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This cross-sectional quantitative study examines how specific policy-related factors, such as physician supervision requirements, opt-out status, and fluoroscopy utilization, influence the practice location choices of NSPM CRNAs in the United States. An online survey was distributed through emails and various social media platforms to NSPM-certified CRNAs (NSPM-C, n = 208) and CRNAs enrolled in NSPM fellowship programs (NSPM-F, n = 33). A total of 66 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 27.4%. This included 52 responses from NSPM-C CRNAs and 14 from NSPM-F CRNAs. Most NSPM-C CRNAs currently practicing pain management and NSPM-F CRNAs indicated they are less likely to practice in states requiring physician supervision, lacking opt-out status, or prohibiting fluoroscopy use. These participants also concurred that they would be more likely to practice in states that do not mandate physician supervision and states with opt-out status. Other factors affecting location preferences were reported to be prescriptive authority and reimbursement or compensation issues. For NSPM-C CRNAs who have ceased practicing pain management, the majority cited non-opt-out status, mandatory physician supervision, and the prohibition of fluoroscopy as key policy-related reasons for discontinuing their practice. Lastly, the study yielded a geographical distribution of NSPM CRNAs’ current and future practice locations. The findings indicate that state policies significantly influence NSPM CRNAs’ practice locations. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to expand NSPM services by highlighting the need for regulatory reforms that support CRNA autonomy and scope of practice at local, state, and national levels.

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Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare noninflammatory disease process that leads to disruption of the arterial media. Identifying a clinical diagnosis of SAM is based upon holistic interpretation of patient history, presentation, and CT angiography. This presentation demonstrates the diagnosis and treatment of a 39-year-old female presenting with epigastric abdominal pain secondary to SAM, and consequent pseudoaneurysm formation in the celiac artery. The patient underwent extensive arterial embolization of the splenic and left gastric arteries with angioplasty of the hepatic and celiac arteries. In this case, surgical intervention was a beneficial treatment when paired with antiplatelet therapy.

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The Resilience in SRNA Education (RISE) project was a quasi-experimental, longitudinal, mixed-methods study investigating the impact of resilience education on stress and resilience among student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) at the University of South Carolina. A total of 54 (n) SRNAs completed RN Personal Resilience Enhancement Plan (RN P.R.E.P.), an evidence-based 12-module resilience course. Quantitative outcomes were evaluated with pretest-posttest measures of stress and resilience using validated instruments, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 and Perceived Stress Scale. RN P.R.E.P. positively impacted resilience and stress as evidenced by statistically significant changes (p-values < .001) in resilience scores (pretest mean of 27 increased to 31 post-course) and perceived stress scores (pretest mean of 19 decreased to 14 post-course). Qualitative feedback further supported that RN P.R.E.P. positively influenced stress perception and learner self-efficacy. The majority of students recommended this program to future cohorts, further supporting the meaningfulness of this project. Adverse stress is a known problem among SRNAs, leading to burnout and other poor outcomes. Our data supports that resilience education increases personal resilience and self-efficacy while decreasing perceived stress, mitigating the risk of burnout. The outcomes of this project imply that resilience education can be an essential intervention to incorporate in nurse anesthesia curriculum to combat stress and burnout experienced by SRNAs and should be further evaluated across larger populations of students. Anesthesia is a burnout-prone profession. The benefits of resilience education should also be explored among anesthesia clinicians in the practice setting. Keywords: student registered nurse anesthetists, stress, burnout, resilience, protective factors 

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This project focuses on education for nurse anesthetists on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for a preoperative cardiovascular assessment and evaluates the effectiveness of an educational presentation. The primary objective of this educational project is to provide current evidence on the effectiveness of cardiovascular POCUS on Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) measurements to reduce the prevalence of intraoperative hypotension due to hypovolemia. The goal is not to replace traditional methods of clinical assessment, but rather to encourage the utilization of current POCUS resources. Using a descriptive study model, a pre-survey was conducted at the beginning of the presentation that assessed the CRNA's awareness and knowledge of POCUS use, the accessibility of POCUS, how often each CRNA used ultrasound, and how often they used it for goal-based treatments. Based on the results of the study from a post-survey, there was a clear need for increased education on using POCUS for fluid volume status assessment. For future studies, it would be beneficial to explore the reasons why POCUS was not feasible, as this study could shed light on the challenges and limitations that may prevent the use of POCUS and provide insight into how these issues could be addressed in the future.

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Transition metal catalysis is critical for the majority of chemical manufacturing processes, resulting in a multi-billion dollar industry. Specifically, the oxidative addition and reductive elimination of small molecules about the transition metal centers drive the catalytic cycles. However, toxicity and low natural abundance of transition metals have prompted a shift to nonmetal analogs. In this work, we report the first example of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) with a zwitterionic nido-carboranyl diphosphonium. This main-group reagent efficiently transfers two electrons and two protons to quinones, yielding the corresponding hydroquinones and regenerating a neutral closo-carboranyl diphosphine. As we have previously reported the conversion of our closo-carboranyl diphosphine into the zwitterionic nido- derivative upon reaction with main group hydrides, this work represents the complete synthetic cycle for the metal-free reduction of quinones, with the redox-active carboranyl diphosphine scaffold acting as a mediator. Based on pKa determination, electrochemical studies, and kinetic isotope effect determination, our proposed mechanism involves electron transfer from the nido- cluster to the quinone coupled with the delivery of protons from the phosphonium arms. Thus, we have successfully established a metal-free reductive elimination pathway, which highlights the potential for carborane-based catalysts as a greener alternative to transition metals.

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Introduction: This project evaluates the impact of audiovisual education followed by hands-on practice on the competence and confidence of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for preoperative gastric volume assessment. Methods: Thirty-seven first-year SRNAs received asynchronous gastric POCUS training, with seventeen participating in an additional in-person review and hands-on practice. Data Collection: Five-point Likert scale pre-tests and post-tests gathered feedback, facilitated by Survey Monkey. Results and Data Analysis: Post-training, 82% felt confident in performing gastric POCUS assessments, and 100% believed the instruction positively impacted their education, supporting standardized POCUS education integration. Discussion and Conclusion: Integrating POCUS into SRNA education is beneficial. Early integration with audiovisual and hands-on sessions is recommended. Further research is needed to assess long-term impacts.  Keywords: gastric point-of-care ultrasound, gastric volume assessment, ultrasound education, nurse anesthesia education

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Burnout and turnover intention are prevalent in both the healthcare and education sectors. Despite this prevalence, little research has been conducted regarding these phenomena within nurse anesthesia program faculty. This project utilized a 14-item REDCap survey to investigate burnout and its potential relationship to turnover intention among nurse anesthesia faculty within the United States. The survey focused on demographics, faculty role(s) and employment, clinical responsibilities, burnout, and turnover intention. Of the 102 survey respondents, 61.8% endorsed burnout and 71.6% reported feeling overwhelmed by their faculty responsibilities. The groups of respondents with the highest percentage of burnout were program directors, full-time employees, males, 41-50 years old, those who are employed by integrated programs, and those who practice clinically in addition to having faculty roles. Regarding turnover intent, 29.4% of surveyed faculty do not see themselves in a faculty role in five years and 13.7% of respondents are actively planning to vacate their position. Of those actively planning to vacate, 78.6% reported feelings of burnout, though only 21% listed burnout as their primary reason. As the need for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) grows, the nurse anesthesia profession must address burnout and retention within its faculty cohort.

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Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles and protocols are gaining popularity in the anesthesia and surgical community due to the positive implications for patients and lower costs to facilities. The researchers used Pubmed Database to conduct a literature review returning multiple studies, all describing the benefits of preoperative carbohydrate loading in various surgical populations. This study looked at the impact of educating anesthesia providers at a Level I academic hospital on the current literature of patients consuming a carbohydrate beverage up to two hours before surgery. The study hypothesized that educating providers on preoperative carbohydrates would increase their awareness and willingness to implement practice changes. The study methods included an education session delivered via PowerPoint to 36 anesthesia providers; pre-surveys and post-surveys were collected via REDcap anonymously. The goal was to increase provider knowledge and increase the likelihood of adopting or implementing the updated literature into practice. Lastly, the results confirmed the hypothesis of the study; the education session increased anesthesia providers’ likeliness to implement practice change in accordance with current practice recommendations. This study indicates that educating anesthesia providers on current practice recommendations, supported by the literature, increases endorsement of practice change.

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Background: Prolonged clear liquid fasting times (CLFTs) in infants can lead to perioperative complications such as dehydration and hypoglycemia. This study aims to assess the impact of an educational intervention on certified registered nurse anesthetists' (CRNAs) perceptions of reduced CLFTs for pediatric patients at a freestanding pediatric hospital.   Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted focusing on the impact of preoperative fasting times on pediatric patients. Studies investigating the duration of fasting, its physiological impacts, and outcomes related to anesthesia were included, with a refined focus on infants. The intervention included reviewing current CLFT policies, developing educational materials, and presenting these to CRNAs. A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. A five-question pretest established the baseline awareness of optimizing CLFTs and willingness to adopt improved protocols. After an educational presentation, a posttest measured changes in their views.    Results: Twenty-four CRNAs completed both pretest and posttest surveys. Significant improvements (p<0.05) were observed in three out of five survey questions. Post-intervention, more participants recognized the need to address prolonged fasting times and supported policies requiring administration of clear liquids two hours before surgery. There was limited change in participants' likelihood of cancelling or delaying surgery due to prolonged fasting times.  Conclusion: The educational intervention significantly improved CRNAs' perceptions in key areas, such as recognizing the necessity of addressing prolonged CLFTs and supporting optimized policies. The findings suggest that further education could improve anesthesia providers’ perceptions of CLFTs and the impact of prolonged fasting times on perioperative complications. Future research should explore the effects of delaying or cancelling surgeries for prolonged fasting and assess perioperative outcomes through randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies.  Keywords: Clear liquid fasting times, infants, pediatric anesthesia, perioperative complications, CRNAs, patient safety, quality improvement 

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The Loop Current System (LCS) is a persistent flow that moves water in, around, and out of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Saline waters enter the GoM through the Yucatan Channel, while freshwater is deposited from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River System (MARS). The interaction between the LCS and freshwater input from the Mississippi-Alabama-Florida (MAFLA) shelf is investigated during flood and drought years. This work is based on monthly averages over 14 years and focuses specifically on flood and drought years. In flood years, it is determined that the freshwater induces a retraction of the Loop Current (LC). In contrast, during drought years, it is observed that the Loop Current (LC) extends far North and allows saline waters to intrude into the Mississippi River. The relative impacts of river discharge are further quantified using a stepwise linear regression model. It is concluded that the basin-wide sea surface salinity (SSS) depends significantly on the discharge from the Atchafalaya River when leading by four months. Furthermore, it is determined that the significant interannual salinity variability in the GoM is found to rely on a combination of river discharge magnitude and timing relative to the positioning of the LCS. These findings conclude that freshwater input variability during flood and drought years can affect the state of the LCS, further enhancing or dampening the expected salinity patterns in the Gulf of Mexico.

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Archean cratons are tectonically stable areas preserved in the Earth’s crust that hold potential clues to understand the tectonic mechanisms that took place on early Earth. However, interpreting these clues presents potential challenges due to the extensive modification of the cratonic rocks over billions of years of post-orogenic processes. The Pikwitonei granulite domain (PGD), located in Manitoba, Canada in the northwestern part of the Superior Craton is a seemingly intact high-temperature Archean metamorphic terrane showing limited retrogression. It is therefore an optimal locality to assess the tectonometamorphic evolution of the northwestern Superior craton. In this work we have selected a mafic granulite from the Partridge Crop Lake area in western PGD, since this one of the areas which, according to previous literature, should record the highest temperatures in the PGD. Petrographic studies reveal that the samples preserve peak assemblages equilibrated both at hand specimen as well as microscopic scales. Our primary objective is to constrain the prograde metamorphic path of the area as pressure-temperature pathways are unique to specific tectonic settings and hence, may help us infer the tectonic mechanism that led to the stabilization of this domain. To do this, we have applied thermodynamic models along with Ti-in-amphibole thermometry to constrain the peak metamorphic conditions. Minimal presence of recrystallized melt is observed in the mafic granulite indicating changes to the bulk composition through melt removal. To account for the melt loss, we apply a stepwise down-temperature melt-reintegration approach at constant pressure to model the bulk composition before melt loss occurred. We then use that bulk composition to model the peak temperature and pressure of the granulite facies metamorphism in these samples. The modeling results imply a peak temperature of over 950 degrees Celsius and a peak pressure range of 0.75 to 0.85 Gpa. The cause for such ultra-high temperature metamorphism during the Archean has been attributed to factors such as, higher mean mantle temperature, thinner crustal thickness, more radioactive heat production in the crust and possible early earth orogenic processes.

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This work analyzes Alana Schreiber’s cookbook Deliciously Digestible: Recipes for Gastroparesis and Beyond as a subversive place for the reformulation and renegotiation of food spaces, both personal and communal. The author engages with studies that advocate the use of cookbooks as proponents of social change and highlight both a social and medical model of disability in her analysis of Schreiber’s cookbook. The work itself, among other forms of activist cooking and food discourse, relays a desire to engage disabled communities and lived experiences in the production and distribution of literature surrounding food practices, as well as a rethinking of what constitutes normative meal structure and organization.

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The rapid increase in symbolic data has underscored the significance of pattern matching and regular expression processing. While nondeterministic finite automata (NFA) are commonly used for these tasks, they are limited to detecting matches without determining the optimal one. This research expands on the NAPOLY pattern-matching accelerator by introducing NAPOLY+, which adds registers to each processing element to store variables like scores, weights, or edge costs. This enhancement allows NAPOLY+ to identify the highest score corresponding to the best match in sequence alignment tasks through the new-added arithmetic unit in each processor element. The design was evaluated against the original NAPOLY, with results showing that NAPOLY+ offers superior functionality and improved performance in identifying the best match. The design was implemented and tested on Zynq 102 and Zynq 104 FPGA devices, with performance metrics compared across array sizes from 1K to 64K processing elements. The results showed that memory usage increased proportionally with array size with Fmax decreasing as the array size grew on both platforms. The reported findings focus specifically on the core array, excluding the impact of buffers and DRAMs.

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Physical activity has been accepted as treatment for mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety (Searle et al., 2011). Despite the extensive evidence encouraging exercise, specific guidelines for physical activity in relation to mental health have yet to be established. With the societal increase in loneliness, group fitness is particularly of interest due to the addition of social interaction with exercise. While quantitative data highlights the unique advantages of group fitness, limited research has been published exploring the qualitative experiences of people engaged in group fitness. The purpose of this qualitative study is to discover and describe common experiences of recreational athletes participating in group fitness classes. The study investigates the impact group exercise has on their mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life. This study included twenty-one recreational athletes, defined by individuals 18 years of age or older who participated in physical activity for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. The participants exercised in a group fitness setting within the last 6 months for at least 6 consecutive months. The study excluded individuals whose compensation is impacted by their athletic performance, including fitness coaches, trainers, or instructors. After informed consent was obtained, interviews were recorded on Microsoft Teams—a software which transcribed the narratives. Two providers reviewed the transcriptions to extract significant statements, meanings statements, and thematic clusters. Analysis of the data revealed common themes including accountability and consistency, supportive environment, communal encouragement, comparison and competitiveness, remedy for isolation and loneliness, psychological enhancement, trickle down effects (including nutritional choices, energy, sleep, presentness, and improved relationships), structured programing, guidance on technique, health transformation, and opportunity costs. This study highlights the overwhelmingly positive impact of group fitness on mental health and quality of life by enhancing social connectedness, confidence, motivation, consistency, and overall well-being. These findings lay the groundwork for future research with a larger sample size, diverse demographics, and various forms of physical activity to develop more comprehensive insights. A deeper understanding could guide behavioral intervention recommendations for the treatment of anxiety and depression for specific populations.

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Both pseudocyesis and delusion of pregnancy are so rare that most information on them is found within case reports. Considering the similar presentation and risk factors of both conditions, careful analysis of a patient’s medical history, social determinants of health and cultural factors, and early concern of an underlying psychiatric illness is crucial in accurate diagnosis and providing appropriate psychiatric treatment. This case study explores the characteristics of delusion of pregnancy and treatment response with Abilify. The patient of this study is a 41-year-old female with no diagnosed history of psychiatric illness who frequented the ED and her OBGYN with complaints of pregnancy symptoms. Each time, she was discharged after receiving a negative pregnancy test, only to come back within a few weeks with similar complaints. This cycle continued for 4 years until the patient was admitted to a psychiatric inpatient facility for evaluation. Without proper treatment during her repetitive ED visits, the patient’s condition progressively worsened throughout the years, and she experienced increased financial strain, unnecessary suffering, and psychological distress. Considering the patient’s significant history and frequency of medical visits for pregnancy-related concerns, involving psychiatry much sooner should have been a priority as it would have both benefited the patient’s outcome and reduced hospital resource use.

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Authors: Nikki Westbrook, MD, Ashley Jones, MD, and Deborah Hurley, PhD, MSPH Introduction: Burnout is common among residents, and many hospitals offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) to support employee mental health. Traditional EAPs may serve as a universally adaptable resource to better support residents by reducing resident burnout. This survey-based study examines residents' knowledge of and use of their local EAP, clarifies perceived barriers to accessing EAP, and assesses their attitudes towards proposed solutions to promote resident EAP utilization. Methods: This study surveyed Prisma Health resident physicians between post-graduate years one and five of non-fellowship residency programs between January 2024 and April 2024. The residents received the survey link via email from their Residency Program Administrator. Results: Of approximately 600 eligible residents, 66 participated. Among respondents, 83.3% had received helpful EAP information, 69.7% knew how to contact EAP, and 45.5% had accessed the EAP website. 90.3% of respondents were likely to contact EAP if recommended by their program director, and 87.1% would if recommended by a peer. Only 33% had contacted EAP during residency; of those, 77.3% attended at least one appointment, and 82.4% found the services helpful. The primary barriers to EAP access included time constraints (57.4%), confidentiality concerns (30.6%), and fears of reporting to boards (16.1%). Regarding interventions to improve EAP access, 96.7% supported virtual appointments, 86.2% favored in-person visits, 75.9% supported quarterly EAP counselor-led discussions during protected time, and 65.5% favored having their first EAP appointment scheduled during intern year by their residency program. Conclusion: Residents who were informed about EAP, knew how to access it, and used the website were more likely to engage with the service. Residents agreed that a Program Director or peer recommendation would increase the likelihood of contacting EAP. To improve EAP engagement, residency programs should consider addressing barriers including time constraints and confidentiality concerns by offering flexible EAP appointment options (both virtual and in-person), integrating structured EAP support into protected time, routinely providing EAP contact information, and residency programs proactively scheduling initial EAP appointments during intern year.

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Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) in a doctoral-level anesthesia program experience moderate to high levels of stress and anxiety, which can hinder their academic and clinical performance. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of clinical-based informational videos as a mentorship tool on reducing stress and anxiety among first-year SRNAs beginning clinical rotations. A quasi-experimental, one control group post-test design was utilized with a sample size of 37 first-year SRNAs. Results showed that 89% of participants experienced anxiety, and 95% experienced stress prior to clinical rotations. Following the intervention, nearly 84% of students reported reduced anxiety, and 81% reported reduced stress. These findings highlight the potential for integrating clinical-based informational videos into mentorship programs within doctoral-level anesthesia curricula to facilitate the transition from didactic to clinical education. Keywords: SRNA, mentorship, videos, anesthesia, clinical

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This project investigated whether the use of a non-traditional education modality, such as a podcast episode, could improve the knowledge and comfort level of student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) in incorporating opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) techniques into clinical practice. The literature review revealed that podcasting can improve access and engagement when used as an adjunct to traditional education methods. There was also evidence that supported the safety and effectiveness of OFA in the clinical setting. Unfortunately, there was very little research available about actual OFA education in nurse anesthesia programs. To further evaluate the role a podcast may have in education, a 33-minute podcast episode was created in collaboration with OFA expert, Tom Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, to deliver information about OFA techniques. The podcast was distributed to SRNAs nationwide and utilized a pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design to assess the effectiveness of podcasting as an education modality. More than 90% of SRNAs who participated in the study reported that podcasting was an effective modality to enhance anesthesia education. SRNAs reported a 41% increase in comfort level in both formulating and executing an OFA plan in the clinical setting after listening to the podcast episode. SRNAs also indicated that they want to utilize podcasting in their education. Therefore, we believe this project opens the door for future research about utilizing podcasts to enhance nurse anesthesia education. Keywords: education, podcast, podcasting, adult learning, audiovisual media, students, opioid free, opioid free anesthesia, opioid sparing, multimodal pain management, multimodal anesthesia, anesthesia techniques, patient outcomes, anesthetic technique, nurse anesthesia, nurse, anesthesia, opioid crisis, opioid alternatives, student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs)

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Parenting is rewarding but stressful, often compounded by emotional dysregulation that hinders sensitive parent-child interactions (Deater-Deckard, 2008). Positive parent-child relationships promote developmental benefits (DeVore & Ginsberg, 2005), highlighting the need for strategies that enhance emotion regulation (ER) in parents. ER, the ability to manage negative emotions, is critical for adaptive parenting (Havighurst & Kehoe, 2017). Mindfulness, which fosters present-moment awareness and reduces emotional reactivity, shows promise for improving ER (Pepping et al., 2013). While research links mindfulness to ER, most studies rely on trait-based correlations or long-term interventions, offering little insight into its immediate effects on parents (Turpyn et al., 2021). Electroencephalography (EEG) provides a non-invasive method to examine neural changes during ER tasks. Frontal theta oscillations (4–8 Hz), linked to cognitive control and ER (Ertl et al., 2013), increase during both mindfulness and ER tasks (Lomas et al., 2015), suggesting their potential as a biomarker for mindfulness-based parenting interventions. This study examines whether a single mindfulness session enhances ER and theta activity in parents. Participants will complete an ER task using a between-groups design while EEG captures real-time brain activity. Findings could advance mindfulness interventions to support effective parenting.

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Freshwater has accumulated significantly in the Arctic Ocean in recent decades. Sea ice melt, river runoff, wind, and precipitation minus evaporation are the primary processes controlling freshwater accumulation. In this study, we analyze salinity variations and freshwater content trends in the Beaufort Gyre (BG) region of the Arctic Ocean. We use satellite observations from the NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and ESA Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellites in addition to Arctic Ocean models: EN4, ORAS5, GLORYS12, and NEMO. The Arctic experienced aberrant years of high sea ice extent in 2017/2018/2021 and low sea ice extent in 2016/2020. Using the salinity data, the freshwater (FW) flux was calculated. We find that in 2021, there was a maximum FW flux magnitude of 500 m2/s and an anomalously low salinity between 20-24 PSU. Freshwater content (FWC) is an important constituent of the BG and was calculated for all models. The increasing FWC in the BG has regional and global implications, yet it is not well understood. This study will further improve the knowledge of how the increasing FW flux affects the strength and movement of the BG.

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HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) remains challenging due to resistance to targeted therapies. CDK8 and CDK19, transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinases (tCDKs), regulate oncogenic transcription and immune modulation. Their inhibition may reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by inducing M1 macrophage (MΦ) polarization. We hypothesize that SNX631, a CDK8/19 inhibitor, promotes pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage reprogramming via mitochondrial-lysosomal metabolic adaptation. In murine bone marrow–derived and human THP-1 macrophages, SNX631 increased M1-like markers, e.g. IL-6 and IL-12β, while reducing M2 markers. Metabolically, SNX631 enhanced HIF1α-driven glycolysis, iNOS/ROS, and p-STAT1, while reducing COX IV and p-STAT3/6, maintaining mitochondrial function (MitoTracker fluorescence). Cytochrome c remained sequestered, preserving mitochondrial integrity despite oxidative stress (H₂DCFDA detection). SNX631 also induced lysosomal stress and impaired autophagic flux, shown by p62 accumulation, reduced Beclin-1, and increased Lysotracker fluorescence, reflecting lysosomal expansion but diminished degradative capacity—hallmarks of M1 macrophages. These findings were validated in RAW264.7 macrophages and HER2+ BC models, where SNX631 promoted macrophage infiltration and an anti-tumor cytokine profile. Thus, SNX631 may downstream reprogram MΦ metabolism via HIF1α-driven glycolysis, mitochondrial adaptation, and lysosomal dysfunction, and may offer a strategy to overcome resistance in HER2+ BC.

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DYT-PRKRA (DYT16) is a rare autosomal recessive movement disorder caused by mutations in the PRKRA gene, which encodes PACT, a protein activator of interferon-induced protein kinase (PKR). Our previous research identified that the P222L mutation results in increased PKR activation and dysregulation of the integrated stress response (ISR). Under cellular stress, such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, PACT activates PKR, leading to eIF2α phosphorylation, a key event in ISR activation. While transient eIF2α phosphorylation promotes adaptive gene expression and recovery, prolonged activation triggers pro-apoptotic pathways, contributing to DYT16 pathology. This study investigates the effects of the P222L mutation in lymphoblast cells from DYT16 patients to characterize the molecular mechanisms. Building on prior findings of enhanced PKR activation, we analyzed ISR dysregulation by assessing ATF4 and CHOP induction and apoptosis. Lymphoblast cells from a wild-type family member and a DYT16 patient with the P222L mutation were treated with tunicamycin to induce ER stress. Western blotting was used to assess ISR markers, including phosphorylated PKR, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, and cleaved PARP. We also examined the P222L mutation’s effect on the upstream ISR regulator PERK and its interaction with PACT. Our data show that lymphoblast cells with the P222L mutation exhibit increased PKR activation and ISR signaling following ER stress, as evidenced by elevated cleaved PARP levels, indicating heightened apoptosis. Elevated eIF2α phosphorylation in these cells correlates with increased ATF4 and CHOP expression, underscoring its role in mediating both protective and maladaptive responses. Notably, upstream components of the ISR pathway, such as PERK and its interaction with PACT, remain unaffected, suggesting that the mutation specifically enhances ISR signaling downstream of PKR. Additionally, PERK signaling does not modulate the P222L mutation’s ability to activate PKR, indicating that the mutation specifically disrupts PKR and ISR regulation. These findings offer critical insight into the molecular mechanisms of DYT-PRKRA and underscore the importance of eIF2α phosphorylation in balancing cellular adaptation and apoptosis following ER stress. Targeting the PACT-PKR interaction, modulating eIF2α phosphorylation, or inhibiting downstream pro-apoptotic pathways may provide therapeutic avenues to mitigate neurodegeneration in DYT-PRKRA patients.

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INTRODUCTION Emergency Medicine (EM) experienced dramatic change in the results of the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) over the last three years (2022 through 2024). This study investigates the changing distribution of matched applicants from allopathic (MD) versus osteopathic (DO) medical schools. METHODS NRMP match reports from 2008 through 2024 were reviewed for the following information: • Total number of applicants • Number of MD and DO applicants • Number of matched MD and DO applicants This data was analyzed to look for trends regarding the distribution of matched MD to DO applicants. RESULTS From 2008 through 2017, the percentage of matched applicants from DO medical schools ranged from 10% to 14%. In 2018, this percentage jumped to 24% and continued to increase annually to 36% in 2024. Thus, from 2008 through 2024, there was over a 3-fold increase in matched osteopathic applicants. DO medical students comprise 28% of all medical students in the United States. However, by 2027, nearly four in ten graduates from EM training programs will be DO graduates. CONCLUSION There is substantial growth in the percentage of DO physicians in the EM workforce. In addition, the educational background of emergency medicine applicants is rapidly changing, and this shift carries significant recruiting implications for EM residency programs.

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In Spring 2024, I collaborated with Graduate student Jeff Trowbridge on his dissertation, “A Review of Civil Asset Forfeiture in South Carolina,” where I contribute my skills in data collection and organization by analyzing civil forfeiture cases within the South Carolina Crime Public Index database. My specific role was utilizing the South Carolina Crime Public Index database to gather civil forfeiture cases and their respective documents, organizing each case with a monthly naming system, and then matching the civil forfeiture case to its distinct criminal case by comparing dates from the documents within the civil forfeiture case. While I have taken University of South Carolina’s Research Methods in Criminal Justice course, I volunteered to research with Trowbridge to enhance my inquiry and organizational skills as well as to gain experience within the criminal justice scope. I learned many professional skills such as communication, how to navigate the South Carolina Crime Public Index database, how to rea

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Context Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is when a physician finds and treats somatic dysfunction via manipulation. A somatic dysfunction is the altered function of the body system which includes skeletal and myofascial structures, and their related vascular, lymphatic and neural elements. When evaluating the spine, we most often rely on asymmetry to help determine if somatic dysfunction is present. Objectives Asymmetry may be difficult to assess when patients have significant adiposity or musculature surrounding the spine so we use ultrasound to gain objective evidence of somatic dysfunction which can determine treatment. Methods We first identified the center of their spinous processes and placed them at the centerline from our ultrasound using a linear probe with depths ranging from 4-8 cm depending on the patient’s body habitus. Then, we identified the lamina. We then measured the distance from the body surface wall to the lamina. Transverse processes are more lateral and sometimes it is difficult to get both in the same view. Thus, the laminae were preferentially used to assess rotational components. The presence of a somatic dysfunction was determined if tissue texture changes were palpated, in addition to a difference in lamina depth of > 2 mm between the right and left. Results In our case series, we describe four patient scenarios in which ultrasound was employed to help diagnose and confirm somatic dysfunctions. Post-manipulation ultrasound noted improvement in the dysfunctional components noted on initial examination. Thus, we think it is reasonable to consider ultrasound as an adjunctive tool for assessment of somatic dysfunction in those patients where a diagnosis is questionable. In medicine, having more data points is helpful, especially in challenging patient scenarios. Conclusions In this paper, we present four cases where ultrasound was used in combination with traditional palpation methods, offering objective support for the diagnosis and management of somatic dysfunctions. These cases highlight how ultrasound can serve as a valuable complement to physical examination, particularly in scenarios where physical examination alone may be limited. This case series highlights the fact that ultrasound is a reasonable adjunct to help diagnose, guide treatment, and document improvement in somatic dysfunction.

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This work proposes a non-coherent orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) framework based on a novel asymmetric binary modulation on conjugate-reciprocal zeros (A-BMOCZ) constellation. By breaking the symmetry of the conventional BMOCZ zero constellation, we introduce an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT)-based direct zero-testing (DiZeT) decoder for A-BMOCZ, which enables reliable decoding in the presence of an arbitrary phase rotation of the received zeros. Furthermore, we comprehensively analyze the integration of A-BMOCZ with OFDM, proposing methods for packet synchronization, subcarrier mapping, and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction. Through numerical simulations in fading channels with timing and carrier frequency offsets at the receiver, we show that coded A-BMOCZ outperforms BMOCZ implemented with an affine cyclically permutable code (ACPC). Finally, we validate the proposed A-BMOCZ-based OFDM framework using software-defined radio (SDR) experiments, demonstrating the efficacy of our synchronization and decoding algorithms in real-world wireless channels.

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The “cannot intubate, cannot ventilate” (CICV) scenario has significant and potentially catastrophic consequences; however, the infrequency of CICV events results in a lack of exposure to such situations among anesthesia providers, creating hesitancy to perform emergency airway procedures. The literature supports a direct relationship between provider confidence and their willingness to perform complex skills, such as cricothyrotomy. Simulation offers a viable means for achieving confidence and proficiency. In addition, the utilization of home-based, self-regulated simulation (HSRS) facilitates self-paced interval training, multiple practice attempts, greater skill retention, and requires fewer resources compared to traditional, centralized, instructor-regulated simulation (CIRS). The current study provided SRNAs with take-home, surgical cricothyrotomy kits and instructions, allowing for multiple interval practice attempts. The goal of the study was to test the effectiveness of HSRS in improving cricothyrotomy skill confidence and familiarity with the management of CICV events. A one-group pretest-posttest study design was used, and changes in confidence, familiarity with CICV event management, and kit usefulness were assessed. Survey results revealed that participants felt increased confidence in cricothyrotomy performance in the simulation setting. Additionally, most participants rated the kits as useful in building confidence and understanding the cricothyrotomy procedure. Larger studies in the future are warranted to confirm the effectiveness of take-home kits in increasing surgical cricothyrotomy confidence among SRNAs and certified anesthesia providers. Bridging the gap in training accessibility will ensure readiness for rare but critical scenarios in the operating room.

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Background Language is a cornerstone of cognition, aiding communication and complex thought. Aphasia is a language impairment commonly caused by stroke, severely affecting quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that health of surviving brain tissue is important for post-stroke language-related outcomes. Brain age is a novel in vivo neuroimaging biomarker of brain health, but its potential for understanding clinical outcomes in aphasia is largely unexplored. Methods T1-weighted MR images were analyzed with VolBrain’s BrainStructureAges to estimate brain ages for 66 regions. Regional brain age gaps (regiBAG) were calculated as the difference between estimated and chronological ages. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the regiBAG correlation matrices from the unlesioned right hemisphere. The 4 identified regiBAG factors, reflecting various brain-aging patterns, were used in a stepwise linear regression model to predict Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and Philidelphia Naming Task (PNT) scores at baseline and 6-months. Neuroimaging and behavioral data were available for 188 people. All stepwise models included lesion volume, days post-stroke, sex, and age. Results A model including lesion volume, age, and Factors 1 & 3 significantly predicted WAB scores (F(4,183)=35.24, p<.001, adj. R2=.423). Baseline PNT was significantly predicted by lesion volume, age, and Factors 1 & 3 (F(4,139)=14.924, p<.001, adj. R2=.280) and 6-month PNT by days post-stroke and Factor 4 (F(2,123)=6.761, p=.002, adj. R2=.084). Conclusion Regional brain age patterns are easily attainable and effectively predict aphasia outcomes, making it a powerful tool.

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Alkaline-glazed stoneware is quintessential to archaeology in the state of South Carolina. Stemming from a new pottery industry in Edgefield, South Carolina, potters created the utilitarian ware all across the state. By 1832, Dr. Abner Landrum from Edgefield established a pottery in Columbia, in Forest Acres, which persisted as a brickyard into the 20th century. Nearby, the land that is now Sesquicentennial State Park operated as a plantation, and then a tenant farming site after the Civil War. Archaeological excavations over the past three years at Sesquicentennial State Park yielded sherds of alkaline-glazed stoneware. Being in such close proximity to the Landrum-Stork Pottery, the individuals living on the land that is today Sesquicentennial State Park either sourced their pottery from Edgefield, or from the local pottery in Forest Acres. This project employs spatial, visual, and X-Ray Fluorescence analysis to determine historic economic patterns within 19th century African American communities.

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To explore the impact of microbial interactions on the diversity and functional roles of bacterial communities within the rhizosphere, we isolated 21 bacterial strains from soil samples collected near Rocky Branch Creek on the University of South Carolina campus. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, we identified seven of the 21 strains as belonging to the genus Caulobacter. To further analyze these Caulobacter strains, we employed PCR primers specifically designed to amplify the dnaK gene from the Caulobacter crescentus CB15 strain. The amplified products were sequenced using the Sanger method, revealing that four of the strains were closely related to Caulobacter rhizosphaerae, while the remaining three were most similar to Caulobacter vibrioides. Other isolates included two Sphingomonas strains, two Acidovorax strains, one Variovorax strain, two Xanthomonas strains, one Brevundimonas strain, two Pseudomonas strains, one Bacillus strain, one Chromobacterium strain, one Lysobacter strain, and one Rhizobium strain. Our results have shown that a high percentage of the soil strains that we sampled are lysogenic bacteria. Mitomycin C treatment revealed that 15 of the 21 strains harbored 18 inducible prophages including six from Caulobacter strains, and 12 from various non-Caulobacter strains. We tested the remaining six bacterial strains against all twenty-one of the bacterial strains isolated in this study and five of the six strains, Sphingomonas strain, Pseudomonas strain, Brevundimonas strain, and Caulobacter rhizosphaerae strains were able to lyse other bacterial strains. Only one of the strains, RBW11 showed no infectivity towards any of the tested strains, suggesting that it may be a non-lysogenic bacterium. To characterize the host range of the newly discovered bacteriophages, we tested their infectivity against all bacterial strains isolated in this study. These phages were capable of infecting not only Caulobacter laboratory strains but also to recently isolated soil Caulobacter strains, which were closely related to C. rhizosphaerae and C. vibrioides. Interestingly, the phages demonstrated infectivity beyond Caulobacter strains, targeting non-Caulobacter genera such as Sphingomonas frigidaeris and Acidovorax strains. This broad host range demonstrates the dynamic nature of bacteriophage-host interactions in the rhizosphere, highlighting their potential role in shaping microbial community structure and mediating interspecies interactions.

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Background: Carnitine is a crucial fatty acid transporter and modulator of mitochondrial function. In our previous studies we identified a high prevalence (25%) of carnitine deficiency in Huntington’s disease (HD) patients. However, the specific role of carnitine in HD remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of levocarnitine on heat stress survival in a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model of polyglutamine disorders. Methods: We utilized C. elegans strains N2, AM101, and WLZ3, representing wild type, polyglutamine disorders model (40 CAG repeats), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) model, respectively. Worms were incubated at 20°C in nematode growth medium agar, with L- carnitine solutions of 200 μM and 20 mM added to the food source, while control groups received no L-carnitine. Each strain and concentration group consisted of 30-40 age- synchronized worms. The worms were exposed daily to 35°C for 3 hours and scored for survival until all had perished. Results: Survival under repetitive heat stress was significantly shorter in the polyglutamine strain compared to the wild type and PD model controls. The addition of 200 μM and 20 mM levocarnitine significantly improved survival in the polyglutamine strain (p = 0.0092 and 0.0011, Cohen’s d effect size = 0.58 and 0.80, respectively). No significant survival benefit was observed for levocarnitine in the wild type and PD model strains. Conclusions: Levocarnitine significantly enhances heat stress tolerance in C. elegans model of polyglutamine disorders, indicating potential beneficial utility for Huntington’s disease. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.

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Oral Cavity and Pharyngeal Cancer is a serious yet manageable group of cancers that have been rising in incidence throughout the late 20th and 21st century. The most well-known risk factors for these cancers includes cigarette and alcohol use, immunosuppression and varying viral infections correlated to specific cancer subsites. While young adult Americans are typically not associated with increased risk of cancer, they are the demographic experiencing the highest increase in incidence rates for these cancers. The NCCR SEER database was accessed and identified patients diagnosed with Oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer and categorized by demographic, subtype, and Incidence trends. A thorough literature review of known and theorized risk factors for Oropharyngeal cancer development was then conducted and contrasted with their compatibility to observed trends in the changing incidence of respective cancer subtypes, identifying unique outlier trends as potential candidates for further research.

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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.

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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe condition affecting approximately 200,000 Americans annually with a mortality rate of 25-40%. ARDS has diverse etiologies, including bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. The S. aureus-produced superantigen, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB), induces ARDS by activating up to 30% of the naïve T cell pool through non-specific cross-linkages of MHC II, TCR, CD28, and B7 at the T cell-APC interface. The use of SEB to induce ARDS is a conventional murine model. We have observed that C3H-HeJ (C3H) mouse strains are significantly more susceptible to SEB-induced ARDS-mediated lethality than C57BL-6J (BL6) strains. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify the cellular and transcriptomic characteristics of C3H mice leading to their propensity to develop SEB-induced ARDS when compared to BL6 mice. To this end, C3H and BL6 mice were intranasally instilled with 5μg SEB followed by intraperitoneal injection of 2μg SEB 2 hours later. Lung function was measured throughout the study period using whole body plethysmography. Pulmonary immune cells were isolated and analyzed using spectral flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Pulmonary function tests demonstrated increased bronchoconstriction and decreased breaths per minute in C3H mice following SEB exposure but not in BL6-SEB mice. Flow cytometry revealed that C3H-SEB mice experienced significant expansion of TCR Vβ8+T cells, which are the canonical mediators of this superantigen-driven inflammatory response. Incidentally, C3H-SEB mice were the only group that experienced significant neutrophilic infiltration to the lung, which was confirmed by scRNA-seq. Further, scRNA-seq also revealed that C3H-SEB mice had increased infiltrating, but not resident, macrophages. Genes linked to leukocyte chemotaxis, inflammation, and bacterial response were also increased in C3H-SEB mice. Finally, scRNA-seq confirmed that C3H mice, but not BL6 mice, experience significant macrophage-mediated CD86 signaling, which is integral to SEB-mediated T cell activation. These data demonstrate that C3H mice, but not BL6 mice, experience marked infiltration and signaling of antigen-presenting cells for SEB-induced T cell activation, and that CD86 signaling may play a role in inducing the differential response between mouse strains.

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Sickle cell disease (SCD) causes inflammation that contributes to poor clinical outcomes, including cerebrovascular disease (CVD). CVD can take several forms in SCD, including neurocognitive deficits without visible cerebral infarction. The role of chronic inflammation in cognitive development in SCD has received little attention to-date. We aimed to study novel markers of systemic inflammation: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic inflammation index (SII) to describe developmental trends and relationships to cognitive outcomes in SCD at early elementary school-age. Sixty-one children with SCD and no history of stroke were identified who completed an early elementary school age cognitive screening. Biological variables, including absolute neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, reticulocyte percentage, and hemoglobin levels were collected from routine blood lab data to assess chronic inflammation and anemia severity. Values from routine blood draws were examined over three years prior to screening. Cognitive measures included tests of processing speed, visual motor, language, and early academic skills. Seven children were excluded due to lack of biological variables (final sample: n = 55 children; mean age = 6.4 ± 0.5 years; 60% male; 81.8% severe SCD genotypes). Slope values indicated that SII levels increased with older age. There was an inverse relationship between hemoglobin and SII [r= -.32, p=.02]. Significant differences emerged in levels of SII for severe (M = 534.28, SD = 290.4) versus moderate (M = 309.35, SD = 143.74; t(53)=2.37, p=.02] genotypes, but not for NLR or PLR. T-tests revealed no significant differences in NLR, PLR, or SII values with cognitive test scores or between positive and negative overall screenings. Observed effect sizes were small. SII appeared to have the most validity evidence as a marker of chronic inflammation in SCD; however, there were no observed relationships between chronic inflammation and neurocognitive performance in this age range.

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Electrodes functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) offer significant potential in electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and electrochemical sensing. Among various nanoparticle synthesis techniques, electrochemical deposition provides key advantages, enabling precise control over experimental parameters to produce sub-50 nm particles with narrow size distributions. Herein, we present the electrodeposition of AgNPs onto carbon ultramicroelectrode arrays (CUAs), focusing on the influence of deposition potential, time, and silver ion concentration on nanoparticle formation. Our data based on scanning microscopy revealed that more reductive potentials (i.e., –0.6 V vs. SCE reference electrode) led to formation of smaller AgNPs. Unlike previous studies on planar macro-meter sized carbon electrodes that employed high millimolar concentrations of silver ions, and longer deposition times, our results demonstrate that lower Ag+ concentrations (50–100 µM) and shorter deposition times (15–30 s) are sufficient to achieve optimal AgNP formation on CUAs. These findings are ascribed to the enhanced mass transfer facilitated by the radial diffusion dynamics unique to the array-based geometry and nanometer-size areas of the ultramicroelectrode platform. The deposited silver was determined to be 1100 ± 200 nmol cm-2, and the AgNP-modified CUA electrodes exhibited strong electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen peroxide reduction. As such, our results underscore the importance of methodically characterizing AgNPs electrodeposition parameters on novel electrode surfaces.

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Introduction: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for developmental delays and neurocognitive difficulties, but data is limited on how early developmental delay relates to later neurocognitive deficits. The present study aimed to evaluate how preschool-aged developmental screening outcomes predict cognitive performance longitudinally, with the expectation that positive screenings would predict delays in neurocognitive measures sensitive to SCD-related deficits. Methods: Data were obtained from a developmental screening program offered within a pediatric SCD clinic between 2009-2016. 26 youth were identified with caregiver-completed Ages and Stages Questionnaires 2nd Edition (ASQ-2) at age four (M=4.45, SD=0.35) and 6-year-old cognitive testing (M=6.58, SD=0.35). The cognitive battery included seven tests from the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, 5th edition (Beery VMI), Test of Language Development-Primary: Third Edition (TOLD-P:3), and the Woodcock Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities and Achievement, 3rd Edition (WJ-III), previously shown to detect SCD-related deficits. Results of the ASQ-2 were dichotomized into positive and negative developmental screening groups per standard ASQ-2 methods. Independent samples t-tests assessed mean differences between the four-year-old screening groups in cognitive testing results as six-year-olds. Results: The positive screening group (n = 12) scored significantly lower than the negative group (n = 14) on the TOLD-P:3 subtests Grammatical Understanding (t(24) = 1.79, p = 0.04, d = 0.70) and Word Discrimination (t(24) = 2.47, p = .01, d = 0.97), and the WJ-III subtests Letter Word Identification (t(24) = 2.30, p = .02, d = 0.91) and Applied Problems (t(24) = 2.17, p = 0.02, d = 0.85). No significant mean differences in performance were found on the remaining tests. Conclusions: Positive developmental screenings in four-year-olds were predictive of delays in phonological processing, syntactical comprehension, and academic skills in early elementary school. These findings support the utility of the ASQ in preschoolers with SCD to identify elevated neurodevelopmental risk.

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In established autocracies, political control and support are integral to maintaining the regime. In an effort to maintain control, autocracies use media as a tool to persuade and manipulate public opinion in a favorable light. Negative media messages are not tolerated as it threatens the legitimacy and continuation of the regime. The purpose of this study is to empirically evaluate the effects of social media and online news consumption on support for political institutions and overall satisfaction. This study uses hierarchical linear modeling to analyze data from the World Values Survey to test the hypothesis that social media and online media consumption will negatively impact support for the regime. The results demonstrate that digital media viewership produces negative effects on regime support. In contrast, traditional media shows mixed effects on regime support, with television producing the most consistent support for the regime. Traditional media remains under strict regime control, allowing only positive assessments of government actions and results. The results of this study could allow for a broader understanding of how media can undermine the authority of autocratic regimes as democratic messages are seen. The effects of the expansion of the internet and social media in these countries could threaten the legitimacy and control that has been maintained through state-owned and censored media.

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Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of maternal mortality globally; however, the pathophysiology of HDP remains unclear. We conducted an umbrella review to collate the evidence on the biomarkers associated with the early onset and severity of HDP. Methods: A PRISMA-guided search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science up to April 2024 without language restrictions. Systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of associations between any biomarkers in pregnancy and risk of any HDP were included. Studies that focused exclusively on interventions, imaging markers alone, diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers, or genetic markers were excluded from this analysis. Study quality was evaluated using AMSTAR 2 and the review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024515952). Results: Of the 3,154 titles and abstracts screened, 72 reviews were included. The majority of the reviews (65/72) focused on preeclampsia (PE). Case-control studies were most common (60/72 reviews), followed by cohort studies (40/72). Studies from Europe and Central Asia were most represented across reviews (43/72), followed by studies from East Asia and Pacific (included in 38/72 reviews) and from North America. Few reviews included primary studies from South Asia (23/72), Latin America and the Caribbean (15/72), and Sub-Saharan Africa (12/72). Only 12/72 reviews (17%) examined associations between biomarkers of early-onset and/or severe PE. There was substantial heterogeneity in definitions of early onset PE (ranging from: <18, 18-25, and <34 weeks, or first or second trimesters). Angiogenic biomarkers (e.g., pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental protein 13, soluble endoglin, and placental growth factor) were consistently associated with early-onset PE. Whereas inflammatory markers (e.g., malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and chemerin) and markers of oxidative stress (e.g., malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte, and platelet-to-lymphocyte) were most consistently associated with severe PE across reviews. Conclusion: Despite substantial evidence on the associations between biomarkers and incidence of HDP, there is limited evidence of these associations to discern early-onset and severity of disease to support clinical decision-making. Further evidence in diverse populations, particularly from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, are needed.

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Introduction: Urothelial cell carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer and the second most common urological malignancy in developed nations. Metastatic urothelial carcinoma can often present with non-specific symptoms misattributed to pre-existing conditions, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing metastatic bladder cancer in a patient with significant renal and ureteral pathology, underscoring the importance of thorough evaluation despite a complex clinical history. Case: A 57-year-old male with a history of chronic left-sided hydronephrosis secondary to stone in the ureteropelvic junction and stage II chronic kidney disease presented to the emergency department with worsening left sided back and flank pain. No imaging was obtained as the patient had a CT abdomen/pelvis done two months prior showing previously documented chronic hydronephrosis without acute findings. He followed up with orthopedics and underwent MRI showing a L1 vertebral fracture and a retroperitoneal mass posterior to the left psoas muscle. Biopsy of the psoas mass confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with unclear source. Cancer Type testing identified UC with squamous differentiation, ultimately diagnosed as stage IV. The diagnosis had been obscured by his chronic renal issues, a CT scan without acute abnormality two months prior to presentation, and nonspecific symptoms. Due to the advanced staging at time of diagnosis, palliative radiation and chemotherapy were offered and the patient died within six months of diagnosis. Discussion: This case emphasizes the diagnostic challenges in patients with complex, chronic renal and urologic issues, where symptoms of metastatic disease may be misattributed to pre-existing or more common conditions like kidney stones, hydronephrosis, or musculoskeletal pain. In this case, persistent low back and flank pain were initially attributed to renal and musculoskeletal causes, leading to delays in diagnosing metastatic cancer. Conclusion: Metastatic urothelial carcinoma can present with symptoms that mimic chronic, benign urologic conditions, leading to potential delays in diagnosis. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for malignancy, even in patients with complex and longstanding renal pathologies. Prompt and thorough investigation, including advanced imaging and biopsy, is crucial in ensuring timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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INTRODUCTION: Dinosaurs were not new to science, when famed surgeon/anatomist Sir Richard Owen named them in 1842. Owen’s star has declined in the modern era, eclipsed and erased by Charles Darwin and his bulldog, Thomas Henry Huxley. But another less known anatomist also is linked to dinosaurs and their excreta, William Buckland. Urology by definition is interested in the study of urine, and no more fascinating topic should be dinosaur pee. METHODS: All published writings on or about the early dinosaur investigations were reviewed, with particular attention to Sir Richard Owen’s contributions and controversies. In addition, any papers relating to modern studies of trace fossils and urine tracts of dinosaurs were sought and read. How did this escape the clever mind of Frank Hinman, Jr.? RESULTS: In 1999 Frank Hinman, Jr lovingly produced a classic in urology, The Art and Science of Piddling. It is a must read for all historically-minded urologists. Sadly, he mentions nothing about the voiding habits of dinosaurs though he did also produce a major scientific contribution to micturition in his 1971 book entitled Hydrodynamics of Micturition. CONCLUSIONS: There are now well over 40 specimens of dinosaurian urine tracks, and since modern birds are derivatives, it should come as no surprise that primitive ratite birds void similarly to dinosaurs. Their urine is probably similar as well as were their kidneys. Frank Hinman, Jr. would be righteously proud of these accomplishments. In fact, both his 1971 serious treatise as well as his 1999 more humorous versions would have celebrated these discoveries. Frank had a truly universal intellect that would have taken this data into his own omnivorous collections of facts about voiding.

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When I first arrived at the University of South Carolina in Fall 2022, I envisioned a college experience centered on meaningful connections, leadership, and community impact. In December 2022, I applied and was accepted as a Resident Assistant with University Housing. This role has profoundly shaped my time at USC, enabling me to support fellow students while developing invaluable skills. Serving as an RA also solidified my GLD pathway in Professional and Civic Engagement and inspired me to pursue a career in Higher Education and Student Affairs, where I can continue fostering student success. As an RA in Columbia Hall, I’ve had the privilege of supporting 25-50 residents each academic year. My responsibilities include administrative duties, supervising residents, and creating a vibrant community through monthly events, weekly office hours, and personalized touches like bulletin boards and hallway decorations. At the core of my role is helping students feel at home and find their place on campus, ensuring they build relationships and engage fully with campus life. Becoming an RA stemmed from my desire to enhance the first-year experience for new students, a goal supported by encouragement from peers and family. My participation in University 101, USC’s signature course for new students, was instrumental in preparing me for this role. The course taught me the importance of self-reflection, communication, and relationship-building—skills I’ve since applied to create an inclusive and supportive environment for my residents. This experience has been transformative, both for me and those I’ve served. It has taught me the value of leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, especially in high-pressure situations. More importantly, I’ve learned that small gestures, like a kind word or a shared moment, can have a lasting impact on others’ lives. Being an RA allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, build lasting connections, and make a tangible difference in the lives of first-year students. It has shown me the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. As I move forward, I carry these lessons and memories, ready to continue shaping student experiences and fostering lifelong connections.

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Hamiltonian operator inference has been developed in [Sharma, H., Wang, Z., Kramer, B., Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, 431, p.133122, 2022] to learn structure-preserving reduced-order models (ROMs) for Hamiltonian systems. The method constructs a low-dimensional model using only data and knowledge of the functional form of the Hamiltonian. The resulting ROMs preserve the intrinsic structure of the system, ensuring that the mechanical and physical properties of the system are maintained. In this work, we extend this approach to port-Hamiltonian systems, which generalize Hamiltonian systems by including energy dissipation, external input, and output. Based on snapshots of the system's state and output, together with the information about the functional form of the Hamiltonian, reduced operators are inferred through optimization and are then used to construct data-driven ROMs. To further alleviate the complexity of evaluating nonlinear terms in the ROMs, a hyper-reduction method via discrete empirical interpolation is applied. Accordingly, we derive error estimates for the ROM approximations of the state and output. Finally, we demonstrate the structure preservation, as well as the accuracy of the proposed port-Hamiltonian operator inference framework, through numerical experiments on a linear mass-spring-damper problem and a nonlinear Toda lattice problem.

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Facilitated drug transport to target organs, tissues or cells serves to increase therapeutic effectiveness and reduce unintended, often harmful off-target side effects. Our team has developed a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticle drug delivery system, which targets macrophages in vivo and modulates their function. Macrophages play a large inflammatory role in many disease processes including diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease making them an ideal target for drug therapy. In this study, we intend to inject our particles intraperitoneally in mice and evaluate which tissues our particles localize to using Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

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In UNIV 290 – International Healthcare, we sought to learn the native language and culture of the people we would soon treat in Guatemala. This was not only my first time learning Spanish but also my first experience working as a medical assistant. The unfamiliarity of the trip initially felt daunting. One of the most impactful lessons from class was on transcending barriers in international healthcare. I learned about the complexities of treating patients in a vastly different culture and how to bridge that gap. My wonderful and adventurous professor, Dr. Hickey, stressed the importance of a kind smile, attentive listening, and meaningful eye contact. I was skeptical that these simple actions could make a difference—until I treated my first patient. She spoke Kaqchikel, creating a language barrier between us, yet our connection was undeniable. We communicated through eye contact, and after building rapport, I took some time to converse with her through an interpreter about lighter topics. We connected in a way that words could not explain. After I completed her treatment, she held my hand and said, “Maltyox mi’alaxel.” The translator let out a small gasp and explained that it meant, Thank you, my daughter—a deeply meaningful honor in Kaqchikel culture. The most important lesson I took from this trip and class was that medicine and human connection transcend language and cultural barriers. Since then, I have participated in another medical service trip to Costa Rica and now work at a predominantly Spanish-speaking clinic in Columbia. I continue to apply the unspoken connections and experiences from that trip in my everyday life

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Background: Polypharmacy is commonly defined as the concomitant use of five or more medications1,2. In older adults, it has been found to be closely related to adverse drug events, falls, functional decline, cognitive impairment, and death1,2. A recent meta-analysis demonstrated that the risk of cognitive impairment is significantly increased in older adults with polypharmacy1. The generally accepted treatment for polypharmacy is deprescribing, although few studies have assessed the effects of deprescribing on specific clinical outcomes. This literature review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding the association between polypharmacy and cognitive impairment, as well as the role of deprescribing as a treatment strategy. A clinical vignette involving a 72-year-old female presenting for neuropsychiatric assessment with a complaint of “memory concerns” will be reviewed to highlight the key topics of polypharmacy in older adults with cognitive impairment. Methods: A review of existing literature was conducted on December 9th, 2024, using PubMed database that included meta-analyses and systematic reviews published from 2014 to 2024. PRISMA reporting guidelines were referenced during literature review. Results: Based on review of selected literature, the risk of cognitive impairment was found to be significantly increased in older adults with polypharmacy1. The prevalence of polypharmacy was discovered to be 62% in older adults. Patients older than 65 with cognitive impairment or dementia were found to be at increased risk of polypharmacy1,6. One meta-analysis demonstrated a strong association between polypharmacy and Parkinson’s disease (OR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.26-2.62, p<0.001)2. In one meta-analysis, patients in deprescribing groups had improvement in mental status using the Mini Mental State Examination (p<0.0001); improvements were found within 3 months of deprescribing in 83% of patients and persisted for >2 years in 68% of patients8. Another meta-analysis found that comprehensive medication review may reduce all-cause mortality (OR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58-0.95) 3. Conclusion: In summation, there is evidence to support a strong association between cognitive impairment and polypharmacy. Deprescribing shows promise but requires further investigation to determine its efficacy as a primary intervention for cognitive outcomes.

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Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) exacerbates the challenges of managing mental and physical health in individuals living with chronic diseases, such as diabetes. This study investigates the mental health concerns of young adults with youth-onset diabetes experiencing FI. Methods: Thematic analysis was completed on nine interviews conducted from April to December 2024 with six participants from the ongoing SEARCH Food Security (SFS) 2 study. All participants (4 – Type 1 diabetes, 2 – Type 2 diabetes; 3 – SC, 2 – CO, 1 – WA) had experienced household FI and noted current FI through a recent questionnaire as part of the SFS 2 study. Results: Participants described diabetes as being a very “isolating” and demanding disease tied to long-term struggles with loneliness, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. The additional burdens of FI also intensify the stress, anxiety, and depression faced by participants. Participants with FI endure immense stress when prioritizing how to spend money on food versus medical supplies. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed was mentioned to cause spiked blood glucose levels. One participant with Type 2 diabetes added that poor mental health leads to “comfort eating” and placing less attention on physical activity. Participants shared that utilization of mental health resources allowed them “more capacity” for their diabetes, specifically describing how therapy has allowed them to improve their diabetes management through building a healthier mindset surrounding this disease. Conclusions: This study emphasized the mental health hardships of FI individuals living with diabetes. Mental health support is crucial for proper diabetes management among individuals experiencing FI.

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Author: Sirlin Kaur Co-author: Joanna Appel Mentor: Joanna Appel Project Title: The Impact of Racial Bias Discussions on Medical Students' Educational Experiences and Perceptions of Patient Care: A Cultural Humility Perspective Project Type: Qualitative Educational Research Introduction: This study examines the impact of discussions on racial bias and racial equity on medical students' personal experiences, perceptions of race in healthcare, and approaches to patient care. Method: The study design involved semi-structured interviews with first-year medical students who completed a reading assignment of Dorothy Roberts' "Fatal Invention" and participated in small-group discussions during orientation. These activities provided a platform for students to engage deeply with the material and reflect on their own biases, enhancing their educational experiences and informing their future approaches to patient care. Results: Utilizing the Cultural Humility Framework, we explore how these educational activities fostered self-reflection, awareness of power imbalances, and institutional accountability, ultimately shaping students' readiness to provide equitable and inclusive patient care. Student responses illuminated their ever-evolving perspectives on the issue of racial bias in medicine and how that affects their interactions with patients as medical students and future physicians. The impact of the study was summarized into 5 categories including personal experience with racial bias, experiences in medical school, perceptions of race and racial bias, perceptions of the impact of race on healthcare, and approach to patient care. Each category was then contextualized within the Cultural Humility framework. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating racial bias education into medical curricula to prepare future healthcare providers to recognize and address biases, thereby improving patient outcomes and fostering trust within minority communities. Medical students should be encouraged to engage in continuous, lifelong self-reflection to challenge their own biases and assumptions with the support of academic institutions to foster this goal and promote equity and inclusion.

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36 y/o African American female with a past medical history of class III obesity with a BMI >50, motor vehicle accident, moderate hyperlipidemia, and hypertension with a family history of hypertension and heart attack in her father before the age of 40 years old who presented to the clinic with resistant hypertension. She was initially found to be hypertensive during pregnancy concerning preeclampsia and treated with nifedipine starting 7 years prior. Following her pregnancy and over the next 6 years, she was continued on blood pressure medicines including hydralazine, metoprolol, labetalol, HCTZ, and amlodipine. Upon presentation to the clinic at age 35 she was on amlodipine and HCTZ at maximum dosage with blood pressures remaining uncontrolled. Concern for secondary hypertension was raised and a renin-aldosterone ratio was ordered. Labs returned with a ratio of >50, plasma metanephrines were negative, and a CT scan of the abdomen showed a 2.1 cm left adrenal mass measuring 40-75 Hounsfield units. She was sent to interventional radiology for adrenal venous sampling with continuous cosyntropin infusion, which showed a positive lateralization and selectivity index for the left adrenal mass. It also showed a left adrenal cortisol secretion 10X greater than peripheral secretion during sampling which raised concern for unilateral concomitant Cushing's and Conn syndrome. She was counseled on surgical management which she was amenable to, but before scheduling surgery, she is going to undergo an Endocrinology evaluation for their recommendations for management. This case is interesting because of the rarity of having a dual hormone-secreting adrenal mass. It is also a good example of why it is important to always investigate the cause of a condition and not just treat the symptoms.

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In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for those aged 10-14 and the third for those aged 15-24. Adolescents with ADHD are at an increased risk for suicide compared to adolescents without ADHD. However, the mechanisms and the strength of the relation between ADHD and suicide are unclear and need further investigation. Our systematic review aimed to examine the literature to determine whether there is a direct association between ADHD and suicidality in adolescents, and which factors moderate or mediate this relation. A systematic literature search, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, was carried out on December 20th, 2024. Relevant publications were identified via electronic searches of PsycInfo and Web of Science databases. Studies were included if they assessed ADHD, suicidality, and at least one additional construct analyzed as a moderator or mediator. Studies had to include participants with a mean age between 10 and 19 years. The literature search yielded 405 articles, with 28 included in the final study selection. ADHD emerged as an independent risk factor for suicide among adolescents. Various constructs, including psychological, demographic, family, peer and social, subjective well-being, and trauma and adversity factors, served as moderators or mediators to varying degrees. The significant mediating and moderating factors identified in our review can inform adolescent suicide prevention efforts by highlighting the importance of addressing specific risk factors. Further research is needed to examine understudied factors, with particular emphasis on strengths-based factors to improve well-being.

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Aims: This study aims to explore the relationships between belongingness, self-efficacy, clinical learning support, and readiness for practice, testing the hypothesized relationships among these variables. Background: Bullying and incivility in nursing education, particularly during clinical experiences, negatively impact student learning and practice readiness. The synergistic practice readiness model, grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive and self-efficacy theories, seeks to define the dynamics in the clinical learning environment that are important to enhancing students’ practice readiness. Design: A quantitative, descriptive study was conducted, utilizing an online survey with a convenience sample of 251 nursing students during their clinical practicum experiences from nursing programs across the United States. Methods: The study employed several scales, including the Belongingness in Clinical Education, Connectedness Scale, Placement Evaluation Tool, Learning Support Scale, General Self-efficacy Scale, and the Casey Fink Readiness for Professional Nursing Practice Survey. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression (MLR), and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for data analysis. Results: Belongingness, self-efficacy, clinical learning support, and readiness for practice were significantly correlated (p<0.001). MLR showed that self-efficacy and clinical learning support were significantly associated with readiness for practice. SEM analysis revealed that belongingness directly influences self-efficacy and learning support, which in turn directly effects practice readiness. Self-efficacy also mediated the relationship between learning support and practice readiness. The model estimated 50.7% of the variance in student nurses’ readiness for professional practice during their senior practicum experience. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of enhancing self-efficacy and fostering a culture of belonging through academic activities and clinical partnerships to improve nursing students' readiness for practice. The proposed model provides a foundation for enhancing the clinical learning environment.

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Down syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the triplication of human chromosome 21. One ubiquitous phenotype of Down syndrome is intellectual disability, which results, in part, from altered neuronal connectivity. During development, neuronal growth cones sense and respond to guidance cues to reach their synaptic targets and form this neuronal connectivity. Two mechanisms that regulate this process are local translation and adhesion. Prior work suggests that local translation may occur at adhesion sites, thus connecting these two processes. To better understand how neuronal connectivity is altered in Down syndrome, we used human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons from apparently healthy individuals and individuals with Down syndrome and examined changes in local translation and adhesion. We first examined cell morphology and found the length of the longest neurite is decreased in Down syndrome hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. Using an axon guidance assay with the attractive guidance cue, netrin-1, growth cone turning is lost in Down syndrome neurons. Two adhesion proteins, talin and RACK1, are significantly increased under basal conditions in Down syndrome neurons but not altered under guidance cue stimulated conditions. However, adhesion proteins paxillin and vinculin are not altered in Down syndrome neurons under basal or stimulated conditions. Finally, a puromycin assay was performed to examine locally translated proteins, and local translation is decreased in growth cones of Down syndrome neurons at basal conditions. This work shows that neuronal morphology and axon guidance are altered in Down syndrome hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. Additionally, these results suggest that dysregulated local translation may be a more significant contributor than adhesion to the neuronal connectivity changes in Down syndrome. However, further work is needed to identify the population of mRNAs whose local translation is decreased in Down syndrome and how that contributes to altered axon growth and guidance in this condition.

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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 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 beta-actin mRNA local translation. 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 all nascent protein synthesis and (2) a puromycin-proximity ligation assay to label only newly translated beta-actin. Stimulation with laminin 111 and BDNF together significantly increases local translation compared to either laminin 111 or BDNF alone. Laminin 111 and BDNF stimulation also increases axon length and point contact density. Interestingly, BDNF stimulation 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 laminin isoforms with unique temporal and spatial distributions. Thus, we repeated the OPP assay using BDNF and either Laminin 111, 511, 211, or 221. Neurons cultured on laminins 211 and 221 together with BDNF show a remarkable decrease in local translation compared to the other isoforms. Thus, these results indicate that laminin 111 and BDNF synergistically increase local translation, but other laminin isoforms decrease local translation, thereby differentially impacting axon growth and guidance during development.

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Introduction Parsonage Turner Syndrome (PTS) is a rare inflammatory disorder of the brachial plexus, with a prevalence of 1/1000 and an incidence of 1.64 cases per 100,000 person-years. PTS is more common in males and can be hereditary or idiopathic. Idiopathic PTS is often linked to infection, vaccination, trauma, or mechanical overuse, with an average age of onset around 40 years. This report describes a rare case of idiopathic, bilateral PTS in a 64-year-old female. Case Presentation A 64-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with sudden, severe, intermittent midline neck pain radiating to both hands, without recent trauma, vaccination, or illness. Despite multimodal pain management, her symptoms persisted. A CT angiogram of the head and neck showed no acute findings, and she was discharged with oxycodone for pain relief. However, her pain persisted, and she developed sudden bilateral upper extremity weakness. An MRI of the cervical spine without contrast revealed no significant abnormalities. Three months later, a CTA of the brain and neck showed chronic microvascular ischemic changes. An electromyogram (EMG) revealed positive sharp waves and fibrillation potentials. These findings, along with the patient’s history and symptom progression, led to a diagnosis of PTS. Discussion PTS commonly presents with acute, severe pain in the shoulders, upper arms, neck, and scapula, often progressing to weakness. Pain can last up to 8 weeks, followed by weakness in the affected nerves. Bilateral presentation is rare, occurring in only 34% of cases. The condition typically affects the C5-C7 distribution, and sensory deficits are present in 78% of cases. MRI findings are usually normal in the early stages, with T1 linear hyperintensities developing in the chronic phase due to fatty muscle infiltration. EMG conducted 3 weeks after symptom onset reveals signs of chronic denervation and reinnervation. Idiopathic PTS is believed to involve breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier, allowing antibody-mediated damage to the brachial plexus. Early intervention focuses on limb immobilization, and the prognosis is generally favorable, with 90% of patients returning to baseline function within 3 years. We emphasize a high degree of suspicion for PTS in patients with similar presentations.

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Low energy availability (LEA) from insufficient post-exercise energy can impair physiological functions like sleep quality, affecting recovery and cognitive performance essential for military readiness. Key micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6, iron) support sleep regulation. PURPOSE This study investigates the relationship between EA, micronutrient intake, and sleep quality in physically active ROTC females. METHODS: A cross-sectional design in a free-living environment was used to assess EA and sleep quality among physically active female ROTC cadets (n=16, age:18±26 years, height: 152.3±175.5 cm, weight: 48.90±81.90 kg). Participants completed a demographic survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and height, weight, body composition were recorded. Exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) were measured over 7 consecutive days using Polar Ignite watches. Dietary intake (DI) was self-reported via a food log. LEA was defined as < 30 kcal/kg of fat-free mass (FFM) per day. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and EA variables. Crosstabulations and chi-square tests evaluated the relationship between LEA and sleep quality. RESULTS: Female ROTC cadets displayed both LEA risk and poor sleep quality (68.8%; n=11). Macronutrient analysis revealed 62.5% (n=10) failed to meet protein recommendations, 93.8% (n=15) had inadequate carbohydrate intake, 75% (n=12) with excessive fat (>35%), and 93.8% (n=15) saturated fat consumption (>10%). Micronutrient deficiencies revealed that 93.8% (n=15) of cadets were lacking zinc and iron recommendations, 81.3% (n=13) deficient in vitamin B6, and all cadets (100%, n=16) lacking magnesium. Among those at risk for LEA, 81.8% (n=9/11) also had poor sleep and low zinc levels; 81.8% (n=9/11) did not meet iron and magnesium requirements; and 77.8% (n=7/9) of cadets with both LEA and poor sleep lacked vitamin B6. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that while LEA alone may not significantly affect sleep quality, micronutrient deficiencies are linked to poorer sleep in ROTC female cadets, underscoring the need for adequate micronutrient intake to support sleep and recovery.

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INTRODUCTION: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) commonly known as “frozen shoulder”, is characterized by fibrosis and contracture of the glenohumeral joint capsule, leading to progressive stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion (ROM) across multiple planes which is used to confirm diagnosis. While corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy and hydrodilatation are common treatments, no consensus exists regarding the most effective approach. This study aimed to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and ROM for patients undergoing our novel large-volume hydrodilatation protocol. METHODS: Seventy-one patients diagnosed with AC underwent a novel ultrasound-guided large-volume glenohumeral joint hydrodilatation protocol, including an ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block at the suprascapular notch of the scapula prior to the procedure. The hydrodilatation included 9cc 1% lidocaine and 1cc triamcinolone, followed by the injection of up to 110cc sterile saline. Immediately post-procedure, patients performed two sets of 10 forward wall crawls and held a 1-minute external rotation doorway stretch for two repetitions in the clinic, with outpatient physical therapy was prescribed as well. ROM was measured immediately pre-procedure, post-procedure, and at the final clinic follow-up. PROMs were assessed 6+ months following hydrodilatation using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). Any further treatments that patients required were also recorded. RESULTS: There were 47 female and 24 male patients included. Average pre-procedure forward flexion was 107°, which increased to 156° immediately post-procedure (p<0.01), and remained at 153° (n=45) at follow-up (p<0.01). External rotation pre-procedure ROM was 31°, increasing to 68° (p<0.01) immediately post-procedure, and 63° (n=34) at follow-up (p<0.01). Abduction demonstrated pre-procedure ROM of 84°, immediate post-procedure ROM of 120° (p<0.01), and a final follow-up ROM of 101° (n=30) (p<0.01). Average fluid volume of hydrodilatation was 70cc (range 40-110). 35 patients completed 6+ months PROMs (average=15 months). The average NRS was 2, SPADI 14.6, and SANE 85.3 compared to the contralateral shoulder SANE of 95. CONCLUSION: Our novel ultrasound-guided hydrodilatation procedure for AC resulted in significant improvements in ROM and satisfactory 6+ month PROMs. These findings suggest that it could be an effective lasting alternative or adjunct to traditional treatments.

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DNA transposons utilize a “cut and paste” mechanism to jump in and out of the genome. A member of the class II PIF/Harbinger superfamily, mPing is a small 430 bp transposon that is highly active in some rice cultivars. Pairing this activity with Cas9 allows for mPing to be inserted into specific genome locations. This provides a mechanism to place specific genetic cargos in locations that modify gene expression and function. The Hancock lab previously discovered a hyperactive (hp) version of the mPing transposon by altering bases near the 3’ end. This project aims to test if the use of hp mPing will improve the efficiency of targeted insertion. We created hp versions of mPing carrying various cargos including constitutive, heat responsive, and seed-specific promoters, and the BAR herbicide resistance gene. The transposition frequency of the control and hp versions were tested in a yeast transposition assay. The results showed that all hp versions exhibited higher excision frequency compared to the control, indicating the 3’ alterations from hp mPing are beneficial, regardless of the cargo. Binary plasmids suitable for testing targeted insertion of hp mPing-based cargos are being made and will be transformed into Arabidopsis. The frequency of excision and targeted insertion of these elements will be measured by PCR. These experiments will allow us to determine if the hp version of mPing facilitates targeted insertion.

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A milestone in recent HIV treatment advancements was the FDA's 2021 approval of the long-acting antiretroviral cabotegravir (LA-ARV). The initial promise suggested it would be a game-changer since this injectable therapy offers a significant benefit by removing the necessity for daily medication. Studies found LA-ARV to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective for persons with HIV (PWH); despite its promise to address the adherence challenge for PWH, implementation questions and barriers to uptake remain. These questions/barriers must be addressed to achieve the goals set in 2019 by the US government of reducing new HIV infections by 90%. We reviewed the literature to outline questions and barriers and offer solutions. Since the introduction of LA-ARV, cases of antiretroviral resistance and injection site irritation have increased, leading to dropouts. Adoption among PWH with a fear of needles has been restricted, and the need for larger gauge needles due to adipose tissue in obese PWH has heightened this fear and further decreased adoption. Also, getting an injection might require PWH to visit an infusion center, creating an extra hurdle in accessing care. PWH who use drugs (who could benefit the most) are often screened as ineligible to receive injectable treatments. Other side effects include weight gain. As with any HIV treatment, social determinants of health, stigma, and variable access are structural barriers impacting uptake. The treatment and prophylactic potential of LA-ARV will be maximized once these questions and barriers are addressed. This necessitates input from providers and PWH for potential equitable solutions.

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In this study, we investigate the performance of Cd1-xZnxTe1-ySey (CZTS) detectors, a promising wide bandgap high-resolution semiconductor radiation detector, focusing on the impact of charge trapping centers such as impurities and intrinsic defects displayed by the crystals grown using various methods such as travelling heater method (THM), and vertical gradient freeze (VGF). Planar detectors fabricated from the as-grown crystal exhibit remarkably high bulk resistivity (~10^10 Ω-cm). Notably, they demonstrate a high electron mobility-lifetime (μτ) product and an electron mobility of record-high value of 1245 cm²/V·s in CZTS. Photoinduced current transient spectroscopy (PICTS) analysis reveals that trap concentration and capture cross-sections play a pivotal role in defining the contrasting charge transport properties observed in the CZTS detectors. Correlation studies using 662-keV gamma photons emphasize the influence of hole trapping.

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Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication therapy can prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among patients who are at risk due to reasons such as injection drug use and sexual activities with multiple partners. Pharmacists are accessible providers and can assist in the uptake and adherence of HIV PrEP in the community setting, eliminating barriers to the prevention of HIV.1 Objective: To determine the most effective modalities for pharmacists to increase adherence and uptake of human immunodeficiency virus PrEP. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from January 1st, 2013, to October 5th, 2023. Inclusion criteria consisted of original research studies with a pharmacist intervention, related to HIV and PrEP. Studies were imported into Nested Knowledge for review. Results: Eight studies were eligible for inclusion. Five were cohort studies, two were cross-sectional studies, and one was a mixed methods evaluation. Collaborative practice agreements (CPA) with licensed providers help pharmacists increase adherence and uptake of PrEP. In one study, pharmacists with a CPA were allowed to initiate PrEP and increase uptake in vulnerable populations. Education of pharmacists and the community about pharmacists’ involvement with HIV services can increase patient adherence and uptake of PrEP. In one study providers and patients were unaware of pharmacist-led PrEP management. Multiple studies reported that training pharmacists assisted with patient education and PrEP uptake. Conclusion: Pharmacists are an underutilized resource in PrEP. They can increase adherence and uptake of PrEP through receiving and giving education and working with providers through CPAs.

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This research investigates using low-cost waste materials like banana, orange, lemon, and mango peels to remove lithium from contaminated water. It analyzes adsorption capacity, kinetics, and optimal conditions for lithium removal, comparing their effectiveness against other heavy metals and contaminants. The study aims to identify effective materials, contributing to solutions for mitigating the environmental impact of lithium-ion battery production and disposal.

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Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a persistent autoinflammatory state in the colon. Up to 3.9 million people in the United States today are affected by inflammatory bowel disease. Recent studies have shown that indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a potent compound that can alleviate colitis symptoms. As a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), I3C plays a key role by regulating Th22 cells, which helps reverse dysbiosis. However, the effects of this AhR ligand on myeloid populations in the context of colitis are not well understood. This study investigated the impact of I3C on classical innate immune cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS), and the mice were treated with either vehicle or 45 mg/kg of I3C administered intraperitoneally every other day for 9 days. Mice were euthanized on day 10, after DSS administration was stopped on day 7, once colitis was established. Macroscopic data indicated that I3C treatment resulted in significantly less colon shrinkage and weight loss, as well as improved colonoscopy results, suggesting a reduced colitis phenotype. Histological analysis of colonic tissue corroborated these findings, revealing less tissue degradation typically associated with colitis. Notably, I3C treatment led to a marked decrease in the overall myeloid cell population compared to the colitis phenotype, including reductions in neutrophils, macrophages, intestinal dendritic cells, and ILC3s. However, I3C treatment led to an increase in Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that are highly immunosuppressive. These results suggest that I3C treatment, and the consequent activation of AhR, has the potential to dampen the innate immune responses in colitis (Supported by NIH grants P20GM103641, P30GM154631, R01ES030144, and R01AI160896 to PSN and MN).

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Derivatized nitroarenes, such as ortho-nitrobenzealdehyde (o-NBA), have been considered pivotal starting materials for pharmaceutical applications. In case of o-NBA, both the aldehyde and nitro groups can undergo simultaneous reduction, reacting together in an intramolecular cyclization reaction to form a new fused five-membered ring. However, a significant challenge in synthetic chemistry is attaining the ability to selectively reduce the nitro group to amine without the reduction of aldehyde. One approach to controlling this selectivity is employing electrochemical methods, where degree of reactivity can be modulated by changing a myriad of parameters, such as solvent and the supporting electrolyte. Herein, the electroorganic reduction of o-NBA was conducted at a deeply reductive potential of -1.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl, utilizing tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF₄) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as supporting electrolytes in N,N’-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to understand the reduction properties of o-NBA within the corresponding solutions. The CVs for each supporting electrolyte had a different amount of cathodic peaks, TBABF₄ showed three while LiClO₄ showed one before a proton donor was added. Controlled potential electrolysis was conducted within a divided electrolysis cell with 0.5 mM supporting electrolyte, 5 mM o-NBA, and 50 mM phenol to drive the reaction. The results of controlled potential electrolysis was identified through the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS). The main product of TBABF₄ was seen to be benzoxazole, consistent with previous experiments. However, LiClO₄ produced a new product that was identified as 2-aminobenzaldehyde. The findings show that the choice of supporting electrolyte affects the reduction pathway and therefore the product distribution.

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Bioorthogonal reactions are powerful tools for studying and manipulating biological systems, yet achieving precise spatial and temporal control remains a major challenge. Here, we introduce cyclopropanol (CPol) as a compact, energy-loaded warhead that remains inert under physiological conditions and is selectively activated by mild electrochemical stimuli. This strategy generates reactive β-haloketone moieties in situ, enabling dual-function bioconjugation for cellular labeling and proteomic analysis. Upon oxidative ring opening, CPol preferentially modifies carboxylic acid-containing residues, such as glutamate and aspartate, rather than the expected tyrosine or tryptophan. The electrochemical activation of CPol is biocompatible in living systems, enabling direct protein labeling, real-time visualization with a fluorogenic CPol probe, and selective targeting of membrane-associated and cytoplasmic proteins with a choline-derived probe through integration into cellular phosphatidylcholine metabolism. Coupling bioorthogonality with electrochemical control, this approach enables precise protein profiling, live-cell imaging, and broader applications in chemical biology.

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Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although the exact causes of CD remain unclear, evidence suggests that genetics, behavioral factors, and disruptions in the composition of the gut microbiota can play a role in its progression. Dysbiosis, otherwise known as an imbalanced gut microbiome, is frequently linked to increased inflammation and disease severity in CD patients. The gut microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms that reside in the GI tract and play important roles in influencing the host’s digestive and immune health. Among these microorganisms are bacteria that can promote gut health by modulating the immune system, supporting anti-inflammatory responses, and maintaining the structure of the gut lining. In this study, we explored the probiotic potential of two gut bacterial genera, Alistipes and Odoribacter, in reducing inflammation in a mouse model of CD. Using IL-10 KO mice, which are genetically prone to developing intestinal inflammation, we conducted histopathological analysis to compare inflammation in mice treated with Alistipes or Odoribacter versus untreated controls. Inflammation was assessed by measuring crypt hyperplasia, goblet cell loss, and the presence of abscesses, ulcers, and edema along the colon. Mice colonized with Alistipes exhibited reduced goblet cell loss in the proximal colon with histology scores trending toward decreased inflammation in the distal colon. A significant reduction in gross pathology and composite histology scores was observed in the Alistipes group, as well as decreased ileum thickness. In contrast, Odoribacter showed minimal effects on inflammation reduction compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest that Alistipes reduces inflammation in a CD mouse model, and could serve as a probiotic to modulate the gut microbiome. However, further research is required to understand its mechanisms and evaluate its potential role in future therapeutic applications for CD.

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This research project aims to explore the intertwined histories of cotton production and public health in South Carolina from its colonial roots to the 20th century. By examining the historical context of cotton slavery following the invention of the cotton gin, the project will uncover how these labor practices have contributed to contemporary issues in healthcare, environmental decline, and the role of racism and classism in Southern life. Through extensive primary and secondary source research, including the Federal Writers Project interviews with former slaves, this study seeks to reveal the often-silenced stories of enslaved cotton workers and their health conditions. Key questions addressed include the impact of the cotton gin on slavery, the health consequences for enslaved individuals, and the subsequent influence on later cotton workers in diverse Southern settings. This investigation will not only highlight the social dynamics of cotton, health, and labor but will also provide insights into the economic and global trade repercussions of cotton production, linking these historical legacies to current public health issues in South Carolina. The project's findings aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of the systemic inequities shaped by historical labor practices and their lingering effects on public health and environmental conditions in the region. The overarching goal is to inform contemporary discussions on healthcare and social justice by connecting past and present legacies of labor and health in South Carolina's cotton history.

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Lithium is a lifesaving medication and the gold standard for management of bipolar disorder. It has a narrow therapeutic index, making toxicity an important clinical concern. This case reports a 70-year-old female patient with bipolar disorder who presented to the emergency department with stroke-like symptoms. Imaging results were negative for large vessel occlusion or acute brain injury. Further investigation revealed a lithium level of 1.6 mmol/L, confirming lithium toxicity. Patient had previously been maintained on the same dose of lithium for over twelve years with regular monitoring, yet had never had a level above 0.8 prior to acute toxicity. Contributing factors included dehydration, a history of type 2 diabetes, and the development of an acute kidney injury which likely impaired the excretion of lithium. Even with discontinuation, she continued to have symptoms of apathy and ataxia consistent with Syndrome of Irreversible Lithium-Effectuated Neurotoxicity (SILENT). This case underscores the importance of considering lithium toxicity in patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms, particularly those currently taking lithium and with predisposing factors such as renal impairment, diabetes, and advanced age. Prompt recognition and appropriate management of lithium toxicity can prevent potentially severe complications.

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My time spent as an executive board member in Greek life taught me lessons way beyond how to make friends. Skills such as budgeting, meeting management, conflict resolution, and staying calm in a crisis were skills I cultivated not only for the moment, but also for the rest of my life. During my time on Alpha Gamma Delta’s executive council I learned more about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses that I ever thought possible. Each role changed my perspective on what it means to be a leader and that serving others is simultaneously the best and worst job in the world. The lessons I have gained from these experiences far outnumber ones I learned in the classroom and the tangible life skills are something I will carry with me through the next decades. Most people think being in Greek Life is only about socializing but the impact leadership in one of these organizations had on my college experience is unmatched by any job, test, or course that I have encountered. The biggest lesson I learned was that the key to success is time management and communication. Always start with these foundational steps and success is inevitable. Overall, during my three years of executive council experience I was able to cultivate amazing relationships, gain valuable life skills, and grow as an individual more than I ever thought possible. Greek Life leadership is a defining portion of my college experience and I will forever be grateful for the lessons I learned and the knowledge passed down from previous generations.

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As a student at the Darla Moore School of Business, I had the unique opportunity to spend a year abroad in France through the Responsible International Leadership Cohort (RIL). There, I immersed in the French language, culture, and business practices through case competitions, volunteer experience in a French kitchen and understanding French law in an International Business law course. Sophomore year was transformative for me as I moved across the ocean to live in the heart of Paris. I had the ability to travel extensively throughout France and Europe and engaged with native French and francophone speakers, honing my language skills and preparing for a future international career. Being an international business and supply chain major, I gained valuable insights into efficient supply chain practices in France. Comparing these methods to the UofSC curriculum allowed me to reflect on my own experiences and knowledge. One of the most valuable lessons I learned during my time abroad was how to be comfortable when faced with uncertainty. This experience forced me to navigate cultural differences, work around challenges like train strikes, and develop my language skills. Growing out of my shell during my time abroad built confidence in my ability to communicate effectively in French, understand differing cultures and adapt quickly to changes.

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Fragile X syndrome is characterized by an excess of 200+ CGG repeats on the FMR1 gene and is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disability. This genetic mutation is passed on by mothers, who are FMR1 premutation carriers (55-200 repeats). The FMR1 premutation can lead to language differences in female carriers; however, knowledge of the extent of language impairment remains limited. By using main concept analysis of the Cinderella narrative, which has been frequently used in other language-affected populations, this study examined the language skills of women with the FMR1 premutation. Main concept analysis quantifies the amount and accuracy of the essential story elements, or gist, a speaker relays. (Richardson, 2021). Of the 159 language samples, 89 were collected from mothers with the FMR1 premutation. The remaining 70 samples were control participants who were mothers of children who did not have any developmental disabilities. Groups were matched based on demographic information. Ages ranged from 26 to 73 (M=48); groups were similar on age (p=.299). Groups were also similar on education (p=.106). All mothers were asked to retell the Cinderella story after looking through the picture book. Samples were transcribed and coded for main concept production of 34 concepts (e.g., Cinderella losing her glass slipper) using a published coding system. Each concept was assigned a score for accuracy and completeness as well as a score for correct sequencing. Participants in the control group produced more main concepts (M=71.20, SD=14.62, range: 35-94) compared to the premutation group (M=61.56, SD=18.42, range:18-95). Participants in the control group also had higher sequencing scores (M=66.60, SD=12.75, range: 35-86) compared to the premutation group (M=58.25, SD=16.54, 19-89). An independent samples t-test revealed significant difference between groups (t (157) = 3.78, p < .001). These findings indicate women with the FMR1 premutation have more difficulty accurately and completely telling a narrative. While further investigation is needed to understand how related factors impact the narrative skills of female carriers (e.g., working memory or grammar skills), this study provides a basis of information for future research initiatives and contributes to our understanding of difficulties faced by some FMR1 premutation carriers.

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I took a Latin dance class while studying abroad in Madrid. I got to see how it explores the communicative power and cultural aspects of dance as a universal language. Dance has been an important form of expression for centuries, enabling people to display their emotions as well as show off their cultural history. In my Latin dance course, I learned salsa, merengue, and flamenco, each having their own Latin history. These dance styles are more than just movement and they have the opportunity to tell complete stories and convey the emotions of the dancers’ stories they want to tell. I danced competitively for six years, so I saw this class as an opportunity to explore a new way of expressing myself. Throughout my experience I connected these styles to language and how much these showcase Latin heritage. Flamenco really stood out to me as a blend of singing and dance that comes with so much emotion and power in order to tell stories if love, loss, and connection. Seeing live flamenco shows in Spain deepened my appreciation for how dance can become a beautiful story and history telling technique. At the end of the course, our final recital brought together students, friends, and families to show them what we had been working on all semester and tell the stories of Latin heritage and language with a modern spin on it. The experience of performing these traditional Latin dances with modern interpretations was so rewarding. We got to tell the stories of these dances as well as let ourselves bring in our own emotions and expression breathing new life into dances so fundamental in Latin history. This class taught me that dance can be so much more than movement and how connecting to to personally as well as the history behind it allows for people to feel what the dancer feels. Just like language dance tells stories and stories have to come with a history.

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I will continue to assist with a systematic review of research on reading outcomes of children with developmental language disorder (DLD). This research examines whether the proportion of children with DLD who are found to have word reading problems differs in studies that recruit from clinical caseloads vs from community samples. To better understand the practical implications of the findings from the systematic review, I will be developing case studies of four children with DLD, including two whose parents expressed concern/awareness of their difficulties at the time of recruitment, and two who were recruited from school screenings and whose parents report no prior concerns about language or reading. In each pair, one child will have strong word reading abilities and one child will have weak word reading abilities. These case studies provide concrete examples of how DLD is sometimes invisible and of the relationship between language and reading development.

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The mission of Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) is to “Develop Air Force and Space Force Leaders of Character Whom We Expect to Fight and Win Our Nation’s Wars.” As the largest and oldest source of commissioned officers for the Air Force, AFROTC plays a crucial role in recruiting, educating, and commissioning officer candidates through academic education, Field Training, and Officer Development programs that align with Air Force and Space Force requirements. At Detachment 775, the Air Force ROTC Detachment at the University of South Carolina, we embrace a “safe-to-fail” training environment that fosters growth and leadership. This 3-4 year program is an ongoing journey of character development, consistently challenging cadets to step outside their comfort zones. It is designed to prepare us for the real Air Force, also known as the “Big Blue,” and the expectations placed on Airmen who serve as officers. From joining the program later than most as an AS250, which I will discuss more in my presentation, to eventually serving as the Cadet Wing Commander, essentially the president of our organization, I worked ambitiously to achieve excellence in academics, physical fitness, and social leadership while honing my leadership skills. In May 2025, I will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Until then, AFROTC has taught me to think critically to solve organizational problems, to act proactively, and to lead from the front. I currently focus on guiding our Cadet Wing toward a brighter future. Then, after May 2025, I look forward to focusing on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in Big Blue, where I will continue to develop my leadership and inspire others to execute my vision for a better tomorrow. Please join me in my presentation, where I will reflect on the adversities that have marked my journey over the last three years. I will share how my experience in AFROTC has shaped my character and prepared me for this new and exciting chapter of my life of serving in the Big Blue.

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Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a phytocannabinoid from the Cannabis plant, is known to have immunomodulatory effects. While its impact on the mature immune system and its ability to suppress inflammatory diseases is well established, there’s less understanding of whether THC affects hematopoietic stem cells and their differentiation. Recently, we demonstrated that THC blocked the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells into CD45 + CD11b + F4/80+ macrophages. In this study, we injected daily, 7-week-old C57BL/6 mice with 30 mg/kg of THC intraperitoneally for 10 days to study the effect on hematopoiesis. Bone marrow was collected from the femurs of both legs for analysis. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on the samples and analyzed the data with the Seurat R package. The scRNA-seq analysis showed that THC treatment led to an increase in maturing B cells, maturing neutrophils, and CD8+ T cells, while immature B cell numbers decreased. We also saw a reduction in the expression of interferon-related and MHC-I genes in the THC-treated group. Analysis with the CellChat package in R showed decreased signaling for thrombospondin, 2-AG, ApoE, and midkine in the THC-treated group, while histamine signaling was increased. To confirm these population changes at the protein level, we used spectral flow cytometry, which showed an increase in maturing B cells (CD45+CD19+CD79b+MHCII+) and CD8+ T cells (CD45+CD3+CD8+). Notably, total and live cell counts were similar between the THC and control (VEH) groups. Our results suggest that THC is not myelotoxic but pushes bone marrow B cell populations toward maturity and also boosts CD8+ T cell populations (Supported by NIH grants P20GM103641, P30GM154631, R01ES030144, and R01AI160896 to PSN and MN).

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The heart enlarges during pregnancy to adjust for increased blood volume. In post-partum cardiomyopathy, the heart fails to return to original size following delivery. Matrix-metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) contributes to cardiac remodeling by cleaving extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins surrounding blood vessels and cardiomyocytes. We aimed to evaluate effects of human MMP14 transgene (hMMP14) expression in mouse fibroblasts on left ventricle (LV) ECM mRNAs and proteins during and after pregnancy. Wildtype and hMMP14 mouse LV tissues were isolated at pregnancy day 17 (ed17), postpartum day 49 (ppd49), and from age-matched virgins (virgin-17 or virgin-49). Real-time PCR (n=6-8 mice/group) was performed with cDNA and Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, Mmp2, Mmp9, Tgfb1, Bsg, Timps1-4, Postn and Pappa primers, and Rplp0 for normalization. Western Blots (n=3 mice/group) evaluated isoforms of Collagens I and III 100-200 kDa using COL1A1 and COL3A1 and PAPPA antibodies with normalization for tubulin. Data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA and by Sidak’s (for genotype) or Tukey’s (for reproductive status within genotype) post-hoc test; P<0.05 was significant. Results showed that compared to wildtypes, Col1a1 mRNA displayed lower levels in hMMP14 ppd49 mice. COL1A1 isoforms (120-160 kDa) were lower in ed17 wildtype mice than wildtype ppd49 and virgin-49 mice. In ppd49, LV Timp3 and Timp4 mRNA were decreased in hMMP14 compared to wildtypes. Within hMMP14 mice, LV Timp4 mRNA levels were higher in late pregnancy compared to virgin-49 and ppd49. There was a significant main effect of genotype on Mmp9. There were also significant main effects found for reproductive status and genotype for Pappa mRNA. No significant differences were found for Timp1, Timp2, Cola1a2, Col3a1, Tgfb1, Bsg, Postn or Mmp2 LV mRNA or COL3A1 protein. Ultimately, reproductive status and/or genotype altered the expression of Timp3, Timp4, Mmp9 and Pappa mRNA levels. Although genotype-related differences in collagen proteins were not observed, late pregnancy showed lower new collagen synthesis suggesting controlled remodeling in both genotypes. Supported by Magellan & SCHC Research, SC INBRE P20GM103499 and USC ASPIRE-I awards.

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A 27-year-old male with a history of tobacco and substance use disorder presented with three weeks of progressive lower extremity edema, nausea, vomiting, dark-colored urine, dyspnea on exertion, and chest pain following smoke inhalation. Labs showed an anti-GBM IgG of 5.0, and imaging revealed bilateral airspace disease concerning for alveolar hemorrhage, moderate pleural effusions, and renal ultrasound findings suggestive of medical renal disease. Renal biopsy confirmed diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis, establishing the diagnosis of anti-GBM disease. He was started on high-dose methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis, leading to improvement in antibody levels and renal function. Cyclophosphamide was initiated but discontinued after eight days due to significant unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. His course was further complicated by a drug reaction to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, requiring a switch to atovaquone. On hospital day 11, he developed right-sided jaw pain and swelling, and imaging revealed an odontogenic infection with a subperiosteal abscess, requiring IV antibiotics, incision and drainage, and tooth extraction. Plasmapheresis was discontinued after 16 days, and rituximab was introduced as an alternative immunosuppressive strategy. He was discharged on prednisone and atovaquone, with outpatient rituximab infusions planned. This case highlights the complexity of managing anti-GBM disease in a young patient with significant pulmonary involvement and multiple treatment-related complications. His tobacco use may have contributed to disease onset, as studies link hydrocarbon exposure to anti-GBM disease. The case underscores the importance of early recognition, aggressive immunosuppression, and careful management of complications, particularly in patients with risk factors for disease recurrence and infections. Individualized treatment and close monitoring are crucial in managing anti-GBM disease in high-risk patients.

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This study explores the effectiveness of two distinct teaching methods, lecture-based instruction and unannounced simulation training, on teaching wilderness rescue techniques for lost hikers. As wilderness rescue scenarios require rapid decision-making and practical skills, it is crucial to determine which teaching approach most effectively prepares students for real-world situations. We compared the outcomes of both training methods by assessing participants' knowledge retention, skill application, and performance under pressure. The group was put through both the lecture-based instruction and the unannounced simulation with assessments after each. Results indicate that simulation training, particularly when unannounced, enhanced participants' ability to think critically and apply skills under pressure, while lecture-based instruction offered a solid foundation of knowledge. These findings suggest that incorporating unannounced simulation into wilderness rescue training may be more beneficial for preparing responders for high-stakes, dynamic rescue environments.

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During my time as an EMT with Fairfield County EMS, I became deeply embedded in a community that I noticed was struggling to access care. After all, the only county hospital has only closed a few years prior to my arrival. It was both eye-opening and disheartening to see firsthand that the healthcare disparities I had learned about in class were a daily reality for many citizens in my home state, South Carolina. Serving in these underserved areas sparked a passion for improving healthcare accessibility in communities with scarce medical resources. As I responded to 911 calls, I saw how limited access to care and distance to healthcare facilities and providers affected patient outcomes firsthand, reinforcing my desire to drive systemic improvements in rural EMS services. At Fairfield County EMS, I gained clinical experience and realized how crucial effective communication and cultural competence are in ensuring patients understand their conditions and treatments. My experience there, combined with the public health knowledge I have gained from my studies, has helped me understand the intersectionality of clinical practice and community health. By integrating public health principles into my work, I have learned how to address the unique needs of underserved populations, particularly in rural settings. This work has solidified my commitment to advocating for better support and funding for rural EMS systems, with a long-term goal of becoming an Emergency Medical Services Medical Director. In this role, I hope to influence policies that will improve healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable communities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, has access to the care they need.

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Metabolic alkalosis is a frequent acid-base disturbance encountered in critically ill pediatric patients. For mechanically ventilated patients, metabolic alkalosis is believed to depress respiratory drive which may lead to prolonged mechanical ventilation. In critically ill patients, acetazolamide is used to treat metabolic alkalosis through serum bicarbonate excretion. While previous studies have evaluated the impact of acetazolamide in pediatric patients, minimal data exists on the optimal dosing, frequency, or duration of therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to compare acetazolamide dosing strategies for the treatment of metabolic alkalosis in mechanically ventilated pediatric ICU patients. This retrospective cohort study included patients less than eighteen years of age admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands between March 2021 and August 2024. To be included in this study, patients must have received acetazolamide intravenously for the treatment of metabolic alkalosis, defined as a serum bicarbonate greater than 26mmol/L, and mechanically intubated. Patients with comorbidities such as heart failure, post-cardiac surgery, primary renal or endocrine disorders causing metabolic acidosis, or diagnosed with acute kidney injury were excluded. Patients on chronic diuretic therapy or other chronic agents used to treat metabolic acidosis prior to admission were also excluded. The primary objective of this study was to compare the change in serum bicarbonate levels from baseline to 24 hours after initiation of intravenous (IV) acetazolamide dosed at frequencies of every 6 -, every 8- and every 12 hours. Secondary outcomes included change in serum bicarbonate 48-hours after IV acetazolamide initiation, change in pH and pCO2 levels at 24- and 48-hours, impact of acute concurrent diuretic use, and differences in time to extubation between dosing groups. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate mean differences in serum bicarbonate levels from baseline to 24 hours for the three dosing regimens. Statistical significance was based on resulting p-values (<0.05).

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Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has recently become a popular tool used to monitor and assess drug usage at population level. Studying cigarette usage throughout South Carolina is an important issue as the state has a higher smoking percent usage (17.6%) than the United States average (16.0%), per the CDC. Long-term cigarette smoking has been proven to increase the rate of cancer appearance throughout the body, but especially in the lungs. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, South Carolina ranks 16th nationally for lung cancer incidence. By analyzing the rates of smoking in South Carolina, the data found can be used to spread public awareness of the scope of the issue as well as to encourage new strategies for promoting smoking cessation. In this project, WBE will be implemented as proof-of-concept to estimate the tobacco usage of populations in comparison to conventional methods in 10 counties throughout the state of South Carolina (Five counties with the highest and five with the lowest smoking rates by population percentage). Samples will be collected from each county bi-weekly during the months of June and July 2025 and analyzed for different tobacco specific nitrosamines as well as nicotine metabolites (n=40 samples total). The analysis will be conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We anticipate that the use of WBE will serve as a comprehensive and minimally invasive method to objectively assess the smoking status of populations throughout South Carolina. Use of this method may encourage targeted and effective public health strategies and interventions to promote healthier societies.

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Electroencephalogram (EEG) research has previously demonstrated that the type of feedback individuals receive can impact their neurological responses by creating either a positive or negative waveform/amplitude. These responses to certain cognitive tasks are referred to as Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) and when people receive negative feedback it produces Feedback-Related Negativity (FRN). FRNs are typically observed around 200-400ms after feedback is presented. This study specifically investigates FRN responses as they relate to a feedback presenter’s gender. There is limited research on FRN responses and even less that investigate FRNs as they relate to gender. The current study seeks to explore how neurological response is influenced by the perceived gender of the presenter of feedback utilizing an EEG and a pattern recognition task. Participants are presented with a pattern of nine randomized letters. Participants are then shown a slide with two letters where the participant is asked to recall which of the two was presented in the previous pattern using a response input device. To guarantee events lead to a FRN response, 64 of the 200 questions lack a correct option, resulting in an incorrect feedback slide for either response. The feedback screens vary across blocks, with two blocks consisting of female photos and two with male photos. If the participant correctly identifies the letter from the presented pattern, the photo will be of the male or female smiling. If the participant incorrectly identifies the letter, the photo will be of the male or female frowning. Participants are equipped with a 64-channel hydrocel EEG while completing the task to measure scalp related potentials associated with feedback. Preliminary results indicate an anticipated increase in negative amplitude for feedback screens showing a male compared to a female. The valance of the feedback does not have a significant effect on the FRN response.

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In my experience of community service, I have learned both personal and professional skills that have guided my college career and will continue to lead me into my future as I continue to serve my community around me. A large part of who I am is found in my ability to serve other people. Whether it be though donations, acts of service, or kind words, I have always loved the opportunity to serve others. As I entered into my college years, I knew I would be given new opportunities to serve. A new city, with new people, meant newer and bigger chances for me to serve the world around me every single day. The experience that has provided me with the most life change though is my mentorship at a local middle school here in Columbia. After being placed as a leader in a school in the local area, I have been gifted the opportunity to guide middle school girls through the difficulties of life as a pre-teen. My experiences working with and leading these girls brings me so much joy every single day. I have the special gift to get to do life alongside each one of them and become an instrumental part of their journey as they go through a conglomeration of hardships, new beginnings, and joy. They have showed me what it truly means to serve humbly and gracious and to lead with an open heart and mind. I have no doubt they will continue to impact me in so many ways that will only grow my heart for service, and as I watch they undertake projects of their own, I can only hope they will continue to see the good of serving their own community as well.

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The long-term impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health and well-being later in life is now well established. Although previous research indicates the long-term effects of ACEs on adult mental health, information regarding how these individuals perceive stress in adulthood following adversity is unknown. The current study used two questionnaires to examine ACEs and coping competence in young adults (N=106). Data regarding ACEs and coping competence were evaluated using a Pearson correlation. In addition, moderation effects were tested with Process Macro 4.3v. The results indicated ACEs have a negative association with coping competence. Individuals who reported ACEs showed less coping competence than individuals who reported no ACEs. Furthermore, having seen a mental health provider did not have a significant moderation effect on coping competence. Targeted research and interventions should be tailored to understand the nature of coping competence within those who have experienced ACEs.

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In the summer after my freshman year, I began working at Laxer Long and Savage, specialists in pediatric dentists and orthodontics. This was my first experience seeing healthcare from the doctor's perspective rather than as a patient. From a healthcare perspective, I was not aware of how many people struggled to access healthcare and how it affected their oral health. Working in the clinic, I saw many differences in individuals who were dentally insured and those who were not. Patients who were self-pay tend to have far poorer oral health and didn’t attend their normally scheduled oral exams. These patients had intense decay on their teeth and needed restorative care that equated to thousands of dollars. It was hard to see the distress these patients faced, as they knew they were unable to afford the healthcare they needed. This sparked a new interest for me in public health dentistry. Public health dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry focused on promoting oral health and preventing dental diseases at the community and population levels rather than treating individual patients. It combines aspects of dentistry, public health, and social work to improve access to oral healthcare and reduce health disparities. In my Social 304 class, we learned about the challenges faced by families of poorer communities who had difficulty accessing healthcare. I saw this comparison of social classes at my own job when I joined the orthodontics team during the summer of my junior year. Laxer Long and Savage have 2 locations in North Carolina. After joining the ortho team, I was assigned to the second location, a town with a predominantly lower-income population. I quickly noticed significant differences between the two locations. Many patients lacked dental insurance or relied on Medicaid, and overall, oral hygiene was noticeably poorer. Witnessing these disparities in healthcare was upsetting, but it also fueled my motivation to help bridge the gap in access to dental care for underserved communities

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My college experience has been enhanced tremendously by Dance Marathon. As a freshman I went as a hero and immediately fell in love with the enthusiasm and dedication to service. Throughout my years I have moved around in positions in this organization and found my voice as a leader. I am currently serving as the Mini Marathons Director as a Part of the Board of Directors. I have been able to spread awareness about Children’s Miracle Network to the larger Columbia Community and inspired the next generation of leaders in this organization who are currently in K-12 schools in the area. There is nothing more than joy that I experience with the people who I have been able to surround myself with in this org and motivate me daily to reach for the stars and be my best. I hope to take my passion for service and community I have seen and learned here into my career and be able to give back. I can not be more proud to be a part of something so much larger than myself. Growing up I always have been a part of service based organizations which allow me to give back but it wasn’t until college and joining Dance Marathon that I felt how real my contributions were. I feel so grateful to have been able to experience this and interact with the miracle families directly impacted by the children’s hospital. I will continue to support the individuals in this organization and the cause after graduating and hope they continue to break down barriers in the world of children’s health.

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During the summer of 2024 I had the privilege of interning for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). Specifically, I provided programmatic support for the DDSN & Youth Waiver Services Section within the Bureau of Policy, which provides various services for medically complex children (MCC) and individuals with intellectual disabilities/related disabilities (ID/RD) through Medicaid waiver programs. For the services provided to the ID/RD population, SCDHHS also contracts with and provides oversight for the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN). One task I worked on during my internship was to review and edit an annual review of SCDDSN, which included required and recommended actions for process improvement. The relationship between SCDHHS and SCDDSN is collaborative, since both agencies strive to improve the lives of those they serve. Effective communication is essential for the success of this relationship, something I learned about in great detail in my SPCH 140: Public Communication class. One important concept is the interactive model of communication, which describes how all senders of messages are also receivers, and all receivers are senders, so both are constantly encoding and decoding information. I witnessed firsthand the meetings and discussions between SCDHHS and SCDDSN, where both agencies attempted to communicate their needs while also being mindful of each other’s needs. There are some things which each agency may not want to do but are required to from the agreed upon contract. I learned an important lesson about responsibility and accountability, specifically in terms of living up to your word. In their agreement, these agencies are giving each other their word, but they are also giving the people of South Carolina their word. I will strive to move forward in my personal and professional life with the knowledge and hope that my actions and promises will have a positive impact on a large number of people.

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During my sophomore year, I began my journey with Share One Love. Founded by Jordan Thomas, SOL is a nonprofit organization that supports marginalized youth in the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ). Jordan’s main programming is going into DJJ’s facilities and connecting with the youth through sport. I was skeptical at first, as there is a stigma around the prison system and delinquents. I didn’t fully believe these things, but they were in the back of my mind going in. My first time with Jordan was admittedly scary. We went through security checks and barbed wire fencing, escorted by two corrections officers, to a field to meet the youth. They didn’t look like me, talk like me, or have the same background and culture as me. I was incredibly nervous, vulnerable being the “odd one out”, and thought I would fail to make the slightest impact on these kids. All of that changed when I removed my ego. I accepted that I am vastly different from these kids and didn’t try to change that. I stayed true to myself, which allowed me to make genuine connections with the youth and earn their trust. As I continued to go back with Jordan, I got more and more comfortable with them. My initial expectations were very wrong. The kids in the facilities are exactly that…kids; kids like me who just want to have fun and get out of their stressful lives for a few moments. I fell in love with the youth and the mission so much that I co-founded the student chapter of SOL on campus. Now 2.5 years later, Jordan, my Vice President, and I lead over 30 volunteers and 50 youth every week to play games inside DJJ. We will continue to grow this into something bigger than us; not only will individual lives change but eventually legislation will be influenced. SOL has also taught me to treat everyone with compassion and free from judgment, and that no matter the differences, anyone with a heart can make an impact on the world.

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During my time at the University of South Carolina I've had the opportunity to work as a research assistant participating in interventive psychology research. I originally found the research via a friend who had participated in the program the year prior and was returning for a second year. She had told me about what they were studying, and I thought it sounded interesting. I started this research in the fall of 2023 and continued through the remained of the 2023/2024 school year. While helping with the research I learned much about how research can impact the target population while collecting data for the future. Driven by this opportunity to help others, I created lesson plans and executed comprehensive health teachings to promote the development of long term health awareness. By employing the learning and memory techniques I learned in the classroom in a hands-on manner I was able to witness the children learning and applying the information that was taught to them. I believe that this early intervention for children can greatly improve their well-being as they continue to develop. This experience has led me to greatly appreciate interventive research and I aim in the future to apply the insights that I learned while facilitating these lesson plans not only in my daily life but to spread the information to others. I will look to participate in facilitating more research that looks to positively impact the awareness young children have on their health and well-being regardless of their backgrounds

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When I reached the official halfway point of my college experience, I was standing alone in front of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. That moment marked the farthest I had ever stepped outside my comfort zone. During that summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Here, I took a course on International Marketing & Business surrounded by 14 students from around the world. Being the only student in my class not just from USC, but from the entire US, challenged me to stretch outside my comfort zone, build a global network of friends, and gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Everyday our classroom buzzed with discussions about our cultural differences. We exchanged questions about everything—school, friends, holidays, governments, trends, food, music, and more; learning along the way that (of course) growing up in six separate countries meant we had a significant number of differences. What I found to be the most beautiful element of this experience, however, was that for every difference we discussed, we’d identify even more similarities. Through laughter, shared stories, and moments of vulnerability, I realized that while our backgrounds varied, our shared aspirations, dreams, and struggles united us in ways far beyond geographic boundaries. Some human experiences are absolutely universal, and my time in Barcelona reminded me of the remarkable truth that connections of the heart transcend every border and culture. I carry this trip with me in everything I do. It shaped the way I approached the remainder of my college journey and will continue to influence how I navigate my professional life. As I look toward the future, I’ll pursue environments that challenge me, surround myself with people who bring diverse perspectives, and create spaces that bring people together. Whether it’s pursuing an MBA, building a career in marketing, or exploring opportunities in hospitality and tourism, I know the lessons I learned in Spain will guide me. Studying abroad didn’t just change the way I see the world—it changed the way I see myself in it.

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Serving as the Student Alumni Association President has provided me such an unique opportunity to bridge the gap between current students and alumni and to foster a lifelong sense of school pride and connection. This leadership role truly enhanced my college experience by allowing me to develop and lead initiatives that involved networking opportunities, organizing events, and upholding our school traditions. Through this role I built valuable skills in leadership, communication, and event planning while creating lasting relationships with peers and alumni. The impact of serving as the student alumni association president extends beyond personal growth, as it strengthens campus culture, encourages student engagement, and provides a deeper sense of belonging within the university community. By creating meaningful opportunities for students to interact with alumni, I saw the impact of being able to help build career pathways, instill pride in the institution, and reinforce a supportive network that extends beyond graduation. The experiences I gained from serving as president not only prepared me for future leadership roles but also allowed me to leave a lasting legacy on campus by fostering a strong and engaged alumni community.

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This presentation includes the emphasis of community service through the lens of leading a student-run nonprofit organization, USC Dance Marathon (USCDM). This organization fully supports and funds initiatives of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands and is a unifying movement to improve children’s health. Through USCDM’s objectives of year-long fundraising, hosting events on and off campus, and fostering community partnerships, I have grown in servant leadership. The combined knowledge I gained from my Public Health classes and extracurricular activities have emphasized that communication and community are crucial to nonprofit management. My journey to becoming President put all the pieces together and solidified my future goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist. My future steps will be guided by the lesson I learned in this organization that Bad Dancing Changes Lives.

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Osteoporosis is a major health issue that typically affects post-menopausal women. It less commonly presents in young adults. When this occurs, it is very important to determine the cause. In terms of treatment, bisphosphonates are the first line therapeutic choice for postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture but come with side effects. Thus, it is important to reassess fracture risk after patient has been on bisphosphonates for 3-5 years. If there is a low to moderate fracture risk as determined by a stable DEXA and normal bone turnover markers, then a “bisphosphonate holiday” can be prescribed. For those with a high fracture risk, anabolic therapy such as teriparatide or abaloparatide can be used. This is a case of a 19-year-old female with past medical history of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy who presented with a left femur fracture. Shortly after, a DEXA scan confirmed osteoporosis with Z score of femur at -15.9. Because there are no clear guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in young adults, treatment posed a challenge. This patient received six bisphosphonate infusions over the span of four years. Repeat DEXA scans showed and unchanged Z score with normal bone turnover markers. Anabolic therapy was not used due to the patient’s young age. The most likely predisposing factor in this case was likely immobilization, but a complete workup including genetic testing is in progress. Secondary causes are also important to rule out by analysing the following labs: alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and thyroid hormone. This patient had normal menstrual cycles after menarche, and she was not taking medications that could attribute to secondary osteoporosis. Furthermore, this atypical case of osteoporosis in a young adult is an important and ongoing investigation to serve as the stepping stone into the cause and management of osteoporosis in young adults.

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Introduction: Geriatric hip fractures often require blood transfusions, which has been linked to increased complications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to have a positive effect on hip fractures, with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommending its use; however, optimal dosing and timing has not been delineated in the literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an early TXA administration protocol on transfusion rates in extracapsular geriatric hip fracture patients. Methods: All patients >65 years old who underwent intramedullary nailing for a fragility intertrochanteric hip fracture (AO/OTA 31A) between 2021-2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified into two groups: 1) Patients who received 1g IV TXA at the time of admission, followed by 1g TXA three hours later and 2) Patients who received no TXA. Based on protocol, transfusion occurred if hemoglobin was less than 7g/dL. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients with femoral neck fractures, pathologic hip fractures, presenting hemoglobin level less than 7.0 g/dL, and concomitant injuries that may affect blood loss. The primary outcome was allogenic blood transfusion rates. Patient demographics, hemoglobin levels, blood transfusion volume, and 90-day post-operative thromboembolic events were also recorded. Results: Among 168 patients, 102 were in the TXA group and 66 in the non-TXA group. There was no significant difference in allogenic transfusion rates between the TXA group (25.5%) and the non-TXA group (33.3%) (p=0.27). There were no differences in patient age, gender, hemoglobin levels at time of admission, or mean blood transfusion volume (p>0.05). The mean lowest post-operative hemoglobin levels were 8.5 (±1.6) in the TXA group and 8.3 (±1.7) in the non-TXA group (p=0.42). Four patients in the TXA group (3.9%) experienced thromboembolic events versus three patients (4.5%) in the non-TXA group (p=1). Conclusion: Early administration of TXA at hospital admission does not significantly reduce allogenic blood transfusion rates in geriatric hip fracture patients. Early TXA administration may not adequately address hidden blood loss, possibly due to high comorbidity burden, pre-existing anemia, and delayed surgery. Further research is necessary to explore alternative strategies for managing early blood loss and optimizing outcomes in this population.

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Student organizations are a huge part of campus life. They provide friendships, knowledge, service, leadership experiences, and more. My favorite part of my undergraduate years at the University of South Carolina has been my time in Delight Ministries, where I ultimately became the team director. Starting as a nervous member and making my way to the highest position, I feel joy as I look back at my time and the people I have met. I was able to grow in my leadership and interpersonal skills immensely. I learned how to solve problems quickly and diligently, interact with different girls in the chapter, and communicate in a way that touches all the girls’ hearts. In my presentation, I will discuss some of the different insights that have shaped who I am and how I will grow as a leader with my faith in Christ always showing through in all I do.

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For the past two and a half years, I have worked as an equipment manager for South Carolina Football and have recently transitioned over to an administrative and operations intern role. Throughout both of my internships, I am able to set up practice, help with drills, organize equipment and some administrative duties as well for our head football coach. Sports was always something that I knew I wanted to work in because it combined many parts of my mission and vision for my life into one place. It is an aspect of life that brings together many people of different backgrounds. Sports was the part of life that I looked forward to always, no matter whether I was playing them myself or going to be a spectator at a game. At the beginning of my college career, I was not sure where I wanted to complete my major required internships but I discovered where my passion comes from for wanting to work in sports and received the opportunity to work for the team that I had been a fan of ever since I was a little girl. The summer after my sophomore year I became the first female equipment intern the team had accepted in 20 years. The reason I wanted to work in sports in the first place is so I can show younger girls that working in this realm is not only possible, but it is a place where you can thrive. I have learned in my Sport & Entertainment classes what characteristics it takes to work in sports and be a leader, whether that be as a coach or staff member. The experience that I have had over the past two and a half years has made me grow personally and professionally and has played a major role in the parts of my life that mean the most to me and keep me going every day. Working with Gamecock Football even gave me the experience and the confidence to go work Super Bowl LVIII last year and that is something I will forever cherish.

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Background and Purpose: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rapid progressive form of respiratory failure that occurs when an excessive inflammatory response occurs following the underlying damage of the epithelial cell barriers. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a significant role in the development of ARDS, particularly in the context of environmental pollutant exposure. SEB can trigger a strong immune response that can lead to lung inflammation and damage. Our studies are aimed at determining whether AhR ligation leads to amelioration of ALI/ARDS by producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Methods: To investigate the potential role of AhR in regulation of the anti-microbial peptides, - and -Defensin 1 in ARDS, we employed indole-3-carbinol (I3C), an Ahr agonist and ingredient found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in SEB-induced ARDS model. Whole-body plethysmography (WBP) was used to analyse the lung functions. Proinflammatory cytokines and histology were used to assess the severity of lung inflammation. Molecular assays including RNA sequencing (RNASeq), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), luciferase reporter activity, Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess underlying mechanisms. Results: Our analysis found that I3C was effective in treating ARDS as determined by whole-body plethysmography (WBP) which showed improvement in Breaths per minute, Index of constriction, Enhanced Pause, Minute volume and Tidal volume. Further, this improvement was accompanied by a decrease in inflammation as measured by lower levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum (TNF-, IFN-, IL-6, and IL-2). RNASeq analysis demonstrated that I3C significantly boosted the mRNA levels of AhR and antimicrobial peptides such as - and β-defensin1 in alveolar epithelial cells, when compared to mice treated with vehicle (control) or SEB. Using luciferase reporter and ChIP assays, we identified that activation of dioxin response element (DRE)-3 in the promoter of AhR was critical in upregulation of -defensin 1 expression whereas DRE-1 and -2 were important for β-defensin 1. Further, AhR ligands failed to induce defensins and protect mice from ARDS when blocking AhR using AhR antagonist CH223191. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that I3C protects against SEB-mediated lung damage via AhR-regulated antimicrobial peptide expression.

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Objective Household and psychosocial conditions (e.g., food security, family relationship, maternal stress) can shape perinatal attachment, which is essential for children's cognitive and socio-emotional development. This study tested whether adding fortified foods or top-up cash to the Bangladesh government's standard Mother and Child Benefit Programme (MCBP), which targets critical drivers of attachment, improves maternal-fetal and maternal-infant attachment. Methods This cluster-randomized trial was conducted in six rural subdistricts in Bangladesh. We recruited 4,620 pregnant women in their second trimester who were MCBP-eligible (e.g., aged 20-35 y, from a poor household, and in their first or second pregnancy). The 144 study clusters (ward groups) were randomly assigned to one of three study arms: 1) Standard MCBP (~7.40 USD monthly cash transfer and nutrition education), 2) Standard MCBP + top-up cash of ~9.25 USD (during pregnancy), or 3) Standard MCBP + fortified foods (during pregnancy). Data were collected at the second pregnancy trimester (study enrolment), at the third trimester, and at two months postpartum. Maternal-fetal attachment was assessed in the third trimester using Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Maternal-infant attachment was assessed at two months postpartum using Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire. Intervention impact was estimated as the difference in mean scores between arms using cluster-adjusted mixed-effects regression. All analyses were intent to treat. Results At enrolment, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were similar among study arms. In the third trimester, no differences in maternal-fetal attachment were found across arms. At two months postpartum, maternal-infant attachment was better in women who received food transfers during pregnancy than women in the standard MCBP arm (geometric mean ratio:1.35, 95% CI: 1.07-1.71, p=0.01). Intervention effects from food transfers were observed for each subscale of maternal-infant attachment, e.g., impaired bonding, infant-focused anxiety, and rejection. No effect occurred in the top-up cash arm. Conclusions Fortified foods with a base cash transfer during pregnancy can improve maternal-infant attachment. The lack of effect in the top-up cash arm could be related to cash being used by others and for purposes unrelated to maternal and infant health, warranting further research.

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Background: Prisma Health is South Carolina's largest healthcare organization. It sets clinical quality goals based on insurance contracts and community needs. Hypertension is a key focus for Primary Care Departments. The Prisma Health Family Medicine Center has focused on controlling hypertension for the past two years in an underserved, high-minority urban area with high rates of vascular disease. Methods: Using the American Heart Association’s MAP model (Measure Accurately, Act Rapidly, and Partner with Patients), we employed a driver diagram to identify interventions for better blood pressure control (below 140/90). Interventions included: (M) – nurses averaging three blood pressure readings if the initial was above 139/89; (A) – implementing a pharmacotherapy guideline for uncontrolled blood pressure; (P) – enrolling food-insecure or low-income patients in a produce voucher program. Monthly reports tracked progress: (M) – rate of repeated elevated blood pressures; (A) – blood pressure control rate at six weeks; (P) – number of enrolled patients and redeemed vouchers. Results: Compared to other Prisma Health primary care offices, at the end of 2 years, our office ranked in the top quartile for confirming elevated blood pressures and achieving target blood pressures within six weeks. The Food Voucher program served over 900 patients, with 2,483 vouchers redeemed. Our hypertension control rate has improved from 61.4% to 71.14%. Conclusions: In the context of a primary care residency clinic, in an urban underserved community, controlling hypertension at a practice level requires a multiprong approach. This approach needs to address physician and nurse inertia as well as patient social needs. Public Health Implications Chronic disease interventions are most effective when involving nurses, physicians, and patients. Protocols standardize hypertension control and address unconscious bias. Patient engagement improves with community partner connections. As value-based payments grow, healthcare systems must extend efforts beyond clinic walls Data Source Utilized Clinic aggregated data from the medical record, Epic. Food Insecurity Grant database.

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As a Political Science major, I have explored how historical context shapes leadership and our understanding of ourselves and others. In POLI 391 with Dr. Josef Olmert, I studied Middle Eastern political transformations and examined how historical forces influence governance and identity. A key assignment on post-Soviet Jewish migration to Israel connected political trends to my own family's experience, sharpening my research and analytical skills while deepening my awareness of how personal histories intersect with broader global narratives. These insights shaped my role as a University 101 peer leader, where I encouraged students to explore different perspectives and reflect on their own backgrounds. Through discussions on current issues and a class trip to USC’s International Festival, students engaged with diverse viewpoints, gaining a deeper understanding of both themselves and others. This experience reinforced my belief that leadership is about intellectual growth, self-awareness, and understanding how history informs our perspectives and interactions. My presentation will illustrate how my academic training has shaped my approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of historical context in shaping individual and societal viewpoints.

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Light serves as a sensory stimulus that exerts profound influences on both brain circuits and behaviors. Chronic exposure to altered light environment has been linked to various health problems, including emotional disorders. The medial amygdala (MeA) is a sexually dimorphic region regulating social behavior and directly receives light information from the retina. However, our understanding of sex differences in the light-induced response within the MeA remains elusive. In our study, we investigated sex-specific effects of chronic light cycle disruption in adolescent mice, focusing on social behavior and neuronal responses in the medial amygdala and target regions. To this aim, we implemented a recently developed light paradigm 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 for 5 days per week. Adolescent mice, post-natal day 30, were exposed to either control conditions (12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light) or light cycle disruption (LCD) (19 hours of LED light with a blue wavelength) for four weeks. Mice were tested for social behaviors while measuring MeA neuronal activity using fiber photometry. Brains were then processed to perform RNAscope and immunofluorescence analysis. We found that male adolescent mice exposed to LCD exhibited a reduction in social interactions compared to the control group and female mice. Fiber photometry analysis revealed an increase in somatostatin (SST) neuronal activity in the MeA during social interaction in male mice exposed to LCD compared to control. Sex-hormone receptor analysis showed a significant decrease in estrogen receptor expression in SST neurons in the MeA of male mice exposed to LCD. Using a viral tracing approach, we found that SST neurons in the MeA project to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis (BNST), a brain region regulating social behavior. Moreover, we found a decrease in the activation of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) neurons in the BNST following LCD exposure in male mice. Taken together, our data suggests the presence of sex-specific response to altered light environment regulating social behavior during adolescence.

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Purpose: Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in women. The 5-year relative survival rate in women diagnosed with localized breast cancer is 99% and drops to 31% in distant staged breast cancer, emphasizing the importance and significance of early detection.1 This work in progress will help to further investigate and target social determinants of health (SDOH) with a goal of increasing the breast cancer screenings in our population. Methods: Patients included in this project will be from our family medicine residency clinic in Columbia, SC who are due for a mammogram according to ACOG guidelines and will exclude patients with a history of abnormal mammogram or patients with a current or previous diagnosis of breast cancer. Demographic factors including age, race, ethnicity, zip code, insurance status and type as well as identified difficulty with or poor access to transportation via self-reported SDOH questionnaire will be collected within this patient population and compared to our general clinic population. Preliminary/Anticipated Results: We have identified 1,102 patients who are overdue for their breast cancer screening based on our study criteria. Our demographic and SDOH data have been organized and given to our data research analyst. On initial analysis of this group, 37% are at least at moderate risk for financial resource strain and approximately 17% have poor access to transportation. We hypothesize that breast cancer screening completion rates are negatively impacted by certain SDOH factors, specifically poor access to transportation. Conclusion: Ultimately, we hope the information gained from this study could allow us to better target various barriers to breast cancer screening to improve completion rates for populations at high risk of healthcare disparities which could help expand on services that provide mammography to patients in our community.

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Last summer, I worked as a counselor at a summer camp called Camp Smiles in Myrtle Beach. This summer camp is special, as it is specifically designed for children with disabilities. The camp accommodates a wide range of disabilities, predominately Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Camp Smiles is an inclusive place with the purpose of providing an engaging summer camp experience for children who may not normally get the opportunity to participate. Surrounded by local Special Education teachers and other professionals, parents feel safe bringing their children to camp knowing they will be in a fun and secure environment. At training, we received profiles of each camper, including their typical behavior, routine, triggers, medical needs, and other need-to-know information so that we could prepare for the first day of camp. Camp runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday for a month during the summer and consists of four rotations: movement, art, music, and literacy. I worked in literacy, where we read stories with the kids and did activities related to language recognition and writing. Beyond that, I fed and changed kids, sat with those who required supervision and stimulation, helped them engage in activities, and dealt with health emergencies on occasion, all while providing kids with a memorable camp experience. As an individual entering the education field, I wanted to gain experience working with children of different abilities and play a part in giving them the summer they deserve. I learned more than I ever could have imagined. I learned about how various disabilities impact children’s day-to-day lives, as well as their families, how to accommodate certain needs, and the importance of not allowing an individual’s disability to define them. If people take anything away from my project, let it be that children with disabilities are capable, and it is crucial that we provide them with the support necessary to thrive.

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BACKGROUND: Fat free mass index (FFMI) has been proposed as an accurate measure of body composition to be used as a standard for muscle mass. Influences in determining muscle mass are a person’s physical activity levels and their overall body strength. The purpose of this study was to determine if associations exist among moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), handgrip strength, and FFMI in female NJCAA athletes. METHODS: Thirteen female NJCAA student athletes from a rural 2-year commuter campus were recruited to participate in this study. Anthropometric measures (height, weight, circumferences) were recorded, and handgrip strength was assessed (Jamar dynamometer). Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (RJL Systems Quantum X) was used to assess body composition. Participants were asked to wear a GT3X ActiGraph accelerometer during waking hours for 7 days, excluding sleeping, swimming, or bathing. Pearson r correlational analyses were used to determine possible associations among MVPA, handgrip strength, and FFMI. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: A correlational analysis was performed between FFMI, MVPA, and handgrip strength. No statistically significant correlation was found between handgrip strength and FFMI, r(12)=0.111, p=0.718 or between FFMI and MVPA, r(12)=0.514, p=0.072. DISCUSSION: A moderately strong relationship between FFMI and MVPA, although not significant, was found in this population. The data showed that while the minimums for MVPA were met, the minimum standard for a recommended FFMI were not met. This indicates that college age women, athletic or not, would benefit from higher levels of strength training. Previous studies have reported no relationship between FFMI and MVPA in non-athletic adult women. However, our lack of significance between these two variables is most likely due to a relatively small sample size.

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BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is generally accepted to improve cardiovascular health. One measure of PA is how many steps are taken per day, with 8,000-10,000 steps/day being the goal and less than 5000 steps/day being considered sedentary. Sedentary behavior (SB) can increase the likelihood of risks and have negative impacts on overall health. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in daily average steps and measured sedentary time in NJCAA female student-athletes during the competitive season and off-season. METHODS: Ten NJCAA female student-athletes at a two-year university participated in this study during the competitive season and off-season. The student-athletes wore a GT3X ActiGraph accelerometer for seven days. Steps and measured SB were averaged to give a daily value. Paired t-tests were used to determine if differences existed between the competitive season and off-season. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the average steps between the competitive season (8085.63 ± 2142.09), and off-season (6371.96 ± 1867.16), p =0.011. No significant difference was found in measured SB between the competitive season and the off-season (535.11 ± 89.4 min/day vs. 504.59 ± 114.14 min/day) p=0.360. CONCLUSIONS: Although average daily steps were lower in off-season compared to competitive season, both averages were above the sedentary cut-off value. There was very little difference in measured SB between the two seasons. Previous studies support these findings by demonstrating that individuals who are considered active can also have high amounts of SB. Due to the preliminary nature of this multi-year investigation, the primary limitation of this study is the relatively small sample size. This should serve as a reminder for athletes to remain physically active to reap the health benefits during the off-season. Supported by the Research and Productive Scholarship Grant

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Holt-Oram syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by anterior appendage, cardiac, and ocular deformities. The syndrome is caused by a mutation in the tbx5 gene in humans. Zebrafish have two copies of the gene, tbx5a and tbx5b genes. Both tbx5a and tbx5b function in the development of the embryonic eye, pectoral fins, and heart of zebrafish. Zebrafish have been chosen to study this disorder for several studies due to zebrafish mutant similarities to the human Holt-Oram syndrome, as well as easy embryo accessibility. The goal of this study is to determine whether tbx5b has a distinct function in zebrafish tissue development compared to tbx5a. We genotyped each fish using tbx5b Sfol RE digest PCR strategy with CNH. A tbx5a heterozygous tbx5b homozygous mutant female was breed with a tbx5a heterozygous tbx5b heterozygous male. We then scored the offspring for phenotype and are currently genotyping each fish. 39 adult fish have been sorted into 8 tanks by genotype. Skeletal preparation genotyping results so far (tbx5a/tbx5b): WT/Het (n=10), WT/Mut (n=10), Het/Het (n=1), and Mut/Het (n=4). Four phenotypes have been observed so far, one of which being wild type. One phenotype has slight edema and the loss of pectoral fins. The next phenotype did not lose their pectoral fins but has severe edema and small cartilage. The final phenotype has extremely severe edema, small cartilage, and the loss of pectoral fins. Further genotyping is needed before a conclusion can be made.

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Background: Pain-related hospital admissions are prevalent in the United States, and in 2016, the CDC released guidelines to assist clinicians with opioid prescribing at discharge. Patients aged ≥ 65 years are particularly vulnerable to inadequate pain control and adverse effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, and constipation. The presence of non-opioid alternatives on the BEERs list further complicates pain management. The CDC recommends the lowest effective opioid dose, with reassessment for doses >50 morphine milliequivalents per day. Prisma Health lacks a discharge opioid protocol, prompting this study to evaluate prescribing patterns in opioid-naïve geriatric patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients aged ≥65 years admitted to Prisma Health Richland between January 1, 2024, and August 1, 2024. Eligibility required inpatient admission and an inpatient order for at least 1 opioid for ≥24 hours. The primary objective was to quantify morphine milliequivalents (MMEs) prescribed at discharge. Secondary objectives included comparing inpatient opioid use with discharge regimens, identifying overdose risk factors based on high-risk medications and conditions, evaluating prescribing patterns by provider group, assessing length of therapy, 30-day readmission for opioid adverse reactions, as well as the impact of discharge disposition on MMEs. Statistical analysis will involve one-sample t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, paired t-tests, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: In progress Conclusion: In progress

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Background: PANS/PANDAS are pediatric autoimmune disorders that cause an acute-onset of OCD-like symptoms and/or severe restricted eating, as well as anxiety, irritation, deterioration of fine motor skills, hyperactivity, and other psychiatric symptoms. An estimated 1-2% of the pediatric population is affected. Currently, there is little research published on the treatment options for PANS/PANDAS and there is no evidence-based consensus on the best treatment option. Purpose: This study aimed to discover the efficacy of, and barriers to, available treatment options for PANS/PANDAS. Methods: A convenience sample of individuals diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS or their parent/caregiver was recruited anonymously through Facebook support groups. Participants completed an 18-item researcher-developed survey via REDCap© and optional open-ended responses to allow elaboration. Items included non-identifying demographic information and questions related to diagnosis, treatment, co-occurring disorders, and barriers to care. Descriptive data were obtained using REDCap© and narrative responses were categorized and analyzed in the context of the descriptive findings. Results: There were a total of 90 responses. The majority of participants utilized antibiotics or NSAIDs as their primary treatment option. However, many participants were interested in trying IVIG or homeopathy. The most common challenges to finding care were a lack of psychiatric providers in a participant’s area, a lack of provider knowledge about PANS/PANDAS, and a lack of financial means to access treatment. Both rural and urban responders stated similar challenges to finding treatment. However, rural residents in this sample experienced fewer delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Conclusions/Implications: More research is needed to establish an evidence base related to prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of PANS/PANDAS, with a goal of future inclusion in the DSM. Content related to PANS/PANDAS should be incorporated in healthcare provider programs to raise awareness of these disorders and facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment.

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Background: Parenteral pain medications are the primary treatment for pain in the emergency department (ED), but they carry disadvantages such as respiratory depression, over-sedation, drug interactions, and risk of addiction. Ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks (UGRNBs), specifically the fascia iliaca (FI) block for proximal femur fractures, offer a safe and effective alternative. This study examines barriers to routinely implementing FI blocks for proximal femur fractures at two tertiary care centers with differing resources. Methods: Thirty-nine emergency medicine residents at a high-resource US tertiary care center and 25 residents from various specialties (including EM, anesthesia, surgery, orthopedics, family medicine, radiology, and internal medicine) at a resource-constrained center in Malawi received training in UGRNBs, with an emphasis on FI blocks. Twelve months after the training, participants completed a survey—electronically at the US site and via paper in Malawi—that combined yes/no, open-ended, and 5-point Likert scale questions. Results: Survey response rates were 87% (34/39) in the US and 28% (7/25) in Malawi. Nearly all participants agreed that FI blocks were useful and improved patient care (median rating: 4/5). A majority felt confident performing the procedure (68% of US residents and 100% of Malawian residents). Despite this confidence, most had not performed an FI block in the preceding year (62% in the US and 57% in Malawi). US residents reported that they “rarely” considered but did not perform an FI block (median response: 2), whereas Malawian residents reported “sometimes” (median response: 3). For US residents, the primary reason for not performing a block was that patients’ pain was already well-controlled (27%), followed by time restrictions (19%) and patient comorbidities (19%). Malawian residents equally cited time restraints, equipment unavailability, and lack of supervision (each 33%) as barriers. Conclusion: Although FI blocks are recognized as useful and are performed with confidence, their infrequent use suggests that specific, tailored approaches are needed to overcome local barriers. Time constraints, resource limitations, and procedural prioritization issues may hinder the adoption of UGRNBs as a primary pain management modality in the ED.

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The Amitsur subgroup of a smooth Fano G-variety measures the obstruction to G-linearization of line bundles on it. It is an equivariant birational invariant. The Amitsur subgroup of such varieties has been studied in cases of dimensions 1 and 2 in algebraically closed setting. A natural next step is to classify it for Fano varieties of dimension 3. In this poster presentation, we discuss the background for the problem and the recently made progress on Amitsur subgroup of smooth Fano threefolds.

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Mimulus guttatus (syn. Erythranthe guttata) is a species of the yellow monkeyflower found along the West Coast of North America. Populations of coastal Mimulus guttatus have been observed to exhibit drastically different phenotypes from their protected counterparts. The coastal ecotype, thought to be exposed to increased salt spray, shows a significant reduction in height compared to protected populations. This phenotypic difference is observed among subpopulations across both similar and varying latitudes. While this is thought to be a result of local adaption, there is an ongoing analysis of the evolutionary forces contributing to this differentiation. We aim to test whether this divergence is driven by decreased gene flow, allowing populations to differentiate through genetic drift and selection. The null hypothesis states that these populations are experiencing regular gene flow, leading to genetic homogenization. To gain insight into the ecological interactions occurring among these subpopulations of monkey flowers, we performed a series of DNA extractions to conduct genotypic analyses. This genotypic data will allow us to apply allele frequency models, such as the fixation index (Fst), which measures genetic differentiation between populations. A high Fst value indicates limited gene flow and high differentiation. To reject the null hypothesis, we expect to observe a high FST value. This research will help us understand the role of gene flow, selection, and genetic drift in shaping the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of Mimulus guttatus populations.

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Objective: To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of interprofessional education (IPE) practices at the University of South Carolina (USC) using the IPEC Institutional Assessment Instrument, with particular focus on institutional infrastructure, faculty engagement, and programmatic outcomes. Methods: A survey incorporating the IPEC Institutional Assessment Instrument was distributed to faculty, staff and administrators across health science programs at USC. The survey included quantitative Likert-scale questions and qualitative open-ended responses addressing organizational structure, leadership commitment, resource allocation, faculty development, and curriculum integration. Results: Analysis of responses (n=35) revealed that while most respondents (81.1%) were actively involved in IPE activities, significant variability existed in understanding of institutional structure, with 31.4% agreeing USC had a formal IPE organization, while 34.3% disagreed and 34.3% were unsure. Most faculty (62.9-77.1%) reported limited engagement in IPE research, presentations, and publications. Areas demonstrating strength included commitment to IPE competencies development (42.9%) and variety of IPE activities (57.2% reporting moderate to large extent). Faculty identified challenges in budget management, with 66.7% indicating insufficient centralized financial support for IPE initiatives. Additionally, only 20.6% agreed that formal teaching evaluations existed for IPE facilitation. Notably, 68.6% of respondents indicated moderate to large extent of commitment to advancing interprofessional collaboration in USCs mission and goals, though implementation varied across programs. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence-based direction for strengthening USCs IPE infrastructure, guiding strategic planning, and enhancing curricular integration. Priority areas for improvement include establishing clearer organizational structure, increasing dedicated resources, expanding faculty development opportunities, and creating comprehensive approaches to IPE implementation across health professions programs.

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Serving as a volunteer with the Gamecock CommUnity Shop placed value on my time as a Gamecock. Transitioning from a Unity Pal to a member of the Executive Board, being both the Volunteer Coordinator and Executive Director, has allowed me to be a vocal advocate for USC’s basic needs resource. As Executive Director, I leverage partnerships with both on- and off-campus resources, facilitate meetings amongst volunteers and our executive board, and picking up donations to restock our shelves. I initially got involved with the Unity Shop thanks to my roommate who was actively a Unity Pal. I realized that this would a great chance for me to give back to the community that had given so much to me, and provide me with a different perspective of my student experience. Through this experience, I have learned about the systemic issues regarding basic need insecurity, as well as beginnings of solutions to them. Before my time with the CommUnity Shop, I was aware that basic need insecurity was a problem, however I didn’t know the extent to which it can affect individuals. I realized that without having basic needs met, students cannot be successful students. I understand now that there is more to achieving student success than just studying hard, rather all students must feel safe and secure in which the environment they are living and learning in. It is important that community members, including members of the Gamecock Community, are aware of how they can help one another succeed. As I look forward into a career of Human Resources, I am able to apply the knowledge I’ve learned from the past three years with the Unity Shop, as well as my public health background. I am able to understand the needs of employees, and know what they need to succeed in the workplace. The skills I’ve learned from this experience will translate into the beginnings of a successful career and life.

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Stress granules (SGs) are non-membrane-bound assemblies of RNA and proteins crucial for stress responses. They form in reaction to stressors such as temperature fluctuations, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and nutrient deprivation. Impairments in SG formation are observed in cancer, neurodegeneration, and chronic stress conditions. However, describing SGs' physical properties is challenging due to their dynamic nature. To locally characterize the structure of SGs and analyze their influence on the cellular environment from the perspective of macromolecules, we applied a novel tool, 40-nm Genetically Encoded Nanoparticles (GEMs), developed by Delarue et al. (2018), for single-particle tracking (SPT) in mammalian U2OS sarcoma cells. Firstly, we characterized the microrheological properties of the cytoplasm in U2OS cells expressing GEMs by extracting diffusion coefficients and types of motion. We found that GEMs exhibited movement close to Brownian, which is consistent with other studies on U2OS cells using GEMs. This indicates that the cytoskeleton of U2OS cells creates a larger mesh for 40-nm macromolecules compared to other mammalian cell lines. Secondly, using U2OS cells expressing the core component of stress granules, G3BP1, bound to the mCherry fluorescent protein, and GEMs, we performed live imaging both before and after SG formation to collect ultra-fast SPT data using resonance confocal scanning mode based on low-noise SilVIR photodetectors. Higher spatial resolution imaging was achieved through TrueSight super-resolution technology. As a result, we found GEMs intercalating into SGs. Moreover, the extraction of diffusion coefficients from SPT data revealed that while SG formation decreases the diffusion of GEMs, GEMs exhibited two types of behavior near stress granules: a) bouncing on the boundaries of SGs and b) entering SGs and moving inside with the possibility of exiting. In summary, these data suggest that SGs form a heterogeneous mesh through which macromolecules up to 40 nm in size can diffuse. This raises interesting questions about how SG formation changes the diffusivity of macromolecules of different sizes around and inside SGs and affects enzymatic reaction rates in SGs, such as RNA modification.

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Introduction: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV infection, but use remains low in the Southern US, especially in young adults and racial/ethnic minorities where HIV incidence is disproportionately high. These factors position college students as a key group for HIV prevention. Our study explores PrEP awareness, uptake, and HIV infection risk among students attending free HIV testing events at South Carolina college campuses. Methods: We administered a 17-item survey at twenty higher education campuses, including all eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We analyzed responses descriptively to understand participant demographics, HIV risk behaviors, perceived risk, PrEP awareness, barriers to uptake, service delivery preferences, and prior PrEP use. Results: We received 174 survey responses. Approximately 65% of respondents were women, 81% were aged 18-22, 71% were Black/African American, and 72% identified as heterosexual. 50% of respondents had prior knowledge of PrEP, most commonly from friends or social networks (29%), medical providers (24%), and school (22%), yet only 2% reported current use. Most respondents perceived themselves at “no” or “low risk” for HIV infection, including 86% of those with inconsistent condom use and 80% of those with a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI). The most frequently cited barriers to PrEP use were low perceived risk (70%), lack of knowledge (62%), uncertainty about how or where to get PrEP (35%), and cost concerns (27%). Participants most often selected primary care providers (48%) or university health centers (39%) for initial PrEP services. Non-heterosexual men had higher PrEP awareness (92% vs. 47%) and uptake (10% vs. 2%) compared to their peers, however overall risk perception and use remained low in this group. Conclusions: We identified low PrEP awareness and use among college students engaging with HIV testing events. Several barriers contributed to low uptake, including misaligned perception of HIV risk with behaviors. Although non-heterosexual men had greater PrEP awareness than their peers, uptake remained low, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions for this high-priority group. These findings highlight key opportunities to integrate PrEP education and services into trusted healthcare settings, such as primary care providers and university health centers.

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AIEC are gut opportunistic pathogens associated with Crohn’s Disease. One important factor that contributes to AIEC mucosal colonization and virulence is their flagellum, which facilitates movement through mucus and adherence to epithelial cells. Previous work in our lab identified FadR as a putative regulator of flagellar motility and virulence in AIEC. FadR is a lipid-responsive transcription factor that regulates fatty acid metabolism, but has no established role in flagellar regulation in E. coli. Nonetheless, we found that deletion of fadR significantly decreased motility in AIEC. Moreover, fadR deficiency attenuated AIEC gut colonization in a mouse model of Crohn’s disease, which corresponded with decreased inflammation. To establish how FadR regulates flagellar function, we first determined whether flagella-associated genes are transcriptionally dysregulated in the fadR-deficient mutant. Flagellar biosynthesis and motility are regulated by a complex hierarchal cascade of genes: Class I genes include master flagellar transcriptional regulator FlhDC. Class II genes encode structural and assembly proteins for the hook-basal body of the flagellum motor. Class III genes encode structural components of flagella and regulate flagellar function. Despite its reduced motility, Class I and II genes (flhD, fliA, flgM, ycgR, flgB) were significantly upregulated in the fadR-deficient mutant compared to the parental strain. Notably, expression of fliA, which encodes sigma factor 28 specific for flagellar-related genes, was increased 15-fold in the fadR-deficient mutant. Deletion of FlgM, an anti-sigma factor that inhibits FliA-dependent activation of Class II and III genes, restored motility to parental levels in the fadR-deficient mutant, suggesting that the flagellum apparatus is functional in this mutant. Together, our findings suggest that FadR may repress inhibitory signals within the flagellar regulatory cascade to enhance motility in AIEC. Overall, this work seeks to broaden our understanding regarding how metabolic regulators influence flagellar function to impact AIEC mucosal colonization and virulence in the gut.

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Bipolar disorder is a mental health disability which causes major alterations in a person’s mood, attentiveness and overall stamina regarding day-to-day activities (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). When a person with bipolar disorders daily functioning is disrupted, it is referred to as a mood episode. When a mood episode is transpiring, intense swings from extreme mania to severe depression occur. Bipolar disorder greatly affects an individual’s relationship with others as it disrupts the established flow of daily life, leaving those afflicted distressed and in dismay (American Psyciatric Association, 2024). Although it is unclear as to why, 65.3 percent of people with bipolar display the first signs of the disease before the age of 18, however treatment is not usually sought out until much later in life (Liu et al., 2022). The average age for an individual to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder is 25, with symptoms occurring as early as 13 years of age. Bipolar disorder in teens is often commonly misdiagnosed or prematurely diagnosed as anxiety, depression or in extreme cases, borderline personality disorder (Ponte, 2022). The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the level of parental awareness of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in adolescents. Parents will be recruited from "Grown and Flown Parents," a Facebook group for over 290,000 parents of children who have left the home for college. A Microsoft Forms survey will be posted on the group page for parents to voluntarily complete. The survey will include scenarios that could be considered normal teenage behavior, bipolar disorder behavior, or behaviors associated with other mental health disorders. Data collected from this survey will be used to identify parental knowledge gaps that could support targeted education to facilitate earlier detection and treatment of bipolar disorder.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Thomas Addison (1793-1860) is one of those immortals of medical history that sadly gets lost in the modern era. His contributions to our understanding of the adrenal glands were titanic. In 1849 he reported a strange cluster of symptoms with profound changes in skin pigmentation. METHODS: A review of all writings by and about Thomas Addison were sought. We were interested in his work on the adrenal glands, which he called suprarenal capsules. All biographical materials were likewise sought and read. RESULTS: Eustachius first described the adrenal glands in 1563, and Cuvier recognized that the gland is easily divided into a cortex and medulla in 1800. Thomas Addison first gleaned of the function of the adrenal glands when he described in methodical detail cases with hyperpigmentation and death associated with disease of both glands in 1849. In 1855 Addison published his classical work, “On the Constitutional and Local Effects of Disease of the Suprarenal Capsule.” This landmark paper, renowned for its clarity and observational rigor, detailed eleven cases where he identified pathological changes in the suprarenal glands. CONCLUSIONS: Thomas Addison's contributions to medicine, particularly his pioneering work on adrenal insufficiency, have left an indelible mark on the field. He adored the medical students at Guy’s Hospital and was a devoted internist. Although the precise function of the adrenal gland was not known to him, Addison recognized its importance and its association with hyperpigmentation. Armand Trousseau (1801-1867) called the syndrome Addison’s Disease in 1856. Addison broke down in 1860 and retired to Brighton. There he tragically committed suicide by jumping off a ledge, fracturing his skull. Despite the personal struggles and criticisms, he faced during his lifetime, Addison's meticulous research and keen observational skills paved the way for future advancements in understanding adrenal diseases and anemia. Addison’s legacy is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, and his name endures in the annals of medicine as a symbol of the relentless pursuit of knowledge in the face of adversity.

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Study of spin-transfer torque in half-metallic interface showed significantly different out-of-plane torque compared to traditional ferromagnetic exchange. These effects lead to dramatic changes in magnetization dynamics of the system. In this work we study the behavior of magnetization of half-metallic multilayers using Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation. The combination of anisotropy with out-of-plane torque and Gilbert’s damping with in-plane spin transfer torque affects precession and switching of magnetization of the system.

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Mentorship serves as an important method for developing both personal and professional skills while promoting leadership qualities and community participation alongside with accountability. Through my work as a MAPP (Multicultural Assistance Peer Program) mentor I supported first-year students from underrepresented backgrounds to help them adjust to college life. I provided academic resources and emotional support combined with guidance to mentees which helped them feel connected and empowered in their new environment at the University of South Carolina. Weekly/biweekly check-ins allowed me to support my mentees in their academic goal setting while helping them find campus resources and build effective time management practices. I led group and individual discussions on cultural identity, networking and career development topics while building an inclusive and supportive community. In addition to their academic and professional advancement I promoted personal development by building resilience and confidence while teaching adaptability. My leadership abilities benefited greatly from this experience, which improved my ability to communicate effectively while strengthening my problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence. My mentorship approach evolved to meet each mentee's specific requirements which enabled me to provide them with tailored guidance that was both personal and impactful. My understanding of the difficulties encountered by first-semester students in higher education strengthened my dedication to promoting advocacy and inclusivity. Serving as a MAPP mentor proved to me how vital mentorship is in building student success and a sense of belonging. The experience enhanced my personal and professional development and prepared me with essential skills for upcoming leadership positions. This mentoring position enabled me to support students through their academic paths while expanding my knowledge about how mentorship drives transformative empowerment.

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Today, hydrogen is used in a number of industries that are important for economic prosperity, including manufacturing, chemical production, and agriculture. It is produced primarily via steam reforming of methane, which is very energy intensive and consumes a valuable natural resource, natural gas. An alternative, environmentally friendly approach is to produce the hydrogen using renewable electricity through a process known as water electrolysis. The molecular ratio of water and hydrogen requires 9 kg of water to produce 1 kg of hydrogen, which can be a burden on the limited fresh water available in some parts of the nation and the world for residential and agricultural use. Seawater is abundant and a much better water source; however, the direct oxidation of seawater is affected by halogenated competitive reactions, alkaline earth deposition, and electrode corrosion – limiting the electrolyzer's long-time durability and increasing the hydrogen costs. Current techniques focused on designing corrosion resistant electrodes and electrolyte engineering are still far from practical applications. Therefore, this project sought to overcome the issues of direct seawater oxidation through the design of an osmotically driven seawater electrolyzer cell (ODEC). The proposed design operates on the principle of placing concentrated potassium hydroxide (KOH) and seawater (NaCl) on opposite sides of a membrane to create a vapor pressure difference that allows fresh water to transport without the need of external energy. The successful operating principles of the ODEC were demonstrated with membranes of various thicknesses and physical properties. The water and ion flux were both tested and the cell performance was quantified.

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IDEA Part C requires early interventionists (EIs) to use evidence-based interventions (EBIs) with families of developmentally delayed birth-to-3-year-olds, including autistic children, in “natural” environments (i.e., home or daycare). Whether an EBI is perceived as feasible, acceptable, and appropriate (FAA) may affect its system-wide implementation and ultimately, child outcomes (Proctor et al., 2011). South Carolina EIs received training in an EBI called Caregiver-Implemented Reciprocal Imitation Training (CI-RIT) that targets social communication. Because CI-RIT is parent-mediated, delivery in community-based settings (e.g. daycares) could introduce unexpected barriers. Despite seeing about 1/3 of their caseload in out-of-home settings (M=27.240%, SD=19.591), providers’ perceptions of CI-RIT’s FAA did not vary by the proportion of their caseloads they served in daycares vs. homes (Wedderburn et al., 2024). It is unclear whether these perceptions remained stable after further use of the intervention. This study builds on prior quantitative findings and qualitatively examines providers’ perspectives on CI-RIT FAA depending on caseload characteristics and provider experiences after time spent using CI-RIT. We employed a convergent mixed methods analytic approach (qual–quant) by combining quantitative pre- and post-survey data (n=44) from CI-RIT training with qualitative interviews (n=5) collected 4-7 months later to explore the relationships between FAA and service settings. A rapid coding analysis process was used to create a data matrix of quotes about this relationship. Thematic analysis of overall and subthemes were extracted deductively. Themes were compared with quantitative ratings of FAA to assess how overarching opinions on FAA may have changed over time and with use of CI-RIT. While initial perceptions of CI-RIT were positive across settings, our findings several months later revealed emerging challenges in non-home environments regarding fidelity, balancing priorities among multiple children, children with multiple developmental concerns, and caregivers being hesitant/unwilling to participate actively in sessions. Despite this, CI-RIT continued to be perceived as an effective intervention for teaching imitation skills. Future implementation of CI-RIT should provide enhanced support, clarified caregiver roles, adaptation options to involve other children, and an evaluation process for caregiver engagement. Addressing these barriers may further enhance the effectiveness of CI-RIT to benefit all children.

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Over the summer, I worked as a Cloud & Digital intern in the Salesforce practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). PwC is one of the big four accounting and consulting firms. The Salesforce practice implements digital solutions backed by the Salesforce software to solve technical problems related to the workflow of different organizations. I and my project team performed workflow automation for a Fortune 500 apparel & footwear brand. I received hands-on experience of the project management lifecycle and a deeper understanding of crucial concepts of the Agile methodology. I utilized my knowledge of different technological tools and business case concepts during the job such as Smartsheets, JIRA, Confluence, etc which are commonly used in the Project management industry. In addition to this, I witnessed the proposal creation of the project, the design phase and the planning of the build. Throughout the process, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the client, on-shore & off-shore project team and other stakeholders. I developed a persona metrics which defined the role responsibilities of different professionals of the client company and an access control document by gathering user requirements with my on-shore(US based) team. We passed on the requirements to the off-shore development team. As an Information Technology major and Business Administration minor, I closely worked on the PwC professional framework by using my technical and business acumen in the job and creating meaningful relationships with professionals around the globe through multiple coffee chats and networking opportunities during this internship. I also faced some professionally growing challenges like the ambiguity and scope creep of the consulting world which could be dealt with a constantly learning attitude and absorbing the knowledge around us as a sponge. This internship gave me lifelong learnings and showed me a clear path for my career being in the Consulting industry upon graduation, which has been helpful in my pathway to Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement.

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More than 80% of the global population experiences light-polluted skies, with China, India, and the United States ranking among the top three affected countries. Recent studies have linked these altered light environments to increased cognitive impairments in both adolescents and adults. The hippocampus, particularly the dentate gyrus (DG), plays a pivotal role in memory and also serves as a subordinate circadian oscillator. Over 10% of genes and proteins in this region exhibit circadian fluctuations and are associated with changes in synaptic and neuronal excitability. However, the impact of altered light environments of the DG during adolescence remains largely unexplored. To start addressing this gap, we exposed adolescent mice to either a light cycle disruption (LCD) paradigm involving 19 hours of light and 5 hours of darkness (19L:5D) for 5 days, followed by 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L:12D) for 2 days, over a 4-week period or to a control condition of consistent 12L:12D for 7 days. In this model, adolescent mice were exposed to LED light during the dark phase, thereby extending light exposure for 5 out of 7 days. Subsequently, mice underwent novel-object recognition (NOR) test, and their brains were processed for circadian rhythms analysis and neurogenesis. We found that mice exposed to LCD exhibited reduced exploration time with the novel object and increased exploration time with the familiar object compared to the control group. Furthermore, we observed a phase advance in neuronal activity rhythms within the granule layer of the DG, along with changes in doublecortin expression, a marker for neurogenesis, indicating neuronal network alterations induced by aberrant light exposure. Given that G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying (GIRK) regulates neuronal activity rhythm in the DG, we also analyzed GIRK expression patterns at 4 different time points in mice exposed to LCD and control condition. Our data suggests that LCD may impair memory through alterations in neuronal physiology and activity in the DG. Further exploration of the molecular mechanisms regulating memory deficits induced by aberrant light exposure holds promising avenues for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the cognitive impairments associated with disrupted light environments.

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University 101 is an important class for freshmen as it shapes their first-year experience, and it sets a good foundation as they move forward. I decided to apply to be a U101 Peer Leader because I had a great Peer Leader my freshman year who I viewed as a mentor and saw how much of an impact she made on me and our class, and I wanted to be able to do the same thing for a group of students. As a peer leader for UNIV 101, I was paired with an instructor of record to collaborate in helping students with their academic and personal transition to campus. Co-teaching this course allowed me to work closely with the instructor to further develop my professional and communication skills. I was able to enhance my problem-solving skills and my ability to adjust and adapt lectures as we go. Serving as a U101 Peer Leader transformed my leadership skills and allowed me to create an environment that fosters student engagement, academic success, and community building. I was able to support first year students by giving them campus resources, facilitating discussions, and mentoring them as they navigated their first year away from home. This was one of my favorite experiences during my undergraduate career as it was impactful and rewarding. My presentation will discuss the insights that I gained from being a Peer Leader and how it helped to further develop my leadership skills.

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Supplemental Instruction (SI) gives students the resources to practice what they learned in their classes. The ultimate goal is for them to develop study strategies that they will carry with them for the rest of their college careers. I have been an SI leader since my sophomore year, leading three weekly sessions to tutor students in general chemistry. When I first attended USC, I had heard horror stories about students who had failed certain subjects their freshman year, chemistry being one of them. My first chemistry exam was coming up, so I started attending the SI sessions to help prepare. The concepts that had previously eluded me were starting to make sense, and I felt prepared to take my first exam. To my excitement, I made 100%, which I could not have done without the support I received. I wanted to help out students like my SI leader helped me, so I signed up to be one. Being an SI leader has improved my communication and public speaking skills, especially when breaking down complex concepts into easier-to-understand ideas. I also learned to adapt to different students’ learning styles and ensure they understood the material, which helped me to become more confident. I am excited to continue using my skills after I graduate, especially when it comes to collaborating with others and presenting my ideas.

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Research on contraceptive coercion among adolescent and young adult (AYA) women in the United States focuses primarily on clinicians and male sexual partners. Less recognized is how parents may limit their daughters’ autonomy to decide when and if to initiate or discontinue prescription-based contraception and to use their preferred method. This study used thematic content analysis of interviews conducted with 46 AYA women regarding their parents’ efforts to control their contraceptive decision-making and use. Our analysis revealed that participants’ parents constrained their contraceptive autonomy in two ways: either by instructing them to not use prescription contraception or by pressuring them to use certain prescription contraceptive methods. Parents who tried to prohibit their daughters’ prescription contraceptive use appeared to be influenced by misinformation about hormonal contraception and stigma surrounding adolescent sexual activity. Parents who sought to require that their daughters to use prescription contraception did so upon learning their daughters were sexually active and/or recognizing their daughters were transitioning to legal adulthood and about to begin university. In some cases, parents who initially forbade their daughters from using prescription contraception later pressured them to initiate use. While all but one participant had used at least one method of prescription contraception, some had limited autonomy over deciding when to initiate use and which method to use. The study findings indicate that efforts to enhance AYA women’s contraceptive autonomy should consider how parents support or constrain the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of their daughters.

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Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary, sustained, and often painful muscle contractions. It can be classified into three main types: primary dystonia, which occurs due to a genetic cause, secondary dystonia, arising from brain injury, medication side effects, or neurological conditions, and pseudodystonia, which mimics dystonia symptoms without a neurological source. Our lab has extensively studied DYT-PRKRA, a primary dystonia caused by a mutation in the PRKRA gene that encodes the protein PACT. PACT is an upstream activator of PKR, a kinase in the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway that is active at high levels in DYT-PRKRA. ISR kinases are activated by stress signals such as viral infection, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, amino acid deprivation, or heme deprivation. These kinases then phosphorylate eIF2⍺, leading to a halt in global protein synthesis and the upregulation of ATF4 synthesis, a transcription factor that guides the cell through the stress response. My hypothesis is that antipsychotic medications, commonly used for treating psychiatric disorders, also activate the ISR, potentially triggering a neuronal dysfunction like in DYT-PRKRA. We investigated several antipsychotics' effects on ISR activation in human lymphoblasts and N2A neuroblastoma cells, focusing on eIF2α phosphorylation. In lymphoblasts, antipsychotics did not induce the ISR. However, all 8 antipsychotics (Aripiprazole, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine, Trazodone, Haloperidol, Nefazodone, and Olanzapine) augmented ISR kinetics and strength induced by ER stressor tunicamycin, prolonging stress signaling and apoptosis, as shown by upregulation of ATF4, as well as ATF4’s pro-apoptotic target CHOP. Luteolin, a flavonoid that dissociates PACT-PKR interaction, reduced ISR-induced apoptosis, suggesting a therapeutic potential. In N2A cells, all 8 antipsychotics induced a dose-dependent ISR response which could be inhibited using inhibitors of protein kinases involved in ISR. ISR modulatory drugs influenced neurite extension, underscoring the pathway’s role in neuronal function. These findings suggest targeting the ISR with compounds like luteolin may mitigate antipsychotic induced dystonia while preserving neuronal homeostasis.

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We present an atypical case of severe vitamin B12 deficiency in a 64-year-old African American female who presented with hyperpigmentation and initial findings consistent with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a prototype thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). A 64-year-old African American female with a past medical history significant for one episode of postoperative anemia requiring transfusion presented to the emergency department with generalized fatigue, headache, blurred vision, and progressive bilateral hand discoloration. Initially, the patient was thought to have thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with hemolytic anemia given elevated LDH, total bilirubin, mild transaminitis, marked thrombocytopenia, and schistocytes present on blood smear. The blood smear also revealed myelophthisic changes and one large band cell, prompting vitamin B12 deficiency consideration. The patient’s vitamin B12 level was undetectable, further confirming severe deficiency. This case highlights the importance of excluding severe vitamin B12 deficiency when a patient presents with TMA symptoms and skin hyperpigmentation as early treatment may offset permanent disability or unnecessary treatments.

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During the summer of 2023, I served as an Extended Mentor in the Pillars for Carolina program on campus. I became interested in applying for the program after I found myself wanting to become more connected to campus and looking for a community within the larger Gamecock family. I wanted to give back to a place that has felt like home away from home since the very beginning. As an Extended Mentor, I was given the opportunity to do that, specifically through investing in incoming USC students who participated in the program. As an Extended Mentor, I was tasked with being a part of our group effort to cultivate the welcoming environment that we know Carolina to be. During the experience, we not only bond with our “family groups” given to us at the beginning of the week, but we teach them the ins and outs of being a Gamecock. These things can involve pointing out various classroom buildings or even teaching them our Saturday football traditions; and this is extremely helpful as it prepares participants to transition to campus in the fall, introducing them to a personal, supportive community of leaders and fellow incoming students. Through multiple weeks of training and putting what I learned into practice during my Pillars week, my leadership skills developed considerably. More specifically, I learned that making room for vulnerability is important to be an effective leader.

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Background: Health literacy plays a vital role in patient outcomes. With the use of intake and social determinates of health assessments along with spending time with a patient, the nurse can tailor health literacy teaching to a patient’s needs. When taking a comprehensive approach, effective teaching can occur and patient needs such as financial stability, access, safety, emotional support, and environment can be positively impacted. Purpose/Objectives: The purpose of this research is to provide insight on how the nurse’s role as an educator can lead to positive outcomes for patients. The objectives of this research are to review evidence-based practices related to health literacy education and how it relates to short- and long-term patient success. Methods: The literature reviewed were 12 peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years found on medical research databases. The searches included “nurse role in health literacy”, “health literacy related to patient outcomes”, and “evidence-based practice for patient education”. Results/Conclusion: Based on this review, health literacy and education should start at the first interaction with a patient. There are several strategies nurses may use that are evidence-based to assist in tailoring the education for a patient. By using these, patients may experience improved quality of life and health outcomes.

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Purpose: Laryngeal cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies of the head and neck with dysphonia as a typical symptom prior to and after radiotherapy. It is a common assumption that dysphonia following radiation therapy for early stage laryngeal cancer is transient and will resolve with the resolution of acute radiation-induced effects; however, in our experience many patients experience persistent voice problems. The aim of this systematic literature review was to summarize characteristics of voice quality after radiotherapy for persons with early-stage laryngeal cancer to recognize how voice outcomes present across acute, subacute, chronic periods following RT, to determine if there is evidence for dysphonia continuing after the acute stage, and provide information to allow clinicians to prepare for the diagnosis and management of these patients. Methods: A literature search was conducted using three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL. A similar strategy was used in all three databases to highlight the concepts of “radiotherapy” and “voice disorders” guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement standards. Voice outcomes measures evaluated were subgrouped into temporal relationship from radiotherapy – acute, subacute, chronic and analyzed accordingly. Results: Forty-eight articles met inclusion criteria that reported voice outcomes results from Tis-T2 patients that underwent radiotherapy. Acutely, as expected, dysphonia was present across multiple modalities of voice evaluation. However, contrary to previous literature suggesting that dysphonia in this population is transient and improves over time, our findings indicate otherwise. In the subacute and chronic stages post-RT 85% (39/46) of studies, in at least one measure, revealed persistent dysphonia. Conclusion: Across all post-RT stages, wide standard deviations in voice outcome measures were reported suggesting that a subset of patients experience persistent dysphonia ranging from mild to severe after radiotherapy for early-stage laryngeal cancer indicating the need for routine voice screenings in this population. Keywords: Voice, dysphonia, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, voice disorders, speech-pathology

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Research on sleep quality in active populations has primarily addressed performance and recovery, with limited focus on its link to nutritional intake, especially energy availability and micronutrients, among college-age runners. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between sleep duration and quality and micronutrient (Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc) status in competitive college aged runners. METHODS: Competitive college-aged runners (n=17; age: 19.4±1 years) participated in a free-living study (females: n=10, weight: 58±7.9 kg, height: 162.2±5.8 cm; males: n=7, weight: 68.1±5.5, height: 180.4±6.6 cm). Participants completed a demographic survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Height, weight, body composition, resting metabolic rate were measured. Exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) were tracked over 7 days with Polar Ignite watches. Dietary intake (DI) was self-reported through food logs. Low energy availability (LEA) was defined as < 30 kcal/kg FFM per day. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics, micronutrient intake, and energy availability variables, while crosstabulations and chi-square tests assessed the relationship between LEA, micronutrients, and sleep quality. RESULTS: Overall, 58.8% (n=10/17) of all runners presented with LEA and 52.9% (n=9/17) indicated poor sleep on the PSQI. Of those with LEA, 40% (n=4/10) indicated poor sleep. Nutrient deficiencies were identified among participants with poor sleep patterns. Among participants with poor sleep, micronutrient deficiencies were common. Specifically, 33.3% (n=3/9) were below normal for vitamins B1 and B6, 66.7% (n=6/9) for vitamin B12, and 55.6% (n=5/9) for iron. Magnesium and zinc deficiencies were particularly high, with 88.9% (n=8/9) and 77.8% (n=7/9) of participants, respectively, below normal. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of the college-age distance runners in this sample exhibited LEA, poor sleep and low micronutrient status. These results suggest potential links between these nutrient deficiencies and poor sleep quality. Future research should explore additional influences on sleep quality in this population.

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My ePortfolio captures a journey that was taken through personal growth and resilience at the University of South Carolina, in which I went from being a purely academic focus to one that is more holistic in approach to education and career development. As an international student from Vietnam in the Global Learning Pathway, I began this journey in my first semester at UNIV 150: The International Student in the University I, which immensely encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. Events at the university and participation in various clubs, like the Society of Supply Chain Operations Excellence, along with serving in the role of Supplemental Instruction Leader for Math 122, helped me establish a connection, build confidence, and establish leadership skills. The purpose was wider preparation for personal and professional life, especially in the case of an international student. At Direct ChassisLink Inc., I was presented with many opportunities to work as a mentor to peers, leader in academic sessions, and professional development, which complemented my course work in MGSC 485: Business Process Management. Through this experience, I applied key insights, such as "Dress the Part, Act the Part," where I learned how to create a good first impression and be successful in professional environments. Every step in the journey that I have been through has taught me new things each and every day, one of them being that success is not solely about academic performance; it is how you live life and embrace growth opportunities while presenting a strong sense of resilience. This experience gave me the skill sets to be confident to step into the professional world.

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Objectives: Rising temperatures threaten food supply chains, posing food safety and loss challenges for traditional outdoor markets, vital to food access in LMICs. We examine heat exposure, heat island intensity, and food availability in five outdoor markets over two seasons in Kenya. Methods: A market census was conducted across an urban-rural gradient in two agroecologies in August 2024 (dry season). Food availability and vendor characteristics were collected during peak sale hours (4-7 PM). A second census was conducted in mornings (8-11 AM) and evenings (4-7 PM) in November (short rains). Temperature data were obtained: 1) ground sensors collecting ambient temperature and relative humidity to calculate vendor heat exposure; 2) Landsat 9 thermal bands to derive land surface temperature (LST); 3) nearby meteorological station. Heat island intensity quantified thermal modification of markets. Regressions predicted food availability with heat exposure, adjusted for vendor characteristics, land cover, and site clusters. Results: Vendors (n=509 dry season; n=188 short rains) sold 3.4±3.2 food groups, including vegetables (33%), fruits (20%), meats (12%), mostly from shops (34%) or tables (24%). Heat exposure was 25.8±2.4°C in dry season and 22.5±1.6°C in short rains, with evenings 4.1°C warmer than mornings. Heat exposure varied 6-11°C within sites, highest in peri-urban Machakos. Heat island intensity varied across sites. Ground temperatures were 0.5°C warmer than meteorological readings and 5°C cooler than LST. Higher heat exposure was associated with lower raw food availability (OR 0.87 [95%CI 0.78,0.97]), particularly vegetables, and higher cooked food availability (1.20 [1.10,1.32]), including animal-source foods and shelf-stables, strongest in dry season. In short rains, higher heat exposure was associated with 85% higher odds of ready-to-eat food availability in mornings and 37% lower odds in evenings. Conclusions: Heat exposure variations within markets suggest microclimates that reduce access to nutrient-dense foods and may reduce food security. While production versus market impact is unclear, linking ground, meteorological, and satellite data helps monitor temperature in outdoor markets to target climate-smart strategies.

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HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is a clinically significant complication of HIV infection. We found that HIV infection upregulated the microglia-specific gene, aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Acod1). Acod1 can produce itaconate, an anti-inflammatory factor protecting macrophages from infection-triggered death. Our preliminary results showed that the permeable modified derivatives of itaconate - dimethyl itaconate (DMI) and 4-octyl-itaconate (4-OI) protect primary neurons from the toxicity of HIV-Tat. However, the exact role of Acod1 and its product in protecting neurons from HIV remains unclear. In a previous study, we found EcoHIV infection significantly altered pyramidal neuron morphology in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here, we knocked out the Acod1 gene to investigate its effects on pyramidal neuron morphology after HIV infection. Acod1-/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were injected retro-orbitally with or without EcoHIV and sacrificed two weeks later. Ballistic labeling was used to visualize pyramidal neurons in the mPFC. Neurolucida 360 was utilized to perform Sholl analysis. Presently, EcoHIV significantly altered intersections in both wild-type and Acod1-/- mice (Regression fit, R2s >0.95, F(4, 39)=15.7, p≤0.001). Specifically, EcoHIV caused a shift in the distribution of dendritic branching from more proximal to more distal locations. However, Acod1 knock out did not affect intersections in control or EcoHIV injected mice (Regression fit, R2s >0.94, F(4,39)=0.47, p>0.10).

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AUTHORS Matthew Pruitt, Megan E. Austin MPH, PhD-C, Emmanuel Julceus MD, MPH, Angela D. Liese MPH, PhD, Traci A. Bekelman PhD, MPH, Molly Parker, Jay Mendoza MD, Lisa Knight MD, Rachel E. Davis PhD, MPH Objective: In healthcare settings, patient’s diabetes-related routines can be disrupted. This study describes frequency of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits and experiences of diabetes management in hospital settings among young adults. Methods: Frequency of ED visits and hospitalizations over the preceding year was obtained from 143 participants in an online survey. Thematic analysis was conducted with interviews from a subset of 8 participants who mentioned hospital visits during an interview (Type 1-n=7, Type 2-n=1; n=4 ED visits within 12 months prior to survey completion, n=2 became hospitalizations). Results: Among survey participants, 25.2% visited the ED and 14.0% were hospitalized in the past year. Of the 8 participants interviewed, many struggled to eat in the hospital, leading to lower blood glucose (BG) levels than “normal”. Reasons provided forthis included feeling unable to eat because of consistent interaction with healthcare professionals or testing, and the food offered was inconsistent with nutritional needs. Some believed timing of insulin administration relative to food intake led to hypoglycemia. After returning home, one participant said it took roughly 4 days to return to “normal”. Conclusion: This study emphasized self-reported frequency that this subset of adults with diabetes utilized the ED or required hospitalization. Additionally, it highlights that nutritional patterns and medication administration schedules of patients in hospitals may vary from their routine, sometimes leading to hypoglycemia and disruptions to diabetes management post-hospital. Close monitoring of food intake and timing of insulin administrations is important in patients with diabetes to reduce the risk of BG abnormalities.

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The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is known to be responsible for recovery following activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in response to stress (McLaughlin et al., 2013). One way of measuring the PSNS is respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a non-invasive measure of the PSNS’s control over heart rate through an electrocardiogram (ECG; McLaughlin et al., 2013). Higher baseline RSA and moderate decreases in RSA in response to stress indicate positive socioemotional regulation and is associated with better behavioral regulation and health outcomes (Porges, 2007). Dependent upon an individual’s reaction to traumatic stress, a variety of emotional, physical, and neurological responses and alterations can occur, which emphasizes the importance of investigating stress response for adolescents, who are in a critical period of development, particularly those who have experienced trauma (Eckes & Radunovich, 2007). This study investigated the impact of adolescents’ trauma, as measured by self and parent report, on adolescents’ RSA before, during, and after a laboratory stressor task. The main participants were adolescents aged 13-17 years (N=40; M=15.07; SD=1.47) and their parents (N=40). Adolescent participants completed the UCLA screener for adolescents and their parents who completed the Parent UCLA screener. Majority of participants were White or European American (52.5%), followed by Black, African, African American (32.5%). Adolescent participants (M=3.62; SD= 3.85) and their parents (M= 3.60; SD=1.47) reported similar trauma experiences and frequency of experiences for the adolescents. It was found that neither the parent nor adolescent’s report of trauma predicted any RSA values. There was no main effect of number of traumas adolescent reported on RSA values (βs =-0.03 - 0.21, ps =0.24 - 0.88) or on number of traumas parent reported on RSA values (βs =-0.16 – 0.07, ps = 0.36 – 0.82). Future research should investigate the impact on duration and frequency of experiencing the traumatic events. Another implication for future research should be the variation in the type of trauma experienced (e.g., community violence, sexual abuse, domestic abuse) and period of development in which the traumatic experiences occurred (e.g., toddler years).

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Being a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority has left an incredible impact on my life. Our motto—“Loving, Leading, Lasting”—perfectly sums up my experience. I’ve found lifelong friends who push me to be my best, and I’ve grown tremendously as a leader through roles like Vice President of Property, Director of Ritual, and Director of Senior Engagement, as well as serving on multiple committees. These friendships and leadership skills will stay with me forever. My first role was by far my biggest and most difficult, yet the most rewarding. Just three weeks after being initiated, I was elected to the Executive Council as Vice President of Property. In this position, I served as the liaison between members, parents, executive council, International Headquarters (IHQ), the house mom and the chefs and was tasked with creating a positive and welcoming environment for members. I planned fun events and meals at the house, helped live-in members with conflicts, conducted room safety inspections with the office of Fraternity and Sorority life, created meal plans with (IHQ) and our chefs, collected lease agreements for live-in members and so much more!. All of these tasks pushed me but allowed me to further develop skills including communication, problem-solving and integrity. A huge part of my growth came from the support and mentorship of those around me. Our house mom, Marlys, and our chefs, Ryan and Damian, became my family away from home, always offering guidance, encouragement, and plenty of laughs. My advisors, including Alison, provided invaluable leadership insight, helping me handle tough situations with confidence and professionalism. Their support shaped me into the leader I am today. Beyond the challenges, I loved the opportunity to create a fun and inclusive space. Whether it was planning events at the house or working with the chefs to ensure meals were enjoyable and accommodating, I took pride in making Alpha Gam home. My presentation will dive further into my experiences in Alpha Gamma Delta and explain how they have shaped me into the compassionate and strong leader I am today.

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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves placing a patient in a pressurized chamber enriched with oxygen. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition characterized by flashbacks, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, and it is commonly observed among military personnel, first responders, and individuals who have experienced traumatic events. HBOT has been utilized in various medical settings—such as for concussions and traumatic brain injuries—and is now being explored as a treatment for PTSD symptoms. Our meta-analysis aimed to answer the question, “How effective is HBOT for clients with PTSD?” We conducted a systematic search of PsycINFO, MedLine, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, and reviewed reference lists to identify relevant studies. Ten published studies employing repeated measures designs comparing HBOT to placebo or sham treatments were included, with a total of 438 participants. The net weighted average effect size (Cohen’s d) was -0.71, indicating a large therapeutic effect.

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Introduction: Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT) can be surgically treated using both the established open Achilles tendon-splitting approach and the newer percutaneous Zadek osteotomy. While previous studies have compared patient-reported outcomes and radiographic findings between these procedures, data on strength and gait mechanics remain limited. This study aims to compare post-operative strength and gait parameters between the operative and non-operative limbs of each surgery. Methods: This prospective study included patients who underwent unilateral percutaneous Zadek osteotomy or open Haglund’s resection and were ³1-year post-operation. Patients were invited to participate by phone. Exclusion criteria included significant post-operative complications, a history of other midfoot or hindfoot surgeries, recent (<6 months) lower extremity surgery, or established neuromuscular conditions. Patients were tested on static plantarflexion and dorsiflexion strength, both seated (knee at 90°) and supine (knee at 180°) to capture the effect of surgery on both the soleus and gastrocnemius. Standing strength was further evaluated by unilateral and bilateral calf raises performed on 1 or 2 pressure plates, respectively. Finally, patients ambulated at a self-selected pace, and the ground reaction forces at toe-off were captured via pressure plates. Both vertical and anterior ground reaction forces were captured, the latter depicting forward propulsion. Each patient’s non-operative limb served as the control. The statistician and researchers conducting patient trials were blinded to the patient’s operative side and surgical procedure. Results: Twenty-one patients were analyzed (8 Zadek, 13 Haglund’s), with similar demographics (Table 1). Strength measurements were reported in raw pounds of force (lbf) and as a body weight percentage (%BW), while ground reaction forces were presented as %BW. The mean values for operative and non-operative limbs were calculated, and the difference of means were compared within each surgical group. The only statistically significant difference was the decrease in vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during unilateral calf raises in the operative limb of the open Haglund’s group (p=0.03; Table 2). Conclusion: There was one statistically significant decrease in strength amongst Open Haglunds resection and none in percutaneous Zadek Osteotomy patients. These findings suggest that both procedures are viable options for managing insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

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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 is not an uncommon disorder yet the general public is commonly unaware of what it is. 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 first diagnosed with aphasia. 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. Here we are able to showcase the various forms of aphasia during the videos. 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. There are not many resources available related to aphasia, this leads to confusion and patients feeling lost in terms of where to go for resources and assistance. 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.

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Rapid technological expansion has allowed major companies across several industries to take a giant leap in terms of understanding how to reach customers and drive sales. The access to a once unimaginable amount of data, along with the psychological insights provided in recent decades have allowed several corporations to grow to a level rivaling Rockefeller. Add that to the growing focus on shareholder profits above all else in many businesses and it creates a dry barren landscape where nothing meaningful or creative can properly grow. This new numbers-first approach to business leaves many spiritually unfulfilled or economically unstable. I have observed the shift of architecture and logos beaming with colors and layered with artistic care be torn down and be rebuilt into colorless homogenized sterile things that suffocate the imagination. While I had always had an underlying sense that the shops around me were changing for the worse, I never could pinpoint exactly why, until my internship at Kohl’s. I was an assistant store manager at Kohls in the summer of 2024. My responsibilities included managing the shoe department, assisting in managing day-to-day store operations and analyzing store data in decision making to drive sales. I am very grateful for my internship at Kohl’s. I worked with some kind people who are intelligent hard workers, but the overall business style with the overly bureaucratic approach gave me much more precise insight on why so many societal centerpieces have lost their charm. I will detail why this summer job became the catalyst for the cementation of my pathway to law school.

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The Arnold School of Public Health (ASPH) Ambassador Program at the University of South Carolina provides current students with opportunities to represent the school, engage with prospective students, and support admissions-related events. As an ambassador for three years and now a lead ambassador, I have participated in various events, including Admitted Student Days, Fall and Spring Open Houses and Top Scholar Weekends. My responsibilities included delivering presentations to prospective students and their families, answering questions about the ASPH experience, and providing insight into the academic and student life opportunities at USC. I chose to become an ambassador because I wanted to contribute to the welcoming and supportive environment that first drew me to the Arnold School. Through this role, I strengthened my ability to disseminate accurate information, think critically on the spot, and communicate confidently with diverse audiences. Beyond the technical skills, this experience helped me grow as a leader and build meaningful connections within a close-knit community at USC. This experience has profoundly shaped my confidence and leadership abilities. I have learned how to think quickly and articulate responses in high-pressure situations, skills that will be essential in my future career in healthcare. Additionally, presenting to large audiences and interacting with diverse groups has strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Effective communication and adaptability are critical in any profession, and my time as an ambassador has reinforced the importance of fostering connections and creating an inclusive, welcoming environment. Looking ahead, I plan to apply these skills in my future career in medicine, where clear communication and professionalism are key to patient care. The ambassador program has prepared me to confidently interact with patients, colleagues, and the broader healthcare community, reinforcing my commitment to leadership and service.

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Throughout my journey in Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina, I've cultivated skills and insights that will propel me toward a career in fundraising and event management. My academic and extracurricular experiences have led to three key insights that reflect my growth and commitment. These ideas are that: Talking works wonders in the professional world, It’s not only who you know, it’s who knows you, and Nothing will ever go exactly as planned. First, the power of communication became evident early on. My coursework in public speaking and hands-on roles, such as Philanthropy Director of Phi Mu, taught me that effective dialogue and persuasive speaking are crucial in engaging others in a cause. At events like Bonnamu, where I raised over $12,000 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, I leveraged these skills to inspire large audiences to contribute, emphasizing the impact of active communication in driving support and fundraising outcomes. Second, I discovered that success in professional growth relies not only on connections but on being remembered. Through a practicum with the Carolina Rugby Foundation and attending the RAISE! Conference on a travel scholarship, I learned that lasting impressions pave the way for future opportunities. Building relationships helped me secure partnerships and engage with industry leaders, reinforcing the importance of a strong personal reputation for long-term career development. Lastly, I realized that adaptability is essential in event management, where plans often shift unexpectedly. Organizing the Carolina Rugby Hall of Fame event required resilience and quick problem-solving, skills that have been further developed through my leadership roles with USC Dance Marathon. These experiences taught me that embracing uncertainty and maintaining flexibility are vital to navigating the dynamic landscape of event planning. These insights collectively highlight my preparedness for a career focused on fundraising and events. By mastering communication, building a memorable presence, and staying adaptable, I am confident in my ability to make meaningful contributions in the field of philanthropic development.

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College students in general tend to have poor sleep quality and face stressors that impact their sleep and mental health. Further, women may have a greater sleep need compared to their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to investigate sleep, mental health, and gender factors in college students via objective and subjective data collection. Participants included 32 (male=16) full-time undergraduate students enrolled in a Psychology of Sleep course. Participants wore a Philips Respironics Actiwatch Spectrum device during one week of typical sleep. After one week, participants completed an online survey that consisted of a series of questionnaires that examined demographics, depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, DASS-21), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS), fatigue (Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, MAF), and sleep quality and duration (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI). Preliminary data comparison tests were conducted. There were gender differences in sleep duration (Mfemale=7.31h, Mmale=6.47h; p=.011), but no differences in sleep efficiency (Mfemale=84.57% vs Mmale=82.66%), wake after sleep onset (Mfemale=55.88 min vs Mmale=49.84 min), or number of awakenings (Mfemale=26.35 vs Mmale=25.89). There were no significant differences in sleep quality (PSQI), although the scores did represent poor quality (Mfemale=7.50 vs Mmale=6.13). Results showed that women experienced significantly greater sleepiness (Mfemale=9.88 vs Mmale=5.94; p=.033), and approaching significance in terms of greater fatigue (Mfemale=20.22 vs Mmale=13.89; p=.056) compared to men. There were no significant gender differences in depressive symptoms (Mfemale=6.31 vs Mmale=5.31), but women experienced greater anxiety (Mfemale=8.81 vs Mmale=3.69; p=.017) and stress (Mfemale=13.44 vs Mmale=6.38; p=.018) symptoms. Preliminary results showed that the female college students taking the sleep course were obtaining significantly more sleep than men, with similar quality and efficiency. However, their increased sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety, and stress symptoms indicated that they were experiencing a more negative impact compared to men. It is likely that women generally have a greater sleep need compared to men, however, simply increasing sleep duration is likely not the answer. This study was limited by observational data collection, and further study is warranted to determine causal relationships and future intervention plans to improve sleep in women.

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Introduction/Background: When a mother’s milk is unavailable for a hospitalized preterm infant, donor human milk is substituted. There is a lack of clinical research regarding the effects of milk storage on preterm outcomes. Milk storage leads to a loss of lactoferrin, more lipid degradation, and decreased antioxidant capacity which may increase the risk of preterm gastrointestinal-related morbidities. No studies have investigated if the storage time of donor milk impacts the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous perforation in preterm infants. Objectives: To determine the association (or lack thereof) between donor human milk storage time and the risk of two gastrointestinal morbidities: NEC or SIP. Infants who were diagnosed with NEC/SIP were hypothesized to have received donor human milk with a longer storage time than infants without disease. Methods: A two-year prospective single institution cohort study was conducted. Between February 2022 and January 2024, very low birth weight infants (<1500 gm) and infants with necrotizing enterocolitis were enrolled. Patients were excluded if meeting pre-defined criteria. Enteral feeding reports were recorded from Timeless Medical Systems and verified using Epic™ electronic medical record. Cox proportion hazards, multivariable logistic regression, chi-square tests, and student t-tests were used as appropriate. Results: Of 264 included infants, 36 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with either SIP (n=8) or NEC (n=28), and 228 made up the control group. The mean milk storage time was 246.9 ± 23.1 days, the mean gestational age was 28.4  3.0 weeks, the mean birthweight was 1043  312 grams, and 48% were female. Donor milk storage duration was significantly higher in patients who developed the SIP/NEC group in both adjusted and unadjusted models (p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio in the final modeling increased by 4.2% [CI 2.1-6.2%] for every day of storage. Conclusion: The study’s findings suggest that a relationship exists between the storage duration of donor milk and the risk of SIP or NEC. The effects of human milk storage may be an additional risk factor for these diseases.

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Breast cancer screening is critical for early detection and improving health outcomes, yet rural communities face numerous barriers that result in low participation rates. This study serves to identify barriers to breast cancer screening in the rural population surrounding the Prisma Health Winnsboro Family Medicine Clinic by examining logistical, psychological, cultural, social, and systemic factors. Our quality improvement survey assesses key barriers and perceptions in patients who are eligible for breast cancer screening. Outcome measures include perceived importance of breast cancer screening, barriers to scheduling a mammogram, impact of transportation on screening, impact of fear, stress, or discomfort on screening, patient identified barriers, and percentage of patients who express consent for assistance in scheduling a mammogram. The results of our study provide insight into the unique barriers to breast cancer screening faced by our local community. This information will assist in the development of actionable strategies for improving breast cancer screening rates, reducing disparities, and promoting equitable healthcare access in rural communities.

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Introduction: The newborn visit can oftentimes be overwhelming with reviewing health information and answering parents' questions. It is understandable that an aspect such as vitamin D supplementation prescription status may be lost if not involved into the appointment in a systematic way. Aim: To increase resident physician awareness in reviewing, documenting, and prescribing vitamin D supplementation at the newborn visit encounter by at least 75% by February 2024. Methods: We implemented reminders that would prompt fellow residents at our outpatient center (CHOC) to inquire about vitamin D supplementation prescription status regularly at all newborn follow-up appointments. PDSA #1: included ‘inquiring about vitamin D supplementation prescription status’ onto prominently displayed posters in resident work room at CHOC about what must be discussed during the newborn follow-up appointment. PDSA #2 included creating ‘dot phrases’ in Epic, which would make documentation over vitamin D status easier, and prompt physicians into answering if their patient ultimately required a new prescription for vitamin D supplementation. We evaluated the interventions with use of surveys completed on Google Forms by the residents to inquire about efficacy with each PDSA cycle, compared to a control survey performed prior to initiation of interventions. Results: In comparison to control survey, residents who reported in a survey that they inquired about vitamin D supplementation with families “all of the time” increased by 90.6%. 91.7% of surveyed residents stated they inquired about vitamin D supplementation either “most of the time” or “all of the time” in our final survey. In comparison to the control survey, residents who reported that they documented vitamin D supplementation with families “all of the time” increased by 66.6%. 100% of surveyed residents stated they documented vitamin D supplementation either “most of the time” or “all of the time” in our final survey. Conclusions: We successfully increased resident physician awareness in reviewing, documenting, and prescribing vitamin supplementation at the newborn visit encounter by substantial margin. While we did not meet our goal of increasing documentation by 75%, our co-residents reported a 90.6% increase in inquiry regarding vitamin D status at newborn follow up appointments.

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The North Atlantic right whale, with fewer than 350 individuals remaining, faces severe threats from fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes. Since 2015, the population has declined, leading NOAA to declare an Unusual Mortality Event in 2017. Climate change has altered prey distribution, forcing migration shifts northward and increasing harmful encounters. These changes hinder protective measures. Updated policies are crucial to reducing entanglements and strikes while promoting births. Public awareness drives conservation efforts, with media coverage shaping policy. To explore this, articles from 2001, 2011, and 2021 referencing right whales were analyzed using LexisNexis and R. Results show reporting differences between Canada and the U.S. The U.S. leads in births, policy, research, sightings, and strikes, while Canada leads in entanglements, outreach, and undetermined deaths. Fatalities from entanglements and strikes are only reported in South Carolina and Florida, with South Carolina showing more fatalities but no conservation policies. Coordinated responses from both nations are essential to protect reproductive females and calves. Despite ongoing tensions, timely policy action is critical to preventing extinction.

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Background: For pediatric patients, pain management is especially complex and consequential, due to varying cognitive and physical development, along with heightened concerns from their loved ones. Administering pain medications is complicated and possibly risky, so we must always have safety guiding our actions when working to manage pain. For pain not managed by drugs, or when medications are not the safest option, we must be diligent in using non-pharmacologic methods. Applications in pediatric settings need to be evaluated for efficacy. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of non-pharmacologic pain management interventions in pediatric populations. Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included but were not limited to “pediatric pain management” and “non-pharmacologic pain management AND pediatric”. Literature from the past 10 years was considered, and research was filtered to include peer-reviewed resources only. Results/Conclusion: Based on the literature studied in this review, it can be concluded that non-pharmacological interventions can be highly effective and reducing and managing pain in pediatric patients. However, the effectiveness of interventions depends on whether or not interventions are age-appropriate and/or developmentally appropriate, evidence-based, and individualized to the patient. Pediatric patients can benefit from further studies of multimodal non-pharmacologic intervention, such as music therapy or distraction, in order to achieve the most pain relief.

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Background Integrating AI into healthcare is a controversial topic as it is often stigmatized and misunderstood as a tool for replacing human experience. AI instead offers a unique solution to the challenges of higher patient loads, medication administration safety, and workflow optimization, specifically in higher acuity units like med-surg. AI-enabled systems can alleviate many nursing burdens by optimizing staffing models, ensuring equitable workload distribution, and reducing burnout and errors. Purpose The purpose of this review is to research how AI can potentially improve nursing workflows with focus on the following: 1. Reduction of medication administration errors. 2. Staffing optimization & workload balance. 3. Clinical-decision support. 4. Addressing ethical considerations. Methods The University of South Carolina’s Libraries system was searched using keywords such as “AI in nursing,” and “AI for patient safety.” Peer-reviewed articles from 2020 forward were filtered, with four being selected for relevance. Results The results of the review conclude AI systems with the right implementation reduce errors, improve staffing efficiency, and enhance patient safety. Facilitation and utilization of AI is not meant to justify high nurse-to-patient ratios but to instead stress the importance in mitigating risks and reinforcing safety nets.

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Astrocytes are widely expressed in the nervous system, where they regulate neuronal activity and neuroplasticity. Astrocytes control circadian timekeeping in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) via glutamatergic signaling. Changes in astrocyte number have been previously observed in the hippocampus after long photoperiod exposure, suggesting that an alteration in astrocytes might be an additional homeostatic response to seasonal changes in the light environment. However, whether photoperiod alters astrocyte numbers and functions in the SCN remains unknown. To start addressing this gap in the knowledge, we exposed adult mice to 2 weeks of long photoperiod (19hrs of light and 5hrs of darkness, 19L:5D) or short photoperiod (5L:19D). We first assessed the effect of long and short photoperiods on SCN astrocytes numbers by analyzing the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a structural protein of astrocytes. The anterior-posterior (AP) axis quantification revealed that the number of SCN GFAP–immunoreactive cells was greater in long versus short photoperiods within the medial region of the SCN. Astrocytes regulate the clearance of extracellular glutamate through glutamate transporters (EAAT1 and EAAT2). Therefore, we tested whether photoperiod altered astrocyte function by quantifying the expression of EAAT1 and EAAT2 after photoperiod exposure. Using in situ hybridization assay, we found increased Eaat1 and Eaat2 expression in the SCN of adult mice after long photoperiod exposure. The effects of light on the mammalian circadian system are achieved mostly through retina derived glutamate release in the SCN, and the ionotropic-NMDA receptor (NMDAr) expressed in the SCN neurons is considered a key player in the light entrainment process. Therefore, we also analyzed the expression of NMDAr in the SCN neurons in response to photoperiod and found increased NMDAr subunit Grin2b in the SCN of mice exposed to a long photoperiod. Altogether, these data suggest that astrocyte organization and their extracellular glutamate regulation may represent a previously unidentified adaptation of the SCN regulating seasonal plasticity.

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Serving as a Peer Tutor for the Student Success Center has been one of the most informative and transformative experiences of my academic journey. Over the past two years, I have worked with students individually and in groups to foster their critical-thinking skills, self-confidence, and self-efficacy in their approach to learning. Coming from a family of teachers, I have always valued the process of learning, but becoming a tutor opened my eyes to how deeply personal and varied each student’s learning journey is. It has been a humbling experience to witness the challenges students face and to recognize that academic struggles are rarely just about intelligence or effort - they are often shaped by confidence, past experiences, and access to support. Just as health outcomes are shaped by access to care, education, and support systems, a student's ability to succeed is often determined by more than just their capabilities. This perspective has reshaped my approach to tutoring, pushing me to be more patient, adaptable, and empathetic in addressing student’s unique needs. By recognizing and addressing these individual learning barriers, I have learned how to empower students beyond just academic success to help them build confidence, self-efficacy, and problem-solving skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

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INTRODUCTION: Stenosing tenosynovitis, typically managed nonoperatively via corticosteroid injection, is a common condition involving the inflammation and subsequent triggering of the flexor sheath, A1 pulley, and volar plate. Patients with diabetes mellitus are known to have a higher prevalence, and lower success rates with non-operative treatment at higher A1c levels. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of A1c levels on 1) efficacy of corticosteroid injections 2) cost-effectiveness of trigger finger (TF) treatment algorithms in diabetic patients. Data will be used to evaluate the most cost-effective treatment algorithms based on A1c level. METHODS: 18+ year old diabetic patients who received 1 corticosteroid injection(s), or surgery, for TF were identified via CPT code query. Patients were included if A1c labs were available within 6 months of initial treatment. Patient demographics, treatment data, and A1c levels were recorded. Logistic regression was used to model the effect of A1c on TF injection success rates. A one-way sensitivity/threshold analysis was implemented to assess the cost-effectiveness of each treatment option based on Medicare reimbursement rates. RESULTS: Of 144 patients, 92 (63.9%) had success with injections alone, while 52 (36.1%) eventually required surgery. Those who required surgery had higher average A1c levels (8.1 vs 7.5, p=0.05). For each one unit increase in A1c, odds of injection success decreased by 20%. Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that immediate in-clinic TF release was more cost-effective than one injection followed by release in the operating room (OR) when A1c was >10.08, than 2 injections followed by in-clinic release when A1c was >9.69, and than 2 injections followed by release in OR when A1c was >6.61. DISCUSSION: These results affirm that in diabetic patients, increased HbA1c levels are associated with reduced TF injection success. Additionally, at clinically feasible A1c levels, immediate TF release in the OR at our institution was never more cost-effective than any of the other evaluated treatment algorithms. Further, our study suggests specific A1c thresholds at which it may be more cost-effective for patients to receive immediate in-clinic TF release as opposed to steroid injection(s).

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During Spring Break 2023 and 2024, I traveled to Guatemala for medical mission trips through the Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students (APPAS) as a volunteer and group leader. During both trips, we provided free medical care to underserved communities in rural and urban areas. I set my sights on these trips because I wanted to better understand how the environment and unique circumstances impact health globally. As a prospective physician assistant, I not only wanted to broaden my skill set but also learn about how health disparities can cause negative health outcomes. While in Guatemala, I learned how to manually measure vital signs, present patient cases to supervising physicians, provide health education in both Spanish and English, and triage patients seeking care. I also worked as a group leader to direct other volunteers on clinic operations and patient care, while also problem-solving when needed. In addition to broadening my skillset, this experience was significant. It changed my perspective on healthcare, as I was able to observe first-hand how impactful the Social Determinants of Health and levels of prevention are on health outcomes. I interacted with patients who had never seen a physician in their lives for preventative care and who were so grateful for any amount of care they received, even if it was something as simple as a multivitamin. Families walked and waited at the clinic for hours for the chance to receive medical care. Before this experience, I was naive to the extent to which communities abroad and locally are exposed to factors in their environment that can cause negative health outcomes like housing insecurity, food insecurity, lack of insurance, and poor health literacy. From these experiences, I realized that the best way to impact health is to consider how a patient’s environmental and social context may impede their ability to have positive health outcomes and access preventative care. In the future, I will use this idea to not only address medical complaints but also provide resources and advocacy to shift health outcomes in a more positive direction as a physician assistant.

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Hannah’s House is a local women’s shelter that provides a welcoming environment and plentiful resources for any woman who needs it. This large, beautifully designed home features bedrooms, recreational areas, a well-stocked pantry and kitchen, and a basement boutique for residents to grab any type of clothing they need. I have volunteered at Hannah’s House throughout my time in Columbia, performing any task that was needed. Whether I was sorting donations, cleaning, or simply engaging with residents and their children, I was able to observe the impact that this organization has on the community. The director has ensured that every resource the residents could need is available, and that no one is turned away at the door. I knew that this was a place I wanted to assist in any way I could because it was clear that this house was not only providing a haven for women who needed it most, but that so much love went into its mission. As a nursing student, I was able to observe the different struggles that people may be facing in their lives that impact their health. This experience has taught me to consider each future patient’s environmental factors when planning interventions to improve their health outcomes, and to educate myself on community resources available for patients.

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Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children can be a severe disease with many subsequent complications. However, VTE prophylaxis is infrequently used in critically ill children even those at high risk of thrombosis where consensus guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis. Objective: This quality improvement project aims to improve the utilization and accuracy of VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis choice for patients admitted specifically to the PICU by 10% in 2 months. Methods: This was a retrospective quality-improvement project performed at a single children’s hospital. The PDSA cycle intervention included creating a smartphrase that populated a drop-down menu allowing the resident to select the VTE risk assessment and choice of prophylaxis. Pre-intervention and post-intervention data sets contained the patients 12 years and older admitted to the PICU over a period of 16 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. These encounters were evaluated by retrospective chart review for VTE risk level charted, risk level correct, intervention charted, intervention correct, which risk factors were present, contraindications to thromboprophylaxis and admission diagnosis. Results: There were 132 patients included in the pre-intervention data and 63 in the post-intervention group. In the pre-intervention group, 5.3% of the time documentation included VTE risk level and 100% were assessed correctly. VTE intervention was documented in this group in 8.3% of patients and of those, 91% were correct. When analyzing the post-intervention data, risk level accuracy decreased to 50%; however, the number of charts that documented risk level was more than twice that of the pre-intervention group. Additionally, the absolute number of patients documented correctly was greater post-intervention when compared to the first group. Discussion: Although this PDSA cycle did not meet the project aim, this opened to the door to several potential areas in which providers can continue to grow and work towards providing better care for this particular patient population.

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Glycolysis is a highly conserved cellular pathway that produces energy in the form of ATP for use in many diverse metabolic processes. Some carbon compounds are shunted from the glycolytic pathway to gluconeogenesis, where the regulatory enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) converts incoming carbon compounds into carbohydrate storage. I studied genetic diversity in FBPase in Colias meadii, which is a butterfly species found across mountainous habitats in western North America. I hypothesize that environmental stress increases at higher elevations, and this increase in selection pressures will cause a decrease in haplotype diversity between populations. Preliminary data suggested a linear relationship between haplotype and elevation in the central rockies of Colorado, but there were an insufficient number of samples. I collected samples from two additional populations and determined their haplotype frequencies by Sanger Sequencing for FBPase. The results of this analysis are being used to determine if environmental stress associated with elevation is a selective pressure shaping haplotype frequencies in this butterfly. These results will lay the groundwork for interpreting the significance of elevation on butterfly populations, and has implications on how these effects will fluctuate over time.

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During the summer, I worked as a camp counselor for Camp Rise Above (CRA), a summer camp for children with disabilities and major health conditions. I had worked with students with disabilities before in an academic setting, but this was my first time helping them in a more holistic environment. Camp Rise Above provided all the background needed for these children to have fun – golf carts for fatigue, beach wheelchairs, noise canceling headphones – but it was my job to make sure the campers actually got to enjoy themselves. I faced many challenges and tough choices throughout camp, but for every difficult moment, there was an equally wonderful one where I got to see my campers shine. I got to work on many important skills for my future job as a speech language pathologist, such as conflict resolution/de-escalation, active listening, and promoting independence in daily living. Even when I was exhausted, I always knew it was worth it when I saw my campers succeed. For many of them, camp was the one week a year where they weren’t “the kid with the disability”. Being a part of the Camp Rise Above community affirmed my love for supporting the disability community, and also gave me the skills I needed to pursue my current job as a CarolinaLIFE Living & Learning Coach. In my presentation, I will specifically highlight how inclusive summer camps such as CRA provide meaningful experiences to children with disabilities, who are often left out of the fundamental camp experience.

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any brain injury that occurs resulting from a blow or strike to the head. These injuries can be categorized widely, falling anywhere between mild brain injury to fatal (Kane, 2012). Severity aside, TBI can have detrimental and long-lasting effects including headaches, memory deficits, behavior, and loss of consciousness (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 2020). The increasing prevalence of TBI highlights the need for further investigation, as it can be considered a chronic condition rather than solely an acute injury. (Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2019). It is important to explore more in-depth insight into this matter because this will aid in prevention and management of TBI. The aim of the current study is to develop a concussion model that aids in studying repetitive, mild TBI (rmTBI), which is when there has been a recurrence of mild brain injury in one individual. Developing an adequate model for administering a mild concussion is essential to study rmTBI because researchers need to know whether the brain injury experienced is mild and not severe or life-threatening. To achieve this, we developed a mouse model in which subjects underwent a series of concussion administration trials over several weeks. Mice were anesthetized and underwent the head strike protocol. Righting reflex time was recorded along with behavior immediately after the head strike. The mice brains were harvested, and histopathology was observed using FD NeuroSilver and Luxol Fast Blue staining. Preliminary data from these trials indicate that the concussion model successfully produced mild injury. A repetitive, mild traumatic brain injury model was established. This advancement will provide support in conducting further research regarding prevention and management solutions for individuals affected by rmTBI.

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Freshman year I came to the University of South Carolina excited to pursue a degree in Sport and Entertainment Management. I grew up surrounded by the industry and was looking forward to diving into a field I was so passionate about. Little did I know how much this program truly had to offer, and that I would become an ambassador by the end of my freshman year. Throughout my first year I gained work experience at prestigious sporting events such as The Masters golf tournament and joined major-specific organizations. I also developed exponentially as a young professional through coursework opportunities including resume building and networking practice. The gratitude I felt for everything I was presented with was so great that I desperately wanted to give back to the program. When applications for the ambassador program “HRSM Leaders” came out I thought this was the perfect opportunity. Being selected after a three-part interview process was an honor in itself, but getting to work with this program has been truly special. I’ve had the opportunity to work Admitted Students Days over the past two years. This experience has been remarkable by getting to share with prospective students and their families everything I love about a program that has given me so much. I took the passion I had for an industry that thrives off of creating experiences for others and applied it to the program that taught me everything I know. I have gained confidence in myself both personally and professionally that I am eternally grateful for. I truly believe I would not be the same person I am today if I did not choose the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.

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Background: Senior residents play a key role in directing the development of patient-care skills in new physicians, yet many lack experience in being a teacher. While structured teaching courses may be impractical in the medical school curriculum, opportunities to build teaching skills are valuable to medical students who will eventually be responsible for educating future generations of physicians. The MEDtorship program at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia offers an opportunity to develop these skills, allowing medical students to provide academic support to school age children. At its conception, the program was content with simply bringing the student pairs together and leaving the tutors to provide academic support in whatever way they saw fit. The objective of our project is to develop a structured tutoring format to improve the MEDtorship experience for the tutors and maximize the benefit to the students. Methods: MEDtorship pairs medical student volunteers with local elementary school students for weekly tutoring sessions. To address the deficit in skill and enthusiasm, we implemented multiple interventions to improve the tutoring experience, taking inspiration from the iTEACH “Learning Model” developed by Dr. Donna Ray, derived from the Stanford Faculty Development Center Framework. These interventions include providing a “Tutor Guide” and implementing a goal-tracking system, where tutors set, record, and update academic goals using a "Goal Tracker" kept in the student's binder. The impact on tutor experience will be assessed by a retrospective pre-post survey of the tutors. Additionally, the goal tracking sheets will be used to view the progress of each student throughout the semester. Conclusion: Results are pending the cessation of the semester when surveys will be sent to tutors and student goal sheets will be reviewed.

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My freshman year of college I was given the name "Secret Fate" which means that I was given the prophecy that I'd be great one day. This was shocking to me because I was just a shy, country girl trying to get in and out of the university. Never in a million years did I think I’d be the great leader I am today, serving as president of the sorority chapter I once admired, chartering and serving as the Vice President for another organization on campus, working two jobs where I set the example for new employees and always bring new ideas, and working as a children’s church teacher. Through my years here I've gone through ups and downs to find a way to fulfill my secret fate. I have strengthened my professional and civic engagement skills by using the Psychology material learned in the classroom in my outside the classroom experiences. I consider these experiences as “practice” for the real world, learning to use what I learn in the classroom in my personal and professional life now will help me post graduation in my career. I’ve learned how to handle difficult tasks like having a heavy work and life load, conflict resolutions, and lack of resources. These are issues I’ve faced as a college student, but I’m certain I will also face them in my post-graduation life. If there were three pieces of advice I’d give to my freshman self they’d be to have some sort of “family” on campus because it’s important for development, understand that when conflict occurs individuals are attacking the problem and not you, and take things one day at a time, your older self will thank you.

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Background: Hospitalized patients frequently experience sleep disturbances due to environmental noise, clinical interventions, and medical conditions. Poor sleep quality correlates with adverse outcomes, including delayed recovery, increased pain, and higher stress. Nurses play a crucial role in implementing proven methods to promote sleep and recovery. Purpose: This evidence review identifies and evaluates effective, evidence-based strategies to promote sleep in hospitalized patients. It examines non-pharmacological interventions, their impact on patient outcomes, and ways to implement these nursing practices for better health. Methods: A literature search using PubMed, PMC, and Wiley Online Library identified 32 articles published from 2015–2024, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies. Search terms included "hospitalized patients," "sleep promotion," "non-pharmacological interventions," and "nursing strategies." Results: Findings indicate multimodal interventions improve sleep quality, including relaxation therapy, noise reduction, light therapy, and structured sleep hygiene protocols. Nurse-led initiatives, patient education, and bedtime routines further enhance sleep. More research should focus on standardizing these practices in hospital care models to optimize recovery and satisfaction.

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I had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain and that experience enhanced my understanding of perspectives, language, and culture. I was able to be fully immersed in this brand-new culture, that I had never been to before, all by myself, thousands of miles from anyone I knew. I was definitely scared but my desire to discover what life was like in Spain was much stronger. I had the chance to live as a local would. I got to immerse myself in their daily routines, some I loved, and others weren’t for me. For example, the daily siestas, these are when everything closes in Spain from about 1 PM to 3PM and people nap or spend time with loved ones. I loved this idea because it allowed me to take a daily break which is something I feel that many people in America forget to do, and looking back, this really helped my mental health and decreased my stress levels. One aspect of the Spanish culture that wasn’t for me were the late dinners. People in Spain would eat dinner at 10 PM and that was challenging to adapt to because where I am from we would eat dinner around 5:30 PM. An example of something they did in Spain that I was neutral towards was the transportation. I took the metro absolutely everywhere in my five months living in Spain. It took time to get used to, like so many things do, but once I was acclimated, I was unstoppable. My time in Spain really strengthened my ability to adapt and increased my sense of independence. During my time here I developed a strong sense of appreciation for their culture. This amazing opportunity to study abroad strengthened my entire sense of self and the world around me, I gained confidence to thrive in the unknown and trusting that I will find my way. And I did. I wouldn’t be as determined as I am now for my future aspirations if it wasn’t for my time abroad. I am forever grateful to Spain for gifting me that remarkable experience.

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Background Elderly patients are at higher risk for falls in healthcare settings. Complications from falls can increase morbidity and mortality in older adults and lead to extended hospital stays. Purpose Nurses and the inpatient multidisciplinary team play a key role in fall prevention through thorough risk assessments, interventions, and collaborative interactions with their patients. We researched fall prevention measures in older adults in the inpatient setting to see if current protocols are sufficient or if they need adjustment. Methods During our literature search, we used an advanced search on CINAHL that included the terms fall prevention, elderly, and hospital to find articles that were specific to our research and were published within the last 5 years. We looked at fifteen articles and read the abstracts to narrow it down to five articles that focused on successful fall prevention measures through evidence based practices. Results A key strategy in preventing falls during a patient’s hospital stay is to conduct a fall risk screening. Additionally, including the patient in our fall prevention plans is critical to ensure that they understand how to maintain their safety throughout their stay. Given the numerous responsibilities that nurses hold, it is important to include the entire multidisciplinary team in fall prevention strategies to avoid patient injury.

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During my study abroad experience in Rome, Italy, I volunteered with Tuttoblue Arte e Sociale, a nonprofit dedicated to humanitarian aid and social inclusion. My role involved supporting community-based initiatives that assisted marginalized populations, particularly by providing food to underprivileged people. I sought out this experience to gain firsthand insight into how grassroots organizations address social inequalities on a global scale. As a future healthcare professional, I wanted to understand the role of community-driven efforts in supporting underserved populations and fostering social change. I worked alongside Italian volunteers to organize outreach efforts that provided aid to vulnerable individuals. Through hands-on engagement, I contributed to initiatives aimed at strengthening social support systems and ensuring marginalized groups received necessary assistance. I discovered that systemic inequalities and food insecurity are universal challenges affecting communities worldwide. Just as in the U.S., marginalized populations in Italy often rely on nonprofits like Tuttoblue Arte e Sociale when government assistance is insufficient. I saw how community-driven initiatives play an essential role in addressing social disparities, reinforcing the importance of local advocacy and intervention. This experience deepened my understanding of global social challenges and the power of grassroots organizations in creating change. It reinforced my belief that supporting underserved communities requires a multifaceted approach that extends beyond institutional aid. As I pursue a career in healthcare, I will integrate this global perspective, ensuring that community engagement and advocacy remain central to my work in improving public health.

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Last spring, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for 11 weeks through the SAI program. Ever since I can remember, Italy has been my dream place to visit. My family has always traveled, but I had never been out of the country before. When I discovered the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, I knew I had no choice but to go. My family has strong Italian roots, so I was most excited to feel connected to my ancestors and immerse myself in Italian culture. The courses I took abroad at the Florence University of the Arts were Florentine Art Walks, Florentine Literary Walks, Hospitality Marketing, and Food, Culture, and Society. Through these classes, I was able to expand my global perspective and gain insights that benefit my future career in marketing/sales. Navigating a new city, overcoming language barriers, and embracing cultural differences were all big challenges for me, but having the opportunity to live in Italy was a life changing experience. I explored Florence’s historical landmarks on my own and through classes, like the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, and also traveled to many other European cities. I connected with locals, my professors, and new friends while observing and embracing cultural differences. Studying abroad deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and enhanced my problem solving and communication skills. Living in a foreign country challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, elevating my confidence in unfamiliar environments. Although I was beyond nervous before going, it was all worth it because I gained a stronger sense of independence and self reliance, which will be valuable in both my personal and professional life. Studying abroad enriched my education and allowed me to apply concepts from my coursework in a real world setting. By experiencing different consumer behaviors firsthand, I developed a better understanding of international markets. This experience strengthened my passion for travel and global branding/marketing, and I hope to apply these insights as I pursue a career in the industry.

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In electrochemical reactions, the role of the solvent-supporting electrolyte (SSE) as a key parameter in directing the reaction pathway and influencing product distribution has not been studied in detail. The lack of such a systematic study stems from the absence of a multicomponent and integrated analytical and electroanalytical platform that enables the decomposition of multicomponent electrochemical reactions into elementary steps, facilitating the accurate identification of molecular species as well as the rate of each elementary step. Herein, we report the development of an electroanalytical measurement method based on cyclic voltammetry (CV), numerical simulation using COMSOL, and gas chromatography to systematically study the role of SSE in the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as a model system. This platform was developed through the investigation of H₂ evolution via the electrocatalytic cycle between nickel(II) salen and the proton donor hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in a dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent with tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF₄) as the SSE. Our results show that nickel(II) salen undergoes a reversible one-electron reduction/oxidation in the absence of HFIP. However, upon the addition of HFIP, the cathodic peak increases while the anodic peak height decreases, which is consistent with the establishment of electrocatalytic HER. Moreover, GC measurement from the headspace of an electrolysis cell containing nickel(II) salen and an excess of HFIP showed hydrogen gas is evolving through the electrolysis. These results together confirm the establishment of electrocatalytic HER using nickel(II) salen as the mediator for H2 formation. Moreover, additional CV measurements indicated that when acetonitrile (ACN) is used instead of DMF and LiClO₄ instead of TBABF₄, a lower concentration of HFIP is required to produce the same electrocatalytic response toward HER. These studies collectively indicate that SSE drastically impacts the rate and pathway of HER. Moving forward, we plan to incorporate our CV measurement and couple these measurements with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to investigate electrocatalytic HER and study impact of SSE on the reaction rate and mechanism.

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This presentation will explore the critical role of higher education within the criminal justice field, combining my career interests and academic background. It will examine how academic initiatives at postsecondary institutions, such as colleges and universities, can prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system and aid in their successful reintegration into society. By analyzing programs designed to support at-risk individuals and those who have been incarcerated, the presentation will highlight the transformative power of education in redirecting lives and promoting positive social change. Drawing on my leadership experiences in higher education, I will demonstrate how academic engagement fosters personal growth and reduces the likelihood of criminal behavior. In addition, I will apply theories and data from my criminal justice coursework to illustrate the connection between higher education and criminal justice outcomes. This analysis will emphasize how educational opportunities serve as key interventions in breaking the cycle of crime and recidivism. The presentation aims to bridge the gap between these two fields, showcasing the tangible impact that higher education can have on individuals' lives, both in preventing criminal involvement and assisting with their reintegration into society. By integrating both practical leadership experience and academic theory, I hope to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these sectors intersect and the potential they hold for fostering long-term societal change.

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Background/ Significance: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage is rapidly increasing among youth despite the lack of information regarding the implications and ramifications of it. They were found to be attractive due to the different flavors and intriguing devices. Purpose/ Objective: To investigate the cardiovascular effects of e-cigarette usage among children and adolescents. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the CINAHL Ultimate database with keywords including “vaping or electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes,” “cardiovascular disease,” and “youth or adolescents or young people or teens or young adults.” Inclusion criteria included studies published within the last 10 years. Exclusion criteria included articles that were not full-text, peer-reviewed, or presented in English. Results: From the literature review, it was found that there are acute and chronic cardiovascular risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping. It was also found that there is an increased usage amongst adolescents. There was also a lower perceived risk of cardiovascular harm amongst the youth. Conclusion/ Implications: More research is needed to determine the safety and health risks associated with e-cigarettes/vaping among children and adolescents. These potential cardiovascular risks have long-term implications on the health and well-being of youths.

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This poster describes our recent efforts to unravel the ligand exchange dynamics of phosphonic and phosphinic acid ligands on the surfaces of atomically precise “magic-sized” semiconducting nanocrystals (MSNCs) via isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Being highly precise in their structure, MSNC-based semiconducting compounds are increasingly sought as nucleating scaffolds and single source precursors for synthesizing highly uniform nanocrystals (NCs). Their extreme surface-area-to-volume ratio makes understanding and characterizing their surface chemistry crucial for engineering them for specific uses, while also allowing for predictive modeling of the behavior of larger or less precisely-controlled NCs. Historically, strongly coordinating phosphorus-based acids are very crucial in making anisotropic NCs. Hence, understanding the binding thermodynamics of phosphorus-based ligands to the NC surface plays a vital role in advancing control of the resulting NC shape as well as their photophysical properties. In this study, the surface chemistry of a series of non-stoichiometric zinc blende CdSe MSNCs are investigated by measuring the displacement of native oleate ligands with more strongly binding alkyl phosphonic acids and phosphinic acids. A combination of 1H NMR and ITC elucidates the exchange reaction mechanisms, while also highlighting insights from the systematic structural variation of the phosphonic and phosphinic acid ligands. The findings from this fundamental study advance the understanding of CdSe MSNC surface chemistry and provide strategies for studying site-specific and size-dependent surface interactions on nanocrystals.

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Ancylostoma caninum, is a common intestinal nematode infecting dogs in the southern United States, with infections ranging from mild to severe. Pyrantel pamoate is a popular anthelmintic treatment used by many veterinarians across the U.S., but its widespread use has raised concern regarding the development of resistance. Multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains of A. caninum have been identified in the U.S., and have also been detected in Canada as the result of the transport of dogs across the border. Analysis of serial fecal samples from weaned puppies dewormed with pyrantel pamoate was used to determine if pyrantel pamoate resistant strains of A. caninum are present in the Central Savannah River Area. A modified McMaster technique was used to perform a fecal egg count reduction assay to detect resistance and evaluate the effectiveness of pyrantel pamoate treatment. Thus far, evidence of both pyrantel resistant and MDR strains has been detected in both breeder populations, and household pets. The results of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the geographic extent of anthelmintic resistance in A. caninum. Additionally, this may provide valuable information to veterinarians and pet owners that will aid in the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies.

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Background: DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in nursing is critical to reducing healthcare inequities. Diversity in the nursing workforce promotes culturally sensitive care, improved communication, and improved patient safety and outcomes. Patients from underrepresented groups are more likely to trust and cooperate with treatment adherence with nurses who share similar cultural beliefs or speak the same language. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the significance of DEI and best practices to improve the recruitment of underrepresented minorities in training programs and leadership positions. Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted between January 2020 and January 2025. Google Scholar and Pub Med were used to search keywords “DEI,” “patient outcomes,” “nursing leadership,” “health inequities,” and “equity training.” Four peer-reviewed published journals were used. Conclusions: The main findings for best practices in DEI included incorporating DEI into an institution’s mission statement, addressing DEI topics in curricula, having a DEI strategic plan, developing education, recruiting underrepresented minority nursing faculty and leadership, developing data-based interventions, imparting policy change, partnering in outreach, targeting impact on hiring committees, and providing mentorship. Research strongly indicates that DEI policy must be upheld to advocate for social justice and promote health equity for those providing and receiving care.

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In this correlational study, we examined the experiences of those who create, view and share internet memes, paying close attention to the potential psychological and interpersonal impact caused by this activity. To do this we first created a 20 item 5 point Likert Scale to assess for internet behavior and social engagement. Our research collected and analyzed survey data (n=395) from a random sample of online respondents, and used Pearson’s r to identify inter-item correlations. Strong and statistically significant correlations were found between items pertaining to meme source and sharing behavior, as well as meme sharing behavior and motivation. These data suggest that people who create memes feel more strongly about social issues and view memes as a channel to influence discourse on those issues. Additionally, data revealed that there is a small, but significant subset of the population who endorsed getting their knowledge of current events primarily from a single source of internet memes. These respondents were also most likely to respond that they share memes “to convince others of an argument.” We will discuss the implications of these findings and correlations on our poster presentation. Our study indicates that it has become important to view the creation and distribution of online content not simply as a fringe process, but as foundational to the creation and maintenance of social groups outside as well as inside online spaces. Our research helps to understand the intent, motivation, and level of awareness with which internet memes are created and shared in various online communities. Prior research has already drawn comparisons between the effects of meme dissemination and propaganda campaigns before the digital age (see Nieubuurt, 2021) and our research continues to bring clarity to the impacts of this phenomenon in the faster paced and more polarized internet era.

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During my senior year, I was granted the opportunity to serve as a University 101 Peer Leader. This role was a transformative experience that allowed me to develop leadership skills while supporting first-year students in their transition to college. University 101 is designed to aid students in building a strong foundation for academic success, personal growth, and campus engagement. As a Peer Leader, I co-facilitated lessons and led discussions and activities that fostered individuality. My role allowed me to mentor a class of 20 students while also providing them with valuable resources and personal insights into the University of South Carolina. My motivation for becoming a Peer Leader stemmed from my own positive experience in University 101 when I was a freshman. I recognized the value of having a mentor who provided guidance and reassurance and wanted to offer that same support to my own cohort of students. Throughout the semester, I worked closely with my co-instructor to ensure that the needs of the students were met both academically and personally. Facilitating lessons has significantly enhanced my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. I gained the experience of fostering meaningful connections while learning how to adapt to the challenges of various learning styles simultaneously addressing concerns with empathy. The most rewarding aspect of this experience was witnessing my students’ growth and confidence flourish throughout the semester. The significance of this experience extends beyond personal growth. Peer leadership plays a crucial role in student retention and success by fostering a sense of belonging. I hope my experience encourages others to take on mentorship roles and contribute to a supportive learning environment. I plan to apply the skills I gained as a Peer Leader to my future career in healthcare. Effective communication, mentorship, and leadership are essential in patient care, and this experience has reinforced my ability to guide and support others. I aim to continue engaging in leadership opportunities that allow me to positively impact my community.

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Background Within the intensive care unit (ICU), Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are one of the most common hospital-associated infections due to patients' heightened risk of prolonged catheterization, invasive procedures, and compromised immune function. CAUTIs contribute to extended hospital stays, heightened healthcare costs, and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Nurse-led interventions have shown promise through evidence-based interventions at decreasing and preventing CAUTIs within the hospital setting. Purpose This study examines the effects of nursing-led interventions in reducing CAUTIs in an ICU setting by using bundles, daily assessments, and patient education. Methods A comprehensive search of the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions of CAUTIs in ICU settings was conducted. A search on the PubMed database started with keywords such as “nurse”, “interventions”, “catheter-associated urinary tract infections”, and “ICU”. It yielded 48 results from 1990 to 2025, so research was narrowed to the last 5 years, and 15 results were obtained. Two articles were chosen from this database. Results Studies found that nurse-led interventions effectively reduced CAUTIs using a multidisciplinary approach of bundles for appropriate indications and care, daily assessment for site infections and possible removal, and educating patients and their families on catheter use.

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One of the most impactful experiences of my college career has been my role as the Project Coordinator of Campus Outreach for Sustainable Carolina. In this position, I have helped shape the team’s purpose by leaning into its supportive role within Sustainable Carolina, which features five other teams. By leveraging social media, outreach events, and presentations, I have worked to increase awareness and engagement, demonstrating the relevance of sustainability in all aspects of life. This experience has strengthened my communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, while also teaching me to trust my intuition. When I first joined Sustainable Carolina, I just wanted to be more active in sustainability on campus, but this community and this position, in addition to my coursework in Sustainability in Business, was transformative to my future goals and aspirations. Moving forward, I hope to apply these lessons in a career focused on sustainability in business, where I can drive strategic initiatives that balance environmental responsibility with economic success. In this presentation, I hope to speak to my experience and encourage others to follow their passions, as it may lead toward a transformation of their own.

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I am a student intern for the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Education on the Criminal and National Security Team in Columbia, SC. The team consists of 11 individuals. The primary purpose of the OLE is to train DOJ personnel and provide courses to keep them up to date on skills. As a prelaw student, this internship has given me a background on what it is like to be a lawyer, gain valuable insight into what I want to do in the future and learn how to excel in a professional environment. I have several responsibilities such as reviewing course materials, creating an instructor information spreadsheet, and creating a quarterly newsletter. In this position, I also designed a thank-you letter template that has been implemented as standard practice and is sent to every instructor who participates in an OLE course. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the legal field, and the Office of Legal Education seemed like a great way to dive into different opportunities in the legal field. I learned valuable information while in this position. I learned how to effectively communicate ideas with co-workers, and how to present ideas to supervisors. After being in this position for two years, I can confidently voice my thoughts and adapt my communication to my audience. In many classes, you must present ideas to peers and professors. In Journalism 533, my group was tasked with creating and implementing problem-solving skills for a company with a previous public relations flaw. While doing this project, I had to work with a group to communicate my ideas and thoughts about how to tackle the project. The skills I learned at my internship helped me effectively communicate with my peers and present our project to the professor.

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Title: Updates on NICU Patients’ Pain Authors: Jazlyn Parker and Katherine Weaver Abstract: Background/Significance: Before the 1980s, in healthcare settings, pain was not considered during care or procedures for the neonatal population. In the present day, research has shown that the neonatal population indeed experiences pain at the level that adults experience pain, if not more, due to hypersensitive reactions related to an immature immune system. Purpose/Objectives: This project addresses and identifies new procedures and pain management strategies for nurses to be educated on and implement/identify within the NICU. Methods: The keywords used during the search were NICU, Nursing, Pain Scales, and Current Standards. Seven hundred and ninety-seven results were yielded from these keywords in PubMed and Elsevier databases, and approximately six articles that were related to these keywords were reviewed. The search was refined to 2018-2024, published within the US in English; peer-reviewed articles, meta-analyses, and full-length texts were included. Results/Conclusion: Nurses implementing accurate pain assessments in the neonatal population is essential because of the high prevalence rates of pain experiences among NICU patients. Despite the number of neonatal assessment tools, these assessments have no gold standards, causing inconsistency among nurses, providers, and documented pain. A goal moving forward is the re-education of hospital staff of NICU patients to address, identify, and rate neonates' pain.

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Sustainability is most effective when integrated into an organization’s core management systems rather than treated as an afterthought. My Sustainability Management and Leadership course with Dr. Tameria Warren has provided a foundation in sustainability frameworks like ISO 14001, emphasizing leadership’s role in sustainable development and the need for clear, measurable sustainability metrics. In my role as a Sustainability Intern at MITRE, I am applying these principles firsthand by assisting in the implementation of the Sustainability Management Plan, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting employee-led Green Teams. Additionally, my leadership on the Green Certification Team with Sustainable Carolina has given me experience consulting with organizations to make events and offices more sustainable. I have applied this approach at MITRE by developing an event planning template to help Green Teams organize sustainability initiatives like Earth Day events. My experience with Green Certifying events has allowed me to bring practical recommendations, such as reducing physical waste, incorporating composting and recycling stations, and minimizing unnecessary energy consumption. My coursework has reinforced how integrated management systems align sustainability with operational efficiency, using real-life case studies of military bases and corporate programs. At MITRE, I have worked within the GHG Protocol framework to measure and manage emissions from utilities across U.S. office locations, ensuring sustainability goals are backed by data-driven metrics. Beyond technical work, I have coordinated engagement initiatives, such as Earth/Arbor Day and Bike to Work Day, to encourage employees to adopt sustainable practices. This experience has reinforced that sustainability management is not just about setting ambitious targets—it is about ensuring that goals are realistic, measurable, and effectively integrated into operations. My coursework provided the theoretical foundation, while my internship and leadership in Sustainable Carolina have allowed me to apply these concepts in both corporate and university settings. Moving forward, I will continue bridging academic learning with real-world application to drive meaningful sustainability initiatives.

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Over the past two years, I have been a college ambassador for the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. As an ambassador, I gave tours to prospective students looking to apply to the University of South Carolina and was in the process of deciding whether our college would be the best fit for them. I became an ambassador because I wanted to push myself in a direction that I had never gone before. As I did not think of myself as a strong public speaker but was willing to learn if I were taught about what it took to do the job. I learned that I do have what it takes to be an informative speaker and impact others with what I say. This also made me realize that I have a passion and enthusiasm for talking about what interests me within a college environment and about my experiences while at the university. I learned that public speaking is an art that each person must put their own creativity into to perfect. There is no “one size fits all” with speaking and because of this I was able to build not only confidence but stop depending on structure when it comes to presenting. Now as I begin my career in engineering, I can use the skills I have learned to clearly present information to employers and the public. From being a college ambassador, I was able to get a mentor that then led to an internship with Carolina Transportation Engineers and Associates that eventually led to a job with their engineering firm.

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Transpositional elements are sequences of DNA that utilize a cut-and-paste mechanism to migrate from one place to another in the genome. Previously, the Hancock lab showed that Zmar20, a transposable element from maize, can transpose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using this yeast transposition assay, they were able to show that the addition of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) to the C-terminal of the Zmar20 transposase protein increased the rate of transposition. This project aims to evaluate if Zmar20 has the ability to transpose in Arabidopsis thaliana. We hypothesize that the addition of the C-term NLS will also result in increased transposition in Arabidopsis. We constructed three plasmids for this experiment: The first had a nonautonomous Zmar20NA element inserted directly upstream of a GFP gene. The other two were plant expression plasmids encoding Zmar20 transposase, with and without the C-term NLS. After sequence confirmation, these constructs were transformed into GV3101 agrobacterium and introduced into Arabidopsis using the floral dip method. Transgenic plants will be selected based on herbicide resistance and screened for GFP expression under a fluorescence microscope to compare transposition efficiency. We anticipate that transposition will result in GFP expression in Arabidopsis, with the C-term NLS construct displaying more GFP expressing sectors. Establishing this transposition assay will enable further optimization of Zmar20 transposition and its potential development as a genomic editing tool.

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Background/ Significance In the hospital environment, procedures and treatment plans can cause high levels of pain, anxiety, and fear among the pediatric population. Distraction techniques, such as rotatable wooden toys and toy wristbands, are implemented to increase pediatric patients’ feelings of relaxation and safety. Purpose/ Objectives This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of distraction techniques among the pediatric population. Objectives include examining recently published research studeis to determine efficacy of distraction techniques among the pediatric population. Methods Google Scholar was used to conduct a comprehensive literature review. Keywords including “peds” and “distraction techniques” were searched, within a custom range of publications from 2019 to today. Results were populated from nursing journals; three articles were chosen to conduct the review. Results/ Conclusion A study conducted by Wu et al. (2022), reported that, despite the distraction technique used, anxiety levels were decreased when implemented. Two other studies, one by Shen et al. (2023) and another by Arikan & Esenay (2020), concluded that active techniques were more effective than passive techniques. The common conclusion was that preoperative distraction techniques can significantly alleviate high levels of pain, anxiety, and fear among the pediatric population. Future research should explore what specific technique is most efficient overall. References Arikan, A., & Esenay, F.I. (2020). Active and Passive Distraction Interventions in a Pediatric Emergency Department to Reduce the Pain and Anxiety During Venous Blood Sampling: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 46(6), 779-790. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0099176720301537 Shen, T., Wang, X., Xue, Q., & Chen, D. (2023). Active versus passive distraction for reducing procedural pain and anxiety in children: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 49(109). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13052-023-01518-4 Wu, J., Yan, J., Zhang, L., Chen, J., Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Zhu, M., Cheng, L., & Zhang, L. (2022). The effectiveness of distraction as preoperative anxiety management technique in pediatric patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Nursing Studies,130. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002074892200061X

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The University of South Carolina is constantly looking for ways to grow and improve the numerous Colleges and departments on campus. As a student in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, I had the honor of serving on the Student Advisory Board within the Retail department. The Student Advisory Board is made up of a group of fourteen students who consistently uphold the standards of the Retail department. The board is responsible for upholding and progressing the mission of the Department of Retailing, while also creating opportunities for students to advance in their academic and professional career. While we serve under our Department Chairman and executives, we also work closely with our Executive Board, which is made up of twelve industry professionals and leaders. The Student Advisory Board is an impactful way for us to advocate for our peers and connect with our department’s executives and advisors. I also had the privilege of serving as the Student Engagement Committee Chairman, where I was responsible for leading three other board members to create events and opportunities for all our students. Some of these events include a Peer Mentorship Program, department focused networking events, and career building opportunities. Through numerous networking opportunities, weekly meetings, and department lead events, I have had the opportunity to grow and further develop my leadership and communication skills. This experience taught me the importance of becoming involved and working to improve the academic opportunities for students. The Student Advisory Board is continuing to plan / host events, while also creating new and exciting opportunities for students in the upcoming semesters. We are also hoping to increase the Board’s presence and inform students on the amazing opportunities that follow when you are a student in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina.

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Many animals interpret the wavelengths of light reflected by or transmitted through an object – colloquially known as color – by comparing the visual input received by separate photoreceptors in their eyes. Color vision can be a useful modality for crustaceans in shallow aquatic environments, where they may not be able to rely on achromatic cues to detect predators, prey, and conspecifics due to disruptions from the flicker of the water. Researchers use avoidance responses, like freezing or fleeing from threatening visual stimuli, to test for color vision in crustaceans. Looming threat responses are relevant to benthic crabs because predators typically approach them from above. If behavioral evidence of stimulus perception is insufficient, cardiac responses can be used as a reliable and measurable assessment. My experiment implements an innovative approach based on integrating looming stimuli with heart rate measurements to ask whether the Atlantic mud crab Panopeus herbstii has color vision. At least 20 crabs are tested with multiple randomized stimuli by being connected to QRE1113 cardiac sensors. These stimuli are created such that the colors are equally bright to the crabs, prompting them to utilize chromatic contrast rather than achromatic contrast to detect them, ensuring a response is due to a perceived color difference and not due to brightness. Chromatic stimuli include green-blue/blue-green looms for the treatment and green-green/blue-blue looms for negative control. Achromatic stimuli of black-white/white-black looms act as positive controls. Crabs are placed into a darkened chamber with an overhead computer screen and allowed to acclimate. Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is used to simultaneously capture the visual stimuli being displayed, behavioral responses, and heart rate responses. Data is analyzed using R and software packages in Python to compare responses between experimental and control stimuli to assess for statistically significant differences. These methods address the role of mud crab color vision in tidal creeks with visibility challenges from fluctuating water conditions such as turbidity, pH, and temperature. The presence of color vision may aid in exploring the role of sensory experiences in mate selection and species recognition, allowing for a greater understanding of aquatic social dynamics.

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Homologous recombination (HR) is a critical pathway for DNA repair and genomic stability. The RAD51 protein family (RAD51, RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3) is a central component of HR machinery, with RAD51D exhibiting an unusually high number of mRNA splice variants. This suggests that alternative splicing of RAD51D may play a regulatory role in HR. In mice, seven alternative RAD51D transcripts have been identified, with functional characterization showing varying resistance to the DNA interstrand crosslinking agent Mitomycin C. Paraspeckles are nuclear organelles composed primarily of three central proteins - SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1 – oriented around the long non-coding RNA NEAT1. Believed to play a role in nuclear retention of hyper-edited mRNA transcripts, their expansive functions within the cell remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests paraspeckles may contribute to HR-mediated DNA double-strand break repair. Therefore, this project is analyzing the interaction profile between SFPQ, NONO, and PSPC1 with RAD51D and RAD51D splice and truncation 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 were performed, and single colony transformants organized onto a central plate. This main plate was replica plated onto selective media, where any growth indicates protein interaction because of the activation of reporter genes. Quantitative interaction analysis is being performed using ortho-Nitrophenyl-β-galactosidase (ONPG) assays, where reporter gene-mediated β-galactosidase activity produces a measurable yellow pigment. Preliminary findings reveal potential interactions between RAD51D variants and paraspeckle proteins, suggesting a role in modulating HR. It has been proposed that RAD51D splice variants may influence HR by sequestering key repair proteins into inactive complexes, a mechanism that could extend to interactions with paraspeckle proteins. These results provide new insights into the regulatory dynamics of HR and the potential crosstalk between RAD51D variants and nuclear paraspeckles in DNA damage response.

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Throughout high school, free time was a mystery to me, but staying busy kept me on track. When I came to the University of South Carolina, that did not change, and I am grateful for how my connections and experiences have shaped me. Leadership has always been something I aspired to. From the moment I stepped onto the University of South Carolina’s campus, I sought involvement in organizations I was passionate about. If you had told me I would become president of a 400-person sorority as a sophomore, I would not have believed you. I did achieve this accomplishment, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience. At the time, I was already Chi Omega’s house manager, Marketing Co-Director for Relay For Life, an intern for Gamecock Hockey Marketing, and pledging Phi Chi Theta, my business fraternity. Taking on the presidency role in Chi Omega was daunting, and I knew I had to earn respect, maintain composure, and always represent Chi Omega. Excelling in this role strengthened my ability to make quick, confident decisions while balancing poise and empathy. Following that experience, I served as Professionalism Director for Phi Chi Theta for two semesters. During this time, I assisted members in refining their résumés, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. I also organized workshops on interviewing and business etiquette and invited professionals to chapter meetings to speak on various industries. Lastly, I became Director of Marketing and Events for Gamecock Hockey, a role that allowed me to embrace my creativity. Procuring sponsorships and hosting events sharpened my attention to detail and reinforced my confidence in executing responsibilities. I owe so much of who I am to these positions. I also owe so much to the incredible people that have guided me through these positions. Leading, while learning, has been an invaluable journey for me, as it has made my time at the University of South Carolina truly unforgettable.

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The United States is amidst a maternal health crisis with persistent geographic and sociodemographic disparities facing rural women and women of color. Timely prenatal care access is crucial in ensuring maternal and infant health for birthing people as it allows pregnancy risk and family history to be accurately assessed, ultimately guiding the development of an optimal prenatal care plan. Telehealth - healthcare delivery via synchronous video or audio telecommunication or asynchronous modality via phone or online patient portal – was expected to mitigate disparities in access to prenatal care. While research shows that telehealth improves prenatal care support, its impact on the timeliness, frequency, and continuity of prenatal care remains unclear. Using national electronic health records within the National Clinical Cohort Collaborative (N3C), this retrospective study examines the trends of prenatal care initiation timing and visit frequency as well as the association between telehealth uptake and these prenatal care patterns, overall and by residence location, race, and ethnicity among pregnant women aged 15-50 who gave birth between 1/1/2019 and 12/31/2023. Initial data collections shows that overall, pregnant women in the study had a median of prenatal care initiation in the 10th gestational week (IQR: 7.7-17.7 weeks) and 14 prenatal visits (Interquartile Range [IQR]: 6-21). Among women who gave birth in and after March 2020, those with prenatal telehealth use had more visits (median [IQR]: 15[9-23]) and earlier care initiation (median [IQR]: 9.4 [7-13.5]) than those without telehealth use (13 [6-21] visits and 10.5 [7.8-18.5] gestational week). Further analyses will be conducted using Chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests to compare maternal characteristics by telehealth uptake and prenatal care continuity, and Kaplan-Meir survival curves to examine differences in days from pregnancy conception to the first prenatal care visit by prenatal telehealth uptake across subgroups. Regression analysis for timing and frequency across subgroups will be conducted using Cox Proportional Hazards Model and a negative binomial model, respectively. While this study is ongoing, it hopes to address an important issue in maternal care – leveraging technology to improve prenatal care, specifically the timeliness and frequency in order to improve outcomes and reduce inequities.

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In my E-Business class at ESSEC in France, I was introduced to artificial intelligence as a software that makes fast, objective decisions that will revolutionize life as we know it. It is trained on existing data from a firm’s databases, the internet, and other sources to learn from this information and find patterns that may be more time consuming and less intuitive for human beings. It was revealed to me in my academic and beyond the classroom experiences however, that we may not be able to control the patterns AI may replicate, and it can work against our interests. I furthered my understanding of this idea beyond the classroom at a Science and Society conference, analyzing Microsoft's DEI initiatives and how they perform relative to their competitors. In both these experiences, I found that AI is not a perfect tool, and can reinforce preexisting biases. I learned the importance of auditing and a holistic approach to corporate culture, as there are barriers to entry for many individuals in the workforce.

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During the summer of 2023, I volunteered at the Hope Health Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. The Hope Health Clinic is a member of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, ensuring the medically underserved have access to affordable and quality healthcare. I was a patient rooming volunteer, and my role included bringing patients back to the rooms, taking their vitals, and asking them a series of health screening questions. I accepted this volunteer opportunity at the clinic to fulfill the requirements for graduate school. As a pre-physician assistant student, there is pressure to accumulate as many patient care, volunteer, and shadowing hours as possible. My experience at the Hope Health Clinic turned out to be much more impactful on my personal and professional growth than I expected. I learned many clinical skills along with the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare. Many of the patients at the clinic were facing negative health outcomes due to a variety of factors including their race, family network, and economic and cultural policies and conditions. Through volunteering at the clinic, I made a change in healthcare accessibility in my community. My summer at the Hope Health Clinic reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career in healthcare and inspired me to continue to be part of the change to provide healthcare as a basic right. I look back on my experience with a deep sense of gratification, and I hope to continue to find fulfillment in each of my future endeavors as I did in this one.

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Background/Significance Medication errors in the emergency department are a significant threat to patient safety. Due to the fast-paced environment, nurses are at a higher risk for medication errors. Understanding the factors contributing to medication errors is crucial for maintaining patient care. Purpose/Objectives This study aims to investigate the causes, frequency, and types of medication errors performed by nurses in the ED. It also seeks to identify potential solutions and strategies for decreasing these nursing errors and improving patient outcomes. Methods A literature review was conducted to explore the importance, causes, and impact of medication errors by nurses in the ED. The literature search included sites like PubMed with the search period covering studies published from 2010 to 2024. Search terms included "medication errors," "nurses," "emergency department," and "patient safety." To narrow the search, filters were applied to include only peer-reviewed articles written in English. We identified seven potential articles from our comprehensive search that may be of use for our research. Results/Conclusions The results indicate that medication errors in the ED are most related to incorrect dosages and incorrect administration. Contributing factors include high workloads, inadequate staffing, and bad communication among coworkers. Acknowledging these issues through training can decrease medication errors.

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This thesis project aimed to explore how Personal Protective equipment (PPE) and shift length affected travel nurses’ burnout, stress, and lateral violence during the peak of COVID-19 (March 2020 – December 2020). Although travel nursing was in large demand during this time, there is little research on the experiences of travel nurses during the pandemic. The increased number of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in high-risk clinical settings caused an increased demand for travel nurses to fill the shortage of nurses all around the world (McLernon, 2020). This project used a cross-sectional quantitative approach and collected data through a REDCap survey. Preliminary findings support that lack of personal protective equipment and longer shift lengths may have contributed to an increase in travel nurses’ burnout, stress, and lateral violence. These variables are critical to research since they have a direct impact on nurses’ health and well-being as well as patient outcomes and quality of care. Further research should be conducted on travel nurses and their experiences during the pandemic.

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent issue that greatly affects college students in the United States. Research shows that young adults are susceptible to IPV due to a lack of commitment and relationship instability between partners. The main goal of the current study was to investigate the factors that contribute to college students’ perceptions of IPV. Specifically, we wanted to determine whether the type of abuse (verbal vs. physical) and gender of both the perpetrator and the victim impacts perception of abuse severity. The second goal was to investigate how college students may respond to situations of IPV. While many students may choose not to intervene due to a diffusion of responsibility, it remains unclear whether this reluctance varies based on the type of abuse and the gender involved. Ninety-six college students participated in the current study. They were asked to read one of four scenarios, concerning physical or verbal abuse, where the victim and perpetrators’ gender was manipulated. Participants were then asked to rate the seriousness of the abused described in the scenario, the victim’s responsibility, whether they would ignore the situation, and if they would encourage the victim to seek help. It was hypothesized that participants would rate the IPV as more serious when the victim was a female, and the perpetrator was a male. It was also hypothesized that physical abuse would be rated as more serious than verbal abuse. Findings may ultimately help researchers in the development of more effective prevention and intervention strategies as it relates to different types of abuse.

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Lifespan is regulated by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. By analyzing the breeding records of closed Peromyscus colonies in combination with epigenetic predictors of lifespan we show that parental relatedness positively impacts lifespan expectancy. Conversely, we also describe relatedness-associated methylation signatures that predict parental relatedness.

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Selective pressures from antibiotics drive the maintenance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in bacteria, which encode proteins that counteract the effects of antibiotics. ARGs can be transferred between bacterial cells, reducing antibiotic efficacy and posing a growing public health challenge. Although these genes often impose an energetic cost on bacteria, which should theoretically confer a fitness disadvantage in the absence of antibiotics, little is known about the impact of ARG carriage on the growth of bacteria in complex environments such as the gut microbiome without antibiotic selection. To address this gap, molecular qPCR-based approaches were developed to directly quantify antibiotic resistant and sensitive bacteria in complex communities. First, antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains were constructed by replacing an intergenic region in the sensitive parental strain with genes that confer resistance to either chloramphenicol or kanamycin. This allowed for the design of strain-specific primers that either target the unique sequence retained only in the sensitive strain, or the ARGs added to the resistance strains. The specificity of the primers was tested in pure cultures, in vitro mixed cultures, and fecal samples from mice without E. coli in their microbiome, which served as a negative control to confirm the absence of nonspecific amplification of DNA from other bacteria in the microbiome. Initial validation using gel-based methods confirmed selective amplification of the target strains. qPCR analysis further verified that the primers accurately detected and quantified the relative abundances of target strains without cross-reactivity. With this method validated, it is now being applied to fecal samples from mice colonized with both antibiotic resistant and sensitive E. coli in the inflamed and non-inflamed gut to quantify colonization ratios in these contexts. Overall, this newly developed approach will allow us to investigate how ARGs are maintained in the gut microbiome in the absence of antibiotic selection.

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Background: Chest pain is one of the most common chief complaints in the emergency department, accounting for more than 7 billion visits annually. Emergency department providers need to be able to risk stratify these patients and give them an appropriate disposition, whether they are low risk and can follow up with cardiology in the outpatient setting or intermediate/high risk and require more immediate cardiology evaluation and/or intervention. HEART score is a well-studied clinical tool that helps predict 6-week risk of a Major Adverse Cardiac Event (MACE) in patients with chest pain. It incorporates 5 variables (History, EKG, Age, Risk factors, and initial Troponin) with possible scores of 0, 1, or 2 in each category to stratify adult patients with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) into either low (0-3), moderate (4-6), or high (>6) risk groups. This tool translates what can be a long or complicated history and exam into a comprehensible 0-10 scale that can be used in conjunction with clinical judgement to help guide management and improve outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study is to increase compliance of HEART Score usage to >80% for patients presenting to the Richland ED with chest pain by June 30, 2025. Methods: Baseline data for HEART Score compliance at the Richland ED was collected from July 2023 to April 2024. PDSA cycle 1 focused on provider education. Our first intervention was a lecture given to ED providers on 4/24/2024 which outlined how and when to use HEART score, and its benefits in risk stratification and clinical decision making for patients with undifferentiated chest pain suggestive of ACS. Data after this intervention was collected from May 2024 to August 2024. Our second intervention involved placing flyers with similar information about using HEART Score around the ED on 9/5/2024. Data after this intervention was collected from September 2024 through December 2024.

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Modern maternity is undoubtedly anchored to digital sphere. Mothers today use a variety of digital tools and applications to enhance their experiences, and maternal narratives about fertility, conception, pregnancy, and miscarriage. In fact, some of the earliest digital writing was concerned with the maternal. Scholars like May Friedman examined early digital writing, and she argued that the mamasphere was a gynocentric space that acted in opposition to totalizing images of motherhood. However, recent scholarship explores parental exploitation and monetization of children on social media. This project will present a rhetorical analysis of mom-influencers on platforms like Instagram in order to analyze shifts in the mamasphere from digital maternal archives largely used to empower and educate women in collective sphere to exploitative and harmful practices.

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Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to pathogenesis in a plethora of diseases, including several neurodegenerative diseases such as dystonia, Huntington's, and Alzheimer's disease. Disruption of ER homeostasis is sensed by ER resident protein kinase, PERK. PERK phosphorylates the  subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) which prevents translation initiation, thereby decreasing general protein synthesis while upregulating the expression of select genes (e.g. ATF4) to promote recovery. PKR is another eIF2⍺ kinase but is usually characterized as responding to viral infection. Unlike PERK, which is a pro-survival kinase, PKR is associated with activation of apoptosis pathways. Our lab has shown that PKR is also activated in response to ER stress by its protein activator PACT via a direct interaction. While PACT phosphorylation is essential for PACT-PKR association and PKR activation, the kinase responsible for phosphorylation of PACT under ER stress conditions is unknown. I hypothesized that PERK phosphorylates PACT, which then associates with to activate PKR. Using western blot analyses, I compared PERK and PKR activation in PERK, PKR, and PACT knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and wild-type MEFs after ER stress. PERK and PACT deficient cells failed to activate PKR, and showed delayed ATF4 induction, indicating that they are both essential for PKR activation to mount a timely and robust stress response. This suggests that PKR is activated in a PERK dependent manner and PACT may be a direct substrate of PERK. Using in vitro PERK kinase assays with purified recombinant catalytic domain of PERK and recombinant PACT protein as a substrate, we confirmed this. Additionally, a direct interaction of PACT with PERK using coimmunoprecipitation analysis proved PERK’s interaction with PACT and its essential role in activating PKR after ER stress. Finally, QRT-PCR analysis showed that PKR activation is essential for upregulation of ATF4 dependent transcription after ER stress. Our results establish a novel regulatory step in the ER stress response pathway and identify new targets for therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with chronic ER stress.

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In a sales career or training, you’ll learn various techniques designed to handle objections and navigate conversations effectively. However, these methods aren’t just valuable in sales—they can be incredibly useful in everyday life. One particularly powerful approach is the Feel-Felt-Found technique, which helps acknowledge concerns, build rapport, and offer solutions in a way that fosters trust and understanding. This method follows a structured approach: • Feel – Recognize and validate the other person’s emotions or concerns. • Felt – Relate to their experience by sharing a similar situation you or someone else has encountered. • Found – Offer a positive resolution based on what you discovered in your own experience. I have used this technique in multiple sales, work, and life circumstances. For example, at my serving job at Colas Restaurant that I've had for about 2.5 years now, I use it to sell more drinks, higher priced items, and specials. If a customer were hesitant about ordering another cocktail before their entree arrived, but I knew I could push the sale, I could say this: "I understand your hesitation. Many of our guests have felt unsure about ordering another drink before their meal arrives. They’ve found, though, that enjoying a cocktail before the entrée enhances their dining experience, and since our bartenders craft each drink with balance in mind, they rarely find it too overwhelming before their meal." By doing this, I was able to make an addition sale, and those additional sales add up over the course of the night. By incorporating the Feel-Felt-Found method into daily interactions, you can diffuse tension, build stronger connections, and encourage open, constructive conversations. Whether you’re making a sale, guiding a friend, or navigating a difficult discussion, this technique creates a foundation of empathy, understanding, and problem-solving.

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Background Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors are widely used for both migraine prevention and acute treatment by blocking CGRP or its receptor to reduce migraine frequency, severity, and duration. Preventive agents include injectables like Aimovig, Emgality, Ajovy, and the infusion Vyepti, while oral options like Nurtec, Ubrelvy, and Qulipta are used for acute relief, with some approved for prevention. Because migraines disproportionately affect women of childbearing age, counseling on the reproductive risks of CGRP inhibitors is critical. These medications may disrupt pregnancy-related vascular changes, potentially increasing the risks of fetal growth restriction, miscarriage, and preeclampsia. However, data on their safety in pregnancy are limited. Providers must understand the pharmacokinetics of these drugs to guide patients appropriately. Injectable and infusion CGRP inhibitors have long half-lives (27–31 days), necessitating discontinuation at least six months before conception. In contrast, oral agents with shorter half-lives (6–11 hours) typically require only 2–3 days of discontinuation. Given these differences, individualized counseling and clear documentation are essential. Improving provider knowledge and standardizing counseling can enhance patient safety, support informed decision-making, and ensure care aligns with best practices. Purpose/Objectives This quality improvement project evaluates the knowledge gap among OB/GYN and Neurology residents regarding the reproductive risks of CGRP inhibitors in women of childbearing age, with a focus on potential outcomes such as fetal growth restriction, miscarriage, and preeclampsia. It identifies deficiencies in current counseling practices and highlights the need for standardized counseling protocols to ensure consistent patient education. This project also proposes an educational intervention aimed at improving resident knowledge, specifically emphasizing the importance of recognizing CGRP inhibitors—both preventive and acute agents—and understanding their varying pharmacokinetics and potential risks during pregnancy. Additionally, it underscores the critical role of thorough documentation of counseling discussions in the medical record. By integrating these strategies into routine clinical care, resident physicians can offer more comprehensive reproductive counseling, promoting safer outcomes for patients. Methods The study began with an extensive literature review of available data on CGRP inhibitors and their potential risks during pregnancy. Based on this review, we created a targeted educational PowerPoint presentation for OB/GYN and Neurology residents. The presentation covered the mechanism of action of CGRP inhibitors, their pharmacokinetics, indications for both preventive and acute migraine management, and the current understanding of reproductive risks. Additionally, we provided evidence-based recommendations regarding when to discontinue these medications prior to conception, contraception options during treatment, and standardized counseling strategies. The session concluded by emphasizing the importance of documenting counseling discussions in the medical record to ensure continuity of care and informed decision-making. To evaluate resident knowledge and identify potential gaps, pre- and post-session surveys were administered. Data from these surveys will be analyzed using statistical methods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results/Conclusion The implementation and results of this study are still pending, but we anticipate that the educational sessions and standardized counseling guidelines will significantly improve residents' knowledge of migraine medication risks and contraception counseling. A statistical analysis of pre- and post-survey responses will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. We expect that through structured education, standardized counseling practices, and improved communication and medication reconciliation, resident knowledge will be enhanced, ultimately improving the quality and consistency of patient counseling in both OB/GYN and Neurology residency programs. Citations 1. Edvinsson L, Haanes KA, Warfvinge K, Krause DN. CGRP as the target of new migraine therapies — successful translation from bench to clinic. Nat Rev Neurol. 2018;14(6):338-350. doi:10.1038/s41582-018-0003-1 2. Cohen, Fred et al. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)-Targeted Monoclonal Antibodies and Antagonists in Migraine: Current Evidence and Rationale. BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy vol. 36,3 (2022): 341-358. doi:10.1007/s40259-022-00530-0 3. Burch RC, Buse DC, Lipton RB. Migraine: epidemiology, burden, and comorbidity. Neurol Clin. 2019;37(4):631-649. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2019.06.001 4. Noseda, Roberta et al. Safety profile of monoclonal antibodies targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide system in pregnancy: Updated analysis in VigiBase. Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache vol. 43,4 (2023): 3331024231158083. doi:10.1177/03331024231158083 5. Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe) injection [prescribing information]. Thousand Oaks, CA: Amgen Inc.; Revised June 2023. https://www.pi.amgen.com/~/media/amgen/repositorysites/pi-amgen-com/aimovig/aimovig_pi_hcp_english.pdf 6. Emgality® (galcanezumab-gnlm) injection [prescribing information]. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly and Company; Revised March 2023. https://pi.lilly.com/us/emgality-uspi.pdf 7. Ajovy® (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection [prescribing information]. Parsippany, NJ: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.; Revised March 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/761089s000lbl.pdf 8. Vyepti® (eptinezumab-jjmr) injection [prescribing information]. Deerfield, IL: Lundbeck Seattle BioPharmaceuticals, Inc.; Revised February 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/761119s000lbl.pdf 9. Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) tablet [prescribing information]. New Haven, CT: Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Revised June 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/212728s010lbl.pdf 10. Ubrelvy® (ubrogepant) tablet [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Allergan USA, Inc.; Revised January 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/211765s000lbl.pdf 11. Qulipta® (atogepant) tablet [prescribing information]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; Revised September 2021. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/215203s000lbl.pdf 12. Robertson CE, Ailani J, Charleston L 4th, et al. The American Headache Society Consensus Statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache. 2021;61(7):1021-1039. doi:10.1111/head.14153 13. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Clinical pharmacology guidance for industry: Clinical pharmacology considerations for the development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/media/101130/download

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Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or stimuli associated with those sounds, often triggering anger, irritation, disgust, and anxiety. Because triggers evoke such strong affective reactions, behavioral reactions often co-occur. These varying behavioral reactions, both in type and severity, overlap with those seen in individuals with anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder—negative reactions are triggered by specific stimuli and associated levels of distress. As part of a larger study investigating the physiological and neurological response to triggers, self-report measures from 35 participants were collected to assess psychological symptoms using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and to assess the presence and severity of misophonia using both the Duke Vanderbilt Misophonia Screening Questionnaire (DVMSQ) and the Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome Scale (S-Five). We investigated the correlation between the SCL-90 scores on anxious or obsessive-compulsive tendencies and misophonia severity. The S-Five provides five subscales: internalizing, externalizing, outburst, threat, and impact. There was no significant relationship found between misophonia severity and anxious or obsessive-compulsive tendencies. While not hypothesized, we found positive correlation between impact, threat, and externalizing subscales with SCL-90 symptoms hostility and psychoticism. The triggers reported as part of the DVMSQ varied across participants with some commonalities. The most common trigger sounds among people with misophonia were orofacial movement-related sounds (e.g. chewing, sniffling, coughing) followed by repeated sounds (e.g. tapping, clicking, typing, beeping) and mechanical sounds (e.g. chalk, metal, Styrofoam). Relating the self-report data from DVMSQ, S-Five, and SCL-90 allows us to compare the commonality of trigger sounds of participants with clinical misophonia severity, helping establish a more informed ordinal list of common triggers.

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Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) techniques are pivotal in assessing retinal layers and microvasculature. Parameters from these scans have had proven associations with neurocognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and stroke risk. However, manual segmentation and quantification of OCTA metrics is time consuming and subjective. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have fostered the development of algorithms capable of automatically extracting these data. This study evaluates the feasibility of using, and reliability of measurements generated by, two freely and publicly available AI-based systems—RMHAS and Lirot.ai, both of which convert OCT fundus images into pertinent OCTA measures. Based on the fact that it is newer and uses a more sophisticated AI approach, we hypothesized that scores generated by Lirot.ai would be reliable across measurements of the same individual. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we used an Optos Monaco scanner to obtain 10 scans from the left and right eyes of four individual participants (AS, SNN, RNN, NS). We then ran conformed versions of these images (Lirot.ai = 1426 pixels x1424 pixels, RMHAS = 3997 pixels x 3989 pixels) through the automated Lirot.ai (23 parameters) and RMHAS (11 parameters) pipelines respectively. Coefficients of Variation (CV) were utilized to assess variability of parameters including fractal dimension, CRVE, CRAE, and tortuosity, within each participant for each eye across repeated tests. Lirot.ai yielded more measures with consistency, as shown by lower CV values–in particular, tortuosity index and fractal dimensions of both veins and arteries, which are known to be related to cardiovascular and cognitive risk factors (CV<5%). These data provide evidence that Lirot.ai is a reliable machine-learning algorithm for semi-automatic extraction of relevant retinal imaging metrics for future planned analyses.

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The process of seawater electrolysis involves the splitting of seawater into hydrogen and oxygen, chlorine, or other species. The hydrogen produced via electrolysis can be used immediately for combustion or in a fuel cell, can be compressed and stored for later use, or can be reacted with nitrogen to form ammonia for long-term storage. For this project, we are testing several variables to see how they affect the performance of the saltwater electrolyzer. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes will be used to determine how the polymer architecture and resulting physical and chemical properties affect electrolyzer performance. We will also examine membrane conductivity with or without an acid dopant. Operational parameters such as electrolyzer temperature, flow rate of simulated seawater, and use of air vs. nitrogen as cathode gas feed will be manipulated to better understand how they dictate electrolyzer performance.

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During my junior year spring semester, I was inspired by friends studying abroad to step out of my comfort zone and do the same. Though a full semester abroad was not an option, I took advantage of the University of South Carolina’s May-Mester program. Wanting to step out of my comfort zone, I chose to study in a region I had never previously considered, Asia. My desire to experience a culture vastly different from the United States led me to enroll in The Business and Culture of Thailand course, which gave me the opportunity to visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Over two weeks, I gained valuable insights into Thailand’s economy by engaging with Thai business leaders, local universities, and cultural representatives. I observed how Eastern and Western influences merge to create a unique business environment and explored the significant role of tourism in shaping the modern Thai economy. The most profound impact of this experience was realizing how diverse global perspectives truly are. From daily customs to values like hospitality, Thailand offered a vastly different way of life compared to the United States. Viewing this journey as a learning experience broadened my perspective on travel. Moving forward, I intend to approach all future travels—both international and domestic—as opportunities to immerse myself in new cultures and ways of living.

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Last summer, I had the opportunity to work for Justice 360, a non-profit law firm located in Columbia, South Carolina that offers legal representation to individuals who are facing the death penalty, or juveniles facing sentences of over thirty years. My entire life I have wanted to be a lawyer, and so having the opportunity to work at a law firm that was doing such impactful work was one that I was very excited for. During my internship, I did social media investigations, attended court hearings, and summarized trial transcripts. I thoroughly enjoyed working on all of these different tasks. However what I enjoyed the most and what was the most impactful thing that I did during my internship was visit the clients on death row. Most people think of inmates on death row as “the worst of the worst” because of their crimes. However, the clients I interacted with refused to let their crimes define them. They were the nicest, and most caring individuals I have ever met. During our conversations, I often forgot that I was in a prison, and felt like I was talking to someone I had known my entire life. For them, it would be easy to be sad all the time or to act like the monsters people labeled them as. Instead, they spoke about their hopes and the love they still held for their families on the outside as well as the family they had created within the prison. I witnessed the human side of the criminal justice system that is so often overshadowed by the severity of their crimes. This experience helped me to realize the complexity of the justice system, and the individuals within it. It was a humbling experience that taught me about empathy, patience, and the importance of giving people a voice, even when society has deemed them unworthy of one. This experience not only confirmed that I wanted to be a lawyer. But it showed me that law is not just about winning cases, it’s about understanding people, their stories, and their rights to a fair chance.

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With the increasing resistance of bacteria to current therapeutics, there is an urgent need to identify novel compounds to target these infections. Natural products, compounds from natural sources like bacteria, are a primary source for novel drug candidates. An emerging class of natural products with therapeutic potential are lasso peptides due to their potent activity against bacteria and the stability of their characteristic lasso fold, which allows lasso peptides to resist denaturation by denaturing agents. A lasso peptide named trilenodin had been bioinformatically identified in Paenibacillus taiwanensis DSM18679. To identify the antibacterial activity of trilenodin, we created a heterologous overexpression system in Bacillus subtilis 168 to isolate high quantities of trilenodin for investigation. This system was created by transforming trilenodin’s biosynthetic gene cluster into B. subtilis 168 using an integrative plasmid that integrates into the genome of the cells. The integrative plasmid contained an IPTG-inducible promoter to increase the expression of the BGC compared to its initial expression level. The integrative plasmid also contained a ribosome binding site upstream of the BGC to help recruit the ribosome to transcribe the BGC, increasing trilenodin production. We extracted trilenodin from these cells using butanol and purified it using C18 column chromatography. We identified trilenodin in the C18 fractions using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). The results of the LCMS analysis indicated that the heterologous overexpression system produced significantly higher quantities of trilenodin compared to the native strain. These results suggest that an inducible promoter and an upstream ribosome binding site can increase the effectiveness of a heterologous overexpression system. We then purified the C18 fractions containing trilenodin using high-performance liquid chromatography to isolate the produced trilenodin for bioactivity assays. We determined the antibacterial activity of trilenodin against various pathogenic bacterial strains using disk diffusion assays. The results of the disk diffusion assays indicated that trilenodin has strong activity against several gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The identified antibacterial activity suggests that trilenodin may have therapeutic potential and warrants further investigation. Future studies should identify additional bioactivity of trilenodin and determine its mechanism of action to increase understanding of its therapeutic potential.

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BACKGROUND: The pooled cohort equations (PCE) estimate sex- and race-specific 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk using information on age, systolic blood pressure, HDL-C, total cholesterol, hypertension treatment, and diabetes and smoking status. Although exercise training has been shown to have a dose-response effect on cardiovascular risk factors, the effects of exercise dose or mode on predicted ASCVD risk has not been well studied. METHODS: Data from three STRRIDE (Studies of Targeted Risk Reduction Interventions through Defined Exercise) exercise trials that differed in exercise amount, intensity, or mode were analyzed. STRRIDE-1 and 2 participants were overweight individuals with mild dyslipidemia that completed 8 months of the following interventions: STRRIDE-1 (n=235) – CONTROL; low-amount, moderate-intensity (LOW/MOD); low-amount, vigorous-intensity (LOW/VIG); or high-amount, vigorous-intensity (HIGH/VIG); STRRIDE-2 (n=79) – aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), or combined (AT+RT) exercise training. STRRIDE-PD (n=153) participants were individuals with pre-diabetes who completed one of four exercise interventions for 6 months: (1) LOW/MOD; (2) HIGH/MOD; (3) HIGH/VIG; or (4) LOW/MOD + Diet. 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated using PCEs at baseline and after training. Paired t-tests within each group were performed to assess the effects of exercise training on risk, and between-group differences in ASCVD risk change were tested using general linear models. Significance was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: At baseline, mean 10-yr ASCVD risk was 4.2%, 3.95%, and 7.06% in STRRIDE-1, STRRIDE-2, and STRRIDE-PD, respectively. An increase in age only over the intervention periods would significantly increase 10-year risk across all groups (p<0.0001). When age was held constant, exercise training significantly decreased 10-year risk in STRRIDE-1 HIGH/VIG (-0.39%), STRRIDE-2 AT+RT (-0.26%), STRRIDE-PD LOW/MOD + Diet (-0.79%), and STRRIDE-PD HIGH/VIG (-0.85%). The true change in 10-yr risk, including changes in both age and traits, significantly decreased only in STRRIDE 1 HIGH/VIG (-0.24%). CONCLUSIONS: Although ASCVD risk continuously increases with age, our results suggest that a variety of exercise interventions can negate this effect. Importantly, a combination of high-amount and high-intensity exercise training may decrease ASCVD risk even further for overweight and mildly dyslipidemic individuals.

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At the core of the Capstone Scholars Program lies community. A two-year, invitational program, Capstone welcomes its scholars into a tight-knit support system. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, I embarked on my journey at the University of South Carolina in a sea of unfamiliar faces. However, immersing myself in the Capstone program gave me a strong sense of belonging. Through its exclusive service, leadership and professional engagement opportunities, Capstone encourages students to put the skills acquired within an academic setting into practice beyond the classroom. Recognizing the doors the program opened for me, I sought to give back to Capstone and enhance scholars’ experience. Working alongside the program’s faculty and staff, I developed a robust Ambassador team to represent Capstone in a front-facing capacity. After leading widespread recruitment efforts, I brought together a group of 18 passionate second-year scholars whom I would soon lead during my third year at USC. Implementing a structured system of operations, which I developed after researching similar initiatives, I guide the group in promoting the program to prospective students and their families as well as educating the internal community about the resources offered. In doing so, Ambassadors directly interact with 1,400 first-year scholars to assist them in unlocking their purpose at USC. They embody the core values of reflection, continuous improvement, advocacy, connection and community. Ambassadors offer mentorship and act as vital liaisons between scholars and program leads, allowing for continuous improvement. Through my time as the head Ambassador, I came to understand that when you are consistent in your actions, you build connections that evolve into a stable and long-lasting community built on trust. Consistency, connection and community represent pillars of effective leadership. Whether through attention to detail, fostering trust within organizations or maintaining high standards of service, establishing credibility and building strong internal networks brings together the next generation of leaders and fosters stewardship within Capstone. While working toward my master’s degree, I intend to serve as a graduate assistant within the program, where I will continue to work alongside the Ambassador team to strengthen the fabric of the Capstone community.

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Metabolic enzyme function plays a critical role in niche colonization and maintenance for bacteria within the gut microbiome. While long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are not hypothesized to be the preferred energy source for Enterobacteriaceae in the gut, this bacterial family has retained the enzymes required for beta-oxidation of LCFAs. In contrast, beta-oxidation genes are not encoded by other gut bacterial families, suggesting that evolutionary pressures have favored the selection of Enterobacteriaceae that have retained this metabolic function. Recent work from our lab showed that encoding beta-oxidation enzymes enhances the competitive fitness of Escherichia coli, an Enterobacteriaceae commonly present in the gut. Beta-oxidation genes are also transcriptionally active in E. coli within the murine gut. This led us to investigate the nutrient conditions in which beta-oxidation genes confer a competitive fitness advantage in gut E. coli using a phenotypic screen. We performed competitive growth experiments with 96 different sole carbon sources to compare the relative growth of a beta-oxidation (fadE)-deficient mutant compared to its parental strain (WT). The fadE mutant was outcompeted by WT when grown with 12 of the 96 carbon sources. Among these carbon sources, three are LCFAs as expected. Additional carbon sources included glucose, melibiose, gluconate, and glucose-1-phosphate. Notably, the catabolism of all these carbon sources intersect with glycolysis. Our results with glucose were validated by performing growth curves with the individual strains and by genetic complementation of the fadE mutant. Together, our results suggest that FadE may confer a competitive advantage for E. coli while performing specific metabolic functions such as glycolysis, which could explain the retention of this enzyme among gut Enterobacteriaceae. Future work aims to uncover the mechanisms by which FadE activity contributes to the metabolism of non-lipid carbon sources in E. coli.

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Objective: This study explores the feasibility of using fundoscopic imaging to assess retinal blood flow (RBF) as a potential surrogate for cerebral perfusion in trauma patients. It also examines the correlation between RBF and 30-day mortality and neurological outcomes. Methods: A prospective pilot study was conducted on intubated trauma patients (≥18 years) upon arrival at the emergency department (ED). Fundoscopic images were captured within 60 minutes using the Volk Pictor Plus without dilation. Emergency physicians performed initial RBF assessments, followed by a blinded secondary review by ophthalmologists. Patients were categorized based on RBF status (normal, absent, or indeterminate). Results: Among 12 patients, 66% mortality was observed, with gunshot wounds (33%) and motor vehicle collisions (25%) being primary causes. When RBF was determined as present in the ED, ophthalmologists and ED physicians had a 100% agreement (6/6 cases). Only one patient had no RBF by both the emergency physician and blinded ophthalmologists, and this patient died. However, four patients with positive RBF died, while the absence of RBF was not universally predictive of mortality. Discussion & Conclusion: Fundoscopic imaging during trauma resuscitation is feasible and may provide insights into cerebral perfusion. However, challenges include image quality, camera usability, and potential confounders such as resuscitation interventions. While the absence of RBF may indicate worse outcomes, it is not a definitive prognostic marker. Further research is needed to refine imaging protocols, integrate advanced technology, and validate the role of fundoscopy as a real-time trauma assessment tool.

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to be one of the most common bloodborne pathogens within the US. Historically, diagnosing and treating HCV included a large laboratory testing burden with medication having significant side effects, all while having a low rate of sustained virologic response(SVR). However, HCV treatment has improved and simplified over the last decade through the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAA), making these therapies accessible to be prescribed by primary care clinicians. Despite these improvements, in 2022, there were an estimated 242,000 deaths worldwide from HCV, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and about 1 million new infections. One of the main reasons HCV goes untreated is poor access to treatment. The Southeast Viral Hepatitis Interactive Case Conference(SVICC) was started in 2015 to empower primary care providers to provide specialized care to those living in rural areas without access to HCV care. Primary care clinicians submit de-identified patients to infectious disease, hepatology, and gastroenterology specialists who review the case and provide recommendations on the patients’ care. We set to analyze the patient case submissions by outlining patient and provider demographics to gain insight about the impact of the consultation on primary care clinicians and patient access to HCV care.

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The University 101 program is vital for promoting the transfer of first year students from high school to college life which is successfully achieved through the role of a Peer Leader within the classroom. As a University 101 Peer Leader, I was responsible for creating and facilitating lesson plans and teaching alongside an advisor as their co-instructor. Peer Leaders serve as a role model as well as instructor for the students in their classroom. When I took University 101, my Peer Leader made such a positive impact on me and allowed for my transition into college to be so much easier which inspired me to become a Peer Leader. I wanted to be able to be a positive mentor and resource for the students I would be teaching to help ease their transition into college life while also creating a fun and safe environment within the classroom. During my time as a Peer Leader, I learned great leadership, communication, and organizational skills. I was able to become more comfortable in a leadership position and the difficulties that come with it which has had a positive impact on my confidence. The Peer Leader experience is not only impactful for the students taking University 101, but also for the Peer Leaders. Working with students to create a positive first year experience allows Peer Leaders to learn incredible interpersonal and leadership skills along with so many others that will set me up for success in my future career.

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Although type 2 diabetes has been associated with impaired cognitive function, the underlying mechanisms supporting this connection remain unclear. Given that type 2 diabetes is associated with cerebrovascular disease and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), we hypothesized that elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels would be associated with lower (worse) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, and that WMH load would mediate this relationship. We quantified WMH load using the Fazekas scale and conducted a statistical mediation analysis with HbA1c as the independent variable, WMH load as the mediator, and MoCA scores as the outcome variable. WMHs partially mediated the relationship between HbA1c levels and MoCA scores (p = 0.0012), accounting for approximately 15.55% of the total effect. This study suggests that a mechanism linking lower cognition to type 2 diabetes is the effect of HbA1c on cerebrovascular disease and WMHs.

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Significance- Pain management during labor and delivery remains a significant concern for expectant mothers and healthcare providers. Hypnotherapy, a non-pharmacological technique, has gained attention as an alternative approach to traditional pain relief methods. Hypnotherapy can potentially positively impact patient outcomes during labor and delivery. Purpose- To evaluate the effectiveness of hypnosis as a pain relief method during labor. Methods- Literature from PubMed and Cochrane, including randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and personal accounts, was analyzed. Keywords like “childbirth,” “delivery,” and “hypnosis” were used to find articles published between 1969 and 2022. The results are based on two reviewed articles. Results- Hypnotherapy can reduce the perception of labor pain, decrease the need for medical analgesia, and shorten labor duration. It is shown to reduce anxiety and fear, which can contribute to pain perception and labor complications. While the effectiveness of hypnotherapy varies among individuals, and further studies are needed to establish standardized protocols and evaluate long-term outcomes. Hypnotherapy could become a part of comprehensive maternity care, offering women a greater sense of control and a more positive childbirth experience.

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ABSTRACT Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 1 in 7 women globally, yet nearly 50% of cases go undiagnosed. Objective: This study aimed to explore healthcare providers’ perspectives on PPD screening to identify gaps and inform strategies for improved PPD diagnosis. Method: Using a grounded theory and systems theory approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six OBGYNs in the PRISMA healthcare system. Participants’ perspectives on screening practices, institutional challenges, and patient-level barriers were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using NVivo 14 software. Result: Emergent themes were categorized into institutional, provider, and patient-level domains, forming the basis for a conceptual model. Providers highlighted insurance limitations, inconsistent referral processes, productivity constraints, knowledge gaps, and the absence of standardized protocols as challenges to effective PPD screening and diagnosis. The findings underscore the need for systemic reforms to enhance PPD screening. Conclusion: Gaps in PPD screening are influenced by institutional, provider, and patient-level factors. Addressing these gaps requires systemic policy reforms, targeted provider training, and strategies to reduce patient barriers. Keywords: Postpartum depression, PPD screening, OBGYNs, PPD diagnosis, Edinburgh screening tool.

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Misophonia is a disorder characterized by intense emotional, physiological, or behavioral responses to specific auditory triggers, estimated to impact up to 20% of the population (Swedo, et. Al; 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. Most research has focused on the auditory component of Misophonia triggers; however, the visual components may also play a significant role in the triggers. Few resources are available for stimuli containing both audio and visual components that can be used to trigger misophonic reactions, a necessary tool in order to further study this condition. While small auditory databases such as the Free Open-Access Misophonia Stimuli Database (Orloff et al., 2023) exist, there is a lack of video stimuli with matching auditory and visual components. The Affect and Cognition lab at the USC has created a large database of 1,300 5-second stimuli based on the triggers reported by participants. These misophonia triggers are organized into 12 categories based on the Duke-Vanderbilt Misophonia Screening Questionnaire, [i.e. Eating or Drinking Sounds] (Williams et al., 2022). Each stimulus has consistent formatting (640x480 aspect ratio, .mp4 format, and monaural channel audio). The goal of this project was to standardize these stimuli for public distribution by focusing on audio quality. For this project, audio quality was controlled by combining the audio into a single channel (i.e. mono), reducing noise, and normalizing the loudness of the auditory components of the stimuli in the misophonia trigger database. Noise reduction was done in Python to control background noise and better enhance target sound quality. The audio normalization of this audio-visual stimuli database will increase its efficacy as a resource for future misophonia research, which is critical for deepening our knowledge of this disorder. This misophonia trigger database project is a valuable tool for researchers and contributes to the understanding of Misophonia triggers. We aim to make this resource available to the public to expand research of Misophonia and ultimately increase its understanding.

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Background/Significance: Night shift has been linked to poor sleeping habits and increased sleepiness for nurses leading to a myriad of cognitive dysfunctions including attention span, decision- making capabilities, and task switching (Imes et al., 2023). These declines impact patient care by increasing the risk of adverse events and medication errors (Imes et al., 2023). Use of light therapy may increase alertness and decrease sleepiness in night shift nurses to mitigate these cognitive impacts (Querstret et al., 2020). Purpose/Objectives: To evaluate whether use of light therapy for night shift nurses decreases sleepiness by affecting alertness and regulation of circadian rhythms. Methods: A search was done using the PubMed database with search terms of “nursing,” “night shift,” “light therapy,” and “patient safety.” Publish times for article inclusion were kept within the past 5 years with 3 systematic reviews chosen for further review. Results/Conclusion: Reviews revealed that light therapy provided beneficial effects by increasing alertness and amount of sleep during the day (Aemmi et al., 2020). Querstret et al. (2020) also suggest increased work satisfaction and decreased insomnia as a result. Further research is needed to generalize relationships across populations and analyze potential safety issues from long-term light therapy (Aemmi et al., 2020).

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Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can move from one area in the genome to another. This proposal focuses on Class II TEs that are mobilized by transposase proteins. These elements are abundant in plants, especially miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs). MITEs are non-autonomous, meaning they don’t encode transposase, but are mobilized by transposase from an autonomous element. The Tourist-like and Stowaway-like elements are the most abundant MITEs in plants and insert near genes, so they are good candidates for genome modification tools. Previous experiments showed that the Mariner 14 (OsMar14) transposase can mobilize the Stowaway 14T32 MITE in yeast. Our goal is to increase Stowaway 14T32-T7 transposition and we hypothesized that increasing the amount of protein present in the nucleus will facilitate transposition complex formation. We predict that adding nuclear localization signals (NLS) to the OsMar14 transposase would increase the transposition frequency in yeast. To make the necessary constructs, we performed BP clonase reactions with pDONR.and high fidelity PCR products contained the desired NLS on either the N or C-terminal of the transposase gene. We then used an LR clonase reaction to move the confirmed sequcnes to pAG425 yeast expression plasmids. These constructs were tested with a yeast transposition assay to determine the effect of addition of the NLS sequences. If we are able to achieve higher transposition then we can improve the efficiency of Stowaway 14T32-T7 in genome modification.

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Introduction Blood culture contamination is a significant issue in hospitals, with a recommended target of <3% contamination rate. Our healthcare system experienced contamination rates exceeding 3% in some units, prompting a quality improvement initiative. We aimed to explore whether certain patient populations are more prone to blood culture contamination. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a random sample of patients from four hospitals in the Midlands region of South Carolina who had blood cultures drawn in the Emergency Department (ED) during August and September 2024. We excluded patients under 18, duplicate blood cultures, and those with incomplete data. Blood cultures were classified as contaminated (false positive), true positive, or true negative after clinical review using the National Healthcare Safety Network commensals list and agreement between two clinicians. Statistical comparisons between false positives and true positives/negatives were performed using chi-square or t-tests with a significance level of 0.05. Results Of 243 patients reviewed, 97 (39.9%) had contaminated blood cultures. The laboratory report for the same period showed a contamination rate of 4.63%. Patients with contaminated cultures were older (62.7 vs. 55.7 years, p=0.0082), and there was a significant racial difference in contamination rates (p=0.0069), though no gender difference. BMI did not differ between groups (p=0.08). Higher Charlson Comorbidity Scores were also associated with contamination (p<0.005). No significant differences were found in housing status, injection drug use, bedbound status, contractures, or recent medical contact. Additionally, there was no difference in contamination based on the time of culture collection. Conclusions The traditional metric for blood culture contamination is inadequate for understanding patient-specific contamination risks. Older patients, Black patients, and those with multiple comorbid conditions are more likely to have contaminated cultures. Other social determinants of health did not contribute to contamination rates in our EDs.

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Self-medication, the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications without professional oversight, is a common practice among undergraduate students but is highly under-researched. This study explores self-medication behaviors in this population, focusing on specific impacts these habits can have on undergraduates’ health literacy. Despite their high level of autonomy, undergraduates often lack experience in independent health management, which may contribute to inappropriate OTC medication use. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling and campus advertisements. Interviews focused on medication choices, decision-making processes, and sources of health information. Thematic analysis, guided by the Health Literacy Skills Framework, is being used to identify patterns in self-medicating behaviors and potential impacts on health literacy. Preliminary findings suggest that students frequently rely on parent recommendations and past experiences rather than healthcare professionals for guidance. Commonly used OTC medications include analgesics and sedative antihistamines. While some students demonstrate awareness of proper use, there are equally as many students who describe misconceptions and misuse of OTC medications. The influence of freshmen year, academic stress, and conflicting information on self-medicating practices has also emerged as a key theme. This research highlights the need for health literacy interventions to ensure safe and informed OTC medication use among undergraduates. Results from this study represent a first step in creating a knowledge base from which adaptations could be made to current pre-college resources to better prepare new undergraduates on effective self-medicating behaviors.

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The Northwest Atlantic is a very biodiverse region that is determined by unique physical dynamics. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to regularly sampling the planktonic population through The Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) program in many sub-regions of the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Georges Bank. These sub-regions are often seasonal hot spots for right whale foraging. Right whales are endangered baleen whales, that spend much of their time foraging in the GOM for their zooplankton prey, especially the copepod species Calanus finmarchicus. C. finmarchicus is a large subarctic species that is advected into the GOM along the Scotian Shelf. Recent warming of the GOM and shifting circulatory patterns impacting advective supply has resulted in a suspected decrease in C. finmarchicus. One potential mechanism behind recent fluctuations in C. finmarchicus abundance is the encroaching presence of the Gulf Stream that brings warm, salty, nutrient-deficient waters. The Gulf Stream puts pressure on the Labrador Current and exerts control over the relative contribution of Labrador Subarctic slope water compared to Atlantic temperate slope water entering the Northeast channel of the GOM. Water column temperatures and sea surface height in the Northeast channel and on the Scotian shelf may provide valuable indicators for predicting circulation and advective patterns into the GOM that alter C. finmarchicus supply. This study analyzes EcoMon zooplankton sampling effort and examines the seasonal and interannual relationship of copepod abundance with surface and bottom temperature of each GOM sub-region. The lagged relationship between the temperature and sea surface height of the Northeast Channel and the Labrador Current, and sub-regions temperature and zooplankton abundance are investigated. This research serves as a preliminary investigation into using spatially and temporally restricted oceanographic indices to assess foraging habitat quality for the critically endangered and highly managed North Atlantic right whale.

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Introduction: In the United States, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounting for 80% of such tumors. At diagnosis, 51% of pancreatic cancers are already metastasized, contributing to poor prognosis and a reported 5-year survival rate of 10%. Current treatment includes chemotherapy and/or radiation. Owing to the complexity of the malignancy, surgery is often not possible. Targeted combination therapies could serve as a promising potential treatment. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles used to deliver microRNA (miR) to treat cancer. miRs are small, minimally-toxic, non-coding RNA that can affect the transcription of specific genes in tumors, silencing oncogenic genes and enhancing expression of tumor suppressor genes. miR-7 is a tumor suppressor that is often downregulated in PDAC, contributing to its poor prognosis. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are naturally occurring or genetically modified viruses that target tumor cells, cause tumor cell lysis, and activate the immune system. Oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV) can replicate within PDAC tumor cells and cause lysis without affecting healthy cells. oHSV tumor infection will also activate innate and adaptive immune responses, further contributing to tumor reduction. The aim of this study is to explore PDAC cell viability after a combination approach of increasing miR-7 levels and oHSV treatment. Methods: Human adipose stem cells (ADSC) were transduced with miR-7 plasmid and cultured in exosome-depleted FBS. The miR-7-enriched exosomes were then isolated, purified, quantified, and characterized to be used for subsequent studies. Human and murine PDAC cells in vitro were treated with miR-7-enriched exosomes and oHSV to determine the combination treatment’s impact on cell viability. Results: Preliminary findings show that increasing miR-7 expression in PDAC cells alongside oHSV treatment significantly impacts cell viability in vitro. Conclusion: Enriching PDAC cells with miR-7 and treating the same cells with oHSV has shown to greatly affect cell viability. After confirmation, this method could lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies for patients with PDAC.

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We will test the ability of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to solve the rendezvous problem. PSO is a Swarm Intelligence algorithm which is inspired by the behavior of birds in a flock. It provides a simple and low cost methodology to control a distributed system, which is a system that does not have a central agent coordinating it. The rendezvous problem is a problem in which some number of agents randomly scattered in an unknown environment are tasked with meeting at a single point. This will be tested using a simulation platform we developed on MATLAB. Various algorithms and methodologies will be tested and compared analytically to determine the best performance in different environments. Notably, we will focus on our Lyapunov-based PSO, which provides a Lyapunov stable rendezvous method through the PSO algorithm.

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This study explores the integration of digital multimodal reading assessments in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing their role in fostering social justice. Traditional assessments often reinforce educational inequities by privileging monomodal literacy practices, limiting diverse learners' opportunities for meaningful engagement (Randolph & Johnson, 2017). Grounded in socio-cultural theories, critical pedagogy, and multimodal literacy frameworks (Darvin, 2015; Serafini, 2015), this research redefines literacy as a dynamic, multimodal process that better aligns with 21st-century learning needs. Employing a qualitative research design, this study investigates the perceptions of 40 Arabic-speaking female undergraduate students regarding multimodal reading assignments. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and surveys, analyzed using thematic coding and multimodal analysis techniques (Flewitt & Korkiakangas, 2019). Participants, drawn from a preparatory-year program at a Saudi public college, engaged in multimodal reading projects incorporating visual, auditory, and digital elements to facilitate deeper comprehension and self-expression. Findings reveal that digital multimodal assessments enhance student engagement, cater to diverse learning styles, and promote critical literacy skills (Mills & Unsworth, 2017). Participants reported increased motivation and confidence in expressing their interpretations of texts through multimodal compositions, challenging traditional, text-centric assessment norms. Moreover, the study highlights how multimodal assessments provide equitable learning opportunities for marginalized students, particularly those who struggle with conventional literacy assessments (Grapin, 2019). This research contributes to the growing discourse on inclusive assessment practices in EFL education by advocating for pedagogical shifts that embrace multimodal literacy. It offers practical insights for educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers seeking to implement equitable assessment strategies that recognize diverse learners' strengths and cultural identities. By integrating digital multimodal assessments, language classrooms can become spaces for social justice, fostering more inclusive, student-centered learning environments. This presentation will engage educators, researchers, and policymakers in discussions on how digital multimodal assessments can reshape literacy instruction, empowering students through diverse meaning-making practices and advancing equity in language education.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant potential to transform healthcare, particularly in the mental health field. AI, which involves the simulation of human intelligence by machines or systems (Xu et al., 2021), has shown promise in raising awareness, assisting with diagnoses, and supporting interventions for various mental health disorders, including mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia (Thakkar et al., 2024). However, views on AI's effectiveness, reliability, and ethical implications vary widely among healthcare professionals and the general public. Our study aimed to assess graduate students' perceptions of AI as an effective tool in psychotherapy and its application within counseling and mental health. We found positive correlations between AI usage and the enhancement of key macro counseling skills, such as summarizing, reflecting, questioning, paraphrasing, and empathic listening. These findings suggest that AI could significantly benefit counselor education by helping to develop these essential skills. Furthermore, respondents expressed strong support for integrating AI into the educational process, underscoring its potential to enhance skill development and learning.

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Introduction: Sleep is an essential homeostatic process for health and cognitive functioning. Poor sleep is a common symptom of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that can increase symptom severity and worsen disease progression. The etiology behind sleep disturbances in NDDs remains unknown. This project aims to understand how sleep-wake patterns develop in adolescent Wister rats. This critical foundational knowledge will allow future studies to methodically investigate how neurobiological insults contribute to sleep dysfunction and NDDs. Methods: We performed survival surgeries on male Wister rats (N=4), implanting radio telemetry devices to record EEG/EMG polysomnography and determine sleep vigilance states. We acquired 24-hour sleep recordings weekly from mid-adolescence to young adulthood (postnatal day (PD) 42 - PD 56). Recordings were manually scored in 10-second epochs to determine vigilance states (non-REM [non-rapid eye movement sleep], REM [rapid eye movement sleep], and wakefulness). Results: Importantly, we confirmed significant daily variation in sleep/wake patterns. Male rats spent more time asleep in the lights on phase (rest period) and awake in the dark phase (active period) across all postnatal days (main effect of light phase; P<0.001 [wake], P<0.001 [non-REM]; P<0.05 [REM]). Notably, sleep/wake cycles significantly matured across development, as wake and total sleep duration showed significant PD x light phase interactions (P<0.05). With increasing age, rats spent more time asleep in the lights on phase and awake in the dark phase. Conclusions: We observed significant alterations in sleep/wake patterns across development in male rats that align with human sleep maturational patterns. This is important because it supports the translational relevance of our rodent model to investigate sleep across adolescent development. Future studies using rats will mechanistically investigate how prenatal insults linked to NDDs, like elevated tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway, contribute to developmental sleep disturbances. The ultimate goal of our translational studies is to investigate novel treatments for sleep disturbances in patients with NDDs.

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Exercise science is a prevalent topic of study across many countries. It includes careers such as research technicians, physical/ occupational therapists and athletic trainers. In May, I had the privilege of traveling abroad to Australia through the Sports Travel Academy. The purpose was to learn more about professional development and the technological advances in exercise and sport science in Australia. While there, I visited the AFL Suns learning about what it takes to be a High Performance Professional and hear from the NBL Cairns Taipans staff including Dr. Joshua Guy about the scientific disciplines of strength and conditioning, biomechanics, psychology, physiology, and nutrition. I was also able to learn about the importance of sports science and sports scientists in high performance sports from Stephanie Shirley with the NBL Cairns Taipans. Having the opportunity to hear from so many different presenters with different perspectives, was an unbelievable opportunity, but specifically hearing from Stephanie Shirley about her research is what made the difference in the thinking process and the technology in Australia from the United States so apparent. Her presentation highlighted the use of the Catapult systems that detect the movement of induvial athletes within training. Using this technology, she was able to measure specified variables within volume and intensity of training sessions for the athletes. With this data she received, she was able to minimize the risk of injury, suggest load periodization buildout to maximize drill selections, and predict data trends of possible injury and positive outcomes. One other major thing this technology was able to help her with was live tracking the athletes during their training sessions. All this Catapult technology that she was using is very advanced compared to the United States. Scientific technology such as this is not used here, but absolutely should be. Many professional sports teams as well as college teams would benefit from technology like this to always keep their players at their strongest and healthiest because they know the way the athlete’s bodies are reacting and performing in real time.

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The current generations of patients are becoming increasingly engaged with their smartphones at almost every office visit. However, oftentimes a 15 min office visit is not an adequate amount of time to allow a patient to fully understand her diagnosis and/or treatment plan. A vast amount of online educational resources exist, but patients often don’t know where to start or which sources to trust. QR (Quick Response) codes are an innovative way to utilize our patients’ access to smartphones while introducing them to reputable online health information, educational resources, and community resources that are available to them. In this quality improvement project, we created a comprehensive list of QR codes with links to patient education in a wide range of obstetric and gynecologic conditions. These codes were made available to providers. After two years, providers were surveyed on how often they utilized QR codes as a way to increase patient education. Overwhelmingly, our surveys showed that providers increased their utilization of QR codes as a means for education and felt it was a useful additional tool to help patients understand their diagnosis or medical plan.

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Sleep is an important physiological process in mammalian daily life to maintain metabolic balance and health. Sleep disturbances become more common with aging and may adversely affect cognitive function and contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Sleep loss can be modeled by sleep deprivation (SleepDep) in rodents. The basal forebrain (BF) modulates the sleep/wake cycle via the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, but, with aging, density of acetylcholine neurons in the BF decreases. The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation has been implicated in regulation of the sleep/wake cycle through the metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA). KYNA, synthesized by kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II), is an endogenous antagonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (a7nACh) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. KYNA levels in the brain are elevated with sleep disturbances and with age. We hypothesize that the BF cholinergic neuronal modulation may play a mechanistic role in which KYNA may contribute towards age-associated sleep deficits. Separate cohorts of 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 received either ad libitum sleep or underwent SleepDep from the onset of the light phase, Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0, through ZT6. To inhibit KYNA synthesis, rats were treated with KAT-II inhibitor (PF-04859989, 30mg/kg s.c.) or vehicle at ZT0. Animals were euthanized at ZT6, and brain tissue was collected and fixed for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Activation of acetylcholine neurons was determined through double-labeled IHC. Data were analyzed as a percentage of co-localization, a visible overlap between two labels, within the BF: i) cFos, marker of early neuronal activation, and ii) choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine. IHC was performed using peroxidase-activated diaminobenzidine (DAB) reaction for ChAT and nickel-based DAB reaction for cFos. Across all experimental groups, approximately 22% of neurons showed ChAT and cFos co-localization within the BF and continued analysis will reveal the dynamics between the BF cholinergic system and KYNA in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle with aging.

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Research-in-progress Background: A student’s success in a professional pharmacy degree program is multi-factorial. They often involve themselves in co-curricular activities to become a well-rounded individual which sets themselves up for successful on time graduation and beyond. The current literature shows intrinsic and extrinsic factors that determine students' motivation to participate in co-curricular activities. Inadequate evidence exists in the pharmacy education literature that describes the impact of co-curricular involvement on pharmacy students’ academic performance in the professional degree program. The 2025 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education standards suggests that co-curricular experiences are to be provided to advance the professional experience of the students. Minimal data exists that links the right amount of co-curricular participation for pharmacy student success. This study evaluates pharmacy student participation in co-curricular activities and their success in pharmacy school as determined by their grade point average (GPA). Methods: This is a retrospective study that will look at data collected on any full-time pharmacy student from August 2021 to May 2024 enrolled in the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) course sequence. Students must have completed at least one co-curricular activity to be included. Students will be excluded from the study if they are part-time, not taking a full course load for their respective professional year, and/or not involved in at least one co-curricular activity. Students must complete a questionnaire that documents their co-curricular involvement and reflection for the semester in the PPD course. Data collection will include responses to the course questionnaires, first attempt at each course, overall professional school GPA by semester and end of each professional year, number of deficiencies per semester and academic year, and on- time matriculation rate. Success will be measured by GPA and evaluated against co-curricular activities. All didactic classwork completed during the Fall and Spring Semester for each professional year will be used in the GPA calculation. No repeat attempts at removing course deficiencies will be used in calculating overall GPA by semester and end of each professional year standing. A statistical analysis will be conducted to assess if students involved in more than one co-curricular activity have better-defined outcomes.

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In 2022 students at the University of South Carolina Aiken, in collaboration with the South Carolina Bluebird Society, established 31 nestboxes on campus. This supports efforts to conserve and protect the Eastern Bluebird, which experienced a devastating crash in population through the early 1900s. Nestbox monitoring includes looking at the effects of box placement, temperature, and predation on nesting success with the goal of making recommendations for optimizing the use of nestboxes for species restoration. Over the last three years of monitoring, 249 young have successfully fledged from these nestboxes. However, of the eggs laid, fewer than 50% result in successful fledging. While many of the unhatched eggs found in the boxes were not fertile, predation rates account for a large number of lost eggs and young. The group received a Magellan Sholars Grant to purchase 12 trail cameras to more closely monitor predation in the 2025 nesting season. Predation will be the focus of study for the 2025 season.

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The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased rapidly, leading to an effort to accurately and efficiently track UAVs. Many existing approaches utilize YOLO, a state-of-the-art object detection model, in conjunction with object tracking algorithms to detect and follow UAVs in real-time. However, these systems typically focus on a single method, without considering alternative tracking methods. In this paper, we present an experimental comparison of multiple object tracking algorithms integrated with YOLOv8, offering a comprehensive evaluation of their performance in UAV tracking scenarios. First, the model size was optimized to determine the best balance between speed and accuracy. Then, various tracking methods are tested to determine the most effective combination. The YOLOv8 model combined with a Kernelized Correlation Filter outperformed various other trackers in varying environmental scenarios, with a combined success rate and a tracking accuracy of 0.8041. This approach was further implemented in real-time on a Jetson Orion Nano GPU, utilizing a pan-tilt gimbal and an Intel RealSense D435i camera. Running at 20 FPS, the system demonstrated robustness and stability during motion and various environmental scenarios, highlighting its potential for integration into applications such as ground-based UAV surveillance.

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Transition metal chalcogenides are known to exhibit exciting physical properties such as unconventional superconductivity and unusual magnetism. Previously, we found stoichiometric PdTe to display unconventional superconducting properties below Tc ~ 4.5 K. One way to further probe the superconducting mechanism is to vary the stoichiometry and observe how the system responds. We have successfully synthesized Pd1+xTe with various x values. Correspondingly, the superconducting transition temperature Tc increases with increasing x. As the Debye temperature obtained from the specific heat remains relatively constant, the variation of Tc cannot be understood in the framework of BCS theory when the variation of the density of states and electron-phonon coupling are considered. Especially, the Hall coefficient switches the sign from negative for x < 0 to positive for x > 0. This strongly suggests the change of the electronic structure upon the introduction of excess Pd.

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Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been recognized as an effective intervention for preventing HIV transmission, particularly among high-risk populations like men who have sex with men (MSM). However, its utilization remains suboptimal, particularly in the southern U.S., which has a high incidence of new HIV diagnoses. This study seeks to explore factors influencing PrEP initiation and adherence among MSM from healthcare providers’ perspectives in South Carolina (SC). Methods: A qualitative study involving 8 healthcare providers and HIV researchers was conducted between October and November 2024 in SC. Using purposeful sampling, participants were recruited from local healthcare and academic institutions. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect participants’ demographics, their perspectives about factors influencing MSM initiation and adherence to PrEP as well as strategies to improve PrEP usage that have been done and are expected to do. A thematic analysis including inductive and deductive coding approaches was conducted using NVivo software. Results: The study identified several key factors influencing PrEP initiation and adherence among MSM. In the initiation stage of PrEP usage, MSM with better socioeconomic status (SES), and heightened awareness of HIV risk were more likely to initiate PrEP. Barriers to initiation included stigma, cost, and logistical challenges, particularly in rural areas. For the adherence stage, individual factors such as financial constraints, struggling with daily oral medication adherence, side-effect concerns and mistrust in healthcare organizations, and community-level factors like stigma as well as institutional factors (e.g., delay in stocking up PrEP) may hinder adhering to PrEP use. Providers highlighted the importance of healthcare provider education, peer advocacy, and reducing stigma as essential for improving both initiation and adherence. Structural factors, such as the availability of injectable PrEP and financial support for uninsured individuals, were also critical in both stages. Conclusion: PrEP initiation and adherence among MSM in SC are influenced by a complex interplay of individual, community, institutional, and structural factors. The study underscores the need for multi-level interventions that target barriers at all levels, therefore, reducing HIV-related disparities and improving PrEP uptake among marginalized populations, particularly for MSM, in this region.

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Urban seismology is an emerging field that offers valuable insights into unconventional sources of seismic signals and enhances seismic data collection by characterizing noise. These findings have potential applications in seismic risk management, traffic monitoring, civil engineering, and the conservation of historic buildings. The primary objective of this study is to determine whether a seismic node can detect seismic activity associated with cultural events at a local high school in South Carolina. Throughout the study, we assessed which signals can be measured, the sensitivity of the geophone to cultural activities, and the suitability of the geophone's deployment. Additionally, we aimed to investigate whether the seismic node can capture signals from the Elgin Swarm in South Carolina. This project seeks to introduce high school students to the field of seismology, many of whom might not otherwise be exposed to this area of study, potentially inspiring future interest in pursuing a degree in geoscience.

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Individuals with neurocognitive disorders experience sleep disturbances. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a tryptophan metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, is implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Modest increases in KYNA result in altered sleep-wake behavior (Pocivavsek et al. Sleep 2017). The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is implicated in sleep-wake behaviors through arousal-promoting orexinergic neurons. Systemic kynurenine administration, the precursor of KYNA, increases activation of orexinergic LH neurons. To assess a dose response elevation of KYNA (0µM, 1µM, 3µM, 10µM) in the brain, rats were cannulated targeting the lateral ventricle and implanted with devices to record electroencephalogram and electromyogram. After one week, a within animal design was employed to intracerebroventricularly infuse each dose of KYNA at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0 across different days. Vigilance states—wake, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and non-REM (NREM) sleep—were classified. To evaluate region-specific increases in KYNA, an astrocyte targeting (GFAP promoter), adeno-associated virus (AAV) was bilaterally injected into the LH of rats. This AAV, tagged with mCherry, contained the gene for kynurenine aminotransferase II (KATII), the enzyme which converts kynurenine to KYNA. After 21 days, microdialysis was performed to evaluate extracellular LH KYNA. After basal evaluation, rats received a kynurenine injection (25mg/kg, IP). KYNA synthesis was evaluated via high-performance liquid chromatography. Immunofluorescent histological analysis verified viral expression within the LH. Vigilance state durations were evaluated from ZT0-4 and we determined a dose-dependent impact of KYNA on sleep duration. The impact of KYNA on sleep-wake behavior was transient, such that 10µM KYNA increased wake duration, and reduced REM and NREM sleep duration between ZT0-2 and returned to basal levels (vehicle) between ZT2-4. We found that mCherry tagged virus was localized with GFAP indicating that the virus targeted astrocytes. Rats injected with the KATII overexpression virus produced a greater amount of KYNA at baseline and after kynurenine challenge. Our findings support the hypothesis that brain-specific elevations in KYNA disrupt sleep underscoring the role of the kynurenine pathway, a pharmacologically targetable metabolic pathway, in regulating sleep behavior. Future studies will evaluate the impact of chronic elevations in KYNA within the LH on sleep behavior.

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Sabal palmetto is native to the southeastern United States, Cuba, and the Bahamas, yet its genomic diversity and population structure remain largely uncharacterized. Our study builds on previous genome assembly efforts by identifying the diversity present in 20 additional Sabal palmetto samples collected from Aiken, SC. Based on discussions with nursery owners, we predict that a substantial portion of our samples likely originated from Florida nurseries. Our methodology began with the optimization of DNA purification protocols. Comparative tests of bead mill and mortar-and-pestle methods determined that the latter produced higher-quality DNA from leaf tissue. Genomic DNA from the 20 samples was sequenced using Illumina technology and compared with the reference to detect genetic variations. The bioinformatics pipeline includes several steps: first, raw reads are aligned to the Sabal palmetto draft reference genome using the Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA). Next, alignment files are processed with Picard tools to mark duplicates and ensure data quality. Following these quality control steps, variant calling is performed using the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK). The next phase involves using PLINK to compute pairwise identity-by-descent (IBD) and relatedness coefficients, allowing us to assess kinship and population structure within our sample set. Our work emphasizes the application of standard genomic pipelines for gene discovery and variant characterization in an under-studied plant species. The integration of these bioinformatics techniques, which parallels our previous research on the dwarf soybean phenotype, strengthens our capacity for genetic analysis. Future work will focus on completing gene annotation and analyzing identified variants to elucidate their functional roles.

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Glycine max, commonly known as soybean, is an important crop producing about 40% of the world's edible vegetable oil and protein meal. Soybeans require low amounts of chemically fixed nitrogen and as a result, have lower production and energy costs than most crops. One of the goals of the Hancock laboratory is to identify genes important for soybean growth. To accomplish this, mutagenized soybean populations are screened for abnormal growth. We performed genetic analysis on an F2 population segregating for a dwarf phenotype, which indicated that the phenotype was recessive. The goal of this project is to analyze the variants segregating in the F2 plants to identify which mutation is causing the dwarf trait. F2 seeds and controls were planted in the field and heights were determined throughout the growing season. DNA was extracted using the CTAB method, grinding via bead mill, chloroform for phase separation, isopropanol for precipitation, and washed with ethanol. The DNA was quantified, diluted, and analyzed using genotyping primers targeting identified mutations. This project has enabled me to learn about genetics in a way that prepares me for a career in agricultural genetics.

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An 8th grade internship in a middle school classroom, why traditionally we reflect on what the pros and cons of each lesson plan and our day-to-day classroom experiences, I have used my time in writing my portfolio for Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement to reflect on the lesson I learned throughout this internship. In the overlap of my studies this internship provided me first hand experience to learn about the impact of connections in the classroom, providing low stakes opportunities for students to excel in math and life, and teaching critical thinking skills that supports them personally and academically. Beyond just the lessons I have learned from my students I was provided many opportunities to attend professional development meetings and daily events that further expanded my growth on academic and educational approaches. This experience taught me more about just delivering lessons but truly waking up a generation to excel in the classroom and life. This experience has sparked my passion for education and excited me for my role in my coming profession. Finally, these months at a local middle school have taught me more than I could ever teach the students in the classroom of room 911.

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Homelessness throughout the US has increased by roughly 12% between 2022-2023. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time count indicated that America's homeless population was trending near 700,000 in 2023. Furthermore, over 20% of individuals reported they were homeless for the first time between 2019-2023. Since 2016, reports of overall homelessness, unsheltered homelessness, and chronic homelessness have increased each year. Since the 1990s states have incorporated ‘private home practice’ laws that make it a crime to sleep, drink, and urinate in public spaces. The relationship between homelessness and criminal arrest is rarely discussed in homelessness literature. Utilizing the Survey of Prisons Inmates, this study will highlight the extent to which homelessness impacts criminal arrests and examine similarities and differences among demographics of homelessness and criminal arrest. This study will answer the following research questions: To what extent does homelessness impact criminal arrest? To what extent do homelessness and criminal arrests impact African Americans? To what extent are there differences or similarities among gender, homelessness, and criminal arrest? We will provide recommendations for future research based on our findings. 

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One of the core dilemmas between inpatient and outpatient services is when to transition from one to the other. “Clinical judgement” has been the phrase thrown into the discourse to justify direct versus indirect admission to the hospital. But what does this actually mean? In a landscape fraught with varying definitions around every corner, this project’s purpose is to identify a set of guidelines to assist providers in determining the type of patient that warrants a direct admission. To establish this guideline, family medicine residents and faculty filled out a questionnaire assessing practice cases to determine if they met criteria for direct admission. The questionnaire also addressed the level of confidence the residents and faculty felt before and after intervention. The intervention was creating baseline guidelines that were presented to residents and faculty as well as placed in clearly visible locations within the inpatient and outpatient settings. The number of direct admissions to the family medicine inpatient service were monitored for three months before and after the intervention. While the final quantitative and qualitative data are still being gathered, preliminary analysis shows no significant change in the number of direct admissions. This, however, does not indicate if these cases were more or less appropriate given guideline implementation. Strengths of our project include the close collaboration with inpatient and outpatient teams, reinforcing efficient communication and participation. Weaknesses include the low number of direct admissions to the inpatient service at baseline, as well as the close proximity of the emergency department to the outpatient clinic, which equated to a more efficient transition between these two entities. This project is designed to establish criteria for appropriate direct admissions, standards which have largely been ignored in the medical literature, and which will ensure that all patients receive timely, appropriate medical care while avoiding unnecessary costs like emergency department visits.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections, leading to substantial healthcare costs and a growing risk of antibiotic resistance. When deemed to be complicated, these UTI are often treated with prolonged antibiotic durations and are associated with increased cost to patient and length of hospital stay. Traditionally, complicated UTIs (cUTIs) have been treated with a prolonged course of antibiotics out of fear for antimicrobial failure, recurrence or chronification, and more severe outcomes or sequalae. However, recent evidence suggests that shorter courses may be equally efficacious, offering a potential strategy for reducing the negative impacts of prolonged antibiotic use such as raised concerns for increased risk of antimicrobial resistance when antibiotic resistance is deemed a top ten public health threat. This retrospective study compared short and long antibiotic durations in male patients admitted to the inpatient setting with cUTIs to determine efficacy and complication differences. We hypothesized that a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy would achieve similar clinical cure rates, while reducing adverse effects and contributing to more sustainable antibiotic practices. Our findings indicate that short antibiotic regimens are non-inferior to prolonged regimens, offering similar clinical outcomes, rates of adverse events, and rates of recurrence. Our findings also demonstrate that prolonged antibiotic regimens are associated with potential increased risk of antimicrobial resistance. These results have significant implications for both clinical practice and antibiotic stewardship.

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This past summer, I had the privilege of interning with the Bridge’s Preschool Program at The Therapy Place. This establishment includes a center for children with disabilities within the Bridge’s Preschool, the Bridge’s Academy, and a therapeutic clinic offering various pediatric therapies, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. As an intern, I served as a teaching aide for all the preschoolers in the Bridge’s program and worked one-on-one with many of the children. I had the opportunity to plan activities tailored to each child's specific needs and support their physical and cognitive development. Through both classroom interactions and shadowing therapy sessions, I built meaningful connections with the children and witnessed their progress firsthand. As a psychology major at The University of South Carolina and an aspiring pediatric occupational therapist, this experience allowed me to see the tangible impact of early intervention. It also solidified my passion for my future career by showing me how special the connection with a child can be and how fulfilling it is to support their development in every possible way. Watching the preschoolers achieve significant milestones in just two short months was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences I have ever had. I hope to continue my education in this field by engaging in more experiences like this one and observing the perseverance through the power of occupational therapy.

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This research project examines the social and political implications of Eleanor Cobham’s public humiliation in 1441 and how they manifest in Shakespeare’s depiction of Cobham in Henry VI: Part II. After hiring three clergymen and a reputed witch to read King Henry’s horoscope, she was accused of witchcraft, forced to perform public penance, and exiled to the Isle of Man. Her fate constitutes another instance in a long line of witchcraft allegations thrown at powerful women, in which the accusations contain ulterior social and political motives. Beyond these initial motives, I noted an exceptional sense of theatricality in most fictional depictions of Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester. In poems such as Lament of the Duchess of Gloucester and A Complaint for my Lady of Gloucester and Holland, authors present Eleanor Cobham as incredibly aware of the motives behind her exile and its public nature. Her knowledge of her role in the public sphere that is the English court constitutes a sort of theatricality that mirrors a rise in anti-Catholic sentiment following the reign of King Henry VIII. Following my research, I posit that Shakespeare’s depiction of Eleanor Cobham in Henry VI: Part II presents a response to antitheatricality – or a dislike of the performative – taking a central political and theological role in 16th century England. Many analyses of Eleanor Cobham in Henry VI: Part II treat her solely as an overly ambitious woman spurned for her overstepping of social bounds. Similarly, many interpretations offer an inaccurate and ambiguous grouping of antitheatricality and witchcraft. I believe unique insight regarding Eleanor Cobham as a moral center of Henry VI: Part II can be gained by viewing her as a theatrical figure and her public humiliation as an equally antitheatrical response.

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As the Vice President of Academic Achievement for Zeta Tau Alpha, I worked to redefine how success and academics in Greek life are perceived, both within my chapter and beyond. In this role, I was responsible for fostering academic success and providing support to chapter members by managing academic statuses, implementing initiatives that promoted accountability and encouragement, and offering stress-relief events to support mental well-being. Motivated by my own recruitment experience--where I initially judged chapters based on their GPA rankings rather than my personal connections--I hoped to reshape perceptions on the role of academics in Greek life. I implemented structured study time with designated quiet time in the house, organized workshops and mentorship programs, provided incentives for academic success, and created a textbook library for chapter members. This experience taught me the value of adaptability, support, and perspective. I transformed a role often viewed as punitive into one that empowered members to reach their goals. I learned that true success, academic and otherwise, is not solely defined by numbers, and that leadership is about support and encouragement, not authority. Seeing firsthand how a strong support system impacts success reinforced my passion for mentorship and appreciation for lifelong learning. As I prepare for graduation and my pursuit of medical school, I will carry the lessons this role taught me--offering mentorship and support however I can. But more importantly, I will continue to challenge misconceptions, using them as opportunities to create meaningful change. Remembering always that true growth comes from an openness to learn from anyone, at any time, in any role--while the greatest hinderance to success is a closed mind.

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The concepts of asymptotic and exponential stability in dynamical systems theory imply that system trajectories converge to a desired state over an infinite time horizon. However, in applications like mission planning, smart manufacturing, and resource allocation, the control objective must be achieved within a finite time window with minimal error rather than over an infinite horizon. Finite-time control ensures convergence to the desired state within a predefined time frame while maintaining stability and minimizing error. Sliding mode control (SMC) is one of the control methods used to achieve FTC. SMC guides the system onto a sliding surface, allowing robustness even with disturbances. While rigorous analysis of finite-time control using sliding mode controllers and Lyapunov theory has been extensively studied, a significant gap remains in bridging continuous-time and discrete-time finite-time control. When converting a system to discrete-time, however, some of the benefits of FTC are lost, leading to what is known as the chattering effect and it can even destabilize the system. To mitigate the effect of chattering on discrete-time systems, implicit discretization methods can be used. Implicit discretization methods align more closely with the system’s inherent dynamics, enabling smoother and more stable convergence.

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Introduction: Muscle atrophy occurs from disuse, aging, or illness and leads to lower strength and increased mortality and is characterized by a decrease in fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and protein synthesis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an active form of vitamin A that has been established to influence muscle regeneration but degrades easily. By encapsulating ATRA in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), stability and potency are maintained. It has been shown that muscle atrophy in mouse hindlimb casting models resembles atrophy in humans. It’s hypothesized that injection of ATRA microparticles post-casting will increase myofiber CSA via activation of the AKT-4eBP1-mTOR pathway, a signaling pathway that promotes protein synthesis and myofiber growth by regulating the activity of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Methods: Male C57BL6 mice (16-weeks old) were casted with both ankles in plantar flexion for 10 days to induce gastrocnemius and soleus atrophy. Following casting, mice were randomly assigned to treatment groups: 90ng, 30ng, or 9ng of ATRA or saline. Mice recovered for 3 or 7 days before euthanasia. Following euthanasia, the left hindlimb muscles were embedded in OCT for histology and the right hindlimb muscles were flash frozen for other measurements. Immunofluorescence microscopy for laminin was used to quantify fiber CSA. The total protein concentration within mouse gastrocnemius homogenate was determined via Bicinchoninic (BCA) assay. Western blot analysis assessed protein synthesis markers, with equal protein amounts run on SDS-PAGE and transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane. Rabbit antibodies were used to detect p-AKT, AKT, p-4eBP1, 4eBP1, p-mTOR, and mTOR proteins. Goat anti-rabbit secondary antibodies were used with chemiluminescence to visualize protein bands, and the resulting bands indicate the presence and relative abundance of target proteins. Results: The casting model was successful in inducing atrophy indicated by myofiber CSA. Additionally, the CSA increased after treatment with 90ng of ATRA. Western blot analysis showed no difference in the activation of indexes of protein synthesis (p-AKT/AKT, p-4eBP1/4eBP1, and p-mTOR/mTOR) at the 3-day and 7-day timepoints. Conclusion: There is an increase in CSA of myofibers after treatment with 90ng of ATRA, indicating ATRA may be beneficial for treating muscle atrophy.

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My experience at the South Carolina State House, not only enhanced my education in political science, but also stepped me up with connections and experiences that will benefit me in my future careers and ventures. Through sitting in on Legislative Session and Committee Meetings, I was able to get a grasp for the process of writing and debating a bill before it comes into law. I was also able to gain valuable experiences through assisting with office tasks, meeting people from across the state, and developing my professional and leadership skills. However, through all the lessons and experiences, the most important was learning how powerful bipartisan legislation is. In a time of political division and discourse, writing and passing bills that can be agreed upon by both parties, helps everyone in the state, and unites parties together. It was through this experience that I made the decision to continue my education and attend law school next year. I hope to continue growing my knowledge of the law, and experiences as a political activist.

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The summer after my sophomore year at the University of South Carolina, I participated in the required 295 Internship class for SPTE students. This class's main purpose is to provide hands-on experience and networking opportunities in the sport and entertainment industry. I interned as a Sponsorship and Sales Intern at Peak Sports MGMT, a third-party company that manages ticket sales and sponsorships for Wofford College's athletic department in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This experience was made possible by my prerequisite 195 class, where I researched potential careers within the industry and became aware of my options and opportunities. The class also emphasized the importance of networking, which I realized early on would be crucial for my career. Thanks to my involvement in Sigma Psi Mu, professional business fraternity, and my connections, specifically, Benton Synder, I was able to secure this internship and see firsthand how valuable networking is, and how it can determine success in this field. During the internship, I was fully immersed in sponsorship sales, where I formulated presentations, scheduled and attended meetings with potential sponsors, assisted in reaching investment goals, and helped plan biannual hospitality events. With all of this being said, the most defining moment was playing a key role in securing a three-year, $30,000 sponsorship deal with a local orthodontist. From this experience, I gained invaluable knowledge in sponsorship sales, event planning, and client relations, but most importantly, networking. I learned the importance of teamwork, how to professionally engage with clients, and how to navigate a real-world professional environment. The internship reinforced the idea that "networking is your net worth," as my success was largely due to the relationships I had previously built. This hands-on and beyond the classroom experience directly relates to my coursework, particularly the networking skills and industry knowledge I gained in my SPTE classes (especially SPTE 195), which helped me succeed in this internship. It gave me a clear understanding of the sports industry, provided insight into my potential career path, and highlighted key skills I need to succeed in this field. Networking continues to spark success for me, even today.

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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are vascular occlusive disorders categorized under the term venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE affects approximately 900,000 people per year in the USA alone. Understanding of the multifaceted process of DVT has improved in recent years and current DVT treatments reduce thrombus propagation, but they also increase bleeding risk and fail to accelerate natural venous thrombus resolution. Multiple inflammatory cytokines regulate the development and subsequent resolution of DVT. One family of cytokines involved in DVT and venous thrombus resolution is the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family. A comprehensive understanding of the control of venous thrombus formation and resolution by the TGF-β family could lead to the development of novel treatments for DVT that target one or more of the TGF-β isoforms. The aim of this review is to describe studies of the roles of the TGF-β isoforms in venous thrombus formation and resolution, and to highlight opportunities for future research. TGF-β isoforms include TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. TGF-β1 has a well characterized role in the positive regulation of venous thrombus formation and the negative regulation of venous thrombus resolution. Further research is necessary, however, to understand the potential roles of TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in venous thrombus formation and resolution. Given that TGF-β1 expression increases during venous thrombosis and that inhibition or knockdown of TGF-β1 reduces thrombus burden, TGF-β1 represents a potential diagnostic marker for DVT and a putative target for therapies that aim to prevent or treat DVT.

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Purpose: The last major cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) research in South Carolina was done in 2009. This research seeks to provide updated data to compare South Carolina and its regions to national MIRs for the most common cancer types. Methods: State and national incidence and mortality data were collected from the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry (SCCCR), and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER). SC data was collected across each of the state’s 4 major geographic regions as described by the Department of Public Health (DPH): Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate. MIRs (mortality rate/incidence rate) were calculated for all cancer sites, cervical, colon, female breast, lung and bronchus, oral cancers, and prostate cancers from the years 2016-2021, excluding 2020. The MIR was categorized with each level representing a 10% increase from the previous level using the white SEER MIR for comparison. Results: Major racial disparities in MIR were found in SC, with the largest discrepancies seen in cervical, colon, and prostate cancers. For cervical cancer in particular, each SC region had a lower white MIR than SEER, but black women in the Pee Dee Region had a 99.8% increase from the white SEER ratio. With prostate cancer, each SC region was ranked in category 5 for black MIRs. White colon cancer MIRs ranked in category 2 across the state, but for black MIR, two regions ranked in category 5.  Conclusions: Our work provides an important 10-year update to a previously published cancer MIR evaluation of SC. These results highlight the poor cancer outcomes in the state compared to the national trends and the larger magnitude of cancer disparities at SC’s regional levels. This research has important implications for SC by pinpointing where public health interventions are most needed. By prioritizing areas and cancer sites with the largest disparities, we can ensure better cancer prevention efforts and equity for SC’s minority populations.

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Pediatric glioblastoma, the highest grade of gliomas according to WHO, has an incidence rate of 0.85-1.78 per 100,000 people with a dismal median survival of 13-73 months post-diagnosis and a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%. Due to the prevalent complexities in standard treatment options and the disease itself, combined with an overall lack of research on pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), the prognosis remains poor. Within the past two decades, oncolytic viruses (OVs) have emerged as a promising antitumor immunotherapy. Unfortunately, previous studies have shown limited efficacy in monotherapy approaches and modern research has shifted more towards combinatorial multimodalities. One such candidate for combinational therapies is Resveratrol (RSV). RSV, a polyphenolic compound found in nature, has been extensively studied in cancer treatment, including adult GBM trials, due to its noteworthy pro-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties. Its ability to easily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) further indicates its potential in glioma therapies. In this study, we examined the combinatorial approach of hrR3, a type-1 oncolytic herpes simplex virus, enhanced by RSV treatment on pGBM cell lines. pGBM cell viability was assessed via sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-infection preceded by RSV pretreatment. Western Blot analysis was also conducted to further determine the underlying mechanism of these treatments. Results indicated enhanced oncolysis in pGBM cells via 24-hour RSV pretreatment through various apoptotic and caspase-mediated pathways.

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The summer before my senior year I accepted an internship as a Marketing Intern at Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport. The main goal of this internship was to develop a survey to create marketing personas and assess passengers purchasing habits. We met Human Resources, Marketing, and Concessions to determine what each team wanted to gain from our survey. We included questions from each team to help them gain market research through our surveys. As a marketing major, this internship provided me with hands on experience of survey creation, market research, and analysis and presentation of results. I learned how to create survey questions and pick which scales to use, and greatly improved my knowledge of excel and how to analyze hundreds of data rows of data. This impacted me by showing me market research and data analysis is something to be so afraid of and correlated directly with my Principles of Marketing Research course I took the following semester. This internship greatly prepared me for any marketing research I must conduct in the future. Getting out of your comfort zone and surveying people to learn more about your company can provide great insight on where you are succeeding, and where you need to improve. I hope to be able to conduct more advanced market research in the future to learn more about different companies.

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INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is an essential component of normal musculoskeletal development. Recent studies have highlighted the potential health benefits of vitamin D supplementation, including improved bone health, reduced fracture risk, protection from autoimmune disease, and decreased cancer risk. Despite these benefits, pediatric Vitamin D deficiency remains a significant concern. The objective of this study was to investigate predictors of Vitamin D levels in an operative pediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted to identify pediatric patients at a single institution who underwent surgical intervention and received preoperative 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) testing between January 2021 to May 2024. Demographic and clinical data were collected through chart review. Home addresses were used to calculate Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated composite measure of socioeconomic status developed by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. Associations with Vitamin D level were assessed using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: This study included 593 participants (median age: 13 years; 52.7% male; and 55.6% white, 32.5% African-American). Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was observed in 36% of patients. Bivariate analysis showed that National ADI, State ADI, African-American race, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Biological sex and presence of a fracture were not associated with Vitamin D deficiency. Multivariate analysis identified BMI as the strongest predictor of Vitamin D deficiency, followed by African-American race and State ADI. DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in over one-third of this pediatric orthopaedic cohort despite residing in a region with year-round UV radiation. Screening efforts that incorporate ADI, BMI, and racial background may help identify at-risk children and guide targeted interventions to improve Vitamin D status in the pediatric population.

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Background/Significance: Black women in the U.S. face three to four times the risk of pregnancy -related death compared to White women. Implicit racial bias among nurses contributes to disparities in maternal outcomes, affecting clinical decisions, patient-provider communication, and care quality. Addressing this bias is crucial for improving maternal health equity. Purpose/Objectives: This evidence-based review examines how nurses' implicit racial bias contributes to Black maternal mortality disparities. Objectives include (1) synthesizing research on bias in nursing and its impact on Black maternal health, (2) evaluating interventions to reduce bias, and (3) proposing strategies to improve maternal outcomes. Methods: A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS using terms like "implicit bias," "racial disparities," "maternal mortality," and "nurses." Only U.S. -based studies from the past five years were included, analyzing bias and its impact on maternal health. A total of seven studies were reviewed and analyzed. Results/Conclusion: Nurses' implicit bias negatively affects perinatal care by influencing decisions and reducing patient-centered communication. While bias training and mindfulness interventions show promise, further research is needed to implement effective strategies for improving Black maternal health. Addressing bias through systemic changes is essential to reducing maternal mortality disparities.

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Abstract: Meditation is known to have psychological benefits that affect aging, like mental health, cognitive function, and stress management. But its impact on the physiological effects of aging is less clear. One physiological variable that is associated with aging is telomere length. Telomeres are DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes, and longer telomeres are associated with healthier aging. This meta-analysis examines how mediation affects telomere length by reviewing 10 studies from Google Scholar and PubMed. The effect size of Cohen’s d was calculated for each study to standardize the effects. The weighted average Cohen’s d for telomere length was 0.08, showing a weak relationship. The study’s results suggest a slight indication of the impact of meditation on telomere length; further research would help explore factors like duration and frequency of meditation, different types of meditation, and individual differences in cellular aging.

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During my senior year winter break, I had the opportunity to intern with the New York Yankees at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. The Pinstripe Bowl, an annual college football bowl game held at Yankee Stadium, showcased the University of Nebraska and Boston College in its 14th game. During my two weeks I worked across New York City including the Bronx and Midtown. Leading up to the game the Yankees organized events for players, coaches, and families, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a visit to the 9/11 Memoria & Museum, and the ringing of the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell. I assisted with assembling all the gifts for the players and coaches, escorting the team to each event, and setting up the team areas at each hotel. On game day, I escorted the team bands onto the field for the National Anthem and halftime performance. Following the matchup, I assisted with the presentation of the George M. Steinbrenner Trophy on the field. I felt very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with a world-renowned organization and to contribute to the success of such a high-profile event. I learned how much preparation is crucial to the success of events, however one cannot prepare for everything. Adaptability was an important skill I was able to work on during the internship. This experience connected directly with my Sport and Entertainment Management degree. During my undergrade studies, I have taken multiple event and venue management courses that teach you about everything needed to put on the event. Now I was able to see everything and work hands-on. This event salified my passion for helping put on large events and wanting to work in event management.

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In the U.S., less than one-third of K-8 students are proficient readers. While improved spelling skills help to improve reading, quality spelling instruction is not always available. Some spelling instruction is still memory-based, and this does not work for many students. Teachers have difficulty providing individualized instruction to those who need the most help, and private tutoring is extremely expensive. Also, many students speak different dialects or are non-native speakers, and it can make spelling harder when words sound very different from how they are written. Wordification is an online learning tool designed to provide students with individualized, interactive spelling instruction. They learn as they play. It also includes dialect enhancements, so that students can hear words in a voice that sounds familiar and receive instruction targeting errors they are likely to make. This helps them make better connections between pronunciation and spelling. When fully developed teachers will be able to use Wordification in their classes, and students will be able to use it by themselves on their own time. The application will monitor students’ skills and provide instruction based on what they need. It will be easy to use, affordable, and particularly useful in under-resourced schools. Wordification will thus provide reading and spelling help to the students who need it most.

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Over the last two summers, I worked as a project engineer intern with PC Construction Company in Charlotte, NC, on an expansion/improvements project for one of Charlotte Water’s wastewater treatment plants. In my position as a project engineer, I managed project documents, participated in meetings with the project team, owners, and subcontractors, and supervised crews working on site. This internship provided me with an opportunity to gain practical experience as an engineer and apply what I have learned from my classes to real-world situations. This experience gave me a better understanding of life as an engineer and allowed me to evaluate and discern my future career goals. I learned to be more confident in my abilities when putting my knowledge and skills into practice and how to effectively communicate with individuals from varying backgrounds. I had the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers, managers, and executives, who encouraged me to seek new challenges, pushing me to think more critically and become exceedingly resourceful. It was surprising how open members of the project team were and how accessible information was to me, which continued to motivate me to utilize the resources that were available and take advantage of every opportunity that was presented. Additionally, I learned important lessons in planning projects and building a positive and safety oriented culture among those working on the project. Looking forward to a career in the automotive and motorsport industries, I know that these are skills I will be able to use to achieve success within my chosen profession.

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Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are common in overhead throwing athletes due to repeated stress on the ligament with the biomechanical demands. Treatment options include surgical repair methods, such as UCL reconstruction surgery, and non-surgical more conservative options, including therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation exercises. Internal brace augmentation is a new surgical technique performed by repairing the ligament, adding suture anchors, and attaching collagen-dipped fiber tape for support. Therefore, what is the return-to-play time for an overhead athlete with a UCL tear that was repaired with the internal brace augmentation technique? A search was completed using the Sage Journals database in October of 2024 with search terms: “UCL repair or reconstruction in overhead athletes return to play.” Inclusion criteria consisted of studies (in English) completed within 10 years (2014-2024), overhead athletes with a UCL tear repaired with an internal brace, and outcomes measures of return-to-play (RTP) time. Studies were excluded if they were case studies or meta-analyses by design, used cadavers as the population, and only included the reconstruction surgical method. The search yielded 95 results and 92 were excluded due to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The remaining 3 studies were appraised using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology scale to evaluate for threats to validity. Rothermich et al. received a 22/22, and both Dugas et al. and O’Connell et al. received scores of 21/22 due to not giving unadjusted estimates and precision. All 3 studies showed that the average RTP time after ulnar collateral ligament repair with an internal brace was within 6.7 and 7.4 months depending on the person and the sport. The RTP timelines are meaningful results since each study had at least 92% of participants follow-up with their return-to-play times. A strength of recommendation Level B is given for the effect that the internal brace repair method has on return-to-play time, based on patient-oriented evidence and consistent findings from the cohort studies appraised. Additional research is needed to determine if the internal brace technique is the best overall treatment method to produce the fastest return-to-play time.

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Fungi and Bacteria abundance is a key indicator of the health and diversity of an ecosystem. Although microbes like bacteria and fungi are invisible to the naked eye, they are everywhere and are essential in all ecosystems. In the ocean, they contribute to nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and the marine food web, supporting the survival of countless organisms. Because of these critical functions, monitoring fungi and bacteria populations provides valuable insights into aquatic ecosystems' overall health, stability, and biodiversity. Understanding these microbial dynamics can also help predict ocean conditions and ecological balance changes. To assess the microbial life in two specific environments, we conducted fungi and bacteria counts for the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) and the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP) ocean waters. We collected and analyzed data using two methods to determine microbial abundance at varying depths in these regions. This research is necessary because few studies look at fungi and bacteria populations in ocean waters simultaneously, even though they play many critical roles. For the NSPG counts, we used flow cytometry with fluorescent dyes to quantify fungi and bacteria. This technique allowed us to analyze cells in the water samples by measuring their fluorescent signals, enabling us to differentiate between bacteria and fungi populations. We examined the resulting signals to interpret this data and successfully identified bacteria and fungi in all collected samples. For the ETSP data, we used fluorescent microscopy to directly view ocean water samples and manually count fungi and bacteria. In both methods, fluorescent dyes bound to DNA or fungal cell walls helped differentiate bacteria, fungi, and non-living debris, ensuring accurate identification. Combining these approaches gave us a comprehensive understanding of microbial abundance and distribution in these distinct marine environments.

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Delirium is a high incidence issue across patients in many critical care settings, however there is a lack of standard treatment protocols to treat this issue. Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium is associated with higher mortality rates, new/worsened cognitive deficits, longer hospital stays, and increased health costs. Use of standardized interventions can help reduce ICU delirium rates. The purpose of this evidence review is to determine efficient standardized methods, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, to prevent ICU delirium, and therefore reduce hospital strain and improve patient cognition outcomes. Five articles from PubMed were gathered for this evidence review using the keywords, “ICU delirium” and “nursing interventions”. All articles were published within the last 10 years and were research-based studies, including a randomized controlled trial, two integrative reviews, a network meta-analysis, and a scoping review. The only database searched was PubMed. Studies showed that combined use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can help treat and reduce rates of delirium in ICU patients. The next steps should be to conduct more research in order to determine and implement standardized interventions to best prevent and reduce delirium in critical care settings.

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Microbial infections remain the leading cause for high morbidity and mortality rates globally. While approximately thousands of human pathogens have been identified, most healthcare-associated infections are caused by only a few opportunistic pathogens, which are associated with increased antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance. Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounts for approximately 80% of nosocomial infections. During early infection stages, P. aeruginosa produces redox-active, nitrogen-containing molecules known as phenazines, which participate in extracellular electron transfer (EET) by acting as electron shuttles. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a key phenazine in P. aeruginosa, serving as a precursor for all other phenazines in its biosynthetic pathway. Although previous studies have explored EET mechanisms involving endogenous phenazines secreted from P. aeruginosa, the influence of different carbon substrates on phenazine-mediated electron transfer and phenazine metabolism remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we present electrochemical data on how different carbon sources, including glucose, acetate, malate, succinate, lactate, and citrate, affect EET rates between PCA and P. aeruginosa. Using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, we electrochemically evaluated the relationship between carbon metabolism and EET activity, focusing on the impact of substrate type and concentration on electrical current generation. Our findings reveal significant variability in EET activity based on carbon source utilization and phenazine availability. As such, our results provide critical insights into the metabolic control of phenazine-based electron transfer in P. aeruginosa, with broad implications for understanding pathogen persistence and redox biology in infection environments.

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Background: The adolescent well-visit provides a unique personalized and confidential setting to discuss abstinence and contraceptive counseling. To help standardize this practice, the AAP issued a new policy statement in 2020. Objective: We aim to quantify the frequency and documentation of contraceptive counseling, and to increase this value by 80% in the adolescent well-visits at the Prisma Children’s Outpatient Center (CHOC). Methods: Two 30-minute presentations were conducted during the first and second PDSA cycles. The presentations included data from the AAP and ACOG guidelines on contraceptive counseling. A toolkit was created to help providers facilitate contraceptive counseling to patients in the exam room. Surveys were conducted to assess provider knowledge and confidence. Documentation of contraceptive counseling from patient encounters was gathered before and after the interventions. Results: There was a 26% and a 34% increase in pre-and post-intervention Likert Scores in the first and second PDSA cycles, respectively. There was a 22% and a 35.7% increase in pre-and post-intervention Knowledge-Based Question Scores in the first and second PDSA cycles, respectively. There was a 200% increase and 217% increase in documentation of contraceptive counseling after the first and second PDSA cycles, respectively. Conclusion: The use of informative presentations and visual aids improved provider confidence, knowledge, and documentation of contraceptive education in a Children’s Outpatient Center.

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Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a cascade of secondary complications that significantly impact the well-being of the affected individuals. Among these, gut dysbiosis (GD, an alteration in composition of gut microbiome) and activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome have emerged as critical factors contributing to development of mental health disorders post SCI. Following SCI, the delicate balance of the gut microbiome is disrupted, leading to GD. This imbalance significantly alters production of microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and neurotransmitters that are vital for maintaining mental health. SCFAs, which have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, are diminished due to GD. Similarly, the altered production of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, can directly influence mood regulation and cognitive processes, creating a vulnerability to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Furthermore, SCI triggers an increased presence and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key component of the innate immune system. Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome plays a pivotal role in the maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18, and IL-6. These cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to neuroinflammation, a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various mental health disorders. Fecal microbiome transplants (FMT) offer a potential avenue for restoring the balance in gut microbiome, promoting metabolite production. Phytochemicals have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, potentially mitigating NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Melatonin also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a promising candidate for reducing neuroinflammation and improving mental health outcomes. Besides, artificial intelligence (AI) presents a transformative opportunity to enhance diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in SCI patients. AI models are being developed to analyze gut microbiome data, identify patterns associated with GD, and predict the efficacy of FMT. While these applications are promising, further research is crucial to validate the efficacy and safety of AI-driven approaches in clinical settings. We recently reported various deleterious consequences of SCI in developing mental health disorders via GD and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and discussed molecular mechanisms, potential treatments, and role of AI in managing problems post SCI (Brain Sciences 2025, 15:197).

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Purpose: The social determinants of health (SDOH) are increasingly incorporated into medical school curricula in the US, but experiential learning is uncommon and community impact is unclear. For medical educators, the challenge of achieving best practices in teaching the SDOH is to simultaneously create experiential learning cross-linked with curricular goals while building mutually beneficial community relationships. Service learning as an established pedagogy is a potential framework for SDOH training. Methods: In 2021, we designed a learning collaborative called Praxis in Social Medicine (PRISM) to address interest in SDOH education. SOM students are connected with non-profit organizations for two purposes: (1) to enhance service learning while cross-linking SDOH and (2) to improve relationships with community partners. For students, the PRISM model involves community work, reflection exercises, modular lecture content, group discussions, and presentations at university-wide research symposiums. For community partners, PRISM fosters bidirectional communication and ensures attainment of mutual goals. Results: Since inception, PRISM has involved 54 student participants and currently includes 10 teams and 8 linked community organizations. The model has been improved iteratively through cross-linking required course material, refining learning objectives, and navigating continuity of community-based efforts. Students report high value in linking SDOH with service learning and positive impacts on professional development. Community partners note improved relationships with their students and the school itself. Notable team achievements include addressing food insecurity, improvement of social needs screening, and developing a better tool for detection of intimate partner violence. Conclusion: The PRISM model has been effective at transforming student volunteer activity into experiential learning in SDOH. Participating individuals and community partners are learning together how to achieve mutual educational and community health goals. The PRISM model can be easily adapted for other health professions and institutions, serving as a reproducible model for likeminded individuals to grow engagement and integrate curricular requirements.

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Background/Significance: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a significant complication that can occur in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in critical care settings, and nurses play a crucial role in preventing it. Not only does VAP negatively affect patient health, but it also increases healthcare costs and prolongs hospital stays. Purpose/Objective: This study aims to examine nursing interventions that reduce the occurrence of VAP and improve patient outcomes. By investigating the effectiveness of current EBP, areas of improvement can be identified to reduce the incidence of VAP in critical care settings. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the University of South Carolina Library Database, including PubMed, Nursing and Allied Health, and Scopus. Studies were found using the key words “ventilator-associated pneumonia”, “prevention”, “nursing”, “critical care”, “mechanical ventilation”, and “patient safety”. Filters were applied to narrow the search to include peer-reviewed, full-text articles published between 2019-2025. Using these criteria, fifteen articles were reviewed, and seven potential articles have been selected for continued research. Results/Conclusion: Adherence to EBP protocol, including oral care, head-of-bed elevation, sedation vacations, and sterile ventilator care, is critical in preventing VAP. Through care bundles, promotion of EBP, and assessing barriers to nurse compliance, current research indicates that the incidence of VAP would decline.

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From July 2022 to July 2023 I completed a health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). Over the course of the year, I was exposed to a comprehensive curriculum in nutrition and holistic health supplemented with effective coaching techniques and business development skills. The Health Coach Training Program (HCTP) aims to equip individuals with the skills to guide clients toward healthier lifestyles and promote health and well-being. I have always had a passion for nutrition, however, this program was different than anything else I’ve learned. It emphasized that nutrition cannot be looked at in isolation. The main idea was that coaches must look at health through a holistic lens, considering more than just diet or exercise. Relationships, environments, and social support are also crucial. The course consisted of 40 modules- mostly lectures on different health-related topics as well as a few interactive experiences. I was required to complete six practice coaching sessions with family and friends to reinforce what I had learned. I was also required to complete a final project of my choice where I created social media accounts sharing healthy recipes and lifestyle tips. I also had weekly check-in sessions with a mentor and other students which gave me the opportunity to speak with like-minded people of all ages from around the world, all from my college apartment. This course allowed me to explore my passion for health as more than a hobby and led me to declare a major in Public Health at USC. It also gave me a deeper understanding of what I was learning within my degree. Ultimately, my experience with IIN’s HCTP has empowered me to pursue a career in health coaching, enabling me to inspire others on their wellness journeys. After graduation I plan to pursue further education to become a certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner.

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Head and neck cancers comprise about 3% of all malignancies in the U.S.While radiation therapy is a cornerstone of treatment, it carries significant toxicities due to cellular damage and proximity to vital structures including radiation dermatitis, odynophagia, dysphagia, and fibrosis. Predicting risk is challenging due to multifactorial causes, although certain genetic mutations heighten susceptibility. Here, we present a 71-year-old male with base-of-tongue squamous cell carcinoma who developed complete esophageal obstruction in a low-dose region following definitive chemoradiation. Further evaluation revealed an ATM mutation. A 71-year-old male presented with a one-month history of a painful right neck mass. Workup revealed a p16-positive poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base with right upper cervical lymph node involvement. He underwent definitive radiotherapy with IMRT and daily image guidance, delivering 70 Gy in 35 fractions to the primary lesion and involved lymph nodes, while elective lymph nodes received 56 Gy. Due to difficulty meeting nutritional needs, a PEG tube was placed three weeks into radiation. He remained PEG-dependent after completion of therapy. Seven months later, endoscopy revealed complete upper esophageal obstruction. He underwent multiple esophageal dilations which ultimately improved stenosis, allowing successful passage and weight stabilization. Follow-up showed improved swallowing with adequate weight gain. Around the same time, he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer. Given these findings, genetic testing was performed, which ultimately revealed an ATM mutation. Although the esophagus is at risk during head and neck irradiation, fewer than 2% of patients receiving ≤50 Gy develop radiation-induced strictures. Esophagitis is typically self-limited, and strictures often resolve with dilation. However, our patient developed a severe esophageal stricture post-chemoradiation, exceeding expected toxicity for the given dose. This case is among the few linking an ATM gene mutation to severe radiation complications, highlighting the increased radiosensitivity in ATM-mutated patients. Given the limited literature on this association, further research is needed to clarify its role in radiation toxicity. This case underscores the importance of recognizing genetic predispositions to severe radiation side effects. As radiation therapy remains a key treatment, balancing risks and benefits is essential in personalized patient care.

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As a Resident Assistant (RA), my journey began in my second semester as a freshman due to financial necessity. Over time, this role evolved into a passion for supporting students and enhancing their college experience. I served as a mentor, connecting students to vital services and resources, planning and promoting events to foster a sense of community, managing emergencies with care, and striving to be an approachable role model. As a first-generation college student, I faced challenges despite the support of my RA. She helped lighten my burden, and I aspired to ensure that others wouldn't have to fend for themselves. My goal was to provide support while encouraging self-advocacy both in college and beyond. Through this role, I learned to navigate bureaucratic systems, teach students self-advocacy, uphold professional standards, network, create solutions, budget, plan activities, and manage emergencies. This experience has profoundly shaped my college journey, providing mentors, friends, job experience, and personal growth. Working as an RA, while challenging, is immensely rewarding. It alleviates financial burdens, hones skills for the workforce, allows you to witness student development, and offers insights into the workings of college departments.

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Intra-resuscitative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become increasingly utilized in the emergency department (ED) given benefits including: monitoring compressions, visualizing the heart, easier identification of abnormalities, and rapid identification of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) compared to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). However, the use of TEE in the ED has limitations. This project aims to determine barriers to TEE use. Survey data consisting of Likert scale questions collected from Prisma EM residents inquired about factors regarding TEE use during cardiac arrest. The target population included resident physicians caring for a patient who was in cardiac arrest in the Richland ED, at least 18 years old, and full code. Surveys (n=47) were collected during a 14 month period of which 20 used the TEE and 27 did not. The majority of the residents were PGY-3 residents (64%). Outcomes of the resuscitation did not show a significant increase in ROSC for those in which the TEE was used (50%) versus without TEE use (48%). Storage location was a primary barrier to TEE use, as location was not listed by anyone who used TEE. Storage location was listed as a barrier by 6 residents (22%) that did not use TEE with an additional 10 residents (37%) responding “neutral”. Those using TEE were able to find the correct views (68%), often changing how they managed the code (70%) without feeling like it delayed patient care (0%). Many residents stated that centralizing the location of the TEE may increase their use. While many studies outline the positive impact of TEE use on patient care, use of TEE has been hindered by several barriers, most commonly, the storage location. Survey responses collected expressed positive impacts that TEE use had; however, over half of the survey responses stated that they did not use TEE for various reasons including location, confidence, set-up, and need for additional training. Future goals of this project will focus on addressing barriers to improve confidence, frequency of use, and patient outcomes.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common cause of ASD and intellectual disability, is an X-linked dominant disorder. Anxiety, characterized by excessive and consistent worry or fear, is a prevalent co-occurring condition in children with ASD and children with FXS, with nearly 40% to 80% experiencing clinically elevated symptoms or at least one anxiety disorder, respectively. Accurate assessment of anxiety in these populations is critical for early intervention and support. Due to potential difficulties with introspection and communication in children with ASD and FXS, they may be limited in their ability to self-report anxiety. Additionally, because clinical assessments can be time-consuming, parent-informant questionnaires are the most frequent method for measuring anxiety in this population. While parent questionnaires provide insight into childhood anxiety, their reliability remains largely unexplored. Understanding the consistency of parent ratings over time and potential biases in reporting is essential for ensuring the accuracy and potential uses of these assessments. The present study will aim to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of parent-reported anxiety measures in 47 children with ASD, 38 children with FXS, and 28 neurotypical children. Measures utilized in this study will include the Preschool Anxiety Scale, Revised (PAS-R), Anxiety, Depression, and Mood Scale (ADAMS), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) across three time points in the preschool period. Additionally, the research will examine whether responses from parents of children with ASD or FXS differ from those of neurotypical children. Findings from this study will help improve early detection and intervention strategies for children with ASD and FXS. By evaluating the reliability and validity of parent-reported data, this study will aim to help inform clinicians and researchers on best practices for assessing anxiety in children with ASD and Fragile X Syndrome, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes for children with these disorders.

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Recent studies estimate that about 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the United States (Maenner et al, 2020). Children with ASD have shown lower tendencies to engage in joint engagement (JE) with a caregiver (Nystrom et al, 2019). JE is defined as shared attention to an object in an infant-caregiver dyad. Children who spend more time in JE are more willing to engage in social exchange through play with their partners. This in turn leads to an increase in social communication and language development, as they are more willing to attend to their partners' communication. Reduced social attention is hypothesized to negatively affect skills such as language development (Bottema-Beutel et al., 2014). Starting at 12 months, typically developing children display sensitivity and attention to their caregivers, while achievement of this milestone is thought to be delayed or reduced in children with ASD (Dawson et al, 2004). Previous studies have explored JE differences between children with and without ASD. However, few studies have investigated how JE may support infants’ future attention to their caregiver. We will measure these two factors by rating a 7 minute play interaction, where there is a 5 minute play period (phase 1) where the dyad interacts, and a 2 minute period where the caregiver ignores the child (phase 2). We will explore the relationship between JE in Phase 1 and a child's attention to their caregiver in Phase 2. We will analyze how familial likelihood status affects the relationship between JE and how much attention infants pay to their caregiver. We hypothesize that greater quantity and quality of JE in phase 1 will be related to higher levels of attention to caregivers in phase 2 of the play interaction. Results of this study will provide meaningful implications regarding potential early developmental differences in children with elevated likelihoods of neurodevelopmental disorders, contributing to the evolving narrative of early screening and intervention programs for families.

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In each country I studied abroad in (Germany, Singapore, and Brazil), I had a management consulting course paired with a real-world project. These courses were crucial in building my understanding of how to develop a professional slide deck, analyze various databases, research new industries, and manage a large consulting project in a timely manner. I also learned how to work most efficiently in teams by delegating work but maintaining a holistic view. After spending a few weeks learning more about how a consulting project should work, I felt confident going into my real-world projects. These courses adequately prepared me in many ways. My team understood what was expected of us and came to each client meeting with a professional slide deck of our updates and latest findings. We also knew which databases to go to when we needed certain data and learned how to quickly pick up the lingo of a new industry. However, there were some challenges within these projects that I hadn’t anticipated. I quickly found that there were some communication roadblocks within my team, which consisted of students from the United States, Germany, France, and Brazil. For example, during my first project in Germany, I learned that the German students were often very direct and openly gave feedback to others and were very open to receiving feedback in return. In contrast, the Brazilians were often more indirect and very careful to save face for their peers, and expected the same from their teammates. I quickly took on a facilitator role, making sure everyone felt heard, providing a balance of positive and negative feedback, and helped serve as a mediator in any conflicts that arose. As the project progressed, we all learned to understand each other better and collaborate in a thoughtful way, and ended up presenting one of the top-ranking presentations for that semester. In this presentation, I will share case studies from three countries, focusing on the styles of collaboration common to each in a business setting and how understanding these differences can benefit students pursuing global management consulting.

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Background/Significance Clinicians have seen an increase in delirium or psychosis in the intensive care unit. As of now they do not have a definite answer to the causes. The signs and symptoms of delirium/psychosis are anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, rambling speech, mood swings, restlessness, agitation, withdrawal and lethargy. Based on studies, these symptoms are side effects of how care is being delivered to the patients, including the type of medications used, and lack of communication amongst the care team. Purpose/Objectives Our project goal is to answer the following questions: What steps are necessary to prevent delirium? What are the best treatments for delirium in ICU patients? Methods For this study research was done on PubMed. The search for articles included ICU delirium as keywords. Articles were chosen based on the years between 2020-2025 and the articles were peer reviewed. There were 123 articles in total. Results/Conclusion The findings were articles about patients suffering from delirium in the ICU. Next steps for this study will be to determine the best action for care for these patients and to determine the safest ways to help prevent and treat psychosis/delirium in the ICU.

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Abstract Background/Significance When transitioning from pediatric to adult care, patients may encounter gaps in care that can increase their risks of poor outcomes, hospitalizations, and difficulties with treatment adherence. This is particularly critical for medically complex patients. Healthcare transition programs have been developed to facilitate a successful transition by providing patients with information, guidance, and resources. Understanding the nurse’s role in this process is essential for developing effective strategies to enhance transitional care and reduce healthcare disparities. Purpose/Objectives The purpose of this evidence review is to identify 1. The nurses’ role in the transition of care for patients going from pediatric to adult care 2. Educational opportunities to enhance the nurse’s ability to coordinate the transition of care Methods The terms used to assess the literature in the PubMed database included “nursing and transitioning pediatric to adult care.” The search was limited to 2020-2025, and number of articles reviewed was 52, which were narrowed down to 6. The articles chosen focused on pediatrics as the population of interest. Five of the studies were analyses of surveys, and one was a systematic literature review. Results/Conclusion Pediatric patients do not receive transition care often enough. This is directly linked to a lack of education and training in healthcare transitions. Nurses can play a crucial role in healthcare transition programs by offering additional education and training.

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The Trauma Quality Programs of the American College of Surgeons defines unplanned visits to the operating room as a patient having an unplanned operative procedure or a patient returning to the operating room after initial operative management which must have occurred the same hospital admission. A total of 80 unplanned visits to the operating room following a trauma admission were identified in 2024 at Prisma Health Richland Hospital via the Trauma Quality Programs. The goal of our project was to identify the most common reasons for the unplanned visits to the operating room occurring at Prisma Health Richland Hospital and improve outcomes among patients to prevent future unplanned visits to the operating room after trauma admissions in 2025. Our research found that the major causes of unplanned visits to the operating room following trauma admissions were neurological changes, multiple body system complications, bleeding, vascular damage, orthopedic complications, and infection. Moving forward, our research team will aim to discover why these categories of complications are the highest and will work to implement processes at Prisma Health Richland to decrease these numbers in 2025.

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INTRODUCTION: More than 66 million patients are due annually for their Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), which includes discussions on advanced care planning (ACP). For many, this is the only opportunity to address these critical topics. Yet, many patients lack ACP. This study aims to quantify the population without ACP, identify barriers, and increase ACP documentation rates. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study at the Family Medicine Center (Columbia, SC) ran from July 2024 - February 2025, targeting 300 Medicare patients aged 65+ with active MyChart accounts. Patients without ACP documentation received standardized MyChart messages outlining AWVs and ACP. Afterwards, data was collected on the number of patients with ACP after receiving this message. T-tests and chi-square analysis were used to compare demographic data. RESULTS: A random sample of 300 patients included 185 females (61%) and 115 males (38%). In women, 46 had some form of ACP and were excluded. Similarly, 26 men were excluded. In women, 76 (51.7%) did not read the message despite having an active MyChart account, in men 51 (57.3%). Age did not predict message viewing in women (p = 0.929) or men (p = 0.576). Race did not significantly affect message viewing in women (p=0.110). White men were significantly more likely to view the message than African American men (p= 0.00028). African American men had significantly lower message viewing rates than African American women (p=0.00038). There were no patients with new ACP after receiving a MyChart message. DISCUSSION: Although no new ACP documentation was created, over half of the study population did not read the message which may indicate patients are less likely to read provider messages than previously considered. African American men were also the least likely to view the message, suggesting a need for targeted outreach strategies.

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Black Rap was a student publication created by the Association of Afro-American Students at the University of South Carolina in 1968 to “provide a liaison between Black students and the community and to serve as a medium for the expression of student thought.” Emerging at a time when Black students at USC and across the country demanded respect and representation in all aspects of student life, Black Rap became a platform for expression, dissemination, and a call for unity. It provided space for Black students and the local community to engage with issues that shaped their experiences and fight for meaningful change. This project examines the publication’s content and situating them within the broader context of Black student life during the early years of integration at USC and the Black campus movement. By highlighting the significance of Black Rap, this project underscores the need for continuing research, archival preservation, and digitization of this and other Black student publications.

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Joint engagement is defined as shared attention to objects and events with a social partner (Adamson et al., 2013). JE emerges around 12 months of age for infants with neurotypical development (Bakeman & Adamson, 1984) and fosters cognitive, social, and language development in infants with neurotypical and neurodiverse development (Adamson et al., 2013). 12-month-old infants with ASD spend similar time in JE compared to neurotypical peers, although greater variability of time spent in JE was observed (Roemer, Kushner, & Iverson, 2021). This variability suggests additional research is necessary to understand JE for 12-month-olds with ASD. Previous research has found caregiver responsiveness and directiveness is related to time spent in JE for toddlers with ASD (Patterson et al., 2013). While the role of caregiver behavior in promoting and sustaining JE has been explored for children 24 months and older, less is known for 12-month-old infants. Since JE is emerging at 12 months, exploring the role of caregivers in JE during this time contributes to our understanding and offers potential areas for early intervention. Additionally, no work presently has been completed to explore JE for infants with an elevated likelihood for other neurodevelopmental disorders, like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). As such, this study seeks to 1) characterize JE for infants with a low likelihood (LL), elevated likelihood for ASD (EL-ASD; indicated by a full biological sibling with ASD), or elevated likelihood for ADHD (EL-ADHD; indicated by an immediate family member with ADHD), and 2) explore the relationship between caregiver behaviors (following in, communicative temptations, and language facilitation) and quantity and quality of JE. Video recordings of 5 minutes of free play between infant-caregiver dyads will be used to examine JE and caregiver behaviors. JE and caregiver behaviors will be quantified using the Joint Engagement Rating Inventory (JERI). We hypothesize that increased caregiver behaviors will be associated with increased quantity and quality of JE for all infants, with a stronger relationship observed for EL-ASD and EL-ADHD infants. Results of this study will reveal associations between caregiver behaviors and JE that may influence intervention efforts for infants with neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Title: Strengthening the Nursing Workforce: Recruitment and Retention Reviewers: Ricky Holmes, Garrett Tempel Background/Significance: Nursing recruitment and retention has a major impact on patient care, hospital structure, and the healthcare system. On average 23% of new nurse graduates leave their first job within a year (Wiley, n.d.). This directly impacts patient care and hospital efficiency by the constant turnover and training that new nurses are required to go through. Purpose/Objectives: This study aims to find interventions to increase the retention rate of new nurses and look at ways to recruit nurses into the field. By analyzing staffing patterns in different studies and incentives to help this critical issue. Methods: Google Scholar was utilized to find relevant literature on our topic, using search terms such as “nursing leadership”, “retention”, and “recruitment”. The search was filtered to include articles published between 2019-2025, peer-reviewed articles, and only in English. Two articles were selected for this review, sourced from journals including Nurse Leader and The Journal of Nursing Management. Results/Conclusion: The Prospective Staffing Model focused on managing staffing patterns. A total of 388 nurses were hired, leading to an increase in retention by 286 days and a reduction in turnover to 17.6%. A CGFNS survey found that 94% of 1356 Filipino migrant nurses were registered nurses, which could incentivize hiring experienced migrant workers. The next steps incorporate utilizing foreign workers to expand the recruitment and retention of registered nurses. References: Author links open overlay panelFranklin A. Shaffer EdD, & AbstractThe global demand for nurses was both proven and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With global migration on the rise. (2022, February 17). International nurse recruitment beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Considerations for the nursing workforce leader. Nurse Leader. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1541461221002706?casa_token=NtumVomJv58AAAAA%3AkbKlksbtHa38iHWmJykpmh-m0qYIbLaMp8Vv6r_SKUjhZGRXFxJUXYn0tSoGcIznSBETu3tDBU4 Wiley Online Library | Scientific Research Articles, journals, ... (n.d.). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jonm.12276

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A hiatal hernia is described as a protrusion of abdominal contents through the esophageal hiatus and into the posterior mediastinum. While hiatal hernias involving the stomach are relatively common, transhiatal herniation of other abdominal organs is more unusual, and herniation of retroperitoneal organs such as the pancreas is relatively rare with only twenty-nine cases reported in the literature. Herniation of the pancreas may occur without symptoms for some patients, however, in many it is associated with kinking of the biliary and pancreatic ductal system. This manifests as obstructive symptoms such as jaundice from bile stasis within the common bile duct when the pancreatic head is herniated into the mediastinum, or as acute pancreatitis from pancreatic duct outflow obstruction when any portion of the pancreas is involved in the hernia. Management of large paraesophageal hiatal hernias can be particularly challenging in patients with prior abdominal surgery, and may become more complex in the future with the increasing popularity of foregut weight-loss surgery. Bariatric surgeries are not only some of the fastest-growing elective general surgical procedures, but also due to the widespread predominance of metabolic syndromes have reached only one percent of eligible individuals in the United States. We present the unusual case of a large type four paraesophageal hiatal hernia containing retroperitoneal fat and pancreatic body in a 60-year-old female with an extensive past bariatric and surgical history including gastric band placement and removal, sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, removal of gastric pouch and conversion to esophagojejunostomy due to recalcitrant ulcer disease, and open hiatal hernia repair with biologic mesh. The patient presented initially after an episode of acute pancreatitis without obvious etiology at which time the body of her pancreas was noted on imaging to have herniated into her posterior mediastinum. She was ultimately managed with laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and hybrid mesh placement, which she has tolerated without major complications to date. Surgical planning, pitfalls, and post-operative management are discussed.

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Camp Burnt Gin is an overnight summer camp for kids, teens, and young adults with chronic illnesses and physical disabilities located in Sumter, South Carolina. The mission of this camp is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing a traditional camp experience focused on fostering community, independence, and improving self-esteem. At camp, we created a fun and safe environment for our campers to flourish and be themselves. In the summers of 2023 and 2024, I served as an Activity Specialist for science and nature. In this role, I planned and implemented accessible, engaging lessons. I also became my campers primary caretaker, leader, and friend for a week. I learned so much about myself, developed the skills necessary to become an Occupational Therapist, and most importantly, shifted my perspective and redefined my idea of what a disability is. Camp Burnt Gin became my second home and I carry the values, memories, and relationships built with me everyday.

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Background/Significance: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition requiring early detection and treatment. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an inflammatory biomarker with high specificity for bacterial infections that has emerged as a reliable tool to guide antibiotic initiation, de-escalation, and discontinuation. PCT-based protocols help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, hospital length of stay, and antimicrobial resistance risks, making it essential for antimicrobial stewardship. However, variability in protocols, provider adherence, and knowledge gaps challenge implementation. Purpose/Objectives: This study evaluates the impact of PCT-guided antibiotic therapy on antibiotic initiation, de-escalation, and discontinuation in septic patients. Additionally, it examines the role of nurses in implementing PCT-based protocols in critically ill patients. Methods: Relevant literature from the past ten years was identified from PubMed using the following keywords: “procalcitonin-guided therapy,” “PCT,” “antibiotic management,” “antimicrobial stewardship,” and “sepsis.” Following further screening for relevance, 37 articles were chosen for inclusion. Results/Conclusion Preliminary results from the included articles show that PCT-guided therapy reduced the duration of antibiotics and LOS patients with sepsis without impacting mortality rates (Papp, et. al, 2023). However, the nurse’s role in PCT-guided therapy is poorly defined which could contribute to variability in adherence. The majority of studies indicate the need for further research on how to optimize PCT use.

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he proliferation of AI-based image generation techniques, coupled with their increasing accessibility, has raised signif- icant concerns about the potential misuse of these images for spreading misinformation. We argue that a comprehensive reevaluation of these methods is necessary. To address this gap, we introduce the Visual Counter Turing Test (VCT2), a benchmark comprising approximately 130K images generated by state-of-the-art text-to-image models (Stable Diffusion 2.1, Stable Diffusion XL, Stable Diffusion 3, DALL-E 3, and Midjourney 6). VCT2 includes two sets of prompts sourced from New York Times Twitter posts and MS COCO dataset captions. We evaluate the performance of the aforementioned AGID techniques on the VCT2 benchmark, highlighting their ineffectiveness in detecting AI-generated images. As generative AI models continue to advance, the need for a quantifiable framework to evaluate them becomes ∗These authors contributed equally to this work. increasingly critical. To address this gap, we introduce the Visual AI Index (VAI ), which assesses generated images from various visual perspectives, including texture complex- ity and object coherence, setting a new standard for evaluat- ing image-generative AI models.

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Since the beginning of my college career, studying abroad was always a goal of mine. Traveling has been a vital part of my life, and a significant portion of my personal development can be attributed to my opportunities to adapt to diverse cultures through valuable experiences. I chose to study abroad through the Institute for American Universities compared to other programs. This program offered more immersive experiences that I believed could assist me in both personal and professional development. Studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain was a 4-month growing experience that allowed me to adopt new approaches to a healthy lifestyle, develop an understanding of cultural differences in business practices, and gain more appreciation for rich cultural norms. Through exploration of ten different countries, various cities, and learning from a new perspective I developed skills that have made me a strong-minded individual. I continue to carry these experiences, and they will allow me to have a strong influence on others in my personal life as well as be a successful leader in the workplace.

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Ever since I was little a girl I’ve always been interested in learning about different countries and travelling around the world. Which led me to major as international studies major so I can be a diplomat and focused on crime, culture, peace, and business. Therefore coming to the university of south Carolina I decided to study abroad in Sevilla because they offer me classes on the international level for example they had international trade, international marketing and they also have ones like EU migration and my favorite flamenco. But they also had other good ones. I believe that to be a good global leader and work on diplomacy one must immerse themselves into other countries, cultures, and international relations. In Sevilla I did that. I immerse myself into their culture by taking flamenco classes and staying with a host family and took classes like EU migration to learn abi0ut their current issues and also took classes about the economy because I want to be able to have different perspectives. Coming back from Spain I know that I am much better prepared.

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BACKGROUND: Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to the ability to understand that others possess unique thoughts and beliefs. Researchers have explored ToM’s relationship to various neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia often experience impairments in social interactions due to compromised ToM, causing misinterpretation of intentions, contributing to some of the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Most researchers have identified a significant relationship between social cognition deficits and schizophrenia. However, research on this relationship in youth is limited. OBJECTIVE: To summarize existing literature on the relationship between ToM and psychosis in children and adolescents. METHODS: The review included articles published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2024, identified using the PubMed search query: ("theory of mind") AND (psychosis OR hallucinations) AND (youth OR adolescents OR children). Of 164 articles identified, 22 met inclusion criteria, including meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, review articles, and systematic reviews. Exclusion criteria included studies on adults or conditions unrelated to psychosis. After full-text review, five studies were included, with one additional study found via citation searching, totaling six articles. RESULTS: Most studies found an association between ToM impairment and youth at-risk of psychosis or presenting with psychotic symptoms. Improvement in mentalizing abilities could help reduce the risk of delusion formation in children showing early signs of psychosis. However, one case-control study did not support ToM as a vulnerability factor, finding no association between ToM deficits in early adolescence and later psychotic experiences. CONCLUSION: If ToM impairment is associated with future development of psychosis, early identification and intervention in youth can help reduce the disease burden. Future research should investigate other aspects of social cognition, such as emotion recognition, which may precede ToM deficits and better predict psychosis.  This could explain the contradictory evidence of the role of ToM in psychosis. A decline in social functioning in psychotic disorders affects communication and problem-solving skills, impacting vocational outcomes and quality of life. Therapies, such as Mentalization-based Therapy and Integrated Neurocognitive Therapy, show promise in enhancing social cognition in psychosis. Pharmacological treatments, including intranasal oxytocin and vasopressin, may also improve social cognition, thought further research is needed.

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Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, undergo morphological changes in response to inflammation, shifting from a surveillant state to an activated phenotype. Orexin/hypocretin, a neuropeptide expressed in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), has been implicated in neuroimmune modulation, but its role in microglial morphology remains unclear. Orexin neurons project heavily to the basal forebrain(BF), a region where neuroinflammation drives dysfunction in age-related cognitive decline. This study investigated the effects of orexin modulation on microglial morphology in the BF of young and aged rats using Sholl analysis of Iba-1-labeled microglia. Young rats received lentiviral preproorexin antisense In the LH to decrease orexin expression and mimic age-related orexin decline, and aged rats received lentiviral preproorexin sense to increase orexin expression. After 3 weeks, rats received a system injection of an inflammatory stimulus (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) followed 6 hours later by euthanasia. Following labeling of microglia using an Iba-1 antibody, basal forebrain microglia were 3D reconstructed and Sholl analysis was conducted to investigate morphological changes. We hypothesized that orexin modulation would disrupt microglial complexity in the basal forebrain. In young control rats, there was a trend for LPS to reduce microglial complexity. Orexin downregulation in young rats led to a significant reduction in microglial intersections/radius compared to control saline, suggesting an activated microglial phenotype. Interestingly, following orexin downregulation, LPS had no additional effect on microglial morphology, indicating an impaired neuroimmune response. Sex differences were observed, with young females displaying reduced dendritic complexity compared to males, suggesting a heightened basal inflammatory state. In aged rats, microglia exhibited a primed phenotype, showing significantly reduced complexity compared to young rats. Notably, neither orexin downregulation nor LPS altered microglial morphology in aged rats, indicating a loss of microglial plasticity and immune responsiveness with age. These findings suggest that orexin signaling plays a crucial role in maintaining microglial adaptability and that its loss contributes to age-related neuroimmune dysfunction. The inability of aged microglia to further respond to immune challenges highlights potential limitations in immune adaptability with aging. Future studies will examine cytokine profiles and orexin receptor expression to further elucidate these mechanisms.

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The rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) is critical for encoding and appropriately responding to aversive environmental stimuli, and in turn the RMTg sends dense inhibitory axonal projections to midbrain dopamine neurons. It is well known that dopamine has key roles in mediating voluntary movement and associative learning, and stimulation of the RMTg has been shown to robustly inhibit dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). While VTA dopamine neurons project widely across the brain, it is unclear how the RMTg modulates activity in downstream regions that receive input from the VTA, particularly forebrain regions known to mediate reward seeking and decision-making. To test this, we used optogenetics to stimulate RMTg axon terminals in the VTA and then performed immunofluorescence staining on postmortem tissue for cFos, a marker of neuronal activation. Preliminary data show that activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) was significantly increased after optogenetic stimulation. Upon further analysis of subregions within these nuclei, we found that activation was significantly increased in both the NAc core and shell subregions, while PFC activity was primarily driven by the prelimbic region, as activity in the infralimbic region was not significantly altered by RMTg-VTA stimulation. These findings reveal the prelimbic PFC and NAc, regardless of subregion, are likely integrators of the effects of RMTg influences on VTA dopamine, and future studies are necessary to uncover the roles these divergent pathways play in cognition and behavior.

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During my four years as a student at the University of South Carolina, I have been a member of the Air Force ROTC program. This program has created the foundation for my future service as a Force Support Officer in the United States Air Force. More than just a career, this program has provided me with a newfound understanding of leadership, a community of individuals with a passion and dedication to serving our Nation, and a strong sense of confidence that I can achieve my most challenging goals through hard-work, a resilient mindset, and discipline in my actions. Through tailored academic courses focusing on both tactical and strategic leadership and first-hand beyond the classroom experience during weekly training sessions and leadership laboratories, Air Force ROTC provided me with a unique opportunity to establish and facilitate my own leadership style. Through the help of inspiring instructors and personal mentors, I have been able to identify my own set of core values and unique strengths that have formulated my perspective as a leader. However, this did not come easily. As one of the few females in a male-dominated program, I had the unexpected challenge of not always feeling as “capable” or “strong” as my male counter-parts. In the early years of my time in the ROTC Program, I had an underlying feeling of needing to prove myself as a leader, often conforming to different leadership styles that did not always align with my personal values or strengths. Fortunately, I had inspiring female military leaders and mentors who have shown me how femininity can be a strength and have instilled the idea that the best leaders are those who have the integrity to stay true to themselves and their values. Through their positive example, I was empowered to find my voice as a leader and truly grasp my individual strengths. As I approach my future career leading airmen in the United States Air Force, it is my goal to instill these same ideas in the young women I lead and work to empower them and myself from the inside out.

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Background: Throughout nursing school, we have often heard that a nurse will always have a job. However, today’s healthcare organizations are experiencing extreme pressures to hire and retain nurses willing to face considerable workplace stress. The nursing shortage directly affects work-life balance and job performance, which impacts the quality of patient care. Burnout for new graduate nurses is also high(Dwyer et. al., 2019), contributing to turnover rates and job dissatisfaction. Effective nursing leadership plays a critical role in shaping the work environment, reducing burnout, and job satisfaction. Servant leadership styles have been associated with improved nurse retention, better patient outcomes, and a positive workplace culture. Understanding the role of nursing leadership in lessening burnout and enhancing job satisfaction is essential for addressing current workforce challenges and ensuring high-quality patient care. Purpose: The study examines how nursing leadership influences job satisfaction, burnout, and patient outcomes by analyzing relevant literature. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was done using Google Scholar, the University of South Carolina Library, and PubMed databases. Search terms included “nursing leadership,” “leadership and nurse burnout,” “nurse leadership and patient outcomes,” and “nurse burnout”. Search stayed within the years 2019-1025. Three articles were selected for analysis. Conclusion: Servant leadership decreases burnout and increases job satisfaction. Increased job satisfaction improves performance and lowers turnover. Both direct and indirect nursing leadership styles can improve nursing performance and workplace morale. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of leadership styles on retention and patient care. Understanding leadership’s role is vital to addressing workplace challenges and improving healthcare outcomes.

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Although the United States was built on the contributions of immigrants, modern-day immigration policies are highly exclusive and notoriously slow. In recent years, this has led to an increased focus on researching immigration and the experiences of migrants. However, indigenous Latin American migrants remain largely overlooked in these discussions, deepening the hardships they face. These individuals, while originating from Latin America, often do not speak Spanish, which perpetuates systemic sources of conflict, both in their home countries and during their migration journeys. Languages such as Náhuatl, Maya, Quechua, Guarani, and Aymara—spoken by many indigenous migrants—are often excluded from mainstream translation services and support systems. My research will explore the extent to which indigenous Latin American migrants are more likely to leave their countries of origin, the mistreatment they endure during their journey, and the exclusion they experience in the communities they ultimately reside. While it is already difficult for Spanish-speaking migrants to navigate and integrate into new societies, these challenges are even more pronounced for indigenous Latin American migrants who lack fluency in both Spanish and English. Without access to adequate translators, they are often unable to advocate for themselves or communicate effectively within their communities. In addition, their physical features make them more susceptible to profiling, harassment, and wrongful detention, reinforcing harmful stereotypes about what it means to be “illegal” or a “criminal.”

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Background/Significance Patient -to-nurse ratios significantly impact patient safety, care quality, and nurse well-being. High ratios are linked to negative patient outcomes, increased nurse burnout, and lower job satisfaction. Optimizing staffing models is crucial to improving healthcare systems and ensuring quality care. Purpose/Objectives This evidence review aims to evaluate the impact of patient-to-nurse ratios on patient safety, nurse job satisfaction, and healthcare outcomes. The objectives include assessing the relationship between staffing ratios and patient care, identifying the effects on nurse workload and burnout, and recommending best practices for staffing optimization. Methods (Literature Search Methods) A systematic literature search was conducted using the USC Library database, including PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Keywords such as ‘patient-to-nurse ratios’, ‘nurse staffing’, and ‘patient safety’ were used to identify studies published between 2021 and 2025. Filters for peer-reviewed articles and English-language publications were applied. A total of 30 articles from nursing, medical, and healthcare management journals were reviewed for relevance. Results/Conclusion Preliminary findings suggest lower patient-to-nurse ratios improve patient safety, nurse job satisfaction, and reduce burnout. Optimal staffing is critical for quality care and nurse retention. Policy revisions are needed to enforce regulated staffing models. Further research is required to refine staffing guidelines.

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Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, is used off-label in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This medication is associated with a myriad of adverse effects including gastrointestinal adverse effects, dizziness, rash, headaches and rarely hyperpigmentation of the skin, gingiva, teeth, bones, eyes, thyroid gland and other organs. The incidence of this rare adverse effect depends on the total cumulative dose exposure. We present a case of an 80-year-old male patient with a history of insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis, who developed symptoms of minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation while on a regimen of Minocycline HCL (100 mg capsule BID on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for RA diagnosed in 1998. The patient initially presented in December 2021 for a diabetic eye exam, where he was found to have mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) bilaterally and bilateral scleral thinning. No significant changes were noted regarding the minocycline regimen at that time, with plans to control his diabetes and closely monitor his scleral thinning. However, in July 2023, during a follow-up visit to the ophthalmology clinic, the patient reported blurred vision, decreased vision, and floaters. Examination revealed mild NPDR, scattered peripheral dot-blot hemorrhages and significant scleral hyperpigmentation bilaterally. Minocycline is known to cause pigmentation disorders, particularly in areas of chronic inflammation, and is more common in diabetics. In this patient, who had significant scleral thinning from RA and underlying diabetes, the development of minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation was not unexpected. Therefore, minocycline should be used cautiously in individuals with additional risk factors, such as diabetes and older age. This case underscores the importance of recognizing potential adverse effects of long-term minocycline therapy in the management of RA, particularly when patients present with ocular changes or hyperpigmentation. Close monitoring and early intervention are essential for managing these side effects in vulnerable populations.

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As a STEM Ambassador, I had the opportunity to engage with elementary and middle school students, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). My role involved leading outreach programs designed to inspire interest in STEM disciplines through interactive lessons and hands-on activities. Working alongside teachers at local schools, I developed and presented educational sessions that were both engaging and informative. As a Biomedical Engineering student, I leveraged my background to relate STEM concepts to real-world applications, aiming to inspire the next generation of innovators. This experience not only enhanced my communication and teaching skills but also deepened my commitment to community engagement. My motivation for becoming a STEM Ambassador stems from a deep belief in the power of education to change lives. I am passionate about inspiring young minds, especially those from disadvantaged communities, to pursue STEM careers. By offering hands-on learning opportunities, I aim to bridge the gap in access to educational resources, helping students realize their full potential. My hope is to create pathways that allow them to succeed and thrive in the world of STEM. This experience has taught me that the right support in education can truly transform a child's future. Although I may not reach every student, it’s rewarding to witness the spark in those I connect with. Seeing their curiosity ignite has reinforced my passion to continue sharing my knowledge and inspiring the next generation, one student at a time.

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The QSMP, a private server created by the Mexican, bilingual YouTuber Quackity, was built on the base game Minecraft with added modifications to expand access for those of different linguistic backgrounds to work together to complete missions. Created in 2023, Quackity brought together other content creators from English, French, Portuguese and Spanish communities to play and solve challenges in this digital space to create content and to test his modifications. In the summer of 2024, we began to research this phenomenon to better describe the process of multilingual play and to understand its potential applicability to other spaces. While this was our original intention, we discovered it was difficult to fully develop a working model to describe this application. Therefore, we began to look into differing ideas about how linguistic differences could be overcome in digital and real-world spaces. Katie analyzed articles and videos through a linguistic and 2nd language acquisition lens, emphasizing the importance of language and cultural learning. Bryson explored the use of music in videogames to communicate general ideas or themes relevant to the corresponding characters, events, and locations. In addition, Bryson examined the use of pings, chevrons, and other symbology in competitive shooter games; and he looked at how non-verbal communication does not always suffice and where language is a must for communication. Through our study, we concluded that describing and applying the content creation happening on the QSMP server was more difficult than we had originally thought because of various factors including language breakdown when the modification did not work, issues related to translation within the modification, and the desire/career orientation that the content-creators had in playing the game. Areas that were explored were digital 3rd spaces, areas in which cultural background were not necessarily relevant, the need for a mutual interest in communication, and the need for some understanding of language and culture to fully bridge linguistic gaps.

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Throughout my studies, I’ve gained valuable insights into how the criminal justice system addresses sexual violence, but it wasn’t until I participated in the Trauma-Informed Investigative Response to Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence training that I truly began to understand how essential it is to approach these cases with empathy and sensitivity. Offered by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, this training highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of trauma on survivors and how this affects their involvement in the legal process. This experience also helped me connect my academic learning, including theories like functionalism, to real-world issues. Functionalism shows how societal norms and power structures contribute to sexual violence, influencing attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate harm. By understanding how these societal factors play out on campus, I believe I can help develop strategies to address and potentially lower the rates of sexual assault at USC. By applying trauma-informed approaches and the principles of functionalism, my goal is to create a safer and more supportive environment on campus. This includes not only responding to incidents of sexual assault with care and understanding but also addressing the underlying societal and cultural factors that contribute to such violence. I am committed to using this knowledge to raise awareness, advocate for systemic changes, and work towards reducing the prevalence of sexual assault on the USC campus.

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Repetitive Behaviors (RBs) are a common symptom of autism spectrum disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to help with RBs in some patients. However, there is conflicting evidence on SSRI’s efficacy in treating RBs, and side effects frequently temper the benefits, highlighting an opportunity for novel therapeutic strategies. SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice exhibit excessive and repetitive grooming even after developing grooming-induced lesions. Treatment with the SSRI fluoxetine has been shown to decrease the excess grooming in these mice, suggesting that these mice provide a validated model to study the physiology of RBs. The muscarinic acetylcholine 4 receptor subtype (M4) is highly expressed in the striatum, a brain region known of action selection. Here, we utilized a combination of hand-scoring and the machine-learning algorithm Motion Sequencing (MoSeq) to test the hypothesis that activation of M4 receptors reduces repetitive grooming in SAPAP3 KO mice at doses that have little effect on other behaviors. We recorded SAPAP3 KO mice and WT littermates every 48 hours for 30 minutes each session. Treatments consisted of receiving an IP injection of vehicle or M4 PAM VU0467154 (VU’154) at dosages previously observed to be associated with behavioral effects (0.1, 0.3, 1, or 3 mg/kg). All videos were then processed with MoSeq and manually scored by trained and blinded observers. MoSeq analysis of SAPAP3 KO behavior showed increased grooming behavior, decreased locomotion and rearing, and increased inactivity in KO animals. In the M4 PAM-treated KO animals, grooming was significantly reduced at 0.3 mg/kg. M4 PAM-mediated reductions in non-grooming, active behaviors were significantly reduced at 3mg/kg, suggesting different mechanisms of action for M4-mediated reductions in grooming vs locomotion and other behaviors. Collectively, these studies provide key insights into the ability of M4 receptors to modulate repetitive grooming in SAPAP 3 KO mice.

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The COVID-19 pandemic put a burden on the healthcare system and affected many aspects, like antibiotic prescribing. Antibiotic prescribing is one aspect that should be subject to scrutiny, especially within the older population who have an increased risk of infection and higher rates of antibiotic use compared to the general population. This study aims to analyze antibiotic prescribing trends within Medicare Part D beneficiaries by provider specialty and drug class from 2013-2022. The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study in which Medicare Part D Public Use Files (PUFs) are used and analyzed, provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). These PUFs contain prescriber information based on region, drug, and specialty from 2013-2022. The data set was analyzed by SAS and R which were used to process and visualize variables like provider specialty percentage and frequency of antibiotic drug and class. These variables were represented in figures to highlight overall trends. The antibiotic claims per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries stayed consistently above 1,000, decreasing slightly until 2020 when it dropped to 850 and stayed consistent, increasing to 930 during 2022. The most frequently used antibiotic classes were penicillins, cephalosporins, and macrolides. Among specialties, dentistry (20%), nurse practitioner (15%), family practice (12%), internal medicine (11%), and physician’s assistant (10%) form the top 68% of prescribers. Mid-level practitioners (nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants) have had an increasing prevalence among prescribers and are the top prescribers since 2018, previously being dentistry. The continual decrease in claims per beneficiary from 2013-2019 might indicate stronger adherence to prescribing guidelines, however, decreased claims during the years 2020 and 2021 indicate a significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, likely from reduced visits to health care systems, greater attention to sanitary efforts, and drug shortages. Antibiotic class data, before and during the pandemic, shows which drugs have been overprescribed in response to infectious disease concerns. Providers also have a key role in preventing the overprescription of antibiotics, especially among the older generations. This study will help inform future research on the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide insight for future prescribing guidelines among Medicare beneficiaries.

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Introduction: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of malignant brain cancer which accounts for approximately 14.2% of all brain tumors. Current therapy options for glioblastoma include surgery/resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, even with these treatment options, the prognosis remains poor with an estimated survival time of 15 months. MicroRNAs (miR) are small, non-coding RNA segments that regulate gene expression via binding to untranslated regions of messenger RNA and are dysregulated in different cancers. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are released from cells and are involved in intercellular communication and can be excellent delivery vehicles for miR. The advantages of stem cell-derived exosomes as a delivery system include evading the immune system and targeting specific cells. Our studies evaluate the potential of miR-124 and miR-7 loaded into stem cell-derived exosomes as a combinatorial approach to target GBM. Methods: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were transfected with a liposomal transfection reagent, jetOPTIMUS®, to deliver miR-124 and miR-7 plasmids into the cells. The transfected ADSCs were then cultured in exosome depleted FBS containing medium for 48 hours to allow for the expression of the miRNAs. Total Exosome Isolation Reagent was used to isolate exosomes from the culture medium. Exosome characterization was completed using PCR techniques to confirm the presence of miR-124 and miR-7. These exosomes were then used to treat patient-derived glioblastoma cells and murine glioblastoma cells in vitro. Cell viability was measured using a cell proliferation assay and the effect of exosomes on the targeted pathways (EGFR and apoptosis) were also analyzed using a western blot. Results: The combination of miR-124 and miR-7 in stem cell-derived exosomes further enhanced their therapeutic potential by targeting multiple pathways involved in GBM growth and progression. Our data indicates that delivery of miR-124 and miR-7 using these exosomes in vitro in patient-derived GBM cells and murine GBM cells resulted in cell proliferation inhibition by modulating the EGFR signaling and apoptotic pathways. Conclusion: Our research supports that stem cell-derived exosomes loaded with miR-124 and miR-7 may be a promising approach for treating glioblastoma, overcoming current obstacles and limitations to traditional treatments.

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As our population is aging, many of our normal physiological functions tend to decline and we often need medications to sustain longevity. This is the same for HIV patients too, as many of them are living past their initial diagnosis of HIV, they are subject to taking multiple medications for physiological functions on top of the several medications for managing HIV. With so many medications to take, these patients are subject to numerous adverse drug events including drug-drug interactions. This study aims to identify adverse drug events (ADEs) among people with HIV (PWH) with polypharmacy and the combinations of drugs (including prescribed, over the counter, alternative medications, and substances) that cause the adverse drug events. A literature review of PubMed and Embase was conducted in June 2024 with search terms describing HIV, polypharmacy, and adverse drug events combined for the search. Duplicate and non-English records, as well as irrelevant records (i.e., records that did not fit the scope of the study), were removed and remaining records underwent full text review. 35 were included in study. Across the records included, ADEs that had the highest prevalence were: Decreased drug metabolism, Increased drug excretion, Increased frailty, Delirium, and Depression. The majority of the studies (n=31) identified a non-ARV (anti-retroviral) as the causative agent for the ADE, while 12 studies stated an anti-retroviral as the causative agent for the ADE. Given the amount of cases each of these studies have identified, it is suggestive to observe the potential disparities between the ADEs recorded in the electronic health record and what patients actually endure on these multi-drug regimens.

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Let $\mathbb{F}$ be a field of characteristic $0$. Take the polynomial ring $P=\mathbb{F}[x_1,\dots,x_n]$, and let $I=(\ell_{1}^{a},\dots,\ell_{n+1}^{a})$ be an ideal generated by general linear forms raised to a uniform power $a$. It was conjectured in 2011 that the algebra $R:=P/I$ does not enjoy the \textit{Weak Lefschetz Property (WLP)} if the number of variables $n$ is sufficiently large. Following incremental progress on this conjecture, a 2023 result of Boij \& Lundqvist completely classified when the WLP holds for such algebras in terms of $n$ and $a$. We say that WLP \textit{fails in degree $d$} if the map $\times L:R_{d-1}\rightarrow R_{d}$ does not have maximal rank for a general linear form $L$. The results of Boij \& Lundqvist (along with earlier partial classifications) show failure of surjectivity in a certain degree, but this requires $\dim_{\mathbb{F}}(R_{d-1})\geq\dim_{\mathbb{F}}(R_{d})$. A clear necessary condition for WLP to hold in any algebra is that the Hilbert function of that algebra be unimodal, so failure of surjectivity may not detect the earliest degree where WLP fails. Of course, unimodality means that examining WLP in earlier degrees requires checking injectivity of multiplication by a general linear form, and that is the central theme of this talk. For $R=P/I$ as above, we show that multiplication by a general linear form is injective at a fixed degree $d$ provided $n$ is sufficiently large in comparison. This is joint work with Pankaj Singh and Adela Vraciu.

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In May 2023, I traveled abroad through the Darla Moore School of Business at USC. My classmates and I traveled to Belgium and France, studying business opportunities in the European market. We explored various local and international companies and political institutions, including Microsoft, UPS, the European Parliament, the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as participated in various cultural activities. Studying abroad gave me the chance to see how business works outside of the U.S. and experience different cultures firsthand. I learned about key differences in regulations, sustainability efforts, and consumer behavior compared to the U.S. One of the biggest takeaways was seeing how companies adapt to globalization and change customer expectations. Talking with professionals and seeing businesses in action helped me connect what I've learned in class to the real world. The impact of my experience extends beyond academics, influencing my perspective on international business and the importance of cultural awareness. It also made me more confident in pursuing opportunities that go beyond what I originally thought possible. Studying abroad challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, and it’s something that will shape how I approach my career moving forward.

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Parkinson’s disease (PD) represents a devastating neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive loss of dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons within the substantia nigra, a movement control center among the midbrain. This degeneration of dopaminergic neurons leads to dopamine deficiency, which results in a cascade of debilitating motor impairments, including tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. In addition to motor symptoms, individuals with PD experience non-motor symptoms, such as cognitive decline, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders, ultimately culminating in a state of complete debilitation. As an age-related disease, the prevalence of PD has steadily increased, underscoring an urgent need for effective therapeutic interventions. Consequently, research efforts have intensified to identify novel treatments capable of slowing or preventing the progression of PD. Currently, an intriguing area of investigation is the role of gut microbiota disturbances in the pathogenesis of PD. Studies have revealed that an imbalance in the gut microbiota, commonly referred to as gut dysbiosis, contributes to the primary etiological factors associated with PD. This emerging understanding has prompted a shift in PD treatment, expanding beyond traditional synthetic pharmaceutical compounds to explore the therapeutic potential of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, specifically flavonoids. Flavonoids, renowned for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, have the capacity to ameliorate gut dysbiosis and promote a state of homeostasis. Given their long history as medicinal agents, flavonoids are now being investigated as promising therapeutic candidates for attenuating various pathological states observed in PD, both through direct and indirect mechanisms. We have delved into finding the potential therapeutic applications of three specific flavonoids, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), quercetin, and kaempferol in PD. Through review of current literature, we have found intricate mechanisms through which these powerful flavonoids are able to prevent gut dysbiosis, mitigate neuroinflammation, and modulate other molecular pathways implicated in PD pathogenesis and progression. However, there are challenges associated with their real-world application, including bioavailability and potential drug interactions. Strategies to overcome these obstacles are crucial for translating these promising flavonoids into effective therapies. We recently reported the potentials of EGCG, quercetin, and kaempferol in preventing gut dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration in PD (Brain Sciences, 2025, 15:1440).

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Tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway and enhanced kynurenic acid (KYNA) occurs from prenatal insults linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). KYNA antagonizes 7nACh and NMDA receptors, is elevated in the brain of patients with NDDs, and is postulated to impact sleep and arousal. Rats exposed to elevated embryonic KYNA express sex-specific sleep and behavioral disturbances during young adulthood. We sought to elucidate the postnatal developmental time course of sleep dysfunction in these offspring to understand how this prenatal exposure may contribute to sleep endophenotypes. To model elevated embryonic KYNA that occurs from prenatal insults, we employed the embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) paradigm, wherein pregnant Wistar rat dams are fed a control diet (ECon) or a diet laced with kynurenine (100 mg/day), the direct KYNA bio-precursor from embryonic day (ED) 15 to ED 22. We assessed sleep-wake patterns of EKyn and ECon offspring across development (N=4 per group), as poor adolescent sleep often precedes and contributes to adult behavioral disturbances by recording 24-h of uninterrupted basal sleep weekly from postnatal day (PD) 28 to PD 56. Since brain KYNA levels are not basally elevated until adulthood (PD 56) in EKyn offspring, we followed each baseline sleep recording day with an acute sleep deprivation (SleepDep) challenge and studied sleep recovery. We also evaluated the biochemical SleepDep response (cytokines and kynurenine pathway metabolism) in separate animals (N=5-11 per group). In young adulthood (PD 56), EKyn offspring exhibit reduced REM sleep in the light phase (P<0.05). At this age, EKyn offspring struggled to consolidate wake and NREM sleep in the dark phase (PD 56; P<0.05). EKyn offspring had impairments in sleep recovery in adolescence (PD 42) and young adulthood (PD 56). Biochemically, in pre-pubertal (PD 28) offspring, SleepDep significantly increased plasma kynurenine (P<0.05) and cytokines (IL-10 and IL-18) in EKyn females (P<0.01) compared to controls but no significant differences were found in males. Our findings report, for the first time, developmental changes to sleep patterns in offspring exposed to elevated KYNA in utero. Future studies will assess novel pharmacological tools to reduce KYNA across neurodevelopment and improve sleep.

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Currently, the USPSTF recommends one-time Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening for any male patient aged 65-75 who has ever smoked. Ultrasound is preferred over CT or other imaging modalities due to cost and accessibility. Primary care physician-performed ultrasound examinations have been shown to effectively screen for AAA while reducing referral barriers to care. With this project, we aim to increase AAA screening among the Prisma Health Family Medicine Clinic patient population. EMR-generated patient reports identified patients aged 65-75 who smoked and are overdue for AAA screening. The primary outcome measure is the total number of patients screened at our center in order to reduce the risk of AAA rupture and associated morbidity and mortality. Patients were contacted via electronic messaging, phone calls, and/or letters. Trained project personnel provided information about the project, explained the purpose and procedures, and invited patients to call the clinic to schedule an appointment. Participants who agreed to participate in the project underwent AAA screening using ultrasound imaging at the Family Medicine Center. The original selection criteria generated a list of 98 patients with an open care gap indicating a need for AAA screening with 71 eligible patients after exclusions were applied. Of the total eligible patients (N=71), 19 were screened (26.76%) within the project window. Of those who were successfully scheduled, 82.61% were ultimately screened. And of the 19 screened patients, 6 required follow-up imaging, of which 3 were normal and 3 are still pending. Our study showed that targeted outreach proved a useful clinical tool to increase screening rates, though rates were lower than expected. Based on our data, the biggest hurdle for primary care providers to overcome is the initial steps of contact and scheduling given the high rate of screening once scheduled. Potential limitations of our project include small sample size, relatively short project duration, and limited access to patient records. Should this project be replicated, a major improvement may include providing scheduling abilities to the outreach team to streamline the scheduling process.

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This dissertation investigated the impact of public library closure on the Edgewood community in Columbia, South Carolina, an area with a rich history and significant ties to the two nearby historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Benedict College and Allen University. It explores the intergenerational effects of historical trauma through the lens of collective memory, as documented in oral histories from community members and public library staff. The research aims to understand the implications of the library's absence in a marginalized community context, emphasizing how such closures can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Through oral histories, questionnaires, and interviews, the findings reveal that historical experiences of trauma significantly shape the present realities of these communities. This suggests that a more profound comprehension of this trauma is essential for effectively serving them. The analysis shows the importance of trauma-informed library services as a transformative approach that addresses the specific needs of marginalized groups and fosters inclusivity and equity. In conclusion, this research provides crucial insights into the legacy of historical trauma within marginalized communities. It offers actionable recommendations for public libraries seeking to improve outreach, programming, and collection development. By implementing trauma-informed practices, libraries can play a vital role in creating supportive environments that uplift residents of Edgewood and similar communities nationwide, promoting a more equitable future.

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PURPOSE: Research suggests that children’s health behaviors decline during the summer; little is known why. Therefore, understanding children’s activities and whereabouts during the summer may help identify avenues for intervention. This study examines how preschoolers spend their time outside the home during the summer months and the accessibility and affordability of summer childcare programs for parents. METHODS: Participants included parents of preschool children ages 3-5 (n=34; 55.9% female; 50% White; 5.4±0.3 years) in an observational cohort study. Parents self-reported their hours worked, children’s time in summer childcare, and completed daily diaries to report their children’s activities outside the home (e.g., errands with parents, sporting events, birthday parties) during the summer. RESULTS: This time-use analysis consisted of 213 days of parent-reported daily diaries for children’s summer activities, with parents completing an average of 5.0±0.4 daily diaries out of 7 possible days. The majority (86.8%) of waking hours during the summer were spent at home. When children did leave home, they accompanied parents on errands on 15.5% of the days (on days reported avg. 106.7±134.9 min/d), engaged in other activities (e.g., birthday parties, baseball games, doctor appointments) on 11.7% of days (174±128.6 min/d), and visited someone else’s home on 8.5% of days (314±262 min/d). Children were only in summer childcare on 4.7% of the days (508±35.2 min/d). Parents reported not working on 65.7% of the days (n=134) during the summer. On the days parents did report working, they spent an average of 441±142.7 min/d at work. Additionally, 46.9% of parents (n=15) agreed they had options for childcare and 46.9% of parents (n=15) reported that the cost of summer childcare was difficult to afford. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, preschoolers spend most of their time at home and not in external structured environments during the summer. Parents assume significant responsibility and provide essential care for their children. The lack of structured environments and affordable childcare during the summer may pose challenges for many parents. Finding affordable summer programs may help support health-focused interventions in preventing weight gain and obesity risk among preschoolers.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) with symptoms visible as early as infancy or early childhood. ASD is primarily characterized by deficits in restricted and repetitive behaviors, and social communication skills (Denisova & Lin, 2023). Socioeconomic factors may also play a role in the IQ of a child. Common indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) such as household income and parental education show a strong positive correlation with child development (Durkin et al., 2010). While there are studies on the positive correlations between high socioeconomic status and the prevalence of ASD, there are limited studies on how socioeconomic status affects the IQ of children with ASD. This study with 54 children with ASD and 38 neurotypical children aims to investigate whether there are correlations between socioeconomic factors and IQ and whether this relationship is similar or different between the two groups. The specific socioeconomic factors that will be utilized are household income and maternal education. Cognitive ability will be analyzed through the Differential Ability Scales-II (DAS-II), a cognitive test tailored to accommodate developmental delays. The DAS-II measures verbal, nonverbal reasoning, and spatial ability. I hypothesize that children who come from families with a household income of less than $25,000 and a maternal education of less than high school will have lower IQ scores in comparison to children who have a household income higher than $25,000 and a maternal education of higher than high school. Children with ASD will generally have lower IQs than typically developing children while controlling for socioeconomic factors. Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic factors and IQ could help improve accessibility and reduce costs of ASD intervention techniques, ensuring that SES does not limit a child’s development.

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Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by three symptom clusters: positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. The dopamine (DA) hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that hyperactivity in DA neurotransmission, particularly in the dorsal striatum, underly many of these symptoms. Given this, until recently, every antipsychotic medication on the market targeted dopamine D2 receptors. However, D2 antagonists are fraught with side effects and target primarily positive symptoms, doing little for, or even exacerbating other symptoms, thus highlighting a dire need for novel therapeutic strategies. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have been increasingly studied for their antipsychotic potential. Recently, the first muscarinic-targeting therapy was approved for treatment of schizophrenia. However, aside from determining that muscarinic M4 receptors largely mediate antipsychotic efficacy, the mechanisms whereby these drugs modulate schizophrenia-relevant circuitry in vivo remain unclear. Given the hyperdopaminergic state of the dorsal striatum in schizophrenia, and the high concentration of M4 receptors there, we set out to monitor striatal neurotransmitter release in the presence of the M4 positive allosteric modulator VU0467154 (VU’154). We utilized fiber photometry and fluorescent sensor proteins for DA and acetylcholine (ACh) to study neurotransmission with high temporal resolution in awake-behaving mice. Treatment with VU’154 induced a dose-dependent reduction in spontaneous ACh release event amplitudes with little effect on event frequency. However, we observed no VU’154-mediated effect on optogenetically-evoked ACh release, indicating that M4 receptors alter cholinergic interneuron excitability rather than release probability. Surprisingly, we observed no significant M4 PAM-induced effects on spontaneous DA release, nor on optogenetically-induced DA release. Given these results, and the fact that previous M4 PAM studies were performed under hyperdopaminergic conditions, we hypothesize that M4-mediated regulation of DA in vivo may be homeostatic, inhibiting DA further as DA levels increase. To investigate this, ongoing studies are utilizing a stimulant-induced excess of DA, assessing the ability of VU’154 to alter DA levels when co-administered with amphetamine. Through these studies, we will rigorously assess the physiological effects of M4 receptor activation on schizophrenia-relevant brain circuits in vivo, thus providing a better understanding of this novel class of pharmacotherapeutics to help determine the mechanisms whereby muscarinic receptors mediate antipsychotic-like efficacy.

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Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is the most common subtype, accounting for approximately 70% of all breast cancer cases. While endocrine therapies have significantly improved outcomes, resistance to treatment remains a major challenge, driving the need for additional targeted therapies. Despite the effectiveness of CDK4/6 inhibitors like Palbociclib (Ibrance®), resistance remains a major obstacle. Approved by the FDA in February 2015 for ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, Palbociclib targets the CDK4/6-Cyclin D complex, which normally phosphorylates and inactivates the Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. This inactivation releases the transcription factor E2F, driving cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase and fueling uncontrolled cancer growth. By inhibiting CDK4/6, Palbociclib aims to arrest cells in G1, theoretically leading to cell death. However, our lab and others have found that cancer cells can rapidly adapt, limiting the long-term efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibition. To combat Palbociclib resistance, Dr. Broude’s lab is testing the combination of Palbociclib with the CDK8/19 inhibitor SNX631-6. CDK8/19, together with Cyclin C, form the kinase module of the Mediator complex. This complex orchestrates RNA Pol II-driven transcriptional changes in response to new stimuli, including the transcriptional reprogramming events associated with adaptation to anticancer drugs like Palbociclib. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that treating MCF-7 ER-positive breast cancer cells with a combination of Palbociclib and SNX631-6 suppressed tumor growth compared to either drug alone. The precise mechanism of action for this synergistic combination is currently being investigated. This project investigates the mechanism by which SNX631-6 prevents Palbociclib resistance. To uncover its effects, we analyzed excised MCF-7 tumors from our most recent in vivo study using RNA sequencing and Western blotting. These analyses identified key gene and protein expression patterns associated with resistance prevention. Notably, SNX631-6 appears to prevent Palbociclib-induced overexpression of CDK6 while modulating the Interferon-alpha and -gamma pathways, which are activated in Palbociclib-treated tumors. These findings suggest key mechanisms through which SNX631-6 enhances the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibition.

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Glioblastoma (GBM), a cancer of the glial cells in the brain, is an incredibly aggressive form of cancer with a median survival rate of fifteen to eighteen months from diagnosis. Most pre-clinical models use traditional, two-dimensional, monolayer cell cultures. However, these monolayer cultures lack the appropriate characteristics to mimic tissues. Organoids are three-dimensional cell cultures which help replicate the structural interconnectedness of real tissues. Unlike monolayer cell cultures, organoids contain an extracellular matrix. This preserves tissue architecture and phenotype; therefore, organoids offer an added advantage over monolayer cultures which often undergoes genetic drift from long-term passaging and notably lack the complex cell-to-cell interactions necessary to model progressive disease states. Organoids are used in various contexts across medical research, including models of various organ systems: such as the brain, liver, and alimentary canal. Organoids derived from patient samples or engineered cell lines can provide a platform for understanding drug responses, mechanisms and tumor biology. Organoids also accelerate high-throughput screening by allowing researchers to rapidly test large libraries of drugs and identify potential therapeutics with characteristics like clinical studies. Therefore, organoids serve as an important pre-clinical model. Generating multiple organoids from a single patient sample can open the possibility for screening multiple potential drug candidates and offer personalized treatment strategies. Our laboratory cultures two organoid variants of LN-229 GBM cell line, one of which has been genetically engineered to express a fluorescent marker. These fluorescent organoids allow us to visualize tumoral growth and therapeutic responses in real time with fluorescent microscopy. In summary, our organoid research offers an innovative path for therapeutics development and high-throughput modeling in glioblastoma research, which bridges the gap between two-dimensional in vitro cultures, and complex in vivo models. The organoids also provide better insight into overcoming therapeutic resistance in glioblastoma patients, as well as personalized medicine. Our research on glioblastoma organoids has potential to test for effective, targeted therapies for GBM.

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AIDS patients develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), believed to result from neuroinflammation. In this study, we examined the effect of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in HIV gp120 transgenic (Tg) mice and the possible role of the microbiome in causing neurogenesis. For this purpose, wild-type (WT) and gp120Tg mice were treated with either vehicle or THC, and brains were examined for neurogenesis. In gp120 Tg mice, THC treatment reduced reactive gliosis by downregulating the synthesis of gp120 and overexpression of gfap. scRNA sequencing of brain-derived cells demonstrated changes in the microglial subsets, and T cells, with gp120Tg mice expressing low levels of CCR5+ cells, which increased following THC treatment. Treatment of gp120Tg mice with THC led to cAMP-dependent increase in PKA expression. The gut microbiome in gp120Tg mice showed microbial dysbiosis with an increase in pro-inflammatory microbiota while THC-treatment reversed gut dysbiosis. When C57BL/6 wt germ-free (B6gf) mice were transplanted with fecal microbiota from gp120Tg mice, they showed neuronal injury by elevating number of CD4+ T cells producing IL-17A and IFN-γ. Our findings demonstrate the critical role of THC in regulating gut microbial dysbiosis and attenuation of neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis in gp120 Tg mice.

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Background: Damage control laparotomy (DCL) has become a critical tool in trauma surgery and its popularity in emergency general surgery is increasing as well. While potentially lifesaving, the long-term repercussions of damage control laparotomy are not well understood. Specifically, the rate of hernia formation after damage control laparotomy is poorly described in the literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate incisional hernia rates after damage control laparotomy. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of 262 patients who underwent damage control laparotomy from 2016 to 2019. Follow-up was conducted either in person or by phone. Only patients with follow-up for at least one year after damage control laparotomy were included in our analysis for hernia formation. The presence of a hernia was determined by documented physical exam or with imaging. Results: 56.3% of patients in this study developed a hernia after damage control laparotomy. In addition to data on hernia rates, we collected data on the core outcomes proposed by Byerly et al. Our results for these outcomes are as follows: fascial closure at index hospitalization, 84.0%; days to fascial closure, average 4.2 days, median 2 days; abdominal complications, 26.7%; enterocutaneous fistula, 6.5%, reoperation after fascial closure 15.5%; secondary intra-abdominal sepsis, 14.5%; in-hospital mortality, 23.7%; 30-day mortality, 24.4%, and functional outcome at 12 months, mean HerQLes score 68.5,median 79.2. Our data on hernia rates highlight the need for further study and development of techniques to reduce hernia formation after DCL. Conclusions: By reporting data on core outcomes, this study not only provides important insight into hernia rates after damage control laparotomy but also provides necessary data for use in future systematic review or meta-analysis on outcomes after damage control laparotomy.

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Economically disadvantaged, racially diverse older adults who live independently face unique health and social challenges that are not well understood. Needs assessments are a strategy used to assess the specific needs of communities or populations to promote more effective resource allocation, including designing tailored services to meet community needs. The purpose of this study was to assess the needs of older adults residing in four senior independent living communities in Charleston, South Carolina, using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Determinants of Health framework to identify the needs of the community from the perspective of those who live and work in the community. As a first step in the needs assessment, older adults from four affordable housing communities participated in semi-structured focus group interviews. Audio recordings of each focus group interview were transcribed. Transcribed data, supplemented by field notes, were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis using the method published by Braun and Clarke. Older adults’ positive perceptions of community attributes included the condition of apartments and the care and concern of employees. The most prominent concern was the cost of housing, as rent prices are raised annually, contributing to financial stress and worry as to how to afford other necessities such as food and utilities. Other areas of need included the lack of transportation, the inconsistency of social programs and services among the communities, and food insecurity. The next steps in this ongoing study are to interview community staff members and to develop a quantitative survey that will be completed by older adults in each community. The WHO framework will be used to structure the reported findings and prioritize the next steps for programs and services to enhance these older adults' health and well-being.

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Over the course of my life, I was raised and fostered on my own a desire to help those in need both within and outside of my community. When Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern US, the devastation was unparalleled. As an officer in the mountaineering and whitewater rafting club, we travel to North Carolina frequently to go camping and hiking, so when we heard about the devastation to a place beloved by us, we knew we needed to help. This first led us to partnering with a nonprofit, Green Democracy, to make a day trip to assist with the distribution of supplies from non-affected areas to areas that had some storm damage. Afterwards, we signed up to spend the day building a kitchen in Asheville. So I led a group of students up to help build this kitchen. As we set up this kitchen in the parking lot of a church, a familiar feeling began to emerge: the job was not done, and people needed my help. So that day, I returned to Columbia with the group and quickly packed a bag, drove back up that night, and proceeded to help plan and coordinate the distribution of around 12,000 meals in the next three days to some of the most hard-hit areas. Following this unexpected extended trip.After this trip I began using connections I had made to plan for another group of students to go to one of the most devastated areas by the hurricane, Pensacola NC. For the rest of the semester, I continued to frequent Pensacola, NC, bringing dozens of students up and completing thousands of hours of community service at a place that almost became a second home, Camp Miller, a relief camp where I was able to assist with activities including restoring access to people's home, helping those who lost almost everything salvage what they could and overall through leading students to do all we can to give people the assistance they deserve. This desire to help resulted in me leading fellow students to help those in their most fantastic time of need.

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Introduction Apraxia of Speech (AOS) is a motor speech disorder affecting speech planning and coordination, commonly co-occurring with aphasia following left hemisphere stroke. While traditionally attributed to cortical damage, the cerebellum's contribution to AOS remains underexplored. This study examined the relationship between regional cerebellar gray matter volume and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke and aphasia (N =142). Methods Participants from the Aphasia Recovery Cohort underwent structural MRI scanning and AOS assessment using the Apraxia of Speech Rating Scale. Cerebellar gray matter volumes were quantified from high-resolution T1-weighted images using Matlab, SPM, the Cat12 toolbox, and SUIT cerebellar atlas, then adjusted for total intracranial volume. Multiple linear regression models and Spearman’s partial correlations examined associations between cerebellar volumes and AOS severity, controlling for lesion volume, time post-stroke, and age. Results Results revealed significant negative correlations between AOS severity and gray matter volume in specific cerebellar regions. Overall, right cerebellar volume demonstrated stronger predictive value (R²=.116, β=-0.258, p<.001) than left cerebellar volume (R²=.080, β=-0.172, p=.031). Within the right cerebellum, lobule V emerged as the strongest predictor, explaining an additional 11.3% of variance in AOS severity beyond other covariates (R²=.167, β=-0.346, p<.001). Right lobule VI (R²=.130, β=-0.290, p<.001) and vermis VIIb (R²=.117, β=-0.262, p<.001) were also significant predictors of AOS severity. Parallel analyses using dysarthria severity showed far weaker associations with cerebellar volume, suggesting the observed relationships were not merely consequences of crossed cerebellar diaschisis following stroke. Discussion These findings provide novel evidence that cerebellar integrity, particularly in right cerebellar regions, plays an important role in speech motor planning following left hemisphere stroke. This enhances our comprehension of the neural bases of AOS, and highlights the potential for cerebellar-targeted interventions in speech rehabilitation and expanding therapeutic approaches beyond traditional neocortical models.

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During the summer of 2024 I had the opportunity to work with various organizations through community service. I spent over 50 hours working with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Augusta, where I was able to positively impact the lives of at-risk youth. The overall goal of the Boys and Girls Club organization is to help young people reach their full potential by providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where kids and teens can learn, have fun, and develop a sense of belonging. As a social work major at USC Salkehatchie, this opportunity provided me with firsthand experience working with youth coming from troubled backgrounds. I had the opportunity to teach the kids lifelong skills, as well as give them peace during some difficult times. I engaged with the children through multiple activities that taught them effective communication skills, self-love, teamwork, and perseverance. Being able to positively influence the next generation gives hope that my job won’t be as necessary in the future. These simple life skills are building blocks to broader skills such as independence, problem solving, building healthy relationships, etc. I also had the opportunity to do community outreach and provide the less fortunate with some of the necessary resources to allow their day-to-day lives to be a little easier. My volunteer work was not specific to one group. I volunteered at a mental health conference, I volunteered with various sports organizations, churches, and schools. Participating in these events not only fulfills my passion for helping others but also gives me a sense of joy knowing that I can serve people in multiple ways- which is more important than a t-shirt.

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Electrifying transportation is an increasingly important initiative among governments and companies seeking alternatives to carbon-intensive vehicles. As the demand for electric vehicles in the automotive industry rises, other sectors, such as aerospace, are also exploring electric applications. However, relying on batteries as the primary power source presents several challenges, including high costs, limited availability of raw materials, and safety concerns. Additionally, inconsistent battery use can lead to varying rates of battery degradation, creating further difficulties. This study aims to understand battery degradation in electric aircraft when subjected to different charging parameters through multi-domain modeling. The long-term goal is to facilitate the commercialization of electric aircraft by making them more economically viable while considering real-world constraints. We developed a multi-domain model in the MATLAB-Simscape environment to simulate different flight profiles and track battery degradation in terms of battery capacity. To analyze battery behavior under various conditions, we examined several flight routes characterized by distinct load profiles with varying charging parameters. The analysis focused on a battery pack composed of Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt cells with a capacity of 260 Ah at 418 V, resulting in a nominal pack capacity of 109 kWh. We evaluated the effects of battery degradation across three flight routes in the southeastern United States under two charging rates: 1.5C and 2C. The results indicate that charging at 1.5C causes significantly less degradation than charging at 2C. Furthermore, starting flights with an initial state of charge of 80% rather than 100% further reduced battery degradation across all flight routes. Variations in flight route length were found to have minimal effect on degradation. By incorporating battery degradation considerations into route planning, this study offers pathways to enhance the sustainability and economic viability of electric aviation. This suggests that careful selection of battery charging parameters can help mitigate some of the current limitations faced by electric aircraft.

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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.

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Since January 2022, I’ve served as an Ambassador for the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, and this year have assumed the role as Head Ambassador. I have the privilege of representing over 3,800 students in engineering and computing fields with a mission to drive innovation and industry collaboration. In this role, I lead daily campus tours, spearhead recruitment initiatives, and engage with prospective students, donors, and business partners. A crucial piece of my role is overseeing the onboarding and training of new ambassadors to ensure they effectively convey MCEC’s vision. I have been able to elevate the MCEC student ambassador program through leading recruiting efforts, resulting in a 36% increase in retention and acquisition. Sharing my USC experience with other students, while encouraging them to pursue careers in engineering and computing, has been instrumental in leaving a legacy here at Carolina. Fueled by my passion for biomedical engineering and encouragement from MCEC mentors, I took on this position to merge my academic interests with meaningful outreach. Through educating prospective students and refining our training programs, I elevate the college’s reputation and provide crucial information about our degree programs. I grow my professional and personal network within the college each day by giving tours. My passion for building relationships and engaging with clients, honed through my pursuit of a consulting career, seamlessly blends the problem-solving aspects of engineering with the client-focused nature of this path. Through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand how effective communication can enhance MCEC’s standing—attracting talent, strengthening industry ties, and fostering donor support—while personally gaining a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration. This concept was explored in both my Anatomy and Physiology (BMEN 345) and Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering (BMEN 303) coursework. These courses enriched my ability to articulate MCEC’s value, as each provided unique opportunities to educate myself on different industries and their intersections with Biomedical Engineering. My efforts have contributed to a stronger, more connected MCEC community, reinforcing my leadership abilities and commitment to its growth, all while highlighting how academic foundations can translate into tangible institutional progress.

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I am one of the few people who can fortunately say I was able to have my junior year spring semester, be filled with the incredible opportunity to study abroad at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Barcelona. Study abroad taught me that by learning to immerse myself in the culture, adapt to scenarios, and learn through living, I can tackle even the most unknown circumstances that may come about. Knowing that this experience would be new was something that I expected. But changing my cultural experience for the better is something I didn’t think I would ever be so thankful for. While in Barcelona, in addition to fully immersing myself in the culture, I took intracultural communication classes, cooking and dancing classes, while also teaching the English language to third graders. These opportunities grew my academic experience and gave me a deeper understanding to the culture that I was now a part of. During these four months I was able to travel to nearly 13 different cities and learn how everyone was so different, yet so similar. By seeing the stunning landscape of Interlaken, to the amazing architecture in Budapest, there was room to grow and learn in every city. These beautiful views were breath taking, but while traveling, I learned more about myself than I ever thought I could. When experiencing difficulties abroad it can be hard to manage and persevere to push through. But with these setbacks, I learned that with determination, confidence, and focus, even the most overwhelming situations can be achievable. Living in Barcelona is something that I would recommend to anyone who is able to. You can learn how to navigate a foreign scenario, master public transportation, and even give back to the community through sharing your culture. Looking back on the experience, I have the pictures and journal to share, but I will truly always remember how my time abroad shaped me into the person I am today. Study abroad taught me the importance of cultural exploration.

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Introduction: Addressing the needs of aging patients with HIV (PWH) extends beyond the virus itself to include managing concurrent health conditions which often leads to polypharmacy – usually defined as the simultaneous use of 5 or more medications. This presents distinct challenges, including an increased potential for drug interactions in PWH. Currently, there exists a dearth of evidence-based guidelines for managing polypharmacy in PWH, exacerbated by underreporting of over-the-counter (OTC) medications and substance use in electronic health records (EHRs). An accurate medication list documented in the EHR, which should include not only prescription medications but also over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, complementary alternative medicines (CAM), and other substances is important for decision making and ultimately patient outcomes. Purpose: To evaluate the discrepancies between EHR-documented data and updated patient self-reports regarding the use of prescription and non-prescription products in a subset of patients. Methods: This retrospective, observational cohort study will utilize data from the patient EHRs to conduct a chart review of 50 patients by authorized members of the research team. REDcap, a secure web application, and Microsoft Excel will be used to collect and store data. Patient were included in the study if they met the inclusion criteria: 1) at least 18 years of age, 2) HIV diagnosis, and 3) patient at Prisma Health Immunology Center in Columbia, SC, and 4) receiving a medication reconciliation as part of the clinician’s standard patient care practice. The data will be fully de-identified for analysis using descriptive statistics. Data collected includes three domains: patient demographics, medications details, and ADE-related factors. This study was approved by the institutional review board. Results: Ongoing data collection.

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Anxiety is a mental disorder characterized by excessive and persistent worry that often cannot be mitigated. Anxiety disorders take many forms, including social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder. In children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring disorders. Untreated anxiety can cause great debilitation in daily life, making it hard for individuals to succeed in the workplace, social environments, and interpersonal relationships. Cascading influences of persistent anxiety include a weakened immune system and cardiovascular issues, making it a social, psychological, and physical risk. Individuals with ASD are prone to many other psychological and physical health issues, making the co-occurrence of anxiety-related health conditions more pervasive and debilitating compared to typically developing individuals. With substantial evidence demonstrating a strong link between ASD and anxiety, research is emerging on how fear is expressed in early childhood. Focusing on how different indicators of fear (e.g., facial expression of fear, verbal expression of fear) change over time may help improve early identification of anxiety in ASD, resulting in early intervention to increase the quality of life and minimize debilitation. The current study analyzed anxiety-related behaviors longitudinally in children from pre-school age to school-age to focus on how aging impacts fear responses in children when exposed to anxiety-provoking scenarios. The Modified Anxiety Dimensional Observation Schedule (M-Anx-DOS) assessment tool was used to investigate fear expressions from the Spider, Auditory Startle, Mystery Jar, and Maternal Separation presses. The global composite values of each participant were compared between two age points to determine (a) if the difference in overall fear expression is statistically significant as children age. More specifically, postural, facial, and verbal fear values from the two age points were compared to determine if (b) specific fear arousal expressions change with age. The study included 10 children with ASD and 8 typically developing (TD) children. The two age points of the participants were 3.04-7.75 years and 8.94-14.63 years.

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During the spring semester of my junior year, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, at Florence University of the Arts. From a young age, I was drawn to adventure and travel. This passion started during summers at camp in North Carolina and further fueled by Outward Bound trips in Yellowstone and Hawaii, where I earned my PADI scuba certification. Knowing that studying abroad was a goal from the moment I entered college, I worked diligently to maintain the necessary qualifications and GPA to make my dream of studying in Europe a reality. While in Florence, I immersed myself in a diverse range of courses. In addition to journalism classes relevant to my advertising major, I explored Italian culture through classes focusing on food, fashion, and wine. These experiences enriched my academic journey and provided a deeper understanding of the Italian Culture surrounding me. During my 15 weeks in Europe, I traveled to over 10 countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Spain, Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, the Netherlands, Greece, and Portugal. These experiences taught me more about myself and the world than I ever thought possible. My time abroad reshaped my perception of education, revealing that learning extends beyond traditional classrooms. It showed me that living and engaging with the world is the most valuable form of education. Although the idea of living in Europe seems glamorous, it came with its share of challenges. Navigating foreign countries, mastering train stations, and ordering coffee in Italian were all experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone. These moments taught me adaptability and resilience, helping me learn how to thrive in unfamiliar environments. Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my passion for travel has always been about more than just exploration. It has been driven by a desire to learn through experiences rather than textbooks. USC provided me with foundational knowledge, but studying abroad taught me that the most profound learning comes from living. Florence showed me that living is learning.

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Sailing has been a passion of mine since I was a kid. This motivated me to join the Gamecock Sailing Club and the dinghy race team my first year of college. I quickly became highly involved with the team, traveling every other weekend to race. Just a couple short months into my involvement, the captain of the team asked if I wanted to co-captain the following year and then eventually become captain. This gave me the opportunity to give back to the club that was such a large part of my college experience. This role was a huge undertaking, as I became a liaison between the university, the team of 15, and the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), in order to plan regattas and coordinate logistics to get the team to regattas. It was a lot more than I thought I was going to do. However, this position allowed me to push myself and forced me to learn to work with others and organize myself. I learned how to make myself successful through organization, time management and communication. For example, I created a scheduling system that allows the entire team to update their availability. I also created a transition document with help from the prior captain. It includes tools for being successful, like ways to communicate with the team, planning logistics for travel and keeping relations between the university and partners, as well as other systems, contacts, and ideas used for running the team. This document will help the next captain transition into the role. In conclusion, one of the most valuable lessons I learned from this experience was the importance of proactive communication and organization when leading a team. Moving forward, I will apply these skills beyond graduation by embracing leadership opportunities that require effective planning and collaboration.

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Although it is widely known that exercise interventions improve healing and physical and emotional well-being from cancer treatment side effects, this concept is not a typical aspect of cancer care. In 2021, Dr. Ciaran Fairman, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina, established the Exercise Oncology Lab (EXSC ONC lab). This lab is dedicated to studying the impact of exercise, nutrition, and psychology in combatting the side effects of cancer before, during, and after treatment. Through this lab, individuals participate in studies at Prisma Health, where they receive an individualized exercise program delivered by research assistants who specialize in working with cancer individuals. The program consists of two to three workout sessions per week for eight weeks, in which they are paired with a lab member to work one-on-one for the entirety of the study. Multiple variables are assessed before and after the program, such as elements of physical health, views on exercise itself, views on the program, and quality of life/subjective measures. Additionally, participants are asked to return for follow-ups 3, 6, and 12 months post-program completion. The Exercise Oncology Lab is primarily split into two studies as of now: Prisma Health and the R21 study. The primary purpose of these studies is to look at how resistance training can affect the participant’s universal health, physical function, and quality of life while also establishing feasibility. This means that the lab keeps track of the numbers of mail letters sent to the community, people that were interested in the intervention, went through with the protocol, and adhered to the supplements and exercise. Establishing feasibility with this smaller population will be used to establish feasibility with a larger population. All of this together is aimed at identifying ways to make the program more sustainable and accessible to those in need while also showing the large necessity for regular resistance training in combatting the many unwanted physical and mental side effects that result from cancer and its treatments.

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Background Venous drainage of the dentition and the orbits ultimately joins the cavernous sinus with the rest of the cerebral venous system, providing intracranial access to infectious emboli. Here, we present a case of intracranial infection and ventriculitis secondary to infection of the mouth and orbit. Presentation/Workup A 47y Male presented to an outside facility with altered mental status and fever after several weeks of nonspecific symptoms of malaise. There was significant bilateral chemosis and discharge of the eyelids suspicious for periorbital cellulitis, and CT Orbits demonstrated bilateral increased caliber of the superior ophthalmic veins indicating secondary superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis. CT head/neck demonstrated infectious/inflammatory changes of parapharyngeal fat and masticator space with a R-sided mass. Given this and the patient’s extensive periodontal disease along the right mandible, an odontogenic infection was the likely source. They were transferred to our facility for ophthalmologic workup and intubation/ICU care for declining mental status. Hospital Course Upon arrival, the patient underwent an emergent extraction of six total teeth, and antibiotics were initiated for infection source control. CT Venogram after arrival demonstrated increased caliber of ophthalmic veins, bilateral cerebellar infarcts, evidence of ventriculitis and meningitis, and intracranial abscesses likely secondary to septic emboli from orbital infection. Cultures of the blood, eye discharge, and dental abscesses were sent and empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated. Ophthalmology and Infectious Disease were consulted for oversight of orbital infection management, and neurosurgery placed an intraventricular drain catheter for CSF collection/analysis and ICP monitoring in the context of ventriculitis. They were subsequently transferred to the neurosurgical ICU for management of neurological recovery. CSF cultures ultimately grew Streptococcus Anginosus, which is associated with odontogenic infections, especially dental abscesses. Conclusion Infections of the oropharynx can rapidly progress into neurological emergencies due to the shared facial and cerebral venous drainage that allows infection to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Timely management of these infections is critical in preventing the progression to potentially-devastating neurological consequences (e.g.,encephalopathy) and the acquisition of long-term sequelae.

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Study sites are frequently chosen based on the resources an institution has available, rather than to enhance the generalizability of the study. To better understand generalizability of kidney transplant studies, we sought to describe the geographic distribution of sites used for landmark studies of kidney transplant immunosuppression. Studies cited by consensus recommendations for use of maintenance immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation were systematically screened for inclusion. Studies were limited to those that were evaluating kidney transplant recipients and had one or more United States (US) site. Locations of each US study site were collected. Data were compared to 2022 CDC data on mortality rates for end stage renal disease (ESRD). A total of 482 location data points were included in the final data. The states with the highest number of studies included California (67), Texas (34), New York (32), Ohio (29), and Florida (24). After plotting this data against the ESRD rates for each state, it was found that there was no meaningful correlation between number of studies and ESRD rates. The number of studies used in landmark analyses of immunosuppressants in kidney transplant differed across states and did not correlate with state-level ESRD rates. Our findings suggest the generalizability of the literature may vary by geographic location in the US.

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I find it interesting when people ask, "What is your biggest fear?" As a child, I would say that the common fears would be death, spiders, kidnapping, and shark attacks. Yes, these are reasonable concerns, but what really bothers me as an adult is that I share this concern with 25% of Americans: Public speaking. The first semester of my sophomore year I was enrolled in speech class. This class taught me so much more than I ever could have imagined. That same semester I rushed the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity. This organization prides itself on personal and professional development, while nurturing their core values: brotherhood, integrity, unity, service, and knowledge. The rush process was not easy to say the least, with each night highlighting a different task that required preparation, time, and confidence. The first go round, I made it through the entire week of rush, which is what made not getting a bid even harder. When I finally shifted that sulking and sadness into drive to get into this fraternity that’s where I began to thrive. So, when I went out to rush again the next semester I knew how to succeed. I applied the lessons I learned in Speech 140 to successfully share myself with the brotherhood. On the last Friday of rush, I got the call that I was selected to join the fraternity! I successfully sold myself and my passion to this brotherhood of like-minded people, which created pride and excitement. I learned how to be confident from this entire process. It demonstrated to me the power of confidence and the need of perseverance in pursuing your goals. When I look forward to post-grad life, I will be taking these tools with me to help me succeed in any meeting, pitch, or conference. Public speaking is not just a tool, its essential to get to where you want to go.

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Introduction: Immune system activation has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and substantial evidence has been highlighting the importance of inflammasomes in vascular disease progression. This study hypothesized that cell-free mtDNA activates NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, triggering gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pore formation and vascular dysfunction. Materials and Methods: First, mtDNA was isolated from C57BL/6 mouse livers using a commercial kit. Endothelial cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured and treated with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) for 24 hours before protein expression analysis via western blot. Male C57BL/6 mice were then sacrificed, and the aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries (MRAs) were collected, cleaned, and mounted on pin (aorta) and wire (MRA) myographs. Vascular function was assessed using phenylephrine (PE, 10 μM) and acetylcholine (ACh, 10 μM) following a 1-hour incubation in Krebs solution with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) or control (Krebs only). Concentration-response and relaxation-response curves were generated for PE (1 nM–30 μM) and ACh (1 nM–30 μM). Nonlinear regressions determined maximal response (Emax) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50). Statistical significance was assessed using two-way mixed ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-test, and Student’s t-test for Emax and EC50 comparisons. Results: Protein expression analysis revealed increased expression of NLRP3, AIM2, and GSDMD in endothelial cells treated with mtDNA, suggesting inflammasome activation. Functional vascular assessments using myography demonstrated a significant increase in maximal contractile response to PE (Emax, p < 0.05) and a marked impairment in endothelium-dependent relaxation (EC50, p < 0.01) in aortic samples exposed to mtDNA. Similarly, in MRAs, mtDNA exposure significantly enhanced the contractile response to PE (Emax, p < 0.01) without affecting endothelium-dependent relaxation. These findings indicate that mtDNA-induced inflammasome activation may contribute to vascular dysfunction by promoting vasoconstriction and impairing endothelial function. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that cell-free mtDNA activates the inflammasome pathway, contributing to endothelial and vascular dysfunction. However, further investigation is required to quantify inflammasome activation and downstream cytokine release to clarify their specific roles in vascular pathology and disease progression.

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Crohn’s Disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect all areas of the gastrointestinal tract. In the US, the prevalence of IBD is rising, with approximately 2.8 million patients diagnosed, resulting in an estimated $8.5 billion in healthcare costs. IBD is linked to microbial dysbiosis, a disruption in the balance between the host and its microbiome, which can worsen disease. The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in maintaining gut homeostasis by regulating gut and immune functions, making it a potential therapeutic target for CD. The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) can signal via the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Monoacylglycerol lipase (Magl) degrades 2-AG to terminate signaling. Previous 16S rRNA sequencing data from our lab showed that 2-AG signaling via the CB1 receptor significantly changes microbiome composition in the feces. Therefore, the goal of my project was to confirm these findings using targeted quantitative PCR, and to determine if similar changes occur in the ileal microbiome. Treatment groups included: vehicle controls, a Magl inhibitor group to increase tissue concentrations of 2-AG, a group treated with Magl inhibitor and a CB1 antagonist to determine if microbiome changes are CB1-dependent, and a group treated with Magl inhibitor and a CB2 antagonist to determine if results are CB2-dependent. Mice lacking the CB1 receptor were also included. Feces and ileal contents of mice were collected one day post-treatment. DNA from intestinal contents were isolated for quantitative PCR with primers specific to each microbe of interest. In the feces, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus levels were significantly increased following increased 2-AG in a CB1-dependent manner. In the ileum, gut microbes Clostridiales (including Lachnospiraceae) and Lactobacillales decreased significantly following increased 2-AG and Turicibacter and Enterobacteriaceae significantly increased. These results demonstrate that CB1 signaling impacts the relative abundances of important gut bacteria that are thought to maintain or disrupt microbial homeostasis in CD in the colonic and ileal regions. Future directions include investigating whether microbial alterations in the ileal microbiome are CB1-dependent similar to the fecal microbiome.

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Introduction: In diabetic patients with foot ulcers, it is estimated that up to 57% of these people will have to undergo amputation of their lower digits or limbs. Within this patient population, it has been observed that their glucose levels widely vary because of an NPO diet before surgery. It is believed that this could subsequently affect their recovery. Therefore, our hypothesis is that limiting NPO length and giving these patients a clear liquid diet up to two hours before surgery may be beneficial in their recovery time and process. Methods: The first part of this project was a retrospective analysis on patients that came in for amputation due to diabetes between October of 2022 and February of 2023. All patients were admitted to Parkridge Hospital during this specific timeframe for non-emergent orthopedic surgery. Their basic vitals, BMP, electrolyte levels, and comorbidities were tracked and organized. NPO status was also recorded by looking at when NPO orders were placed and lifted. Diet orders were also used as a marker for when patients were allowed to start eating after surgery. This data will be used to implement a protocol for perioperative management of these patients in a future second part of this project (designing a clear-liquid diet for these patients in the future). Results: Forty-three patients were enrolled in this study (26 males, 17 females). They were picked based on their diagnosis and subsequent amputation. The majority of patients only needed one amputation, but five patients did require either a new amputation or further cleaning/amputation of a pre-existing wound. Common risk factors included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking status. The average time a patient was NPO was for 15 hours with a standard deviation of 4.7. The average hospital length stay was 12 days with a standard deviation of 11.7. Conclusion: Based on the data collected, limiting NPO length by implementing a clear liquid diet pre-operatively may be beneficial for patients who have diabetes undergoing amputation by reducing their hospital stay and hopefully improving recovery outcomes.

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Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, necessitating improved predictive methods to identify at-risk individuals and enable early intervention. Traditional risk assessment models, such as the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile Score (FSRPS), provide moderate accuracy but could be enhanced with the addition of novel biomarkers. Recent advances in neuroimaging have introduced regional brain age as an innovative marker to assess premature aging in specific brain regions. Given the well-documented association between white matter health and stroke risk, this study explored the relationship between premature white matter aging and stroke risk using a large cross-sectional neuroimaging dataset from the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) lab at the University of South Carolina. We analyzed data from 102 individuals aged 40 and older, correlating white matter brain age gap (WMBAG) with FSRPS while controlling for age, sex, and race. White matter brain age was calculated using T1-weighted MRI scans processed through the volBrain regional brain age pipeline. Results demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between WMBAG and FSRPS (Spearman's rho = 0.215, p = 0.016), indicating that greater premature white matter aging was associated with higher stroke risk. Exploratory regional analyses further revealed significant correlations between FSRPS and both cerebral and cerebellar white matter aging, with cerebellar regions showing slightly stronger associations. These findings suggest that premature white matter aging may serve as a valuable biomarker for stroke risk in conjunction with more classic cardiovascular health measures, potentially improving existing assessment tools. Future research should explore WMBAG as a predictive measure for stroke prevention and recovery, examining whether targeted interventions can mitigate premature white matter aging. This study highlights the importance of integrating neuroimaging biomarkers into stroke risk assessment, paving the way for enhanced precision medicine approaches in cerebrovascular health.

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Teacher mobility is an understudied factor in teacher shortages. Understanding teachers’ reasons for different mobility decisions (i.e., leaving the profession or moving to another school district) can inform policies to increase retention. This study used a subset of teacher data from a statewide exit survey collected from educators in South Carolina who left their positions at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The survey allowed exiting teachers to indicate the relative importance of different reasons for their mobility decisions from several categories, including personal reasons, job resources, job demands, and policy reasons. A logistic model analysis revealed that differences in teachers’ perceptions of personal reasons, reasons associated with job resources and demands, and policy reasons were associated with different mobility decisions. This model was statistically significantly better than the baseline at explaining mobility decisions [χ2(11)=130.421; p < 0.001]. A one-unit increase in the perceived importance of personal reasons was associated with a 0.51 factor decrease in the odds that a teacher left the profession. In other words, teachers were more likely to move to a different district than leave the profession entirely if they perceived the importance of personal reasons as higher. Similarly, teachers were more likely to move to a different district if they had higher perceptions of reasons associated with resources (OR = 0.48). This may indicate their motivation to seek better supports in other schools. A higher perception of reasons related to job demands, on the other hand, led to a higher likelihood of teachers leaving the profession entirely (OR = 1.48). Lastly, a one-unit increase in the perceived importance of policy reasons was associated with a 1.43 factor increase in the odds that a teacher left the profession. Thus, teachers were more likely to leave rather than move to a different district if they perceived the importance of leaving due to demands and policy reasons as higher. These results suggest the need to address aspects of working conditions that impact retention, namely those that involve job demands and policy circumstances.

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Patients and their families tend to feel more comfortable knowing they have a physician who is familiar with them. Priority should be placed on scheduling patients with their primary care physician (PCP) in order to establish a consistent patient-physician relationship which has shown to improve outcomes1. The physician can build rapport and address concerns with the patient and family as the patient is seen for well and acute visits. Therefore, within the patient-physician relationship consideration must be given when creating methods to deliver certain improvement outcomes in preventive health maintenance and acute care utilization, which has been shown to improve with continuity of care2. Unmet medical needs also increase when the health care provider changes frequently2. Private clinics, both subspecialty and primary care, tend to prioritize continuity because the provider typically is more efficient and has more successful patient encounters. Patients often are more likely to voice satisfaction with the care provided if it is consistent. The interventions of this project were assessed qualitatively by surveys and quantitatively by comparing the EMR clinic schedule with the continuity logs maintained in the clinic office. This project overall was helpful in identifying an area that needs improvement in the clinic, but the intervention utilized was only minimally useful.

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My academic journey began with structured calculations and infrastructure design, but as I progressed in civil engineering, I learned that my passion lay elsewhere. Transferring to the Integrated Information Technology (IIT) major was the defining moment that allowed me to transition to digital solution mindsets for network, security, and project management. By leveraging my engineering foundation, I adapted to the ever-changing field of IT, where precision, adaptability, and continuous improvement stand just as critical as they are in building design. I developed my technical expertise through cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and Agile project management courses while refining my ability to navigate complex challenges. In my Capstone and Project management course, I applied Agile and methodologies to real-world projects, learning how iterative development drives innovation. I reinforced these concepts during my internship as a Disaster Recovery Technician. I was allowed to optimize workflows, build detailed disaster recovery plans, and configure cloud environments using Virtual Protection Groups (VPGs) for disaster failovers. Additionally, I took a deep dive into cybersecurity concepts while exploring the ethics and issues of AI during my student research at the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Beyond the technical skills, my professional courses and experience as an IT Intern with Diversified Coating Systems gave me the confidence to combine business and technology. As I proceed to graduate with Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement, I reflect on my journey which has transformed my skills and approach to solving problems within a business. By integrating what I learned in engineering in IT, I feel prepared to take on new challenges in the world of IT to build cutting-edge business and technical solutions.

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Sentence production deficits pose a significant challenge for individuals with aphasia, as communication primarily occurs at the sentence level. Effective treatment requires identifying specific breakdowns in sentence production, which can occur at various stages, including message formulation, lexical retrieval, syntactic encoding, or articulatory planning. However, current assessment methods have notable limitations. Spontaneous speech tasks, such as story retelling, allow individuals to avoid complex structures, making it difficult to determine the underlying causes of errors. Conversely, constrained tasks, such as single-picture descriptions, often rely on metalinguistic prompts (e.g., arrows), introducing cognitive demands that may obscure true deficits. This study introduces a novel animated sentence production test designed to systematically assess sentence construction by progressing from object and action naming to active and passive sentence formation using consistent lexical items. The test aims to identify breakdown points in sentence production while minimizing extralinguistic prompts, allowing for a clearer assessment of grammatical deficits. Additionally, it incorporates comprehension and repetition tasks for failed items, providing further diagnostic insight. The use of animated scenes enhances ecological validity, particularly for action naming. This preliminary study presents pilot data from eight healthy individuals and one person with aphasia, offering initial insights into the test's feasibility and potential clinical applications.

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During my 2023 and 2024 fall semester I held the position of a University 101 Peer Leader. A University 101 Peer leader is a student mentor that assists the professor in teaching U101. A Peer Leader is a more approachable and familiar resource for students compared to the teacher in the classroom. When I started at USC in the fall of 2021, I did not know anyone or anything about the university. Because of how lost I felt, I decided to apply to be a Peer Leader so future students would have an easier transition than I did. In my role as a Peer Leader I prioritized fostering a sense of community in our classroom to make students feel more comfortable, as well as educating them on daily life on and off campus. We were able to create a comfortable environment by having daily check-ins, allowing students to share what was going on in their personal lives with the class, group projects, out of the classroom activities, and one-on-one check-ins. Creating a sense of community allowed students to feel more comfortable making friends, speaking to mentors and professors, and utilizing USC resources. While this role allowed me to be a helpful resource to my students, it also taught me how to use leadership skills to foster a sense of community among a group of strangers. These skills will be extremely influential in my upcoming career in the corporate world.

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Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and kynurenine (Kyn) pathway abnormalities are associated with many pathological conditions such as inflammation, cancer, depression, chronic/neuropathic pain, neurodegeneration, HIV immune dysfunction, etc. The initial and rate-limiting step of the Kyn pathway is to transform Trp to N-formylkynurenine (NFK) through IDOs and TDO, followed by de-formylation of NFK to Kyn. IDO1 is highly expressed/activated in various types of tumor cells and the immune cells in tumor microenvironment; the elevated Kyn/Trp ratio is also detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with neuroinflammation, who suffer from depression, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibiting the activities of IDO and/or TDO is therefore a potential strategy for the development of therapeutic agents for these diseases. To develop efficacious IDO and/or TDO inhibitors, we have designed and synthesized the novel compounds constituted of imidazothiazole and urea motifs. These compounds have been tested for their inhibitory activity against IDO1 and TDO using cellular based enzymatic activity assays. The results show that most of the compounds exhibited potent IDO1 inhibitory activity in cellular assay with an IC50 value lower than 5 μM, as well as moderately potent TDO inhibition with an IC50 value in the range of 10-20 μM. Thus, a novel scaffold exhibiting potent IDO1 inhibition as well as moderate TDO inhibition has been identified.

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Background and Purpose: Under inflammatory conditions, suppressor immune cells are induced which migrate to the affected areas. It has been noted that transient activation of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) with specific ligands also leads to a significant increase in highly immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, the mechanisms driving the induction and migration of these suppressor cells are not clear. Methods: C57BL/6 mice, mast cell-deficient mice, and AhR-conditional KO mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2,3,7,8 -Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, 10 μg/kg), 6-Formylindolo(3,2-b) carbazole (FICZ, 50 μg/kg), Indole-3-carbinol (I3C, 40mg/kg), or the vehicle, Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) were isolated for flow cytometric analysis, RT-PCR, and ScRNA sequencing. Results: TCDD and FICZ but not I3C, induced high levels of MDSCs at the site of administration. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) MDSCs (CD45+, CD11b+, Gr-1+, Ly-6G+) were significantly upregulated in mice treated with TCDD and FICZ when compared to vehicle. The induction of MDSCs was significantly downregulated in mast cell-deficient and AhR-KO mice. Also, blocking CXCR2, a chemokine receptor, inhibited the induction of MDSCs. ScRNAseq of mouse PEC showed that TCDD suppressed the mature myeloid and lymphocyte cell population. Moreover, majority of differentially expressed genes (DEG), that were downregulated in TCDD-treated mice belonged to B cell clusters, indicating that TCDD induces the production of MDSCs by suppressing the lymphoid cell development. Other DEG such as Hif1a, S100a9, Il1b, Csf3r, Retnlg, Pf4 were significantly upregulated in MDSC clusters. Pathway analysis indicated that these genes play a key role in neutrophil chemotaxis and myeloid leukocyte migration, suggesting their involvement in the migration and suppressor activity of MDSCs. Conclusion: Activation of AhR by high affinity ligands (TCDD, FICZ) led to massive induction of MDSCs bypassing the normal hematopoiesis process. The recruitment of MDSCs, at least in part, was regulated by the mast cells. Additionally, AhR activation led to the induction of CXC chemokines facilitating the migration of the MDSCs as well as acquiring the suppressor phenotypic characteristics (This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01ES030144, P01AT003961, P20GM103641, and R01AI123947, R01AI160896).

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Bibliotherapy is a psychotherapy technique utilized to teach individuals about concepts through the use of literature and the arts. The primary aim of this research was to examine how a bibliotherapy model could be applied to improve diet and treatment adherence for people affected with Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Prior to this research, no paper has proposed a tailored bibliotherapy approach for genetic conditions. Through analysis of the caregiver-child relationship and disclosure process and the perceived support needs of both caregivers and providers caring for children with IEMS, our goal was to propose a bibliotherapy model to improve adherence and understanding in late elementary-aged children between the ages of 6 and 10. Twenty-two individuals were interviewed through a semi-structured, virtual interview approach. Of the twenty-two participants, five were affected adults, five were caregivers to those with an IEM, four were caregivers and affected adults, and two were providers serving those with IEMs. Thematic analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts; five themes emerged. These themes included discussion of 1) barriers to compliance, treatment, and/or care plan, 2) compliance, 3) resources and support, 4) difficult topics to discuss with children, teens, and adults, and 5) the psychological impact. By conducting this research, we have identified the desired concepts and information to be included in a bibliotherapy model for parents and their children with IEMs.

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It is well known that the lives and relationships of Indigenous Americans changed once Europeans and enslaved Africans landed in the Americas. To expand on this notion of change, Levi Colbert Prairie – a Mississippi farmstead of prominent Chickasaw leader Levi Colbert – is analyzed through a political and social framework. By looking at these relationships through the lens of critical race theory, we can develop a deeper understanding of the built environments, social spaces, and material adaptations of the Chickasaw as they were pushed out of Mississippi, and, in turn, their connections with the enslaved Africans who worked on the land. Stratigraphic examination of artifacts from LCP may lend insight into how these landscapes were altered in the face of changing social and economic positions, and the historic dispossession of these groups.

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Women undergo physiological changes throughout puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause which leave them vulnerable to a number of disorders including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Compared to their male counterparts, women are twice as likely to experience one of these stress-related conditions in their lifetime, yet they are often grossly underrepresented in clinical trials investigating treatments for these disorders. Recent studies have identified the neuropeptide S (NPS) system as a key mechanism underlying stress-induced anxiety-related behavior, particularly in female rats. This previous research emphasizes the interaction between biological sex and the NPS system, with data suggesting that NPS receptor (NPSR) agonists have anxiolytic effects in non-stressed mice, influenced by the estrus cycle phase. However, the role of the NPS system in response to stress has not been thoroughly studied. The present study employed a strong social stressor, witness defeat stress (WS), in female rats administered the NPSR antagonist RTI-434 (10 mg/kg) 15 minutes prior to each five daily WS or non-stress control. Subsequent behavioral assessments were conducted to evaluate the rats' responses during exposure to WS-associated environmental cues and context (CXT), as well as their acoustic startle responses (ASR) in a drug-free state to assess the long-term behavioral effects of NPSR antagonism during stress exposure. Female rats exposed to WS exhibited anxiety-like behavior both during stress and in the subsequent behavioral assessments while antagonism of the NPSR (via RTI-434) during WS exposure led to an exacerbated stress response in these rats. Another key finding was that rats treated with RTI-434 also displayed an increase in ASR, surpassing both control rats and those exposed to WS with the vehicle treatment. Overall, these heightened stress responses suggest a sensitization related to NPSR antagonism during WS exposure. Further analysis of brain tissue from these rats is underway to pinpoint the specific areas in the brain where RTI-434 acts to drive these hypervigilant behaviors. Overall, these results highlight NPSR as a promising pharmacological target for addressing hypervigilant anxiety symptoms, particularly in females who exhibit heightened susceptibility to stress-related disorders, thereby offering potential therapeutic avenues.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The old adage that “Prevention is better than cure” comes to us from Desiderius Erasmus (c1466-1536), as do so many modern terms. Erasmus was a genius of the early Renaissance and resoundingly a proponent of education, peace, tolerance and professionalism. METHODS: A review of all writings by and about Erasmus of Rotterdam were pursued and studied. Specifically searched were biographies and articles regarding his own medical maladies and suffering--especially regarding his kidney stones. RESULTS: Desiderius Erasmus has been considered a genius of the Renaissance and a sufferer from both kidney stones and gout. He met and communicated with many physicians and developed his own theories about causation of stones and treatment of colic. Erasmus coined many phrases commonly employed in everyday use, such as Pandora’s box. However, his “prevention is better than cure” is most apt, since this most certainly failed in his own lifetime of suffering with renal colic. CONCLUSIONS: Almost everyone politically enshrined in Erasmus’ lifetime wanted to attract the scholar to their control. He was determined to go solo, and he never was financially secure--he took the peripatetic pathway to constant movement from town-to-town and country to country. He was always attracted by scholars and printers, hence his great fondness for Sir Thomas More. He did see the famed physician, Paracelsus when he was junior physician and teaching in Basel at age 33. We do not know if he was prescribed the famed liquor alkahest.

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Throughout my undergraduate journey at the Darla Moore School of Business, one of the most transformative beyond-the-classroom experiences has been my involvement with Young Life, where I have served as a leader, mentor, and community builder for high school students. This role challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, develop meaningful relationships, and foster an environment where students feel seen, valued, and encouraged. Through Young Life, I have honed my leadership and communication skills by planning and facilitating weekly club meetings, organizing community outreach events, and mentoring students in both group and one-on-one settings. This experience has taught me the importance of authentic connection and servant leadership, shaping my ability to engage with diverse audiences and adapt to dynamic situations. It also reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling—whether in sharing personal experiences, crafting messages that resonate, or inspiring others to take action. My presentation at Discover USC explores the concept of Meaningful Impact—how intentional relationship-building and service can create lasting, positive change. Young Life has not only shaped my leadership style but has also influenced my aspirations in marketing and economic development, where fostering genuine connections and understanding community needs are essential for success.

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Current prescription pain medications are primarily morphinan-based opioid alkaloids which produce efficacious analgesia mediated by selective activation of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Unfortunately, they are associated with harmful side effects including respiratory depression, tolerance, dependence and abuse. In the endogenous opioid system, endogenous opioid peptides work together to alleviate pain without producing adverse effects, which differs dramatically from the small-molecule opioid pain medications. Owing to their unique physiochemical properties, peptides may provide some advantages over small molecules in the context of safe and anon=addictive opioid analgesia. To develop peptides as safe opioid analgesics, we have designed and synthesized a mixture-based cyclic pentapeptide library containing a total of 24,624 pentapeptides. Phenotypic screening and deconvolution of the library using a 55 °C warm-water tail-withdrawal assay identified a novel cyclic peptide Tyr-[D-Lys-Dap(Ant)-Thr-Gly] (CycloAnt) which acts as a MOR agonist/DOR antagonist in mice and produces CNS-mediated antinociception 4-fold more potent than morphine without significant side effects compared to morphine. It permeated the brain with a brain -to-blood-ratio of 1:7.3 (11.5%). Conformational plasticity study shows CycloAnt behaves as a chameleonic peptide, adopting an open conformation in water and a closed conformation with all amide NH’s locked in intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the less polar solvent DMSO. This chameleonic property may help it to permeate the BBB.

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While taking Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GEOG363), I developed a deeper understanding of how GIS plays a critical role in decision-making, particularly in human safety and environmental planning. GIS is more than a mapping tool—it is a method for analyzing spatial relationships, tracking environmental changes, and improving resource management. Learning to use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online expanded my perspective on how technology enhances public safety and sustainability efforts. This knowledge was reinforced during my time as a Hurricane Planning & GIS Intern with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division. I worked with state partners to modernize the Hurricane Evacuation Plan for South Carolina, providing critical guidance to citizens during emergencies. Analyzing thousands of behavioral survey responses and using GIS platforms to model potential hurricane impacts, I saw firsthand how spatial data informs life-saving decisions. Additionally, I created detailed storm surge, population demographic, and evacuation zone maps, ensuring communities had essential information to prepare for disasters. One of the most eye-opening aspects of my internship was seeing how GIS enables proactive disaster planning. I created storm surge maps for each coastal county, allowing planners to develop evacuation strategies before hurricanes hit. By analyzing historical data and predicting flood risks, emergency teams can allocate resources efficiently, reducing property damage and saving lives. Beyond emergency response, GIS has far-reaching applications in environmental consulting, a field I am strongly considering. GIS allows professionals to assess environmental risks, develop sustainable land-use plans, and monitor ecosystem changes. Whether tracking deforestation, mapping wetlands, or designing resilient urban landscapes, GIS provides the insights needed to balance development with environmental responsibility. My coursework and internship reinforced that GIS is not just a technical skill, it is a bridge between data and action in solving real-world challenges.

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Being in a new environment with new people is always nerve-wracking, especially freshman year of college. I was your typical “only being on campus when I had class” and “would only speak when spoken to” student. That all changed going into my sophomore year when I became involved with two campus offices. Going into summer, I worked for the Switchboard position in the Dean’s Office at the University of South Carolina Lancaster. The Switchboard position requires me to be friendly, flexible, and ready to face anything. I answer the campus phone and transfer the individual to whomever they need to speak with. I also organize outgoing and incoming mail to the school. Working in the Dean’s Office allows me to work hand in hand with the campus Dean and help in any way I can. This position allowed me to also work in the Academic and Student Affairs Office as a student worker. This position is very similar to an office receptionist. I was required to answer phone calls, answer questions, schedule academic appointments for students, and run errands. Being a student worker in these two departments helped me learn life skills. Always showing up to work with a smile on your face has a huge impact on your day and your communication with others. This promotes a positive environment and allows everyone to feel supported and heard. I also learned that being afraid should not hold you back but make you more ambitious. If I never had interviewed for a student worker position, then I never would have felt comfortable and social while being on campus. I can relate virtue ethics with my positions in both departments. Virtue Ethics is spotlighting a role of character and virtue in moral philosophy rather than acting to bring about good consequences. Being a student worker on campus during college has encouraged me to be a positive and outspoken individual. I can say with confidence that these opportunities truly shaped me into a team player and a great employee.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication difficulties and restrictive and repetitive behaviors (1). It is estimated that 1 in 36 children have been diagnosed with ASD in the United States with the average age of diagnosis ranging from 38 to 120 months (2,3). Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a monogenic condition, linked to a mutation on FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, characterized by intellectual disability and behavioral issues (4). It is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 7,000 males and 1 in 11,000 females (4). The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a role in emotion regulation in stressful or challenging situations by balancing the sympathetic nervous and parasympathetic nervous systems (5). Previous studies indicated ANS dysfunction in autistic individuals and individuals with FXS, highlighting overall hyperarousal in these populations (6,7). Heart activity, as a physiological indicator of the ANS, is associated with psychological conditions, such as anxiety disorders (6). However, much remains to be understood about heart activity in both autistic children and children with FXS. Early identification of physiological differences in these populations may lead to early interventions, potentially improving behavioral and communication outcomes later in life. Therefore, the current study aims to explore potential differences in baseline heart activity among autistic children, children with FXS, and neurotypical children.

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The focus of this project was to evaluate the survivability of a wireless sensor in the high-radiation environment of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage. This study was part of a larger effort in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the University of South Carolina (USC) to implement wireless sensors in dry cask storage without introducing penetrations that could lead to the escape of fission products. These sensors are intended to monitor the internal environment within the cask, providing critical data on conditions such as temperature and pressure, which are important to understanding the risks and quality of the canister. It is therefore necessary to take into consideration the impact that radiating particles like neutrons and gamma rays have on the instrumentation. Radiation shielding analysis was performed using the MCNP (Monte Carlo N-Particle) transport code to ensure the reliability of such a sensor within a canister radiation environment. This code is used for simulating the behavior of particles, such as neutrons and photons as they interact with matter. The sensor was modeled and an irradiated environment was simulated to determine the amount of radiation dose imparted to the sensor’s internal components. Various shielding methods were evaluated to determine the optimal solution to prevent the sensor from failing due to radiation damage. The shielding effectiveness was benchmarked against irradiation testing data provided by WEC to verify that the proposed designs would mitigate radiation damage and maintain reliability over long-term deployment. It was discovered that a sheath of tungsten carbide proved to be the best candidate for reducing the dosage received by the sensor. This information supports the deployment of wireless sensors in these long-term storage environments, furthering a physical understanding of the array of spent fuel assemblies as well as improving safety by minimizing risk of exposure.

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Medication adherence is critical for individuals in long-term substance use disorder treatment, particularly pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD). Self-reporting is often unreliable, creating challenges for clinicians optimizing medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This study explores the use of deep learning and wearable accelerometer data from smartwatches to detect medication-taking gestures in real-world settings. Building on prior research that achieved an 81% F1 score in distinguishing liquid and sublingual MOUD intake, we aim to refine the model's accuracy and extend detection to long-duration activity monitoring. By embedding short medication-taking gestures into day-long activity data, we will train and evaluate models to recognize MOUD intake within daily contexts. This research has the potential to enhance patient engagement, improve clinician decision-making, and contribute to the broader field of sensor-based health monitoring.

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Depression is a significant public health concern, particularly in South Carolina. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of depression is essential for developing more targeted and effective interventions for this debilitating disorder. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), particularly in the left hemisphere, plays a crucial role in mood regulation and cognitive control and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. In the current study, we evaluated the relationship between cortical thickness (a reliable biomarker for brain health) in the DLPFC and depressive symptoms in a healthy sample of 30 elderly women recruited as part of the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC@USC) Study at the University of South Carolina. Depressive symptoms were measured using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scale. MRI metrics of cortical thickness were calculated based on T1w brain scans obtained from each participant using a 3T Prisma Fit MRI Scanner located at the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging. Specifically, cortical thickness measurements for left and right DLPFC were computed using the volBrain parcellation algorithm (volbrain.net). Surprisingly, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis revealed a significant correlation between depressive symptoms and cortical thickness in the right, but not left, DLPFC (Spearman's rho = -0.45, p < 0.05), indicating that greater depressive symptoms were associated with cortical thinning of the right DLPFC. This unexpected result highlights the complex relationship between depression and brain health. The observed asymmetry may reflect underlying differences in the functional specialization of the left and right DLPFC in emotion regulation and cognitive control processes. Alternatively, it may indicate a compensatory mechanism, whereby the right DLPFC undergoes greater cortical thinning in response to changes in the left DLPFC. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of depressive symptomology in preclinical cases is crucial for developing more targeted preventative interventions for depression that take into account the asymmetrical involvement of the DLPFC. Future research should further investigate the role of cortical thickness in the development and progression of depression across time.

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Tickborne diseases pose a significant and growing public health challenge in the United States of America, accounting for up to 95% of all reported vector-borne disease cases annually. Among these, Rickettsia parkeri, a spotted fever group rickettsiosis, has emerged as a key concern, with the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) recognized as the primary vector. However, recent studies suggest that the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), may also serve as a secondary vector, potentially influencing the pathogen’s evolution, selection pressure, and transmission dynamics. Therefore, the primary objective of this research study is to investigate the role secondary tick vectors play in the genomic evolution of the bacteria R. parkeri. This study analyzed previously collected tick samples from various public health regions, focusing on the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within key intergenic regions of R. parkeri. Overall, a total of 76 A. maculatum and 18 A. americanum ticks were screened for R. parkeri using qPCR, with confirmation through Illumina amplicon sequencing and target enrichment methods. This approach validated the presence of R. parkeri in both species while also enabling the analysis of genetic diversity between strains. Similarly, phylogenetic analysis provided key insights into the evolutionary divergence between strains found in both primary and secondary vectors, addressing a critical gap in understanding pathogen evolution, vector competence, and transmission potential. By elucidating the role of the secondary vector, A. americanum in changing R. parker ecology, this research will contribute to broader epidemiological frameworks for tickborne disease surveillance and control. These findings may have significant implications for vector management strategies and public health interventions, particularly as climate and environmental factors drive shifts in tick populations and pathogen distribution. As R. parkeri continues to expand beyond its historically endemic regions, understanding secondary vectors' contributions to its evolution is crucial in mitigating future outbreaks and refining predictive disease models.

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A 66 year old female presented to the general surgery clinic for evaluation of a rapidly enlarging left breast mass following acute trauma to the area several months prior. The patient had originally been evaluated by the gynecologist who had ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound showing a BIRADS 4C mass in the left breast. Of note, there was no axillary adenopathy clinically or radiographically. The following core needle biopsy demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma of the breast and the included hormone receptor testing was negative. She was presented at a multidisciplinary tumor board and a PET CT was recommended. This demonstrated no other primary or metastatic disease. The patient was classified with metaplastic triple negative clinical stage IIB disease (cT2N0M0) and neoadjuvant KEYNOTE therapy was initiated. After long discussion in clinic, she opted for bilateral mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The patient’s final pathology demonstrated well-differentiated primary squamous cell carcinoma breast measuring 6 x 6 x 5cm with negative margins. The three lymph nodes obtained were negative for disease. The patient was re-classified as pT3N0M0 (stage IIB disease). Given the rarity of the diagnosis, the specimen has been sent to Duke Cancer Institute, NCCN Member Institute, for pathologic confirmation. Discussion: Primary SCC of the breast is a rare entity encompassing less than 1% of all breast cancers. It is considered an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. As with most rare pathologies, there is scarce literature surrounding primary SCC of the breast and little is known about how to manage this disease. We hope our case, which demonstrates an unusual presentation of primary SCC of the breast, will add to the existing literature and broaden the differential for practitioners who regularly evaluate breast masses.

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Background: Sleep has been identified as a significant factor influencing the quality of life, even when diet, stress, and exercise are typically managed. Sleep significantly impacts quality of life, influencing physical functioning and cognitive abilities. Partial sleep deprivation can lead to decreased alertness and increased fatigue. However, the cumulative sleep restriction on physical performance remains unclear. It is also unknown whether recovery sleep following sleep restriction can “recover” physical performance. This study aims to explore how cumulative partial sleep deprivation and subsequent recovery affect physical performance. Methods: A sample of healthy participants (n=20) aged 18-35 years will be recruited. They must self-report regular sleep patterns without diagnosed sleep disorders. The study follows a three-phase protocol: - Phase 1 (baseline): Participants will undergo physical function tests after three nights of normal sleep (> 7 hours per night). - Phase 2 (sleep restriction): Participants will be instructed to reduce 90 minutes of sleep from their baseline level per night for five consecutive nights. Physical function assessments will be conducted after three and after five nights of restricted sleep. - Phase 3 (recovery sleep): Participants will be allowed to sleep freely for two days. A final physical function assessment will take place at the end of this phase to determine if physical function has been restored. Throughout the study, participants will wear an ActiGraph device to track their sleep patterns and will complete daily sleep logs and questionnaires assessing their subjective sleepiness. Physical function assessments will include: Aerobic capacity: VO2 Max; Functional test: stair climb test, Time up and Go test, 6 Minute Walk Test; Balance and Flexibility: single leg stance & Sit reach test; Strength: squat test and handgrip strength; and Wingate (anaerobic test), choice reaction time test and T- test (agility and co-ordination). Power estimation: Assuming a correlation of 0.65 among repeated measures, the sample size of 20 allows to detect a difference between two conditions of medium effect size with 72% power at a significance level of 0.05.

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The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate disparities with respect to ACL reconstructive surgery with subsequent physical therapy participation in regards to race, socioeconomic status, and proximity to clinics. There is evidence of disparities with ACL injury, treatment, and outcomes of athletes, however, our study will focus on disparities within postoperative patients within the Prisma healthcare system. This retrospective study will analyze pooled data from Prisma health from February 1, 2021, through December 31, 2022. A hypothesis will be constructed aimed at identifying disparities in relation to participation in physical therapy. Odds ratio analysis will be utilized to test the hypothesis controlling for confounding variables in respect to each disparity measured.

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Approximately 11.3% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) systems help manage diabetes and provide more efficient and less demanding monitoring. CGM's provide real-time tissue glucose levels along with CGM-specific data that can be utilized to create individualized treatment plans to achieve better glycemic control. Evidence on the effectiveness of an interprofessional experience on educating family medicine residents on how to utilize and interpret CGM's is lacking. An interdisciplinary CGM clinic that consists of CGM placement and interpretation visits was started at a Family Medicine Clinic (FMC) in February 2022 by pharmacists with family medicine residents as well as medical students integrated into it. This study aims to assess the clinical, education, and financial impact of a CGM service on patients and learners. The study is a single-center, retrospective, cohort study. Participants included CGM clinic patients between February 2022 and December 2024 as well as the clinic's family medicine residents. Patients were excluded if they did not attend the CGM interpretation visit. Statistical analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared, or Fisher's exact for continuous or categorical data as appropriate. Between the first 2 rounds of data collection, the average A1c reduction was comparable between the 2 groups at 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in diabetes preventative care/screenings compared to baseline. After patient's were seen in the interdisciplinary CGM clinic, patients continued to experience an average reduction in their A1c of 1.4%, which is comparable to being on metformin (monotherapy), GLP-1 agonists. Compared to the initial data collection period, the average A1c reduction was the same, indicating consistency and reliability of the intervention throughout the years. When it came to preventative screenings, there was a statistically significant increase after participating in the CGM clinic. This has a meaningful impact on our community because of the zip code's high prevalence of diabetes and associated complications compared to the nation.

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Parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely uncommon endocrine malignancy, with reported cases only being in the hundreds. Furthermore, patients who present asymptomatically only make up 2-30% of these cases. In this case, a 61 year old African American female with no routine care presented to the ED with a chief complaint of right knee pain. Routine metabolic panel at admission revealed significant hypercalcemia, with further investigation uncovering unquantifiably elevated parathyroid hormone levels. Subsequent imaging was supportive of a large parathyroid carcinoma. Her initial stabilizing treatment consisted of IV calcitonin, PO cinacalcet, and maintenance IVF. Definitive treatment with right thyroid lobectomy with parathyroidectomy was achieved on day 8 of admission. Patient had postoperative renal dysfunction that required extended LOS, and she was discharged on day 17 of admission. Our case highlights the importance of a broad differential and thorough work up of unexplained hypercalcemia. While the pathology is exceedingly rare, it is readily identifiable with proper evaluation, leading us to consider how various social determinants of health may affect detection of this malignancy.

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As I progressed through my academic journey, I discovered that my passion for dentistry is deeply rooted in scientific curiosity and a genuine desire to help others. My degree in biomedical engineering has provided me with a solid foundation in engineering principles and their applications to dental tools and equipment. This became particularly evident during my second semester of senior year when I had the opportunity to take a course titled Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Systems (BMEN 411). This class focused on modeling and designing human anatomy to create prosthetics. I learned to use a modeling software called CREO Parametric, which enabled me to 3D print my designs. I learned about the importance of integration of biomedical engineering principles with dental practice and the importance of proper equipment and workflow in dental care. Working with 3D modeling software in class and applying that knowledge at Hillcrest Dental Office has deepened my understanding of digital dentistry and its real-world applications. Modeling a tapered molar implant has shaped my approach to patient care by integrating cutting-edge technology, enhancing patient outcomes, and equipping me with essential skills—such as advanced diagnostic abilities, improved dexterity, and effective problem-solving—that I will continue to refine in dental school as I prepare to contribute to the rapidly evolving field of digital dentistry.

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Traditional drug therapies often target a limited number of conserved sites, such as ATP-binding regions. However, the use of these sites often leads to off-target toxicity in both malignant and normal cells, limiting therapeutic specificity. Current research on non-ATP inhibitors can identify more effective drug targets that promote selective apoptosis, specifically in cancer cells. This study is using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a model system to investigate protein interactions and design specific peptides with the intention to disrupt interactions specific to cancer cells. The objective of this project is to detect interactions between retinoblastoma (RB1) and human Cyclin A (CCNA2) in Yeast-2-Hybrid (Y2H) and Yeast-3-Hybrid (Y3H) systems. CCNA2 and RB1 were cloned into two different expression vectors, pGBK and pGAD. Once the CCNA2-RB1 interaction is detected using the activation of reporter genes in a Y2H system, a third plasmid that encodes for the amino acid sequence HAKRRLIF will be introduced. This peptide sequence was previously demonstrated to disrupt the CCNA2-RB1 interaction in vitro, so the expectation is that it will disrupt the protein-protein interaction in the Y3H system as well. Following this proof of principle, an oligo/peptide library will be generated to develop a high-throughput screen for disruption of any combination of protein interactions. Promising candidates will be converted into peptide-mimetic compounds. Then, the inhibitory drug-like compounds will be optimized into pharmaceutically relevant compounds using REPLACE (Replacement with Partial Ligand Alternatives through Computational Enrichment) technology. Using the Y3H system, drug-like compounds can be developed with the ability to disrupt protein interactions specific to cancer cells.

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Rodent ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) offer critical insights into communication, behavior, and neurological preclinical research. However, automated detection remains challenging due to high variability in call structure and background noise. ContourUSV is a software designed at our lab to automate this process. This study aims to enhance the performance of this system by adding to its USV detection pipeline a robust denoising step relying on single signal unmixing techniques (e.g., Non-Negative Matrix Factorization, Independant Component Analysis) followed by adaptive thresholding of the spectrogram. The signal unmixing algorithms are applied directly to unprocessed spectrograms, enabling unsupervised feature extraction and denoising without the need for predefined filters. We hope this method will enhance signal separation, preserving subtle call features while reducing environmental noise. To further refine detection, we implement adaptive thresholding techniques, optimizing binarization to improve segment accuracy. Although the process to integrate signal unmixing is ongoing, preliminary results for adding adaptive thresholding increased the f1 score of ContourUSV from .39 to .60 on the USVSEG Gerbil dataset, from 25 to .51 on the USVSEG mouse_C57BL dataset, and from .24 to .38 on the USVSEG Mouse_B6Pup dataset. Adaptive thresholding showed an average increase of precision by .25 and recall by .13 across the above datasets. The adaptive thresholding method also maintained an f1 score of .97 when ran on the USVSEG Rat_Distressed Dataset. Our study hopes to demonstrate that the integration of signal unmixing and adaptive thresholding to the preprocessing improves USV differentiation, especially in recordings with high noise levels. Our preliminary results show adaptive thresholding refines call detection by dynamically adjusting to frequency and amplitude variations within the data, reducing false positives and missed detections. Collectively, these improvements are expected to enhance the scalability, robustness, and accuracy of USV analysis, positioning ContourUSV as a more powerful tool for behavioral neuroscience research. In future work, we will complete our analysis of denoising through signal unmixing and benchmark its effect of USV detection.

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Objectives: Since the 1970s, age 35 has been designated as the cut-point for categorizing advanced maternal age (AMA) as a risk factor for genetic anomalies in pregnancy. In recent years, biomedical advances in prenatal testing have transformed the landscape of options for pregnant AMA women. This study examined how women who had their first birth at AMA rationalized the decision whether to utilize prenatal testing, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and diagnostic testing (i.e., chorionic villus sampling [CVS] and amniocentesis). Study design: This qualitative study involved individual interviews with 43 mothers who had a first birth at age 35 or older. The semi-structured interviews explored their experiences with pregnancy, including prenatal care and decision-making about testing options. We thematically analyzed the data using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches. Results: Participants typically utilized screening testing (i.e., NIPT) but not diagnostic testing (i.e., amniocentesis and CVS) during the first trimester of pregnancy. While most participants completed NIPT, some participants who achieved pregnancy via in vitro fertilization (IVF) opted out because of prior preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for aneuploidy. Participants primarily rejected diagnostic testing because they felt confident in the NIPT results and/or PGT results and feared the possibility of miscarriage associated with diagnostic testing. Conclusion: Technological advancements in prenatal testing as well as PGT among IVF users are reshaping how pregnant AMA patients perceive risk, which in turn influences their decision-making about testing during pregnancy. Understanding how pregnant AMA patients make decisions based on their perceptions of reproductive risk and related factors will aid medical professionals, including clinicians and genetic counselors, in providing person-centered care that is sensitive to patient autonomy.

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Marina Kondrikova, Sophie Cramer-Benjamin, Ashlan C., Caitlin Hudac Undergraduate University of South Carolina Disruptive mutations in the SETBP1 gene are associated with developmental delays, intellectual disability (ID), autism, motor apraxia of speech, ADHD and have reported difficulties with emotion regulation (ER; Morgan, 2021; Oyler et al., 2024) There are currently no existing paradigms designed to measure brain responses during emotional regulation for people with speech delays and/or intellectual disability. We created a paradigm to elicit frustration in this sample while recording electroencephalography (EEG), modified from existing work with autistic children (Day, 2022 et al.). The purpose of this ongoing study is to examine the validity and acceptability of the paradigm in its ability to elicit frustration while not [maintaining the capacity to measure emotion regulation] participants. In this paradigm participants played with a preferred toy for one minute (block 1), then the toy was withdrawn for one minute (block 2) and given back for another minute (block 3). Instances of social and [non-social] behaviors in 5 second intervals were coded to empirically determine if this task successfully induced regulatory behaviors in this population. We plan to compare the number of behaviors in block one (playing with the toy) to block two (toy removed, still face). We predict that participants will show more counts of frustration in block two compared to block one. We hope these findings in this study will be important to better understanding these populations that have few studies that work well specifically with non-speaking populations. References Day , T., Mazefsky, C., & Wetherby, A. (2022). Characterizing difficulties with emotion regulation in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Morgan A, Srivastava S, Duis J, et al. SETBP1 Haploinsufficiency Disorder. 2021 Nov 18 [Updated 2024 May 9]. In: Adam MP, Feldman J, Mirzaa GM, et al., editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2025. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK575336/ Oyler HO, Hudac CM, Chung WK, Green Synder L, Robertson S, Srivastava S, Geye T. SETBP1 haploinsufficiency and related disorders clinical and neurobehavioral phenotype study. Clin Genet. 2024 Oct;106(4):448-461. doi: 10.1111/cge.14579. Epub 2024 Jun 26. PMID: 38923504.

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The United States is experiencing a demographic transition toward older motherhood. Biomedicine classifies pregnancies among all women of advanced maternal age (AMA) as high-risk; however, women having first births at AMA are more likely to experience protective social factors, which can reduce the risk of risks. This study, which is drawn from a larger research project on the biomedicalization of advanced maternal age, uses interviews with 12 clinicians who provide obstetric care to pregnant women of AMA to explore how they perceive and medically manage risk in this patient population. Thematic analysis reveals that clinicians make substantive distinctions about the risk profiles of their pregnant AMA patients based on whether they are age 35 to 39 or age 40 and older, have good baseline health, and are having a first birth. Clinicians were more likely to recommend induction of labor at 39 weeks’ gestation to mitigate stillbirth risk among patients age 40 and over but some sought to provide person-centered care that prioritized patient autonomy despite the possibility of selected adverse birth outcomes. Our findings suggest that there is inconsistency in how clinicians communicate with their patients about AMA risk vis-à-vis clinical guidance and that clinical guidance regarding the age 35 cut-point for classifying pregnancies at advanced maternal age as high-risk could benefit from revision.

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Caitlyn White, Kris F. Kaigler, Marlene A. Wilson Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an inability to extinguish fear after experiencing a traumatic event. The cholinergic system shows increased activity during fear learning and extinction, suggesting a role for cholinergic transmission in PTSD. Our lab has previously found that rats can be divided into extinction resistant (ER) and extinction competent (EC) phenotypes, with ER representing a PTSD-like phenotype. While women are more likely to develop PTSD, there is limited literature on the cholinergic system and recall of cued fear or extinction in female rats. This study tested the hypothesis that like males, ER and EC female rats differ in cholinergic tone during extinction learning. In order to investigate these sex differences, female rats were first conditioned with three tone-shock pairings. Rats were given the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle (saline) 30 minutes prior to assessing cued fear recall and extinction learning with twenty tone (cue) presentations. Based on freezing during the last ten tones of extinction learning, rats were divided into EC and ER groups. Rats treated with scopolamine were found to have decreased freezing compared to the control (vehicle treated) group (P=0.001) during cued fear recall and extinction learning, suggesting scopolamine reduced cued fear recall. Extinction Competent rats also showed lower freezing compared to the ER group (P=0.0010). EC rats treated with scopolamine showed significantly lower freezing than ER scopolamine rats (P=0.0002), or either vehicle group, during the first five tone presentations. After extinction recall testing, rats were euthanized and plasma acetylcholinesterase activity was assayed, although activity did not differ between extinction phenotypes or between drug treatment groups. These results suggest that female rats showed decreased recall of cued fear when treated with scopolamine. This effect was greater in the EC group compared to the ER group, suggesting that cholinergic tone may differ between ER and EC phenotypes. [Support: VA Merit I01BX001374 (MAW); Mini-Magellan Grant and SC Honors College Research Grant (CW)]

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During the spring break of my freshman year, my fellow volunteers and I set up a clinic in Guatemala with the purpose of providing free healthcare to Guatemalan citizens. Our work in the clinic involved taking patients’ medical histories and vital signs, performing physical exams, and communicating with doctors to come up with diagnoses and treatment plans. As a public health major at the University of South Carolina and a future healthcare worker, my volunteer trip provided me with my first direct patient care experience. This experience allowed me to achieve professional and academic goals that I had set for myself. Throughout my experience in the Guatemalan clinic, I learned how to think critically, put cultural competency at the forefront of my medical knowledge, and communicate effectively. My presentation will discuss the insights I gained through this experience and how they have helped me through the rest of my time at the University of South Carolina and as a future anesthesiologist assistant.

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My journey through Brussels, Antwerp, and Paris was not just an academic experience. It was an immersive journey that broadened my understanding of the economic impact of global markets. As an international business major, this trip bolstered my coursework through providing an intimate look into the interconnectedness of commerce, culture, and consumer behavior. This trip transformed my perspective and deepened my appreciation for global market strategies. The insights gained will shape my future as an international business professional.

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Throughout my time in college, I've had many opportunities to learn and find engagement on campus, but none that have taught me more than my time in student government. Joining late my sophomore year, I found myself eager to find an opportunity that would help me grow into a stronger leader and speaker. That leap--running for student senate—led me to eventually joining and becoming Chair of the finance committee, where I've since assisted in the allocation of roughly $500,000 to various student organizations. I have grown more confident in presenting information to my peers as I drafted countless bills to allocate that money. I created a subcommittee tasked with the rewriting of the codes to facilitate better student understanding and eliminate unnecessary processes. I have made some of my strongest connections within my time in student government and have made countless efforts to continue my legacy for future leaders. This opportunity has taught me what it means to lead a group of my peers, and to create sustainable change where it matters most. I have met strong people that have taught me that the key to communication as a leader is to create a space where those around you feel comfortable and included. This experience has given me a space to learn how to be more confident in myself, in leading others, and expressing disagreement that will carry forward strongly in both my personal and professional lives.

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Developmental assessments are critical for identifying delays in early childhood, particularly for children with neurodevelopmental concerns. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley) and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (Mullen) are two widely used measures for assessing cognitive and developmental progress in children. While both scales are designed to measure similar domains of development, there is limited research comparing the age equivalent scores derived from these two protocols. This study aims to explore the relationship between the age equivalent scores from the Bayley and Mullen protocols to evaluate their consistency and predictive validity in assessing developmental delays. The purpose of this study is to compare the age equivalent scores obtained from the Bayley and Mullen protocols administered to the same children. We hypothesize that while both scales will provide comparable results, there may be slight differences in the developmental age equivalent scores, reflecting unique characteristics of each measure. Participants for this study include children either 9 months or 12 months old, depending on the available data, who have been assessed using both the Bayley and Mullen protocols as part of ongoing research in the Developmental Dynamics Lab. Age-equivalent scores from corresponding domains of each measure will be extracted and compared for each child. Statistical analyses will include paired t-tests to determine the significance of differences between the two scales and Pearson correlation coefficients to examine the degree of agreement between the scores of the two assessments. Findings from this study will contribute to understanding the comparability of the Bayley and Mullen protocols, particularly in early developmental assessments. Identifying significant differences in age-equivalent scores could have implications for clinical and research applications, emphasizing the need for consistency in developmental evaluation tools. Future research could explore the clinical implications of score discrepancies, particularly in identifying early developmental delays. The results of this study may also inform best practices for selecting the appropriate assessment tool based on the developmental needs of children.

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Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are useful in treating many different types of cancers by blocking inhibitory signals on T cells promoting their activation. However, T cells can attack not only cancerous cells but also healthy tissues causing inflammatory toxicities in multiple organs including the colon. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is the most prescribed ICI in the US. We present a case report of colitis after pembrolizumab use and review salient features of ICI colitis. Case Presentation: 74-year-old female with history of small cell lung cancer and recent diagnosis of diverticulitis requiring a diverting loop colostomy presented with one week of abdominal pain, three days of vomiting, and one day of increased ostomy output. She was hypotensive, tachycardic, and work-up revealed leukocytosis. CT abdomen and pelvis demonstrated sigmoid diverticulosis with prominent wall thickening and adjacent fluid. C. difficile was negative. Intravenous fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics were initiated to treat presumed sepsis secondary to diverticulitis. Of note, the patient was first diagnosed with complicated sigmoid diverticulitis in September 2024, three months after initiation of pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab was discontinued for several months, but it was restarted about two weeks prior to admission. When symptoms persisted despite antibiotic treatment, we began treatment for ICI colitis with a high dose steroid. The patient’s symptoms resolved quickly after steroid initiation, and she was discharged with a steroid taper and scheduled follow-up with oncology to discuss next steps for her cancer treatment. Discussion: It is important to be aware that ICIs such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can cause organ inflammation including colitis. The presence of diverticulosis in this case may have led to anchoring on diverticulitis as the diagnosis rather than ICI colitis with her first illness episode. ICI-related adverse events can occur within days to months of initiating treatment with an average onset of 40 days. The decision to reintroduce ICI therapy after an adverse event is individualized requiring a multidisciplinary approach. The complexity of possible organ toxicity associated with ICIs requires clinicians to maintain a broad differential and avoid anchoring bias.

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Introduction Medical Students Making Change (MSMC), led by students at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia (USCSOM) in collaboration with free medical clinics, aims to improve diabetic control in South Carolina where approximately 13.2% of the adult population has diabetes. The zip code adjacent to USCSOM’s teaching hospital has one of the highest rates (9.96 per 10,000) of diabetic amputations in the US. Seeing patients struggle to get their diabetes under control led medical students to start MSMC. This project aims to promote Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) prevention strategies within underserved areas. Methods Medical student volunteers review HbA1cs from the clinics, contact eligible patients, and enroll those meeting inclusion criteria (adults ≥18 years old, diagnosed with T2DM or pre-diabetes based on HbA1c, and access to a phone). Biweekly counseling calls between volunteers and patients focus on assessing goals related to diet, exercise, sleep and hydration, as well as addressing barriers. Patients follow-up at the clinic to measure HbA1c every 3 months. Patients who meet the criteria for continuous glucose monitoring are offered a CGM and followed by the clinic endocrinologist. Results Of patients enrolled (n=71), the average initial HbA1c value was 9.63%. With our lifestyle and educational strategies, HbA1c levels decreased by an average of 0.64% (p=0.2230 with 95% CI -0.427 to 1.705). Average blood glucose decreased from 154 mg/dL to 148 mg/dL in patients utilizing the CGM (p=0.2361 with 95% CI -7.21 to 19.71). Conclusion This project is unique in multiple facets and strives to reduce the gap in diabetic care for uninsured patients. It promotes longitudinal relationships assisting patients with the time, education, and resources needed to manage their diabetes. Additionally, we train future physicians in South Carolina in the skill of motivational interviewing and breadth of appropriate diabetic management. These promising data indicate that patient education and access to resources can improve T2DM management in underserved areas.

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When researching a specific group of people, it is essential to inform the participants of the research and involve them in all aspects to provide fairness and mutual agreement within the research process. Additionally, a diverse sample of participants is crucial to represent communities and avoid misrepresentation and monolithic viewpoints accurately. To prevent false representations in research, my research team and I utilized a community-based participatory research approach to identify the best recruitment strategies to research Black populations, specifically on Black males. Finding the best recruitment strategies to reach various Black populations has allowed us to investigate and bring awareness about hair discrimination among Black males to the Black male audience of eighteen and older. Although all Black/African Americans are prone to being affected by hair discrimination, our research solely wanted to focus on a Black male perspective because hair discrimination is always viewed more towards Black females and not Black males, when Black males are just as susceptible to hair discrimination as well. The importance behind investigating hair discrimination is vital due to large numbers of Black/African Americans being denied jobs and suspended from school due to the texture and style of their hair being in dreads, locs, twists, afro, and braids. The best recruitment strategies we utilized to recruit Black males eighteen and older are social media, Black organizations across campus, partnering with HBCUs across South Carolina, barbershops, recruitment flyers, and spoken word events. Overall, this study aims to prevent misrepresentations of Black populations by utilizing community-based participatory approaches to develop a diverse set of culturally and contextually sensitive recruitment strategies to prevent any recurrence of historical difficulties that Black/African Americans have experienced in the past with such infamous cases such as the surgical experiments on enslaved people by J. Marion Sims, The Tuskegee Syphilis study on African American men, Henrietta Lacks, and many more. Therefore, community-based participatory research allowed for equitable methods to engage many recruiters, establish trust within the participants' communities, and engage and inform Black males about the effects of hair discrimination.

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Introduction Pain is a complex experience influenced by sensory, emotional, cognitive, and environmental factors. Effective pain management is crucial for both patient well-being and meeting institutional standards. Nurses play a central role in assessing, documenting, and managing pain. However, gaps in pain knowledge, assessment, and documentation practices can hinder optimal care. Despite standards from organizations like the Joint Commission, which emphasize timely pain assessment and reassessment, challenges remain in ensuring comprehensive and accurate documentation of pain interventions. This quality improvement initiative aims to identify the challenges nurses face with appropriate pain reassessment. By improving nurse’s understanding of evidence-based pain assessment tools and ensuring accurate, timely documentation, this initiative seeks to optimize patient care, support individualized treatment plans, and improve patient satisfaction. Methods/Results Our root cause analysis identified barriers to completing post-pain medication assessments through interviews with nursing staff on a medical surgical unit. A major barrier was a lack of knowledge about the process, with varying reports of the time allotted for pain reassessment. Another common theme was the absence of reminders in the electronic medical record (EMR). Additionally, since pain control regimens can vary widely between providers, nurses often have to spend extra time clarifying pain management orders and expectations between different healthcare professionals. Discussion Our analysis uncovered multiple system-level barriers to completing post-medication assessments. A reeducation program focusing on the policies and process for completing the assessments could reduce confusion and improve nursing compliance. Enhancing training on the impact of the assessment on patient outcomes and using the charge nurse to reinforce this importance during shifts may also be effective. Utilizing technology, such as implementing reminder systems in the EMR, could help nurses overcome time constraints and multi-tasking. Lastly, implementing an interdisciplinary approach to pain management plans could reduce confusion in expectations. While pain is a highly individualized experience and pain management should reflect that, having providers outline a pain management plan for patients at the beginning of each hospitalization would improve upon these assessments.

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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a form of cancer originating in the bone marrow that is characterized by genetic alterations that disrupt myeloid differentiation, leading to an accumulation of undifferentiated proliferative cells. Recent research suggests long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to this differentiation blockade. Our previous research identified one such lncRNA, lncRNAp53int1, as playing a potential role in AML pathogenesis. Although the gene encoding this RNA is located in the 1st intron of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, its regulatory relationship with the p53 tumor suppressor gene is not established. However, enhanced expression of lncRNAp53int1 is observed in leukemia cells, where it appears to support unchecked cellular proliferation by inhibiting differentiation. Our current research aims to elucidate the function of lncRNAp53int1 by identifying specific protein interactions that contribute to its activity. RNA-protein-pull down assays were used to identify and isolate the potential protein or proteins being recruited by lncRNAp53int1 and these proteins where further characterized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and ultimately mass spectrometry. By characterizing these protein interactions, we seek to uncover mechanisms by which lncRNAp53int1 contributes to AML progression, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. This study has significant implications for AML treatment, as understanding lncRNAp53int1’s role may provide insights into novel differentiation therapies. Given the high mortality rate of AML, research into targeted interventions is crucial.

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The claim system of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is often criticized for inefficiency and a lack of transparency. In this project, we address these issues by developing a proof-of-concept permissioned blockchain system and a digital ledger of transactions shared between authorized peers in the blockchain network using the Hyperledger Fabric framework. This system establishes secure collaboration by giving controlled access to relevant parties such as veterans, the VA, and healthcare providers. Smart contracts are deployed on the blockchain network to provide each party with their relevant step within the claims process. Private data collections for user data, such as healthcare information, are implemented to ensure that only authorized parties can access sensitive information. This system handles small-scale operations efficiently and can smoothly scale for larger workloads. This proof-of-concept demonstrates benefits such as improvements to overhead, transparency, and data integrity. Our results represent a promising step towards addressing the current claim system’s problems and serve as a starting point for further development of efficient and reliable claim handling through blockchain.

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Background The basal forebrain cholinergic hypothesis (BFCS) describes the degeneration of cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) that is correlated with disease pathology and severity. There has been limited progress in understanding of the vulnerability of this system, suggesting that there are other factors at play, such as altered afferent regulation. We have previously shown that the orexin/hypocretin system modulates cholinergic signaling and neuroinflammation in key regions implicated in AD, such as the BF, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Therefore, we hypothesize that orexin downregulation will impair cholinergic response in the PFC following an immune challenge. Methods Young female rats received bilateral LH injections of control lentivirus or lentiviral-preproorexin antisense and a microdialysis guide cannula was placed into the PFC. Three weeks later, animals received a 1mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide to induce an immune response. In-vivo microdialysis with a food-paired stimulus was performed and brain dialysates were measured for acetylcholine using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results We hypothesize that cholinergic response in the PFC of control females will be significantly increased following a food-paired stimulus, as we have previously shown in the insular cortex. This effect will be disrupted following orexin downregulation and LPS injection when compared to control females. Conclusion Orexin modulates neuroinflammation and cholinergic function in the PFC of female rats. Specifically, downregulation of orexin impairs the appropriate neuroimmune and neurochemical responses in the PFC to an immune challenge. Thus, the well-documented age- and AD-associated reduction of orexin signaling may be linked to BFCS degeneration via neuroinflammatory mechanisms.

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Colloidal gels, a class of soft materials formed by the assembly of nano- or microscale particles, have garnered significant interest in biomedical applications due to their tunable mechanical properties and ability to mimic extracellular matrices. This study aims to develop and characterize a novel class of colloidal gel systems based on the assembly of spherical gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) and two-dimensional Laponite nanosheets for potential use as 3D bioprinting inks and drug delivery platforms. Two colloidal gel systems are investigated: (1) GNPs interacting with Laponite via charge-driven assembly and (2) methacrylate-functionalized GNPs (GNP-MA) interacting with Laponite, combining both charge-driven interactions and UV-induced covalent crosslinking. We hypothesize that the additional crosslinking in the GNP-MA system will enhance gel stability and mechanical tunability. GNPs are synthesized by producing high-molecular-weight gelatin using a two-step desolvation method, followed by various precipitation and desolvation steps in water and acetone, and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. GNP-MA is prepared by reacting GNPs with methacrylic anhydride in various buffer systems. The two colloidal gel systems are formed by mixing GNPs or GNP-MA with Laponite, with UV-crosslinking applied to GNP-MA gels in the presence of a photoinitiator. Characterization includes dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy for size and morphology analysis, surface charge measurements for zeta potential determination across pH conditions, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess the degree of methacrylation. Rheological properties, including mechanical strength and elastic modulus, are evaluated using a Discovery Hybrid Rheometer, while printability is assessed through shear-thinning behavior in an extrustion-based 3D printing system. Ongoing experiments will determine how the introduction of UV-crosslinkable GNP-MA affects the viscoelastic and rheological properties of these hybrid colloidal gels, with implications for enhanced 3D bioprinting fidelity and cell viability. Additionally, the shear-thinning and self-healing characteristics of these gels position them as promising candidates for controlled drug delivery applications, potentially improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

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Introduction: The demand for accessible, safe and affordable surgical care is increasing worldwide. However, medical missions face criticism for quality concerns and voluntourism. Meanwhile, physician burnout is rising, yet little research explores whether missions can both serve patients and reinvigorate physicians. This study examines surgical attending physicians’ perspectives on the lasting impact of medical mission participation, with a focus on its role in mitigating burnout. Method: A 15-item online questionnaire was designed to assess physicians' perspectives on humanitarian missions. The survey elicited information regarding physician demographics, trip details, funding, and the influence of the trip on them and the community. This questionnaire was distributed to the surgical attendings at Prisma Health Upstate hospitals in the United States during the 2023/2024 academic year. Results: Of 42 respondents, 71% had participated in an international mission, while 29% had not. Among participants, 30% agreed that this experience influenced their decision to pursue surgery, while 44% decided beforehand. Most respondents reported trips lasting 7 to 10 days (41%), while 30% took trips exceeding 11 days. When asked about the impact of surgical missions on physician reinvigoration, the response was overwhelmingly positive with 79% agreeing or strongly agreeing that medical missions reinvigorated them as surgeons. Conclusion: Surgical attendings perceive medical missions as reinvigorating. These trips provide mutual benefits to the physicians and the communities they serve. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of these experiences and how structured mission programs can be optimized to support both global health initiatives and physician well-being.

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Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a type of phototherapy that has found possible applications as cancer treatment, antimicrobial, and anti-viral. PDT utilizes a light-activated molecule, typically referred to as a photosensitizer, which is responsible for generating the cytotoxic species that lead to the desired biological activity. Common photosensitizers consist of porphyrins and chlorins; however, phthalocyanines present promise as a photosensitizer due to their ability to absorb light at a clinically relevant wavelength, allowing for deeper penetration into tissues. Throughout our research, we have explored various methods of making monofunctionalized glycoconjugated phthalocyanines, with one route proving to be more effective. In this route, a mono-alkynylated phthalocyanine is created through a mixed condensation reaction using a mixture of two phthalonitriles. The resulting statistical mixture of products creates a significant challenge in the purification and characterization of the products. However, utilizing automated flash chromatography, we have been able to purify the resulting mixture of phthalocyanines (A4, A3B, A2B2, AB3, B4) and isolate the desired A3B symmetry which represents the mono-alkynylated phthalocyanine suitable for glycoconjugation. Using this alkyne group, glycoconjugation was performed through a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition or ‘click’ reaction. This has resulted in a small library of glycoconjugated phthalocyanines with various carbohydrates including N-Acetylglucosamine, N-Acetylgalactosamine, and lactose. This work was supported by funding through SC INBRE/NIH (P20GM103499-20) and an NIH R15 award (1R15GM148916-01).

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This abstract focuses on the role communication can play in any organizational environment (whether it be work or personal). I emphasize how positive dynamics, accountability, mentorship, structure, and incorporating feedback can lead to productive, efficient environments. My specific examples will focus on my internship at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, my presidential role in Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority, and my mentorship as a University 101 peer leader. I will use these experiences to highlight a direct correlation between facilitation and leadership with intentional communication.

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Advanced directives are essential for ensuring individuals receive medical care aligned with their wishes, yet many older adults lack awareness of or access to these resources. The 2019 South Carolina Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee Report highlights the need for improved education, accessibility, and clarity regarding advance care planning. This project aims to address these gaps by educating older adults in Columbia, SC, on the importance of advanced directives and providing accessible resources to support informed healthcare decision-making. As part of the March Seabrook Leadership Program, I developed an educational initiative in collaboration with The FriendShip, a local organization supporting older adults in healthy aging. The project includes an interactive presentation and informational flyers with guidance on completing advanced directives. Additionally, I have engaged with the South Carolina Department of Aging to ensure alignment with broader palliative care efforts. Future plans involve expanding the initiative by integrating the Geriatrics Club at the USC School of Medicine, creating a sustainable, student-led outreach program. The project also includes a future goal of hosting a signing day for advanced directives, partnering with lawyers and law students to assist clients in completing and signing their documents in one location. Moving forward, the project will focus on expanding partnerships and contributing to statewide education initiatives on advance care planning. By promoting education, accessibility, and engagement, this project supports statewide efforts to improve advance care planning, and through ongoing community collaboration and medical student involvement, it has the potential to create lasting improvements in how older adults approach healthcare planning in Columbia, SC.

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Felty syndrome is a rare condition in a subset of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients characterized by neutropenia and splenomegaly. 1-3% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis will develop Felty syndrome. These patients are predisposed to severe, recurrent infections increasing morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the difficulty of recognizing sepsis in Felty syndrome and emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis. 70-year-old male with history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and Felty syndrome presented with diarrhea, syncope, shortness of breath on exertion and subjective weakness. The patient’s medications included methotrexate and prednisone. Vitals were within normal limits. On physical exam lungs sounds were clear and abdomen was soft, non-tender with normoactive bowel sounds. White blood cell count was 4.3 K/cmm, procalcitonin was 13.35 ng/mL, quantitative C-reactive protein was unremarkable, lactic acid was 1.5 mmol/L, ALT was 246 U/L, AST was 122 U/L and alkaline phosphatase was 233 U/L. Total bilirubin was 5 mg/dL, and total protein was 7.6 g/dL with albumin of 3.4 g/dL. CT abdomen/pelvis revealed a 6 mm calculus at the distal common bile duct and chronic splenomegaly. Vancomycin and Zosyn were initiated to treat presumed sepsis secondary to biliary tract infection. Blood cultures were significant for E. coli and antibiotic treatment was changed to Ceftriaxone. GI was consulted; ERCP revealed a stricture at the GE junction with two stones extracted from the common bile duct after biliary sphincterotomy. Surgery was consulted and cholecystectomy was performed. Patient symptomatically improved and was discharged on antibiotics. Initially, diagnosing sepsis in this patient was challenging as he did not have a leukocytosis or fever but rather presented with non-specific symptoms. Patients with Felty syndrome are often on immunosuppressive therapy, as was our patient, which blunts the inflammatory response used to diagnose sepsis. Additionally, infection can be mistaken for an autoimmune disease flare. These factors can delay diagnosis affecting time to antibiotics. Early administration of antibiotics is crucial in improving outcomes in sepsis. Therefore, it is important to have a low threshold to consider sepsis in patients with Felty syndrome even without all the characteristic findings.

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Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the learning, understanding, and use of spoken language. It can co-occur with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), another neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity. Both DLD and ADHD are associated with negative impacts on academic performance and emotion regulation. It is possible that having both disorders increases a) difficulties with emotion regulation, and/or b) challenges with spoken language learning. Thus, the current study evaluated whether children with DLD, children with ADHD, and children with both DLD & ADHD differ in their expression of negative emotions during a difficult word learning paradigm. It also examined differences in their learning of the taught words and the correlations between the number of expressed negative emotions and word learning for each group. Second-grade children with ADHD, DLD, or both ADHD & DLD were taught 8 pseudowords via recorded oral instruction with spaced retrieval practice opportunities. Children were asked to name and identify the taught words, and feedback was provided for each response. Videos of the participants completing the word learning instruction were coded for behaviors such as negative emotion ventilations and self-criticisms to obtain frequency of negative emotion behaviors. Children’s recall of the taught words was assessed immediately post-test with a naming task. There was no significant difference in number of negative emotions between children with DLD, ADHD, and ADHD+DLD, but there was a significant difference in recall between children with ADHD and DLD+ADHD: Children with DLD+ADHD had lower recall than children with ADHD. The DLD group did not differ from either of the other two groups. Within all three groups, there were no significant correlations between the number of negative emotions and word learning performance (all p > .29). It was surprising that there was a group difference for word learning but not for number of negative emotion displays during word learning. It is possible that learning from spaced retrieval practice is emotionally challenging for all children. Implications for clinicians working with individuals with ADHD and/or DLD will be discussed.

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When we think management, we typically envision it in a very literal sense. Most people would think of a series of managers and employees all either working or directing others to a specific goal. Prior to beginning my coursework at the University of South Carolina I had never heard of project management. Project managers must coordinate employees, stakeholders, vendors, and resources in a way that ensures goals are met on time. In the field of information technology, good project management practices are vital to the operations of an organization. During my time as an intern for the South Carolina Legislative Services agency, I was given multiple opportunities to act in a project management role. On a specific occasion, I coordinated with our technology infrastructure team to implement a new environmental monitoring system for our data center. This opportunity allowed me to apply some of the project management principles I have learned while a student at USC. This experience was impactful to me for two reasons, first, it was the first time at any job where management trusted me to "make a call" on what the best system for a given purpose was. Second, it allowed me to help my team restore a vital technological system that had been down for years. To have this level of trust placed in me not only allowed me to demonstrate my abilities, but it also allowed me to feel valued as a member of the team. This experience showed me that I wasn't just being treated as an intern, but as a valuable member of a team. My key takeaway from this opportunity was how important it is to collaborate and work towards a common goal, and how good it can feel to be a part of something bigger than yourself. So far, the implementation process has been a resounding success, I look forward to continue to work towards its completion and I am thankful to have such a successful outcome to show my dedication and ability both to LSA and the project management profession.

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Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing presents not only a unique method of fabricating mechanical components but also integrating particle dampers into said components. Furthermore, previous research has shown that altering the particle packing density of these dampers by indenting the damper pocket can change its damping qualities. Making use of this, however, would cost manufacturers significant sums to test different particle packing densities and their qualities for each part with an integrated damper. An alternative method of observing particle packing density effects is using the discrete element method. Doing so presents a more efficient method of testing particle dampers with varied packing densities while also providing more insight into the behavior of the dampers and the particles contained within. In this study, the discrete element method is used to simulate altering the particle packing densities of small-scale particle dampers. This is done by generating a normal damper pocket, then generating a sphere that is moved partially into the pocket to compress the particles within, emulating the process of indenting the damper. As the simulated dampers oscillate, positional data is tracked and compared against experimentally gathered data. This research finds that the discrete element method is effective in observing similar trends to those of real-world particle dampers with altered particle packing density via indentation.

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Precise wiring of neural circuits is critical for proper development and function of the central nervous system. In the visual system, dorsal and ventral retinal ganglion cells extend their axons toward the visual processing center known as the optic tectum in non-mammalian vertebrates. During development, some dorsal retinal axons initially misroute along the dorsal branch of the optic tract but will selectively and locally degenerate later in development. Previous work by the Poulain Lab has shown that trans-axonal signaling can initiate pruning of these missorted axons in the optic tract. Key players in this signaling mechanism include the proteins Glypican-3 and Teneurin-3 located at the surface of ventral retinal axons that signal to Latrophilin-3 located at the surface of dorsal retinal axons. It remains unknown, however, if other receptors at the surface of axons are also contributing to the pruning of missorted dorsal axons. We hypothesize that receptors that may play a role are Unc5s. Unc5d has been shown to interact in trans with Glypican-3 in mice, suggesting it might participate in the trans-axonal signaling that instructs axonal pruning. Unc5d has also been shown to interact with Latrophilin-3 and FLRT3 in synaptic formation and transmission. In zebrafish, Unc5b and Unc5c are two Unc5 family receptors highly expressed in the nervous system. Using in-situ hybridization, I analyzed the expression of unc5b and unc5c in the retina at several timepoints, and found that unc5b was expressed in the dorsal retina at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-fertilization. I then performed lipophilic dye injections in the retina of unc5b mutants and wild-type siblings at 4 days post-fertilization to label dorsal retinal axons, and imaged dorsal axons along the optic tract to analyze the presence of potential pruning defects. Preliminary data suggest that Unc5b may be dispensable for axonal pruning. Future work will explore whether Unc5s play earlier roles in the development of the visual system.

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Disruptions in sphingolipid regulation are associated with various life-threatening diseases, including cancer, and neurodegeneration. Sphingolipid metabolites offer a promising foundation for developing novel therapeutics, making it critically important to develop tools for analyzing sphingolipid metabolism to advance our understanding and treatment of these serious conditions. In this context, researchers are developing engineered lipids with bioorthogonal tags such as azide, alkyne, and diazirine, and utilizing bioorthogonal chemistry methods to precisely localize and track these minimally modified lipid probes within cells. To find a tag that is small, stable under physical conditions, and reactive under specific conditions, a novel engineered sphingosine containing a cyclopropanol (CPol) has been developed. The CPol modified sphingosine can be opened selectively to form β-functionalized sphingosine ketones under electrochemical conditions that have gained significant attention for offering controlled, selective, mild, and environmentally friendly reactions. This resulting ketone can react with specific partners, enabling its use in biological applications. To investigate the movement of sphingosine in the cell sphingosine analog was incorporated into live cells by metabolic pathway, following by the cell labeling by fluorescent dye. Furthermore, this β-functionalized ketone can act as an electrophilic center for surrounding proteins to interact with sphingolipids, aiding in the investigation of sphingolipid mechanisms. Hence, this study provides valuable insights into sphingolipid-related disease mechanisms and paves the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in sphingolipid research.

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Background: Gram-negative bloodstream infections (GNBSIs) lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Technologic advances in rapid diagnostic tests for pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) have enhanced the ability for clinicians to more promptly initiate patients on stewardship-conscience and appropriate antimicrobial therapy compared with traditional culture and susceptibility methodologies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial stewardship program benefit of the addition of the Accelerate Pheno® (AP) system for rapid phenotypic AST with an existing blood culture identification multiplex polymerase chain reaction (BCID2®)/Vitek 2®/ matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time (MALDI) workflow. Methods: An IRB-exempt, multi-centered, retrospective, pre-/post-cohort study was conducted in adult patients hospitalized with aerobic GNBSIs at one of four Prisma Health – Midlands major acute care facilities. Notable exclusions were patients with polymicrobial GNBSIs, those who left against medical advice, transferred to an outside facility, discharged home, or died prior to receipt of antibiotic therapy initiation or blood culture identification results. Baseline characteristics and endpoints were manually collected using a pre-specified REDCap form. The primary endpoint of the time to first appropriate streamlined therapy (FAST) was evaluated in the AP group from August 5, 2022 to October 31, 2022 and in the post-AP group from May 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024. Key secondary endpoints included discordances between AP-determined and BCID2®- or MALDI-determined pathogen identification, discordances between AP-determined and Vitek 2®-determined AST results, and time to de-escalation off carbapenems, anti-pseudomonal beta-lactams, and Gram-negative combination therapy. Results: In Progress Conclusions: In Progress

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This study compared various response formats in fitting confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. Participants responded to the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 8) across five different response formats in a within-subjects experimental design: the Likert-type scale, three types of slider response formats, and a number-entry response format. We compared the different response formats based on item-level scores, factor structure and psychometric properties of the scale, mean comparisons across groups, and individuals’ sum scores. Similar results were observed across the response formats with respect to factor structure, measurement invariance, reliability, and validity of test scores. However, inconsistent results were found regarding group mean comparisons across groups. Individuals’ item scores and sum scores also varied across different response formats, as did participants’ subjective evaluations of response formats in terms of perceived accuracy, enjoyment, difficulty, and mental exhaustion. Based on study findings, we provide recommendations and discuss implications for researchers designing and conducting clinical assessments.

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During my Fall 2023 and 2024 semesters, I had the immense privilege of being a peer leader for University 101 at the University of South Carolina. This course is a major factor in why the University consistently wins the #1 first-year experience from U.S. News and World Report in their annual undergraduate rankings, and I have gotten to see first-hand how this class positively impacts students. Over the course of each semester, I co-instructed a group of 20 freshmen and aided them in their transition to college life at the university. We went over important topics like advising, time management, employability, and involvement, but also more personal and intimate topics like personal values, identity and assumptions and wellness. Throughout my time as a peer leader, I grew immensely in my leadership abilities. I became more comfortable as a public speaker by leading discussions and keeping students engaged, I strengthened my interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and I grew in my confidence and administrative abilities. Throughout each semester, my co-instructor and I met weekly to strategically tailor classes to the needs of our students. Throughout this process I created a close relationship with my co-instructor who has now turned into a mentor for me and has been a fantastic example of a leader. She has taught me how to provide guidance, perspective, support, and encouragement to our students. My experience as a peer leader has been the most rewarding thing I have done as a student at USC and I will take what I have learned with me far into my future.

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Objectives: Gait speed and motor deficits are significant determinants of functional stroke recovery, dependence, and disability in stroke survivors. Traditional assessments rely on in-person evaluations by healthcare providers. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of a contactless sensor in estimating gait speed and Fugl-Meyer (FM) action duration. Methods: A contactless sensor with a processing unit was designed to estimate gait speed and FM action duration. It transmits low-power radio-frequency signals (similar frequency used in 5G smartphones) and analyzes body reflections from the subject’s body. An algorithm extracts 3D body structures, through spatial and temporal frequencies, to isolate walking periods, and calculates gait speed from time and distance. For FM actions, the algorithm identifies limb movements and extracts segments with the highest feature template matching. The sensor's measurements were compared to standard manual assessments. Results: Ten stroke survivors (mean age 62.4 ± 11.8 years) with self-selected gait speeds of 0.18–0.85 m/s and ten control subjects (mean age 31.6 ± 17.7 years) with speeds of 0.80–1.31 m/s were evaluated. The sensor correlated highly with manual gait speed measurements in stroke survivors (R = 0.99, error mean ± SD: 0.03 ± 0.02 m/s) but showed moderate correlation in controls (R = 0.68, error mean ± SD: 0.14 ± 0.10 m/s). It was most accurate for low-to-moderate gait speeds (0.18–0.85 m/s). For FM assessments, the sensor accurately estimated lower-extremity action duration (mean errors: 0.60 s for stroke survivors, 0.53 s for controls). Upper-extremity estimates were less precise but remained less than 2.21 s (stroke survivors) and 1.89 s (controls). Conclusions: The contactless sensor demonstrated high accuracy in gait speed estimation and promising performance in FM action duration assessment, particularly for lower extremities. This technology could enable remote, automated stroke recovery monitoring in diverse settings, including home/health care facilities, helping identify rehabilitation needs and improve patient outcomes.

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Naturally grown MnBi2Te4 is a layered antiferromagnetic (AFM) topological insulator with the transition temperature TN ≈ 25 K. However, its intrinsic AFM order restricts the realization of exotic quantum phenomena such as quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE), which is essential for quantum devices. Here, we report the effect of magnetic field to the magnetism in MnBi2Te4 by annealing as-grown MnBi2Te4 or growing MnBi2Te4 single crystals in the presence of a magnetic field. We observe that annealing as-grown MnBi2Te4 single crystals at 600 K and under 10 T for 24 hours induces ferromagnetic (FM) like feature below T* ≈ 15 K. On the other hand, growing MnBi2Te4 single crystals under 9 T stabilizes the FM ground state with the Curie temperature TC ≈ 25 K. We demonstrate magnetic field is a powerful sample environment for establishing a desired magnetic ground state.

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Participating in jobs and internships during undergraduate study promotes confidence, mastery of new skills, and the building of valuable professional relationships. Gaining experience in fields that I was unfamiliar with pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me new ways in which my academic background can contribute to my career success. With the opportunities that have been available to me through the University of South Carolina, I am able to combine within the classroom content and my professional experiences to build a skillset that will help me on my journey into the workforce after graduation. I have learned the importance of risk management and emergency preparedness as well as how to effectively work in a team. Knowing how to identify risks, educate others on risk factors, and use teamwork to accomplish goals in a professional setting is essential to success. Through my experiences here at USC, I have developed lifelong skills that will make me an asset to any professional pathway I choose because teamwork and risk assessment are always vital to any industry.

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Cultural exchange is most effective when it is interactive and participatory. Through my Japanese Popular Culture course, I explored how everyday activities reflect deeper cultural values. My PowerPoint on “Why Fruits Are Popular in Japan” highlighted how fruit represents prestige and tradition, showing that even simple customs carry cultural significance. Beyond the classroom, I participated in the Expo Club Global Festival, where I planned and led interactive activities for international students. My photos and Instagram posts document how I taught Heads Up, a game relying on gestures rather than language. Despite language barriers, students connected through laughter and play, reinforcing the idea that play is a universal language. As noted in my artifact, the festival allowed students to actively engage rather than just observe, deepening cross-cultural connections. These experiences relate to cultural hybridity, the idea that cultures evolve through interaction. Just as Japanese pop culture blends tradition and global trends, the Expo Club event combined diverse cultural elements. A key challenge in cross-cultural interactions is overcoming language barriers and hesitation, which can make engagement feel surface-level. However, as my artifacts illustrate, everyday activities like games and food create natural opportunities for deeper cultural exchange. Findings suggest that interactive engagement fosters meaningful connections. Rather than just studying culture, participating in shared experiences—whether through play, food, or entertainment—enhances global learning. Culture isn’t just something to observe; it’s something we actively shape and share.

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This senior honors thesis illuminates the social and cultural history of Columbia in the 1920s by examining the life and work of James Spencer Verner (1877-1933), a lawyer who wrote short stories and plays. Family connections situated Verner in an intellectual environment from an early age. He received an undergraduate degree at USC in 1896 and followed his father into a career in law. Verner served as the recorder of the city of Columbia and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from Richland County. In addition to his professional roles, he was also a leading figure in the Quill Club, a literary society founded in 1922. In his short stories and plays, Verner wrote about crimes and prosecutions focusing on topical issues of the 1920s, including the legal complications of ending a South Carolina marriage when the state was the only one in the country that did not permit divorce under any circumstances.

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Semantic processing, the ability to access or apply conceptual knowledge, can be impaired in neuropsychological populations and is commonly assessed with standard non-linguistic picture verification measures such as the Pyramids and Palm Trees Test (PPT) and Kissing and Dancing Test (KDT). However, prior research suggests these measures have substantial executive function demands. We aimed to assess this claim in 79 post-stroke aphasia patients. First, we assessed whether the PPT and KDT have significant convergent validity with semantic processing as assessed through the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) comprehension subscore and the Northwestern Assessment of Verbs and Sentences (NAVS) verb and sentence comprehension tests, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) matrices test as a control for executive function demands. Second, we assessed whether these measures predict damage to areas widely implicated in conceptual-semantic processing. The results revealed that the PPT and KDT significantly correlated with performance on the WAB-R and NAVS comprehension measures, but this relationship disappeared when WAIS matrices was included as a covariate, suggesting the convergent validity of the PPT and KDT may be driven by a shared executive function component. After controlling for multiple comparisons, the PPT only significantly related to damage to the posterior cingulate gyrus and the KDT did not significantly relate to damage to any semantics-related brain regions, unlike the linguistic comprehension measures which significantly related to several of these regions. These results indicate that the PPT and KDT may have limited utility in assessing conceptual-semantic deficits in left hemisphere chronic stroke survivors.

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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 (1). 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 (2). Our lab has shown 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 cluster from Fep1 during iron deficiency (3). However, the structure of Fep1 has not been experimentally determined. 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 recombinant protein expression and purification. 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. Following purification via E. coli cell lysis, sonication, and column chromatography, the circular dichroism spectrum of the sample suggests binding of a [2Fe-2S] cluster, as hypothesized. The purified protein will be used for crystallization trials to obtain the 3D 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 absorption, circular dichroism, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopies.

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I am an International Business and Marketing major at Darla Moore School of Business. My beyond the classroom experience is Sustainability in Germany. I was in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany and it was a faculty-led experience. I visited Leipzig, Berlin, and Droyßig where I had a host family. I was able to practice and improve my German speaking skills whilst learning more about the sustainable systems that Germany has in place. My task in this experience was to get a documented journal of each day’s experience. This ranged from going to a vocational secondary school focusing on sustainability, UNESCO sites, and visiting companies to learn more about their energy system and practices, such as CropEnergies Bioethanol, Fraunhofer CBT, and Enercon. I went abroad to Germany because I wanted to learn more about the systems that Germans had in place compared to the United States. I had an interest in a career focusing on sustainability in the automotive industry. I was able to learn about wind energy, a big renewable source in Germany. Additionally, how sustainability was incorporated into art, family practices, and innovation in Germany. My beyond the classroom experience helped me better understand concepts on international business and social responsibility that I had covered in my IBUS 310 course. Additionally, my Green Scholars course from my freshman year of college prepared me for this experience as we analyzed different ways we could improve the campus’s sustainable initiatives. Overall, I was able to learn about the individual and corporate role of sustainability and how we can better make an impact on the world.

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Families experiencing homelessness often struggle to access the educational support guaranteed to them under the McKinney-Vento Act, largely due to awareness gaps and communication barriers. This project explores the effectiveness of strategic outreach and stakeholder engagement in improving resource accessibility for these families. The primary research question examines how targeted communication strategies impact awareness, engagement, and utilization of McKinney-Vento services among professionals and the community. The purpose of this study is to assess and enhance outreach methods used to connect educators and community partners with essential resources. The methodology involves implementing a multi-channel communication strategy, including digital engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and direct outreach. Data is analyzed through engagement metrics, training participation rates, and qualitative feedback from educators and service providers.Preliminary results indicate that strategic communication improves awareness and participation in McKinney-Vento programs. Training sessions led to an increase in liaison participation, digital outreach increased family engagement over six months, and strengthened community partnerships improved service utilization rates. These findings demonstrate that data-driven outreach strategies effectively bridge awareness gaps and ensure families receive the educational support they need. This study underscores the importance of effective messaging, community collaboration, and advocacy-driven outreach in supporting vulnerable student populations.

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Background: In the United States, African American (AA) women have disproportionately higher rates of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity, yet they remain underrepresented in health promotion research.1 AA women also report lower rates of physical activity (PA), which contributes to chronic health conditions and shorter life expectancies. AA women report strong familial and community ties, which make up their social support networks. Social networks have a significant influence on AA women’s health behaviors, and thus it is important to understand how different characteristics (e.g., age) within social networks relate to PA among AA women.2 Purpose: Together Everyone Achieves More Physical Activity (TEAM-PA) is a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a group-based intervention for increasing PA among AA women. The present study uses baseline data from the TEAM-PA trial to identify key characteristics of support networks among insufficiently active AA women. Methods: Using a self-report survey, participants identified 3-5 people in their personal network who could support them in increasing their daily PA. Participants provided information related to their support persons’ ages, relationship, physical proximity, and perceived PA level. Additionally, PA data was collected through 7-day accelerometry wear. Results: 95 participants responded to the survey, resulting in 359 support people identified. The most prominent type of relationship represented within participants’ support networks included a family member (33.7%), friend (25.3%), or child (22.6%). The age of their support network members varied with 20.1% over the age of 65, 18.7% being 35-44 years old, and 17.5% being 55-64 years old. Bivariate correlations revealed that the only characteristic that was significantly related to PA was age, such that having older individuals within one’s support network (over the age of 65) was associated with lower daily minutes of PA (r = -.24, p < .05). Discussion: While the information collected on support networks provides valuable preliminary insight into the role of age among support networks and PA, more research is needed to examine the long-term impact of support networks on PA levels and health behaviors among AA women.

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Background: Cervical myelopathy is a degenerative condition that compresses the spinal cord, often leading to motor and sensory deficits. While laminectomy and fusion is the traditional surgical approach, cervical laminoplasty offers a non-fusion alternative that aims to preserve cervical mobility. Despite its use, there is a lack of studies investigating PROMIS scores after cervical laminoplasty. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of cervical laminoplasty by comparing preoperative and one-year postoperative PROMIS scores along with the patient’s improvement and satisfaction following surgery. Methods: A retrospective query was performed to identify patients who underwent elective cervical laminoplasty at a single academic institution. Twenty-five patients with cervical myelopathy underwent laminoplasty and were surveyed via telephone before surgery and at one-year postoperatively. PROMIS domains scores for Global Health Physical (GHP), Global Health Mental (GHM), Pain Interference (PI), Physical Function (PF), and Depression (D) were collected. Patients also reported their subjective improvement and satisfaction postoperatively using a Likert scale questionnaire. Results: Mean preoperative versus postoperative scores were: GHP (33 vs. 38), GHM (44 vs. 43), PI (70 vs. 59), PF (32 vs. 38), and D (52 vs. 52). Overall, 72% of patients perceived improvement, and 80% were satisfied with the procedure. Conclusion: Cervical laminoplasty appears to reduce pain interference and improve physical function in patients with cervical myelopathy, with most reporting postoperative improvement and satisfaction. These findings suggest that cervical laminoplasty may be a useful surgical alternative for patients suffering from cervical myelopathy. Larger studies with extended follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.

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For the past year I have been employed as a physical therapy technician at Drayer Physical Therapy in Forest Acres, SC. In this position I have had the opportunity to assist physical therapists in patient care duties such as preparing equipment for use, setting up patients for workouts, and walking up to 10 patients a day through their planned exercises for hour-long sessions. Daily I get to observe diverse treatment modalities such as manual massage therapy, joint mobilization, electrical stimulation therapy, electronic ultrasound, cupping, heat and ice treatments. I also have learned how to complete office clerical duties such as checking patients in and out of appointments, collecting payments with and without insurance, scheduling patient appointments, and answering clinic phone calls and emails. As an exercise science major this employment has allowed me to gain immense hands-on experience on what day-to-day life looks like as a clinician whose focus is on exercise as rehabilitation and injury treatment and prevention. The curriculum I have learned over the past four years shows up daily in my job as a technician, and has allowed me to prepare myself to become a successful future healthcare provider. My presentation will overview the insights I have acquired through my experiences within the classroom and in the clinic, and how they have set me up for success in attending physical therapy school and pursuing my dream career.

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INTRODUCTION: Scaphoid fractures are common orthopedic injuries that can result in malunion, nonunion, avascular necrosis, and accelerated wrist degeneration if a displaced fracture goes unnoticed. Recent biomechanical studies suggest that double-screw fixation offers advantages over single-screw methods in stability and rotational stress. However, this method is largely understudied, especially in the United States. This study aims to review the literature and report outcomes for scaphoid fractures treated with double screw fixation. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed and Embase were queried to find all articles related to double screw fixation of scaphoid fractures and nonunions. Surgical technique and approach were collected along with patient demographics and outcomes. Outcomes included union rate and time, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score, grip strength, Mayo Wrist Score (MWS), range of motion (ROM), and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scores. RESULTS: Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies from 7 countries reporting on 222 scaphoids were included. The predominant surgical technique was open reduction and internal fixation with a volar approach. All studies reported union rates, resulting in bony union of 220 out of 222 scaphoids, or a total rate of 99.1%. Average reported union times ranged from 8 weeks to 5 months. Seven studies included VAS scores and MWS with post-operative averages ranging from 0.23 to 3 and 79 to 93.89, respectively. Six studies reported ROM, five reported grip strength, and four reported PRWE. CONCLUSION: The double screw fixation method for scaphoid fractures and nonunions is an understudied topic that resulted in high union rates and favorable patient outcomes. Further high-quality study is necessary to determine complications as well as superiority or inferiority to other methods of fixation. Study Level of Evidence Level IV

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Background/Aim Medical Students Making Change (MSMC) is a student-led organization that works with the Free Medical Clinic in Columbia, SC to identify and counsel uninsured patients diagnosed with or at high risk for diabetes. In Richland County, approximately one in ten people are uninsured. These patients are vulnerable to the negative impacts of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) which can contribute to higher rates of diabetes, increased disease mortality, and higher rates of severe diabetic complications. Through SDOH screening, MSMC can identify many of these patients with barriers to care and proper resources. This information is both shared with Free Medical Clinic clinicians and used by our volunteers to directly connect patients with valuable community resources. By identifying SDOH-related needs and providing a structured framework to link patients with appropriate support, MSMC aims to prevent diabetes in at-risk individuals and improve health outcomes for those already diagnosed. Methods MSMC volunteers currently use a five-question screening tool covering food insecurity, barriers to exercise, transportation, and housing insecurity. While this tool has greatly enhanced our ability to identify patients’ specific barriers, many volunteers are unsure of how to provide resources. To enhance this process, we have partnered with the student organization, Links to Care, to integrate their SDOH decision trees focused on transportation and food insecurity. These tools will help our volunteers guide patients toward the most appropriate resources. Additionally, this partnership will allow our screening tool to provide more valuable input on most needed resources for decision trees in progress. Discussion Implementation of the SDOH decision trees is ongoing. Once volunteers are trained, we anticipate improved identification of barriers to care, enhanced data collection on patient needs, and more effective patient referrals to essential resources for diabetes management. Training volunteers to use decision trees will provide a structured framework for identifying patient needs and navigating available resources. These tools will clarify eligibility, streamline access to assistance, and ensure patients understand the necessary steps to secure support. By integrating this approach, MSMC aims to improve resource accessibility and overall patient outcomes.

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In the spring semester of 2024, I began my internship with Something Borrowed LLC, an event rental company that specializes in corporate events, weddings, and festivals. As part of my role, I was tasked to assist with the logistics, management, and execution of the St. Patrick’s Day festival in Five Points, Columbia, SC. My first experience with a large-scale event, the festival provided a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on event operations / coordination and combined many of the elements of event management covered in my undergraduate coursework. In preparation ahead of the festival, I was involved in many aspects of development including logistics meetings, inventory procurement and management, and more. Being so involved with the process allowed me to see the true nature and attention to detail needed to organize and execute large events, something I had previously only theorized in my courses. The final push for the event was the actual assembly of the event and, working with a small group of volunteers through the night, prepared all five of the patron access points, ensuring each was safely assembled and ready for the morning. Having later that same day attended the same festival as a patron and witnessing first-hand the payoff of weeks of hard work, seeing the festival’s smooth operation was immensely rewarding. My experience interning with Something Borrowed has instilled in me the importance of combining course knowledge with hands-on learning, in order to be truly immersed in the industry. This internship has provided me with so much industry knowledge, growth, and personal development, while reinforcing my passion for event management and intensifying my desire to work in the entertainment industry.

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This poster will use yearbooks, newsletters, and awards from the 1950s - 1970s to create a picture of the phenomenal academic environment of C.A. Johnson High School, and the numerous successful students that once walked its halls. I will also reflect on the course offerings, diverse staffing, and extracurricular activities that all worked together to make this historically Black high school so successful. Further, this poster will specifically highlight how Black high schools like C.A. Johnson not only prepared students for local and national endeavors, but also pushed them in the direction of international achievement. In order to demonstrate this, I will spend the majority of this poster discussing C.A. Johnson’s music teacher, Mrs. Margaret Alice Thornton and her mentorship of Louis-Edward Smart, a renowned bass singer who went on to have a successful music career in several different countries before coming back home to perform right here in Columbia, SC. His numerous letters to Mrs. Thornton demonstrate that she had a profound impact on the trajectory of his life, and that C.A. Johnson played a key role in preparing him for a successful career.

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In my first semester of college, I joined Relay For Life as a member of the Cancer Advocacy committee. I had never heard of the organization, but after speaking with the representatives at the organization fair, I felt it aligned with my passions and values very well. Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s college fundraising branch, and the organization allowed for ample opportunities to engage with the community, get involved in the world of cancer awareness, and raise funds for cancer research, support, and prevention. As I went through the year on the Cancer Advocacy committee, I saw such passion behind each person in the organization, and knew I wanted it to be a bigger part of my life. The next year, I became the Fundraising chair, a position I held for two years, and I am currently a Senior Advisor for the Fundraising committee. The role of fundraising chair was life-changing. It taught me to be a leader, organizational skills, and a genuine appreciation for each person I worked with throughout my experience in Relay For Life. During my sophomore year, I decided to involve myself in the cancer community even more, joining a research lab titled the Exercise Oncology Lab. In this lab, we worked with members of the Columbia community, providing exercise interventions to cancer patients and survivors to improve quality of life. This experience only deepened my passion for the field, allowing me to connect with each patient I worked with. I learned how to adapt to changing situations, as well as maintaining optimism in the face of failure. My experiences serving in the USC/Columbia community have made me into a more well-rounded leader, student, researcher, and activist, and each lesson learned through these experiences will continue to cause me to grow throughout the rest of my life and career.

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In August 2023, I had the opportunity to serve as a Recruitment Counselor, or "Pi Chi," for the University of South Carolina College Panhellenic Association. This role was not only deeply rewarding but also an incredible experience in professional development and civic engagement. As a Pi Chi, I guided a group of 27 freshmen women through USC’s largest Panhellenic sorority recruitment to date. Working closely with the Panhellenic Executive Board and utilizing the "Pi-Chi Handbooks," I navigated the challenges of leading and mentoring first-year students as they adjusted to the recruitment process and college life. One of the biggest lessons I learned in this role was the importance of effective communication. At the start of recruitment, I struggled to captivate and maintain my group's attention, as they were overwhelmed with nerves and uncertainty. However, after reflecting on my own experience going through sorority recruitment two years prior, I shifted my approach. I put myself in their shoes and spoke to them with empathy, understanding their emotions and concerns. This change in perspective immediately improved my ability to connect with them, making them more engaged and open to asking questions. Through this experience, I gained valuable leadership, mentorship, and public speaking skills. I learned how to adapt my communication style to different audiences and create an environment where individuals felt supported and confident in their decisions. Serving as a Pi Chi reinforced my passion for guiding others and provided me with skills that will benefit me in future professional and leadership roles.

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Protein A affinity chromatography is widely used for purifying Fc-domain molecules like monoclonal antibodies (mAb), bispecific antibodies (bsAb), and fusion proteins. Optimizing downstream steps such as resin choice, wash steps, and elution pH can enhance yields, reduce host cell protein (HCP) contamination, and minimize product aggregates and fragments. This study demonstrates rapid screening of various resins, wash buffers, and elution buffers using an automated liquid handler (Hamilton Microlab STAR) with loosely packed resin beds (IMCStips). Three mAbs and one bsAb were purified from cell cultures using four resins, eight wash conditions, and eight elution parameters. To verify that dispersive solid phase extraction behaved similarly to traditional column-based methods, each resin was used to bind polyclonal human IgG, and binding capacities were compared to manufacturer binding capacity values. Each of the four analytes was then purified using the four resins and either eight unique wash conditions previously shown to affect HCP clearance or eight different elution conditions. Products were analyzed for yield, monomer fraction, HCP content, and purity. The final test combined three optimal wash and two elution conditions to select parameters that maximize HCP clearance and reduce aggregation while maintaining yields. Ideal resin, wash buffer, and elution conditions were identified for each analyte, with the least stable analyte showing the greatest variability among resins and the elution parameter showing the greatest impact on yield and monomer percentage. Moreover, NaCl-based wash conditions, as well as those containing a denaturant, showed the greatest HCP clearance across the resins tested. Demonstrated is a rapid, automated means for identifying key, bespoke parameters for downstream purification of Fc-domain containing molecules.

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Early embryogenesis requires a transition of the developmental control from the maternal to zygotic program. This transition includes both the maternal factor clearance and the zygotic genome activation (ZGA), which are essential for early embryonic cell fate specification and cell type diversification. However, the mechanisms of maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) in time and space is not fully understood. We previously established a model using the Xenopus early embryo to reveal a spatiotemporally gradual pattern of ZGA; nevertheless, how this pattern is regulated is still unknown. We hypothesize that regionally enriched factors mediate the spatial asynchrony of ZGA. To test this hypothesis, we performed proteomics on regions dissected from early Xenopus embryos, including the animal pole (AP) and the vegetal pole (VP) where the ZGA initiates early and late, respectively. By analyzing the Gene Ontology (GO) terms, we found that the AP is enriched with proteins participating in the RNA splicing and processing, while the VP is enriched in fatty acid metabolic process, suggesting potential roles of these molecules may contribute to the spatially distinct onset of ZGA. Strikingly, RNA epigenetics modifiers, including the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) writer METTL16 and readers YTHDF1/2, are significantly enriched in the AP. Previous research reported that m6A contribute to maternal mRNA clearance and nascent RNA stabilization. Our data indicate a potential key role of m6A in regulating early ZGA in the AP. To corroborate the findings of proteomic analysis, we performed Western blot analysis on the expression of m6A modifiers in the regions of embryos. Indeed, we found YTHDF2 is higher at the AP than at the VP when ZGA occurs, consistent with the proteomic data. We are currently working on the Nanopore direct RNA sequencing to detect the m6A modification, as well as other RNA modifications, in different regions of early embryos. Overall, our study provides novel insights into RNA epigenetic regulation of the early embryonic genome, and our findings have general implications in understanding the principles of early embryo development, potentiating novel strategies for treatments of developmental disorders.

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42-year-old male presented with two days of epigastric pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. He reported constipation, denied fever, chills, dyspnea, urinary complaints. He had been increasing alcohol intake to 2-3 drinks daily for several months. On admission labs revealed a lipase of 557, Na 127, ALT 80, AST 156, and triglycerides 3458. Imaging was indicative of acute pancreatitis without pseudocyst, with heterogeneous appearance to head and uncinate process with extensive surrounding peripancreatic soft tissue stranding involving the entire pancreas. His liver was notably enlarged, measuring 23.5 cm with severe steatosis. No cholecystitis, no cholelithiasis. There was also noted peripancreatic fluid extending inferiorly predominantly along the right paracolic gutter into the pelvis without discrete rim-enhancing fluid collections to suggest abscess. The patient was placed on bowel rest with significant improvement in symptoms. Clear liquids were trialed, however he developed recurrent and worsening symptoms with significant tachycardia, hypocalcemia requiring repletion, acute anemia requiring transfusion, and significant diffuse abdominal distention and tenderness to palpation without rebound tenderness. NG tube was placed for decompression. Imaging was repeated with evidence of a worsening retroperitoneal fluid collection concerning for hemorrhage vs abscess. A RLQ drain was placed which resulted with aseptic cultures, however he had been on antibiotics prophylactically. The fluid was also notable for significant blood. He underwent MRCP with evidence of necrotizing hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Due to the patient’s inability to tolerate PO for an extended period the patient ultimately had a post-pyloric small-bore catheter placed for enteral nutrition. When the RLQ drain stopped draining significantly (<30mL), it was removed. The patient’s exam improved, and he was again trialed on clear liquids which he now tolerated. His acute blood loss anemia stabilized, no longer requiring transfusions. His diet was slowly advanced and once he tolerated low fat diet the small-bore catheter was removed. He was transitioned to the floor and ultimately discharged home. This case brings attention to the acuity of what appears to be simple pancreatitis on initial exam and initial imaging and the risk of progression to life threatening necrotizing or hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

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During the summer of 2024, I had the distinct honor of serving as the Young Adult Advisory Delegate for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). I represented South Carolina during the two week long conference where legislation ruling the national church was discussed, debated, and voted on. I was able to serve on the Ordination committee where we met every day for a week before going to Salt Lake City, Utah for the plenary session. I have always been an active member in the Presbyterian church, at home and serving as the UKIRK co-president on USC's campus. This opportunity was not only exciting, but it was a way to combine my passion for politics with my involvement in the church. I learned how difficult it can be to represent an entire body of people with sometimes drastically different opinions than myself. It was a real life application of the lessons I learned from my Congress and the Presidency class here at South Carolina. I really enjoyed the policy aspect of the experience. It was fascinating to be included in the process knowing it held so much weight. I had the experience in my class but it was all just for the simulation, this actually mattered. I learned that politics can be handled with grace and love in a debate setting, something that was more rare to see during my time working in the South Carolina House of Representatives. I saw first hand people acknowledging and respecting other opinions that disagree with them. I also was able to be reminded to fully research and try to understand all sides before coming to an opinion. It was incredibly challenging to vote on some of the legislation knowing it may hurt certain groups of people. I will carry all of these lessons I learned into my future career in law.

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During the summer of 2024 I participated in Textron’s 10-week Leadership Development Intern Program. Textron is a global leader in technology and manufacturing. I spent the summer at Textron Systems in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and I had the privilege of working with the Air Systems team where they specialize in creating unmanned drones for the military. I worked on the program finance team as a financial analyst where I worked closely with program managers and engineers who were developing new, innovative drone systems. As a financial analyst, I was responsible for helping these teams better understand how the program was performing financially. This work consisted of reviewing actual results, updating forecasts, preparing project expenditure reports, and creating new ad-hoc analyses. This experience exposed me to new software that I might use in the future and provided me with an opportunity to learn about the unique accounting requirements associated with government contracting. Along with creating financial reports for program leaders, we also completed a group case study. This case study required my team of six interns from various Textron units to conduct a make or buy analysis for a part required to manufacture a newly designed Bell helicopter. This assignment provided a great opportunity to collaborate with other interns and learn from corporate leaders how analyses are performed, and business decisions are made. As a Finance major, USC provided me with the base knowledge in areas like accounting, operations management and financial analysis that helped make me a successful intern. However, applying these skills during my internship helped me better understand their application in the real world. At Textron I was exposed to large complex sets of data, gained industry knowledge, and learned how to work effectively with team members with different backgrounds and skill sets, such as program engineers. I learned how effective communication and collaboration with people of different skills and responsibilities is critical for overall program and company success. Working together makes us more effective, yielding better results for the company, our customers, and society.

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Human neuropsychological studies have shown consistent age-related declines in cognitive processes that underlie the ability to switch between tasks. However, there is a lack of experimental paradigms using animal models to investigate these phenomena. In this study, we introduce a dual-task paradigm incorporating match-to-sample and non-match-to-sample operant tasks to assess task-switching costs in male and female F344 rats of different ages (4-10 months for younger rats, and 12+ months for older rats). Rats were trained to sample a pre-selected lever, and after a delay of up to 24 seconds, their memory of the sampled lever was tested during a choice phase. In the single-task condition, rats selected the same lever as the sample ('match-to-sample'). In the dual-task condition, cue-lights prompted rats to either repeat the same response or switch to a non-matching response strategy ('non-match-to-sample'). Older rats performed comparably to younger rats in the matching-only condition but showed decreased accuracy in the dual-task condition, particularly on non-matching trials after longer delays. Subsequent tests ruled out impairments in rule learning, reversal learning, or set-shifting, suggesting specific deficits in task-switching abilities. Task-switching deficits are measured by two main costs. Switching costs reflect the additional cognitive effort required when switching between tasks, calculated by comparing performance on trials that involve a task switch versus those that do not. Mixing costs capture the performance decline when tasks are mixed within a block of trials, reflecting the cognitive load of managing multiple task rules simultaneously. Our analysis revealed that while switching costs were similar across age groups, older rats exhibited significantly higher mixing costs, indicating greater difficulty when tasks were interspersed in a block, especially with longer delays. These mixing costs were calculated trial-by-trial, separate from the overall performance deficits observed in older rats. These findings parallel those observed in aging humans, suggesting the utility of this behavioral paradigm and animal model investigate the mechanistic basis for age-related task-switching deficits.

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Upon completing my junior year of nursing school at the University of South Carolina, I was hired to work as a Nurse Extern at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC. Working as a Nurse Extern allowed me to work alongside Registered Nurses in various departments throughout the hospital, while also gaining first-hand experience working with a diverse patient population and improving upon my patient care skills. My everyday tasks in this role included providing basic patient care, assisting with patient’s activities of daily living, and observing nurses as they administered medications, performed procedures, and provided patient education. As a nursing major, this experience was invaluable to the development of my nursing skills by allowing me to put into practice all the knowledge I had gained in the classroom. The time I spent in the classroom provided me with the foundation of knowledge required to be a safe and competent nurse. But my time in the hospital provided me with a real-world setting in which I could apply that knowledge to different patient situations and learn to adapt my care accordingly. I was also given the opportunity to build upon my communication and critical thinking skills, which are essential in becoming a proficient nurse. I am thankful that this opportunity helped me grow as a nursing student and will have a long-lasting impact on the type of nurse I will be upon graduation.

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From the post-Reconstruction era to the Progressive era (1886-1930), senatorial elections shaped both federal and state decision-making, whether policy or judicial related, in the United States. This study examines the regional partisan dynamics emerging and enduring during this period, highlighting the dominance of Southern Democrats in South-often fractured by radical factions- and the stronghold of the Republican Party in the North; these divides significantly influenced the legislative and judicial priorities and appointments during this period, reinforcing sectionalization of political identities. The ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, shifting the selection of United States senators from direct to popular elections, altered the composition of the Senate, but also disrupted political patronage systems previously allowing dominate state parties to control appointments. This amendment allowed contemporary avenues for intra-party contestation and realignment. This research illuminates the extent to which senatorial elections, in the South, influenced broader governance structures and partisan dynamics, tracing electoral mechanisms and subsequent behaviors of these bodies; shifts in the electoral process reshaped the balance of power between branches, ultimately shaping the landscape of American legal and policy development during this transformation period in United States Southern history.

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This study examines regional and provider specialty trends in Eluxadoline prescriptions for Medicare patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) from 2016-2022. With IBS increasingly affecting older adults, understanding prescribing patterns can highlight treatment access, potential gaps in care, and provider preferences. The findings may help improve treatment strategies and healthcare policies for elderly IBS patients.

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Objectives: Mental health challenges are common among individuals with diabetes. However, mental health often receives less attention compared to other aspects of routine diabetes care. This study explores the prevalence of mental health concerns and perceptions of mental health resources among individuals with youth-onset diabetes. Methods: A quantitative analysis was conducted using survey data from the ongoing SEARCH Food Security Cohort Study 2, which included 89 young adults (YA) (66 with Type 1, 23 with Type 2 diabetes, all participants were food-secure) from Colorado, South Carolina, and Washington. Mental health symptoms were ascertained using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. A thematic analysis of qualitative interviews from a subset of 9 participants provided additional insights into experiences with diabetes and mental healthcare needs. Results: Among YA with diabetes, 29.2% reported moderate to severe anxiety, and 62.9% reported symptoms of depression. The 9 interviewed participants recounted various impacts of diabetes-related stressors on their mental health that were compounded by a lack of resources to address these challenges. Specific stressors included the daily responsibilities of managing a chronic condition, the financial burdens of diabetes care, and the lifelong nature of a chronic condition. Conclusions: The frequency of anxiety and depression among individuals with diabetes and the experiences of a subset of these participants suggests that there are unmet needs for mental healthcare in routine diabetes management. Future efforts should focus on comprehensive care models that prioritize mental health screening and support for individuals with diabetes.

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I have always wanted to come to America to study and play sports, and receiving a basketball scholarship to attend USC Salkehatchie was both a blessing and a dream come true. This opportunity has allowed me to pursue my passion for basketball while also opening the door to a whole new world of learning and personal growth. Coming from Costa Rica, a beautiful but small country, I was used to a culture where family and a comfortable lifestyle are prioritized over personal ambition. However, moving to the United States exposed me to a highly competitive and success-driven environment. This cultural shift challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new opportunities for growth. For example, learning to balance academics and athletics in a fast-paced environment has improved my time management and discipline. Additionally, engaging with people from different backgrounds has broadened my understanding of global perspectives. Through my learning in college, I have explored how history is taught differently across cultures. Comparing Costa Rican and American perspectives on events such as colonialism and migration has helped me see how historical narratives shape national identities. Courses like History have provided me with analytical tools to critically evaluate different viewpoints.

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Preterm infants (PTs) are at a high risk for neurocognitive impairments, which presents a significant public health concern. We introduce a study protocol that examines whether disruptions in attention and motor abilities in PTs change the way PTs created their own opportunities for language learning via coordinated visual attention. Infants and their parents visited our laboratory twice. During their first visit at 12 months old, infant attention functions are assessed using screen-based eye-tracking tasks. Infants’ gross motor and fine motor skills are assessed using a standardized clinical assessment, which contributed to the results seen for joint attention. At the 18-month visit, infant-parent coordinated visual attention is recorded using a head-mounted mobile eye-tracker during a free-play session. In the free-play session, infants and parents play together a set of novel toys with the pseudo names assigned to the toys. Infants are then tested on their ability to learn the names of the novel toys. If full term infants, compared to PTs, exhibit better attention and motor skills at 12-months, and better coordinated visual attention and word-learning at 18-months, this suggests that attention and motor skills pave the way for the establishment of coordinated visual attention, which enables word learning. We expect that full-term infants will outperform PTs in tasks of attention, motor abilities, and word learning.

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When I entered college, I knew studying abroad was a priority for me. Given my prior interest in Spanish and it being my minor, I determined that a Maymester program in Cádiz, Spain, was perfect. Cádiz, located along the southern coast of Spain in the region of Andalusia, is the oldest city in the country with a rich historical heritage. I first took a flight to Madrid, then a train to Seville, and finally a bus to Cádiz. For four weeks, I lived with a host family and exclusively spoke Spanish. In addition to taking culture and grammar courses at the University of Cádiz, I also completed a study abroad course with a USC professor. Each class was conducted entirely in Spanish. As part of the program, we participated in excursions to Seville, Granada, Bolonia, Tarifa, and Morocco. I also took a solo trip to the Netherlands, which further broadened my cultural exposure. During my time in Spain, I was surprised by the lack of racial diversity, which piqued my interest in immigration patterns from Africa and Central America. This curiosity led me to an opportunity to meet with the mayor of Cádiz to discuss Spain’s immigration policies and political climate. Additionally, I engaged with immigrants from Peru and El Salvador. While my time abroad was transformative, it was not without its challenges. I experienced homesickness, loneliness, and culture shock. However, I learned to reframe my perspective and adapt to unfamiliar situations. One of my goals was to engage deeply with Spanish-speaking individuals and cultures outside of my own, and this program provided exactly that. As a result of this beyond-the-classroom experience, I have strengthened my Spanish language proficiency and developed greater confidence in my ability to navigate uncertain situations. Furthermore, my study abroad experience provided context for topics discussed in my Spanish 305 course, such as immigration factors, the differences between U.S. and Spanish immigration policies, and cultural aspects of Hispanic and Latino communities. This experience helped me enhance my linguistic skills and gain a better understanding of global migration and cultural integration.

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Since my freshman year at the University of South Carolina, I have been a proud member of the USC Women’s Club Soccer team. Watching and learning from the former presidents and upperclassmen inspired me to pursue a leadership role in the club that held the most meaning to me and aligned with my passions. Serving as the team’s president allowed me to contribute to the sport I love while representing my university in a meaningful way. In this role, I gained invaluable experience managing administrative duties, navigating between the club office to meet university requirements, and ensuring that the 35 members of the team were engaged and satisfied with their experience. Balancing the needs of the team while meeting organizational expectations challenged me to develop my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. I worked to create an environment where teammates not only grew as athletes but also as students and individuals, fostering a supportive culture that prioritized mutual respect and personal development. Being the president of USC Women’s Club Soccer has been the most rewarding experience of my undergraduate career. It gave me the opportunity to represent my school, build relationships, and lead a team united in its commitment to becoming better teammates, students, and people. This role reinforced the value of dedication, teamwork, and adaptability—lessons I will carry with me far beyond the field.

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Lissencephaly is a rare neurological disorder affecting 1 in 100,000 births each year. This devastating developmental disorder, caused by heterozygous mutations in the LIS1 gene, results in abnormal brain development. Complete LIS1 loss is embryonically lethal. Lissencephaly patients have reduced gyri, abnormal neuronal positioning and decreased number of neurons. Children have cognitive and motor deficiencies, and seizures that lead to early death. Lissencephaly-causing LIS1 mutations impair interkinetic nuclear oscillation, mitotic spindle orientation and nuclear envelope breakdown. Defective regulation of spindle orientation leads to premature differentiation and a depletion of the cell pool. The cellular abnormalities in the developing brain have been linked to LIS1’s role as a regulator of the microtubule motor, cytoplasmic dynein. Dynein is a processive motor that is responsible for retrograde axonal transport. We have shown that overexpression of LIS1 increases retrograde axonal transport, and blocking LIS1 function drastically reduces both anterograde and retrograde axonal transport. LIS1's role in axonal transport in fully developed neurons is likely important throughout the human lifespan. However, LIS1’s role beyond development has been minimally explored. Therefore, we wanted to explore the role of LIS1 in the mature nervous system. We bypassed disruptions to development by inducing LIS1 depletion in young adult mice (2 months old), specifically in projection neurons and astrocytes separately. Neuron specific LIS1 depletion caused the rapid onset of severe neurological deficits and death. LIS1 loss show signs of axonal degeneration. Astrocyte specific LIS1 depletion did not cause degeneration, but may cause reactive astrogliosis and behaviors linked to OCD, anxiety and autism. These studies suggest that LIS1-related defects in mature neurons and astrocytes could contribute to lissencephaly, and potentially to other neurological disorders. LIS1 loss in neurons may be implicated in neurodegenerative diseases as well.

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I spent the fall of my junior year studying abroad at Richmond American University in London, England. While it wasn’t my first time going abroad or even studying abroad, it was the longest period of time I had ever spent in another country. I was, of course, excited to take on the role of a “Londoner”, but what I was most excited about was experiencing the world from a global perspective, one different from what I’ve known in the U.S.. From the first day I sat down in my courses, less than 10 miles away from the center of London, I began to recognize key elements of my studies at USC, such as the transnational flows of media from FAMS308: Global Media Industries, how cultures and communities react in times of distress from CPLT303: Great Books of the Eastern world, and the global spread of language from ENGL439: Teaching English Abroad. The one entity that I’ve found to be present in all aspects of my global learning journey is the impact of media on developing an open perspective of the world. We sometimes forget that media isn’t just something on a screen. It can be a book, a song, a speech; media is meant to spread a message across groups of people. In everything I’ve experienced through both my within the classroom experiences and my beyond the classroom ones, I found media is a limitless way to spread cultural and global information across borders. Even while abroad, I was able to pair my experienced knowledge with what I learned in class, comparing perspectives and stories to create a worldly perspective that allows me to see the bigger picture and impact within everything I do. Since returning to USC, I’ve found myself gravitating towards areas of study that continue to challenge and engage my global thinking skills, and I don’t plan on limiting my studies as a lifelong learner.

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Background: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and death, with the number of cases projected to exceed 10 million by 2030. An important cause of HF is that of left ventricular (LV) pump failure, termed HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and is primarily caused by ischemic heart disease, such as myocardial infarction (MI). Recently, innate immune activation, specifically the inflammasome NOD-like receptor protein 3(NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3,NLRP-3) has been identified in HFrEF. However, the relationship between LV structure, function and upstream inflammatory signaling pathways to that of NLRP-3 induction with the development of HFrEF remains unknown. Using a large animal model of MI and HFrEF, the study tested the hypothesis that NLRP-3 activation occurs, and more importantly is associated with shifts in cytokine signaling and fibroblast phenotype. Methods and Results: MI was induced in pigs (25kg, n=10) and additional pigs served as referent controls (n=10). At 28 days post-MI, the HFrEF phenotype was observed with a reduced EF (43±4 vs 64±3%, p=<0.05). NLRP-3 expression (PCR) increased by over 60-fold with HFrEF, and caspase-1 activity, and index of NPRP-3 activation, increased by over 2-fold (both, p<0.05). A downstream proinflammatory/profibrotic cytokine, induced by NLRP-3, IL-18, increased by over 15-fold (p<0.05). Using a fibroblast PCR array, these changes in NLRP-3 expression/activation was associated with a shift in fibroblast phenotype to a more proliferative/degradative profile. Finally, in LV fibroblast cultures (n=3) induction of NLRP-3 could be induced by the signaling molecule, transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) which is known to be expressed in MI and HFrEF. Conclusions: While exogenous inflammatory pathways have been identified post-MI, this is the first study to directly quantify and integrate inflammasome expression/activation (NLRP-3); with the development of HFrEF. Since IL-18 is released by NLRP-3 and is a potent signal for TGF-β, this study uncovered a potent positive feedback loop of NLRP-3 induction. Interruption of this NLRP-3/IL-18/TGF-β axis holds a novel therapeutic direction for HFrEF.

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During my time at the University of South Carolina, I have had the pleasure of serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) for University Housing for four consecutive years. Through this role I was tasked with upholding an unwavering commitment to providing the best on-campus experience for students of all ages. As an RA I have been expected to uphold university policy and conduct myself in a way that allows me to be not only a role model for my residents, but also a resource for them to overcome any academic, emotional, or other struggles that come their way. Common tasks within the role were things such as event planning, conflict mediation, promoting building safety and cleanliness, attending workshops, as well as contributing to RA training procedures. RAs are at the heart of any on-campus community and truly know what it means to know, connect, and empower the students of our community. Living among them on the floor allows you to connect with them in a way that no other University affiliate can. When I first applied to be an RA, I knew that I wanted to get involved on campus and contribute to our community, hoping I would leave the University a better place than I found it. I did not realize at the time just how significant the RA role was going to be in allowing me to reach my goal. The defining moment that happens for me every year is at the end, when I get to see just how far my residents have come. Seeing them grow and chase their dreams is a sight like no other, and an even more humbling experience is knowing that I contributed to that. Knowing that I have been able to generate an impact on so many lives through fostering my connections with them has given me a sense of fulfillment. What I want others to learn from my experience is that even if you doubt your purpose or significance, you have the power to impact others’ lives

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefits of cannabis on metabolic dysfunction and immune dysregulation in obesity. BACKGROUND: Given their remarkable chemical diversity, natural products are considered a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential in the realm of obesity-associated cancers. In parallel with the recent movement to ease restrictions on cannabis use, there has been interest in its potential to treat various diseases including metabolic disorders. RESEARCH QUESTION: To examine the effects of the cannabis plant with high cannabidiol (CBD) content or high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content on the perturbations associated with obesity with a particular focus on macrophage signatures. DESIGN: Following 16 weeks on a high fat diet, obese mice were randomized into three groups: placebo cannabis, high CBD cannabis, high THC cannabis. A lean group of mice was included as a comparison and received placebo cannabis. METHODS AND APPROACH: Anthropometric measures, Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and adipose and liver tissue immune signatures were assessed. RESULTS: Obesity increased HOMA-IR and MASH score, which were mitigated by CBD and THC. We documented an increase in infiltrating monocytes, macrophages, and specifically M1 macrophages in adipose tissue and liver with obesity, all of which were rescued by CBD and THC. Importantly, these effects occurred independent of any weight loss or changes to food intake. CONCLUSION: Despite the legal issues surrounding cannabis, it may be, and in particular CBD which lacks psychoactive effects, a viable therapy to target macrophages to improve metabolic health with obesity, and by extension, decrease cancer risk. RELEVANCE TO CONSORTIUM: These findings suggest that components of the cannabis plant may be harnessed for potential therapeutic value to decrease risk of obesity-associated cancers.

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This poster will explore the work of Richard Samuel Roberts, an African American photographer based in South Carolina in the 1920s and 1930s. Taken from his portrait studio in downtown Columbia, the images featured in this poster come from Roberts’ collection of over 3,000 glass plate negatives that have since been digitized through a collaborative effort by the Center for Civil Rights History and Research and the University of South Carolina’s Digital Collections Library. The digitization process involves first scanning each glass plate negative using a flatbed scanner or camera and following up by providing descriptive information for the images. Lastly, the images are uploaded into the University of South Carolina’s Digital Collections Library database. This poster will also showcase the process by which the collection has been digitized. Lastly, this poster will highlight the artistic and cultural significance of these photographs, as they give viewers a close look at Black life in Columbia during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

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As a Changing Carolina Peer Leaders (CCPL) mentor, I had the opportunity to guide a new peer member in making the most of their first year on campus. My role is to help them navigate opportunities within CCPL, explore their interests, and get more involved in ways that will benefit them. I chose to become a mentor because I had a CCPL mentor during my sophomore year when I struggled to balance school, work, and club engagements. My mentor provided valuable support by connecting me to tutoring resources and helping me develop time management strategies. Wanting to give back, I signed up through an interest form during my senior year to make the most of my final year as a member and offer the same support to a new mentee. So far, I’ve found that mentoring requires significant effort. Balancing my own schedule while also assisting my mentee can be challenging, but I use my past struggles as learning experiences to help ease their academic stress. Ultimately, I genuinely want my mentee to succeed academically and within the club, and I hope our work together helps them develop a deeper connection to USC. For me, this experience has truly prepared me for my future career endeavors. It has strengthened my ability to manage time, collaborate with others, and lead effectively.

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Reflecting on my college experience, I primarily recall the moments I spent cultivating relationships with individuals in and around my community. Whether as a YoungLife leader working with students at Crayton Middle School, serving as a University101 Peer Leader for first-year college students, promoting a welcoming community on the Horizon Retreat Executive board, or working for the betterment of our schools in the School Behavioral Health Team research lab, my four years have been geared toward others. My occupational goal is to become a psychologist and work with underresourced and marginalized groups such as children or unhoused populations, and my experience working within the community has only further perpetuated this ambition. No one wants to specialize in middle schoolers’ needs because it is a messy age group, and no one wants to work with severe mental health because it is uncharted territory. This is precisely why we need people in these roles dedicated to the well-being of historically overlooked and marginalized groups. While I had been serving in my role as a YoungLife leader before my time as an undergraduate researcher, being exposed to such populations encouraged me to lean into my role further in hopes of one day stepping into the role of a medical professional able to personally assist individuals in such facilities full-time. Ultimately, my experiences working with and for adolescents, college students, and vulnerable groups have transformed my outlook on life. I aim to continue giving back to my community throughout my occupational journey and the duration of my life.

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From November 2023 until November 2024, I served as the Vice President of Recruitment on the College Panhellenic Executive Board. This board serves as the governing body of all 13 Panhellenic sororities at USC. Ever since Freshman year when I went through recruitment, I have loved the experience and wanted to give back to it. I applied for this position with the sole purpose to contribute to the betterment of sorority recruitment. In the VP of Recruitment role, I was in charge of planning and executing sorority recruitment, the recruitment counselor training program, a recruitment staff, and managed a 600,000 dollar budget. This position was extremely challenging but very rewarding. I would spend hours every week going to meetings, talking to sponsors, speaking with our 13 chapters, and working with potential new members. From these tasks, I was able to help over 2000 new members find a home in the Panhellenic community here at USC and execute the largest recruitment in USC history! I learned the importance of developing time management skills, the proper ways to communicate with sponsorships and brands, how to lead a large group with fairness and kindness, and that delegation is an important skill for strong leaders to have. Learning the importance of these skills was necessary for the execution of my role. I will carry these skills beyond the VPR role into the professional setting where I will have a true understanding of their importance. I will always cherish this opportunity as life changing for me because I truly feel like there is nothing I can't do if I put my mind to it!! This sense of confidence will help push me to be the best version of myself in my plans to attend graduate school and a professional career beyond that.

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The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for involuntary functioning. ANS dysfunction is correlated with difficulty regulating emotional responses, often observed in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Wall & Roberts, 2023). This is indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia and inter-beat interval, measures of parasympathetic and combined parasympathetic and sympathetic functioning, respectively (Porges et al., 1996). Typically, children with ASD recover slower after a stressful stimulus (Zantinge et al., 2017). In this study, the heart rate variability of 46 ASD children, 27 siblings without ASD (ASIBs), and 37 neurotypical (NT) children between 36-72 months during a frustration task was investigated. We hypothesized that the ASD group would recover slower than the NT group, and ASIB physiology would behave similarly to the ASD group. However, groups did not significantly differ, indicating similar physiological responses to this task. ASIB physiology has been studied to a much smaller extent than that of children with a full ASD diagnosis, but this field has the potential to greatly advance translational research on ASD biomarkers and early intervention (Szatmari et al., 2016). Understanding the biological mechanisms contributing to the emotional characteristics often observed in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders is critical for developing compassionate therapies.

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During my undergraduate career, I worked as an intern for the University of South Carolina Olympic Sports Nutrition team. The Olympic Sports Nutrition program oversees nearly 500 student athletes, primarily located at the Dodie Anderson Enrichment Center. These athletes compete in the SEC conference where competition is fierce and proper fueling is imperative. The program helps athletes achieve optimal performance using individualized meal plans, as well as hosting team talks and one-on-one sessions with Registered Dietitians. I decided to pursue this internship because I have always been passionate about holistic approaches to improving health and quality of life, namely diet and exercise. As an intern, I helped with several behind-the-scenes tasks, such as restocking fueling stations, taking inventory, and distribution of supplements. More importantly, I gained hands-on experience with nutrition-based research and education. A key issue we investigated was relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This is a condition that occurs when athletes have an insufficient energy intake, which does not support the demands of their training. Many athletes were unaware of how to properly fuel their bodies for competition, thus emphasizing the importance of proper assessment and intervention strategies. I helped develop new strategies to deliver information to groups of athletes in a way that was both effective and tailored to their specific needs. As a Public Health major, this experience helped me apply in-class concepts, namely the implementation of nutritional interventions and efficacy of population-focused programs. I gained insight into the linkage between diet and athletic performance, injury prevention, and overall well-being. As I look back on my experience, I am able to recognize that health and nutrition are largely diverse concepts. Although I do not see myself going into the field of athletic dietetics, I have a deepened understanding of why a "One-Size-Fits-All-Approach" is incompatible in the field of nutrition, and healthcare as a whole.

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During my junior and senior year at the University of South Carolina, I decided to become a University 101 Peer Leader, and had the opportunity to directly mentor two separate classes of first year-students, guiding a total of 40 students through their first year of college. In this role, I facilitated classroom discussions, provided academic support, and worked to create a strong sense of community within the classroom. I collaborated with faculty to uphold the university’s representation as the nation’s number one first-year experience, ensuring that students had a smooth transition to university life. I was given the opportunity to support students emotionally, socially, and academically, offering guidance on everything from personal well-being to time management. As I moved through this role, I quickly learned that confidence is essential when leading groups of peers. Leading with confidence not only helped me build trust among students, but also set a positive example and empowered me to communicate with clarity and impact. This experience highlighted how effective leadership can create an environment where others feel supported and motivated. The leadership skills I have gained from this experience have prepared me to take on future leadership or management roles in my career. I have learned how to navigate group dynamics, offer constructive feedback, and remain resilient when challenges arise. I will continue to foster my personal growth by using this confidence to embrace new challenges, whether that be in my professional or personal life.

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In the spring of my senior year, I had the privilege to work with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services as an environmental intern. In this internship, I was able to dabble in a variety of sectors that the department manages, like learning more about the legislation involved, understanding budgets, and field experience. I attended meetings about beach advisories, updated standard operating procedures, and even went out into the field to test private wells for PFAS (synthetic ‘forever chemicals’ that can increase the risk of cancer). I was working with my fellow interns, but also interacting with a variety of department heads. I was interested in this position because I wanted to learn more about the different paths you could take within the environmental field, specifically the governmental side. Since high school, I knew I wanted to focus my career around the environment because I was passionate about it, but I lacked a specific career. So I used this internship to learn more about the daily activities associated with the department, and how to improve my leadership/workplace skills through working throughout the department. Since I am minoring in environmental studies, a lot of the classes I have taken have prepared me on how to assess and discuss the data presented within the department. Also, my philosophy major helped me develop interpersonal problem-solving skills, which assisted me when collaborating on projects. This internship helped me better understand the concepts of environmentalism and collaboration because I was able to put the principles I had learned into practice. The real world experience solidified my previous learning into actual skills.

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I have had the amazing opportunity to learn Spanish while attending USC Salkehatchie in Walterboro, South Carolina, which has improved my academic experience and changed my viewpoint as an international student from Melbourne, Australia. My cultural awareness has grown in a unique triangle from Australia to the United States and then to Costa Rica. I've been forced to step outside of my comfort zone, and I've made unexpected connections with people while learning a new language abroad. One of the most defining moments of my language journey was my trip to Costa Rica, where I had the chance to engage with native Spanish speakers in real-world settings. Stepping into a country where Spanish was the primary language forced me to apply what I had learned in class, challenging me to adapt my speech, think on my feet, and initiate conversations rather than passively observing. Communicating with locals gave me a newfound confidence in my ability to understand and respond in Spanish, even if I wasn’t perfect. These small but meaningful exchanges reinforced how language is more than just words—it’s a bridge between cultures, allowing for deeper human connection. I actively engaged in class discussions to increase my fluency in Spanish, employing strategies like word-switching and brief conversation practice. My main project was studying various Spanish-speaking nations and investigating how language reflects cultural values and historical contexts. My respect for the diversity within the Spanish-speaking community has grown because of this research, which also made it clearer to me how language influences communication and identity globally. This experience reflects my Australian childhood, adapting to the different lifestyle of the U.S. while studying, and learning Spanish, all of which have taught me valuable cultural differences. Above all, academics—learning Spanish has formed my ability to adapt to different environments and to acknowledge cultural diversity with open-minded acceptance. It has increased my confidence in unfamiliar spaces and fostered a sense of belonging in a global community. I've learned from this experience that language is about more than just talking; it's about connecting, comprehending, and appreciating the world more broadly.

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The FMR1 gene is important for cognitive development, and mutations in the FMR1 gene can lead to fragile X-associated conditions. These mutations present on a spectrum. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) occurs when there are >200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene, while the fragile X premutation (FXpm) occurs when there are between 55 and 200 CGG repeats. Children with FXS typically experience developmental delays, including social communication delays. While early development in children with FXpm is not well studied, they may also exhibit subtle developmental and communication delays. Both individuals with the FXS and FXpm are also at an elevated likelihood of anxiety, with prevalence rates of 51% and 70% respectively. Previous studies have found that communication delays in neurodiverse individuals are associated with higher anxiety. However, there are no known studies that relate the FMR1 mutation with an association between early communication and later anxiety. This study aims to (1) evaluate differences in communication skill at 24 months of age between children with FXS, FXpm, and NT children, and (2) examine the relationship between communication skills at 24 months of age to anxiety levels at 60 months of age for all groups. We will assess receptive and expressive communication skills using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Interview-Second Edition and anxiety levels using the total anxiety raw score from the Spence Preschool Anxiety Scale-Revised. We will use a one-way ANOVA to investigate group differences in 24-month receptive and expressive v-scale scores. Individuals with FXS are expected to have lower communication skills than the other two groups. We will then conduct a linear regression to examine the relationship between 24-month receptive and expressive v-scale scores and 60-month total anxiety. For the FXS and FXpm groups, it is predicted that the early communication skill deficits will be associated with higher anxiety scores and the FXS group will have a stronger association between communication skills and 60-month anxiety. This study hopes to further research comparing early development in individuals with FXS and FXpm and how communication skills may contribute to the development of anxiety.

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Purpose The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether or not resilience is predictive of clinical outcome measures following orthopaedic shoulder surgery. Methods A comprehensive search of Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus was performed on June 9th, 2024 in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines to find studies that evaluated the influence of resilience on clinical outcome measures following shoulder surgery. Results Nine studies were found that met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1,154 patients (mean age 61.6 years) and minimum follow-up ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Six studies evaluated arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), two evaluated anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA), and one evaluated reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Three resilience scales were used in the identified studies, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), CD-RISC 10, and LOT-R scale, with the BRS being the most popular as it was used in seven of the nine studies. A multitude of clinical outcome measures were used to evaluate postoperative function with the most common being the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score and the Single Alpha-Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score. While resilience was found to be statistically significant to clinical outcome measures in some studies, these relationships were not consistently reported between all of the studies included in this systematic review. Conclusion Patient resilience has been shown to correlate with clinical outcome measures following shoulder surgery, but it’s been relatively inconsistent as to which clinical outcome measures it correlates with. The variability in strategies to measure resilience may lead to the inconsistent results seen in the literature. A more consistent approach to measuring resilience and clinical outcome measures is needed to establish the relationship between resilience and clinical outcome measures because of the promises improving patient resilience holds in improving outcomes following shoulder surgery.

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This systematic review examines neuroimaging studies to identify brain regions affected in individuals with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In Anorexia, significant reductions in grey matter volumes have been observed, particularly in the frontal lobe and left insula, regions associated with emotion regulation, impulse control, and social interactions. Additionally, both left and right thalami are significantly smaller in patients with acute anorexia compared to healthy controls, highlighting the thalamus's role in neural circuitry related to eating behavior. In Bulimia, functional activity disruptions have been identified in frontal circuits, including the right inferolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, as well as the putamen, affecting self-regulatory capacities. Moreover, structural changes in white-matter connections across prefrontal control, mesocorticolimbic reward, somatosensory, and visuospatial pathways have been reported, suggesting widespread neural network alterations. Collectively, these findings underscore the involvement of specific brain regions in the pathophysiology of Anorexia and Bulima, offering insights into potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

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Shadowing is a crucial experience that allows anyone to truly see if they have an interest in that specific field, especially for pre-health students. Across two summers, I was able to shadow in both a dentist office, Crown Point Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, and orthodontist office, Reynold’s Orthodontics in Fort Mill, SC. This experience allowed me to see the day-to-day life of both a dentist and an orthodontist, the behind the scenes of an office, and to start developing great patient care. More specifically, I assisted with cleaning and learning about proper sterilization which permitted me to start getting familiar with the tools I will be dealing with in the future and was even able to obtain hands on experience with working on a patient. This entailed I completed the rinse and suction portion of a procedure. Shadowing let me gain experience in the dental industry, gave me two mentors, and even has me excited about my future career. Through shadowing, I learned how to interact with patients in a positive way and ideas I want to implement into my future practice. I want to have a practice where one feels like they are appreciated and respected, while understanding everyone comes from different background. Leading with empathy ensures that no one feels as if they are being taken advantage of when in a vulnerable state of asking and/or receiving the help and care that they need. Overall, shadowing is an importance experience that I believe everyone should complete as you learn from those who came before you and have experience in your future career.

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Since the addition of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) to newborn screening (NBS), research from state NBS programs have highlighted unique complexities associated with screening for this condition. However, there is a notable lack of research investigating how these challenges impact providers, such as genetic counselors, involved in care of infants with positive NBS results for X-ALD. This exploratory study aimed to understand the experiences of genetic counselors providing follow-up care for infants with positive NBS results for X-ALD, assess the complexities associated with NBS for X-ALD, identify potential gaps in genetic counseling practices, and describe the subsequent impact on patient care. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, incorporating an initial survey and optional semi-structured interviews with genetic counselors who had seen a minimum of five infants with positive NBS results for X-ALD in the last two years. A total of 21 survey responses underwent descriptive statistical analysis and 11 interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The following five key perspectives emerged from the data: (1) perceptions surrounding the addition of X-ALD to NBS, (2) complexities in genetic testing and diagnosis of X-ALD after NBS, (3) psychosocial considerations regarding diagnosis of X-ALD after NBS, (4) perspectives on follow-up for affected infants and families, and (5) broader implications for the future of NBS. Findings highlighted the complexities of counseling families due to the broad clinical spectrum of X-ALD, a high volume of cascade testing for at-risk family members, and frequent identification of female infants with limited guidance on future disease manifestation. Participants emphasized a need for long-term follow-up strategies, enhanced multidisciplinary collaboration, and increased involvement of genetic counselors in NBS policy. As NBS continues to expand, this study provides critical insights into the evolving role of genetic counselors and the necessity of refining long term follow-up to ensure equitable and effective patient care.

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Stereotyped behaviors, defined as repetitive, seemingly purposeless motor movements are present in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. These behaviors are recognized as a sign of anxiety and stress, especially in wild-type animal models. However, the exact relationship between stress and stereotyped behaviors remains unknown. Antipsychotic medications targeting dopamine receptors are shown to reduce these behaviors and are prescribed off-label to treat OCD and ASD. Unfortunately, existing antipsychotics have limited efficacy and significant negative side-effects. New medications targeting muscarinic acetylcholine receptors may provide more comprehensive symptom relief. Mice with the SAPAP3 gene knockout exhibit stereotyped self-grooming which is reduced when treated with a M4-specific drug. In this thesis, the effects of acute restraint stress on stereotyped self-grooming and M4 PAM efficacy were examined in the SAPAP3 KO model as well as wild-type littermates.

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During the summer of 2024, I worked with HB Fuller, a global leading innovator for polymer-based products such as sealants, coatings, and adhesives. This company connected me with professional insights of assisting customers in electronics, consumable hygienic products, medical, packaging, and construction industries, both abroad and here at home in South Carolina. Working with talented minds in these fields cultivated my skills in the professional realm and prepared me to return for my senior year. As a chemistry major at the University of South Carolina, my internship provided me with first-hand experience in self-driven project research for product development. My skill set was cultivated for specialization in material sciences, and I was offered opportunities for pioneering synthesis of potential new products and components. Specifically, I worked on products involving polymerization, which is a known reaction in organic chemistry, by creating a long chain of repeating a single unit that offers new properties to a strong material like the varying plastics used in common household goods. Our chemistry department here has a plethora of bright minds studying similar subjects, such as the Stefik group, which this internship gave me the experience to join confidently. I was introduced to the bright new world of the materials industry and given the skills to make the glue that holds the world together. Through this experience, I hope to continue my research and personal mission of making new types of environmentally friendly and industry-relevant polymers.

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Drinking water disinfection is one of the greatest public health advances in recent history; however, the drinking water disinfection process brought about a new health issue: disinfection by-products, also known as DBPs. DBPs occur when disinfectants, such as chlorine and chloramine, react with natural organic matter, anthropogenic contaminants, and bromide and iodide that are present in source water used for drinking water, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Over 600 DBPs have been reported in the literature, and known health effects can include cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive/developmental effects. A novel pathway for DBP formation is pressure washing. Many pressure-washing solutions use bleach and surfactants, which can react with both each other and the organic matter such as the mold and mildew that is cleaned from building exteriors. The final destination for pressure washing runoff is often storm drains leading to rivers, lakes, and groundwater eventually leading to drinking water sources, posing a concern for increased DBP formation. In this study, pressure-washing runoff samples were collected, as well as the tap water and pressure-washing concentrate used by the pressure washers. Samples were incubated at both 0 and 24 hours. After incubation, samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify 65 regulated and priority unregulated DBPs. It is anticipated that after incubating the samples for 24 hours, more DBPs will have formed than in the initial sample because there will have been more time for reactions to occur. It is also expected that trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) will make up the majority of DBPs, as these classes are typically the most dominant in chlorinated drinking waters.

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Biology was always one of my favorite subjects and a big reason that I decided to enroll back into college after five years off. My love of the labs for Biology 101 and how much I adored my professor pushed me into asking about a position as the lab assistant and was hired starting the following semester. Working in the Microbiology lab at the University of South Carolina under Dr. Golonka as the lab assistant. This lab is a specialized to study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi and has sterile environments and a safety hood. This is an experience I will keep close to my heart for the rest of my life. As the lab assistant I help set up labs with professor’s instructions by putting together baskets filled with stains to stain the microbes, set out any materials needed such as inoculation loops for students to use to culture, and place out media that the students will use to culture their bacteria. I also assist with culturing microbes both for students to use during lab and for stock plates to ensure we have live bacteria, mix and pour media, including Tryptic Soy Agar plates which are the most commonly used media in the lab, all while maintaining a sterile environment. I assist in problem-solving experiments when there are complications with an experiment in lab that did not have the results that were expected, organize microscope specimen slides, take inventory of the media, ingredients used to make media, and supplies; and maintain the necessary amounts of media needed in the lab. With the experience working in the lab making media and learning how to culture really showed me how much I enjoy doing lab work and knowing that is what I am meant to do with pharmacy. My future plans will be to get through Pharmacy School, graduating in 2030 and pursuing nuclear pharmacy where I plan to work in a lab creating and synthesizing medications for people or testing new medications on bacteria and cultures taken.

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During the spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad at the University of Leeds Business School in Leeds, England, through the Global Exchange Program. For as long as I can remember, I had always dreamed of studying abroad and was so excited when I came to the University of South Carolina and realized that this dream could become a reality. I lived in Leeds for almost half a year and traveled to many different cities and countries as well as immersed myself in different cultures. Leeds became a second home and the people that I met became a lifelong family. A piece of me and who I am is forever tied to Leeds England the same way that I carry a piece of it with me everywhere that I go. However, this journey didn’t begin as expected, but is the reason that this was one of my most transformative experiences. Shortly after I arrived in England, I fell extremely ill for over two weeks. Being sick in an unfamiliar country, trying to navigate a new environment alone, and feeling overwhelmingly disconnected from everything I had planned for took a toll on me both physically and emotionally. My condition only worsened over the course of the two weeks to the point where I almost had to go back home. I was devastated that this dream I had spent so long planning and anticipating was crumbling right before my eyes. The excitement, the hard work, the time and financial investment poured into this journey was slipping away before it even began. However, despite these challenges, I refused to give up and I learned to navigate uncertainty, persevere through hardship, and find strength even when all hope was lost. Overcoming this experience shaped me in ways that I never expected and it taught me that even in the toughest hours, to keep pushing forward. My resilience in this situation is what saved my life. This study abroad experience was more than just an academic one, but it was also a lesson in adaptability, and personal growth.

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Prior to coming to the University of South Carolina, I had never been out of the country. Over the course of my time as a student, I have had the unique experience of participating in two study abroad trips. In May of 2023, I completed a Maymester abroad to Thailand through the business school and I studied abroad again in Seville, Spain for the Spring 2024 semester. I elected to study abroad because I have always been interested in other cultures and as a business student, it became apparent how important it is to have a global mindset. I also viewed studying abroad as a way to push myself outside of my comfort zone and further my personal development. My study abroad experiences were both extremely enriching and I feel like two of the best decisions I have made for myself. My trip to Thailand was a study of the culture and business in Thailand and included a blend of cultural activities and business visits over the course of a few weeks. My semester in Seville entailed me attending a local university where I took classes on international business and Spanish culture and history. During my semester in Seville, I lived with a host family and had the privilege of experiencing cultural and religious events. Looking back, I feel like I have exceeded my initial goal of self-development. Through studying abroad, learning in the classroom, and working professionally, I have become more culturally competent and gained business acumen with an international focus. I have gained insight into being culturally tolerant, addressing a global audience, and the implications of having a globalized economy. Additionally, I have gained unforgettable experiences and the ability to navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence. I understand more about people and have gained connections with individuals across the globe. I now understand much more about the global economy through firsthand exposure and I believe I will be a better business professional. Finally, I have become more confident in myself and my ability to achieve success personally and professionally.

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often accompanied by impairments in emotion regulation (ER). ER is conceptualized by one’s ability to identify and understand emotional states, accept their emotions, adapt to stressful environments, and modify emotional states to engage in goal-directed behavior. ER is particularly important for young adults (ages 18-25) during this critical point as they enter a more stressful and autonomous part of their lives. As young adults with ADHD are at a particular risk for deficits in ER, it is important to understand how to foster these skills among this population. Previous research indicates that social support and psychological security promote the ability to regulate emotions in times of stress and change. The current study examines whether the quality of close social networks, assessed by the degree of mutual trust, quality of communication, and degree to which anger and alienation exists in the relationship, moderates ER reported by college students with ADHD. We predict that students will report higher ER when secure attachment is present within their relationships. The study utilizes data from the multisite U-LEARN study, distributed to ____ students across ____ universities in the United States. The online survey measures that will be evaluated assessed ADHD symptomatology, emotion regulation skills, and quality of relationships among family and peers. Relationship quality was measured by attachment scales assessing trust, communication, and closeness. Bivariate correlations will be assessed and linear regressions with interaction terms will be fit to evaluate the associations between ADHD and relationship quality in predicting ER. This study is important because it provides insight into how to promote better ER among college students with ADHD. The quality of close relationships may promote goal-directed behavior, self-inhibition, and emotional understanding among college students with ADHD. As such, interventions should include both students with ADHD and members of their close relationships.

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Background: Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, with a need for rehabilitation advancements in post stroke care to improve patients’ motor function and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) is a newer strategy for treating various neurological disorders by augmenting neuronal plasticity, with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) emerging as a safe technique that has evidence of aiding neurological recovery. In this study, stroke patients are randomized into treatment or sham stimulation groups to evaluate the application of cerebellar tDCS in motor recovery for acute stroke patients. The aim is to investigate the modulatory effect of cerebellar tDCS as a new anatomical target to understand the connection between cerebellar stimulation and neuronal injury response. Objective: The primary objective is to evaluate motor outcomes in acute stroke patients undergoing tDCS compared to sham treatment. The secondary objective is to determine the feasibility of cerebellar tDCS in acute stroke rehabilitation. The study will enroll 10 patients, monitoring adverse events and evaluating motor function through Fugl-Meyer, Berg Balance, postural assessment stroke scale, ABC assessment, mRS, and stroke impact scale scores. Methods: This is a randomized, double blinded, sham controlled study to be conducted at Prisma Health Richland and Baptist Hospital. Soterix tDCS mini-CT equipment is used to generate randomized intervention and sham stimulation after patient consent. 2 mA current is delivered with rubber electrodes for 20 minutes daily for 3-7 days, alongside routine rehabilitation. Characteristics will be recorded like stroke impact scores, NIHSS, and interventions received, etc. Results: The primary outcome is to investigate the feasibility of enrolling 10 patients. To date, 5 patients have completed follow-up, while 5 were lost to follow-up. No adverse events have been reported. Discussion: While previous research has shown tDCS can reduce interhemispheric imbalances and promote neuronal plasticity, negative results were observed in patients with severe motor deficits. This study includes mild to moderate deficit patients and targets the cerebellum to compare the effects of cerebellar versus cortical stimulation on motor recovery. This study presents a novel approach to tDCS in motor recovery that could lead to a larger Phase III trial.

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Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is one of the most promising materials for synthetic tissue construction. GelMA is synthesized by reacting amine groups on gelatin with methacrylic anhydride in a high pH environment (approximately 9), which is slightly above the isoelectric point of Type A gelatin (7-9 for 300g bloom gelatin) to facilitate deprotonation of amine groups. During synthesis, methacrylic anhydride gradually acidifies the solution, potentially interfering with reaction kinetics and gelatin structure. GelMA is primarily composed of gelatin, which is hydrolyzed collagen, making it highly biocompatible. The methacrylation of gelatin introduces photocrosslinkable groups that enable UV-initiated polymerization, transforming the material into a hydrogel with tunable viscoelastic properties while preserving the biological functionality of native gelatin. Furthermore, GelMA displays excellent cell adhesion properties due to the presence of RGD motifs on the gelatin backbone. Current common methods for GelMA synthesis utilize carbonate-bicarbonate (CBC) buffer or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Both methods present significant limitations: in PBS, the reaction pH drops considerably over time, while in CBC buffer, dissociation products increase acidity in the reaction media and interfere with the crosslinking ability of the gel, resulting in lower storage modulus. In this study, we compare a novel proprietary buffer system with enhanced pH stability to both PBS and CBC buffered solutions under comparable conditions and synthesis methods. Our proprietary buffer system provides superior kinetic control and pH stability during the reaction, even when scaled to twice the initial reaction size. GelMA synthesized using our novel buffer system demonstrated significantly better storage and loss modulus compared to CBC and PBS buffers, without significant deviation in the degree of substitution (as verified by NMR). Additionally, our novel method indicated higher triple helix formation via circular dichroism analysis. This study demonstrates that our buffer system represents an optimal approach for producing high-strength GelMA synthetic tissue scaffolds with enhanced mechanical properties and consistent quality across different production scales.

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As President of the Beta Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta at the University of South Carolina in 2024, I worked to strengthen our chapter’s leadership and engagement in both our chapter and our collegiate community. Through innovative recruitment strategies focused on fostering interpersonal relationships, we achieved record-breaking new member intake, ultimately becoming the largest Delta Zeta chapter in the nation. Our commitment to empowering each of our members to be successful within our chapter and beyond is reflected in our increased chapter retention numbers and our improvements in recruitment performance this year. As President I also worked to restructure our executive board to better reflect the needs of our growing chapter, changes that took effect for this 2025 Executive Board. In this year our chapter also piloted our new fall philanthropy event, Battle of the Paddles, with the intent of bringing together our college community and giving back to our national philanthropy, the American Society for Deaf Children. Our chapter’s success was recognized at USC, where we were honored with the Chapter of the Year award for Fraternity and Sorority Life. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to excellence, sisterhood, and sustained growth within the Greek community.

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During my junior year of college, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work for the Security Operations Center at the University of South Carolina – Columbia. This was an exciting opportunity since I was able to apply the information that I have learned in my Integrated Information Technology program and certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst. In the Security Operations Center, I was brought on as a Cybersecurity Analyst and was responsible for triage, detection of threats, and incident response. Within my role, I have been able to connect the theoretical aspect of my academic learning to real-life scenarios. I have learned throughout this experience in the Security Operations Center how important it is to maintain relationships with coworkers and other departments to have an effective team as a university to keep students and faculty's online presence safe, as well as the importance of always striving to learn new technology and recognize attacks that are occurring in our daily lives.

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Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by insulin resistance or deficiency. A common tool used in caring for DM patients is continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs). Previous studies have shown that CGM use improves glycemic control compared to blood glucose meters. This study aims to analyze the utilization of CGMs in the primary care setting to reduce DM patients’ A1c. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with DM, primarily T2DM, at three Prisma Health family medicine clinics in the Midlands. A clinical pharmacist co-manages patients via primary care provider referral. Primary outcomes were the use of CGM and secondary outcomes included different barriers to CGM use. Data collection included patient demographics, insurance type, initial and most recent A1cs, use of CGMs and type, DM regimen, and medication compliance. The inclusion criteria included patients having at least 3 months of follow-up with repeat A1c. The exclusion criteria were patients who were non-compliant with follow-up or had inadequate follow-up time. Results/Discussion: Out of the 82 patients screened from April 2024 to January 2025, 56 patients were included in the study. Among these, 36 (64.3%) used CGMs. The median A1c of patients before being followed by the pharmacist was 8.7% in the CGM patients and 10.5% in the non-CGM patients. At the time of data collection, the median A1c for the CGM group was 7.3% ± 1.6 while the non-CGM group’s median A1c was 7.9% ± 1.9. Initial median A1c was lower in the Freestyle Libre group at 8.6% compared to the Dexcom users whose median A1c was 9.8%. The current median A1c for both groups of CGM users were 7.3% and 7.4%, respectively. CGM users had slightly lower initial A1c but were consistently closer to goal A1c of 7%. Potential barriers to CGM use include insurance coverage, physical discomfort, and social factors. Limitations of this study include the length and variation of DM regimen, and the accuracy of medication compliance assessment. These findings show the benefit of utilizing CGM to aid DM management and explore options to optimize utilization. Future studies should continue to investigate barriers of CGM use.

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During my time in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course and working at Lexington Medical Center, I gained invaluable hands-on experience that has deepened my understanding of patient care and the importance of communication in healthcare settings. The CNA course provided me with the foundational technical skills necessary for working with patients like assisting with daily activities and monitoring vital signs. However, my time working at Lexington Medical Center brought these skills to life by adding an emotional dimension to patient interactions. Through direct contact with patients and healthcare professionals, I learned how to balance the technical aspects of care with empathy and understanding. This experience also allowed me to see the importance of clear communication when providing quality care. There are many challenges and rewards of working in a fast-paced medical environment. Overall, this experience has not only improved my clinical abilities, but it has deepened my understanding of patient needs, helping me grow professionally and personally.

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In the spring of my sophomore year, I embarked on a one-year study abroad program at ESSEC Business School in Cergy, France, as part of the Responsible International Leadership (RIL) cohort. Studying abroad had always been a dream of mine—France had been my ultimate goal since I started learning French in kindergarten. I pursued this opportunity because of my long-standing passion for global learning, rooted in my early French studies, and my desire for personal and academic growth through international experiences. Throughout the year, I traveled to over 15 countries, immersing myself in diverse cultures and connecting with people from various backgrounds. My focus was on developing cross-cultural communication skills, improving my fluency in French, and testing my adaptability in unfamiliar environments. I accomplished this through language immersion, academic coursework, and real-world experiences that required problem- solving and resilience. I applied for the program before my freshman year and was accepted into the Responsible International Leadership (RIL) cohort. I discovered that I am highly adaptable, resilient, and capable of communicating eƯectively even without a shared language. My ability to connect with others across cultural and linguistic barriers strengthened my interpersonal skills and built my confidence in unfamiliar situations. Now, I don’t fear the unknown. I’ve learned that I can talk to anyone, find common ground, and figure things out no matter what the challenge.

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USC Dance Marathon is the largest student run philanthropic organization in the state of South Carolina. Having the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for this organization has been one of the most impactful experiences from my time at the university. Serving as the Director of Merchandise has allowed me to combine two of my passions: creativity and service. In my role of Merch Director, I oversee the entire production process when it comes to making a piece of merch; from conceptualizing, to designing, to ordering, and lastly selling. Beyond my job as director, I am also expected to be an active member of the organization as a whole. This includes attending table shifts, fundraising for the local children’s hospital, and attending our 14 hour main event in February. Serving on BOD has allowed me to grow my leadership skills in ways that I didnt even know were possible. It has greatly enhanced my communication skills and ability to step out of my comfort zone. Although I am not sure what the future has in store for me yet, the one thing that I am sure about is that I want to find a career that can combine my passion for creativity and service. Having the opportunity to serve others within the community is something I didn’t know I would become so passionate about. Choosing the Professional and Civic Engagement pathway allows for me to highlight and give greater insight on the power of service and what it means to me.

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During my Spring semester abroad in Barcelona, I volunteered through the SAI program to teach English at a local primary school. With ten years of Spanish study, I sought to immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking environment with a rich culture and history, and Barcelona was the perfect fit. Teaching reinforced my belief that language is not just for communication but a gateway to cultural understanding. I led small group exercises, collaborated with teachers on larger group activities, and created interactive lessons to enhance students' English. This experience gave me deep insights into economic, social, and cultural differences, as well as shared connections, like the importance of family, kindness, and community. Through conversations with students, I gained a better understanding of their traditions and daily lives. Many students were not native to Barcelona or Spain, exposing me to a rich mix of cultural perspectives. One student from Pakistan shared insights into Muslim traditions, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, giving me a glimpse into their culture. Observing student interactions also highlighted the socio-economic diversity in Barcelona, broadening my understanding of the city’s diverse cultures. Overall, this experience deepened my appreciation for the importance of cross-cultural communication in our globalized world. Recognizing and valuing cultural differences helps form stronger relationships and improves communication. Although I volunteered to teach in Barcelona, I walked away having learned much more—gaining skills and insights that will continue to influence my perspective on language, culture, and global citizenship.

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In Fall 2023, I started my on-campus job within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as an Admissions Call Center Representative. I heard about this position the previous spring semester through several girls in my sorority who worked in the call center, but were graduating. I applied and interviewed in the spring semester and was hired to start the following fall semester. At this time, I had found my passion and figured out that I wanted to pursue a career in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and thought this job would provide me a great foundation as a future counselor. My main role as an Admissions Call Center (ACC) Representative is to answer incoming phone calls. These phone calls can be prospective students, their parents, high school guidance counselors, or even current USC students calling. The majority of phone calls we get are about student’s applications, application requirements, decisions, merit-based scholarships, and general questions about our university. Other tasks associated with my role include answering emails, noting inquiries about the university, working admissions events like Admitted Students Day or Carolina Preview, and attending several training sessions each semester. As time went on in the first semester of my new job, I began to love the people I was working with and continued to grow in confidence with each phone call. With a job like this, every call is a different scenario and a different person behind the phone. I learned to never be on autopilot, as everyone’s situation and needs are different. Working in the ACC for over a year and a half and now holding a leadership position has taught me the importance of interpersonal communication skills. This can look like repeating information back to the caller to make sure you are hearing them correctly, staying silent and not interrupting the caller when they are explaining their situation, and by being patient if the caller is going through a tough time. These are skills that every counselor should have in their toolbox as they promote open communication and help build rapport.

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Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis is prevalent with a multitude of different non-operative and operative treatments. A common procedure for thumb CMC arthritis is a trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty. Currently however, there is no gold standard technique for suspensionplasty. Traditionally, it has been performed with tendon interposition or suture button techniques. An all-suture suspensionplasty is a newer technique and thus there is insufficient data regarding its clinical results. Our study aims to investigate the outcomes of patients who undergo primary surgical treatment for thumb CMC joint arthritis with trapeziectomy with an all-suture suspensionplasty. We believe our techniques for trapeziectomy with an all-suture suspensionplasty at our institution will be effective in the treatment of thumb CMC arthritis, with notable improvement in patient QuickDASH scores as our primary outcome, as well as improvement in VAS pain scores, and range of motion. This is a prospective study with data collection occurring pre-operatively, and post-operatively at the 2-week, 6-week, 12-week, 6-month and 1-year marks. Data collection includes QuickDASH, VAS pain scores, and range of motion using standardized Kapandji score. Patients were divided into two groups based on their surgeon’s suspensionplasty technique. Group 1 received the Arthrex Fiberlock Implant System. Group 2 received the Arthrex Hand/Wrist Ligament Augmentation Repair Kit. Patient charts were followed for return-to-work time and any post-operative complications. Data analysis was done with the Wilcoxon signed rank test and Kruskal-Wallis test. There is a significant difference between all-participant pre-operative and post-operative VAS pain scores, at every follow-up (6.82 vs 4.026, 2.75, 1.69). We found no significant difference when comparing each study group based on their surgeon’s implant/technique. The all-suture suspensionplasty technique is relatively new and thus lacks sufficient data regarding its success or comparison between different all-suture techniques. Our study found significant improvement in QuickDASH, VAS pain scores and range of motion when comparing collective patient data. We found no significant difference between patient data when divided into groups based on our two surgeon’s techniques. Further analysis is warranted for long term follow up and comparison between all-suture techniques and the more traditional techniques including tendon interposition and suture button techniques.

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As part of preparing McKissick Museum for its upcoming reaccreditation in 2026, a thorough inventory was conducted in the summer of 2024 of its extensive collections. McKissick’s collections of over 100,000 objects provides access for research and public appreciation for historical objects. Despite an inventory being conducted, many issues and discrepancies had been discovered, such as objects missing identification numbers and online records missing photographs. Our primary responsibilities are to update object records through McKissick Museum’s collections management system (CMS), PastPerfect, as well as take photos of objects, and digitize records from the 2024 inventory project. By continuing to digitize, photograph, and assign new object numbers, McKissick will be able to properly account for all objects through an online database, which is crucial for reaccreditation. The project also provides each member of this project team with new skills, as well as furthering their experience within the museum profession.

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Background: Hurricane Helene created a shortage of IVFs. Baxter reserved fluids for children’s hospitals, so effects from the shortage were less impactful. This project stemmed from the shortage and aimed to reinforce the reduction of IVFs and encourage oral rehydration therapy. The project was conducted at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands on the CH3 and CH4 floors. Data from April 2024 to October 2024 demonstrated that 64% of and 80% of CH3 and CH4 patients, respectively, received IVFs. Following Hurricane Helene, data from October 1, 2024 through December 13, 2024 demonstrated that 42% and 45% of CH3 and CH4 patients, respectively, received IVFs. AIM Statement: By April 1, 2025, the proportion of children admitted to Prisma Health Children's Hospital CH3 and CH4 receiving IVF rehydration therapy will decrease by 10%. Methods: PDSA 1 included educational sessions with the resident physicians and the nursing staff, discussing the project goals and literature review. PDSA 2 included creating a dehydration assessment tool to guide the clinical decision-making of IVFs or ORT. PDSA 3 included the creation of a parent education flyer about ORT, while reinforcing education sessions and the dehydration assessment tool. Results: PDSA 1 results demonstrated that 43% and 49% of CH3 and CH4 patients, respectively, received IVFs. PDSA 2 results demonstrated that 49% of CH3 and CH4 patients received IVFs. PDSA 3 results are pending. Conclusion: The project was conducted to decrease IVF use and promote ORT. Baseline data showed 64% and 80% of CH3 and CH4 patients received IVFs, dropping to 42% and 45% post-hurricane. Results from the PDSA cycles did not demonstrate a 10% reduction in IVF use. However, utilization remained below 50% throughout the project. The reduction in IVF use was initially a result of the shortage, however, the reserve for children’s hospitals lessened the impact of the shortage. Therefore, it is likely that a combination of the hurricane and the project resulted in decreased IVF use and allowed the decreased use to remain consistent throughout the project. Long-term data collection may reveal further IVF reduction as more residents utilize the ORT education and assessment tools.

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As part of preparing McKissick Museum for its upcoming reaccreditation in 2026, a thorough inventory was conducted in the summer of 2024 of its extensive collections. McKissick’s collections of over 100,000 objects provides access for research and public appreciation for historical objects. Despite an inventory being conducted, many issues and discrepancies had been discovered, such as objects missing identification numbers and online records missing photographs. Our primary responsibilities are to update object records through McKissick Museum’s collections management system (CMS), PastPerfect, as well as take photos of objects, and digitize records from the 2024 inventory project. By continuing to digitize, photograph, and assign new object numbers, McKissick will be able to properly account for all objects through an online database, which is crucial for reaccreditation. The project also provides each member of this project team with new skills, as well as furthering their experience within the museum profession.

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Marketing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about aerospace, but my experience with Aerospace Marketing Lab (AML) has shown me just how vital strategic communication is within technical industries. I began as a marketing intern over the summer and transitioned into the role of marketing associate once the school year began. In this position, I applied my advertising and design skills to support AML, the Jeff Pino Foundation (JPF), and a variety of other clients. AML specializes in branding and digital marketing for the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries. My responsibilities spanned multiple areas, including graphic design, copywriting, content marketing, logo design, and website development. I created promotional materials, developed digital strategies, and simplified complex marketing concepts to make them more accessible to broader audiences. Additionally, I worked closely with JPF to strengthen its visual marketing identity, attended executive board meetings, and played a role in planning its presence at the annual VERTICON conference, which I attended alongside AML and JPF in March. One of the most impactful aspects of my experience was revitalizing previous AML content pieces. I refined and modernized the material, then designed a series of social media graphics to support its promotion. These assets became a key component of AML’s larger initiative of relaunching its social media presence. This project not only provided valuable insight into how strategic design, content development, and digital engagement work together, but also challenged me to think critically about presenting specialized information in a way that remains both accessible and credible within the industry. I pursued the opportunity to explore marketing beyond traditional industries to push myself outside my comfort zone. I saw it as a chance to apply my education in advertising, graphic design, and leadership studies in a real-world setting. Working with AML has broadened my perspective on marketing’s role in specialized fields and solidified my passion for creative problem-solving. Moving forward, I hope to continue exploring how marketing can bridge the gap between innovation and audience engagement, proving that creativity and strategy are just as essential as technical expertise.

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Exosomes, small membrane-bound particles secreted by cells, have emerged as a promising avenue for cancer treatment due to their ability to facilitate intercellular communication and carry genetic constituents. Our research investigates the potential of adult mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes to deliver microRNAs (miRNA) for targeted therapy in glioblastoma (GBM) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Both GBM and PDAC are aggressive tumor forms that often resist or are not affected by traditional treatments, leading to poor patient outcomes. We specifically focus on MSC-derived exosomes enriched with miR-124 and miR-7, which have been shown to regulate critical pathways involved in tumor growth and survival. In our approach, human MSCs are genetically modified to express target miR plasmids, subsequently cultivated in an exosome-depleted medium to optimize exosome production. The resulting miRNA-enriched exosomes are isolated and characterized for their cargo. We assess their therapeutic efficacy through a series of experiments such as the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay to determine cell viability at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour time points. Additionally, bicinchonic acid (BCA) analysis and Western blot data are employed to quantify detection and localization of apoptotic activity facilitated by the miR-124 and mir-7 treatment groups. Our findings indicate that MSC-derived exosomes significantly facilitate the delivery of therapeutic miRNAs, resulting in reduced cell viability and altered apoptotic signaling pathways. Additionally, we hope to utilize animal models to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic potential of these exosomes. Preliminary results demonstrate that miRNA modulation via MSC-derived exosomes can effectively inhibit tumor cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by targeting multiple oncogenic pathways. Overall, our research underscores the promise of MSC-derived exosomes as a versatile and efficient delivery system for miRNA-based therapies in treating challenging cancers such as GBM and PDAC.

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The Student Success Center is a resource center offered by the University of South Carolina that allows the students to have free access to tutoring services, success consultations, financial literacy resources, workshops and more to every student enrolled. I decided to work as a Peer Consultant for the Student Success Center because I enjoy working with and advocating for other students. Peer Consultants act as mentors by holding success consultations for students struggling with adjusting to the University, time management or study habits. Being at such a large University, I meet with a range of students who all come from different backgrounds. Each student comes to the consultation with a unique set of circumstances and I work to help these students come up with a plan of action that could help them. Working with freshmen to seniors to transfer students to first generation students has allowed me to greatly enhance my problem-solving skills. Working as a Peer Consultant has transformed my leadership skills and allowed me to create an environment that fosters student engagement, academic success, and personal growth. I have been able to support a variety of students by giving them campus resources, study strategies and organizational skills as they navigate their way around such a large University. This was one of my favorite experiences during my undergraduate career as it was impactful and rewarding. My presentation will discuss the insights that I gained from being a Peer Consultant and how it helped to further develop my leadership skills.

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Introduction: Androgens are essential for regulating muscle mass, strength, and metabolic function in humans. Reduced androgen levels are associated with muscle atrophy, decreased strength, impaired metabolic health, and more particularly, Kennedy’s Disease, where lower AR levels contribute to muscle weakness and muscle atrophy. Skeletal muscle plays a critical role in physical performance and metabolic homeostasis. The androgen receptor (AR) in skeletal muscle mediates these effects by influencing processes such as protein synthesis and glucose metabolism. Understanding how AR signaling directly impacts muscle-specific processes will help clarify its role in metabolic and physical health. Methods: The mouse model used for this experiment is a SkM-AR mouse. This model enables an inducible and skeletal muscle specific increase in AR . This model is used to see if increased AR signaling in skeletal muscle can influence metabolic function, body composition, and whole-body insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Female SkM-AR and littermate control mice were given either high-fat diet (HFD) or low-fat diet (LFD) for 20 weeks while given water with doxycycline. Physical composition and metabolic function were both measured during this study to determine results. Results: This study showed that the SkM-AR mouse model on both a LFD and a HFD had decreased muscle mass compared to the littermate control LFD and HFD mice. Conclusion: Interestingly, AR overexpression is detrimental to muscle mass in the context of gastroc size . This is perplexing as it would be predicted that AR would enhance muscle mass. The SkM-AR model could potentially be utilized to understand the mechanism by which AR becomes detrimental to skeletal muscle growth. We can further study the combined effects of skeletal muscle androgen receptor overexpression signaling with other metabolic regulators, such as exercise, to determine if this approach can optimize metabolic outcomes in conditions like obesity.

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I joined USC Dance Marathon (USCDM) and fundraised to benefit child life at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Midlands. My USCDM journey began after seeing so many of my friends become so passionate about the organization and hearing families speak about our positive impact on their hospital experience. USCDM funds the child life program at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital Midlands.. This includes things such as music therapy, playrooms, therapy dogs, and more. USCDM even funded a playground at the hospital. The organization came up with fundraising resources that helped take our impact to the next level. With the help of fundraising techniques such as social media posts and donor emails I learned in my JOURN 333: Public Relations for Non-Profits class, and the support of my friends, family, and entire network I was able to raise the most money in my last year in this organization. I raised over 2,500 dollars and spent most of my time in the organization doing campus outreach encouraging others to join the fight. USCDM as a whole raised over $650,000. This means that the child life program will benefit tremendously, and many families' days will be made a little brighter. I got to experience the strength in numbers and learned how much we achieve when everyone involved is united and passionate about the same cause.

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This study examines the role of Hassani poetry in the Western Sahara-Morocco conflict, highlighting its transformation from an oral tradition into a tool of resistance. Originating in the 16th century Mauritania, Hassani poetry long preserved Saharawi identity, but in the face of colonization by Morocco and exile from the western parts of the former Western Sahara, it has become a means of political mobilization and cultural survival. This research explores poetic structure, themes of nationalism and displacement, and the role of the Saharawi people in adapting poetry for contemporary struggles. By analyzing both traditional and digital poetry, this study underscores poets’ vital role in fostering resilience, sustaining identity, and challenging occupation.

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Gestational insults are associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and have lasting detrimental impacts on cognitive function. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), synthesized along a branch of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, is elevated in the postmortem brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with schizophrenia, a neuropsychiatric disorder with neurodevelopmental origins. KYNA is an endogenous antagonist of alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α7nACh) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid glutamate receptors. We utilized an embryonic kynurenine (EKyn) model in C57Bl/6J mice to mimic gestational insults wherein elevated KYNA levels during neurodevelopment impede cognitive function in adulthood (Buck et al., 2020). We hypothesize that a perinatal diet with supplemental choline, an essential nutrient and agonist of α7nACh receptors, would alleviate adverse learning outcomes in EKyn adult offspring. Dams were assigned to one of four groups from embryonic day (ED) 11 to ED18: ECon (control diet), EKyn (control diet laced with 50mg/day kynurenine), choline (5-fold higher choline content compared to control), and choline EKyn (choline diet laced with 50mg/day kynurenine). Respective control and choline diets were continued until weaning of offspring on postnatal day (PD) 21. The Barnes maze (BM) behavioral paradigm was employed to assess hippocampal-dependent learning and memory formation in adult offspring (PD56). Results show both male and female EKyn offspring exhibited longer latency to the escape box, greater distance travelled, and higher number of committed errors during the last day of learning compared to ECon. Learning performance in both sexes of choline EKyn mice was comparable to ECon counterparts, suggesting that choline supplementation mitigates the adverse learning effects observed in EKyn. However, in BM reversal learning, a prefrontal cortex-mediated trial, only female EKyn offspring displayed significant impairments. Perinatal choline diet in choline EKyn females ameliorated these negative outcomes. These findings provide novel insights into the impact of choline supplementation during the critical period of brain development to mitigate the effects of gestational KYNA elevation on learning outcomes in adult offspring. Understanding the role of choline supplementation as a potential intervention for alleviating prenatal risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders may help inform future gestational treatment strategies that are naturalistic and safe.

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The spread of liberalism and democracy within the Latin American colonies, in spite of the colonial dominance imposed by Iberian powers, has been the subject of extensive research and debate. This analysis examines the early roots of revolutionary sentiment in New Granada (present-day Colombia) during the late 18th century, prior to the rise of figures such as Simón Bolívar. In particular, the research conducted seeks to highlight the 1781 Comunero Rebellion as a pivotal moment in which revolutionary rhetoric gained a massive shift in momentum, both within New Granada and beyond. This research also seeks to challenge the dominant narrative that Latin American independence was solely the result of the contributions of 19th century leaders for independence, instead positing that the seeds of revolution had already been firmly planted decades prior. In re-evaluating these early movements, not only do we challenge this narrative, but we can come to a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the Latin American struggle for liberation.

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Individuals who suffer from neurocognitive disorders often suffer from sleep disturbances. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a tryptophan metabolite implicated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Modest increases in KYNA, which acts as an antagonist at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (α7nACh) receptors, result in cognitive impairments and alterations in sleep-wake behavior. 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 (0 µM, 1 µM, 3 µM, 10 µM; dissolved in PBS) elevation of KYNA locally in the brain. Wistar rats (N=10 female, 7 male) were cannulated with guide targeting the lateral ventricle and simultaneously implanted with telemetry devices to record electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) polysomnography. Upon a week of recovery from surgical procedures, a within animal design employed intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion to deliver each dose of KYNA (1 µl/min for 10 min) at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0, the start of the light phase, to rats across different 24-hour recording days. Vigilance states were classified into wake, REM sleep and non-REM (NREM) sleep by an artificial intelligence neural network in 10 sec epochs and reviewed by an expert. We presently evaluated vigilance state durations from ZT 0-4 and found a dose-dependent impact of KYNA on sleep duration. Notably, 3 µM KYNA increased wake duration by 35.01% (P<0.01), whereas 10 µM KYNA resulted in increased wake duration by 41.91% (P<0.05), reduced REM sleep duration by 37.97% (P<0.01), reduced NREM sleep duration by 32.47% (P<0.05) between ZT 0-2 when compared to vehicle infusion. Importantly, the impact of KYNA on sleep-wake behavior was transient, as vigilance state durations returned to basal levels from ZT 2-4, which corresponds to 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.

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To give back is to love one another, and to love one another is to give back. During this spring semester I have learned to meet others' needs by volunteering at the local food banks in Columbia, I have developed a deep respect for the individuals and organizations that dedicate their time to addressing basic needs in our community. As I reach my senior year I have volunteered at both Harvest Hope and the Gamecock CommUnity Shop where we focus on providing free food, clothes, and other necessities to those in need. Although my roles are different they complement each other. At Harvest Hope, I usually sort through produce, meats, and miscellaneous foods to ensure they are properly packaged and ready to deliver to our clients. At the Gamecock CommUnity Shop, I help stock canned goods, process donated clothes and shoes, and organize hygiene products ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have access to a variety of essentials to choose from. This presentation will address how these volunteer roles have not only strengthened my commitment to public health but have also given me a deeper appreciation for the importance of community-driven support in promoting health and well-being. Additionally, I have gained knowledge about the complexity of working with a team and the importance of being hands-on in addressing community needs.

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Exercise has shown numerous benefits on various cancer health-related outcomes such as fatigue, quality of life, and physical function. However, there is a lack of effectively implemented evidence-based exercise programs catered toward individuals with cancer. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an exercise program on physical function in individuals who have or had cancer. This research includes an eight-week exercise program, in which participants engage in a combination of resistance and aerobic exercise twice a week. At the one week, four week, and eight week mark, assessments were administered that quantitatively assess physical function. This includes the Short Physical Performance Battery Protocol (sPPB), a framework used to assess lower body function by focusing on balance (tandem and semi tandem), gait speed (4-meter walk test in m/s), and chair stand (5 times repeated chair stand). Each test produces a raw score, which combines for a total sPPB score ranging from 0-12 (higher scores indicate higher functioning). The effectiveness of the resistance training program was examined using a T-test, determining if there was a statistically significant difference between sPPB scores at week one and week eight of the eight-week resistance training program. During the eight-week program, 16 individuals ages 36-85 (M = 57.93, SD = 12.77) participated in the sixteen workouts. Cancer diagnoses included breast (11), colorectal (3), lung (1), and prostate (1), ranging from stage 1(9), 2 (3), and 3 (4). A paired sample t-test revealed a significant increase in average sPPB scores from pre-intervention (M = 9.66, SD = 3.06) to post-intervention (M = 10.73, SD = 1.60), p = 0.04. As the undergraduate researcher, my role included planning and executing the eight-week exercise program, conducting the assessments, including the sPPB, and analyzing the results from all participants in the summer 2024 wave. From the results of the t-test, it can be concluded, the Short Physical Performance Battery Protocol (sPPB) demonstrated statistical significance between week one and week eight score, supporting the hypothesis resistance training for individuals with cancer improves physical function.

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The cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris is one of the most abundant species in the South Atlantic Bight (SAB; coastal Carolinas and Georgia) of the Southeastern United States. These jellyfish hold significant ecological and economical importance, serving as a major food source for many ocean vertebrates and representing a valuable US export in the commercial fishery industry. Despite their abundance, very little is known about how this species is responding to climate change, particularly in their early life history stage as polyps. Given the increasing impacts of climate change, it is crucial that we investigate how changing environmental conditions impact the survival and asexual reproduction of these polyps. This information will allow us to understand and predict future population dynamics. This study aims to determine the optimal range(s) of temperature and salinity values that result in the highest rate of S. meleagris polyp survival and reproduction. Observations of polyp asexual reproduction and survival rates will be recorded across nine different salinity and temperature combinations. Data collection will span for a total of 60 days, providing insight into the optimal environmental conditions that drive polyp reproduction and survival. The results from this experiment will address a critical knowledge gap in understanding where these polyps reside in the wild (by testing their preferred salinity) and what time(s) of year they are reproducing (by testing their preferred temperature). I will present this background, experimental design, and preliminary results from the polyp experiments.

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The locus coeruleus (LC) is a brainstem region rich in norepinephrine (NE)-containing neurons, which play a critical role in regulating arousal, alertness, and attention. The density of LC-NE neurons has been positively correlated with working memory performance. Stress increases norepinephrine transmission, and while excessive norepinephrine can impair working memory, moderate increases may enhance performance. Age-related degeneration of the locus coeruleus can reduce norepinephrine transmission, leading to declines in working memory. Based on this, we hypothesized that chronic variable stress would affect working memory performance and induce changes in LC-NE neurons in an age-dependent manner. To test this hypothesis, we exposed male and female Fischer 344 rats (6 and 24 months of age) to chronic variable stress. The stressors included twice-daily exposure to a forced swim (15°C or 25°C), bobcat or coyote urine, cage flooding, or 1-hour physical restraint. Working memory was assessed using a delayed match-to-sample task, with performance measured as the percentage of correct trials. We observed that chronic stress improved choice accuracy in aged male rats but had no effect on aged females. Following behavioral testing, brain tissue was collected from all rats. The brainstem was sectioned, and LC-NE neurons were identified using antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). TH-positive neurons were visualized using microscopy and manually counted. Preliminary results suggest that stressed rats exhibited fewer or less dense TH+ cells compared to unstressed rats. However, there were no significant differences between age groups or biological sexes. Further experiments will be needed to explore potential interactions between these factors, as suggested by our behavioral results. These findings support our hypothesis that chronic stress differentially affects working memory across the lifespan, with alterations in LC-NE neurons. Ongoing work will investigate whether stress-related changes in the locus coeruleus are associated with neuronal activation, neurodegeneration, or inflammation, using c-Fos, NeuN, and Iba+ staining techniques.

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Freshman year I joined a service organization, Dream Outside the Box, which works with the local YMCA to target schools in “dream deserts.” Every Friday since joining, I go to a local elementary school to spend time with students, engaging them in creative activities that educate them on different career paths. Four years later, I’ve watched as four-year-olds became fourth graders, and dreams to become superheroes and princesses evolved to scientists and doctors. This organization allowed me to contribute to something much bigger during my time at the University of South Carolina. As years passed, my role within this organization transformed. I was elected treasurer, so my responsibilities as a member grew. Beyond supervising our finances, I became a leader within the club and supervised other volunteers in coordinating and planning weekly events, serving as a direct contact for questions and assistance. Through this experience, I learned the importance of servant leadership, developed critical thinking skills to tackle complex problems, engage with diverse individuals, and communicate clearly and effectively. My presentation will discuss key insights from my experience volunteering with Dream Outside the Box and the impact they have had on developing me into a principled business leader.

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The novel m-terphenyl bis-urea macrocycle demonstrates kinetically controlled aggregation behavior due to its kinetically metastable states. The macrocycle is concentration dependent and was studied in water/THF systems to analyze the self-assembly through several measurements of temperature-dependent UV-Vis spectroscopy. The spectroscopy showed cooperative nucleation-growth mechanism, indicated by a shift in λmax to longer wavelengths upon cooling. Additionally, morphological studies such as DLS, AFM, and SEM demonstrated fibrous aggregate formation. A difference between the ΔH values during cooling, compared to van′t Hoff analysis and alignment of heating ΔH, reinforced the assumption of different kinetic states. Finally, spontaneous nucleation retardation, resulting from monomer trapping, led to lag times of up to 50 minutes under specific conditions. The results of these experiments advance our understanding of supramolecular dynamics, exploring various ON-pathway mechanisms, and advancing tunable supramolecular materials.

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Introduction: Hypertension, inflammation and erectile dysfunction (ED) are closely linked, with inflammasomes playing a role by driving innate immune responses that contribute to ED development. Our research hypothesized that cell-free mtDNA activates NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes, triggering gasdermin-D (GSDMD) pore formation promoting endothelial and ED. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice livers were collected and mtDNA was isolated. Endothelial cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured and treated with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) for 24 hours before protein expression analysis via western blot. Male C57BL/6 mice were then sacrificed, and pudendal arteries and corpus cavernosum were collected and mounted on wire and strip myographs, respectively. Functionality was assessed using phenylephrine (PE, 10 μM) and acetylcholine (ACh, 10 μM) following a 1-hour incubation in Krebs solution with mtDNA (4 μg/μL) or control (Krebs only). Concentration-response and relaxation-response curves were generated for PE (1 nM–30 μM) and ACh (1 nM–30 μM). Nonlinear regressions determined maximal response (Emax) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50). Statistical significance was assessed using two-way mixed ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-test, and Student’s t-test for Emax and EC50 comparisons. Results: Protein expression analysis demonstrated elevated levels of NLRP3, AIM2, and GSDMD in mtDNA-treated endothelial cells, indicating activation of inflammasomes. When pudendal arteries were exposed to mtDNA, a significant reduction in phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction was observed (Emax, p < 0.01), with no notable changes in endothelium-dependent relaxation curves. Conversely, exposure to mtDNA resulted in a significant increase in the contractile response of the corpus cavernosa to PE (Emax, p < 0.01). Interestingly, mtDNA exposure also enhanced corpus cavernosa endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh, though no significant differences were observed between relaxation curves. Furthermore, electrical field stimulation revealed a significant increase in corpus cavernosa relaxation at low frequency following mtDNA exposure (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, these data suggest that mtDNA exposure activates inflammasomes in endothelial cells, influencing vascular and cavernosal function in a tissue-dependent manner. This is evidenced by reduced contraction in pudendal arteries and increased contractility in the corpus cavernosa, along with enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation. These findings suggest that mtDNA-induced inflammasome activation may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and ED.

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Over the past 2 ½ years, while working 20+ hours a week, I advanced through multiple roles at a local country club in Tega Cay known as The Shore Club—from host to event staff, food runner, expeditor, barback, and eventually server. Each position pushed me to develop new skills beyond its core responsibilities. At first, I stepped into these roles with the simple goal of performing well and supporting the team, but through hands-on learning in a fast-paced environment, I became a key team member. I was relied upon to lead events, anticipate bartenders’ and guests’ needs, and train new employees. While this recognition came with gradual raises and positive feedback, it also presented challenges. As I took on greater responsibilities, I experienced the pressure of high expectations, often managing multiple roles at once or stepping in during understaffed shifts. These experiences taught me the importance of communication, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure. I also learned to set boundaries and recognize that being an effective leader means knowing when to delegate rather than taking on everything myself. My time at The Shore Club reinforced my strong work ethic and commitment to self-improvement, which I plan to carry into future professional settings. This mindset led me to temporarily step away to gain experience in a corporate restaurant as a ToGo server and later a server, where I adapted to a more structured work environment with standardized procedures—a contrast to The Shore Club’s independently owned, smaller team, which had more flexibility and direct communication. My decision to prioritize long-term growth over immediate financial gain, even with a small pay cut, reflects my ongoing drive for learning and self-development. Moving forward, I aim to continue seeking new challenges while staying grounded in the lessons learned from past experiences.

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The use of ultrasonic guided waves in plate-like structures has attracted significant research attention in the past couple of decades. Guided waves are known for their sensitivity to structural and geometrical conditions on the surface and across the thickness. Our research has shown the excitation and sensing of ultrasonic guided waves in plate structures through the use of piezoelectric actuators and the wavefield acquisition with scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. The system allows for waves being measured at a selected location, or as wave propagation with regards to spatial location as one dimensional or two dimensional wavefield data. The wave motion is acquired as either the out of plane velocity or displacement on the structural surface. In addition to wave propagation, we have shown that the detailed interactions with a local structural discontinuity such as a hole can be measured for structural condition evaluation. To develop a good understanding of the wave propagation mechanisms as well as to predict the wave-defect interactions, simulation of guided waves in plate has been performed. Our study investigates the simulation of 1D guided waves in thin metallic plates, named Lamb waves focused on the pristine condition. Lamb waves consisting of both symmetric and anti-symmetric modes are modeled with analytical method and implemented through MATLAB tool. The model shows its sensitivity to structural parameters. Particular attention is given to the wave characteristics that can be derived from the simulation data, such as velocity and attenuation. This work creates a foundation for understanding wave propagation in structures to guide or validate experimental work. The current research efforts are focused on developing the analytical model for wave interactions with notch type defects and developing subsequent wave analysis methods to identify the discontinuity specific wave propagation characteristics for applications to structural health monitoring and damage detection.

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Attention plays an important role in our interaction with the work around us. Much of the research on attention uses abstract, impoverished stimuli. So, how is attention distributed in real world scenes and what influences this? Does the presence of people, their heads or bodies, cue attention to different parts of the scene? Prior research showed that gaze and head position affect attention. However, when the whole torso as well as the head is shown in the stimulus, the body positioning seems to override any effects of the gaze direction. Is it the size of the head compared to the body in the pictures space that makes a difference? It is hypothesized that a large head lacking a body will affect attention distribution where the head, with the body visible, did not. This was tested by editing the stimuli used in a previously run experiment so that the subject viewed large, disembodied heads with a cross on either side. Their task was to locate the cross as quickly and accurately as possible and their reaction time was measured in milliseconds. The results show a tendency for faster reaction times when the head was in profile position and the cross was in line of sight. This suggests that gaze is more important when the head fills a larger part of the visual field.

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The past year I have been an undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Susan Richardson. I have focused on anthropogenic impacts on drinking water in an environmental analytical chemistry lab. This past fall I had the opportunity to be involved in the experimental design of a project and lead the formation of a detailed grant proposal. The project, Mapping Unknown Volatile PFAS and Other Contaminants in South Carolina Waters with GC-MS, involves a non-target GC-MS approach to identify volatile PFAS and other contaminants in South Carolina waters. To our knowledge, this type of approach has not yet been conducted in South Carolina. I have spent a lot of time learning about the logistics of the experimental design, researching literature pertaining to the experimental design, and researching spectra for the contaminants I will be looking for. Samples will be taken from waters throughout the state, they will be filtered and extracted by solid-phase extraction, analyzed by low and high resolution GC-MS, and the data will be analyzed using the NIST library and suspect screening. We anticipate finding short-chained volatile PFAS that we suspected and other volatile contaminants from our analysis. My experience in undergraduate research has been one of my most meaningful experiences. It has increased my knowledge of what it means to conduct research, allowed me to practice and learn about common laboratory techniques and contaminants related to drinking water, and overall increased my confidence in the lab. It has inspired me to pursue a career in chemistry where I can contribute to my community or to the environment through my work.

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During the summer of 2023, I participated in a Sea|mester voyage, an immersive global learning experience that took me to six countries from the British Virgin Islands to Antigua. Over the course of 20 days, I lived and worked aboard an 88-foot double-masted schooner alongside 15 other college students, navigating the challenges of life at sea while developing critical seamanship skills. During this voyage, I earned an advanced SCUBA certification and gained firsthand experience in sustainable living practices. Adapting to life on a sailboat required me to confront my own resource consumption, as I quickly learned to live without air conditioning or cell service and with extremely limited access to freshwater and refrigeration. As an environmental science major, I was able to take these constraints, coupled with exposure to environmental challenges faced by Caribbean communities, and use them to deepen my understanding of my own carbon footprint and the global implications of resource conservation. This experience built upon the academic foundation I had gained in my Next Energy course on campus, an engineering class focused on renewable energy, energy consumption, and sustainability. Concepts I had studied in the classroom—such as energy efficiency, off-grid living, and resource scarcity—became tangible realities at sea, reinforcing the importance of sustainable solutions in everyday life. Beyond the technical skills and practical applications I acquired, this experience tested my resilience and determination in ways I had never encountered before. Facing both physical and emotional challenges, I discovered that I am capable of overcoming difficult situations through perseverance and adaptability. This voyage not only expanded my global perspective but also reinforced my commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable living.

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Inadequate prenatal care is linked to negative pregnancy outcomes, including increased infant and maternal mortality. The Prisma Health Family Medicine Residency provides prenatal care to underserved populations, including the Hispanic community in Columbia and Winnsboro, SC. In 2021, 74.3% of pregnant women in SC received adequate prenatal care, with the lowest rates among Hispanic mothers (63.1%). A Quality Improvement initiative led by PGY1 Family Medicine Residents aims to address this disparity by enhancing the quality of prenatal care through both group and traditional prenatal visit models. Initial assessments revealed significant gaps in early initiation of care, third trimester syphilis screenings, genetic testing, RSV vaccine administration, and postpartum follow-up. These gaps were addressed through several PDSA cycles by standardizing note templates and implementing Best Practice Advisories in the EMR, ensuring the sustainability of these practices. The interventions discussed were led by first-year residents and integrated into daily patient care using powerful health system tools such as the EMR. Post-intervention, comparing 3rd trimester RPR and Pap smears to baseline data at the beginning of the PDSA cycle showed a 28.33% increase in Pap smears and a 50% increase in RPR screenings. This project underscores the significance and creativity of intern involvement in quality improvement initiatives, establishing a foundation for systems-thinking from the start of residency. Continuous updates to standardized note templates and checklists used in prenatal care to incorporate smart phrases that reflect current standards of care have led to a reduction in care gaps and improvements in patient care.

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Studying abroad in Barcelona was an eye-opening experience that pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me develop the skills necessary for leadership in a globalized world. I chose to study abroad because I wanted to immerse myself in a new culture, challenge myself in unfamiliar situations, and gain a deeper understanding of international perspectives. Living in Spain for four months, I had the opportunity to engage with diverse communities, navigate everyday challenges in a different language, and adapt to a completely new way of life. Throughout my time abroad, I faced situations that required flexibility, problem-solving, and independence. Whether it was navigating Barcelona’s public transportation system, communicating in Spanish, or building connections with people from different backgrounds, each experience helped me become more confident and adaptable. I learned how to embrace uncertainty, approach new experiences with an open mind, and appreciate the nuances of different cultures. Looking back, this experience had a profound impact on me. Meaningful growth happens when we embrace the unknown and seek out new perspectives. This experience has not only reinforced my passion for global studies but also shaped the way I think about leadership. I believe this experience ultimately inspired me to pursue a Leadership Distinction in Global Studies upon my graduation this May. What I’ve learned from studying abroad has shaped my GLD pathway and allowed me to appreciate it from a new, reflective perspective.

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Objective: Telehealth has become a popular form of healthcare uptake during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to understand multifaceted factors at individual-, provider-, community-, and system/policy-levels for perinatal telehealth uptake. Methods: We conducted a scoping review on telehealth use for perinatal care by searching relevant records published during September 23, 1998- July 1st, 2024, from the PubMed Library. The review focused on audio and video telehealth modalities, excluding literature specifically on asynchronous modalities. Literature was included in all perinatal stages including abortion services, prenatal, and postpartum. From the 6030 initially identified articles, the final sample included 25 articles. The articles were analyzed for factors related to audio- or video telehealth uptake for perinatal care, and the identified factors were subsequently categorized into contextual/predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need-based factors, three groups of factors, according to Andersen’s Healthcare Utilization Model. Results: Across the papers, prenatal telehealth use ranged from 9% (before pandemic)-60% during pandemic, and telehealth uptake for pregnant women was as low as 15%. For perinatal telehealth uptake, predisposing factors include demographic characteristics such as age, race, or residence location. Contextual factors are travel burdens to a maternal provider and infrastructure for access to virtual healthcare at a community level (e.g., broadband, telecommunication devices ownership). Enabling factors include socioeconomic status (income level, access to reliable transportation, work life) and insurance coverage, and provider supply that affect a patient’s ability to connect with their provider. Need-based factors include the comorbidities and other health conditions that might increase the need for care, including pregnancy complications, postpartum depression, or gestational diabetes. Conclusion: This study highlights barriers and facilitators driving the current underuse of telehealth uptake for perinatal care in the United States. Efforts to integrate telehealth into perinatal care services should address these multilevel factors, particularly providing easy to use platforms for all age demographics, and resources such as Wi-Fi and data for underserved populations. This includes broadband service infrastructure and any devices that patients might require. Providing telehealth as an option for patients with greater travel burdens and with higher risk pregnancy can be especially helpful.

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During 2023, I studied abroad at ESSEC (École Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) Business school as part of the Responsible International Leadership Cohort. As a French-American who frequently traveled between the two countries but had never lived in France, this program was the perfect opportunity to immerse myself in the culture while deepening my interest in international business. At ESSEC, I refined my French skills, particularly my writing, which lagged behind my speaking and reading, and gained firsthand experience of what it truly means to live in a foreign country. While I was abroad, I volunteered at what was essentially a homeless community called Emmaüs in Caneças, Portugal. Being in an unfamiliar country that speaks an unfamiliar language for so long was eye opening. I experienced cultural diversity as well as economic diversity while being able to help those in need. The volunteer experience combined with my experiences while backpacking throughout Europe gave me a new appreciation for the world and other cultures. I feel inspired to learn more about people and how their cultures affect their upbringing and way of life. I have also decided to try and learn Portuguese as I fell in love with the language during my time there. This year abroad reaffirmed my passion for international experiences and strengthened my commitment to applying the global business skills I’ve been developing over the past four years. It reinforced my desire to live and work abroad, fully engaging with the international business landscape.

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