Moreover, early de-escalation of APBL within 48 hours has been associated with lower risk of Clostridioides difficile infection and emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The primary aim of this retrospective cohort study was to identify risk factors for prolonged APBL use (>48 hours) in patients with Enterobacterales BSI. A secondary aim compared 28-day mortality in patients who underwent early de-escalation of APBL to those who received prolonged APBL therapy for >48 hours. Adult patients admitted to Prisma Health Richland and Baptist hospitals with Enterobacterales BSI from January 2010 through June 2015 were included in this study. Patients hospitalized for <48 hours and those with polymicrobial BSI were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for prolonged APBL use. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine 28-day mortality based on duration of APBL therapy. Among 993 patients with Enterobacterales BSI, 491 (49%) underwent early de-escalation of APBL and 502 (51%) received prolonged APBL therapy. Cancer (odds ratio [OR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.41; p=0.018), immune compromised status (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.08-2.88; p=0.024), residence at skilled nursing facility (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.09-2.29, p=0.017), Pitt bacteremia score (OR 1.30 per point, 95% CI 1.21-1.39; p<0.001), non-urinary source of BSI (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.58-2.79; p<0.001), and BSI due to AmpC-producing Enterobacterales (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.04-2.35; p=0.032 were independently associated with prolonged use of APBL. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions were inversely associated with prolonged APBL use (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.91; p=0.01). After adjustment for age, chronic comorbidities, acute severity of illness, and appropriateness of empirical antimicrobial therapy, early de-escalation of APBL was not associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 0.91, 95% CI 0.57-1.46; p=0.71). The study identified major antimicrobial stewardship opportunities for early de-escalation of APBL therapy, particularly in patients with cancer and other immune compromising conditions. The current results support early de-escalation of APBL in Enterobacteriaceae BSI even in these high-risk populations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Atlantic common bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops erebennus, serve as sentinel species for the health of estuaries in the Southeast USA. Considering the massive population growth along coastal South Carolina (SC) and associated risk of human-based stressors including noise pollution, it is important to monitor apex predators such as bottlenose dolphins. Passive acoustic monitoring or PAM (i.e., listening to underwater sounds) allows a noninvasive way to eavesdrop on foraging ecology and social communication of these animals. Long-term research is lacking in estuaries using this approach. Our objectives were to (i) investigate long-term, temporal patterns of bottlenose dolphin vocalizations and (ii) compare vocalization patterns across the four estuaries. As part of the Estuarine Soundscape Observatory Network in the Southeast (ESONS), we monitored biological, geophysical, and anthropogenic sounds in four estuaries of SC: May River since 2013, Charleston Harbor since 2017, Chechessee Creek/Colleton River since 2019, and North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) since 2020. We utilized passive acoustic recorders mounted on oceanographic instrument frames and collected two-minute sound files on the hour at nine stations (78,840 wav files per year). We subsampled the ESONS dataset and counted dolphin vocalizations in the two-minute sound files every other hour from 2013 to 2023. Across stations, echolocation was the most abundant vocalization type as compared to burst pulses and whistles. Generally, in all estuaries, vocalizations varied seasonally, peaking in fall and winter months coinciding with decreases in water temperature and daylight hours. This pattern did not match dolphin abundance patterns from boat-based visual surveys observed in other studies in the May River and Chechesee Creek/Colleton River, which showed a lower winter and higher summer abundance. It is possible that in the fall and winter, when primary productivity and subsequent prey abundance is presumed to decrease, bottlenose dolphins may increase echolocation and social communication to better coordinate foraging. Combining datasets (e.g., PAM, dolphin visual, and fishery data) will assist in testing this hypothesis in the future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This past summer, I participated in an archaeological field school called The Gabii Project which took place in Rome, Italy. This was a five-week program that introduced me to the world of archaeology and supporting fields, such as topography, bioarcheology, Roman history, and ceramic analysis, all of which I had little to no experience in or had even heard of. Yet despite having minimal background in these areas except for having taken multiple mythology classes through the classics department and having a professor that was a faculty member on the project, I still packed up and got on a plane to wield a pickaxe for eight hours a day in the blazing Italian summer sun. While serving as a volunteer archaeologist on the project, I learned firsthand methods of excavation and 3D documentation, theories regarding stratigraphy, using flotation to separate charred botanical and zooarchaeological materials from dirt, and learning the intricacies of Roman history and how the site and city of Gabii fit into the bigger picture of the Roman Empire. The reason I had taken this leap was because I had voice inside of me saying that this could be a defining moment of my life—a career shifting, eye-opening, and life changing experience. And it truly was. Because of The Gabii Project, I jumped headfirst into archaeology to the best of my abilities as a senior, taking as many classes as possible in the subfield that I could throughout my last year and applying the knowledge that had become second nature during those five weeks. The biggest impact that this experience had on me was discovering my passion for archaeology and recognizing the courage that it took for me to throw myself into an experience so foreign and unknown. My hope is that others learn that their own curiosity is not something that is scary but is something that can propel them into a life they never knew they wanted to live.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction Diagnostic stewardship is the process of modifying the ordering, performing, or reporting of diagnostic tests to improve the diagnosis of and treatment of infections. It has significant impact particularly on urinalysis (UA), urine culture ordering, and downstream treatment for presumed urinary tract infection (UTI) as asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) does not require treatment and is quite commonly detected on UA. Many providers still treat ASB and this is a significant target for quality improvement. This cohort study examines antibiotic prescribing habits and UTI diagnostic test ordering before and after implementing a diagnostic stewardship intervention. Methods A random sampling of 300 UA orders from approximately 12,000 systemwide across Prisma Health in August 2023 was assessed to establish baseline data. To improve utility of appropriately diagnosing UTI, a modification to the current criteria triggering a urinalysis to ‘reflex order’ to urine culture was implemented in February 2024: excluding cases with ≥10 squamous cells, increasing the threshold of white blood cells (WBC) to ≥10 cells, and removing presence of leukocyte esterase and nitrites. Subsequent post-intervention samples were assessed in March 2024. Results 228 of the pre-intervention patients were appropriate for inclusion. The most frequently used order was separate orders for UA and urine culture (n=140/228, 61.4%), followed by dipstick urine (n=65, 28.5%), and UA with reflex culture (n=21, 9.2%). For the 138 samples with epithelial cells described on UA, most had cells present, 12.3% would be excluded in the new criteria. The majority of patients (n=129/228, 61.0%) received antibiotics, and 35.4% with ASB still inappropriately received antibiotics. Currently, post-intervention data is pending. Discussion Due to the low use of guideline recommended ordering UA with reflex culture usage, we do not anticipate a statistically significant difference in antibiotic prescribing between pre- and post-intervention periods. Future quality improvement work could be done to assess the underutilization of UA with reflex culture.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Port Wine Birthmarks (PWBs) are a congenital vascular malformation on the skin, occurring in 1-3 per 1000 live births. We have recently generated PWB-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as clinically relevant disease models. The metabolites associated with the pathological phenotypes of PWB-derived iPSCs are unknown, and so we aim to explore them in this study. Metabolites were separated by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and screened with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant, multivariate, and univariate analyses were used to identify differential metabolites (DMs). KEGG analysis was used to determine the enrichment of metabolic pathways. A total of 339 metabolites was identified. There were 22 DMs, among which nine were downregulated-including sphingosine-and 13 were upregulated, including glutathione in PWB iPSCs, as compared to controls. Pathway enrichment analysis confirmed the upregulation of glutathione and the downregulation of sphingolipid metabolism in PWB-derived iPSCs as compared to normal ones. We next examined the expression patterns of the key molecules associated with glutathione metabolism in PWB lesions. We found that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), glutathione S-transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1), γ-glutamyl transferase 7 (GGT7), and glutamate cysteine ligase modulatory subunit (GCLM) were upregulated in PWB vasculatures as compared to blood vessels in normal skin. Other significantly affected metabolic pathways in PWB iPSCs included pentose and glucuronate interconversions; amino sugar and nucleotide sugars; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate; arginine, purine, D-glutamine, and D-glutamate; arachidonic acid, glyoxylate, and dicarboxylate; nitrogen, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, pyrimidine, galactose, ascorbate, and aldarate; and starch and sucrose. Our data demonstrated that there were perturbations in sphingolipid and cellular redox homeostasis in PWB vasculatures, which could facilitate cell survival and pathological progression. Our data implied that the upregulation of glutathione could contribute to laser-resistant phenotypes in some PWB vasculatures.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Additive manufacturing with metal materials is versatile in terms of being able to manufacture various geometry products for different purposes. The surface quality and porosity level determine the mechanical and functional behavior of the product in various applications. The process parameters determine the surface features and defects formed in the bulk region of the product. This research studied the effect of processing parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, and hatching spacing on the melt pool morphologies (dimensions and shape) and surface roughness. Figures taken by Keyence Optical microscopy are utilized to calculate the surface roughness Sa value and melt dimensions (width and depth). The result shows that, with the increasing laser power, a higher vertical surface roughness is observed. Besides, the larger melt pools deliver a lowering porosity in the bulk region with the higher laser power input. Furthermore, the lower hatch spacing yielded significantly lower porosity levels along with larger melt pool dimensions at the cost of surface higher vertical Sa value. Lastly, the optimal processing parameters in this study were chosen as 325 W and 1600 mm/s with a hatch spacing 80 μm, which results in both low porosity level (lower than 0.5 %) and good vertical surface quality (Sa < 15 μm).
9:30-11:00 a.m.According to the National Center for Access to Justice, South Carolina ranks the last out of all states concerning access to legal resources for individuals. People often face housing, medical, and civil problems without legal assistance and thus are completely on their own. South Carolina has on average 2.1 lawyers per 1,000 residents leading to individuals without proper representation. This study is focusing on the intersection of medical and legal needs that include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), inadequate housing conditions, and child individualized education programs (IEP). These issues are complex with a lot of individuals involved. When applying for SSI, a review is conducted by the state official under predetermined guidelines for a specific medical condition with required lab values to be obtained via medical records. These archaic medical requirements for SSI are often complex and not fitting of an individual’s specific medical condition and as a result, they fall through the cracks of a safety net that was supposed to protect them. In the case of housing conditions, landlords may not be keeping the property up to code leading to poor health outcomes for the tenants. If the tenants are not afforded legal representation, then they may not be aware of their rights as a tenant. For children who may have learning disorders, an IEP is often needed. IEPs require psychological evaluations for the student as well as developmental tests. It is unfortunately a lengthy process and often requires conferences between the parents, social workers, teachers, and school administration. This often leads to a lot of confusion and inadequate outcomes for children who struggle with education. These cases highlight the importance of social determinants of health and importance of the intersection of medicine and law. As a person who worked on these cases the health disparities become apparent. This study focuses on defining the current medico-legal landscape for a citizen living in the 29203 zip code.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The World Health Organization has defined social determinants of health as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age” and “the fundamental drivers of these conditions” (WHO citation). Social determinants of health affect patients at many clinics and may account for 30-55% of health outcomes, but they play a key role in the patient population of a federally qualified healthcare center (FQHC) (WHO citation). In 2022, FQHCs in South Carolina served 430,598 patients, 83% who were at or below 200% of the federal poverty line (HRSA citation). The aim of this project was to assess the primary social determinants of health for patients admitted to the hospital from a FQHC. Patients that were included in the study were medically stable and were not under infection precautions (N = 100) Patients were asked a standardized questionnaire about their education level, housing, work, social interactions, insurance coverage, daily stress level and access to food, utilities, and transportation. The majority of patients had stable housing (90%), denied an inability to get food (93%), utilities (84%), and transportation (89%). 73% of patients were enrolled in Medicaid and/or Medicare insurance, 18% had private insurance, and 9% were uninsured. 42% of patients had a high school degree or equivalent and 29% did not complete high school. 22% of patients were working, but 77% were not looking for work because they were retired, on disability, or another reason. 82% of patients had social interactions 5 or more times a week and 48% stated they had no daily stress. Overall, the primary social determinant of health affecting the patient population studied was a lower education level. This study should help to further research regarding the best ways to provide assistance to the patients at this FQHC and to provide a basis for understanding the biggest factors impacting this patient population.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques have enabled researchers to measure processes as they occur in real-time. In causal functional mediation analysis, EMA enables the modeling of time-varying mediators through functional regression techniques – for instance, how pharmacotherapy and smoking cessation outcomes may be mediated day-to-day through participant self-efficacy. However, the intensive and intrusive nature of EMA creates a non-ignorable burden on participants, resulting in both substantial participant attrition and sporadic missingness. Multiple imputation procedures accommodating functional response models have only recently been developed, thus applied researchers have almost exclusively utilized complete case analyses. Here, we present an assessment of various state-of-the-art and common-practice methods for handling missing data in functional response models including a functional extension of multiple imputation by chained equations, complete cases analysis, and complete case analysis with participant compliance thresholds common in applied research. To assess these methods, we test performance across common missing data patterns including sporadic missingness and participant dropout as well as numerous EMA data characteristics such as small and large sample sizes and varying rates of participant compliance. These results are illustrated in an application to a smoking cessation study investigating the time-varying mediating effect of self-efficacy on pharmacotherapy and cessation outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Previous studies suggest that animal behavior, distribution, and abundance were dramatically impacted by the radiation disaster at Chernobyl. Here, we hypothesize that there is a negative relationship between ambient radiation levels and the abundance of vegetation and, therefore, animals. To test this we will relate radiation levels to plant productivity levels as estimated using satellite-based measures of NDVI. This in turn will be related to quantities of the animals in the exclusion zone and their distribution using motion-activated camera images. This data was extracted from a massive database collected over a seven-year time span for 50-70 cameras dispersed throughout the exclusion zone. The analysis of population distribution in the zone will provide a description of how well animals have been able to reenter the zone, and if the changes in vegetation resulting from the radiation have caused issues for the animals. Additionally, utilizing the data compiled through the cameras, other projects have emerged. Amongst these is a specific analysis of the intraspecific competition between red deer, roe deer, and moose (also known as elk in this area). We hypothesize that an increase in one type of deer causes a decrease in the others. This project contributes to an understanding of interactions amongst the animals that have been able to reinhabit the exclusion zone and speaks to whether or not competitive interactions among species have affected their distribution and abundance.
1:00-2:30 p.m.A fascia-iliaca block (FIB) is a nerve block used for anesthesia during procedures involving the lateral thigh and medial leg. It is a relatively new approach to anesthesia for hip fractures, but shows promise as a potential replacement for opioids and NSAIDs in this role. FIBs’ most relevant applications are the treatment of preoperative pain and as anesthesia intraoperatively for hip repair or replacement surgery. One study showed that FIBs provided “significant reduction in pain scores" and “reduced time to initial anesthesia” (1). Another reported that “patients who received FIBs experienced lower pain”, increased patient satisfaction with their preoperative anesthesia,” and “shortened length of hospital stay” (2). FIB is also an easy procedure to perform and can be done by physicians at all levels of experience. This quality improvement project aimed to increase the utilization of FIBs as the primary method for pain management in elderly hip fracture patients in the Prisma Health Richland Emergency Department (ED), aiming to improve pain control and mitigate opioid-related complications. A team of physicians collaborated to develop and implement a standardized protocol for FIB administration in elderly hip fracture patients. The project involved education sessions for ED attendings and residents on the benefits and techniques of FIBs, as well as the documentation protocols to integrate the procedure into clinical practice. Data collection methods included chart reviews and ED physician/resident surveys. Preliminary findings show that most FIBs were ordered by orthopedics and done by anesthesia, but most ED survey participants feel confident performing the steps for a FIB. Most survey participants also believe FIBs are helpful for analgesia, improve patient care, and will continue to utilize the procedure after residency. Barriers to FIB utilization in the Prisma Health Richland ED include well-controlled pain, patient contraindications, and time constraints. Implementing a standardized protocol for FIB administration in elderly hip fracture patients within the ED has the potential to reduce systemic opioid use, improve pain management, and decrease hospital stay. This project is still in the early stages but has the potential to greatly improve outcomes in elderly patients with hip fractures.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from an expansion of over 200 CGG repeats on the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome. The expansion causes the absence or reduction of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1, an important developmental protein (Abbeduto et al., 2020). FXS is typically associated with developmental delays, as well as challenges in language and communication development (Kover et al., 2015). Individuals with the fragile X premutation (FXpm), who have between 55 and 200 CGG repeats, are at elevated likelihood of mild to moderate developmental delays (Jacquemont et al., 2003). Research suggests that adults with the FXpm demonstrate language difficulties, but language development in early childhood is under researched (Wheeler 2017). Additionally, individuals with FXS and the FXpm are at an elevated likelihood of anxiety. Previous research with individuals with autism spectrum disorder suggests that development of communication skills plays a significant role in manifestation of anxiety symptoms (Davis et al., 2012); however, little research has investigated the association between language development and anxiety for individuals with an FMR1 mutation (Lozano et al., 2022; Black et al., 2021). The purpose of this study is to explore how early language development is associated with anxiety levels in preschool-aged children with an FMR1 mutation. Rate of change in 1) words understood and 2) words spoken will be assessed between 9 and 24 months of age using the MacArthur-Bates Communication Development Inventories, a caregiver-report measure of communication development. Caregiver-reported anxiety symptoms will be assessed using the Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale measure at 5 years of age. Rates of language development will be compared across children with FXS, FXpm, and neurotypical controls using a one-way ANOVA, and a linear regression will be conducted to determine if language development rate predicts anxiety levels. We hypothesize that children with FXS will have slower language development compared to the FXpm and NT groups and that slower language development will be associated with greater anxiety levels amongst all groups. Our findings will better characterize how language development predicts of anxiety in children with an FMR1 mutation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.SLOWING PROGRESSION OF KIDNEY DAMAGE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE Naghmeh Tishman, DO and Bradley Jack Tishman, DO INTRODUCTION Uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension are among the top reasons for renal damage. In the early phase of kidney damage, the kidneys compensate by increasing the filtration rate of the undamaged nephrons. The ultra-filtration of the remaining nephrons leads to worsening of kidney function. Guidelines outlined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) recommend the use of ACE/ARB, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and finerenone to help reduce ultra-filtration of the remaining nephrons and in turn slow progression of kidney disease. In this study, we assessed the adherence of these guidelines at the Prisma Health Family Medicine clinics at Colonial Drive and Winnsboro. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review completed by pulling Epic generated patient reports. Patients 18-80 years old with type II diabetes and reduced eGFR <60 or increased urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) >30 were included. Patients with eGFR <30 were excluded from the study. The study reviewed current medications and UACR for a random sample of 50 patients seen in clinic each month from Nov 2023 – Jan 2024, for a total count of 150 patients. RESULTS In the 148 patients included, 103 were on ACE/ARB (69.50%) (2 patients were excluded due to documented significant allergic reaction to ACE/ARB). Of these, 49 patients who were on an ACE/ARB had UACR> 30. Of these with an elevated UACR, only 20 were on SGLT-2 inhibitors in addition to ACE/ARB (40.82%). 58.18% of the patients who were a candidate to receive SGLT-2 inhibitors were not on them. None of the patients were on finerenone. DISCUSSION Early CKD is managed by primary care providers with referral to nephrology made later during CKD progression. Intervention with these medications can be useful in slowing the progression of CKD. At the clinics studied, physicians are under-utilizing ACE/ARB and SGLT-2 medication therapy. This seems to be consistent with other studies, which indicates a significant value in this area to improving usage of ACE/ARB and SGLT-2 in the community.
1:00-2:30 p.m.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The cradle of mankind’s development is currently believed to be on the African continent, well after the break-up of the mega-continent (Pangea or Gondwana). The myth of races therefore would seem to be mute if we were all one root-stock group of biped mammals (primates). The myth of race-based disease is certainly affected by the origins of humans, and this is observed in such studies as race-based stone passage and other such studies in urology. METHODS: A review of all aspects of mankind’s origins was explored including the giants of the field, such as Darwin, Huxley, Leakey up to the modern era. We investigated the paleoanthropological notions of the origins of humanity. We also were interested in the racisms applied to urology and attempts to thwart these notions compared to modern science of origins. This was accomplished with urological literature review. RESULTS: The modern Out of Africa (OoA) hypothesis was championed in its modern context by Günter Bräuer and Chris Stringer in the 1980s. At about the same time multiple studies on mitochondrial and ancient DNA have confirmed an African origin. Urology and the AUA developed a Diversity and Inclusiveness task force in 2022. Multiple academic programs have followed this direction as well. Cheryl T. Lee, M.D. became the first female African American Chair in 2016 at Ohio State. CONCLUSIONS: Currently the picture is for sure more complex as there appears to have been more than one exodus, and even some returns to Africa, but African origins are essentially the truth. So, if we are all African in origin, what is the purpose of racism any longer? Urology has adopted this notion, but it has just begun to express itself in academia with more attention to under-representation in residencies, faculty, medical student preceptorships, and even research.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Thin-walled stiffened plates can be susceptible to buckling- induced instability failures. An accurate and efficient model is essential for optimizing stiffener size and shape and analyzing buckling while considering geometric complexity, location, loading, and boundary conditions. A full-scale finite element analysis (FEA) was previously employed to determine the buckling load of the stiffened plate during the stiffener shape and size optimization. A non-conformal mesh method based on an inverse isoparametric mapping algorithm (IIMA) was developed recently to model stiffened plates with complex-shaped stiffeners keeping the base plate unchanged. Built on this work, this paper presents a reduced order modeling (ROM) approach to accelerate the static and buckling analysis of the stiffened plate. The principle is to use the base plate's free-vibration modal shapes to estimate its displacement and link the ROM of the base plate with stiffeners through displacement compatibility at the interface. ROM is used again to approximate the eigenvalues in the buckling analysis of the stiffened plate. The proposed ROM approaches turned out to be accurate and significantly reduce computational time compared to full-scale FEA.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Title: A User-Centric Food Application Improving Dietary Habits for Busy Individuals Theme: Digital Technologies, Data, and Analytics Abstract: Research Objective: This research seeks to examine the impact of “ClickClickMeal”, a user-centric food application, on the dietary habits of busy individuals, with a specific focus on graduate students. The objective is to evaluate whether the app can promote healthier food choices, decrease reliance on fast foods, and address budgetary constraints. Study Design: A user experience/interface project was conducted to develop and prototype the “ClickClickMeal” application. The study aimed to create a seamless and efficient user interface that encourages quick and healthy meal preparation, taking into account the time constraints and budget limitations commonly encountered by busy individuals. Preliminary Findings: The prototype of the ClickClickMeal application facilitated easy navigation and ensured a swift process, aligning well with the time-sensitive nature of the target audience. Implications for Policy or Practice: The ClickClickMeal application has significant implications for promoting healthier eating habits among busy individuals. Policymakers and practitioners in the fields of nutrition and public health could explore supporting and integrating such user-centric food applications into educational programs or wellness initiatives. This approach may contribute to improved dietary choices, better health outcomes, and reduced instances of unhealthy eating practices among the target demographic. Figma design link: Click Click App – 1.png (marvelapp.com)
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Iron Age (900 BCE- 700 BCE) in Latium, Central Italy is marked by reorganization of kinship groups (gentēs) and urbanization of the area. At the heart of the sociopolitical changes observed are the alliances established within and among local kinship groups. Since most evidence from this period comes from archaeological and historical sources, this bioarchaeological study seeks to further contextualize the Iron Age using biochemical and osteological data from the largest-excavated Latial cemetery, Osteria dell’Osa, to reconstruct migration patterns. In order to investigate whether long-distance migration played a significant role in the formation of the Latial social stratification, Strontium (Sr) isotope analysis was conducted using dental samples from 58 individuals dating to 900-770 BCE. What is ingested in life, and where food is sourced, leaves a geological signature in the skeleton and teeth. Since dental enamel does not remodel and its development corresponds to specific years of life, it can be used to distinguish between locals and nonlocals in a population. To trace the locality of an individual, the Sr ratios introduced into the food chain through contact with bedrock and groundwater are isolated, measured, and compared against the established geological local range. The Sr stable isotope results of 58 individuals from the cemetery of Osteria dell’Osa yielded a range of 0.710118 to 0.708882 with a mean (x̄) of 0.701 and a standard deviation (σ) of ±0.0002. The human enamel 87Sr/86Sr range overlaps with the expected local geological signature for people living in west-central Italy, suggesting that most of the tested individuals buried at Osteria dell’Osa can be considered of local origin, as they were most likely born near or around the area. The results of this study demonstrate that long-distance migration was not a major contributor to the makeup of Latial society during the Iron Age. Additionally, this research projects provides novel and conclusive empirical biological data that will add to the small but growing body of isotopic data from Ancient Italy.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Depression is the leading mental health problem in American adults. The statistics are staggering: 15-20% of American adults report taking medications to treat depression, and the anti-depressant pharmaceutical market is worth an estimated $6 billion. Most anti-depressant medications have some undesirable side effects, and some people get no benefits from medications at all. Is there a better way? Psilocybin is a psychoactive chemical compound found in mushrooms, and it has been synthesized into a pharmaceutical product. We located 6 studies (total N = 3,226) that examined the effect of psilocybin assisted therapy on treatment, and we meta-analyzed them. We found two important results. First, small “microdoses” are much less effective at treating depression than one or two full strength doses. And second, psilocybin is very effective for treating a special class of patients who are resistant to other types of treatment. From these findings, we conclude the psilocybin is an effective medication for treating depression.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The local Salvation Army in Columbia, SC hosts a free After School Reading Program for students in elementary and middle school. Many of these students come from families who are unable to afford after-school programs or tutors and rely on volunteer programs. Many of the children are also unable to maintain developmental reading assessments for their grade level and require supplemental education. Medical students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (USC SOM) partner with the program to assist in weekly tutoring and mentoring for the students. Through collaboration with the PRISM (Praxis in Social Medicine) Program at USC SOM, the authors have integrated their volunteer work with discussions about socioeconomic determinants of health through self-reflection and meaningful group dialogue. This integration, called service learning, is a powerful tool for medical students to develop civic engagement awareness and skills. Both of the author's experience with service learning has been fundamental in their curriculum at medical school. Service learning should be integrated into school curriculums because of its positive outcomes on the students and the community. Prior research has shown the positive effects of service learning on medical students, such as fostering empathy and self-efficacy. This has improved medical students' compassionate care and perspective taking abilities. Service learning is both beneficial to the community and students involved. One student, Jayden (name changed for confidentiality), is an example of the positive impact MEDtorship has had on the community. He was a 2nd grader enrolled in the program, and at the start of the year, Jayden tested at a 1st grade reading level. By the end of his year of tutoring, he was reading at a 3rd grade level. The director of the program at Salvation Army noted that “Jayden never liked to read when he first came to the Reading Program but by the end, he begged me to let him read.” He loves learning new words and stated that “I want to come back to the reading program for a long time because I like it here!”
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project sought to establish an educational model of a oil-water interface and the accompanying physics and code representing it in a Jupyter python notebook with questions for a basic curriculum for application in a college classroom.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Shock tubes provide a more affordable method of producing and studying shock waves than supersonic wind tunnels. A shock wave is a phenomenon which occurs when a wave passes through a fluid faster than the speed of sound in that fluid. This paper aims to explore the conceptual design of a shock tube that can be used in an undergraduate lab environment at the University of South Carolina. This shock tube system should be able to record important shock wave parameters such as pressures, temperatures, and wave speed. Creating and visualizing this phenomenon can be tremendously helpful in helping students understand it better. This shock tube is designed based on requirements and constraints following the needs of the aerospace engineering department. The technical aspects of the design process involve various considerations including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, numerical computation, structural design, and more. By the end of this process, an actionable plan to manufacture and test the shock tube will be set in place.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Photocatalysis represents the promotion of chemical reactions using light, often employing visible light to excite a photocatalyst. The excited photocatalyst can perform energy transfer or electron transfer . Transfer of energy or electrons is important for molecular transformations like catalyzing a reaction involving organic compounds which often do not absorb visible light and cannot initiate reactions without a photocatalyst. In order to develop an efficient photocatalyst the photophysical properties, electron transfer kinetics, and stability of the material need to be understood. Silicon has been gaining more attention in the field of photocatalysis because of its’ potential to replace some metal catalysts in the field. Silicon phthalocyanines (SiPcs) are one example of organic photocatalysts that can absorb light in the visible range, and they are more sustainable than traditional metal photocatalysts that contain iridium and ruthenium, and have a similar performance. In this work we synthesized and investigated SiPcs with different axial alkoxy and siloxy substituents for two reasons. The first reason is our group is interested in the effect axial substituent electronics and sterics have on electron transfer kinetics. The SiPcs are known to be able to undergo electron transfer through photoredox processes, but we would like to know more about the role axial protection with different ligands has on electron. transfer. The second reason we are interested in the effect of axial ligands on stability is to make the catalysts recyclable for the goal of designing sustainable photocatalysis. The electron transfer kinetics, photoreaction mechanism studies, and synthesis of the compounds will be discussed.
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Related links:To understand the function of the brain, measurements such as EEGs are performed that utilize electrodes placed on the scalp to measure brain activity. The placement of these electrodes is guided by the results of Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT), which is a technique that allows images of brain tissue to be taken. DOT can provide insight into where electrodes on the scalp should be placed to measure cortical areas of interest. However, the DOT signal strength and extent to which the signal can penetrate brain regions is dependent upon the distance from the scalp to the brain cortex. Our research goal is to examine whether the scalp-cortex distance varies with age and how this affects the ability of sensors placed on the scalp to detect activity from brain areas of interest. We examined three different age groups: infants (2 weeks - 2 years), children (4 - 12 years), and adults (20 - 24 years). Our methods involved marking 9 fiducial points on the MRI scans of participants. These nine fiducial points were marked using the MRIcron program, and these 9 points were then used to calculate the locations of 81 electrode points on the scalp. These 81 electrode points were then separated into 4 groups for analysis - these groups were created based on the electrode’s anatomical position on the skull, and electrodes with similar predicted scalp-cortex distances were grouped. From our data, it appears that age and scalp-cortex distance are correlated. We found that 2-week-old infants had the smallest scalp-cortex distances, while adults had the greatest scalp-cortex distances. Additionally, 4-year-old children had a mean scalp-cortex distance that was greater than the mean scalp-cortex distance of infants. These results are important because they impact electrode placement in different age groups and show that age-specific models should be used for the interpretation of DOT data. The electrode placement for different age groups is important because it affects the accuracy of brain imaging and tests.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This study investigates the formation and properties of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) resulting from the atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). EPFRs, traditionally associated with combustion processes, can result from the atmospheric oxidation of VOCs, underscoring the complex interplay between atmospheric chemistry and pollutant formation. The lab-scale chamber experiments were conducted to simulate atmospheric conditions and study the oxidation of VOCs, focusing on limonene as a precursor for secondary organic aerosols (SOA). These studies will help quantify the contribution of VOC emissions to the atmospheric pool of EPFRs. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to detect EPFRs. The research further investigates environmental factors that influence EPFR formation, including the role of particle surfaces, humidity, and light exposure. Preliminary results showed a significant increase in aerosol concentration during the oxidation of limonene with ozone, indicating SOA formation. EPFRs were also detected from the oxidation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene and limonene with ozone, highlighting the formation of EPFRs from VOCs under atmospheric conditions. This study contributes to understanding the formation and behavior of EPFRs, particularly their formation from the atmospheric processing of VOCs. Investigating EPFR formation from VOCs addresses gaps in understanding secondary sources of EPFRs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Atopic dermatitis (AD, eczema), is a chronic inflammatory skin disease impacting approximately 20% of individuals. We established mast cells (MC) play a critical role in AD pathogenesis, by releasing inflammatory mediators. In 80% of patients, AD is defined as a type 1 hypersensitivity wherein MC activation/degranulation is triggered by the binding of antigen (Ag)-specific IgE on IgE receptors, then crosslinked by Ag. However, we discovered that skin MC were activated in the prelesional phase of AD, after a single 7-day epicutaneous exposure to Ag ovalbumin (OVA, 100 µg/ml) in a mouse model, in the absence of circulating IgE. Activation was accompanied by a doubling of skin-associated sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a sphingolipid metabolite that mediated MC-dependent release of cell-attracting chemokines, causing inflammation. We reported that inflammation was mitigated by resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory natural compound. Resveratrol prevented MC activation, the production of S1P and chemokines, significantly averting inflammation. We initiated mechanistic studies to first measure the direct impact of OVA in vitro, on primary mouse bone marrow-derived MC (BMMC). OVA was applied dose-dependently on BMMC for one week. Subsequently, protein levels of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), the enzyme producing S1P, as well as the transcription factors Stat3 and NF-Bp65, implicated in MC chemokine production, were measured by Western blot, along with their phosphorylated forms, a mark of activation. OVA (10 μg/ml) elicited signaling activation in BMMC (1.3 fold, compared to controls for Stat3 and a trend for increase albeit not significant for NF-Bp65). We previously reported the occurrence of apoptosis upon a 7-day skin exposure to OVA through elevation of cleaved caspase 3, the activated form of the executioner caspase of apoptosis, via endoplasmic reticulum stress, marked by C/-EBP homologous protein (CHOP). In the current study, these markers were also assessed, revealing no elevation of cleaved caspase 3 or CHOP. Thus, OVA did not induce apoptosis in MC but augmented MC activation via Stat3. We are exploring the in vitro effects of resveratrol on MC. In sum, early MC-dependent signaling pathways are engaged in the pathogenesis of eczema, that may lead to the development of new strategies to prevent disease progression.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Air quality and neighborhood walkability can both significantly affect community health. However, little research has examined their collective effect, considered multiple diverse health outcomes, or been conducted in the Southeastern US where health concerns are egregious. This study assessed the combined impact of annual average PM2.5 exposure and neighborhood walkability on the prevalence of physical inactivity, obesity, and asthma among adults in South Carolina (SC). Methods: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration estimates for all census tracts in SC (n=1103) were sourced from the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group (Washington University in St. Louis). Walkability of each tract was calculated using the EPA National Walkability Index (range=1-20; higher scores=greater walkability). Prevalence of physical inactivity, obesity, and asthma were ascertained from the CDC PLACES dataset, which generates model-based estimates using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Census Bureau, and American Community Survey data. Tracts were categorized into low versus high PM2.5 concentration and low versus high walkability. Subsequently, four categories of PM2.5 concentration and walkability were created, consisting of lowP/lowW (n=423), lowP/highW (n=119), highP/lowW (n=123), and highP/highW (n=420) tracts. ANCOVA was used to analyze differences between the four PM2.5-walkability groups for physical inactivity, obesity, and asthma, controlling for tract population density and poverty rate. Results: There were statistically significant differences across the four PM2.5-walkability groups for all three health outcomes (Finactivity=9.72,p<.001; Fobesity=10.78,p<.001; Fasthma=11.92,p<.001). Most notably, lowP/highw tracts had significantly lower rates of inactivity (24.65%), obesity (33.71%), and asthma (9.18%). These and other key findings will be illustrated statistically and spatially. Conclusion: This study’s findings suggest a multiplicative effect of air quality and walkability in facilitating multiple elements of community health. Understanding and capitalizing on these interactions is critical for tailoring innovative public health interventions and urban planning strategies to efficiently address diverse pressing health issues in South Carolina and beyond.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Five percent of students at USC identify as being in recovery, that is roughly 1,815 students based on 2023 data. Due to this significant number of students in recovery on our campus, Gamecock Recovery set out to create an interactive workshop to educate individuals about recovery and how to be supportive of those students. Through Recovery Ally workshops, Gamecock Recovery strives to empower students, faculty, and staff to make campus more accepting, engaging, and supportive of students in recovery from substance use disorder. Participants learn to confront myths about substance use disorder, support someone in early recovery, and advocate for a recovery-oriented campus culture. This poster presentation will highlight Gamecock Recovery’s Recovery Ally program, including its development, content, structure, and logistics. We will also explore its strengths and limitations including marketing, data collection, content and delivery, and more. The Recovery Ally Workshop’s relevance and impact here at USC will be emphasized using campus and national data creating a basis for why this workshop is an integral part of Gamecock Recovery’s services and USC as a whole. Finally, we will address limitations of the Recovery Ally Workshop with recommendations for future additions and adjustments to strengthen its impact on our campus. These recommendations will be used to make influential changes to the workshop and how it will be implemented in Gamecock Recovery.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating anxiety disorder developed following a traumatic event, affecting more than the military population it’s typically associated with. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has become a leading treatment intervention, but how effective is the treatment at improving mental health outcomes? Using scientific databases, we located 14 studies which measured the changes in PTSD, anxiety, and depression, with a total sample of N = 410. The Cohens’ d effect sizes from these studies were computed, and the weighted average effect size was calculated. EMDR therapy was effective at reducing PTSD symptoms (d = 1.88), anxiety symptoms (d = 1.19), and depression symptoms (d = 1.60). Based on these findings, we conclude that EMDR is a very effective therapy for PTSD.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Direct observations of the first stars, which are believed to have formed from metal-free gas clouds, are extremely challenging. However, the intergalactic medium (IGM) and circumgalactic medium (CGM) around high-redshift galaxies can provide information about the signatures of chemical enrichment by the first stars or early generations of stars. Using absorption lines in the spectra of high-redshift quasars, one can study the IGM and the CGM of galaxies situated along the sightlines to the quasars. Here we present spectroscopic analysis of a sample of damped/sub-damped Lyman-alpha absorbers (DLA/sub-DLAs) at z > 4.5 based on our observations from Magellan MIKE, complemented with archival VLT data. We measure the abundances for C, O, Si, Fe, and/or Mg, and investigate the metallicity-redshift relation at z > 4.5 (spanning the first ~1 billion years after the Big Bang). We find some cases of metal-poor absorbers that may show signatures of enrichment by early stars, while one case shows very high metallicity and dust depletion compared to most of the other DLA/sub-DLAs s in our sample. This indicates a wide diversity of chemical enrichment in the first ~1 billion years of cosmic history.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Medical Students Making Change is a student-led organization designed to identify underserved diabetic patient populations in South Carolina and assign them to medical students to build the patients' health literacy and diabetic management. We primarily achieve this by helping the patients set lifestyle goals and identifying barriers to diabetic management. In an effort to encourage patient engagement in the program, we utilized intermittent text messaging reminders in between phone calls. Inclusion criteria for enrolling patients require that they be adults (≥18 years old), have type 2 diabetes (T2D), have an HbA1c ≥6.5%, and have access to a phone. The patients are paired with trained medical student volunteers and provided educational materials regarding diabetic management. The phone calls between volunteers and patients focus on assessing diet, exercise, sleep, and hydration goals. Volunteers are focused on addressing barriers to achieving goals and navigating solutions. Patients are instructed to follow up with their provider who will measure their HbA1c every 3 months. Starting in July of 2023, volunteers began sending text messages in between phone calls to remind the patients about their upcoming appointments and phone calls. From August 2022 to June 2023 (prior to the initiation of text messaging reminders), 31 patients were enrolled in our program. From July 2023 to February 2024 (after the initiation of text messaging reminders), 21 patients were enrolled. Prior to the initiation of text messaging reminders, 58.06% of volunteer phone calls were answered by patients. After initiating text messaging reminders, 47.6% of volunteer phone calls were answered by patients. Given the small sample size of this study, the effectiveness of text messaging reminders is unclear. However, given that the percentage of answered volunteer phone calls decreased by 10.46% after the initiation of these text message reminders, volunteers should be advised to determine on a case-by-case basis whether to utilize text messaging reminders.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The United States has significantly higher maternal mortality rates when compared to other high-income countries. As of 2021, the rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. This has significantly increased since 2020. Education is a key social determinant of health, with epidemiological evidence showing a positive association between education and health outcomes. However, studies have shown that despite prenatal care being received on time and consistently, Black women are still four times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related death when compared to white women regardless of their education level. The causes of these persistent inequities can be attributed to the quality of care delivered to Black women, with structural racism playing a critical role in perpetuating these inequities. This study aimed to better understand the experiences of university-educated Black women when receiving obstetric care in the U.S. Data was collected through 5 qualitative interviews where mixed experiences were recorded. Women who reported positive maternal healthcare experiences identified social support, confidence to advocate for themselves based on their higher educational status, and healthcare provider impartiality as contributing factors. Conversely, negative experiences were characterized by perceptions of being undervalued, insufficient pain management, and prejudicial assumptions regarding their financial status based on racial identity. There is a need to address systemic racism to improve obstetric outcomes for black women. Medical providers must be aware of the role implicit biases play in the differential treatment of Black women compared to their white counterparts. Reflecting on these experiences highlights the need to promote equitable obstetric care regardless of race or education level.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Perception is what shapes our conscious experience of the world and it varies heavily from person to person. What one person takes in as a joyful scene another could look at with disgust. What are the mechanisms underlying varying perceptions? Does this affect working with patients in healthcare? At UofSC, my Psych 450, Sensation and Perception, course helped me to understand the biological reasoning behind these differences and my volunteering experience at the University of Maryland Medical Center allowed me to view varying perceptions in action. During my time as a volunteer, I worked alongside the orthopedic surgery team to manage patients and perform requested tasks during appointments. I saw patients mostly with similar conditions that ranged in severity. It wasn’t always the case that a less severe condition meant a better patient outlook or that a more severe condition elicited worse feelings. I was able to reflect on how this affects the type of doctor I want to be in the future, which is that I will never minimize a patient’s feelings about their condition. My presentation will discuss the framework of perception as learned in my class as well as how I have applied this to working with patients. Through this I hope to teach others why individual perceptions should be respected and valued.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Many research studies do not account for potential physiologic racial differences or quantify the distribution of races included in study protocols. This could leave certain groups of people underrepresented in scientific research, posing the issue of results not being applicable to everyone. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of reporting race and ethnicity in studies on the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception. Methods: Publications from multiple sport science related journals that involved healthy, active participants between the ages of 18-65 years old were screened for inclusion in the systematic review. From an initial 5,016 studies, 17 studies that included the menstrual cycle and/or hormonal contraception as an independent variable were identified. Data on race, ethnicity, mean age, sport, competition level, and country were extracted. Prevalence of reporting race/ethnicity was evaluated using frequencies and percentages. All other study characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of the 17 studies included, only about 6% (n=1) reported the racial breakdown of the participants. Races reported were African American, White, and Other. The study did not specify what “other” included. The mean age of participants across all studies was 25.9 years. Six studies reported sport, including running/marathon, cycling, martial arts, swimming, and rugby. Four studies reported level of sport (3 professional and 1 college). Six studies were from the United States, three from the United Kingdom, two from Canada, one each from Finland, Spain, Australia, Greece, China, and Denmark/Sweden. Conclusion: As only 6% of publications on the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception in sport science research detailed the races of their participants, racial and ethnic representation within this field is difficult to quantify. This poses the question of whether current research is only applicable to certain races and which ones current research does apply to. Reporting the breakdown of participants is the first step in promoting racial representation within sport science research.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Lake Murray is a freshwater lake located in central South Carolina. It is a resource for recreation, tourism, and local drinking water. Good water quality of freshwater lakes such as Lake Murray is essential for the surrounding community's health. Nutrient additions from inputs such as runoff or other pollutants can cause harmful cyanobacteria algal blooms. This project aims to determine the limiting nutrient of Lake Murray's phytoplankton community and how adding this nutrient could affect the composition of the phytoplankton community. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a general effect of the addition of N and P on the community composition and if there is seasonal variability. Measurements for this study were obtained at monthly intervals from April 2023 to October 2024 on the northeast side of Lake Murray Dam, SC. Once returned from the field, a bioassay experiment was conducted with the water samples. Samples were transferred into twenty 650 mL bottles and incubated for 72 hours under ambient conditions. There were four treatment groups, including a control (no nutrient addition) and three nutrient additions, each with five replicates per experiment. Before enrichment, we took subsamples and additional samples 72 hours after enrichment for HPLC and Chemtax analysis to investigate biomass (measured as chl a concentration) of different algal groups. Subsamples were also taken 72 hours after enrichment to be analyzed for nutrient concentrations (N and P). The phytoplankton community in Lake Murray is composed of a diverse assemblage of primarily green algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria, cryptophytes, and dinoflagellates. Community structure varied seasonally with the additions of both N and P. The bioassay experiment determined that both N and P are limiting nutrients for different algal groups throughout the seasons. Knowing the limiting nutrients helps managers maintain good water quality and prevent the addition of any pollutants with a high nitrogen concentration into Lake Murray to avoid and predict a cyanobacterial (or other algal group) bloom.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Electron Ion Collider (EIC) aims to investigate the dynamics of quarks and gluons within nucleons and nuclei. The EIC design allows for two detectors, with the ePIC detector currently being the project detector and an opportunity for development of a second detector. Muon detection is of interest for some nuclear reactions, such as J/psi production. Here, we report on simulation studies of a KLM detector specifically designed to detect muons at the EIC. Acceptance and pion-muon separation power are quantities of interest. We utilized the Fun4All simulation of the COmpact DetectoR for EIC (CORE) detector, which was designed as a second EIC detector [1]. We implemented the EIC KLM design, derived from the BELLE II KLM design, consisting of scintillator and steel layers in the simulation and generated samples of muons and pions with controlled momentum and pseudorapidity at the interaction point. In this presentation, we will show the minimum momentum a muon needs to reach the KLM detector, which is located outside the magnet, as a function of field strength and pseudorapidity, as well as a comparison of the signals produced by muons and pions in the KLM. This work supports the proof-of-principle of the EIC KLM design and the results will be used in future design optimizations. [1] CORE Proto-Collaboration, “CORE – a compact detector for the EIC,” https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6536630 (2021).
1:00-2:30 p.m.Camera traps have become a non-invasive, cost-effective way to monitor wildlife populations in their natural systems. Uses of camera traps include estimating population density, species occupancy, relative abundance, and variations in activity patterns. Different factors can impact diel activity such as resource availability, seasons, or the presence or absence of predators. A predator-avoidance tactic often employed by prey is avoiding predators in time. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are a major game species within South Carolina and coyotes (Canis latrans) are an invasive species that have been attributed to the declining deer population within the state through deer fawn predation. Fawns are vulnerable to predation during the early stages of life and so may use temporal avoidance as an anti-predator tactic in order to maximize survivorship. This study utilizes data captured via motion-activated camera traps at two SC Army National Guard (SCANG) training centers, Clarks Hill and McCrady. Between the two sites, 170 cameras were employed for approximately 2 years at Clarks Hill and 3 years at McCrady. The data used for this project comes from the fawning season (May - August) of 2019 and 2020 at both sites. We recorded species, number of individuals, as well as date and time of image capture for collected images, with a combined total of 8,857 observations of coyotes and deer used for this study. Preliminary analyses suggest temporal shifts in deer activity in response to coyote presence, but further analysis is required. The purpose of this study is to better understand the dynamics between the two species and determine the impact coyotes are having on deer population abundances.
1:00-2:30 p.m.One aspect of the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean during the late 1600 and early 1700s is the role of formerly enslaved persons aboard these ships. Some estimates put the number of pirates who were formerly enslaved during this era at nearly one third of all pirates active during this time. The research for my project will be guided by this question: To what extent did piracy offer a means of escape or profit for formerly enslaved individuals? Or was piracy and the freedom it promised an illusion? My research is primarily based on consulting secondary sources such as Gregory O’Malley’s “Black Markets for Black Labor: Pirates, Privateers, and Interlopers in the Origins of the Intercolonial Slave Trade” and Marcus Rediker’s “Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age”. Modern romanticization of pirates propels an image of freedom and adventure in the modern imagination, but to what extent those most excluded from other paths of self emancipation could use piracy as an escape is the purpose of this study.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cryptophytes are a group of phytoplankton that use accessory pigments known as phycobiliproteins (PBPs) to harvest light energy. Previous research in our lab showed that the cryptophyte Hemiselmis cryptochromatica can modify the absorbance properties of its PBPs in response to changes in light quality, but how quickly this response can occur was not clear. Our goal was to investigate the temporal dynamics of shifts in PBP absorption spectra of H. cryptochromatica and to determine whether increased light harvesting resulted in changes in growth rates. We did this over a 7-day period and after an additional 6-week period under green or red light, simulating eutrophication and “browning” (increased CDOM due to melting permafrost). We grew H. cryptochromatica under 3 light treatments (white, green, and red) of equal intensity. We measured PBP absorption every 2 days for 7 days initially, along with cell growth rates. After 6 more weeks we measured PBP absorption and cell growth rates again. Over the initial 7 days we found that there were no changes in PBP absorption spectra. Cell growth rates were 0.42 d-1 (in white light), 0.24 d-1 (green), and 0.43 d-1 (red). After 6 more weeks, we found a significant increase in green-light absorption (7 %) and red-light absorption (8%) by cells grown in green or red light, respectively. Growth rates after acclimation were 0.49 d-1 (white), 0.31 d-1 (green), and 0.50 d-1 (red). A paired t-test revealed that growth rates of all cultures were significantly greater (p<0.05) after the additional 6 weeks of acclimation. Further, we found that the increased ability to absorb green light after acclimation resulted in a significantly higher growth rate of H. cryptochromatica. Results show how H. cryptochromatica is capable of modifying its PBPs over a 6-week period. This study provides insight into how primary producers may acclimate in response to changes in their light environment, like eutrophication or increases in colored organic material by melting permafrost.
1:00-2:30 p.m.One factor that is often overlooked in efforts to boost student motivation is the role of educators, and in particular, the beliefs they hold about motivation, as these are likely to influence whether their instructional approach is motivating or demotivating (Vermote et al., 2020). Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) teach many of the introductory courses at the university level and are often the first point of contact for college students, yet their role in student motivation has been largely overlooked. To better understand beliefs about motivation and improve support for early career educators, the goal of this study was to examine the beliefs and knowledge GTAs hold about motivation, whether these differ by academic domain and the relationships between beliefs, knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitude towards motivational practices. GTAs (N=292) from a southeastern university completed an online survey (nfemale=189, nSTEM=138) that included measures of implicit beliefs about the nature of student motivation (malleable vs fixed), responsibility towards student motivation, knowledge of evidence-based motivation practices, self-efficacy to motivate students, and attitudes towards motivational practices/instructional approach (5-point Likert scales). Beliefs did not differ significantly by academic domain, but knowledge scores did, t(281)=3.43, p <.01: GTAs in non-STEM programs had significantly higher knowledge scores than those in STEM programs. Correlation analysis revealed that malleable beliefs and knowledge about motivation positively (p <.05) related to responsibility, self-efficacy, and motivationally supportive practices (e.g., emphasizing content relevancy). Less motivationally supportive practices (e.g., relying on extrinsic rewards) were negatively related to knowledge (p <.01). A multiple linear regression model including beliefs, knowledge and responsibility was significant in predicting self-efficacy, F(3,288)=79.69, p<.001, R2adj=.45. Results indicate that beliefs and knowledge are important factors that relate to GTAs confidence and instructional choices. Enhancing knowledge of effective motivational practices in particular may help to decrease instructors’ reliance on extrinsic approaches. Additionally, holding malleable beliefs (e.g., that student motivation can be enhanced) and feeling a greater sense of responsibility in motivating students is likely to predict greater confidence in motivating students. Findings from this study can guide training efforts designed to help instructors translate motivation theory and research into practice.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Many deforested areas are returning to forest as agricultural lands in some areas are abandoned and converted to other land uses such as exurban residential land use. Large lot residential lands frequently include human-made ponds on the property. The diversity of land use and ponds across the landscapes create a gradient of wetland habitats that vary in the availability of nutrients for species like amphibians. Gray treefrogs (Hyla chysoselis) rely on the ponds for oviposition and larval development. To identify how nutrient input affects the development gray tree frogs, we reared tadpoles in outdoor mesocosms that varied with the amount of nutrient input and larval density. Once the tadpoles reached metamorphosis, we measured their weight and days to metamorphosis and determined pond survival. We found that increasing the amount of leaf litter added increased mass and developmental rate, while increasing the number of tadpoles present in the habitat decreased mass and developmental rate. These results suggest that highly forested areas are high-priority conservation habitats for amphibians and that their larvae perform best in high nutrient conditions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Critically ill patients often require sedatives during mechanical ventilation to prevent agitation-related harm and improve compliance with mechanical ventilation. According to the 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption, both propofol and dexmedetomidine are preferred agents to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and presence of delirium. In practice, dexmedetomidine is often used as an adjunctive therapy to allow for the weaning of propofol to a lighter level of sedation prior to extubation. At our institution, atypical antipsychotics are also frequently used for this purpose. This study aimed to compare the effects of atypical antipsychotics including quetiapine, olanzapine, and risperidone to dexmedetomidine on the amount of continuous infusion propofol used in intensive care settings. This retrospective cohort study included patients admitted to intensive care units at Prisma Health Richland, Baptist, and Baptist Parkridge campuses between February 2021 and August 2023. To be included, patients must have received at least 48 hours of continuous infusion propofol prior to the addition of an atypical antipsychotic or dexmedetomidine. Atypical antipsychotics included must have been initiated as: quetiapine 150mg/day or less, olanzapine 10mg/day or less, or risperidone 1mg/day or less. Patients who received both dexmedetomidine and atypical antipsychotics within any 24-hour period during propofol infusion, were admitted to the trauma or neurosurgery service, were palliatively extubated, or received any antipsychotic for a psychiatric diagnosis prior to admission were excluded. The primary objective of this study was to determine the percent reduction in propofol rate 48 hours after atypical antipsychotic or dexmedetomidine initiation. Secondary outcomes included percent reduction in propofol rate at both 24 and 72 hours after atypical antipsychotic or dexmedetomidine initiation, ICU length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Chi-square and t-tests were used to analyze these results.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a major neurological disorder that presents with different motor phenotypes, which have been captured in two subtyping systems based on motor symptoms gathered from the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS): one that classifies individuals as Tremor Dominant (TD) or Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty (PIGD) and another that utilizes TD or Akinetic Rigid (AR). These systems have resulted in ambiguity due to the inclusion of the TD subtype in both. Method: Using the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), PD subjects with available imaging, MDS-UPDRS, and demographic data were individually classified into each subtyping system; for individuals with motor symptoms that resulted in a change in subtype classification within the alternative system, a combined subtype was denoted. To analyze pathoanatomical patterns through structural imaging, MRIs were segmented using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to compare regional patterns of gray matter volume (GMV) across motor subtyping systems using the Neuromorphometrics atlas. Novel analysis to compare differences in regions of interest (ROIs) GMV within and between the motor subtyping systems was conducted using ANCOVA models (⍺ < 0.05). Results: Overall, 678 subjects were evaluated and classified using the TD, PIGD, and AR subtypes; ages ranged from 37-85 years. Total intracranial volume (TIV) variation was significantly associated with both PD subtype systems. Only variation in left superior occipital gyrus GMV was significantly associated with the TD/PIGD system, and ROIs such as the left and right caudate nucleus, the left and right putamen, and the left accumbens area were significantly associated with the TD/AR system. Comparisons of the systems stratified by sex revealed significant variation in many ROIs in both systems. Conclusion: Implementation of this method allowed for the comparison of clinically relevant motor phenotype subtyping systems and revealed regiospecific differences that subtyping alone could not illuminate. Results of this cross sectional analysis suggest that structural differences in PD motor symptom subtypes by system and by sex should be further investigated to better understand clinically relevant biomarkers in classifying and treating PD.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction Melanoma remains the deadliest form of skin cancer. Stage III disease is defined by the presence of nodal and/or in-transit metastases. The management of advanced melanoma has evolved over the last decade, most notably with the FDA approval of checkpoint inhibitors. We aimed to utilize the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to evaluate trends in the adoption of immunotherapy for stage III melanoma. Methods We queried the NCDB from 2010-2019 for patients with Stage III melanoma and identified 46,463 patients. We subsequently evaluated the usage rates of systemic therapies during their treatment by year. We examined the impact of demographic factors: age, income, distance to hospital, and insurance status. Trend analysis and chi-squared tests were performed for statistical analysis where appropriate. Results Our data revealed a significant increase in immunotherapy usage from 2010 to 2019 (Figure 1). During that time the rate of immunotherapy use increased from 23% to 59% of stage III melanoma patients, with a clear inflection point noted after 2015. This paralleled a decrease in the percentage of patients who received no systemic therapy from 66% to 33%. Between 2015 and 2019, use of immunotherapy increased from 24% to 59% (p < 0.0001). Distance and income did not appear to have a significant effect on the use of systemic therapy. Patients with Medicare had a lower rate of immunotherapy usage (67.2% vs.57.6%, p <0.0001). Younger patients (<60) received immunotherapy at a higher rate than older patients (>60) (45.9% vs 30.7%, p < 0.0001). Older patients were also less likely to receive any form of systemic therapy (69.2% vs. 54.0%, p < 0.001). Conclusions The utilization of immunotherapy in the treatment of stage III melanoma has markedly increased since 2015, correlating with the FDA approval of checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of stage III melanoma. Insurance status and age appear to influence the usage of immunotherapy. Further exploration into the trends of immunotherapy usage in different subgroups is warranted.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Breast cancer diagnosis can be classified by the genes and proteins present including the HER2 gene and HER2 protein. Once HER2+ breast cancer becomes metastatic, Taxol (paclitaxel) is often used as a chemotherapeutic agent. Unfortunately, Taxol resistance is increasing in likelihood, especially with longer durations of treatment. Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDK) 8 and 19 are a pair of mediator kinases that regulate transcriptional reprogramming via association with Mediator complex and signal-responsive transcription factors. The goal of this project is to evaluate if the addition of CDK8/19 inhibitors can demonstrate prevention of resistance or reversal of resistance in HER2+ breast cancer cell lines, including HCC1954, BT474, and SKBR3. Using in vitro cell culture techniques, we treated cell lines with Taxol, assessed them for sensitivity, and demonstrated that HER2+ cells rapidly become resistant to clinically relevant doses of Taxol. For example, in HCC1954, there was significant evidence of a change in maximal drug effect after drug exposure for several months. Imaging studies clearly demonstrated that the cells do not outgrow when treated in combination compared to monotherapy. Our findings include that after approximately 3 months, all three HER2+ breast cancers became resistant to Taxol. After creating resistant cells, we tested them for sensitivity to combination treatment and the respective control groups. Our data suggests potential clinical benefits in utilizing CDK8/19 inhibitors in combination therapy with Taxol to prevent or reverse Taxol resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Harm reduction is an essential part of a holistic response to substance misuse in the face of the Opioid crisis in the United States, as well as a key part of South Carolina’s strategy to ending the Opioid epidemic. Harm reduction is an approach to prevention efforts for substance misuse, which prioritizes the life and immediate well-being of a person by aiming to decrease the harmful consequences of substance misuse. Health promotion efforts tend to be most effective when they are developed in partnership with communities and draw upon their pre-existing strengths and knowledge; thus, partnering with a knowledgeable and connected group of people to address substance misuse concerns is important. One such group is hospitality workers (defined here as workers in and around the local food and beverage industry, including bartenders, waitstaff, bouncers, baristas, and others), who have a higher-than-average degree of contact with both legal and illegal substances. This presentation will present preliminary qualitative data from a series of focus groups conducted by our research team to gather the perspectives of hospitality workers on harm reduction barriers and facilitators. This presentation will describe the process of developing a community partnership and carrying out qualitative focus groups to gather perspectives of hospitality workers on harm reduction from substance misuse in their community, their establishments, and among the individuals they serve. Finally, the presentation will present potential implications and future directions of this work, especially as it pertains to South Carolina’s and Columbia’s Opioid crisis response.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The ‘Together Everyone Achieve More Physical Activity’ (TEAM-PA) trial is a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a group-based intervention aimed at increasing physical activity (PA) levels in inactive African American (AA) women. The TEAM-PA intervention includes weekly group sessions for 10 weeks, including a tailored health curriculum, group-based physical activity games, and shared group-based goal-setting. Outside of the group sessions, participants are encouraged to assist one another in achieving the weekly group-based PA goal by engaging with their group on the Fitbit mobile app, including appointing a "check-in" captain and posting updates in a private group. The purpose of this study was to identify the themes of support and motivational strategies that AA women implement when using mobile technology to pursue shared physical activity goals. Fitbit group messages from participants in the TEAM-PA intervention (N = 54, 100% AA women) were coded by two independent evaluators (r = 0.80). NVIVO was used to conduct a qualitative thematic analysis to explore types of motivational and support strategies. Across two cohorts, at two intervention sites, we assessed messages within groups and coded 2234 posts. The theme identified as “sharing a picture” was used most often (22.3%). Pictures that participants shared included locations for exercise, food, life related photos, photos of participants exercising, and motivational graphics found on the internet. Other prominent themes included “words of encouragement - individual”, “discussing goals, effort or progress”, and “sharing ideas about ways to be active or gets steps.” These results suggest that in addition to in-person group sessions, future interventions may benefit from integrating mobile technology and wearables that allow participants to communicate outside of in-person sessions using both emotional and tangible support strategies (e.g., words of encouragement, sharing ideas).
9:30-11:00 a.m.A simple search of ‘health care’ on the South Carolina Department of Correction website brings a host of results for mental health services offered to inmates. However, it does not offer much insight on preventive health care or evaluation of symptoms. This potential gap in health care can cause dangerous repercussions, especially in a population that may be hesitant to seek medical attention for fear of showing weakness. This case highlights a potential consequence of that situation. A 21-year-old incarcerated man presented to Prisma Richland ED with shoulder pain. A shoulder x-ray revealed ‘innumerable pulmonary masses and nodules on the visualized part of the chest.’ Further questioning revealed a two-year history of left testicular swelling that had never been formally evaluated. He was ultimately found to have nonseminomatous mixed germ cell tumor that had metastasized to his lungs, and an orchiectomy was performed. Despite complaining of continuous night sweats, fevers and nausea vomiting for some time, this was the patient’s first recorded visit to an ED since incarceration. He was started on a 15-day course of chemotherapy to help limit the spread of the cancer. Ultimately this case brings up the question as stated earlier: how well are inmates being treated for general health concerns? Our patient had testicular swelling for over 2 years that was never brought to anyone’s attention. He also reported weight loss for 2 years and constitutional symptoms such as: night sweats, chills, cough, and constipation for roughly 1 month prior to receiving a medical evaluation. This case illustrates a potential gap in the healthcare of inmates and its subsequent consequences that may have led to widespread disease in a sub-type of cancer with a 95% remission rate if caught and treated early.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Free medical clinics provide indispensable services to their communities. However, their recruitment processes often rely on informal methods, resulting in the formation of informal long-term networks among physicians. Our goal was to standardize recruitment practices to establish a more formalized approach for physician enrollment and network expansion.We explored various strategies, including cold calling private offices and reaching out to gatekeepers and larger organizations, to build a more robust network. As a result, the Good Samaritan Clinic successfully onboarded six new physicians within the timeframe of our initiative, the most they have had in such a period. Additionally, we compiled a comprehensive contact list of physicians and organizations in the Columbia area, which can be utilized by other free clinics for their recruitment efforts. Our aim is to streamline and formalize the networking process for all free clinics in the future. Moving forward, we will focus on forging new connections through these methods and strengthening relationships within existing networks.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Half of the people living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the United States are over the age of 50, this is due, in part, to the highly effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). HIV 1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are observed at a higher rate in older adults, and symptoms include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, irritability, and depression. A longitudinal experimental design was utilized to establish behavioral and dendritic morphology differences between aging HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) and control animals, as well as sex differences. After behavioral testing, neurons from the medial pre-frontal cortex were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). From a neurodegenerative perspective, the male and female HIV-Tg rats displayed sex dependent changes in morphology. Relative to controls, female HIV-Tg rats had dendritic spines with decreased head diameter, increased backbone length, and decreased head volume, consistent with an immature dendritic phenotype Further, female HIV-Tg rats exhibited a lower branch and spine order. In comparison to controls, male HIV-Tg rats had dendritic spines with a slightly larger head diameter and a shorter backbone length, morphology consistent with stubby spines. In addition, male HIV-Tg rats showed a significant decrease in spine density, a known consequence in HAND. These findings may provide evidence for the association between dendritic morphology in aging HIV-1 Tg rats and a HAND diagnosis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background and Purpose: Despite a higher Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia (ADRD) prevalence among African American older adults, less than 10% participate in advance care planning (ACP) compared to 30% among their white counterparts. This disparity results in African Americans with ADRD being at a greater risk of not having their wishes followed when they are no longer able to make their treatment preference known. No systematic review has sought to explain factors influencing the decision of whether to or not participate in the ACP process through multiple theoretical models in this population. This systematic review identifies barriers and facilitators at both the individual and contextual levels that influence whether African Americans with ADRD and their family caregivers engage in ACP. Methods: A search was carried out on three peer-reviewed databases including PubMed-Medline, Web-of-Science, and CINANHL in February 2024, and followed up with a manual search. We relied on the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), with the following parameters for study inclusion: African American family Caregivers; older African Americans with ADRDs, non-institutionalization of persons with ADRD; and relying on primary studies related to family decision making on ACP in preparation for end-of-life care. Exclusions were publications from more than 12 years, Paid-formal-caregivers, secondary-review, studies not conducted in the United States, and not including African Americans. Results: Initial search results identified 121 titles that met inclusion criteria, with further screening via eligibility guide, duplication-removal, and reviewer full-text-reading, reducing articles to nine. Facilitators of the ACP process included government-support-programs on ACP education, ACP resource guides that help informally engage the person with ARDR and relatives, caregivers’ high socioeconomic-status, informal-ACP, and trust in physician advice. Barriers included care recipients' low socioeconomic-status, adult children’s preference for taking charge of surrogacy decisions, belief in aggressive/painful treatments as high-quality care, provider mistrust, miscommunication on illness progression, and family disagreement/inconclusiveness on treatment decisions. Conclusion: This systematic review revealed that factors at the individual, provider, and policy levels all potentially influence participation of African Americans with ADRD and family caregivers’ participation in the ACP process. Implications for both practice and policy will be discussed.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Axons can extend long distances throughout our bodies, providing pathways for sensory and motor signaling. However, their considerable lengths make the nervous system vulnerable to disruption by injury and disease. Although PNS axons have the ability to regenerate, their rate of regrowth is slow such that reinnervation of their target tissues is rarely achieved. There is a pressing need to develop strategies to accelerate axon regeneration rates. Our lab has shown that the RNA binding protein KHSRP slows axon regeneration, as regeneration is accelerated in mice lacking neuronal KHSRP. KHSRP is upregulated injury via the Ca2+-->PERK-->eIF2aPS51 pathway, but axonal KHSRP remains elevated out to 28 days after axotomy (Patel et al. 2022). To better understand how KHSRP levels are sustained during long term injury recovery, we looked at potential modulators of its local translation in axons. One potential target, REG3A, is a secreted lectin-like protein that is upregulated in regenerating axons (Kalinski et al. 2015). We find that recombinant REG3A (recREG3A) elevates axonal Ca2+, increases axonal translation of Khsrp mRNA, and decreases axon growth. This project aims to identify the source of Ca2+ elevations caused by REG3A after injury. We see that primary mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures treated with recREG3A have significantly decreased axon length, increased branching, and increased axonal KHSRP levels. We then tested the effect of recREG3A treatment when chelating extracellular vs. intracellular Ca2+ or blocking Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Preliminary results indicate that release of intracellular Ca2+ stores, rather than influx of extracellular Ca2+, is needed for the axonal responses to recREG3A treatment. Additionally, there was a partial rescue of growth with inhibitors of ER release. These data suggest that REG3A stimulates release of intracellular Ca2+ that in turn increases translation of axonal Khsrp mRNA. Further investigation of Ca2+ sources involved in this pathway will provide insight to the mechanisms regulating KHSRP and provide us with possible therapeutic targets for improving nerve regeneration.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Slave revolts represented some of the worst fears of white colonists in the Americas due to their ability to upend the colonial economy and society based on the system of slavery. As such, it was a common belief of the colonial elite in the 17th and early 18th centuries that the enslaved population was incapable of carrying out a successful rebellion. However, the Haitian Revolution seemingly disproved this belief. The Haitian Revolution not only succeeded in overthrowing French Colonialism and liberating over 400,000 slaves, but it remains the only successful modern slave revolt that developed a new political state. Despite the success of the formerly enslaved, many white colonists continued to rely upon their preexisting discourse on slave rebellions or adopted new tactics to explain the achievement of political independence. It becomes evident through the careful examination of primary sources, including correspondence between white colonists, slave codes, and personal narratives, that white colonists sought to minimize the progress of the Haitian Revolution and to limit its impact on other slave systems in European colonies.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Patients with Hemophilia experience recurrent bleeding episodes that typically manifest as hemarthrosis. An intramural hematoma of the GI tract is a rare manifestation of a bleeding episode in hemophiliacs with a multitude of possible complications. In this case report, we present the case of a 32 year old male with severe hemophilia B who presented with acute abdominal pain initially mimicking severe enteritis, but further investigation revealed a spontaneous intramural hematoma which progressed to intestinal obstruction. This case highlights a rare complication of hemophilia and underscores the necessity of maintaining a high index of suspicion in hemophilia patients with acute abdominal pain, particularly considering that certain CT findings that, if not accounting for their hemophilia, could easily be misinterpreted and misdiagnosed
9:30-11:00 a.m.At Discover USC, I will be presenting about my time as a University 101 Peer Leader. University 101 Peer Leaders are essentially on-campus peer mentors that volunteer through University 101 Programs. After a selective interview process, candidates are chosen to become Peer Leaders, where they spend fall semester guiding first-year students as they transition from high school to college. During the fall of 2023, I served as a U101 Peer Leader alongside Kasey McNair in the Moore School. In this role, I co-instructed a University 101 course of 20 students, presenting on topics such as budgeting, time/stress management, off-campus housing, etc. I planned activities to keep students engaged and keep topics beneficial for students. I aided the students outside of class surrounding topics in other courses, navigating friendships in college, etc. I led several class sessions without the presence of my co-instructor and got positive feedback from students mid-semester and post-semester about my teaching style, attitude, and willingness to support. My passion for the program stemmed from my own University 101 experience and the impact that my own Peer Leader had on my personal experience at USC. Coming to college was a major challenge for me as a first-generation student who lost her mother one month before move in day. I would not still be at Carolina without University 101 Programs, and I wanted to be able to give back to the community that poured into me and support other students who may be in a similar circumstance. During this experience, I learned the importance of meeting people in the middle. Often, first-year students are misunderstood in their efforts to adapt to life in college. This process taught me to be understanding and emphasized the necessity to carry an open mind into all situations. This made a huge impact on me personally and professionally. My plan after graduation in May is to attend law school, and I will become a more well-rounded practitioner able to assist a more diverse group of people because of the knowledge presented to me during my time as a University 101 Peer Leader.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Hypertension affects many Americans, and it increases the risk of vascular cognitive impairment. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are an indicator of brain health that are associated with older age and high blood pressure. What remains less clear is how blood pressure, a modifiable health risk factor, may relate to accumulation of WMH and cognitive status across the entire adult lifespan. Here, we investigated this in a large cohort of adults aged 20-80, with the hypothesis that high blood pressure is associated with higher WMH load, which would in turn be associated with worse cognitive status. Blood pressure, self-reported medication history, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and demographic variables were obtained for 231 neurotypical adults in the Aging Brain Cohort at the University of South Carolina. Total and regional WMH load were determined from T2-FLAIR magnetic resonance scans using the TrUE-Net deep learning model for white matter segmentation. We performed mediation analyses to determine 1.) how systolic and diastolic blood pressure affect the relationship between age and WMH load, and 2.) how WMH load affects the relationship between age and cognition. In addition, we performed region-specific mediation analyses to explore how blood pressure affects specific white matter tracts known to be involved in cognition. After controlling for sex, race, BMI, socioeconomic status, and use of antihypertensive medications, systolic and diastolic blood pressure mediated the relationship between age and WMH volume (p=.007). In region-specific analyses, higher blood pressure was related to increased WMH load in subregions of the corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres of the brain. Total WMH load partially mediated the relationship between age and MoCA score (p=0.024). High blood pressure is a modifiable risk factor that affects brain health and cognition across the lifespan. Due to the vasculature of the brain, blood pressure disproportionately affects the health of some white matter tracts, but not others. These findings underscore the importance of preventing, diagnosing, and managing blood pressure to support brain health.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction African-American older adults (AAs) are more physically inactive than non-Hispanic White Americans (WAs). Although movement (i.e., moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time) are associated with mental health (i.e., positive and negative affect), the difference between race in the association on a daily level is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the moderation effect of race in the association between movement (i.e., MVPA and sedentary time) and affect in older adults. Method For four consecutive days, daily average affect was measured by four randomly prompted surveys, including momentary positive (i.e., calm, energetic, joyful) and negative (i.e., anxious, depressed, lonely) using 0 to 10 slider scales. Simultaneously, daily average MVPA and sedentary time were measured by accelerometers (ActivPAL4). Two multilevel models for each affect, involving between (BS), within-subject (WS) analysis, with random time effect, examined the moderation effect of race in the daily association between positive/negative affect and MVPA, and sedentary time, controlling for demographics, and ActivPAL4 wearing time. Result The survey compliance rate was 85% (1631/1904). This analysis included 49 AAs (female=41, 66.71 ± 5.46 yrs) and 70 WAs (female=43, 68.56 ± 7.07 yrs). AAs engaged in less MVPA than WAs (7.31 ± 8.50 mins vs 18.71 ± 17.78 mins, P<0.001), but the similar sedentary time (9.38 ± 2.34 hrs vs 9.94 ± 1.96 hrs, p=0.31) across study periods. The BS analysis showed AAs experienced higher positive (b=1.31, p<0.01) and lower negative (b=-0.65, p=0.047) affect, and only MVPA time was associated with positive (b=0.06, p=.02) and negative (b=-0.06, p=0.01) affect, irrespective of race, meaning 10 minutes increases in four days of MVPA resulted in 0.6 points higher and lower in positive and negative affect, respectively, in older adults. However, the moderation effect of race was not observed in the association. The WS analysis did not find the daily association between affect and MVPA or sedentary time. Conclusion AAs had greater mental health but engaged in less MVPA. Our findings suggest that an additional strategy to increase MVPA engagement in AAs is required because they had less MVPA, while the benefits of MVPA are equal to all older adults.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Until 2003, Black Americans represented the largest ethnic group among people of color residing in the United States. This systematic review examined articles published in the American Journal of Community Psychology (AJCP) and the Journal of Community Psychology (JCP) that included Black American participants from 1997 to 2020. Functioning as a formal archive and repository, these journals house community-relevant research and practice that align with core values, including cultural humility, ecological contexts, empowerment, prevention, social justice, and well-being. Members of the research team searched the journal databases using the following terms: Blacks, Black Americans, and African Americans. This search identified 277 relevant articles, and we reviewed published research on Black Americans, exploring research topics, sample characteristics, and methodology. Specifically, five questions guided this systematic review: 1) what variables were utilized to examine Black Americans; 2) what were the discipline affiliations of the authors; 3) did the authors employ a resiliency framework or a strength-based approach to explain behaviors; 4) do these articles adhere to guidelines for conducting research with people of African descent; and 5) to what extent do the studies demonstrate cultural humility in their approach to understanding Black American experiences? Preliminary findings revealed that AJCP (49%) and JCP (51%) almost equally published articles with African American participants. The results reported an increase in publications between 2010-2020. Interestingly, a small percentage (7%) of publications had Black American and White comparison samples, 25% had Black American participants only, and 68% used multiethnic samples. The findings indicated that 35 % of the articles researched adult participants, 20% were emerging adults, 19% were adolescents, and 14% were dyads, with the remaining percentage including children and older people. Current research discusses how much scholarship aligns with community psychology values. After more than two decades of publication, this presentation explores these journals' effectiveness in describing and enhancing Black American communities.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cochlear implants (CI) are the most successful neural prostheses, allowing CI recipients to access sounds and develop verbal communication. However, there are large individual differences among CI listeners in their speech recognition scores and ability to understand speech, significantly in noisy environments. This poor performance is mainly driven by limited spectral resolution of CI, reducing their ability to distinguish between sounds with different frequencies. Assessing spectral resolution in CI listeners poses a significant challenge, as existing tools are neither specific to individual CI electrodes nor possess the speed and effectiveness required for clinical applicability. Our lab has developed a novel 5-point psychophysical tuning curves (PTCs) procedure with Bluetooth-enabled audio stimulation via CI listeners’ speech processors to measure PTCs. The proposed method is three times faster than traditional methods, allowing it to be applied for clinical use. This study aims to validate this novel tool by measuring PTCs on an apical (E4, f = 646 Hz), a middle (E8, f = 257 Hz) and a basal electrode frequency (E12, f = 2549 Hz). The pure tones for masker and probe signals were presented to the CI user’s device via Bluetooth connection, and a Sennheiser HD 280 PRO headphone in a sound booth for NH. Through a three-interval forced choice (3-IFC) task, we measured on-frequency probe thresholds for a fixed masker at 40 dB SPL (masker duration= 200ms, masker-probe gap= 10ms). Two apical and basal masker frequency thresholds were measured through a 3-IFC adaptive frequency sweep at fixed masker levels of “6” and “10” above the 40-dB fixed masker to create a 5-point PTC. Here we present results from testing 11 NH listeners. The preliminary data showed that PTCs were steeper for probe electrodes with higher frequencies, which is consistent with the results from the traditional PTC approach. Older adults showed a shallower PTC slope, indicating reduced spectral resolution ability due to aging. This data demonstrates the validity of our novel and fast approach in measuring frequency selectivity. Future experiments will use larger sample sizes to compare the NH baseline data with CI users to improve hearing and speech perception.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: The ability to produce sentences or syntax, is essential for a person’s ability to communicate ideas coherently, and it is especially important when one is attempting to share complex or unique ideas. Chronic post-stroke aphasia (PSA) occurs when brain function is lost due to a loss of blood from the left temporal lobe during a stroke am language-level deficits persist in the patient 6 months post-stroke. Other studies elicited language studies have mainly tested single-word noun and verb pronunciation. Those that test morphosyntactic generation primarily involve Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) or acute PSA rather than chronic PSA. Aims: This study will investigate the aphasic type of chronic stroke-based patients correlated with syntactic deficits in (1) color, size, number, and possession, and (2) in the type of errors made: omission, related/unrelated semantic, and wrong to determine the syntactic differences in aphasia type in stroke-based aphasic patients. Methods: 63 participants were pulled from C-STAR’s TERRA pool of individuals with chronic PSA. The MorGen task consists of 60 picture-naming tests, administered by a Speech-Language Pathologist. Each “test” consists of two images, each of which can be named with a monosyllabic high-frequency noun and a big arrow pointing to one of the images. Participants were asked to name the image that the arrow was pointing to with a two-word phrase. The images on each naming test can differ based on one of the following attributes: size, number (one or two), color (blue or red), or possession (belonging to Mary or Bob). For example, on a slide with one small tree and one bigger, but otherwise identical tree, where the arrow was pointing to the former, the answer would be “small tree.” Results: A multivariable analysis of variance between chronic PSA types will be performed. Based on previous results, we predict that there will be a double-dissociation in the participant group between performance on color and number between the non-fluent (Broca’s and transcortical motor) and the fluent groups (Conduction, Anomic, and Wernicke’s). This would show similarity to the logopenic/lvPPA and mixed/unknown subtypes reported by Stockbridge, et al. (2021) in participants with PPA.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Social attention is crucial for infants' overall development, including social, cognitive, and motor skills. Any disturbance in this early developmental phase could limit social interactions and learning chances, potentially harming social growth in the long term. Previous studies have shown that between three to six months of age, infants can engage in voluntary sustained visual attention, allowing them to cognitively process information from their surrounding environment. Moreover, research indicates that infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show diminished levels of sustained attention and responsiveness to social stimuli at the age of 6 months. This current study therefore aims to understand how visual attention in infants at six months predicts later cognitive abilities, and how this relationship differs for infants later diagnosed with ASD. A total of 44 infants participated in a prospective longitudinal study at 6- and 24-months-old. Of these infants, 12 were diagnosed with ASD at 24-months and 32 were typically developing (TD). At the 6m visit, infants sat in their parent’s lap facing a table. A series of toys were presented on the table for 1-2 minutes each. Trained research assistants coded the object interactions to indicate when the infant was looking at the toy. At 24-months, infants returned to the lab to complete the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), an assessment of visual reception to estimate cognitive abilities. A regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the average duration of visual attention at six months to MSEL Visual Reception T Scores at 24 months. There was a significant positive correlation between visual attention and later visual reception scores for the ASD group. There was no relationship between visual attention and later visual reception scores for the TD group. This suggests that infants later diagnosed with ASD may be engaging in different pathways of learning during longer bouts of attention. Further studies should be conducted to analyze additional physiological measures, including heart rate defined sustained attention, to better understand cognitive processing during visual attention in both typical and atypical development.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Founded in 2020 at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Columbia, the Curing Kids Cancer (CKC) Future Leaders in Medicine (FLIM) is a student-driven, servant-leadership initiative dedicated to stimulating young minds with a passion for cures. In pursuit of this mission, we've crafted a turnkey, replicable 5k and family fun day template. All runs are planned and executed by participating students, while the larger CKC foundation provides support in administrative tasks and upfront financial backing. We aim to establish a widespread network of emerging leaders, offering them the chance to leave a lasting impact, not only on their local medical communities but the wider community as a whole. Current Impact: The inaugural run was in Columbia in October 2021. In April 2023, we successfully replicated this event with our FLIM template; our events have collectively raised over $40,000, all of which went towards the funding of the Gamecock Curing Kids Cancer Clinic. Our third Columbia event will take place in September 2024. Since our first run, we have expanded to four other states: California, Wisconsin, Texas, and Kentucky. Our Los Angeles event garnered approximately $10,000 with the second run set for March 2024. Similarly, medical students in Wisconsin raised nearly $10,000 with their first run and have committed to a repeat event in August 2024. Kentucky’s inagural event is in April 2024 and Texas plans for spring of 2025. There is also interest from several other groups of medical students in various locations. Future Plans: Having primarily focused on medical student connections in our first four years, we are ready to expand, engaging individuals from a variety of career interests, such as pharmacology, finance, and medical device development. Our initiatives aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem covering all aspects of a child's treatment, from diagnosis to completion. This includes content creation, education, and mentorship to build a network involving both medical and non-medical professionals. The strategic approach seeks to attract high-caliber leaders nationwide, empowering them to organize fun runs that not only raise funds for research but also enhance awareness and education on a national scale.
9:30-11:00 a.m.When navigating a culture different from your own, a key aspect involves reconsidering assumptions and basic knowledge. This not only broadens your understanding of the new culture but also helps deepen your grasp on aspects of your own cultural background. A practical example of this occurred during my work with a mid-sized Human Resource firm in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Being part of a team in a new cultural setting pushed me to reevaluate what I thought I knew about recruitment in the digital age. Instead of relying on my background, I had to think from the perspective of a developing country to effectively contribute to the project. While many jobs nowadays get advertised on online platforms, the Brazilian infrastructure does not always allow for those applications to reach the right people. Therefore, Brazilian HR firms still need to hire local recruiters that utilize trucks to drive around relevant population areas and announce job positions with megaphones. From this, I learned that flexibility and adaptability are crucial when working across cultures. Additionally, the local practices and challenges required me to adjust my approach to meet the specific needs of the project. This experience not only improved my professional skills but also made me more open-minded and adaptable in different work environments.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Last Summer, I worked as an intern at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. as an Inventory Replenishment & Planning (IRP) intern. The IRP team is in charge of managing the relationship between Supply Chain and Merchandising teams, among other functions, to strategically allocate these items across stores and distribution centers nationwide. My internship provided a unique opportunity to create data insights and initiate meaningful conversations with experienced professionals. Collaborating with over ten different business units and an external vendor, I was able to create a complex PowerBI dashboard. It included real-time monitoring of projected available inventory, purchase order tracking, and demand patterns for internationally sourced inventory. Through this project, I honed my skills in data analytics and cultivated the ability to navigate complex discussions with data experts. This was a rewarding experience that aligned with my aspirations to deepen my proficiency in PowerBI, gain insights into Lowe’s as a whole and career advice. Over the course of my internship, I networked with more than 60 individuals resulting in much needed assistance on my project, but then led to meaningful discussions entailing valuable professional advice. Each interaction enriched my knowledge of the dynamics of a corporate workplace environment. As it may seem like the world is continuing to become data centered, I want people to know the importance of cultivating and leveraging personal connections. These relationships facilitate a deeper understanding of situations that surpasses what data sometimes can provide. Combining both data and networking creates the most impactful insights and further drives businesses and people forward. This steered my focus to pursue a career within supply chain associated with data and technology. Upon graduation, I will be a supply chain software implementation consultant. I will continue to develop relationships through networking to develop a deeper knowledge of data analytics as well as achieve my personal and professional goals.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the rural-urban divide in American politics has become a ubiquitous topic of discussion among journalists, academics, and the public. This discussion has focused almost entirely on rural Republican voters. But there are millions of rural Democratic voters, too; they make up around one third of the U.S. rural population (Lin and Lunz Trujillo 2023). We know very little about these voters. This paper seeks to remedy this consequential lacuna in our knowledge by compiling and presenting detailed demographic data on rural Democrats at the national level and within individual states using two commonly used measures. First, using CES survey data, I build an objective measure of rural Democrats using rural-urban commuting (RUCA) codes. Second, I build a subjective measure using respondents' self-reported sense of geographic identity. Using both of these measures enables me to assess relative advantages and disadvantages of different definitions of rurality. One of the paper's most significant findings is the presence of a large gender gap among rural Democrats, which emerges consistently from both measures. Rural women are much more likely to identify as Democrats than rural men. More broadly, the paper provides a holistic understanding of rural American voters that is currently lacking, with implications for public political discourse and campaign strategy.
1:00-2:30 p.m.An 18-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with facial swelling, oropharyngeal edema, conjunctival injection, pruritus, tachycardia, fever, and hypotension. Her only significant medical history was a recent admission, approximately 2.5 weeks prior, for a presumed adrenal crisis, where she presented with nearly identical symptoms. Upon initial presentation, she developed shock and was started on pressors and stress dose steroids. Endocrinology was consulted for refractory hypotension and concern for adrenal crisis. Cortisol, ACTH, and aldosterone levels were all low; however, these results were inconclusive as they were drawn after the patient had received dexamethasone. She was weaned off pressors, transitioned to oral steroids, and discharged with a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. She completed outpatient HPA axis testing and her morning cortisol level was normal. She self-discontinued the steroids due to fatigue. Several days later she developed facial swelling, pruritus, and difficulty swallowing, which prompted another ED visit. She was admitted with concern for a repeat adrenal crisis due to her abrupt steroid discontinuation and was treated with steroids in the ED. However, her symptoms did not entirely align with a typical adrenal crisis. An extensive history was obtained, and it was ascertained that her PCP prescribed Bactrim for hidradenitis suppurativa. She also recalled that she took Bactrim for 4 days prior to the initial admission and one dose before the second admission. The cause for both admissions was likely anaphylaxis secondary to Bactrim. She was treated with prednisone and Benadryl, which led to a prompt recovery. Bactrim allergy was flagged in her chart, and she was discharged home with topical benzoyl peroxide and oral doxycycline for treatment of her hidradenitis suppurativa. Awareness of the possibility of anchoring bias is crucial when making medical decisions, especially during the initial patient workup. This patient was presumed to be experiencing an adrenal crisis because she had been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency at her previous admission. However, with open-mindedness and diligent history-taking, the team concluded that anaphylaxis was the correct diagnosis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Objective: The mLife study is an ongoing 12-month intervention. Participants entered all food and drinks consumed into the mLife app (NutritionIX Database – cohort 1) or the Fitbit app (cohort 2). This study compared the dietary tracking engagement between cohorts and its association with weight loss and Kcal consumed at the 6-month assessment. Methods: Participants were grouped with those that tracked diet <33% of total days (rare trackers, n=50), 33–66% (inconsistent trackers, n=41), or >66% (consistent trackers, n = 108). Two-way ANOVA examined the influence of tracking group and cohort on body weight loss and kcal/day consumed. The interaction between tracking groups and cohort was assessed to understand potential combined influences. Post-hoc tests were performed to identify specific group differences when significant effects were observed. Results: The study enrolled 243 participants, across Cohort 1 (n=106, mean age 50.1±11.8 years, 93% female, BMI 33.6±5.5 kg/m²) and Cohort 2 (n=137, mean age 45.0±12.3 years, 87% female, BMI 34.0±5.8 kg/m²). 199 participants provided complete 6-month weight data. Consistent trackers, averaging 192.4±22.9 days of tracking, reported a reduction of 382±606 Kcal and a mean weight loss of 12.6±13.6 pounds. Inconsistent trackers, tracking for 108.2±18.2 days, reported a reduction of 171.2±609 Kcal and a mean weight loss of 9.8±10.8 pounds. Rare trackers, tracking for an average of 34.2±21.3 days, reported a reduction of 425 Kcal/day and weight loss of 2.7±10.9 pounds. No significant cohort differences were observed (p>0.05). Two-way ANOVA indicated a significant main effect of tracking groups on weight loss (F=12.11, p<0.001). Compared to rare trackers, consistent trackers showed a significantly higher mean weight loss of 4.6 pounds at six months (p<0.001), and inconsistent trackers exhibited a 2.9-pound higher mean weight loss (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in Kcal consumption among the 3 groups of trackers. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the importance of dietary tracking adherence and weight loss. Participants with consistent tracking habits exhibited a notable difference in body weight loss compared to rare trackers.
9:30-11:00 a.m.MicroRNAs are a non-coding subset of RNAs that help to control gene expression in the body. The process involves “tagging” a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule which will either be degraded or preserved for translation. MicroRNAs can provide immediate feedback of an organism’s status. Recently, researchers have found a connection between unique microRNA biomarkers and concussion status in Rugby athletes. The study identified biomarkers present in saliva at the 36-48 hour mark after concussion. We seek to replicate this in our study and evaluate possible differences between ethnicities. In this preliminary work we will evaluate (1) the quantity of microRNA in varying volumes of saliva, (2) the stability of microRNA in RNAlater preserved saliva over time, and (3) the reproducibility of microRNA profiles from daily samples in a normal non-concussed patient. We found (1) that varying volumes of saliva yielded different amounts of microRNA, with 2 milliliters producing the most optimal amount of microRNA; (2) that microRNA samples remained stable when preserved in RNAlater over varying amounts of time; and (3) that microRNA profiles varied at baseline between daily samples of non-concussed patients, which is likely reflective of the low signal to noise ratio in non-concussed samples. This work will lay the foundation for determining concussion in our athletes and may lead to an agnostic return-to-play laboratory diagnostic test. MicroRNA - what it is and how it works: OSUCCC - James. The James - OSUCCC. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://cancer.osu.edu/microrna#:~:text=microRNA%20is%20the%20name%20of,cells%20and%20in%20the%20bloodstream. Di Pietro V, O'Halloran P, Watson CN, et al. Unique diagnostic signatures of concussion in the saliva of male athletes: the Study of Concussion in Rugby Union through MicroRNAs (SCRUM). Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(24):1395-1404. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-103274
1:00-2:30 p.m.This study supports a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Reefense project to promote coastal resiliency against hurricanes and storm surges in a changing climate. It is part of a collaborative effort to protect both civilian and Department of Defense infrastructure against sea level rise and climate change by designing oyster reef breakwaters using novel concretes and unique modular units. Oysters are a valuable economic resource and vital for the ecosystem services they provide, which include stabilizing sediments and acting as physical barriers that attenuate waves. Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) settlement on two types of novel limestone self-consolidating concretes and natural substrates was analyzed to evaluate their utility in creating wave-attenuating oyster reefs. One formulation of limestone self-consolidating concrete was better at recruiting oyster spat than the other and there was no effect of the concrete curing regime on oyster settlement. The manufacturing of concrete can therefore be optimized for cost or efficiency without the concern of impacting oyster recruitment. Oyster settlement preferences were also compared on different configurations of 1/10th scale concrete reef module units designed to form the basis of an oyster reef. Oysters settled in various patterns across each array. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models are being constructed to determine if the observed patterns are related to the formation of eddies that may potentially trap oyster larvae. Ongoing work includes an additional experiment to examine oyster recruitment in a field setting as well as the stability of the reef modules' configuration.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of pregnancy‐related mortality in the United States, accounting for approximately one‐third of deaths.1, 2 Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees suggest that approximately two‐thirds of these deaths are preventable.3 Most birthing people die of cardiovascular complications >3 days after delivery. Many people present with cardiovascular complaints during this time only to be turned away. Alternatively, their complications are ignored as care primarily focuses on the antenatal and intrapartum periods during pregnancy. Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color are more likely to have perinatal complications that confer a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, despite comparable social drivers that result in disparities in care and outcome. Implicit bias of providers and perceived racial discrimination from patients impact trust in the health care system, resulting in delayed encounters for screening and reservations about research enrollment.4 At present, there are few evidence‐based recommendations that address cardiovascular health in birthing people. When this is combined with inadequate understanding of maternal physiology and the associated adverse pregnancy outcomes, it complicates the management of birthing people. The absence of clear guidelines may also lead to undercounseling or overcounseling patients about outcomes. For example, patients who have decreased left ventricular function associated with preeclampsia and hypertension are counseled to avoid future pregnancy or informed that their repaired congenital cardiac lesion carries no risk during pregnancy. On the other hand, adverse pregnancy events, such as preterm labor, placental abruption, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth restriction, elevate the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, but most of these patients will not be referred to a cardiologist for screening or long‐term care. These data suggest that although we understand the importance of cardio‐obstetrics, we still have a long way to go to fully implement the vision of providing patient support and optimizing care. To have a comprehensive cardio‐obstetrics program, more attention must be paid to the preconception and postpartum periods. We propose 4 significant changes to the current model of cardio‐obstetrics to provide comprehensive care to birthing people across the lifespan.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Throughout my college experience, many moments and positions have defined what being a leader on this campus was going to mean, but the overarching thing I knew I wanted to do was leave a legacy and an impact on the University, and make a meaningful contribution to the community around me. The most significant impact I have had to the University has been working to cultivate a model of student engagement that is transferable from a great first year experience to a great four year experience. I have contributed to creating a collaborative and engaging environment within the Department of Student Life through serving as the President of the USC Homecoming Commission, in creating inner university partnerships to provide experiences that are memorable and lifelong for Carolinians. Through this experience I was able to hone in on my skills of professional communication, strategic and critical thinking, and the ability to interact with and lead diverse people. My presentation will share the lessons learned as a University Organization President, and how with this platform I was able to impact not only USC Students, but the Columbia Community as well, with the foundations provided in POLI 215: Introduction to Leadership Studies, and how those skills have propelled me as a leader and allowed me to stand out as a competitive candidate in the job market.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my sophomore year, I joined Dr. Kate Flory's lab as a research assistant (RA). Initially, my understanding of the concept of research was limited, yet my deep interest in psychology moved me toward this opportunity to work in her lab. We are looking into understanding the outcomes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents and college students, focusing on the challenges linked to social, academic, and mental health. The lab offers a collaborative environment with weekly meetings on the progress of studies that are going on in the lab, as well as journal readings that allow the RAs to discuss and gain a deeper understanding of ADHD-related topics. Currently, the lab is working on two studies: the ADHD Health and Exercise Study and the U-LEARN Study. The ADHD Health and Exercise Study looks into the potential benefit of physical exercise on the emotion regulation skills of college students with and without ADHD. As an RA, my involvement in this study provides a valuable learning opportunity, as I have gained hands-on experience with conducting participant sessions and learning about the data collection process. The U-LEARN Study is a multisite online survey that collects data on behavior, learning styles, and attention to understand mental health issues among college students. To recruit student participants in both studies, we organized a weekly tabling event to inform students about the objective of the studies and encourage their participation. My experience working as an RA in Dr. Flory's lab has provided me with insight into the process of successfully conducting a research study and collecting and analyzing data. Being a part of this lab has allowed me to be a part of a collaborative environment where I am constantly learning from my mentor and my peers. In my presentation, I will take a deeper look into my experience as an RA in Dr. Flory's lab, the knowledge and skills that I have gained, and how these experiences will help me in making future research and career decisions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the current polarized times in which we live, our social media outlets are constantly bombarded with politically charged messages. Some of these messages may be grounded in truth, while others consist of misinformation, conceived as an attempt to spread deliberately false information about a given political figure, party or policy. The research presented here examined whether a person’s political leaning relates to the likelihood that political information and misinformation are judged to be true or false and the propensity of sharing the messages. These data are from a larger study (N = 557 paid participants using Amazon Turk) that manipulated contextual experiences prior to judging eight target headlines. Headlines were presented with a relevant photo, a news source and a short textual headline similar to a Ffacebook feed. The eight targets were selected from a larger data base (Pennycook, Binnendyk, et al., 2021) and were generated by the factorial combination of veracity (true or false) and favors (Democratic or Republican party), with two replications of each type. Participants also answered several questions including which of two political parties they most agreed with (political leaning), their past experiences with social media and misinformation, along with three items constituting the cognitive reflection test (Frederick, 2005). This poster presents a series of analyses examining the relationship between veracity judgments, sharing judgments, political leaning, and other relevant variables. One striking finding from general linear model analysis was that for this set of targets, republican leaning participants (n = 218) did not significantly distinguish true from false headlines, but democratic leaning participants did (n = 333) Another major goal of this project was to compare the results from Linear Discriminant Analysis, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine approaches in characterizing how predictions of political leaning can be derived from thirteen predictor variables.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My research focuses on ritual, religion, and the ways we form opinions on practices of the past. In an archaeological context, most of what we know of ritual and religious practices of past civilizations comes from their material culture. Material culture consists of things left behind in the archaeological record, such as a society’s buildings, paintings, carvings, and jewelry. In the case of the Aztec, much of their material culture was taken, destroyed, or forcibly reformed by Spanish colonial Conquistadors upon contact with the “New World”. Their pyramids were taken apart and bricks used to build cathedrals, and their gold personal adornments were stolen and melted down to form religious icons and bars for monetary exchange in Europe. Due to this, it’s harder to make inferences about ritualistic religion in societies such as these because many surviving accounts are tainted by the perspective of European expansion. Now, these sacred sites portray competing narratives of European religious saviorism versus “barbaric” indigenous beliefs. Even today, there is a persistent notion that ancient Mesoamerican civilizations consisted of brutal killers. However, there are many descendant communities of various indigenous groups still in Mexico, and their traditions and religious practices have been handed down and inherited from pre-Hispanic times. This research examines more about how we as anthropologists learn about the cultural contexts surrounding religion, and how traces of past ritual can be found even in present day. During my time in Mexico, I have learned more about religious syncretism and the ways that these descendant communities unite indigenous religious beliefs with Catholicism. This project will not only be a resource for understanding human behavior and culture, but also for understanding the past in terms of complex politics, holy “wars”, and religious colonialism.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Because of its exceptional qualities—such as strength, durability, affordability, and shape-adaptability—plastics have become increasingly popular in society. This persistent need is supported by the enormous variety of plastic kinds that are accessible. Of these, polyethylene is one of the polymers that is used the most extensively worldwide. In this project, my aim is to incorporate degradable functional groups into polyethylene. This modification allows solvolysis to break down the functional group, rendering the polyethylene degradable. Then, repolymerization to regenerate polyethylene, achieving a closed-loop recycling is performed. The project consists of 4 steps: 1) Synthesis of 3,4-dehydro-ε-lactone. 2) Polymerization of PE mimic. 3) Degradation of PE mimic. Lastly, 4) Repolymerization of PE mimic by polycondensation. A sufficiently large molecular weight needs to be reached by the produced polymer to satisfy the requirements for a plastic replacement. This is evaluated by the melting temperature (Tm), which is similar to the Tm of commercial high density polyethylene (130°C). Tensile testing is used to assess mechanical performance; the results would show that the material's tensile yield strength and Young's modulus (which are 22 MPa and 955 MPa, respectively) are equivalent to those of commercial high density polyethylene. This aims to introduce an environmentally friendly form of "plastic" into the ecosystem—one that poses no harm and offers long term benefits, by creating degradable variants of polyethylene plastics.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Despite their existence for decades, challenges in commercialization, such as optimizing battery life and accommodating varying flight plans, still exist. This project addresses these issues by developing a digital model of an electric airplane using MATLAB-Simulink, focusing on a model specified for diverse aircraft specifications. The model incorporates multi-domain aspects through Simscape Electrical, Mechanical, and Thermal subsystems, to create a comprehensive model representing an airplane’s behavior. The Pipistrel Velis Electro, a two-seater electric plane, serves as the physical sample for this modeling. The details available on the airplane make it very suitable for this purpose like it motor size and battery specifications. Beyond simulation, the model's potential extends to real-world applications. With suitable modifications and the integration of a physical model, it could also serve as a digital twin. This concept holds promise for practical applications, including maintenance planning, performance optimization, and contributing to the advancement of sustainable air travel solutions. The increasing global push for sustainable aviation has prompted new research in electric aircraft.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction Although knee replacement (TKA) is effective for improving pain and function, there is little improvement in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) after surgery. Clinicians do not often have access to objective PA monitors and must rely on patient self-report. Objective physical function tests are accessible and frequently incorporated; however, the differences in PA and SB between adults with TKA who score better versus worse on these physical function tests are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine differences in PA and SB between high and low physical function in adults with TKA. Methods This study used baseline data from a randomized sedentary reduction intervention in adults with TKA. The 30-second chair stand test (repetitions) (30CST), timed up and go (seconds) (TUG), and 6-minute walk test (feet) (6MWT) were assessed. Participants wore an activPAL activity monitor on their thigh for 24 hrs/day for 7 days which assessed PA (steps/day) and SB (percent time spent sitting/day). Median splits were conducted across function scores and independent t-tests analyzed the differences in PA and SB in high versus low physical function. Results Adults (n=71, age=65.5±8.3 years, female=70%, BMI=32.8±7.0 kg/m2, days since surgery=202.45±109.8) were included. The median split resulted in high scores grouped as follows: 30CST (>9.0 reps, n=33), TUG (>9.69s, n=35), and 6MWT (>1,250ft, n=35). Those with better TUG and 6MWT scores had significantly more steps/day than those with worse scores (TUG: means=12.24±2.32, 8.13±1.20; p=0.009) (6MWT: means=1,484.84±173.37, 1,000.51±235.39; p<0.001). Those with high 30CST scores trended towards having more steps/day (means=11.24±1.58, 7.55±1.59; p=0.064) compared to those with low scores. There was no difference in SB between groups in the function tests. Conclusion This study concluded that those who have better physical function as measured by the TUG and 6MWT have significantly more steps/day than those with lower function after TKA. Having scores above 9.69sec on the TUG and below 1,250ft on the 6MWT may indicate that more strategies are needed to help increase steps/day in adults with TKA. More research is needed to understand SB in adults with TKA.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time at the University of South Carolina, I have had the incredible opportunity to work at some of the world's biggest golf tournaments: The Masters, The PLAYERS, and The U.S. Women’s Open. Through these tournaments, my perspective on the sports industry has grown exponentially. At each tournament, I have worked in a different area. Each year at the Masters I work in merchandising in the South Village shop. At The PLAYERS, I work in VVIP hospitality as a concierge. At the US Women’s Open, I worked with a contracted box office management company where I assisted with ticket operations and helped with tickets and credentials at corporate hospitality locations. Growing up I have always had a passion for sports. In my junior year of high school, I learned that I could pursue a career in sports management. That summer I had a teacher suggest looking into the USC Sport and Entertainment Management program. After learning about the amazing experiential learning opportunities such as The Masters, I knew that this was where I needed to be. Working events like this has confirmed that I want to pursue a career in this amazing industry. Through working these tournaments, I have learned a lot about not only myself but about the sports industry as a whole. These experiences have shown me firsthand the importance of customer service in the sports industry and how to effectively communicate with coworkers and guests. I have learned that when people attend events, interactions with event employees have a large influence on how they view the event they attended, so it is important for staff to communicate effectively and be kind when interacting with guests to ensure pleasant experiences at the event. As a result of these experiential learning opportunities and coursework, I am better equipt and prepared to pursue a career in a fan-facing industry. The Masters specifically has been a major stepping stone for my career and has been a large part of conversations in both networking chats and job interviews.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my senior year, I have had the opportunity to work as a research assistant in a natural product medicinal chemistry laboratory through the College of Pharmacy in Dr. Leon’s group. The project I am focused on is synthesizing compounds from cannabis (CBD) in hopes to create therapeutic drugs for targeting serotonin receptors. With this experience, I am pursuing Graduation with Leadership Distinction in the research pathway. Since taking organic chemistry sophomore year, I have had a passion for the hands-on synthesizing of compounds and a creative instinct for developing ideas. Last semester, we finished a project working to synthesize a CBD derivative, and the results were impressive, but there needed to be improvements to the compound. For a drug to be considered for treatment, there needs to be specific areas the drug targets and for the reaction to be strong at those sites only. The amount of receptor targeting sites our compound hit was too broad compared to where we wanted the compound to react. These results caused us to start a new project to explore further options to target serotonin receptors. Many avenues of chemistry come together from organic, isolation, and analytical to unite the project. We hope to synthesize around ten CBD products with amine (Nitrogen) groups attached at a key location to submit for testing in the new project. We hope these compounds will improve the outcome of the previous compound submitted so they target more specific areas and have more strength in those areas. I have gained skills inside the research environment that have enhanced my college learning in the greatest such as being detail oriented, sustainable techniques, and professional communication. This leadership opportunity as a research assistant has enhanced my college experience. I aspire to take the knowledge I have acquired during my experience in a research laboratory and utilize it toward my future.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During this spring semester, I had the opportunity to partake in the role of a peer educator within the Substance Abuse Prevention And Education (SAPE) program. SAPE is dedicated to supporting healthy decision making regarding alcohol and other substances among students at the University of South Carolina. Through various activities such as tabling, pop-up campaigns, and direct engagement with my peers, I actively encouraged conversations to promote lower-risk use and reduce stigma. I have a passion for collaboration as well as promoting health and wellbeing in order to support individuals in the Carolina community. As a former peer leader for University 101 freshman students, I found fulfillment in leading discussions on responsible behavior concerning alcohol and drug use, which motivated me to pursue this role. Through the experience of serving as a SAPE peer educator and leading efforts in harm reduction, I learned to creatively address taboo issues in order to create space for an open dialogue. I feel confident in my ability to convey beneficial information while offering support to diverse groups of students who are all on their own individual journeys in college. The approach I have taken is rooted in understanding, empathy, and self-awareness, qualities that have not only shaped my growth during my time at Carolina but will continue to influence my personal and professional development. Engaging in this role has furthered my passion for public health strategies and reaffirmed my decision to partake in a career in healthcare by pursuing a masters degree in nursing upon graduating.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Uranium-based compounds are an active source of interest due to the wide variety of exotic states that they can host. Due to the Kondo effect and Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interaction, many unique magnetic states arise. We report the experimental investigation of the magnetic properties of UCu0.6Bi2. While magnetization measurements indicate the antiferromagnetic ordering below TN = 50.2 K, field-induced spin reorientation is observed at T < TN. The large hysteresis accompanied with the spin reorientation indicates its first-order nature. The hysteresis loop increases with decreasing temperature (down to 0.65 K), suggesting enhanced ferromagnetism under the application of magnetic field.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction/Objectives: Both researchers and practitioners are concerned with growing rates of chronic disease and unhealthy behaviors. One pivotal aspect of the built environment to combat such issues is public parks because of the opportunities they provide for both physical and mental health benefits. Past research has shown mixed results regarding the relationship between proximal parks and residents’ health. The purpose of this study was to examine multiple park quality metrics and their relationship with diverse physical and mental health variables in a southeastern metropolitan area. Methods: This study included a total of 73 unique parks within 70 census tracts in Columbia, West Columbia, Cayce, and Forest Acres in South Carolina. Data about all parks were collected via on-site observations using the Community Park Audit Tool (CPAT). 38 tracts contained one or more parks, and tracts with multiple parks were scored based on the average scores of the parks therein. Health data for all tracts were collected from the CDC PLACES dataset via the BRFSS phone survey. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between a total of 10 park quality metrics (park number, size, access, facility availability, neighborhood quality concerns, aesthetics, amenities, facility quality, park quality concerns, total park score) and a total of 8 health metrics (obesity, no leisure time physical activity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, poor mental health), controlling for tract sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Overall, few significant relationships were found between park variables and health metrics. There were positive associations between the number of parks and obesity, number of parks and no leisure time physical activity, park access and obesity, and park access and high blood pressure. However, there was a negative association between neighborhood quality concerns and poor mental health. Conclusions: This study examined detailed data about parks and numerous health outcomes across a diverse metropolitan area, but the small sample size (70 tracts with 38 of 70 tracts containing at least one park) may have limited our ability to detect significant associations. Overall, further research is needed to better elucidate the relationship between parks and health.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The project "The Impact of War on Trade" focuses on the relationship between war, international trade, and trade data reporting. The study investigates how much war impacts trade by examining the trading data reported by countries, especially when there is a dramatic change in the data pattern. Focusing on the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict, the research is a case study that seeks to develop an in-depth analysis of the complex issues in the real-world context. The research will investigate the effect of the Abraham Accord on facilitating trade relationships in the Middle East, how much the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and the Hamas Group has changed the trade dynamics of the region, and where the trade relationship between Israel and the Arab states will head towards. The study will use various data sources, including official trade statistics, secondary sources, and interviews with trade and finance experts. The findings of this research will help us understand how war and uncertainties impact international trade in today’s world.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Hematopoiesis is a finely regulated process that fluctuates to meet demand, generating fully matured cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) through controlled self-renewal and differentiation. The inhibitor of growth 4 (Ing4) is a tumor suppressor that has been well-characterized in several cancers, but its role in hematopoiesis remains unclear. Our research has shown a pivotal role of Ing4 in HSC regulation. Using an Ing4 knockdown mouse model (Ing4 -/-), we observed that HSCs exhibit increased quiescence compared to Wild Type (WT) HSCs, yet surprisingly display a transcriptome profile similar to proliferating cells. Additionally, Ing4 loss enhances the regenerative capacity of HSCs, providing stress resistance against chronic inflammation. These findings suggest Ing4 as a potential candidate for improving hematopoiesis due to robust HSC function, therefore, further investigation into the biological pathways modulating HSC proliferation and differentiation must be performed. To elucidate these pathways, HSCs are extracted from both Ing4 -/- and WT bone marrows and cultured in vitro for seven days to assess how inhibitors targeting different pathways modify HSC proliferation capacity. On the other hand, profound understanding complex systems like hematopoiesis can be challenging, often limited by experimental constraints. To overcome this, we developed an agent-based stochastic computational model to elucidate HSC dynamics in both WT and Ing4 -/- systems. The model integrates experimental data and theoretical work, taking into consideration quiescence, self-renewal, differentiation, and apoptosis. This model will be tested and calibrated until matching the experimental data. After that, it will enable exploration of scenarios that cannot be observed experimentally. Both complementary approaches will aim to enhance our understanding of stem cell biology and contribute to elucidating the characteristics of Ing4-modulated HSCs during bone marrow transplantations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Transition metal dichalcogenide compounds have shown good capacity for coupling together correlated and topologically non-tirivial electronic phases, inducing novel electronic orders and phase transitions. Bilayer 1T/1H tantalum disulfide (TaS2) belongs to this group of structures, mixing the Mott-insulating state of 1T-TaS2 with the metallic state of 1H-TaS2, while portraying a low temperature superconducting phase. Through a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy measurements and first-principles calculations, we look at the bilayer 1T/1H TaS2 and explore the electronic structure at the atomic scale. Through a comparison of experiment and theory, we uncover the details of charge transfer between the layers, as well as showing the effects of sulfur vacancies on the structure. Our findings can shed light on the interaction of charge density wave with the vacancies, and set a platform for further investigation of Mott-metal transitions in relevant materials.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Patients that present to the ED via EMS with stroke-like symptoms are often assessed using the Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation (RACE) leading to a timely response by the stroke team. Patients on the floor are also evaluated periodically by nurses who may call a stroke alert (SA) without a physician evaluation, allowing patients to receive the appropriate care in a prompt manner. However, for patients with stroke-like symptoms that arrive via privately-owned vehicle (POV), the standard consists of the triage provider evaluating the patient and either leaving the patient to find a physician or moving the patient to a treatment area for a physician to examine before initiating the SA. The latency for patients arriving via POV to SA can lead to a cascading delay in care and potentially worse outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study is to reduce the door-to-alert (DTA) times to under 10 minutes within the next two years for patients arriving to the ED via POV by utilizing RACE with triage modifications. Methods: While the NIHSS is considered the gold standard for stroke assessment, it is often too laborious for triage providers to utilize. Other prehospital scoring systems were reviewed by Nguyen et al. in 2021; they found all seven evaluated prehospital scoring systems had good accuracy and high specificity, with LAPSS and RACE having the highest scores. A RACE score that involves any neurological complaint and a score between 0-3 within a 4.5 hour window since last known well, an alert will be called. A score of 4 or greater within a window of 24 hours of last known well, an alert will be called. After the alert is called, the patient will be moved to the same designated exam area as patients flagged by EMS and are then seen by the stroke team. If the patient does not meet any of the aforementioned criteria, the task is for triage providers to discuss the patient directly with an attending physician. PDSA cycle 1 will focus on educating triage providers, notifying communication center of process change, and building RACE documentation into Epic.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Vietnam War is often associated with atrocities such as the My Lai massacre, which initially led some antiwar protestors to indiscriminately hurl accusations of “baby killer” at Vietnam veterans in the 1960s. The 1970s and 1980s saw numerous Hollywood films such as The Deer Hunter and Rambo feature “crazy,” maladjusted Vietnam veterans. Since the 1990s, many historians have highlighted the connections between the actions of military personnel in Vietnam and their social, cultural, and economic situations. For example, existing scholarship reveals that many boys who “played war” in the 1950s imagined that all wars looked like a World War II John Wayne movie—a far cry from counterinsurgent warfare in Vietnam. At the same time, American movies, magazines, and books routinely depicted heroic men as warriors and womanizers. Yet, what veterans themselves actually thought—during their service and outside of it—figures into existing historical analysis inconsistently. My oral history interview project seeks to connect the well-established historical context more definitively to warzone experiences by asking Vietnam veterans about their expectations of wartime service and how those expectations compared to realities they encountered in boot camp, in “the ‘Nam,” and upon returning home. This project focuses squarely on the jarring disparity between Vietnam War GIs’ expectations and the realities they encountered in Vietnam. It asks, how did expectations about war (and its rewards), derived from the WWII generation, mass media, and boot camp training, shape the experiences of Vietnam veterans before, during, and after the war? The oral history interviews will be entered into the Library of Congress’s ongoing Veterans History Project (VHP), making them available to researchers from around the world in perpetuity. Each interview will follow VHP guidelines and oral history best practices, including extensive preparation on my part, a pre-interview with each interviewee, and use of fine-tuned, unambiguous questions developed during my fall 2023 independent study specifically designed for this project. The greater Aiken region has a large population of aging veterans. This project will preserve several veterans’ stories in digital format, making them available to future researchers from around the world.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My time as a Medical Scribe at Carolina Pediatrics solidified my passion for healthcare and showed me my “why” for wanting to become a physician. I learned the value of exceptional patient care, the step-by-step process of diagnosing a patient, and how to best serve my community. I was able to imagine myself in the daily life of a healthcare professional and the true rigor of the profession. There were days when I had to see a patient be rushed to the hospital for respiratory failure and others when I saw happy healthy patients excited to get a sticker and lollipop at the end of the well visit. This exposure to the world of medicine with the good and the bad made my adversity in coursework here at USC all worth it. There were times of self-doubt and not knowing if I had the grit and determination to pursue a career in medicine. However, I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel by taking organic chemistry and struggling just to pass, and advanced human anatomy to see the content be applied to actual patient cases. I knew that the long hours in the library and studying for weeks on end not only prepared me for what I saw every day through my clinical experience but now understand why what I learned in my coursework is so important to becoming a great future physician. I am truly excited to start my career and gain more knowledge each time I walk into a patient's room. My satisfaction will not only come from helping patients but also from making genuine connections with every one of them. For all those reasons and experiences above, is why I know this career is the one I’m destined to be in.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are attractive due to their rich physical properties and their potential applications spanning from nanoelectronics and nanophotonics to nanoscale sensing and actuation [S. Manzeli, D. Ovchinnikov, D. Pasquier, O. V. Yazyev and A. Kis, Nature Reviews 2, 17033 (2017)]. Among TMDs, IrTe2 crystallizes in a trigonal structure at room temperature and undergoes multiple phase transitions upon cooling. Despite extensive studies, the phase transition temperatures and the low temperature symmetry phases in IrTe2 are still debatable. Utilizing the second harmonic generation (SHG) technique, while revealing the drastic changes in symmetries of IrTe2 over a wide temperature range (4 K – 293 K) and two structural phase transitions (Ts1 ~280 K and Ts2 ~155 K), we report that those transition temperatures are subject to significant changes upon multiple thermal cycling. This explains the varying Ts1 and Ts2 reported in literature for which we provide further discussions. We also report the emergence of a trigonal symmetry at 7 K, extending the prior nanoscale scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) observation to the macroscopic scale defined by the optical spot size (~5 μm).
9:30-11:00 a.m.We propose MilliCar, a millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless signal-based system for predicting the 3D bounding boxes of moving vehicles on the road. Existing 3D bounding box generation methods are based on vision cameras and LiDARs. They may fail during harsh weather conditions, such as low light and foggy weather. Since mmWave radar works under all conditions, it can complement other sensors for accurate 3D bounding box prediction under all weather conditions without additional computational overhead. However, predicting 3D bounding boxes with mmWave radars is challenging due to their specularity and variable reflectivity. We design a deep learning framework with multiple feature fusion layers to overcome challenges and train with diverse datasets. To evaluate MilliCar, we first collected data samples by driving ego vehicles around the downtown, trained deep learning models on the training set, and predicted results in the test set. Our experimental results demonstrate that MillCar accurately predicts the 3D bounding boxes of moving vehicles in clear and harsh weather conditions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) have similar clinical presentations and risk factors. Despite this, spinal pathology is rarely noted as a potential CVA mimic in patients undergoing emergent CVA work-up. This study looks to examine the prevalence of cervical spondylosis and stenosis in patients who underwent an emergent CVA screening in the hospital setting. This retrospective review examined patients who obtained an emergent CVA screening at a single academic institution between October 2021 and October 2022. Demographics, admitting diagnosis, and CT scans of the head and neck obtained during CVA workup were analyzed. Cervical spondylosis was assessed on CT and was defined as a spinal canal diameter of less than 12 mm, and the rate of cervical stenosis was compared to a historical age-matched cohort. The study included 186 patients, and the average age of the participants was 66.8 ± 15.2 years. The prevalence of cervical spondylosis was 63.4% (117/186). The prevalence of no, moderate, and severe total degeneration was 0% (0/186), 32.8% (61/186), and 67.2% (125/186). Overall, the prevalence of cervical canal stenosis was 86.6% (161/186), and 15.6% (29/186) had a canal diameter of less than 8 mm. In comparison to an age-matched historical cohort, rates of overall degeneration were similar for 60-69-year-old patients (98.2% vs 100%, p=1) and greater than 70-year-old patients (100% vs 100%, p=1). However, the rate of cervical stenosis for patients was significantly higher in both 60-69-year-old patients (89.5% vs 29%, p<0.001) and greater than 70-year-old patients (86.4% vs 33%, p<0.001) compared to a historical cohort. Additionally, the prevalence of canal diameter less than 8 mm in 60-69-year-old and greater than 70-year-old patients was 19.3% (11/57) and 21% (17/81), respectively. Patients undergoing emergent CVA screening in a hospital setting demonstrated high rates of cervical spondylosis, overall cervical degeneration, and cervical canal stenosis. The rate of cervical canal stenosis was significantly higher for patients undergoing emergent CVA screening compared to an age-matched historical cohort. These results suggest that CSM should be considered as a differential diagnosis in those undergoing emergent CVA screening.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Communication between the basolateral amygdala (BLa) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is vital for processing fear memory. Synchronized oscillations in the theta band (4-12 Hz) entrain local pyramidal neurons (PYRs), facilitating communication between these brain regions. Despite the established role of theta oscillations in mPFC and BLa, the mechanisms through which oscillations are generated in BLa and synchronized with mPFC are poorly understood. Within these regions, cholinergic innervation arising from the basal forebrain promotes fear learning. Interestingly, the BLa receives the most robust cholinergic innervation of any target of the cholinergic basal forebrain. Deficits in this circuitry, as well as aberrant synchronization of BLa and mPFC, are associated with emotional deficits underlying fear disorders. Despite a basic understanding of cholinergic targets and their roles in emotional memory, the specific mechanisms by which ACh modulates BLa circuits to regulate emotional memory are largely unknown. In the mouse brain, we explored the circuitry through which ACh regulates fear learning. We found that chemogenetic inhibition of basal forebrain cholinergic projections to the BLa significantly disrupted fear memory. To investigate this finding further, we used slice electrophysiology to examine ACh release in BLa. Released ACh had a bidirectional effect on BLa local field potential oscillations. ACh release resulted in suppressed responses before a prolonged increase in theta oscillatory activity. In single cells, ACh induced an initial hyperpolarization in BLa PYRs, followed by a depolarization coupled to theta frequency membrane potential oscillations (MPO). This MPO was driven by GABAA receptors and synchronized neighboring PYRs. The large, rhythmic, compound IPSCs underlying the theta MPO were found to be driven by CCK interneurons. Cholinergic activation of CCK interneurons and rhythmic IPSCs in PYRs were blocked by the M3 receptor antagonist, 4-DAMP, signifying the dependence of cholinergic oscillations on the M3 receptors on CCK interneurons. M3 inhibition within the BLa in vivo resulted in a significant impairment of fear memory. These findings outline the circuitry through which synaptic ACh modulates BLa oscillations and indicate a reliance on M3 receptors on CCK interneurons in the induction of theta oscillations and fear memory. Supported by R01MH104638 and R01MH131808
1:00-2:30 p.m.Community health screenings, short term events involving free medical services, education, and community resources, are valuable population health interventions and educational opportunities for health science students. Health fairs are useful to improve access to healthcare and health knowledge in vulnerable populations. They provide a good opportunity to share community and printed educational resources, and improve participants’ knowledge and confidence in managing their own health. Historically, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine (UofSC SOM) has been very active in the community, but formal community-based health screening events have declined in recent years partly due to COVID-19. The student organization, Community Outreach Group (COG), was formed to facilitate connections between students and community organizations in Columbia. In 2023, COG began shifting its focus and exploring the implementation of longitudinal community health screenings. Initiation of health screenings began centered around targeting factors more easily improved with lifestyle modifications including elevated blood pressure, high body mass index (BMI) and other social determinants of health. In February 2024, the team held their first free health screening event at the Drew Wellness Center. This project serves to report on the results of the first health screening event as well as the progress in planning and enacting future health screening events, with future expansions to include smoking cessation, blood glucose monitoring, and better referrals to community resources and clinics. Through the establishment of an iterative community health screening process, COG anticipates extensive growth in engagement with the improvement of community health among not only UofSC SOM students, but the entirety of the UofSC health sciences community. COG is building an opportunity for hands-on, active learning on social determinants of health in hopes of integrating this community health screening initiative as required into the UofSCSOM curriculum.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Heliothis virescens is a generalist caterpillar pest that has been shown to be able to expand its range of host plants by supplementing its diet with insect carrion. We propose that this scavenging allows for the exploitation of hosts with low protein content. To test this, we will provide fruit fly carcasses to final-instar caterpillars fed a diet with a range of protein levels and measure their survival and time to pupation, pupal weight, and eclosion success rate. We expect that the caterpillars with less dietary protein will derive the largest benefit when flies are added to their diet.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cognition is jointly susceptible to decline following stress or advanced aging. Indeed, the Glucocorticoid Hypothesis and Allostatic Load Hypothesis propose that brain aging is partly due to the cumulative effects of stress and stress hormone exposure over the lifespan. A corollary observation is that advanced aging erodes sensitivity to behavioral and neurobiological sequalae of stress. However, few studies have systematically examined effects of chronic stress on cognition over the full lifespan. As such, we investigated the influence of chronic stress on male and female F344 rats at 4 or 22 months (mo.) on spatial learning in the Morris water maze (MWM). Rats of each sex and age were randomized to unstressed (UNS) or repeated restraint stress (RRS; 6 hours/day). RRS was initiated 14 days prior to the first day of MWM and continued after daily testing for a total of 24 days. In Days 1-8 of MWM, rats were trained to escape onto a hidden platform that was fixed in the center of one quadrant of the maze. Memory for the platform location was assessed during probe trials when the platform was temporarily lowered to prevent immediate escape. On Days 9 and 10, the hidden platform was relocated to the opposite quadrant to evaluate reversal learning. On Day 10, a visible platform was used to assess cue learning and non-spatial performance. Analysis of probe trial performance revealed expected, impairing effects of age or stress. Planned contrasts revealed that RRS significantly impaired cognition of 4-mo. rats, but not 22-mo. Following reversal training, 22-mo. UNS rats perseverated in searching the quadrant that previously held the training platform; age-matched RRS rats showed no spatial preference. RRS did not affect cue training in either age group. In summary, our data confirm that age strongly moderates effects of stress on cognition. Ongoing work will increase sample sizes to compare interactions of stress and aging between males and females. Further, we will study 12-mo. rats to identify the time course over which aging influences behavioral responses to stress. These ongoing studies will determine cause-and-effect relationships between stress and cognition.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Bis-urea macrocycles can spontaneously assemble into ordered structures through the urea motifs by hydrogen bonding interactions. The ordered structures can be columnar with accessible channels affording their utility as hosts in host-guest systems.1 Reactions in confined spaces can improve the reaction rates, enhance or alter selectivity, and modify physical properties.2 The Shimizu group has reported the use of the phenylethynylene macrocycle 1 to study photodimerization reactions of coumarins and chromones within the channels resulting in improved yield and selectivity of dimerization products.3,4 Herein, we synthesize the brominated version, bromo-phenylethynylene bis-urea macrocycle 2, examine its crystalline assemblies, and study photoreactions within the accessible channels. Bromo-phenylethynylene bis-urea macrocycle 2 was synthesized by the Dynamic Covalent Chemistry (DCC) strategy. DCC involves the reaction of diisocyanates and hindered diamines to afford bis-urea in good yield. Crystallization techniques involving slow cooling and vapor diffusion will be used to obtain needle-like single crystals suitable for Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Studies. In addition, the utility of macrocycle 2 to serve as a host for various guests and facilitate photodimerization reactions with better selectivity will be probed by SCXRD, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and 1H NMR spectroscopy. This study will contribute to the design of functional materials for the synthesis of useful photoproducts that are challenging to synthesize.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) are the main providers that order carrier screening on a regular basis, so it is important to understand their knowledge, attitudes, and current practices regarding this screening. There are two primary professional organizations that have established practice guidelines for carrier screening, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). With the growth of pan-ethnic carrier screening, these guidelines have become remarkably different. This study aimed to assess resident OBGYN’s utilization of pan-ethnic carrier screening, discern any discrepancies between knowledge, attitudes, and current practices, identify possible practice resources that may be beneficial, and assess the need for standardized guidelines. A survey was shared with OBGYN residents across the nation that included topics related to knowledge, attitudes, and current practices about carrier screening. The average knowledge score for our participants (n=23) was 90%. A notable difference existed between the number of participants who believed pre-test counseling was their responsibility (65.2%) and those that felt confident in providing pre-test counseling (43.5%). Additionally, the majority of participants were considering a patient’s ethnicity when selecting a panel (60.9%), and the most popular panel size included four or less conditions. Findings from this study provided insight into which domains and concepts of carrier screening OBGYN providers may find additional practice resources beneficial. We identified the most significant discrepancies for test selection, points of counseling, and results disclosure. There is significant variability in current practices among OBGYN residents which suggests the need for standardization of guidelines. We recommend that practice resources include recommendations from both ACOG and ACMG and promote pan-ethnic carrier screening. Based on residents’ opinions, these resources should be quick and direct summaries of practice guidelines that outline important topics of discussion. With improved provider knowledge and comfortability with carrier screening, this may improve equitable access of reproductive knowledge for patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem with a prevalence rate of roughly 50% of the population. Lymphoma, a hematologic malignancies, consists of two subtypes: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, about 90,390 people in the US are expected to be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021 (8,830 cases of HL and 81,560 cases of NHL).Risk factors for Vitamin D deficiencies include decreased dietary intake, decreased sun exposure, decreased endogenous synthesis, increased hepatic catabolism, and end organ resistance. Risk factors for lymphoma include genetic predisposition, Epstein- Barr virus, immunodeficiency, and occupational exposure. There is limited understanding on the potential overlap of risk factors and etiology of Vitamin D deficiency and lymphoma. Therefore the goal of this project is to compare the shared genetic contribution of Vitamin D deficiency and lymphoma. We used the GWAS Catalog to identify genome wide association studies (GWAS) which found significantly (p<5.0x10-6) associated genes with each trait (Vitamin D deficiency, Vitamin D measurements, and lymphoma). Next, we identified gene shared overlap within the traits. We identified 31 significantly associated genes from GWAS in Vitamin D deficiency, 782 significantly associated genes from GWAS in vitmain D, measurements and 933 significantly associated genes from GWAS in Lymphoma. Shared overlap between traits consisted of 2 between Vitamin D deficiency and Lymphoma: MAPPED_GENE and PVT1.Shared overlap between Vitamin D measurements, and Lymphoma consisted of 11 genes: CNOT3, DPP6, FTO, LINC01370-MAFB, LINC02850-APOB, MAPPED_GENE, MEGF11, MMADHC-DT, OAS53,PKN2-AS1,SATB1-AS21. Some questions that could be posed to further the research would be to find if these genes are related to vitamin D deficiency and risk of lymphoma. While this is a work in progress our next steps are to abstract the variants in these genes to test for an association with lymphoma cases compared to controls within a large GWAS study framework.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Understanding the resonance of nonverbal communication (i.e., communication without spoken words; Schrier & Schaenfield, 2016) between romantic partners is valuable to unravel the complex intricacies associated with interpersonal interactions and illuminate the uniquity of amorous relationships. Additionally, as sending, receiving, and encoding of nonverbal communication (e.g., facial expressions, body language, tone, eye contact) is a process that occurs rapidly in the brain (Givens, 2015), it may be informative to understand how the brain responds to nonverbal communication in romantic relationships. However, romantic partnerships are a particularly under-researched population (Sillar, 1985) because they are dynamic in nature and difficult to examine experimentally. This study aims to (1) identify differences in individual brain responses across four conditions of nonverbal communication, (2) evaluate the relationship between an individual’s brain responses and their self-reported non-verbal communication measures, and (3) determine if there is resonance among romantic partners’ brain responses during nonverbal communication and explore trait-level predictors of this correlation. To accomplish these aims, electroencephalography (EEG) data was recorded across 15 adult dyads (N=30) in self-identified heterosexual romantic partnerships during four conditions, including (1) no contact, eyes closed; (2) handholding with eyes closed; (3) no contact, eyes open; and (4) handholding with eyes open. EEG signals were converted into frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), which is often associated with approach motivational processes (Harmon-Jones & Gable, 2018). Additionally, participants completed the empathy and nonverbal sections of the Multidimensional Social Competence Scale (MSCS). We predict that individuals engaging in physical touch (hand holding) with eyes open would have the greatest FAA (frontal alpha asymmetry) brain response across the four conditions. We also predict that individuals who scored high in non-verbal communication would have a greater FAA approach responses compared to individuals who scored lower. However, we do expect a greater FAA response in conditions where eyes are open. Lastly, we predict that individuals that score similarly in nonverbal communication skills will have high agreeance in FAA approach response. This study aims to advance a greater understanding of nonverbal communication within romantic relationships and examine the utility of FAA in identifying responses to certain social interaction.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Women’s science fiction is a frequently under-discussed body of work, both in the Western and Soviet traditions, but can reveal trends in societal treatment of women and their goals for progress in the ways that women conceive of utopian possibilities. While there is limited scholarship on Soviet women’s science fiction, there is a strong body of scholarship on Western women’s science fiction and feminist interpretations of these works. I intend to build upon this body of scholarship through comparison between the Western women’s science fiction tradition and its Soviet counterpart. Due to the limited availability of Soviet women’s science fiction writing in English translation, this project will focus primarily on the works of a few selected Soviet women writers and an equal selection of contemporary Western women writers who were producing science fiction texts during the Space Race era, approx. 1955-75. Due to the differences in social circumstances surrounding women living in these two geographically and culturally distinct spaces, divergences in visions of utopia are to be expected. And yet, there is commonality, in that women across the world during this era strove towards equality and freedom from restrictive gender norms, which existed across the entire spectrum of socioeconomic systems.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Sleep monitoring has many health applications. One of the main tasks in sleep monitoring is sleep posture classification. Most of the traditional approaches have a camera as their primary detector which can be privacy-invasive and malfunction in some settings. An alternative is to use pressure mats. The problem however with most of the pressure mat raw images is that they contain gaps and discontinuous blocks which makes direct classification challenging. To address this issue, we propose PressureSilhouette, a deep learning model based on the Pix2Pix model that predicts the silhouette of the body. Using the generated silhouette, we will be able to predict the posture classification more accurately.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A 17-year-old female presented to a pediatric emergency department (ED) after a suicide attempt with intentional ingestion of sodium nitrite purchased online via Amazon website. She drank the sodium nitrite over a thirty-minute period beginning approximately 10pm and arrived via ambulance to the ED shortly after midnight in extremis. Initially, the patient’s grandparents provided the medical history. However, this was later corroborated by the patient who stated that she consumed sodium nitrite dissolved in water after reading on a suicide forum website. Subjectively, she felt dizzy before being found unresponsive by her grandmother. She was described as pale and cyanotic with altered mental status. No other medications, tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs were thought to be involved. The patient was hypoxic with an oxygen saturation of 86% on arrival despite bag-valve mask ventilation and naloxone from paramedics. Given the sodium nitrite ingestion, suspicion of methemoglobinemia was high and co-oximetry on an arterial blood gas confirmed the diagnosis with a measured methemoglobin level as too high to calculate. One dose of methylene blue 1% solution (2mg/kg IV) was administered with rapid improvement in her clinical condition. Following treatment, the methemoglobin level decreased from too high to calculate (>30%) to 11.1 %. She was admitted to the pediatric ICU for serial methemoglobin levels and continued monitoring, where her oxygen saturations remained over 90%. Methemoglobin levels declined to 0.7% within 5 hours of arrival. The patient continued to clinically improved and was ultimately discharged following psychiatric evaluation. Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis that leads to decreased oxygen delivery to tissues throughout the body when oxygen delivery capacity is significantly decreased due to oxidation of hemoglobin molecules. Sodium nitrite, which is well-known to cause methemoglobinemia, is used industrially, found in fertilizers, and as a food additive and preservative in meats. It is widely available for purchase online and legal cases have resulted due to its ease of availability and increased use in suicide attempts. This case of sodium-nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia following intentional ingestion was successfully treated due to rapid presentation and diagnosis in the ED. However, the ease of availability and online suicide forums reporting on sodium nitrite is a concerning trend.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Purpose: To investigate the impact of corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) on predicted corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in patients with keratoconus at varying simulated pupil apertures. Design: Retrospective chart review study. Methods: Fifty-six eyes with keratoconus were examined using Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam® HR) during routine examinations prior to medical intervention. The severity of keratoconus was graded using the Amsler-Krumeich classification. Zernike analysis was used to obtain total corneal surface aberrations using simulated pupil diameters of 6-, 4-, and 2 mm. These data were extrapolated to obtain the total RMS HOAs for a 1.6 mm simulated pupil to evaluate the potential effect of a small aperture intraocular lens (IC-8® Apthera™, B&L). Correlation analysis was used to study the impact and relative contributions of HOAs on CDVA. Convolution of HOAs from corneal topography (OPD-Scan III, Nidek) provided a clinical method to predict CDVA with different simulated pupil sizes in individual corneas with irregular astigmatism. Results: As expected, there were statistically significant positive correlations between photopic CDVA (LogMAR) and the magnitude of total and individual (coma, spherical aberration, and trefoil) HOAs in this cohort of keratoconus subjects. The HOAs measured with the simulated pupil diameters were fit with a second order polynomial extrapolated to the 1.6 mm corneal plane diameter expected with the small aperture IOL. The average RMS value for the HOAs expected for a 1.6 mm aperture was 0.12 µm, which is equivalent to the total HOAs in normal eyes with a 4 mm pupil. Successive improvement in CDVA from mesopic to photopic to 1.6 mm pupil sizes were demonstrated with the OPD-Scan. A keratoconus case with the IOL confirms the improvement in vision due to the pinhole effect. Conclusions: The small aperture IOL is expected to markedly reduce aberrations in keratoconus patients up to Amsler-Krumeich class 4 severity to levels consistent with the levels seen in healthy patients. Convolution of corneal HO aberrations with the ETDRS chart provides a useful simulation of the impact of pinhole optics on the resolution and quality of best corrected vision in aberrated eyes such as keratoconics.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Fluid balance in the human body is a tightly regulated process, with the kidneys playing a pivotal role. The centrality of the renal system in fluid homeostasis is evident in the 1250 ml/min of cardiac output diverted to the kidneys. Insults to this dynamic equilibrium are common in trauma patients, where hemorrhagic shock and the use of contrast medium are routine. The resulting acute kidney injury that ensues contributes significantly to patient morbidity and mortality. The mechanism of contrast-induced acute kidney injury is multifactorial; with vasoconstriction of renal vasculature, oxidative stress, and hypoxia contributing to cell death. The incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is approximately 8% in the literature, and normally manifests within 3 days of intravenous contrast administration. Although a majority of CI-AKI cases resolve within 2 weeks, others require renal replacement support which has a mortality rate of 50-70%. With this mortality rate in mind, our team retrospectively analyzed the CI-AKI rates at our level 1 trauma center from 2020-2022 and developed a protocol for outcome improvement.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As our population ages, more emphasis and importance are placed on therapies and interventions to help alleviate age-related deficiencies and disorders. Various health issues are associated with low dissolved blood oxygen content as we age and previous studies have demonstrated the expression of HIF-1α is important to help mitigate issues related to low oxygen. In our present study, we examine the expression of HIF-1α in young and old Daphnia pulex in environments with varying oxygen content. D. pulex is a freshwater microcrustacean that has many strengths for its use as a model system in aging include a large, fully sequenced genome, cyclic parthenogenesis for reproduction, and a closely related ecotype that lives twice as long. We hypothesize that HIF-1α will be expressed in both young and old populations that are subject to decreased environmental dissolved oxygen content (DOC), while HIF-1α will be expressed in only old populations when there is no change to the environmental DOC. We will examine the use of various interventions to help extend the lifespan of D. pulex, including the addition of potential activators/inducers of HIF-1α. The results will provide important insight into the impact of HIF1α on longevity of D. pulex and beyond.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Although cochlear implants (CIs) are successful, the sources of large individual variability in speech perception outcomes and poor speech recognition in noise are unknown. These challenges are mainly driven by poor spectral resolution of CI due to the suboptimal electrode-neuron interface and the small number of spectral channels. It is not clear how poor spectral resolution in CI listeners impacts neural representations of speech at the cortical level. We have used the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging technique to measure cortical hemodynamic responses in the auditory cortex of normal hearing (NH) listeners in response to simulated CI speech with varying levels of spectral degradation. Doing so simulates CI listening to reveal differences in cortical activation that stem from access to reduced spectral information. Participants were tested in a sound-attenuated booth and were fitted with fNIRS equipment. They were presented with blocks of 4 concatenated IEEE sentences, with a varied rest interval of 20 to 30 seconds following each block. Each block contained either original speech, 22-channel, 12-channel, 4-channel noise-vocoded sentences, or silence. Stimuli were presented in a pseudorandom order such that 15 blocks of each listening condition were presented, and the same block type was not immediately repeated. Throughout the experiment, 4 attention tasks were conducted to maintain focus. Hemodynamic response functions were regressed for each listening condition using the general linear model. We found greater magnitude of speech-evoked cortical activation in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus (MTG) when NH listeners were presented with unprocessed speech than vocoded speech at 4, 12, and 22 channels. The magnitude of cortical activations reduced with increasing spectral degradation from unprocessed conditions to 4-channel noise-vocoded speech. These preliminary results suggest that CI listeners with poorer spectral degradation may exhibit diminished cortical activations in the MTG than their NH counterparts. These findings enhance our understanding of the effect of varying spectral degradation on speech-evoked cortical activation, providing a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers to assess CI listeners’ abilities in processing spectral information in speech.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction Patient-reported outcome metrics are useful in determining a patient’s clinical response to a given intervention. Despite their usefulness, few studies have identified the potential prognostic value of patient-reported outcome metrics. This study looks to evaluate whether preoperative PROMIS scores can predict time to surgery and improvement in postoperative PROMIS scores in those undergoing hallux valgus correction surgery. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients undergoing surgical intervention for hallux valgus at a single academic institution between June 2020 and June 2023. Demographic information, time to surgery, and PROMIS scores were collected. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in PROMIS scores was defined as half of the standard deviation of the change in PROMIS scores. Categorical and continuous data were compared using the Chi-squared test and Student’s T-test, respectively. All p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results 111 patients were included in the study. Patients who achieved an MCID in pain interference (PI) score were more likely to have a higher preoperative PI score (61.8 vs 55.5, p<0.001) than those who did not. Those who achieved an MCID in physical function (PF) score were younger (51.4 vs 59.8, p=0.02), had higher preoperative PI scores (61.4 vs 57.6, p=0.011), and had lower preoperative PF scores (41.3 vs 45.2, p=0.031) than those who did not. Those who achieved an MCID in mobility scores had lower preoperative PF (40.9 vs 45.7, p=0.004) and mobility (39.7 vs 43.7, p=0.015) scores than those who did not. No variables were significantly different between those who received surgery within 3 months, 3 to 6 months, 6 to 9 months, or greater than 9 months from the first clinical visit. Conclusion Patients who demonstrated a clinical improvement in their PROMIS scores following hallux valgus surgery were significantly more likely to have worse preoperative PROMIS scores at their initial consultation compared to those who did not obtain a clinical improvement. These results suggest that patients with more severe hallux valgus symptoms are more likely to clinically improve following surgical intervention than those with less severe symptoms. However, the severity of a patient’s hallux valgus symptoms did not impact their time to surgery.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Fat Necrosis is a benign inflammatory that can present in breast tissue that is the result of saponification of adipose tissue. Several reported etiologies of fat necrosis include trauma, radiation treatment, and idiopathic presentation. Radiation-induced fat necrosis of the breast is most commonly presented as an indolent and non-recurrent finding. Due to its ability to mimic, or even conceal underlying, malignancies it has presented physicians and radiologists with a diagnostic conundrum. Classically, the diagnosis of fat necrosis was reserved as a diagnosis of exclusion upon rule out of malignancy. Despite being a benign condition, these masses often require a detailed work up in order to exclude malignancy. Fat necrosis has been shown to display a variety of appearances on imaging with its most commonly documented appearance being that of an oil cyst found on mammography. Research has shown that MRI may be able to pick up fat necrosis based off of characteristic signaling. Fat necrosis can also resemble malignancy limiting its overall reliability in definitive diagnosis.In this case, we present a 70 year old female with a medical history significant for breast cancer in 2007 who displays biopsy-proven recurrent fat necrosis of the breast in the setting of several years post breast conserving therapy. This appears to be a novel case in that none of the available literature describes a case of fat necrosis that has occurred 5 years post lumpectomy and radiation treatment. Additionally, the literature does not describe any similar cases of fat necrosis occurring 5 years post a known trauma. Furthermore, this patient has demonstrated a variety in appearance of fat necrosis with her most recent biopsy displaying a spiculated complex mass. This particular case is complicated by the “high-risk” classification of this particular patient given her known history of malignancy. This case demonstrates the diagnostic dilemma posed by fat necrosis attributed to its ability to seemingly imitate malignancy on imaging modalities. Given these similarities, in cases such as these with a patient with a history of known malignancy, biopsy appears to be the most reliable method in definitive diagnosis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Management of Advanced Duodenal Cancer in the Setting of HIV/AIDS Introduction Surgical patients with uncontrolled HIV are at a greater risk for postoperative complications and mortality. Previous studies have shown that patients with increased viral loads and low CD4 cell counts have increased morbidity following surgery. General guidelines for the management of HIV in the perioperative setting include not delaying emergent procedures to determine CD4 count or viral load, optimizing patients’ HIV clinical status for more elective procedures, and continuing a patient’s antiretroviral therapy throughout the perioperative period. Case Report The patient in our case report is a 67-year-old male with a past medical history significant for HIV complicated by medication noncompliance with a CD4 count of 41 cells/L and a viral load of 75,900 copies/mL who presented to the hospital for abdominal pain and jaundice. He was found to have a duodenal mass that was causing biliary obstruction and pancreatitis. The pathology from biopsy of the mass demonstrated duodenal adenocarcinoma. The patient was started on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with Biktarvy (bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir) during his initial hospital admission. He was bridged to definitive surgical management of the cancer with 3 months of FOLOFOX (Folinic Acid, 5-Fluorouracil, Oxaliplatin) neoadjuvant chemotherapy to allow for time to better control his HIV in the perioperative setting. Discussion Given that previous studies have demonstrated increased post-operative morbidity for patients with uncontrolled HIV, we elected to better control the patient’s HIV clinical status to mitigate the risk of a poor outcome with regards to surgical management of his duodenal adenocarcinoma. The patient was successfully managed on HAART and was able to have his CD4 count increased to 118 cells/L and his viral load decreased to 80 copies/mL preoperatively. The patient tolerated the surgery well with no perioperative complications and was noted to be doing well in his 3-week post-operative visit. The success of this patient’s surgical outcome despite his diagnosis of advanced cancer with uncontrolled HIV demonstrates the importance of proper management of HIV in the perioperative setting.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. The Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) is a neural region associated with initiation of movement, and has been shown to play an important role in PD symptomatology. While the clinical heterogeneity of these symptoms has led to classification of PD into subtypes, SMA differences have not been thoroughly evaluated across subtypes.The aim for this study was to identify whether gray matter volume (GMV) in the SMA and closely related brain areas differ based on Parkinson’s subtypes of TD, PIGD, AR, compared to healthy controls (HC). Methods: The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative was queried for PD and HC and subjects for whom T1 MRI images were available; MRI data were segmented using Voxel Based Morphometry. Demographic and PD symptom data were evaluated. Multi-factor ANCOVAs, Tukey Honest Significance Test, and Kruskall-Wallis were utilized for VBM analyses (???? < 0.05). Results: Overall, 678 subjects were evaluated and classified using the TD, PIGD, and AR subtypes; ages ranged from 37-85 years. Within the TD/PIGD system, the overall SMA volume of TD and PIGD cohorts was significantly smaller than HC (p = 0.007 and 0.04, respectively). Interestingly, the SMA volumes between TD and PIGD were only significantly different in females (p = 0.02); males only exhibited volumetric SMA differences bilaterally between TD and PIGD (p = 0.02). Additionally, this differed from the TD/AR system, where significant differences across TD and AR subtypes were found. Only in males was there a significant difference between PD and HC, illustrating sex differences across subtype classification systems in terms of GMV. Conclusion: These results support the use of the SMA in further understanding the neural correlates of PD regarding motor symptomatology. Furthermore, these data reveal SMA differences across subtypes within the TD/PIGD system, particularly across sexes. Additionally, while the TD/PIGD and TD/AR subtyping systems have been used interchangeably, here we show differences in the subtyping schema which could potentially have an impact on patient treatment and care.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Food Lion is a regional supermarket chain whose focus is to give the customer an “Easy, Fresh & Affordable” experience. They have over 1000 stores in 10 states with the majority in North and South Carolina. In 2021, I started as a cashier where I would scan and bag a customer’s products, but eventually, I received a promotion as a customer service assistant. In this role, I managed the front end by ensuring the front-end staff had change in their tills or bags at their registers. I also used time management skills to determine when front-end associates receive breaks and lunches. In addition, I assisted customers at the customer service desk through lottery, money order, or Western Union services. Throughout my time as a manager at Food Lion, I ensured that the customers, my coworkers, and managers felt cared for and validated. My purpose was to keep the front end moving smoothly and efficiently even during peak rush hours. I checked in with my coworkers, refilled their bags, helped put bags in a customer’s cart, fetched shopping carts from outside, and executed normal office assistant duties. There was never a moment where I felt comfortable standing around. But, managing the front end as a customer service assistant helped me gain a better understanding of people’s wants. Working at Food Lion bolstered my communication skills to effectively direct people. It also helped me see the value of people and their well-being. And so, I will continue to use the things I have learned from Food Lion such as how to manage, build, and maintain lasting relationships with my family, peers, employers, and coworkers.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can have an impact on patients’ health and well-being at multiple levels. SDOH include any conditions or circumstances that contribute to a person’s or community’s current state of health. The 29203 zip code surrounding Prisma Health Richland Hospital reported the highest rate of diabetic foot amputations in the United States between 2016 and 2020, along with comparable rates of uncontrolled hypertension. The purpose of this study was to identify specific SDOH variables that correlate with higher rates of uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1C>9%) and uncontrolled hypertension (BP >=140/90) within surrounding zip codes. Utilizing Prisma Family Medicine Center’s (FMC) patient survey data (n=3026), the rates of SDOH variables (food, transportation, housing) were mapped across zip codes in Richland County. Four zip codes of concern were identified and studied: 29203, 29209, 29204, and 29205. After mapping the provided survey data, a lack of reliable transportation and food insecurity demonstrated the strongest correlation with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, while housing was not found to be a strong correlate. Transportation insecurity negatively correlates with appointment adherence, as patients without transportation are likely dependent on potentially unreliable public transportation. Food insecurity creates challenges to obtain a balanced and nutritious diet, potentiating chronic disease progression. With the data garnered in this study, current community resources warrant reform to ensure that Richland County residents have adequate means to help control their type II diabetes and hypertension. Knowledge and reform of these resources may empower healthcare providers to deliver the highest quality of care to the patients who find themselves in the greatest need for aid.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Lithium is a medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder both acutely and as maintenance therapy. It has a narrow therapeutic index with numerous side effects ranging from gastrointestinal upset to encephalopathy. More rare, however, is lithium causing primary hyperparathyroidism (4-6 fold increased risk for those on lithium2). The proposed mechanism is lithium both antagonizes and alters the extracellular calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) responsible for regulating parathyroid cell proliferation2, as well as parathyroid hormone (PTH) production and secretion. This causes an inappropriate release of PTH and subsequent hypercalcemia. This is a case of a 67-year-old female with past medical history of unspecified psychotic disorder who presented to the emergency department from her long-term care facility for abnormal calcium on routine lab work. Calcium on arrival was 14.1 (8.5-10.4). Subjective history was limited by mentation, but she endorsed mild abdominal pain. She denied other symptoms of hypercalcemia such as arthralgia or kidney stones. Extensive workup to identify etiology began with ruling out multiple myeloma and elevated PTHrp, which were both negative. PTH levels were inadequately suppressed, but SPECT scan and MRI neck were negative for parathyroid adenoma. Treatment with bisphosphonates, IV fluids, and loop diuretics yielded no improvement. Concern for sarcoidosis began after a mildly elevated ACE and 1-25hydroxy Vitamin D level, as well as mildly enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Consent for biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes was unable to be obtained, so prednisone was started empirically. Prednisone initially lowered calcium levels mildly for two days before they started to climb again. It was then discovered that the patient had been on lithium therapy for much of her life before discontinuing it in 2009 due to hypocalcemia. Treatment with Sensipar and a bisphosphonate lowered and stabilized the calcium levels in the normal range. In conclusion, long-term lithium treatment can cause primary hyperparathyroidism resulting in hypercalcemia even after lithium discontinuation via parathyroid hyperplasia2. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with a lithium use history when hypercalcemia is refractory and diagnostic workup is otherwise unrevealing.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Urine specific gravity (USG) is a valid and reliable measure of hydration status in the athletic population due to its cost efficiency and quickness. There are noted negative cognitive and physical effects that occur due to dehydration in athletic performance, making hydration a key component in athletic performance and recovery. The purpose of this study was to enhance our understanding of the nuance of USG measurements in the American football population. Within this population, it is common to have athletes that present with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) and increased body mass index (BMI), body fat % (BF%), and lean body mass (LBM). SCT athletes have been observed to present with decreased USG compared to their non-SCT (CON) counterparts (Wang et al., 2021). In addition, increased LBM has been found to be positively related to increased USG (p=0.008) in the adult population, especially for those in quintiles four and five for LBM (Wilson, 2021). The present study found that there is an insignificant predictive value between LBM and USG in the CON population (R=0.06, p=0.52) and in the SCT population (R=0.13, p=0.34). Our athletic population, with a greater LBM on average, may account for the significantly different results from the previous study investigating this relationship. However, further research is needed to understand the relationship between LBM and SCT when assessing hydration status in collegiate athletes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Salvation Army of the Midlands’ Doing the Most Good After-School Reading Program provides one-on-one tutoring for elementary school students who are struggling academically. USCSOM students began tutoring at this program in 2020. I saw an opportunity to develop my leadership skills by transforming this off-campus mentorship program into a sustainable, official medical student organization focused on developing cross-class mentorship and service leadership. The Salvation Army and involved medical students were briefed and brought into the new cause. MEDtorship was made an official school organization, and a new leadership board including M2 Leadership and M3/M4 Pod Leaders were recruited. Over 80 medical students were grouped into nineteen 3-4 student “pods” and worked together in volunteering, STEM educational projects, and peer mentorship. Throughout the year, as M4 Director, I mentored these new leaders as they worked with their peers. To strengthen the organization for following years, I worked with my peers to recruit more elementary students with the Salvation Army and expand the program to address food insecurity through writing a grant. Lastly, a service leadership curriculum was developed to start next school year. This project developed my ability to create a new organization and recruit team members who are as passionate about the cause as I am. I learned my leadership style: to create more leaders. It also solidified my passion for medical education and continued leadership development in my future career.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Invasive fungal diseases are a major global health concern due to the risk posed among immunocompromised populations. Iron homeostasis pathways in fungi are potential targets for the development of new antifungal drugs; however, the molecular mechanisms of fungal iron regulation are not sufficiently understood. The model yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe possesses many of the same iron-dependent biochemical pathways as fungal pathogens like Candida albicans and Aspergillus spp., and thus serves as an effective model to understand the mechanisms for maintaining intracellular iron balance. In S. pombe, iron homeostasis is maintained via the transcriptional repressors Fep1 and Php4. Under iron replete conditions, the GATA-type Zn finger protein Fep1 represses iron uptake genes to prevent iron overload. Previous studies suggest that Fep1 binds either an iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster or iron between the two zinc fingers; however, the specific iron and zinc-dependent mechanism for regulating Fep1’s DNA binding activity is not clear. This study focuses on identifying the specific metal-bound form of Fep1 that binds the promoters of iron uptake genes with high affinity using site-directed mutagenesis, spectroscopic analysis, and DNA binding assays with the purified Fep1 DNA-binding domain (DBD). Our preliminary studies indicate that Fep1-DBD binds a [2Fe-2S] cluster both in vivo and in vitro and that Fep1-DBD must bind at least one Zn and a [2Fe-2S] cluster to bind DNA with high affinity. Our results suggest that the Cys-rich region between the two zinc fingers binds the [2Fe-2S] cluster and this region together with the second zinc finger is crucial for Fep1 DNA binding activity.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States. Due to increased screening and improved lifestyle factors, the rate of colon and rectal diagnosis in patients over 55 years of age has declined since the mid-1980s. In contrast, the CRC incidence in adults under 55 years old has steadily increased between 1-2% annually since the mid-1990s. Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is now the third leading cause of cancer deaths in patients under 50 years old in the United States (US), and the causes and mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we hypothesized that exposure to antibiotics (Abx) early in life alters the gut microbiota, causing gut inflammation that increases the risk of developing EOCRC. While Abx are necessary for treating bacterial infections, they also have strong effects on the gut microbiome. By altering the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) and killing healthy bacteria, Abx can affect the development of the immune system and lead to inflammation in the colon, which could further lead to the increased risk of EOCRC. We tested this hypothesis using mouse models of CRC. Four-week old A/J mice were exposed to β-lactams (amoxicillin) and macrolides (azithromycin), two commonly prescribed classes of pediatric Abx, and then injected them with azoxymethane (AOM), a carcinogen, to induce tumor development. Control mice were treated with water or polyethylene glycol. The results suggest that multiple exposures to Abx significantly increased tumor burden in the distal colon of mice treated with macrolides as compared to the proximal colon and untreated mice or mice treated with amoxicillin. Further studies will determine if a single round of Abx at different developmental stages is sufficient to impact tumor burden.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The purpose of this exploratory mixed methods pilot study is to examine University of South Carolina students’ and a professor’s experiences of music improvisation circles. For music improvisation circles, we gather in a circle and improvise using our voices and musical instruments. None of us is trained in music improvisation: each of us is an amateur. As participants in MUSC 584: Connecting Through Community Music Circles we perceived increased feelings of enjoyment and decreased feelings of stress during music improvisation circles. We developed a protocol to better understand and quantify those perceptions. Five participants from MUSC 584 will participate in four music improvisation circles during four consecutive class meeting times. Using data from Cohen’s (1994) Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), heart rate variability (HRV), and descriptive statistical analysis coupled with a paired sample two-sided t-test, we will examine the degree to which individuals appraise life situations as stressful; individuals’ unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded life situations; individuals’ baseline stress level pre-treatment; and individuals’ post-treatment stress levels. Kim, Cheon, Bai, Lee, and Koo (2018) documented associations between HRV and parasympathetic responses in participants. Other researchers documented a lack of any association between these variables (Kageyama et al., 1998). We identified a gap in the literature regarding causality between HRV and perceived stress levels. Statistical analysis will include descriptive analysis of variables and a paired sample two-sided t-test for comparison of pre-and post-treatment scores. We will apply inferential analysis for differences in means to determine effect size of the treatment. Because we are selecting to measure HRV, we also selected qualitative procedures to consider participants’ medical and psychological history. We will utilize interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to engage in thematic analysis of baseline journal entries, video-recorded music improvisation circles, post-treatment journal entries, and video-recorded focus-group discussions. We will conduct this pilot study to assess the feasibility of our proposed protocol. Pending a feasible protocol, we will conduct an experimental two-group design with a target population of college-aged students (18-22). The research question guiding this study is: What is the effect of improvisatory music circles on physiological and perceived measures of stress?
1:00-2:30 p.m.Boundary extension is known as a cognitive bias in visual perception and memory; people tend to recall having seen areas beyond the edges of the picture of the scene that they have previously been exposed to. Here we look at whether or not imagining performing a task will have an effect on Boundary Extension? Previous research has shown that the eyes are driven more by top-down information than by the intrinsic saliency of the objects in the scene. In this study, I present pictures each containing objects related to two possible tasks. In part one, participants are asked to examine the pictures for 15 s and imagine themselves doing one of the two possible tasks (counterbalanced across participants). In part two, the viewers are shown 4 versions of each of the scenes they were previously exposed to. Each version will show segments of the scene with different boundaries: the original image, an image where boundaries are extended in all directions, an image where the boundaries are extended in the direction more relevant to the task they were imagining, or an image where the boundaries are extended in the opposite direction. The viewers are asked to select which version best fits the picture they remember seeing before. My prediction is that, for most viewers, the task-related imagination will have a narrowing effect on boundary memory as the saliency of the objects in the task choices will likely grasp the viewers’ attention. Thus, drawing their focus more centrally rather than the distal edges of the images causing less distortion in the area more relevant to the task. Alternatively, the task may push viewers to form more expectations of the surfaces surrounding the task related objects, in which case we would expect more distortion in the area more relevant to the task. Preliminary results will be discussed.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In May of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad for 3 weeks in Greece to explore the Greek influence on sports and health. This trip consisted of 30 students from USC which was led by a native tour guide. She was able to converse and translate to us as we explored ancient archaeological sites, visited Olympic stadiums, and spoke with national soccer team physicians and physiologists. In addition, my group toured local rehabilitation clinics and hospitals to observe the traditional set up of their medical practices. This trip was the perfect combination of the three most important things to me: sports, travel, and health. As an exercise science major with a future in medicine, this trip provided direct insight into the methodologies used in the Greek healthcare system. Personally, I decided to go on this trip to learn how different lifestyles, cultural values, and perspectives impact health. To me, the highlight of this trip was getting to visit the island of Ikaria, a very remote area approximately 230 km off the mainland with a small population of just over 8,000 people. The unique characteristic of this island is it is considered one of the five blue zones in the entire world. A blue zone is defined as a geographical region whose population has the longest life expectancy, most times over 100 years old. Throughout my time on this island, I had the opportunity to converse with Ikarian natives, tour the island’s main hospital, and even get a cooking lesson to indulge in the traditional cuisine. I noticed four key findings from my week in Ikaria: an in-depth social connectedness, increased physical activity, a self-grown plant-based diet, and reduced stress. Overall, this study abroad experience has broadened my cultural perspective and provoked immense personal growth. I was able to observe the drastic differences in lifestyle and behavior here in the US compared to those in this blue zone. As a future physician assistant, I can use this knowledge and experience to properly educate my patients on the important elements to a healthy lifestyle.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Sleep quality is an important factor that affects a person’s day-to-day life. One specific area of interest is relationship quality, in which studies suggest that sleep quality improvement between couples relates to improvement in relationship quality (Gordon et al., 2020). Qualities that couples exhibit such as a lack of attachment issues and fighting behavior can positively affect sleep quality and sleeping patterns (Schlarb et al., 2015). Studies, however, have not looked into the use of games in indicating aspects of varying romantic relationships such as positive responsiveness, authentic connections, and a sense of stability, and how these factors correlate with sleep quality in couples (Xia et al., 2023). The purpose of the following study is to understand the effect of sleep on romantic relationships using Charades to characterize the authentic connection (i.e., closeness) between two partners. Charades involves the ability to read the body language and gestures presented during the game. Method and analytic plan: Thirty 18-40-year-old participants completed the following study, including non-cohabiting (n=9), cohabiting but not married (n=11), and married individuals (n=10). Participants completed surveys based on questions about their partners along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which asks questions based on sleeping habits and troubles concerning sleeping (Schlarb et al., 2015). Partners had two minutes to complete a game of Charades, in which they took turns to either guess actions or reenact them all while recording their performance and brain activity. We hypothesized a positive correlation between sleep and couples’ performance in charades, as a marker for authentic connection. Implication: The study aims to emphasize the importance of sleep within varying romantic relationships along with studying its' indirect effect of authentic connection within couples. By studying the connection between sleep and relationship quality, efforts based on improving relationships can be made along with further discussion based on sleep's effect on social behavior.
9:30-11:00 a.m.While attending the University of South Carolina, I completed many valuable courses focused on the mathematical aspects of road design. Through my internships I was provided with an opportunity to apply these mathematical aspects to road design and also gain real-world experience on how to communicate with and work effectively within a project management team. Over three years, I interned with Mead & Hunt, an engineering firm, in Columbus, Ohio, Lexington, South Carolina, and Denver, Colorado and worked on a variety of organizational systems under different management styles to complete over 30 projects. I found the most efficient way to complete a project and incorporate learning objectives during my internship is following a checklist and setting a file structure, which better ensured all aspects of a project are checked. Instead of following a new plan for each project, following a checklist better covered all aspects of a project and made it easier to follow progress on tasks. I was able to adapt to new projects and understand my role when a unified checklist was followed. Using this management checklist for civil engineering works in the professional and civic engagement pathway, having stronger project management can better efficiency and construction of public works and strengthen communication in a professional setting.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Polyurethane (PU) foams, made of petroleum based diisocyanate or poly(isocyanate) and oligomeric hydroxyl polyols substances, has detrimental impacts to the environment, including; aquatic life, soil health, plants, and humans [1]. The PU market, valued at approximately 78.9 billion US dollars in 2023, is expected to grow by 5.88% reaching 104.99 billion US dollars by 2028 [2]. A promising method for recycling PU waste and recovering the original polyol involves glycolysis in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based molecules. In this study, we introduce a new glycolysis approach utilizing a mixture of PEG and lignin molecules. Lignin is the second-most abundant plant-based component with intricate and large molecular structure. We initially apply glycolysis process in the presence of PEG to breakdown lignin into smaller molecules; these lignin-PEG molecules are then employed to decompose PU foam and recover polyol. The overall aim of this study is to develop and analyze the upcycling of PU foam using degraded lignin, creating new bio-resins suitable for 3D printing applications. Integrating lignin into PU structures leads to the creation of environmentally friendly PU materials. Unlike PU foams, lignin is a green waste that poses no environmental harm [3]. The structure of the resulting products will be characterized using NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), FTIR (Fourier Transfer Infrared), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry), and GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography) to determine the effect of processing parameters and optimize the conditions to achieve a material suitable to be use as bio-resin. This experiment could provide a sustainable solution and further research towards similar uses in lignin and polyurethane foam. References 1. Haq, I., Mazumder, P., & Kalamdhad, A. S. (2020). Recent advances in removal of lignin from paper industry wastewater and its industrial applications – A Review. Bioresource Technology, 312, 123636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123636 2. Mordor Intelligence. Polyurethane Market-Report, Size & Growth. Retrieved October 2023, from https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/polyurethane-market. 3. Liang, C., Gracida-Alvarez, U. R., Gallant, E. T., Gillis, P. A., Marques, Y. A., Abramo, G. P., Hawkins, T. R., & Dunn, J. B. (2021). Material flows of polyurethane in the United States. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(20), 14215–14224. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c03654
1:00-2:30 p.m.Sexual conflict occurs in a population when the sexes cannot achieve optimal fitness at the same time. This often occurs over traits such as remating rates, with males preferring a high rate of remating and females preferring a lower rate. In Drosophila melanogaster, the evolution of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) transferred from the male to the female during copulation is thought to be shaped by such conflict. Around 150 SFPs have been identified and are known to influence female behavioral and physiological traits such as lifespan, egg production, and remating latency. However, the exact function of most individual SFPs is unknown. This project focuses on a single SFP, Acp29AB, and attempts to identify the forces shaping its evolution and the protein’s impact on a host of male and female life history traits. To accomplish this, we generated males with almost no expression of Acp29AB and measured the sperm offensive and defensive abilities of such males. We also measured the lifespan, egg production, and progeny production of females mated to the knockdown males. To capture a more holistic view of the role of Acp29AB in fitness, we measured the fitness of knockdown males and their female partners when in direct competition with control males and females. In these latter experiments, the multiple measures of fitness independently measured above were at play simultaneously. If sexual conflict shaped the evolution of male investment in Acp29AB production and transfer, males who transferred less Acp29AB would have worse fitness, and females who received less Acp29AB would have improved fitness. Our findings suggest that while Acp29AB might have a role in certain aspects of male competition, it has little to no effect on female fitness, and thus is not influenced by sexual conflict.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Group testing, a method that screens subjects in pooled samples rather than individually, has been employed as a cost-effective strategy for chlamydia screening among Iowa residents. In efforts to deepen our understanding of chlamydia epidemiology in Iowa, several group testing regression models have been proposed. Different than previous approaches, we expand upon the varying coefficient model to capture potential age-varying associations with chlamydia infection risk. In general, our model operates within a Bayesian framework, allowing regression associations to vary with a covariate. We employ a stochastic search variable selection process for regularization in estimation. Additionally, our model can integrate random effects to consider potential geographical factors and estimate unknown assay accuracy probabilities. The performance of our model is assessed through comprehensive simulation studies. Upon application to the Iowa group testing dataset, we reveal a significant age-varying racial disparity in chlamydia infections. We believe this discovery has the potential to inform the enhancement of interventions and prevention strategies, leading to more effective chlamydia control and management, thereby promoting health equity across all populations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Analyzing ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) is essential for understanding affective states and social behaviors in rodents during behavioral experiments. However, manual USV analysis is time-consuming, subjective, and error-prone. To overcome these challenges, we designed a framework to automate the processing and aggregation of USV annotations generated with UltraVox XT (Noldus Information Technology, Inc., Leesburg, VA). We applied our analysis method to behavioral responses from multiple experiments assessing the characteristics (e.g., duration, timing, pattern) of 22 kHz (distress) and 50 kHz (positive valence) USVs following fear acquisition and extinction protocols. These analyses required identifying in sound (.wav) files 10-second 2 kHz tones repeated every 60 seconds paired or unpaired to small electrical shocks. Then, labeled USV calls needed to be binned using 60-second windows starting at the tone onset. The analysis pipeline we implemented collects audio and metadata from files in various formats and organizes them into Pandas data frames. It then extracts relevant metadata (e.g., test type and animal ID), deduplicates data, and standardizes annotation labels. Tones are then detected from .wav files and used to calculate USV statistics per bin, considering the specificity of the different experimental paradigms. We validated tone detection against manual annotation and found that discrepancies were generally due to inaccuracy in the manual annotations. Then, we assessed the accuracy and reliability of tones duration and amplitude. We utilized the root-mean-square to assess the amplitude of detected tones and showed that 31.0% and 8.5% of the tones were, respectively, larger than 10% and 200% of the mean amplitude. We found similar inconsistencies in the duration of the tones. Our framework also rectified labeled spelling errors and missing fields due to manual processing and automatically generated unique USV parameters (e.g., average frequency, number of bouts, and calls per bout, where “bouts” are clusters or sequences of calls). Altogether, this work confirmed the advantage of automating data processing procedures for catching errors, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies. Further, this automation process increased our capacity to analyze USV data at scale by reducing the amount of tedious manual work required.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In clinical medicine, story-telling is valued in terms of the immediacy to clinical decision making through structured communication (e.g., the traditional history and physical). However, stories and story-telling are powerful tools with transformative effect when utilized more broadly in healthcare and health education. As a pilot to explore incorporation of storytelling in the SOM curriculum, our team decided to collect stories from a variety of individuals in the Columbia area. We developed a set of topics and content areas to recruit participants with a focus on health. We use StoryCorps methodology, which is freely available online, to conduct and document interviews. The intent is to explore narratives that can inform our health and health education at USC as well as the value of story-telling in professional development of USC SOM students.
1:00-2:30 p.m.ST elevations on an EKG are an alarming finding, suggestive of cardiac ischemia or injury. Identifying an ST elevation myocardial infarction warrants urgent evaluation by cardiology and potential treatment. However, in some instances ST elevation may be indicative of other pathologies. In this case study, we present a very rare cause of ST elevation: invasion of pericardial tissue by stage 3a obstructive SCC lung cancer. The patient was a 64 year old female with PMH of Stage 3a SCC s/p RLL resection, laryngeal cancer, COPD, and tobacco use that presented to the Emergency Department with chest pain and dyspnea. She was found to have inferior lead ST elevations on EKG with reciprocal changes present in aVR and no troponin elevation. Cardiology was consulted in the emergency department and concurred that her presentation was concerning for STEMI. However, with negative troponin, known extensive tumor involvement of her mediastinum with extension into the pericardium, and heterogenous changes seen in the right atrium, decision was made against activating CATH lab for acute STEMI. The patient’s POCUS showed no evidence of pericardial effusion, and demonstrated preserved LV systolic function. A formal TTE was recommended and showed normal left and right atria with no clear mass seen in the right atrium, and LV EF of 55-65%. While the TTE did not show a clear mass, prior imaging with CTA PE protocol was significant for a large heterogeneous right perihilar mass with extension around the carina and esophagus, encasement of the right sided pulmonary arteries and veins, and extension to the pericardium and around right sided vascular structures. On subsequent EKG there was resolution of the ST segment elevation in the inferior leads with no q wave development. At the time of the writing of this case oncology had seen the patient and determined with the extensive tumor burden and metastasis, further treatment would not be viable and recommended hospice or palliative care. The patient elected to pursue hospice. In summary, physicians should be aware of atypical causes of ST elevation such as metastatic disease invading the mediastinum and presenting like ACS.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Approximately 11.3% of the population in the United States has diabetes. If not managed appropriately, diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and other complications. It is vital to manage and treat diabetes early on to prevent these complications. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) systems help manage diabetes and provide more efficient and less demanding monitoring. This diabetes technology allows patients to see glucose levels in real time and gives providers more data to assess, leading to individualized treatment plans and achievement of glycemic control goals. There is little evidence on the effectiveness of an interprofessional experience on educating family medicine residents on how to utilize and interpret CGMs. An interdisciplinary CGM-focused clinic that consists of CGM placement and interpretation visits was started in February 2022 by pharmacists with medical residents integrated into it. The study aims to assess the clinical and educational impact of a CGM service on patients and learners. Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study evaluated adult patients diagnosed with diabetes who received a professional CGM between February 2022 and October 2023 at the Prisma Health Family Medicine Center (FMC) in Columbia, South Carolina. The primary educational outcome of resident knowledge and confidence in utilizing CGMs was determined by assessing the results obtained from voluntary, anonymous pre and post surveys given to the family medicine residents. The secondary clinical outcomes were to assess diabetes control (measured by the change in A1c from baseline to post-CGM clinic) and CGM data (time in range, time above range, time below range, glucose management indicator, and glucose variability). To further assess the clinical impact, adherence to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines before and after attendance in CGM clinic was assessed by ensuring the patient is optimized on guideline directed diabetes therapy based on comorbidities and preventive therapies (statin and ACEi/ARB use). Patients were also reviewed for diabetes-related routine exams (foot, eye, and nephropathy) and recommended vaccinations. Patient demographics and insurance types were also collected. Data was analyzed via descriptive statistics. Results: In progress. Conclusions: In progress.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As a German national, English is not my native language and at times communicating causes me stress. However, I have struggled with anxiety and physical signs of stress pretty much all my life. I could hear my heart pound when interacting with strangers and giving presentations. I have always felt uncomfortable in any situation like this and didn´t think I would ever be able to change this. My journey from being uncomfortable speaking in public to gaining confidence is highlighted through my experience in SPCH 140 Public Communication. Mr. Hance's, my professor for SPCH 140, guidance on body language and connecting with audiences helped me improve and gain confidence. Through various speeches and exercises, I learned to engage and connect better with others. “Keep your arms relaxed and open at your sides or use expansive gestures to convey openness and approachability. Avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this can create a barrier between you and your audience,” he would say. This newfound confidence was tested during nerve-wracking situations like Carolina Day, where I had to interact and talk with members of the House of Representatives about my experiences and life at USC Union. I used one of the tricks Mr. Hance gave me and maintained regular eye contact with my audience to establish rapport and connection. This helped bridge any possible language gap and helped me to feel more comfortable so I could effectively communicate and succeed in this “political” situation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Healthcare workers play critical roles in our community and help address many different aspects of patients’ lives that can impact their health. Among the many different social determinants of health, civic engagement is one that is often overlooked but provides an appreciable impact on health as it is recognized that more voter participation is associated with better health outcomes. Understanding the importance of physician involvement in voting advocacy, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) partnered with Vot-ER, a nonpartisan organization that aims to integrate civic engagement into healthcare. Vot-ER collaborates with hospitals and other healthcare systems across the nation to encourage voter registration among healthcare staff and patients. In their respective healthcare systems, participating Vot-ER members wear badges with a QR code and a SMS number to quickly and easily direct others to voter registration information on their own smartphones. Those directed to registration information also gain access to a 24/7 hotline available to answer any specific questions about voter registration. Local Vot-ER partners currently include Prisma Health, UofSC School of Medicine, and MUSC. As an initiative of ACOG District IV, faculty from the Prisma Health Obstetrics and Gynecology department sought to further partner with the UofSC School of Medicine to encourage medical students to wear Vot-ER badges and explore voter registration in their patient interactions. The Vot-ER process and goal allows more South Carolina residents to have their voice heard and promotes civic engagement with patients as a way to be invested in their own healthcare. Although physicians and medical students advocate for their patients everyday in clinical settings, this is a novel way of interacting with patients that can benefit their health outcomes. As a result, we explore physician, medical student, and other hospital faculty member opinions on political and voting-oriented advocacy initiatives through structured interviews in the current study.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Singlish (as opposed to Singaporean English) is an English-based creole language spoken in Singapore which includes elements of the many languages spoken in that country (such as Malay, Cantonese, Hokkien Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, and Tamil). One way in which Singlish stands out from Singaporean English and other English varieties is in its use of discourse particles with etymological ties to Mandarin Chinese and Hokkien Chinese, among other languages. One particle unique to this variety is “lah,” with connections to Hokkien, conveys a multitude of nuanced pragmatic nuances depending on the speech act, with some examples being statement softening, emphasis, and imperative commands. "Meh," meanwhile, is more often attributed to Cantonese origins, expressing doubt towards others. Additionally, “what” used in a sentence-final position is understood to indicate a known fact that contradicts a previous statement. Discourse particles such as these are inextricable from daily conversation among Singaporeans, representing something of a symbol and a stereotype to national identity. While these discourse particles, and most notably “lah,” have been the subject of countless pragmatic and phonetic studies, little research exists regarding these particles’ syntactic distribution. This study will compile and analyze the distribution of several Singlish discourse particles, discussing their relationship to Standard English and Mandarin Chinese grammars. It will also seek to correlate reported distinctions among them in meaning and use with distinctions in their sentential distribution. A better understanding of how Chinese and English grammatical principles intersect and overlap in Singlish will hopefully provide a basis for a better understanding of both languages and of creoles generally.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Living in an era known for fluctuating societal needs and increasing health concerns, building and establishing strong health policies is one of the crucial ways to expand access to healthcare and fight health inequities. My internship with Capitol Information Affiliates provided me with new insights into how legislation is created, edited, and voted on in South Carolina. Furthermore, it showed the importance of putting in the effort to create strong policies that positively impact the community’s health. As a legislative monitor, I was tasked with attending legislative committee meetings in the South Carolina State House and recording notes that would be sent to CIA’s clients. I took this internship opportunity to explore the legislative field and see the decisions lawmakers are making that affect the citizens of South Carolina. One of the biggest takeaways I have from attending these meetings is getting to witness South Carolina citizens provide testimony on how the bill being discussed would affect them. I learned how important it is to speak up on issues that matter to you, vote in elections, and how much policies and laws can affect an individual’s macro-level health determinants. This internship allowed me to gain a better understanding of the communities around me and what may be affecting an individual’s quality of life or health status. As a student in public health, this helped me fully understand how macro-level health determinants lie beyond the individual and affect the population as a whole. Before this internship, I perceived many issues in my community as black and white; I now know that there are a plethora of factors that play a part in important issues, such as healthcare. As an aspiring physician assistant, I plan to take this knowledge with me into the healthcare field and recognize that different communities have different health needs, despite what may appear at first.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory condition in children. Studies confirm inequalities in asthma prevalence among Hispanic and Black children. The objective of this study was to determine opportunities for pharmacists to address modifiable asthma treatment barriers in the pediatric Hispanic population. Methods Caregivers were surveyed in two Good Samaritan Clinics in Columbia, South Carolina, and consent for participation was obtained before survey administration. Pharmacist members of the South Carolina Pharmacy Association were surveyed electronically. The surveys were provided in Spanish for the caregivers and in English for the pharmacists, with each group of surveys containing demographic and Likert scale questions. Survey results were stored in RedCap and no identifying information was collected. The primary outcome of this study was to identify the largest treatment barrier(s) among pharmacists and caregivers of Hispanic children with asthma. The secondary outcome was to determine if perspectives are similar between the two groups. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results Nineteen caregiver surveys were collected over ten clinic days for one hour each day. Two responses reported an active asthma diagnosis, and no caregiver completed every question. The largest caregiver-reported barrier was communication with medical providers (63%, n=5 of 8 responses reporting agree/strongly agree). Additionally, only 38% (n=3 of 8 responses) of caregivers state the pharmacist always counsels them about medications. Forty-two pharmacist surveys were collected with the majority practicing in community pharmacy (76%, n=32) in the Midlands region (43%, n=18). Most pharmacists indicated that Hispanic caregivers represent < 25% of their patient population (71%, n=30). Seventy-nine percent (n=33) of pharmacists strongly agree/agree that communication was a significant barrier to treatment. Additionally, 57% (n=24) are not comfortable providing verbal inhaler counseling to Hispanic caregivers without assistance. Both pharmacists and caregivers reported caregiver concern for the safety, side effects, or usage of their child’s medications as a barrier to adherence (43%, n=18 and 50%, n=4/8 respectively). Conclusion The largest barrier identified by both caregivers and pharmacists was language differences. Additionally, pharmacists do not feel comfortable counseling Hispanic patients on inhalers. Proper counseling and inclusive communication initiatives should be implemented to overcome these barriers.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Teachers are the first line of defense against bullying and have a critical role in responding to bullying in the school context (Troop-Gordon, 2015; Yoon & Bauman, 2014). The need to address bullying is underscored by the fact that as many as one in three students report involvement in bullying and victimization (UNESCO, 2019). Accordingly, equipping preservice teachers – who will one day be responsible for addressing bullying in their classroom – should be a key focus of initial teacher preparation programs (Dawes et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to explore how preservice teachers would respond to bullying scenarios using a qualitative design. A central question for the project was whether their responses aligned with current recommendations for effective intervention strategies. Participants in this study included N = 222 preservice teachers at a large, public university in the Southeastern region of the United States who responded to a modified (Dawes et al., 2022) version of the Bullying Attitudes Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2000; Yoon & Kerber, 2003; Bauman & Del Rio, 2006). For each bullying scenario, participants wrote how they would respond to the perpetrator and victim in the bullying episode. A combination of deductive codes from an existing framework (Yoon & Kerber, 2003) and inductive codes that emerged from the data were used to analyze responses in a constant comparative approach. Codes were then combined into themes. Initial results reveal some preservice teachers’ responses were more complex and nuanced than initial frameworks proposed for teacher involvement in bullying (Yoon & Kerber, 2003), and several responses indicate a disconnect with preferred bullying intervention strategies (Bjereld et al., 2021). These results suggest that preservice teachers need specific training in evidenced-based responses to this common peer experience.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Accurate prediction of age-associated cognitive impairment is vital for early diagnosis and treatment. Cognitive decline can manifest in a language or speech deficit. The choice of linguistic features relevant to cognitive impairment has yet to be fully explored. • Aim: We examine the relationship of discourse tasks to cognitive evaluation tests such as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) through machine learning models. • Method: 150 Participants aged between 20 and 90 completed MoCA and discourse tasks consisting of two picture description tasks and one expository discourse task. Features were extracted from the discourse transcription using Computer Language Analysis (CLAN) and Correct Information Units(CIU) analysis. Support vector regression was used to model the relation between discourse features and MoCA. Feature selection was performed with 10-fold cross-validation based on the R2 metric. • Result: The final model consists of 6 discourse features and yielded an R2 value of 0.34, while using demographic information alone to predict MoCA yielded R2 value of 0.19. Adding demographic information to the discourse feature did not further improve R2. • Conclusion: MoCA can be predicted through discourse to some extent with statistical significance. Important features within the discourse are identified.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: While intussusception is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in children, it is very rarely diagnosed in adults (1). Intussusception is a known complication following roux-en-y gastric bypass, with the pooled incidence estimated to be 0.64% of bypass patients (2). Resection and reconstruction of the jejunojejunostomy in gastric bypass patients has been reported to decrease the risk of recurrence of intussusception compared to reduction alone (2) (3). In the following case report, we present the extremely rare finding of triple recurrence of intussusception despite revision and reconstruction of the roux-en-y anatomy. Case Report: A 28 year old female with a significant past medical history of morbid obesity and recurrent intussusception and past surgical history of laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass, laparoscopic revision of jejunojejunostomy, open ventral incisional hernia repair, and revision of proximal roux limb reconstituting anastomosis, presented to the emergency department with severe, unremitting abdominal pain. She explained the pain as feeling consistent with her prior episodes of intussusception and CT of her abdomen and pelvis revealed small bowel-small bowel intussusception in the left abdomen measuring up to 9.6 x 9.1 x 14.7 cm in diameter with decreased enhancement of the small bowel involved in the intussusception concerning for ischemia. We emergently proceeded to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy. On initial investigation, the roux limb reconstituting anastomosis was noted to be healthy appearing, however, there was a long segment of retrograde intussusception of the proximal common channel into the jejunojejunostomy with an obstructed biliopancreatic limb. This was not reducible and we converted to an open approach for resection and revision of the jejunojejunostomy with reconstruction of the roux-en-y anatomy. The patient tolerated the procedure well and is continuing to be followed closely in the outpatient setting. Discussion: Triple recurrence of intussusception following resection and revision of roux-en-y anatomy is not reported in the literature. Further research needs to be conducted to better understand an individual's anatomic and/or physiologic factors which may contribute to a higher rate of recurrent intussusception following resection and revision of roux-en-y anatomy.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Sleep is a vital process, as it plays an important role in daily function such as maintaining optimal metabolic balance. Throughout the lifespan, disturbances in sleep, which can be experimentally modeled by sleep deprivation (SleepDep) in rodents, may contribute to age-related decline in brain function. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a brain region that regulates sleep-wake homeostasis, and it is particularly susceptible to age-associated neurogenic changes. With advanced age, the number of neurons expressing the neuropeptide orexin within the LH is significantly reduced. However, little is known about the relationship between age-related dysfunction of the LH and the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan metabolism. Aging is characterized by the accumulation of KP metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), a neuromodulator synthesized by kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II) enzyme. When sleep is dysregulated, brain KYNA levels are also higher. We hypothesize that SleepDep-induced accumulation of KYNA contributes to exacerbated disruptions of orexinergic activation in the aged brain. To assess activation of orexinergic neurons following SleepDep, we evaluated the colocalization of cFos, a marker for immediate-early neuronal activation, and orexin in the LH using dual label immunohistochemistry (IHC). We determined the percentage of activated orexinergic neurons in young (3-4 months; N = 22 male, N=20 female) and old (22-24 months; N=21 male, N=28 female) Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats. Experimentally, the rats received either ad libitum sleep or underwent SleepDep from Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0, the onset of light phase, to ZT6 using automated sleep disruption chambers. To inhibit de novo KYNA synthesis in the brain, rats were treated with KAT II inhibitor (PF-04859989, 30 mg/kg, s.c) at ZT0, or vehicle. At ZT6, animals were euthanized, and brain tissue was collected for IHC analysis. Employing peroxide activated diaminobenzidine (orexin) with nickel (cFos) reaction, we have confirmed approximately 19% of orexin neurons displayed cFos colocalization within the LH across samples. Further analysis is warranted to make conclusions across our treatment groups. Taken together, sleep deprivation and advanced age may impact the activation of orexin neurons within the LH and our goal is to further evaluate the interplay with KYNA.
1:00-2:30 p.m.At the Prisma Health Richland campus, there has been a low compliance level in documenting pediatric sepsis cases in both the inpatient and ED floors, with only a 30% rate of documentation. This is detrimental to patient care outcomes since in the US, there are over 75,000 pediatric sepsis cases per year, with a third of them developing changes in cognitive ability (Sepsis and Children, 2022). To further complicate this problem, it has been reported that up to 8% of pediatric sepsis cases go undiagnosed in the ED alone. Therefore, the goal of our research was to tackle the low documentation rate in both the ED and inpatient floors. We first surveyed residents and nurses to learn some barriers to documentation, such as physician burnout, difficulty with EPIC’s user interface, and other diseases that can mimic sepsis and therefore trigger an EPIC alert. Then, we implemented changes such as flyers to remind the medical team to document each pediatric sepsis case, with the next planned step involving changing EPIC’s user interface to better remind providers to document sepsis cases. Currently, our findings with the physical flyers showed improvements in pediatric sepsis documentation only when new flyers were put up around the workstations. After each reminder, however, documentation rates soon decreased to levels seen before the intervention. Since the physical flyers increased sepsis documentation rate but could not maintain the increased rate, the next step will be to install a notification system in EPIC that forces the providers to verify and document each pediatric sepsis case. With this next step, we are hoping to have a sustained increase in documentation in both the inpatient and ED floors. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this research is to find an effective method to improve documentation rates, minimize missed sepsis diagnosis, and subsequently improve patients’ quality of life.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Retroperitoneal liposarcomas are rare, slow-growing, adipocyte-derived tumors of the retroperitoneum associated with a high rate of recurrence and poor overall survival. Due to this vast area of growth potential, signs and symptoms of liposarcoma often do not readily present until they become noticeable through mass effect, the most common symptoms being abdominal distension, dyspnea, weight changes and early satiety. Most retroperitoneal liposarcomas are diagnosed at twenty to twenty-five centimeters in size, and tumors over thirty centimeters are classified as giant retroperitoneal liposarcomas. Prognosis and survival after removal of retroperitoneal liposarcoma varies based on tumor pathology, with liposarcomas divided into well-differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, and pleomorphic variants. Further survival benefit may be obtained from lower grade tumors as defined by soft tissue sarcoma staging criteria, and margin of resection during surgery. We present a patient with a giant, well-differentiated, grade 1 (cT4, cN0, cM0) retroperitoneal liposarcoma forty-two centimeters in size with associated herniation into the scrotum causing massive scrotal enlargement. The patient had no significant past medical history and initially believed that the liposarcoma was an asymptomatic hernia as it presented as a groin bulge. The mass slowly enlarged but remained asymptomatic for over four years before the patient presented seeking treatment. The patient subsequently underwent radical resection of the liposarcoma with en bloc left orchiectomy and inguinal hernia repair with mesh. He was admitted to the hospital after surgery and had an uneventful seven day inpatient course during which time his pain improved, he tolerated a diet, and he had return of bowel function. Surveillance imaging at three and six months post-operatively showed no evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease. Imaging findings, pathology results, operative techniques, anatomical considerations and post-operative management of this unusual case are discussed.
1:00-2:30 p.m.When I arrived at USC Sumter, I had no idea what I was in for. I knew I was going to be a student-athlete, and with that comes responsibility. With USC Sumter being a Junior College we are involved with several community service events for the locals, whether it's trash cleanup, bicycle repair, putting out pumpkins, feeding the deaf and blind, battle buddies, and mentoring kids at elementary schools. In class, I learned to have basic communication in Spanish for when needed. Our Goal was to ultimately get USC Sumter Baseball out there and for people to come to support us that we helped during the season. I have constructed 2 insights as to why I think Spanish is an under-looked tool in life. First I am a businessman and in business, you will have to sell items in your store to people that don’t speak the language you do primarily to be successful. A certain section specifically is plumbing. A lot of that area is certain people that do not speak English and to complete that sale you have to know the basics of Spanish to understand what they are looking for and need. Next, for example, if there was any kind of community service job with the baseball team that we had to do and there was a Spanish-speaking person, I could communicate with them and work together as a team better. So far the research and my trial and error has seem to work over the breaks I’ve heard from school and the time I have had at school. I can’t wait to see how this affects my life in the long run.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Mycotic aortic aneurysms are rare, estimated at an incidence of 0.7% to 3% of all aortic aneurysms (1). While mycotic aneurysms are reported in the literature, local spread from a perineal abscess has not yet been reported. Here we present a case report of a 56 year old male who presented with a perineal infection and was incidentally found to have a rapidly expanding mycotic aneurysm requiring urgent repair. Case Report: A 56 year old male presented for evaluation of a seven day duration of suprapubic pain, hematuria and dysuria. CT imaging revealed left sided renal stones, thick walled bladder with low grade cystitis and an incidental infrarenal abdominal aneurysm measuring 4.7 cm x 4.6 cm. Scrotal ultrasound revealed a scrotal wall abscess and urology and vascular surgery were consulted for evaluation. On physical exam, he had dry gangrene of his bilateral toes and an echocardiogram was ordered to evaluate for possible endocarditis which was negative for any cardiac pathology. Approximately five days after initial evaluation, he developed abdominal discomfort and an urgent CTA was obtained which revealed rapid enlargement of the infrarenal abdominal aorta to 7.7 cm with radiologic findings concerning for impending rupture. Urgently, the patient was taken to the operating room for open repair of his ruptured mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm with a rifampin coated dacron graft additionally using 16 mm x 8 mm limbs in the bilateral common iliac arteries. Postoperative ABIs were 0.68 (right) and 0.91 (left), and ultimately underwent right popliteal thromboembolectomy and left transmetatarsal amputation. Our patient's postoperative course was largely uncomplicated and he is continuing to recover appropriately. Discussion: While mycotic aortic aneurysms are reported in the literature, there are currently no reports of contiguous spread from a perineal infection causing impending rupture of a rapidly expanding aortic aneurysm. This case highlights the importance of prompt identification of a source when physical exam findings of emboli are noted. Additionally, we recommend early involvement of vascular surgery and urgent CTA for new or changed abdominal symptoms as it may indicate impending rupture prompting urgent surgical intervention.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by social communication deficits, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. One prevalent issue among individuals with ASD across the lifespan is the presence of sleep disturbances, which can impact overall well-being and cognitive functioning. This association may be linked to kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan, which has been implicated in sleep disturbances. Previous research suggests that elevated KYNA can lead to a depletion of melatonin, a hormone essential for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Children with ASD aged 2 to 9 years old exhibit elevated KYNA levels compared to typically developing children, suggesting decreased levels of melatonin. Considering that elevated KYNA may be a mechanism for disrupted sleep patterns in children with ASD, further research is needed to determine whether the association between KYNA and disrupted sleep is present during infancy, a critical period for the development of the sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, this study aims to investigate salivary KYNA levels in infants at an elevated familial likelihood for ASD (EL) compared to infants at a low likelihood for ASD (LL). EL infants are siblings of a child with an ASD diagnosis, and LL infants are siblings of a typically developing child. We collected salivary KYNA samples from infants ranging from 1 to 24 months of age and obtained a parent report of infant sleep patterns. Data will be analyzed to explore the potential correlation between salivary KYNA levels and sleep patterns in both groups, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of sleep disruption in ASD. A better understanding of sleep disturbances in infants later diagnosed with ASD may inform avenues for targeted early interventions focused on improving sleep quality, and in turn cognitive functioning.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: The United States (US) is experiencing a maternal health crisis, with rising severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and mortality rates, alongside persistent geographic, racial, and ethnic disparities. Recent closures of hospital-based obstetric units, particularly in rural and minority communities, challenge their access. Telehealth can address these access challenges; yet its impact remains unknown. This study aims to analyze disparities in maternal outcomes and user satisfaction by hospital-based telehealth and obstetric care availability. Methods: This study employed a convergent parallel mixed methods approach, analyzing data from 2015-2020 hospital annual surveys, 2018-2021 all-payer hospital records, and semi-structured interviews of 33 rural and minority birthing people in South Carolina in May-July 2023. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regressions were used to 1) examine temporal trends in the proportions of hospitals with telehealth and obstetrics capacity by hospital rurality, and 2) identify disparities in SMM by educational attainment, and race. Thematic analyses were conducted to understand factors related to prenatal telehealth amenability, user satisfaction, and experiences. Results: Between 2015 and 2020, telehealth capacity increased among urban hospitals with obstetrics services but only increased among rural hospitals without obstetrics services. Hospitals without telehealth had stronger Black-White disparities in SMM (adjusted odds ratio (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.17, 1.83) compared to hospitals with telehealth (aOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04, 1.40; p=.031). However, educational (master’s or higher versus high school or less) disparities were stronger among hospitals with telehealth (aOR, .57; 95% CI, .40, .80) compared to those without telehealth (aOR, .77; 95% CI, .67, .87). Birthing individual’s amenability to telehealth was affected by its accessibility, convenience, care continuity, and avoidance of discrimination and judgment encountered during in-person visits. Participants expressed mixed views about satisfaction with telehealth. Challenges of telehealth were primarily technical difficulties and the limited relationship that the modality allows the patient to have with the provider. Conclusion: The mitigated Black-White SMM disparities in hospitals with telehealth suggest ongoing efforts on maternal health equity to leverage telehealth in hospitals serving rural and minority birthing people. The mixed satisfactions and challenges facing rural minority people highlight the need to ensure culturally-competent and technical-glitch-free perinatal telehealth care.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As an international student hailing from India, raised in the vibrant diversity of Saudi Arabia, and now calling Dubai home, my journey to pursue a bachelor’s degree in America has been a lifelong dream. From the earliest days of my childhood, I harbored a deep-seated aspiration to study in the United States. Growing up in an English medium school, I immersed myself in American culture through classic movies, English songs, and countless books, all to refine my language skills and understand the world beyond my immediate surroundings. Upon graduating from high school, I made the bold decision to take a gap year, allowing myself the space to explore my passions and discover where my academic journey would lead. After extensive research and soul-searching, I found my calling in the field of Public Health and set my sights on the University of South Carolina (USC) to pursue my dreams. Leaving behind my family and everything familiar at the age of 17, I embarked on a life-changing journey across the globe to pursue my education. My time at USC has been nothing short of transformative. I've been fortunate to engage in a variety of leadership experiences. As an Orientation Leader, I have supported international students in adapting to new cultural landscapes, a journey like my own. In my capacity as a Supplemental Instructor at the Student Success Center, I've worked closely with students from varied backgrounds, which has significantly broadened my perspective on the unique aspects of the local education system when contrasted with that of my own country. My involvement has extended beyond academics, granting me the chance to delve into a diverse array of cultures, thereby expanding my worldview and deepening my global awareness. Navigating through obstacles and victories has not only endowed me with invaluable skills and insights but also fostered my emotional development. Every new day presents a fresh set of lessons, relationships, and avenues for introspection. My tenure at USC has been instrumental in not just building a solid academic base but also in molding me into an individual who is more adaptable,empathetic, and culturally attuned.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background/Purpose: Hepatitis C (HCV) is a serious health condition with acute infection rates being approximately four times higher than a decade ago. Despite national goals aiming for an eighty percent viral clearance by 2030, many barriers to treatment exist. Delays in care occur due to insurance requiring specific specialty pharmacies and specialist prescribers for coverage of direct acting antivirals (DAAs). Limited data is published regarding HCV treatment in primary care. With the newly published American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases - Infectious Deases Society of America treatment algorithm and well-tolerated DAAs on the market, this study aims to determine the HCV cure rates, appropriateness of liver classification, specialty pharmacy utilization, and resident confidence in treating HCV in a family medicine resident clinic. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients treated by physicians at the Prisma Health Family Medicine Center for HCV from June 2017 to December 2023. Adult patients who screened positive for Hepatitis C, defined by a positive HCV antibody and quantifiable viral load, who were treatment naive were eligible for inclusion in this study. The primary outcome of this study was an undetectable viral load at week twelve (SVR12) after completion of therapy with a DAA. Secondary outcomes included the specific DAA prescribed, the appropriateness of classification of liver disease, linkage to HCV care (defined by the time from diagnosis to the first fill date), time to test of cure (SVR12), and medical resident confidence in treating Hepatitis C. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze patient, clinical, and outcomes data. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between an undetectable viral response and selected patient and clinical factors.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Pressure injuries are localized skin and soft tissue injuries that are frequently encountered in the hospital setting as both primary diagnoses and adverse events. These injuries are classified as pressure or decubitus ulcers and occur due to prolonged compression exerted over bony prominences. Decubitus ulcers most commonly arise on the sacrum, ischial tuberosity, and greater trochanter, but can also present on the tissue adjacent to the occiput, scapula, and elbow. The development of these injuries is often multifactorial. Patients with decreased mobility, loss of sensory perception, and poor mentation are more susceptible to developing pressure ulcers. Other factors that can exacerbate ulcer formation and progression include malnutrition, anemia, and ischemia. The primary prophylaxis and treatment of these ulcers involves reducing compression forces at bony prominences. Reducing compression of these structures is commonly completed by encouraging ambulation, rolling/repositioning the patient, and providing specialty beds that reduce pressure at areas susceptible to ulceration. Studies indicate that appropriate offloading within a timely manner can decrease the incidence or progression of decubitus ulcers on susceptible patient populations. Our study analyzes the use of specialty beds with the goal of improving wound offloading times. Specifically, a quality improvement design was utilized to decrease the time elapsed between the placement of a specialty bed order and actual utilization of the bed by the patient.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Atrioesophageal (AE) fistula formation is a rare but serious complication of catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, with an estimated incidence of 0.025%. Despite its rarity, AE fistulas are associated with a high mortality rate of 66%. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are challenging due to the delayed and variable presentations seen in affected patients. Here, we present the clinical course of a 47-year-old female who presented to the emergency room in septic shock. Twenty-five days earlier, she had undergone catheter ablation for symptomatic atrial fibrillation. The patient's hospitalization was marked by a complex interplay of neurological, infectious, and gastrointestinal symptoms, necessitating extensive diagnostic evaluation. Notably, she exhibited a rare cause of bacteremia with Streptococcus Constellatus, alongside recurrent brain infarcts suggestive of septic and air emboli, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ultimately, an AE fistula was diagnosed, and the patient underwent timely surgical intervention. She was discharged to a rehabilitation center, achieving a favorable clinical outcome. This case underscores the intricate and interconnected infectious and neurological complications associated with AE fistulas. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights into both medical and surgical treatment strategies, highlighting the importance of early recognition and intervention. Unique features of the fistula morphology likely played a role in the patient's survival, underscoring the need for individualized management approaches in such cases.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Individuals after total knee arthroplasty demonstrate decreased aerobic activity levels, strength, range of motion, and lower outcome measure scores compared to healthy aged-matched individuals. Individuals after a total knee arthroplasty receive interventions through physical therapy to help improve function, pain, and quality of life. Still, after formal therapy is completed, people after total knee arthroplasty remain less active than their peers. Primary study participants were individuals who had received a total knee arthroplasty and either received coaching or control along with their physical therapy plan of care to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Results demonstrated no difference between groups. The current secondary analysis performed correlations to examine relationships between mobility, capacity, and pain, and MVPA to determine if there were secondary influences on outcomes regardless of intervention or control. Participants received an unilateral TKA and were 59.5% female with an average age of 66 (7) years. Participants had a median of nine physical therapy sessions. Patient reported physical function and quality of life measures (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC)) and physical measures (Timed Up and Go (TUG), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Stair Climbing Test (SCT), Single Limb Stance (SLS), knee extension ROM) were analyzed in this study. Only capacity (six-minute walk test) was significantly correlated to total minutes of MVPA (r=0.358; p=0.022) suggesting that aerobic capacity is a component in physical activity levels early after TKA. Considering aerobic capacity and pre-surgery MVPA may help target the appropriate PA coaching intervention timing post-TKA.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Shelter is a basic human need, and safe and affordable housing is recognized as an important social determinant of health. According to data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the majority of low-income households in South Carolina are “cost burdened”, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Many of these individuals become homeless. Housing instability and homelessness lead to poorer health outcomes through a variety of ways including the decreased ability to pay for healthcare. Hospitals are increasingly screening for housing needs including Prisma, the clinical partner of USC SOM; however, Prisma has not developed significant resources to address social needs. In 2022, students recognized this gap and formed Links to Care, a student organization at USC SOM that supports follow-up of social needs at Prisma clinics. The team has developed follow-up algorithms to support food insecurity and transportation. In 2023, Links to Care began exploring support for individuals who screen positive for housing instability. The team reports baseline data from Prisma on housing insecurity and progress in the creation of tools to support care teams and patients with housing instability.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In this study, the printability of AA6061, a precipitation-strengthened aluminum alloy crucial for aerospace and automotive applications, was investigated under room temperature and heated substrate conditions. A comprehensive exploration of process parameters, encompassing power and scan speed, was undertaken to fabricate cube samples with optimal relative density. Through meticulous defect analysis and assessment of various solidification conditions, three prime conditions were identified. Microstructural analysis was then conducted to elucidate the grain structure and precipitation behavior. Results from the room temperature study revealed that the highest relative density of 99.17% was attained under low power and low speed conditions. Furthermore, the adoption of a heated substrate led to a significant reduction in cracking, attributed to diminished thermal stresses. Microhardness and mechanical properties were subsequently evaluated and correlated with the microstructure, with T6 heat-treated conditions exhibiting superior hardness and enhanced mechanical properties compared to as-built samples.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Germ cell tumors (GCT) make up 95% of all testicular tumors and include seminomas (most common), yolk sac, choriocarcinoma, and teratomas. The non-germ cell testicular tumors include Leydig cell, Sertoli cell, and testicular lymphomas. Detection is typically made by patients through self-exam and confirmed with ultrasonography along with tumor markers including AFP, beta-hCG, testosterone, and estrogen. Surgery is required for definitive diagnosis. Case Summary: A 24-year-old healthy male presented to his PCP for right-sided testicular swelling present for 2 months with increased pain for 3 days. On ultrasound, a 3.2 x 2.9 x 2.5 cm hypoechoic mass at the lower pole of the right testicle was revealed. Preoperative tumor markers were significantly elevated with an AFP of 89.2 ng/mL (normal <5.7), beta-hCG of 2,858 IU/L (normal <1.4), and LDH of 587 IU/L (normal 125–220), and CT abdomen/pelvis revealed retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy up to 2.3 cm below the renal vasculature. A radical orchiectomy was performed via standard inguinal approach. Surgical pathology revealed a mixed germ cell tumor with embryonal carcinoma and choriocarcinoma, extending to the cord margin. Staging CT chest and MRI brain were negative for metastatic disease. Medical Oncology was consulted. Patient completed sperm banking and started on BEP chemotherapy. Discussion: Approximately one-third of testicular GCTs present with mixed types within a single mass, requiring a radical inguinal orchiectomy for histologic evaluation and local tumor control. Metastatic GCTs often involve retroperitoneal lymph nodes and may differ from the primary tumor. The presence of mixed histological elements, invasion of the spermatic cord, early metastasis to retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and elevated postoperative serum makers highlight the aggressive nature of this Stage IIA testicular tumor (TNM + serum markers: pT3, pN2, cM0, S1). Conclusions: This case report elucidates the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in managing a mixed germ cell testicular tumor. Comprehensive initial workup by PCPs with ultrasound imaging, labs, and serum markers can minimize the time between initial presentation and definitive surgical treatment. Multidisciplinary coordination for follow-up between urologists and oncologists can effectively manage complex malignancies regarding metastatic progression and treatment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Some health institutions and payors have enacted preoperative eligibility criteria for total joint arthroplasty surgeries, although surgeons may grant exemptions for surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate how not meeting eligibility criteria affected postoperative outcomes following total joint arthroplasty surgery. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of total joint arthroplasty patients at a single academic institution. Demographic information, laboratory values, and postoperative complications were recorded. Continuous and categorical variables were compared using the Student’s T-test and the Chi-Squared test, respectively. Multivariable analysis was used to control for confounding variables. Results: Our study included 915 total hip arthroplasty and 1,579 total knee arthroplasty patients. For both total hip and total knee arthroplasty, there were no significant differences in complications (P=0.11, 0.87), readmissions (P=0.83, 0.2), or revision surgeries (P=0.3, 1) when comparing those who met all criteria to those who did not. Total hip arthroplasty patients who did not meet two criteria had a 16.1 higher odds ratio (P=0.02) of suffering a complication. There were no differences in complications (P=0.34, 0.41), readmissions (P=1, 0.55), or revision surgeries (P=1, 0.36) between ineligible total hip and total knee arthroplasty patients treated by total joint arthroplasty surgeons and those who were not, although total joint arthroplasty surgeons tended to treat more complex patients. Multivariable analysis demonstrated no eligibility factors were significantly associated with complications, 90-day readmissions, or revision surgeries for both total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in postoperative outcomes between those who met all eligibility criteria and those who did not meet at least one criterion. Fellowship-trained total joint arthroplasty surgeons had similar postoperative outcomes to non-total joint surgeons, although their patient population tended to be more complex. The results demonstrate proper patient selection through physician experience is ideal for preventing negative outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project investigates the long-term consequences of slave uprisings in the Caribbean, presenting historical tales of resistance and revolt that shaped the region's history. Not only are these tales captivating, but they also demonstrate the incredible resilience and fortitude of those enslaved who challenged the abhorrent practice of slavery. The long-lasting consequences of these uprisings have affected the Caribbean cultures' ongoing search for independence and equality. The results of this study resulted from an in-depth study that involved the examination of academic journals, primary sources, and historical documents such the Taino Rebellion of 1519. This methodology provided a thorough analysis of the causes, important figures, strategies, and results of these revolutions, leading to a deep understanding of their significance. This research demonstrates that these uprisings were a component of a greater Caribbean abolitionist resistance movement rather than being isolated occurrences. By showing their resilience and defiance in the face of injustice, these people disproved the myth that those who are enslaved are defenseless victims. While some revolutions brought about instant benefits, others were brutally put down, revealing the horrible truth of slavery in the Caribbean. The legacy of these uprisings is one of tenacity, defiance, and a fierce desire for independence. This project aims to promote greater investigation and understanding of this significant period of Caribbean history through the use of these accounts. These findings are essential for academics and serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice throughout the Caribbean and beyond.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Neural crest cells are an interim group of precursor cells that are instrumental to embryonic development, as they make up the peripheral nervous system and differentiate into various other specialized cell types. Sox10 is a transcription factor that enables neural crest cells to differentiate into pigment cells called melanocytes. Waardenburg syndrome is caused by mutations in Sox10 that result in the loss of pigment in the hair, eyes, and skin due to a lack of melanocytes. Dominant spot is a trait in Peromyscus, or deer mice, characterized by a white patch on the forehead that is caused by a spontaneous mutation in Sox10. Unlike other inbred strains of laboratory mice, Peromyscus laboratory stocks exhibit genetic variability akin to the human population. This genetic variability is seen in the phenotypic variability in the spot size of affected Peromyscus. A quantitative trait loci analysis of Dominant spot linked the phenotypic variability observed in spot size with a region on Chromosome 10. In this region, there are three candidate genes, one of which is Zfp326, a transcription factor that has the potential to interact with Sox10. Of the three genes, Zfp326 was the only one that has a DNA variation that causes an amino acid substitution within its protein. Therefore, it may be the source of variation observed in the size of Dominant spot. I hypothesize that Zfp326 is expressed in neural crest cells in conjunction with Sox10. The purpose of this project is to determine if the gene Zfp326 is expressed in neural crest cells along with the transcription factor Sox10. To do so, we will examine the temporal and spatial expression of Zfp326 during embryonic development in Peromyscus with reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and RNA in situ hybridization experiments, respectively. The RT-PCR experiment has confirmed the temporal expression of Zfp326 from e12.5 to e15.5 in their embryonic development. We are currently conducting an RNA in situ hybridization to determine if Zfp326 is in neural crest cells. Successfully doing so will indicate the possibility of a functional association between Zfp326 and Sox10 in neural crest cells.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Splenic vein aneurysm (SVA) is an extremely rare finding, with very few cases described in the medical literature. First reported by Lowenthal et al. in 1953, there have since been only 8 other cases of SVA recorded in the English literature. Given the rarity, no clear practice guidelines exist. Little is known about the pathogenesis of an SVA, but many are associated with portal hypertension or a congenital defect of the splanchnic vasculature. The literature suggests that the natural history of an SVA (particularly those over 3cm) lead to rupture, thrombosis, or obstruction of adjacent structures. Excision is the most commonly performed treatment, however other approaches have been infrequently described, including observation with serial imaging, plication, and endovascular stenting. No robotic-assisted intervention has been documented to date. Our case involves a 22-year-old, recently postpartum, female who presented to the emergency department with worsening left upper quadrant abdominal pain. CTA (computed tomography angiography) of the abdomen incidentally revealed a 2.7cm x 4.5cm splenic vein aneurysm. She was first referred to vascular surgery, who decided to monitor with serial imaging. CTA at a 3-month interval showed the aneurysm to be stable in size, but intimately associated with the tail of the pancreas. Given this, she was referred to hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery for evaluation. She ultimately underwent a robotic-assisted splenectomy with high ligation of the splenic vein. She has since been seen in the outpatient setting and is doing remarkably well. We hope that this case contributes to the larger body of literature that may one day aid in developing consensus guidelines on management and prognosis. Our presentation will include both radiographic and intra-operative imaging.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Endometriosis is defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial glands and stroma in non-native locations outside of the uterine cavity. This process most often occurs in the pelvis and appears clinically as a combination of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Extra-pelvic manifestations of endometriosis, although rare, can involve the intestines, the thorax, or the abdominal wall. Here we demonstrate the case of a 25-year-old female with no pertinent past medical history who presented to our surgical team with an umbilical mass that first appeared after getting a piercing in 2021. Since that time, the patient reported that the mass had increased in size and every month, in alignment with her menstruation, the mass became painful and exhibited pinpoint bleeding. Physical exam revealed a hard, nonreducible, 3 cm umbilical mass with a keloid appearance. Ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic, mildly vascularized, irregular mass involving the subcutaneous tissue at the level of the umbilicus. A presumptive diagnosis of endometriosis can be made clinically with a mild presentation, or a surgical diagnosis can be definitively pursued for more severe presentations. Firstline treatment of endometriosis generally begins with NSAIDs and OCPs (or GnRH agonists like Leupron) for pain control and hormonal suppression of FSH and LH to resolve menstrual symptoms, respectively. Given this patient’s age, significant discomfort, and desire for pregnancy, the decision was made to pursue surgical intervention. A T-shaped supraumbilical incision was made within a natural skin crease. The mass was dissected and removed using a combination of blunt dissection and Bovie cautery. A small umbilical hernia was noted and repaired intraoperatively in keeping with the preoperative discussion with the patient. The patient was discharged the same day. Pathological examination of the mass confirmed umbilical skin and soft tissue with endometriosis. The patient demonstrated a meaningful postoperative recovery without further complaints of perimenstrual umbilical discomfort or bleeding at follow up visits.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The body size and color patterns of Lepidoptera (i.e. butterflies and moths) vary widely across the insect order, influenced by selection from predators or the environment (e.g., natural selection) and mates (e.g., sexual selection). Large female body size can provide a strong fecundity advantage, but this is balanced by an increased risk of detection and attack by predatory birds in comparison to smaller moth populations. Similarly, bright aposematic (warning) coloration may convey that an organism is toxic and should be avoided to prospective predators, while darker coloration exhibiting disruptive patterns camouflages individuals within their environments. The coloration and relative size of most organisms holds significance for fitness, and even slight changes to an individual’s phenotype can greatly impact survival. Alongside industrialization, human-caused climate change has greatly altered insect communities and ecosystems due to increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, extreme weather events and alteration of communities of predators. All these factors may contribute to gradual evolutionary change in moth body size or wing coloration over many generations. This project will examine evolution within a population of moths in South Carolina over 50 years and roughly 100 generations. Preserved moth specimens collected by Richard B. Dominick between 1965 and 1975 in the Santee Delta and held in USC’s extensive collection will be utilized to form a historical baseline of species morphology to which modern specimens collected between 2022 and 2024 from an adjacent site in Northern Charleston Country will be compared using image analysis methods.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: There is a great need for quality improvement regarding blood glucose management for patients diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), especially real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM), increases the standard of care for individuals who manage their chronic condition with multiple insulins and other anti-diabetic drugs. In rural populations throughout the American South, there are more people diagnosed with diabetes and other cardiometabolic disorders who have less access to healthcare than other regions of the United States (US). The purpose of this quality improvement project is to increase the number of patients with Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) higher than 9% who initiate care at the CGM Clinic, implement CGM, and return to the CGM Clinic to review their healthcare data for shared decision making around their blood glucose level. In December 2023, we reviewed the patients with HbA1c higher than 9% in the EPIC electronic medical record (EMR) system. We identified ~80 patients who met the criteria for inclusion. Then we conducted a clinical site visit to participate in patient care and better understand the process of care with the CGM Clinic’s lead pharmacists and other interdisciplinary team members. In January 2024, we met to complete our Driver Diagram. In February 2024, we began the quality improvement project implementation. We utilized both telephone electronic messaging to contact patients in early March 2024.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Gallstone pancreatitis is the most common cause of acute pancreatitis. Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile duct system and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Because of abundant evidence of improved outcomes of cholecystectomy in gallstone pancreatitis, Surgical and Gastroenterology societies strongly recommend cholecystectomy during index hospitalization. However, there is scarcity of data and guidelines on timeline for cholecystectomy in patients with gallstone pancreatitis when concurrent with cholangitis. We aimed to estimate the impact of cholecystectomy on hospitalization outcomes for patients with gallstone pancreatitis with concurrent cholangitis. Methods: We collected data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project- (HCUP) Nationwide Readmission Database- 2018. Patients admitted with acute gallstone pancreatitis with concurrent cholangitis were identified and discharge weights were applied. Mean and SD were used to describe continuous variables, and proportions were used with categorical variables. Comparison between groups was performed by t-test for continuous variables and the Chi-Square test for Categorical variables. Results: We identified 3,981 index hospitalizations with acute gallstone pancreatitis with cholangitis. From these patients, only 38.1% received cholecystectomy during index hospitalization. Of those who underwent cholecystectomy, 71.9% received ERCP and 2% received intraoperative cholangiogram. Patients who underwent index cholecystectomy had significantly lower mortality (1.2% vs. 6.3%, P <0.001) and lower 90-day readmission rates (11.7% vs. 21%, P< 0.001) compared to those who did not undergo a cholecystectomy. Patients who underwent cholecystectomy had increased total costs of hospitalization ($104,917; SD: 110,708 vs. $96,174; SD: 145,684, P= 0.032). There was no statistically significant difference in length of stays (7.7; SD: 7.909 vs. 7.47; SD: 8.113 P =0.386) between the two groups. Demographic and clinical characteristics are summarized in table 1. Conclusions: Cholecystectomy during index admission is associated with decreased mortality and lower 90-day readmission rates in patients admitted with acute gallstone pancreatitis with cholangitis. Due to the risk of developing another episode of cholangitis, pancreatitis, or pancreatitis with concurrent cholangitis, we recommend cholecystectomy during the same admission as diagnosis of pancreatitis with concurrent cholangitis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Prior studies have shown the association between periodontal disease, lacunar strokes, and cognitive impairment. Using the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort, we investigated the relationship between periodontal disease (PD) and MRI-verified cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Methods: Using the ARIC database, we extracted data for 1143 (mean age 77 years, 76% white, 24% African-American, and 45% male) participants assessed for PD (n=800) versus periodontal health/PH (n=343) during Visit 4. Participants underwent 3T MRI imaging at Visit 5 and were assessed for CSVD measured as white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) derived from a semiautomated segmentation of FLAIR images. Based on WMHV, subjects were grouped into quartiles (Q): Q1 <6.41; Q2 6.41-11.56; Q3 11.56-21.36; >21.36 cm3. PH and PD group baseline characteristics were compared. Student t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare normally and non-normally distributed continuous variables respectively. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compute an unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the higher quartiles of WMHV compared to the reference quartile (Q1). The latter OR was adjusted for age >60 years, race, sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking status, and BMI. Results: There was a significantly greater presence of CSVD measured as WMHV in the PD cohort (9.4; 25th -75th percentile, 8.7-9.8) as compared to the PH cohort (9.3; 25th-75th percentile, 8.7-9.8) with statistical significance (p=0.027). Similarly, WMH measured as a percentage was higher in the PD group (2.83; 25th-75th percentile, 1.52-4.95) compared to the PH group (2.52; 25th-75th percentile, 1.35-4.30) with statistical significance (p=0.012). PD was significantly associated with the highest quartile of WMHV (Q4) on univariate (crude OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.23-2.56) and remained significant after adjusting for covariables (adjusted OR was 1.75 (95% CI 1.17-2.61). Conclusion: Based on this cohort study, data suggests that PD may be independently associated with CSVD. Maintaining proper dental health may decrease future risk for CVSD associated complications such as lacunar strokes and vascular cognitive impairment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Being in a Greek organization and a part of Greek life has changed and challenged the trajectory of my college experience the most during my time at USC. I have been lucky enough to hold a multitude of positions from my first semester up until my last, which gave me the opportunity to leave an impact on my community. During my term as Panhellenic President I created a partnership with the CarolinaLIFE program here at USC to ensure CarolinaLIFE students have the ability to go through sorority recruitment and be members of a sorority with any accommodations they may need or want. This idea came from seeing similar programs and partnerships on social media such as Clemson University Panhellenic collaboration with ClemsonLIFE, but I knew I wanted to dig deeper. What really motivated me to ensure the best and fullest membership experience for the women of CarolinaLIFE that would go through recruitment is my cousin. If she were to attend a large university like I did, she would be enrolled in the CarolinaLIFE program. Thinking on that subject, I quickly wondered if she would have as great of a college experience as I have had… so I took my leadership position and the opportunity to make it a possibility. Through collaboration with Dr. Rebecca Smith-Hill, other CarolinaLIFE staff, University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Panhellenic Advisor, Clemson’s Panhellenic Advisor, USC Fraternity and Sorority Life staff, and the 13 chapters on campus we successfully had 11/13 chapters participate with CarolinaLIFE students going through recruitment during Fall 2023 and the two women that did found their forever homes. As overjoyed as I was to run home one last time to my chapter, bid day of Fall 2023 holds a special place in my heart as it meant that the Greek community was expanding and becoming more inclusive at USC, and I played a role in helping it do so. This experience has led me to pursue two master's degrees along with a career in program implementation and development to continue opening doors for those who may not be able to on their own.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Endometriosis is a complex disease characterized by ectopic growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus and chronic inflammation. This condition poses significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to factors including retrograde menstruation, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, hormonal dysregulation, and immune dysfunction. Despite ongoing research, the precise mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis remain elusive. Diagnosis currently relies on laparoscopic surgery, making it invasive and limiting access for many patients. Due to the absence of a definitive cure, management strategies primarily target symptom relief and preservation of fertility. The lack of a standardized treatment protocol underscores the complexity of managing this multifaceted condition. The goal of this review is to evaluate the classifications of endometriosis and evaluate the medications used to manage the disease. We will describe a wide range of medications, including hormonal therapies (such as oral contraceptives, progestins, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and agents like aromatase inhibitors and selective progesterone receptor modulators. Additionally, we will explore potential future directions in endometriosis management.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States of America. Tracheostomy is a common intervention in trauma patients. Relationship between tracheostomy and swallowing remains ambiguous. The primary aim of this study is to investigate predictive factors for aspiration in trauma patients undergoing tracheostomy tube placement. Methods and Statistical Analysis: A retrospective chart review was completed on all adult patients (18 or older) admitted to the trauma service of a level I trauma center between 2015 and 2018 who underwent tracheostomy tube placement and participated in an objective swallow study. Total of 240 eligible patients were identified. Presence of penetration or aspiration was determined by the highest Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) score with scores of 2-5 indicative of penetration, and 6-8 of aspiration. Counts and proportions are reported for categorical data. Mean and standard deviation are reported for continuous data. Chi-squared Test or Fisher’s Exact Test are used to analyze categorical data. Continuous variable groups were compared using a T-test or the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. Significance was determined by corresponding p-value (p<.05). Individual factors were removed one at time based on the highest associated p-value. Model with high predictability was selected based on Bayesian Information Criterion. Findings: When comparing variables by presence or absence of aspiration we found several individual predictors of aspiration including age, BMI, TBI, GCS, days intubated, and number of intubations. For the final model, significant predictors of aspiration in the presence of other significant individual predictors included age, BMI, GCS, and days intubated. After controlling for other significant factors, geriatric trauma patients (age 55+) had 3.3 times greater odds of aspiration than patients under age 55. Obesity had a protective effect for aspiration with 54% lower odds of aspiration than those with a normal or underweight BMI, and 69% lower odds of aspiration than those who were overweight. GCS was associated with a 22% decrease in the odds of aspiration for every 1-unit increase in GCS. And finally, for each 1-day increase in days intubated, patients had an 11% increase in the odds of aspiration.
1:00-2:30 p.m.How do you build community within resident halls? You hire someone in the Resident Assistant (RA) role who has a passion for creating, building, and maintaining community. As a transfer student to the University of South Carolina I am actively aware of how important community is and how hard it can be to find. My most significant contribution to the University of South Carolina is serving as an RA for the past two years and being able to connect with over 100+ residents in total. By serving as an RA, I have learned how to adequately, effectively, and efficiently community with my residents, superiors, and coworkers. I also learned how those skills play a significant role in building community here at Carolina. Through serving in this role, I have learned the value of building and fostering relationships with others. When a resident first comes to Carolina that is the most impressionable year of their college career. That one year can make or break their experience. The purpose of an RA is to ensure each student is adequately supported, community is built, and organic relationships are maintained. My presentation will discuss how I built community here and made Carolina feel like home for my residents over the last two years.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Detrimental effects on college student’s mental and physical health has been linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. These effects of the pandemic on college student’s health behaviors have been investigated, however, the relation between pandemic impacted mental and physical health on college student’s moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) remains limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the main and interactive effects of COVID-related mental and physical health impact on engagement in weekly MVPA post pandemic. Methods: Students enrolled at colleges or universities in South Carolina were given an online survey assessing COVID-19 health behaviors and stress from February 2022-January 2023. Items measuring perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and mental and physical health impact were scaled on a 5-point Likert scale (1) disagree to (5) strongly agree and were aggregated individually into composite scores, a higher score indicated greater pandemic impact. Self-reported weekly physical activity were categorized into moderate to vigorous intensities before and after the pandemic. Negative binomial regression analyses examined the main and interactive effects of pandemic-related mental and physical health impact on engagement in MVPA (min/week). Analyses controlled for pre-pandemic MVPA, participant gender, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity of COVID-19. Results: A total of 444 college students were included in the present analyses (76% female; 73% White; ±19.2 yrs.). Results revealed a significant interaction between pandemic-related physical and mental health impact (RR=0.90, p<.05). Among participants reporting high negative pandemic-related mental health consequences (SD = 0.74 points), each 1 SD increase in physical health consequences (SD = 0.34) predicted a 45-minute decrease in MVPA between those reporting low vs. high physical health consequences (RR=.085, p<.001). The effect of physical health consequences on MVPA were not significant at low levels of mental health impact (RR=1.00, p=.949). Conclusions: Results revealed that the effects of pandemic-related mental and physical health consequences compound to predict substantially lower physical activity. Based on these findings we recommend university/college wellness centers to broaden their focus to both mental and physical health services.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During pregnancy, the heart enlarges to accommodate increased blood volume. Peri- or post-partum cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart fails to return to its original size following delivery. Matrix-metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) helps remodel the heart by cleaving extracellular matrix proteins surrounding blood vessels and cardiomyocytes. Our goal was to compare mice expressing a human MMP14 transgene (hMMP14) in fibroblasts with wildtypes before, during, and after pregnancy for left ventricle (LV) collagen types I and III and MMP2 mRNAs and proteins. Mouse LV tissue was isolated at pregnancy day 17 (ed17) and postpartum day 49 (ppd49); age-matched virgin LVs were also isolated. Real-time PCR (n=5-8/group) was performed with cDNA and mouse Mmp2, Col1a1, Col1a2, and Col3a1 primers, and Rplp0 for normalization. Western Blots (n=3/group) evaluated isoforms of Collagens I and III between 100 and 200 kDa using non-reducing gels and COL1A1 and COL3A1 antibodies with tubulin for normalization. Zymography assessed MMP2 activity. Data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA and Sidak’s (genotype) or Tukey’s (reproductive status within genotype) post-hoc test; P<0.05 was significant. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction of reproductive status and genotype for Col1a1 mRNA and a main effect of reproductive status on several COL1A1 isoforms. Col1a1 mRNA showed lower levels in hMMP14 ppd49 mice compared to wildtypes. In ed17 wildtype mice, COL1A1 isoforms (120-160 kDa) were lower than wildtype ppd49 mice and age-matched virgin groups. There was a non-significant trend for these COL1A1 isoforms to be lower in hMMP14 ed17 than ppd49 mice (P = 0.058). There was a significant main effect of reproductive status on MMP2 activity but no post-hoc test difference. No significant differences were found for Mmp2, Col1a2, and Col3a1 mRNA or COL3A1 protein. Col1a1 mRNA level differences between genotypes were not reflected in COL1A1 isoform abundance. In conclusion, late pregnancy tended to have lower levels of specific COL1A1 isoforms suggesting lower new collagen I synthesis. Although a genotype related difference in collagen or MMP2 proteins was not observed, lower new collagen synthesis suggested controlled remodeling during late pregnancy in both genotypes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Racial discrimination toward Asian Americans has increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has primarily examined the psychological impact of COVID-19 related racial discrimination on Asian Americans, but less has explored how Asian Americans combat anti-Asian racism and its detrimental impact. This study sought to explore the actions that Asian Americans engaged in to combat anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically advocacy and activism efforts. In a national survey study, participants (N = 459, Mage = 26.4 years, 77.8% female) responded to an open-ended question about how they responded to anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants identified as Asian American (25.3% Chinese, 10.8% Vietnamese, 9.4% Korean, 9.1% Filipino). Reflective thematic analysis was used to code responses and describe thematic patterns as it pertained to the topics of interest. Overall, participants described various ways of engaging in political activism (e.g., voting), volunteerism (e.g., donating time), and social media engagement (e.g., sharing resources) in response to anti-Asian racism. Participants also expressed a sense of justice fostered through advocacy within Asian American communities. Moreover, participants reflected on the need for solidarity with other marginalized communities. Findings highlight that in the context of experiencing anti-Asian racism, Asian Americans responded to such racism by engaging in collective action via advocacy and activism. Future studies should explore whether engaging in advocacy and activism in response to racism mediates the relationship between experiencing racism and poor mental health outcomes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.ARDS, or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, is a severe lung condition characterized by the rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and low oxygen levels. Its epidemiology indicates that ARDS affects approximately 200,000 patients annually in the United States alone, with a mortality rate ranging from 30% to 50%. Research on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is crucial for advancing our understanding of severe respiratory conditions and improving patient outcomes worldwide. Among its many causes is exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a strong superantigen linked to severe lung inflammation and toxic shock syndrome. Cannabis' non-psychoactive ingredient, cannabidiol (CBD), has gained attention as a possible treatment for several inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have indicated its use for possibly treating COVID-19. However, its effect on ARDS immune cell function is still unknown. The purpose of this research is to gain insight into how SEB and CBD affect the activity of alveolar macrophages, which are important participants in the ARDS pathogenesis. The ATCC's alveolar macrophage cell line MH-S was employed and exposed to both CBD and SEB separately and together. When we treated macrophage cell lines and contrasted them with untreated ones, we observed alterations in the former. We have conducted several tests, including efferocytosis, TUNEL assay, and phagocytic activity, to better understand macrophage function. Using pathogens that had been fluorescently labeled, phagocytic activity—a crucial aspect of macrophage function—was evaluated. By evaluating apoptosis using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) tests, possible causes of dysregulated macrophages were highlighted. Furthermore, the elimination of apoptotic cells—efferocytosis—was measured to outline the effect on tissue homeostasis. Moreover, lipid peroxidation analysis was used to study lipid metabolism, a fundamental mechanism controlling macrophage function. Identifying changes brought about by exposure to CBD and SEB. This study is to investigate the therapeutic potential of CBD in reducing pulmonary inflammation and advance our knowledge of macrophage biology in SEB-induced ARDS by thoroughly examining these parameters. The project's results shed light on cutting-edge treatment approaches for ARDS and other inflammatory lung conditions. (Supported by NIH R00GM147910).
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background/Significance: Sexual assault (SA) is a very sensitive, yet serious concern that can impact anyone. If a victim of SA decides to seek medical care, the most common place to seek help is the emergency department. As of 2018, 20% of hospitals in the United States had a forensic nurse on staff, which impacts the quality of care SA victims are receiving. It has also been found that healthcare providers have poor attitudes towards MLCs and inadequate training. This project will provide information about the knowledge level of ED nurses caring for victims of SA and the associated MLC requirements, and will address a critical research gap and inform efforts to provide appropriate medico-legal pre-nurse licensure curriculum to improve quality of care provided for patients. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to understand if and how the quality of care provided by nurses in the Emergency department (ED) during a medico-legal case (MLC) specifically sexual assault (SA) is impacted by potential bias towards MLCs and a lack of knowledge on medico-legal procedures. Methods: The project utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods through 1) a literature review, 2) interviews with a professor and SANE from Concordia University, an FNE, and a SA Attorney 3) a self-administered questionnaire (via Research Electronic Data Capture [REDCap]). Inclusion criteria for study participants is 1) nurses working in an emergency department and 2) experience with at least one MLC involving sexual assault. NVivo and SPSS software will be used to perform analysis of the survey responses, including an exploratory factor analysis of the survey. Conclusion: Research on this important topic fails to change or guide the regulation of sexual assault protocols and education, which prompted this project. Every SA patient deserves to leave the hospital, and eventually the courtroom knowing that they received the best care and evidence collection to support this case. These cases are extremely sensitive, so by adjusting how we approach them and ensuring that all healthcare professionals that provide care for victims of SA are properly trained, we improve care quality.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This project takes the SEIR (Susceptible – Exposed - Infected – Recovered) model and suggests various improvements that can be made to improve accuracy. The model has been fitted to COVID-19 data. It adds subclasses for the exposed and infected periods, as well as adding transmission rates between symptomatic and asymptomatic exposed and infected individuals and the loss of immunity over time after being infected. As recent events have proven, these models have tremendous real-world applications. The predictions generated by SEIR models can be used by government entities to make policy decisions. Therefore, if the models are not accurate, either overly optimistic or overly pessimistic models will be made which can result in many unnecessary deaths or unneeded restrictions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Orthopaedic surgery residency programs rank among the lowest in gender diversity among all medical and surgical specialties. Clear and accessible parental leave policies could potentially encourage diverse applicants to apply to orthopaedic surgery residency. A 2020 study, utilizing 2017-2018 data, found a substantial number of orthopaedic surgery programs web sites lacked this information. Given this, our study aimed to assess whether accessibility of parental leave policies had improved. Methods A search of the ACGME website was conducted to reveal a list of 203 allopathic orthopaedic surgery residency programs. Programs were classified based on those who had parental leave policy information available on their orthopaedic program website, their GME website, or neither. For those with accessible policies, a further sub-classification was conducted based on the policy’s financial support and time allotment. Results Of the 203 programs, 132 (65%) had parental leave information on their GME website, 21 (10.3%) on their program-specific website, and 50 (24.6%) on neither. There has been a significant increase in parental leave information on the program-specific website (P=0.011). However, there was a significant decrease in programs with information on their GME website (P=0.001) and in the total percentage of GME and program information when compared to the 2020 study (P<0.001). Of the programs with policies, 88 (43.3%) of programs had designated parental leave pay, 12 (5.9%) had their pay compensated by sick leave pay, and 103 (50.7%) deferred to FMLA policies. The average time allotment for parental leave was 5.7 weeks. Conclusion The accessibility and transparency of parental policies on orthopaedic surgery residency program websites and the number of programs with available parental leave policies have significantly improved over the years, however, the total percentage of programs with available policy information has decreased due to less information on the general GME websites. Despite the orthopaedic department improvements, this study highlights the ongoing need for programs to pay greater attention to the location and accessibility of parental leave policies and their specifics.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my internship at Prisma Orthopedics, I had the privilege of gaining diverse experiences in the field of orthopedic medicine, including shadowing a physical therapist at a Division I sports program. This unique opportunity provided me with firsthand exposure to the specialized techniques and challenges involved in rehabilitation. As an Exercise Science major at the University of South Carolina, my internship provided me with a comprehensive understanding of orthopedic health and wellness. Working closely with athletes undergoing rehabilitation, I witnessed the intricacies of sports-related injuries and the tailored treatment plans designed to optimize their recovery and performance. From assessing injuries to implementing personalized rehabilitation programs, I gained valuable insights into the intersection of orthopedic medicine and sports performance. My experience at a Division I sports program further enriched my understanding of musculoskeletal conditions and rehabilitation practices, complementing the learning I received at Prisma Orthopedics. This hands-on experience deepened my appreciation for the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in orthopedic care and strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in the field. I also had the privilege of working with elderly patients receiving therapy, which further broadened my understanding of orthopedic medicine and rehabilitation practices. Interacting with this demographic provided me with unique insights into the challenges and nuances of addressing musculoskeletal issues in older adults. I observed firsthand the importance of personalized care and patient-centered approaches in promoting mobility, independence, and overall quality of life in this population. Overall, my internship at Prisma Orthopedics provided me with a holistic understanding of orthopedic medicine, combining clinical expertise with real-world experiences in rehabilitation. I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the advancement of patient care and look forward to applying my knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the field of orthopedic healthcare.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Obesity, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30, is a metabolic stressor that is mechanistically tied to a host of comorbidities including major depressive disorder (MDD). The bidirectional association between these comorbidities has been observed clinically, but the cellular and neurochemical underpinnings remain undefined. The clinical and preclinical literature shows that: 1) leptin resistance in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is a hallmark feature of obesity; 2) optogenetic activation of the LH neurons increases firing to noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons; and 3) synaptic concentrations of monoamine neurotransmitters like norepinephrine are reduced in the hippocampus (HPC) in patients with depressive illness. These observations provide a map of the circuit that may link obesity with increased risk of depressive illness. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to identify a circuit connecting these brain regions associated with obesity and depression comorbidity. To visualize the proposed circuit, m-Cherry tagged Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) virus was surgically injected into the LH and Cholera toxin subunit B (CtB), a green fluorescent retrograde tracer, was injected into the HPC. Several weeks later, rats were perfused, and brain tissue was prepared for confocal microscopy analysis. Thus far, ongoing studies have shown successful placement of both the LH and HPC injections with respective red and green cell labeling in each region. Confocal images have further demonstrated that red leptin-receptor positive projections are colocalized with green Ctb projections from the HPC within cells in the LC. By showing colocalization with LC cells through mapping the proposed circuit in control rats with normal BMI, this circuit can now be examined in both diet-included obesity and diet-resistance animals to explore whether there are chemical deficits induced by these comorbidities. This neurochemical understanding has the ability to inform the larger picture of circuit-based projections connecting obesity and depression and be used to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients being treated for these comorbidities.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The mechanical properties of the cytoplasm, specifically the viscosity and the elasticity, play a key role in regulating various biological properties of the cell. When cells are exposed to a variety of stressors, such as a change in temperature, pH, osmotic conditions, oxidative pressure, or exposure to toxins, it triggers the liquid-to-liquid phase separation (LLPS), resulting in the formation of areas with drastically different mechanical properties. The structures, called stress granules, are non-membranous cytosolic protein-RNA aggregates. They contain RNA and RNA-binding proteins and play roles in helping with molecule transport and metabolism. However, limited knowledge is known of the formation of stress granules (SG) and how they precisely regulate the transition between their various dynamic phases, the specific roles of individual protein and RNA components in this process, how they are cleared out once the stress is over, and how they affect the mechanical properties of the cytoplasm. The DDX3 protein contributes significantly to SG formation through several mechanisms. Under cellular stress, DDX3 joins with other proteins in SGs and creates the right conditions for SGs to form. DDX3 also uses energy from ATP to help SGs stay organized and dynamic. The G3BP1 protein also plays a crucial role in SG formation by acting as a molecular switch that triggers the assembly of SGs in response to cellular stress. G3BP1 undergoes a process called liquid-liquid phase separation. DDX3 is an RNA helicase involved in RNA metabolism and translation regulation, while G3BP1 functions as an RNA-binding protein that plays a role in mRNA stability, translation, and stress response pathways outside of stress granules. This process causes G3BP1 to gather with other RNA-binding proteins and mRNAs, forming the core of an SG. G3BP1's ability to undergo LLPS is essential for the formation of these dynamic structures, which then recruit additional proteins and RNAs to build mature SGs. The aim of this study is to see the role that DDX3 and G3BP1 have on the fine structures of stress granules.
9:30-11:00 a.m.A 59 year old male presented to the Prisma Health Richland Emergency Department prompted by his sister-in-law after she observed personality changes with increasing agitation and confusion during the past few months. The patient additionally reported difficulty walking and falling incidents over the past four months. The patient denied any prodromal symptoms, loss of consciousness, or head injuries after the most recent fall. He did endorse progressive difficulty ambulating, now requiring use of a cane, with the falls increasing in frequency over the past two months. History was significant for subjective feelings of disorientation and visual disturbances for the last four months without any reports of blurry or double vision. On physical exam, the patient was noted to have a broad-based gait, moderately decreased vibratory sensation of bilateral lower extremities up to the level of the ankle, inconsistent decreased pinprick sensation in the same distribution as vibratory loss, and a positive Romberg sign. Laboratory evaluation included a mildly elevated MCV of 101.1 and elevated RDW of 50.9. Urinalysis was unremarkable. Blood alcohol level was within normal limits. HIV and Treponema pallidum testing was non-reactive. Folate and TSH were within normal limits. Vitamin B-12 levels were notably low at 161 with equivocal intrinsic factor antibodies. A CT angiography of the head and neck did not yield any findings to explain his presentation. MRI brain, cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine were negative for any spinal cord injury. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient disclosed that he regularly partakes in nitrous oxide (N2O) binges, with the most recent binge occurring three weeks prior to hospitalization. Given his otherwise negative work up and the known physiologic relationship between the inhibition of Vitamin B-12 and N2O, his history and physical exam findings are most consistent with a highly clinically significant presentation of vitamin B-12 deficiency induced by prolonged, frequent recreational N2O use.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The energy storage and thermoregulatory roles of distinct classes of fat tissue, white, brown, and beige fat, have been well characterized. However, we are just beginning to understand how the fat tissue mediates its endocrine role. In Drosophila melanogaster, the adipose tissue, or fat body, uses nutrient sensing pathways to relay nutritional information to the diet-responsive ovary. To determine if there are distinct adipose tissue classes that mediate inter-organ communication in fruit flies, we are characterizing the morphological and functional regionalization of the adult fat body. Using the Gal4/UAS system, our current goal is to generate a comprehensive expression atlas of fat body-Gal4 transgenic fly lines that will then be used to investigate functional regionalization. We are examining reporter gene expression in 41 driver lines in the fat body in the head, thorax, and abdomen. Additionally, we are assessing tissue specificity by determining driver expression in the gut, ovary/testis, brain, and muscle. Thus far, we have examined 26 lines in the adult and larval fat body. For some driver lines, we find previously unreported driver expression. We also observe expression differences relative to age and level. After establishing expression patterns for these driver lines, we will investigate how diet affects fat body driver expression to determine how nutritional input impacts cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipose tissue function. In future studies, we will use drivers that correlate with specific adipose tissue subtypes to genetically ablate adipocytes and assess effects on inter-organ communication, particularly fat-to-ovary. The characterization of the diverse expression patterns in the fat body will aid driver selection for more precise control in Drosophila adipose tissue studies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Sleep quality is one of the critical aspects of health, especially in an aging society. Sleep patterns change significantly with age and can significantly impact overall health and quality of life. Good sleep quality plays a key role in mental health and cognition, positively affecting concentration, memory, and attention. On the other hand, poor sleep quality has been linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and an increased incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. We evaluated a group of n=36 older adults, ages 60 to 85. The participants completed four standardized questionnaires that assessed overall physical and mental health, sleep quality, and levels of physical activity and exercise. We found exercise duration, the reported amount of hours participants exercised in a regular week, and exercise frequency, the number of times per week participants reported partaking in any sort of exercise, both showed significant positive correlations with sleep hours, the reported hours of sleep per night. Data analysis is ongoing, but results are soon to be finalized. The results of the study could help in understanding the effectiveness of exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve sleep quality and overall well-being in the aging population. Keywords: sleep quality, cognition, physical health, exercise, aging, mild cognitive impairment, older adults
1:00-2:30 p.m.For the past three years, I have served as a Resident Assistant (RA), cultivating the Gamecock experience for hundreds of USC students through community building and intentional conversations to get to know my residents and create a space where they feel at home. I knew that college wasn’t an easy transition because I lived that experience myself and so I was motivated and committed to being a guide and role model for others. My fondest memories as an RA have been getting to know my residents on an individual level, which has granted me a unique perspective of who people are and where they come from. I would not have been able to achieve any of this without the support of my team. A huge lesson that I learned is that in this role I am never alone, and with the help of my fellow RAs I learned to solve complex issues while thinking critically and communicating effectively with a diverse group of people. I believe that a vital part of the human experience is to not only get to know one another but truly understand people on a deeper level. This has blossomed tremendous personal growth in my life and has taught me lessons that I will never forget such as acting selflessly, being intentional with my words and actions, and being proud of who I am and what I can become. The students that I have been mentors to have inspired me just as I’ve inspired them and will always be a part of my life as I continue this journey.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My research examines the involvement of the United States Military, specifically the United States Marine Corps and their role in the Banana Wars of Central and South America. The Banana wars were a collection of military invasions and occupations of Central and South America by the United States Military, in particular the Marine Corps. With Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic being a few examples of the Marine Corps occupation in the America’s. The Banana Wars lasted from the end of the Spanish-American War (1898) until 1934 with the final withdrawal of US troops from Haiti by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Specifically, my research will look at what circumstances led to American intervention, specifically the Marine Corps, in Latin America, and what led to an eventual withdrawal of troops from the region. Furthermore, to what extent the Marine Corps and America succeeded in accomplishing their goals in America’s as a result of the Banana Wars. What was the role of the U.S. Marines in the Latin American Banana Wars of the early 20th Century? As for sources used, I use primary sources from Teddy Roosevelt and other high-level officials to understand their justifications of the Wars. Furthermore, I will use historians’ accounts and descriptions of the Banana Wars to further understand the intricacies of the invasions. An increased understanding of the Marine Corps intervention in the Americas is necessary, as it allows for a greater understanding of the regions today. Specifically, the pitfalls and successes that are reflected in the region today.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are volatile organic compounds that are released by plants to signal other plants and animals when the plant is attacked. The main differences between various GLVs and their derivatives are the number of carbons in the molecule, the functional groups of the molecule, and whether they are unsaturated or saturated. The GLVs we focused on are the cis-3-alcohols. The main hypothesis for the project is: if the number of carbons in a cis-3-alcohol molecule increases, then the needed concentration for a significant plant response also decreases. This hypothesis was tested by performing pH and root growth inhibition (RGI) assays. The hypothesis was proven correct, with cis-3-octenol and cis-3-nonenol being able to elicit plant responses at lower concentrations than the other compounds. Further research will include discovering how the cis-3-alcohols elicit these responses. The results from these assays provide evidence for the speculation that the cis-3-alcohols are perceived intracellularly. An intracellular response indicates that the cis-3-alcohols are used by plants to communicate and defend themselves against herbivores and pathogens.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily characterized by difficulties in communication skills, social interaction, and restrictive and repetitive behavior. It is estimated that 1 in 36 children in the United States and around 1 in 100 children in the world are diagnosed with ASD. Despite this, little is understood about underlying neural or physiological mechanisms associated with ASD. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning, which plays an important role in socio-emotional development, might be affected in autistic individuals. ANS initiates sympathetic arousal and/or regulates emotions after exposure to stress-induced stimuli. Heart activity is one of the different methods used to measure the ANS. Heart rate variability (HRV) demonstrates changes in the durations of intervals between heartbeats, and baseline HRV shows resting heart rate. Studies suggest a significant relationship between low HRV and ASD, observed in both baseline HRV and HRV reactivity during social stress. Thus, HRV as a potential biomarker for ASD might indicate ANS dysregulation in this population. Early recognition of this biomarker can allow for a timely diagnosis of autism and early intervention which have been proven to aid development.. However, little is known about HRV in young autistic children. This study aims to investigate baseline HRV in preschool-aged children diagnosed with ASD contrasted against age-matched neurotypical (NT) children. We measured Interbeat interval (IBI) to reflect the time between heartbeats, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) to demonstrate HRV. To measure baseline HRV for children, they were seated to watch a Pixar animated short film with no spoken language, although it could contain music and other sounds. The heart activity of children was recorded while they watched the film, and it was subsequently edited to remove any artifacts. Our participants included 44 children with ASD and 36 NT children aged 2.86-6.30 years old (M=3.82 years old). Independent samples t-tests will be conducted on IBI and RSA values to compare between ASD and NT groups. We hypothesize that autistic children are more likely to exhibit lower IBI levels than NT children in the baseline HRV.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Poverty, socioeconomic status, and social deprivation contribute to the educational opportunity gap, especially in music education. The presence (or lack) of a music program in a public school has long served as the primary indicator of the effects of these inhibitors. Recent research has highlighted students’ participation in music ensembles to indicate access to school-based music education. However, much of the previously published research does not indicate correlational findings between poverty and achievement in music beyond using exclusively income as an explanatory variable. I used data from the South Carolina Band Directors Association’s (SCBDA) 2017, 2018, and 2019 all-state bands and the corresponding Social Deprivation Index (SDI) from the Robert Graham Center for each year to examine this relationship (2019 is the most current SDI database). SCBDA publishes the students that qualify for their all-state band each year along with the school they attend. For this study, I gathered data from only the clinic (9th grade-10th grade) and senior (11th grade-12th grade) bands. The SDI combines multiple factors of poverty rather than only income, providing a more comprehensive picture of the social effects of poverty rather than just the monetary effects. SThe SDI scale ranges from 1-100, with higher values indicating higher levels of poverty and social deprivation. I calculated correlation coefficients between the number of students who earned a seat in the all-state band per county and each county’s SDI score and created a simple linear regression model. The results revealed a moderately strong correlation. The two variables have a correlation coefficient of ρ = -0.68 (ρ ^2 = 0.46). As the SDI score per county rose, a moderately strong negative relationship emerged for the number of students from that county to earn a seat in the all-state band. The slope of the regression model is -0.49. In other words, for every 10 points that a county’s SDI score rose, that same county was likely to have about five fewer students qualify for the all-state band.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health issue that can lead to significant adverse outcomes, physically and mentally. Despite the recommendation for routine screening by the United States Preventative Task Force (USPTF, 2018), prior studies demonstrate that many healthcare professionals do not routinely screen for IPV. Numerous barriers have been identified among a variety of medical specialties; however, one of the most frequently reported barriers is lack of knowledge of how to screen for IPV effectively. To bridge the gap, a novel, evidence-based approach to providing information regarding the importance of screening for IPV and identifying resources available to providers is an attainable steppingstone. This project reviews the process of medical students developing a technique, in collaboration with a non-profit domestic violence organization, to address many providers lack of knowledge about IPV screening. The pivotal role of community engagement informs this process, providing a community-centered approach and insights into the impact of screening. This project’s process involves developing scripts for informational videos expressing the need for and importance of IPV screening as well as available resources that can be circulated via social media. Developing these techniques may help lead to new approaches to promote IPV screening in healthcare settings, more opportunity for community engagement and collaboration, and create a more informed healthcare staff to better serve patients.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In recent years, there has been a significant shift toward developing a more holistic and multifaceted approach to fitness. This can be seen in the U.S. military's transition from the cardiorespiratory focused Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) to the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), which focuses on multiple aspects of health-related fitness and Functional Motor Competence (FMC). FMC has been defined as an individual's ability to not only control, but also harmonize their body in a variety of movements, which is considered more relevant to modern combat situations than endurance-based fitness. Previous studies have examined FMC assessments among Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (AROTC) cadets, but there has been a lack of analysis of the relationships between FMC and ACFT scores. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between FMC composite scores, which are calculated by summing three FMC assessment scores (standing long jump, grip strength, and maximum throw and catch in 30 seconds), and ACFT scores, and also to assess the potential impact of FMC composite scores on ACFT scores. The sample consisted of AROTC cadets (N = 115, male = 90, female = 25, Mage = 22) from a military college and an AROTC program at a university in the Southeast. Pearson correlations revealed a strong association between FMC composite scores and ACFT scores (r = .84). In addition, linear regression analysis indicated that 70% of the variation in ACFT scores could be explained by variation in FMC composite scores. Results from this sample may illustrate the importance of FMC, as it has a significant relationship with ACFT scores. Based on these results, it is suggested that AROTC programs engage their cadets in training that focuses on developing FMC to improve their combat readiness.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Clinical case: a 54-year old male was admitted to a community hospital in North Carolina with weeks of fevers, productive cough, and weight loss. Chest xray showed no focal pneumonia. He was found to be HIV positive with severe immunocompromise with CD4 count 47. Patient then disclosed that he knew about his HIV diagnosis but was not on medications. He was started on antibiotics and steroids for HIV-associated Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a common cause of pneumonia HIV+ patients. One week later, he was admitted to a hospital in South Carolina with worsening cough. CT scan of his chest was concerning for miliary TB, which was confirmed on sputum samples. Public health impact: Sputum positive TB is highly contagious and requires airborne isolation in the hospital. Review of the records show that he was not tested for TB in North Carolina, nor was he on airborne isolation for the 10 days he was admitted there. Fortunately, he was placed on airborne isolation within 12 hours of admission in South Carolina. We attempted to track down Contact Tracing results from both hospitals, however the only information we were able to obtain was that no hospital employee in the South Carolina hospital met the criteria for true exposure and the patient’s mother was found to have latent TB. Discussion: This case raised several questions about the impact of TB on public health. Based on literature review, on average patients in hospitals receive visits from around 18 people per day. The average amount of personal contacts each TB patient has is 110, including work, home, stores, school and miscellaneous. To become infected with TB, a person must be close to the person with active TB for around 250 hours. This explains why none of the hospital employees in South Carolina met the criteria for true exposure requiring follow up testing. On average, 30% of close personal contacts traced, such as this patient’s mother, will be diagnosed with latent TB. One percent of latent TB will turn into active TB within weeks or even up to a few years after initial exposure.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Key Insight 2 Understanding human social behavior can help you both personally and professionally. It helps personally by enhancing both your empathy and communication skills, it can also help with various social cues and allow you to become closer with friends and family. Professionally, it can help with decision making skills, leadership character traits, and allows you to have a more positive workplace environment with less drama. Sociology’s main goal is meant to teach you about social behavior, relationship patterns, and human interaction on a day to day basis. My introductory to sociology (SOCY101) class gave me a better understanding of social structure, social patterns, and interaction with humans on a personal level. With the many things previously mentioned that sociology helps with, it also helps with understanding other cultures, races, genders, class, and age. This along with what was mentioned previously is vital to understand in a work setting. I have been employed at Simpsons Ace Hardware since August of 2021. Being that I was only 17 years old when I first got hired, I did not have a great understanding of not only professionalism, but social behavior and patterns. Since taking sociology, I have had an easier time with interacting and understanding people in not only the workplace, but with friends and family as well. Sociology allowed me to develop a better understanding of human behavior, social structures, and resolving conflict. It also provides tools for addressing inequality, discrimination, and cultural diversity. This allowed me to become a better leader in a work setting, and a better person overall. Sociology as a whole has helped me grow as a person, especially in a work setting. Since I plan to go into the medical field, understanding these sociology concepts will improve my relationship with not only co-workers but with patients as well. I have always prided myself on trying to be the best version of myself in every aspect, and sociology played a key role in my constant pursuit of wanting to be a better man and a better person.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Discourse production, or the ability to generate, organize, and convey thoughts and ideas, is impaired in a variety of disorders, such as aphasias or dementias, resulting in drastic declines in quality of life. Additionally, older adults show subtle declines in their language production and comprehension, which may reflect age-related cognitive deterioration or changes in brain structure and function. Neurotypical (healthy) aging provides a useful model in which discourse production can be studied. Here, we investigated how features of spoken discourse across the lifespan relate to brain structure and function. Methods: Neurotypical adults between the ages of twenty and eighty (n = 225) completed the Cat Rescue picture description task, where participants are shown a picture and asked to make a narrative about the content of the picture. Anatomical and resting-state MRI scans were collected. Discourse transcripts were coded for 25 lexical and grammatical features (e.g., number of nouns, type-token ratio, etc.). Factor analysis was used to group those features into four factors, reflecting latent variables represented by groups of discourse features (e.g., fluency, lexical-semantics, etc.). Each participant had a factor score for each of the four factors, representing how closely their discourse features represent the latent variable captured within that factor. Relationships between the factor scores and brain structure (grey matter morphometry) and function (partial amplitude of low frequency fluctuations; pALFF) were examined. Results: Four main factors were identified that had an eigenvalue greater than one. Based on the loadings of the discourse features, the latent variables underlying the factor scores were inferred: fluency, syntactic complexity, communicative efficiency, and lexical-semantic diversity. pALFF revealed that greater fluency was related to greater activity in the left superior frontal gyrus and that lexical-semantic diversity was associated with greater activity in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Grey matter integrity in the ventral language stream and frontotemporal areas were related to fluency and communicative efficiency. Discussion: Latent variables underlying naturalistic discourse production were identified, capturing complex interactions between multiple discourse features. These variables could be mapped onto brain structure and function across the lifespan, providing information about the neurobiology of language and aging.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Coordinated visual attention (CVA), the skill to reciprocally align attention with a social companion, plays a crucial role in the development of social interaction and language abilities. Data collection occurred in homes, an important, natural setting for infant-caregiver interactions and early learning experiences. Previous studies employing HMET with infants aged 9 to 48 months have demonstrated the emergence of joint attention, marked by coordinated gazes toward objects at the same time. Early developmental challenges with responding to joint attention are a fundamental characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study expands upon prior HMET research by investigating CVA in younger infants at 8 months, before the onset of clinically significant markers of ASD. Methods: Forty infant-caregiver pairs participated in an ongoing study, with 8 pairs assessed at 8 months included in the current analysis. During home visits, infant-caregiver pairs engaged in play with a standardized set of toys for 10 minutes. Trained research assistants utilized Datavyu to meticulously code gaze behavior across three areas of interest (AOIs): partner’s face, partner’s body, and toys. CVA was defined as simultaneous fixation on the same AOI for over 500ms (with a gap not exceeding 200ms). Results: Differentiated gaze patterns towards AOIs were noted between infants and caregivers. Infants predominantly fixated their gaze on toys, aligning with earlier findings from the broader sample. Conversely, caregivers tended to focus more on their partner and less on toys. Pairs demonstrated an increased number of instances of coordinated visual attention when simultaneously focusing on the same toy as opposed to engaging in face-to-face interactions. Conclusion: The findings revealed distinct gaze patterns between infants and caregivers during interactions involving infants, toys, and caregivers, consistent with prior HMET research. CVA episodes were more frequent but briefer in natural environments compared to controlled laboratory settings, possibly due to the increased presence of stimuli (e.g., toys) in home-based settings. Future analyses will integrate data from an additional 32 dyads currently undergoing processing.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause for cancer related deaths. The main cause of death is metastasis which is the migration of cancer cells from the colon to distant organs, typically the liver. The five-year survival rate for CRC drops from 90% in localized cancer to less than 10% when metastasis has occurred. Unfortunately, approximately 35% of patients present with metastasis at initial diagnosis. Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of liver metastasis of CRC to identify markers for early diagnosis and targets to attenuate its progression. In previous studies, we isolated a highly metastatic cell line called CT26-FL3 by implanting CT26 cells into the cecum and passaging them three times through the liver. CT26-FL3 cells were ten times more metastatic to the liver than CT26 and were found to over-express interleukin 33 (IL-33). IL-33 is a dual function cytokine that functions in the nucleus and as a signaling molecule. IL-33 binds to the ST2 receptor, which can either be membrane bound or soluble (sST2). IL-33 binding to the membrane bound ST2 receptors initiates a signal cascade, ultimately promoting CRC metastasis to the liver by recruiting immune cells into the tumor microenvironment and promoting angiogenesis. However, it is believed that sST2 acts as a down regulator for IL-33, preventing its binding to membrane ST2 receptors to suppress IL-33 signaling. In this study, we test the hypothesis that increasing expression of sST2 protein in vivo will limit the metastasis of CRC to the liver. We will use in vivo electroporation of the pV1J-sST2 plasmid to increase the circulating level of sST2, and determine if this will attenuate CRC metastasis to the liver. Based on previous research findings, we believe that elevated levels of sST2 will effectively decrease the amount of liver metastasis by the CT26-FL3 cell line. These results will provide further insight into the potential of using sST2 as a molecular suppressor of CRC liver metastasis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The University of South Carolina Dance Marathon (USCDM) is the largest philanthropic organization in the state as well as the largest student organization. One major aspect of Dance Marathon is the Mini Marathons. Mini Marathons is the branch of staff which acts as mentors and guides for high school programs which act as feeders into USCDM as well as supplemental fundraising. For 2023’s Dance Marathon, I was a part of the mini marathons staff and became the director of that committee for the 2024 event and year. The committee oversees the middle and high school students as they put on their own “mini” Dance Marathon event, hence the name. As director this year, I was able to meet with students and advisors answering questions and building their programs, both in terms of their event and their fundraising. Holding this major role in facilitating these events has led me to grow as a mentor and expand upon the psychology courses that I have taken. Specifically, much like Survey of Developmental Psychology, I have been able to witness the change in relationship building that has occur over the two years that I have been a part of the Minis program. Furthermore, I have seen the development of my mentorship as I transitioned from the role on staff to director. Moreover, I have come to recognize that value in philanthropy is not determined by the monetary means, yet building programs which foster individuals to care for the cause they support creates true value in building individuals who will continue philanthropic efforts as they grow.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Throughout my undergraduate experience, my most notable contribution was dedicated to combating the stigma surrounding mental health at The University of South Carolina, achieved by enhancing awareness of available resources. In my senior year, I had the privilege of furthering this mission as the social media manager for Mental Health Initiatives (MHI). This role aimed to establish MHI’s online presence, which we successfully achieved through the implementation of the You Are More Than campaign. The You Are More Than campaign brings awareness to the importance of all dimensions of well-being. This mental health campaign allows students to self-reflect on the dimensions of wellness and connect with the Carolina community resources. As a psychology major with a minor in neuroscience, I deeply understand the significance that mental wellness plays in all aspects of our lives. My role as social media manager not only allowed me to disseminate knowledge gained from my coursework, but it also equipped me with invaluable skills. This presentation will detail the importance of my role to accomplish my goals. Through my position, I also recognized the existing gap in access to mental health care for some students at the University. As I conclude my time at The Center for Health and Well-Being, my aim is to lay the groundwork for future students in my position to further build upon addressing this issue.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of disorders of the hemoglobin resulting in episodes of acute chronic pain, pulmonary hypertension, progressive multiorgan damage including the lungs, kidneys, and retinas, and increased mortality. It is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the gene, HBB, and 1 in 12 African Americans, 1 in 100 Hispanic individuals, and 1 in 30-50 Mediterranean people are reported to be carriers of SCD. SCD is typically diagnosed through newborn screening but with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) embryos created via in vitro fertilization (IVF) can have genetic testing. It can test for aneuploidy (PGT-A), monogenic diseases (PGT-M), structural rearrangements (PGT-SR), or histocompatible embryo selection, (PGT-HLA) and PGT-M and PGT-HLA have utility for parents of children with sickle cell disease. This study aimed to assess the awareness and interest parents of children affected by SCD have on preimplantation genetic testing through an online survey shared through social media and national organizations. Based on the results of this study, there is an interest in gaining information on both PGT-M and PGT-HLA and the biggest factor participants were not interested in this is due to not wanting to have more children. The study also analyzed the trust in healthcare to detect if this played a role in the interest of PGT-M and PGT-HLA. Although most participants did not believe that it impacted their interest, most did believe that the treatment they received from healthcare providers correlated with their race. The study also showed that more participants who didn’t experience discrimination or racism relating to their child’s condition and toward themselves through healthcare providers were less likely to want more information about PGT. This preliminary study has the ability to guide future studies and display that the interest in PGT-M and PGT-HLA does exist so providers can be aware.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Paraspeckles are specialized organelles found in the interchromatin space of the nucleus in mammalian cells. Little is known about the function of the paraspeckle. Recent investigations suggest that they have a role in the intricate pathway of Homologous Recombination DNA repair. There are three central protein components within paraspeckles: SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1. Known to interact with both SFPQ and NONO is RAD51D, which is a tumor suppressor that, when mutated, increases susceptibility to ovarian and breast cancers. Recent literature investigates SFPQ and NONO and their interactions with RAD51D and the tumor suppressor pathway. However, the interaction between PSPC1 and HR proteins has yet to be explored. Therefore, this project is analyzing the interaction profile between PSPC1 and three HR proteins, RAD51C, RAD51D, and XRCC2, using the yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) system. A cDNA clone (Addgene) was used as a template for PCR amplification using primers engineered with restriction enzyme sites. The PCR products were cloned into pGBK (Gal4 DNA binding domain) and pGAD (Gal4 Activation domain) vectors. Co-transformations of competent yeast cells were performed, and single colony transformants were organized onto one central plate. This plate was replica plated onto selective media, and growth indicates protein interaction because of the activation of reporter genes. Interactions between PSPC1 and NONO and PSPC1 and SFPQ were confirmed in the yeast system, demonstrating that PSPC1 is expressed and folds appropriately to form these interactions. The experimental samples indicate PSPC1 is interacting with RAD51C but not with RAD51D. Preliminary data also suggests that PSPC1 interacts with XRCC2. Surprisingly, our data indicates PSPC1 interacts with itself, demonstrating potential PSPC1 homodimerization. In conclusion, this data supports the genetic interactions between the HR and paraspeckle pathways having connections to tumor suppression. Thus, alterations in genetic expression due to mutated genes within both pathways may be used as biomarkers to detect cancers earlier and to identify genes for targeted drug therapeutics. Future studies will incorporate allelic variations and alternative splice variants of these genes to help decipher their interactions and investigate an additional DNA damage repair and response pathway.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I’ll be doing my research poster on the maroon societies that were made by runaway slaves and their origins. Not only this, but I’ll be looking at the reasons that they were made, what went into their formation, how they sustained themselves, and where exactly these societies came to be today. Another important thing that I’ll look at is the dangers that these societies had to combat against during this time. Maroons are slaves that have escaped and as it may or may not be known by some there are maroon societies that have started in the Caribbean and even some that are in the Americas as well.I’ll be looking at the Jamaican maroons and their treaty with the English in 1739. I’ll be looking at books like “Maroon Nation” from scholar JohnHenry Gonzalez which explores the revolutions in Haiti, the maroon societies in Haiti that came about during the time and how they sustained themselves with agriculture amongst other things. Another source that will be examined for this will be the “Maroon Communities in South Carolina” which is a documentary that focuses on the history of maroon societies in South Carolina specifically. These are just two examples of the sources that will be analyzed to explore this vast topic and to help bring forth important facts about these communities like the fact that they’ve been noted by JohnHenry Gonzalez to have started in the 1500’s onward in Haiti. Another important fact being that some of these maroon societies were able to gather enough people that enabled them to fight off the Spanish and the English to the point where treaties were signed and their independence was recognized.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Music intrinsically affects our motor movements. The current study evaluated whether the perception of exertion is affected by music (Ballman, 2021). Different genres of music (classical, electronic, simple rhythm (metronome)) were presented at various tempos (80, 100, and 160), while participants performed both low intensity aerobic and anaerobic exercises, there was also a control group that did not listen to any music. Data are measured using a camera to examine their rate of exercise, surveys to determine their perceived exertion, and a heart rate monitor to test for their average and maximum heart rate during the trial. There is a blind to draw focus away from the music played during their trial, participants are told the experiment is testing the effect of exercise on memory and are given a memory test at the beginning and end of the experiment. The hypothesis for this experiment was that electronic music played at a fast tempo would correlate with the fastest rate of exercise and lowest perceived exertion. Our findings currently show that participants break down the tempo of music into segments that are more convenient to match. For example, when participants listen to 160 beats per minute (BPM) music, they generally match that speed to half tempo while on the bike, and quarter that tempo while lifting weights. However, for 100 BPM music and metronome participants seem to either match the speed of music or half it to exercise at 50 cycles per minute while on the bike based on their exercise regularity. Our preliminary data suggests that electronic music induced higher RPMs in aerobic exercise. As for average RPM on the exercise bike, independent of tempo, Daft Punk entrained the highest RPMs of participants. Qualitative data suggests that participants preferred to listen to music while they exercised independent of genre and tempo.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since the spring of my freshman year, I have served as a Page in the South Carolina Senate for Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr. When I was in high school, I was a delegate at Palmetto Girls State where I was first introduced to state government. Attending Girls State sparked my interest in working as a Page. Prior to beginning this role, I lacked significant knowledge about the state level of government including its functions and responsibilities. I was also unaware of jobs and careers that existed in the government besides working as an elected official; however, that soon changed after the first few weeks of beginning my job. Within the first month, I learned how the Senate operated, what roles other individuals played besides Senators, how bills were debated and written, and how the Senate and House of Representatives worked together. I was immediately intrigued the first time I was able to in in the Senate Chamber during session. I was fascinated to see Senators from across the aisle working together and having riveting debates. I knew early on this was something I enjoyed being around. Fast forward to my senior year of college, I am still working as a Page for Senator Peeler, with plans to begin graduate school after graduation to further prepare me to work full time in the Senate. Through stepping out of my comfort zone and working in a new field, I found the industry I want to pursue a career in.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The development of Crohn's disease results from abnormal inflammatory responses induced by multiple factors including genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and the gut microbiome. While no single pathogen has been consistently associated with Crohn’s disease, patients show an increased prevalence of a set of opportunistic pathogens termed adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) compared to healthy individuals. The ability of AIEC to cross the mucus layer and adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells, both of which are essential processes for successful colonization of the intestinal mucosa, are in part mediated by flagella. Our ongoing goal is to uncover how intestinal conditions, in particular long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) that are present within the gut, influence AIEC virulence. LCFAs regulate the expression of virulence genes in many gut pathogens including E. coli. Yet the precise involvement of LCFAs in AIEC gut infection is unclear. Here we establish the involvement of the LCFA-responsive transcriptional regulator FadR on AIEC flagellar motility. Using in vitro functional assays, we found that deletion of fadR altered the flagellar motility of AIEC. Considering that FadR represses genes involved in LCFA catabolism (i.e., fadL, fadD, fadE), we next investigated how the deletion of these genes affects motility in the AIEC parental strain and fadR mutant. We found that simultaneous deletion of fadR with either fadL, fadD, or fadE also altered AIEC motility, while fadL, fadD, or fadE single deletions retained the parental phenotype. Together, these findings suggest that FadR regulates flagellar motility through a mechanism that is unrelated to LCFA catabolism. Instead, our data suggest that AIEC utilize LCFAs as signaling molecules for regulating flagellar motility, which may ultimately impact AIEC gut colonization and virulence. Ongoing studies are investigating the involvement of FadR on modulating flagellar motility in commensal strains of E. coli.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The intermediary metabolite fumarate is recognized as an endogenous signaling mediator due to the ability to chemically modify protein cysteine residues when fumarate accumulates. This modification of protein thiols by fumarate is known as cysteine succination. Exogenously administered fumarate esters, such as dimethyl fumarate (DMF), also result in the succination of protein cysteines to mediate their effects. Fumarate esters are approved as a disease modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) as they suppress the autoimmune response, in part through succination of protein targets in the active lymphocytes driving the disease. While the direct effects of DMF treatment in humans on select immune cell populations has been studied in detail, less is known about how these cell-permeable reactive fumarate esters may directly modify neurological targets to mediate beneficial neuroprotective effects. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model MS was used as a disease model to study the neurological targets of DMF mediated protein succination. Fumarate-derived modification was detected on ~30 proteins from mouse spinal cords following proteomic analysis. Robust succination was detected on alpha-internexin (AINX) at cysteine 24 (Cys24). AINX is a neurofilament protein exclusively found in the central nervous system (CNS) and was the only neurofilament protein that exhibited succination. To determine if total levels of AINX were impacted by succination I analyzed AINX protein levels in spinal cord. Lower molecular weight cleaved forms of AINX increased in the vehicle treated EAE mice. In contrast, the AINX protein composition of DMF-treated EAE mice showed reduced cleaved forms and appeared similar to healthy control mice. I also examined AINX levels in serum from vehicle control and DMF-treated EAE mice and noted that DMF reduced the levels of additional cleaved forms. This was also noted for circulating levels of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), a marker of astrogliosis. The altered alpha-internexin protein profile detected in the EAE mice may be a novel marker of neurofilament damage, and our data suggests that modification on Cys24 by fumarate prevents alpha-internexin cleavage, thereby preserving neuronal integrity in EAE/MS. DMF also reduced circulating serum markers of neuroinflammatory damage, potentially by preserving axonal neurofilament proteins.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Muon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villigen, Switzerland, is an ongoing international research project measuring the elastic scattering of subatomic particles off a liquid hydrogen target. Muons and electrons are shot into a container of liquid hydrogen, and detectors track their trajectories after they collide with the hydrogen protons. From this trajectory data, one can determine the size of the proton’s charge distribution. MUSE is a precision experiment where the data can easily become skewed by slight changes in conditions, and this creates the need for a method of monitoring the stability of the detector data. A single run of the scattering experiment contains millions of particle data and dozens of different metrics, so a major challenge of this task is to find specific metrics that would effectively represent the stability of a series of runs. This research project for “Monitoring the Detector Stability for MUSE” tested multiple ways of analyzing this experimental data. Most of this project has been spent developing a tool that attempts to visualize MUSE’s stability by passing through a series of runs that spanned over several months in 2023, extracting specific data, such as the output signals of scintillation detectors, and plotting them on graphs. These graphs provide a visual on how changes in initial run conditions can completely and suddenly change the run’s output, but they also reveal the more gradual changes in cases where initial conditions were the same. These results will inform the calibration of the MUSE detectors and the quality control of the experimental data. This work is supported in parts by a USC Honors College Research Grant and the U.S. National Science Foundation: NSF PHY-2111050
9:30-11:00 a.m.Italy, unified in 1861, began and remains a European country of great linguistic diversity in comparison to other states, such as France and Germany. From Tyrol in the North to Sicily and Sardinia in the South, Italy’s different language and dialect populations maintain fervent regionalist identities in their respective provinces. Most native Italians will introduce themselves as Venetian, Sicilian, Napoletano (from Napoli), or even simply as Southern or Northern Italian, rather than say that they are simply Italian. Each of these regions can be characterized as culturally and linguistically distinct in ways that make individuals from said areas clearly identifiable. In some cases, their language is a regional variety of Italian, such as Napoletano, while in other parts of the country the regional language is a variety of some other language, such as Tyrolese or South Tyrolean German, which is spoken in the northern province of Bolzano (adjacent to the Austrian border) and is a variety of Bavarian German. This intrastate situation often leads to internal policies and the country’s affairs being approached in a disunified way, to satisfy the demands of different regional coalitions, rather than as a unified country. One recent example of this situation involves the internal migration of Italians from the more rural South of the country to the more industrialized North. This movement of population has encountered public dissent and resentment on the part of Northerners that has many of the same features as international migration. Here, Italians escaping the less developed South in search of jobs in the more industrial North are treated to some extent as foreigners in their own country. These linguistically based regional conflicts in Italy, while not unique in nature for a European country, are quite singular in their prevalence and number. Accordingly, we find there to be in Italy internal ethnolinguistic divisions that are more typical of less developed states on other continents. This study thus examines a contrastive example of how cultural divides can affect national consensus a Western, modernized state.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an important procedure in managing cirrhosis-associated complications. By creating a shunt between the hepatic vein and intrahepatic branch of the portal vein, TIPS effectively reduces portal pressure. While generally successful with a reported complication rate under 10%, less is known about its impact on hepatic drug metabolism. This case report focuses on a rare instance of rhabdomyolysis in a patient undergoing TIPS, highlighting the challenges in managing hepatically metabolized medications after TIPS. Case Report A 77 year-old Asian female with a history of decompensated hepatitis C-associated cirrhosis complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma, underwent TIPS for gastric variceal hemorrhage. Before TIPS placement, her aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were 543 IU/L and 223 IU/L, respectively. After TIPS, she developed worsening altered mental status and bilateral extremity weakness, progressing to acute respiratory failure requiring intubation. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in creatinine kinase levels of 7,563 IU/L after TIPS. Despite the discontinuation of her medications, including high-intensity atorvastatin and fluconazole, her creatinine kinase level continued to rise to 76,358 IU/L. Concurrently, her AST and ALT reached 2,369 IU/L and 730 IU/L, respectively. This escalation, in the absence of other clear etiologies, suggested statin-induced rhabdomyolysis due to concomitant use of a high-intensity statin in a decompensated cirrhotic and bypass of hepatic drug metabolism from TIPS. A liver biopsy was not performed since she was transitioned to comfort care. Discussion The liver's role in the metabolism of numerous drugs, especially those requiring cytochrome P450 enzymes, is well-documented. Since TIPS diverts blood flow away from the liver, it could negatively influence hepatic first pass metabolism. In this patient, the presence of high-intensity atorvastatin known to cause rhabdomyolysis, combined with recent TIPS placement causing portal blood to divert away from the liver for atorvastatin to metabolize in the setting of decompensated cirrhosis likely contributed to the adverse outcome. This case underscores the necessity for careful medication reconciliation in patients undergoing TIPS, especially drugs with known hepatic metabolism with potential toxic adverse effects.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Germ cell tumors represent the most common class of testicular tumors but may rarely emerge in locations outside of the gonads. Extragonadal germ cell tumors comprise nearly 5% of all germ cell tumors and are associated with an incidence rate of 1/1,000,000. While the etiology is not well-understood, the pathogenesis is theorized to be associated with embryogenesis, testicular reverse migration, or thymic origination. Extragonadal germ cell tumors occur in the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, and cranium in decreasing frequency as listed. Primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumors, one of the rarest forms of these tumors, are generally large at the time of diagnosis and discovered due to encasement and displacement of local anatomy by mass effect. These tumors cannot be differentiated from other retroperitoneal masses through radiographic imaging alone. Late presentation with metastasis to liver, brain, bone, and lungs are common. This report presents a rare case with abnormal presentation of a primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumor with metastasis to the liver in a 28-year-old male. Initial work-up determined the presence of cancer in this patient but was unsuccessful in early identification of the primary source. Early labs and tumor marker screenings were largely noncontributory, further delaying accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy. This case demonstrates the importance of a comprehensive work-up and formation of a wide differential diagnosis to ensure that rare presentations and atypical disease processes are accounted for.
1:00-2:30 p.m.John H. Riskind’s (1984) “appropriateness hypothesis” states that posture, positions, and gestures can be emotionally self-regulating if an individual holds a posture that is appropriate for its context. One meta-analytic review demonstrates the “robust” significance for evidence of “power feelings, emotion, or self-esteem” due to postural feedback while cautioning researchers on the empirical invalidity of evidence for behavioral and physiological variables (Körner et al., 2022). Analyses included 16 undergraduate students, recruited from USC Dance Program, who participated in one of two creative movement workshops. Analysis revealed participants reported, either through qualitative survey responses or focus group, at least one instance of each main code: “body awareness,” “change of emotion or thought due to change in body,” and “application to own patterns.” These coded reports differ in quality, highlighting the complexity of postural feedback. Results suggest creative movement could be a helpful context in which to analyze the emotional changes due to postural feedback and an effective method to educate adults on emotional-regulation and mindfulness.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is among the top five most common mental health disorders and affects roughly 350 million people worldwide. We were interested in comparing the effectiveness of ADHD medicines, stimulant vs. non-stimulant drugs on 1) ADHD symptoms, 2) cardiovascular responses, and 3) activities of daily living. We searched PsycInfo, MedLine, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles and meta-analyzed the results. We found that stimulants in general were slightly more effective for reducing ADHD symptoms, had moderately greater effects on cardiovascular responses, and were slightly better at improving vehicle driving performance than non-stimulants. For our future research, we plan to examine the side effects of both types of medication to determine if the greater efficacy of stimulants is worth it.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Trunk postural control and proprioception are impaired in individuals with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Vibration applied to skeletal muscles provides a means to model altered proprioceptive information. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of vibration-induced altered TEM proprioception on trunk postural control and to compare trunk control between back-healthy individuals undergoing vibration and persons with cLBP, absent vibration, as a model to explore the relationship between altered TEM proprioception and impaired postural control in cLBP. Twenty back-healthy participants performed active joint reposition error (AJRE) testing to determine the personalized vibration parameters that induced the greatest lumbopelvic proprioceptive error. Participants underwent trunk postural control testing, where they maintained balance atop an unstable chair under conditions with eyes open and eyes closed, both with and without TEM vibration. To explore the role of altered proprioception in cLBP, trunk postural control data from twenty age- and sex-matched cLBP participants were included. We performed equivalence testing to assess if postural control was the same between back-healthy individuals during vibration and persons with cLBP. Mean velocity and 95% confidence ellipse area of center-of-pressure changes were used to quantify postural control performance. Between-group mean differences scores were compared to minimal detectable change (MDC95) values, and between-group effect sizes (d) were calculated to assess the magnitude of performance differences. Personalizing vibration parameters led to larger effects (d=.89) on lumbopelvic repositioning error than any single vibration frequency (d=.31-.36) during AJRE testing. In back-healthy adults, we observed large (2=.604-.842) main effects of vision on postural control but no significant effects for TEM vibration (p>.105) or interaction. While mean difference scores between back-healthy individuals undergoing TEM vibration and persons with cLBP were less than MDC95 values, between-group effect sizes across postural control measures and testing conditions (d=.32-.51) exceeded our a priori criteria for performance equivalence. Vibration alters position sense during AJRE testing, and personalizing vibration parameters amplifies the size of this effect. However, we measured trivial to small effects of TEM vibration on seated trunk postural control in back-healthy adults, which did not result in degradation of performance equivalent to that observed in cLBP.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Objective: The mLife study is a 12-month mobile weight loss intervention for individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Within the mLife app, participants were provided bi-weekly (0-6 months) and weekly (7-12 months) educational podcasts on topics related to diet, exercise, and weight management. This study assessed the correlation between podcast engagement and weight loss at 12 months. Methods: Podcast engagement was measured by the total number of podcasts each participant downloaded. Participants reported body weight by stepping onto a provided FitBit scale synchronized to the mLife app. Total weight loss was calculated as the change in body weight from baseline to 12 months. Eligible participants reported body weight at 12 months and downloaded at least one podcast. Data were analyzed and correlations between variables were conducted using Excel. Results: Seventy-four participants were included in this study. The average weight loss was - 10.66 lbs (range: -85.0 – 18.0 lbs). A total of 76 podcasts were released over the course of the study. The mean number of podcasts downloaded per person was 52.6 (range: 1-75). The results of the correlation analysis indicate a negative correlation between total podcast engagement and body weight at 12 months (r = -0.248), such that listening to podcasts was associated with greater weight loss. Conclusion: Results suggest that increased podcast engagement relates to weight loss. Other factors that influence total weight loss may include dietary intake, physical activity, and social support. Additional analysis is needed to factor in other variables that could influence the results.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Human connection may be the best medicine of all. During the summer of 2022, I volunteered with the Child Life Department at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Child Life Specialists provide patients with individualized care and coping skills through play and distraction techniques. Play is a fundamental part of children's life. It allows them to process emotions, use creative thinking skills and their imagination, as well as have a form of autonomy in a setting where that may be rare. As a volunteer, I gained hospital experience with medically complex children, interacted with patients and families, and learned appropriate interventions for specific patients. My volunteer experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the healthcare system, aiding my academic pursuits as a public health major. The integration of both course knowledge and practical experience has provided a firm foundation as I pursue a career as a Child Life Specialist.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The goal of this research is to produce a sensor package that is capable of measuring rainfall using a drop-counting mechanism as opposed to traditional graduated cylinder, tipping bucket, or weighing gauge methods. The drop-counting mechanism consists of using a funnel to create a standardized drop size that then passes through two probes of an open circuit. The droplet passing through the probes completes the circuit and the number of instances that this occurs is recorded. This data will then be used to calculate both total rainfall and rainfall rate over a set period and the results will be compared with the weather service reported rainfall numbers. The results from the drop-counting method are expected to closely match reported rainfall amounts. Additional sensors will be included in the overall prototype including temperature, pressure, and humidity to monitor environmental conditions. From this research, further sensors and wireless capabilities can be added to the overall sensor package. This will allow development of a compact and cost-effective weather sensor that can be deployed to remote locations and wirelessly transmit data, improving weather mapping of local regions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Iron homeostasis is necessary to maintain sufficient, non-toxic iron levels in almost all living organisms. Iron plays an essential role in many biochemical pathways, but excess iron can lead to the production of damaging reactive oxygen species. The model yeast S. pombe maintains iron homeostasis via two iron-responsive transcriptional repressors, Php4 and Fep1. Both proteins have close homologues in human fungal pathogens, thus S. pombe provides an effective model for understanding essential iron homeostasis pathways that may be targeted for the development of antifungal compounds. Fep1 is a GATA-type Zn-finger protein that downregulates iron import during iron sufficiency to avoid iron overload. We hypothesize that binding of a [2Fe-2S] cluster regulates the DNA-binding activity of Fep1, and that the Fe-S cluster trafficking proteins Grx4 and Fra2 facilitate removal of the Fe-S cluster from Fep1 during iron deficiency. However, the structure of Fep1 has not been experimentally determined, and the functions of its several domains and motifs, with respect to its metal cofactors, have not been fully characterized. In order to produce a protein suitable for structural determination, we aimed to generate and purify a truncated version of Fep1 using site-directed mutagenesis and heparin column chromatography. This truncated version is a portion of the DNA-binding domain (amino acids 1-110) that includes zinc finger 1 and the cysteine-rich region hypothesized to bind iron and interact with Grx4. We have successfully generated the Fep1(1-110) plasmid and expressed the truncated Fep1 protein in E. coli. The purified protein will be used for crystallization trials to obtain the structure and visualize the metal-binding sites. Our future studies will focus on measuring the DNA-binding properties of this construct, evaluating its interaction with Grx4-Fra2, and characterizing the metal-binding sites by UV-visible, circular dichroism, and Mössbauer spectroscopies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Development of the next generation of functional materials, including ultra-efficient optoelectronics, tunable heterogeneous catalysts, and on-demand drug delivery platforms, relies on rapid switching between two or more distinct forms of photochromic molecules (e.g., spiropyran derivatives) in the solid state. Historically, the benchmark in the field of photochromic materials has been achieving solution-like photoisomerization kinetics in the solid state, which can be achieved through integration of photochromic molecules in porous host platforms, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In this work, we present a fundamentally novel approach to surpassing solution-like photoisomerization kinetics in the solid state through strategic engineering of the spiropyran environment within MOF pores. By stepwise integration of spiropyran derivatives in MOFs followed by evacuation of the solvent molecules in the pores, we were able to create a solvent-free environment that resulted in a breakthrough in the preconceived “speed limit” for photochromic molecules. The constructed solvent-free pore environment resulted in ~1,000-fold enhancement of the photoisomerization rate in the solid state even compared to the same spiropyran derivatives in solution, setting a record in the field of photochromic molecules. Further, we have studied the mechanism of rate enhancement with the hope of translating it to other classes of photochromic molecules (e.g., diarylethene and hydrazone derivatives). The reported breakthrough in photoisomerization rate and the designed materials were extensively characterized using UV-vis, diffuse reflectance, and 1H NMR spectroscopies as well as powder X-ray diffraction analysis. These studies represent a conceptually novel approach to achieving unprecedented rapid photoisomerization in the solid state, which is required for specialized applications, including the development of artificial muscles, as well as efficient and high-speed optoelectronic devices.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The peripartum period is a time of dramatic physiological adaptations in the brain and body that facilitate offspring development and survival. The brain undergoes substantial remodeling during pregnancy, with decreases in cell proliferation and volume in rodent studies. The hippocampus, a complex brain structure known for its role in spatial learning and memory, experiences both functional and structural changes during the peripartum that have been linked to postpartum maternal behavior. The hippocampus is also highly susceptible to stress exposure. Stress is a universal experience that is characterized by the perception of imminent danger which mobilizes various physiological responses to respond to the stimulus. Mitochondria, the eukaryotic organelles responsible for cellular respiration and primary energy production, are intimately involved in the stress response system and endocrine response to pregnancy via synthesis of steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids and reproductive hormones such as estradiol. We previously found that gestational stress decreased postpartum mitochondrial respiration and protein expression in the prefrontal cortex. However, the effects of parity and stress on mitochondrial function in the hippocampus have yet to be explored. Adult female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: nulliparous control, nulliparous stressed, primiparous non stressed, and primiparous stressed. Stressed groups underwent chronic mild unpredictable stress for 10 days, during the late gestational period. On postnatal day 11, mitochondrial function in the hippocampus was measured by high-resolution respirometry. Protein concentration was measured in hippocampal homogenates using the Bradford method. Protein expression of mitochondrial complexes I through V and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20, a marker of mitochondrial mass) were quantified using western blotting techniques. We found a trend for parity to increase postpartum hippocampal mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, preliminary analyses revealed no effects of stress on mitochondrial complex protein expression but an effect of parity to increase TOMM20 expression, suggesting an increase in mitochondrial number potentially related to functional measures of mitochondrial respiration. Our data highlights an overall effect of parity to enhance mitochondrial respiratory capacity in the hippocampus. Future studies will examine the persistence of these changes and identify potential associations with postpartum behaviors.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Doping, or using illegal performance enhancing drugs, is one of the bigger problems in current day sporting competitions. While the consequences of being caught doping in sports are high (bans, ruined reputation, and fines), doping activities persist because the benefits of doing so are extremely advantageous and the probability of being detected is far from 100%. Currently, many ways of catching dopers have been explored, and this project investigates finding the optimal way for deterring doping. Almost all previous literature on this topic looks only at how individuals behave in individual contests. We believe that, while this literature is helpful and important, it is not expansive enough. This project wants to take it a step further and investigate these interactions in a team setting. We look at how adding a team aspect affects an individual’s decision to dope and how this impacts optimal policies. Team settings are interesting, because in some cases, a team may be allowed to continue competing provided the number of doping members is sufficiently low, i.e., below a threshold. Using a game-theoretic modelling approach, we explore various individual incentives for doping in a team setting, and how this changes the likelihood of a contestant to dope. We also examine how changes in the doping policy could affect a contestant’s decision to dope. In our project, we found how threshold rules and different policies affect the choice of a contestant to dope.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of inorganic two-dimensional nanomaterials with emerging potential for diverse biomedical applications due to their tunable physical and chemical properties. The unique layered structure of LDHs, resulting from charge distribution, enables modulation of properties. The initial goal of this project was to develop and optimize a synthesis method for LDH nanoparticles. LDHs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements in order to assess size and stability. After optimizing reactant concentrations to improve the synthesis method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to evaluate LDH morphology. SEM images revealed aggregations of LDH nanoparticles, with individual platelet-shaped particles approximately 80 nm in diameter aggregating into clusters approximately 200 nm in size. Current research is focused on investigating methods to redisperse these aggregates to obtain discrete LDH nanoparticles. The aim is the incorporation of well-dispersed LDHs into a biocompatible polymer-based colloidal gel with tunable rheological properties for bioprinting.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Joint engagement is defined as shared attention to objects and events with a social partner (Adamson et al., 2013). Early joint engagement, between 12 and 18 months, is predictive of future language development, even when controlling for general cognition (Mundy et al., 2007). According to the social interactionist theories of early language learning, joint attention skills allow infants to engage with their caregiver who then introduces them to language (Bruner, 1983). These skills are typically mastered by 2 years of age, but are markedly delayed in children with ASD (Adamson et al., 2019). Although joint engagement differences between low likelihood and elevated likelihood for ASD are well observed at 2 years of age and older, considerably less research exists to study joint engagement in elevated likelihood for ASD before 2 years of age. The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in parent-child joint engagement between the first and second year of life for participants with an elevated likelihood for ASD (EL; indicated by a full biological sibling with ASD). Results of this study will reveal associations between joint engagement and ASD in early toddlerhood that may influence future screening and intervention efforts, particularly interventions focused on language development.
1:00-2:30 p.m.INTRODUCTION: Hereditary stomatocytosis describes a broad spectrum of rare autosomal dominantly inherited hemolytic anemias in which the erythrocyte membrane is defective with increased cation permeability. Dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (DHSt) is a subtype characterized by dysfunctional membrane proteins leading to cation loss, resulting in dehydration and hemolysis. DHSt affects an estimated 100 per 1 million births. Presentation varies from asymptomatic to chronic hemolysis. In many cases, diagnosis is made in early adulthood secondary to complications such as gallstones, splenomegaly, or iron overload, as most patients do not have symptoms related to the anemia. DHSt is also commonly initially misdiagnosed as hereditary spherocytosis. We present the case of a young female with DHSt to raise awareness of this rare hemolytic anemia and share her clinical story. CASE PRESENTATION:A 19-year-old female with a past medical history of DHSt and chronic iron overload presented to Prisma Health Richland Hospital with progressive fatigue, shortness of breath, jaundice, and abdominal pain for 2 days. A complete blood count revealed hemoglobin of 8.5, a reticulocyte count of 8.8%, and an MCV of 103. She received 1 unit of packed red blood cells. Hematology Oncology recommended close outpatient care after discharge. She was initially diagnosed with DHSt on bone marrow biopsy at 16 years old when she presented to the hospital after an episode of syncope with a hemoglobin of 3.7. She has received about 27 blood transfusions and was recently taking Jadenu for iron overload. Her last transfusion was 1 year ago. In 2021, she received a cholecystectomy for recurrent gallstones. The patient's mother was previously misdiagnosed for hereditary spherocytosis. On evaluation at Children's Hospital of Atlanta, they were both confirmed to have hereditary stomatocytosis on osmotic ektacytometry. In addition, she was found positive for the PIEZO1 mutation, commonly associated with hereditary stomatocytosis. DISCUSSION:The management of DHSt typically includes frequent blood transfusions for which iron chelation is recommended. This case illustrates the need for increased awareness regarding DHSt, as earlier diagnosis may prevent severe iron overload and consequent organ damage.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Patients with schizophrenia, a psychiatric illness with neurodevelopmental origins, have cognitive and sleep deficits, and a large amount of research has implicated impaired transmission at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine (a7nACh) receptors in the brain to physiologically contribute to these deficits. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway that antagonizes both NMDA and a7nACh receptors, is implicated in cognitive dysfunction and sleep deficits. Specifically, KYNA negatively impacts rapid eye-movement (REM) sleep and increases wakefulness. The goals of the present project were to determine the impact of a dose response (0uM, 1uM, 3uM, 10uM; dissolved in PBS) elevation of KYNA locally in the brain. Wistar rats (N=10 female, 7 male) were implanted telemetry devices to record electroencephalogram and electromyogram polysomnography. Vigilance states were classified into wake, REM sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep by an artificial intelligence neural network in 10 sec epochs. A within animal design was employed an intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion via a cannula delivered each dose of KYNA at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0, the start of the light phase, to rats across different 24-hour recording days. We presently evaluated vigilance state durations from ZT 0-4. We found that 10uM KYNA resulted in a reduction of REM duration by 37.97% (P<0.01), decrease of NREM duration by 32.47% (P<0.05), and an increase in wakefulness by 41.91% (P<0.05) between ZT 0-2 when compared to vehicle infusion. We determined an increase of wakefulness by 35.01% (P<0.01) with 3uM KYNA, but no significant effect was observed in NREM or REM sleep duration for 3uM KYNA or any of the vigilance states for 1uM KYNA. Importantly, the impact of 10uM KYNA was eliminated by ZT 2-4, the timeframe wherein exogenous application of KYNA was estimated from the brain. Our findings provide novel support for the hypothesis that brain-specific elevations in KYNA cause a significant decrease in NREM and REM sleep and an increase in wakefulness. Taken together, the implications of our study place further attention on the role of the kynurenine pathway, a pharmacologically targetable metabolic pathway, and KYNA in regulating sleep behavior.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background As a potent vasodilator neuropeptide, alpha-calcitonin gene related peptide (α-CGRP) possesses cardioprotective effects. In animal models, α-CGRP has demonstrated such effects in a variety of cardiac diseases including heart failure, hypertension and myocardial infraction. This suggests that α-CGRP is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of cardiac diseases; however, low bioavailability of the peptide negates this possibility. Methods In order to develop stable protease-resistant α-CGRP analogs, we used a peptoid chemistry approach and chemically synthesized two α-CGRP analogs linking two molecules of N-methoxyethylglycine (NMEG) peptoid molecules to either the N-terminal end (N-ter NMEG-CGRP) or C-terminal end (C-ter NMEG-CGRP) of the peptide. A peptoid is a N-substituted glycine molecule in which the side chain is attached on the nitrogen atom rather than the α-carbon atom. Both peptoid-peptide hybrids (at concentrations 1 µM, 3 µM, and 10 µM) were incubated for 4 days with rat H9c2 cardiac cells and their toxicity was measured using MTT-cell viability assay. Our results demonstrated that both peptoid-peptide hybrids did not affect the viability of the cardiac cells. To test if these peptides were bioactive, a subcutaneous injection of either peptide (at dose 1.2, 3.6, and 12 (mg/kg b.wt. per mouse) was given to male C57BL6 mice (n= 4 mice/dose) and mice blood pressure (BP) was measured at different time intervals using a tail-cuff BP analysis system. Results Our results demonstrated that N-ter NMEG reduced blood pressure in mice in a time-dependent manner. However, a reduction in BP was not observed when C-ter NMEG-CGRP was a subcutaneously injected in mice. In summary, our results showed that although both peptoid-peptide hybrids (N-ter NMEG-CGRP and C-ter NMEG-CGRP) were non-toxic to H9c2 cardiac cells, only N-ter NMEG-CGRP is bioactive in mice. Conclusion N-ter NMEG-CGRP is a promising α-CGRP agonist analog to treat cardiovascular diseases.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Choledocholithiasis, the occurrence of gallstones in the common bile duct (CBD), presents a notable clinical challenge that necessitates timely diagnosis and efficient management. In numerous medical facilities throughout the United States, standard protocol involves initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to clear the CBD of stones, followed by a subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to prevent recurrence. However, a recent study by Bosley et al. concluded that combining these steps with laparoscopic CBD exploration during cholecystectomy is comparable in terms of success rates, mortality, and resulted in a shorter LOS with decreased cost. Our primary focus is to investigate whether conducting laparoscopic exploration of the CBD during LC leads to better outcomes in terms of reduced length of stay for patients, as compared to the sequential approach of ERCP followed by LC at Prisma Health. Secondary aims include evaluating clinical factors that influence the order of ERCP/LC such as stone size and acuity of illness. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a single institution will be performed. We will utilize the Epic EMR to identify patients who presented to the emergency department at Prisma Health Richland and Baptist Hospitals during the period of January 2021 - December 2023, with diagnostic evidence of choledocholithiasis and underwent interventions including ERCP, cholecystectomy, and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. Variables included for analysis will include patient demographics, comorbidities, diagnostic tests ordered, timing of interventions, complications post-procedure and hospital length of stay. Results: Results are currently pending IRB approval. Our hypothesis is that performing laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct during cholecystectomy will be associated with enhanced efficiency, reduced hospital stay, and cost savings compared to the sequence of ERCP followed by cholecystectomy. Conclusion: If the results support our hypothesis, we would advocate for a prospective study to evaluate the implementation of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration as routine management for choledocholithiasis over a staged approach with ERCP first.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Studying the genomic foundations of fitness is crucial in the fields of conservation and evolutionary genetics. One's genetic makeup, such as the number and impact of genes, can considerably alter the adaptability and survival of species (Kardos & Luikart, 2020). Many species' fitness ties closely to body color. Among teleost fishes, only four Salmonid genera display a distinct red body color (Rajasingh et al., 2007), with sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) being especially vibrant. This coloration is crucial for mating purposes, indicating social status across both genders (Fleming & Gross, 1994). This is due to sockeye salmon possessing the unique ability to detect red during spawning (Beatty, 1966) with males leaning towards mates with the most vibrant hue (Foote et al., 2004). Their egg's pigment levels also link to healthier offspring (Tyndale et al., 2008) and males preferentially mate with the reddest female available (Fleming et. al, 1989). In salmonids, carotenoid concentration of eggs is positively correlated with incubation survival and disease resistance and dietary astaxanthin is required for juvenile growth and survival (Institute, 2019). Though salmon's red transformation is heritable and ties to dietary carotenoids (Craig & Foote, 2001), the exact genetic and metabolic routes remain ambiguous (Sefc et al., 2014). Various genes have been proposed for vertebrate coloration, and specific genes like BCO1 and BCO1L have been suggested for the Atlantic salmon's (Salmo salar) red flesh (Helgeland et al., 2019). However, the determining factors for red may differ across salmon sexes, species, or populations (Yong et al., 2016). With the availability of archived tissue samples and advanced genomic techniques, we now have the chance to investigate the genetic code of sockeye salmon's red spawning color and its evolutionary parallels among sexes and species.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Office of Academic and Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina Lancaster connects students with resources to help them achieve meaningful learning. I have worked as a Student Assistant in the office since April 2023. In my role, I assist with the collection of faculty syllabi for each semester, as well as filing professor Student Evaluations, and professor Course Approvals. I also update academic calendars with important dates such as faculty organization meetings and drop/add dates, manage the front desk operations (answering the phone, greeting people that come in), and assist with proctoring the foreign language placement exams. In my position, I’ve had several experiences that have enabled me to oversee conflict and demonstrate empathy to those around me. Empathy is important because it demonstrates you respect how someone might be feeling. This may introduce tension because they could have conflicting ideas about what you’re saying but maintaining respect ensures a conversation ends on a positive note. Knowing what I know now, I can almost assume that giving someone respect and concern can change their whole perspective and demeanor, even for bad news. There must be mutual respect in a conversation to enable an environment that stimulates the mind to enhance the ideas in conversation. It then becomes a matter of what you can do for others, and not what everyone else can do for you. After completing my Associate’s, I intend to use the professional experience I have earned in dealing with individuals in such a diverse environment in either a correctional administrative position or a legal office position. I hope to use this experience to enhance my skills in a career in Criminal Justice.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Early differences in visual attention have been observed in infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the first year of life. In their study, from 2 to 3 months of age, Bradshaw et al. (2021) found that object-focused attention was reduced for infants with ASD and was associated with autism severity and social communication skills at 24 months. Their findings are noteworthy, given that prolonged, rather than reduced, object-focused attention has been observed in 6- to 12-month-old infants with ASD (Bryson et al., 2018; Sacrey et al., 2013). These differences may reflect a true shift in object-focused attention across the first year of life (from attenuated to prolonged looking); however, they may also be due to varied measurement methods across studies. Bradshaw et al. (2021) measured visual attention using a newborn assessment called the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), which involves structured visual tasks, while Bryson et al. (2018) and Sacrey et al. (2013) observed visual attention during unstructured toy play. Building on their work, our study aims to examine object-focused attention in at-risk infants across the year of life (3-12 months) during unstructured toy play. The data used in this project were collected from a longitudinal infant study at the Early Social Development Lab under Dr. Jessica Bradshaw. Infant participants were either at low-likelihood (LL) or elevated-likelihood (EL) for developing ASD. In our sample, EL infants had at least one older sibling diagnosed with ASD, and LL infants had no family history of ASD. During their study visits, infants (aged 3 to 12 months) interacted with several common household toys for approximately 7 minutes while seated in their caregiver’s lap. As a behavioral coder for this paradigm, I coded the duration and frequency of instances when infants looked at the toy and looked away from the toy. The parameters derived from my coding will be used to compare attention trends between EL participants and LL participants from 3 to 12 months of age.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Acute Stress Disorder is a psychological response to a terrifying, traumatic, or surprising event and is a precursor to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The clinical evaluation for diagnosing ASD surrounds patient history and physical examination within days following a traumatic event. Diagnostic tools typically include screenings and questionnaires, but they require significant training and often miss initial physiological symptoms. The addition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) data-driven decision support using electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring of biopotential brainwave activity may aid in detecting early signs of trauma-related neurological disorders. To test this hypothesis, participants from Greenville Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center wore an EEG headset prior to their work shift to determine a reference signal (preliminary sample size of ~n=20). Then, participants wore the EEG headset during their workshift where traumatic events occurred. Timing of traumatic events and severity was recorded and biopotential data was collected and stored. De-identified data was exported to R statistical software, where pipelines created for time-series and data mining will be used for statistical analysis and development of an AI engine for biomarkers associated with trauma disorders. Results of the preliminary studies have shown that alpha waves are the most significant biomarker in evaluating precursors to trauma disorders.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my internship, I served as a page for the South Carolina House of Representatives, and there is nothing like it. We can perform various tasks, such as simply getting them some water while they are in session, or something as significant as delivering a bill to its intended location within the State House. For example, the major abortion legislation that the House passed this past June, I physically held that bill in my hand and delivered it to the Senate after the House of Representatives passed it. When I was in my internship class, POLI 379, Dr. Meyer-Gutbrod would talk about institutions and how they are supposed to work, with committee meetings and debates. While that is the case sometimes, that is not always how it works. A bill is supposed to be introduced to the full body of the House, sent to a committee, and then sent to a subcommittee where it is debated. It is then brought back to the full subcommittee for further debate and potential changes, before finally being brought back to the full House for further debate and changes. However, I found during my time as a House page that this is not the case at all. Most of the time, decisions are made in the backroom, and all the votes are already predetermined before the bill goes to the floor for debate in the committee. One of the most challenging parts of being a page is having to tune out conversations that you hear on the floor, as there are many, and you are not supposed to engage in conversations whether it's about their personal lives, drama in the State House, or the bills themselves. As a future intelligence officer, I have learned to be aware of my surroundings and listen to all incoming information.
1:00-2:30 p.m.How should state parks appropriately interpret gravesites for park visitors? Since her passing in 1879, Eliza Dodgen’s gravesite was marked with only field stones for over a century until her descendants, the Chapman family, placed a grave marker. Eliza’s grave is on what is now the property of Gorges State Park in Transylvania County, North Carolina. The park has fielded questions from curious visitors and descendants alike but has had little information to provide besides the words written on Eliza’s grave marker. Soon, the path next to the grave will become a central hiking trail leading to a campground. For my Honors Thesis, I have partnered with Gorges State Park to design a wayside sign to be placed next to the grave to interpret the site for park visitors. For this project, I have consulted genealogical resources, historical accounts of the surrounding county, and guides on constructing interpretive materials. The result is twofold: first, an interpretive panel that appropriately situates the site in the historical context of the period and the grave’s inhabitant; second, a research base which future researchers can expand upon to develop future resources for Gorges State Park and the Transylvania County community. This project contributes to ongoing public history work in the region which aims to preserve the stories of overlooked communities.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Currently, efforts are being made to find environmentally friendly energy sources that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. A common method is to use hydrogen as an energy storage carrier. It is not feasible to store pure hydrogen due to the low temperature or high pressure needed to store it as a liquid. Ammonia could be used as a hydrogen-carrying storage option, containing 17.6 wt.% hydrogen. Ammonia is created using iron-based catalysts to produce ammonia from Hydrogen and Nitrogen gases. This process requires a lot of energy and must be run at very high temperatures and pressures. As a result, ammonia synthesis contributes significantly to the world’s energy use and carbon emissions. This research focuses on finding a feasible catalyst to produce ammonia efficiently at lower pressures. To reduce energy required for this reaction, ruthenium-based catalysts have gained attention because they can operate at more reasonable conditions. Optimization of these catalysts involves careful selection of promoters and supports. Nearly 100 different catalysts were tested, varying by promoter type and pretreatment conditions. All catalysts contained small weight percentages of ruthenium (to reduce cost) on Pr2O3. Catalysts tested were doubly promoted ruthenium-based catalysts. Based on the literature, alkali metals work best as promoters due to their electron donation ability. Of the alkali metals, cesium was the most effective, so we used this as our first promoter. The secondary promoter we found worked the best was barium, although almost 10 tested additional secondary promoters improved activity. Pretreatment conditions were also optimized. Specifically, we varied promoter calcination temperature (400-900°C), ruthenium precursor decomposition (200-500°C for 10-300 minutes), reduction time and temperatures (200-500°C for 10-300 mins), and promoter weight loadings (0-12 wt% cesium and barium). We found that the optimal catalyst included, by weight percent, 1% Ru, 3.86% Ba, and 4.12% Ce supported on Pr2O3. Catalysts were pretreated at optimal times and temperatures and operated at normal reaction conditions. They produced 65.42 mmol/gcat/hr, the most active catalyst for such low weight-loadings compared with the literature. These catalysts can provide a pathway to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial ammonia synthesis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are crucial for learning and memory and have been implicated in age-related memory loss and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Their divergent contributions to plasticity and neurodegeneration are likely attributed to discrete subpopulations of NMDARs that segregate between synaptic and extra-synaptic sites and participate in dissociable intracellular signaling pathways. NAMENDA is a non-selective NMDAR channel blocker, and it is chiefly presumed to restrict neurotoxic Ca2+ influx through extrasynaptic NMDARs but may also limit synaptic NMDAR activation that is necessary for memory formation. Serine is an essential co-activator of synaptic NMDARs, providing a therapeutically attractive route to optimize NMDAR signaling and reverse memory loss in aging. Considering, we set out to identify the behavioral and neurobiological changes following treatment with a proposed modulator of synaptic d-serine levels. We screened aged, 22-month-old, male and female F344 rats for spatial learning deficits in a multi-day, place-learning version of the Morris water maze relative to performance of 4-month-old young adults. Rats that displayed impaired spatial learning in the initial cognitive task were re-tested on a delayed match-to-place task to confirm persistent cognitive impairment before treatment with 0, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg MPC, a d-amino acid oxidase inhibitor, to prevent enzymatic degradation of d-serine. Treatment with MPC induced a dose-dependent improvement in memory performance and induced and coordinated ERK activation, a marker of NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission and neuroprotective intracellular signaling, in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These results indicate a dysregulation of d-serine metabolism in the aging brain and provide evidence for further studies that examine age-related changes to the effectors of glutamatergic neurotransmission and d-serine metabolism, including serine racemase and d-amino acid oxidase.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Translational science focuses on optimizing the process of translating basic research into interventions that benefit human health. The steps necessary to move from an initial discovery to an intervention that benefits human health comprise the translational continuum. Each of these steps takes time, however, and inefficiencies that delay research progress can occur. Preventable delays are detrimental to translational science. We refer to these inefficiencies as “time lags.” Presently, the understanding of where these time lags lie along the continuum and their effect on the efficiency of the process is underdeveloped. Our goal is to conceptualize and measure time lags to provide a foundation for future research and document the necessary steps to move discoveries efficiently along the translational continuum. This project is a systematic review of the peer-reviewed published literature of time lags in translational research. Some examples of factors that can contribute to time lags that have been identified by various authors are a lack of funding, regulatory burdens, participant recruitment issues, publication delays, and discrepancies in results. One barrier for which research has been presented is the potential bias of publishing results based on their statistical significance. So far, we have identified n=15 publications on this topic; these were published from 1991 through 2023. Of these 15 publications, the results for n=10 (66.7%) provided evidence that papers with statistically significant results were more likely to be submitted for publication and/or to be published more quickly once submitted. Of these 10 papers that had evidence of faster rates to publication based on statistical significance, the rate difference was statistically significant in 9 studies. These preliminary results are equivocal, but they tend to indicate that time lags are present for null results or results that are not statistically significant. The time lags introduced by the statistical significance of results could be a barrier to evidence-based medicine. These findings present a preliminary step in the conceptualization of time lags in translational science.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project develops a structure-preserving model order reduction technique for port-Hamiltonian systems. This approach is data-driven, utilizing snapshot data to learn the operators of the reduced-order model. It provides a computationally efficient reduced-order model for simulating port-Hamiltonian systems while ensuring the inherent structure of these systems is well preserved in the reduced-order model. This retention of structures guarantees the stability and passivity of the reduced-order model, resulting in fast and robust numerical simulations. To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach, several numerical examples are investigated.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Bedside Intercostal Nerve Cryoablation Performed Under Conscious Sedation in the Setting of Rib Fractures Introduction Rib fractures are the most common injury associated with blunt chest wall trauma. Patients with rib fractures are particularly susceptible to developing pneumonia, atelectasis, and respiratory failure stemming from poor thoracic mechanics, diminished ventilatory capacity, and inability to clear secretions. Intercostal nerve cryoablation (IC) is routinely performed with surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) to provide a prolonged analgesic effect post-operatively in order to minimize narcotic consumption, decrease hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay as well as decrease the pulmonary complications previously mentioned. The risks of general anesthesia must also be considered for rib fracture patients with multiple co-morbidities for whom complications due to anesthesia may be amplified. To circumvent these challenges, we have created a paradigm for performing IC at the bedside using conscious sedation. Case Report The patient is a 62-year-old male with a significant medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tobacco use who presented to our institution after a ground level mechanical fall. His trauma work-up was notable for fractured ribs six through eight on the left hemi-thorax. The patient’s pain level was severe leading to an impairment of his respiratory mechanics. SSRF and IC was offered, but he refused fearing the cardiopulmonary complications of general anesthesia and single lung ventilation in the setting of uncontrolled COPD. The procedure performed on the patient was a bedside cryoablation and intercostal block of left sided intercostal nerves five through eight under conscious sedation. Discussion Our case report is the first published account of bedside intercostal nerve cryoablation performed under conscious sedation in a patient with multiple rib fractures. Bedside IC under conscious sedation is a safe and accessible alternative to general anesthesia in the operative suite for rib fracture pain and can be used to in those subsets of trauma patients with prohibitive co-morbidities and those with a high risk of pulmonary complications. The sustained analgesic effects of intercostal cryoablation ensure a faster transition out of the ICU while mitigating narcotic use and risk of pulmonary complications.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which individuals experience a persistence in traumatic memories after undergoing a life-threatening event. Notable individual variation and sex differences have been reported in the development of PTSD, with women demonstrating higher susceptibility. However, little is understood as to why these individual and sex differences exist, and how they may impact the efficacy of PTSD treatment. Hence, this study aims to investigate variations in PTSD vulnerability using a preclinical rodent model of Pavlovian fear learning and extinction. Individual and sex differences in fear responses, including freezing behavior and 22 and 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), were examined in male and female Long-Evans rats during fear learning, contextual fear recall, and extinction learning. Rats were divided into Extinction Competent (EC) and Extinction Resistant (ER) phenotypes based on a median split of freezing behavior demonstrated during extinction learning. Although as expected ER males and females displayed higher freezing during extinction learning than EC groups, no ER-EC differences were seen during fear learning. Variation was also present in 22 kHz distress calls, with males producing more vocalizations in all trials than females, and ER males vocalizing more than EC males during fear extinction. Analysis of acoustic parameters of 22 kHz USVs supported the increased distress vocalizations in males than females, with ER males demonstrating a higher total duration of calls and number of bouts than EC males during fear extinction. Females produced significantly more 50 kHz positive USVs in all trials than males, especially during exposure to the novel context, and EC females vocalized more than ER females during contextual fear recall. Analysis of 50 kHz USV acoustic parameters also indicated sex differences in the total duration of calls during fear extinction and in the number of bouts during fear learning and extinction. These results show male and female rats demonstrate ER-EC differences in freezing behavior and USV production, similar to individual risk for PTSD. The findings also suggest fear responses are sex-dependent, with male and female rats having similar ER-EC differences in freezing but distinct fear behavior in 22 and 50 kHz USVs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool for learning and retention. For my Senior Capstone Design Project as a computer science major, I worked with my team of other undergraduate seniors to develop the mobile app: Lyraquist. Lyraquist is a language learning tool that uses music to gain familiarity to a variety of languages. When I studied abroad in Spain, I saw the impact music had on the vocabulary, culture, and traditions there and I saw a lack of that knowledge from my education in Spanish. We created this app to establish a bridge to connect all parts of language learning in a more engaging way. Users get access to all features of the app by creating an account and connecting their Spotify Premium account to it. The user is then able to search Spotify libraries, listen to and save songs, view lyrics in original and translated versions, and click on words to get information on their definition and translations. We took it a step further to allow users to save words to workbooks for further studying. The users can use this app to be more engaged in their language learning while having a unique and awarding experience that shows results as quickly as possible. This will allow people to better cross linguistic and cultural barriers to engage in a more global world.
9:30-11:00 a.m.What are student perspectives and experiences regarding reproductive health, justice, and access to services while living in South Carolina? The area of focus is reproductive justice, specifically examining the issue of abortion in the wake of very restrictive legislation recently passed and defined as "constitutional" in South Carolina. I aim to understand how students (specifically individuals with uteruses) have engaged in and experienced reproductive healthcare. This includes how they define reproductive health, how they experienced it growing up, how their cultures and/or families have impacted their relationship with reproductive health, or their involvement in advocating for reproductive rights. I will model my approach after the Voices/Voces initiative (https://www.schealthviz.sc.edu/voices-voces-initiative) to make a local, small scale performance that reflects the sentiments and stories of individuals with uteruses attending the University of South Carolina. The performance will be recorded.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The GFAP-gp120Tg mice express soluble HIV-envelope protein, gp120, in astrocytes and share many neuropathological features observed in the CNS of HIV/AIDS patients. Here, we investigated the effect of a cannabinoid, ∆9-THC, on gp120-mediated neuroinflammation and progression of neurodegeneration. We treated groups of GFAP-gp120Tg and C57BL/6 WT mice with ∆9-THC or the vehicle. Immunofluorescence imaging, flow cytometry, Single-cell RNA-sequencing, and shotgun sequencing were performed to understand the cellular and molecular pathways involved. ∆9-THC reduced the neuroinflammation driven by gp120 by influencing the inflammatory chemokine receptors on immune cells that directly infiltrate the CNS. Pronounced astrocytosis and microglial activation seen in Tg mice were significantly reduced following treatment with ∆9-THC. Neuroglial gene expression was also reversed after ∆9-THC treatment. Tg mice exhibited significant gut microbiota dysbiosis which was reversed by ∆9-THC. Members of the genera Alistipes, Prevotella, Plasmodium, Helicobacter, Desulfovibrio had higher relative abundance in Tg mice but reduced after ∆9-THC treatment. Taken together, this study demonstrates that ∆9-THC treatment significantly improves HIV-gp120-mediated pathogenesis of neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and helps to reshape gut microbiota (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01ES030144, P01AT003961, P20GM103641, and R01AI123947, R01AI160896).
1:00-2:30 p.m.America faces a literacy crisis. A National Assessment of Education Progress study determined that just 36% of 4th graders, 34% of 8th graders, and 37% of 12th graders read at a level considered proficient or higher. Nearly 1/3 of students are reading below basic levels. Since spelling skills are a bedrock component of literacy and literacy deficits affect all areas of learning, effective spelling instruction, especially in the early grades, is crucial. This presentation puts forward a new way of teaching English spelling to elementary school students: Wordification. Wordification is a web game designed to teach English spelling skills using linguistic principles and applying orthographic and phonological properties of words in a way not fully utilized previously in other computer-based teaching applications. The application’s latest features include a new word building game, an overhaul of the application’s design, and dialect specific instruction, targeting Southern White English (SWE) and African American English (AAE) speakers using machine learning audio synthesis techniques.
1:00-2:30 p.m.One of the most interesting things about the Caribbean is the diverse population, and how the culture has come to be. In the fifteenth century the Spanish, English, Dutch, and French began to colonize the Caribbean. However, the Caribbean was not a bunch of deserted Islands who had never been discovered, on these Islands they were inhabited by the indigenous population. The history of the Caribbean, and how a whole population was lost has been greatly studied by scholars. Many have wondered how did an entire population of people essentially become erased? Also how did colonization lead to this? In the past century more light has been shed pon the lost population of the Taino people in Puerto Rico . Puerto Rico is not the only island that had indigenous inhabitants when it was colonized. Many people are claiming and have claimed to have indigenous blood and hbe descendants of indigenous people on the island. Since the indigenous Taino group was colonized many Puerto Ricans are a mix of Spanish and indigenous blood. By the 16th century the Taino people were almost completely gone due to the colonizers inflicting disease, hunger, and enslavement onto them.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Chagas’ disease is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) predominantly affecting 6 - 7 million people in Latin America while actively spreading to other regions. Chagas’ disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Gossypol, alone, is an abundant natural product found in the seed of a cotton plant. An analogue of Gossypol was observed to be a hit compound from a high-throughput screening (HTS) conducted in a previous study performed by our laboratory. The purpose of the HTS was to explore potentially inhibitory compounds that exhibit strong antichagasic inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi Glucokinase. To expand on this previous research, the commercially available synthetic analogues of gossypol were used for screening in this hit-expansion project. The individual analogues of gossypol have unique substituent groups that alter gossypol’s characteristics as an inhibitor of TcGlcK. Through biochemical evaluation, we have found that several of the analogues demonstrate strong inhibition of the TcGlcK enzyme through different modes of inhibition. To test the enzyme inhibition abilities of the compounds, we subjected each analogue to an enzyme-inhibition kinetics reaction. The collected data for each analogue was plotted against the inhibitor concentration at three separate substrate concentrations for Dixon plot analysis using the Cornish-Bowden method. The results of this compound library screening include each analogue’s respective Ki value per compound for enzyme inhibition in addition to their respective mode of inhibition. Ki values were then compared to the Ki of gossypol at the value of 11.0 μM as a reference point. The selected five analogues from the screening with the lowest Ki values will be submitted for future testing and evaluation of T. cruzi inhibition.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that impacts the way a person socializes, behaves, and communicates. My project focuses on the correlations between the child’s upbringing and the severity of the autism symptoms they experience. It is well known that social and economic determinants, such as maternal education and household income, contribute to health disparities in the general population but there is still a paucity of research on the associations between autism symptoms and socioeconomic determinants in young children with ASD. Research shows that children with autism who grew up in less affluent homes have higher levels of social anxiety and more difficulties with day-to-day activities. Maternal education and household income were collected using a child and family demographic form, while the child’s level of daily functioning was assessed during a parent interview. Autism severity was measured using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) and social anxiety was measured using the Preschool Anxiety Scale – Revised (PAS-R). The present study included 37 preschool aged children with ASD and 31 age-matched TD children, all ranging between 2.5 years to 6 years of age. I hypothesize that lower household financial income and maternal education will be correlated with increased severity of autism symptoms in children with ASD. In addition, I hypothesize that lower socioeconomic status will be associated with higher severity of social anxiety and lower daily functioning in children with ASD. This correlation could be due to less affluent children having decreased access to treatment opportunities, which could explain more severe symptoms. Lower household income was also correlated with later diagnosis, which could contribute to the pattern as well. It is well documented that later diagnosis is linked with more difficulties in those with autism.The findings from this study are critical for recognizing how access to resources for early diagnosis and treatment can improve symptoms associated with autism and social anxiety. Future research on this topic should look to compare children of different economic statuses on things like diagnosis date, treatments attended, and other possible factors to narrow down why this correlation is present.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Abstract Background: Hindfoot fusion procedures are common for the treatment of end-stage arthritis or deformity. Surgical treatments for these conditions include talonavicular joint (single) arthrodesis, talonavicular and subtalar (double)arthrodesis, or talonavicular, subtalar, and calcaneocuboid (triple) arthrodesis. This study evaluated the complication rate,revision surgery rate, and hardware removal rate for those treated with either single, double, or triple arthrodesis. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for patients who underwent single, double or triple arthrodesis to treat hindfoot arthritis/deformity from 2005 to 2022 using the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs databank. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, procedure data, and postoperative outcomes within 1 year of principal surgery. Student t test, chi-squared test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were utilized during data analysis. Results: A total of 433 patients were identified, with 248 undergoing single arthrodesis, 67 undergoing double arthrodesis, and 118 undergoing triple arthrodesis. There was no significant difference between single, double, and triple arthrodesis in the rate of complications, hardware removals, revision surgeries, or 30-day readmission when controlling for confounding variables. However, a decrease in Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was found to be predictive of an increase in the revision surgery rate (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.85, P=.02). Conclusion: We found no difference in the rate of complications, hardware removals, or revision surgeries in those undergoing single, double, or triple arthrodesis. Surprisingly we found that a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, indicating a healthier patient had a significant relationship with a higher rate of revision surgery. Further study including radiographic indications for surgery or the impact of overall health status on revision surgery rates may further elucidate the other components of this relationship.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) is the third most common cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of valve disease in the developed world. It affects 25% of people older than 65 years and 50% of people older than 85 years of age. Tissue samples collected from patients suffering from CAVD have shown elevated levels of the TGFβ1 in heart valves. We also observed upregulation of TGFβ1 in the valve interstitial cells (VIC) of Tgfb1TG/PostnCre mice. Our earlier studies clearly showed induction of CAVD in both male and female mice at 1-3 months of age. However, males advanced to calcific AS at a higher rate by 1-2 years of age than female mice. Thus, we aim to understand the role of female hormones that protects females from developing advanced CAVD. We have isolated valve interstitial cells (VICs) from 4-6-weeks old Ts(H2-K1-tsA58) (i.e., immortomouse) male or female mice aortic valves and culture them in osteogenic media in presence or absence of estradiol (10-100 nM) or di-hydro-testosterone (10 nM). Ovariectomy (OVX)/sham OVX female and castration (CAST)/sham CAST male Tgfb1TG/PostnCre mice of 3-7 months of age were used for our in vivo study. Our alizarin red staining confirmed the calcification of VICs in osteogenic media. Our cell culture studies also indicated that estradiol plays a protective role in preventing the VICs of females, whereas testosterone promotes calcification of female VICs. For male VICs, estrogen has no protective role against calcification and leads to the same amount of calcification as testosterone. Our animal studies suggest the protective role of estrogen in female mice is outweighed by the pro-osteogenic effects of increased levels of TGFβ1 in the VICs of the AV.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During these past 4 years I've been involved with and have been on the executive board for USC Dance Marathon, a philanthropic organization that raises money for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands. It is the largest-student run philanthropic organization at the University of South Carolina and in the state of South Carolina. As a public relations major at the University of South Carolina, my classes provided me with lessons on how to be a strategic manager and think critically. Through my executive position with USCDM I had the opportunity to utilize these skills to increase deliverables of the Comms branches. I used what I learned in my classes to become an effective manager and provide consistent and new insights and deliverables to the organization and the greater community. My experience of serving as both director and Vice President of Communications for USCDM, required me to think critically from my lessons within the classroom to solve issues and create change in both my personal leadership skills and my contribution to the organization I am a part of. My presentation will discuss those insights gained from the classroom and how they have guided my leadership and helped me make effective change.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research project aims to develop a sustainable, green approach for nickel catalysts to replace palladium in pharmaceutical reactions. Standard industry reactions use palladium catalysts for carbon-carbon bond formation, or Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, but researchers and environmentalists have turned to nickel alternatives to encourage more sustainable catalysis. Commonly used rare metal palladium catalysts are expensive and difficult to obtain, but nickel catalysts bypass these issues with a significantly lower cost and abundance in nature. However, with the goal of synthesizing a green, nickel catalyst, a simple replacement of palladium by nickel in current catalysts is ineffective, as nickel catalysts readily decomposes through dimerization pathways. To stabilize the nickel catalyst and encourage controlled reactivity, carboxylate and silatrane groups have been used as anchors to attach nickel catalysts to solid supports. Carboxylate surface attachment is non-covalent and was shown to be less stable in polar solvents. The silatrane binding that I helped develop in my research offers a stable, covalent binding to solid SiO2 supports. The results of this synthesis create a molecular support-anchored nickel catalyst that encourages higher yields and increased recyclability. When loaded onto the silica surface, yields indicate that the silatrane catalyst consistently outperforms the carboxylate catalyst. With a focus on utilizing both the silatrane group and the silica surface, nickel can catalyze carbon-carbon bond formation without degradation, leading to industry-standard yields, novel recyclability, and longer catalytic lifetimes. With continued characterized of the heterogenous silatrane group-anchored nickel catalyst, this catalyst may be offered as an effective, green alternative to palladium catalysts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Effective Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) treatment has been largely hindered by its lack of common physiological targets and limited understanding of the factors that govern metastatic changes. Twin kinases CDK8 and CDK19 in conjunction with the Mediator complex, function as a key transcriptional regulator that modulates enhancer-promoter communication during gene expression reprogramming characteristic to tumor transformation and progression Analysis of clinical samples revealed that CDK8 gene expression levels correlated to significantly worse outcomes in more aggressive subtypes of prostate, breast, bladder, and GI tract cancer. Our preliminary data suggests that selective CDK8/19 inhibition lowers tumor cells viability in vitro and induces a potential decrease in tumor growth and to some extent metastatic capability in vivo. Based on these observations, our project assesses the hypothesis that metastatic potential in TNBC is promoted by transcriptomic changes, the development of which can be therapeutically prevented using Mediator kinase inhibitors (CDK8/19i). Supporting our hypothesis, in vitro experiments demonstrate a decrease in proliferative capability and invasive behavior following treatment with a selective CDK8 inhibitor. Ongoing experiments are exploring the effect of CDK8/19 inhibition on the greater tumor microenvironment in PDX tissue samples. We are also developing human and murine TNBC cells lines with CDK8 and CDK19 with inactivated kinases moieties to further test our hypothesis in assessing the role of the mediator kinase proteins in development of metastatic phenotype. In elucidating this relationship between CDK8/19 expression levels and the aggressive nature of Triple Negative Breast Cancer, we may warrant further investigation of this previously under-explored “Achilles heel” in TNBC, by which these stubborn tumor subtypes can be driven and in turn targeted for treatment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.When deployed on neuromorphic hardware, Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) have shown promising results in reducing the power and energy consumption of deep learning workloads compared to Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) deployed on hardware such as GPUs and edge AI accelerators. Furthermore, SNNs are adept at extracting temporal information from event-based data, such as from a Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS), whereas ANNs struggle. On the other hand, ANNs outperform SNNs in terms of classification accuracy and precision. This paper seeks to create a single heterogeneous architecture, making use of an SNN backbone and ANN head to perform low-power classification while retaining high-accuracy. Our experimental results cover a broad spectrum of applications deployed on both neuromorphic hardware and edge machine learning accelerators currently available.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Infants or toddlers enrolled in state early intervention programs have developmental delays or are diagnosed with conditions that may result in developmental delays. These infants receive a wide range of services from early intervention, and the state of South Carolina offers genetic evaluations. Exploring the relationship between state early intervention systems and genetic clinics and the impact on this particular patient population can provide support for new and continued use of this service delivery model. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the service delivery model used by the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) and South Carolina’s early intervention system, BabyNet, to determine if their collaboration effectively increases access to genetic services. This study was a retrospective review of electronic medical records, comparing participants referred by BabyNet to those referred by other providers. Participants referred by BabyNet and who received a genetics evaluation by eVisit were also compared to those who had in-person or telemedicine visits to assess eVisits as an alternative service delivery model used for genetic evaluations of patients referred by early intervention. Included in the study were 680 participants who had an initial clinical evaluation through GGC from March 2022 to March 2023 and were under three years of age at the time of their visit. Race and ethnicity were significantly associated with referral sources. For over 50% of the BabyNet-referred participants, genetic testing was indicated. These findings support that BabyNet referrals increased access to genetic services for racial and ethnic minority groups and that this particular population is an ideal group to receive comprehensive genetic evaluations. No significant association was found between receiving a diagnosis and the type of visit. The median number of days from referral to visit was 111.5 days for in-person, 75.5 days for telemedicine, and 29.5 days for eVisits. This data provides evidence for using eVisits as an alternative service delivery model, as BabyNet participants evaluated by eVisit had similar diagnostic rates and fewer days from when their referral was placed to when their evaluation took place.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Anxiety disorders, particularly social anxiety, are prevalent in both children that are neurodivergent (NDD) and neurotypical (NT), with the potential to significantly interfere with daily functioning across varying environments (home, school, social situations). Specifically, social anxiety disorder is a distressing condition in which someone feels excessive fear in social and performance situations (APA, 2013). While some research has indicated that parents are good informants in rating their children’s anxiety during younger childhood (Miller et al., 2014), little is known about the consensus between clinician and parent ratings during behavioral observations. Investigating the agreement between clinician and parent observations of anxious behaviors in NDD populations (such as fragile X syndrome [FXS] and autism spectrum disorder [ASD]) has significant clinical applications for treatment since many behavioral ratings of anxiety rely on parental scores of the children. The present study examined direct observations of social anxiety and the agreement between clinician and parent ratings across children with FXS, ASD, and TD, using the Social Anxiety Motivation Scale (SAMS). The SAMS is a direct observational assessment that evaluates the extent to which children exhibit social anxiety and social motivation in different situations with graded levels of social interaction (no social interaction to required social interaction and performance). In the current study, clinicians and parents observed their children during the SAMS and coded their child’s anxiety across several indicators of social anxiety and motivation. Nine children with NDDs (FXS and ASD) and seven NT children participated in the current study, with ages ranging from 6 to 11 years. Clinician ratings will be compared with parent ratings to evaluate the reliability of different informant ratings in assessing social anxiety in TD children vs. children with NDDs. I hypothesize that the parent ratings will be lower than the clinician data that we have collected on children with NDDs, but relatively similar in NT children. Miller LD, Martinez YJ, Shumka E, Baker H. Multiple Informant Agreement of Child, Parent, and Teacher Ratings of Child Anxiety within Community Samples. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;59(1):34-39. doi:10.1177/070674371405900107 Social anxiety disorder (social phobia). PsychDB. (2024, January 12). https://www.psychdb.com/anxiety/social-anxiety
1:00-2:30 p.m.CBR1, a Caulobacter strain, can stimulate the growth of Arabidopsis plants. Our lab identified five bacteriophages (Kronos, TMCBR2, TMCBR3, TMCBR4, and W2) that could infect the CBR1 strain. Since Caulobacter bacteriophages are often found associated with plant roots, we wanted to determine if the presence of bacteriophage would affect the ability of CBR1 to promote plant growth?". Prior to germination, Arabidopsis seeds were soaked in water containing either bacteria and bacteriophages, or both. Subsequently, the seeds were placed on a Murashige Skoog plate to trigger germination, and then transferred to an environmental chamber to allow seedlings to develop, The resulting seedlings were then transplanted into soil to allow further plant growth. Plant growth was quantified by measuring rosette diameter, stalk height, and counting the number of seed pods per plant. These measurements were done twice per week over 6 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks, the data were compared to determine the impact of the bacteria and phages on plant growth.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Contemporary research highlights the essential impact of peer interactions on adolescents' day-to-day lives, serving as a pivotal cornerstone for social support. Most of this research on peer encounters focuses on the developmental milestones during adolescence. Sparse research on the unique interpersonal challenges of African American males during emerging adulthood and adulthood underscores their necessity to navigate anticipated stressors (e.g., career, existential, financial, and relationship) coupled with race-specific microaggressions and structural forms of harm. Although research documents the prevalence of racial-based microaggressions in collegiate athletics, even less is known about African American male professional athletes and their coping strategies to navigate these challenges within sports and their day-to-day experiences. This study aims to explore the diverse lived experiences and social support networks that promote psychological well-being. Two research questions will guide this qualitative study: (a) who serves as a source of individual and familial social support, and (b) in what specific circumstances or events do African American male professional athletes convey their experiences of receiving or needing support? The research team will conduct a content analysis on the Pivot Podcast, a series of weekly discussions hosted by three former professional athletes. Ten podcast transcripts will be explored to develop themes. Findings from this study will provide an increased understanding of the distinctive challenges that African American professional athletes face due to their perceived privilege status in the United States. Study findings will offer new insights by emphasizing the circumstances and specific people African American professional male athletes turn to when in need.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Sleep quality is an important factor that affects a person’s day-to-day life. One specific area of interest is relationship quality, in which studies suggest that sleep quality improvement between couples relates to improvement in relationship quality (Gordon et al., 2020). Research has also shown that qualities that couples exhibit such as a lack of attachment issues and fighting behavior can positively affect sleep quality and sleeping patterns (Schlarb et al., 2015). Studies, however, have not looked into the use of games in indicating aspects of varying romantic relationships such as positive responsiveness, authentic connections, and a sense of stability, and how these factors correlate with sleep quality in couples (Xia et al., 2023). The purpose of the following study is to understand the effect of sleep on romantic relationships using a game like Charades, which can characterize the closeness between two partners as it involves the ability to read the body language and gestures presented during the game. Thirty 18-40-year-old participants completed the following study, including non-cohabiting (n=9), cohabiting (n=11), and married individuals (n=10). Participants completed surveys based on questions about their partners along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which asks questions based on sleeping habits and troubles concerning sleeping (Schlarb et al., 2015). Partners had two minutes to complete a game of charades, in which they took turns to either guess actions or reenact them all while recording their performance and brain activity. It was hypothesized that if there is a positive correlation between sleep and relationship quality, then there would be an improvement in couples’ performance in charades. It was also hypothesized that if non-cohabiting, cohabiting, and married couples were to play charades, then married couples would present the best performance out of the three groups. The study aims to emphasize the importance of sleep within varying romantic relationships along with studying its indirect effect on positive responsiveness, authentic connections, and a sense of stability within couples. By studying the connection between sleep and relationship quality, efforts based on improving relationships can be made along with further discussion based on sleep's effect on social behavior.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research project examines how food played a major role in connecting the Caribbean during European conquest to what we see in the modern-day Caribbean. To explore and understand the mix of cultures in the form of food, I will be lacing my focus on the Greater Antilles, primarily Hispaniola-Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Jamacia. With a chronological focus on the 19th century, when an influx of people of different cultural backgrounds arrived, by choice or by force. My research will be composed of various primary sources in the form of journals and diaries and secondary source documentation mentioning the passage of food from one place to another. For example, curry dishes in the Caribbean that have become a staple were originally introduced by Indian indentured servants. This research shows how the European conquest of the Caribbean created a diverse biome of food and mixed culture that has far outlived the brutal colonization of the Caribbean.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) make up 20% of all large tendon ruptures and can lead to patient morbidity. The purpose of this study is to compare the postoperative outcomes of isolated ATRs vs ATRs with either a sleeve avulsion or a calcaneal avulsion fracture. Methods 63 total patients were retrospectively reviewed in this study between February 1st, 2020 – June 1st, 2023, 41 of which had an isolated ATR and 22 of which had an ATR with either a sleeve avulsion or a calcaneal avulsion fracture. Patients were prospectively contacted to obtain postoperative PROMIS scores. Student’s T-Test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test were used to compare continuous variables. Chi-squared and Fisher’s Exact test were used to compare categorical variables. All P<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results In a multivariate analysis controlling for other patient specific variables, patients who had an ATR with either a sleeve avulsion or calcaneal avulsion fracture did not have increased odds of having a postoperative complication compared to patients with an isolated ATR (P = 0.179). Additionally, older patients had 1.2 times the odds of having a postoperative complication compared to younger patients (P = 0.007). Also, there was no significant difference between patients that had an ATR with either a sleeve avulsion or calcaneal avulsion fracture vs patients that had an isolated ATR for pre vs postoperative change in Physical Function, Pain Interference, or Mobility PROMIS scores (P = 0.089, P = 0.994, P = 0.145, respectively). Conclusion This study found that there was no significant difference in the risk of postoperative complications or changes in PROMIS scores pre vs postoperatively for patients with an isolated ATR vs patients with an ATR with either sleeve avulsion or calcaneal avulsion fracture. This may be valuable for surgeons to consider when discussing postoperative expectations with a patient.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background The modified Lapidus procedure (MLP) and metaphyseal extra-articular transverse and Akin osteotomy (META) are acceptable surgical treatment options for hallux valgus. The current literature is evolving when comparing the different procedures' effects on patient-reported outcomes and post-operative complications. This study aims to compare postoperative outcomes, radiographic outcomes, and patient-reported outcomes using the Patient Reported Outcome Instrumentation System (PROMIS) for MLP and META. Methods This study retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent an MLP or META for the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus without associated first tasrso-metatarsal (TMT) instability between February 2020 – February 2022. Demographic data, radiographic outcomes, and PROMIS scores, including pain interference (PI), physical function (PF), and mobility scores were collected. Paired Student’s T-Test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test were used to compare continuous variables and the Chi-Squared test for categorical variables. Results A total of 155 patients were included in the study. The average follow-up for MLP and META patients was 61.3 and 52.2 weeks, respectively. META patients had significantly higher improvements in PF (5.3 vs 2.2, P=0.03) and Mobility (5.5 vs 2.9, P=0.02) scores compared to MLP patients. META patients also had a significantly lower non-union rate (2.6% vs 14.3%, P=0.02), hardware failure rate (0% vs 10.4%, P<0.01), recurrence rate (0% vs 7.4%, P=0.02) and greater improvement in hallux valgus angle (18.6 vs 15.8 degrees, P=0.03) compared to those treated with MLP. Conclusion META was found to improve patient-reported outcomes significantly more than MLP, with a lower radiographic non-union rate, hardware failure rate, and recurrence rate, and higher improvement in hallux valgus angle. These findings suggest META is a viable option in patients with mild, moderate, or severe HV deformity without TMT instability compared to MLP.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Children with pediatric illness need all the support they can get, and one way I'm able to support this is through participating in Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a program that raises money for the Child Life program at Richland Memorial Hospital. Every year, DM hosts a main event where students join together to dance all day, in honor of the kids who are unable to due to pediatric illness, and fundraise for Child Life in the process. The reason I choose to participate every year is because I see the impact that Child Life has on children and their families in the hospital and how the therapies they provide change kids outlook on health. Being in the hospital can be truly traumatic for kids, and as a future pediatric nurse I rely on child life to help take away some of the scary and difficult times for my patients. I learned about many different pediatric illnesses in my nursing class Nursing Care of Children and Families and was able to take what I learned and apply it to Dance Marathon. Through participating in DM, I learned different stories from “miracle kids”, who all suffered from various pediatric illnesses, of just how impactful the child life program was to them. Since participating in DM, I have a different outlook of Child Life Specialists in the hospital and am grateful that I will get to work alongside them. Nurses could not do their jobs without CLSs, and I am thankful I was able to help fundraise for their program, and now get to see the fruits of my labor in how the outcomes of children in hospital are better because of Child Life. Anyone can get help change pediatric illness by donating to your local Dance Marathon or Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser which directly go to Child Life Programs. I will continue to support this organization and fundraiser as an alumni because of how important the cause is, and no day will go by in my career that I won’t think about what I learned from Dance Marathon.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Plankton are microscopic organisms that are found in water. They’re divided into two categories: phytoplankton and zooplankton. Phytoplankton are photosynthetic while zooplankton are not and have to obtain energy through a different means. Eutrophication, however, could prove to be damaging to plankton life. Eutrophication is excessive nutrients in a body of water that causes dense growth of plants, which ultimately suffocates animal life due to a lack of oxygen. How is eutrophication affecting plankton in Swan Lake? Is it harmful to one and beneficial to the other? We conducted our research at Swan Lake Iris Garden in Sumter, South Carolina. We used a plankton net to collect plankton along with 0.5 liters of pond water. After collecting samples, we analyzed them under a microscope and kept a tally of how many phytoplankton and zooplankton there were and which were abundant in each. We found that phytoplankton were found in higher numbers than zooplankton with diatoms being the most abundant. Cladocera, also known as water fleas, were the most abundant in zooplankton. This supports the idea that eutrophication is beneficial to phytoplankton, but harmful to zooplankton.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the main known genetic cause of autism and inherited intellectual disability (Mila et al., 2017). FXS results from a mutation on the FMR1 gene on the X-chromosome, which has been linked to intellectual disability and elevated autism symptoms (Razak et al., 2020). FXS is also associated with challenging behaviors like hyperactivity, hypersensitivity, and anxiety (Crawford et al., 2020). The prevalence of these challenging behaviors associated with FXS may influence parenting stress and parent mental health (Potter et al., 2022). For instance, mothers of sons with FXS reported experiencing more family conflict than mothers of sons with Down syndrome (Lewis et al., 2006). In another study, higher levels of warmth and positivity and lower levels of criticism were correlated with fewer behavioral problems in children and adults with FXS (Greenberg et al., 2012), collectively demonstrating how neurodevelopmental and behavioral profiles within FXS are linked to differences in family environments. However, there is limited research on the relationship between family environment and FXS in infancy specifically. Our study will compare the family environments of mothers who have infants with FXS and who have neurotypical (NT) infants. Based on the existing literature and the relationship between challenging behaviors in children with FXS and familial behaviors, we hypothesize that there will be a significant difference in the family environments of those with infants with FXS and those with NT infants. We will utilize the Family Environment Scale (FES; Moos, 1990), specifically the cohesion, expressive, and conflict subscales. The mothers of 12-month-olds with FXS (n = 34) and NT (n = 50) will report if they agree/disagree with statements about their family dynamic regarding the three subscales, with lower scores reflecting more positive family environments. We will carry out three t-tests to look at the group differences for each subscale. The findings from this study will help characterize the relationship between family environment and FXS, potentially leading to more efficient interventions and modes of support for families with FXS, as well as stronger relationships between members of families with FXS.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction Both Primary Arthrodesis (PA) and Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) have been shown to effectively treat Lisfranc injuries, however debate remains regarding the choice of surgical procedure and the data is limited regarding patient reported outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of acute complications, readmissions, revision surgeries, patient reported outcomes with the Patient Reported Outcome Instrumentation System (PROMIS), and postoperative radiographic data for PA versus ORIF for acute Lisfranc injuries. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent PA or ORIF for the treatment of Lisfranc injuries at Prisma Health – Midlands between January 1st, 2020 - December 31st, 2022. Data collected included demographic data, complications, hospital readmissions, revision surgeries, postoperative radiographic data, and Pain Interference (PI), Physical Function (PF) and Mobility PROMIS scores both preoperatively and at most recent postoperative follow-up. Rates of postoperative outcomes and the difference between preoperative and postoperative PROMIS scores were calculated and compared between PA and ORIF using Student’s T-Test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test for continuous variables and Chi-Squared test for categorical variables. Results 44 patients were included in the study with an average follow-up time of 56.2 weeks. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications, readmissions, revision surgeries, or evidence of radiographic hardware failure between PA and ORIF. Both PA and ORIF had significant differences in PI (P<0.001, P<0.001), PF (P=0.001, P=0.003), and mobility (P<0.001, P=0.004) scores between their preoperative and postoperative values. However, there was no significant difference in the change in PI (10.2 vs 13.4, P=0.349), PF (13.5 vs 15.2, P=0.769), or mobility scores (14.5 vs 15.7, P=0.828) between the PA and ORIF groups at final follow-up. Conclusion PA and ORIF both significantly improved patient reported outcomes postoperatively with similar rates of complications, readmissions, revisions, radiographic hardware failure, and change in PROMIS scores. Our findings suggest PA and ORIF are equivocal in terms of safety and effectiveness for the treatment of Lisfranc injuries with short term follow-up.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is a small, cooperatively breeding bird endemic to the southeastern United States. It has been listed as federally endangered since 1970 due to loss of mature pine forest habitat. There is currently little research into the potential impact of founder effects on these reintroduced populations, which include the loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding. How these cooperative breeding clusters form is similarly unknown as no post-translocation genetic monitoring has been conducted for any red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCWs) population to date. To assess these potential genetic threats, it is vital to understand how cooperative breeding populations become established, including understanding the kinship of birds within and between active clusters. DNA was extracted from 123 individuals living in Hitchcock Woods, Aiken, South Carolina and will be genotyped at sixteen microsatellite markers. We intend to assess if genetic threats are a concern for the HW RCWs and inform conservation practices, such as genetic management recommendations. This knowledge is also fundamental due to genetic bottlenecking effects decreasing the likelihood of long-term survival of populations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During transitions of care, discrepancies between medication lists on discharge summaries and hospital records can potentially precipitate health issues for patients. This study examines such errors alongside patient parameters, including the total number of medications, new medications added, discontinued medications, length of stay, patient handoffs, and number of patient problems. The goal is to discern correlations between discrepancies and these variables. Our work has illuminated factors contributing to medication errors, potentially giving rise to future targeted interventions to improve patient safety and healthcare quality during care transitions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile arthritis, accompanied by cytokine storm and hemophagocytosis. Here, we report that the gut microbiota composition is altered during the occurrence of MAS in a murine model. MAS was generated in C57Bl/6 mice with repeated administration of CpG. Enrichment of the genera Akkermansia, and Erysipelatoclostridium were observed in MAS vs controls. An overall depletion of the order Clostridiales, specifically bacteria belonging to the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae family, both important short-chain fatty acids producers, was observed in MAS vs controls. Metabolic pathway prediction inferred from 16S rRNA marker gene by Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) indicated downregulation of pathways involved in amino acid biosynthesis as a major outcome of microbial dysbiosis following chronic inflammation induced by MAS. Gene expression analysis of colonic cells demonstrated downregulation of genes associated with T cell (Cd4 (-4.8), Cd3d (-4.3), Cd8a (-3.4), Cd25 (-2.3), Cd28 (-7.4)) as well as B cell (Cd19 (-7.9)) development and activation, whereas genes associated with macrophages (F4/80 (22.6)) and monocytes (Ly6c (15.6)) were upregulated during MAS. Pathway enrichment analysis showed significant downregulation of Th1 and Th2 pathways, Natural Killer cell and IL-2 family signaling. The pathways upregulated were neutrophil degranulation as well as extracellular matrix organization. Together, these results indicate the gut microbiome composition as well as colonic gene expression are altered during MAS (Supported by NIH grants P01AT003961, P20GM103641, R01ES030144, R01AI129788, R01AI123947 and R01AI160896 to PN and MN).
9:30-11:00 a.m.Bacterial toxins are widely known for exerting potent toxicity to mammalian cells but have also begun to emerge as nontoxic shuttles to deliver immunotherapy signals. Nonetheless, achieving robust protein delivery into immune cells has been challenging using chemical agents, including lipid nanoparticles, block copolymers, and cell-penetrating peptides. Recently, nontoxic versions of anthrax proteins were shown to mediate potent vaccine delivery into dendritic cells (DCs) and enhance cancer immunotherapy responses without background toxicity. Here, we ask whether the anthrax machinery can also serve as a protein delivery tool into T cells and other immune cells. This study uses two nontoxic components of the anthrax delivery system, which include protective antigen (PA) and the N-terminus of lethal factor (LFN). PA binds to surface receptors on all mammalian cells, undergoes pore formation, and mediates LFN delivery across the cellular membrane. In these studies, PA activity was evaluated with immune cells using an LFN fusion protein with diphtheria toxin (LFN-DTA). The background activity was evaluated with a nonfunctional PA mutant, called PAH, that is known to bind cells without mediating delivery. PA, PAH, and LFN-DTA were evaluated by treating cancer and immune cells, and by comparing activities based on cellular viability. These studies lay a foundation for using the anthrax delivery system to deliver immune-signaling proteins and other immunotherapy agents. The findings are important to uncover whether the anthrax delivery system can act on immune cells, without background toxicity, and offer a new avenue to deliver signaling proteins for immunotherapy development.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Purpose: Statistical fragility is a measure of the strength and robustness of the conclusions drawn in a study. This study evaluated the statistical fragility of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) studies which utilize autografts by statistical methods such as the fragility index (FI) and fragility quotient (FQ), as well as qualitative factors such as outcome type, outcome significance, and patients lost to follow-up. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and Embase databases to identify relevant studies. Initial screening resulted in 1,139 studies meeting the search criteria, and the resulting publications were reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ultimately, 6 studies were selected for analysis. Results: 32 comparative outcomes were assessed for fragility across the 6 studies. The average FI was 1.5, and the average reverse fragility index (RFI) was 3.192 (p<0.01); the average FQ was 0.00639, and the average reverse fragility quotient (RFQ) was 0.0276 (p=<0.0001). No significant difference was observed in the fragility indices between graft failure or radiographic outcomes and clinical or patient-reported outcomes (p=0.418). The magnitude of FI was lower than the estimated number of patients lost to follow-up for 30 of 32 outcomes (93.75%). Two outcomes demonstrated an FI or RFI of 0. None of the included studies disclosed conducting a power analysis or statistical analysis of sample size within their study design. Conclusions: Autograft choice studies in pediatric ACLR exhibit statistical fragility, which challenges the validity of their conclusions. Studies of this topic are particularly susceptible, as a small number of events have an outsized influence on statistical significance, and a small number of event reversals can significantly impact the statistical significance. Many studies required fewer reversals to alter the statistical significance than the number of patients lost to follow-up. To enhance the robustness of future orthopedic studies, it is advisable to include measures such as the FI and FQ alongside P values in the statistical analysis. This approach will provide a more accurate assessment of the statistical validity of findings, and thus the clinical significance of pediatric ACLR autograft choice studies.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the work-from-home (WFH) landscape has largely shifted the career and domestic lives of WFH mothers and fathers. Despite this shift, not much is known about how these experiences are felt and impact family relationships. Prior WFH research draws on survey and time diary data, focusing on themes of gender role expectations, boundary blurring, and time use. We aim to provide depth to these topic areas through qualitative insight on how such themes play out in mothers’ and fathers’ lives, highlighting the importance of their work from home spaces, the ways their work arrangement has impacted their interactions and relationships with their spouse and children and vice versa, and how they reflect on themselves as working parents. We are in the process of conducting 24 in-depth interviews on mothers (12) and fathers (12) of children under 12 years old who work from home in whole or as part of their full time employment. Through thematic analysis, we aim to draw out patterns in the experiences of mothers and fathers, providing richness to the WFH understanding.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/Purpose: Walking parameters provide information about health for older adults. Research has primarily been in clinical environments; less research exists for estimating walking parameters in the home unobserved. A team of engineers and healthcare professionals have developed a system to estimate walking parameters from floor vibrations. Vibrations are measured using accelerometers installed in the home of an older adult for 12 weeks following an acute health event. Clinical measures were collected twice; 6- and 12-weeks post-system installation. The purpose of this report is to illustrate methods for data collection and comparisons of clinical measures with estimated walking parameters. Case Description: Eighty-nine-year-old female, recently hospitalized with an intestinal obstruction. She lives independently and ambulates without an assistive device. Outcomes: At 6-week [and 12 week] assessment, the following was collected: Hopkins Falls Grading Scale, 3 falls in prior year; Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), 88.4% [81.9%]; Global Rating of Change (GROC) (perception of change in mobility), 3, “somewhat better” [5, “great deal better”] (-7 to 7 scale); mean walking speed (WS), 4-meter at usual pace, 0.96 m/s [.91m/s]; PROMIS CAT physical function with mobility aid: t-score 42.3 [42.1]. The system recorded 341 walking events. Median WS was 0.88 m/s (range: 0.34-1.49 m/s). Week 1, the system recorded 47 events; median WS: 0.84 m/s (0.58-1.45 m/s). Week 6, the system captured 53 events; median WS: 0.88 m/s (0.54-1.43 m/s). Week 12 (final), the system captured 17 events; median WS: 0.91 m/s (0.71-1.25 m/s). Discussion: There was no clinically measurable change in WS at week 12. Participant perceived that her mobility improved. Estimated median weekly WS increased over the course of the study from 0.84 to 0.91 m/s. The participant demonstrated more consistent performance with a reduced range of WS observed as the study progressed. Anomaly analysis of vibration data identified no change in walking behavior over the installation. Walking speed is a strongly associated with health for older adults when assessed in a clinical setting. This case demonstrates that continued research on ambulatory WS in the patient’s home is needed to identify connections between WS and health status in this setting.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have various applications in remote surveying, post-disaster recovery, and communication infrastructure. However, their use is hindered by physical constraints such as instability from ground effect, low battery life, and limited capacity. For instance, attaching a robot arm to grab payloads sacrifices the UAV's maximum payload capacity, which is already a significant limitation for small UAVs. To address these challenges, tether use is proposed for missions like slung payload transportation, power supply, and prolonged data transfer. A cable can transport payloads minimizing the physical constraints, while a data cable enhances UAV service such as communication beacon in disaster areas. Additionally, UAVs can collaborate with ground robots via tethers, extending mission range and flexibility. In this research, we aim to develop the control architectures for both TUAV and ground vehicles addressing the unique challenges of cable dynamics. Improved control architectures for both ground and aerial vehicles are crucial for navigating unknown or dynamic environments. Recent research has shown promising results in collaborative Tethered UAV (TUAV) controls, involving land-based ground robots and unmanned marine vessels. Given the complexity of cable dynamics and various disturbances, further work is needed to optimize existing capabilities and explore new mission types. Current efforts focus on obstacle avoidance in dynamic environments, collaborative maneuvering, map reconstruction in partially mapped environments, and collaborative payload transportation among multiple TUAVs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.There is a particular importance when navigating other cultures of recognizing “American” as a cultural identifier within oneself before you can begin to understand the cultures of others. Prior to studying abroad, I had a more narrow view of my own cultural identity, but through exposure to global diversity, I was able to gain a more nuanced understanding of my own cultural identity through the exploration of others. During the Spring of 2023, I split my semester abroad between the vibrant cities of London and Madrid. This experience coupled with my Maymester to Greece in the Spring of 2022, expanded my transnational optics. The three months that I spent abroad were great periods of growth, as I was learning to navigate life in three very different cities. Through these experiences, I gained insights that not only helped me grow personally, but also professionally. I am able to consider more diverse perspectives which not only allows me to become a better global citizen, but will also lend to my professional goals of a future global business leader.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Student Government at USC has played an integral role in funding student organizations, advocating on behalf of the student body, and providing resources and programming for individuals on campus. It has also been the organization that has been the most impactful on my time at USC and shaped my experience for the better. The most rewarding, yet demanding leadership role I held was Director of Programming for the student body, executing and overseeing all the events held by Student Government. Serving my fellow students and overhauling our programming in an incredibly different campus landscape post-COVID-19 provided me with skills in adaptability, overcoming challenges, interacting with many unique groups, and effective communication. In my presentation, I will discuss the challenges I overcame to achieve success in serving my fellow students and how I became a more effective, understanding leader in the process.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Through my journey of discovering my passions in healthcare, The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathway (LEAP) Program has been the most influential resource for me. MCH LEAP is a year-long mentor-based program sponsored by the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA). The requirements to apply were letters of recommendation, having at least a 2.5, a resume and cover letter, and being a minority through race or first-generation students. I was accepted for the Trainee Level I track and was required to reach 49-150 hours committed to maternal and child health. I am currently over 200 hours through volunteering, mentor meetings, monthly dinner seminars, attending a conference, taking an MCH-related course, and many more activities. I joined this program to get engaged in learning skills necessary to pursue a career or graduate program. A unique aspect of the program requirements was monthly dinner seminars where we would have guest lecturers in the maternal and child health workforce speaking on research, resources, and opportunities to get involved. The program routinely provided connections for shadowing, jobs, internships, and research opportunities on the organizations’ Blackboard. My experience with this academic program has helped me deeply develop critical professional skills for career and academic success. The mentors and program faculty reinforced that there are dedicated minority women like me making a difference in the maternal and child health world on a professional and academic level daily. This program was a catalyst for my academic and career pursuits. Being a Public Health Major with a minor in Medical Humanities and Culture, many areas of social determinants of health and health inequity were connected from my courses and MCH LEAP. With the critical skills and confidence I have acquired from being involved with the program, I plan to pursue a Master’s Nursing Program to work as an RN in labor and delivery. Afterward, my goals of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife are to provide all-inclusive and holistic care to mothers and advocate for women to know they have a choice in birthing based on their needs and preferences.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Eating disorders (EDs) have become extremely pervasive over the last two decades, and like all mental health disorders, have dramatically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years EDs have affected 12-25% of university women and nearly 50% report engaging in disordered eating behaviors (i.e., dieting, binge eating, purging, excessive exercise). Through the recent years EDs have also become prevalent among physically active men, with prevalence ranging from 4-10%. Therefore, we aimed to examine ED risk among physically active college students. Methods: Physically active students (n=61; age: 19.9±2.9 years; females: n=37, height=163.3±6.9 cm, weight=661.0±7.9 kg; males: n=24, height=177.3±6.7 cm, weight=773.9±10.3 kg) participated in a larger cross-sectional study. This portion of the study focused on baseline measures including anthropometric measurements (height, mass, body composition), the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), and the EDI-3 Symptom Checklist (EDI-3 SC). Chi-squares and crosstabulation analysis examined the differences in sex for ED risk and pathogenic behaviors (PB). Results: Sport distribution of participants consisted of 57.4% (n=35) participating in ROTC, 29.5% (n=18) participating in cross-country, and 13.1% (n=8) participating in dance. Overall, 60.7% (n=37; females=25, 41.0%, males=12, 19.7%) of participants displayed risk for EDs. Distribution of ED risk type consisted of 13 (18%) participants at risk for both psychological traits (EDI-3) and PB (EDI-3 SC); 9.8% (n=6) at risk for only psychological behaviors (EDI-3), and 32.8% (n=13) at risk for only PB (EDI-3 SC). PB consisted of 45.9% (n=28) engaged in dieting, only 4.9% (n=3) engaged in exercise 75% of the time or more to control weight, 16.4% (n=10) engaged in binge eating, 4.9% (n=3) engaged in self-induced vomiting, 1.6% (n=1) engaged in use of diuretics, 4.9% (n=3) engaged in use of laxatives, and 1.6% (n=1) engaged in use of diet pills. Conclusion: An elevated risk for EDs is present in physically active college students, with females more at risk than males in this sample, which is consistent with previous findings. Additionally, students are engaging in a multitude of PB to control their weight. As ED risk persists in students, knowledge expansion of these PB can cultivate a universal understanding for ED treatment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Purpose: Neighborhood walkability is a critical component of a community that can positively influence residents’ mental and physical health. However, little research has considered the association between walkability and multiple health outcomes, as well as the moderating effect of social determinants of health, such as social vulnerability, particularly in South Carolina (SC). Thus, this study explored relationships between walkability and diverse health issues (i.e., depression, poor mental health, poor physical health, mobility disability, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diagnosed diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease, stroke) and health-risk behaviors (i.e., no leisure time physical activity, binge drinking, smoking), and whether these relationships varied by social vulnerability. Methods: All census tracts (n=1087) in SC were included. We considered the 13 aforementioned health metrics taken from the CDC PLACES dataset, the EPA national walkability index (NWI), and the CDC social vulnerability index (SVI) as the primary measures for each tract. Mixed linear regression models were employed to analyze the relationship between NWI and each health outcome, controlling for tract sociodemographic characteristics. Then, the interaction between NWI and SVI was included to explore the moderation effects of social vulnerability. Results: Overall, tract walkability was significantly negatively associated with most health issues and behaviors (except for depression, coronary heart disease, stroke, and binge drinking), such that greater walkability was related to decreased health concerns and risk behaviors. The interaction between NWI and SVI was significant for only two health outcomes (i.e., poor mental health and poor physical health), suggesting that the relationship between walkability and these health issues varied depending on the level of social vulnerability present in the community. Specifically, walkability and poor mental health in high SVI had a positive relationship, while inverse relationships were seen between them in medium and low SVI. Similarly, there were inverse relationships between walkability and poor physical health across low, medium, and high SVI. Conclusions: This study highlights the vital role of walkable environments in promoting community health while also emphasizing the importance of considering social vulnerability and providing valuable insights for equitable urban planning strategies and public health interventions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Partially restored auditory feedback in cochlear implant (CI) users significantly improve their ability to communicate clearly and effectively. However, speech production in individuals with CIs is yet deviated from their normal hearing (NH) peers. There is little evidence about how suboptimal auditory feedback in CI users due to poor spectral resolution impacts their sensorimotor integration and control of voice production. This study uses a novel experimental paradigm that integrates altered auditory feedback (AAF) with simulated CI processing in normal hearing listeners to examine how compensatory vocal responses are impacted due to varying spectral resolution. Hearing diagnostic tests including pure-tone audiometry (PTA), speech reception threshold (SRT), and word recognition in percent (WR%) were also measured to understand how vocal compensation responses were associated with hearing abilities. Results from testing 15 adults with NH showed that vocal compensation responses are significantly degraded due to spectrally degraded auditory feedback. Our results also indicate that individuals with better hearing, as measured by PTA, SRT, and WR%, were more capable of coping with the spectral degradation in auditory feedback for vocal compensation. These findings provide important insights into how sensorimotor integration is suboptimal in CI users, which can be used to develop effective programming methods and auditory rehabilitation strategies to eventually improve sensorimotor integration in listeners with CIs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The SARS-Cov-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged late 2019, and maintains endemic transmission in global populations to this day. During the initial outbreak, differences in symptom expression or infectiousness across individuals, including the presence of asymptomatic infections, as well as differences in testing capacities made quantifying COVID-19 and predicting case counts difficult. The goal of this work is to model and estimate how lockdown procedures affected case counts, as well as to see how incorporating asymptomatic and exposed classes could affect our ability to predict case burden. To achieve these estimates, we implemented a continuous time compartmental modeling approach, modified to include the effect of published mitigation level indexes and delayed exposure time, and fit it to county-level COVID-19 case data. We found that lockdown procedures did have an effect on case counts in terms of “flattening the curve”, and the models incorporating their effects outperformed those that did not. Additionally, we find that incorporating asymptomatic and exposed infectious classes into SIR models reduces prediction bias for COVID-19. Our results highlight how quantifying how lockdown procedures affected case counts could help improve future pandemic mitigation efforts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) is a unique class of alloy that can remember shapes and return to them even after being severely bent or disfigured. These alloys can appear deformed at low temperatures but are easily recoverable. SMAs often see application in dentistry, aerospace, and medicine. Due to their increasing adoption, knowledge of these alloys may prove beneficial to those pursuing a career in stem fields. The topic of SMA, however, isn’t new, and there are hundreds of experiments/ research articles published annually. While older research from 2010-2015 tends to focus on SMA’s superelasticity, a few newer articles from 2020-2023 focus on airplanes and medical stents! Not only has the study of shape metal alloys piqued my interest, but they have also brought a new wave of excitement to my career. In 2023, I, with the aid of my mentor, Dr. Molian, experimented with several alloys, analyzing their properties. I found that SMA wires require higher temperatures to revert to their original shapes when tightly coiled. The looser the coils, however, the less temperature is needed. Reaching a high enough temperature will allow for the tightness of the coils to be a negligible variable. Others like me who are going to or are in the STEM field may find this study just as intriguing as I did. SMA opens up endless opportunities for technological advancements, and I suspect that future research will increase as people search for more ways to advance this field. This information has also helped me further my knowledge about aircraft agility and efficiency by introducing the concept of wing morphing. Not only is this applicable to my desired major, but it gives me yet another reason to love aerospace engineering. SMA would have been advantageous to know in my younger years when competing with robotics. Introducing me to this concept could have been fruitful. The ideas that've been presented above shed light on the ever-growing impact of technology and engineering. Reflecting on my experiences with the application and my desire to further learn the material.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Resveratrol (RSV) is a phytoalexin that has demonstrated anti-tumor effects. Previous studies suggest that RSV induces a protective effect in adult glioblastoma (GBM) via the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB and JAK/STAT axes, which improves outcomes and may enhance the effect of radiotherapy in clinic. As an organic compound, RSV is reported to be fairly well tolerated in a range of studies. The therapeutic profile of RSV makes it an ideal candidate for pediatric GBM cases that are in need for novel therapies. Pediatric Glioblastoma (pGBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer with a Five-Year Overall Survival rate of only 40%. Due to the delicate nature of the developing brain, approaches based in radiotherapy and chemotherapy often come with risk of developing significant treatment-related sequelae. To address the need for effective therapies with minimal off-target cytotoxicity, our lab focused on evaluating the effect of RSV therapy on limiting cancer cell growth. We have performed a time-course experiment using three pGBM cell lines. Cells were treated with varying doses of RSV. pGBM cell viability was assessed at 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h post-RSV addition. Mechanisms of the treatment approach was evaluated by immunoblotting. Our cell viability studies demonstrated a significant reduction in pGBM cell viability as compared to controls in a dose dependent manner. Further, immunoblotting studies revealed activation of cell death markers together with halting of cell proliferation which contributes to the overall effect on pGBM cell viability. Outcomes from our preliminary studies shed light into the mechanism underlying our proposed therapeutic intervention to target pGBM. Further in vivo studies are warranted to further evaluate the effects on host immunity and its mediated effects on therapeutic efficacy.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Infections are a leading adverse event post-implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). LVAD associated infections lead to significant costs and healthcare burden. The optimal management strategies are ill defined in the literature with significant variance among observational studies. This study aims to determine variables associated with safe and effective treatment of LVAD-specific and LVAD-related infections. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study included patients 18 years or older who had a LVAD implanted with follow-up care at Prisma Health Richland from October 1, 2012 - December 31, 2023, and experienced an LVAD-specific or LVAD-related infection. Patients were followed for safety and effectiveness outcomes for 90 days post completion of antimicrobial therapy. The primary endpoint was to identify host, microbiology and/or treatment-related variables associated with treatment failure, defined as a composite of recurrent LVAD-specific and/or LVAD-related infection with the same organism, hospitalization due to worsening infection, and/or mortality within 90 days from the conclusion of active treatment. Secondary endpoints included identifying factors associated with the occurrence of safety events and analyzing the proportion of patients who developed treatment-resistant recurrent infection. Univariate Cox proportional hazard regression will be used to identify potential factors associated with treatment failure and adverse events, respectively. Those factors will be included in a multivariate regression model. Results: In Progress Conclusions: In Progress
1:00-2:30 p.m.Spontaneous mutations lead to genetic variation within populations, and how these mutations differentially affect traits is a major focus of evolutionary biology. Past studies have shown that spontaneous mutations affecting life history will primarily have negative pleiotropic effects on fitness measures, meaning that singular mutations can affect multiple observable traits. Observing mutational correlations of traits can be done using a mutation accumulation experiment, which allows for the effects of spontaneous mutations to be observed without the influence of natural selection. Mutation accumulation lines of Daphnia obtusa were started in November 2001 and have undergone approximately 500 single-individual bottlenecks, meaning any two lines have over 1000 generations of mutations separating them. Daphnia are ecological model organisms that were chosen for this experiment due to their relatively short generation times and asexual form of reproduction, meaning that offspring are genetically identical to their mothers except for any spontaneous mutations. This project uses data collected from two assays run in November 2022 and January 2023. Morphological traits including body length, eye diameter, and tail spine length were collected using imaging at the first and fourth clutch. Life history data was recorded for the first four clutches including mortality and reproductive outputs. Previous analysis of the morphological data has revealed that the mutation accumulation lines exhibited differences in body length, eye diameter, and tail spine lengths, mainly at the first clutch. Additionally, life history analyses have indicated differences in evolutionary fitness seen through mortality rates and reproductive outputs across the first four clutches. Further investigation into the relationships between the morphological and life history traits can reveal whether the mutations separating the clonal lines are pleiotropic in nature. Stronger correlations between these traits may reveal that spontaneous mutations are affecting multiple traits collectively, which has important indications for quantitative genetics.
1:00-2:30 p.m.People are terrified to learn about particles, because they tend to be a very daunting and scary subject. I believe that the reason for this is because the modern South Carolinian education system does not begin to teach kids the basics, and instead tells them that it is too advanced and confusing for them to learn. This is simply not true, as there are so many ways that we could at least begin to install some of these ideas in the younger generation. Students in middle school are old enough to begin to learn about microscopic particles, and how they affect their lives. I was taught by Dr. Terry Hart about cosmic ray particles through an intership that I have taken part in for the last semester. Dr. Hart has spent hours working with me and teaching me ways to collect data on cosmic ray particles. Schools give kids the chance to learn about future career paths, but since this field of science is not being taught, kids are not getting the opportunity that they should be. That is why as a STEM Ambassador for the University of South Carolina, Salkehatchie I spend time trying to teach complex subjects to middle and high schoolers that they would otherwise not be exposed to. The career pathways are only expanding when it comes to particles, and thus we need more people with that kind of expertise. I am hopeful that by showing kids how particles do not have to be scary but instead interesting, it may lead to more people wanting to learn about how they work and how they affect us.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Tick-borne disease incidence rates have doubled in the last two decades, largely attributable to a great shift in tick range expansion, the introduction of a novel tick species, and potential competition between native and invasive species. Climate change is contributing to the changing ecological landscape that previously instilled boundaries between different species. Climate change is then consequently linked to the geographic range expansion of different tick species and therefore changing host-seeking behavior. Feral canines serve as a peridomestic species that link sylvatic environments to human ones. Using a state-wide surveillance program conducted through the Laboratory of Vector-borne and Zoonotic Disease, ticks were collected from canines presenting to animal shelters across all four regions of South Carolina. They were tested for human blood meal using a novel method with RSID testing, by detecting glycophorin A, a protein found in human red blood cells. Across the six different species collected, approximately 34% of the sample tested positive for human blood meal, indicating interrupted feeding behavior. Various pathogens were tested for and found within our sample including Rickettsial species, bacteria that causes spotted fevers, Ehrlichia, a pathogenic bacteria that causes Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a bacteria that causes a febrile illness known as anaplasmosis. These serious conditions can be passed on to humans, vectored through ticks, and all of these bacteria were found within our sample. In fact, approximately 49% of the ticks that presented with human blood meal, also tested positive for a pathogen. This is an important finding because it has been discussed in other studies that when interrupted feeding occurs, it can help transmit pathogens faster and more successfully to the host. This study has important public health implications, especially in understanding the threat tick-borne disease poses to humans in canine-dominated environments like animal shelters and veterinary offices.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Aortic stiffening is a pathologic process that leads to multiple disease processes including systolic hypertension, organ damage in low-resistance vascular beds, and ventricular remodeling. It is known that, acutely, O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is cellularly protective, modulates intercellular signaling, and regulates gene expression. However, it has been shown that chronic O-GlcNAcylation stimulated by aging and stress is associated with vascular dysfunction. Still, it remains unknown how O-GlcNAcylation contributes to aortic stiffening. Therefore, we hypothesized that stress induced increases in aortic O-GlcNAcylation contributes to aortic stiffening in VSMCs, possibly through TSP1, a multifunctional matrix glycoprotein that is known to impact extracellular function. In this study, VSMCs from the thoracic aorta were isolated from 12-week-old female Wistar rates were treated with a solution of angiotensin (Ang) II (100nM, 3h). Some of these cells were first treated with the Ang II type 1 (AT1)-receptor antagonist losartan (10M, 30min) before being treated with Ang II. Ang II was used due to its known role as a mediator of stress induced aortic stiffening. Western Blot was used to analyze the O-GlcNAcylation (RL2 antibody), O-GlcNAcase (OGA), and TSP1 protein amounts. O-GlcNAcylation was inhibited both pharmacologically using OSMI-4 (25M, 1h), an O-GlcNac transferase (OGT) inhibitor, and genetically through OGT silencing with a shRNA (FunGene6). As hypothesized, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in O-GlcNAc in the cells treated with Ang II (0.50.03 AU, n=8) compared to cells not exposed to Ang II (0.30.03) and cells exposed to losartan prior to the Ang II treatment (0.10.02). There was a significant decrease in OGA expression, the enzyme which removes O-GlcNAc, in VSMCs exposed to Ang II (0.160.19 UA, n=4) compared to those without Ang II treatment (1.160.04). Levels of TSP1 were increased in VSMCs that underwent the Ang II treatment (2.00.4 AU, n=4) compared to those untreated (0.20.04), and comparatively there was a significant decrease in TSP1 levels in VSMCs when OGT was inhibited both with OSMI-4 (0.060.08) and silenced with shRNA (0.70.05). This data supports that in VSMCs, Ang II induces O-GlcNAc, increases TSP1, and that the Ang II induced increases in TSP1 is dependent on O-GlcNAcylation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Disruption in ER homeostasis is sensed by an ER resident protein kinase, PERK. PERK phosphorylates the ⍺ subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2⍺), a critical component in the turnery complex and protein translation initiation. Once the ⍺ subunit is phosphorylated, it disrupts function of the turnery complex leading to a decrease in general protein syntheses and an increase in synthesis of stress response proteins (e.g. ATF4) that promote cellular recovery. PERK is not the only kinase able to activate this pathway by phosphorylating eIF2⍺. PKR, a kinase that senses viral stress, is also able to phosphorylate eIF2⍺. PKR has been shown to be directly activated by binding dsRNA, or by its protein activator PACT. Our lab has shown that PKR is activated by PACT under ER stress conditions, and PACT phosphorylation is essential prior to PKR association and activation. However, how PACT is phosphorylated in response to ER stress has remained unknown. I hypothesize that PACT is directly phosphorylated by PERK, which in turn activates PKR. To test this hypothesis, I compared PERK and PKR activation, as well as ATF4 synthesis, in PERK, PKR, and PACT knockout (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and wildtype PERK, PKR, and PACT MEFs. PERK and PACT KO cells failed to activate PKR under ER stress conditions. PACT and PKR KO cells showed a delayed induction of ATF4 synthesis. These further support PACT as the activator of PKR under ER stress and suggest that PERK is the activator of PACT under ER stress. Further research to demonstrate co-localization of PACT and PERK via immunofluorescence as well as coimmunoprecipitation analysis with purified recombinant proteins still needs to be done to conclusively demonstrate a direct interaction.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the digital age, understanding the dynamics of information spread and opinion formation within networks is paramount. Our research introduces an innovative framework that combines the principles of opinion dynamics with the strategic capabilities of Automated Planning. We have developed, to the best of our knowledge, the first-ever numeric PDDL tailored for opinion dynamics. Our tool empowers users to visualize intricate networks, simulate the evolution of opinions, and strategically influence that evolution to achieve specific outcomes. By harnessing Automated Planning techniques, our framework offers a nuanced approach to devise sequences of actions tailored to transition a network from its current opinion landscape to a desired state. This holistic approach provides insights into the intricate interplay of individual nodes within a network and paves the way for targeted interventions. Furthermore, the tool facilitates human-AI collaboration, enabling users to not only understand information spread but also devise practical strategies to mitigate potential harmful outcomes arising from it.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Taco Bell is a fast-food enterprise founded in 1962 by Glenn Bell. There are two types of Taco Bells they can either be corporate or franchise. They are a global company across 155 countries and territories. I have been a manager at the Lancaster location for one year. As a manager, there is a lot of importance to having a routine. When I come to work, I clock in, check the food temperature, see if there's food about to be out of stock, and inspect the overall cleanliness of the store. After you finish checking the entire store you also must put other people in the position you think would help the store to be faster. If a customer needs help or if they have any complaints or complicated questions usually the managers also help. This role is important because they must make sure their employees and other managers are okay since they are the backbone of their store. We also have to also ensure that customers are having a good experience. We care for everything and if anything is needed, we do our best to fix it. I make sure that all these things are going as perfect as they can because Taco Bell is a place that people love to eat it in. We have regulars and people who recognize us, and that is why it's important to have a "well-oiled' store because we can make peoples day, week, or month. I want to work in a place that helps and connects with people. This experience taught me how much of a difference leaders and managers can be to a workplace. I want to be one of those great leaders.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a serious health issue that impacts millions of people worldwide. It is important to foster a partnership between the patient and pharmacist, as this can lead to improvements in glucose control and reduce the risk of complications such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetic eye disease. Pharmacists play a central role in the healthcare system as one of the most accessible providers to the general community. Their involvement in managing T2DM is pivotal, offering interventions that include adherence counseling, phone calls, and informational sessions-all of which could contribute to improved glucose control and a reduced risk of complications such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetic eye disease. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on the medication adherence and clinical outcomes of patients with T2DM. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of six databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE, which identified 2339 potentially relevant articles using terms like ‘pharmacist intervention,’ ‘diabetes mellitus,’ ‘adherence,’ and ‘HbA1c’. We then imported these articles into the Covidence systematic review management system for screening against predetermined eligibility criteria and for data extraction. Titles and abstracts of studies were screened initially, resulting in 125 relevant studies. A full text review is currently being performed subsequently on selected articles by two members of the research team (one student and one faculty member), where each member voted to include or exclude the study. Exclusion criteria included non-randomized control trials, patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, children, and studies conducted in inpatient settings. Conflicts were then resolved by a faculty member (BL). Included articles were used for data abstraction using the Covidence system. Outcomes of interest include HbA1C, fasting blood glucose, post-prandial glucose, and medication adherence. From here, we will begin comparing data to synthesize evidence of the impact of pharmacist intervention on medication adherence in patients with T2DM. Results: Study is in progress with an anticipated completion date 04/15/2024.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Presidential Fellowship Program, established in 2010, has flourished into an influential initiative, promoting professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration in academia. Over 14 years, it has supported the endeavors of more than 220 fellows from 50 diverse academic units, illustrating its commitment to cultivating a wide range of scholarly pursuits. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the program has chosen tourism as its thematic cornerstone, embodying a collaborative spirit and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. This focus is brought to life by the 36 doctoral and MFA Fellows, each uniquely distinguished by their outstanding research or creative skills. Their collective efforts are directed towards pushing the boundaries of tourism studies and exploring new frontiers in this dynamic field. Central to this year's theme, the fellowship has embarked on a series of interconnected research projects, all aimed at advancing the tourism sector. A primary area of focus is assessing the carrying capacity of popular tourist destinations, striving to balance visitor influx with environmental and cultural sustainability. Furthermore, the research delves into innovative solutions to mitigate the burden on these destinations. Notably, the team is exploring the application of mindfulness concepts as a novel approach to enhance the tourism experience while enjoying virtual tours. These initiatives underscore the program's dedication to addressing critical challenges in the tourism industry through creative and collaborative research.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Current anticancer drugs on the market target a limited number of specific proteins. However, there is a substantial need to expand these targets and personalize treatment approaches. Our research project aims to develop a new technique using a yeast-three-hybrid (Y3H) assay in Bakers yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to identify peptides capable of disrupting protein interactions previously deemed “undruggable”. The first goal of this project is to construct a Y2H system using human Cyclin A2 (CCNA2) and Retinoblastoma (RB1) proteins to serve as a model system and detect interactions through the expression of reporter genes. Previous studies suggest that interactions between CCNA2 and RB1 promotes uncontrolled cell cycle progression, making them suitable candidates for our assay. Once the activation of reporter genes detects the interaction, the next aim is to introduce a third plasmid that encodes the amino acid sequence, HAKRRLIF. This peptide sequence is known to disrupt the CCNA2-RB1 interaction. Once we demonstrate the peptide can disrupt these interactions in the Y3H system, we will introduce various proteins that have been observed to provoke cancer that currently has no drugs to target the interactions. We anticipate expanding our Y2H system to include proteins like PLK1 and RAD51 and eventually create a library of plasmids expressing peptides generated by on-chip synthesis. This poster presentation will explain the multiple cloning strategies we used to develop the system, including PCR amplification and restriction enzyme digests of the CCNA2 and RB1 genes to place the genes in-frame with the yeast Gal4 DNA binding and activation domains. From transforming the yeast containing the reporter genes, our preliminary data of single transformation demonstrates that the constructs we have generated thus far do not autoactivate the reporter genes. Therefore, we are continuing to clone the genes in each possible combination, including deletion mutants, to test for the protein interaction in yeast. Establishing this proof of principle will expand the Y2H system to discover peptides to develop them into compounds that disrupt protein interactions and pave the way for new avenues in drug discovery targeting various cancer gene products.
1:00-2:30 p.m.How do we implement campus programming about cannabis when it is not legal? How can we better understand our students’ perceptions and needs? Gamecocks Talk 420 Edition is a cannabis campaign that discusses various cannabis-related topics such as social norms, safety, and mental health. This campaign also gives students the opportunity to complete ScreenU Cannabis, which is a brief screening and intervention from the Higher Education Center. This poster will explore how we talk to students about cannabis and examine results from ScreenU Cannabis. According to campus data, 80% of students at the University of South Carolina say that they have not used cannabis in the last month. The aim of this project is to examine college students’ perceptions of cannabis use and resources they need to help change their cannabis use. Results help us to better design campaigns that address the needs of our students.
9:30-11:00 a.m.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Joseph Maclise (1815-1880) was a well-known but now largely forgotten surgeon/anatomist. He wrote a popular book on Surgical Anatomy that has interesting ramifications to Civil War-torn America and currently in urology. We next turn our attention to systemic racism and manifestations in urology. METHODS: A review of all aspects of the biographies, writings and published works of Joseph Maclise was performed. The Wellcome Institute was most helpful. We also investigated “systemic racism” in urology which has a surprisingly robust recent outpouring of papers and reviews. RESULTS: Joseph Maclise was the second son (of 7) to Alexander Maclise of Cork and married Rebecca Buchanan. He studied at the University College of London and worked with Robert Liston and Samuel Cooper in surgery. His elder brother Daniel was a famed painter in his own right (some collected by Osler). They both appear as iconoclasts, but Joseph’s use of black cadavers in his anatomy was edited out of U.S. editions. Peter Davidson’s off-color remarks regarding prostate cancer in the indigenous Māori population of New Zealand suffices as exemplification of current urological recidivism. A whole edition of Urology has turned its attention to urology and systemic racism. CONCLUSIONS: The enormous popularity Surgical Anatomy led to a second revised edition and at eve the American Civil War a US Edition. One image, shown below (Figure 6.1) is iconographical like a famed Vesalius image showing same relationships, this time for surgeons interested in the urinary tract. Maclise was certainly not racist, but his American publisher for sure was between a rock and a hard place. Urology in America today is facing the exact same issues- now termed “systemic racism” by the new order- academia.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cochlear implant (CI) is considered the most successful sensory prostheses globally, facilitating severely hearing-impaired individuals to achieve verbal communication. Despite its significance success, individuals with CIs exhibit deviated speech patterns including variations in fundamental frequency, formants, and vowel space, contributing to reduced speech intelligibility compared to those with normal hearing. Auditory feedback is suboptimal in listeners with CIs due to the limited spectral resolution provided by CIs. It is unknown how poor spectral resolution of auditory feedback impacts sensorimotor integration and online monitoring and regulation of speech in CI patients. We have developed a novel, real-time experimental paradigm that integrates a simulated cochlear-implant processing into the altered auditory feedback (AAF) approach to examine the effects of limited spectral resolution. Participants with normal hearing underwent testing within this experimental framework to simulate the effects of limited spectral resolution on vocal compensation responses in CI users. Hearing screening including pure-tone thresholds (PTA), speech reception threshold (SRT), and word recognition (WR) test were conducted to assure participants have normal hearing. Subjects were instructed to maintain their steady speech vowel vocalization for 2–3 s while a brief (200 ms) pitch-shift stimulus was randomly delivered to alter auditory feedback in either upward (+200 cents) or downward (-200 cents) directions. The voice feedback trials were either unprocessed or CI-simulated versions, which was created using a noise-vocoder with 4, 8, 12, or 16 spectral channels. Vocal productions were recorded for a total of 100 trials per condition. The pitch frequency of the recorded voice signals was extracted in Praat software and then exported to a custom-made MATLAB code to calculate the magnitude of vocal compensation responses. Results showed that the compensatory vocal responses to pitch-shift stimuli were significantly diminished in CI-simulated processed compared to unprocessed auditory feedback signals. These preliminary results suggest that listeners with CIs experience impaired voice control due to limited access to fine-grained spectral information in their speech auditory feedback. Our preliminary results provide new insights for the development of targeted interventions towards improving sensorimotor integration mechanisms in listeners with CIs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction Canada is the only country whose pictorial health warning labels on cigarette packages are complemented by messages inside packages that aim to promote self- efficacy to quit smoking and beliefs about the benefits of quitting (response efficacy). Methods We analyzed data from an open cohort of Canadian adults who smoke cigarettes, surveyed every 3 months from May 2023-November 2023 (n=2,985 observations, n=1,479 individuals?). Participants viewed a video of a Canadian cigarette pack and were asked to only consider the messages inside packs while answering questions about the frequency of reading these messages (1=never, 5=very often) and how much the messages made them think about cessation benefits (1=not at all often to 5=extremely often). We estimated ordered logistic regression models to examine the cross-sectional sociodemographic and smoking-related correlates of the frequency of reading messages and considering cessation benefits due to them. Then, we regressed having tried to quit smoking by the following survey (3 months later) on the reading and considering benefits of cessation, controlling for covariates. Results Participants were more likely to both read the messages and consider the benefits of cessation due to them if they were younger, had recently tried to quit, intended to quit, or used other combustible tobacco products. Participants who identified at non-White or used roll-your-own tobacco were more likely to read the efficacy messages. Lastly, participants with a college education were less likely to consider the benefits of cessation due to the messages. When compared to those who did not read the messages, participants who read them at least “sometimes” were more likely to attempt to quit by the follow up (AOR: 1.73, 1.33-2.27). Compared to participants who reported no effect of these messages, those who reported that the messages made them think “very often” or more about cessation benefits were also more likely to attempt to quit by follow up (AOR: 1.70, 1.29-2.25). Conclusion Canadian smokers' engagement with efficacy messages inside cigarette packages predicts subsequent quit attempts. Future research should evaluate if engagement with these messages changes when Canada implements a new labeling policy in 2026.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Within the Caribbean, the issue of racial identity is intricate. The Caribbean is a melting pot of many different cultures, resulting in a complex mix of Indigenous, African, European, and Asian people. The mass importation of enslaved Africans and immigrant servants is the main cause for such diversity. When Caribbeans are asked to identify themselves on the U.S census, Caribbean individuals often struggle to fit into the binary classification of black and white, opting for a more nuanced choice to identify themselves. To some, it is difficult to understand why Caribbean people do not accept the strict racial structure as we do within the United States. This research aims to explore why Caribbean people do not adhere to the rigid racial structures commonly observed in the United States. Utilizing secondary sources from scholars like Nancy Denton, Douglas Massey, Xu Peng, and additional researchers, this study aims to provide more insight on this topic. Understanding the ways in which individuals from the Caribbean region choose to define themselves both racially and ethnically, and observing how these identities have evolved over time, provides insight into the intricate and diverse nature of race relations, extending beyond the conventional framework typically drawn from experiences in the United States.
9:30-11:00 a.m.I learned about ecosystem services and their impact on human health and animal biodiversity in GEOG-347, Water as a Resource. These aquatic ecosystem services are crucial to human and animal health. Without these services, we have very little means of producing food, fuel, and water itself. Without these resources, humans and animals alike will either starve or die of thirst. Because of the importance of aquatic ecosystem services delivering regulating, supporting, provisioning, and cultural services, I was moved to provide services to an aquatic ecosystem right here in Columbia. The Gills Creek Watershed Association organizes litter cleanups and other advocacy projects for the watershed. I signed up for a cleanup and was fascinated to see we pulled 20 bags of litter from along the water and surrounding areas, tallying the amount and type of object. We found everything from shards of glass, plastic, paper, and even car parts and shopping carts. We counted everything up to submit to the association, who then uses it as leverage to push for bans on single-use plastics. This is meaningful because single-use plastics found in our ecosystem degrade into microplastics which bioaccumulate in the lungs, blood, and placenta, with emerging evidence of even smaller particles, called nanoplastics, breaking into the blood/brain barrier, posing currently unknown risk to human health and animal life. Seeing the accumulating harm that human activity poses to ecosystems, I learned human services to these ecosystems need to be as diverse and interconnected as the ecosystem services themselves, whose ability to procure resources and purify water are negatively impacted by our actions and inactions. I will spread this message through continued advocacy with the Conservation Voters of South Carolina, the Gills Creek Watershed Association, and Keep the Midlands Beautiful to pass legislation and volunteer myself to help preserve our resources.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In nature, environmental conditions may influence competitive interactions, with some species showing large differences in some environmental conditions but not in others. We used a system of 6 strains of brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) modified to express pigments to explore the effect nutrient conditions may have on competitive interactions. While prior research has established that these strains exhibit equivalent growth rates under standard laboratory conditions, we explore whether they exhibit differences in growth rate (r) or carrying capacity (K) under extreme nutrient conditions. We hypothesized that we will observe competitive differences in low-nutrient treatments, but no differences in high-nutrient treatments. To address this question, we grew to replicate yeast populations in a range of nutrient conditions in an incubated spectrophotometer from small initial population sizes up to carrying capacity. We then fit logistic growth models to yeast abundance data through time, estimating r and K values for each strain. We found that reducing nutrient availability tends to reduce the carrying capacity of all strains while having little to no effect on growth rate. For most strains, within-strain variability in growth rate exceeds between-strain variability in growth rate, though with some exceptions. Our results highlight the ability of environmental contexts to mediate competitive interactions, and the importance of environment when predicting community-level outcomes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Being pre law with a philosophy and international studies major I felt I was learning all that I would need to feel prepared for my future. I would have never guessed that my journalism minor would be one of the most helpful skills to bring to my job at The Rutherford Law Firm.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research explores innovative applications of 5G technology, focusing on leveraging millimeter-wave infrastructure, particularly picocells, to enhance the safety of autonomous vehicles in urban environments. With a limited range of approximately 700 feet, millimeter-wave base stations, or picocells, closely align with the distances between adjacent traffic intersections in cities, and are thus conveniently placed for detecting vehicles and pedestrians. The recent rise of autonomous vehicles necessitates the development of a robust system capable of promptly detecting nearby vehicles and pedestrians to prevent collisions. Traditional object detection and ranging methods in autonomous vehicles rely on camera-based or LiDAR-based approaches, both susceptible to adverse weather conditions and low visibility. This research advocates for the use of millimeter-wave technology as a cost-effective and weather-resistant alternative to LiDARs and cameras. The proposed system employs a customized millimeter-wave data collection setup at a traffic intersection to classify pedestrians and vehicles while tracking their velocity over a specified interval. By utilizing 5G picocells to extract object labels and velocity information within a given time frame, this research aims to significantly enhance autonomous vehicle performance, especially in challenging weather conditions and situations with limited visibility, where cameras and LIDARs fail. The integration of object detection and tracking systems with 5G infrastructure holds the potential to revolutionize safety measures for autonomous vehicles, paving the way for more reliable and resilient navigation systems in urban environments.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Congenital heart defects (CHD) are common in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), with prevalence rates ranging from 20 to 57.9 percent. These defects often lead to disturbances in the cardiac conduction system in the heart. Further, infants with DS, with and without CHDs, have been shown to have differences in cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity when compared to neurotypical infants. One way that ANS activity is measured is through heart rate variability (HRV). Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is one index used to assess HRV in infants with DS as RSA is associated with the breathing cycle and is used as an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Sample data was drawn from a larger perspective, longitudinal study and participants included 19 infants with DS and CHD, 19 infants with DS and no CHD, and 19 neurotypical infants assessed at 12 months of age. Heart activity data was collected at participant visits during the baseline condition where infants watched a video before completing other tasks. Data was spliced using CardioPeak and Segmenter and edited in CardioEdit Plus. RSA values were calculated using CardioBatch Plus and compared among each of the three groups to assess differences in ANS activity. Kruskal-Wallis tests will be conducted to assess variation in development between the three groups of infants. Given the reduced power associated with small sample sizes, we will calculate Cohen’s d as an estimate of the magnitude of group differences. We expect that RSA values will differ between the three groups due to established research indicating differences in parasympathetic activity between neurotypical individuals with and without CHDs and between neurotypical individuals and individuals with DS. Current research has not evaluated the effect of cooccurring DS and CHD in infants on RSA – i.e., parasympathetic nervous system activity. By evaluating the joint impact of CHD and DS on parasympathetic activity, more specific recommendations can be made for early interventions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Amphitrite ornata dehaloperoxidase (AoDHP) is a novel heme protein that functions primarily as an oxygen transport protein and a detoxification enzyme for the marine worm. AoDHP uses peroxidase activity, in which it can dehalogenate toxic organic compounds produced by other worm species in its environment as a line of defense against predators. More recently, the Ghiladi laboratory (North Carolina State University, Dept. of Chemistry) demonstrated that AoDHP was able to oxidize/degrade bisphenol A (BPA) through a peroxidase mechanism. AoDHP could potentially serve as a biosensor for BPA via adsorption to the surface of an indium-tin oxide electrode and tested by cyclic voltammetry for a direct electrochemical response. However, wt-AoDHP does not produce an adequately stable voltammetric signal for the advancement of a BPA biosensor. We are investigating the binding properties of surface-engineered AoDHP A mutations as a way of improving upon this signal by substituting amino acids bearing additional positive charge to the surface of the protein. There exists a patch of +4 charge near the heme edge of wt-AoDHP. Herein, we made mutation AoDHP A (N37K) that differs by introducing a patch of +5 charge. Though weak, a signal for this mutation was acquired and thus suggesting a need for a new mutation with additional charge substitutions. This study is geared at eliminating an existing fleeting signal response of wt-AoDHP A.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most common malignant primary brain tumors. However, the prognosis is poor, and the effect of chemotherapeutic treatment is often ineffective. Our research laboratory discovered an interaction between RNF138, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair proteins named the RAD51 family. Interestingly, despite its potential significance, RNF138 remains a relatively under-studied gene, as highlighted by the National Institutes of Health. Prior research has described the interplay between RNF138 and ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3) in the development and proliferation of glioblastoma cells. Building upon this foundation, our research group is determining the interaction profiles of RNF138 and RPS3 with RAD51 proteins using an in-cell protein interaction system in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, named the yeast-two-hybrid assay. The RNF138 and RPS3 genes are first inserted into plasmid expression vectors (pGADT7-AD and pGBKT7) using molecular biology procedures such as designing primers, PCR amplification, and DNA cloning. We are studying these protein-protein interactions using specialized yeast strains containing reporter gene systems. Interaction between RNF138, RPS3, and the RAD51 protein complexes using qualitative and quantitative assays will be performed. Our long-term objective is to furnish clinicians with actionable insights based on our findings to facilitate personalized medical approaches for diagnosing and treating glioblastoma and deepen our understanding of the HR process.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During my second semester in college, I studied PCAM 101 at the university of South Carolina- Sumter. I had been in college for one semester, and I already knew what I wanted to do to be successful in my field of study. As a future registered nurse, I wanted to learn what nursing was all about. I wanted to set myself up for academic and professional success. PCAM 101 is a palmetto college course for students who are interested in the medical field. In this class we learned the fundamentals and basics of nursing. PCAM is nursing concepts, communication, and calculations which introduces concepts of nursing. I took this course to better understand the history of nursing and get a head start to comprehend the information. In this class, I found that many things tie into being in the nursing field and it takes a lot of skills and knowledge. As a student new to college this was an experience that helped me open my eyes to what I was pursuing, and it made me more eager to dedicate my time and effort to this field of study.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Heart failure (HF) is a multifactorial syndrome that affects 64 million people worldwide. It is predicted that HF will increase by 33% from 9.7 million to 12.9 million between the years 2025 and 2060. Despite incremental advances in pharmacologic treatment, the mortality rate remains at 50%. Current medications to combat HF, such as Entresto, target the upregulation of the angiotensin/resin system; however, these methods function as add-ons to earlier medications and aim to reduce HF progression rather than providing preventative effects. New advancements in HF medication at Carolina Biologics LLC and its associated labs include the development of an HF preventative drug utilizing alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (-CGRP), a 37-amino acid neuropeptide. Carolina Biologics LLC is a startup company from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine founded by Dr. Jay Potts. Carolina Biologics is focused on novel approaches to treating diseases such as HF, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and wound healing. -CGRP is known for its cardioprotective functions, and despite extensive investigation for potential therapeutic applications in cardiovascular diseases, its short half-life (t1/2 ~ 5 min) has hindered its clinical use. Carolina Biologics and its affiliated labs have developed an innovative alginate-based delivery system employing a modified form of -CGRP for the treatment of pressure-overload induced heart failure. The modified -CGRP analog, named NMEG-CGRP, incorporates an N-methoxyethylglycine (NMEG) peptoid at the N terminal end to reduce protease degradation while retaining the physiochemical properties of native -CGRP. Alginate microcapsules containing -CGRP have demonstrated increased bioavailability and enhanced protection against protease degradation. In vitro -CGRP release assays have indicated that alginate-microcapsules can effectively sustain release for a duration of up to 6 days. In transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced pressure overload heart failure mice, our alginate microcapsules containing NMEG-CGRP have shown significant improvements in cardiac function parameters, including fraction shortening and ejection fraction. Additionally, they have attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac cell size, and fibrosis. The development of Carolina Biologics’ novel peptidergic therapeutic, either alone or in combination with its patented alginate-based encapsulation delivery system, has the potential to become a standard of care treatment for HF and possibly many other cardiovascular diseases.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Dr. Harry Wright—a graduate of the University of South Carolina, esteemed physician, and professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine—was a man of outstanding scholarship and activism who made a significant impact on cultural and academic programs at the University of South Carolina. Most notable for his contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Wright’s legacy in other areas of academia is often overlooked. This project will examine the breadth of Dr. Wright’s contributions to the University of South Carolina and showcase his involvement in establishing organizations for African American students as well as the African American Studies Program. Using the archival collection of documents donated by Dr. Wright to the Center for Civil Rights History and Research, we will explore the aftereffects of Dr. Harry Wright’s presence on campus and assess his enduring impact on the experiences of African American students and members of the University community. Among the benefits of Dr. Wright’s work at the University, students have the opportunity to major or minor in African American studies and members of the University community are able to experience a wide array of programs centered on Black history and culture on campus. This project demonstrates that Dr. Harry Wright was pivotal to advancing the appreciation and understanding of African American history, life, and culture at the University of South Carolina for generations of African American students and members of the University community.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Parenting practices around the world are shown to reflect the importance of relationships between their children and children’s outcomes (Breiner, 2016). The study of how these parent-child relationships are impacted within parental discipline in the African American community have not been studied enough (Ford, 2016). African American mothers have reported greater use of physical discipline than do European American mothers (Deater-Deckard et al., 1996). Furthermore, African American parents also have displayed more punitive attitudes toward their children (Pinderhughes, 2022). The current field has examined these relationships, but has not focused on the importance of gender. A growing body of work has begun to examine parenting practices with regards to fathers (Cooper et al., 2013). The current study will explore how the context of parent-child relationships is associated with disciplinary practices in a national sample of African American parents. Two research hypotheses led the study. First, how are the quality of parent-child relationships associated with parent disciplinary practices? Secondly, does parent’s gender moderate the relationship between parent-child factors and disciplinary practices? The study is comprised of a sample of 234 African American parents who participated in a national study of parenting practices through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Of the sample, 154 identified as fathers and 84 are identified as mothers. Additionally, 90% of the parents were married and the majority of the sample (50%) had a college degree. Participants were asked about their disciplinary practices, parent-child relationship, as well as the quality of that relationship. Preliminary analyses show there are significant associations between parent-child relationships and parent disciplinary practices. Results also indicated that there are gender differences in disciplinary practices among participants. Future research will explore whether gender moderates the relationship between parent-child relationships and parent disciplinary practices.
9:30-11:00 a.m.INTRODUCTION: Advanced care planning (ACP) is an important part of our geriatric patients’ care and wellbeing. Our clinic has not had a good grasp on the volume of Medicare patients aged 65 and older with ACP documentation. This project aims to determine the proportion of eligible patients with ACP, identify common trends, and implement a focused effort to increase the proportion of those with a documented plan. METHODS: Reports were run using Epic to determine the proportion of patients aged 65 and older who have documentation ACP based on completion of a Medicare annual wellness visit (AWV). A standardized SmartPhrase was created within Epic that describes the patient’s status, including whether the patient: already has documentation, is contemplating documentation and would like further assistance, does not have documentation and would like to discuss with family further, or does not want to discuss establishing documentation. RESULTS: Of the 100 AWVs reviewed, thirty-three patients had previously completed an advanced directive. For patients without an established advanced directive, 25% had a physician note documenting their discussion regarding status, patient wishes, or next steps. DISCUSSION: We have room to improve on our advanced directive discussions and completion of documents with patients. Our clinical social worker is available to assist patients in starting the process of documentation and any needed assistance. For patients without established documentation, it is paramount for physicians to document the current conversation within the encounter to continue these conversations at future visits. Epic SmartPhrases can help standardize this process and quickly document a patient's status which provides insight for primary care providers and encourages a long-term discussion regarding advanced directives.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Throughout the few years before and during school I have worked at a veterinarian clinic as a veterinarian technician. Throughout the day we see patients with many problems ranging from small infections to major cases such as cancer or end of life diseases. As a Biological Sciences major with a passion to become a veterinarian this work experience provided me with firsthand experience on topics that I had learned and the field I wished to go into. Throughout my experience working I can both hon in and broaden my understanding of the desired field I wish to go into. Every day we see patients with infections to which I can use my understanding and knowledge of biology to identify and help treat pets in need. These outside experiences are important to me because I am about to pursue this passion of mine and apply my knowledge to real life situations. I found that through this work internship I was also able to be introduced to new ways and ideas of thinking and understanding the knowledge I had previously learned. In doing all of this it has pushed me to pursue my passion even further diving deeper into topics of my major and furthermore pushing me to pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Historically, learning languages in school was definitely not one of my strengths. I had tried learning French and German in school, and then attempted Spanish due to the influence of a friend, but inevitably it became more complex and advanced, and naturally I would begin to struggle. So same old story I started to feel really dumb that I wasn’t advancing as quick as my peers which once again led to my motivation dropping and therefore not being interested anymore and completely stopping my studies in language. During my first ever semester here at USC Union I was required to take a language class and I decided to take Spanish, but I still had the attitude of just trying to get the credit and not caring about the language learning; however, I became fully interested when we would not actually talk about the language itself but more about the political, historical, and cultural aspects of Spain and Latin America, allowing me to really see the people that speak the language and not just the grammar and vocabulary of learning a new language. This cultural connection sparked in me a larger desire to learn the language, and something just clicked in my head and my attitude completely changed towards the whole subject of language, not even just Spanish specifically but language in general. I became much more intrigued with the history, evolution of language and how they came to be in the modern world, especially my native language of English. This sudden interest in languages inspired me to start doing my own studying and learning the Spanish language. While I had initially taken these Spanish classes for granted and wished that I could have put my all into them rather than just trying to get by, the skills that I learned helped set me on a path to fluency, but speaking with native speakers is what pushed me finally out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to see and use the language to help others.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I am working as a mentor at Richland County Sheriff's Department. My role involves developing strategies for juveniles who exhibit problem behaviors. As part of this experience, I've also been involved in the J.U.M.P (Juveniles Under Motivated Pressure) program, which aims to educate children and their guardians on the consequences of their actions and motivate them to improve. My coursework at USC has equipped me with the theories and concepts to better understand the complex behaviors of the juveniles I work with. By recognizing parallels between theories from my Developmental Psychology and Psychology of Personality courses and the adolescent development and behaviors at RCSD, I can tailor interventions to be age-appropriate and effective. My role at RCSD is intrinsically linked to advocating for diversity and promoting social equity. It's an ongoing effort to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds of the juveniles and their families, ensuring that our interventions are equitable. My academic knowledge and practical experiences have synergized to prepare me for a future in leadership, with a focus on diversity and social advocacy.
9:30-11:00 a.m.People with autism and their families face inequitable challenges within the service provision realm. Legal issues in healthcare, housing, education, employment, and civil rights violations often arise, and they are difficult to handle alone. Throughout the country, several advocacy organizations and attorneys have established themselves as a resource to help mitigate these legal issues, but it is difficult for families to sift through thousands of websites with what seems like an endless amount of information. Additionally, there is a lack of a comprehensive, localized database of these organizations and individuals available to autism families. This research project bridges this knowledge gap by creating an online resource library that is accessible to all.
9:30-11:00 a.m.An often forgotten about colonized in the Caribbean is the Kingdom of Denmark who possessed what is today the US Virgin Islands. My research examines the race, slavery, and marronage of the Danish West Indies from the time of their possession to their transfer to the United States. A notorious sugar producer, the Danish West Indies are a typical example of African slave labors’ utilization in the region. Though interesting enough, the proportion of male to female slaves began to favor the females due to their use domestically and the escape of their male counterparts as time marched on. To examine this issue I am primarily focused on questions surrounding: the changed in gender and proportion of slaves in census data, economic & political developments in the Danish West Indies that influenced the makeup of the islands, the influence of their Danish colonizers and the development of marronage from the mid-late 18th century to the mid-19th century. My research will be based upon digitized primary source documents via JSTOR, scholarly publications, and census data from the period. This research I am conducting draws attention to an often forgotten colonial “power” in the region and moreover the people that lived under their rule. My research is designed to bring this to light and to highlight both unique and typical experiences of the Dutch West Indies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) appears to be minimally expressed in normal tissue but emerges in pathological processes such as cancer and inflammation. FAP is a protease which can directly and indirectly alter the structure and function of the extracellular matrix. For example, FAP is significantly expressed in cancer associated fibroblasts and facilitates extracellular degradation and metastasis. More recently, FAP activation has been identified in animal models and patients with heart failure, but the upstream signaling pathways which induce FAP in myocardial fibroblasts remains unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that the bioactive molecules, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1B) would induce FAP myocardial fibroblasts. Methods and Results: Porcine myocardial fibroblasts (n=2) were isolated and cultured using standard cell culture methods (low Glucose DMEM) and passage 5 was used for study. Fibroblasts (24mm petri dishes) and were treated with 25ng/mL of either recombinant human TGF-B or recombinant human IL-1B and the fibroblasts harvested at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Negative controls included a vehicle (cells with media and serum) and cells exposed strictly to media. FAP activity was measured at these time points using a FAP substrate Z-Gly-Pro-AMC (MCE). With TGF-B stimulation, FAP activity increased by over 25% at 24hrs and by over 40% at 72 hrs. With IL-1B stimulation, a robust increase in FAP activity occurred at 24hrs (45%) and remained elevated with longer time points. Using qPCR, relative mRNA levels for FAP increased 3.48-fold at 24hrs and was increased with IL1-B by 1.67-fold at 24 hrs. Conclusion: Both TGF-B and IL-1B increased expression of FAP in myocardial fibroblasts with differences in the temporal profile of FAP expression and activation. Past studies of myocardial extracellular remodeling have identified increased levels of these cytokines in different forms of heart failure, and thus may be a key pathway for FAP induction. However, a cause-effect relation to these results and extracellular remodeling remains to be established. Nevertheless, the approaches developed herein could provide a platform for identifying mechanisms and strategies for FAP induction and inhibition.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the school year, I work at Colston Branch Baptist Church After School Program. Here my role is to make sure that the students get their homework done, make sure that payments are paid, take attendance and make lesson plans for bible study. As an Elementary education major at the USC Salkehatchie, this internship provided me with face to face interaction with students from two different schools, dealing with several different age groups and also age gaps. I find that this internship provided me with information that I will need after I get my Elementary Education degree. These things would include making lesson plans, making sure that their homework is done, giving directions, and following directions. When making lesson plans I have to make sure that it is something that is related to the lesson but also grabs their attention. When making sure of homework they have to listen to the directions and understand what it is asking them to do. This job has helped me realize how much effort teaching takes, how to do my lesson plans, and how to communicate with the students in a way that the students understand. I often find myself using information from classes about how to compromise with the students and the administration. I also find myself keeping up with attendance which is important for the records. I hope to continue this job until I get my Elementary education degree.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Facial expressions are one of the main non-verbal sources of communication. The ability to discern the genuineness of others’ emotions is fundamental for establishing and maintaining social relationships. This study explored the impact of modality (audio, visual, audiovisual) on the perception of authenticity using facial expressions portrayed by non-professional actors. Additionally, we explored influence of individual differences in affect intensity, empathy, and emotional contagion on these perceptions. Forty-three participants categorized and rated the intensity of authenticity (authentic or inauthentic), emotion (happy or sad), valence and arousal of audiovisual, visual only, and auditory only expressions. Our findings indicate that participants were adept at discerning authenticity and emotion across modalities; however, the modality had a different impact on each type of judgement. The accuracy of distinguishing authenticity and recognizing happy expressions was most difficult in the auditory-only condition, whereas authenticity discrimination for sad expressions was most difficult in the visual-only condition. Interestingly, no modality effect was observed for the emotion recognition accuracy in sad expressions. Although none of the questionnaires’ total scores correlated to each other, a weak correlation was found between emotional contagion of love and individuals’ accuracy in authenticity discrimination, across emotions and modalities. This analysis highlights a differential role of visual cues in assessing the authenticity and emotion of happy and sad expressions, with visual information enhancing the appraisal of happy expressions. This result will be further investigated with an eye-tracking experiment aimed at dissecting the influence of distinct facial features on perceptions of authenticity and emotion. For this forthcoming experiment, stimuli have been crafted to selectively obscure lower (mouth and nose) and upper (eye) regions of the face, facilitating a targeted investigation into their importance in authenticity and emotion perception.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Postpartum depression (PPD) affects up to 20% of mothers yet remains understudied. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that are crucial for cell homeostasis and share a link with many of the proposed mechanisms underlying PPD pathology. The brain relies on mitochondrial energy production to function, and stress, a major risk factor for PPD, amplifies brain energy demands. In turn, brain mitochondrial function is also affected by stress and linked to avoidance and social behaviors. We recently found that gestational stress in rats decreased mitochondrial complex I respiration in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in association with PPD-relevant behaviors. We hypothesized that enhancing complex I respiration during stress exposure would prevent these stress-induced PPD-relevant behaviors. Nulliparous and time-mated adult female Wistar rats received nicotinamide (NAM, a NAD+ precursor that stimulates complex I respiration, 3mM) or vehicle (VEH) in the drinking water from gestational days 8-21. On gestational day 10, females were exposed to 10 consecutive days of chronic mild unpredictable stress or handling. Sucrose preference, maternal care, avoidance and passive coping behaviors were assessed from postpartum day 2 (PD2) – PD10. Rats were euthanized on PD11, and the PFC was extracted and assessed for mitochondrial respiration. Gestational stress significantly decreased postpartum maternal care, which was prevented by NAM. Meanwhile, stress significantly reduced PFC mitochondrial respiration while NAM tended to mitigate this reduction. Notably, these data suggest that targeting complex I respiration may be a viable approach to prevent behavioral features relevant to PPD in the face of stress. These findings overall point to a possible active role for PFC mitochondrial function in gestational stress-induced maternal care deficits, where mitochondria may be a potential protective therapeutic target for PPD.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My research on this topic is focused on the differences in infrastructure on plantations in Colonial Barbados from Pre-Sugar agriculture to Post-Sugar agriculture. This project will mainly focus on this transition using the site of Trents Plantation as it was an active plantation both before and after the boom of sugar as a major crop on the island of Barbados. There is a specific focus on the archaeological evidence that is seen as a result of this transition and what that can tell us about the social stratification and daily lives of the people living on the plantation. My research seeks to explore the transition from small scale agriculture to large scale sugar agriculture and what that meant for the people living on Trents Plantation. I also want to know what we can glean of their daily lives from the archaeological record. I’ll be mainly drawing upon archaeological surveys and studies of Trents Plantation as the bulk of my research. This topic matters because the transition from a Pre-Sugar to Post-Sugar agriculture heavily affected the enslaved living on these plantations and it is important that we understand the lived experiences of these people. Understanding the daily lives of people before and after the boom of sugar as a major crop can help us to understand the extent to which sugar agriculture changed the lives of the enslaved living in the British West Indies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In modern society, individuals are increasingly exposed to artificial light at night from different sources, altering the natural day-night cycle and exerting potential risks to human health. Due to the increased number of individuals exposed to blue light at night, concerns have been raised regarding harmful impact of artificial light on mental health. The aim of this study was to test whether exposure to blue light at night alters adolescent emotional response and glia expression and function in the amygdala. Adolescent mice (post-natal day 30) were exposed to three light conditions for four weeks: 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of LED light (control group), 5 hours of darkness and 19 hours of LED light (blue light at night group), and 5 hours of darkness, 7 hours of green light, and 12 hours of LED light (reduced blue light group). Mice were then tested for anxiety-like behavior using the elevated plus maze. Brains were processed for protein and gene expression analysis. We found that mice exposed to blue light protocol showed increased anxiety-like behaviors and risky behaviors compared to the reduced blue light protocol and control mice. In addition, mice exposed to blue light at night showed a reduction in astrocyte numbers and function compared to reduced blue light protocol and control groups. Based on these results, we suggest that prolonged blue light exposure might alter emotional responses in adolescent mice through alteration in astrocyte numbers and function in the amygdala.
9:30-11:00 a.m.INTRODUCTION James Marion Sims, M.D. (1813–1883), possessing both an accomplished and provocative medical career, remains one of the most controversial physicians in history. Sims lived and died in antebellum America at the close of Civil War hostilities and used this climate to his advantage when obtaining a patient population for experimental surgery. That he practiced a new form of gynecological surgery on slaves in Montgomery, Alabama, is without question, but was he a misogynous racist or simply a man conducting medicine within the mores of the time? METHODS The release of Say Anarcha, a poignant book expanding on the life of a patient of Sims, has rekindled interest in the man and his deeds. This formed the impetus to reexamine Sims, his work, and urological past. We reviewed all writings of Sims, his works and ethics, and the reflection paper of urological historian, Dr Das. RESULTS Say Anarcha author, J.C. Hallman, comes right out in his introduction to declare his flawed perspective on Sims: “I admit it—I wanted to cancel him.” This polarizing confession effectively mitigates future arguments from the author under the pretense of immense bias that precludes the capacity for objectivity. Sims was highly lauded historical figure until the mid-20th century, as reiterated by numerous other writers. However, teasing apart his professional aspirations and moral conduct is complex. CONCLUSIONS J. Marion Sims, the “Father of Gynecology” and creator of the vesicovaginal fistula repair technique, is one of the most venerated physicians in history. Serving as President of the American Medical Association and opening the first all-women’s hospital in New York City, his list of accolades and accomplishments is far-reaching. However, the steps, or rather those he stepped on, to achieve this monumental success remains a heated discussion. This project sought to explore whether crimes of the past can only be judged in the context of the past. Ultimately, a definitive conclusion on Sims cannot be drawn, but what can be agreed upon is that establishing a balance between “inherent” moral truths and falling sway to the partisan pathways of historical recidivism is profoundly difficult.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Pseudoscientific beliefs and unethical research practices, prevalent since the 16th century, perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to systemic injustices against Black Americans in scientific inquiry. Woven into the fabric of American research history is a disturbing reality deeply connected to anti-Black racism. The history of U.S. research documents its involvement in justifying the enslavement and experimentation of Black Americans, and this biased legacy endures in the ongoing efforts to recruit Black Americans for research participation. Scholars have gradually integrated African-centered models and theoretical frameworks to address these historical injustices in recruiting Black participants. These culturally specific concepts are important to research recruitment as they provide a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of Black individuals' experiences, perspectives, and needs, contributing to creating more equitable and relevant research practices. Psychology, public health, other social sciences, and medicine require extensive participant enrollment for robust statistical power. The Men’s Black Hair Care Project, a collaborative partnership between a predominantly White university (PWI) and a historically Black college and university (HBCU), examines societal messages about men's hair. Race-based hair discrimination persists, disproportionately impacting Black men facing school suspension or job dismissal due to hairstyles like afro, braids. locs, and twists deemed unprofessional. A systematic review of 10 articles will explore (a) challenges in recruiting African Americans for research studies and (b) culturally and contextually sensitive strategies to surmount these challenges. A systematic review will explore (a) challenges recruiting African Americans for research studies and (b) culturally and contextually sensitive strategies to overcome these hurdles. Two reviewers will rigorously evaluate the data, utilizing coding based on relevance and inclusion criteria. The implications will be comprehensively discussed, encompassing considerations at the individual and community levels to strengthen practices and deepen understanding within the ecological framework of recruitment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Study Design: Retrospective chart-review Objective: To determine the effect of conservative measures on radiographic outcomes in those with isolated spondylosis Summary of Background Data: Spondylosis is a common cause of low back pain in pediatric patients, affecting between 4.4 and 4.7% of all pediatric patients. This rate is even higher in high-level athletes, with recent studies suggesting a rate of 47% in this population. Conservative measures are recommended for treating symptomatic spondylosis and are effective in controlling symptoms, but there is little evidence regarding their effect on radiographic outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients diagnosed with spondylosis who were treated at a single academic institution between January 1st, 2012, and January 1st, 2022. Data collected included demographics, presentation characteristics, pre- and post-treatment radiologic findings, types of treatments employed, and final symptomatic status at follow-up. The student’s t-test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare continuous variables. The Chi-Squared test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: A total of 119 patients were included in the study. There was an 81.5% rate of healing on advanced imaging for those treated with conservative measures. When comparing those with healing on advanced imaging to those without, those with healing were more likely to have an acute fracture (P=0.04), have symptomatic improvement (P<0.01), and return-to-play (P=0.02) compared to those without. Those with healing also had an odds ratio of 6.9 (P<0.01) and 4.5 (P=0.02) to achieve symptomatic improvement and return to their sport, respectively, compared to those who did not. Conclusion: Our study found those with isolated spondylosis who were treated with conservative measures had a high healing rate on advanced imaging and those with healing had significantly higher odds of having symptomatic improvement and returning-to-play compared to those without. Level of Evidence: IV Keywords: Spondylosis; Conservative Management; Advanced Imaging; Healing; Return-to- Play; Symptomatic Improvement; Bracing; Physical Therapy; Rest; Acute Fracture
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) functional (undirected) and effective (directed) brain connectivity metrics have been used to study communication between brain regions in healthy and diseased conditions, including neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorders, and epilepsy. However, these different metrics do not converge and provide a significantly different picture of brain connectivity raising the pressing need of resolving this inconsistency and guiding neuroimaging researchers on what connectivity metric to choose. To address this challenge, we systematically compared functional and effective connectivity metrics. We examined two functional connectivity metrics (coherence (coh) and the corrected imaginary part of phase lagged value (ciPLV)) and three established effective connectivity metrics (generalized partial directed coherence (gPDC), direct directed transfer function (dDTF), and pairwise spectral granger prediction (pSGP)), and a new effective connectivity metric based on modeling EEG time-series as a dynamical system (DynSys). Methods: We evaluated these metrics using experimental data from an open-access dataset comprising 112 EEG recordings of healthy adults resting with their open (EO) or eyes closed (EC). To characterize the ability of the metric to differentiate between separate brain states, we compared the alpha-band connectivity between the visual network and the default-mode network , in the EO and EC conditions. We calculated the ratio of between-subject to within-subject variance of each metric to characterize their reliability. Results: ciPLV, pSGP, and DynSys showed significant differences in connectivity between EC and EO (p’s<0.05). ciPLV and gPDC showed a comparatively lower ratio of between-to-within subject variance (p’s <0.05). Analyses are ongoing on characterizing the variance of DynSys. Significance: The ability to distinguish between EC and EO and a higher between-to-within subject variance are indicators of an effective connectivity metric. Preliminary results suggest that pSGP outperforms the other methods. In future work, we plan to extend this investigation by simulating EEG to assess the sensitivity of metrics to confounding factors such as volume conduction, common sources, and indirect connections in EEG signal measurement.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Hedonic valence and affective arousal are fundamental components of affective experiences. Hedonic valence is the feeling of pleasure and displeasure in response to a stimulus, while arousal is defined as the intensity of the emotion provoked by the stimulus and degree of excitement it causes in the individual. In naturalistic context, such as listening to a narrative, the perceived valence and arousal tend to fluctuate as the narrative unfolds. By gathering affective ratings based on discrete segments of the narrative, we can effectively capture the affective dynamics in naturalistic stimuli. These insights can then be leveraged to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying affective processing in ecologically valid settings. The goal of this study was to segment short stories in order to isolate phrases or clauses for subsequent valence ratings that will be used to study the underlying neural correlates of affective processing. Segments were first automatically created based on pauses in speech, and then refined based on significant valence or arousal changes between clauses within narratives, including sign changes in intensity of either the valence or arousal level of the stimulus. Two researchers segmented the audio independently and reached a consensus for each story. Spoken narratives (40) were segmented (an average of 4.13 seconds per segment). Valence and arousal ratings will be gathered through behavioral experiments as participants evaluate each auditory narrative segment individually. We hypothesize that consistent affective responses will emerge across participants, allowing for the identification of neural networks involved in affective processing in naturalistic stimuli. The segmentation methodology developed in this study holds valuable implications for research fields requiring examination of affective changes within naturalistic stimuli or employing naturalistic paradigms.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Homologous recombination (HR) is indispensable for repairing DNA damage and maintaining genomic stability. The RAD51 protein family (RAD51, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3) provides core components of the HR complex, and Rad51d has an unusually large number of mRNA splice variants, which suggest Rad51d alternative splicing may regulate HR. Seven alternative transcripts of the mouse Rad51d gene, consisting of only 10 exons, have been reported and characterized by complementation assays by their ability to confer resistance to the DNA interstrand crosslinking agent Mitomycin C. Paraspeckles are specialized organelles found in the interchromatin space of the nucleus in mammalian cells. Little is known about the function of the paraspeckle, but recent investigations suggest they have a role in the intricate pathway of Homologous Recombination DNA repair. There are three central protein components within paraspeckles: SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1. Therefore, this project is analyzing the interaction profile between SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1 with RAD51D and RAD51D splice variants using the yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) system. Each of these genes and their isoforms were cloned into pGBK (Gal4 DNA binding domain) and pGAD (Gal4 Activation domain) vectors. Co-transformations of competent yeast cells are being performed, and single colony transformants organized onto a central plate. This main plate was replica plated onto selective media, and any growth indicates protein interaction because of the activation of reporter genes. For this presentation, the interaction patterns discovered so far between each of these combinations will be reported. Preliminary findings are shedding light on potential crosstalk between RAD51D variants and paraspeckle proteins, offering insights into HR regulation. Future studies will incorporate additional allelic variations of these genes to help decipher their interactions. It has been previously suggested that Rad51d alternative splice variants may alter HR by sequestering core proteins into inactive complexes, which may also occur by their interaction with the paraspeckle proteins.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Infants with Down syndrome (DS) experience delayed developmental skills and important milestones relative to neurotypical development, especially in motor development. An infant’s ability to complete perceptual-motor tasks, such as reaching and grasping, develops around 4 to 5 months. Acquiring the skills needed for reaching and grasping is important for infants to become more independent in their environment and have expanded learning opportunities. Previous studies have shown that infants with DS experience delays in the onset of these skills and poorer motor control, thereby affecting their ability to explore objects. Further, infants with DS experience more instability with their trunk and head in sitting posture that can constrain reaching movements. Increased postural control helps support reaching and grasping skills, making the arms and hands freer to explore. With impairments in reaching and grasping, as well as a protracted emergence in independent sitting and the requisite trunk and head control, infants with DS are vulnerable to limited object exploration experiences, which likely affect their developmental outcomes. Multisensory integration facilitates these important perceptual learning processes about objects and the environment that infants with DS are at risk for, given their substantially impaired motor development. This project examines whether the emergence of independent sitting affects object exploration in infants and toddlers with DS. The project utilizes behaviorally coded video data to capture important exploratory skills during a widely used infant exploration task. During this task, infants are given a set of “noisy” toy keys to explore for 3-minutes. We will evaluate potential differences in exploratory behaviors across infants who use proficient sitting skills versus those who use less advanced sitting skills using non-parametric group comparison statistics and estimates of mean-difference effect sizes. Project outcomes can potentially advance evidence useful for improving developmental outcomes in DS and increasing practitioner knowledge of additional developmental vulnerabilities experienced by infants with DS.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a significant challenge in critical care medicine. Exposure to Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB), a potent superantigen associated with severe lung inflammation, is one of its numerous causes. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has drawn interest as a potential treatment for several inflammatory illnesses. Its impact on ARDS immune cell function is still unclear. This research aims to learn more about the effects of SEB and CBD on RAW macrophage activity, which is crucial to the pathophysiology of ARDS. We used the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line, which was exposed to CBD and SEB individually and together. We have found that when we treat macrophage cell lines and compare them with untreated ones, the treated cell lines exhibit changes in phenotype and function. To learn more about the function of macrophages, we have performed several tests, such as efferocytosis, phagocytosis, and TUNEL assay. A critical component of macrophage function, phagocytic activity, was assessed using fluorescently labeled pathogens. Potential causes of dysregulated macrophages were identified by using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) tests to evaluate apoptosis. Additionally, efferocytosis, the removal of apoptotic cells, was quantified to illustrate the impact on tissue homeostasis. Lipid analyses were also utilized to investigate lipid metabolism, a fundamental process governing macrophage function, and to pinpoint alterations resulting from exposure to CBD and SEB. By closely examining these parameters, this study aims to advance our understanding of macrophage life in SEB-induced ARDS and explore the therapeutic potential of CBD in reducing pulmonary inflammation. The project's findings provide new insights into managing ARDS and other inflammatory lung diseases. (Supported by NIH R00GM147910).
1:00-2:30 p.m.Guidelines from the Choosing Wisely campaign recommend against routine chest x-rays as part of the evaluation of children with a history of asthma who present to the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) with mild to moderate asthma exacerbation. Unnecessary chest x-rays may potentially lead to higher healthcare costs, longer hospital visits, radiation exposure, and antibiotic prescription for inconclusive findings, which all serve to be detrimental to the well-being of the patient and the family. Our quality improvement project aims to reduce the utilization of chest x-ray in pediatric patients presenting with mild to moderate asthma exacerbations at the Prisma Richland Children’s Hospital Emergency Department from 58.6% to below 35% by September 1, 2023. Following the completion of the first PDSA cycle, during which providers were educated about the Choosing Wisely campaign recommendation, reminders of the recommendation were posted on computers in the PED on February 25, 2023 for the second PDSA cycle for the purpose of maintenance. All of the patients admitted to the PED from March 2023 through June 2023 who meet the inclusion criteria, which include 1) a mild to moderate asthma exacerbation, 2) a history of asthma, and 3) being over the age of 2, while avoiding the exclusion criteria, which include a history of chronic lung disease, cardiac disease, anaphylaxis, or immunodeficiency, PICU admission, COVID positivity, and others, will be included for the study. Results and conclusions are currently in progress and will be presented at Discover USC.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Students entering college for the first time are beginning a new chapter in their lives, one that is full of incredible opportunities and experiences. However, that doesn’t mean the transition is without challenges, and as members of the Carolinian community, I believe it is our responsibility to help ease the transition to the University of South Carolina. This belief, coupled with my passion to support and help others, led me to apply and be selected to serve as a University 101 Peer Leader. In this position, I co-instructed eighteen first-year students throughout a semester-long seminar course. In this class, I was readily available to all my students to discuss anything they may need help with, whether it be campus-related resources, academics, or stress management. I assisted in facilitating and organizing class discussions, activities, and assignments. With my students depending on me, I gained the confidence to passionately advocate for their mental health, personal well-being, and academic success. In this position, I was able to foster a deep relationship with my students, alongside learning about myself and growing as a leader. I learned that often, the best way to support the people around us is by listening to them and ensuring they feel heard and validated. As I begin to enter graduate studies and the workforce, I will carry this concept with me and will continue to practice empathy and compassion for all individuals I interact with, regardless of all else.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Thanh Le, Mengistu Gebere, Alireza B. Rajeoni, Vihaan Vattipally, Yana Udani, Homayoun Valafar, Naren Vyavahare, and Mohamad Azhar Abstract: Medial arterial calcification (MAC) is a form of vascular calcification in the medial layer of arteries, often linked with aging, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. To induce MAC in mice, we used a twelve-week adenine diet (uremic) in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental mice were fed a normal (0.9%) and a high (1.8%) phosphate adenine diet (AD). Control mice were given a standard chow diet (CD). Following the AD diet, experimental mice were switched to CD diet and received injections of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Nanoparticles (EDTA-NPs) twice a week for eight weeks. We monitored the progression of calcification ‘before’ treatment and changes in calcium deposits during treatment using live micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging. Calcification in the aorta and soft tissues was annotated using ITK-Snap and an AI model developed by our team. Then, we quantified calcification using ImageJ to compare ‘before’ and ‘after’ treatment results. Analysis indicated that aortic calcification began after eight weeks of adenine diet and continued to increase throughout the experimental period. Mice treated with EDTA-NPs had a gradual reduction in calcium deposits within the aorta and other soft tissues of the medial wall. The untreated group showed an overall increase in aortic calcification, while the treated group showed a decrease, with a significant difference indicated by an independent t-test (p=0.0116). Our results suggest the potential efficacy of EDTA-NPs as a non-surgical approach to reverse MAC.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Repetitive behaviors are synonymous with symptoms of psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Novel therapeutic targets are needed to assist patients who do not experience relief from existing therapeutic approaches. The striatum is a region of the brain with known involvement in controlling repetitive behaviors in both patients and rodents. The M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor is a highly expressed in the striatum where it can regulate numerous striatal circuits. Our lab has demonstrated that M4 Positive Allosteric Modulators (PAMs) can normalize repetitive grooming in SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice. However, the mechanism by which this regulation occurs is still unknown. We created M4f/f SAPAP KO mice to make tissue-specific deletions of M4 receptors. These mice will allow us to determine what populations of M4 receptors mediate the behavioral efficacy of M4 PAMs. Using RNAscope to image M4 associated RNA we saw robust M4 receptor expressing patterns within the striatum. We then used a viral strategy to selectively delete M4 receptors from specific striatal regions. Injection of an AAV that expresses Cre-recombinase under a CaMKII promoter into our M4f/f SAPAP KO mice, lead to deletion of M4 from spiny projection neurons that are proximal, but not distal, to the site of injection. A control AAV that expressed a fluorescent protein under the same promoter was also injected as a control and had no effect on M4 receptor expression. These experiments validate that we are able to selectively delete M4 receptors from spiny projection neurons in our M4f/f SAPAP KO mice. Further studies will be performed to determine if the deletion of the receptors from the dorsomedial striatum can alter repetitive grooming in SAPAP KO mice or diminish M4 PAM-induced reductions in repetitive grooming. These future studies will provide key insights into what populations of M4 receptors mediate the behavioral efficacy of M4 PAMs in normalizing repetitive behaviors.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The opioid epidemic is increasingly problematic in America with over 10 million adults per year abusing opioids. Opioid abuse is highly comorbid with stress-related disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and females exhibit a higher rate of stress-related opioid relapse when compared to males. There are a variety of sex-specific peripheral and neurobiological effects of stress and opioid exposure that may lead to an increased propensity to relapse. This experiment was designed to determine how the neuroimmune, noradrenergic, and HPA-axis systems respond to comorbid stress and oxycodone exposure in females. Adult Sprague Dawley female rats underwent a 2-bottle choice (2BC) paradigm in which 2 bottles, one with water and one with oxycodone, were placed in their home cages. After this period, rats underwent acute witness stress in which female rats were placed behind a partition to observe the social defeat of a male intruder to a male resident. A control group was exposed to experimenter handling but did not experience social stress. This paradigm is a well-established stressor that has been shown to induce distinct molecular and behavioral stress responses. Immediately following acute stress, female rats were returned to their home cages for a final night of oxycodone access during which intake in response to stress or control was measured. The following morning, brain and blood tissue was collected. Peripheral plasma was assessed for stress-related neurochemicals released through the activation of the HPA-axis and noradrenergic systems including norepinephrine, epinephrine, and corticosterone. There was an interaction between oxycodone and witness stress exposure when compared to control animals, with increased levels of each of these stress peptides present in the plasma. Additionally, the amount of oxycodone consumed overnight increased significantly following acute stress. Further analysis of discrete brain regions will provide a more complete picture of the neurobiological impact of stress and oxycodone exposure in females. Ultimately, this data suggests a relationship between stress exposure and opioid use with clear underlying signaling components. These findings lay the foundation for future experiments to attempt to alleviate stress-induced drug seeking via sex-specific targets for the treatment of comorbid PTSD opioid abuse.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Civil protection orders (CPOs) are an essential resource regarding intimate partner violence. CPOs are designed to provide security for victims of domestic violence by limiting contact from their abusive partners and resolving issues such as custody and access to property. Unlike restraining orders, protective orders are limited to domestic relationships, such as spouses or roommates. As a civil remedy, they are issued by judges in Magistrate and Family courts. Although there are statewide regulations for CPOs, filing rates and rates of CPO issuance vary greatly by county. This study collected 3,451 CPOs that were filed in South Carolina in 2019. Files were obtained via courthouses and magistrate offices across all 46 counties statewide. These documents were scanned, redacted, and the data from each file was manually coded into a survey in Survey Monkey. The information from each file included demographic information of petitioners and respondents, the nature of the alleged abuse, and outcomes decided on by the court. The data was then compiled and analyzed in SPSS. There is currently no central electronic database on protective order files in the state. As a result, little research has been conducted on CPOs. Lack of accessibility to relevant data prevents the opportunity for domestic violence issues to be properly addressed. The acquisition of a protective order can mean life or death for a victim of domestic violence, yet our analysis found the average waiting period to be 14 days, leaving many victims in dangerous situations. 1 in 4 orders noted that the respondent used a weapon or had access to a weapon. It was also found that in 82% of cases, the petitioner did not have access to an attorney to represent them. Finally, of the 3,451 CPOs filed in 2019, less than half were granted. This study seeks to fill in the gaps in data on domestic violence resources and reveal the significant barriers to justice that victims face in South Carolina. Furthermore, it seeks to inform future legal policy, with the hope that South Carolina will adopt more practical and encouraging policies for filing protective orders.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Paclitaxel, a microtubule stabilizing chemotherapy drug, is prescribed for several types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and non-small cell lung disease. In the case of breast cancer, it is often prescribed for advanced, aggressive, or metastatic disease. Unfortunately, resistance to paclitaxel can develop. Our laboratory studies modifications in transcriptional activity that may promote drug resistance in breast cancer and how inhibition of transcriptional kinases may prevent or reverse drug resistance. Cyclin-dependent kinases 8 and 19 (CDK8/19) regulate transcriptional reprogramming as part of the kinase module of the Mediator complex. Using pharmacological inhibitors of CDK8/19 developed in our lab, this project will determine if inhibition of CDK8/19 can prevent the development of paclitaxel resistance or recover paclitaxel sensitivity in breast cancer cell lines expressing acquired resistance. The first goal of this project is to generate paclitaxel resistant cells. First, we determined baseline sensitivity to paclitaxel and the CDK8/19 inhibitor, SNX631-6, in our breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231) through cell viability assays. Cells were then treated for several weeks with paclitaxel doses that inhibited 80-90% of cell survival and photographed for assessment of growth patterns and cell morphology. These experiments allowed us to determine which doses of paclitaxel would be suitable for generating drug resistance. This portion of the project is ongoing, as it can take several weeks of continuous treatment to generate these cells. Once cells are determined to be resistant, cell viability assays will be repeated to assess the effects of combination treatment with SNX631-6. We will also assess the ability of SNX631-6 to prevent the development of paclitaxel resistance. Elucidating the relationship between CDK8/19 and the propensity for breast cancer cells to develop resistance to standard of care drugs will help identify the mechanisms which drive growth in these intractable tumors and may offer targets for treatment development.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction Relatively common diagnoses in patients with uncommon presentations represent a challenge for clinicians. This case highlights situations where red-herring findings distract from the most appropriate workup. Case Description Here, we share the case of an 80-year-old woman presenting with acute kidney failure and positive anti-MPO, anti-PR-3, and p-ANCA enzyme immunoassays who was later found not to have systemic vasculitis on pathology exam. On further workup, a 2.8 cm nodule was found in the upper lobe of her left lung via CT scan that was concerning for primary bronchogenic carcinoma. A rheumatologic workup was initiated, demonstrating positive anti-ANA, anti-SSB, anti-dsDNA, anti-chromatin, and anti-histone antibodies. The original lab findings were then recontextualized after a thorough medication history revealed that the patient took hydralazine during the onset of her acute kidney failure. Although the workup is still ongoing, findings are consistent with concomitant lung cancer and hydralazine-induced lupus. Discussion: Maintaining a broad differential and revisiting patient history allows clinicians to navigate scenarios where workup and presumed diagnoses do not align. This case highlights the importance of a thorough medication history, which pointed us toward the most appropriate diagnosis in the face of a red-flag lab result and subsequent negative biopsy result for vasculitis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The process of estimating visual area is a universal process done by all people throughout our daily existence, from comparing the size of two objects to judging how far away an object is. The aim of this study is to further understand how humans are capable of making these area estimations and what heuristics, or shortcuts the brain uses in order to make estimations possible. There are a few key hypotheses as to how area is estimated, one based on the mathematical area which consists of the multiplication of the length and width of the object. A second hypothesis is that humans use a heuristic called additive area, which is the length of the object added to the width of the object to estimate area (Yousif & Keil, 2020). It is also possible that humans base their estimations of size on the complexity of the object, which can be defined by the perimeter of the object squared divided by the mathematical area of the object.In this current study, participants were asked to choose which of two rectangles occupy more space. The first condition consists of the mathematical area being held constant and a variable additive area. The second condition consists of the additive area being held constant and a variable mathematical area. The third condition serves as a control where both the additive area and mathematical area are variable. Contrary to Yousif and Keil (2020), which used multiple objects as stimuli, results suggest that participants use the mathematical area to estimate size when comparing single objects. However, when there is no difference in mathematical area, it appears that participants use complexity as an identifier of size. We examine the possibility that participants use different strategies to estimate area when there are multiple objects versus one.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research focuses on developing hardware and software to reduce the cost and size of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system. Nuclear magnetic resonance offers non-destructive examination of magnetic properties, facilitating insights into fire damage severity, nanoscale magnetite presence in water, and precise jet engine fuel classification. The project's primary objective is to develop cost-effective and portable hardware, utilizing the Eclypse Z7 FPGA, to replace the current nuclear magnetic resonance setup's expensive and immobile control and data acquisition device. The proposed modifications would reduce the cost of nuclear magnetic resonance from approximately $100,000 to a few thousand dollars while also making the setup portable and allow for on-site use. The proposed modifications do not negatively impact accuracy or reliability as compared to the baseline system. Leveraging the AMD Xilinx Vivado platform, the project entails software development for digital sinusoidal waveform generation and the analog-to-digital conversion needed for data acquisition. The main challenge of the proposed effort is performing arbitrary waveform generation and data acquisition simultaneously. Prior work toward this objective has failed to meet the accuracy and reliability objectives. Additionally, we will consider alternative hardware platforms and evaluate their cost/performance tradeoff.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The history and impact of the Taino people is an extremely interesting case study of European colonialization and the strategies colonized people adapted to survive. Spread around the Caribbean, the Taino are integral to the history of the Caribbean. Their cultural impact even today shows the strength of the Taino community. Their language has even created words that we commonly use in English today. Once Columbus landed in 1492 the Taino people were in a perilous position. Their entire population was nearly wiped off the map due to disease and violence from the Spanish. But still, their resilience and cultural strength have survived today. The research conducted will focus on the population of the Bahamas, and then extend to how Taino culture has been infused into other cultures over time. The goal of this research is to showcase Taino culture, as it is not as well-known as it should be and deserves to be honored for all the horrors their people had to go through at the hands of colonialization. My research will be derived from secondary scholarly articles written by Cáceres-Lorenzo, who analyzed the infusion of the Taino language into Spanish texts, and the importance of these words. It will also incorporate primary sources such as articles written by Ramón Pané.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Within the federal court system, non-white, male individuals in the US are more likely to receive harsher and longer sentencing (Jill et al., 2010). This discrepancy is compounded at the southern state level, where white females are less likely to receive harsh sentences than their male and non-white counterparts, a practice dubbed “selective chivalry” (Koon-Witts et al., 2014; Romain & Freiburger, 2016). These findings are not limited to sentencing, being found in criminal charge reductions, where white women are most likely to have charges reduced (Romain & Freiburger, 2016). The use of homeless services follows a similar trend in being racially divided, with white individuals being housed more frequently and longer in homeless shelters than black individuals (Asefnia, 2020). Programs such as the homeless court – which aid participants in navigating criminal offenses that act as barriers to secure employment and housing through an agreement between the individual, case manager, judge, PD, and solicitor that upon completion removes offenses - hold the power to alleviate or perpetuate the demographics of homelessness in South Carolina. Thus, it is critical to examine whether discrepancies in outcomes across race and gender are present in the South Carolina Homeless Court program. The court outcomes of interest are Pause (the enrolled individual is not actively updating the court on their progress in completing agreed-upon services) and Graduated (the individual has met the requirements of the agreement and has had some or all their offenses removed from public record). Race and gender may influence the agreed-upon requirements for entry into the program, potentially hindering the likelihood of successfully graduating from the program. Drawing on program case files and public index data, I will examine the relationship between race, gender, and program outcomes via a two-way ANOVA. The present study expects to find that persons identified as white are more likely to graduate than non-white individuals and that individuals identified as female are more likely to graduate than their male counterparts, and an interaction effect between race and gender. Such findings might show evidence of systemic discrimination based on race and gender.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Blastomyces is a dimorphic fungus known to be endemic in North America around the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. There have also been cases reported from Africa and India. Infections typically involve a single organ, most commonly the lungs. However, in 5-10% of extrapulmonary blastomycosis, the central nervous system (CNS) can be involved. Presentation includes meningitis, intracranial mass lesions, or abscess of the spinal cord or epidural space. Case: 21 year old male Burmese refugee presented with worsening vision, progressive headache, right sided weakness, and fever. The patient first moved to Indiana when he arrived in the United States and lived there for 5 years before coming to South Carolina. His medical history includes bipolar disorder with a history of psychotic symptoms and hypothyroidism. Examination revealed papilledema, hemiparesis, and fever. MRI was done and showed a mass occupying lesion in the L frontal lobe with some rightward midline shift and bilateral papilledema. He was taken to the OR for a craniotomy with mass resection. Purulence was found within the mass and intra-op pathology demonstrated yeast forms. Empiric antimicrobial therapy was started: vancomycin, cefepime, and amphotericin B. Cultures did not yield growth. Special stains revealed broad-based budding yeast, and genotypic testing identified Blastomyces dermatitidis. He was worked up for underlying immunodeficiencies and found to have CD4 lymphopenia. He was then continued on amphotericin B with plans to transition to an oral azole after 4 weeks of intravenous therapy. However, his post op course was complicated by seizures and intermittent encephalopathy. Because of this, his course of amphotericin B was extended 4 additional weeks. His neurological deficits and vision improved but did not return to baseline. Discussion: CNS blastomycosis is an uncommon presentation but can have poor clinical outcomes. Neurosurgical intervention is recommended for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. Current guidelines recommend starting with 4-6 weeks of amphotericin B, with the final course being based on clinical improvement, before transitioning to oral azole therapy. Providers should maintain a broad differential with brain masses. A detailed exposure and travel history can help reveal the possibility of a rare diagnosis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.There is a significant worsening of college students’ mental health across the nation, as measured through increased rates of anxiety and depression. The 2021 yearly student survey by the American College Health Association showed that 51.7% of students reported experiencing moderate psychological distress and 24.9% reported serious psychological distress. Many factors may contribute to the increase in mental health cases for this population: stresses of academic rigor, emotional and social changes of a new environment, and being separated from the support system in their family. Fortunately, time spent in green spaces and nature has been shown to positively influence mental health of individuals. Current research indicates that time spent in nature can decrease specific mental health conditions, however, there is limited research focused on the direct relationship between college students’ time spent in nature and their mental health outcomes. There is also evidence that spending time in nature improves academic performance among college students, but research in this area is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to better understand the relationship between time spent in nature and important mental health and academic outcomes. Data were collected using an online survey distributed to undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina through a convenience sample of student organizations and lecture classes. Project information was distributed to organization leaders and professors who further disseminated the survey to their organization or class. The survey included two measures of mental health: PHQ-9 Depression Screener and GAD-7 Anxiety Screener. Academic performance was measured by collecting student’s Grade Point Average. The survey asked the frequency of visits to nature in the past academic year in both on and off campus settings. Time in nature was also measured through questions asking the duration of time spent in green spaces on and off campus within the past week. Finally, demographic information was also collected. Data analysis of responses from 358 students is ongoing and this poster will describe actionable findings about the relationship between time spent in nature and academic and mental health outcomes in undergraduate college students.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Title: Referral for Inclisiran Therapy in an Outpatient Cardiology Clinic: Review of Clinic Workflow and Optimization of Time to First Injection Background: Statins remain the first line therapy for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Some patients require further reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) despite statin therapy. The 2018 AHA/ACC guidelines recommend adding a non-statin therapy for patients at very high risk of future ASCVD events and LDL-C greater than 70 mg/dL, while the 2022 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway recommends an LDL-C threshold of greater than 55 mg/dL in patients at very high risk. Inclisiran (Leqvio) is a small interfering RNA (siRNA) that inhibits synthesis of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). This has been shown in randomized controlled trials to sustainably reduce LDL-C. It is administered by subcutaneous injection at less frequent intervals than PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies. This is ideal for patients with adherence concerns. Prisma Health Cardiology – Midlands outpatient clinic offers a referral process for patients likely to benefit from inclisiran therapy. A prior quality improvement study reviewed the clinic’s workflow and found the average time from provider referral to first injection to be 62.9 days. The prior study identified the process of obtaining consent as a potential factor in this delay. The current study reviewed this process after implementation of workflow improvements. Methods: Patients referred for inclisiran treatment from June 2023 to December 2023 were included in this study. Patients were analyzed if they were approved and received at least one dose of inclisiran. A retrospective chart review was completed to obtain patient demographics, clinical characteristics, insurance status, time from referral to first injection, and whether consent was obtained at the time of provider referral. Results/Conclusion: In process
9:30-11:00 a.m.Although a majority of parents prefer the option to work remotely, rates of access to remote work have remained fairly low over the past several decades. The main theoretical argument for why parents have experienced low rates of remote work vis-a-vis their preferences is that they have experienced a flexibility stigma, in which remote workers are judged more negatively because they violate the ideal worker norm. The ideal worker norm encourages workers to prioritize their work responsibilities above all else, including family and personal responsibilities. Indeed, flexibility stigma associated with working-from-home has been observed using a variety of methods. The goal of this study is threefold. First, we aim to measure ideal worker norms among a recent national sample and describe the prevalence of these norms in the population since Covid pressured companies to allow more flexible work arrangements. Second, we aim to investigate how these norms vary among different demographic groups whose attitudes likely differ: age group, gender, education level, and political orientation. Third, we aim to explore whether high adherence to the ideal worker norm is associated with greater flexibility stigma, which we will observe by measuring respondent ratings of how much respondents would support and promote hypothetical employees requesting to work from home, and how much they would respect, find them likable, and find them committed workers. Our data comes from a national survey which we administered through the survey platform Prime Panels. Our analytical sample included valid responses from a sample of 1033 adults. Our results demonstrate that the ideal worker norm is not similarly endorsed by all groups. Younger people, women, individuals with Bachelor’s degrees, and those with medium, and medium-high incomes are less likely to support ideal worker norms. Additionally, higher levels of agreement with the ideal worker norm is negatively associated with workers who request to work from home. Thus, flexibility stigma is indeed due in part to ideal worker norms.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Lesion-symptom mapping has been the gold standard approach for linking stroke lesions with behavioral deficits. It is known that stroke lesions are spatially related to the neurovascular structure, which can result in the co-occurrence of lesions in multiple regions. This makes it difficult to identify the independent contribution of a specific region, when it is commonly related with other regions. Such clusters of lesions can potentially confound interpretation and lead to conflicting results between studies. In this study, we aimed to identify statistically co-occurring lesions in a group of stroke survivors using k-means and hierarchical clustering methods. Lesion information from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 249 left hemisphere stroke survivors were used for clustering. We observed some common patterns of co-occurring lesions. For example, ITG, PHG, Hippocampus regions had co-occurring damage, and SOG, MOG, IOG regions were also clustered together. These results can help identify the spatial resolution of stroke lesions, and assist in the interpretation of apparently conflicting results.
9:30-11:00 a.m.For many sequential decision making domains, planning is often necessary to solve problems. However, for domains such as those encountered in robotics, the transition function, also known as the world model, is often unknown and coding such a model by hand is often impractical. While planning could be done with a world model trained from observed transitions, such approaches are limited by errors accumulating when the model is applied across many timesteps as well as the inability to re-identify states. Furthermore, even given an accurate world model, domain-independent planning methods may not be able to reliably solve problems while domain-specific information required to construct informative heuristics may not be readily available. While methods exist that can learn domain-specific heuristic functions in a largely domain-independent fashion, such as DeepCubeA, these methods assume a given world model and may also assume that the goal is predetermined. To solve these problems, we introduce DeepCubeAI, a domain-independent algorithm that learns a world model that represents states in a discrete latent space, learns a heuristic function that generalizes over start and goal states using this learned model, and combines the learned model and learned heuristic function with search to solve problems. Since the latent space is discrete, we can prevent the accumulation of small errors by rounding and we can re-identify states by simply comparing two binary vectors. In our experiments on a pixel representation of the Rubik's cube and Sokoban, we find that DeepCubeAI is able to apply the model for thousands of steps without accumulating any error. Furthermore, DeepCubeAI solves over 99% of test instances in all domains and generalizes across goal states.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Biomedical diagnostic tools have greatly benefited from the integration of nanoscale magnetic materials over the years due to their size-dependent magnetic properties and advantageous length scale compared to disease-indicating biomarkers. Magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) is an emerging biosensing platform that takes advantage of the surface chemistry-dependent magnetic relaxation properties of colloidal metal oxide nanocrystals, and has generated significant interest for point-of-care biosensors requiring minimal sample processing and non-expert interpretation. However, because the detection of bioconjugation reactions in MPS-biosensors is dependent on changes in the hydrodynamic volume (V¬H) of the particles, the surface ligand chemistry plays a major role in determining sensor performance. The surface coating must provide colloidal stability in complex aqueous environments, and especially must avoid false-positive signals from extraneous interactions and particle aggregation. In this work, features of surface-anchored small molecule and multiply-binding copolymer ligands coordinated to magnetite (Fe3O4) nanocrystals are systematically investigated to uncover their impact on colloidal stability, non-specific binding, and on initial relaxation time. Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), key parameters such as association constants, equivalencies, and enthalpy changes can be obtained from measuring ligand exchange reactions, allowing for direct comparison of the binding thermodynamics of the selected ligand architectures. Additionally, MPS-monitored bioconjugation reactions with two sizes of target analytes will be measured to probe the ligand-mediated sensitivity toward analytes of varying size. The work presented here will provide a strong understanding of the optimal ligand design for magnetic nanocrystals in MPS-biosensors, which could have a substantial impact on public health by providing a highly sensitive and miniaturizable platform for point-of-care biosensors.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Understanding the sources of sediments is a foundational aspect of sedimentary geology. Sediment provenance studies can yield tremendous insight into reconstructing Earth history, providing valuable data about tectonic processes, paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic conditions, and sediment transport pathways. While much work has been done to characterize the lithology, stratigraphy, and depositional settings of Upper Coastal Plain deposits in South Carolina, a significant opportunity exists to better understand where these sediments came from and how sediment sourcing may have changed over time. To that end, we obtained sediments from an Upper Coastal Plain core from the South Carolina Geological Survey. Eight samples, spanning units of lower Paleocene to Pliocene ages, were analyzed by laser-ablation U-Pb detrital-zircon geochronology. Our samples contain zircons with a variety of ages, with age nodes centered ca. 400 Ma (Early Paleozoic), 1050 Ma, and 1150 Ma (Grenville). Age population distributions tend to vary between the Pliocene Duplin Formation and the underlying middle Eocene Warley Hill, upper Paleocene Lang Syne, and lower Paleocene Sawdust Landing formations. Duplin Formation samples contain abundant Paleozoic-aged zircons, low amounts of Neoproterozoic Pan-African zircons, and moderate to high amounts of zircons of Grenville ages increasing to nearly 50% at the base of the unit. By contrast, detrital-zircon age populations within the Warley Hill, Lang Syne, and Sawdust Landing formations, are characterized by a dearth of Mesoproterozoic-aged zircons (~3%), generally a slightly greater abundance of Pan-African zircons, and are otherwise comprised of zircons almost exclusively of Paleozoic in age. These results suggest that the sources of sediments to this portion of the Upper Coastal Plain were fundamentally different prior to the Pliocene. Potential causes for this difference could be a greater surficial exposure of Mesoproterozoic-aged rocks during the Pliocene, or perhaps a change in paleodrainage patterns that provided access to zircons of this age.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This project’s purpose is to increase awareness about nutrition education and tangible resource implementation for collegiate dancers. While studies have successfully increased nutritional knowledge in dancers via video lectures or information packets, these methods were ineffective for improving athletic performance. There is a lack in nutritional studies regarding athletic performance within the dance population, as most address eating disorders or relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). No face-to-face interaction or food resources were provided to dancers in these studies. Sports research shows that use of a fueling station in a university athletic program improved performance in 97% of participants. No such research has been collected in a dance specific population. This study is considered except by the institution's review board. Upon reviewing the dance department’s proximity to dining options it was determined that dancers do not have nutritious food available, and tight schedules restrict access to dining facilities. Following the model established by sports teams at the same institution, a fueling station was conceived and implemented. A refrigerator and microwave were placed in an easily accessible area. Baskets of fueling items were provided along with information cards indicating optimal consumption timing and how the product enhances performance. Dancers were then surveyed post-implementation to determine effectiveness. Of 41 dancers surveyed, 97.6% reported utilizing the fueling station. One student testified that the fueling station helped with time constraints between classes and helps sustain long hours of dancing when meal plans don’t provide nutritionally dense options. Short term, fueling stations help increase dancer wellness while enhancing athletic performance. Long term, these stations build nutritional life skills that increase self efficacy around food. What is observed is a resource gap between a university’s sports teams and dance company. While former research introduced nutrition digitally or via information packets, fueling stations are interactive, tangible, and nutritionally dense. More research for sports nutrition education in dance settings is necessary to ensure the next generation of professional dancers has nutritional self-efficacy and is properly fueled for athletic demands.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The incidence of hospital associated venous thromboembolism is increasing in pediatric hospitals. The aim of this quality improvement project is to improve the accuracy of VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis choice for patients admitted to the children’s hospital general pediatric floor by 15% in one year. PDSA cycles included updating admission templates, providing VTE assessment education and reference materials. We evaluated the intervention using a controlled before and after study design and compared the percentage of accurate VTE risk and prophylaxis choice before and after implementation of our interventions. Documenting accurate VTE risk levels improved from 41% to 62% with PDSA 1 and PDSA 2, respectively. Intervention accuracy improved from 47% to 78% with PDSA 1 and further improved to 88% with PDSA 2. The interventions we implemented were successful at achieving better documentation of risk assessment and improved the accuracy of VTE prophylaxis choice. These practices involved in instituting a VTE-prevention for residents are applicable and may be beneficial to other pediatric institutions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Research has shown that a student’s math benchmark level by the end of fifth grade will determine their ability to meet benchmarks in high school (Koon & Davis, 2019). Additionally, explicit instruction has been found to be the most beneficial approach for students at both elementary and secondary levels (Agodini & Harris, 2016). However, little research has been done to determine if the benefits of explicit instruction extend into college-level math. This research aims to examine if early math education teaching methods prepared students for college and to explore student preferences for math instruction through administering a mixed-methods survey. These two research questions are answered by asking both Likert scale questions and one question on preferred method of instruction. The data are analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlations. Results showed through 182 survey responses, a negligible correlation exists between the participants’ grades and early math educational quality. Through 155 open-ended responses, 69% of students prefer explicit instruction methods be implemented in the classroom. Additionally, students prefer independent work where they can go at their own pace (68%), the use of visuals in the classroom (65%), and formative assessments tied to grades (69%). These findings imply that explicit instruction and accompanying methods are the most preferred method of instruction for college students involved in math classes. The skewed grade distribution and exceptionally high educational quality for survey participants could lead to additional studies on grade inflation and shame accompanying poor grades. In conclusion, explicit instruction techniques, while not correlated with grades, have a high impact on a student’s math experiences.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Although children who use cochlear implants (CCI) are at risk for prosodic deficits, linguistic prosody has received little attention in this population. Prosody consists of pitch, duration, and loudness. Research has shown CCI are poorer at perceiving emotional prosody cues, particularly when pitch is the most prominent cue, than children with typical hearing (CTH). However, CCI performed similarly to CTH, when duration is the most prominent cue. It’s unclear if this pattern of difficulty occurs within linguistic prosody. This poster explores how to assess linguistic prosody perception in CCI and CTH, particularly pitch and duration cues. This study will consist of two experimental tasks to measure pitch and duration cue perception at the sentence level. Pitch Task: Participants are presented with a neutral sentence (i.e., Sam likes pancakes) produced as a question or statement and asked to identify if the speaker was “asking” or “telling”. Duration Task: Participants were presented with a globally ambiguous sentence with two interpretations (i.e., Amy and Erin or Mark will go to the movies) and asked to determine which combination of individuals would complete an activity. Acquiring a clearer picture of how speech prosody functions for CCI will provide insight into the impact of prosody on language ability. Developing a foundational understanding of prosody within CCI will support future work in reading prosody and its influence on reading comprehension for CCI.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Sarcopenia is the age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function and has been linked to the development of frailty, disability, and decreased quality of life. Previous studies have shown that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), an FDA-approved compound that is an active form of vitamin A, may promote the regeneration of muscle tissue. Our lab has developed a method of encapsulating ATRA in poly-lactide-co-glycolide microparticles to increase drug bioavailability and delivery to target tissues. Injection of ATRA microparticles into atrophied muscle of mice accelerates recovery of muscle cross-sectional area compared to mice receiving saline. However, the mechanism of action is unknown. Retinoic acid alters gene expression patterns by binding to ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors including retinoic acid receptors (RARs) α, β, and γ. RARs form heterodimers and bind consensus sequences called retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) in the upstream promoter sequences of genes responsive to ATRA. This capability enables RA to initiate new gene expression programs, such as those needed for muscle growth. However, it is unknown which RAR isoforms are expressed in atrophied muscle. Additionally, western blotting of skeletal muscle for RARs is not commonly done. For this project, we sought to optimize western blotting of RAR isoforms in skeletal muscle to determine how ATRA may be accelerating muscle recovery in mice with atrophy. We compared two different primary antibodies for each isoform, as well as two different secondary antibodies at different concentrations. Preliminary results show that a cross-adsorbed secondary antibody is important in muscle lysate to avoid additional and non-specific bands. While the Cell Signaling primary is superior for RARα and RARγ, whereas RARβ is better detected using a Santa Cruz antibody. Using this data, we will be able to move forward with assessing RAR isoform expression in atrophied skeletal muscle. Future studies will involve detecting which cells are expressing RAR using immunofluorescent techniques on histological sections.
1:00-2:30 p.m.USC is partnering with schools and industry leaders as a part of a NASA University Lead Initiative to address the technical issues relating to the technology of vertical lift vehicles that make them difficult to use for civilian applications. Our team’s responsibility is to develop methods for cost-effective maintenance. By leveraging experimental data from impact and load testing on a demonstrator model representing a Urban Air Mobility (UAM ) vehicle’s structural components, our team is developing computational models to simulate impact damage. The demonstrator is implemented into Abaqus, a finite element analysis software capable of producing high fidelity models. Two models of the demonstrator are being developed to simulate dynamic impacts and static loading. The process consists of individually modeling the composite plies and creating a zero-thickness cohesive element to interface between plies. A contact property interaction is assigned to the cohesive elements and used to measure damage through the layers. Once damage criteria is met, the interaction property indicates that delamination has occurred. Simulations of impact events are used to measure the area and depth of damaged elements. The static load model is to simulate a prescribed load that imitates expected flight loads after low-velocity impacts, to see how loads grow the damage of the impacts to the structural components of a vehicle. After loading, the simulation is probed to see how logarithmic strain at the strain gauge locations used in experimental testing compares to logarithmic strain found in experimental testing. The model is being improved by adjusting mesh size, contact controls, and interaction properties to have the simulated output better resemble the physical demonstrator. The goal of these models is to develop damage prediction algorithms for the demonstrator by creating realistic computational models based on experimental data. The algorithms will be incorporated into a field level dashboard able to aid structural maintenance decision making. These models will improve overall quality and safety of the UAMs and reduce operational maintenance costs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Leishmaniasis is known to be one of the top 10 global neglected tropical diseases and it affects over 12 million people. Visceral leishmaniasis is considered to be the most severe form a patient can acquire that usually leads to spleen and liver enlargements as well as death, if left untreated. The disease is caused by a human pathogenic protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. There are over 20 different species of this parasite that is harbored in the female phlebotomine sandfly vector. Clinically available medicine for the treatment of leishmaniasis is generally not that effective and has very harsh side effects. Moreover, the development of new and improved therapeutics has been in demand for many years. Arginase from Leishmania spp. has been identified as a potential drug-target and we were interested in characterizing an arginase from the species Leishmania infantum as it behaves differently than many of the other species. In particular, L. infantum evades the human immune system by multiplying and hiding within macrophages where the pH of the environment is quite acidic (pH of ~2), but arginase activity is generally understood to function at much higher pH values (e.g., pH range of 8.0 – 9.5). This is in part due to the formation of a binuclear manganese cluster that anchors a bridging hydroxide deep inside the active site. In an effort to better understand the role of arginase and its mechanism for this parasite, we report on the recombinant overexpression (in an Escherichia coli host), purification, and initial molecular characterization studies. Characterization studies included ICP-MS for metal ion determination and trypsin digestion LC-MS/MS of an SDS-PAGE band identified at the expected protein molecular weight (for the monomer). Finally, we will also present on setup conditions for protein crystal growth so that we can perform future X-ray crystallographic studies.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Heart failure (HF), one of the leading causes of death, and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most common type of congenital heart defect, are two prevalent heart conditions which significantly compromise patient health and lifespan. Current HF treatments are limited to symptomatic relief and delaying disease progression while BAV can be treated surgically. In both HF and cases of BAV disease with reduced heart function, therapeutic exercise can improve quality of life and increase healthspan. However, these patients are limited by their low cardiovascular function, muscle mass, and strength levels and quickly plateau in their strength training. To achieve and maintain progressive overload, new types of exercise regimes with blood flow restriction (BFR) and the use of submaximal training load have emerged. In BFR, a tourniquet-like strap is attached around the proximal portion of a limb in order to fully occlude venous flow while partially occluding arterial flow, causing metabolic stress which, when paired with the mechanical stress of exercise, can lead to increases in muscle strength, hypertrophy, and aerobic fitness. The current project explores the hypothesis that BFR could be an effective therapeutic exercise in heart disease patients, and therefore a supplemental aid to medical intervention in patients with BAV or HF. Various studies assessing the health and safety profile of BFR in human subjects have been reported in the literature. In these, the effect of BFR was compared to traditional training in referent control populations, revealing that BRF significantly increased the rate of perceived exertion and oxygen consumption, while also improving mitochondrial function. Further, no significant difference was found in D-dimer levels, indicating that BRF did not appear to increase clotting risks. Limitations of these studies include: 1) small numbers of subjects (particularly in those with heart disease), 2) focus on male cohorts, and 3) lack of long-term follow up. Resolving these limitations will provide a more comprehensive and definitive conclusion on the effectiveness and safety of BFR as a method for improving the health of patients with heart disease.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The benefits of utilizing performance-related psychological skills are associated with higher functional motor competence (FMC) and physical fitness (PF) in athletic populations. The Test of Performance Strategies-2 (TOPS-2) questionnaire measures psychological skills used in practice and competition settings. The TOPS-2 delineates psychological skills into 16 sub skills (eight in practice settings and eight in competition settings), including goal setting (setting performance-related goals), self-talk (having a positive internal dialogue), and emotion control (being able to control one’s emotions in tough situations). This study aimed to measure associations among the use of three psychological skills in practice settings (goal setting, self-talk, and emotional control), FMC, and PF in an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps’ Cadet sample (N=168, 38 female, 96 males, 34 unreported). FMC was measured using five FMC assessments (walking backwards on a balance beam, throw-catch task, 6-meter crossover hop, standing long jump, and supine-to-stand). PF was measured using grip strength, three components of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), which was used until 2020 (pushups, sit-ups, 2-mile run) and five of the currently used Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) components (deadlift, standing power throw, hand release pushups, spring-drag-carry). FMC and PF scores were z-scored and combined to form composite FMC, APFT, and ACFT scores. FMC and PF variables were compared with TOPS-2 score for goal setting (GSP), self-talk (STP), and emotion control (ECP) in performance settings. Pearson’s correlations with 95% confidence intervals measured associations among TOPS-2, FMC, and PF performance. There were moderate positive associations between GSP and grip strength, GSP and APFT, STP and grip strength, STP and APFT, and STP and ACFT (r = 0.21 - 0.43). There were moderate negative associations between ECP and grip strength and ECP and ACFT (r = -0.32 to -0.40). These results may be useful in terms of implementing psychological training in military populations. More extensive research should be conducted to determine the role of psychological skill use on performance in military and pre-military samples.
1:00-2:30 p.m.INTRODUCTION: An X/Y ratio < 2.5 has recently been reported by Tourné et al. to define superior candidates for Zadek Osteotomy (ZO). However, this practice is not unanimous; many clinicians do not consider radiographic measurements to define efficacy of ZO. The current study tested the hypothesis: patients with IAT, regardless of X/Y ratio, would improve in pain and physical function after ZO. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter study. Patients underwent ZO at two different institutions, by three different fellowship trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons. PROMIS scores, VAS scores, complications, X/Y ratio, and calcaneal pitch angle measurement were collected preoperatively and at follow-up. Cases were placed in cohorts based on preoperative X/Y. RESULTS: 41 cases had preoperative X/Y < 2.5, 14 cases had X/Y > 2.5. Mean follow-up was 7.40±3.10 months for patients with X/Y < 2.5, and 7.51±3.68 months for patients with X/Y > 2.5. Patients with X/Y < 2.5 demonstrated improvement in PROMIS pain, function, mobility scores, VAS score, calcaneal pitch angle, and X/Y following ZO intervention (p<0.05). Patients with X/Y > 2.5 demonstrated improvement in PROMIS pain, VAS, and X/Y (p<0.05). In patients with X/Y > 2.5, preoperative VAS scores were higher (p=0.028) and improved to a larger degree than patients with X/Y < 2.5 (p=0.012). One patient reported minor neuropathy (X/Y > 2.5); one required revision (X/Y < 2.5). 100% of patients reported satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Zadek osteotomy demonstrated improvement in patients’ pain and satisfaction, regardless of X/Y measurement. Patients with X/Y below 2.5 also exhibited improvement in physical function. Both cohorts demonstrated 100% satisfaction following ZO. Those with X/Y below 2.5 may have more improvement in function compared to those with X/Y above 2.5. However, further clinical correlation is needed to better define which patients will benefit from this intervention in terms of function.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) constitute a vulnerable population that faces health care inequality. The lifespan of some adults with IDD approaches that of the general population which means that these patients will be cared for by their primary care doctors for many years. However, medical trainees lack standardized training for caring for adults with (IDD). Many physicians report a lack of confidence in providing quality care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Physician comfort is a small part of the disparity in healthcare access faced by this population. However, it is an aspect upon which intervention is possible and expected. Our quality improvement project aims to identify common themes regarding the care of patients with IDD that medical trainees indicate they would like supplemental education on. We studied medical students and internal medicine residents rotating through a hospital-based primary care clinic for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The survey investigates trainee questions about the care of adults with IDD. We measured common themes through tabulation of the survey. The top four areas of uncertainty included resources, treatment options, physical exams, and insurance. Drivers included questions concerning follow-up, labs, preventative care, transitions of care, routine health exams, nonverbal patients, specific resources, guidelines, non-pharmacologic treatment, pharmacologic treatment, roles of primary care providers, and insurance coverage. Bar graphs were utilized to illustrate these common themes and drivers to guide the development of an educational overview to present to medical trainees. The intervention is ongoing with identification and development of appropriate resources. We will then provide a pre- and post-survey to assess the effectiveness of this intervention.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Leadership allows a person to take on a larger role within a community or organization and enact changes they want to see for the greater good. Through my experiences within CHEM 496: Undergraduate Research and beyond the classroom in Alpha Epsilon Delta and serving as a Supplemental Instruction leader, I have learned different frameworks of leadership through various roles serving as a team member and leader at USC. One of the largest leadership concepts I learned was the importance of using my voice to enact change. As a team member, I wanted my voice heard and I wanted to be taken seriously by the leader. As a leader, I understand the necessity of making sure everyone feels included through validating their opinions. My presentation will discuss how I used my voice to create change within the lab environment through CHEM 496 and how I saw this concept come to life in my extra-curricular experiences.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Recently, one-dimensional nanomaterials have garnered significant attention due to their myriad potential applications. Manipulating the shape results in varied exposed crystallographic orientations, thereby establishing a more distinct correlation with its chemical, physical, and catalytic properties. The specific faceting of silver catalysts in ethylene epoxidation reactions has a direct impact on the generation of desired products such as ethylene oxide. Studies indicate that silver nanowires predominantly reveal Ag (100) facets, while silver nanospheres commonly display Ag (111) facets. Although Ag (111) has been identified as more thermodynamically stable, computational analyses suggest that Ag (100) exhibits greater selectivity for ethylene oxide due to its lower apparent activation energy. In this study, we have demonstrated the catalytic activity of various silver faceting configurations and achieved enhanced selectivity for ethylene oxide (EO) through the promotion of silver nanowires, marking the first instance of such improvement. Our study employs a modified polyol method for synthesizing silver nanowires and wetness impregnation for synthesizing nanospheres, both of which are supported on aluminum oxide. We evaluated the ethylene oxide selectivity of both catalysts in a reactor with constant conversion and varying oxygen content. We observed that as the oxygen partial pressure increased, the ethylene oxide selectivity also increased. This is due to the positive reaction order in the formation of EO with respect to oxygen. Silver nanowires exhibited higher ethylene oxide selectivity across all oxygen-to-ethylene ratios compared to silver spherical particles due to the presence of Ag(100) facets rather than Ag(111). By employing the wetness impregnation method, both the silver nanowires and spherical particles were promoted with cesium at ppm levels. Utilizing cesium to promote the silver nanowires resulted in a higher selectivity for ethylene oxide, with selectivity levels reaching approximately 80% for nanowires and around 60% for nanospheres. Upon examination following the reactions, it was observed that most silver nanowires remained intact. As a result, we elevated ethylene oxide selectivity by utilizing silver nanowires with different faceting compared to conventional silver catalysts. Furthermore, the addition of cesium as a promoter contributed to this enhancement, achieving up to 80% ethylene oxide selectivity at 10% ethylene conversion.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Pseudoscientific beliefs and unethical research practices, prevalent since the 16th century, perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to systemic injustices against Black Americans in scientific inquiry. Woven into the fabric of American research history is a disturbing reality deeply connected to anti-Black racism. The history of U.S. research documents its involvement in justifying the enslavement and experimentation of Black Americans, and this biased legacy endures in the ongoing efforts to recruit Black Americans for research participation. Scholars have gradually integrated African-centered models and theoretical frameworks to address these historical injustices in recruiting Black participants. These culturally specific concepts are important to research recruitment as they provide a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of Black individuals' experiences, perspectives, and needs, contributing to creating more equitable and relevant research practices. Psychology, public health, other social sciences, and medicine require extensive participant enrollment for robust statistical power. The Men’s Black Hair Care Project, a collaborative partnership between a predominantly White university (PWI) and a historically Black college and university (HBCU), examines societal messages about men's hair. Race-based hair discrimination persists, disproportionately impacting Black men facing school suspension or job dismissal due to hairstyles like afro, braids. locs, and twists deemed unprofessional. A systematic review of 10 articles will explore (a) challenges in recruiting African Americans for research studies and (b) culturally and contextually sensitive strategies to surmount these challenges. A systematic review will explore (a) challenges recruiting African Americans for research studies and (b) culturally and contextually sensitive strategies to overcome these hurdles. Two reviewers will rigorously evaluate the data, utilizing coding based on relevance and inclusion criteria. The implications will be comprehensively discussed, encompassing considerations at the individual and community levels to strengthen practices and deepen understanding within the ecological framework of recruitment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Objectives: Social media is a key medium where young people seek and consume (mis)information about various aspects of their lives – including e-cigarettes, now the most popular tobacco product among adolescents and young adults in the US. We aim to conduct a content analysis of the e-cigarette-related health content featured since July 2023 on TikTok. The study will examine the e-cigarette-related TikTok videos to examine the different types and emergent themes of health information in the videos, including types of e-cigarettes associated diseases and dismissal of negative health consequences on TikTok. Methods: We collected 100 TikTok videos featuring e-cigarette-related health content using dedicated study accounts in two steps: “Static” search involved collecting videos using key search terms such as Nic, Vaping, Vapelife, etc. to “train” the TikTok algorithm to show more e-cigarette-related content in the account’s organic feed. “Dynamic" search involved collecting e-cigarette-related health videos appearing organically in the account’s ForYou page. We saved the videos, captions and comments screenshots and associated metadata (e.g., number of likes, comments, and views). We have developed a codebook focussing on health-related content capturing the diseases associated with e-cigarette use, emotional appeals, promotion or discouragement of e-cigarette use, the harm perceptions of e-cigarettes compared with other tobacco products, and content creator characteristics e.g. clinician, retailers, news reporters, etc. Two trained coders will code 100 videos and conduct thematic analysis to identify emerging themes in the health-related information discussed in the TikTok videos. Coding and analysis will be completed by the end of March in time for the presentation at Discover USC. Results and implications: We will report the frequency of videos within each theme, elaborate on notable examples, and explore differences across the themes such as identifying the dominant emotional appeals used more likely in anti- vs. pro-e-cigarette videos. We will also analyze videos that dismiss the negative health outcomes that may promote e-cigarette use among adolescents. We expect the results to further our understanding of the e-cigarette-related health information and the dismissal of the negative health outcomes of e-cigarettes on TikTok which influences the tobacco harm perceptions of young people.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has typically been thought to only affect children. However, recent research has found that ADHD can persist into adulthood. Through my participation as a research assistant in Dr. Kate Flory’s ADHD lab, I have noticed that many of the college students who fit our ADHD group criteria have never been given a formal diagnosis of ADHD. Prior research is consistent with this observation. For example, in a study done with 212 college participants, it was found that 38 people displayed many symptoms of ADHD yet did not have a diagnosis. This was considered the undiagnosed group, consisting of approximately 18% of participants. This study, along with my experience in Dr. Flory’s lab, has led me to question why so many college students with significant symptoms of ADHD go undiagnosed. There may be many reasons why college students are underdiagnosed with ADHD including biological sex, socioeconomic status (SES), and race/ethnicity. For example, African American students are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared to White students. The current study will add to this body of literature by (1) examining rates of underdiagnosis of ADHD in a large sample of college students from across the U.S., and (2) exploring whether race/ethnicity, SES, or sex helps to explain the underdiagnosis of college students with ADHD. These aims will be examined using data from a multisite survey study of college students from six different universities, called U-LEARN. In this survey, students were asked if they have ever been diagnosed with ADHD, if they currently have any of the symptoms of ADHD, and demographic questions. We will analyze the survey answers and determine the number of people who have never been diagnosed but who also currently display many symptoms of ADHD. We will then analyze the demographics of the participants who fall under the undiagnosed category. Findings will have implications for understanding which college students are most likely to be underdiagnosed with ADHD.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Tn5 transposase enzyme is currently considered to be the basis of the most efficient preparation of next generation sequencing. It translocates a transposon by catalyzing a cut in the DNA, then inserting the DNA into another location. The Tn5 commercial product is very expensive, and there is no reliable expression system available for the scientific community. This project aims to create a new method for a high level of production of Tn5, utilizing the pCOLD expression system. The pCOLD expression system was developed by Takara bio, and has increased protein yield, purity and solubility. The method used to clone the pSF-TN5 fragment involved isolating the DNA from each plasmid, using digestive enzymes to cut the required section of DNA, separating the fragments with gel electrophoresis, purifying the DNA from the gel, ligating and transforming the DNA, then growing and cloning the combined plasmid. The project is still in progress, with current work being performed to successfully ligate the DNA fragments together.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My GLD ePortfolio focuses on my Professional and Civic Engagement experiences that have enabled me to expand my critical thinking capabilities, collaborate with different teams, learn how to problem solve, gain experience in project management, and apply curiosity into my work. One of my most impactful experiences was as an intern for Amazon. I was tasked with developing and leading a safety and sustainability project in the Workplace Health and Safety department at my site. I did this through calculating waste production and spending rates for personal protective equipment (PPE) and using these metrics to determine realistic spending and waste reduction goals. After acquiring the necessary equipment, I was able to record the impact my project had on the spending and waste reduction goals, finish forming my board presentation and paper to present to senior leadership, and create a standard operating procedure to continue making an impact even after I left. My project had a substantial impact on both waste reduction and spending rates. The first monthly sustainability report following my project roll-out indicated that 1,302 articles of vest and glove PPE were laundered and reused. I interviewed my team to quantify the effect of PPE waste on the site, both financially and environmentally, and comprehensively understand the laundering process. I met with environmental experts to access quarterly waste statistics and quantities of purchased PPE, and gained feedback on my project. I aspired to do impactful work and went above and beyond the internship expectations. This experience connects to my public health coursework through principles of environmental awareness and responsibility. I worked to reduce the impacts of landfill waste created by large corporations, which contributes to lessening the threat of climate change. I helped the environment through mitigating landfill waste, which produces harmful greenhouse gasses and contaminates soil and groundwater. I also implemented project management principles that I learned in health promotion coursework.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My most meaningful experience at the University of South Carolina has been my position as a Peer Leader in the Student Success Center. Through this job I guide and support sophomore, junior, and transfer students at USC through one on one consultations, analysis of surveys, and organizing events based off of student feedback. This role has greatly enriched my college experience as it has allowed me to support the concerns of my peers while expanding my outlook to include experiences beyond my own. Through this position, I've not only improved my skills in advocating for students but also developed a deep understanding of others through hearing about their various and unique concerns. My presentation will discuss specifically how my coworkers and I advocated for students and what programs we planned to enhance their experience at Carolina.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Due to the evolution of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), ensuring structural strength is one of the most crucial elements. In our lab station we demonstrate an approach to low-velocity impact testing on carbon fiber polymer (CFRP) samples, using sensors for impacts and human interaction, to demonstrate to users the maintenance protocols for UAM vehicles. This incorporates a sound sensor to detect impact, and a motion sensor to automate the testing experience. After the impact, data is then shown on the dashboard for the user, to further enhance the user experience. An interactive interface is introduced, to allow the users to decide on continuation or retraction of UAM operations post-impact, based on the data shown on the dashboard for the user. Complementing the demonstration, Machine Learning models are developed by collaborative effort from researchers to predict and validate the strength based on the data collected. The dataset includes various material systems, including PAEK, PEEK, 8552, and PPS, undergoing multiple compression after impact experiments. Our predictive models, created from experimental data and enhanced through ultrasonic scans and JSON-formatted sample data, aim to make the maintenance strategies more efficient by predicting potential failures. As a result, this integration approach enhances our understanding of CFRP behavior under impact, increasing safety and efficiency in UAM operations.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, impaired cognition, and social withdrawal. Excessive dopaminergic signaling in some brain regions, especially the striatum, plays a pivotal role in this disorder. All current pharmaceutical treatments block dopamine receptors, and while these medications successfully treat the positive symptoms, they do little for other symptom clusters and are plagued by side effects. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, particularly the M4 subtype, have been gaining traction as a potential novel target for mediating antipsychotic effects. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that M4-selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) can mediate efficacy in numerous models predictive of antipsychotic efficacy, and several ongoing late-stage clinical trials targeting muscarinic receptors look promising. Studies using microdialysis, phMRI, voltammetry, and brain slice physiology have shown that M4 PAMs can robustly modulate striatal physiology by inhibiting the release of numerous neurotransmitters, including glutamate, dopamine (DA), and acetylcholine (ACh). Understanding how M4 receptors regulate striatal physiology in awake-behaving animals is key to understanding the mechanisms underlying the behavioral effects seen with M4 PAMs. Here, we utilize fiber photometry approaches with fluorescent protein-based sensors for DA (dLight) and ACh (GRAB-ACh) to study how M4 receptors can regulate spontaneous DA and ACh release in awake-behaving animals. We obtained dose-response curves to assess M4 PAM (VU0467154) mediated changes in ACh and DA release in vivo with high temporal precision. These studies will provide essential information on how M4-selective potentiation can alter striatal physiology and help elucidate what mechanisms are critical for the antipsychotic-like efficacy seen with M4 PAMs.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Museums, esteemed institutions of research, education, and entertainment, have long stood as pillars of public knowledge. However, recent scrutiny has shed light on their involvement in historical injustices, notably in the acquisition and display of human remains. This presentation delves into the complex history of museums' treatment of anatomical material and intellectual property, with a focus on the exploitation of marginalized communities. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the 18th and 19th centuries, when the burgeoning field of anatomical study fueled a lucrative market for stolen cadavers, resulting in widespread grave-robbing across Europe and the United States. Enslaved African Americans disproportionately bore the brunt of this exploitation, their bodies serving as primary resources for medical education. By exposing the grim realities of the medical profession's quest for knowledge, this presentation aims to confront the modern implications of museum collections built on such unethical foundations. Beyond merely drawing parallels between the questionable histories of medicine and museums, the presentation delves deeper into the ethical quandaries surrounding intellectual progress and universal access to information. Through examination of circular visions of time in Indigenous and Black diasporic cultures, alongside modern statistical evidence, it argues that the purported benefits of such knowledge dissemination have disproportionately favored certain privileged groups, while perpetuating harm against those most marginalized. Contemporary issues persist, as evidenced by recent revelations of unclaimed bodies being exploited for medical research in Texas. This practice raises critical questions about bodily autonomy and ongoing exploitation in the pursuit of scientific advancement. In conclusion, the presentation sheds light on museums' treatment of human remains, highlighting the ongoing tension between scientific progress and ethical responsibility, particularly concerning historically oppressed communities. It calls for a reevaluation of modern ambitions in light of past injustices, challenging the notion of progress if it comes at the continued expense of the marginalized.
1:00-2:30 p.m.There have been numerous publications cataloguing and analyzing bone hair pins from Roman Britain, but there is still much room for the study of these artifacts from Central Italy. The center of this study is the excavation site at the city of Gabii, a Latin city outside of Rome, which has unearthed copious amounts of bone pins. Few publications have been created for these finds, so this study aims to shed light on these artifacts. This study is centered around Area J at the excavation site of Gabii, which is currently being excavated by the Gabii Project through the University of Michigan. This area dates as far back as the 4th century BCE into the Imperial period, and is at the junction of two important roads, the Via Praenestina and the Via Gabina. Because of the relationship between Area J and this intersection, there is an interesting opportunity to explore the site in terms of commerce and personal belongings. Bone pins were primarily used by women in a practical manner but could be decorated in various ways: this included busts, hands, and less intricate designs. Bone pins found at Gabii are mostly in pieces, but there are some pins that stand out in terms of design from Gabii’s Area F. Overall, this catalog aims to classify and begin to understand the use of bone hairpins at Gabii and in relation to central Italy. In the future, the pins at Gabii can be analyzed and interpreted comparanda from Pompeii, creating an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the purpose of bone pins in central Italy to be explored further.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Substance use disorders (SUD) is a rising epidemic in the United States. South Carolina specifically saw a surge in drug overdose fatalities between 2000-2021, with the total number rising from 1,734 deaths to 2,168—an escalation of over 25%. The occurrence of wounds among people who inject drugs (PWID) ranges from 55% to 68%. Many PWID postpone seeking treatment for their wounds, potentially because of socioeconomic obstacles like expenses, limited access to healthcare, and prevalent stigma. These wounds can result in severe complications such as gangrene, sepsis, endocarditis, and even death if left untreated. There is a large overlap between people who use substances and individuals who are unhoused, which increases the risk of acquiring serious wounds and of difficulties with managing them and healing to an even greater degree. As a community service learning group working with PRISM and the Addiction Medicine Interest Group at the USC School of Medicine, we aim to partner with a community recovery organization, the Courage Center, to improve healthcare access for community members with substance use disorders and for unhoused individuals. This will be accomplished by monthly wound care pop-up events for which we help to organize, raise funds, and volunteer our time and resources. Not only does this pop-up event focus on wound care, but it provides free supplies such as clothing and food to those in need. Integration into our target community of people with SUD and individuals who are unhoused is a gradual process hindered by the distrust of outsiders. However, through regular monthly events, we aim to foster trust and increase participation over time.
9:30-11:00 a.m.INTRODUCTION: The use of autograft is considered the gold standard for improving the fusion rate in foot and ankle surgeries. Allograft may be useful as an alternative to autograft given its high accessibility and lack of harvesting complications. This study looked to compare the rate of fusions, rate of complications, and other outcomes for those treated with autograft, allograft, or a combination of allograft and autograft for forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot arthrodesis surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent forefoot, midfoot, or hindfoot arthrodesis procedures between March 2021 and May 2023 at a single academic institution. Demographic information, type of graft utilized, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Categorical and continuous data were compared using Chi-squared test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify independent predictors for an increase in fusion rate. All p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 214 joints in 140 patients were included in the study. 112 joints in 72 patients were treated with allograft, 30 joints in 19 patients were treated with autograft, 72 joints in 49 patients were treated with both autograft and allograft. There were no significant differences between those treated with autograft, allograft, or both grafts in the rate of fusions (89.47% vs 97.22% vs 93.88%), complications (5.26% vs 11.11% vs 20.41%), or readmissions (0% vs 1.39% vs 2.04%). Chi-squared revealed the incidence of revision surgery amongst different grafts was statistically different (0% vs 1.39% vs 2.04%). Similarly, ANOVA revealed the postoperative improvement in PROMIS pain scores was different amongst grafts (12.19 vs -2.80 vs 2.88). Meanwhile, PROMIS function (-1.81 vs -7.20 vs -4.83) and mobility scores (1.45 vs -7.15 vs -3.13) were not statistically different amongst grafts at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Autograft and allograft demonstrated similar postoperative outcomes, including fusion and complication rates, in patients undergoing forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot arthrodesis procedures. These results suggest allograft may potentially be used as an alternative to autograft in promoting fusion during foot and ankle arthrodesis procedures in carefully selected patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Undergraduate nursing students often experience high stress levels as they undergo challenging educational programs that include clinical training. Studies that explore nursing students’ stress and coping mechanisms within the United States context are limited. Purpose: To investigate nursing students’ stress and coping mechanisms Methods: This pilot study utilized qualitative descriptive and comparative cross-sectional designs. For the qualitative descriptive study, two senior-year nursing students were selected through convenience sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. For the comparative cross-sectional study, students enrolled in the University of South Carolina BSN program were surveyed using a 27-item survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the modified Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES). Data analysis included thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, and t-tests . Results: Themes that emerged regarding stress included the role of academics and the transition into upper-division and clinicals. Changes in expectations, fear of failure, and a perception of inadequate support were contributing factors. Another theme that emerged were the different types and roles of coping mechanisms, and subthemes included the contribution of various sources of social support, the importance of work-life balance, the improvement of coping mechanisms over time, and the protective effects strategies promoting structure and predictability had on participants. Mean PSS scores were 20.1 for first-year students (N=16), 21.6 for sophomores (N=8), 19.7 for juniors (N=10), and 22 for seniors (N=2), each indicating moderate levels of stress. First-year students had a mean CSES score of 75.3 (SD=15.3), while non-first-year students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) had a mean CSES score of 68.7 (SD=15.8). These differences were not statistically significant (P=0.215). Conclusions/Implications: Nursing students experience moderate stress and use various coping mechanisms. Additional research using a larger sample size is needed, and expanding on the results of this study, it can be used to inform interventions to support nursing students.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Besides amyloid beta (Aβ) plagues and hyperphosphorylation of tau forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology has a significant connection with gut dysbiosis – an imbalance in gut microbiota causing an increase in gut pathobionts and their neurotoxic metabolites. Gut dysbiosis causes leakage of pathobionts and their neurotoxic metabolites such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the systemic circulation. LPS binds to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which is expressed in neurons and glia as well as in macrophages and activates the signaling pathways resulting in production of proinflammatory cytokine and neuronal damage. Inflammasomes have been implicated in causing excessive neuroinflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases including AD. Gut dysbiosis activates peripheral inflammasomes, especially the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding-domain, leucine rich-containing-family, and pyrin-domain-containing 3) inflammasome leading to the release of proinflammatory factors. Autophagy is a neuroprotective cellular process, which involves elimination and recycling of cellular debris, damaged organelles, and misfolded proteins. A decrease in autophagy flux has been detected in AD and it is associated with neuronal death and cognitive decline. The cholinergic hypothesis of AD states that progression of AD is due to a decrease in synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter. Currently, prescription therapeutics for AD inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to increase cholinergic signaling in the brain. But these AD drugs have side severe effects. Recent studies suggest the importance of bioactive compounds resveratrol (RSV) and its 3,5-dimethylether derivative pterostilbene (PTS) against excessive neuroinflammation and neuronal damage upon LPS challenge. However, RSV and PTS have not yet been used for targeting gut dysbiosis, inhibiting neuroinflammation, and fostering autophagy flux for neuroprotection in AD preclinical models. We will use RSV and PTS alone or in combination for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome mediated neuroinflammation and promoting autophagy flux in the all-trans retinoic acid differentiated human SH-SY5Y cell culture model of AD following exposure to oligomeric Aβ42 (oAβ42) and LPS or supernatant from human THP-1 (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate differentiated) M1 macrophages. We think, combination of RSV and PTS will show a higher efficacy than either agent alone for neuroprotection in human SH-SY5Y cell culture model of AD in the context of gut dysbiosis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Aim: To present the findings of a systematic literature review the association between safe registered nurse (RN) staffing and patient outcomes in the acute-care setting as well as identify desired outcomes and policies related to nurse-to-patient ratios. Introduction: The topic of “safe” nurse to patient ratios has often been discussed in the healthcare field. High RN workloads are associated with increased patient mortality, among other adverse outcomes such as increased incidence of medical errors and nurse burnout. The nurse-to-patient ratio refers to the number of patients a nurse is assigned during their shift, dependent on the number of nurses employed on a certain unit/floor and the number of patients admitted on that same floor. When the ratio of patients to one nurse rises, the nurse patient ratio problem results. California is the only state to legally require nurse-to-patient ratios in every hospital unit. State laws address plans to manage the ratio in ways other than regulating patient load itself. These ratios are particularly high for medical-surgical units. The higher the proportion of nurses in hospitals whose patient assignment follows a set standard, the lower the nurse burnout and fewer reports that workload causes a miss in changes in patients' conditions. Methods: A literature review utilizing the University of South Carolina libraries search engine, including databases from PASCAL, CINAHL Complete, Pub-Med Medline, and JBI EBP Database. Results: Expected results are described. Unsafe nurse-to-patient ratios have significant implications on patient outcomes, healthcare spending and budgeting, and satisfaction of nursing staff. Level of staffing varies based on organizational structure, number of available beds, nurse salary, an aging workforce, and professional development. Budget adjustments, staffing plans, and state or federal legislation should be used to correct these issues. Conclusion: No one solution exists to eradicate the nurse staffing shortage. The literature identified demonstrates how adverse patient outcomes are directly related to inadequate staffing levels, represented by high nurse to patient ratios, especially on medical-surgical units. Staffing plans, state regulations, and decreased turnover rates are beneficial ways to ensure quality nursing care, decrease adverse patient outcomes, and reduce nurse burnout.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Significance In 2001, Canada was the first country to implement pictorial health warning labels (PHWLs) on cigarette packages. In 2012, Canada launched another set of 16 PHWLs, however, there have been no new PHWLs implemented since then. We examined recall of PHWL themes among Canadian adults who smoke in 2023, more than a decades after the implementation of new PHWLs. Methods Data were collected from an online samples of Canadian adults who smoke in 2023 (n=2913). Uncued recall was assessed by asking participants to describe each health warning they remembered without looking at their cigarette packages, with open response for up to 10 different warnings. A codebook was used with three categories of themes: 9 themes present in both implementation periods, 6 themes from 2001, and 13 themes from 2012. Three people coded 15% of all responses with high interrater reliability (range=0.93-0.96), and the remaining responses were coded individually by these coders. For each code, individual-level frequencies were calculated. Results Across our sample, 60% of respondents reported recall of at least one theme portrayed on specific PHWLs. The highest rates of recall were for: 1) lung cancer, 24% (e.g., “Cigarettes cause lung cancer”), 2) mouth disease, 16% (e.g., “the really gross mouth oral cancer”), and 3) harms pregnancy, 15% (e.g., “smoking during pregnancy will harm unborn child”). Conclusion While more than half of respondents reported recall of a specific theme, the prevalences for recall of specific themes were low. The most frequently recalled themes were implemented in both 2001 and 2012. These results suggest that more frequent rotation of PHWLs may be necessary to prevent “wear-out" of effects on knowledge, but that perhaps redesigning and emphasizing similar health outcomes could improve recall.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background. Feeding in early life is crucial. Maternal postpartum depression (PPD), a major maternal morbidity that may be related to adverse feeding practices, its association with infant meal frequency has remained unclear in high-income countries such as the United States (US). This study aims to evaluate the longitudinal association between PPD and the frequency of infant meals from 6 to 12 months of age. Methods. Data came from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, which followed mother-infant dyads from the third trimester of pregnancy until the infant was 12 months old. PPD symptoms were measured by the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (score range: 0-30) at 2 months postpartum with a score of 13 or higher classified as having PPD. Typical daily meal frequency in the past 7 days was reported every 1-1.5 months from 6 to 12 months postpartum. Linear mixed models were used to examine the longitudinal association between PPD symptoms and infant meal frequency. Results. Among 1,997 mother-infant dyads, 9.4% of the mothers had PPD. The mean infant meal frequency on a typical day from 6 to 12 months postpartum was 6.5 (± 1.4) and 6.7 (± 1.2) feedings among mothers without and with PPD symptoms, respectively. Having PPD symptoms was associated with higher infant meal frequency from 6 to 12 months postpartum, both before and after adjusting for covariates (Crude: β = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.33, p-value = 0.04; Adjusted: β = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.37, p-value = 0.01). Conclusion. Mothers with PPD symptoms were more likely to feed infants at a higher frequency during 6-12 months postpartum. Further, it might provide evidence for the mechanism of how postpartum affects infant growth. Additional studies measuring infant feeding practices are needed in the future with more comprehensive and objective measures such as the food group and feeding amount.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This project examines the evolution of media portrayals of Cleveland Sellers and the Orangeburg Massacre in newspaper coverage over three decades. Cleveland Sellers, a prominent Civil Rights leader from South Carolina, was arrested in 1968 in connection with the tragic Orangeburg Massacre, where three students were fatally shot by White police officers during a protest against segregation. Sellers, who was also shot by police officers, was later convicted of "inciting riots" and served a seven-month prison sentence, with media coverage painting him unfavorably during this time. The project will analyze how the media's portrayal of Sellers evolved from the time of the Orangeburg Massacre to his eventual pardon in the 1990s. By examining newspaper articles from 1968 to 1998, particular attention will be paid to the language used to describe Sellers and the shifting narratives surrounding his role in the Massacre. With this analysis, the project will demonstrate a positive shift in media coverage, highlighting how Sellers went from being depicted unfavorably in the press to being celebrated as a civil rights leader. In addition to highlighting the transformation in media coverage of Sellers, this project serves the broader educational purpose of raising awareness about the often overlooked Orangeburg Massacre.
9:30-11:00 a.m.We present the research efforts aimed at achieving effective n-type doping in gallium oxide (Ga2O3), an ultrawide bandgap semiconductor, grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The application of semiconductors for power electronics requires wide and ultrawide bandgap materials that can be doped to create higher electron (n-type) or hole (p-type) densities. Ga2O3, with a bandgap of 4.9 eV, is an emerging and promising material. The bandgap of Ga2O3 is much higher than other wide bandgap material that have been adopted by or in the process of adoption by the industry for power electronics. However, the doping of Ga2O3 has some challenges; one there is no effective p-type dopant available, second the n-type doping result in low electron density and mobility, particularly, in its growth on sapphire substrate. Co-doping schemes were investigated to achieve effective doping in many other material systems. Silicon (Si) and indium (In) co-doping in Ga2O3 using different growth sequences has been reported. It has been observed that in other material systems Indium acts as a surfactant and the use of In and Si has resulted in higher density and mobility of the electrons, however there is no comprehensive study that has been reported. Our work systematically investigates the mechanism of enhancement of electron density and mobility under different schemes of In-Si co-doped Ga2O3. Ga2O3 layers co-ped with Si and In exhibit high conductivity, with both silicon and indium contributing to improved electrical properties, that will result in improved performances of the devices. Additionally, the co-doping effects in Ga2O3 extend to structural and optical improvements, making the semiconductor materials desirable for various other applications.
9:30-11:00 a.m.INTRODUCTION Nicotine and tobacco use have been shown to increase the risk of complications in plastic surgery procedures. Despite these known risks, many patients continue to use nicotine prior to surgery. While self-reporting by patients undergoing surgery can be helpful in mitigating these risks in advance, it is known to be unreliable. Cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine, can be measured in urine as a biomarker of nicotine usage. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the use of urine cotinine tests to determine nicotine use status in elective out-patient plastic surgery patients prior to surgery. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who underwent elective plastic surgery on an out-patient basis at a plastic surgery clinic between September 2021 and December 2022, excluding reconstruction surgeries and those resolving prior surgery complications. During this time, patients underwent a preoperative urine cotinine test approximately three weeks prior to as well as the day of their scheduled surgery. The test was performed using a commercially available immunoassay kit. A result of >200 ng/mL was considered positive, indicating recent nicotine use. DISCUSSION Out of 174 patients, 9 patients recorded a positive urine cotinine test on the day of surgery, yielding a failure rate of 5.17% despite prior counseling and placement in a smoking cessation protocol for indicated patients. However, of the positive tests, all but 1 (88.89%) occurred in patients who identified as non-smokers with no tobacco or smoking history. The remaining 165 patients (94.83%) had negative test results. Positive tests were distributed between anterior torsoplasty and breast augmentation cases (33.33% each) as well as mammoplasty, blepharoplasty, and liposuction cases (11.11% each). CONCLUSION Urine cotinine tests are a reliable tool for identifying nicotine use on the day of plastic surgery. The positive failure rate among patients despite prior counseling indicates that this test can be effectively implemented as a screening tool for surgical candidates in a plastic surgery clinical setting. The use of urine cotinine tests in this population can help improve preoperative evaluation and counseling, as well as reduce the risk of surgical complications associated with nicotine use.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Research on religious behaviors has primarily focused on church attendance, prayer, and subjective religiosity among African American adolescents. Emerging scholarship in religious studies and psychology documents that theological orientations are an influential source of information on the meaning of race in adolescents’ lives. These orientations represent biblical principles, otherworldliness, and social legacy Certainly, parents play a crucial role in shaping the attitudes and beliefs of their adolescents, including those related to race. Parents' messages about race can profoundly shape their children's perspectives and behaviors as they navigate the complexities of societal contexts, influencing how they engage with diversity, address discrimination, form friendships, contribute to inclusive communities, and approach social justice issues. The participants were 157 African American families from 18 predominantly African American churches in two Midwestern cities. Adolescents’ ages ranged from 12 to 19 (Mage = 15). Participants were part of a larger study that examined religious and racial socialization practices. A multivariate regression was conducted to examine how parent and adolescent perceptions of religious messages were associated with adolescents’ thoughts about specific racial socialization messages. The findings revealed that adolescents who reported higher levels of biblical principles being communicated from their church reported higher levels of spiritual and religious coping messages. Parents who perceived their church as communicating social legacy messages and adolescents who endorsed high levels of perceiving biblical principle messages reported higher levels of extended family caring messages. We discuss the implications of these findings for future research, emphasizing the vital role of religious and familial influences in the process of racial socialization during adolescence.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Misophonia is a behavioral phenomenon associated with intense physiological and psychological responses to specific auditory triggers, estimated to impact up to 20% of the population (Wu et al., 2014). Common triggers are often repetitive noises like chewing or pen-clicking that cause extreme negative emotions like anxiety or anger in an individual. Despite the prevalence, little research or resources are available for audio-visual stimuli that trigger the reactions associated with Misophonia. While small auditory databases such as the Free Open-Access Misophonia Stimuli Database (FOAMS) exist, there is a lack of video stimuli with high-quality audio and visual components (Orloff et al., 2023). This project aims to generate high-quality stimuli available to researchers by generating audio-visual stimuli for public use and aims to establish a diverse collection of stimuli. The initial phase of this project involved creating over 1400 5-second audiovisual stimuli, ranging from machinery sounds and yawning to various texture-scratching noises. Capturing precise triggers is complicated, and this project is focused on creating, standardizing, and preparing stimuli for public access. The audio-visual clips were created based on general triggers and more unique triggers, like the stimuli of shuffling playing cards. The stimuli were uniformly formatted with an aspect ratio of 640x480 pixels in a .mp4 format with monaural channel audio. All individual files followed the same labeling format and displayed high audio-visual quality. The stimuli were compiled into 13 thematic folders with various specific subcategories, and individual files labeled according to descriptive action and object. For example, the non-eating sound folder contains 15 nested folders like tongue clicking with 20 different formatted triggers for selection. Categorizing stimuli in this logical funneling approach is crucial for researchers to effortlessly locate necessary files generated through this project. As more stimuli were created, adjustments and refinements were made to the original categorization to increase precision. With over 1400 prepared stimuli, this project is a valuable tool for researchers and contributes to the understanding of Misophonia triggers. Once available to the public, this database will enhance the path to understanding this disorder.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) become more commonly used materials in aircraft structures, the effect of impact damage on CFRPs becomes more prevalent. This is especially true in advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles where, due to the flight environments associated with lower cruise altitudes, structures are more likely to see impact damage. In this poster, the effect of impact damage on the residual strength of quasi-isotropic laminates manufactured with TC1225 is assessed and the effectiveness of scarf repairs on the laminates is reviewed. To achieve this objective, a set of laminates was impact-tested at various energy levels using a drop tower. The specimens were impacted at three different energy levels representing Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID), a medium impact-energy damage and the damage level just below unrepairable. The damaged and pristine samples were then tested in Compression After Impact (CAI). The failure stress of the impacted samples, repaired and unrepaired, was compared to the failure stress of the pristine samples, and the residual stress after impact was plotted against the impact energy at which each set of panels was impacted. The results can be used to determine the impact level at which damage will need to be repaired in representative laminates and provide guidance to develop a similar result for other laminates.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Postpartum depression (PPD) affects between 6.5-20% of women and is a leading non-obstetric cause of maternal morbidity. A key symptom of PPD is detachment from offspring promoting difficulty bonding with the baby. Early life maternal-infant interactions are critical for adequate emotional development, with reduced contact leading to altered offspring behaviors. Thus, PPD has severe consequences for the associated families, with children of afflicted mothers registering behavioral, developmental, and psychiatric disturbances that can span generations. While studies have linked maternal care and stress exposure with epigenetic alterations associated with offspring resilience and vulnerabilities, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are still unclear. We previously established that exposure to chronic mild unpredictable stress during gestation led to reduced maternal care and altered mitochondrial function in key brain regions associated with depression, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and hippocampus (HPC). Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that perform numerous functions essential for the cell, including the regulation of stress and epigenetic modifications and have been implicated in psychiatric disturbances. Additionally, mitochondria are generally maternally inherited, providing a strong potential for mediating transgenerational effects of stress. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the relationship between maternal mitochondrial function and offspring behavior. We hypothesized that maternal mitochondrial function in specific brain regions would correlate with adult offspring behaviors. To test this, we exposed pregnant and non-pregnant female Wistar rats to gestational stress. We scored maternal behavior on postpartum day 5 (PND5), and later measured mitochondrial function in the PFC, NAc, and HPC on postpartum day 23 (PND 23) using mitochondrial respirometry. We allowed the offspring to grow to adulthood and characterized them for anhedonia, avoidance behavior, and brain mitochondrial function. We then performed linear regressions to identify relationships between maternal mitochondrial respiration, maternal behavior, and offspring behavior. Significant correlations between maternal mitochondrial respiration, maternal care, and offspring avoidance behavior were identified. Altogether, our data suggests a potential role for mitochondrial respiratory capacity in the transmission of stress effects across generations.
9:30-11:00 a.m.With the recent increase in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there have been efforts to use AI to predict the outcomes of chemical reactions. However, many of these methods focus on predicting the final products based on initial reactants and skip the intermediate reaction mechanism steps. It overlooks an important detail of the reaction process and makes it difficult for users to understand how the predictions were made. To tackle this problem, we are predicting the detailed steps of chemical reactions, from reactants to products, using deep reinforcement learning and A* search.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My most significant contribution to the University of South Carolina has been my commitment and dedication to being a Resident Assistant for freshman classes over my last three years as a student. Becoming a Resident Assistant enhanced my college experience as it allowed me to expand my social network to come out of my shell, develop leadership skills, and give back to the campus community by making new Gamecocks feel at home on campus. Through planning and hosting events, connecting with roughly 20-25 residents on a personal level each year, and serving as the first point of contact in the case of emergencies throughout the semesters both overnight and over the weekends, I learned to communicate effectively, interact with a diverse set of people, and respond to situations calmly and proactively to seek the best solution possible in a timely yet efficient manner. Going through this experience throughout my time at the university has allowed me to gain insight into my leadership capabilities and reevaluate what being a leader truly encapsulates while making me feel better prepared to continue my studies to be a therapist at a Graduate level.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Student motivation has been shown to predict student success (e.g., higher GPA; Ryan & Deci, 2020); therefore, it is important for educators to understand the importance of motivation and how to best support it in the classroom. Prior research has reported that an educator’s teaching style or approach may influence students’ motivation (Reeve & Cheon, 2021); however, additional research is needed to better understand what factors predict a motivationally supportive teaching style. Accordingly, this study examined graduate teaching assistants’ (GTAs) individual motivation for graduate school and their approaches to motivating students through the lens of Achievement Goal Theory (AGT), specifically from a mastery-approach goal perspective. We hypothesized that a mastery-approach toward graduate school, having knowledge about motivation practices, and believing that student motivation is malleable would positively predict a mastery-approach teaching style. GTAs (N=292) from a southeastern university completed an online survey that included measures on motivation for graduate school, beliefs about student motivation (malleable vs stable), knowledge about evidence-based motivation practices, and intended teaching style. Results demonstrated a small positive relationship between a mastery-approach towards graduate school and a mastery-approach teaching style (r=.13, p<.05). GTAs in non-STEM fields reported a higher mastery-approach teaching style compared to GTAs in STEM fields, t(282)=3.17, p<.001. However, GTAs in STEM had a higher mastery-approach towards graduate school compared to GTAs in non-STEM, t(286)=2.00, p<.05. A linear regression revealed that malleable beliefs about student motivation and knowledge about motivation were both significant predictors of a mastery-approach teaching style; however, a mastery-approach toward graduate school was not a significant predictor, F(3,288)=5.90, p<.001, R2adj=.048. Findings indicated that greater knowledge of motivational practices and believing that student motivation is malleable may play an important role in adopting a mastery-approach to teaching. A mastery-approach towards graduate school positively related to a mastery-approach teaching style, but the strength of the relationship was smaller than we expected. Furthermore, STEM GTAs reported a more mastery-approach toward graduate school, but non-STEM GTAs reported a greater mastery-approach to teaching. Findings from this study provide insight into GTAs perspectives on motivation and how their own motivation relates to their teaching style.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The COVID-19 pandemic and associated shift to online learning may have had marked implications for adolescents who were separated from their primary socializing agents (i.e., peers) and who were anticipating a transition into the workforce higher education in the upcoming years. Given the heightened levels of contact between parents and adolescents that occurred as a function of lockdowns, parent-adolescent attachment may have been particularly important for adolescents’ successful navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic and attendant changes in schooling (Coulombe, Cho & Yates, 2023). Secure attachment has consistently been associated with school achievement (Jacobsen & Hofmann, 1997; Moss & St. Laurent, 2001). Previous longitudinal research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the relevance of parent-child relationships for multidomain adaptation (e.g., Coulombe & Yates 2021; Williams et al., 2024). However, studies examining pre-pandemic functioning as a predictor of outcomes during the pandemic are scarce. Drawing on a rich dataset including 250 child-caregiver dyads (52% female, 46% Latine), the current study sought to understand predictors and mechanisms of adolescent school achievement during COVID-19. We predicted that pre-pandemic attachment security (age 12) would predict lower levels of perceived stress during its onset (age 15; April 2020), and, as a result, would predict higher levels of school achievement (age 15.5; December 2020) over and above the impact of prior school achievement. At age 12, adolescents self-reported on their attachment security using the Kerns Security Scales (Kerns et al., 1996). At age 15, at the onset of the pandemic, adolescents self-reported on their perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1994). At age 15.5, six months after the onset of the pandemic, parents reported the GPA of their child. Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of attachment security on adolescent achievement via perceived stress (B = 0.240, SE = 0.119, p = 0.044, 95% CI [0.003; 0.121]). These findings affirm the salience of preexisting support systems in determining which students succeeded during the upheaval of online learning, and suggests that targeting adolescent stress may important for intervention efforts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction. The purpose of this study was to show how process evaluation methods can be used to monitor dose and fidelity in the Together Everyone Achieves More Physical Activity (TEAM-PA) randomized controlled trial. TEAM-PA uses a randomized group cohort design to test the efficacy of a novel group-based intervention versus a standard group-delivered program for increasing total daily physical activity among insufficiently active African American women. Methods. The TEAM-PA intervention is based on a multi-theoretical framework and uses both collaborative and competitive strategies, including group feedback, delivery of a culturally tailored health curriculum, group-based physical activity games, and group-based goal setting. Systematic observations were used during the group sessions to ensure that the intervention sessions were delivered consistently, correctly, and as planned. It was hypothesized that the intervention program would demonstrate high levels of dose and fidelity. Across two cohorts, four groups (n = 54) were randomized to receive the TEAM-PA intervention. Results. Results from the systematic observations indicated that on average 93% of the dose items were completed in each session and high levels of fidelity were achieved at both the facilitator (M = 3.77, SD = 0.22, 4-point scale) and group-levels (M = 3.46, SD = 0.39, 4-point scale). The use of open-ended items also revealed the need for additional modifications to the group-based physical activity games, including allowing for individuals to take breaks, incorporating a broader range of body weight exercises, minimizing activities that required bending/reaching down without assistance, and providing facilitators with additional training for implementing the games. Conclusion. Studies like these are needed because monitoring intervention implementation in community-based settings holds great promise for improving intervention effectiveness and increasing the likelihood of achieving meaningful changes in physical activity.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In pursuing a political science degree, I have grown personally and professionally beyond my expectations. I was encouraged by my advisor to request enrollment in a Public Affairs Internship course (POLI 379), and I subsequently secured a position at the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) in Richland County as a policy intern. The policy department manages coverage requests and assesses whether Healthy Connections, South Carolina’s Medicaid program, will allocate funding for the requested service or equipment. Interning within a government agency has supplemented my understanding of networked governance from Introduction to Public Administration (POLI 370). I work with a team of eight others, and I am mostly involved in the introductory stages of coverage requests. I research policy proposals by comparing other states’ Medicaid provider information, referencing the federal codes, and interpreting the language of our state policies. I am currently captivated by a proposal to cover at-home dialysis in skilled nursing facilities. Private providers sponsor this initiative that would offer a viable alternative to prolonged hospitalization for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who may otherwise lack suitable accommodations. I am investigating the billing procedures of multiple states with similar services to advise coverage methods in South Carolina. Each state has separate Medicaid programs, but beneficiaries with ESRD are dually eligible for Medicare, a fully federal program. The project relies upon networked governance because it integrates federal and state policies to incorporate the ambitions of these private providers. Exploring policy pathways to advance medical welfare, I obtained a practical perspective that further drives my interest in legal innovation and advocacy. I am guiding creative and collaborative solutions with an enriched understanding of a complex policy landscape. Interning at SCDHHS has emphasized comparative research, positive development, and representation. I am pursuing a legal career with newfound aspirations to revolutionize contemporary legal proceedings and a growing desire to advocate for improving the welfare of disadvantaged individuals. Through my political science courses and internship at SCDHHS, I have developed research aptitude, interpretive skills, and respect for intergovernmental networks that I will utilize to advance my mission.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This project examines the Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve in Northwestern Ecuador to better understand ideas of “proper” land use and development in conservation areas. Key to this are the experiences of both smallholder cacao farmers and a conservation NGO in the area. To study this, a mixed-method qualitative approach is taken, gathering information and perspectives from various stakeholders. Literature from the disciplines of economic geography, human geography, sustainable development, and more are utilized to further ground and contextualize observations. It is found that a deeply entrenched history of neoliberalism underpins all stakeholder actions, informing current and future land use decisions both contributing to and limiting deforestation. Furthermore, this neoliberal context invites ecoimperialist behavior from individuals, NGOs, and corporations. Together these neoliberal and ecoimperialist influences add to the complexity of the Mache Chindul-Ecological Reserve and tell a story of precarity and paradox. Findings of this research will hopefully be considered by stakeholders as land use decisions continue to be made in the Reserve.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The discovery of new cancer drug targets could lead to better cancer treatment options and optimize health outcomes. The long-term goal of this research project is to leverage a yeast three-hybrid (Y3H) system to interrupt presently “undruggable” protein complexes involved in cancer progression. Building upon the yeast two-hybrid framework, Y3H provides an in vivo, eukaryotic platform for probing a broader range of protein interactions. As proof of concept, our initial investigation centers on the interaction between human Cyclin A2 (CCNA2) and retinoblastoma (RB1). The CCNA2 and RB1 genes are being cloned into two different yeast expression vectors that will fuse a DNA binding or transcriptional activating domain. Previous research underscores the significance of CCNA2-RB1 interaction in driving uncontrolled cell proliferation. Upon successfully detecting activation of the reporter genes following the CCNA2-RB1 interaction in the yeast system, the assay will be refined by introducing a third plasmid that encodes for the HAKRRLIF peptide. This peptide has been demonstrated previously to interrupt CCNA2-RB1 protein interaction. This presentation will describe the molecular cloning strategies and preliminary and expected experimental outcomes. If this technology is validated, we will target cancer initiating proteins, specifically PLK1 and RAD51. This will allow for a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the underlying cancer mechanisms. More precisely, once the interaction is demonstrated in the yeast system, the third vector will generate a diverse library of peptide-expressing plasmids. As we discover sequences capable of blocking the interaction between PLK1 and RAD51, these will be converted into pharmaceutically relevant compounds by developing structurally related, non-peptidic inhibitors using computer modeling and synthesis methodologies. This integrated approach, from peptide discovery to inhibitor development, embodies a comprehensive strategy to unveil novel therapeutic interventions for cancer treatment to disrupt protein interactions previously considered undruggable.
1:00-2:30 p.m.We will present research work for developing gallium oxide (Ga2O3) based single photon avalanche photodetector for wavelengths below 250 nm. Ga2O3 is an ultrawide bandgap (4.9 eV) and has a large breakdown field (8 MV/cm). Photodiodes are versatile semiconductor optoelectronic devices that can be used for direct detection of light, x-ray and gamma rays, and particles such as electrons or neutrons. However, traditional photodetectors such as Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMTs) and Micro-Channel Plates (MCPs) have limitations such as high power consumption, operating voltages, sensitivity to magnetic fields, as well as being bulky, fragile, and expensive. A fully solid-state solution can be used to improve design flexibility, cost, miniaturization, integration density, reliability, and signal processing capabilities in photodetectors. The existing silicon (Si) based single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) photodetector technology is inefficient in measuring short wavelengths due to the surface absorption as well as the limitation of working temperature. The research work to produce Ga2O3-based SPAD involves device design, material growth, fabrication, and testing. This presentation will show the research efforts to produce Ga2O3-based SPAD that will be highly efficient for short wavelengths, such as deep ultraviolet radiations, and can operate at high temperatures due to large breakdown voltage and ultrawide bandgap.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background Many pediatric and adolescent patients have anxiety about their experience and privacy prior to visiting the gynecologist for the first time, with previous studies identifying that these concerns may prevent or even delay care in adolescent patients. In recent years, social media has also been shown to have significant negative influences on this population. This study aims to develop an informational video to reduce patient anxiety, improve patient education, and improve outcomes for patients. Methods Inclusion criteria were English-speaking patients, assigned female at birth, aged 12-18 who were scheduled for their first gynecological appointment in the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology clinic. This study was IRB-exempt. A video script and survey questions were written in age-appropriate language for our population. The survey aimed to score baseline anxiety levels using a Likert scale with modified Wong-Baker faces and social media usage before their appointment and before watching the video. 60 patients began the survey, and after excluding those that did not meet eligibility criteria, 46 individuals with completed surveys were included for analysis. Results were stored directly to a secure REDCap database. After viewing the video, a post-video survey was given consisting of the same questions on the same modified Likert scale. Pre and post-video survey responses were compared to measure the effectiveness of the video in reducing anxiety. Results After watching the video, patients reported a statistically significant reduction in anxiety in various factors: appointment overall (P=<0.001), having a male provider (P=0.002), an embarrassing exam experience (P=<0.001), a painful exam experience (P=<0.001), their physician taking their concerns seriously (P=<0.001), and their guardian hearing private information (P=0.021). Though patients reported a reduction in anxiety about fear of a guardian reading private health information in their medical records, this reduction did not rise to the level of statistical significance (P= 0.180). 43% of patients (n=20, 43.5%, p=<0.001) reported use of social media to prepare for their visit. Conclusions Addressing common concerns before the first gynecological appointment through the use of video leads to a decrease in adolescent patients’ anxiety. Future studies are needed on this intervention’s impact on health outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Drosophila melanogaster, also known as the fruit fly, is utilized as a model organism to examine the molecular mechanisms that mediate communication about dietary input between tissues. In Drosophila, adipocytes use the highly conserved nutrient sensing pathways, insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IIS) and mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, to modulate multiple stages in the process of oocyte development, or oogenesis. For example, IIS activity in adipocytes supports ovarian germline stem cell maintenance and germ cell survival. Our previous studies show that two downstream signaling axes, PI3K/Akt1 and Ras/MAPK/Erk, may mediate the effects of the insulin receptor, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). However, it is unknown if other RTK pathways in the fat tissue may also play a role in regulating oogenesis. In Drosophila, there are several RTKs. The goal of our project is to determine which of these are important in mediating fat-to-ovary communication about nutritional status. First, we will determine if RTK expression in the fat tissue is responsive to dietary input using RT-PCR. We will also use the Gal4/UAS gene expression system to test the functional requirement of RTKs by RNAi-mediated knockdown in adult adipocytes and assessment of oogenesis. Preliminarily, we find that there is a differential requirement for six RTKs in adipocytes in controlling germline survival and ovulation. Currently, we are examining if additional aspects of oogenesis, like germline stem cell maintenance, are regulated by adipocyte RTK activity. This study aims to uncover the range of signaling pathways that allow the fat tissue to communicate to the ovary, and likely other nutrient-responsive tissues.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Coined in 2015, Aphantasia is a condition in which the ability to visualize mentally is either totally absent or significantly impaired. Individuals with Aphantasia have a blind “mind’s eye,” affecting all aspects of life from episodic memory to daydreaming. This results in different experiences for an estimated 3% of the world’s population who go through life without many things that others take for granted, such as being able to mentally relive precious memories or picture a loved one’s face. Research thus far has focused on confirming Aphantasia’s prevalence in the population and understanding what other cognitive abilities this may impact. After conducting a literature review of papers between 2015 and 2024, obtained from JSTOR and ScienceDirect, it became clear that the field of Aphantasia is still in its infancy, with much left to uncover about the condition’s intricacies and implications, as well as the direct impact on the lives of Aphantasics. The primary goal of this project was to raise awareness to the phenomena of Aphantasia by creating a space in which conversations surrounding mental imagery could occur. Despite this condition impacting over 300 million people, many have not heard of it or even realized that something as simple as mental imagery can have such diversity. Raising awareness for a condition not commonly known can be critical not only for increasing research interest, but also for helping people understand how others may experience and interact with the world differently. Through both a thorough literature review and the creation of my podcast, Drawing a Blank: Conversations on Aphantasia, I am able to give the condition this attention on the public platform Spotify. The podcast featured informal interviews with guests who had expressed their willingness to participate via a survey posted in online spaces that included taking the VVIQ and reporting their score. These guests with varying imagery abilities were asked questions ranging in topic from how cognitive faculties like memory and motivation were impacted to how they might compensate for a lack of imagery. These conversations help shed light on how people experience mental imagery and the variations there may be.
1:00-2:30 p.m.BACKGROUND: Change requests, optimization, and continuous improvement efforts are constant within health-system pharmacy. Prioritization of requests is essential to ensure limited health-system resources are directed to efforts that will contribute to department and organization goals. Development of a prioritization matrix is a potentially powerful tool for pharmacy change management teams to prioritize requests. The RICE score is a method used to assess and prioritize tasks or issues based on their impact, feasibility, and ease of implementation. It stands for Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort, providing a structured approach to decision-making and resource allocation. METHODOLOGY: This is a single health system pre- and post-implementation study. An updated change request intake form based on a localized RICE scoring system was developed to assist with objective characterization of change requests and assist with prioritization. Change requests were categorized as medication safety, value creation, or general requests. Within each category, a scoring system was developed to attribute a value to reach, impact, and confidence. Effort was determined by internal change management team members based on estimated time required to implement. Pre-implementation data utilized in analysis was obtained from August 2023 change management requests. Post-implementation data was obtained from January 2024. The primary outcome is the difference in the median RICE scores based on time of analysis. Secondary outcomes include the characterization RICE scores, including quartile range assessment, number of requests by category, median score by request type. RESULTS: In Progress CONCLUSION: In Progress
9:30-11:00 a.m.Although studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing infection, hospitalization rates, and mortality, vaccine uptake remains low. African Americans experience higher rates of infection and mortality from COVID-19, yet COVID-19 vaccination rates in this high-risk, underserved population are low. Understanding the determinants of vaccination is needed to guide the development of community-based, culturally tailored strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake, reduce COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, and reduce health disparities among this population. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate COVID-19 vaccination coverage and investigate factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination status among adult African Americans in SC. From September 2023 to November 2023, we administered a cross-sectional survey to clients of barbershops and salon clients in select SC counties, including Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, and Darlington counties. Clients who were 18 years or older, and willing and able to provide consent were eligible to participate. A structured questionnaire was administered on Android tablets and used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to COVID-19. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to estimate the odds of being partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated compared to being unvaccinated. Among the 330 participants included in the present analysis, 58.1% were fully vaccinated (two dose primary series and a booster), 11.7% were partially vaccinated (at least one dose primary series), and 24.6% were unvaccinated. The multinomial logistic regression results indicated that participants who were older, had received a flu vaccine in the previous 12 months, had COVID-19, or knew someone who had COVID-19, and received most of COVID-19 information from their health provider were more likely to be partially or fully vaccinated than unvaccinated. On the other hand, participants who were not worried about the spread of COVID-19 in their community but were very worried about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines were least likely to be fully or partially vaccinated. Strategies promoting primary and booster vaccination in this high-risk, under-served population should target young adults and focus on vaccine safety and addressing risk perceptions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Authors: Abby Barker, PharmD Candidate, Morgan Brown, PharmD Candidate, Megan Choe, PharmD Candidate, Joyce Ji, PharmD Candidate, Audra Quigley, PharmD Candidate, P. Brandon Bookstaver, PharmD. Background: Vaccination rates in the state of South Carolina often lag behind national comparators for several important adult vaccines. While there are numerous contributing factors, one determinant may be the distance required to obtain the vaccine, especially in rural areas. Web-based vaccine locators (e.g. vaccines.gov) have been established to aid patients and providers in identifying local institutions with available vaccines. The purpose of this study was to identify the distance (in miles) required to travel to available sites for RSV, influenza, and/or COVID-19 vaccines for adults living in rural communities in South Carolina as reported by select web-based vaccine locators. Methods: This is an observational study using publicly available data generated from web-based vaccine finder sites to identify distance (in miles) of available vaccine sites for patients living in rural zip codes in South Carolina. All zip codes in South Carolina were evaluated based on their population as reported in the 2020 Census. Rural zip codes included in the study were those with a defined population of less than 50,000 people. Zip codes with a listed population of 0 people or housed only on a military base were excluded. Data were collected from the following web-based vaccine locator sites: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Finder, Arexvy® vaccine locator, Spikevax® vaccine locator, Comirnaty® vaccine locator, and Abrysvo® vaccine locator. A REDCap® tool was used for collection and storage of data. The primary outcome was the mean distance in miles required by patients to travel to obtain available select vaccines reported by vaccine locator site. Type of vaccine site (e.g. community pharmacy) most readily available and comparison among vaccine site locators was examined when applicable. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the data. Results: Research in progress. Conclusions: Research in progress.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In 2017, Google proposed the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) architecture to the world for accelerating Deep Neural Network (DNN) workloads. This TPU architecture consists of a systolic array that accelerates the matrix-matrix and matrix-vector multiplication operations which are commonly found in DNNs. While these TPUs have shown great promise in accelerating these workloads, their current implementations deploy the DNN operations onto the TPU in one of three static dataflows, input stationary, output stationary, or weight stationary, for the entire DNN without considering which is optimal for that specific layer. Herein, we propose a flexible TPU architecture named Flex-TPU for re-configuring the dataflow of the TPU during runtime to optimally select the best dataflow for the respective DNN layer. Our experiments show that while the Flex-TPU architecture consumes at most 1.366x to 1.591x more area and power, respectively, the Flex-TPU achieves up to a 1.240x improvement in throughput compared to the conventional TPU.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Pipecolic acid (Pip) is a molecule involved in systemic acquired resistance (SAR), a key mechanism plants use to defend against secondary infection of pathogens. In higher concentrations, Pip elicits a strong immune response, which therefore inhibits plant growth. The receptor of Pip and related signaling regulators, however, are not well understood. It is expected that the Pip receptor or regulators knockout mutants should show less growth inhibition upon Pip treatment. Over 100,000 Arabidopsis ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) M2 generation mutant seeds were germinated and visually screened for less growth inhibition to Pip. The progeny of the 301 selected mutants were further grown in agar gel in groups with and without the addition of 10 mM Pip. Their root lengths with addition of 10mM Pip were compared to the root lengths of the control group to find the elongation ratio (ER) on the eighth day post germination. All their ERs were normalized to that of wild type (WT) Arabidopsis to get relative elongation ratio (RER). The significant changes between RER of mutants and that of WT were examined by Student’s t-test. 39 of the 301 mutants were classified as significantly hypersensitive (RER>1, p<0.05), and 20 were classified as significantly insensitive (RER<1, p<0.05). Of the insensitive mutants, only mutant 217 (M217) had a significantly greater RER at 2.2. The expression of Pip marker gene AGD2-LIKE DEFENSE RESPONSE PROTEIN 1 (ALD1) was quantified in M217 and WT Arabidopsis through qRT-PCR with and without the addition of 5 mM Pip. ALD1 was found largely induced in WT Arabidopsis by 5 mM Pip while there was no difference in M217. These results indicate that M217 is a mutant for either the potential pipecolic acid receptor or a related regulator on the signaling pathway. Future research will focus on mapping the causal gene of the M217 mutant through whole genome sequence and determining how exactly it participates in the Pip signaling pathway.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Advancements in cancer therapeutics have significantly prolonged life expectancy, with notable improvements in both preventative measures and treatment outcomes. As individuals age, the susceptibility to cancer escalates, considering it primarily manifests as an age-related disease. Ranking as the second leading cause of death in the United States, the substantial investment in cancer research prompts an examination of the potential impact on overall life expectancy if cancer were successfully treated or eliminated. This study employs a discrete time stochastic simulation to predict the increase in life expectancy in a scenario where cancer is no longer a cause of death. The results reveal an average increase of 3.26 years or over 39 months. These findings prompt critical questions regarding the valuation of cancer treatment and cure efforts. Additionally, the study prompts an exploration of the interplay between senescence, cancer, and human life expectancy, recognizing that age serves as a common boundary influencing various causes of death beyond cancer.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: While there have been studies that have investigated the frequency of affectionate behaviors in autistic children, as well as how to use intervention to increase these frequencies (Charlop & Walsh, 1986), little research has evaluated why autistic and typically developing children differ in how they might express affection to those around them. Aims: This study sought to determine whether more frequent struggles with reactivity and emotional dysregulation in autistic children predicted fewer expressions of affectionate behaviors. Method: A Pearson correlation test was run with participants’ Reactivity t-scores from the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI-YC) and the average of the affection-related items on Autism Diagnostic Interviews (ADI-R), in line with the conceptualization of affection used in prior studies of autistic individuals (Sofronoff et al., 2014). This test was also run again separately with both boys and girls to evaluate for differences in patterns between sexes. Results: A correlation for all participants (r=.04, p=.90) revealed no significant relation between the amount of affection shown and reactivity. Similarly, the correlations for the male group (r=.39, p=.30), as well as the female group (r = -.70, p=.30), were non-significant. Discussion: Though no relationship was found, future research should further expand upon other potential reasons why and differences in how autistic children might express care and affection to others.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Long-term energy storage (LDES), lasting for durations of 10 hours or more, is widely recognized as a crucial technology for advancing the integration of renewable energy into the commercial utility sector. However, the current storage technologies cannot achieve LDES’s duration requirement at a competitive cost. Therefore, a newly emerged solid oxide iron air battery (SOIAB) with energy-dense solid Fe as an energy storage material is a competitive LDES-suitable technology compared to conventional storage technologies. Our recent results have shown that SOIAB delivers 12.5-hours of storage per cycle with high energy storage capacity and round-trip efficiency. This work focuses on the description of a high-fidelity 2D axis symmetrical multiphysics model to simulate the performance of a solid oxide iron air battery. The model battery system consists of an anode-supported solid oxide cell and energy storage unit (ESU) of iron bed with Ir as a catalyst. The Multiphysics model comprehends charge transfer, mass transport, and chemical redox kinetic cycle occurring across all components of the battery and is validated with experimental results. The motivation for combining the Ir catalyst in ESU is to boost the sluggish FeOx reduction kinetics related to the charging process. Compared to baseline Fe2O3/ZrO2, with Ir catalyst Fe2O3/ZrO2 shows excellent energy density, long stability cycle, and high round trip efficiency. The work will also show the performance of improved reduction kinetic rate of SOIAB with Fe2O3/ZrO2-IrO2 over the baseline Fe2O3/ZrO2.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Nuclear energy is a safe, sustainable, and reliable form of power generation which supports decarbonization efforts in the energy field. There are currently many new nuclear reactor designs being developed in the world. One such design is the Molten Salt Reactor, which uses molten salt as a coolant and solvent for fuel to transfer both fuel and heat. The fuel used in these reactors is a uranium-halide compound, such as uranium tetrafluoride or uranium tetrachloride. This fuel is then dissolved in a molten salt mixture, containing salts such as Sodium Fluoride, also known as table salt. However, some difficulties arise when using these compounds. For example, certain metals in alloys used in building the nuclear plant, such as Chromium, can react with the Fluorine and ¬¬¬-Chlorine, causing corrosion. Because of this, it is necessary to develop models of the interactions between these compounds to determine their properties at different temperatures and mixtures. This research analyzes the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibrium of salt compounds to create a compendium of thermodynamic models for molten salt interactions. In this project, literature containing experimental data on salt mixtures, such as melting points and enthalpy, as well as data obtained in the laboratory on undetermined molten salt mixtures, is collected. The data is organized using codes to create a Molten Salt Thermal Properties Database. This database allows for an ease of retrieval of information to help develop and improve modeling simulations for molten salts. Data obtained through this research is sent to energy companies, such as Terra Power, and national labs, such as Idaho National Laboratory, to help improve current Molten Salt Reactor designs and experiments. Through research and organization of the properties of salt mixtures, a better understanding of how the compounds in Molten Salt Reactors interact can be obtained, improving the safety and efficiency of these reactors.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles are those that have capabilities for vertical take-off and landing, which enable the transportation of passengers and cargo within and between cities or metropolitan areas. However, these vehicles are highly susceptible to the many low velocity impacts associated with the low altitudes in which they travel. This research evaluates the realm of cost-effective maintenance for UAMs through computational simulations, specifically focusing on the structural maintenance of component-level composites. Collaborating with Georgia Tech, Middle Georgia, North Carolina A&T, and Qarbon Aerospace, this project is part of a NASA University Lead Initiative to enhance UAM safety and reliability. One of the USC team’s goals is to optimize maintenance practices for UAM vehicles by implementing digital transformation strategies. Physics-based simulations were used to develop a model to assess damage and impact energies on 16-ply, 4”x6” carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) panels under compression after impact conditions. These simulations replicate real-world conditions with equivalent testing until model failure. Validation of the model is achieved through comparisons with experimental data, ensuring accuracy in capturing CFRP behavior intricacies. Results reveal localized stress points near the moving clamp with high strain energy values, offering valuable insights into material responses. The significance of this project lies in its ability to assess the maximum strength and strain energy of component-level CFRPs, which can be translated to larger-scale UAM components. This information provides insights into required maintenance and cost reduction while maintaining safety. The methodology can be extended to other components and impact types, contributing to the broader exploration of digital transformation strategies for cost-effective maintenance in the evolving field of urban air mobility.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Our research strategically addresses the identified gap in healthcare data engineering, with a primary focus on optimizing big data storage and pipelines. The project delves into the intricate processes of collection, transformation, and storage of data to facilitate meaningful analysis and decision-making in the healthcare sector. It systematically explores advanced data engineering methods to enhance disease diagnosis and prediction, revolutionize patient monitoring and remote healthcare, and enable data-driven decision-making for resource optimization. A central aspect of our project involves identifying the most effective methods for different healthcare use cases, thereby contributing to the optimization of big data storage and pipelines within the healthcare domain. Results and Findings: Key findings from our research include the development of data engineering methods, both traditional and big data-centric, that significantly improve data quality, computational efficiency, and scalability across diverse healthcare use cases. A major distinction in the effectiveness of different methods has been demonstrated, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to specific healthcare scenarios. We emphasize the importance of bridging the technical proficiency gap through training and interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitating better utilization of the wealth of healthcare data. Lessons Learned: 1. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Our work highlights the critical need for interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare professionals and data experts, particularly in the realm of big data engineering. This collaboration is essential for effective data management and analysis in healthcare. 2. Ethical Considerations: We underscore the ethical considerations associated with both traditional and big data healthcare engineering, emphasizing responsible handling of patient data. Maintaining trust in healthcare systems is crucial in the data-driven healthcare landscape. 3. Practical Experimentation: Through a practical experiment, we implemented and compared data engineering pipelines in containerized applications against traditional pipelines, including big data approaches. The tangible benefits demonstrated in real-world scenarios emphasize the practical applicability of our findings in modern healthcare data management. Moreover, we have identified and suggested specific methods for different healthcare use cases, recognizing the importance of tailored approaches.
9:30-11:00 a.m.From Fall 2022 to Fall 2023, I worked as a Product Development Engineering Intern at Rhythmlink International, LLC, which is a medical equipment/device designer, manufacturer, and distributor in Columbia, SC focused on improving patient care by connecting patients to machines[1]. At this internship, I spent most of my time working on Verification Testing and Test Result Analysis, my Summer Research and Development Project, and Product Modifications and Inspections. I performed Verification Testing and Analysis on the EMG Concentric Needle product to ensure that the design inputs met the outputs. This involved having good documentation practices (GDocP) for all the experiments, analyses, and records, which are standards for creating and maintaining documents accurately, clearly, and detailed that I first learned about in my biomedical engineering lab class. Working with this product also allowed me to problem-solve design issues and write in a technical manner when test procedures needed to be updated. For my Research and Development Project, I was tasked with using computer-aided design (CAD) to design a new medical device. After researching a specific section of the IONM market to determine unmet customer needs that current competitor devices didn’t fulfill, I tried to create a product that would satisfy clients. This also involved 3D printing the prototypes after I designed them on SolidWorks, which is CAD software. Finally, Product Modifications consisted of building prototypes to modify Rhythmlink’s current products in order to provide specific needs of clients, such as different labels, packaging, or colors. Next, I created CAD drawings to be used to mass-manufacture the prototypes. The Inspections involved comparing the manufactured products to my created CAD drawings and recording my results using GDocP. Overall, this experience has prepared me for life after graduation by improving my clarity and conciseness when communicating and teaching me the importance of good documentation for having accurate, organized records of my work. Citations: Rhythmlink, https://rhythmlink.com/ (accessed Feb. 14, 2024).
1:00-2:30 p.m.My research examines the atrocities that enslaved Africans endured in the Caribbean. My research project examines their experience while working on plantations throughout the Caribbean, as well as how they were treated and what their experiences were like while being transported from Africa to the Caribbean. I will mainly examine the experiences of slaves in Haiti because some of the largest plantations were located there at the end of the 18th century. My research seeks to answer what day-to-day life was like for enslaved Africans in the Caribbean, and what they had to endure during this period and what they did to manage/survive. I also will examine what life was like for slaves who were born into slavery and grew up only knowing life on a plantation. I will analyze primary sources reflective of the slave experience and primary sources written by plantation owners as well as crew members aboard ships that transported slaves in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. These primary sources will be analyzed along with research into secondary sources that analyze the experience of being a slave in the 18th and 19th centuries. This research will bring to light the horrors of what European settlers did to their slaves in the Caribbean, and the lengths that people were willing to go to profit off from the natural resources discovered.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my senior year, I started volunteering at the Free Medical Clinic which provides quality health care to individuals who do not have health insurance and cannot afford care on their own. I chose to volunteer at this clinic to gain hands-on experience interacting with patients to aid in my future career path. My involvement with the clinic includes screening patients, taking vital signs, and assisting the volunteer providers. As an active volunteer, I have acquired insights that extend beyond clinical operations, realizing the direct correlation to my major in public health. A few of the connections I have made include the social determinants of health, the social gradient in health, and preventative care. My presentation will convey the relationship I have made between public health and the Free Medical Clinic as well as the positive impact this opportunity has had on my future career goals.
1:00-2:30 p.m.When plants experience stressors they release a biogenic volatile organic compound called green leaf volatiles (GLVs). GLVs are typically six-carbon compounds that allow plants to communicate with themselves and other plants around them. The perception of these volatiles leads to an effect known as priming which includes limiting their growth to better prepare to defend against attackers. While there has been much research about GLVs, the full signal transduction pathway is still unknown. The goal of this project is to discover mutants that appear to be important to the transduction pathway of GLVs. This is done through root growth inhibition (RGI) assays that display whether the root growth of the corresponding mutants is inhibited when treated with a GLV. These assays are set up by sterilizing given seeds and plating them on agar plates until germinated. The seedlings are then transferred to another agar plate with their initial root length marked and incubated with a GLV. After 5 days the length of the root is marked again, and the plates are scanned into the computer program GIMP to analyze the growth. Different mutant strands of Arabidopsis, mpk3, mpk6, ap2c1, pp2c5, mkp1, and dsptp1 that have previously been worked with and have suspected ties to the signal transduction pathway are being tested and compared to the wildtype Columbia-0 (Col-0). So far, promising results have been shown by the mpk6 mutant with no root growth inhibition showing the mutation is most likely correlated to GLV perception. To further this research in the future different mutants will be tested to gain an even deeper understanding of the GLV signal transduction pathway.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: The use of intelligence tests is widespread in clinical, academic, and research settings. The use and interpretation of nonverbal IQ measures are particularly relevant to the field of speech-language pathology, as nonverbal IQ scores are used as exclusionary criteria in research and have been used for diagnostic and clinical decision-making purposes. While nonverbal cognitive tests were originally designed to account for potential influences of language ability and culture on IQ scores, a large body of empirical evidence shows that language ability and scores on “nonverbal” measures are correlated. Research has also found that children with Developmental Language Disorder score significantly lower than their peers on “nonverbal” IQ assessments. While there is strong evidence for this relation, the literature lacks substantial empirical evidence of which test and examinee characteristics most influence differences in scores across different types of IQ subtests. Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between language ability and scores on multiple IQ subtests in children with a continuum of language ability. Methods: Participants will include children 4-6 years old. Children will complete seven subtests on The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), which comprise the assessment of full-scale IQ. Children will also complete assessments of expressive language ability (The Structured Photographic Expressive Language Test), and vocabulary knowledge (The Expressive One Word Picture Vocabulary Tests). IQ subtests will be scored for response type (verbal or nonverbal) and linguistic complexity of instructions. Analyses and Results: We will conduct correlation analyses investigating the relation between expressive language and scores on each IQ subtest. Strength of correlation will be interpreted based on subtest characteristics (i.e., response type and instruction complexity). We hypothesize that there will be a stronger relation between language ability and IQ test performance on verbal-response-type tests than nonverbal-response-type tests. We also hypothesize a stronger relationship between language and performance on tests with high linguistic complexity than low linguistic complexity. We plan to present data from N=6 participants collected by the time of Discover USC.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Eviction and homelessness have affected thousands of people throughout South Carolina. In 2018, the Eviction Lab found that there was an eviction filing rate of 30.6% in Richland County, far above the national average of approximately 8% (Gromis et al., 2022). In 2023, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual point-in-time count found that there were over 4000 people experiencing homelessness in South Carolina (HUD, 2023). Unfortunately, people facing eviction may be more likely to lose employment or relocate to poorer, higher crime neighborhoods (Desmond & Gershenson, 2017; Desmond & Shollenberger, 2015). As eviction disrupts the living situations of those it affects, people who have experienced one or more evictions may face challenges when accessing financial, legal, or social services. The Columbia Homeless Court (CHC) aims to address homelessness in Richland County by reducing the number of charges, warrants, and penalties faced by people affected by homelessness to incentivize their participation in services and reduce barriers to housing and employment. A participant in the CHC attends regular court meetings that assess their engagement in services and progress towards exiting homelessness. Participants that have completed the program are deemed “graduates,” while those that have not met program requirements and are not actively participating in the program will have their cases “paused.” Pauses can occur, for example, because of participants incurring new criminal charges, dropping out of services, or losing contact with court staff. The present study will examine the relationship between past eviction filings against CHC participants and their status (as paused or graduated) in the program. We hypothesize that participants with higher numbers of eviction filings will be more likely to show a paused status. Participants’ histories of eviction filings will be collected through the Public Index, while CHC case status will be collected through available court dockets stored at the CHC. The findings of this study will increase the understanding of eviction’s relationship to the success of the innovative CHC project and assist in determining the value of focusing on eviction as it relates to homelessness in South Carolina.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Perinatal Case Conference (PCC) at Prisma Health Midlands Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) is a biweekly multidisciplinary meeting to discuss pregnancies with prenatally identified congenital anomalies. Patients are primarily cared for by MFM and may have appointments with various subspecialists during their pregnancy. The goals of the PCC are multidisciplinary collaboration in planning for the management of each case and familiarizing each practitioner with the pending cases, so if/when intervention is needed, the clinicians are familiar with the case. Researchers performed a chart review and surveyed patients whose pregnancies were discussed in the PCC to learn the patient’s perspective of their care. Sixty-six eligible patients were called and/or emailed with the questionnaire. Twenty-three responses were analyzed including 15 free response answers. The questionnaire included Likert scale questions/statements assessing preparation for the birth of their child, satisfaction and value for each subspeciality, and a free response. Ten of 24 respondents saw genetic counselors and nine gave high scores of value and satisfaction. Eleven did not have genetic counseling sessions, and eight did not think it would have been beneficial for them to have seen a genetic counselor. Free responses brought forward negative views of genetic counselors and misunderstandings of the purpose of genetic counseling. Free response questions were coded for five themes divided into negative or positive. These themes were relationship, thorough explanation, trust in clinical judgment, logistics coordination, and delivery experience. Themes of relationships and thorough explanation emerged as the most significant recollection of patients’ experience in our hospital system as they were the most frequently mentioned.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Among the late 19th century European composers, perhaps none has left such a lasting impact on artistic culture as that generated by Richard Wagner. Wagner’s works idealized his concept of the gesamtkunstwerk, or the total work of art – a spectacle designed to synthesize artistic form in a reinvigoration of the spirit of ancient Hellenic tragedy. Important to Wagner’s work was a focus on a symbolic and mystical world-perception which could only be expressed through the intensely felt experience of his operas. The influence of Wagner’s artistic philosophy was felt throughout his own Germany, but more interesting is how the ideas which Wagner developed took roots in the works of more distantly removed philosophical and artistic traditions. Here we turn to the Russian Symbolists, a group of artists, writers, and philosophers active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The symbolists were defined by a focus on mysticism, and a desire to unlock the so-called world behind perceptions. It is no surprise then that Wagner’s art was very popular among the symbolists, and of particular interest, was well known by the second-generation symbolist Viacheslav Ivanov. Ivanov’s work was characterized by a singular depth of connection with the ideals of the ancient world, and particularly with a conception of the ancient Dionysian cult and the god Dionysus, which was influenced by the work of Frederich Nietzsche. Ivanov believed in a height of religious truth, a synthesis of Dionysus and Christ, that the artist must draw upon to convey this truth to his audience. In this project, I analyze the ways in which the work and artistic philosophy of Richard Wagner, supported by the intellectual framework of Nietzsche, influenced Ivanov in his conception of the presentation of symbolic and mystic truths through his own poetic artform, and find to what degree the Wagnerian spirit can be found in his works.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Estuaries provide many ecosystem services such as coastal protection, food and vegetative material, and habitat for wildlife, however, increasing anthropological development directly threatens these pivotal ecosystems. Accordingly, improved stormwater management techniques in coastal developments are required to improve water quality and protect habitats. Green infrastructure is a form of management primarily used to improve water quality through nature-based solutions but few studies have examined potential impacts on habitat association. Constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) are a form of green infrastructure that consists of artificially constructed floating plant beds that have potential to improve water quality and provide habitat for various terrestrial and aquatic organisms in urban ponds or slow-moving streams. Considering this, we examined mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) associations with monoculture CFWs using simulated estuarine habitats in mesocosm aquaria. Observations were recorded as visual observations in quadrants. Planted CFW treatments included Crinum americanum (CR), Kosteletzkya virginica (K), and Spartina alterniflora (S) in addition to a non-vegetated control CFW treatment (C). Experimental trials were conducted both in the presence and absence of a mature predator blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Blue crab were mostly observed occupying the CFW Benthic Zone in comparison to the CFW Open Water Benthic Zone across all treatments within Predator trials. This suggests that CFWs may influence predator prey dynamics in natural estuarine settings. Results also indicated some mummichog association in the CFW Root Zone in Non-predator trials. This association was strengthened in the presence of a blue crab, most significantly in S CFW treatments. Mummichog success in Southeastern salt marshes dominated by dense monocultures of Spartina alternifora, combined with the results of this study, suggests that the use of commonly observed native plant species in CFW applications will maximize fish associations and habitat use. Future additional research will include additional prey and predator species as well as an expanded list of CFW plant species.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In 2022, supported by the PURE Research Award, USCL student Cynthia Curtis and mentor Professor Chris Judge initiated the Sleeping Woman Speaks oral history project. The project centers on rural women in the former conflict zone of the Guazapa Volcano and two women-themed sites: The Guazapa Volcano, locally known as the “sleeping woman” for its silhouette; and Cihuatan Archaeological Site, “place of the woman” in Nahuat. The project’s overarching goal is to generate reflection, learning and exploration of indigenous memory, combining oral history and archaeology. During 2022, Phase 1 was implemented with 12 rural women from the San Antonio community, supported by teams in El Salvador and South Carolina. Activities included interviews, group reflections, and site visits. The women were accompanied by a local psychologist, archaeologist, and logistics coordinator in El Salvador. In 2023, with the support of the Magellan Scholar Award, Curtis traveled to El Salvador for 1 month to develop Phase 2 of the project with participants. The main goal was to build on Phase 1 learnings through field work, homestays with the women and their families, community immersion, observation, and accompaniment. Phase 2 objectives included increasing participants and expanding the program. The number of participants grew to 27 women (12 original participants and 15 new participants), ages 16-69. The number of program activities grew to 7: Guazapa Volcano hike; Visits to Cihuatan Archaeological Site, Ciudad Vieja (Spanish settlement) Archaeological Site, and National Museum of Anthropology; Ancestral Memory and Structural Violence Workshop; Artistic presentation of Nahuat language; presentation on Archaeology in El Salvador. Childcare was provided to enable the women’s full participation. Local team grew to include a San Antonio Community Coordinator and Nahuat Artist. Preliminary findings include: Similar impacts of structural violence on indigenous memory seen in Phase 1; limited contact with archaeological sites including Cihuatan (16 miles away); common use of natural medicine, organic methods, indigenous foods; no previous exposure to Nahuat. Looking ahead, the women propose continuing with Phase 3 to include their children and community youth through engaging with the San Antonio School, and the organization of “mobile museums” about the Cihuatan Archaeological Site.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This poster discusses my experience volunteering in Zomba, Malawi where I worked in the areas of female empowerment and community engagement. This opportunity came about in the Spring of 2023 as I became involved in the Global Studies Student Association (GSSA) here on campus. In accordance with the club’s purpose of building global cultural understanding and international relations, we partnered with an African non-governmental organization located in Zomba, Malawi. Consequently, I was offered the opportunity to live in the founder’s grandmother’s home and work in the village as an English teacher while participating in local development projects. I perceived this as a chance to gain hands-on experience about a reality I had only ever read about while improving skills of cross-cultural communication, adaptability, resourcefulness, and empathy. Through this experience I learned more than I could have ever imagined about historical implications on present day issues, intersectionality of environmentalism and poverty, along with the validity of socially accepted beliefs. Based on these reflections, I encourage myself and others to widen their perspectives to understand that a better future is possible with the willingness to understand how the past and present have shaped not only global realities but our individual lives.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Neuropsychiatric disorders claim over 8 million lives in the U.S. alone each year and lead to a number of devastating comorbidities. Exposure to stress is a major underlying factor in the development of many of these disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition is associated with increased hypervigilance and social avoidance, and females display rates of PTSD ~2-3 times that of males. A notable physiological difference that may underlie this sex difference is that females exhibit increased neuronal density in the locus coeruleus (LC), the brain region responsible for the production and release of norepinephrine (NE). Importantly, neurons in this brain region can be activated by neuroimmune signaling, which is a common consequence of stress exposure. The increase in LC neuronal signaling as a result of inflammatory cytokines may lead to increased NE release in downstream brain regions including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a region that plays a key role in the behavioral symptoms of PTSD. Therefore, these studies were designed to address the question, if we prevent stress-induced cytokine activity in the LC can we prevent stress-related behaviors? These experiments used female rats with microinjection cannulae implanted in the LC for delivery of IL-1Ra, a cytokine receptor antagonist, prior to stress. Rats underwent the witness stress (WS) paradigm for 5 consecutive days during which they observed the social defeat of a small male intruder rat by a large retired male breeder rat. Following WS or control handling, female rats were exposed to post-stress behavioral tests including acoustic startle response (ASR) and a social interaction test to evaluate the therapeutic effect of intra-LC cytokine antagonism on stress-related hypervigilance and social avoidance. Preliminary analysis of this data revels that LC IL-1Ra decreases hypervigilant behaviors during stress and ASR and prevents stress-induced neuronal activation. Further molecular analyses will establish how IL-1Ra in the LC affects NE signaling in the mPFC and plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography and impacts the peripheral release of stress-related peptides including corticosterone. Overall, these data provide strong support for the use of anti-inflammatories as a potential treatment for stress comorbidities in females.
9:30-11:00 a.m.One main objectives of modern nuclear physics is to understand the force between quarks and gluons. These elementary particles make up protons and neutrons, called collectively nucleons, are the building blocks of atomic nuclei and all visible matter in the universe. Quarks are governed by the strong force, a fundamental force of nature, which is responsible for holding nucleons together within the nucleus. Nucleons are made up of the lightest up and down quarks, whereas heavier subatomic particles, such as the Lambda or the Omega, called hyperons, contain one or more strange quarks. The force between a strange and an up, or a down quark is different from the force between an up and a down quark and is not well understood in detail. This scenario is expected to play a significant role in making of the most densely packed microscopic objects in our universe, cores of neutron stars. Experiments carried out at particle accelerators provide insights into the behavior of quarks and gluons. Our project makes use of a high-statistics experiment that was performed at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). In the experiment, deuteron nuclei are smashed by hitting them with a high-energy electromagnetic radiation. In some nuclear reactions that happen in the hits, the lightest hyperon, the Lambda particle, is produced. The objective of our work is to scan through the monumental heap of all nuclear reactions that occurred and select only those hits where Lambda was produced, so that we could estimate the total number of Lambdas. This number is necessary to make quantitative conclusions about the hyperon-nucleon force. We identified Lambda hyperons by detecting their decay products, proton and π− pair, and applying energy and linear-momentum conservation. We extracted the number of Lambdas by using statistical techniques to subtract background hits. We estimated the systematic error of the background subtraction to be of the order of 10%. In this presentation, we will show details of the analysis, our preliminary results, and an outlook. This work was supported in part by the U.S. NSF under award 2111050.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Objectives: Older Syrian refugees in Lebanon experience high rates of food and water insecurity, concurrently with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and poor mental health. Food and water insecurity can adversely affect well-being through various mechanisms. To inform humanitarian programs, we explored whether food and water insecurity predicted NCD management ability and mental health of older Syrian refugees. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon among older Syrian refugees (≥50 years) from households that received assistance from a humanitarian organization. Data were collected via telephone interviews between September 2020 and January 2021. Backward step-wise logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of the two main outcomes; self-reported inability to manage any NCD (including chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, or hypertension) and poor mental health (Mental Health Inventory-5 score≤60). Results: Of 3322 older Syrian refugees, 58.7% had at least one NCD, 76.9% had poor mental health, 91.9% were food insecure and 30.8% were water insecure. Among those with an NCD, 20.4% were unable to manage at least one. Predictors for inability to manage NCDs were younger age, not receiving cash assistance, water insecurity, food insecurity, and having multiple NCDs. Predictors for poor mental health were younger age, food insecurity, water insecurity, lack of legal status documentation, irregular employment, higher intensity of bodily pain, having debt, and having NCDs. Conclusion: Food and water insecurity are interconnected resource insecurities, which affect health outcomes. In order to improve individuals’ wellbeing, humanitarian initiatives should ensure that refugees receive essential support, addressing their basic food and water needs.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Yeast works as a tool for modeling ecological phenomena in a lab environment. In this project, genetically altered yeast displaying multiple colors are being used to show the growth and change over time of different populations. Data collection on this study however requires a great deal of manual labor in identifying, classifying, and counting the different colonies of yeast. To aid in the overall ecological study, we have trained a machine learning algorithm to automatically detect, classify, and count yeast colonies of different lineages when given a series of images of the petri dishes said colonies are growing on. This model aims to expedite the labor-intensive process of manually identifying and classifying yeast colonies, allowing researchers to focus more on data analysis and ecological interpretations. Our model shows promise in accurately detecting and classifying yeast colonies, providing a valuable tool for future ecological studies utilizing yeast colonies as a model system.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Objective While methods exist to objectively assess food safety risks and the nutritional adequacy of diets, the subjective experiences of consumers regarding food safety remain underexplored. This scoping review aims to determine which underlying constructs of subjective food safety experiences have been assessed. Methods Six databases (Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Science Direct) were used to identify articles published in English from 2000-2023 using key terms such as food safety, consumer food choice behaviors, and consumption. After removing duplicates, 1566 article titles and abstracts were screened for eligibility. Studies involving human participants and assessing food safety experiences were included, excluding those focusing on biological and chemical hazards through supply-side risk management. Results Full-text screening of 89 articles was completed; data were extracted from 81 articles. Most studies (n=51) were conducted in high-income countries. Quantitative methods were used in 58 of the studies, qualitative methods in 22, and 8 were literature reviews. Fourteen of the articles focused on scale development. Most studies included consumers as participants (n=65). Vendors and retailers were recruited in 15 of the studies, and professionals from healthcare and academia were recruited in 2. Studies measured cognitive (e.g., knowledge, awareness), affective (e.g., trust, concern), and behavioral (e.g., safe food handling practices) components of food safety. The infrastructure (e.g., availability of sanitation facilities) and adherence to quality control (e.g., transparency of food preparation areas and practices) influenced consumers’ sensory perceptions, feelings of trust, self-efficacy, risk perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes toward food safety. Despite the importance of these factors, few studies integrated these considerations into their evaluations to comprehensively understand their combined influence on consumers' food safety experiences. Conclusions Research on food safety experiences and metrics is limited. Studies predominantly originate from high-income countries, focus on psychological dimensions of food safety, and do not adequately consider external conditions and societal contexts.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the fall semester of my junior year, I started working at Drayer Physical Therapy as a physical therapy technician. Drayer Physical Therapy is an outpatient physical therapy clinic that offers personalized treatment plans for many different conditions and injuries. As a physical therapy technician, I assisted patients in performing therapy exercises and recorded patient progress. I performed basic prescribed treatments, such as applying heat pads and ice packs. I also prepared equipment and the treatment area for patient use. Additionally, I completed administrative tasks such as answering patient calls and scheduling patients when necessary. This job gave me the opportunity to work directly with patients and collaborate with physical therapists and physical therapy assistants. As a public health major, working as a physical therapy technician allowed me to see public health concepts and theories in a real-life setting to better understand what I was already Iearning in the classroom. Some examples of these that I saw were the social cognitive theory, levels of prevention, and social determinants of health. By working at this job while attending school, I was able to challenge myself to gain patient care experience in addition to learning the public health curriculum, which I will use as a physician assistant in the future. As a healthcare professional, skills I learned through this job include comprehending diverse populations, communicating effectively, and using critical thinking to come up with strategies or solutions to problems. My presentation will go into further detail about the knowledge I’ve gained while working as a physical therapy technician and the significance it has had on understanding my college coursework and preparing me for my future career goals.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the spring semester of 2023, I got an incredible opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, particularly in Italy because I am Italian and I wanted to learn more about my culture. I also had the chance to travel to many other countries so I got to experience other diverse cultures as well as, economies, and business practices, which I knew would help me foster global awareness and cross-cultural communication skills essential in today's interconnected world. To be able to study abroad, I had to go through the lengthy process of first determining where I wanted to go, then applying and going through the visa process. It was all worth it because, this experience taught me a lot and provided me with valuable insights into how to expand and run a business internationally, understand different global markets, and increase my global awareness. This means for my future marketing/business career, I will have a greater understanding of diverse cultures, which will be extremely useful if I ever work for a multinational corporation or a company looking to expand worldwide.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability marked by challenges in social communication and interaction, as well as repetitive or restricted behaviors or interests (CDC, 2022). Anxiety is highly prevalent in the ASD community, with up to 62% of individuals affected by anxiety (Vasa et al., 2020). Notably, children with ASD often experience separation anxiety, which is the intense fear or stress when separated from primary emotional attachments. This condition occurs at more than double the prevalence seen in the general population (Paulus et al., 2015). However, little is known about how the components of behavior inhibition, shyness and fear, individually contribute to separation anxiety symptoms, particularly in relation to sex differences in children with ASD and at an elevated likelihood for ASD. This study seeks to examine ASD children and elevated likelihood and overall sex differences of shyness and fear and their relationship with separation anxiety symptoms. This study consists of 63 boys with ASD or at an elevated likelihood for ASD and 29 girls with ASD or at an elevated likelihood for ASD. Children ranged in age from 3 —5 years. The Children’s Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) parent questionnaire was used to measure fear and shyness (Putnam et al., 2006; Rothbart et al., 2001). Fear is defined as the degree of negative emotions, such as unease, worry or nervousness associated with anticipated pain, distress, or perceived threats, while shyness is described exhibiting a hesitant or inhibited approach in situations involving new or uncertainty circumstances (Putnam et al., 2006; Rothbart et al., 2001). Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the raw scores obtained from Preschool Anxiety Scale- Revised, with a focus on the separation anxiety scale (Spence et al., 2001). I hypothesize that children with ASD will exhibit higher levels of fear, shyness and separation anxiety symptoms compared to elevated likelihood for ASD. Overall girls with ASD and elevated likelihood for ASD will have higher levels than boys. The findings from this study will help characterize the sex differences among preschool-aged children with ASD and at an elevated likelihood for ASD.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Much of the communication surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine following its release in the United States in 2020 happened on social media, and two of the largest participants in these discussions were healthcare professionals and politicians. Both parties are known to have a significant impact on public opinion regarding health issues, but their communication strategies and sentiments on social media sites like Twitter are largely under-investigated. Twitter, now X, has been widely used by healthcare providers and politicians for disseminating information to patients, constituents, and the general public. This study gathered 1000 influential COVID-19 vaccine-related tweets posted by either healthcare professionals or politicians in the year following the administration of the first COVID-19 vaccination in the United States (December 2020 - December 2021). The engagements and sentiments of the popular tweets from these two groups will be analyzed to determine the overarching opinions and influence of two of the most outspoken groups on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In 1791, one of the few successful slave revolts in history took place in Haiti. Led by men like Toussaint L’ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the enslaved African population rose up in armed rebellion and drove out their French captors. This happened around the same time as the French Revolution which played a significant role in the conflict. My poster would focus on the circumstances that made the rebellion possible, the rebellion itself, and the just as compelling aftermath. One could even argue that the government’s actions immediately after winning the war are largely responsible for Haiti’s circumstances today.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Anxiety and trauma-related disorders involve some form of associative learning. Pavlovian fear conditioning, therefore, has been used to study the mechanisms of associative learning and memory that form the basis for our understanding of specific aversive conditioning and anxiety and trauma-related neural circuitry. In addition to predicting threats in isolation, animals must distinguish between predictors of threat and safety to flexibly respond to varying environmental conditions to make appropriate behavioral responses. Studies suggest that an inability to respond to predictors of threat and safety appropriately contributes to several anxiety disorders as well as PTSD. Similarly, the inability to suppress fear when safety and fear cues are presented simultaneously, a process known as conditioned inhibition, is also implicated in anxiety and trauma-related disorders. Tests of conditioned inhibition involve a summation test where the fear cue (CS+) is presented simultaneously with a safety cue (CS−). This test assesses the ability of animals to use the CS− to suppress fear in the presence of the CS+. In all cases, the summation test is conducted in the same context where the animals learn to suppress fear. Because animals, including humans, generalize fear to places or cues that were never associated with a threatening stimulus, we examined if safety cues could suppress fear when mice generalize fear to a novel context. An A+/AB− procedure was used in which the context served as the “fear” cue and the tone served as the “safety” cue. Mice were trained on conditioned inhibition for three days, then, in a counterbalanced fashion, underwent a summation test in a novel context and the training context. Our data show that male and female mice successfully suppressed fear in the training context, as predicted. However, when the summation test occurred in a novel context, they failed to suppress fear when the “safety” cue was presented. These data are the first to investigate the context-dependency of conditioned inhibition and demonstrate contextual influences on the ability to suppress fear in the presence of fearful cues. Our results have implications for relapse of fear after cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and stress-related disorders.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: The standard positioning for placing intramedullary nails in proximal humerus fractures is the semi-recumbent position, also known as the “beach chair” position. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the lateral decubitus position as an alternative to the semi-recumbent position in the placement of intramedullary nails in proximal humerus fractures. Methods: We queried patients from 2021-2022 who underwent surgery to repair proximal humerus fractures. Criteria for patient selection included patients undergoing surgery for humerus fractures and lateral decubitus positioning during surgery. We measured surgical outcomes in 17 patients (11 females, 6 males, M=60.35, SD=20.36): estimated blood loss, radial nerve function, and fracture union. Radiographs were reviewed for evidence of malunions. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 164.9 days. Our data revealed 15 of 17 patients reached fracture union and 14 of 17 patients returned to baseline radial nerve function, with two patients being lost to follow-up. Estimated blood loss for the patient cohort was 126.47 milliliters. Conclusions: Our initial experience with this surgical technique has been overall good. All patients that followed up in the clinic achieved fracture union and most patients returned to baseline neurological function. The lateral decubitus positioning technique is a safe, effective alternative to the semi-recumbent patient position. Further research on a direct comparison of patient outcomes associated with both the semi-recumbent and lateral decubitus patient positioning techniques is warranted.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Yearly, cancer is a leading health concern and cause of death in the United States leading to improvements in research. This analysis evaluates 50 cancer-critical genes for the presence of hotspot mutations in nine pathways: RTK/RAS/MAP, TGFβ, PI3K, Wnt, GPCR, p53, JAK/STAT, Notch, and the cell cycle pathway with the aim of enhancing understanding of the impact of hotspot mutations in these 50 cancer-critical genes. The findings from the study will be further used in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict personalized treatments based on the identified mutations. Methods: An analysis was conducted on previously identified gene mutations in 66 breast cancer patients at the Prisma Health Cancer Institute. The data contains the status of 2,800 COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) hotspot mutations in 50 cancer-critical genes. To perform the analysis, a literature search phase was implemented using databases such as ClinVar and gathered information and published literature about these mutations. Once the mutations were found, they were annotated for certain characteristics, including predicted changes in protein folding, clinical significance and associated pathological conditions, possible variations, and affected signaling pathways. Results: When looking at the 50 cancer-critical genes previously sequenced for hotspot mutations, a total of 79 different hotspot mutations were identified in the studied group of 66 breast cancer patients. Of note, for several of these mutations, little to no information was available concerning their role. The lack of information could be a sign of their novelty suggesting further investigation for potential clinical significance. Conclusion: The identified unknown mutations in cancer-critical genes may have clinical significance and require further investigation. The information gained from this study will be added to a comprehensive cancer patient database for clinicians and researchers, currently under development with funding from the Prisma Health Transformative Seed Grant. Moreover, the data will be further utilized in AI applications to predict personalized treatment approaches for cancer patients.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The most impactful aspect of my student leadership experience has been serving various roles in Carolina Productions, the main campus activities board at the University of South Carolina. Through Carolina Productions, I have been able to foster community and bring people together to create moments that last forever by facilitating free and fun entertainment for over 29,620 students, staff, and faculty through concerts, comedy shows, craft nights, and movies. As Vice President of Internal Affairs, I collaborated with the executive board to utilize quantitative and qualitative data to inform decision-making on events we should execute the following semester and to guide the internal allocation of our budget, aligning it with the Department of Student Life's strategic goals at the time, which included diversity, equity, and inclusion, student engagement and learning, campus environment, and operational excellence, with the goal of better-serving students. This was my first role as an executive member, and it set the foundation for my leadership style within Carolina Productions. I saw these same skills come to life within the classroom, in ANTH 342: Environmental Anthropology 342 - Cross-cultural Perspectives on Environmental Change, where I collected and utilized qualitative data to complete a project that provided a different perspective on the use of environmental space in Columbia, SC through an anthropological lens and learned to use scholarly articles and survey data to build thoughtful analyses. As well as, ENVR 501: Environmental Advocacy, where I utilized quantitative data to make recommendations on the target audiences and topics political candidates should focus on and learned data can be used to make strategic decisions about where resources should be invested and measure the effectiveness and success. Now that I have utilized data to make informed decisions within and beyond the classroom, I know qualitative data and quantitative data are equally as valuable and should both be utilized to empower leaders to make informed decisions that impact people. This experience influenced my career aspiration of becoming a human resources professional where data-driven decision-making, developing strategies aligned with organizational goals, and communication, are necessary for being a valuable member of the workplace.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Obesity is a disease characterized by an excessive amount of adipose tissue that may impair health. Affecting over 40% of adults in the US, obesity increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes and depression. Obesity results from complex interactions that include sedentariness and changes in eating behavior. It is known that a brain area, the hypothalamus, regulates eating behavior. However, some extra-hypothalamic areas can control food intake, such as the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), the primary source of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT). It has been well-established that leptin, a hormone released by adipose tissue, acts as a satiety factor in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, it has been shown that 5-HT injection into the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) decreases food intake in rats. In relation to this, leptin interacts with 5-HT to influence food intake. The Grillo lab has shown that leptin acts upon the DRN neurons to reduce food intake through a connection from the DRN to the ARC. In addition, leptin injection into the DRN stimulates the release of 5HT to the ARC. The objective of this project is to characterize this novel circuit between the DRN and the ARC and identify the role of neuropeptide-Y (NPY), an appetite stimulating neuropeptide, and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), an appetite suppressing neuropeptide, in the ARC when leptin is administered in the DRN. To evaluate this, we have focused on the 5-HT2C receptor, a stimulatory receptor whose activation reduces food intake. The characterization of this circuit will allow us to understand the mechanisms through which 5-HT and leptin influence eating behavior and allow us to reach our goal of understanding how the leptin system could be targeted to treat obesity. We hypothesize that leptin injection into the DRN will increase expression of c-fos, a marker for neuronal activation, in ARC neurons that express POMC. Furthermore, we also hypothesized that leptin into the DRN will decrease the expression of c-fos in neurons that express NPY. We have concluded that the 5-HT2C receptor is independent of this leptin/5-HT circuit, suggesting that other serotonergic receptors may be involved in this circuit.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Participating in mindful walking is a promising lifestyle activity for promoting healthy aging in older adults as it does not require equipment or a higher intensity. Many studies focus on long-term mental health effects, but the immediate advantages of mindful walking for older adults' mental health are uncertain. Objectives: This study aims to examine how engaging in mindful walking is linked to immediate changes in mental health outcomes among older adults, as measured through a smartphone app. The mental health outcomes include positive emotions (energetic, joyful, calm), negative emotions (anxious, tired, depressed), mindfulness (present, thoughts and emotions, physical awareness), cognition (sharpness and concentration), loneliness, and stress. Methods: Sixty-six older African American adults aged 60 years or older with at least one dementia risk factor were assigned to either the immediate mindful walking group or the delayed mindful walking group. The current 30 participants in the immediate group were assigned 24 sessions of 30-min mindful walking for twelve weeks (2 sessions per week). Cut-off for this poster was completion of 16 out of 24 sessions by March 1st, leaving 20 participants in the immediate group. The smartphone surveys were done before and immediately after each walking session with response scale ranging from 0-100 (not at all to extremely). Energetic, joyful, and calm values were averaged individually and combined for average positive emotions. Anxious, tired, and depressed were averaged individually and combined for average negative emotions. Feelings of present, thoughts and emotions, and physical awareness were averaged individually and combined for average mindfulness. Loneliness and stress were averaged individually. Results: Out of the 20 participants, 13 experienced improved levels of positive emotions, 11 experienced decreased negative emotions, increased cognition and mindfulness, 9 had decreased loneliness, and 15 experienced lower stress levels. Five participants experienced benefits in all areas, while the average improvement was 3.45/6 categories. Conclusion: Mindful walking could potentially enhance psychological well-being and reduce the likelihood of mental health disorders. Future extensive experiments with control groups will clarify if regular mindful walking can aid at-risk older adults in maintaining healthy aging.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major health concern with an estimated 1.7 million cases occurring annually in the USA. TBI risk has been shown to increase with age, with adults >65 experiencing the most TBI cases. Natural changes in the aging brain such as brain atrophy and larger ventricles may affect the brain’s biomechanical response. Understanding the biomechanics of the brain under injurious conditions is important for predicting TBI risk. This study aims to simulate the deformation response of the aging brain using subject-specific finite element (FE) models from a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset of healthy adults. Due to increased epidemiological TBI risk, we hypothesized that the deformation (or strain) would increase with age. First, we chose subjects from the longitudinal dataset with at least 3 scan sessions (196 M/238 F). We then ranked and selected the top 20 of these subjects based on ones that experienced the largest change in normalized ventricle volume with age. 3D subject specific FE models, with a 1.5mm voxel resolution, were generated from segmented MRI scans at each session. Concussion-level kinematic boundary conditions were applied to the skull with a magnitude of 40 rad/s for 30 ms in the axial rotational direction in LS-Dyna. The maximum principal strain (MPS), which represents the maximum deformation experienced by each voxel in any direction was calculated. The difference in 95th percentile MPS over the entire brain was calculated for each scan relative to the baseline scan. We’ve simulated 8 subjects so far with 34 simulations and observed a consistent decrease in 95th MPS with age. This trend reveals a percent difference of 0.651% per year with an R-squared value of 0.583. While this correlation is moderate, there are other subject-specific factors such as baseline age, sex, head size, and amount of atrophy that will be investigated. More longitudinal aging subjects will also be simulated to correlate these features to the strain response. A future direction for this study is to develop biomechanical imaging and modeling tools integrated with machine learning to efficiently predict, prevent, and mitigate TBI risk in the aging brain.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the summer and Fall 2023 semesters, I worked with the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) oversees tax-related matters within the state. It is responsible for collecting state taxes, including income, sales, and property taxes while enforcing compliance with tax laws by auditing taxpayers and investigating tax evasion. The department also assists taxpayers with understanding and fulfilling their tax obligations through educational programs and resources. As a Political Science major at the University of South Carolina, I was incredibly excited to work in a job closely related to my field. My internship provided me with first-hand experience with a state bureaucracy. I had the opportunity to write a Criminal Justice Infromation System policy, work on risk analysis matrices and developed strategic plans for future physical space renovation. Participating in this internship showed the nuances involved in managing large organizations and people. The skills I worked on are not only essential for success within the Department of Revenue, but they also extend beyond the realm of taxation and are highly transferable to diverse career paths. The ability to analyze complex data sets, interpret regulations, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders are valuable assets in fields such as financial analysis, consulting, and corporate compliance. Furthermore, the experience of working in a government setting exposed me to the intricacies of public service and policymaking. Understanding the impact of taxation on community development and public welfare broadened my perspective on the role of finance professionals in contributing to societal well-being.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) has been shown to cause structural failures. In the case of spent nuclear canisters, radioactive materials may leak through cracks that penetrate the wall. Early detection of SCC is crucial, followed by appropriate mitigation methods. We have been working to establish foundations for inspecting defects and designing mitigation methods if such defects are found. In this poster presentation, we will demonstrate the use of ultrasonic guided waves to detect through-thickness cracks and how data analysis indicates their presence and location. The waves are measured by a state-of-the-art scanning laser Doppler vibrometer, allowing acquisition of both time and space information regarding the waves and their interactions with the crack, enabling assessment of crack presence and estimation of its location. A study on repairing methods using composite patches follows, including the patching process and preliminary work on patch performance. We expect this work to lay the foundation for fully developing effective inspection and mitigation technologies to ensure the safe operation of critical structures.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies have become increasingly more popular within health promotion research. CBPR has been identified as an effective method for achieving sustainable community level change and reducing health disparities. CBPR is defined as an equitable and collaborative approach to research that involves community stakeholders in every aspect of the research process including development, implementation, and evaluation. Once an initial connection has been established with a community, researchers might develop a community advisory board (CAB). CABs are spearheaded by members from the community and directly partner with the study team in carrying out the research project or intervention. Although CBPR guiding principles are centered on building community trust and partnership, ensuring a healthy CAB does not come without challenges. Therefore, the current study seeks to gather expert feedback on the CAB-researcher relationship to inform the development of a CAB alliance measure. Methods: A purposeful sample of 20 CAB members will be recruited for this study. Participants will be recruited from CABs in South Carolina and Florida. Participants will be asked to partake in a 60-minute virtual interview and complete a brief demographic questionnaire in exchange for a $30 Visa gift card. Interviews will be conducted, recorded, and transcribed via Zoom, a virtual meeting software deemed appropriate for qualitative research Results: Coding will be guided by the constant comparative analysis approach to compare relationships across interviews. Each interview will be coded by two coders – an approach to qualitative analysis that ensures consistency across coders and mitigates potential for bias. A member check will also be conducted to ensure that the themes derived from the interviews accurately represent the participants' experiences and perspectives. Dissemination: Findings from this study will seek to enhance the alliance of CABs within CBPR projects and beyond (e.g., university advisory boards). The findings from this study will be disseminated across various avenues to reach diverse audiences conducting research in academic and community settings. Additionally, a one-page summary of the results and the published manuscript will be sent to participants – an important step in dissemination that is often overlooked.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This investigation is focused on studying the impact of gel composition and well shape on the migration and differentiation of spontaneously arising retinal pigment epithelium stem cells (ARPE). To achieve this, the cells are seeded onto a type 1 bovine pure collagen gel and allowed to settle for a period of twenty minutes. Subsequently, they are released from the well wall and incubated for 24 hours. As a result of this procedure, the stem cells naturally adopt a three-dimensional, doughnut-like structure known as a "toroid," which closely mimics the original well shape. This unique organizational pattern is not observed unless the specific experimental protocol is followed. Following toroid formation, the samples are subjected to different pairs of primers, such as Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L19 (MRPL 19) and Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP 27), to enable the study of specific genes of interest. A Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is employed using the PFAFFL method to determine the gene expression ratios in each experimental sample, in comparison to a control sample. The cycle threshold values of each specimen are also analyzed to quantify the prominence of each gene in the corresponding trial. Notably, an untreated cell pellet displays lower average cycle threshold values for both primer sets (MRPL: 24.72 and HSP: 27.43) compared to a cell toroid (MRPL: 29.96 and HSP: 31.69), or a gel with cells dispersed within it (MRPL: 30.82 and HSP: 32.5). The findings from these experiments indicate a significant correlation between toroid formation and alterations in gene expression levels. This investigation sheds light on the biochemical and biophysical properties of stem cells as they interact and integrate within the gel matrix. These results hold potential implications for advancing the understanding of stem cell signaling and may contribute to the progression of regenerative medicine.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: The impact of having a relative with schizophrenia on an individual's susceptibility to depressive symptoms is multifaceted and implicates various factors. Beyond genetic predisposition, however, the experience of living with a family member affected by schizophrenia introduces additional stressors, including societal stigma and the complexities of managing the associated symptoms and treatment regimens. Organizational, non-organizational, and intrinsic religiosity has been shown to be an effective tool in responding to major depression; however, few studies have examined how religiosity mitigates depressive symptoms specifically. Methods: Data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) were used to examine the association between having a relative with schizophrenia and depressive symptoms with religiosity moderating this association among an African American and Afro-Caribbean sample. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between the focal independent and focal dependent variables. Interactions were used to determine the moderating effect of religiosity on the association between depressive symptoms and family history. Results: Individuals with a family history of schizophrenia reported higher depressive symptoms (b = .06, p < .05). Religiosity was associated with lower depressive symptoms for those with moderate to high religiosity (b=1.06 p<.05). Conclusion: Family history of schizophrenia among this predominantly African American and Afro-Caribbean sample is a risk factor for depressive symptoms. Future studies should consider how moderate to high levels of religiosity affect a wide range of mental health symptoms.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Prior to the 2022 Dobbs decision, Black women were already experiencing disproportionately negative maternal health outcomes compared to White women. With the Dobbs decision granting states more power to enforce abortion restrictions or protections, divergent paths have emerged. While some states have codified abortion into their state constitutions, others have enacted total bans with minimal exceptions. Pre-Dobbs maternal mortality rates suggest that while legality ensures the right to abortion, legality alone does not guarantee access to abortion. In states where reproductive rights have been eroded, the heightened restrictions are likely to exacerbate the limited access that Black women had prior to the Dobbs decision. Consequently, further reductions in abortion access are likely to exacerbate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. However, research on the relationship between the lack of access to abortion and negative health outcomes is mixed. These mixed findings underscore the complexity of the relationship between restricting abortion access and adverse health outcomes and highlight the need to provide a synthesis of the evidence of any disparate outcomes of this relationship. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic literature review has been conducted to understand the cumulative effect of abortion restriction on maternal health outcomes or even the attendant racial disparities. Such an understanding is crucial for informing policies and interventions aimed at safeguarding reproductive rights and mitigating maternal health disparities. Using a systematic review of the literature, this study set out to investigate whether, how, and why Black women disproportionately experience negative health consequences resulting from lack of access to abortion relative to their white counterparts. A majority of the studies included in our review show that Black women experienced relatively higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity than White women when access to abortion is restricted. These findings underscore the urgent need to address systematic barriers that impede Black women’s reproductive health access. In addition, these findings also offer scholars, policymakers, and the broader public with an important empirical basis advocacy efforts aimed at promoting reproductive justice and mitigating health disparities among marginalized communities.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In the wake of the death of George Floyd, protests erupted across the United States advocating for racial justice in policing. Though candidates have traditionally approached issues related to race either by implicitly leveraging them, explicitly addressing them, or distancing themselves altogether, this event forced parties to rethink these approaches. While it is natural to associate that conversation with the constant news coverage of protests, the sparring it produced in Congress, and the role it played in the race for the White House, this study aims to better understand how candidates for state legislative offices chose to implement that rhetoric within their campaigns. While State Legislatures are best equipped to address these local issues, the highly nationalized and negatively polarized environment these office seekers have found themselves in has made them more prone to relying on partisan talking points at the expense of localized, nuanced approaches. Given the exigency of the Black Lives Matter protests, however, when faced with pressing local matters such as police violence in their own community, state legislative skirmishes, or regional unrest, politicians take note and tailor their messaging to fit the circumstances of their district. In doing so, Democrats and Republicans transgress national narratives as well as their expected patterns of racial messaging.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Liver cancer diagnosis often relies on radiographic evidence, which can be misleading due to similarities to other conditions like invasive candidiasis, hydatid liver cysts, and trematode infections. Histopathologic analysis is essential but may not yield definitive results. We here present a case of an immigrant with a Fasciola hepatica liver mass. Fasciola hepatica, a trematode, acquired through metacercaria ingestion from contaminated water and uncooked plants (e.g. Watercress). It can lead to asymptomatic hepatobiliary infestation for years before complicating into a hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor. A thirty-three-year-old Karen woman presented as a new patient to the Carolina Survivor Clinic, complaining of right upper quadrant abdominal pain, tenderness, anorexia, and malaise for three years, without associated fevers or unintentional weight loss. She emigrated first to Thailand and then to the United States, where she was initially hospitalized for these symptoms at an external facility. Imaging revealed a liver mass, leading to a diagnosis of liver cancer of unknown origin, despite the absence of a primary tumor. A subsequent liver biopsy was complicated by hemoperitoneum and was ultimately nondiagnostic. Declining further invasive testing, the patient sought palliative care with her family in South Carolina until a family member recommended our clinic. Upon evaluation, we noted peripheral eosinophilia and positive serologies for Fasciola and Toxocara antibodies, with equivocal results for Schistosoma antibodies. A repeat MRI showed a well-circumscribed mass-like abnormal signal enhancement within the right lobe of the liver, inconsistent with typical cancer presentations. Given these findings, we initiated an empirical antiparasitic treatment regimen, including albendazole, praziquantel, and triclabendazole. Remarkably, the patient reported significant improvement in her symptoms within two months, with repeat imaging over the course of a year showing stable findings. She continues to do well clinically. Our case highlights how infections can mimic cancer, highlighting the importance of considering parasitic liver disease in the differential diagnosis of a liver mass in patients from endemic areas. A careful review of travel history and basic laboratory tests, including differential blood indices and serologies, can help avoid significant healthcare costs and the distress of an incorrect cancer diagnosis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In this presentation we will show the results of GaN/AlGaN heterostructure field effect transistor (HFET) structure capped with a dielectric layer in a single reactor without breaking the vacuum, called in-situ process. The dielectric layer is used to suppress the leakage current to increase the reliability of the device. This study will show the results where Ga2O3 was used as a dielectric. The typical process, where HFET structure and dielectric layers were grown separately is called ex-situ process can result in large numbers of interface charges. Depending on the material and growth conditions the density of interface charges can be changed. We will show the results of HFET capped with Ga2O3 where the structure grown by in-situ exhibited density of interface charges ∼4 × 1012 cm−2 whereas the same structure grown by ex-situ process shows the density of interface charges up to ∼1 × 1013 cm−2 eV−1. These results will be compared with our future study of HFET structure with Al2O3 capped layer, to illustrate the universality of the process.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Abstract: Understanding the dynamics of opinion evolution in large populations is crucial for addressing contemporary challenges such as the spread of misinformation and the strategic shaping of public opinion. Traditional models of opinion dynamics often struggle with the complexities of real-world data, which is characterized by its sparsity, aggregation, and the nonlinear nature of social interactions. This work introduces the "Information Competition Simulator," a novel computational framework designed to simulate the evolution of opinions across large populations, overcoming the limitations of existing approaches. Background: This research builds upon the foundation of opinion dynamics theory, leveraging the modified French DeGroot model to more accurately represent the influence of social interactions and media on individual and collective opinion states. Recognizing the challenges posed by sparse and aggregated feedback data from populations, our simulator integrates advanced data-assimilation techniques to enrich the modeling process. This approach allows for the nuanced simulation of opinion dynamics, taking into account the irregular and aggregated nature of real-world data. Results: The "Information Competition Simulator" has been validated through extensive simulations involving populations of over 10,000 agents, with real demographic characteristics. These simulations, executed on high-performance computing platforms, demonstrate the simulator's ability to capture the complex evolution of opinions over time. By employing a modified French DeGroot model, and logging at every step, the simulator effectively captures the spread and impact of information, including misinformation, across large-scale populations. The results highlight the potential of targeted information interventions, using minimal control signals, to disseminate information dynamically. Challenges in scaling up the simulations for real-world applicability and the implications of misinformation dissemination strategies are discussed, offering insights into the effective management of opinion dynamics in large populations. Conclusion: The "Information Competition Simulator" represents a significant advancement in the field of opinion dynamics, providing a robust tool for researchers and policymakers to understand and influence the complex landscape of public opinion. Through its integration of data-driven modeling and high-performance simulations, this work contributes to the development of more effective strategies for information dissemination and the mitigation of misinformation impacts.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The Simulation and Clinical Skills Interest Group’s (SCSIG) mission is to provide first and second-year medical students with hands-on opportunities to experience and develop pertinent clinical skills using high-fidelity simulation and educational workshops in the hopes of building students’ confidence before entering clerkships and residency. Due to the pandemic, more students than ever are entering medical school with limited clinical experience due to the additional barriers that COVID-19 caused. Many hospitals did not allow students to shadow during this time, and a large amount of in person hands-on events were canceled. As medical students, our exposure to clinical skills is relatively limited in the first two years of our curriculum. SCSIG strives to help introduce these skills to students as early as possible, in order to better prepare students for when they enter the hospital environment during their third year. This project focused on investigating the benefits of participating in clinical skills events, such as an improvement in suturing skills, knowledge of various surgical tools, and overall confidence going into the third year of medical school. The results demonstrated that students who attended SCSIG events were more confident in their ability to perform these skills and an overall increase in their preparedness for the clinical environment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This study investigated statutory codes and laws relating to shoreline access in each of the coastal United States. Statutes relating to beach boundaries, beachfront construction, armoring and setbacks, and accretion and avulsion were deciphered to gain a broader perception of how public beach accessibility varies amongst states. Terms such as “high and low water marks” which are used in statutory codes and laws to define public beach boundaries are typically unbeknownst to beachgoers, which makes shoreline access laws difficult to understand. The lack of ability to enforce these laws can lead to legal conflicts with private landowners. Findings from this study can be used to suggest potential revisions of statutory codes regarding beach access to ensure that the public is aware of their privileges to the shore in each state.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Over 39 million people are estimated to be living with HIV, many of whom develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) due to neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory mechanisms of HIV. A new focus of HIV research is the role of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in HIV progression and development of HAND. However, a mechanism that remains to be fully explored is the interplay between the HIV viral protein gp120 and proNGF prevalence with activation of the proNGF receptor, CD271. This study sought to establish whether proNGF and CD271 levels vary with MAP2 and ChAT levels, as well as to investigate the relationship between proNGF and neurodegeneration in HIV-1 Transgenic (Tg) rats. An acetylcholinesterase (AChE) stain was chosen to investigate neuroanatomical differences, Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining evaluated neurodegeneration, and multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry was utilized for assessment of proNGF, CD271, MAP2, and ChAT levels. Confocal image analysis found a significant difference in the mean proNGF and CD271 intensity levels in the cortex, mPFC, nucleus accumbens, and striatum of the HIV-1 Tg rats compared to the F344 control rats (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant findings from the AChE stain, nor the FJB stain. Due to the significant findings regarding proNGF and CD271 levels, it is proposed that additional studies investigate possible downstream effects of the gp120 interaction with proNGF and the proNGF receptor, CD271 to gain a better understanding of the role this mechanism plays in the progression of HIV and HAND.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the summer, I was able to gain a research assistant position through the Arnold School of Public Health for the Contraceptive Experiences among Adolescents and Young Adults project. This project focuses on the experiences and perceptions of contraception use among women ages 15-24 living in the Southeastern Region of the United States. I have been able to work with the team to produce a survey and collect data while conducting interviews with women to talk about their shared experiences with their parents, healthcare providers, and partners on their contraceptive use. We are actively conducting these interviews to begin our data analysis for future publication. As a public health major at the University of South Carolina, my research opportunity has allowed me to research factors that influence young women’s experiences with contraception including access to contraception, knowledge and understanding about contraception, social and cultural context, and side effects. There is an increase in contraceptive usage amongst women in the U.S. due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and a political battle of body autonomy and power of contraceptive coercion. Having the opportunity to providing education on contraception and the body in order to help overcome the knowledge gap amongst young women and can improve conversations and experiences surrounding the use of contraception has been a significaant experience during my senior year. This has lead me to continue to inform others in health promotion, education, and behaviors in order to improve the overall health of the population. I have gained leadership abilities and strengthened my written and oral communciation skills through my research experience that have shaped me as an individual. As a future healthcare professional, I will continue to connect and assist in promoting and educating the importance of public health and how it affects the population as a whole.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my Magellan Journey-funded work with the CHARM Lab, I have obtained valuable experience with human subjects by assisting with recruitment, screening, and enrollment as part of an NIH-funded study. The CHARM Lab focuses on how close relationships can be leveraged to change health behaviors, specifically changes in substance use and health concerns within military populations. My work has focused on assisting with an online survey study and a daily diary, both focused on how close relationships can be leveraged to help partners reduce or stop drinking alcohol. For the online survey study, 400 individuals will be enrolled. They must have the motivation to see their partner reduce or stop drinking and have made attempts to influence their partner’s drinking. They must be in a committed relationship of at least six months and must cohabit together. Volunteers will take a 45-minute survey assessing their partner’s frequency of alcohol use, along with the effectiveness of attempts to change their partner’s drinking habits. The daily diary study will involve 100 couples recording their daily interactions within their relationship and their perceptions of alcohol consumption for 30 consecutive days. Eligibility for the daily diary study is similar to the eligibility for the online survey study. Working with the CHARM Lab, I obtained experience utilizing Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) to collect, organize, and manage participant data. I assisted with the recruitment, screening, and enrollment of research subjects. I assisted by posting flyers at the University of South Carolina and off-campus locations. Screening and enrollment activities involved intensive training focused on evaluating online pre-screening forms, completing phone surveys, and assisting with eligibility determinations for the study. These screening tasks involved the entry of data into REDCap and working closely with the project coordinator to make enrollment decisions for the online survey and daily diary studies. Receiving REDCap training is a valuable experience I can apply to future undergraduate research opportunities as I continue to express interest in human development. I will apply my REDCap knowledge to my future professional goals as I want to work in healthcare and continue to research health behavior changes.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Decision making is a fundamental process in human and animal cognition, requiring coordinated activity across multiple brain regions to analyze choices and optimize responses. Previous research has shown that communication between the rostromedial tegmental area and the ventral tegmental area (RMTg—>VTA pathway) is particularly important from mediating avoidance when outcomes are less favorable, and deficits in avoidance learning are characteristic of a variety of mental disorders. Our lab has previously shown that inactivation of this RMT—> VTA pathway cause animals to become resistant to the suppressive effect of foot shock to seeking food or drug reward, suggesting this circuit plays a critical role in learning to avoid negative consequences. Still, it is unclear whether stimulation of the RMTg—>VTA pathway could be targeted to promote avoidance and improve adaptive decision-making. To test this, we developed a novel paradigm where rats choose from two equivalent food rewards, and one of these choices is paired with stimulation of the RMTg→VTA pathway using chemogenetics, incorporating Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs). We found that conditioning with chemogenetic stimulation of the RMTg→VTA circuit paired with responding for one of the two reward options caused a shift to the opposite (non-stimulation paired) flavor. Specifically, rats receiving RMTg—>VTA developed a nearly complete avoidance for the stimulation-paired flavor that lasted for at least 10 days after, and likely longer with extended testing. Overall, the data show that stimulation of the RMTg→ VTA pathway conveys an aversive teaching signal that persists long after experimental manipulation.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Despite the benefits of moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) in improving recovery and quality of life, only 16.4% of breast cancer survivors engage in the recommended 150 minutes/week. Developing PA programs for survivors to encourage exercise adoption is necessary. Recruiting inactive survivors to participate in a PA intervention presents many challenges. Identifying environmental characteristics which may be associated with inactivity may assist future researchers in prioritizing recruitment efforts. The purpose of this study was to explore a possible relationship between the neighborhood walkability of a survivor who is interested in participating in a PA intervention study. Inactive breast cancer survivors were recruited through organizations across the US to participate in a 12-week randomized controlled trial encouraging moderate-intensity PA. Randomized participants resided in the southeast (SC, VA), west coast (CA, OR, WA), northeast (MA), and Midwest (IL). Participants’ walk scores were calculated using their home address on WalkScore.com, generating a score 0-100. Based on population density and road metrics, (block length and intersection density), a lower walk score indicates poor walkability, while higher scores are considered walk friendly. A subsample of participants in the intervention group (n=20) completed a virtual interview at the end of the intervention. For this study, we developed codes from the interviews exploring external factors for PA. 61 breast cancer survivors were eligible and randomized. Among those in the southeast region (N=45), the average walk score was 10, indicating poor walkability. Within the interviews (n=12), barriers to activity included weather, fear of animals, lack of sidewalks, and air quality. Supportive factors included safe neighborhoods, public parks, and sidewalks. Among participants on the west coast (n=14), the walk score was 25, indicating fair walkability. Within the interviews (n=6), participants specified barriers like weather and safety. Support for PA included parks and sidewalks. Two participants in other areas (MA and IL) had moderately strong walk scores of 36 and 67, respectively. Our data does not support targeting participants living in neighborhoods with poor walkability for recruitment for a PA intervention. The data do suggest environmental barriers and supports merit tailored PA interventions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Survivors of lung cancer and their partners often have complex unresolved physical, psychosocial, and behavioral needs that can negatively affect the survivors’ and partners’ well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which incorporate breathing practices, meditations, and yoga; target self-management of challenging emotional and physical symptoms, may provide an effective approach to symptom management. Aims: This systematic review aimed to (1) examine the content and delivery of (MBIs) and (2) summarize and synthesize the current evidence for effectiveness of MBIs targeting survivors of lung cancer and/or one selected partner (dyads). Methods: Six databases were searched for interventional studies published in English between 1980 and June 2020 using three terms (lung neoplasms, mindfulness, caregivers). For outcome measures, the interventions focused on behavioral change (meditation, yoga, stretching, breathing), symptom management (dyspnea, fatigue, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, stress reduction), and knowledge. Using Covidence systematic review software, two reviewers independently assessed article eligibility. One reviewer performed and another independently verified data extraction. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials assisted with critical appraisal. Results: Searching yielded 307 records, of which 64 were assessed for eligibility. Six studies investigated the impact of an MBI on survivors and partners. Four studies were single-arm feasibility studies; two were RCTs. Two feasibility studies and one RCT recruited romantic couples, whereas the others recruited asymmetrical dyads. The single-arm studies reported strong feasibility and acceptability. RCTs reported significant outcomes for reduced cancer-related distress and depression, and improved quality of life, self-compassion, mindfulness skills, and rumination. Conclusions & Implications: Dyadic intervention research is a growing field. Few interventions target individuals with lung cancer and their partners. No interventions target partners alone. Future research should evaluate rigorous methodologies that enhance the understanding of independent and interdependent health-related effects within dyads and across relationships and settings.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: The USPSTF recommends osteoporosis screening for women age 65 and older as well as women younger than age 65 who are at increased risk of developing reduced bone density. The EMR used at our institution does not list osteoporosis screening as a care gap in a patient’s chart until they reach age 65. We seek to understand the number of patients who would qualify for early osteoporosis screening in an internal medicine resident clinic and the degree to which early screening is being performed in this population. Methods: We pulled data from our EMR to quantify how many patients in our clinic would qualify for osteoporosis screening before age 65 and how many of these patients received a DEXA scan. Results: We found that 60% of the female patients ages 50-65 at our internal medicine resident clinic had at least one risk factor for early osteoporosis and 73% did not receive early osteoporosis screening. Discussion: There is a large patient population with a predisposition for early osteoporosis based upon medical conditions, medications, family history, and lifestyle. Many of these patients may not be flagged for early screening due to their age. These patients may be at increased risk of delayed diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis and subsequently, increased osteoporosis related risks. The USPSTF does not specify which patients younger than age 65 are at an increased risk which can make it difficult for providers to identify who to screen. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists provides guidelines on which risk factors may warrant early screening, but it is difficult to know to what degree each risk factor contributes to a patient’s risk for reduced bone density. Further research regarding early osteoporosis screening and more specific guidelines for this subset of patients is needed.
1:00-2:30 p.m.BACKGROUND Computed tomography (CT) imaging is key to diagnosing nephrolithiasis and is the initial step in determining therapeutic approaches. Varied interpretations of CT scans can lead to inappropriate diagnosis, treatment, and management, particularly at the emergency department. At our institution, variations in CT scan interpretations between the radiology department and urology department have occurred, lending to potentially misdirected management. The initial purpose of this quality improvement project is to assess the frequency of discrepancy of renal stone size measurements between the radiologists and urologists and to describe the management of these patients. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of patients who were referred directly to one urologist at our urology clinic from the emergency department from June 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023 was conducted using electronic medical record data. Patients referred to our clinic from outside providers were excluded. Measurements of renal stones from radiologists and our urologist were collected and noted for a discrepancy. Patient demographics and renal stone characteristics were collected as well. Data collection is ongoing, and cohorts will be compared once complete. RESULTS In total, 70 patients were included in this study. Thus far, data has been collected for 37 patients, and there is a inconsistency in renal stone size measurements between the radiologist and urologist 56.8% of the time. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION There are multiple factors that may be contributing to the discrepancy in renal stone size measurements between the radiology department and urology department. This quality project was undertaken to reduce this discrepancy by first identifying the scope of the mater and then to work with the radiology department on a unified measurement technique . With implementing additional coordination, we expect to see improvement in this discrepancy. This education will aim to reduce the discrepancy in renal stone size measurement between the radiology and urology departments to less than 33% by December 1, 2024.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Asphalt Over Graniteville: Dividing a Black Community tells the story of a small Black community in Graniteville, South Carolina torn in half by the construction of an extension to U.S. Highway 1 in the late 1940s. Through a combination of oral histories from community members and secondary sources detailing how highways and infrastructure projects around the United States have damaged and destroyed marginalized communities, this project adds to the greater narrative of environmental racism through infrastructure in the United States. The oral histories were primarily performed by community member Daniel Lloyd Jr., an avid supporter of recording and telling Graniteville's story. This project goes in depth on how the community was split in half by the highway, which led to a great division between the two sides of the highway. It discusses how the rise of the automobile, supposedly a symbol of freedom of movement, was utilized to restrict the movement of Black Americans. Poor public infrastructure in Black communities has further led to this restriction of movement, which was particularly acute in Graniteville. The inability to freely move within the spaces that one inhabits creates greater social isolation among different groups of people, leading to further rigidity in class distinctions. The research concludes with a call to include small communities, such as Graniteville, to the larger national regional and national narratives of environmental racism.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Objective: The purpose of this scoping review is to understand what is known from published research about the types of services (i.e., formal and informal) Black American adults use and prefer for mental health counseling and support. For the purposes of this review, mental health services are defined in accordance with the American Psychological Association as “any interventions—assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or counseling—offered in private, public, inpatient, or outpatient settings for the maintenance or enhancement of mental health or the treatment of mental or behavioral disorders in individual and group contexts.” To distinguish between formal and informal mental health services, formal mental health services are defined as being provided by a licensed health professional, whereas informal mental health services will be defined as any other service not provided by a licensed health professional. Methods: Information was identified by searching the following bibliographic databases: PubMed, EMBASE PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Results were uploaded to Rayyan. Each article was independently and blindly assessed by two reviewers. A third reviewer blindly resolved any discrepancies. Data were then independently extracted by two reviewers. Discrepancies were flagged and resolved collaboratively. Results: Data extracted from included articles include the mental health services used and preferred among Black American adults. Study identifiers, participant demographics, study characteristics, and mental health service use and preferences will be extracted from each included article. Mental health service use and preferences will be organized by type (i.e., formal vs. informal) and displayed across ecological systems (i.e., individual, microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem).
1:00-2:30 p.m.People experiencing homelessness face a variety of barriers to gaining housing and employment. Potential landlords and employers discriminate against people with criminal records. When addressing charges against them, homeless people typically do not have the resources to pay their legal fees (Wilson, 2018). This can become an additional barrier to them receiving assistance to address their legal issues. In the case of homelessness, those who are experiencing homelessness who run into trouble with the law face a slew of legal woes that can prevent more burden in trying to leave homelessness (Wilson, 2018). This affects not only the homeless population but the judicial system and taxpayers. Among a group of adults those with legal debt spent at least two more years without stable housing than those without legal debt (Mogk et al., 2019). Programs like the homeless court support people experiencing homelessness to address their legal issues. Specifically, homeless courts are diversionary programs intended to incentivize individuals to participate in treatment programs with the possibility of a dismissal of fines that are associated with a criminal offense. This can lead to two outcomes, “pause” and “grad”. Participants are put on pause if they are not actively updating the court on their progress in services for various reasons, usually because they have halted in progress. Participants that complete the program have graduated. For this study, I wish to investigate whether greater amounts of legal fees and greater numbers of cases. Since both of these factors might impose more of a burden on clients in the homeless court, I hypothesize that both the amount of legal fees and the total number of cases that a person has are likely to be positively related to being on pause. Using data from the Richland Public Index and homeless court case files, I will be using logistic regression to estimate the probability of this, using total legal fees and number of cases as independent variables, and pause and graduated as dummy-coded outcome variables. Implications from this study could lead to improvements in the homeless court program and bring awareness towards the barriers of homelessness.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders among adolescents within the United States, representing a significant mental health concern. This trend coincides with a global increase in exposure to artificial blue light at night from electronic devices. Persistent artificial blue light exposure at night might represent a risk factor for the onset of early-age mental health disorders, predominantly anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are the most pervasive class of mental health disorders and can be a serious risk during adolescence. The medial amygdala (MeA) is a key brain area involved in the regulation of emotional behavior, and it receives light input directly from intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells within the retina (iPRGCs). Artificial blue light exposure has been shown to alter amygdala connectivity and emotional responses, suggesting a role in modulating the neuronal circuits of the amygdala, potentially inducing anxiety. Somatostatin (SST) is a neuropeptide expressed in a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons in the MeA. Evidence suggests that a change in SST expression in the amygdala plays a key role in the modulation of anxiety. Our results showed increased anxiety-like behavior in adolescent mice exposed to artificial blue light at night and increased number of SST-expressing neurons in the MeA. In addition, we found that SST neurons in the MeA project to the central amygdala (CeA), another amygdala nucleus implicated in the regulation of anxiety. Our data show a new mechanism by which light regulates amygdala circuit during adolescence which will be helpful to improve therapeutic approaches for treating light-induced anxiety disorders.
9:30-11:00 a.m.When I needed to complete my final beyond the classroom experience for the GLD in professional and civic engagement, I decided to volunteer with Carolina Poodle Rescue, a dog shelter that my family has helped over the years. I became an applications manager for the rescue, which reviewed prospective adoptees’ applications. This position required me to do a variety of tasks, including contacting landlords, conducting basic background checks on applicants, and summarizing the applicants’ applications so that the rescue’s volunteers receive general idea of what an applicant’s abilities and needs are. While some of the activities were not difficult, other tasks stressed me out. The summaries were the most difficult part of the application process for me as I wanted to summarize the applicant accurately. Summarizing applicants accurately was important because it would impact the adoptee’s changes of both adoption and choice of dog. Due to my concern for presenting accurate information in the summaries, reviewing adoptee applications was a slow process. However, I used writing tips that I learned from my Business Writing course to improve my summary skills. These tips included analyzing one’s audience, as it allows one to understand what one’s audience needs, and writing in short, concrete sentences to maximize the impact of one’s writing. From this experience, I learned about both my skills and motivations. I learned how to summarize important information in ways that are both easy to understand and useful to the reader. This experience has given me confidence in my critical thinking and writing skills, as they were heavily utilized during this experience. I also learned that delaying creates more issues than actually completing the project. If I delay too long, it prevents a prospective adopter from bringing their desired dog home. Finally, this experience allowed me to feel proud that I assisted the rescue in giving abandoned dogs to loving homes. In the future, I hope to assist the rescue more.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most commonly inherited form of intellectual disability caused by a CGG expansion on the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. This mutation leads to silencing of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), which is a critical protein in synaptic plasticity and many areas of gene expression. FXS patients exhibit cognitive and social deficits and other developmental disabilities. Although FXS affects both males and females, females tend to have milder symptoms because it is an X-linked mutation, thus less research has been conducted among this population. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a critical role in regulating our stress response via release of glucocorticoids (GCs) and negative feedback regulation. However, under chronic conditions, this system can become dysregulated, and behaviorally and molecularly detrimental. The amygdala is a critical brain region that activates the HPA axis by stimulating the synthesis of GCs after stress exposure. Mitochondria are functionally diverse organelles that energetically contribute to the stress response. Among their many roles, mitochondria are responsible for steroid synthesis, specifically GCs, and contain GC receptors on their outer membrane, making them sensitive to GC activity and sustained exposure. Translocase of the outer membrane 20 (TOM20) is an import receptor that aids in protein import into mitochondria and used to identify/localize mitochondria within brain tissues. Although the involvement of mitochondria on the HPA axis is known, few studies have explored differences in mitochondrial number and GC receptor expression between neurotypical and FXS individuals. Such, we hypothesize that FMR1-KO mice will have a greater density of GC receptors and reduced mitochondrial numbers in the amygdala, given the increased sensitivity of FXS individuals to stress and high circulating baseline GC levels. To test this hypothesis, we used a female mouse model of FXS, (Fmr1-KO), to observe differences in GC receptors and mitochondrial density compared to wild-type (WT) controls using immunofluorescence staining. Our preliminary data suggests there is a side-specific increase in GC receptor expression between genotypes within the amygdala. Future studies will explore differences on GC receptor expression at different points of development between WT and Fmr1-KO mice.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, with approximately 700 new diagnoses annually in the US. It accounts for 7% to 10% of childhood cancers. High-Risk NB (HRNB) is typically seen in patients >18 months with histologically aggressive tumors and has a survival rate of < 60%. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines are associated with increased NB growth or poor outcome in patients. Treatment of HRNB consists of several phases consisting of induction chemotherapy, consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant and maintenance with eflornithine (DFMO). One of the largest challenges of studying systemic changes during this course of therapy is the minimal amount of blood available from a pediatric patient. Objectives To measure levels of the cytokines IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-a and CCL2 in patient plasma at diagnosis, during maintenance, and relapse to correlate them with outcome. Determination if DFMO maintenance therapy is associated with changes in systemic cytokine levels. Validation of a cytokine detection method using a maximum of 4µL of plasma. Methods Cytokine levels were measured using 2-4 ml of plasma via ProQuantum ELISA (a qPCR enzyme-linked immunoassay) in quadruplicate. Plasma samples analyzed were from: 6 patients at diagnosis; 6 relapse patients at start of maintenance therapy with DFMO and at relapse; and 6 non-relapsed patients at start of maintenance therapy and an equivalent timepoint to relapse. Results Elevated IL-6 levels at diagnosis were seen in patients who relapsed while lower levels of CCL2 were seen in patients who relapsed. Patients who relapsed also showed higher average IL-1β levels than those who completed maintenance therapy without relapse. Conclusions This study demonstrated the feasibility of performing quantitative cytokine levels using as little as 2 µL of pediatric patient plasma. This pilot study has led to in-vitro and in-vivo studies further investigating CCL2 and inflammatory cytokine relationships with neuroblastoma. A larger sample size is needed to validate these preliminary data.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI), a technology characterized by its ability to generate various forms of media content, is one of the most revolutionary technologies to enter the consumer market in ages. One of its most promising capabilities is producing natural language conversations with human users at a highly advanced language level (popularly in the form of a chatbot). Looking ahead, one of the most promising applications of GAI will be to the health field, most specifically in the domain of text-based conversational assistance to people who have disorders that have been stigmatized, such as nicotine addiction. However, before investigating the integration of GAI into existing products and applications, it is vital to understand the human needs for this technology first so that the technology will best serve its users. This research will further our understanding of human interactions with a rule-based chatbot, designed in collaboration with health professionals from Washington University. We aim to expand this work to use GAI to create a more intelligent chatbot, to be integrated into future iterations of the study. A 2022 systematic review of conversational AI interventions in smoking cessation studies indicates that conversational AI can be 29% more effective for tobacco cessation than control-group participants (Bendotti, 2023). However, this report also scrutinized many of the sults due to a lack of AI system information and health outcome data. Importantly, a distinction must be made between GAI models that use a probabilistic approach vs. a rules-based model, both of which fall under a conversational AI category. Additionaly, there appears to be a knowledge gap pertaining to effective habit-breaking health content and conversational chatbot dialog. This study plans to address this knowledge gap by integrating sixteen rule-based conversations, designed by health professionals, into a multicomponent smoking cessation mobile application and determining the efficacy of these conversations in this chatbot feature. Once effective nicotine-cessation chatbot conversations are identified, this study will aggregate the results into a training dataset, which can then be used to fine-tune a pre-trained GAI model, to communicate with users who wish to reduce their nicotine use in a human-informed and effective way.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting attention, behavior, and cognitive control, affects 366 million adults worldwide, and comprises 25% of disabilities in college students. Students with ADHD experience deficits in attentional control, and 45.1% experience comorbidities with learning disorders, both of which may negatively impact academic outcomes. Furthermore, research notes a correlation between ADHD and diminished visual-spatial skills, which are crucial for critical problem-solving. Currently, it is challenging to engage students with ADHD in online learning tasks due to inhibitory and shifting executive deficits associated with ADHD that make maintaining extended focus on traditional design difficult. This study focuses on attentional control, a defining aspect of cognitive function in ADHD individuals, as attentional control plays a significant role in academic achievement. Attentional control impacts learners’ reactions to stimuli, affecting engagement with online educational platforms. This ongoing research investigates the specific aspects of attentional control that are affected in users with ADHD when interacting with an online multimodal learning platform. This study seeks to identify whether there is a correlation between attentional control and the visual-spatial skills of ADHD users on the platform. We designed a multimodal online learning platform, ALLURE, which integrates a chatbot with natural language processing and scaffolding design paradigms to teach learners how to solve the Rubik’s Cube. We conducted a usablity study on the ALLURE platform with 37 college-aged users, with 10 of these users clinically diganosed with ADHD and 27 self-identifying with symptoms of ADHD. Using think-alouds, surveys, interviews, and observations of user interactions, we analyzed the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of the platform for users. Our initial analysis identified distinct learning patterns on ALLURE, including shared barriers to learning, such as the inability to visualize platform instructions and frustration at the pace of learning. Using attentional control theory as the deductive framework for qualitative research, we intend to extend the current theory using our usability study findings to inform the design of more inclusive educational technology design to enhance learning outcomes. As this is an ongoing study, we plan to present our more detailed findings at the USC Discover event in April.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In recent decades, STEM fields have increased their focus on facilitating diverse conversations and research. The more diverse a group of researchers are, the more likely they are to conduct advantageous science. Despite the advantages of supporting diverse researchers, the field of geoscience is challenged with the lowest participation rates of historically underrepresented minorities. The geosciences are not commonly required or offered classes in high school and implementing introductory geoscience courses for non-major students may be vital to addressing this gap. Many undergraduates talk about courses in their earlier university days as being responsible for experimenting with different fields, classes, etc. Studies of Scientific Spotlights have highlighted their ability to shift student descriptions away from the stereotypical and increase students' ability to personally relate to scientists. Students enrolled in introductory geology were evenly, and randomly assigned to two separate groups. All the students read the Geoscientist Spotlights to develop their understanding of different avenues of science. Half of the students received more personal information including racial/ethnic identity, of the scientists. The students were given weekly assignments in addition to the Geoscientist Spotlights to gather their relatability and interest in geoscience. This project focuses on the question of ‘what do Geoscientist Spotlights tell the students about the types of people who do science’. This study aims to determine the relationship between the students' ethnic/racial identity and their interest in geosciences. Chi-square analysis will be used to determine if the expected results (there is a relationship between the students’ ethnic/racial identity and their interest in geosciences) are in line with the observed results. This project is part of growing research examining the influence of student backgrounds on their interest in science. This study hopes to assist in introducing individuals from historically marginalized groups to those in the geoscience field. The development of this project will give professors lecture ideas to narrow the gaps within the geoscience field faced by those of a historically marginalized group.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Stede Bonnet, a Barbadian-born pirate and military officer, was known as the “Gentleman Pirate.” This title begs the question of how this name was earned, leading into a larger discussion for what it took for a pirate to be considered “gentlemanly.” This project will explore the role of cordiality and the gentleman spirit for among late fifteenth-century Caribbean pirates, assessing how the civil social customs of western Europe operated within what is traditionally known to be a brutal, visceral, and ungentlemanly profession. This project will use Stede Bonnet as a case study for how the name “Gentleman Pirate” was earned, whether it has to do with familial wealth, patronage, a specific event in which mercy was shown, or even simply a gentile state of being. It will then dive into a broader analysis of gentlemanhood in early modern Caribbean piracy. How does the pirate code inform pirates’ relationship with ethics and civility towards other pirates? Did abiding in a gentlemanly, ethical fashion result in social currency within the pirate community? Were pirates subject to rules or customs regarding hospitality to guests on their ships? How do factors such as national identity, place of operation in the Caribbean, family, station, etc. join to create a pirate understanding of what makes a gentleman on the seas? Instead of just focusing on how European civilities made their way into the lives of European-descended Caribbean pirates, this project will determine how the pirate world birthed its own code of ethics and rules for gentlemanhood that differ from those in Europe. Marcus Rediker’s contribution to The William and Mary Quarterly entitled “Under the Banner of Death:” The Social World of Anglo-American Pirates, 1716-1726 provides an insight to many of the social norms and cordialities of pirate society, be they spoken or unspoken. Volume 48 of the journal Eighteenth-Century Studies also features an essay entitled “Temporality, Isolation, and Violence in the Early Modern English Maritime World” that gives greater detail about the roles of skirmish and buccaneering in maintaining a tedious albeit trackable pirate social order.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by transcriptional silencing of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. This gene encodes the production of the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), which is essential for neurodevelopment and the regulation of protein translation. This includes the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the stress hormones released following activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is a key component of the endocrine and central nervous systems that regulates stress homeostasis in mammals via release of GCs that bind GR in a negative feedback loop. A diminished number of GRs has been associated with the dysfunction of the HPA axis, and consequently numerous neurological diseases, including anxiety and depression. FXS patients exhibit high baseline cortisol levels, and a recent study identified a link between GR polymorphisms and altered behavior in female FXS patients. However, the expression of GR in behavior-relevant brain regions is unknown. We hypothesized that female Fmr1-KO mice would exhibit a decreased expression of glucocorticoid receptor protein in comparison to their wild-type (WT) female counterparts in the hypothalamus, a brain region critical for the stress response and previously linked to altered stress responses in FXS. . To test our hypothesis, we used a transgenic mouse strain, FMR1 knockout mice (Fmr1-KO), as an animal model for FXS. This strain has a deleted FMR1 gene, and we focused specifically on female mice. Adult females (3 months old; n=4-5) were transcardially perfused and brain tissue was harvested. Brains were sectioned at 50 µm using a Lecia Vibratome and tissue sections were stained using immunohistochemistry with an anti-GR antibody to label GR protein expression. Brain sections were imaged using a Lecia Stellaris confocal microscope and analyzed with NIH ImageJ. Our preliminary data suggests an increase in GR expression in the hypothalamus of the Fmr1-KO mice compared to the WT mice. Future studies will extend this work to include differences in GR expression between male and female Fmr1-KO and WT mice.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Two dimensional (2D) materials are an extremely diverse classification of materials whose monolayer crystal planes exhibit many unique quantum mechanical properties ranging from superconductors to topological insulators. This makes them attractive building blocks for devices in a variety of applications. However, a bottleneck exists in the isolation of single monolayers of these materials where many methods are inconsistent and unreliable. In this study we investigate a gold assisted mechanical exfoliation process, which has been shown to produce large single and few monolayer flakes of layered materials due to the improved layer-to-gold adhesion strength. The gold substrate forms a quasi-covalent bond with the first atomic layer of the material, greatly increasing exfoliation efficiency and flake area. We find that to improve yield, we need to minimize the gold surface roughness to under 1nm and select the flattest possible layered material surface maximizing contact area with the gold substrate. We have been able to exfoliate layers as large as 3600 µm2 (0.36 mm2. Once the process is perfected on MoS2, a well-known easy-to-exfoliate 2D material, we will extend this method to explore hard-to-exfoliate layered quantum materials such as IrTe2 which are currently difficult to exfoliate. Layer thickness will be confirmed through the color contrast of flakes, as well as atomic force microscopy scanning.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) pose significant health risks in athletes, prompting the need for accurate predictive measures to assess the risk of injury. Computational models of the brain are commonly used to predict TBI risk by simulating the deformation of the brain during head impact. Recent studies using subject-specific imaging-based computational models have shown that the amount of deformation depends on individual geometric features, including the brain size and shape. Since we do not have imaging of every athlete that experiences TBI, this study investigates whether simple head anthropometric measurements are reliable brain morphometric predictors. The findings from this research could aid in developing future machine learning models, enhancing risk assessment of TBI development based on external anthropometric data. This study used magnetic resonance (MR) T1 and T2 images to examine the correlation between brain morphometry and anthropometric measurements in a cohort of 139 males and females ages 14-79. A standard protocol was developed to obtain manual measurements of the head and inner skull cross-sectional area and dimensions (length, width, depth). Brain dimensions were calculated using a custom code in MATLAB R2022b using a segmented brain mask to find the same dimensions, in addition to brain volume. A preliminary analysis of 14 subjects presented a positive correlation (R2) of 0.88 between brain and head length, 0.82 between brain and head width, and 0.67 between head perimeter and total brain volume. The preliminary results indicate a predictable relationship between brain volume and head anthropometric measurements. The full dataset will be analyzed and presented at Discover USC. Due to an anticipated decrease in brain volume with age, further analyses of the collected skull and brain data based on age and gender will be conducted. The correlation between head anthropometric measurements as a predictor of brain morphometry lays the groundwork for possible future predictive modeling for individualized risk assessment of TBIs based on easily accessible external head dimensions.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In 2021, the CDC reported 106,699 deaths in the United States due to drug overdose. Of these, 75% involved opioids and nearly 88% of opioid-involved overdoses were related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Recent studies have implicated the use of prescription opioids as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with reported associations including myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and vascular deterioration. Additionally, opioid-dependent patients show increased vascular aging and arterial stiffness when compared to opioid-naïve controls. With human patients showing increased vascular stiffness, our hypothesis was that rats dependent on remifentanil (a fentanyl analog) after a 12-day operant self-administration (SA) study would lead to vascular dysfunction in thoracic aorta. To test this hypothesis, male Wistar rats (12 weeks-old) were implanted with intravenous (IV) catheters and learned to lever press (FR1) for remifentanil (1µg/kg/infusion). A separate group of rats received passive yoked infusions of saline administered in synchrony with remifentanil-treated animals to control volumetric effects on vascular dysfunction. Following 12 days of administration, animals were euthanized, and the thoracic aorta was collected to evaluate vascular function using a pin myograph. Concentration-response curves to phenylephrine (Phe; 10-11-10-4), sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10-10-10-4), and acetylcholine (Ach; 10-10-10-4) were performed to test contractility and endothelium-independent and -dependent relaxation respectively. Results show that remifentanil-treated rats rapidly acquired SA behavior, exhibiting robust and selective lever pressing to receive drug infusion. While pressing a separate (non-drug paired) lever was negligible, indicating goal-directed drug seeking. In contrast, yoked saline-treated controls rarely exhibited lever pressing as these responses were never accompanied by drug delivery. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aorta was diminished in the remifentanil-group when compared to yoked control (Rmax: Control: 68.70 ± 2.7 vs. Remi: 47.80 ± 3.7%; p < 0.05*). However, there were no observed alterations in endothelium-independent relaxation or vascular contraction induced by SNP or Phe, respectively. These findings indicate that 12 days of remifentanil treatment results in endothelial dysfunction in large arteries but does not affect vascular contraction. Overall, our data suggest that opioids are a risk factor for CVDs and long-term exposure to remifentanil may lead to aortic stiffness in opioid-dependent patients.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Psychology is oftentimes not considered as a science (Friedrich, 1997), and may be perceived as an easy major (Brinthaupt, et al., 2016). This misperception could lead to lowered levels of commitment and effort, and students may engage in a withdrawal or flight response once challenging topics such neuroscience and statistics are encountered. The Assistantship in Teaching of Psychology (AToP) is an undergraduate internship program that aims at a) facilitating students’ classroom and learning experience by introducing Supplemental Instructors (SI) to designated historically challenging classes, and b) providing undergraduate interns with the opportunity to consolidate and apply their knowledge of the materials covered in the designated classes, active learning strategies, and psychological research methods, thereby integrating theory into practical application. In the AToP program, student interns utilized their content mastery to facilitate study sessions for designated classes, as well as conducted independent research to test their hypothesis about the teaching of psychological content. This poster presents the overall progression of AToP, and a sequence of the presenter’s research findings and personal experiences as an SI for PSYC 450 Sensation and Perception and PSYC 220 Psychological Statistics. A reflection of this hands-on internship experience will focus on the Acquisition, Meaning making, and Transfer (AMT; McTighe and Willis, 2019) for AToP interns as well as their impact on psychology students overall.
1:00-2:30 p.m.If children do not attain adequate motor competence (MC) levels during early childhood, known as a proficiency barrier, they may never develop more complex motor skills that are critical for maintaining healthy levels of physical activity. Not known is what level of MC adequately promotes health-enhancing levels (i.e., 60 min/day) of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children. The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) assesses children's locomotor (e.g., running, galloping, sliding, jumping) and object control (e.g., dribbling, catching, throwing, striking and kicking) skills in aged <12 years and is scored on a scale of 1-96. Researchers have recently hypothesized that a TGMD-2 score of 70 may serve as a proficiency barrier that increases the probability that children attain 60 min of MVPA. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in daily MVPA levels between high and low skilled children. Participants (N= 67, males = 38; females = 29) ages 7-8, completed TGMD-2 testing and average daily MVPA was measured via accelerometry. We conducted an independent sample t-test to determine levels of average daily MVPA between children who scored lower than 70 and higher than 70 on the TGMD-2. Participants with TGMD raw scores below 70 (73%) averaged 35.82 ± 8.28 minutes of MVPA/day. Participants with TGMD raw scores above 70 (27%) averaged 45.01 ± 12.29 MVPA/day. Differences in MVPA were statistically significant; 95% CI [4,14], p = .003). The low-skilled group averaged a TGMD raw score of 59.2 (age equivalence: 5 years old) and the high-skilled group averaged a TGMD raw score of 77.39 (age equivalence: 6.5 years old).These results demonstrate a raw TGMD score above 70 is associated with higher MVPA, but not all children with a score of 70 meet the minimum of 60 min/day. These data are important from a public health perspective as there is a secular decline in MC that may be significantly impacting physical activity levels for a majority of children in the U.S.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: Linezolid, an antimicrobial with high oral bioavailability and extensive tissue distribution, use may often be limited to abbreviated treatment durations due to increased risk of adverse effects associated with protracted courses. Predicting toxicity is complicated by the varied interpatient exposure from the standard dosage of oral linezolid 600 mg twice daily. Emerging evidence suggests a potential role for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of linezolid to minimize the risk of toxicity. This study evaluates the impact and outcomes of a linezolid TDM program implemented to guide dosing in patients receiving linezolid for extended treatment durations. Methods: This is a prospective, observational, open-label, pilot study of patients receiving care from infectious diseases providers in the Midlands. Participants will be included if they are ≥18 years old with a presumed or confirmed serious gram-positive bacterial infections prescribed at least 3 weeks of total therapy per clinician’s determination and initiated on linezolid 600 mg oral tablet by mouth twice daily with a planned duration of at least 14 days. Linezolid serum trough concentrations will be measured on twice for patients in the TDM group. The goal trough is 2.0-8.0 mcg/mL and doses will be adjusted based per protocol. The primary outcome is the comparative mean platelet counts during linezolid therapy between TDM and non-TDM groups. Secondary outcomes include proportion of participants with non-therapeutic linezolid steady state serum trough concentrations (thus requiring dosage changes), proportion of participants with clinical failure through 30 days from the end of linezolid therapy, assessment of risk factors for nontherapeutic linezolid steady state trough concentrations, and overall incidence of each linezolid-associated adverse event (i.e. thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia, lactic acidosis, neuropathy, and serotonin syndrome). Univariable linear regression will be utilized to evaluate the impact of TDM vs. no TDM on platelet count of patients while on linezolid therapy and multivariable linear regression will then be used to adjust for potential confounders. Results: In progress Conclusions: In progress
9:30-11:00 a.m.The present study aims to expand upon previous research to explore the relationship between sleep quality, as indexed by the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ; Owens, 2000), and heart rate variability (HRV), as indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) across three etiologically distinct groups of young children between the ages of 24 and 72 months of age. Participants included 40 children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), 42 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and 37 typically developing (TD) controls. This study aims to explore whether baseline RSA predicts sleep quality differentially across these groups by examining three research questions: 1) Do baseline RSA and CSHQ total sleep disturbance scores differ between groups? 2) Does baseline RSA predict sleep disturbance in young children with and without neurodevelopmental disorders? 3) Does baseline RSA predict sleep disturbance differentially between groups? Given the previously established links between HRV and sleep quality and the increased prevalence of sleep disturbances in children with FXS and ASD (Budimirovic et al., 2021; Schiltz et al., 2022), HRV could serve as a potential biomarker for sleep difficulties in children already at heightened risk for these difficulties. The findings of the present study indicate similar levels of baseline RSA and sleep disturbance across groups; however, baseline RSA predicted sleep quality in the ASD group only, indicating that baseline RSA may be a salient biomarker for sleep disturbance in children with ASD. The findings of this study contribute to the literature on biobehavioral markers of sleep disturbance in young children with ASD.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This exploratory study set out with three specific aims as its purpose. One purpose was to explore the perceptions of options (i.e., habitus) an individual perceived they had during the timeframe around enlistment into military service. Another purpose was to explore contextual factors (i.e., socioeconomic status, education institution types, geographical location, etc.) that shaped each individuals’ perceptions of their options during the timeframe previously discussed. And lastly, explore how each individual perception of their options and contextual factors shaped their choice to enlist into military service. The sample population that participants were drawn from were individuals that enlisted in the American military after September 11th, 2001. This criterion was selected to create a sample of individuals that chose to enlist in military service versus opening the discussion further into those that had considered and then not selected to choose enlistment. This will be considered in future studies. The sample of veterans was established by purposive sampling with recruitment flyers and snowball recruitment. The method used to collect the data was individual, semi-structured virtual interviews. Interviews were established with each participant based upon their schedules and availability. Overall, ten interviews that met established criteria for participation for the study were conducted and recorded. As every interview was conducted the quantitative data software NVivo was used, and interview data was analyzed with the constant comparison model. After all interviews are were uploaded, the data was coded using descriptive coding. After this step was complete, themes were discovered in the data while using thematic analysis coding. These themes are presented within the final narrative of the interviews by the research team.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the latter half of the Fall 2024 semester, I accepted an internship with the HAHN Automation Group GmbH. HAHN Automation is a German machine builder that designs and assembles industrial automation solutions for the automotive, electronics, healthcare, and consumer goods industries. I originally joined the company as a controls engineer, a type of specialist who works with the electrical, computer, and logical systems that dictate the operation of a machine. As a Computer Information Systems major with a few projects under my belt, the problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and structured text language aspects of the role came naturally, but I struggled with the heavy reliance on electrical science. Thankfully, my managers and coworkers quickly realized that my skills as a software engineer brought new capabilities to the Columbia office that several projects from the year before had been lacking. As part of my internship, I designed, developed, and deployed a program to manage the office’s rapidly growing inventory. I utilized various skills I learned while studying at the University of South Carolina and had the opportunity to cross-train in some IT fields like networking and cybersecurity to serve as the local IT contact for the main Rheinbollen office. As a result of my contributions, HAHN offered me a full-time position at a favorable rate and the opportunity to train with the existing software development team in Frankfurt, Germany over the Summer. Working in this role has made me more confident in my abilities and assured me that the field of software development is right for me. Going forward I hope to capitalize on the opportunities that have been presented to me as a means of improving as a developer and a person.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder that is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and monogenic form of autism spectrum disorder. FXS affects males more often and more severely than females. FXS patients experience marked disruptions in social behavior, however the underlying neural mechanisms for these disruptions remain poorly understood. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) has been shown to be important for social interaction and social memory in mice and strongly innervates the basolateral amygdala (BLa), a brain structure also important for social memory and social anxiety. Given the importance of ACh and the BLa for proper regulation of social behaviors, we hypothesize a sex dependent dysfunction in cholinergic signaling and amygdalar function in FXS. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model of FXS and confocal immunofluorescence to measure differences in cholinergic innervation of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and interneuron expression in the BLa of FXS knockout (Fmr1-/-) and wildtype mice of both sexes. Using postnatal day 70 mice, we found that immunoreactivity for vAChT, a marker of cholinergic axons, was reduced in the BLa of male but not female Fmr1-/- mice compared to wild-type. These findings suggest a sex-dependent reduction in cholinergic innervation of the BLa. We also examined expression of parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SOM) interneurons. These interneurons provide perisomatic and dendritic inhibition of pyramidal cells, respectively. In the same mice as above, we found that immunoreactivity for PV, but not SOM was reduced in BLa of male Fmr1-/- mice compared to wild-type. No changes were found in female Fmr1-/- mice. Overall, these data show sex dependent changes in both cholinergic input and inhibitory interneurons in BLA and suggest that the higher prevalence of social deficits in males is associated with underlying sex-dependent anatomical differences in cholinergic signaling and amygdalar function. Accordingly, therapies designed to enhance cholinergic signaling may reduce social deficits in FXS.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background/Purpose: Substantial data currently exists on the importance of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in trauma patients. The choice of dosing is not always apparent in certain patient populations, including geriatric patients. Patients ≥ 65 years of age have a higher risk of developing either deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) however, this patient population is also at an increased risk for bleeding. Methodology: The purpose of this project is to assess bleeding events with various enoxaparin dosing regimens for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in geriatric trauma patients. All patients ≥ 65 years of age admitted to Prisma Health Richland’s trauma service were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. By utilizing the trauma registry, patients were eligible for inclusion if the patient was admitted inpatient and received prophylactic dosing of enoxaparin for ≥ 24 hours between March 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. Bleeding events were defined as receiving a blood transfusion and a drop in hemoglobin ≥ 2 g/dL over 48 hours or either an escalation in care or enoxaparin discontinuation due to bleeding. Secondary objectives evaluated the incidence of VTE on various prophylactic dosing, factor Xa levels, total blood transfused, and hospital length of stay. Comparisons were analyzed using various statistical tests including a chi-squared test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, independent t-test, or Mann-Whitney U test. Results: In progress Conclusion: In progress
9:30-11:00 a.m.Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are useful diagnostic tools for the early detection and continuous monitoring of heart health. However, traditional ECG methods, while effective, have significant drawbacks. They can be invasive, cause discomfort, and pose a risk of skin damage, especially in vulnerable people such as newborns and those in intensive care. These limitations highlight the need for non-contact and patient-friendly monitoring solutions. To meet this need, we introduce an approach utilizing millimeter-wave (mmWave) radar for non-contact ECG monitoring. This allows us to detect minute skin vibrations associated with the heart's muscular activity, which has a direct correlation to its electrical activity. By capturing these subtle movements, our system will translate them into ECG waveforms without requiring direct skin contact. With the mmWave reflection data, we can use signal processing and deep learning models to generate an ECG waveform while minimizing noise and artifacts from the radar's environment. This research offers a less invasive approach to ECGs and allows for more accessible, continuous cardiac health assessments in both clinical and home environments.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Authors: Maxwell, A., Parker, H., Hill, S., Smith, M., Swarnakar, S., Chandrashekar, MVS, Armstrong, B. Background: Accurate measurement of sleep is essential for health research, as sleep has a significant impact on overall health. The combination of accelerometry and heart rate (HR) measurements has been found to yield a better assessment of sleep than either measure alone. However, most research-grade devices that measure sleep only measure acceleration or HR, not both. Consumer wearables (i.e., Apple Watch, Fitbit) can measure both, but their algorithms and hardware are proprietary and thus unverifiable. To address this gap, we are evaluating the PATCH (Platform for Accurate Tracking of Children’s Health), an open-source wearable device, for its ability to measure acceleration and HR. Our study aims to assess the preliminary accuracy of PATCH acceleration and HR estimates compared to the criterion Actiheart, with the goal of creating a reliable sleep measurement device. Methods: Adults aged 18-50 years wore a research-grade device (Actiheart) and PATCH for a single night at their homes. Each device was mounted on the chest. Actiheart measures HR with a 2-lead ECG sampled at 256 Hz, while PATCH measures HR with photoplethysmography (PPG) sampled at 80 HZ. The Actiheart accelerometer has a dynamic range from +/- 8G and was sampled at 50 Hz. The PATCH accelerometer has a dynamic range of +/- 8 G and was sampled at 80 Hz. Data will be aggregated at the one-second level. Results: We will compare estimates of HR and acceleration between the two devices by calculating mean bias, mean absolute error (MAE), and conducting Bland-Altman plots. Conclusion: Sleep is linked with overall health, highlighting the importance of accurate sleep measurement for health-related research. Our study has found the PATCH device to be accurate in measuring both acceleration and HR compared to the Actiheart in a free-living environment. The results of this study help establish the accuracy of the PATCH to measure sleep in real-world settings. The PATCH device has the potential for future applications in sleep disorder clinics, longitudinal studies tracking health outcomes, and personalized health monitoring.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As a Public Health major with a passion for working with individuals with disabilities, I knew I wanted to take American Sign Language (ASL) for my Carolina Core language credit. I was shocked when I discovered ASL was not accepted within the Carolina Core at the University of South Carolina (USC). This prompted me to incite a movement at USC, advocating for the acceptance of ASL to meet the language requirement. I aspired not only to increase language accessibility for students, but also to promote inclusion on campus. Engaging the University was daunting. University representatives asserted there was not sufficient interest in ASL, despite both course levels exceeding the allotted enrollment every semester. Subsequently, I created methods to illustrate citable support in the form of a petition, which accumulated nearly 1,500 signatures. Data derived from the petition, as well as supporting research, was then presented to the representatives. I took on an instrumental role as a liaison between the student body and the Office of the Provost. Collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including student government, the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, university clubs (SPLAIG and ASL Club), and the Office of the Provost, I was able to draft university legislation to propose curriculum change. I aim to offer a platform that empowers voices and establishes meaningful opportunities for students. Through interactions with faculty, students, and local organizations, I gained valuable insights into effective advocacy strategies. My engagement in the curriculum change process enriched my skills in conducting thorough research and implementing evidence-based solutions. Acknowledging ASL as a valid language will encourage people to embrace the Deaf community and advance disability inclusion.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Aortic valve calcification is a calcium mineral deposition in the heart’s aortic valves, leading to narrow valve opening, and in severe cases aortic valve stenosis. It is a marker of early-stage heart disease and often common in older age. Ethanol, when ingested, has been known to decrease vitamin D activity and induce phosphate-mediated mineralization leading to an increase in calcium absorption and mineralization. An increase in blood fat levels and fast heartbeat are common consequences, creating additional plaque deposition and higher risk of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). The objective of this research has been to replicate common concentrations of ethanol found in light to heavy drinkers and grow valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in these conditions plus osteogenic media to determine whether higher concentration of ethanol induces calcification. The mouse VICs grown in osteogenic media without ethanol were compared to cells treated with ethanol in osteogenic media for analysis a month after starting ethanol treatment. Cells were stained with Alizarin red dye and quantified through microscopic image analysis. We used ethanol concentrations of 0 mM (no alcohol), 10 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM in our experimental protocol. A p-value of 0.005 was quantified using a t-test of VICs in untreated control plus osteogenic media and 10 mM ethanol plus osteogenic media, indicating an increase in calcification but when compared to the 25 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM ethanol plus osteogenic media a decrease was observed in the percent of calcified area. Due to high variation in the data of each group of cells, we plan to find another method for quantifying calcium mineral deposits and/or data analysis procedure to reduce variation and to provide more reliable results.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the summer of 2022 I completed an internship in bids and events with San Antonio Sports. At the time, I was on the fence between pursuing this and switching gears entirely to become a kindergarten teacher. Completing this internship helped me to gain confidence in my abilities in the field, affirmed my desire to be in the field, and aided me in classes through the remainder of college. There, I was primarily responsible for gathering data on event spaces in our jurisdiction, reviewing events’ requests for proposal, and putting together background information for bids. Specifically, I completed a portion of the San Antonio Sports bid for the 2027-2031 Women’s Final Four. The bid was successful, and they were notified that November that San Antonio will host the 2029 Women’s Final Four. I was also responsible for providing support for events, including an AAU Swim & Dive competition that took place while I was there. As an employee of San Antonio Sports, I was asked to attend events including two 5k races and an obstacle course where I assisted in setup, volunteer management, and breakdown. Through working these events, I gained valuable experience not only in the field I hope to start a career in, but in nonprofits as well. When coming back to school the next fall, and in the semesters since then, I have continued to build upon the knowledge that I gained in San Antonio. Now, I’m anxiously awaiting graduation and the opportunity to forge a new path in the field I fell in love with.
9:30-11:00 a.m.During the spring semester of 2022 and the summer of 2023, I completed internships with ExxonMobil in the Engineering and Technology division. ExxonMobil manufactures a wide variety of products and is an industry leader in ground-breaking research. During my first internship, I worked in the Performance Liquids Technology group where I focused on sustainability work. I evaluated multiple sustainability efforts in regard to process engineering and market demand. I analyzed the impact of integrating a bio-feed stock into the company’s existing manufacturing processes and how it affected product output. For my second internship, I was a part of the Hydroprocessing and Reforming team where I focused on multiple process modeling projects. I adapted process models to represent and communicate new optimization strategies. I also developed a process modeling tool for preventative catalyst lift analysis. Each of my internships focused on very different areas, but both allowed me to apply the knowledge I learned in the classroom to my projects. I developed professional connections and learned about the opportunities that working in industry after college offers. My internship experiences helped me to grow as a person, both professionally and personally, and have helped direct my professional path tremendously. As a result of my successful internships, I have accepted a full-time position with ExxonMobil in Houston, TX after my graduation in May 2024.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This Discover USC presentation, concentrated on graduation with leadership distinction, examines the importance of immersive global learning experiences for a first-generation college student in her efforts to foster her identity as well as develop her place in the world. In the present day, the community of first-generation college students are underserved and lack the access to the necessary resources to be able to experience extensive cultural immersion on an international scale. These college students face numerous financial, social, and mental obstacles as they try to find their place within the landscape of higher education. As a result of personal experiences from the author, these obstacles include scarce financial resources, difficulty finding community support, mentorship, and others. Through the incorporation of academic evidence gained from University of South Carolina assignments, personal correspondence, and individual experiential learning opportunities, these components exemplify the global learning pathway. Through the author’s international exposure as a member of a study abroad program at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland, her presentation demonstrates that immersive global learning opportunities are an indispensable part of the undergraduate experience and the development of personal identity. This Discover USC presentation also demonstrates the connection between an academic concept that was discussed within the classroom and then expounded upon through a beyond-the-classroom experience. The pensive connection between within-the-classroom concepts and beyond-the-classroom experiences exemplify a profound understanding that surpasses those found in classroom learning alone. The author’s beyond the classroom experience of studying abroad in Zurich, Switzerland, in conjunction with the coursework from her University 101 class, demonstrates how exposure to immersive global learning experiences are necessary in order to promote lifelong growth in personal, professional, and academic environments. Through overcoming numerous financial, academic, and personal obstacles, she was able to embark on the adventure of a lifetime that has forever changed the way she perceives herself and the world.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Human Robot-Interaction is becoming increasingly important in industry and research as Virtual Reality (VR) and affordable robotics are rapidly improving. With VR, roboticists can use manipulative robotics to automate menial manufacturing tasks allowing users to have high levels of immersion and situational awareness (SA). These new technologies are now enabling the possibility of remote work in new sectors. However, SA can diminish if developed systems are complicated or poorly designed. Goal-Directed task analysis (GDTA) is used to evaluate SA by observing participants in a scenario. GDTA outlines three main levels of SA: identification of basic location and system structure, understanding states within the system, and anticipation of outcomes. By observing user’s body language during trials, SA can be used to evaluate the efficacy of systems that intend to mimic real-life scenarios based upon natural body and vocal response and gesture control. Using VR and GDTA, researchers have begun to study operators’ reactions to virtual stimuli in VR. However, researchers have yet to apply SA analysis methods to VR robotic teleoperation platforms to evaluate the effectiveness of different robotic teleoperation methods, where natural response is key. Our research proposes a VR platform that enables teleoperation and displays real-life locations of a manipulative robotic arm in VR and allows manipulation of its digital surrogate via hand gestures. This will allow users to work, study, and potentially automate simple movement tasks from home. To evaluate the prototype of our system, we plan to use GDTA to identify sub-goals, examine user perception of our platform and task performance on different pick-and-place scenarios. Our study aims to address two research questions through several sets of user studies: Can SA in our platform increase outcomes compared to traditional control methods? Does our VR platform decrease task completion times and in what ways? Since our research is currently under development, we plan to present initial system design and preliminary user feedback at Discover USC in April.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Sepsis is a well known cause of mortality in hospitalized patients. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can lead to an increased risk of infections. This study is evaluating if patients with SCD who get diagnosed with sepsis are at an increased risk of mortality when compared to the general population. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study using the 2019 and 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Inclusion criteria were a principal diagnosis of sepsis and age >18. The patients were divided based on if they had a comorbid condition of sickle cell. The primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes of length of stay and total hospital charges. Confounders were adjusted for using multivariate regression analysis with the following confounders: sex, income, race, insurance, Charlson comorbidity index, hospital bed size, location, teaching status, and region. Results: 2,230,080 patients were included in this study. Of these, 6,355 patients had a diagnosis of SCD. The SCD population was predominantly young Black females, while the patient population without SCD was older and more racially diverse. 8.45% of patients with sepsis died during their hospital admission. Those with comorbid SCD had a mortality rate of 4.17% (p <0.5). Those with SCD had an average length of stay .6 days longer than the total population (p<0.02). Patients with SCD had a mean total cost of $1,130 less than the total population (p value 0.01). Discussion: Patients with sickle cell disease are at an increased risk of complicated infections as a result it stands to reason that their mortality should therefore be higher. However this study did not demonstrate those results. There are many reasons why this might be the case. Firstly, the population admitted with SCD is much younger with an average age around 40, while the patient population without SCD had an average age near 65. Additionally, the population with SCD only accounts for a small percentage of the total population in this study. Further studies would need to be conducted to better understand the relationship between SCD and sepsis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Our research question is how uncertainty in threshold games affects people’s decisions to participate in volunteer games. The volunteer’s dilemma is a situation in which each player can either make a small sacrifice for the collective benefit or wait in the hopes that another player will make the sacrifice instead. Threshold games involve a decision to participate in the contribution of public goods or not, where successful provision of goods occurs only if a certain number of contributors is reached. We explore whether or not having group-size uncertainty in a threshold game would affect people’s decisions to volunteer for the good of the group. Additionally, we are asking whether or not it would be beneficial to volunteer at all if the initial population group size never meets the threshold requirement. There are four possible combinations to this question - threshold size and group size are both known, threshold size is uncertain while group size is known, group size is uncertain while threshold size is known, and both threshold and group size are uncertain. When both threshold size and group size are known, the results are very monotonic. With group size uncertainty while the threshold size is known, if the threshold is lower than the mean group size, the incentive for cooperation initially decreases with increased variability in group size. However, it eventually increases. Conversely, if the threshold is higher than the mean group size, the incentive for cooperation initially increases with increased variability, but eventually decreases. The results are very nonmonotonic. When the group size is known and the threshold size is unknown and when both the group and threshold size are unknown, we would also expect to see nonmonotonic results. By knowing the expected results for these types of games, we can better understand human behavior as it relates to cooperation in volunteer events.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Over the past decade, youth have shown a consistent rise in stress, major depression, anxiety, and suicide, with underserved youth (low-income, minoritized communities) at greatest risk of exposure to chronic stress and related outcomes and less access to health services (APA, 2017). Afterschool programs (ASPs), which serve as important resources in underserved communities, can be a critical support for youth health and well-being. However, few studies have examined ways in which ASPs address the challenges underserved youth face across their ecosystem to promote youth resilience . Using qualitative interview data from staff and youth across 6 middle-school ASPs serving low-income, racially diverse communities, the aims of the current study are to 1) identify the physical and mental health challenges that underserved youth are facing within their communities, families, and schools; (2) the ways in which ASP staff help mitigate these risks and; 3) youth’s needs that remain unmet. Participants included seven adult program directors (PDs; 66.7% female, ages 25-60 years, M = 36.67) and six youth focus groups (FGs; N=33 youth; 54.5% female, 45.5% African American, ages 9-13 years, M = 11) from six ASPs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were entered into Dedoose for analysis. Qualitative data will be analyzed for trends of stress, stressors, and ASP supports.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Just over a year ago, in February 2023, I embarked on the journey of a lifetime studying at Zürich University of Applied Sciences alongside approximately 100 other international students. Although I knew that moving halfway across the world, leaving friends and family behind, and adapting to a foreign environment would present challenges, I was overjoyed at the opportunity of creating a completely new life for half a year. During my time in Switzerland, I explored 12 different countries, visited 30 cities, and experienced the breathtaking Swiss Alps through skiing, hiking, and paragliding. Simultaneously, I took seven challenging courses, managed a tight budget in one of the world's most expensive countries, and navigated the unexpected obstacles of European travel. This presentation will delve into the significant challenges I encountered while living abroad, such as language barriers, navigating public transportation, and interacting with natives in unfamiliar countries. I'll reflect on my most memorable experiences, overcoming hardships, and the invaluable lessons that will continue to guide me throughout my life. My desire to study abroad began when I first traveled outside the United States at twelve years old. The moment I set foot in an airport where English wasn't the dominant language, I was hooked. I cherished the idea of being oceans away from familiarity and exploring what felt like a new world. I always longed for more time to soak in the culture, practice the language, and see more of the country, so from this moment on, living in Europe became my lifelong dream. Living in Switzerland and exploring various European countries taught me the importance of embracing cultural diversity. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone through solo travel and forming friendships with strangers who then became travel companions. Secondly, I came to understand the importance of long-term travel to enhance cultural competency. In six months, I overcame obstacles I didn’t know existed, crafted a global network, and permanently altered my perspective of the world. This journey was addicting, and I am thrilled to pursue my next adventure living in a different country, wherever and whenever that may be.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Within romantic relationships, individuals who repeatedly interact with a depressed person often begin to develop depressive symptoms themselves in a process dubbed “depression contagion.” While previous work has focused on risk factors that exacerbate depression contagion (marital distress, closeness, attachment), the specific day-to-day mechanisms underlying this process remain unknown. Previous literature demonstrates positive relations between partner depression and interpersonal verbal aggression, or “negative social exchange” (NSE). NSE has been shown to increase risk for depression through subsequent decreases in relationship satisfaction. This joint relationship between NSE and relationship satisfaction provides a promising avenue to investigate the mechanisms underlying depression contagion. Moreover, these processes have not been examined simultaneously using longitudinal data. To address this gap, the present research investigated the role of negative interactions and relationship satisfaction in facilitating depression contagion among romantic partners. We analyzed data from a longitudinal study following service members/veterans and their spouses/partners over five years, measuring outcomes on relationship functioning, mental health, and daily interaction patterns. To assess our hypothesis, we used an Actor Partner Interdependence Model approach, testing the association between partner depression and actor reports of negative social exchange; actor negative social exchange and actor relationship satisfaction; and actor relationship satisfaction and subsequent actor depression (N = 411 couples). Analyses controlled for actor and partner’s depression scores at the prior timepoint, as well as actor gender, race, and military status. Analyses revealed that NSE and relationship satisfaction mediated the relation between partner depression at each time point and actor depression at the subsequent time point. Specifically, there was a positive relationship between partner depression and NSE (IRR = 1.07, [1.03, 1.12]), a negative relationship between NSE and relationship satisfaction (β = -14.30, [-15.72, -12.89]), and a negative relationship between relationship satisfaction and subsequent actor depression scores (IRR = 0.87, [0.81, 0.94]). None of these mediating pathways differed by gender. Results demonstrate a serial mediation effect underlying depression contagion between romantic partners though negative social exchange and relationship satisfaction. These findings identify the specific pathways by which depression contagion occurs in romantic relationships, informing possible targeted interventions to prevent contagion in couples.
9:30-11:00 a.m.INTRODUCTION Optimal outcomes in prostate cancer management hinge on precise imaging interpretation. This study highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) interpretation, surpassing conventional radiologist and urologist reading methods. We delve into how AI elevates the entire spectrum of prostate cancer care, from detection and diagnosis to treatment planning and post-treatment surveillance. DISCUSSION AI-driven mpMRI interpretation transcends traditional methods by harnessing extensive datasets and intricate algorithms. This results in consistent, objective assessments that continuously refine accuracy over time. With unparalleled precision, AI algorithms excel at detecting subtle lesions and characterizing tumor features. Simultaneously analyzing multiple imaging parameters ensures the identification of lesions that would otherwise remain elusive. Furthermore, AI provides quantitative metrics on lesion size, shape, and texture, enhancing diagnostic confidence and enabling personalized treatment strategies. AI's fusion of mpMRI with real-time ultrasound imaging not only enhances lesion targeting during prostate biopsies but also facilitates tailored treatment plans. Unlike manual fusion techniques, AI ensures precise alignment, improving lesion localization and diagnostic yield. These lesion maps guide needle placement with unprecedented accuracy, minimizing sampling errors and optimizing biopsy outcomes. This comprehensive approach empowers clinicians with insights into lesion characterization and tumor extent, facilitating personalized treatment plans that maximize efficacy while minimizing unnecessary interventions and associated morbidities. Interpretation of mpMRI with AI enables proactive surveillance of prostate cancer recurrence post-treatment. AI-driven analytics monitor subtle changes in imaging features over time, facilitating early detection of disease recurrence and guiding timely interventions. This vigilant approach improves patient outcomes by enabling prompt adjustments to treatment strategies and minimizing disease progression. CONCLUSION AI-driven enhancements in mpMRI interpretation represent a paradigm shift in prostate cancer care, outperforming traditional reading methods. By harnessing AI, clinicians achieve unparalleled accuracy and efficiency in detecting, diagnosing, treating, and surveilling prostate cancer. This not only improves patient outcomes but also shapes the future of personalized medicine. As AI technology evolves, its potential to revolutionize prostate cancer care remains limitless, promising further advancements in precision oncology and patient-centered care.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Fall semester of my sophomore year, my Introduction to Public Health course laid the foundation for the fundamental principles of population health that I would continue to build on throughout my degree. In learning about the factors that affect individuals’ health outcomes, I learned extensively about social determinants of health. These factors can be defined by the WHO “the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work and age, and the systems put in place to deal with illness; shaped by a wider set of forces: economics, social policies, and politics”. Two years later, in the Summer of 2023, I began working as a research assistant and gained real-world experience with these factors through the Diet Guidelines: 3 Diets (DG3D) study conducted through the USC School of Public Health. The 1-year study aimed to learn about which of three diets worked best to prevent chronic diabetes and improve body weight among African American adults. As I attended weekly meetings for each of the three groups, I was able to observe discussions surrounding the culture of food and deepened my understanding of certain social determinants of health that can lead to diabetes specifically. These included local politics, finances, time, social culture surrounding events, historical culture, and much more. This unfiltered insight into those factors in the community gave me a deeper understanding of just how significant social determinants are in healthcare. As an aspiring physician, this empathy and holistic view is now something that I consider essential in treating the patient as a whole rather than focusing solely on biological causation. Being able to look at outcomes while also understanding their factors is something that I will be able to incorporate into my career for decades to come.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my senior year with the Sport Management program here at University of South Carolina, I had the opportunity to take a sales course that revolved around the sports industry, SPTE450: Sales in SPTE Business with Professor Sam Todd. While in the sports management program I was resistant to the idea of working in sales. I do not find myself to be an outgoing person, and especially not over the phone. Throughout the course, I gained knowledge on the skills needed for a salesperson to not only be confident in themselves, but in their work. I became familiar with The Sales Process and the skills utilized to Establish Rapport. I constantly was breaking out of my comfort zone, role playing sales calls with other classmates. After one of the course exams, I was chosen with some other students to participate in a Sales Lab that was through the university’s athletic department and the Associate Athletic Director of Revenue Generation, Dan Stahl. The lab was conducted aside from the course, and included calling previous football ticket buyers to sell them season tickets. The experience was a great opportunity for me to overcome my fear of conducting sales calls without knowing what the buyer will say. The skills and scripts I gained within my course helped me combat most upcoming questions, so I never felt blindsided. I gained the ability to keep the flow of conversation, but funneling it into the direction I wanted. By implementing the skills learned within my course within the Sales Lab, I felt a sense of pride in knowing that I had not only gained the knowledge, but had the strong ability to execute it in a sales role.
1:00-2:30 p.m.BACKGROUND: The Southeastern portion of the United States suffers disproportionally from HIV, accounting for 51% of all new HIV cases, despite only having 38% of the country’s population. In 2022, Prisma Health Midlands Emergency Department (ED) began an opt-out screening and physician education project for HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV), referred to as “iLink.” Opt-out screening has now expanded to three Midlands EDs, and an average of 544 HIV screening tests are ordered monthly. For comparison, in January 2022, when the program first became operational, only 162 HIV screening tests were ordered that month throughout all EDs in the Midlands. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with newly diagnosed HIV through the three included Midlands EDs since the implementation of iLink. We looked at patient demographics, risk factors, and missed opportunities for HIV screening, as defined by face-to-face contact with a Prisma Health medical provider in the 365 days prior to HIV diagnosis. RESULTS: Between January 1st 2021 and December 31st 2023, there were 61 new HIV diagnoses from the three EDs. Average age was 36, and 88.5% were African American. Risk factors for HIV included: 39% MSM, 26% heterosexual, 8.1% PWID, 6.5% transgender, and 1.6% had previous sexually transmitted infections (STI) without concurrent HIV testing. We were able to identify a screening missed opportunity in the previous 365 days in 47.5% (N=29/61) of these patients. Twenty of those 29 missed opportunities were in the ED, 4 were in PCP clinics, and 5 were seen in other outpatient locations including GI (Gastroenterological) clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of all newly diagnosed HIV patients had a missed opportunity for screening in the previous 365 days. While most of these missed opportunities occurred in the ED, specialty clinics may also play an important role in identifying HIV. Surprisingly, 26% of new HIV cases were associated with heterosexual exposure, which is not classically considered high-risk for HIV transmission. These findings show the importance of broad-based HIV testing for all patients, regardless of risk factors and lifestyle, especially in geographic areas with high HIV prevalence in the community.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The rising prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) among women necessitates a comprehensive understanding of associated risk factors and effective screening protocols by healthcare providers. This literature review explores common risk factors and screening processes for PPD, aiming to address existing gaps and challenges. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles with a date range of 2019-2023. The search provided 2,038 results. Of the results, four articles were selected that were deemed appropriate and relevant. Through the thorough examination of recent literature and interviews with experts, key risk factors for PPD emerged, including maternal stress, history of depression, lack of support, and socioeconomic status. Despite advancements, nearly 80% of PPD cases remain undiagnosed or untreated due to inadequate screening and social stigma. Studies underscore the importance of early detection through standardized screening tools, such as the Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R), which has shown promising results in identifying high-risk mothers during prenatal care. However, inconsistencies in screening protocols persist, highlighting the need for universal education among healthcare providers and the integration of screening tools into routine practice. Future research should prioritize global perspectives and explore socio-cultural influences on PPD diagnosis and treatment. In conclusion, addressing PPD requires a multi-faceted approach, including enhanced provider education, standardized screening protocols, and tailored interventions based on individual risk factors, to improve maternal mental health outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Skeletal muscle (SkM) is a dynamic tissue that adapts to repetitive use. One such adaptation improves SkM endurance. Daily activities engage various Skm’s in diverse ways. For example, walking uses the SkM’s of the quadriceps extensively but only minimally activates the bicep brachii (bicep). The Endurance Index (EI) is a tool to assess SkM endurance independent of perceived effort. The purpose of this study was to determine whether daily physical activity patterns influence the EI in SkM’s of the upper and lower appendages. Study participants were assessed for voluntary maximal torque (isokinetic dynamometer) and SkM endurance (accelerometer-based mechanomyography (aMMG)) before and after fatiguing exercise for right and left arms and legs. Muscle fatigue was induced in the elbow flexors and knee extensors via 50 maximal voluntary concentric contractions at 60°/sec. aMMG was assessed for the biceps and vastus lateralis (vastus) before and after exercise. SkM were stimulated at 6 Hz for min. A 3-dimensional accelerometer fixed to the belly of the bicep or vastus muscles recorded the contractions in units of gravity and converted to EI%. These units were normalized to baseline. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Maximal voluntary torque decreased by 15.8±11% in leg extensors and by 15.4±7% in elbow flexors following the fatigue test (p<.05). A significant interaction (p<.05) between Limbs, Side, Pre/Post, and Time EI% indicates that the bicep responded differently to exercise than the legs. The right bicep EI% decreased significantly from Time0 to Time5 for Control and Exercise conditions (Exercise: Time0 1.0±.0 to Time5: .43±.1; Control Time0: .96 ±.1; Time5: .58±.1). Following strenuous muscle contractions bicep EI% was significantly reduced (Pre: Time0 1.0±.0 to Post: Time0 .49±.0) though no changes were observed for control. EI% decreased from Time0 to Time5 in legs (Exercise: Time0 1.0±.0 to Time5: .75±.2; Control Time0: 1.13 ±.2; Time5: .74±.2), and EI% was reduced at Time0 for the vastus following strenuous exercise (Exercise: Time0 1.0±.0 to Time0: .66 ±.2). The data indicate that EI can assess SkM’s resistance to fatigue or endurance. The data also suggest that habitual activity influences a muscle’s ability to resist fatigue.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Unmanaged stress has been associated with decreased physical, psychological, and emotional health, reduced academic performance in college students, and increased poor coping mechanisms, including substance use. In a study we completed last year titled “Exploring Stress Levels among USC Students,” results indicated that 76% of respondents were at risk for stress-related illness (SRI). A high number of respondents indicated having greater dependency on alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, or drugs. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between stress and substance use in undergraduate USC students. Methods: A 52-question survey was disseminated throughout the USC campus as a scannable QR code linked to an online survey. The survey included demographic questions, the 25-item ISMA Questionnaire, the 10-item Alcohol Screening Questionnaire (AUDIT), and the 8-item ASSIST Screening Tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlational, and nonparametric statistics. Results: Respondents (n=97) had a mean ISMA score of 17.4, which indicates a high risk for SRI, with 81.4% of respondents meeting the score for high risk of SRI (14 or greater). 43.3% of respondents had screening scores indicative of dependence on substances, with a mean ISMA score of 19.4. The average AUDIT score was 6.2, which indicates “risky” alcohol use, with 13.4% of students in the “harmful” and 9.2% in the “severe” category. Discussion: Over 80% of respondents met the criteria for high risk of SRI. The average ISMA score was higher in each subsequent riskier AUDIT category. Over 40% of students reported having substance dependence, and those students had higher ISMA scores than students who did not report dependence. Only one-third of students reported never having used drugs, and 65% of students reported using substances in the last 3 months. Conclusion: Undergraduate students at USC experience high rates of stress and are at a high risk for SRI. Students with higher stress scores are found to have a higher likelihood of risky alcohol or substance use behaviors. It is important to explore the causes of undergraduate student stress and take steps to mitigate these causes to avoid the potential negative consequences of risky alcohol and substance use behaviors.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Background: There are significant racial disparities in the United States, with black birthing individuals being at higher risk of maternal morbidity and mortality compared to white birthing individuals. Reproductive aged females are among the population group with prevalent anemia related cases. Recent studies have examined the risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) among individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, there is limited data on racial disparities in anemia-related deaths among reproductive-age females. Additionally, no studies have assessed the mortality risk from anemia-related conditions among birthing individuals. Therefore, we aimed to examine among both females of reproductive age and birthing individuals: 1) the proportion of mortality due to anemia-related conditions and 2) racial disparities in anemia related deaths. Methods and Materials: We utilized Natality and Mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) from 2008 to 2021. We restricted our study sample to females of reproductive age (15-44 years) and birthing individuals. We investigated various causes of anemia-related deaths including SCD, using causes of deaths classified by the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Crude and age-adjusted death rates and crude risk ratios (RR) were calculated. Results: Among females of reproductive age, the overall age-adjusted anemia-related mortality rate was 1.57 deaths per 100,000 population, with black individuals exhibiting a significantly higher mortality rate (4.45 deaths per 100,000) compared to white individuals (0.98 deaths per 100,000). Age-adjusted SCD mortality was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.40) per 100,000; among black individuals, it was 2.18 (95% CI: 2.10, 2.26) compared to 0.018 (95% CI: 0.015, 0.021) per 100,000 among white individuals. Similarly, anemia deaths among birthing individuals were notably higher among black individuals (0.18 deaths per 100,000 live births) compared to whites (0.032 deaths per 100,000 live births), providing a crude RR of 5.62 (95% CI: 5.61, 5.63). Conclusions: The findings revealed a substantial racial disparity in anemia-related mortality rates among reproductive-age females, with black individuals facing significantly higher risks compared to white individuals. This underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address anemia related deaths among black birthing individuals.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This past semester, I worked with Richland County in the Community Planning and Development department specifically the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP). NIP assists neighborhoods with efforts targeted towards health, engagement (between neighbors and county officials), and revitalization. We also coordinate and fund master plans to improve neighborhoods in Richland County. As a Public Health major at the University of South Carolina, my internship provided me with first-hand experience on promoting health within communities. I was able to cross reference many concepts learned within the classroom to the real life needs of those in Richland County. NIP provides resources to the community through monthly S.P.E.E.D events, the Neighborhood Enrichment Grant, and the Annual Planning Conference. I had the opportunity to assist with each of the resources I named above. Specifically, I was on the review committee for the Neighborhood Enrichment Grant reviewing over 100 projects across 52 neighborhoods. Participating in this internship was reassurance that I was pursuing a career that would be fulfilling. I hope to continue my work in Public Health by serving underprivileged communities that are often overlooked. Upon graduation, I will passionately promote community health and continue to be a part of the change.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: Historically, the treatment and prognosis of melanoma has been based on histologic stage and Breslow depth; however, melanomas are being identified at an earlier stage and lower Breslow depth. With genetic testing (Castle), melanoma prognosis and decision diagnosis can now be directed by genetics. The goal of this project was to compare the efficacy of the DecisionDx with histologic stage and Breslow depth. Materials: Melanomas that were diagnosed as Castle 2A/B (high-risk) at a single institution between 2019-2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were stratified by recurrence and sentinel lymph node positivity. Results: Overall, 97 patients were evaluated. The average age of the group was 71 years (37-96); average Breslow depth was 2.38 (0.45-7.5mm). The most prevalent histologic stage was pT2a (19%), pT2b (18%), pT4b (24%). Overall, 64% had oncology follow-up and 37% received immunotherapy; at conclusion of study 91% were alive. When stratifying by recurrence, 22% patients (n=22) had recurrences. Age and Breslow depth were not significantly different from those without recurrences. Pathologic stage was only significantly different for stage T3a (p=0.0390; no recurrence 0%). Most recurrences had oncology follow-up (95%; p=0.0030) and immunotherapy (86%, p=0.0001). Despite these differences, there was no significant difference in survival (p=0.3161). When stratifying by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNLBx) positivity, the average age of SLNBx positive cohort was significantly lower than that of the negative cohort p=.0040; Breslow depth was also not significant (p=0.6619) and none of the pathologic staging was different. Oncology follow up was significantly higher in SLNBx positive (90%; p=0.0126) patients; but due to the DecisionDX high-risk classification, 60% of SNLB negative patients received oncology follow-up. As expected, SLNBx+ patients received significantly more immunotherapy (p=0.0001); however, recurrences and survival were not significantly different between cohorts. Conclusions: Although there is no survival/recurrence difference, there are cases in this series of patients that would not have had follow-up with recurrences that changed management and outcomes. In this small series, we demonstrate that this may influence follow up and need longer follow up and comparison to those with similar stage that had lower class presentation.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Clear cell sarcomas of the soft tissue (CCSST) is a rare tumor that originates from neural crest cells and share histological and immunohistochemical characteristics with malignant melanoma. This is a case of a 42 female with past medical history of parotid Warthin's Tumor who presented with a new lesion on her right face which was concerning for a parotid mass. Work-up for the new mass included an MRI neck which showed a well-circumscribed mass (1.7 x 0.9 cm) within the right masseter muscle. She then underwent transoral resection of the mass during which the intraoperative frozen section showed benign spindle cell lesion. Final pathology was positive for clear cell sarcoma. PET-CT and MRI Brain were obtained which were positive for hypermetabolic mass in the anterior aspect of the right masseter muscle. Following a literature review, no other cases of clear cell sarcoma of the masseter have been found.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Background: Marriage has long been shown to function as a protective factor against alcohol misuse, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and associated consequences. Previous studies drawing on the positive effects of marriage on alcohol use have shown that never-married individuals are 2 times more likely to meet the criteria for AUD and consume alcohol, binge drink, or exceed low-risk drinking limits. With marriage rates in the United States steadily declining over the past 40 years and rates of non-marital cohabitation increasing, questions have been raised as to whether the positive effects of marriage have also shifted. Nationally representative epidemiological studies have the potential to answer these questions. Yet, it has been 10 years since relations between marital status and alcohol use patterns have been reported at the national level. Method: To begin to address this 10-year gap in the literature, this project examined the relations between marital status and alcohol use patterns using data drawn from the 2012 to 2021 waves of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH is a nationally representative study which samples respondents from all people in the United States age 12 or older. Analyses of this data examined differences by marital and cohabitation status across a range of alcohol-related variables, controlling for sex, age, and year of data collection. Results: Results revealed significant differences by marital status in binge drinking frequency, alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and need for alcohol-related treatment. In all cases, odds/rates of each issue being lower for currently married individuals than for never married individuals. Additionally, results revealed significant interactions between marital status and sex, suggesting that the protective effect of marriage may be larger for women compared to men. Discussion: In documenting the relations over the past decade, results seek to emphasize the extent to which marriage continues to serve as a protective aid against alcohol misuse/AUD. Findings can help inform policy and funding decisions related to treatment, including the need for greater access to treatment approaches incorporating supportive close others, such as community reinforcement and family training [CRAFT] and partner involved treatment.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Over the course of my undergraduate experience, I have studied abroad in two countries: Costa Rica and India. Although both countries are located on opposite sides of the world - exactly 10,098 miles apart - they have both taught me integral lessons regarding the relationship of culture, language, health, and communication. In Costa Rica, I took relevant public health courses through the 3-week “Global UofSC in Costa Rica” program which taught me the importance of global health communication and transparency. I acquired valuable skills in using outreach methods and presentation tools to effectively educate the general public on local and international health issues. Such education empowered me to communicate the issue of menstrual poverty at the S.C. Statehouse at the Committee for Children. I learned clinical vocabulary in Spanish, granting me the ability to communicate to Hispanic patients in the clinical setting. In addition, I was able to learn the basic clinical vocabulary structure and the potential for cultural nuance in the clinical setting, both of which was also applied to my Bengali language learning journey. By studying abroad in India through the two-month American Institute of Indian Studies program, I understood the impact of culture and history on the act of language-learning itself. Exploring the vibrant Bengali culture through excursions in Chandannagar and practicing the intricate art of traditional Pattachitra painting provided valuable context to my language and cultural learning endeavors. My experiences stand as a testament to the value that global learning across varying cultural universes holds for a student’s learning, particularly for students entering a healthcare field where effective cross-cultural communication is paramount.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research will explore the neurological background of addiction as a disease and how the exacerbation of external factors has contributed to negative perceptions towards addiction. The external factors are (a) the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) the contemporary experiences of a college student. These negative perceptions can lead to stigma, reluctance to seek help, and misguided legal and policy responses, hindering effective support and recovery for individuals. A study of this issue is important because there is continued normalization of prescribed and non-prescribed substance use leading to the development of addiction. Surveys and interviews were conducted with college students to get firsthand accounts of their perceptions and experiences with addiction. These findings have helped illustrate (1) how COVID-19 and different experiences have brought addiction to people who may not have ever had an addiction in the first place and (2) how to promote development for different treatments. With this information, a sensitivity training presentation geared towards first responders and other healthcare professionals has been developed with information on how to approach those with substance use disorders. The next step is implementing policy changes and reaching out to local policymakers, addiction treatment centers, and hospitals to conduct in-person discussions on furthering research, treatments, and regulations.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The most valuable lessons aren’t always learned in the beige classroom of the College of Nursing during a three-hour lecture. For me, the most valuable nursing lessons were learned in the beautiful mountains of Guatemala during a humid week in March 2022. As a selected member of the USC College of Nursing, I traveled to Panahachel, Guatemala to set up a clinic in a small rural town with nine other nursing students. I learned more than just how to take vital signs and some conversational Spanish; I discovered valuable lessons about advocating for patients and being a nursing leader who works for change in public health to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities. After a week, I was inspired to create real change in healthcare and be the best nurse leader and patient advocate I could possibly be. As my undergraduate nursing journey began to come to a close, I worked on a group project in my Population Health nursing class. We developed a project for which we researched heart disease in Saluda County, South Carolina, and created a plan to provide educational materials to decrease the incidence of this epidemic in our state. We discovered the importance of focusing on the specific needs of individuals in a particular county and how we would assist them to access preventative healthcare and treatment. This lesson extends beyond South Carolina and even beyond Guatemala; addressing the needs of a community is the first step to improving access to quality healthcare in individual underserved communities. By addressing the need for education on heart disease in Saluda County and the need for access to pharmacies and medications for chronic diseases in Guatemala, we helped improve access to quality healthcare in underserved communities by being strong nurse leaders and patient advocates. Nursing and community service go hand-in-hand because the main goals are advocacy and improving my community. Both my class project and my participation in the medical mission trip have pushed me to look for other ways to help individuals in underserved communities have a fair chance at a healthy life.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Every year during the summer my church does a retreat to go spread the gospel and help people in need. Last year we decided to go to Kentucky for our mission trip. I was put on a team with only two people I knew and the rest were complete strangers doing the same mission as us. It was very awkward when working with the random people I had just met and almost no work was getting completed. After days I had decided that I was going to break the barrier and jump out of my comfort zone and try to get to know the other people on my team. After just minutes of me talking and getting to know everyone on my team lots of work had been achieved. The vinyl siding on the side of the house had finally been finished and we even came up with a design of a deck for the homeowners. While everything started to settle down after the fact I looked back to my uni 101 class where we had a project where we had to work with strangers and I did not talk to the people I didn't know and the project was a mess. So if not for WTC I would have not experienced my BTC experience. My WTC also pushed me to have more BTC experiences in my life and will continue to do so.
9:30-11:00 a.m.It has been well-established that neurodivergent infants have fewer words in their vocabularies within the second year of life (Charman, Drew, Baird, & Baird, 2003). Given that autistic individuals typically focus on systemizing (analyzing structures, rules, and system-building) more than empathizing (socializing) according to the empathizing-systemizing theory, this might be a contributing factor to how infants on the spectrum acquire language. These linguistic clues are worth paying attention to because they could potentially indicate specific divergences in communication and understanding in the mind of a neurodivergent infant. Therefore, in addition to vocabulary size, I am interested in language markers of neurodivergence in vocabulary composition like grammatical categories, so I examined the differences between lexical profiles of 18-month infants in two groups: those who would go on to receive an autism diagnosis or BAP (broader autism phenotype) categorization, and those who would not, out of 35 total participants. The parts of speech I explored were common nouns, verbs, and descriptors. The descriptor category consists of adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. I purposely excluded animal sounds, greetings, and proper nouns from the CDI because these did not fit neatly into my categories, and they operate differently in speech. Plus, animal sounds, greetings, and proper nouns are usually the earliest words acquired by all infants, neurotypical and neurodivergent alike, so by excluding them I can look at slightly more advanced language where part of speech differences start to emerge. I also examined if 18-month vocabulary characteristics were correlated to social skills at 24 months. I conducted this secondary data analysis using data from the 18-month CDI, a language questionnaire completed by parents, and the 24-month Vineland, an inventory completed by a clinician with insight from parents that measures adaptive behavior skills like communication and socialization. Any clues available at 18 months are invaluable to early identification because diagnosis happens around 24 months, and early intervention allows kids on the Autism spectrum and their families to get the support they need.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: CSF pseudocyst following VP shunt placement is rare, but a known complication. Bladder perforation following bladder augmentation is a well-known complication. Both of these complications have diagnostic challenges and no definitively agreed upon approach to management. In this case, we present a unique presentation of both complications, their delayed diagnosis, and the choice in management of each. Case: A 13-year-old male with past medical history of spina bifida, hydrocephalus status post (s/p) ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement, Arnold-Chiari malformation type II, neurogenic bladder s/p bladder augmentation, neurogenic bowel s/p GI mace procedure, and s/p Nissen with G-tube, presented with abdominal distension and diarrhea. Surgery was consulted for concern of small bowel obstruction. He was found to have Norovirus and a UTI with Enterococcus faecalis. He had PO intolerance, fever, leukocytosis, and elevated procalcitonin. A CT of the abdomen and pelvis found large CSF pseudocysts. Neurosurgery was consulted and the patient was taken for VP shunt externalization and percutaneous drainage. Intraoperatively, the fluid appeared infected and similar to urine, eventually growing the same bacteria. A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) was done and urology consulted. There was no evidence of bladder perforation, but the foley was left in place. Fluid reaccumulated and IR placed a percutaneous drain. This output appeared to be urine and had high output. CT cystogram confirmed an intraperitoneal bladder perforation. The plan is to manage conservatively, and eventually internalize the VPS, ideally, in the atrium or pleura. Discussion: It is important to have these rare but known complications as differential diagnoses in patients that present with a history of VP shunt or bladder augmentation. The goal is to not delay diagnostic imaging and to prevent further morbid complications, such as sepsis. In our patient, both complications were delayed in diagnosis due to the unique concurrent complications in one patient with a complex history and the relatively benign presentation of symptoms. It is important to consider this in unique populations and to appropriately consult the multiple specialties that may be required for management.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease characterized by prolonged inflammation mediated by an overactive immune response to the gut microbiome. Although the exact etiopathogenesis is unclear, CD develops due to a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and gut microbiome dysfunction. A cluster of polymorphisms associated with CD susceptibility have been found in endocannabinoid system genes, including the gene encoding Cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1). CB1 signaling has been studied in colitis models, but how CB1 signaling influences gut microbiome function in CD is unknown. To determine this, 16S sequencing was performed on fecal samples from uninflamed mice genetically susceptible to colitis (Il10-/-) before and after administering a treatment to increase endocannabinoid levels. Endocannabinoids are lipid hormones that signal via cannabinoid receptors. Increasing endocannabinoid levels resulted in a significant change in gut microbiome composition in a CB1 dependent manner, including a significant increase in fecal Escherichia coli abundance. Notably, a signature of gut microbiome dysfunction in CD is the overgrowth of intestinal E. coli, which worsens disease severity in colitis models. Results were repeated by engrafting commensal E. coli into uninflamed E. coli-free wild-type or Il10-/- mice and measuring E. coli growth via culture and targeted qPCR. CB1 antagonism prevented E. coli overgrowth following increased endocannabinoids, with similar results observed in CB1-deficient mice. Antagonism of a second cannabinoid receptor CB2 did not affect E. coli proliferation. Finally, we sought to determine which metabolic pathway E. coli utilize to proliferate when endocannabinoid levels are elevated. The E. coli gene moaA encodes an enzyme required for molybdenum biosynthesis, which is essential for respiration pathways that E. coli utilize to proliferate in the gut. Using an E. coli moaA-deficient mutant, we found that intact MoaA-dependent metabolism is required for E. coli proliferation when endocannabinoids are elevated. Our findings suggest that CB1-dependent endocannabinoid signaling promotes E. coli growth by altering intestinal nutrient availability, allowing E. coli to utilize MoaA-dependent metabolism to proliferate. Future studies aim to determine how E. coli overgrowth affects CD pathogenesis and what nutrients promote overgrowth downstream of endocannabinoid signaling.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Homelessness is an epidemic that has connected the world for centuries. Richland County in South Carolina is no exception to the extensiveness of this systemic issue. Specifically, according to “2022 State of Homelessness Report Draft Final” (2022, pg. 13), “Richland County continues to hold the highest [Point in Time] PIT Count population in 2022” for South Carolina. It is likely that homelessness is never going away; however, the way that the nonprofits, city councils, and Richland County itself respond to homelessness will determine the rate that homelessness can be lessened. To do this, these facilitators for change must understand the history of interventions. For this research project, I will focus on the ways that the city council of Columbia, SC has attempted to resolve homelessness in the past 10 years. Moreover, I will complete a comparative study of Columbia’s budget and the results of the Point in Time Homelessness Count of Richland County completed by South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness. I previously conducted a content analysis of the city council’s interventions using the University of South Carolina’s research database which granted me access to the Columbia, SC newspaper, The State. Utilizing this database, the Columbia city council website, and internet searches, I evaluated around 600 sources. After analyzing the articles, I determined how the city council could improve their homelessness interventions. Mainly, this analysis demonstrated the repetitiveness of certain methods and time gaps where there is a lack of interventions. For this comparative study, I contacted the Columbia city council to access all the finalized budgets from the past 10 years at least. Likewise, I communicated with the South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness about receiving all PIT Homelessness Counts. For this presentation, I will also determine the rate that homelessness decreases for Richland County based on the application of various budgets made by the Columbia city council. Overall, these findings can be implemented into the ways that Columbia formulates its interventions and budgets.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This case report unveils an exceptional and unprecedented clinical scenario involving a pediatric patient presenting with cruciate paralysis (CS) secondary to trauma and a pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), a common pediatric brain tumor. CS, characterized by bilateral upper extremity paralysis with intact lower extremity function, is an exceedingly rare neurological deficit typically associated with traumatic injury to the cervicomedullary junction (CVMJ). The convergence of these disparate pathologies in a single patient following trauma evaluation challenges current understanding and mechanisms of CS. Recent investigations have questioned the traditional hypothesis that somatotopic organization of corticospinal tract fibers passing through the pyramidal decussation at the CVMJ is the mechanism for the preferential disabling of the upper extremities vs the lower extremities. It remains to be fully understood how the corticospinal tract fibers favor and hinder the upper limbs, especially in the face of a traumatic injury to the cervical spinal cord or compression of the cervicomedullary junction by a tumor or hemorrhage. This case presents a unique example of CS occurring in conjunction with a PA, discovered through MRI imaging following trauma evaluation. The patient initially presented with a lesion to the occipital region of the skull, but remained asymptomatic, until two days later when the patient developed flaccid diplegia of the upper extremities, highlighting a distinctive timeline and presentation of CS. This report marks the first documented instance of such a convergence in medical literature, underscoring the need for further exploration of the relationship between CS and intracranial pathologies and its mechanism in relation to the cervicomedullary junction.
9:30-11:00 a.m.From the 15th to the 19th century, the transatlantic slave trade plagued the Caribbean, moving millions of enslaved African Africans across the ocean. My research discusses the innerworkings of the slave trade and how it influenced Caribbean life. To examine this issue in detail, I am particularly focused on the island of Haiti during the second half of the 18th century. My research analysis is framed to answer the question: how did the transatlantic slave trade directly impact the daily lives of those living in Haiti before and during the Haitian Revolution? To obtain this information, I have consulted secondary sources by multiple scholars, such as Michael Schroeder. This information is important because it reflects the impact that the slave trade had and how it has permanently changed the history of Haiti.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Introduction: The well-child visit is a mainstay of pediatric primary care. These visits are essential for monitoring physical and cognitive development, completing the recommended vaccination schedule, and counseling parents on expectations for each of their child’s new phases of development. The well-child visit is essential in early identification and treatment of conditions which may lead to lifelong medical problems or hospitalizations in the future if not addressed. Over the course of one year, the USC/Prisma Family Medicine interns developed and executed a quality improvement project for the Family Medicine Center to increase the rate of annual well-child visits and improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of care being delivered to FMC pediatric patients. Methods: This was a longitudinal quality improvement project. A driver diagram was created identifying multiple key metrics in the well-child visit which could be reviewed and improved. Each month a PDSA cycle was completed by the intern class involving one of the identified metrics. Methods included surveying fellow residents on their individual practice in well-child visits and chart review of current pediatric patients for items such as vaccination completion and compliance with scheduled well-child appointments. Avenues including phone calls and MyChart messages were used to contact patients with overdue vaccine requirements to increase vaccination rates. Results: From July 2023 to January 2024, we improved our rate of annual well-child visits from 63.85% to 67.9%. 138 pediatric patients with overdue vaccines were contacted about scheduling well-child visits, either via MyChart or over the phone, with 11 new appointments scheduled. A checklist sheet specific to FMC well-child visits was also produced, based on AAP guidelines and FMC resident survey responses, highlighting well-child visit items with suboptimal completion rates based on the results of resident surveys. Discussion: As the FMC continues to increase pediatric visits, it is essential that these patients receive the highest quality care possible. Our practice plans to continue improving patient retention and maximizing the care opportunities at each well-child visit by completing all action items recommended for a given age as well as any delinquent items.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I put in place a cheer program by firmly keeping the modern youth's empowerment at the top of my mind. The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) states that this program uses cheerleader showcases as a way to affect young people on a personal level. The goal of the program was to help participants learn how to operate as a team and to build their own self-esteem, which in turn helped to create a joyful and welcoming environment. The elementary/middle school-aged children participated in an experiment under the guidance of a well-known cheerleader who mentors them and specializes in competitive cheering. The SCT, which posits a reciprocal relationship between behavior, environmental impacts, and personal attributes, served as the foundation for determining the intervention's objectives and steps. Therefore, the program's primary objective was to increase peers' self-efficacy and boost their confidence when executing challenging training exercises and abilities so that they would ultimately feel empowered and be able to contribute to the team effort. I understood the demanding physical and mental demands of cheerleading as well as the various levels of performance stress because I had been a cheerleader myself. Furthermore, I can vouch for the precise circumstances that cheerleaders encounter. The report attests to the fact that the initiative's implementation produced the expected and intended results. Furthermore, the team demonstrated a definite increase in ownership and teamwork, which helped to foster trust and synergy. In order to improve participants' physical health, this program also aimed to assist them in developing new skills and engaging in regular physical activity. In a similar vein, the overall results emphasize cheerleading's synergy as a multifaceted intervention that focuses on empowering young people and improving their social-emotional and physical outcomes. These results contribute to our understanding of exercise's role in promoting young people's happiness and physical fitness, and they solidify the evidence supporting the need for SCT-informed treatments aimed at changing behavior. It is necessary to modify leadership styles to accommodate the variety of personality types and evolving personality profiles. With this knowledge, I can effectively mentor and guide each athlete so they can develop independently.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Purpose: The utility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal PCRs is well known for guiding antibiotic de-escalation in pneumonia. However, there is little known about its predictive values in skin and soft tissue infections, especially within the pediatric population. Therefore, this study is designed to assess the predictive value of MRSA nasal PCRs in these infections within the pediatric population. Methods: This was a retrospective, multi-center, observational study that includes data from March 1, 2021 through July 31, 2023. Patients were included if they were admitted to Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands or Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate with a diagnosis of a skin and soft tissue infection and a MRSA nasal PCR obtained. Patients were excluded if they had recent MRSA decolonization of the nares. The primary outcome was the negative and positive predictive value of MRSA nasal PCRs in skin and soft tissue infections. The result of each MRSA nasal PCR was analyzed against cultures when available to determine the predictive value. When cultures were not available, the predictive value of the MRSA nasal PCR was based on treatment failure, defined as a failure to improve while on antibiotics that do not cover for MRSA. This was determined by the need to add MRSA coverage after 72 hours on antibiotics, increasing procalcitonin while on antibiotics, persistent fevers (≥96 hours) while on antibiotics, or hospital readmission within 30 days due to the same infection. Secondary outcomes include the initiation of MRSA antibiotic coverage, the duration of MRSA antibiotic coverage, overall duration of antibiotic therapy, hospital length of therapy, and readmission within 30 days.
1:00-2:30 p.m.With the use of a photocatalyst, one can facilitate organic reactions with the use of a simple light source. A photocatalyst absorbs light which promotes the photocatalyst into an excited state. Excited catalysts allow for electron or energy transfer to occur more readily which can catalyze reactions. Two examples of such photocatalysts are silicon phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines (SiPc and SiNc) which are excitable in visible light. While there are many applications for these molecules such as cancer treatment via photodynamic therapy and dye pigments, our lab has used these molecules to catalyze organic reactions. To widen the applications of SiPcs and SiNcs we must first understand how changes in their structures affect their photophysical and electrochemical properties. My graduate student mentor and I have been studying these SiPcs and SiNcs by altering the R substituents on both molecules, for example utilizing a pentoxy, triethylsiloxy or a trihexylsiloxy substituent. We synthesize a silicon phthalocyanine or naphthalocyanine with a pentoxy, triethylsiloxy or a trihexylsiloxy substituent. We then measure how these changes affect the catalyst’s ability to donate or accept electrons by employing fluorescence quenching studies such as Stern Volmer’s and cyclic voltammetry.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: The Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) teaches African American adults how to follow a culturally tailored plant-based diet. However, research is limited among African Americans and how plant-based diets affect menstrual symptom severity. This presentation will summarize the methods of the study and report baseline menstrual symptom severity among African American women participating in the NEW Soul study. Methods: A community partnership was established in 2023 between the University of South Carolina, and Georgia Alexander, owner of Soca Vegan Kitchen in Augusta, GA. For the third cohort of participants, African American adults between the ages of 18 and 65 will engage in a 3-month plant-based eating study. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups. In one group, participants attend 12 cooking classes and 12 vouchers to redeem a plant-based meal from Soca Vegan Kitchen. In the other group, participants receive 12 vouchers only. At baseline, menstruating women will complete the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) to assess the degree of discomfort during their last menstrual cycle. There are 15 items in the SSS, which are scored on a five-point scale (1 = symptom not present, 2 = slightly, 3 = moderately, 4 = severely, 5 = very severely). Results: Classes for cohort 3 will begin on March 18, 2024, and will be completed on July 1, 2024. Data for this study will be collected before the first class on March 18. The results of the SSS will be examined and reported. Data will be analyzed to be presented at Discover USC on April 22, 2024. Discussion: The results of this study will be useful for researchers to better understand how plant-based diets impact menstrual symptom severity among this population. The findings may provide helpful information for assisting women with their menstrual cycle, and thus their quality of life.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Transitioning from high school to college is a monumental moment for most people in their lives. This can be a hard adjustment for a lot of people being away from home. One of my great contributions at the University of South Carolina was being a helpful hand in students adjusting to their new life. For two years, I have worked as a Resident Assistant through University Housing. At first, I chose to do this job because I wanted to help support my peers through their college experience, whether it be providing advice or resources. However, there were other unexpected benefits. Becoming a Resident Assistant helped me grow my leadership abilities by improving my problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. Through this experience I also learned the importance of knowing my audience and to be able to cater to people with diverse backgrounds, needs, and preferences. My presentation will discuss key points I have learned about my leadership abilities throughout my time as a Resident Assistant and the positive impact it had on me professionally and personally.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As a Public Health major with an interest in Speech-Language Pathology, I was very interested in volunteering with the communication disorders department here at the University of South Carolina. I applied to work at the Family Experience Lab as a research assistant this past summer and was lucky enough to get the position. The particular study I volunteer with is a mothers study. For this study, I spend my time transcribing the videos taken during the mother interviews that are later analyzed for data collection. The mothers study is focused on the life experiences of mothers who have children with autism or fragile x syndrome and the association it has with the FMR1 gene. Through this amazing volunteer opportunity, I have been able to identify disfluencies in participants to be recorded and researched. I have also been able to master new skills in transcription in order to be an asset in the research process. Through this volunteer position, I am learning so much about this particular population and the hardships they go through. This research will help create some clarity on the FMR1 gene and help us understand it from a developmental perspective. Volunteering through research is not the first thing I sought out to do to get exposure and experience, but I am so glad I did it.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Addressing barriers in the American Healthcare system could aid in improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare for individuals who suffer from homelessness. To determine the barriers unique to the homeless population, a scoping review of barriers experienced by low-income households was conducted and compared to barriers experienced by homeless individuals. Additionally, Interviews are being conducted with case managers and homeless individuals in Columbia, South Carolina that will be compared with the results of the scoping review. These interviews will serve as qualitative data to ground the findings in the experiences of people who have been unhoused. Low-income households and those without housing both experienced barriers due to lack of information about affordable health insurance, inaccessible transportation, and access to childcare. In addition, those who had been homeless reported greater rates of negative stigma and decreased quality of care. This study is being conducted to highlight homeless individuals' difficulties and bring awareness to the experiences caused by the barriers to healthcare. More quantitative and qualitative studies are needed to establish concrete evidence of these barriers that can inform intervention and policy.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Spatial learning is important for animals that live in complex three-dimensional environments. They may learn where resources are located or how to avoid danger in their environment. Mazes can be used to investigate if animals use spatial learning to learn the location and route to a resource over time. We tested if the Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii, is able to learn t-mazes. These crabs live within spatially complex oyster reefs and thus we acknowledge that complex, unstable environments may be difficult for animals to learn. In preliminary trials, we offered crabs various rewards for completing the maze and found that they were most motivated by shelter. We also found that lighting influenced whether or not crabs completed mazes: when the t-maze was lit brightly from above, crabs sought shelter to shield them from the light. Based on what we learned from our preliminary trials, we trained crabs six times over the course of three weeks to locate a shelter placed on either the left or right side of a modified t-maze. We filmed each trial from overhead for later analysis. We compared the crabs’ performance in their first training trial to their performance on their final day of training. From videos, we evaluated the speed of completion and path of individuals over time. We used a principal component analysis (PCA) to compare the straightness, sinuosity, speed and distance of the tracks of crabs between the beginning and end of training. Our results suggest that these decapods are capable of spatial learning. We hypothesize that P. herbstii uses spatial learning to locate their burrows in oyster reefs. We will continue adjusting our training regime and will analyze the variation between individuals’ abilities to learn the maze. Our next step will be to add different cues to determine if P. herbstii can use visual landmarks to learn mazes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Light serves as a sensory stimulus that has significant effects on brain circuits and physiological processes. Chronic exposure to altered light environments has been linked to various health problems, including emotional disorders. The influence of interindividual traits, such as sex differences, on responses to altered light environmental has yet to be fully understood. In our study, we aimed to investigate potential sex differences in response to chronic light cycle disruption with blue light at night in adolescent mice, focusing on their impact on social behavior and neuronal responses in the medial amygdala (MeA), a key brain region regulating emotional responses. We designed a novel light paradigm that aimed to mimic the light exposure patterns commonly observed in human adolescents. The model involved a prolonged light phase of 19 hours per day, with light exposure occurring during the biological night phase of the mice. Adolescent mice (post-natal day 30) were exposed to this light paradigm or control condition (stable 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness) for four weeks. Mice were tested for social behaviors and in vivo neuronal activity recording using fiber photometry. Brains were than processed for protein and gene expression analysis using RNAscope and immunofluorescence assays. We found that male adolescent mice exposed to chronic light cycle disruption exhibited a reduction in social interactions compared to the control group and an increase in neuronal activity in the MeA. We found that male mice exposed to chronic light cycle disruption displayed decreased expression of estrogen type 2 receptor in the medial amygdala in the MeA. Interestingly, we found that adolescent mice exposed to chronic light cycles disruption with reduced blue light at night did not show impaired social interaction compared to the blue light group. All together, our data provide useful information to redefine artificial lighting setting for adolescents, such as the use blue-enriched electrical devices at night, to improve emotional wellbeing during pubertal development.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In my leadership journey at USC, I have worked to link like-minded organizations dedicated to community service. As President of the Psi Eta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., I have led initiatives like breast cancer panels, bringing together nurse educators, DHEC, American Breast Cancer Association, Student Nurses Association, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., Midlands Black Nursing Association, and Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Professional Honor Society in promoting breast cancer awareness. This collaborative effort provided essential education on breast self-checks, dispelled myths about breast cancer, and empowered survivors on campus. Additionally, I have revitalized the Delta Eta Alpha Beta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., fostering connections between nursing students and registered nurses while offering scholarships and community support. Integrating advocacy principles from NAACP into my nursing practice, I have had the opportunity to blend education and action, benefiting students and patients. Moreover, I have served as a mentor of the SC Stand-Up organizations establishing an understanding of handling social disparities and determinants of health for underserved communities. As Undergraduate Chair of the Midlands Black Nurses Association and Readi 2 Work; Nursing Pipeline Pro, I have provided opportunities for students to learn about the nursing profession, encouraged campus and community involvement, shared scholarship information, and fostered a supportive environment for questions and growth. USC has not only shaped my leadership journey but has fueled my passion for fostering collaboration, advocating for change, and empowering communities. I am committed to continuing this work and positively impacting the nursing field and beyond.
9:30-11:00 a.m.My research will focus on the culture and lifestyles that African slaves were able to retain and ultimately integrate into their new lives. This will require a focus on areas such as the west coast of Africa, which serves as the place most slaves were exported from, as well as areas where these people would be enslaved such as Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic during the colonial period of the Caribbean. How did Principals such as religion and beliefs survive? What impacts did the agricultural practices, and even cooking have on the new world? What were some of the new things brought to the new world to create a melting pot of cultures over time? There are so many traces of African culture throughout the Caribbean and many of these can still be seen in the cultures on these islands today. It is important to remember though, not all of the practices were accepted and many were seen as inferior or taboo. Many of the practices of native African people startled and disturbed the white Europeans and as a result it was usually looked down upon if not banned. This required the captured Africans to adapt and assimilate to a certain degree. My research will consist of primary sources as well as the works of Historians to determine not only the day to day lives of these people during their slavery but also before their encapture. Analyzing their lives both before and after becoming enslaved is crucial to seeing what practices they were able to continue. This is crucial information because Africans were able to preserve some of their identity even after being ripped away from everything they’ve ever known and being forced to experience horrifying things. Knowing which aspects of Caribbean culture originates from Africa can give people better knowledge of their history and ancestry.
9:30-11:00 a.m.SC Ridesharing is a website made for USC students to easily find long-distance rides as well as earn money by giving rides to other students. It mainly serves as a database of rides planned by student drivers, that students can then go through and find a ride for themselves. It makes use of the Google Map API as well as mail services to help students easily find rides and connect users with each other. The development of the website begun in October 2022 and user testing started in November 2023. The website was launched in January 2024 and due to lack of participation from student drivers and not enough financial support for marketing purposes, the website was shut down in March. Regardless, the purpose behind the website was to create more transportation opportunities for students, who are struggling to find rides for their trips back home, with an innovative solution.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Throughout my four years at the University of South Carolina, I have had many experiences that have centered around Spanish and healthcare. Since the time I decided that I wanted to work in medicine, I also decided that I would commit to fluency in Spanish in order to help my Hispanic patients without a translator. Some of the most important experiences of college have been volunteering at the Good Samaritan clinic, an internship with Prisma Language Services, and working as a patient care technician at the hospital. All of these experiences contributed to my passion for medicine and Spanish, and validated my aspirations of being a bilingual provider; however, the most important experience I had was a medical service trip to the Dominican Republic. We went to Sosua, Dominican Republic for a week and helped run clinics with the Kerolle Initiative. During the week I spent there, I shadowed doctors, scribed, took vitals, and did patient intake. Being one of three people that spoke Spanish on the trip, I relied heavily on Spanish to communicate with patients and translate for other members in my group. I learned about medicine in the clinics, and knowing that we were able to provide care for the people that needed it most made it much more special. One of the highlights of the trip was being able to play with young children at the school after the clinic. The pure joy these children had while playing with us is something I will never forget and it was even more special because most of them were also our patients that day. My time in the Dominican Republic was absolutely unforgettable, and it contributed greatly to my desire to become a Physician Assistant and return to work in more Dominican clinics one day.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Symbiosis is a relationship between two or more species in which a resource or service is exchanged. There is great diversity in the types of symbioses between animals and how members of partnerships depend on each other. In their natural habitats the Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii, and the bigclaw snapping shrimp, Alpheus heterochaelis, have been found sharing burrows. It has been proposed that these two species pair in nature, forming a mutualistic symbiotic relationship. We hypothesize that mud crabs protect snapping shrimp from larger predators and excavate burrows while the snapping shrimp clean the burrow. To investigate the nature of this relationship, we observed whether individuals of the two species would share burrows or remain independent. We asked if substrate type (rock or sand) or burrow number (one or two) influenced the formation of partnerships. We used different substrates to examine if the difficulty of excavating burrows in certain substrates affected the likelihood of partnership. We used one or two burrows to examine if individuals reside together or separately depending on availability of burrows. Mud crabs and shrimp were introduced simultaneously into a behavioral arena and observed over the next 36 hours. We used a total of 16 crabs and 16 shrimp. Each individual only experienced each combination of conditions (burrow number and substrate type) once and never saw the same potential partner twice. We found that the mud crabs and snapping shrimp share burrows in about 36% of trials overall. Additionally, we found that pairs were more likely to form in sandy substrate, while the number of burrows offered did not have an effect. Furthermore, individuals differed in how likely they were to form partnerships; some individuals partnered frequently, while others never paired. These findings suggest personality may influence whether partnerships form.
9:30-11:00 a.m.In the lab, phosphatidylserine (PS) presenting polylactide-co-glycoside (PLG) particles were fabricated and tested. The long-term goal of these particles is to be used as highly targeted therapeutic drug carriers for treatment of inflammation due to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. These particles aim to target macrophages: which are immune cells that modulate the inflammatory process within the body. Macrophages respond to inflammatory stimuli which sets off the cell signaling pathways that lead to the inflammatory process. When cells undergo apoptosis, or cell self-destruction, their membranes turn inside out and present PS on the cell surface. The PS on the cell surface acts as a signal for macrophage uptake and once the macrophages take up these cells, they initiate the anti-inflammatory response. The goal of these particles is to re-create this response artificially. When using PS on the surface of the polymer particles, macrophage uptake increased. There was a reduction of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and increased IL-10 levels, which is an anti-inflammatory factor. Subsequent research is focused on using these particles as highly targeted drug carriers to induce a larger anti-inflammatory response. UNC2025 is is a Mer inhibiting small molecule drug that can be encapsulated into the particles and research has shown it to be an anti-inflammatory stimulating drug. Mer plays a vital role in the cell’s inflammatory cascade response and UNC2025 alongside our particles were found to greatly inhibit this process and increased IL-10 levels in BMDM trials. We are working to understand the encapsulation process and the different facets of the particle-macrophage interaction with addition of this encapsulated drug. In summary, we present a PS: PLG particle that can target macrophages and have further applications as a targeted anti-inflammatory drug carrier.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Spinal cord injury (SCI), a neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative injury, occurs when a primary injury is induced in any part of the spinal cord. Injury to the spinal cord induces debilitating secondary injury cascades, increasing severity of the primary injury. While current therapeutic treatments are focusing on relieving symptoms and discomfort, it is difficult to bring back lost neurological functions and delay progressive neurodegeneration. For future research on SCI treatment, it is important to focus on key pathologies such as gut dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and PANoptosis (Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis) that should be targeted with a multi-active therapeutic agent such as melatonin for promoting autophagy for neuroprotection in acute SCI. Gut dysbiosis causes leakage of pathobionts and their neurotoxic metabolites such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the systemic circulation. LPS binds to the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and activates the signaling pathways resulting in production of proinflammatory cytokine and neuronal damage. Inflammasomes, which are cytosolic multiprotein complexes, have been implicated in causing excessive neuroinflammation in various neurodegenerative injuries including SCI. Gut dysbiosis activates peripheral inflammasomes, especially the NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding-domain, leucine rich-containing-family, and pyrin-domain-containing 3) inflammasome leading to the release of proinflammatory factors for PANoptosis. Autophagy is a neuroprotective process, which causes elimination and recycling of cellular debris, damaged organelles, and misfolded proteins. A decrease in autophagy in acute SCI is associated with PANoptosis in spinal cord motoneurons. Melatonin is known to block TLR4-associated pathways to reduce proinflammatory responses and directly act on gut microbiota to elicit positive functions of the gut microbiota. Melatonin efficacy will be investigated in our rat VSC4.1 motoneuron cell culture model of acute SCI. Rat VSC4.1 motoneurons after differentiation with cAMP and subsequent exposure to glutamate (an inducer of excitotoxic injury) as well as to LPS (a neurotoxin from gut dysbiosis) will be our modified cell culture model of acute SCI. We will use the well-established cellular and molecular biology methods in our laboratory to determine the efficacy of melatonin in inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome mediated PANoptosis and promotion of autophagy for neuroprotection in rat VSC4.1 motoneuron cell culture model of acute SCI in a milieu of gut dysbiosis.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Since the mid-19th century, many populations have experienced changes in cause-of-death structures (often called the second epidemiological transition) characterized by a decline in infectious disease deaths and an increase in deaths from noncommunicable diseases. This shift is associated with a demographic transition toward increased life expectancies. While previous research suggests this transition occurs earlier and more rapidly in urban areas, the transition in rural areas remains understudied. To address this knowledge gap, I joined the Settlement Ecology Research Group (SERG) as an undergraduate researcher to examine mortality patterns of towns with varying levels of urbanization, providing detailed information on previously understudied communities. The study focuses on Madison County, NY, a primarily rural, agriculturally-based region. I interpreted and transcribed handwritten census and mortality records from 1850 to 1870, categorizing data on community demographics, cause-of-death structures and mortality schedules using Microsoft Excel. Preliminary results suggest substantial increases in life expectancy from the 1850s to the 1870s. At the county level, mean survival times increased by more than eight years from 1850-1870, aligning with previous work associated with the second epidemiological transition. These findings suggest further research needs to be done on Madison County infant mortality, survivorship, and 1875-1880 data analysis.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Gabii Project is an international archaeological initiative under the University of Michigan. It was launched in 2007 with the objective of studying and excavating the ancient Latin city of Gabii, a city-state that was both a neighbor of, and a rival to, Rome in the first millennium BC. This past summer, I partuipated in their undergraduate field school program. Over a 5 week period, myself and 40 other students were introduced to the basic princinciples of field archaology, including physically excavating a trench, as well as the decision making, documentation, and theory of excavation. The students were also introduced to various labs – ceramics, zooarchaeology, paleobotany, and topography – to understand the different subfields of archaeology. In the field, dug under my research supervisor, Dr. Parrish Wright, in Area J. I routinely applied theoretical knowledge of stratigraphy and evaluated contexts to determine which artifacts to keep, photograph, and how to record data. On a lab day, myself and other students used knowledge from lectures to help properly clean ceramics and other finds, and then by the end of the program, identify, sort, document, and enter all the relevant data into a database. This project was an invaluable hands-on experience with archaeology and opened the door to future research under Dr. Wright as well as a future in the field of ancient Roman archaeology.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Throughout the duration of my time as an enrolled student at USC, I have had the benefit of participating in South Carolina’s prestigious Teaching Fellows program. Being a Teaching Fellow entails participating in Teaching Fellows’ professional developments, volunteering to complete a minimum of eight community-oriented service hours per semester, and participating in a minimum of two events which benefit USC per semester. While I have always had a passion for serving my community through volunteering to help children, and always seen myself becoming a teacher, I hadn’t been aware of how much being a Teaching Fellow would set me apart as a professional and help me connect with other like minded individuals when I became one. Getting to volunteer to serve my community in a variety of contexts, such as Cocky’s Reading Express, the Anne Frank Center, and events at EdVenture and teaching conferences gave me valuable professional experience, and also allowed me to broaden my scope as an educator. I have also done this by attending professional developments as a Teaching Fellow. Learning about assisting students with special needs, educational advocacy and reform, classroom management, and the first year teacher experience alongside a close-knit group of other Teaching Fellows, as well as traveling together to locations such as D.C. and Charleston for intensive conferences has helped me to sharpen the saw and refine my skills as a professional. Learning to incorporate what I have learned during professional developments into my teaching practice has helped me hold my head up high while interning and student teaching. Ultimately, becoming a more skilled professional has helped me to feel more confident, and to connect with others. I know that the many, varied experiences that being a Teaching Fellow has brought me will allow me to better support my future students, and the thought of paying it forward as I continue to serve my community in the classroom fills me with excitement for my future as an educator.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Over my time at the University of South Carolina, I got involved in three research projects. The first is an experiment that I conducted with Dr. Krissy Lunz-Trujillo which analyzes whether asking participants to answer questions that rely on rational thinking could reduce incidental emotions when thinking of policy decisions. The second is an analysis of anxiety using data from the CMPS (Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey) with Dr. Todd Shaw. The third is a cognitive psychology project with Dr. Melanie Palomares, where I am conducting a small study on the effects of background distractions on interpolation between two points. I can apply three concepts from my GLD key insights to these projects. First, I was able to apply my knowledge of psychological research methods to the first project. I was able to plan out a study that included the important aspects of a proper psychological research project. Second, I was able to apply my statistical knowledge to my second project. When doing an article analysis, I discovered that a couple of articles that I was reviewing were statistically dishonest. Finally, I was able to apply information that I have learned on ethics to create an all-encompassing consent form for my first project. Once I graduate college, these skills will help me in a variety of ways. First, I will be able to jump start my applications for graduate school. Second, I will be able to create research projects in the workplace. Finally, I will be able to correctly interpret various media that I encounter.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I engaged in research on the topic of organizational resilience (OR) among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic as these individuals were especially threatened by low OR during this crisis. Additionally, I aspired to observe the implication of maintaining high OR on public health emergencies. As a researcher and aspiring physician, I think it is important to prioritize the cultivation of resilience among healthcare professionals and the environments in which they work. This endeavor is imperative as it enables them to administer the highest standard of care to patients. This ensures the potential for optimal well-being for both the current generation and those to come in the future. As part of the research process, I conducted a systematic literature review across four specific electronic databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. The search strategy was devised with the intent of identifying pertinent scientific research rep orts studying COVID-19 and corresponding resilience-based interventions. It included keywords from three categories. The first consisted of words related to identifications of the COVID-19 virus including “SARS Coronavirus 2 Infection”, “2019-nCoV Infections”, and “Coronavirus”. The second category consisted of one keyword “organizational resilience”. The third category related to healthcare workers and consisted of thirteen keywords including “health personnel”, “personnel, health”, and “health care providers”. While currently incomplete, the data thus far has generally shown that healthcare systems that were more prepared before the COVID-19 pandemic were able to recover and even excel in comparison to those that did not have a crisis management plan. Evident in the preliminary literature is also a need for more healthcare organizations to employ resilience-based strategies in anticipation of future crises. Unfortunately, it is not a matter of if another crisis will come, but when it will come. Thus, steps toward implementing effective prevention and recovery strategies should be taken today. Patients look to healthcare workers and systems to secure their safety and well-being. It is critical that these organizations take the consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic seriously and use them as both a learning opportunity and a chance for growth to promote a healthier, happier world.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Each year in the United States, about 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed and about 4,000 women die of this cancer. Hispanic women have the highest rates of developing cervical cancer. This project aims to increase the number of cervical cancer screenings, ensure continuity of care based on guidelines and promote the health of this underserved population. Methods: Manual Chart Review, Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses will be used to describe patient factors, clinical factors, other risk factors, and outcomes. Counts and proportions will be reported for categorical variables. Team meetings and the first cervical cancer screening protocol will be created and applied at GSC as well. Results: Out of 100 women between the ages of 21 and 65 yo, 97/100 were of Hispanic origin. Out of 100 pap smears, 44 were tested for HPV. Out of 100 cytological pap smears reviewed: 87 were normal, 8 were ASCUS, 3 with LSIL, 1 with HSIL, and 1 unsatisfactory. Out of the 44 tested for HPV, 34 tested negative, 4 were non-HR positive, and 5 were HR positive. Out of the abnormal pap smears, only 5 were referred to OBGYN, while 9 were supposed to come back to GYN clinic in 1 year for a repeat pap and they were all no show. Out of the 5 that were referred to OBGYN, the charts were able to be located in EPIC but no intervention or follow up was found. Discussion/conclusion: The result of this study is only the beginning in trying to close the care gaps between uninsured, minority women in Columbia, SC. After the date obtained from the results of this study, meetings were done with the GSC team to present the problem encountered. As a result of the meetings, a single cervical cancer screening protocol was created and implemented with regulated follow up visits based on patient care guidelines. We believe that having a standardized protocol and having adequate staff to follow these patients over time will impact and help to close the care gap in this minority population.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Objective: To investigate the effects of reduced-weight running on the anti-gravity (AG) treadmill on maintenance of normal muscle activation and reduction of plantar forces in healthy subjects. Design: Descriptive Laboratory Study Setting: Clinical Sports Medicine Center Participants: Twenty healthy subjects, 10 male and 10 female, aged 18 to 29 years. Independent Variables Subjects running at 6.5 miles per hour on a standard treadmill and on the AG treadmill at 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50% of bodyweight levels. Main Outcome Measured: Dynamic plantar loading data were recorded using pressure insoles. Surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes with imbedded accelerometers were used to estimate timing and magnitude of muscle activity, stride length, and cadence. Results: There was a significant, sequential reduction in peak pressure, maximum force, and force time integral (FTI) with decreasing bodyweight. A 50% bodyweight reduction resulted in a 51% reduction in maximum force and a 59% reduction in FTI in the heel, as compared to 19-28% at the metatarsal heads. There was reduced contact area in the heel and midfoot at and below 70% BW. Lower limb muscle activity decreases with reduced bodyweight while maintain normal muscle recruitment timing. Conclusions: AGT provides a reduction in loading forces while maintaining normal muscle recruitment patterns. Decreased BW running preferentially unloads the hindfoot. AGT can be an effective rehabilitation tool following foot or ankle injury and may prove superior to other limited weight-bearing methods. Key Terms: Active rehabilitation, antigravity, muscle recruitment, reduced bodyweight, plantar load Clinical Significance: The AGT is an effective rehabilitation tool for the purpose of reducing plantar load while maintaining muscle recruitment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Serving as a Resident Assistant elevated my life’s trajectory. Each year, University Housing employs hundreds of student leaders who guide diverse populations in having the best college experience. I have had the opportunity to serve in two dormitories: Preston Residential College, a Living and Learning Committee focused on experiential experiences and leadership development & McBryde Residence Hall, an all-male dormitory, and I have learned a multitude about leadership and responsibility. Over the course of three years, I have influenced the lives of 75 students through advocacy, mentorship and by example. I was inspired to serve in this capacity after experiencing a subpar resident/Resident Assistant experience my freshman year amidst the peak of COVID-19, when it was needed most. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to leave a positive imprint on the collegiate experiences of predominantly freshmen students. And above all, I wanted to evolve as a student leader and aspiring professional. This experience enhanced my soft skills, strengthened my ability to serve diverse populations and strengthened my ability to fortify a community centered around connection and inclusivity, progressive maturation and care. This experience has evolved my outlook on life’s purpose and encouraged me to seek a legal career in juvenile justice to develop our next generation, as this population is often neglected and deserving of a committed and passionate servant leader.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Statin Use in Persons with Diabetes (SUPD) and Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease (SPC) are quality measures within the Medicare Stars Rating System set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. Health plans are rated on these quality measures, and ratings impact financial performance and marketing opportunities. Though statin use is supported by high quality evidence in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, patients may not be taking a statin due to intolerance. Statin intolerance is defined by the National Lipid Association as the inability to tolerate at least two statins due to adverse effects upon statin initiation or escalation, with the most reported adverse effect involving muscle related symptoms (also known as statin-associated muscle symptoms, or SAMS). The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of documented statin intolerance on the SUPD and SPC quality measures for patients within Medicare Advantage (MA) plans contracted with the inVio Health Network and to identify opportunities for statin intolerance documentation and management within the Prisma Health system. We conducted a retrospective case-control chart review involving patients with United Health Care MA Plans contracted with the inVio Health Network included in the SUPD and SPC quality metrics who are attributed to Prisma Health primary care providers in both the Prisma Health Midlands and Upstate markets for the calendar year 2022. Our primary endpoint includes a chart review to identify documented statin intolerance (defined as any documentation by a provider or another member of the healthcare team) in patients who failed the SUPD or SPC measure as well as patients who passed the SUPD or SPC measure. Our secondary endpoint was to determine the number of charts with ideal statin intolerance documentation and the number of patients with any documented re-trialing attempts. Qualitative data will be analyzed utilizing Chi-Square or Fisher’s Exact. Qualitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Demographics collected include zip code of patient’s residence, ethnicity, race, and sex given at birth. Results and conclusions are currently in progress.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My research experience revolved around my summer internship at NIWC-Atlantic and my summer and fall internships with the Office of Naval Research. At NIWC-Atlantic, I worked as a watch floor analyst supporting their Cybersecurity Service Provider operation by performing vulnerability analysis and incident response for Department of Defense networks. My Office of Naval Research initiatives focused on learning to code in Python to support Artificial Intelligence functions and testing Next Generation Firewalls to defend against Distributed Denial of Service attacks.
1:00-2:30 p.m.We have made great strides at reducing medication errors at the bedside, such as implementing barcode scanning (BCMA), standardization of EMR, and providing access to medication resources within the Medication Administration Record. Medication errors continue to be the highest reported error in hospitals settings, while also being the error most likely to result in harm. Thus, it is clear that we still have a long way to go in improving medication administration safety. The medications most likely to cause patient harm are high alert medications (HAMs), accounting for one-third of total medication errors. The goals of this research were to show prevalence of medication errors, to showcase common causes of errors (both individual and systemic), and to provide evidence-based recommendations on decreasing the numbers of medication errors, especially with high-alert medications. We conducted a literature search utilizing PubMed, searching with the following keywords: “high-alert”, “errors”, “IV”, “intravenous”, “critical care”, “ICU”, “intensive care”, “pediatric”, and “medication”. We narrowed 200 articles down to twenty articles, where each abstract was reviewed to determine the relevance of research to our topic. The causes of medication errors as found by researchers included a high workload, poor staffing, fatigue secondary to long shifts, burnout, lack of knowledge, miscalculation, and confusion with look-alike sound-alike drugs. Incorrect dose/rate and incorrect medication were the most common errors. The medications most likely involved in errors were vasoactives, antibiotics, antihypertensives, and high-alert medications (HAMs). The most common HAM errors involved noradrenaline, heparin, morphine, and insulin. There are several ways we can work to reduce medication errors, especially with IV and high alert medications. Some of the recommendations include involving a pharmacist in daily rounding, promoting a blame-free environment to amount of medication errors reported, implementing an automated drug distribution system, implementing ready-to-administer products (especially for high alert drugs), educating staff on the importance of verifying the five rights of medication administration, looking into systemic and individual changes, implementing color-coded ready to administer products, especially in pediatric settings, and increasing overall employee knowledge on common high alert medications administered in the ICU.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Introduction: Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune condition classically characterized by pruritic rash overlying joint surfaces and weakness of proximal muscles. New understanding of this condition has led to knowledge of its subtypes, including Anti-Melanoma Differentiation-Associated gene 5 (MDA-5) dermatomyositis. This variant is differentiated by rapid progression of pulmonary manifestations, most commonly interstitial lung disease. Case Presentation: A 33-year-old white male patient was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in the outpatient setting after a 2-month history of bilateral arthritic hand pain and proximal interphalangeal joint swelling, as well as an extensive history of erythematous rash overlying his nasal folds and extensor surfaces. This diagnosis was substantiated by positive anti-rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. Following this visit, he was prescribed prednisone, etanercept, and adalimumab. A MyoMarker panel demonstrated low anti-MDA-5-antibody positivity. At 2-month follow-up, the patient complained of dry cough. 6 weeks later, this had progressed to a severe cough, fluctuant fevers, and tachycardia, for which he was treated for community acquired pneumonia. While cultures were negative, an anti-Legionella antibody was positive, though complicated by his employment as a water sanitation inspector. A chest CT scan with contrast demonstrated bilateral interstitial infiltrates. During subsequent follow-up, the patient was recognized to have Gottron papules overlying his bilateral metacarpophalangeal joints, Gottron’s sign overlying bilateral knees and periungual hyperemia. The chest CT was re-examined and noted to demonstrate findings consistent with interstitial lung disease. He was directly admitted for administration of intravenous rituximab and high-dose pulse steroids as treatment of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease secondary to MDA-5 dermatomyositis. After three days of induction treatment, the patient was discharged home. Discussion: This case presents a valuable insight into MDA-5 dermatomyositis and the importance of recognizing this condition in the clinical setting. This subtype has mostly been described in China and Japan, where it makes up over 20% of dermatomyositis cases. Diagnosis and treatment of undifferentiated autoimmune disorders in the primary care setting is a difficult task, and “near-miss” situations can serve an educational role in recognizing the constellation of rapidly progressing autoimmune disease.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The US railways and highways are critical elements of the transportation infrastructure, and the backbone of the national economy. Uninterrupted and safe operations require the infrastructure to be in a state of good repair. This has been achieved through constant infrastructure condition monitoring, inspections, and maintenance. Circa the turn of the millennium, spurred by the realization of the shortcomings of commonly used visual inspection practices, structural health monitoring shifted towards the development of new practices that embraced remote sensing, automation, and new technologies focusing on damage detection and prediction to drive predictive and performance-based maintenance of infrastructure components (e.g. bridges, track and other structures). One such family of techniques processes measurements of dynamic responses to extract information on the condition of the structure. Recently completed studies at USC employed B-Spline Impulse Response (BIRF) techniques to identify structural damage in a laboratory environment. A separate study employed 3D Digital Image Correlation (StereoDIC) technologies to acquire full field deformation measurements of loaded structures. This research proposes to implement the BIRF techniques with vibration measurements acquired by StereoDIC systems to detect changes in the condition of the structure and addresses the following questions: (i) What configuration of the StereoDIC system will produce measurements consistent with the requirements of the BIRF change detection techniques? (ii) Is the use of StereoDIC in tandem with BIRF a feasible method to detect change in the state of a structure? (iii) Is it possible to apply the BIRF technique without a known load time history? (iv) Is it feasible to localize damage using BIRF technique on the full field measurements? These will be achieved through experimental and analytic investigations and computer simulations. The proposed research combines the advantages of BIRF algorithms and StereoDIC technology, enabling, thus, rapid and reliable condition assessment of structures. Furthermore, assessment can be conducted from a distance, reducing the likelihood of both delays and potential accidents. This method serves as the basis for future development of a hybrid data-driven and physics-based method are used in tandem with Artificial Intelligence technologies to not only detect change but predict where and when damage will occur.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Gender and race are particularly influential factors in a homeless person’s life and can affect their life outcomes. Homeless men with available data have been shown to struggle with legal problems and substance abuse while homeless women are more likely to experience mental health problems and domestic abuse (Rodriguez‐Moreno et al., 2020). Homeless minority populations such as African Americans and American Indians make up a disproportionately large demographic compared to their population in the US. (Richard,2023). There are observed racial disparities in criminal sentences, as Black adults receive longer and harsher sentences than White adults and have a higher rate of receiving the minimal sentence (Kovera, 2019). There are also observed gender disparities in criminal sentences, as men receive an average of 3.22 more years in a criminal sentence compared to women (Fernando et al., 2006). These factors are important to connect how racial and gender disparities impact vulnerable homeless populations within the judicial system and what solutions are present to prevent an accumulation of charges or punishments on these populations. A sample of homeless individuals’ case files in Columbia, South Carolina have been analyzed from the homeless court which is used to reduce or dismiss changes within voluntary homeless populations in exchange for their participation in rehabilitation. This study identifies the gender and ethnicity of the individual, and how many charges they have on their records each. I will use a two-way ANOVA to determine how gender identities and racial identities (White, Black, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander) in homeless populations influence the amount of criminal/traffic charges accumulated. We expect there to be a main effect of gender (with men having more charges than women)., a main effect of race (non-White people having fewer charges overall), and an interaction with simple main effects (people who are minorities and men will have the most charges). Results from this study could provide evidence of social biases that impact the homeless population relating to their individual racial and gender identity.
1:00-2:30 p.m.This research project focuses on identifying early markers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants. ASD is characterized by differences in social interaction and communication, and social smiling is one of the earliest social behaviors to develop, emerging as young as 2 months of age and becoming more prominent around 6-9 months. Many studies have found atypical rates of smiling in EL infants or infants with ASD, with differences first presenting at 6-9 months and persisting throughout the lifespan. The purpose of this study is to better understand the connection between social smiling and ASD in infants from three, four, and six months of age by examining two groups of infants: infant siblings of typically developing infants who are at low likelihood (LL infants) of developing ASD, infant siblings of children with ASD who are at an elevated likelihood (EL infants) of developing ASD. Each infant was brought into the laboratory to complete a video-recorded parent-infant interaction. Afterwards, coders watched the video and recorded the frequency of infant smiles during the interaction. Smiling was operationalized and recorded in a coding manual. Inter-rater reliability criterion among coders was set at 80%. Our previous research found that there were no significant differences present between EL and LL infants at 3 or 4 months. At six months, infants of lower likelihood of ASD should be smiling more when interacting with parents. Therefore, the goal of the current study is to observe if any differences in smiling are present at 6 months, and if individual differences in social smiling at 3- and 4-months predict social smiling at 6 months.
1:00-2:30 p.m."The Journey to Attorney" chronicles Marina Uliano's experiences as a college student, in and out of the classroom. It follows her years in courses both within and out of her major, serving in leadership positions, and working in professional settings, all in preparation of her future career as a public criminal defense attorney. She learns conflict resolution from POLI 213: Introduction to Leadership Studies, as well as her time serving as Color Team Captain for USC Dance Marathon. She then learns adaptability from EDLP 520: The Teacher as Manager, and from her time as Head Morale for USC Dance Marathon. Finally, she gains professional experience in her chosen field in CRJU 575: The Death Penalty, and her completion of an internship with the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, Capital Trials Division. All of these lessons have guided Marina to where she is now, on the cusp of graduating from the University of South Carolina, and attending law school in the fall, with hopes of becoming a criminal defense attorney.
1:00-2:30 p.m.My academic journey in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management has provided me with practical knowledge and invaluable insights about the business sphere. I didn’t realize how well these two majors would complement each other and the aspects regarding business strategy, creativity, and consumer-centric approaches that I learned in both classes were consistently interconnected. I learned very quickly that the entrepreneurial mindset was something I enjoyed stepping into and I loved the creativity and innovation that were the foundations of my marketing classes. This semester, through a Capstone Project course called MGMT 479 - Application in Entrepreneurship and New Ventures, I got the opportunity to consult with a local business in Columbia to advance their ventures. We decided to consult with a business called Local Cinema Studios (LCS), a 501c3 nonprofit organization created by two film professors who wanted to bridge the gap from academia to industry for students interested in filmmaking. During the first semester of my senior year I got to create a theoretical non-profit organization in MGMT 473 - Developing & Launching New Ventures, and I was incredibly excited to work with a real-life nonprofit business and apply what I had learned. LCS has just released a new film called Hero, and what they’ve asked from us is to help them with marketing and outreach for a two-week screening they are conducting at the Nickelodeon Theater here in Columbia. My current marketing class, MKTG 365 - Marketing Strategy & Planning, has consisted of hands-on marketing plan creation and we have been diving deep into creating a real life marketing campaign. Thus, throughout our collaboration with LCS, I’ve been able to leverage insights gained from classes in both majors to offer valuable perspectives to drive their venture forward. This experience has taught me the profound impact that local businesses can have on enriching a city's cultural landscape and underscores the importance of continued collaboration between academia and the community.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Black Excellence is a club on the University of South Carolina Lancaster campus that was formed February of 2023. The idea for the club came from my own state of feeling like I had no one to connect with on campus. I often felt out of place with being one of the only people of color in most of my classes. Coming from predominantly black schools my whole life I never felt like I was out of place. My mission was to create a safe space for people of color on campus because I knew that If I was feeling out of place someone else was too. There are currently around 20 active members of the club. As founder, I had the opportunity to create the rules and set the tone and atmosphere of the club. As president, I have the responsibility of planning events, keeping members of the club engaged, making sure the officers are fulfilling their duties, and making sure I stay organized and on track with the club. Black Excellence is an important aspect of the Lancaster campus because it has influenced people of color to form a club so they can have their safe place of belonging. I am grateful to have created a space where individuals do not feel like they stand out just because of their skin color. My plans to get my bachelor’s in business management have shown me that I can handle the role of the owner or manager of a business or company. Black Excellence has taught me that with a dependable team, anything is possible. You are only as strong as your team. Being the president of Black Excellence has shaped me into becoming a better leader and it has equipped me to become a more substantial businessperson.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The most transformative aspect of my study abroad journey was hands-on experience teaching English to a class of six graders at Escola de Les Aigües. As a teaching assistant in Barcelona, I was responsible for creating power points for the students as an introduction English refresher for each week. Then, I formed teams and made English-based exercises for the students to play. From working weekly with these students, I quickly realized that there were discrepancies among the class regarding levels of proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking of the English language. Some students could speak English fluently, while others struggled and preferred explanations in Catalan. This disparity stirred frustration and boredom among advanced English speakers when paired with beginners, leading to disagreements in group exercises. I realized I needed to shift my lesson plans. There was no need to punish students who excelled in simple exercises, and there was also no need to overwhelm students trying to learn the basics with advanced competitive games. Within my Strategic Management of the Firm 478 course, my Spanish instructor stressed the importance of managers offering personalized guidance to younger or less experienced employees, particularly in international firms. Taking the time to explain complex topics can help leverage diverse skills and perspectives. This approach fosters inclusivity and empowers employees to contribute their best work, a philosophy I aimed to instill in my students. During my last two months of volunteering, I applied my classroom knowledge by tailoring instruction to students' needs. I grouped proficient foreign language students to work on advanced exercises individually, like writing long paragraphs and explaining detailed audio-readings in English. For students needing extra help, I organized small groups for warmup exercises, such as matching pictures to English words and filling in sentence blanks from an English word bank. I focused on working individually with these students to reinforce their understanding and provide personalized assistance. From this experience, I realized that tailoring instructions to the proficiency of the audience ensures that participants are neither overwhelmed nor bored, leading to increased engagement and better learning outcomes.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The global maternal and child health equity initiative focuses on understanding the causes and risk factors of anemia in maternal and child populations. Anemia is a medical condition characterized by low red blood cells or hemoglobin concentration, leading to poor birth outcomes, high morbidity, and mortality. There is a correlation between various macronutrients, health conditions, and the prevalence of anemia in maternal women, children, adolescent girls, and postpartum women. This project primarily targets middle- and low-income countries where there is a lack of reported and surveyed data, making it challenging to understand and research the topic thoroughly. To address this challenge, the team collaborated to identify and collect public data available from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding indicators of risk for anemia, primarily using hemoglobin levels as an indicator. Undergraduate research assistants collaborated to create a database of existing surveys from various countries and mapped data to identify viable surveys for the project. They accessed the Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System (VMNIS) database from the WHO to create a data mapping of survey reports. The team sifted through 659 survey reports and identified the remaining surveys that were not in the database to request from the WHO. After organizing the data, the team began the process of data extraction. They utilized the Redcap survey system to extract data from the VMNIS surveys database and record it. The purpose of data extraction is to analyze the 659 surveys and identify factors that are sufficient or viable for the project's data analysis. The four main causes of anemia focused on for data extraction include: 1) micronutrient status, 2) infection, 3) gynecological and obstetric conditions, and 4) inherited red blood disorders. Currently, the specific focus of our team's project is on extracting data from the African continent, particularly on infectious diseases conditions present in all the survey reports in the database. Although the research is ongoing, it is crucial to collect sufficient data to review and understand the causes and risk factors behind anemia in maternal and child populations.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As a community of Sumter, SC we as a softball team were asked to help with the foundation of Habitat for Humanity. We were asked to do this because there was much need for helpers, so the USC Sumter FireAnts softball team decided to step up one morning and provide our help. We worked together on how-to put-up siding on the house, caulking up holes in the base framework, cutting holes in the base framework to make sure all the wiring went through for the electricity. Through doing this as a team we really worked together and realized how important it was to not only work together as a team on the field but also off the field. We not only learned how to do this as teammates, but we also learned how to work well with other individuals. Building a house can be a very frustrating process, but I feel as if working with hard work and determination we got a lot done in just a few short seven hours. Doing this community service impacted every player in their own distinct way, being such a great hands-on experience for each and every individual (not just the players). Everyone was moved in a positive way and that is all that matters in doing something that goes back to your community.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Congressional (CBCF) Internship Program is an over 30-year-old internship program. This prestigious program aims to provide internship opportunities to exceptional college students passionate about public service. In March of 2023, I took a leap of faith by applying to this exceptional internship program. Two months later, I was awarded the opportunity to become a CBCF Summer 2023 Congressional Intern. As a CBCF Intern, I and 62 other remarkable college students were placed in various offices throughout DC. I was grateful to be placed in the office of Representative James Clyburn (SC-06). During this 9-week internship program, interns participated in numerous networking and professional development engagements. Summer interns could also connect with CBCF internship program alumni to learn more about this program's impact on their current career fields. I originally heard about this internship program by searching through an internship database. I learned more about what the program entails by talking with other USC students who had previously completed the program. Hearing them talk about how much they enjoyed their internship motivated me to want to apply for this remarkable program. I believed that this internship could potentially help me to determine if I could see myself working on Capitol Hill. During my summer internship, I attended various committee hearings, worked with legislative staff, completed office duties, and talked to constituents. In my free time, I explored the nation's capital. Attending multiple networking events, I connected with professionals from diverse career fields. Taking full advantage of this opportunity, this internship program helped me gain a deeper understanding of how government works and the importance of civic engagement. In this program, I discovered that my skills would best be used in a career where I can connect and help others. I highly recommend this program to any Black college student eager and ready to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Without this program, I would have never discovered my true passions. I will forever be grateful for all the opportunities this program has given me.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I took a Sociology 101 class that helped me grasp how unique specific interactions are. The class thoroughly discusses behaviorism, frontstage, backstage, and positive and negative sanctions. The class helped shape my way of thinking and interacting with others. For my community service, the USC Sumter volleyball team volunteered to help coach children at Wilson Hall. We would put the children in groups and help them with certain volleyball concepts. While interacting with children, I realized how carefree the kids are and how they can still listen while having fun. While helping the kids with volleyball, I noticed a few other kids who were shy and nervous. Due to the concepts I learned in Sociology 101, I know how to interact with scared children appropriately. The young girl might’ve been scared that I would give her a negative sanction or reaction. I worked with her one-on-one, helped her with her volleyball skills, and praised her while telling her what she needed to do correctly without pressure. I utilize my empathy much more with community service. I was able to teach and learn new things in the interactions with the amazing kids. I now think much more critically about my interactions with children and everyone.
9:30-11:00 a.m.MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small endogenous noncoding RNAs, have been shown to have important roles in regulating immune response in autoimmune diseases including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). In the current study, we investigated if Δ8-THC treatment, an ingredient in marijuana, prevents AIH in murine model by altering the epigenetic modulators, miRNAs. Towards this, C57BL/6 mice were intravenously administered Concanavalin A (ConA;12.5mg/Kg) to induce AIH. Mice were then intraperitoneally treated with Δ8-THC (20mg/Kg) or vehicle. We observed elevated levels of serum transaminases (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) and as well as significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IFNγ and TNFα in diseased mice which was reversed following Δ8-THC treatment. miRNA sequencing revealed miR-199a-3p and miR-100-5, two of the most highly expressed miRNAs in normal liver, were downregulated in ConA-exposed mice, and their decrease correlated with proinflammatory immune response whereas administration of Δ8-THC in AIH mice restored these miRNAs. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed mTOR, a master regulator of inflammatory response, as a target of these miRNAs. We corroborated the increased expression of miR-199a-3p and miR-100-5 and decreased expression of mTOR in diseased mice treated with Δ8-THC. In addition, Western Blot analysis also identified the enrichment of mTOR protein in inflamed liver tissue compared to quiescent state. Transfection of cells with miR-199a-3p and miR-100-5 mimics and inhibitors further validated their biological consequences on the repression of mTOR as their potential target. These data suggest the therapeutic role of miR-199a-3p and miR-100-5 by targeting mTOR pathway following treatment with Δ8-THC in experimental AIH.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Throughout my time at the University of South Carolina, I have had the opportunity to grow personally, professionally, and academically. My involvement as a Resident Assistant was a big part of my growth. I got the opportunity to become a Resident Assistant in the fall of my sophomore year. When I decided to accept this position, I was unaware of how much it would improve me. As a Resident Assistant, you are put into a leadership position and seen as a role model and resource to your residents. As a Resident assistant, I was the primary person they would contact for questions, comments, and concerns. This made me get to know my residents reasonably quickly and build connections with them from the beginning. My experience as a Resident Assistant has made me more confident in my public speaking skills and allowed me to discover what type of leader I am. Throughout my time at USC, I learned about various leadership styles and tips that will help me succeed in my professional career later in life.
1:00-2:30 p.m.As part of a larger study whose goal is to identify factors that both support and hinder Spanish-English speaking children in learning how to read in U.S. schools, this poster will address the following question: is there a difference between language and reading scores of bilingual children who are versus who are not receiving special education services in monolingual schools? Comparing language and reading scores of Spanish-English speaking children in monolingual schools enrolled and not enrolled in special education in the US will inform professionals about key signs of language impairments among bilingual children and shed light on the potential misdiagnosis of speech-language disorders among this group. Although there is research on the differences in language and reading skills of bilingual children who are versus those who are not receiving special education, analyzing data from South Carolina, where students receive monolingual education, is a crucial part of learning about the literacy skills of Spanish-English speaking children enrolled in different types of education programs here in the US, thus contributing to the larger research project. Data collected from Spanish-English speaking children in kindergarten and first grade ages 5-7 enrolled in a two-year longitudinal study in Columbia, South Carolina will be analyzed. Language and reading skills were measured using different language assessments, such as the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, Sentence Repetition Task, Narrative Retell, Test of Phonological Processing in Spanish (TOPPS), Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, and four reading assessments in Spanish and English. It is predicted that language and reading scores, especially the Spanish scores, will be different among Spanish-English speakers who are versus those who are not receiving special education.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This research investigates the specific effects of microplastics on clay flocculation, considering various factors such as time, clay concentrations, and microplastic sizes and amounts. The experiments were conducted to enhance understanding of floc formation in water bodies in the presence of microplastics. Although not a new phenomenon, microplastics have only recently become a research focus. Bentonite clay was chosen for its high activity. Weight and floc formation were collected at various stratified layers and time increments. Microscope images of the particle conglomerates were captured post-filtration of the sediments under a 2.5 μm filter. Furthermore, we measured the weight of samples at four different layers per experiment to calculate the average concentration data. The final findings will be updated as the study concludes. Our preliminary findings indicate that the presence of microplastics may reduce the average number of flocs. This suggests that when microplastics are removed from the environment, their sediment could influence the removal process and the subsequent effects on the local environment. These findings could have significant implications for environmental management strategies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my junior and senior year, I had the opportunity to serve as recruitment chair for my Panhellenic Sorority, Chi Omega. This experience gave me the opportunity to foster bonds within our chapter while strengthening my own with friends, developed my leadership skills, and taught me the importance of teamwork. Throughout my time on the executive board, I was able to successfully implement a new method of membership selection, improve the potential new member experience (PNM) with Chi Omega, and raise overall chapter morale surrounding recruitment. I gained valuable skills in leading and facilitating learning for large groups, and how to bring change to a large organization in an effective way. Being able to serve my chapter allowed me to have an impact on the University of South Carolina community by recruiting 153 women into our sisterhood.I was able to make connections between leadership styles and the Clifton Strengths I had learned in my EDLP520, The Teacher as Manager. Carrying these skills into my future career as a physician assistant will make me a better team member with other healthcare professionals to provide quality care to all patients. This presentation will discuss my experiences leading recruitment during a year with a record number of PNMs, and how it has strengthened my leadership and problem solving skills.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Imagine AI models not just memorizing massive datasets, but also learning how to navigate problems like solving puzzles. This is the goal of foundation models for pathfinding: building AI that can learn general problem-solving skills applicable across different domains. These models wouldn't need specific instructions for each new puzzle, but instead, learn how actions affect the puzzle state and use that knowledge to solve new ones. This research, focusing on puzzles initially, aims to pave the way for AI that can tackle complex problems in various fields, from robotics to drug discovery.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Midlands Orphan Relief (MOR) was founded from Lynn Young's response to the urgent needs of children she encountered while serving as a guardian ad litem. Initially, Lynn mobilized her community, collecting clothing from neighbors to address immediate necessities. By collaborating with fellow guardians and child welfare organizations, she expanded her reach, founding Lowcountry Orphan Relief in 2007 and MOR in 2021. MOR’s vision is that no child faces deprivation of basic necessities, regardless of their circumstances. The mission is to provide aid to at-risk or neglected South Carolina children through partnerships with schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and more. Services include Care Kits, Just in Case Closets, children's events, and the Lynn Young Scholarship. My introduction to MOR occurred in the Fall of 2022, during my first year at USC. As a USC's pre-PA organization (APPAS) member, I participated in a MOR volunteer event, creating Care Kits for children of all ages. The impact of fulfilling such basic needs sparked passion within me. Subsequently, I dedicated winter break to further volunteering, aiding MOR's transition to a larger facility, and organizing donations. As APPAS's philanthropy chair, I funneled this passion, appointing MOR as our chosen philanthropy, where I hosted multiple volunteer events and raised $1000 in supplies during the fall semester. As president of the Alliance for Women in STEM, I advocated for MOR to our volunteer coordinator, who then scheduled multiple volunteer events with MOR. In spring, I broadened my impact by assisting MOR's social media outreach and promoting awareness of their crucial needs. My involvement with MOR unveiled my passion for community service. Recognizing that addressing the basic needs of vulnerable children mitigates adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), I am committed to integrating volunteerism for underserved communities into my future career as a healthcare provider. Studies show the long-term impact of ACEs on various aspects of well-being, emphasizing the importance of initiatives like MOR in fostering stability and resilience among at-risk youth. Through my experiences with MOR, I am determined to contribute to positive change and alleviate the challenges faced by underserved communities, laying the foundation for healthier futures.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Hematopoiesis, the differentiation process of stem and progenitor cells within the bone marrow (BM), is vital for maintaining the circulatory system's homeostatic fitness and immunological defense. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in replenishing the stem cell compartment, preventing hematopoietic depletion. However, chronic infection, inflammation, and cellular stress can lead to BM failure (BMF), requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Despite advances, post-transplantation challenges contribute to 42.9% of fatal relapses in BMF patients. Recent research identified the inhibitor of growth 4 (Ing4) as a key epigenetic regulator of hematopoiesis. Ing4 is a regulatory protein whose function is dysregulated in numerous types of cancers and other hematopoietic malignancies. Unexpectedly, our preliminary studies showed that Ing4-deficient HSCs, usually in a quiescent state, exhibit increased gene expression of metabolic markers associated with oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) and ribosomal biogenesis (RiBi), which is typically linked to activated HSCs. This paradoxical observation raises intriguing questions about how cellular metabolic pathways including translation and mitochondrial respiration contribute to maintaining HSC quiescence while promoting BM repopulation. Here, we hypothesize that Ing4 deficiency leads to the upregulation of both Ribi and OxPhos, with minimal impact on downstream metabolic pathways such as translation and OxPhos. Contrary to conventional notions associating quiescence with low mitochondrial activity, our preliminary data suggests an increased mitochondrial activity in Ing4-deficient HSCs. We explored the effect of Ing4 deficiency on OxPhos in quiescent HSCs by employing tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) to analyze active mitochondria undergoing OxPhos. We found no difference in the membrane potential activity between Ing4-deficient and wildtype HSCs, indicating that high expression of genes involved in OxPhos does not necessarily correspond with increased cellular respiration, preventing overwork of the mitochondrial machinery. Additionally, we examined the impacts of increased Ribi-associated gene expression on translational rates in Ing4-deficient HSCs by utilizing the Together, these results contribute to our understanding of HSC behavior in BM environments, presenting Ing4 deficiency as a model for abnormal hematopoiesis function. The outcomes promise not only a mechanistic understanding of HSC function, but also open avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions, addressing challenges in BM transplantation and related disorders.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Gas Turbine Engines (GTEs) are at the forefront of applications in power generation and aircraft propulsion, where even a marginal efficiency improvement of 1% can significantly impact environmental and economic metrics. Such an enhancement not only contributes to reducing the carbon footprint associated with electricity production but also translates to substantial fuel cost savings, estimated at over $50 million across a decade in the US, while simultaneously minimizing maintenance and capital expenditures. This necessitates the innovative use of combined experimental and analytical methodologies aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of small-scale GTEs, specifically the SR-30 model, through advanced machine learning (ML) techniques. The objective of development of SR-30, small scale GTE-DMT (Gas Turbine Engine – Design and Monitoring Tool) entails a comprehensive analysis of its performance across a wide range of rotational speeds, from 45,000 to 80,000 RPM, utilizing different fuel types like Jet-A and Kerosene along with the component and system level efficiency for compressor and turbine through detailed thermodynamic calculations. To navigate these complexities, a sophisticated, data-driven, physics-informed machine learning model has been developed. This high-fidelity model is instrumental in predicting both component-level and overall efficiencies using various ML algorithms. It incorporates a diverse array of ML techniques, including Polynomial Regression, Ridge Regression, Robust Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest Regressor, Stochastic Gradient Descent, XGBoost, Gaussian Process Regression, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). An optimized hyper-parameter tuning is conducted to accurately predict compressor and turbine efficiencies and the accuracy and the robustness of the models are compared using statistical metrics. A user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) called GTE-DMT has been created and serves as an invaluable tool for design and monitoring the turbomachines' performance efficiencies.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily characterized by difficulties in communication skills, social interaction, and restrictive and repetitive behavior. It is estimated that 1 in 36 children in the United States and around 1 in 100 children in the world are diagnosed with ASD. Despite this, little is understood about underlying neural or physiological mechanisms associated with ASD. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning, which plays an important role in socio-emotional development, might be affected in autistic individuals. ANS initiates sympathetic arousal and/or regulates emotions after exposure to stress-induced stimuli. Heart activity is one of the different methods used to measure the ANS. Heart rate variability (HRV) demonstrates changes in the durations of intervals between heartbeats, and baseline HRV shows resting heart rate. Studies suggest a significant relationship between low HRV and ASD, observed in both baseline HRV and HRV reactivity during social stress. Thus, HRV as a potential biomarker for ASD might indicate ANS dysregulation in this population. Early recognition of this biomarker can allow for a timely diagnosis of autism and early intervention which have been proven to aid development.. However, little is known about HRV in young autistic children. This study aims to investigate baseline HRV in preschool-aged children diagnosed with ASD contrasted against age-matched neurotypical (NT) children. We measured Interbeat interval (IBI) to reflect the time between heartbeats, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) to demonstrate HRV. To measure baseline HRV for children, they were seated to watch a Pixar animated short film with no spoken language, although it could contain music and other sounds. The heart activity of children was recorded while they watched the film, and it was subsequently edited to remove any artifacts. Our participants included 44 children with ASD and 36 NT children aged 2.86-6.30 years old (M=3.82 years old). Independent samples t-tests will be conducted on IBI and RSA values to compare between ASD and NT groups. We hypothesize that autistic children are more likely to exhibit lower IBI levels than NT children in the baseline HRV.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Anomaly prediction in manufacturing-related assembly lines is of significant importance for improving time and labor costs, as well as for facilitating preventative pipeline refinements. In rocket assembly pipelines, for example, costs of premature rocket part failures, especially in advanced stages of production, can result in enormous financial and labor costs. Due to the availability of vast amounts of sensor data in the age of Industry 4.0, data-driven machine learning (ML) holds great promise for the early prediction of anomalous occurrences. However, the state-of-the-art (SOTA) ML approaches for anomaly prediction and detection have yielded only ~ 50% and ~66% F1-measure scores, respectively. These are due to unique challenges caused by statistical artifacts in manufacturing assembly line sensor data - (i) anomalous events are extremely rare, (ii) high fidelity simulation data is scarce (real data is costly to acquire), and (iii) the dependence between anomalous events do not readily lend themselves to traditional ML formulations (different anomaly labels are usually treated independently and “one-hot” encoded). Together (i) and (iii) represent two dimensions of anomaly prediction. In this paper, we demonstrate a robust method for handling both dimensions of anomaly prediction in rocket assembly pipelines by leveraging high-fidelity sensor data gathered from a proven source, that we refer to as Robust and Interpretable 2D Anomaly Prediction (RI2AP). Our results show that RI2AP achieves significant performance gains (up to 30 points on the F1 measure) over SOTA ML baselines. Additionally, RI2AP includes a novel interpretation mechanism for facilitating domain expert-friendly insights into the sensor readings and their influence on the predictions.
1:00-2:30 p.m.I have worked with every age group of the human lifespan in order to determine the direction with which I would like to take my advocacy efforts. The undeniable aspect of life and area of dire need for greater psychological intervention revealed itself to me as being at-risk youth who have undergone adverse life experiences. Within my internship with a Sheriff’s Department, I realized the extreme prominence of poverty, neglect, abuse, drug dependence, sexual exploitation, addiction of all varieties, harmful family dynamics, and emotional disconnect in our communities. The roots of these issues were extremely evident to me in the NICU with premature infants suffering through drug withdrawals and children sick in the hospital with parents unable to pay the hospital bills or hidden indications of abuse. These dynamics continue to manifest themselves as they lack the self-efficacy and stability to provide for themselves. At a hospice center, I learned of how, when left untreated adults can be bed-ridden at their life’s end and still have the same trauma-induced symptoms and unmet needs, imploring me to envision how their lives could have played out had equitable mental health support been available and research surrounding their circumstances been illustrious. In this presentation, I seek to explore three key foundations that I believe are important for accomplishing this shift of focus to early intervention: time is valuable, mentorship is key, and growth is an ongoing process. First, I identify the core principles I derived from notable college courses and I connect their application to the practical knowledge I acquired in extracurricular capacities. I then outline my roles of influence through which I have begun to promote early intervention in the local high schools of Columbia, South Carolina with an intention of setting a positive precedent for other high schools in the promotion of mentorship, outreach, and life success preparedness lacking in most public high school curriculums. Lastly, I speak to future directions for my pursuance of higher education and clinical practice during which I will continue my mission, as well as implications this will have on the greater American society.
1:00-2:30 p.m.In spring of 2023, I spent the first six weeks of my semester in Cape Town, South Africa. My academics consisted of two classes, Global Civil Rights and Intercultural Communication & Leadership. We explored topics regarding human rights, civil rights, global apartheid, cultural frameworks, intercultural relations, and decolonization, all from a South African context. One of my lectures expanded on the importance of sports to South African history, specifically rugby. In 1995, Nelson Mandela had been president for one year, and was faced with the challenge of uniting a country filled with the pain of the previous apartheid regime. He sought out rugby as a critical tool to unify the fragmented fabric of society. It offered a shared love of national pride that people could relate to, in a time where people were most divided. South Africa has since won 3 more World Cup Championships, the most recent in 2023, and it continues to serve as a force of unity amongst South Africans today. As a public health student, I believe it is important to understand social and political movements that influence the policy that can contribute to the overall health of a population. This presentation will elaborate on the intricacies of utilizing rugby to unite South Africans, as well as how sport continues to be a keystone in unity and activism today.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Last summer I had the opportunity to serve as an orientation leader and welcome new students and families to the University of South Carolina. My motivation for becoming an orientation leader stemmed from my own freshman orientation experience. My time at USC started amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so my orientation was entirely virtual. Because of this, there was a lot about the university I simply did not learn, and I did not have the opportunity to meet people as I would have in a traditional orientation setting. This orientation style made my transition to USC incredibly difficult, so I decided to become an orientation leader to help future students feel at home here at South Carolina. As an orientation leader that is exactly what I was able to accomplish. While helping students through their orientation experience, I learned how to build supportive relationships with my students. This was difficult at times because orientation sessions only lasted for 2 days, so learning how to break the ice quickly was essential to my success as an orientation leader. I was also able to develop the confidence needed to initiate conversations with almost anyone and even lead small group discussions on sometimes difficult topics. While serving incoming students, I had to learn the importance of serving myself. I could not be the orientation leader my students deserved if I did not make sure my own needs were met. Amid all this learning, I was also reminded of my passion for helping other people. Serving incoming students and their families made me feel fulfilled in a way I hope that my future career working with at-risk youth will as well. I will continue to rely on the relationship-building skills I learned as an orientation leader in all aspects of my life, especially in my future career.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The prescribed doses for many drugs are based on population norms or vary between physicians. For example, very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (< 1500) grams experience slower postnatal growth than in utero and receive glucose treatment to mitigate nutritional disruption. Uniform treatment for all patients is unsuitable as prior levels, weight, age, and other factors can influence glucose metabolism. Effective dosage is vital to ensure proper weight gain while avoiding neonatal hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Depending on different responses, personalized dynamic treatment adapts to change over time, addressing limitations in previous dose-finding methods. This paper proposes a longitudinal mixed model to estimate personalized optimal doses dynamically. This study enabled personalized treatment using patient-specific random effects as biomarkers to capture individual dosage sensitivity profiles. We construct prediction intervals for optimal doses via the implicit value delta method. We validate the properties of our model through simulation studies. Further, we provide an analysis of observational data on glucose treatments for VLBW infants in the NICU for seven days.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my junior and senior year here at the University, I worked at the Department of Corrections with the legislative liaison. During my time at the Department of Corrections, my main task included researching topics that would affect the agency while also having an impact on inmates, victims of inmates and the families of inmates in South Carolina. As a political science & criminal justice major the internship allowed me to get a deeper understanding of the workings of state government while also highlighting the importance of policymaking and the powers that come along with crafting policy and rules. Before venturing into this internship, I assumed that those who worked at the department of corrections, solely worked behind bars with inmates. Never did I imagine the work and research that happens on the administrative side of the agency. This internship has shown me the behind the scene work of administration and policy crafting, which opened my eyes to a new perspective on state government at the department of corrections. The internship has given me insight into budget making, legislative hearings, and topics on furlough of prisoners, shield laws, and telecommunication in prisons. Through this experience I have gained insight on how the government operates, while also getting an in-depth understanding on the processes of creating policies. With future aspirations in law, government and policy making, this internship has allowed me to grow professionally through research ability, the process of crafting legislation and reviewing policy, and better communication skills. Overall my experience could be one that highlights the importance of getting involved in state government so that they better understand the workings of agencies and policy crafting while also developing those essential skills.
9:30-11:00 a.m.The goal is to learn more about the properties of Earth’s crust and mantle under Alaska and South America. This will be done by the observation and measurement of the effect that Earth’s internal structure has on the direction of seismic waves. Seismic wave properties are affected by every portion of the Earth that it travels through. By using a specific type of seismic wave, called SmKS, we can learn about the properties of the Earth’s crust, mantle, and outer core. Specifically, we will be measuring the time it takes the wave to move from the source to the receiver. We can compare the travel times and direction of a wave to predictions based on a simple model of the Earth, and the variance from the model show which parts of Earth are different. The differences found will reveal the processes of how the Earth operates. We are specifically looking at how complicated geological structures of South America and Alaska affect travel times and directions of SmKS waves observed. Using the results from the experiment we should be able to infer variations in the material of the crust, mantle, and potentially the outer core.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Volunteering for a clinic that provides care to the underserved Hispanic population, I was enlightened of hardships these individuals must face when attempting to seek medical attention. The Good Samaritan Clinic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing no-cost healthcare to underserved communities in South Carolina. They have two different locations within 10 miles of the capital. My job as a volunteer was to import patient paperwork and finical aid, document patient-physician encounters, and provide check- out assistance. I learned that there is a large percentage of the Hispanic community in South Carolina that do not have health insurance. Without insurance these individuals with a lower socioeconomic status are forced to seek out free medical clinics or avoid treatment all together. I also became knowledgeable to the fact that not many of these clinics exist, which is why some of the patients at our clinic have to wait weeks before appointments. The health care gap is increasing year over year and it is crucial that the public become aware of this problem.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Randomized pre-test, post-test, and follow-up (RPPF) experimental designs have been considered the gold standard in intervention and clinical research for decades. However, a variety of statistical methods have been proposed for analyzing RPPF data. While repeated measures analysis of variance and analysis of covariance have been historically the most popular analyses for RPPF data, more recently proposed structural equation modeling (SEM) approaches boast several advantages over those previously mentioned, including more flexibility in handling missing data and the ability to account for measurement error through the inclusion of manifest and latent variables (Willoughby et al., 2007). Mun et al. (2009) introduced a latent change score model to estimate treatment effects and showed both how different parameterizations of this model can more directly estimate desired effects as well as how measurement error can be separated from individual differences in change. Following the guidance of Rausch et al. (2003) to increase power, Mara et al. (2012) suggested covarying pretest scores from post-test and follow-up, though at the cost of losing the change score interpretation. Our proposed latent change score model preserves the change score interpretation by directly estimating changes from pre-test to post-test and post-test to follow-up, while still covarying for pre-test effects. This addition allows researchers to better understand the immediate and lasting impacts as well as the overall efficacy of interventions using RPPF designs. The proposed model will be used to analyze a real empirical data set.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) must gain experience with each patient population during their training to prepare them to manage cases proficiently as anesthesia providers. Depending on the training facility, SRNAs may not have substantial exposure to pediatric anesthetic management to increase their confidence in caring for this demographic. This lack of experience may lead to undue stress and even fear when challenged with managing pediatric anesthesia cases. Unfortunately, this fear and intrinsic stress felt by the SRNA can act as a barrier to fully participating in the care of pediatric patients. Tremendous fear and stress can be paralyzing for the SRNA. Avoiding work on pediatric cases and confronting stress amplifies the fear around the experience and decreases skill. High-fidelity simulation offers one solution, exposing the SRNA to realistic scenarios in which they can practice the management of pediatric anesthesia without the real-life consequences and associated complications of performing in real time. Simulation is an important component of a well-rounded nurse anesthesia program, as it presents an opportunity for SRNAs to work in contexts that are representative of a real clinical setting.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of subdivision schemes for improving the resolution of low-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) images. Both stationary and non-stationary schemes were tested on the low-resolution data, which was subsequently compared with high-resolution data obtained from the same samples using tapping mode AFM. This comparison aimed to assess the ability of the subdivision scheme to accurately reproduce the data. Testing up until now has not yielded a significant increase in data resolution but has increased uniformity across the dataset. This has so far demonstrated an effective smoothing procedure but less of an increase in resolution. Further testing on schemes as well as other sample types is needed to yield additional results.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Maternal mortality rate in the United States continues to rise and is the highest among all developed nations. Intersectional complexities influence pregnancy-related deaths that are affected by behavioral, economic, environmental, racial, and ethnic factors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the variables behind the high prevalence of pregnancy-related fatalities among Black women and the management of maternal mortality rates in South Carolina. How do racial, economic, and environmental factors interact to influence Black women's high maternal mortality rate, and what methods are essential for the healthcare system in South Carolina to reduce Black maternal deaths? This research will be following a qualitative measure using secondary data and primary data of collecting literature review and conducting surveys analyzing the factors contributing to the disproportionate risk of Black mother’s pregnancy-related deaths in South Carolina. The results of this study will address the rise in Black women’s maternal mortality rates providing tools to tackle the disparities seen in South Carolina’s healthcare system.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Plankton are an important food source in the aquatic environment and may range in size from less than two micrometers to organisms larger than 200 micrometers. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is a black water lake with an abundance of wildlife and is a popular tourist attraction. Swan Lake was chosen as the study site due to its proximity to USC Sumter and as no known study of the plankton community has been conducted. The objectives of the project were to identify some common phytoplankton and zooplankton in Swan Lake Iris Gardens and to determine what the presence of certain plankton means for the health of this aquatic system. Water samples were collected in summer 2023 at various locations and depths at Swan Lake and identified and counted in the laboratory using light microscopy. A number of plankton were identified in the laboratory, and our preliminary results indicated a noticeable level of eutrophication. Long term monitoring of this ecosystem is planned. A pamphlet for tourists is being developed to educate tourists on the wonders of the microscopic world at Swan Lake Iris Gardens.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Lung cancers represent the second most common cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) constitutes 80-85% of all lung cancers. Genes within several cellular pathways have been previously evaluated for their clinical impact in NSCLC. In this investigation, we evaluate genetic mutations found in 50 cancer-critical genes implicated in the signaling pathways RTK/RAS/MAP, TGFβ, PI3K, Wnt, GPCR, p53, JAK/STAT, Notch, and the cell cycle pathway. Some of these mutations have not yet been described or have not been described in NSCLC. The intent of our study is to evaluate these mutations and allow further research into their impact, specifically highlighting mutations that are involved in clinically important pathways. We evaluated mutations found in 59 NSCLC patients at the Prisma Health Cancer Institute. These mutations are part of 2,800 COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) hotspot mutations in 50 cancer-critical genes. Each mutation was investigated further using the ClinVar database to identify whether it had been described in NSCLC or other cancers/conditions, its genetic consequence, pathogenesis, possible variations, and origin. A total of 73 unique mutations in 59 NSCLC patients were evaluated. Of the 73 mutations, 17 had not been described at all, 40 had been described in other cancers/conditions, and 16 had been previously described in NSCLC. The known mutations’ effects in other cancers/conditions were categorized as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, likely benign, benign, or uncertain. Novel mutations were found in genes that provide a druggable target, help predict treatment response, are under investigation for their ability to predict treatment response or confer additional clinical utility. Medical management of cancer has benefitted greatly from studies of genetic mutations. Most mutations identified in our patient population had not been described in NSCLC, and a smaller number of those had not been described at all. Further elucidation of these mutations may lead to additional discoveries relevant to NSCLC prognostication and treatment.
9:30-11:00 a.m.As a dual major in Marketing and Operations & Supply Chain Management with a minor in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, my academic path has equipped me with strategic and globally-minded business acumen. This portfolio highlights key insights and experiences shaping my passion for impactful leadership and international business strategy. Through case competitions like the Norwegian School of Economics event and consulting projects, I honed skills in cultural market research, tailoring solutions across contexts, and crafting compelling organizational change narratives. Case studies in servant leadership illuminated empowering others and fostering ownership. Applying foundational frameworks, such as SWOT analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces, to ambiguous, real-world scenarios solidified my strategic thinking abilities vital for guiding companies through uncertainty. Overall, these experiences affirmed my goal to pursue management consulting, advising global organizations on expansion through culturally-conscious, innovative strategies. This portfolio demonstrates competencies in areas like international marketing, cross-cultural collaboration, strategic analysis, data-driven decision making, and executive communication. It reflects my purposeful journey acquiring the mindset and skills to lead meaningful impact across borders as I work toward an MBA. My coursework, competitions, internships, and projects allowed me to develop specialized expertise tailored for management consulting roles. I hope this portfolio conveys my dedication to lifelong learning and passion for enabling transformative organizational growth internationally.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Research Question: How is Harry Wright’s commitment to African American students reflected in his work at the University of South Carolina Dr. Harry Wright—a graduate of the University of South Carolina, esteemed physician, and professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine—was a man of outstanding scholarship and activism who made a significant impact on cultural and academic programs at the University of South Carolina. Most notable for his contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Wright’s legacy in other areas of academia is often overlooked. This project will examine the breadth of Dr. Wright’s contributions to the University of South Carolina and showcase his involvement in establishing organizations for African American students as well as the African American Studies Program. Using the archival collection of documents donated by Dr. Wright to the Center for Civil Rights History and Research, we will explore the aftereffects of Dr. Harry Wright’s presence on campus and assess his enduring impact on the experiences of African American students and members of the University community. Among the benefits of Dr. Wright’s work at the University, students have the opportunity to major or minor in African American studies and members of the University community are able to experience a wide array of programs centered on Black history and culture on campus. This project demonstrates that Dr. Harry Wright was pivotal to advancing the appreciation and understanding of African American history, life, and culture for generations of African American students and members of the University community.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process method (also referred to as “3D-printing") that allows replicating a digital prototype with high precision and detail. SLA is widely employed in the dental and manufacturing industry to create ceramic objects by using resin that contains clay particles. The obtained greenware is then fired where resin burns out in the firing process, and clay fuses into a ceramic. This process allows to create micron-scale detail, which is hard to achieve with traditional building and sculpting methods. In this work, authors are testing capabilities of SLA in creating artistic ceramic sculpture with a desktop 3D printer.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During my time at the University of South Carolina, my perspective on leadership shifted significantly as I enrolled in the Introduction to Leadership Studies course. This experience challenged my initial beliefs about leadership, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, reliance, and effective communication in achieving common goals. This newfound understanding laid the foundation for my subsequent role as Pledge Class Historian in Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity on campus. As Pledge Class Historian, I applied the concepts learned in class, fostering a collaborative environment within my 19-person pledge class. I effectively utilized teamwork, open communication, and reliance on others to plan and execute various events, including community service initiatives, professional development activities, social events, and team bonding retreats. When faced with unexpected challenges, such as a hurricane threatening our team bonding retreat, I demonstrated resilience and leadership by adapting plans, coordinating logistics, and ensuring the successful execution of the event. My experience as Pledge Class Historian reinforced the importance of teamwork and reliance in leadership. The lessons learned in the classroom translated into practical skills, guiding my decision-making and problem-solving as a leader. This experience not only highlighted my organizational abilities but also showcased my capacity to create a supportive and collaborative environment. Looking back, I recognize the significant impact of these experiences, shaping my perspective on leadership and providing valuable insights that will continue to influence my future endeavors in academia and my professional career.
9:30-11:00 a.m.Across cultures, darker colors are associated with unpleasant emotions and undesirable characteristics. Previous studies have identified the existence of a “black clothing effect” on an individual’s perception of aggression. A person dressed in dark-colored clothing is typically viewed as more aggressive than a person wearing lighter shades. In addition to clothing color, skin tone also has an impact on perceived criminality and aggression, with darker skin tone typically being associated with immoral acts. Our goal is to examine whether clothing color and skin tone have an impact on the perceived aggression and criminality of offenders. We hypothesize that the offender who has dark skin and is wearing a black shirt will be perceived as the most aggressive.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism commonly used in many scientific experiments due to its low maintenance cost, rapid generation time, and homology to humans of a multitude of genes involved in development. Diet plays a key role in this organisms fecundity, as it shapes the organisms traits and affects how resources are allocated to different physiological processes in an organism. While there is literature available concerning the correlation between diet and the fecundity rate of Drosophila melanogaster, the current research lacks comprehensiveness and does not examine the specific genotypes and standard diets that I intend to test. This basic information is pertinent to know, as those factors inform researchers what genotype and food type to use based on heir desired biological question. My previous experiment determined the effect on the food types of Molasses and Bloomington on the three genotypes OR, yw and w118. The goal of this current project is to determine how the standard diets of fructose and sucrose effect the fecundity rates of the three genotypes listed above. In order to determine this, we plan to allocate 20 virgin females and 20 virgin males into 4 vials (5 males and females in each) per each type of food. We will feed them on the diets for a total span of 17 days and count the eggs that were laid every three days. In order to ensure our results are valid, we will repeat this same experimental design with the same diets and genotypes three times. In the last experiment involving Molasses and Bloomington, we found that all genotypes had a higher fecundity rate on Molasses and hit their peak fecundity rate between days 9 and 12. With this experiment, we aim to discover how fecundity rate is impacted by sucrose and fructose diets in order to publish a comprehensive guide of how different standard diets effect the fecundity rates of Drosophila melanogaster.
1:00-2:30 p.m.The goal of this project is to learn about the experiences of cosplay among women. The project took effect over the course of one year. I traveled to different conventions within the Carolinas, including the Charlotte Heroes Convention, and the Florence PowerCon. In Stage One of my research, 35 individuals willingly participated online or in-person in a qualitative study, each with their own experiences and beliefs as cosplayers. Stage Two began with entering the data into Excel and identifying recurring themes, such as body image, gender identity, mental health, and parasocial relationships to their characters. The project was not always rewarded with active participation, as some were overjoyed to participate, while others left the project halfway through or never responded back at all. This study has provided new, original data about the culture and the varying relationships with each individual, such as parasocial relationships.
9:30-11:00 a.m.This study utilized DNA barcoding techniques to investigate the diversity of firefly species within Congaree National Park (CNP) and addressed the critical issue of declining firefly biodiversity. Congaree National Park, serves as a sanctuary for fireflies, it provides an ideal setting due to minimal habitat alteration compared to other southeastern US habitats. The research will successfully bridge the gap in understanding firefly biodiversity within Congaree National Park, which previously lacked a comprehensive species inventory. Through sampling and identification of adult fireflies using traditional morphological methods and DNA-based taxonomic approaches, a comprehensive database of firefly diversity in CNP will be established. By photographing and isolating genomic DNA from individual fireflies and utilizing PCR to amplify the ‘universal’ CO1 locus, species were accurately identified through sequencing and database searches. The study effectively utilized the initial species list generated to sample additional fireflies during the spring and summer of 2023, resulting in the collection and preservation of individuals showing unique characteristics for further analysis. This multifaceted approach, integrating fieldwork, taxonomic identification, and molecular analyses, provided a comprehensive inventory of firefly diversity within Congaree National Park. The findings of this research will significantly contribute to understanding the underexplored realm of firefly diversity within Congaree National Park and provide crucial insights for conservation efforts. The specific species identified and their distribution will help inform tailored conservation strategies within the park in the future as well. The utilization of DNA barcoding techniques has advanced scientific knowledge and provided a robust framework for future biodiversity assessments and monitoring programs. Ultimately, the findings serve as a pivotal resource for policymakers, park management, and conservationists that will eventually guide informed decisions aimed at safeguarding firefly populations and preserving their ecological roles within Congaree National Park.
1:00-2:30 p.m.During the Revolutionary War, New York City was a space of liberation for newly freed African Americans. British commanders ordered the emancipation of enslaved people who escaped from rebel owners and gave service to the army, and thousands of freedom seekers sought refuge in New York, which served as headquarters for royal forces from 1776 to 1783. My project aims to analyze the social and political outcomes of those seven years, when self-emancipators disrupted gender and racial classifications, established religious networks, and laid the roots of abolition. Since slavery remained in New York after the war, historians have concluded that the seven-year presence of a liberated population was inconsequential to antislavery thought in the United States. Further, since thousands of white and Black refugees evacuated at war’s end, historians have ignored the impression that a large, liberated population had on the white and Black inhabitants, both free and enslaved, who remained in the city. I analyze how labor and religious practices within the context of the martial occupation disrupted existing racial classifications. I analyze how the presence of a large, liberated population exposed tensions between New York’s commitment to slavery on the one hand and the realization among its political leaders that the city could not fully return to pre-war racial categories on the other.
1:00-2:30 p.m.Based on 13 years of producing The Australian Mining Review, the Australian Mines and Services Handbook 2022 is distributed this year and is an invaluable resource for those who work in the mining industry.
The A4 publication profiles operating mine sites across Australia and also highlights companies that specialise in providing services to the industry.
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