| Kuisel, Katherine |
Sklaroff, Lauren |
The Commodification of Color in the Beauty Industry: Fashion Fair Cosmetics and the Profiteering of Race in 20th Century Ebony Magazine Advertisements
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Abstract Text
My senior thesis, completed in the Fall of 2022, outlines the experience in the beauty industry by African American women. In addition to completing a review of literature on the subject, I analyzed over 200 issues of Ebony magazine from 1945 to 1983. In these issues, I noticed beauty firms' exploitation of the Black is Beautiful and Black Power movement in advertisements. For instance, an ad for Nadinola skin cream employed the phrase ‘Black is Beautiful’ in conjunction with a model sporting the Afro, a hairstyle known for its symbolism of racial pride. Nadinola, a white-owned company, had emphasized the beauty of lighter skin tones for decades. The product itself was a skin-bleaching cream meant to lighten skin color artificially. Fashion Fair Cosmetics, one of the first prestige cosmetic brands for African-American women, was founded in 1973 by Ebony owner Eunice Johnson. Johnson recognized that her models for Fashion Fair, a traveling exhibition of black fashion, had difficulty finding shades to match their complexion. Fashion Fair Cosmetics advertisements hid their manipulation of black beauty with before and after formats, showing how their makeup could improve their features. Fashion Fair Cosmetics would herald its place in the beauty industry as a symbol of racial uplift. However, by 1988, the brand would formulate its own skin-bleaching cream. My findings illustrated the brand’s failure to follow the intention of its founder within its advertisements and the beauty industry’s manipulation of racial pride for profit. A brief excerpt from the review of literature on the history of Fashion Fair Cosmetics is provided alongside pertinent data collected and a subsequent discussion.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 18
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| Gierek, Ava |
Hiott, Ambra |
Evaluating the Ethics of Research in a Global Health Setting
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Abstract Text
During my junior and senior year of undergrad, I worked for the Arnold Childhood Obesity Initiative as a research assistant. This research group is within the Exercise Science Department of the Arnold School of Public Health and is working towards creating a PATCH device for children aged three to seven. This device measures heart rate, physical activity, and energy expenditure through the use of photoplethysmography (PPG). My team and I worked on maintaining social value, scientific validity, fair subject selection and acceptable risk and benefit ratio, while I mainly focused on informed consent and respect for enrolled subjects. Valid informed consent ensures that participants understand critical elements of the research and they make voluntary decisions to participate. Similarly, respect for enrolled subjects allows the participants to confidentially withdraw at any time. My involvement in this research consisted of working directly with the study participants and running the protocol itself, which consisted of various activities to bring their heart rate into different zones: sitting, standing, walking, and running. As a Public Health major at the University of South Carolina, I’ve been able to learn about ethics in a global health setting while also researching and evaluating scientific study trials and their faults. Learning about these ethical principles and engaging in research has allowed me to think critically about inclusion practices in the workplace, especially in healthcare. By having a background in research, I am always looking for ways to further investigate problems and find solutions which is a valuable asset to have both in academia and the workplace.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 315
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| Lentine, Thomas |
Childs, Matthew |
Creating a Healthy Community Within the Workplace
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Abstract Text
Throughout my time at the University of South Carolina, to say that I have learned a lot would be an understatement. I have grown academically and personally. My coursework has increased my understanding of the field I am entering after graduation–Human Resource Management. Furthermore, my experiences outside of the classroom have enhanced my understanding of the concepts learned during lectures and provided more opportunities for further learning through my leadership positions and extracurricular involvement. Three influential courses I took were UNIV290: Capstone Sustainability, HPEB321: Personal and Community Health, and UNIV290: Capstone Scholars Leadership Program. I have learned about burnout, behavior change, and goal setting. I learned about a framework for setting goals represented by the acronym ‘SMART.’ This lesson has been particularly influential. Through my leadership experience within my fraternity–Alpha Epsilon Pi–I have had opportunities that allowed me to further understand this concept while putting it into practice. I was tasked with completing the Annual Chapter Expectations (ACE) Packet during my term as Scribe on our executive board. I set a goal to win Chapter of the Year, which is awarded to the top scoring Fraternity on the ACE Packet. I adhered to the packet and had monthly meetings with our chapter coach to review our progress. Furthermore, I reflected on past ACE Packet submissions to find common weaknesses while improving upon our strengths. For example, we tended to do poorly on the Community Service section but accel on the Member Development section. Prior to my term as scribe, my chapter had scored in the middle of the pack each year on the ACE packet, my passion was to improve my chapter as a whole. I knew that by adhering to this packet I would simultaneously improve my chapter and improve our reputation with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. We were named the 2021 Interfraternity Council Chapter of the Year, and this experience has been a driving factor in my academic and extracurricular success. I have learned the power of effective goal setting, and have since incorporated SMART goals into all aspects of my life
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 325
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| Parsowith, Emily |
Fairman, Ciaran |
The impact of short-term creatine supplementation on muscular performance and cognitive function on breast cancer survivors
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Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) has high prevalence in the United States, with over 280,000 estimated cases diagnosed in 2021. Advances in the detection and treatment of BC have resulted in an increased survival rate. Unfortunately, this means that there is also an ever-increasing population experiencing declines in physiological and psychological wellbeing that accompany cancer treatments. BC treatment is commonly associated with decreases in muscle mass, strength, and cognitive function. Consequently, there is a critical need for the investigation of strategies to mitigate treatment related impairments in BC. Prior research suggests that creatine supplementation and resistance training have a beneficial effect on muscular performance and cognitive function in healthy, older adults. However, the effects of creatine supplementation have not yet been examined in BC survivors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of short-term creatine supplementation on muscular performance and cognitive function in BC survivors. METHODS: Using a double-blind placebo controlled randomized design, 20 BC survivors will be assigned to a creatine (CRE) or dextrose placebo (PLA) group. Prior to supplementation, participants will undergo two familiarization sessions to minimize practice effects. After the first testing session, participants will supplement their regular diet 4 times/day for 7-days with 5g of CRE or PLA. Muscular performance will be assessed using timed up-and-go, short Physical Performance Battery, 10 repetition maximum chest press and leg extension, and sit-to-stand power tests. Cognitive function will be evaluated using visual and auditory reaction time, Erik Flanker, and Corsi block tests. Muscular performance and cognitive function tests will be done pre- and post-supplementation. Data will be evaluated for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Descriptive statistics will be expressed as means ± standard deviation. Interaction between supplement (CRE vs PLA) and time (Pre vs Post), will be examined using a group x time analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance will be considered at p<0.05. Effect sizes for analyses will also be reported. All data will be analyzed using R. ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We hypothesize that short-term creatine supplementation will result in significant improvements for both muscular performance and cognitive function relative to the placebo group.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 131
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| Dalkin, Benjamin |
Snooks, Joseph |
A novel missense mutation in complement factor H predisposes patients to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report
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Abstract Text
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) is a rare variant of a thrombotic microangiopathy that is characterized by anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal injury secondary to endothelial cell dysfunction and the formation of microvascular thrombi. The pathophysiology of aHUS is due either to an inherited or sporadic genetic mutation leading to overactivation of the complement cascade. This is in contrast to the more common Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) that results most often from exposure to Shiga toxin produced by E. coli O157:H7 or S. dysenteriae. Various mutations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aHUS including, but not limited to, genes encoding components of the complement cascade: CFB, CFH, CFHR1-5, MCP, CD46, and DGKE. Mutations in some of these genes are also linked to other nephropathic conditions such as C3 glomerulonephritis. Here we describe a case of aHUS due to a novel heterozygous missense mutation, p.Tyr235His, in exon 5 of CFHR5. This case highlights the importance of considering aHUS in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a patient with acute renal dysfunction, anemia and thrombocytopenia as well as expands our understanding of the genetic basis for a patient presentation of thrombotic microangiopathy.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 211
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| Lynagh, Brynn |
Childs, Matt |
Latino Cultural Competency as a Future Healthcare Provider
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Abstract Text
As a rising sophomore in high school, I traveled to Ecuador for a mission trip. During my time there, I first experienced the success of cross-cultural communication and I fell in love with the Spanish language, culture, and people. Through the process of application and matriculation to the University of South Carolina, my goal of studying medicine pushed to the forefront and I was not sure if I would be able to focus on both fields in my time as an undergraduate. Upon introduction to The Good Samaritan Clinic, a free clinic for the Hispanic population in Columbia, South Carolina, I realized that pursuing academic proficiency in the Spanish language and Latino cultures was something that I not only could include in my studies, but something that would complement my scientific disciplines and make me unique as a future healthcare provider. To that end, I added a second major in Spanish and planned an immersive experience in Spain. While my trip to Spain immensely improved my speaking abilities, I still felt that I was missing university-level insight into Latin American culture. To that end, I studied the cultural history of the Americas in Peru during winter break of my junior year. Through this course and my experiences abroad, I gained insight into Latino culture that will enable me to be a more informed, culturally competent healthcare provider in the future.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 201
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| Reeve, Bethany |
Wellman, Denise |
What We Don’t See: the Physical, the Mental, and the Global
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Abstract Text
During the spring of 2022, I spent four months studying abroad in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I chose to go to Bishkek, despite not being able to speak either Kyrgyz or Russian and without knowing very much at all about the culture, because I wanted the opportunity to live in and learn about Central Asia, an extremely diverse and rapidly developing region of the world that often does not get a lot of attention in the United States. This experience was personally significant because not only was it my first time outside of North America, but because I spent those four months on a journey of discovery. I learned how to speak Russian, about Kyrgyz culture, and about the other cultures both within the country and in the neighboring countries. But more than just that, I learned about the rich diversity of culture and people around the world—the things that we don’t see and the people we never talk about in the United States. And, I learned a lot about myself and how to navigate the world. Not only was I learning about the country I was in, but I was living by myself, shopping by myself, figuring out how to take the marshrutki minibuses to school by myself. My time abroad not only transformed my cultural understanding, but my independence, problem-solving, and communication skills in a way that I had never before.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 202
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| Hopper, Liza |
Matthews, Sarah |
Participating in the Medical Experience Academy (MedEx)
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Abstract Text
Over the past two summers, I participated in the Medical Experience Academy (MedEx) in Greenville, SC. Medex Academy, a summer academic program run by Prisma Health, consists of four different tiers, ranging from high school seniors to rising seniors in college. The goal of MedEx is to provide experiences that will help students ascertain and plan for their future careers in healthcare. I knew that we wanted to go into the field of healthcare, but was not positive as to which specific career I wanted to get involved in, leading me to apply for this program. As a Tier II participant, my time at MedEx during the summer of 2021 was spent shadowing and attempting to narrow down what healthcare career I would like to specialize in. However, in Tier III over the summer of 2022, I worked to better my test score for the MCAT by studying and participating in other shadowing experiences. Overall, MedEx has provided me with great insight into the field of medicine by providing its students with clinical exposures, both inpatient and outpatient. I was able to connect concepts, such as the social determinants of health, discussed in many of my public health courses to the interactions between patients and providers. For instance, I saw how one’s socioeconomic status changed the provider’s opinion of a patient through the shadowing observations arranged through MedEx. Ultimately, I plan to attend graduate school to become a physician. Therefore, this internship provided me with first-hand experiences in the healthcare system. I had the opportunity to learn more about the functioning of a care team in the hospital while simultaneously hearing from experts in the field of medical ethics and other realms of healthcare. Furthermore, I worked in teams and participated in group projects, which allowed me to learn more interpersonal or soft skills, including oral and written communication. Being a part of this internship throughout the past two summers has greatly affirmed my decision to pursue a career in healthcare, and I plan to participate in Tier IV this upcoming summer for the final tier of MedEx.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 327
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| Howard, Steve |
Harik, Ramy |
Investigating the Use of Electronic Sensors in Predictive Maintenance
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Abstract Text
Not too long-ago predictive maintenance seemed like an impossible task due to its requirement of higher
upfront cost and the smart technology needed, but once manufacturers were informed of the time and money it could
save, interest in predictive maintenance skyrocketed. Although the interest has increased, the problems with
predictive maintenance have stayed the same, most of this revolving around the integration of aftermarket sensors
and higher starting investments. Most of these aftermarket sensors focused on temperature, vibration, and sound –
allowing a program to sense when maintenance is required. This is done by collecting data using the sensors and
having a program interpret this data until failure thresholds can be set which then allows the program to predict
future maintenance orders.
The goal of this project was to implement new sensors and improve the previous issues related to predictive
maintenance. This can be done by researching the way sensors are used in predictive maintenance currently and then
implementing that knowledge on sensors already in use to new sensors. Once that is done, analyzing the data
collected from the sensor and creating a software that would implement that data into a software that will help
recognize future maintenance issues.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 102
|
Wanthal, Jessica
Holbrook, Thomas
Schweitzer, Connor |
Robinson, Spencer |
The Impact On EMS From Alcohol Sales at Collegiate Sporting Events
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Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION:
More colleges and Universities are allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages during sporting events to generate revenue. In its first year of selling alcohol at sporting events in the 2021-2022 academic year, the University of Iowa reported generating $2.4 million dollars after sales tax.1 Recent studies have demonstrated a significant increase in alcohol related Emergency Department visits accounting for 1.8% of all ER evaluations in 2020.2 However, the impact of alcohol sales at collegiate sporting events on EMS call volume is not clear.
OBJECTIVE:
The primary objective of this study is to compare the incidence of alcohol related EMS calls before and after alcohol sales were initiated at a collegiate level football stadium.
METHODS:
This is a cross-sectional retrospective study including EMS patients from a single stadium collegiate level home football games between 2017 - 2021. Data from 2020 was excluded due to pandemic related decreases in stadium attendance. All EMS calls from within the stadium and surrounding tailgate areas were included. Information regarding the time of kickoff, ranked versus unranked opponent and game outcome were included in the analysis. A poisson log linear regression model was used.
RESULTS:
Alcohol sales at collegiate football games was associated with a decrease in alcohol related EMS calls and alcohol related transports with a rate ratio of 0.553 (95% CI 0.380,0.806, p-value 0.002) and 0.487 (95% CI 0.284,0.836, p value 0.009) respectively when controlling for game start time, ranked opponent and game outcome. Afternoon and evening games had greater than three times the amount of alcohol related EMS calls (rate ratios 3.333 and 3.63 respectively, p values <0.001) and alcohol related transports (rate ratios 3.231 and 3.22 respectively, p values 0.001) compared to noon games.
CONCLUSION:
The study found alcohol sales at the collegiate football stadium was associated with a decrease in alcohol related EMS calls and transports. Study limitations include charting bias regarding etiology of EMS call, incomplete or missing charts, and single stadium population sample size.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 151
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| Titilayomi, Abiodun |
Nolan, Melissa
Gual-Gonzalez, Lidia
Dye-Braumuller, Kyndall
Zellars, Kia
Meyer, Madeleine |
SC Tick Surveillance: Asian Longhorned Tick study and findings.
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Abstract Text
Titi Abiodun¹; Melissa Nolan PhD, MPH¹; Kyndall Dye-Braumuller PhD, MS¹; Lídia Gual-Gonzalez MS¹; Kia Zellars MS¹; Meyer, Madeleine MS¹; Christopher Evans MS²; Lauren Rustin MS².
Affiliations: University Of South Carolina, Arnold School Of Public Health¹, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control²
The first established population of Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in the United States was first found and identified in New Jersey in 2017, and since then it has spread to 16 other states like Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Asian longhorned tick is particularly concerning because this species can transmit a large number of pathogens that affect both humans and animals. Moreover, Asian Longhorned female ticks reproduce asexually through parthenogenesis, a particularly concerning characteristic as a single tick can produce up to 2000 eggs within a week. The current presentation covers a coordinated investigation between the USDA, The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the University Of South Carolina. Over 2000 ticks were collected from a cattle ranch in York County, SC in June 2022. Two life stages were identified, the rancher reported a 4 year history of tick presence confirming establishment of this species in South Carolina. This presentation shows our findings on an insecticide resistance investigation, blood meal analysis and selected pathogen testing including Borrelia sp, Anaplasma sp, Theileria sp, Heartland Virus and Bourbon Virus. The results will help the state health department, ranchers and farmers make decisions about care, prevention and treatment of Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina and the United States.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 122
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| Jatoi, Fatima |
Palomares, Melanie |
The Role of Age and Empathy Levels on Mental Health Stigma
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Abstract Text
The stigma surrounding mental illness is a major barrier to mental health care access. This is especially of concern with a currently increasing prevalence of mental health issues among individuals in the United States. This current study investigated how empathy and other factors contribute to the stigmatization of mental illness. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted from the survey data collected from undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina. Results showed that empathy levels had a significant negative correlation with the likelihood to stigmatize mental illness and age had a significant negative relationship with the likelihood to stigmatize mental health. This points to the possibility that mental illness stigma can be decreased with experience and knowledge about mental health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 186
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| Sizemore, Baileigh |
Epps, Lauren |
Why University Ambassadors are “More Than Just Tour Guides”
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Abstract Text
Throughout my time at The University of South Carolina, I’ve had the privilege to serve as a University Ambassador. University Ambassadors are known to give tours to prospective students and families, but the roots of this organization run much deeper than that. Being a University Ambassador has helped develop me into a professional that is confident in my public speaking, networking, and engagement abilities. This organization has given me opportunities to interact and network with other students who not only love the University as much as I do but are eager to grow as professionals. Having given over one-hundred campus tours throughout my time as a student, I can say that this is an important part of our job. However, the weekly professional development meetings also helped me to become more aware of various leadership styles, network with professionals of the university, and become better versed in diversity and inclusion. This organization has pushed me out of my comfort zone and grown me into a professional that is ready to take on the world. It is important to share this experience as it exemplifies how the University takes outside-of-the-classroom learning seriously and works to teach skills that are important for leadership development. Looking forward, I hope to use the customer service skills I gained from answering phone calls, my public speaking skills gained from giving tours, my professional skills gained from attending weekly meetings, and my time management skills gained from serving on the leadership team to help me in my future career of management and administration.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 215
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| Williams, Kaylee |
Wickersham, Karen
Ballou, Amy |
Disparities regarding patients’ distance to pharmacy affecting adherence to oral-targeted cancer therapies
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Abstract Text
Purpose: To examine disparities regarding patients’ distance to pharmacy (where the targeted therapy is filled) and how it affects adherence to oral targeted therapies (OTTs) for treatment of lung, colorectal, and breast cancers among adults living in South Carolina (SC). Our aims are to describe and compare 1) distance to pharmacy and 2) patient adherence after 6 months of therapy.
Significance: OTTs are effective for prolonging patient survival and/or improving quality of life; thus, it is imperative to understand patterns of OTT use, particularly among vulnerable populations. As an initial step in understanding disparities in the use of OTTs for patients with cancer, this study will examine the correlation between adherence to OTT and distance to pharmacy.
Methods: We linked medical and pharmacy data from SC’s Medicaid Program (Medicaid) and SC State Health Plan (SHP) to cancer cases from the SC Central Cancer Registry (SCCCR) using previously published methods. A file with data elements, patient identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth, etc.), and geocoded residential address was created by the SCCCR and transmitted to designated personnel. The correlation between adherence to OTT and distance to pharmacy for patients with each type of cancer during the first six months of treatment was analyzed. For all aims, we used statistical methods appropriate to categorical and continuous outcomes. OTT adherence will be calculated as Medication Possession Ratios (MPRs) based upon refill service dates and number of OTT pills dispensed (adequate adherence = MPR≥0.80).
Results: Results from this study are in progress; we anticipate that farther distance to pharmacy will correlate with poorer adherence.
Implications: Examining potential disparities in OTT utilization and adherence will inform future multilevel interventions and serve as a model for other states, aimed at ensuring patients with cancer receive the most innovative treatments available.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 145
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| Cobb, Jennifer |
Corbett, Cynthia |
Systematic Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Vacuum-Induced Tamponade Devices in Obstetric Hemorrhage
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Abstract Text
Introduction: Over 14 million women experience postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) resulting in approximately 70,000 maternal deaths globally. Complications from PPH are also high with more than 1.5 million women annually experiencing morbidities. With rising incidence in both developed countries and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), new strategies to reduce the morbidities and mortalities associated with PPH are urgently needed. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature related to the safety and efficacy of vacuum-induced uterine tamponade devices in obstetric hemorrhage.
Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched in Nov 2022. English-language, peer-reviewed articles that focused on a flexible device used to treat PPH and decrease blood loss after vaginal and cesarean deliveries published between 2012-2022 were included. After removing duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 295 articles were screened, and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 articles were selected for full-text review. Only six articles remained in the final review after removing two articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria of using a flexible device.
Results: Many of the studies were new, had limited sample sizes, and lacked a control group. However, study outcomes of using vacuum to both treat and prevent PPH support a strong safety profile and rapid control of bleeding. Each hemorrhage control device described, as well as the techniques, offer advantages to both LMICs and developed countries, where resources, including an operating room and blood bank, can vastly differ.
Conclusions & Implications: Some techniques reviewed were novel and early in development, but outcomes support the need for a large-scale RCT.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 86
|
| Khalili, Sana |
Buckhaults, Phillip |
Identification of therapeutic vulnerabilities by genome-wide CRISPR knockout library screening of colon cancer organoids
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Abstract Text
The promise of precision medicine is based on the idea that genetic alterations present only in tumor cells create vulnerabilities that can be targeted for therapeutic intent. In some instances, somatically mutated driver genes such as KRAS, BRAF or PIK3CA can be targeted with small molecule inhibitors specific for mutant oncoproteins. In other cases therapeutic vulnerability is an indirect consequence, such as response to immune checkpoint inhibitors caused by somatic inactivation of mismatch repair genes and subsequent creation of neo-antigens in tumors. Synthetic lethal vulnerabilities dependent on common somatic alterations would be highly specific therapeutic targets applicable to a large number of cancer patients. We sought to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities for colon cancer by performing a genome wide CRISPR knockout screen in a colon cancer organoid in both TP53-Wild-Type and TP53-Knockout backgrounds. We identified 1784 gene knockouts with TP53-dependent effects on Darwinian fitness. Examples include MDM2 and PPM1D knockouts, both of which selectively harmed the TP53 WT organoids. 250 gene knockouts selectively harmed the TP53 KO organoids and represent novel avenues for development of TP53 synthetic lethal targeted therapeutics. We also identified ~1000 gene knockouts under significant negative Darwinian selection in both TP53 WT and TP53 KO organoids which are not known to be common essential genes. Several of these organoid model specific vulnerabilities are in pathways that are downstream of the somatic mutations present in the tumor and are therefore candidates for highly-specific targeted therapeutic intervention. Examples include Werner’s pathway dependencies (WRN, EME1, MUS81) which are known to result from mismatch repair deficiency, WNT pathway dependencies (CTNNB1, PORCN) which result from RNF43 inactivating somatic mutation, and BRAF dependency resulting from its own activating oncogenic somatic mutation. In summary, genome-wide CRISPR knockout library screening of human colon cancer organoids can provide a comprehensive overview of dependencies interacting with either natural or engineered mutations and are a promising novel platform for discovering personalized or pathway based therapeutic targets. Future work will focus on target validation and additional primary screens using our biobank of tumor-normal organoid pairs.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 79
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| Hutto, April |
Corbett, Cynthia |
A Scoping Review: The Influence of Shared Trauma on Health Care Providers
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Abstract Text
Background/significance: COVID-19 created a world-wide pandemic that has placed health care professionals (HCP) in the unique position of shared trauma (ST). A ST occurs when a client and HCP are exposed to the same trauma or disaster. The phenomenon of ST includes the development of vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress, which can lead to compassion fatigue, PTSD, and burnout. A recent study on nurses' mental health showed a decrease in patient outcomes as a nurses mental health declined (Havaei et al., 2022).
Purpose: This scoping review aims to learn how research describes the impact of ST on HCPs.
Methods: A comprehensive search of the CINAHL, PubMed, APA, PsycInfo, and ProQuest from 2000 to 2022 was completed. Google Scholar and the authors personal library were additionally used. Inclusion criteria were original peer-reviewed research for quantitative or qualitative studies, full-text articles, dissertations, English language, and published between 2000 and 2022.
Results: In total, there were 343 citations screened. After 73 duplicates were removed, a title and abstract screening were performed on 270 articles, with 249 removed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and eight articles remained. Five additional articles were added to the remaining eight from Google Scholar and the author library for 13 full-text articles.
Conclusions and Implications: The psychological impacts of ST included anxiety, depression, PTSD, social discrimination, and isolation. Professional boundaries that are usually clearly defined became blurred, and HCPs reported an increase in self-disclosure. This review also found that the most impacted life domains were the affective, behavioral, and social.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 87
|
Patel, Zeel
Laughrey, Marisa |
Blackburn, Melanie |
A Growing Problem: Comparing the Rates of Obesity Documentation in Children in an Inpatient and Outpatient Setting with a change in Electronic Medical Records system
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Abstract Text
The childhood obesity epidemic has been increasing over the last few decades, most notably due to the increased fast-food availability and consumption and decreased physical activity in the pediatric population. With this increase in obesity rates, there should be an increase in overweight and obesity documentation in pediatric inpatient and outpatient settings, but this is not the case.
The goal of our project was to see if a change in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system from Cerner to EPIC would increase rates of documentation in both pediatric inpatient and outpatient settings. One difference between the two systems is that BMI percentage is listed on the patent’s EPIC “story board” and bolded in red if overweight or obese as opposed to actively clicking into the patient’s “growth chart” tab in Cerner to see the percentage for age.
Our project was a retrospective chart review study comparing the documentation rates of pediatric overweight and obesity in Cerner EMR from January 4, 2021, to February 26, 2021, to rates in EPIC EMR from March 8, 2021, to May 2, 2021. Our aim was to see whether a difference in EMR functionality either increased or decreased the rates of overweight or obesity documentation in both pediatric inpatient and outpatient settings.
This project was modeled after a previous QI project that improved obesity documentation from 12% to 41% with weekly reminders. However, our study showed that the previous intervention did not have long-term sustained improvement as our Cerner inpatient data showed only 7% of correct obesity documentation. Our inpatient data did show an increase in obesity or overweight documentation, but also a decrease in undocumented BMIs upon admission from 44% to 22%. Our outpatient data showed improvement in documentation of obesity and overweight documentation when switching from Cerner to EPIC. Obesity documentation increased from 51% to 60%, and overweight documentation increased from 21% to 24%. This study showed that passive EMR features, need to be accompanied with complementary strategies such as education to improve rates of obesity documentation.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 141
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| Chirico, Arianna |
Spence, Gina |
The Craic Was 90 Out in Dublin
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Abstract Text
I studied abroad for a semester in Dublin Ireland Spring of my junior year, 2022 from January to May through a Global Partner Program called ISA. I had always wanted to study abroad; I knew this was something that interested me before I even went to college. I have always enjoyed traveling, seeing the world, and experiencing new cultures very different than my own. I took a whole semester of courses while I was there, which was also very interesting to see how the education differed from home to Ireland. I feel this experience has changed me as a person for the better in more ways than one. It has made me more independent for starters. Forcing myself out of my comfort zone to the extreme and having to figure out a lot of life on my own in a new place, while it can be scary, can also be very rewarding. It has also changed me as a person in a sense of feeling a higher personal satisfaction and growth I do not think I ever would have felt if I did not study abroad. I was able to improve social skills and push myself to boundaries I did not feel were possible to do without this experience. Now, I can always look back on those experiences and feel I am better because of them. This experience has also made me realize that I never to stop pushing my boundaries or experiencing the world and different cultures, meeting new people, or learning new things. I realized my abroad experience has influenced how I envision myself helping people in the future as a public health professional by giving me a global perspective. I also learned that doing things such as pushing those boundaries and learning new things in a way I have never experienced before can be hard at times, but it will be worth it.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 269
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| Jones, Morgan |
Ismail, Briahnna |
Morgan Jones
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Abstract Text
Abstract Writing-Professional and Civic Engagement
Example 1: Hammond Summer Programs
During the summer, I worked at Hammond Summer Programs which is a summer camp through Hammond School. Every summer for the last five years we have been voted the best summer camp in the state. At Hammond Summer Programs, we offer camp for kids from three to twelve. My role at Hammond Summer Programs was to oversee inventory, order lunches, handle enrollment, and respond to parents via email and phone calls. I was also required to oversee all the camps that were happening each week, making sure they had the proper supplies, all the kids were having fun, and making sure that the staff knew what was expected of them each and every week. Example 2: Tutor/Academic Coach at the Academic Enrichment Center
During my junior year of undergrad, I applied to work on campus at the Academic Enrichment Center as a tutor and academic coach. Within the following weeks, I got an interview then later found out I got the position. Working as a tutor, I have developed a passion for higher education. Throughout my role at the Academic Enrichment Center, I am required to meet with students weekly to tutor them. During the tutor session, I work on upcoming essays, readings, and discussions with the students. I have also held tutor sessions in order to prepare the students for upcoming exams. The most rewarding thing is seeing the progress of the students throughout the course of the semester. At the beginning of the semester, we worked on citations and how to properly cite text in MLA format.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 269
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| Kemp, Rebecca |
Corbett, Cynthia |
Barriers and Facilitators of Adherence to Oral Anti-diabetic Medications in African American Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Scoping Review
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Abstract Text
Introduction: Evidence suggests that African Americans are 25% less likely than Whites to adhere to diabetes medications. Poor medication adherence is associated with poor glycemic control, which increases the risk for microvascular and macrovascular complications, all cause hospitalizations and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Compared to Whites, African Americans are twice as likely to experience diabetes-related complications such as kidney disease, amputations, and blindness. To illuminate reasons for oral anti-diabetic medication non-adherence, a scoping review was conducted to identify African Americans’ medication adherence barriers and facilitators.
Methods: CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo, and PubMed databases were used to identify original research for inclusion in this systematic scoping review. Search terms included African American, medication adherence, and type 2 diabetes. The search resulted in 1,294 records, and 938 remained following duplicate removals. After abstract screening, 51 articles were sought for retrieval and full-text review. After a full-text review, nine articles that met the inclusion /exclusion criteria were retained for analysis (four qualitative, three mixed methods, and two quantitative. Medication Adherence barriers and facilitators were identified using the World Health Organization (WHO) medication adherence framework, which provides a holistic approach to understanding medication adherence.
Results: The WHO framework contains five dimensions: patient-related, medication-related, condition-related, healthcare system/healthcare provider-related, and socioeconomic factors. Eight of the nine reported patient-related factors, six reported medication-related factors, two condition-related factors, three healthcare system and healthcare provider-related factors, and three socioeconomic factors were identified as barriers and facilitators in the nine research articles.
Conclusions and Implications: The findings of this scoping review provide clinicians with guidance for improving medication adherence in African Americans with type 2 diabetes and identify gaps in knowledge for testing future medication adherence interventions.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 88
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| White, Rylee |
Potts, Jay
DiPette, Donald
Kumar, Ambrish |
Cardioprotective effect of alpha-calcitonin gene related peptide (αCGRP) encapsulated alginate microcapsules in the pressure-induced mouse model of heart failure
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Abstract Text
Background-Although several classes of therapeutic agents are available to treat heart failure, the mortality is still very high worldwide. Alpha-calcitonin gene related peptide (αCGRP) is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide and a potent vasodilator. Genetic and pharmacological studies established a cardioprotective role of αCGRP in normal and pathological conditions. Previously our laboratory reported that subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of αCGRP, through osmotic mini-pumps, for 28 days protected hearts against transverse aortic constriction (TAC) pressure overload-induced heart failure in mice. As αCGRP is a short-lived peptide (half-life= ~5 min in human plasma), our laboratory used an FDA-approved immunologically-inactive biopolymer, alginate, as a peptide carrier to increase the bioavailability of αCGRP in circulation. Subcutaneous administration of alginate-αCGRP microcapsules (αCGRP dose= 6 mg/kg/mouse) on alternate days, up to 28 days, improved cardiac functions and decreased cardiac cell death in the TAC-heart failure mice.
Goals-Using a lower concentration of αCGRP, the goal of present study was to determine the cardioprotective pharmacological dose of alginate-αCGRP microcapsules in heart failure mice.
Methods- αCGRP encapsulated alginate microcapsules (containing αCGRP dose= 2 mg/kg per mouse) of 200 µm diameter were prepared by an electrospray method. Male C57BL6 mice were divided into: i- sham, ii- sham-alginate-CGRP, iii- TAC, and iv- TAC-alginate-CGRP. Two days after TAC, sham-alginate-CGRP and TAC-alginate-CGRP groups of mice received alginate-αCGRP microcapsules (αCGRP dose= 2 mg/kg per mouse) s.c. on alternate days for 28 days. Cardiac functions (as measured by fraction shortening, FS, and ejection fraction, EF) in all groups of mice were evaluated by short-axis M-mode echocardiography.
Results-At the end-point, i.e. 28 days of microcapsules delivery, echocardiography data showed that TAC-induced pressure overload significantly reduced EF and FS in TAC-mice compared to sham-mice. However, alginate-αCGRP microcapsules containing αCGRP dose of 2 mg/kg/mouse did not improve these cardiac function parameters in the TAC-mice.
Conclusions-These studies suggested that alginate-αCGRP microcapsules containing αCGRP dose 6 mg/kg/mouse is an effective concentration to protect hearts at pathophysiological levels in the pressure overload-induced heart failure mice. The success of our state-of-art alginate-based αCGRP delivery system will be significant to treat patients suffering from cardiac diseases, particularly heart failure.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 109
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| Stensrud, Kayln |
Nepal, Manoj |
Decreasing Hours Violations without Compromising Patient Safety
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Abstract Text
Background: The regulation of duty hours for residents are governed by the ACGME, and the implications of changes to these regulations have long been a point of contention in the medical field. Multiple studies have been performed with varying results in the areas of resident safety and wellbeing, patient safety, and resident education. Overall, the tide seems to be leaning towards a schedule with more shift work and less call.
Purpose: This project was developed due to rising concerns regarding resident and patient safety and continuity of care among the residents, while administration was noticing persistent ACGME hours violations. These concerns prompted a redevelopment of the schedule system with an aim of decreasing duty hour violations by 50% without negatively affecting patient care as measured by safety reports regarding resident related communication, patient care, and medical errors.
Methods:
Process Measures: Elimination of 28- hour calls and implementation of a night float system on PICU
Outcome Measure: Hours violations data via resident self-reported hours
Balancing Measure: Patient safety data via hospital staff reported safety events
Baseline data was collected throughout 2 rotation blocks, and the results of PDSA cycle 1 were collected over the 2 rotation blocks immediately following implementation of the new schedule.
Results: There were 3 true hours violations in the baseline data and 2 true hours violations in the post intervention data. There were three safety event reports in the baseline data and 3 in the post intervention data.
Conclusion: Overall, the elimination of 28 hour shifts along with the implementation of a night float system on PICU successfully decreased the overall ACGME hour violation by 33%, eliminated the 24+ hour type violations, and eliminated the hour violations in the PICU. Furthermore, this was achieved without negatively affecting patient safety, as evidenced by the same number of safety reports before and after implementation of the new schedule.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 165
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| Patel, Khushi |
Dawson, Robin
Corbett, Cynthia |
Mistrust in Patient-Provider Relationships in South Carolina
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Background: Medical mistrust is defined as a patient’s lack of confidence in the healthcare system or the intention of their provider. Mistrust results from numerous factors (e.g., provider unconscious biases, communication issues) that ultimately coalesce to negatively impact the patient's health outcomes. Patients with low-income levels frequently report medical mistrust to be a primary concern, paramount even to the quality of care. There is limited research on medical mistrust in South Carolina (SC), a state with stark income differences, especially regarding experiences of mistrust with primary care providers (PCP). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore (1) the relationship between measures of patient-PCP trust and demographic characteristics (e.g., socioeconomic status); and (2) aspects of the patient-PCP relationship that contribute to medical mistrust in SC. Methods: A 33-question online survey was developed based on the Health Care Relationship Trust Scale (HCR) and distributed to various community contacts (e.g. religious groups, community-service organizations) across all 46 SC counties. Results: Preliminary data analysis revealed that respondents (n=90) were mostly white females with an average HCR of 4.30. The socioeconomic class distribution of respondents (based on data from PEW Research Group) was upper (n=23, 25.6%), middle (n=44, 48.9%), and lower (n=19, 21.1%). Respondents agreed most with the statement “my health care provider treats me as an individual” (HCR = 4.62) and disagreed most with “I feel comfortable talking to my health care provider about my personal issues” (HCR = 3.96). Higher HCR levels were correlated with respondents categorized as upper-class or those living in non-metropolitan areas. Most respondents (n=79, 87.8%) lived in metropolitan areas. Conclusions: Respondents had high levels of trust in their providers. However, this study’s small sample of minority groups and lower-class SC residents posits the need for further research to fully understand how socioeconomic factors impact HCR scores in SC.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 123
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| Barron, Mia |
Corbett, Cynthia |
Strategies for Improving Communication Among Clinicians and Adult African American Individuals with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Scoping Review
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Abstract Text
Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a serious, disabling and potentially fatal autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems. SLE is most common amongst African Americans, who have worse outcomes with poorer prognoses as compared to White Americans with SLE. Ineffective patient-clinician communication presents a major obstacle to improving SLE patient outcomes and contributes to health disparities.
Objectives: The purposes of this literature review were to: (1) identify effective communication strategies used between African American patients with SLE and clinicians; and (2) identify research gaps related to effective patient-clinician communication.
Methods: A systematic electronic search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases to identify published literature between 2012 and 2022. Search terms included SLE, lupus, communication, professional patient relation, African Americans. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed research articles in the English language that provided full text or pdf availability and published between 2012-2022. Exclusion criteria were grey literature and dissertations.
Results: After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to the identified articles (n=53), 10 articles were identified that addressed communication research tools and/or strategies to improve patient outcomes in African Americans with SLE.
Conclusions & Implications: Overall, only a few identified studies provided evidence of a specific communication tool or strategy directly linked to improving patient outcomes in African Americans with SLE. Several themes were associated with patient-clinician communication, including the need to examine effective strategies for implementing an evidence-based shared decision aid for patients with SLE. The balance between patient outcomes and satisfaction with healthcare interactions is critical in the African American population due to health disparities, including lack of access to care, mortality, and poor communication. Therefore, developing communication strategies and tools for health clinicians and African American patients with SLE may be an effective approach to improving patient outcomes and decreasing health disparities.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 89
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| Hendrix, Andrew |
Cui, Taixing |
Investigating the involvement and mechanism of UCHL1-containing exosomes in stressed cardiomyocytes
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Abstract Text
Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that was originally described as a neuron-specific protein, is expressed the other tissues including myocardium. However, the role of UCH-L1 in the heart remains poorly understood. Herein, we uncovered a novel mediator role of UCH-L1 in heart failure. In a murine model of pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction via transverse aortic arch constriction (TAC), cardiomyocyte-restricted (CR) transgenic (Tg) overexpression of UCH-L1 enhanced cardiac pathological remodeling and dysfunction. UCH-L1 inhibitor, LND57444 can rescue the phenotype associated with CR-UCH-L1 overexpression. Bioinformatics analysis of gene transcripts in pressure overloaded left ventricles of wild type (WT) and CR-Uch-l1 Tg littermates revealed that CR-UCH-L1 overexpression mainly enhances transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling in the stressed heart. Interestingly, the expression of TGFβ ligands such as TGFβ1 but not TGFβ receptors or Smads was upregulated by CR-UCH-L1 overexpression. Western blot analysis demonstrated the UCH-L1-mediated activation of TGFβ canonical pathway in stressed hearts. Taken together, these results indicate that UCH-L1 plays an important role in mediating pressure overload-induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure most likely via intensifying the TGFβ signaling in cardiomyocytes.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 177
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| Richey, Jonathan Foster |
Corbett, Cynthia F. |
"Alexa Play" ...: A Descriptive Study of the Music Genres Requested by Older Adults
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Abstract Text
Background/significance: Amazon Echo [Alexa] is an interactive voice-controlled virtual assistant programmed to promote accessibility to online information through voice commands. Music requests are one of the most frequent commands given to Alexa, particularly among adults aged 65 and older. Research has shown beneficial aspects of music to include stress reduction, mood elevation, and non-pharmacological pain management.
Purpose: To examine the frequency of music requests via Alexa, analyze the genre of their request, and ascertain relationships between participants’ music requests and demographic characteristics [age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status].
Methods: A secondary analysis of the music genres requested by older adults (n=33) is being completed using data from three pilot/feasibility studies where older adults utilized smart speakers [i.e., Alexa] for 4 months. Music requests are classified according to genre and frequency of requests per week. The collected data is then subcategorized to link participants’ demographic characteristics and their music requests. Descriptive and correlational statistics will be completed using SPSS.
Preliminary Results: Music requests were one of the top three commands older adults requested of Alexa. Preliminary findings show the most common genres to be Classical, Jazz, Blues, Hip- Hop, and Christian music. These differentiating genres typically use major harmonic progressions within their theoretical structures and dense melodies commonly recallable without the music. Active listening to music containing major harmonic structures promotes the release of dopamine, resulting in many health benefits.
Conclusions and Implications: Music genre requests made by older adults primarily pertain to music utilizing major harmonic structures and strong melodic motifs. These findings suggest the accessibility of music via Alexa to be a primary source of entertainment while indirectly being an alternative strategy for stress reduction and psychological well-being among older adults.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 124
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| Cyr, Allie |
Gina, Sarah |
Professional Engagement: Interning with the City of Columbia
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Abstract Text
During the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023, I worked with the City of Columbia Public Relations Media and Marketing Department. This department is responsible to handling all communications involving city affairs. As a public relations major, this internship taught me how to communicate with the public as well as other journalists. I got the privilege of using what I learned in class in a real work setting. This internship also provided me with graphic design experience in creating content that is sent out to constituents of the city on a weekly basis. Working a long side with notable figures such as Mayor Rickenmann, Director Utsey, as well as various council members. I was able to attend and cover numerous city events, write articles on city happenings, and create graphics which were used for city events such as the Mayor’s Walk Against Domestic Violence, The Mayor’s Luncheon, and the City of Columbia Go Red event. Through this experience I hope to pursue a Public Relations position after my graduation in May 2023.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 297
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| Rodriguez, Alexis |
Pinckney, Jay |
The Effect of Oxybenzone on Phytoplankton Physiology in Lake Murray, South Carolina
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Abstract Text
Oxybenzone is an organic compound and benzophenone derivative used as a sunscreen agent. The main function of oxybenzone is its filtration abilities for UVA and UVB radiation. It primarily appears in cosmetics for this purpose, as it converts UV rays into heat and releases it from the skin. It is a known pollutant of aquatic and marine ecosystems, in which its toxicities range in severity in light and dark environments and between eukaryotic and prokaryotic algae.
Phytoplankton are photosynthetic, eukaryotic, single-celled algae that live suspended in water. They live near the water’s surface and generate about half of the atmosphere’s oxygen. Due to the importance of phytoplankton for oceanic food web systems and oceanic environments, the anthropogenic detriment must be carefully monitored. Studies support the argument that global pelagic and aquatic phytoplankton could be negatively influenced by oxybenzone pollution. Phytoplankton abundance has been found to coincide with spring and fall blooms at Lake Murray, South Carolina. Analysis of tested abundance has established a relatively healthy phytoplankton physiology for this site. With increased anthropogenic activity in the lake, the question of a rising oxybenzone influence was proposed.
The research hypothesizes (1) the addition of oxybenzone reduces phytoplankton biomass and growth, (2) the addition of oxybenzone can alter the community composition of the phytoplankton, and (3) the addition of oxybenzone can reduce the quantum yield of the phytoplankton community.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 62
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| DeSantis, Catherine |
Grewe, Maureen |
Pre-Veterinary Medicine: The Road Less Traveled
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Abstract Text
I am one of few. The Pre-veterinary structure is held up by passionate students who are paving their own way.
I decided in the Summer of 2021 that I would graduate a year early and switch from pre-med to pre-vet. This decision has completely changed the trajectory of my life. Since I made this choice, I have been to South Africa, Cyprus, and varying animal practices across the East coast in search of experience, advice, and teachings. I completed this with the support of UofSC's pre-professional advising department, Mrs. Korpita in particular. I also had help from Dr. Stawkowski who helped to create the brand new Medical Anthropology minor. I am intended to be one of the few firsts to graduate with this minor at our University.
I found out a lot about the veterinary field. My visits included broiler farms, layer farms, slaughter houses, rural vet clinics, small animal hospitals, breeding programs, and rescues. The strength required was immense, and at times quite heavy, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and perspectives I gained. A lesson was learned about my boundaries, limits, and perseverance. Trust grew in myself and my capabilities through my experiences.
I am so thankful for UofSC and the amazing platform it provides for all the dreamers like me. When I felt I was going backwards, I had wonderful faculty and organizations that I could fall back on and feel uplifted by. This school and these opportunities are life-changing.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 248
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| Hayes, Collin |
Staples, Heather
Stephenson, Kathryn |
Improving Parent MIS-C Health Literacy in a Children’s Hospital Outpatient Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project
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Low parent health literacy is a significant barrier in providing high quality healthcare to children as it is associated with higher rates of obesity, medication errors, and childhood morbidity and mortality. The goal of this QI project was to improve parents’ health literacy about MIS-C and its warning signs by providing parents verbal resident teaching and parent MIS-C handouts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a resident-run children’s hospital outpatient clinic. English and Spanish-speaking parents were given a four-question multiple choice survey before receiving resident teaching about MIS-C along with parent CDC handouts. Parents then completed an identical follow-up survey two weeks later over the phone. A total of 64 parent pre-intervention and 33 post-intervention surveys were collected showing an 11.9% and 16% increase in two of four survey questions, with a decrease in retention in the remaining questions. When separating English from Spanish-speaking parents, it was found that Spanish-speaking parents had a higher post survey score than English-speaking parents, however this was limited by a low sample size. Residents identified lack of time and educational resources are common barriers to teaching parents about MIS-C. Overall, it was found pediatric residents improved parent health literacy about MIS-C in a children’s hospital outpatient clinic through verbal education and using CDC parent MIS-C handouts. Future studies may create an MIS-C teaching protocol where patients and parents follow up after Covid quarantine to discuss the warning signs of MIS-C to prevent parent knowledge overload.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 168
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| Farrell, Emily |
Wirth, Michael
Dawson, Robin
Turner-Mcgrievy, Brie |
SHift-Working Investigation of Fasting and Timing (SHIFT) Study: Assessing nurses’ dietary quality, fasting duration, and feasibility of completing a 7-day dietary recall
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Objectives: To assess nurses’ diet quality and timing, diet tracking feasibility, and anticipated barriers and facilitators to a time-restricted feeding (TRF) protocol.
Methods: The cross-sectional SHiftworking Investigation of Fasting Time (SHIFT) and Diet Study was conducted among nurses (n=123) in the US working 3+ days per week. Diet was tracked for up to 7 days using the ASA24 to determine Energy-density Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DIITM) scores, Heathy Eating Index (HEI), and fasting duration. Self-reported demographic, psychosocial (i.e., stress and depression), and TRF anticipated barrier and facilitator questionnaires were administered prior to dietary recalls. Least square means analyses were conducted to compare night/rotating and dayshift nurses.
Results: The SHIFT Study population had a mean age of 34.1±10.0 years, mean BMI of 27.3±5.6, and were primarily white (86%) and female (95%). Most participants (75%) expressed interest in a TRF protocol, and the most commonly anticipated barriers to TRF included hunger (59%), family obligations (36%), and maintaining energy on a long shift (30%). Dayshift and night/rotating shift nurse’s fasting duration did not significantly differ (adjusted mean fasting duration hours: 11.8 vs 11.0, p=0.17 respectively). Night/rotating shift nurses’ diet was associated with a more anti-inflammatory diet than dayshift (adjusted E-DII: 0.19 vs. 1.21, p=.04 respectively).
Conclusions: Nurses have unique barriers to improving weight and health behaviors. Since most nurses indicated interest in a TRF intervention, TRF may hold potential as a key dietary approach to such improvements.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 36
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Mahmood, Kendall
Carabo, Alayna |
Fitton, Lisa
Briseño, Kimberly |
Early Identification of Literacy, Language, and Speech Delays Promotes Educational Success Among Low Socioeconomic Populations
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Abstract Text
We both became involved with the Reach Every Reader project in Fall of 2021 as Research Assistants. As aspiring Speech-Language Pathologists, we wanted to gain more professional skills and experiences in research. The role of Research Assistant includes assessing children from kindergarten through 3rd grade in different areas such as vocabulary, grammar, and decoding skills, all of which are key to full literacy development. The data that has been collected has been used to create an easily accessible screening tool for teachers to use in their classrooms to flag students for speech-language deficits, all while accounting for each child's individual experiences and skills. We were both invited to join the leadership team in the Fall of 2022 as Pod Leader and Assistant Pod Leader. On top of Research Assistant responsibilities, Pod Leaders train smaller groups of Research Assistants to administer assessments and maintain standards through fidelity checks. We serve as direct supervisors for these small groups and are responsible for circulating relevant information while guiding them to various resources. This role taught us the importance of direct and empathetic communication to ensure all assigned work was completed on time. Additionally, we have developed the skills needed to deliver constructive feedback to members while remaining compassionate and maintaining the project's goals.
Reach Every Reader is a multi-site research project aiming to create an easy and accessible literacy and language development screening tool that considers each student's unique background and skills. The USC site collects data for the Director Site (Florida State University) in piloting the screening tool. As a site, our responsibilities include providing our partnering schools with complete literacy reports for child participants, creating a space for teachers to share their needs with us, and ensuring the children are our top priority. Overall, working on the Reach Every Reader Project has been extremely valuable to our time at the University of South Carolina, and it has helped shape our future careers as Speech-Language Pathologists. The hands-on experience has developed our leadership skills and made us more aware of the connection between early literacy skills and educational success in the future.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 125
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| Cota, Kailey |
Spence, Gina |
What it's like to work at a newspaper
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I'll be discussing my previous internship experiences at The Post and Courier and The State newspaper. I have experience reporting on multiple beats, including the general assignment beat, the local politics beat, the crime and courts beat, and the business beat. I'll discuss what it's like to become a reporter, what the career entails, how working in newsrooms can differ from each other, and specific articles I'm most proud of.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 236
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| Santiago, Jianna |
Wallace, Paige |
The Spectacle of Women in Contemporary Horror Films: An Undergraduate Research Project
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Popular depictions of womanhood in contemporary horror films and literature have traditionally explored narratives like rape-revenge and monstrous motherhood in ways that create dynamic and interesting portrayals of gender ideologies. This summer Dr. Wallace and Jianna Santiago surveyed and analyzed popular feminist horror films to define the feminist horror film post #MeToo. Because the #MeToo movement forced a reckoning in Hollywood that revealed the violence women face in real life, their goal was to understand how #MeToo may have impacted the way stories are told about women, especially stories that center around violence and the brutalization of women.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 1
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| Block, Isabella |
Dawson, Robin
Sweeney, Allison |
The Effect of Writing Projects on The Grieving Experience of Undergraduate Nursing Students Who Have Recently Lost a Loved One
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Abstract Text
Background: Death and dying are topics that nurses can find uncomfortable to discuss. These topics became more relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many nurses faced drastically increasing numbers of patient deaths, leaving them with a high emotional burden that affected mental health and contributed to elevated levels of burnout and intent to leave the profession. Nursing educational programs often do not adequately prepare students with the tools to help process losses they will encounter on the job. The use of a writing intervention may provide undergraduate nursing students with a private outlet to disclose feelings they may not feel comfortable disclosing with others. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a writing intervention on grieving experiences of undergraduate nursing students at the University of South Carolina. Methods: Nursing students self-identifying as having experienced the loss of a loved one within the last five years were recruited. Participants either received writing prompts developed using the Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (intervention) or trivial topics (control); responses were analyzed using thematic analysis and organized by constructs of the theoretical model. Participants were asked to complete a post-intervention survey. Results: Of 12 participants that enrolled, four completed all writing prompts. The intervention group demonstrated more restoration-oriented thoughts and made more positive statements about their grieving experience than the control group. One participant noted in the post-survey “I believe it helped me process feelings that [I had] put in the past, which I never let myself feel fully until writing it all out”. Conclusions: While the sample was small, findings suggest writing interventions can facilitate emotional processing, closure, and positive coping strategies. As a result, nursing students may be better equipped to process emotions and develop positive coping strategies that will be beneficial to losses experienced in the workplace.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 135
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| Ferguson, Rose |
Donevant, Sara |
Knowledge and Bias Towards Medico-legal Cases by Nurses and the Effect on the Quality of Care for Patients
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Abstract Text
Background/Significance: Sexual assault (SA) is a very sensitive yet serious concern that can impact anyone. If a victim of SA decides to seek medical care, the emergency department (ED) is the most common place to seek help. As of 2018, 20% of hospitals in the United States had a forensic nurse on staff, which impacts the quality of care SA victims are receiving. It has also been found that healthcare providers have poor attitudes toward medico-legal cases (MLCs) and inadequate training. This project will provide information about the knowledge level of ED nurses caring for victims of SA and the associated MLC requirements to address a critical knowledge gap. Further, it can inform efforts to guide medico-legal pre-nurse licensure training and improve patient quality of care.
Purpose: This project aims to understand if and how the quality of care provided by nurses in the ED during an MLC, specifically SA, is impacted by potential bias towards MLCs and a lack of knowledge on medico-legal procedures.
Methods: The project utilizes quantitative and qualitative research methods through 1) a literature review; 2) interviews with a professor and sexual assault nurse examiner from Concordia University, a forensic nurse expert, and a SA Attorney; and, 3) an online questionnaire. The inclusion criteria for study participants are nurses working in ED and experience with at least one MLC involving SA. SPSS will be used for quantitative analysis.
Conclusion: Current research on this topic fails to change or guide the regulation of SA protocols and education. Every SA patient deserves to leave the hospital, and eventually the courtroom knowing they received the best care and evidence collection. These cases are extremely sensitive, so proper training of healthcare professionals in caring for victims of SA is essential to ensure the best possible outcomes.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 136
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| Shelley, Caroline |
Pou, Jay |
Effective Classroom Management: Fair Is Not Equal
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Abstract Text
For the 2022-2023 school year, I completed a student teaching internship at Meadow Glen Middle School. I completed this internship as a requirement for my degree program, and am graduating from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Middle Level Education with concentrations in English and Social Studies. I was placed in a 6th grade English/Language Arts class with my coaching teacher, Brandi Johns. I plan and facilitate lessons based on the learning targets provided by Meadow Glen and the SCTS 4.0 Rubric. I am teaching 8 observed lessons and picking up more responsibilities in between. I lead at least 2 class periods of the day, am involved in planning with the 6th grade ELA team, do smaller tasks throughout all the class periods, and go to all the meetings and duties that my coaching teacher does. This internship is a degree requirement, however, I got involved in education because I have a passion for working with students. Beyond the ELA content, I am passionate about showing up every day and getting to know my students. They are all so diverse and have such unique and intricate personalities and the highlight of my day is building relationships with them. Completing the internship has been extremely beneficial to me and I would have chosen to do it on my own even if it was not a degree requirement because real-world practicum is the best method of learning how to be an educator. This internship and practicum has helped me build on the classroom management strategies I learned in EDML 321: Middle Level Teaching and Management. This experience taught me just how complex and diverse students are, and that the true basis of effective classroom management and high-quality teaching is knowing your students. This means rejecting traditional ideals of school that everything must be fair and equal–because true fairness in school means equity. The only way to achieve equity is to know how to ensure accessibility to school, learning, and social experiences.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 220
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Clarkson, Wright
Desai, Karina |
Camps, Juan |
COLORECTAL ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY IN CHILDREN: LONG-TERM OUTCOMES AND PITFALLS
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Colorectal surgical procedures may benefit from a minimally invasive approach in children. However, there are scarce robotic surgery studies in these patients. Our aim is to report our experience in colorectal robotic-assisted surgery in children.
A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent colorectal robotic-assisted surgery at our institution between 2011-2021. DaVinci Si device was used in all cases. Demographics, clinical features, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes were collected.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 113
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| Díaz, Haidy G. |
Sanchez, Lenny |
How does a four-year-old respond to Multicultural songs via Art
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In the 1970s, seminal scholars such as professors James A. Banks, Geneva Gay, and Carl Grant to name a few -- emphasized the importance of teaching a Multicultural Education. Since this time, most empirical studies as it relates to Multicultural Education have been done with participants who are 5 years old and older ranging in grades between kindergarten and high school. This empirical study focuses on how a four-year-old interprets music through her artwork. I question how Multicultural songs affect four-year-old’s thoughts via artistic expression (drawings). This study aims to investigate if multicultural teaching is vital at all levels, including young children in Early Education. Observing a four-year-old via Multicultural art provides a lens through which we can observe how they interpret various genres of music. This will add to the conversation of Antiracist Multiculturalism otherwise known as Multicultural Education in the classroom by adding another layer (early learners), including their artistic perspectives.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 10
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| Bastyr, Meghan |
Adams, Elizabeth |
A Thematic Analysis of Pediatrician and Parent Discussions around Infant Feeding at Well-Child Visits
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Background: Infancy is a critical period to establish healthful nutrition for optimal growth and development. Well-child visits are an ideal setting to introduce early feeding guidance, yet some families may need in-depth behavior change guidance that is often not feasible during visits, given limited time. This study characterized pediatrician guidance and parent questions/concerns on infant feeding during well-child visits to understand information parents receive and identify potential gaps for interventions.
Methods: Mother-infant dyads (N=20) were recruited from an academic medical center. Visits at 2, 4, and 6 months of age were audio recorded and transcribed. Grounded theory methods of qualitative analysis were used to derive emergent themes around infant feeding. Conversations were labeled as pediatrician-initiated guidance, parent-initiated questions/concerns, or general updates. Themes were compared across ages. Pediatricians (N=5) and mothers completed a survey after evaluating their desire for additional guidance after the last visit. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Resultant themes included: 1) introducing solid foods (how, when, type); 2) feeding amount and timing (volume, hunger cues); 3) feeding in specific situations (when back to work, with spit up); 4) breast milk/formula preparation (supply, storage, safety). At each visit, pediatricians initiated introducing solid foods with few parent questions/concerns until 6-months. Parents initiated discussion around feeding in specific situations at 4-months. Parents initiated conversation around breast milk/formula preparation at 2-months, while pediatricians initiated guidance at 4- and 6-month visits. Surveys indicated that parents desired additional guidance on transitioning to solids (42.1%), introducing allergen foods (31.6%), and nighttime feedings (36.9%). Pediatricians (80%) felt the amount of guidance to deliver during well-child visits was too much, and all (100%) mentioned time as a barrier to delivering optimal care. Most pediatricians (80%) felt that providing additional guidance in ancillary visits would be valuable.
Conclusions: Four unique themes around infant feeding emerged from the parent-pediatrician discussions. The frequency and detail of discussions varied leaving a need for more guidance. Therefore, adjunctive interventions could further support parents by providing supplementary guidance within a clinical setting.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 92
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| Elting, Mackenzie |
Lavigne, John |
Utilizing Boronic Acid Functionalized Synthetic Lectins for Analysis of Cell Membrane Proteins of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
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I am involved in undergraduate research, specifically a project targeting detection of breast cancer, and I began working in the lab during the Spring semester of my sophomore year, January 2020. I found this opportunity because the professor, Dr Lavigne, that I had for CHEM 333, Organic Chemistry, was looking for undergraduates. I work specifically with triple-negative breast cancer and help to grow cells, make synthetic lectins which are amino acid chains, and image the small beads on which the lectins are bound. These experiments work to detect specific sugars and proteins on the surface on triple-negative breast cancer cells that differ from those expressed on healthy breast cells. Finding this would provide opportunity for targeted therapeutics to hopefully not only detect, but treat triple-negative breast cancer. This would be impactful because as of today, there are no known ways to detect this specific type of cancer. From this experience, I have become passionate about working in research, and I want to continue this experience as I begin medical school in the Fall. Without working in this lab, I would never have had any undergraduate research experience, and would not have been able to recognize this passion. I have learned the importance of having an in-depth understanding of both the biomedical and social aspects that can affect someone's health. This will allow me to function as a better physician by helping me to develop the relationships with patients necessary to provide outstanding medical care. By developing relationships, trust is fostered, and patient-centered care can be established.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 101
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| Burts, Charlotte |
Wright, Pamela |
The Use of Digital Platforms to Support Women with PCOS: A Scoping Review
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Digital technologies are commonly used for chronic conditions to assist with medication adherence, symptom management, and communication. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrinopathy among women, is a chronic condition that necessitates these activities given the holistic impact the condition has on their daily lives. The purposes of this scoping review were to identify PCOS-specific digital platforms and evaluate their characteristics in relation to their abilities to provide support for women with PCOS. Methods: A scoping review was performed using a systematic search that included MESH terms such as “polycystic ovary syndrome,” “polycystic ovary disease,” “digital platform,” “virtual platform,” and “app.” EBSCO, CINAHL, PubMed, and Compendex were searched for peer-reviewed publications from 2017 to 2022 that included any technology used for the diagnosis, treatment, management, or support among women with PCOS. Exclusion criteria consisted of articles relating to digital technology only used for intervention recruitment or delivery. Nine articles were found.Using the technology acceptance model, data were extracted, and emerging themes were identified. The following technological themes were identified: 1) mobile apps were one of the most common delivery methods, 2) menstrual tracking was the most commonly used feature, and 3) there was no all-encompassing platform for PCOS. Each article had varying suggestions about how to better serve women with PCOS through the optimization of digital platforms and features of those platforms. Further research could include future development of digital platforms tailored to women with PCOS. This could facilitate quality communication between patients and healthcare providers and increase self-efficacy to promote improved health outcomes.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 149
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Giakas, Alec
Yturralde, Kylee |
Averch, Timothy |
Optimization of Operating Room Surgical Equipment Wall
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Background: In the operating room, surgical supply walls can be a convenient way to access necessary equipment during a surgical procedure. These supply walls should be updated regularly and reviewed prior to the start; otherwise, there can be significant delays during the procedure while retrieving needed equipment. These inefficiencies prolong the surgery and put patients at risk, notwithstanding adding to the cost of care, considering the high cost of OR time.
Purpose: This quality improvement project aims to improve efficiency in the Prisma Health Baptist hospital operating room for cystoscopy procedures by identifying areas for supply improvement and reorganizing the surgical supply wall.
Methods: Cystoscopy procedures performed by a single attending urologist were observed. Inefficiencies in operating room navigation, as well as interruptions in the procedure due to equipment needs were recorded.
Results: The operating room’s surgical equipment walls were not organized based upon frequency of equipment use. As such, nurse navigators had to traverse operating room machinery to retrieve commonly-used equipment. These supplies were rearranged to make the commonly used items more easily accessible on the operating room surgical wall nearest the operating field. Additionally, all cystoscopy procedures use sterile water. However, this was not a part of the surgical pick sheet as described, creating delays in the OR when waiting for sterile water. As such, sterile water was added to the normal cystoscopy pick sheet.
Discussion: Observing surgical procedures with the goal of reducing time spent retrieving equipment is critical to help improve efficiency and decrease interruptions in operating rooms. Future improvements will look to implement a system through which physicians and surgical staff continue improving efficiency by critical reflection of case flow. Developing such as system would help decrease wasted operating room time to focus on improving patient care.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 155
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| Farmer, Mackenzie |
Moore, Teresa
Ulcak, Matthew |
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Holistic Treatment Workbook
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Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is a chronic disorder that affects the composition of connective tissue throughout the body. This disorder is a relatively recent discovery in the medical field, leading to limited treatment options. This project aims to create a workbook that will provide a supplemental and holistic treatment for individuals who already receive medical care for hEDS. Using empirical data in diet and physical activity, a workbook was created for people to utilize in addition to their current treatment plan. The workbook includes dietary recommendations, physical activity recommendations in mobility and muscle strengthening, and a symptom tracker. The creation of this tool will streamline communication between physicians and their patients as well as offer individuals an additional source of support and information in their life-long journey with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 146
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| Gomez, Natalia |
Kloos, Bret |
What Impacts the Recovery of Serious Mental Illness?
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In 2020, there were approximately 52.9 million people living in the United States with some sort of mental illness. Of those, 14.2 million were affected by a serious mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022). Serious mental illness is defined as a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022; Kloos, 2010). Included within serious mental illness are major depressive disorder, bipolar spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder (National Institute of Mental Health, 2022).
People with serious mental illness face a variety of barriers. Some of these barriers include limits in social functioning which can then affect community integration and life satisfaction (Sanchez et al, 2016). In addition to this, those with serious mental illness face a variety of barriers not directly related to having a mental illness but that can have substantial impact. An approach that considers how environments impact recovery in those with serious mental illness is crucial to understand how we can best tailor interventions.
The present study aims to understand how sense of community and perceived devaluation interact with recovery in regards to individuals with serious mental illness. More specifically, it hypothesizes that sense of community mediates the relationship between perceived devaluation and recovery. The present study hypothesizes that those who experience a sense of devaluation but have a strong sense of community will have higher levels of recovery. The proposed analysis will run a mediation model in which perceived devaluation is the independent variable, sense of community is the dependent variable, and recovery as the mediated variable.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 1
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| Stover, Ryan |
Winkelmann, Zachary |
Social Determinants of Health Does Not Influence Telemedicine Use by Athletic Trainers
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Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services through technology from a trained provider to a patient at a distant site. The integration of telehealth requires several different kinds of resources, such as physical space, trained providers, technology, and buy-in from stakeholders. The access to these resources may influence implementation and sustained use of the healthcare delivery mechanism for patient care. While increasing telemedicine use throughout sports medicine has improved patients’ access to healthcare, some communities may not have the same opportunities to connect with a provider. Barriers for the effectiveness of telemedicine can be one’s digital health literacy and the community’s social determinants of health (SDoH). Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess the impact of SDoH and how they influence telemedicine use by athletic trainers (ATs).
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 152
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Welch, Madelyn
Alkhatib, Bailey |
Ray, Donna |
Student-centered education: leveraging leadership programs to enhance medical student capacity for change
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When reflecting upon our propensity for engagement in various school-related programming and initiatives, we realized our work embodied the goals of developing capacity in leadership outlined by the March Seabrook Leadership Program. Once selected to participate in this program, we further legitimized our efforts to advocate for the student voice in committees and decision-making groups at our medical school. Our involvement was driven by a passion for “being the change;” MSLP lent the framework and skill-sharpening needed to ensure our changes lasted.
One such project materialized in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty and staff were habitually overwhelmed and overworked; daily curricular adjustments became the priority. As MS2s, we identified an opportunity to support them and promptly volunteered for the orientation planning committee. Based on our perceived disconnect between previous year’s orientation presentations, we reframed existing sessions to align more closely with our school’s mission and values to elucidate their importance. Previously optional sessions were poorly attended. We felt this was a disservice to the personal and professional growth of all students and sessions such as Safe Zone Ally Training were instead listed as standard. This expansion of student involvement was crucial and declared a permanent component of future orientations. With 37 presenters, 22 sessions, 8 groups of students, and 4 classrooms, the two week orientation was a multidimensional jigsaw puzzle. Orientation packets included color-coded schedules, session descriptions and their relationship to core school values, and campus maps.
Feedback from anonymous, post-orientation surveys was overwhelmingly positive. Students found immense value in sessions including IPV, Safe Zone Training, and discussions of racism in medicine. Many felt personally supported by sessions such as Mental Health First Aid. Some constructive suggestions included streamlining similar presentations regarding wellness and extending the study skills meeting. We believe the success of this restructuring and reframing of orientation lies in focusing on the why behind the programming. Our goal is to inspire student leaders to reflect on their experiences and invite medical schools to use leadership programs such as MLSP to codify a framework and empower the student voice in medical education.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 199
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| Boron, Alexis |
Armstrong, Alissa |
Effects of Obesogenic Diets on Oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster
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According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most Americans do not consume enough fruit, vegetables, or dairy, and consume excess added sugar, sodium, and saturated fats. Obesogenic diets negatively impact many aspects of human health, including reproduction. Given the long-standing obesity epidemic and the association of obesity with reduced fertility, it is important to understand the cellular and molecular impacts that high-sugar and high-fat diets have on fertility. We take advantage of Drosophila melanogaster, or the fruit fly, a model with numerous homologous tissues to humans, including ovarian and fat tissue. The large size of the Drosophila ovary makes it easily recognizable, which provides an accessible way to observe the effect of experimental diets on oogenesis. The aim of my project is to determine the cellular effects of obesogenic diets on the different stages of oogenesis in adult Drosophila females. To do so, I assess multiple stages of oogenesis in females fed standard, high-sugar (added sucrose), or high-fat (added coconut oil) diets. Preliminarily, I find that added dietary sugar and fat have a negative impact on fecundity, decreasing the rate of oogenesis. Additionally, preliminary data suggest that high-fat diets have a more negative impact on fecundity than high-sugar diets. I am currently using whole-mount ovary immunostaining to measure specific effects on the different stages of oogenesis. Our overall goal to understand the mechanistic link between obesogenic diets and oogenesis in Drosophila may help determine the effects of obesogenic diets on reproductive health in humans.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 10
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| McKeown, Rachel |
Burgess, Lana |
Needlework: Women's Unspoken Art Form
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When asked to define what is art, many people say “paintings” or “sculpture.” However, art can take many forms either large or small. Artworks can be constructed of durable materials such as glass, metal, clay, and wood, or they can be fabricated using more delicate media like paper, cotton, or silk. One quality that all art has in common is the ability to evoke a response from the viewer. For the purposes of this research project, I have chosen to focus on needlework, which encompasses any form of handwork done with a needle. Some forms are quilting, embroidery, sewing, knitting, tatting, and needlepoint to name a few. I became interested in women’s clothing and how it has transformed our society. Women’s extensive work with textiles has been historically undervalued. During my education of art history rarely is the topic of textiles included in the course content. Even rarer is the artistic practice of needlework presented. The delicate work that women created is marginalized. The needlework is considered decorative art and labeled “women’s work.” The McKissick Museum has been gifted several pieces of needlework that have rarely if ever been seen by the public. My aim is to present the textile needlework as artwork.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 19
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Favede, Cecelia
Kamensky, Olivia |
Edwards, Hollie |
Does simulation training increase resident comfort levels with commonly encountered clinical scenarios and procedures?
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Background: Traditional methods of medical education have focused on passive learning in forms such as didactic lectures. In recent years, there has been a shift towards active learning through simulation, which has been shown in prior studies to improve resident confidence and proficiency. At Prisma Health Children’s Hospital - Midlands, a wards-based simulation curriculum was recently implemented, which covers common scenarios that pediatrics residents may encounter in the hospital.
Aims: Continuing with the existing wards simulation curriculum, this project will focus on improving resident education with the aim of improving resident comfort level and confidence in various commonly encountered clinical scenarios. Our goal was to achieve at least a 20% increase in resident confidence ratings on surveys conducted at the end of the curriculum as compared to those conducted at the beginning of the academic year.
Methods: A standardized survey was distributed to residents in the Prisma Health Midlands Pediatrics residency program at the beginning of the academic year in 2021. The same survey was distributed again to program residents in March 2022 once the simulation curriculum was completed for the year. Scores were compared to assess for changes in resident comfort ratings in regards to both clinical scenarios and performing procedures.
Results: Between August 2021 and March 2022, survey scores did show an increase in comfort levels among residents with the clinical situations encountered during the simulations. Post-survey results at the end of the wards simulation curriculum indicated an overall trend of increasing comfort ratings, showing up to a 57% increase from the pre-survey results.
Conclusions: The wards-based simulation curriculum at Prisma Health - Midlands Children’s Hospital did significantly improve resident comfort levels when faced with commonly encountered clinical scenarios.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 188
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| Hendrix, Andrew |
Ray, Donna |
A student’s perspective on the refreshment of USCSOM-C medical education program objectives
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Background: In the Fall of 2022 a task force was assembled by Dr. Donna Ray to update the USCSOM-C medical education program objectives. This task force was composed of a pre-clinical medical student (M2), clinical medical student (M4), pre-clinical medical educator, IM clerkship director, clinical faculty member, and additional faculty from student professional development and student affairs. Our mission involved refreshing the school’s current learning objectives and restructuring to match the core competencies from the ACGME (i.e. patient care, medical knowledge, practice based learning and improvement, systems based practice, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills). This education piece serves to detail the group processes undertaken by the team, highlight its meaning from the perspective of a preclinical student and clinical student, as well as propose future steps in qualitative data collection through the form of focus groups and interviews to assess impact of the new objectives.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 197
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| Ernst, Paul |
Bulusu, Subrahmanyam |
Subsurface Eddy Detection in the Arabian Sea Optimized using Potential Vorticity from Model Simulations
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Eddies are coherent ocean vortices and are typically identified with surface ocean observations. A lack of observations hampers a similar understanding of the impact of eddies on deep ocean circulation. Due to the conserved nature of dynamics in the deep ocean, we may instead develop a detection algorithm for subsurface eddies using models, such as the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean model simulations in the Arabian Sea. Every parameter of our new algorithm is optimized in order to achieve favorable detections when compared with an established Sea Surface Height algorithm. We determine that the rescaled isopycnal potential vorticity (PV) is better for subsurface eddy detection in a comparison between other methods and that our algorithm detects eddies successfully when bounded between specific isopycnals. This capability is demonstrated on a water mass defined by specific isopycnals: the Red Sea Water (RSW). We identify and illustrate subsurface eddy properties within the RSW, including deep eddies with long lifetimes. We further describe in detail the dynamics of one such completely subsurface RSW eddy to the east of the Chagos Archipelago using PV diagnostics and Lagrangian particle tracking. Through these investigations, we present our rescaled PV method as a novel tool for the identification of eddies and their dynamics within the deep ocean. Finally, we provide our methodology to the public such that other researchers might develop their own deep eddy detection algorithms with optimized inputs for the domain of any model.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 56
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| Schreiner, Nina |
Weik, Terrance |
Settler Colonial Artifact Collecting at Woodville, Pennsylvania, 1850-1920
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This paper reports on nineteenth-century artifact collecting through analysis of archaeological materials from Woodville Plantation (36AL29), a historic house museum in Southwestern Pennsylvania. From the 1850s to 1920s, members of the Wrenshall family of collected objects from Native American sites across the eastern United States for display at their Woodville estate. This project puts archaeological and historical bodies of literature into dialogue to examine objects collected for at-home display. It contributes new data from the Wrenshall case study to answer cross-disciplinary questions about the founding of archaeology, including motivations of collectors and the role of Indigenous artifacts in settler colonial society.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 71
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| Halcomb, Carly |
Jasnow, Aaron |
Basolateral Amygdala Inputs to the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Regulate Fear Learning that Promotes Generalized Fear Expression
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A common symptom of nearly all anxiety and stress-related disorders is the overgeneralization of fear. This is characterized by the expression of fear in new or ambiguous environments and can disrupt normative functioning. We previously showed that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a medial prefrontal cortical region, and its projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) control fear responses to novel contexts in which the threat of an aversive event is uncertain. However, the role of the ACC in context fear learning is poorly understood. Here, we used pharmacological inactivation, NMDA receptor blockade, and circuit-specific manipulations of the ACC to determine its role in context fear learning. Mice were also evaluated for anxiety-like behavior in an open field and elevated plus maze to assess associations between fear and anxiety-like behavior. We found pharmacological inactivation or NMDA receptor blockade in the ACC during context fear learning eliminates fear when mice are tested in a novel context but does not alter fear in the training context. We then investigated the role of BLA inputs to the ACC during fear learning to determine circuit mechanisms involved in ACC encoding during context fear learning. We used a chemogenetic, intersectional approach to inactivate BLA-to-ACC projections during context fear learning. Our data show that chemogenetic silencing of BLA-to-ACC projections during context fear learning eliminates fear in a novel context but leaves fear in the training context fully intact. These results suggest that a critical role for the BLA-ACC circuit is to encode highly salient experiences that can be applied to shape behavior when mice experience new but similar environments.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 48
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| Deloa, Kristine |
Ruppel, Susan
Travis, Justin |
Perceived Broken Promises? Psychological Contract Breach and Student Retention
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Industrial-Organization psychologists have extensively researched implicit contracts within the work structure. Implicit contracts are unwritten, invisible agreements made within the work structure relationships between employee and employer (Zeitoun & Pamini, 2020). One type of implicit contract that has received significant attention recently is the psychological contract. Psychological contracts consist of an unspoken agreement between two parties (e.g., employer and employee) based on a belief or perception that outlines expectations and obligations for both parties. These contracts are constructed at the individual and organizational levels (Rousseau, 1989). For example, a new employee may believe they will receive a raise or promotion if they work hard, while the employer would expect that the new employee will perform to the best of their ability. However, there is no legal documentation binding these agreements. One area of interest regarding psychological contracts is when those implicit contracts are broken. This is referred to as a psychological contract breach. A breach occurs when the employee perceives that they are receiving less than what they were promised by the employer. When the contract is breached, this can lead to withdrawal behaviors and, ultimately, employee turnover (Rousseau, 1989). While breaches of the contract have been studied in an organizational setting, little research has applied the theory of psychological contracts and their breaches to an academic setting. Recently, a study identified items related to the psychological contract between students and their exchange partners (i.e., University, Faculty, and classmates) that can be applied in a university setting. The current research used those findings to investigate the impact of a psychological contract breach on college student retention and satisfaction, focusing on understanding the existence of the contract and possible outcomes of a breach. The findings of this study will assist us in understanding factors that affect retention in universities.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 165
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| Haselden, Aislinn |
Spence, Gina |
A Study in Leadership
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The summer of my sophomore year of college, going into my junior year, I attended a training camp for students enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC) program. This program is known as Field Training. Field Training is a rigorous boot-camp-style program which includes two weeks of weapons training, survival training, deployment skills, aircraft indoctrination, and physical conditioning. This program is
designed to evaluate military leadership and discipline and determine a cadet’s potential for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC), a system utilized at college which uses factors such as grade point average, detachment commander evaluation, and aptitude test scores to determine if a cadet has officer potential. Successful completion of Field Training is
mandatory for completing the AFROTC program and obtaining a commission in the Air Force or Space Force, which is what every cadet in AFROTC hopes to achieve. Throughout my two weeks at Field Training I was required to lead small and large groups of other cadets in marching, GLPs (Group Leadership Projects), and academic lessons. Here I was able to hone my followership, teamwork, and most importantly, my leadership skills for application
not only in my future Air Force job, but also my day-to-day life. My completion of Field Training has left me with a clearer definition of what a "good" leader looks like, and has shown me what kind of leader I want to be. Field Training taught me anyone can be a leader as long as they are able to work with other people for the sake of the mission.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 297
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| Sainyo, Jessica |
Steck, Susan |
Associations between Meat and Fish Intake and Aggressive Prostate Cancer in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP)
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Abstract Text
Objective: We examined the association between intake of meat and fish and aggressive prostate cancer in the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project, a case-only study of Black and White men in the southern United States.
Methods: Diet in the year prior to diagnosis was assessed using an interviewer-administered modified version of the National Cancer Institute Diet History Questionnaire among 909 Black and 991 White men with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer. High aggressive prostate cancer (n=332) was defined as Gleason sum ≥8, or PSA> 20ng/ml, or Gleason sum ≥7 AND clinical stage T3-T4, and the comparison group was all other prostate cancer cases (n=1,568). Logistic regression was used to determine the multivariable adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for high aggressive prostate cancer by tertile of meat and fish intake variables.
Results: We observed increased odds of aggressive prostate cancer among men in the second tertile compared to the first tertile for total red meat (OR:1.23. 95% CI: 0.91 – 1.68) and unprocessed red meat (OR:1.30. 95% CI: 0.96 – 1.76) and among men in the third tertile compared to the first tertile for processed meat (OR:1.27. 95% CI: 0.91 – 1.78). ORs for higher intake of fish and poultry were in the inverse direction but were weak and not statistically significant.
Conclusions: In this racially diverse case-only study, we observed weak positive associations between red and processed meat and aggressive prostate cancer, and little evidence of an association with fish or poultry intake.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 19
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| Waugh, Mihyun |
Moss, Melissa |
Peptoids as RAGE-antagonists against S100B-Induced Inflammatory Response in Alzheimer’s Disease.
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Abstract Text
Introduction: Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE)-associated chronic neuroinflammation has been linked with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. RAGE ligand S100B, which is elevated in AD brain, can induce release of inflammatory cytokines and upregulate RAGE. Consequently, targeting RAGE to reduce chronic inflammation represents a therapeutic strategy for AD that diverges from traditional inhibition of amyloid- aggregation.
Peptoids are ideal potential AD therapeutics as they exhibit facile blood-brain barrier permeability and resist proteolytic degradation by repositioning side-chains from the -carbon to the amide nitrogen. Peptoids designed to mimic RAGE ligands demonstrated nanomolar binding affinity to RAGE in our previous studies. We hypothesize that these peptoids can attenuate S100B-induced activation of RAGE, thus reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine release associated with chronic neuroinflammation.
Methods: Differentiated THP-1 macrophages were exposed to chronic low-levels of S100B to confirm upregulation of cytokine release. Macrophages were then treated with 0-50 μM peptoids (JPT1 or JPT1a) in the presence of S100B. To observe peptoid modulation of S100B-induced inflammation, cytokine analysis via immunoassay was performed using cell culture supernatants.
Results: S100B-treated THP-1 macrophages elicited anticipated inflammatory response evidenced by dose-dependent upregulation of cytokines, IL-1, Il-6, IL-8, IL-12 p40, and TNF-. When THP-1 macrophages were incubated with peptoids and S100B, peptoids attenuated these S100B-induced inflammatory responses.
Conclusions: Peptoids modulate inflammatory responses induced by RAGE ligand S100B, including inflammatory cytokine release. These results implicate peptoids as a potential therapeutic agent for not only AD but also for other inflammation-related illnesses. Because these peptoids have additionally exhibited the ability to modulate A aggregation and transform the morphology of the aggregates formed, they may function as dual-target therapeutics for AD.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 28
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| Yturralde, Kylee |
Friedman, Harold |
Treatment of Pseudoangiomatous Stromal Hyperplasia (PASH) of the Breast. Literature review and Successful Management of a Teenage Girl by Breast Reduction with 10 Year Follow-up
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Abstract Text
Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is an uncommon benign condition of mesenchymal proliferation. Fewer than 1500 cases have been reported in previous literature. It is observed most commonly in postmenopausal and perimenopausal women and is extremely rare to present in children. Recommended treatment in severe cases is often mastectomy due to high incidence of recurrence. However, a careful review of the literature suggests that treatment of this benign disease should be tailored to the mode in which it presents. This case report describes a 16-year-old female with a severe case of bilateral PASH that was managed with reduction mammoplasty, along with a ten-year case follow up. Based on a literature review of over 2800 cases and the current case report a conservative management strategy is suggested depending on disease presentation.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 143
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Patel, Khushi
Lester, Shelby
Trimble, Natalie
Burts, Charlotte
Simpson, Addison
Reichardt, Sydney |
Corbett, Cynthia
Wright, Pamela
Raynor, Phyllis
Vick, Lori |
Exploring Stress Levels among USC Students
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Abstract Text
Background: Unmanaged stress can cause physical, emotional, or psychological strain and is associated with ineffective coping behaviors, including appetite changes, agitation, or substance abuse (e.g., alcohol, caffeine). Over time, unmanaged stress can potentially lead to stress-related illnesses (SRI), including chronic conditions. Stress among university students often results from learning to balance finances, academic demands/workloads, extracurriculars, and impending career choices.
Purpose: To evaluate self-reported stress among students attending the University of South Carolina (USC).
Methods: A survey including demographic questions and the 25-item International Stress Management Association (ISMA) Questionnaire was administered online. Possible ISMA questionnaire scores ranged from 0-25, with scores ≤ 4 suggesting low risk of stress-related illnesses (SRI), 5-13 indicating moderate risk of SRI, and ≥ 14 indicating unhealthy stress responses strongly linked to chronic SRI. Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlational, and nonparametric statistics.
Results: Respondents (n=167) ranged from 17-59 years (21.8±6.9). IMSA Questionnaire scores ranged from 6.0-25.0 (16.4±4.2). Most students (76.0%) were at high risk for SRI with scores ≥ 14. Mean undergraduate student scores were 16.5, whereas mean graduate student scores were 15.8 (p≥.55). The mean score of those identifying as male (n=23) was 15.7, female (n=142) was 16.5, and nonbinary (n=2) was 17.5 (p≥.98).
Discussion: All student-reported stress scores indicated risk for experiencing SRI, with most students scoring in the highest risk category. Recognizing the negative effects of stress on students’ physical, emotional, and psychological health, USC has implemented many campus resources and events to help students manage stress, such as the Center for Health & Well-Being CALM Oasis Center and petting zoo days on Davis Field.
Conclusions: USC students’ stress is high. Students may require a greater awareness of existing resources. Future research should explore students’ current stress management skills as well as awareness and use of existing stress management resources.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 138
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| Wolske, Gabriella |
Spence, Gina |
Sharing My Mental Health Story: Vulnerability is Strength
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During Fall 2020, I applied for Mental Health Ambassadors (MHA); a grant-funded initiative sponsored by the University of South Carolina’s Student Health Services Mental Health Initiatives department. The role of a Mental Health Ambassador was to share their personal mental health story and provide information about healthy coping skills and local resources to peers at the University. I joined MHA during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic because I saw first-hand the impact the pandemic was having on people’s mental health. In order to become a Mental Health Ambassador, I had to complete a series of training in storytelling and suicide prevention to be equipped with the skills to facilitate conversations about mental health and reduce the stigma. Immediately when I joined, I knew I wanted to get involved as much as I could, so I joined the leadership team and served as Public Relations co-chair for three semesters before transitioning into the role of President. As a member of MHA, we presented our personal mental health story and campus resources to first-year students and student organizations. Being a member of MHA helped improve my confidence when it came to public speaking and taught me what it meant to be a peer educator. Through the trainings, I learned how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness, as well as how to connect someone with the resources they need. Although the role of a Mental Health Ambassador is to teach others about sources, I too learned a lot about what resources UofSC offered. Hearing other ambassadors’ personal mental health stories pushed me to seek help and visit a therapist. One of the biggest lessons I learned through sharing my story was learning to be vulnerable. Talking to strangers about personal struggles with mental health was not easy, but through this I learned that vulnerability is strength. Strength to speak out and be an advocate. Mental health awareness is something near and dear to my heart and something I will continue to be passionate about as I transition into the professional world.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 309
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| McLean, Marnie |
Lane, Abbi |
Central Vascular Hemodynamics In Female Athletes Versus Sedentary/ Recreationally Active Women
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Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: The cardiac adaptions to years of intense exercise, termed ‘athlete’s heart’, have been well studied in males. Arterial changes may precede cardiac adaptations. Research is limited regarding ‘athlete’s arteries’, especially in females.
PURPOSE: To assess differences in resting central hemodynamics between highly trained and elite athletes, henceforth “athletes”, and sedentary or recreationally active controls.
METHODS: Fifteen women (n=15; mean age=23.9 years; mean BMI=22.8kg/m2; 27% athletes) were included. Participants were excluded if they were smokers, had diabetes, or took any cardiovascular medications. Participants were classified as either Sedentary/Recreationally Active or Athletes using self-report of training and competition status. Participants completed a single study visit where brachial blood pressure was measured using an oscillometric cuff and applanation tonometry was performed. Wave reflection (augmentation index; AIx) and central arterial stiffness (central pulse wave velocity; cPWV) were assessed. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests or t-tests were used to test for differences in medians or means between groups.
RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI) was similar between the athlete and control group (21.941.0 vs 23.051.6 kg/m2). The athletes performed strenuous exercise 4.5 times per week on average, compared to the control group who performed strenuous exercise on average 3.3 times per week (4.50.9 vs 3.270.6). There were no differences in brachial systolic or diastolic blood pressure between groups (111.56.1 vs 115.74.0 mmHg; 67.83.8 vs 67.42.8 mmHg, all p>0.74 in athletes versus controls, respectively). cPWV was similar between groups (5.050.8 [athletes] vs 4.130.2 m/s [controls], p=0.43). Forward wave magnitude approached statistical significance, with non-significantly lower values in athletes (23.752.1 vs 281.3 mmHg, p=0.10).
CONCLUSIONS: Athletes and controls exhibited similar central hemodynamics in our small pilot study, though some non-significant trends warrant further investigation in larger samples. Further research is necessary to understand vascular function in female athletes.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 83
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| Cohen, Lily |
Grewe, Maureen |
GLD in Professional and Civic Engagement
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My professional and civic engagement pursuits have been centered around my passion for dance and medical aspirations. Upon entering USC, I established Carolina Dance Science to improve dancer wellness within our program and explore the wonders of dance science. As President, I attended the 2019 Annual IADMS Conference to represent USC in Quebec, Montreal, and the following years virtually. During this, I connected with international professionals and like-minded students and discovered remarkable research. I brought back knowledge to utilize on our campus and advance our dancers’ health. Then, during The Dancer’s Body, I discovered how resources I gained through my dance research are beneficial towards the adversities of malnutrition. I comprehended how vital the combination of treatment and education is when developing care plans. During the summer of 2022, I had an internship at Prisma Health Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation to participate in hands-on care. I served as a resource for patients by obtaining their vitals pre-/post- intervention and providing support during their treatment. From this, I witnessed the vast diversity of our community and how I could personally engage in small actions to improve patients’ wellness while combating health disparities. This related to my studies within Health Psychology because I saw how biological, psychological, and social factors are connected to impact one’s health. I learned how crucial inclusivity is in healthcare for the promotion of optimal, holistic care. Lastly, I shadowed Dr. Nathe at Prisma Health Pediatric Orthopedics which enabled me to expand my adoration for medicine and comprehend how collaboration and communication are key to encouraging positive change. This related to my academic pursuits during Introduction to Womens and Gender Studies, because I learned how notable women throughout history have also utilized collaboration and conversation to spark action and gain women’s rights. Overall, my experiences within and beyond the classroom have led me to develop an enhanced desire to pursue a career in medicine. With this, I aspire to have enhanced healthing capabilities while promoting diversity, fostering collaboration, and embracing outreach to my community because I’ve learned how essential these aspects are for positive change.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 249
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| Wunderlich, Claire |
Grewe, Maureen |
Professional & Civic Engagement
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I have had multiple opportunities to get involved in my community, both on and off campus. From working as a Peer Tutor in the Student Success Center, to serving as president of a student organization, and interning at the Columbia City Ballet, I have been able to develop my professional skills and become a better leader.
As a Peer Tutor, I have had the opportunity to support my peers by helping them as they prepare for various academic tasks in challenging classes. I have been able to help build community and serve as a support for many students. As president of USC’s chapter of the National Dance Education Organization, I have been able to develop my leadership skills, get involved on campus, and become an advocate for dance in education. As a marketing intern at the Columbia City Ballet, I have been able to develop my professional skills and gain more hands-on experience that directly relates to my course content as a marketing major. Each of my experiences beyond the classroom have been beneficial as they have helped me develop skills that I am learning about in my courses. I will share the insights I have discovered through my coursework and these activities and how those have impacted me.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 208
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| Brawley, Bee |
Grewe, Maureen |
Grow As We Go: A Guide to Paying it Forward
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It is often hard-learned, but reaching out to ask for help is one of the best ways to supplement academic success and college living. I certainly learned this the hard way during my freshman year. It was because of the support I received that I became a University 101 Peer Leader at the University of South Carolina. In the fall of 2021, I served as a resource to approximately 20 freshmen, and it was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. The experience was the culmination of all I had learned about growth, an experience that allowed me to bloom as a young adult and as a professional. Through this experience, I was able to apply all I had learned about the importance of self-care, the cultivation of hobbies and passions, and the innumerable benefits of discomfort and struggle – namely, just how much one can grow.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 221
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| Clarkson, Wright |
Baker, Max |
Pediatric Pancreaticopleural Fistula Secondary to Chronic Pancreatitis
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Right-sided pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is a rare pathology in the pediatric population due to it arising from pancreatitis, a pathology itself infrequently found in the cohort. However, pediatric patients with predisposing factors may develop pathologies that lead to PPF. Two of these pathologies include anatomical deformity of the pancreas or heritable pancreatitis. Our case report regards an eight-year-old white male who presented asymptomatically to a well-child visit; on physical examination, absent right-lung sounds were noted with tandem imaging revealing a sequela of diseases ultimately requiring major pancreatic surgery at an outside institution.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 137
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| Choisser, Richard |
Grewe, Maureen |
What I Wish I Knew Before College
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College is a transformative time for personal development and academic achievement. Both of these are complimented by involvement outside of the classroom. I became involved in several student organizations throughout my time at the University of South Carolina, with my involvement being greater in a few more than others. Through my extracurricular organizations including my fraternity, the real estate student organization, and work experiences, I have learned depths of my ability as a leader. On my pathway to GLD, I will describe how three key insights centered around my within and outside of the classroom experiences have provided me insights on how to be successful as a leader in the professional world. Additionally, I will provide an example of how my insights can be applied to the University of South Carolina’s students in order to positively impact the greater Columbia community.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 249
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Marshall, Dustin
Oliver, Ben |
Rhodes, Morgan |
An Uncommon Diagnosis For Common Chronic Knee Pain
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This is a case report about a 46-year-old military male who presents to clinic for evaluation of left knee pain. He sustained an injury to his left knee 2 years ago when he hit his knee on the grapple of a tractor and has been having intermittent pain since. His pain is exacerbated with flexion of the knee, running, squatting, and twisting motions. The knee occasionally will pop and “lock up on him as if it is stuck.” The patient has attempted physical therapy for approximately 6 months, which did not provide him any relief. He also has used meloxicam regularly with minimal improvement. He has never had surgery on his knee or any prior ligament injuries. Physical exam was essentially benign except for mild crepitus on terminal extension of the knee. MRI of the Left knee demonstrates mild degenerative changes of the patella with mild patellofemoral narrowing. An anterior intercondylar cyst is noted and appears to not be coming off the meniscus or ACL. Ultrasound showed the intra-articular cyst that had formed deep to his patella tendon over the medial tibial plateau. An 18 g was placed into the cyst and drained 2 ml of thick viscous clear fluid. Afterwards 1 ml of depomedrol was placed into the cyst. Patient tolerated this well with reported improvement in symptoms. This case showed how, while rare, ganglion cysts are occasionally symptomatic within the knee joint. They usually self-resolve and are not treated unless all other causes of pathology have been ruled out. If needed, they are treated like other ganglion cysts throughout the body with observation, needle aspiration, or surgical removal.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 182
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| Bizzoso, Tess |
Grewe, Maureen |
Acts of Service at USC and Beyond
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As a biology major on the pre-med track, I am dedicated to serving others in my community and hope to continue to impact those around me as I pursue a career in healthcare. Becoming involved in campus organizations throughout my time at the University of South Carolina has allowed me to become immersed in communities bigger than myself and understand the impact that one can have on those around them. Through my involvement in on campus organizations, I have been able to contribute to both the USC and Columbia communities in more ways that I ever thought possible. My most significant contribution to the USC community has been my involvement in USC Dance Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropic organization in the state of South Carolina, benefitting Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. Over the past four years, the positions I have held in USC Dance Marathon have allowed me to become a confident leader and have taught me that no voice it too small. Within the Columbia community, my greatest contribution has been my dedication to volunteering at The Free Medical Clinic, one of Columbia’s only free healthcare clinics. Throughout the past year, I have developed professional interpersonal skills and clinical experience in my desired career field. Additionally, I have gained insight the underserved populations of Columbia and solidified my desire to work in healthcare to help people who cannot help themselves.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 310
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| Schiro, Avery |
Grewe, Maureen |
Involvement as a Pathway to Building Community
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The past four years have taught me that student involvement goes hand in hand with a successful and enjoyable college experience. Involvement can enhance every aspect of your life as a student and prepare you for life after USC. Joining campus organizations has promoted a sense of community at a large school, enhanced my professional development skills, and taught me that serving others is serving myself as well. Student involvement has played an integral role in my experience as a student at the University of South Carolina. Serving as an officer in Epsilon Sigma Alpha, one of the campus’ two service sororities, as a member of Theta Tau, the campus’ Professional Engineering Fraternity, serving as a University 101 Peer Leader during Fall 2022, and serving as an officer for the Association of Information Systems have all taught me skills that I don’t believe can be taught in the classroom. They are the experiences which enabled me to invest in myself and enrich my time here at USC.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 276
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| Dorsey, Taylor |
Grewe, Maureen |
Opening up Opportunities
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Opportunities are all around us but the dissemination of information is often the problem. Take my participation in the National Student Exchange for example. Many students don’t know this opportunity is available to them and at no additional cost. During my stay away at Prairie View A&M University, I wanted to grow and learn how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and that is exactly what I got out of this experience. I transformed as a result of this experience.. I learned about the different ways of living and discovered I want to continue to do that, even internationally. I also learned how to curate a community. I acquired valuable life skills during that time, I believe all students should have the chance to partake in the same life-changing experiences. That is why in my Leadership section, I talk about how to make that a reality. That means, there is a chance to make even more well-rounded, multi-faceted students equipped with extensive knowledge.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 242
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| Gore, Kylie |
Grewe, Maureen |
Supplemental Leadership and Community in Supplemental Instruction
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The student success center is such a crucial part of our university and the academic and personal well-being of all the students who attend USC. My favorite experiences and my strongest sense of community here at South Carolina was found through being an active peer leader in the Supplemental Instruction program. To start, I was really looking for paid opportunities at the University, but it evolved quite unexpectedly into a community I feel comfortable in and also one which I felt comfortable becoming thoroughly involved in. In my time working for the SSC, I have grown in my leadership and time management skills, but also allowed me to develop socially and in handling situations that arise. Through becoming a peer leader and peer assistant mentor and handling the situations which come with those jobs, I have become more ready and able to solve problems, better at interacting with a diverse group of people and communicating with all of them effectively, and able to translate information in different ways to suit different ways of learning. My presentation will go over the positive impact being a peer leader had on my time at Carolina and how it has shaped me into the leader I am today and how it has shaped my plans for my future endeavors.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 250
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| White, Morgan |
Grewe, Maureen |
Flexible Leadership Towards a Career in Law
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To culminate my time as an undergraduate pursuing a degree in political science and psychology, I have decided to work on earning my GLD in civic and professional engagement. As a student at the University of South Carolina, I have been exposed to numerous experiences, perspectives, and ideologies both through my time in the classroom as well as through my experiences outside. In terms of beyond the classroom, I have spent time as a leader in Dance Marathon on campus, I have led a group of women through formal Sorority Recruitment as a Pi Chi, and I have served as a legal assistant in a private law firm in downtown Columbia. While serving in each of these roles, I have had the ability to take away several key life lessons that I hope to transfer into my life as a law student this upcoming fall. Some of these life lessons include the significance of mastering professionalism, the idea of invoking change through the unification of a community, and the importance of being flexible in order to be a strong leader. Through the classroom material that I obtained, the concepts introduced to me undoubtedly strengthened these key insights. Thus, in the culmination of these experiences, I was able to strengthen myself as a leader and be a better advocate for those around me regardless of our backgrounds, ideologies, or any other societal barrier. In this presentation, I hope to convey the significance I feel towards engaging with those around us and striving to constantly search for ways to better understand those around us in order to make an impact.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 209
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| Pereira, Camila |
Grewe, Maureen |
The Effects of Involvement in the Professional and Civic Spaces
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As an Integrated Information Technology major at the University of South Carolina, I have been involved in a variety of different activities that have enriched my experience and helped me grow in the professional and civic spaces. This would not have been possible without my participation in extracurricular organizations such as Epsilon Sigma Alpha, The Big Event, and the Association for Information Systems. As an active member with leadership positions in these organizations, I was able to develop skills that are transferable to the professional environment. I learned how to plan projects, delegate tasks, draft emails to sponsors/clients, prepare engaging presentations, mitigate risks that may arise in group settings, appreciate different points of view, and so much more. I heavily relied on these skills to perform and be successful during my internship this past summer as a Data Engineer and Developer Intern. As I graduate and enter the workforce, I am confident I will expand on the skills I have acquired through my education and extracurricular involvement at the university to succeed and reach my career aspirations.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 210
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| Caughman, Jaden |
Grewe, Maureen |
Growing Outside My Comfort Zone
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I had the opportunity to volunteer in Livingstone, Zambia for a month this past summer. I worked in a community school teaching 5th and 6th graders math and English. While this was a volunteer program, I was exposed to an environment that helped me grow in my confidence, leadership abilities, as a person and professionally. I was put out of my comfort zone daily and encountered a whole different culture that I wanted to understand. Through this time, I had some of the most impactful experiences. I was able to practice what I learned in the classroom in real life. My self-confidence and leadership skills grew through being present in every situation and testing my abilities. As a result of this experience in Zambia, I incorporate the lessons I learned that have impacted the way I think in my classes, field placement, and life.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 214
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| Walker, Justin |
Grewe, Maureen |
Passion for Leadership
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During my time at the University my role and involvement with the NAACP is one of my favorite experiences while in college. In title, my role as Event Planning Chair may not have been the greatest, but I think my passion for the organization moved me to work beyond what I was originally asked to do. As an event planning chair, you really only need to fulfill the obligations of the title and plan events, I decided that I could do more. I grew to not only plan events for the organization, but use my connections with different friend groups and involvement with different organizations to connect different communities on campus together and shine a brighter light on some of the issues we were facing here at USC. My presentation will focus on my role in this organization, how I impacted it with my involvement, as well as how it impacted campus as well as me personally.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 276
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| Smith Hill, Rebecca |
Plotner, Anthony |
Centering Disabled Voices: Self-Determination and College Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
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Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/D) are less likely than young adults without disability to be employed, enrolled in postsecondary education, or live independently after high school (Lauer & Houtenville, 2017; Newman, et al., 2011). Self-determination, or the freedom to act as the primary causal agent in one’s life (Palmer & Wehmeyer, 1998), is a well-documented component of enhanced quality of life (Shogren et al., 2017) and a predictor of postschool success (Mazzotti et al., 2021; Test et al. 2009) for students with disabilities. People with ID/D are less self-determined than their nondisabled peers, and often less self-determined than peers with other types of disabilities (Shogren et al., 2017). As well, there is a noticeable and unconscionable absence of the voices of young adults with ID/D in the literature related to self-determination and agency (Shogren et al., 2018; Peña et al., 2016). Through the participatory action research method photovoice, this study empowered students enrolled in an inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program on a college campus to become “co-researchers” and express their understanding of and experiences with self-determination and agency through a critical framework. Analyzed using constructivist grounded theory, two substantive theories were derived: self-determination is enhanced through equality of opportunity and sense of belonging begets self-determination. The photovoice project also culminated in an exhibition of co-researcher photos and concomitant narratives in the University of South Carolina College of Education Museum, titled Experiences in Equity and Agency: Disability in Higher Education. A critical component of photovoice methods includes sharing the photos and narratives to enhance public awareness of an issue or to share stories and perspectives (Sutton-Brown, 2014). The study served to contribute to substantive theory related to self-determination for emerging adults with ID/D on a college campus as well as to provide a methodological example for how to center disabled voices and trouble the researcher/researched binary.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 11
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| Routh, Megan |
Wong, Jaclyn |
What We Say in the Shadows: Whisper Networks among Women and Gender Minority Individuals in STEM
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Women share stories about workplace sexual harassment with each other to circulate information about risk and safety, a phenomenon known as a whisper network (Babel 2018). This project studies these networks, including how they form, and their benefits and limitations in preventing workplace sexual harassment. The current body of literature explains why they exist: workplace anti-harassment policies are ineffective, unenforced, or nonexistent, leaving women and gender minorities to find another way to protect themselves and others (Gruber 1998; Uggen and Blackstone 2004). Participants in these networks join them as a result of employers’ failure to adequately address harassment (Clair 1993; Denissen 2010; Dykstra-DeVette and Tarin 2019; Fine 2007). Less is known about how these networks form and function, such as the conditions conducive to formation, criteria for inclusion or exclusion of potential members, and their advantages, disadvantages, capabilities, and limitations. Not all people who experience workplace sexual harassment have the ability or desire to utilize whisper networks. Some may be intentionally excluded. Others may choose not to join one because these networks, despite disseminating prosocial gossip which has positive benefits, are often labelled as gossip circles and thus stigmatized (Feinberg et al. 2012). How these networks form, grow, and select members, as well as the conditions necessary for their formation and people’s participation in them, have not yet been widely addressed. This study asks: How do whisper networks form and function? Finding answers to this question via in-depth interviewing of people who worked at a STEM workplace during a time when harassment and a whisper network are confirmed to have occurred will shine light on women’s and gender minorities’ innovative responses to workplace sexual harassment as well as information transmission and networks more generally, which could be applicable to many topics and fields.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 64
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| Goldberg, Nicole |
Matthews, Sarah |
Becoming an Effective Leader Through my University 101 Peer Leader Experience
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When coming to college far from home, I was looking for a welcoming community that could become home. University 101 helped form USC into home. After having such an amazing experience in U101 myself as a first-year student, I wanted to create that experience and pass on skills I learned to other new students. I applied for a Peer Leader position because I wanted to demonstrate the caring spirit of our university and become someone else's support person. For the past two fall semesters, I have been a University 101 Peer Leader. EDLP 520, a course required to be a Peer Leader, taught me interpersonal skills used to welcome students to USC. I also learned the importance of customizing communication to different audiences in order to reach a goal and how to establish a community in order to create an inclusive learning environment. I was coached on how to have hard conversations with students who were homesick, having roommate troubles, struggling with balance, and people who did not feel like they belonged. As a peer leader, I made it a goal to be approachable, a friend, a mentor and a great role model. I learned how to build an active, engaging, and enjoyable learning experience through being a Peer Leader. I treated the class as a survival guide filled with tips, tricks, and opportunities to learn life lessons. Through peer leading and EDLP 520, I learned how to lead a classroom and the value of reflection to make meaning of my experiences, preparing me to be a leader in the future. After graduation, I plan on going to graduate school to become a Physician Assistant and work in orthopedics. What I have learned through being a U101 peer leader and EDLP 520 has prepared me for interactions in my future with patients. I can now help patients feel more at ease, resulting in better patient relationships and care.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 311
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| Xiao, Cheng |
Liu, Jiang |
“What you say” and “How you say it”: The Semantic Effect on the Perception of Emotional Prosody in Mandarin Chinese words and sentences
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Emotional prosody refers to the ways in which tone of voice can be modulated to convey emotions. Previous research in the field of emotional prosody perception corroborated Elfenbein and Ambady’s In-group Advantages (IGA) Hypothesis that native speakers showed an advantage in recognizing the emotional prosody of their own cultural groups over non-natives speakers. However, few studies considered whether these findings in non-tonal languages can be generalized to tonal languages as Mandarin Chinese, especially when Chinese utilizes the same acoustic feature (i.e., tone of voice) to encode both prosodic and semantic information. Moreover, the simultaneous processing of semantics and emotional prosody can be challenging for second language (L2) learners. Therefore, the study investigates the semantics effect on the emotional prosody perception for native and L2 Chinese speakers in Mandarin Chinese.
We tested the IGA hypothesis for native speakers and L2 learners who passed the vocabulary screening task in two experiments. The critical manipulation was the congruency of semantics (positive vs. negative) and emotional prosody (positive vs. negative). In Experiment 1, we used 64 Chinese disyllabic words with positive (e.g., rui4zhi4, wise) and negative (e.g., ao4man4, arrogant) meanings. In Experiment 2, we embedded the words in Experiment 1 into a carrier sentence ‘ta1 hen3 (She is very) _____’ to construct 64 sentences. Word and sentence stimuli were recorded with positive (e.g., joy) and negative (e.g., sad) emotional prosody. Participants asked to listen to an audio and judged whether the emotional prosody of the utterance is positive or negative. We found that native Chinese speakers have an advantage of recognizing emotional prosody in Chinese words and sentences compared to L2 Chinese learners, which supports the IGA hypothesis. Furthermore, a semantics-prosody congruency effect was found such that semantics facilitate the perception of Chinese emotional prosody in a semantic-prosody congruent condition. Interestingly, this congruency effect was observed for both groups in Chinese words, whereas only L2 learners showed the congruency effect in Chinese sentences. The results suggested that L2 Chinese learners are more susceptible to semantics influence on the emotional prosody perception in Mandarin Chinese compared to native Chinese speakers.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 65
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| Addo, Prince |
Brown, Monique
Qiao, Shan |
“I Don’t Believe That One”: Undetectable=Untransmissible (U=U) Views Among Older Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Living with HIV
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Abstract Text
Background and Objectives: Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) means that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively zero risk of sexually transmitting the virus to others. However, research on how U=U is perceived by older adults living with HIV (OALH) is currently lacking. This study explored U=U views among OALH who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA).
Research Design and Methods: From October 2019 to February 2020, we conducted open-ended interviews with 24 OALH recruited at an immunology clinic in South Carolina. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The study participants were 24 OALH (12 males, 11 females, and 1 transgender), with a mean age of 55.21 years (SD = 4.69). Most of them were Straight/Heterosexual (50%), Black/African American (66.67%), Disabled/Unable to work (41.67%), Never Married (60.87%), and had an undetectable viral load count (60.87%). Four major themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Conflicting beliefs in U=U: Lack of belief in U=U and Belief in U=U; 2) Use condoms regardless; 3) Fear of HIV reinfection; 4) HIV disclosure depends on the type of relationship.
Discussion: Despite strong scientific evidence supporting U=U, some OALH do not believe in U=U. This lack of belief could deprive OALH of the benefits U=U offers. It is therefore important to educate OALH about U=U to enhance their understanding and belief in U=U.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 21
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| Simon, Tricia |
Patel, Rekha |
Investigating the dysregulation of the ISR pathway by antipsychotics as a possible cause of drug-induced dystonia
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Abstract Text
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause slow repetitive movements and twisted and painful postures. Antipsychotic drugs such as Zoloft, Haldol, Zyprexa and aripiprazole (Abilify) induce drug-induced dystonia (DID).Symptoms caused by the antipsychotics can become debilitating, leaving patients in extreme and often chronic pain. Our previous work on dystonia 16 (DYT16), an inherited primary dystonia; was found to be caused by a genetic mutation linked to the integrated stress response pathway (ISR). This work shown in primary patient lymphoblasts established that this pathway is dysregulated. Dysregulated ISR has emerged as a common molecular mechanism linked to several forms of primary dystonia. Several antipsychotic drugs have also been reported to induce ER stress which leads to further dysregulation of the ISR. The magnitude of the response and level of dysregulation is directly dependent on the duration and intensity of the stressor. These previous findings lead us to hypothesize that via the use of antipsychotics the ISR is dysregulated possibly leading to drug-induced-dystonia. We tested several antipsychotics for their abilities to induce ER stress by using ATF4 induction as a marker for ER stress and therefore indicating ISR dysregulation. ATF4 is only expressed in high levels during extreme stress, when not stressed basal levels of ATF4 are low. My results indicate that Abilify does not induce ER stress by itself. However, prior exposure to Aripiprazole alters the kinetics and level of ISR, this was done by exploring a time course. Ongoing studies include testing other antipsychotics in a similar manner. My results may be able to establish a common molecular pathomechanism for primary dystonia and drug-induced dystonia. This work is expected to offer better therapeutic options for DID. One treatment explored by our lab has shown to have been successful to alleviate the effects of extreme cellular stress and dystonia patients.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 37
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Carter, Wes
Roerden, Hallie
Justus, Bryce |
Gainey, Chris |
Door To Antibiotics For Open Fractures
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Abstract Text
Background: Open fractures, particularly of the long bones, present a serious risk for patients to develop a fracture-related bacterial infection. Although specific antibiotic choice for antibiotic therapy remains variable between institutions, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Guidelines recommends that patients should receive antimicrobials within 60 minutes of presentation. This guideline is based off numerous studies and literature that have shown antimicrobial therapy administered within 60 minutes of presentation significantly reduces the risk of fracture-related infection and future complications.
Objective: Based on the guidelines from the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, a QI project was initiated at Prisma Health Richland Emergency Department to increase the compliance of patients receiving antibiotic therapy within 60 minutes of presenting to the emergency department with an open fracture.
Methods: Our patient population for this project was selected by using data collected from Prisma Richland’s trauma registry. Patients from the trauma registry were selected by using the criteria of ‘presenting to the emergency department with a diagnosis of an open fracture’ and their time to antibiotic administration was recorded. The percentage of open fracture patients
who received antibiotic therapy within 60 minutes was then calculated from all open fracture patients. PDSA cycle 1 involved utilizing a new workflow protocol in which patients who presented to the emergency department with an open fracture were immediately transferred to an open trauma bay for treatment.
Results: Baseline data for 2021 demonstrated an overall compliance rate of 77% with an average time to administration of 85 minutes. PDSA cycle 1 began on June 1st, 2022 and ran for approximately 4 weeks. Post-PDSA 1 cycle data shows an increase in compliance from 77% to 86%, and a significant decrease in time to antibiotic administration, from an average of 85 minutes to 36 minutes.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 178
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| Pierce, Laura |
Ruppel, Susan
Barideaux Jr., Kenneth |
Perceptions of Online Versus Traditional Degrees in Helping Professions
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Abstract Text
Over the past few years, there has been tremendous growth of online education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than two thirds of all colleges and universities offer online courses and a majority of institutions offer full academic programs online. Many degree seeking students choose online programs because they are typically more flexible and convenient than traditional higher education programs. Furthermore, the global pandemic has sparked an increased interest in online programs among those who may normally choose to attend brick-and-mortar institutions. As more students enroll in online degree programs, it is important to understand how online degree earners are perceived within their occupation. Most of the research examining the perception of online learning has focused on business-related fields like accounting. Most employers who were surveyed about their opinions of job readiness when comparing graduates from online programs to those in traditional programs indicated that there is still a preference for candidates who have earned their degrees from a traditional program. Employers who have earned an online degree themselves are more likely to rate online programs as being more rigorous and are more likely to hire a candidate who has earned an online degree compared to employers without online degree experience; however, there is still a preference for candidates with traditional degrees. It is unclear if these findings would generalize to other occupations, especially those dealing with the helping profession field like nursing or mental health. The current study will examine if the education mode (online or traditional) would impact participants’ perceptions of nurses and therapists. Based on previous findings, it is predicted that a) participants would prefer candidates who obtained their degree from a traditional program rather than an online program; b) there will be an interaction between occupation and education mode, with participants preferring nurses who have earned a degree from a traditional program as opposed to an online program, but this effect will not be true for therapists, with participants showing no preference for the therapists’ educational background. Implications of these findings will be explored.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 187
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| Hoffman, Em |
Subrahmanyam, Bulusu
Trott, Corinne |
Freshwater Content Variability in the Beaufort Gyre from 1989-2021 Using Models and Observations
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Abstract Text
Salinity is the primary driver of density structure and variability in the Arctic Ocean. Freshwater, characterized in the Arctic by salinities lower than 34.8 psu, has shifted in both quantity and distribution over the past several decades in the Arctic Ocean. These changes are largely driven by changes in the volume and salinity of freshwater sources, and changes in the direction and magnitude of local currents. In the major freshwater reservoir of the Beaufort Gyre (BG), freshwater accumulation is controlled by the strength of the gyre which leads to convergence of freshwater, increased thickness of the mixed layer, and a domed sea surface. This makes sea surface height (SSH) and freshwater content (FWC) in the region intrinsically linked, and the area an important forewarning of physical changes throughout the entire Arctic Ocean. In this study, we analyze variability in freshwater and sea surface height from 1989 to 2021 in the Arctic and BG using in-situ observations (EN4), satellite dynamic ocean topography (DOT), Arctic Ocean models (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO), the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO), and Marginal Ice Zone Modeling and Assimilation System (MIZMAS)), and reanalysis products (Ocean Reanalysis System 5 (ORAS5), GLORYS12, and Simple Ocean Data Assimilation 3 (SODA)). Generally, models and reanalyses underestimate FWC in the BG when compared with observations, and consistency with satellite DOT vary. It is found that FWC and SSH are strongly correlated in the BG over this time period, however the spatial distribution of the changes varies strongly between products, indicating differences in resolving currents and freshwater pathways. These comparisons help identify discrepancies in ocean model and reanalysis products and areas where future improvements are needed. As observations are scarce in the Arctic due to harsh environmental conditions, these products are some of the best tools available to study this dynamic and vulnerable ocean.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 57
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| Cogan, Emma |
Wellman, Denise |
Life Lessons from a Professional Internship
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In the summer of 2022, I moved to Indianapolis to work for PNC Private Bank. As an intern, I spent the summer shadowing different advisors who work as a team to manage the wealth of high net-worth clients. I learned about a range of Private Bank services including investments, trusts, and client relations. As a business major, I am expected to have an internship after my junior year to set myself up for success and hopefully graduate with a full time offer. By searching and accepting a banking internship, I was trying to follow the steps laid out for me during my entire education. This experience was more than an internship and made me not only excited to enter the professional world and take on clients of my own, but also taught me important life lessons. Something I took away from this summer experience was to take risks, and fully commit to them when you do. I was hesitant to move to Indiana, unsure what opportunities awaited me. However, if I had not taken the risk, I never would have known what kinds and how many opportunities are available to those who take a leap of faith. After I graduate in May, I will be returning to PNC Private Bank as an analyst in the Chicago office. I am very happy to see the risk I took on myself starting to pay off. I am excited for the next chapter in my life and growing with the PNC team in a city I love.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 211
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Lanza-Gregory, Jody
Worley, Tiffany |
McQuillin, Sam |
Exploring Educator Readiness for a School Neuropsychological Approach to SLD Identification
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It is widely accepted that neurocognitive deficits are an underlying cause of SLD (Compton, et al., 2012; Johnson et al., 2010; NASP 2011). However, students diagnosed with SLDs may show similar academic trends despite different neurocognitive profiles; for example, a student with a SLD in reading may have relative weaknesses in specific neurocognitive constructs such as phonological processing, rapid lexical retrieval, working memory, or language development (Paulesu et al., 2014). Accurate identification of the neurocognitive basis of SLD can help identify these underlying causes, contribute to selection of appropriate interventions, and provide educators with targeted and prescriptive reasoning for interventions (Decker et. al, 2021; Flanagan, Alfonso, & Ortiz 2012; Flanagan et. al., 2013). Studies have indicated that educators feel unprepared to effectively implement interventions, are unsure of the evidence-base for interventions, and need more support in interpreting assessment data (Nagro, Hooks, & Fraser, 2019; Barrio & Combes, 2015; Vollmer, Gettinger & Begeny, 2019). In an integrated school neuropsychological model, it is critical for educators to have a solid foundational understanding of the underlying neurocognitive functions (such as working memory, phonological processing, etc.) that contribute to academic skills (Pohlman, 2008).As schools and districts consider implementing a new integrated school neuropsychological approach, an implementation science perspective will be critical to facilitating effective systems-level change. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore educator readiness for an integrated school neuropsychological model for SLD identification using an implementation science framework. Specifically, this study will investigate educator perception of three key sub-constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR): knowledge/beliefs, self-efficacy, and implementation climate (Damschroder et. al, 2009). Semi-structured interviews and qualitative analyses with educators at a public charter school for students with reading difficulties address how educators define key neurocognitive constructs, if they feel equipped to identify how constructs relate to academic performance, and how educators perceive their capacity for involvement in SLD identification.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 9
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| Rayl, Lauren |
Childers, Casey
Murday, Dave |
The Correlation of Apparent Temperature on Emergency Department Psychiatric Services Utilization in Three Regions of South Carolina, USA
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Abstract Text
Emergency department (ED) data was obtained from South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office for Greenville, Charleston, and Richland counties between January 2015 and December 2020 for mental-health related visits, determined by an ICD-10 code F0-F99 as an admitting diagnosis or a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis.
Apparent temperature data was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) at primary weather stations in each county. Maximum daily temperature and average daily relative humidity were combined to create a heat index variable. Minimum daily temperature was used to create an extreme cold variable. Correlation was determined using Spearman’s rank coefficient.
Data sets with mental-health related F-codes as either a primary or secondary diagnosis revealed a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in average daily ED visits with increased extreme heat index. The increase in average daily visits was smaller when using subjects with admission or primary discharge ICD-10 F-codes but the significant positive correlation remained. Positive correlations of statistical significance (p < 0.05) remained for all counties across sex, ages 25-44 and 45-64, and white and Hispanic races.
Data sets with F-codes as either a primary or secondary diagnosis revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.0001) in daily ED visits on days with extreme cold across all counties. This correlation was strengthened when using subjects with admission or primary discharge ICD-10 F-code although the difference in average daily visits was smaller. The variables of male sex, ages 25-44, and white race retained a significant negative correlation in all counties.
ED utilization in patients with F-code diagnoses (primary or secondary) was positively correlated with extreme heat index. In most subset variables reviewed (sex, age, race), the increase in ED visits during times of extreme heat index remained significant across all counties. ED utilization was negatively correlated with extreme cold (strengthened by restricted admission/discharge F-code variable), although to a lesser degree.
These results could be examined through ED and hospital costs compared to implementing community preventative measures and lead to an increase in community resources. This could decrease health care costs as well as free ED resources for other patient needs.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 193
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| Song, Ge |
Wang, Yi |
Anomaly Detection of Pedestrians’ Behaviors at Grade Crossings
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Abstract Text
This work proposes a video processing pipeline developed dependent on a deep learning generative adversarial network (GAN) for detecting and localizing abnormal behaviors of pedestrians at grade crossings. Behaviors are captured by the skeleton detection and tracking algorithm which generates one temporally varying trajectory of body key points corresponding to each pedestrian. The trajectories of normal behavior are learned by the GAN after being decomposed into local and global motion features. As the outliers of the model during testing stage, anomalies can be readily observed. The presented pipeline can deal with multiple pedestrians with single model running for each video frame and requires no specific location information leading to the robustness of being extended to different grade crossings with no need of re-training. The experimental results illustrate the prominent performance of the proposed pipeline.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 19
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| Surry, Charlotte |
Pou, Jay |
Gaining Perspective, Losing the Accent: A Reflection of Main Take-Aways and Personal Development Through My Semester Abroad in France
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During Spring semester 2022, I had the opportunity through Darla Moore International Business Program to study abroad in Saint-Etienne, France. I had studied French language and culture since 7th grade and decided to minor in it at USC. Being able to move around France on my own allowed me to fully immerse myself in the culture and test out my fluency and accent. Through my school in France, I took many international business and general business study classes to begin understanding how the French approach the business world. I was also given some time to travel to nearby cities, like Paris, Nice, Barcelona, Geneva, and Rome. I found these experiences an opportunity to grow in self-confidence and self-sufficiency, as most countries spoke different languages and I did some of my travelling alone. These months were significant to me because travelling and finding new experiences to try is such a passion of mine and the memories I made were incredible. From the classes I took I found myself working with students from all over the world on different projects, which brought me to realize how many unique ways of thinking and approaching problems there are. My time working and travelling with other international students also taught me a lot about myself, including my preferences and skills while travelling, my level of patience and maturity, and how I approach new problems in and out of the classroom. I grew so much in my time abroad and am so glad I was given the opportunity to travel in such an immersive atmosphere.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 270
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| Speiser, Kaitlyn |
Childs, Matthew |
Intervention and Stigma Through The Lens of Mental Health by Kaitlyn Speiser
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Over the past year, I have had the amazing opportunity to be a part of the School Behavioral Health team with the Psychology Department at the University of South Carolina. Through this experience, I have learned many valuable research skills such as data collection, qualitative coding, and even how to conduct my own independent research. This experience has taught me how mental health is perceived by the general public. Through the conversations I have had with my peers and research mentors, I have learned about the importance of early intervention in assessing mental health issues and the importance of taking steps to destigmatize mental health services. I have carried the skills that I have learned from my lab research into other projects such as my senior thesis. The focus of my senior thesis is the negative stigma surrounding mental health, as well as ways we can decrease that stigma. I used research techniques such as data collecting, data analysis, and report writing that I had practiced in the School Behavioral Health lab in order to conduct research for my thesis. My experiences have taught me that both early intervention and destigmatization are extremely beneficial in the treatment of mental health issues. Early intervention allows for individuals to implement healthy coping habits at a young age, which hopefully allows for treatment of the disorder before it progresses. Stigma can often act as an invisible barrier to treatment due to negative self-thoughts and shame, and destigmatization hopefully removes that barrier. Both strategies together allow for overall better and more effective treatment of mental health issues.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 250
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| Goodman, Kyle |
Wellman, Denise |
Alpha Epsilon Delta Medical Mission Trip to Puerto Penasco Mexico
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Abstract Text
Following the conclusion of my sophomore year, in the summer of 2021, I visited Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, and was part of a student-led medical mission trip. The medical mission trip was sponsored through Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-professional health honor society at USC. While serving in Puerto Peñasco, I was able to learn about the dynamic and structure of a foreign country’s healthcare system while helping to provide easily accessible healthcare to the local citizens of the area. This trip helped solidify one of the true reasons I strive to have a career in healthcare, which is garnering meaningful patient interactions through restorative healthcare efforts. From this experience, I learned how to create positive synergy by building my patient rapport as I helped triage and aid patients in our volunteer-established clinic. I also understood that there is a real issue that not all humans have the same privileges and advantages to experience the basic human right of healthcare, mainly due to external social determinants that are out of their control. It is up to the future doctors and other medical providers of the future to be able to address and develop solutions to ensure that every human has the proper access to receive the help they need. The skills and newfound knowledge I was able to establish while on this medical mission trip can help act as a driving force for how I want to serve my patients as a future physician assistant.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 328
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| DeYoung, MaKenna |
Tanner, Scott |
Investigating of Intestinal Diseases using Caenorhabditis elegans
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Abstract Text
INVESTIGATION OF INTESTINAL DISEASE USING CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
MaKenna DeYoung, Summer Johnson, Mikayla Spangler, Rhiannon Follweiler, and Scott Tanner
Department of Natural Sciences & Engineering, USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC
Introduction/Background. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. IBD is an autoimmune reaction with an unknown cause. Although there are treatments to relieve symptoms, there is no current cure. Many genes are linked to this group of diseases including MDR1. MDR1 codes for a protein called P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Pgp is known to be expressed in intestinal cells. The relationship between Pgp and IBD is unknown, however, some patients with IBD have a mutation that causes a loss of Pgp function. It was previously found that Pgp 1 is essential for proper intestinal function.
Hypothesis/Goal of Study. Our goal is to use Pgp 1 deficient Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model for human intestinal disease. Pgp is known to be responsible for the transportation of molecules between cells and is associated with human intestinal damage. We hypothesize to measure changes in the intestine that would indicate damage to the organ.
Methods and Results. Pgp 1 deficient C. elegans had slower growth and development. It was found that the Pgp 1 deficient C. elegans had an increased mean defecation time while observing means defection length behavior. Pgp 1 deficient worms were also found to have a decreased life span in a lifespan observation experiment. Using immunohistochemistry, we stained lysosomes and lipid granules in the digestive system of the C. elegans and observed decreased expression. This suggests a decrease of digestive function in the pgp1 deficient organisms.
Conclusions. Our results suggest that there are physical changes in the digestive process of Pgp 1 deficient C. elegans. The data helps to support that C. elegans are potential models for human diseases.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 49
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| Neco, Talia |
Spence, Gina |
Talia Neco GLD presentation
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Abstract Text
I used three very important and special beyond the classroom experiences and connected them to a class or a leadership position for my key insights. I wanted to look back and reflect on my time here at USC and how far I've come, along with some of the life changing thing I've done here. I connected TriBeta club with doing my master's in biology, my EDFI 300 class with my peer leader experience, and MCH LEAP with being a student representative. All of these experiences had one thing in common: using my leadership skills. I worked with professionals in order to help myself grow and develop new skills. I was motivated to do this because of my love for biology and education. I learned more about myself on what I liked doing or what I did not like doing. With what I liked doing, I perfected my skills on through practicing and these certain experiences.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 251
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| Blay, Julia |
Hiott, Ambra |
Health is Not Always a Choice
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During the summer between my junior and senior year, I interned with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in the Healthcare Quality Division. This part of the agency is comprised of many bureaus that work together to accomplish one common goal: protecting the health and well-being of South Carolinians. Throughout this hands-on internship, I went out into the field multiple times conducting inspections and complaint investigations of healthcare facilities. With the Bureau of Community Care, I interviewed residents of assisted living facilities and spoke with the CEO of a rehabilitation hospital. I visited Prisma Health Richland and toured the hospital’s level I trauma center. While working with the Bureau of Healthcare Systems and Services, I met law enforcement-trained pharmacists in the Bureau of Drug Control, and even had the opportunity to visit the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Throughout my public health education at USC, I have learned that social determinants are the foundation of health. My experience at DHEC was representative of this very concept: health is not always a choice that individuals have the opportunity to make. Macro influences impact human decision-making, connections with others, and the surrounding environment. Societal factors including policy, regulation, and culture all impact human health and well-being. I was lucky enough to witness how health is dependent on relationships, community, and living and working places during my time with DHEC. Cultivating this belief and being able to recognize the intricacies of health is essential to my emergence and growth as a professional in the healthcare industry.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 311
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| Jeter, Laurynn |
Lewis, Elise |
Be the Change You Want to See
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Abstract Text
Before I attended the University of South Carolina, I did not know the path that I was going to take outside of my career path. However, the path that I have taken since my time at UofSC has led me to many opportunities and connections after college. In my career path, I always knew that I was going to pursue physical therapy and now I have more knowledge that I can apply in my future career. From my PUBH 302 course along with other exercise sciences courses, I have learned about healthcare in a different aspect. As a minority, I know about the struggles that we often face in society, but in PUBH 302 I learned how those struggles are also seen in the field of healthcare. I also was able to witness inequalities in healthcare in my job observation clinic. In my UofSC experience, I have been part of many diverse activities that have allowed me to understand that even in my career path I can implement change. I can implement the change I want to see in healthcare with my future patients and if I continue along my path I will be more insightful about the steps I need to take to fulfill that change.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 332
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| Patel, Megha |
Chruszcz, Maksymilian
Hernandez, Ricardo |
Production of Lymphocyte Antigen 6 Proteins - Targets for Cancer Treatment
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Abstract Text
The lymphocyte antigen 6 gene (LY6) family of proteins are involved in cell proliferation, macrophage activation, and immune cell maturation. Their location on chromosome 8q24 is frequently amplified in human cancer, and the increased expression of these proteins is associated with poor outcomes in ovarian, colorectal, breast, bladder, and pancreatic cancer. Ovarian cancer often goes undetected which leads to its high mortality, while colorectal and pancreatic cancer are the second and third leading causes of cancer death in the United States. The increased expression in fatal cancers makes these proteins good candidates of new anticancer drugs. We focused on two members of this family: LY6D and LY6K. The high expression of LY6D is correlated with poor clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer, and LY6K is required for in vivo tumor growth in breast cancer. We aim to determine the structure of these proteins to understand their role in invasive cancer and to develop anticancer drugs that target these proteins using recombinant protein expression and purification techniques. We developed and optimized procedures to obtain soluble recombinant LY6D and LY6K in E. coli. In vitro studies were performed to characterize the biochemical properties of these polypeptides, specifically oligomeric states. Furthermore, two different approaches are being carried out to determine the tertiary structure of these proteins: screening for protein crystals to perform X-ray crystallography experiments and production of the 15N labeled protein to perform NMR experiments. NMR experiments indicate the presence of partially folded LY6D; however, aggregation of LY6K poses a challenge to structural studies. Complementary to these studies, in silico experiments are being used to identify small molecules with anticancer properties that bind with LY6D. Computational studies indicate a potential binding site in LY6D. For LY6K, computational studies are focused on understanding the interactions with a small molecule shown to have anti-cancer properties in vivo, and to generate fluorophore and biotinylated derivatives of this drug for further optimization. These studies aim to elucidate the LY6D and LY6K interactions with the drug in order to suggest innovations in cancer therapy.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 30
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| Lutz, Hannah |
Reitmeier, Melissa |
Extending Healthcare to Global Communities
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Abstract Text
During spring break 2022, I had traveled with a group of twelve nursing students to a small village in Guatemala. During my time in Guatemala, I was faced with great challenges in providing long-lasting, effective care to the patients that visited our clinic. I experienced the impact that social determinants of health (SDOH) played in creating barriers that negatively affected our patients’ quality of life and health outcomes. As a result, I was pushed, alongside other healthcare workers, to be flexible and utilize the resources available in order to create care plans that were realistic, attainable and effective. During my time at Carolina, I took NURS 431, Population Health, in which we learned the importance that SDOH play in a patient’s ability to access healthcare and adhere to treatment. This medical mission trip bridged the gap between information delivered in class and realistic-patient treatment. I saw first-hand the negative impact that these barriers placed on the health of patients. As a future nurse, it is my goal to give back to my community by providing care to a diverse population of individuals. Participation in this medical mission trip emphasized the importance of being observant of various barriers that my patients may face that could potentially restrict their ability to access and maintain adequate healthcare. By being adaptable and understanding of such barriers, I will mold my care to ensure it extends beyond the four walls in which I serve my patients. Adaptability in my plan of care will allow for adherence to treatment which will ensure long-lasting, improved health. Without such recognition, my role as a healthcare professional would be quickly limited to a select population within my community. This medical mission trip provided me the ability to learn to optimize my patient care in order to serve a diverse population in every community to which I belong. My presentation will highlight my medical mission trip and the skills it provided me that I will carry forward into my professional career as a nurse as I serve the community around me.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 262
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| Bernsen, Serina |
Lewis, Elise |
Physical Activity Does Help Kids With ADHD
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Abstract Text
During the Spring and Fall of 2020, I had the opportunity to create and implement a psychology program in Elementary Schools in lower income communities. The program focused on basic physical activity and the effects on children with ADHD in classrooms. After developing the program, the professor I was working with and I took the program to a less developed elementary school and incorporated 30 minutes of physical education, PE, every day focusing on coordination and technical skills. When kids had the physical activity option and class before the rest of the school day, there was an increase in focus. Over the school year, cognitive development and learning significantly improved in the children in the study. As well as showing an increase in performance in reading and arithmetic areas following exercise. A picture I took during one of the days we were working on coordination.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 312
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| Leach, Audrey |
Farrand, Scott |
Garnet&Guided
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Abstract Text
Garnet&Black Magazine is place that fosters creativity, uniqueness, and confidence. All of Garnet Media Group strives to make students feel comfortable here on campus, and encourages them to test the limits of their creativity. One of the most significant extracurriculars I have done at USC has been my time with Garnet&Black (G&B). Throughout my time at G&B I have risen up the leadership ladder, starting as a content creator and finally serving as a Director on their executive team. G&B has helped me grow professionally, academically, and personally in my leadership skills and confidence. I learned how to lead a team to success, collaborate with multiple groups within and outside the org, and finally decided what I wanted my post-college career to look like. My presentation includes my pathway to growing in my leadership skills, but also touches on everything else that comes with being a leader in a creative space.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 333
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| Bukow, Kylie |
Tang, Hengtao |
Kylie Bukow's Global Learning GLD Portfolio
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Abstract Text
During my junior year spring semester, I studied abroad at London Metropolitan University in London, England. Ever since I came into college, I knew that I wanted to study abroad. I chose London because it was a place that I thought would aid me in my academic, professional, and personal goals I had set for myself earlier that year. London Metropolitan University was known for its communications department and offered an array of classes that I thought would be beneficial as a supplement to my classes at USC. This experience was personally significant in my life because I had never been to Europe, and I was leaving home at a time when I had just experienced the loss of my mother. This became a chance to live a new life, full of personal growth, challenges, and exploration. While living abroad, I wanted to gain a sense of confidence through traveling and get a better overall feel for the area. I was fortunate enough to travel to places throughout England, as well as several other counties in continental Europe. I learned to value the impermanence of where I was at and the people I was with. I also learned how important it was to have perspective in all situations, as well as communication. I made sure that the lessons I learned abroad became permanent, as I have tried to implement them in different ways throughout my last year here at USC.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 208
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Guo, Jiawei
Zhang, Sen |
Wang, Yi |
weighted student-teacher model
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Abstract Text
The traditional student-teacher model doesn't consider the relationship between them. Our Algorithm will automatically adjust their relationship.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 20
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Carter, Wes
Attride, Tim
Fleming, Perry
Nelems, Michael |
Privette, Troy |
Interventions to Improve Door to EKG Interpretation by a Provider for Patients Presenting to the ED with symptoms concerning for ACS
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Abstract Text
Introduction:
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) should receive an electrocardiogram (ECG) within 10 minutes. Despite this recommendation, many patients at our institution do not meet this standard.
Objectives
Our primary objective was to increase the compliance of the door-to-ECG time of 10 minutes or less for patients presenting with chest discomfort or symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome. We additionally looked to identify logistical factors that increase DTE delays as targets for potential intervention.
Methods
This Quality Improvement initiative established interventions to mitigate clinical, operational, and administrative limitations that contribute to delayed door-to-ECG times to improve compliance at our institution. We developed a pre-post interventional study where we compared the time to obtain an ECG before and after our modifications. Data were collected for several months before and after these adjustments.
Results
Pre-Intervention percentage of patients with an arrival to initial 12-lead ECG interpretation by a provider (physician or APP) within 10 minutes for ED walk-in patients was 13% and improved to 38% with highest compliance at 67%. The median time ranged from 28 minutes to a low of 9 minutes for arrival to initial EKG interpretation by a provider
Conclusion
Upon implementing clinical, operational, and administrative interventions, this quality improvement initiative successfully increased the percentage of patients receiving ECGs within 10 minutes of presentation to the ED. Further research should focus on how meeting this door-to-ECG standard impacts clinical outcomes in this patient population.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 146
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| Parker, Hannah |
Armstrong, Bridget |
THE IMPACT OF STRUCTURE ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN
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Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: Higher levels of physical activity (PA), are associated with positive health outcomes among children. Structured environments, such as daycare/preschool, may be a potential mechanism for promoting healthy behaviors and limiting discretionary time when children may engage in unhealthy behaviors; however, the literature examining the relationship between daycare/preschool and children engaging in PA has been mixed and limited in examination at the day-level. Understanding the potential role structure may have as a mechanism to improve movement behaviors of preschool-aged children may guide the development of effective intervention strategies. The current study used intensive longitudinal data to examine the within- and between-person effects of hours spent in daycare/preschool (i.e., structure) on children’s physical activity.
METHODS: Children (N=67, 4.5±0.8 yrs, 49.3% female, 65.7% White) wore an Axivity AX3 accelerometer on their wrist 24 hours/day for 14 days. Data were processed with GGIR (v2.6-4) with the Roscoe et al. (2017) intensity thresholds for preschoolers. Caregivers reported the number of hours their child attended daycare/preschool each day. We ran linear mixed-effects models predicting day-level moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and light physical activity (LPA) from hours spent in daycare. We included child age, sex, income and non-wear-time as covariates. Weekends were excluded from analysis.
RESULTS: Children wore accelerometers for an average of 9.3±1.2 (range = 1-11) days and 59 children attended daycare/preschool on at least one day. Children spent an average of 3.7±2.2 hrs/day in daycare/preschool and had an average of 116.5±22.2 min of MVPA/day and an average of 115.4±26.1 min of LPA/day. Mixed models indicated that for every 1-hour extra children spent in daycare/preschool above their own average daycare/preschool time, children had 1.1 min (95%CI = 0.2, 1.9) more MVPA/day and 1.4 min (95%CI = 0.6, 2.1) more LPA/day.
CONCLUSION: On days when children attend more hours of daycare/preschool, beyond their typical daycare/preschool time, they have more minutes of MVPA and LPA. Daycare/preschool, as a source of structure, may be a day-level contextual factor to help improve movement behaviors in children. Future studies should examine the impact of structure from daycare/preschool on other movement behaviors such as sleep and sedentary behavior.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 93
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| Sizemore, Baileigh |
Plotner, Anthony |
Disability Education and Specialized Recruitment Training for University Ambassadors
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Abstract Text
Research was conducted to combine two areas that I am passionate about to develop a research thesis that focused on educating University Ambassadors about how to recruit students with diverse needs and appropriately advertise what programs we have available for students on our campus. Properly educating our students that are selling the university on the importance of having accessible tour routes, being educated on resources available, and appropriate language that needs to be used will allow our recruitment efforts to reach a marginalized population and make them feel included and accepted on our campus. Research has shown that the number of students with diverse learning needs that are pursuing secondary education is continuing to rise and our recruitment efforts should mirror this trend. This project-based research project aimed at gathering qualitative data from current Ambassadors, Visitor Center Staff from various universities in the state of South Carolina, Staff from Disability Service Offices, as well as representatives from IPSE (Inclusive Post-Secondary Education) programs. This qualitative data and personal anecdote have been combined to create an educational paper and presentation that will be presented to the Ambassador organization. The reflections and findings will share the reason why this research was started and the results that were gathered from students and staff on our campus.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 277
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Austin, Megan
Budiongan, Julia
Sun, Yanwen
Dunbar, Tremaine
Sheppard, Terrence |
Blake, Christine |
A Qualitative Study of Young Men’s Perceptions of Alcohol-Related Interpersonal Violence at the University of South Carolina
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Abstract Text
BACKGROUND: Interpersonal violence (IPV) is the intentional use of force in a physical, sexual, or psychological domain, which is often associated with alcohol use, particularly with female victims. Limited research, however, has been conducted on men, alcohol, and IPV. Because young adulthood is a time of peak alcohol consumption, future studies should examine alcohol consumption and perceptions of IPV in college aged men. This study aimed to understand males’ perceptions of alcohol related IPV to aid in revising current university resources and modules.
METHODS: This is a phenomenological study with male students at the University of South Carolina over the age of 21 who drink alcohol. Data was collected from 10 students via semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify emergent themes related the study aim using NVivo 12 software.
RESULTS: Results provide insight into USC male student IPV definitions, experiences of IPV, perceptions of IPV at USC, response to vignettes, and knowledge of IPV resources. IPV definitions included “comprehensive definition” versus “limited definition.” All participants had either “experienced IPV” or “witnessed IPV.” Participant perceptions of IPV causes included “role of alcohol” and “victim characteristics.” Participants had differing perceptions of alcohol’s impact on IPV, but all thought it played a negative role. Vignettes responses included critique of "active response” and “passive response.” Several participants noted they would actively involve themselves versus doing nothing. Participants’ knowledge of IPV resources demonstrated problems with awareness of and ability to recall information from the university’s modules in IPV.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study have the potential to inform improvements to university communications, education modules, and support resources. Future research should use a more diverse sample to assess differences in IPV prevalence and should focus on the implementation and evaluation of IPV prevention and support materials for males. This research could increase harm reduction and, thus, improve health outcomes for undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 28
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| Budiongan, MPH, Julia |
Fillo, Jennifer |
MOTIVES FOR SOCIAL CONTROL OF DRINKING AMONG ROMANTIC PARTNERS
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Abstract Text
PURPOSE:
Robust evidence demonstrates that romantic partners play key roles in supporting drinking reduction/abstinence. Deliberate efforts to influence another’s health-related behavior—including drinking—is called “social control” (SC). While extant SC literature predominantly focuses on which specific strategies people use, motives for engaging in SC may also impact efficacy. The present research examined alcohol-related SC motives among romantic partners.
METHODS:
Alcohol-related SC was examined through semi-structured qualitative interviews with adults in committed romantic relationships with partners who drink (N=32). Eligible participants (“providers”) reported previous SC attempts and desire for partner (“targets”) drinking reduction. Transcripts were analyzed using emergent thematic coding, which was refined iteratively through consensus meetings.
RESULTS:
Analyses revealed providers’ SC motives varied along two dimensions: referent and theme. “Referent” is the person/entity whose outcome is affected by the target’s drinking: participants, partners, their relationship, children, others. “Themes” further categorized specific outcome types, applying across referents: health/stress, avoiding consequences, family history, goal interference, personality change, embarrassment, money. Provides’ desire to alter said outcomes motivates their SC attempts.
DISCUSSION:
Results shed light on a novel SC-related construct—provider motives—revealing common referents/themes and between-person variability. Findings lay the foundation for future quantitative work on drinking-related SC motives (e.g., measure development, effects on efficacy). Further research on SC motives has potential to clarify the mixed literature on SC efficacy and inform interventions leveraging the power of close-other influence on drinking.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 22
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| McPherson, Craig |
Pena, Marjorette |
The Effects of Attenuating sST2 Levels on the Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer with CT26-FL3 Cells
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Abstract Text
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a very common yet very treatable form of cancer, with a 5 year survival rate of 91% due to effective screening methods that allow many cases to be detected early. However, that 5 year survival rate plummets to just 15% once the cancer has metastasized. Research has shown that CRC primarily metastasizes to the liver, as Bone Marrow Derived Cells are recruited to the liver where a Pre-metastatic Niche (PMN) is created. The PMN creates a site for the secondary tumor to form, thus progressing CRC to a more malignant stage. The CT26-FL3 cell line has been developed in order to better study and understand these mechanisms. This cell line was created by taking CT26 cells (a CRC cell line) and injecting them into the mouse. Therefore these mice have CRC from the CT26 cells. The cancer was then allowed to metastasize to the liver, where the CT26 cells found within the secondary tumor were extracted and again injected into a mouse. This cycle was completed 3 times to create the CT26-FL3 cells. Research shows that CT26-FL3 cells are 10 times more metastatic than CT26 cells, with a total liver metastasis rate of 90%. Further, secondary tumor formation of CT26-FL3 cells is aided by IL-33, which binds and signals through the ST2 receptor. Membrane bound ST2 receptors bind IL-33 which initiates a signal cascade, ultimately promoting CRC metastasis to the liver. However, there also exists a soluble ST2 receptor (sST2) which functions to downregulate IL-33. sST2 binds IL-33 and prevents it from binding to membrane bound ST2 receptors, preventing metastasis. It is hypothesized that increasing the amount of sST2 in vivo will decrease the rate of CRC liver metastasis in the CT26-FL3 cell line. Beginning with the CT26-FL3 metastatic rate of 90%, any decrease from that amount is likely due to the increase in sST2 receptor. This project and findings have great potential to provide further insight into the signaling pathways and mechanisms of CRC. Hopefully this project can serve as a basis for future questions that seek to further limit the rate of CRC metastasis.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 31
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| Dobleske, Dane |
Matthews, Sarah |
Internationalizing My Degree: Full Cultural Immersion in Seville, Spain.
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Abstract Text
I have had several experiences while at the University of South Carolina that have shaped my journey and shown me several key insights that I can reflect on in later stages of life. The experience that impacted my education the most, however, was “off-campus”. I always knew that I wanted to study abroad during college and it is partially the reason that I chose to enroll at USC. When it came time to plan my study abroad experience, I told my advisor that I wanted full cultural immersion. Therefore, I decided to go without any of my USC friends to a small city in Spain and live full-time with a host family. During the Spring of 2022, I studied at Universidad de Pablo Olavide in Seville, Spain. Here, I learned so much about the Spanish culture and lifestyle. I challenged myself with international finance and advanced Spanish courses because I wanted to enhance and internationalize my college education. I found myself quickly making friends from all over the globe and loving Spain more every day. I was able to travel to 8 additional countries, further enhancing my understanding of unique cultures different than my own. Reflecting on this experience, I understand the significance of it all. I now know what it is like to be far outside of my comfort zone. I know what it feels like to be in the minority and not understand what people are saying and doing around me. It has made me a much more sympathetic and well-rounded person and I am grateful to have had this opportunity to travel and learn more about the world. I hope to share my journey with others to encourage them to travel abroad as well.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 271
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| Osei, George |
Turell, David |
Measuring Asthma Patient Outcomes after the 2020 NIH Asthma Guidelines Update
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Abstract Text
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, reversible airflow limitation, and respiratory symptoms. An estimated 25 million people in the United States suffer from symptoms of asthma that may limit their ability to participate in daily activities. Symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, wheezing, breathlessness, and recurrent episodes of coughing.
Regardless of the staging of asthma, there are several factors that have been identified as probable causes of the increased morbidity and mortality of asthma, including poor patient understanding of asthma, non-adherence with prescribed medical regimens, lack of allergen mitigation, and inappropriate use of medications.
One strong recommendation that came from the 2020 NIH asthma guideline update was the use of single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) in adolescents and adults with moderate to severe persistent asthma as the preferred therapy for steps 3 and 4 of the asthma management guidelines.
The primary objective of this retrospective observational study is to assess whether following the 2020 NIH asthma guidelines reduced the rates of asthma exacerbations for patients seen at Tandem Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center with offices in Sumter, South Carolina and Pinewood, South Carolina.
Specifically, this project examined the primary outcomes of systemic (oral and parenteral) corticosteroid prescriptions, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation. These primary outcomes are consistent with the core outcome measures for exacerbations in the 2020 NIH asthma guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: persons who at the start of the study period, 2017, were 12 years of age or older, had been seen at Tandem Health at least once during the period 2017 to the present, and for whom a prescription for asthma medications was written by a Tandem Health provider.
Generally, asthmatic patients requiring an emergency department visit or hospitalization are at significantly increased risk of future exacerbations independent of demographic and clinical factors, asthma severity, and asthma control.
In conclusion, this study is intended to highlight how the recent update in outpatient asthma management can reduce patient exposure to systemic corticosteroids as well as morbidity and mortality from this chronic disease.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 175
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| Tavakol, Sophia |
Hung, Peiyin |
The Intersectionality of Race and Rurality in Polysubstance Use during Pregnancy in the United States: A Study of National Survey on Drug Use and Health
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Abstract Text
Importance: Though detrimental consequences, many pregnant individuals are still binging alcohol, smoking, and/or using illicit drug. Yet, little is known regarding variations in such behaviors across pregnant people in the United States.
Objective: To examine alcohol, tobacco, and drug use during pregnancy in 2015-2020 and assess their racial, ethnic, and rural disparities.
Design: This cross-sectional descriptive study derived maternal characteristics and self-reported prenatal substance use data from 2015-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, considering the complex sampling weight per participant per year produced by NSDUH.
Setting: United States.
Participants: A scientific random sample of non-institutionalized residents who reported pregnancy at the time of survey in 2015 (n=421)-2020 (n=790).
Primary outcomes: Polysubstance use during pregnancy defined as reporting any alcohol, tobacco, and/or illicit drug use within the past 30 days among pregnant participants.
Results: Of the study pregnant participants (accounted for ~2.27 million US pregnant population annually), polysubstance use during pregnancy decreased from 5.82% in 2015 to 4.51% in 2020, with substantial variations across residential rurality and race. Urban Hispanic showed the highest increase in polysubstance use from 3.2% to 7.8%, yielding a 143.6% increase, whereas rural Hispanic reported the highest decrease (7.2% to <0.1%), yielding a 100% decrease. As in 2020, Black individuals in both rural and urban had higher polysubstance use rates during pregnancy (12.0% and 12.9% respectively) than their White (6.6% and 2.9%) and Hispanic counterparts (<0.1 and 7.8%). Of three substances examined, in 2020, alcohol was the most commonly used substance during pregnancy, followed by tobacco and illicit drug use (overall: 9.0% vs. 8.9% and 8.2%). Urban Black individuals displayed the highest tobacco and illicit drug use rates (21.8% and 24.7%), while rural Hispanic showed the highest for alcohol use (15.0% vs. overall: 9.0%).
Conclusion: Urban and racial disparities in prenatal substance use highlight the importance of developing tailored interventions to address prenatal substance use in these communities. Self-reported NSDUH data might hinder our abilities to estimate the accurate prevalence of substance use during pregnancy, especially among rural pregnant participants who face higher stigma associated with prenatal substance use.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 139
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| Bartholomew, Elijah |
Wu, Yanwen |
Refining the Process of Mechanical Exfoliation of 2D Materials
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Abstract Text
2D materials are a special type of crystal in which a single atomic layer of the crystal can be isolated. These single layer planes have a wide variety of interesting properties that vary between different materials. Some behave as semiconductors, topological insulators, superconductors, other novel properties. 2D materials are also unique as if layered on top of one another, their properties can be altered or combined. Transistors can be built by layering two semiconducting crystal monolayers, a topological insulator can be combined with a semiconductor to potentially hold a quantum bit, and some structures exhibit superconducting properties. Currently there is no efficient method of generating large, high-quality flakes, and this has impeded progress in the field. The two common methods are chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and mechanical exfoliation. Using CVD, large areas of monolayers are produced by heating the individual elements of the desired monolayer and collecting them onto a silicon chip. CVD can produce large thin areas, but they are often uneven and have defects on the surface. For mechanical exfoliation, flakes are produced by stripping layers from a bulk crystal using adhesive tape. The tape can be stuck together multiple times in order to further thin the flakes on its surface and will subsequently be applied to a silicon chip, and when the tape is peeled off, thin flakes are deposited on the chip. Mechanical exfoliation is fast and produces the highest quality flakes, however, the process is highly variable and unreliable. Changes in pressure applied to the flake, peeling methods and number of repeated exfoliations can drastically change the number and quality of the flake produced. Mechanical exfoliation is fast and produces the highest quality flakes, however, the process is highly variable and unreliable. This study seeks to investigate different methods of mechanical exfoliation, and how parameters like exfoliation pressure, and peeling angle can affect the size and quality of the flakes produced. By systematically investigating these variables a method can be developed to maximize the efficiency of mechanical exfoliation, which is the next step in larger scale production and automation of 2D materials.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 102
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| Lennox, McKenna |
Pou, Jay |
Leading a Greek Organization During COVID: My POV as DRE
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Abstract Text
Going into my junior year of college here at USC, fresh out of prime COVID times, I knew I wanted to do something different. Something that would keep me on my toes. I was already involved heavily in my sorority Pi Beta Phi: attending all the meetings, and I went to the all the functions. However, I felt like I wanted to do more. So, I interviewed for and then became the Director of Recruitment Events in 2021. The two other members of the recruitment team and I were tasked to create and manage Panhellenic events before and after the formal recruitment process as well as the formal process. We had to abide by COVID regulations and guidelines, while still maintaining a personable and interactive experience for the Potential New Members (PNMs). There was expected to be thorough communication with the Panhellenic board, our alumni advisors, the president within our sorority, and most importantly all the members of Pi Beta Phi. As a member of the recruitment team, our job was to meet quota for our chapter by developing graphics and videos with the VP of Communications, creating a fashion board and an outfit check list for the girls during the formal process, decorating the entire Pi Beta Phi house, and figuring out the logistics for everything to run smoothly. I have worked with many teams in my life before, but not one of this scale: leading 250+ girl. There were challenges we faced especially regarding COVID. There were a lot of sleepless nights, but I learned how to effectively progress as a member of a team and someone people look up to as a role model. My presentation will portray and discuss some of the insights I learned from being in a leadership role during COVID and how it will shaped my future professional experiences.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 278
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| Tully, Lance |
Barbeau Jr., David L. |
From the mountains to the sea: Advancing our knowledge of source-to-sink sediment dynamics through detrital zircon geochronology in the Santee River watershed, South Carolina
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Abstract Text
With implications to sediment budgets, nutrient and contaminant transport, and climate change, a vitally important problem in the Earth sciences is understanding how materials transfer from geologic ‘sources’ to ‘sinks’. Advances in technology (e.g., laser-ablation plasma mass spectrometry) provide powerful sediment provenance tools for understanding source-to-sink sediment dynamics through detrital-zircon geochronology. Despite the tremendous insight into geological problems such advances have enabled, assumptions commonly made during sediment provenance studies could lead to misinterpretations of data. For example, these studies generally assume that sediments are transported geologically instantaneously with little to no fractionation, and therefore, that sedimentary deposits (i.e., sinks) are representative of the source geology from which they were derived. Relatively few studies have sought to challenge and better understand the mechanisms behind these assumptions.
Preliminary results presented herein reveal discrepancies in the observed detrital-zircon age populations in continental shelf samples off-shore of the Santee River delta in South Carolina from what would be expected based on bedrock age characterizations of their up-dip source geologic units. In specific, we have observed a deficiency (approximately 5x less than anticipated) of Neoproterozoic ‘Pan-African’ zircons in the Santee shelf deposits. This is surprising given that much of the Santee River watershed consists of the ‘Pan-African’ Carolina Zone, the geologic units of which contain zircons of predominately Neoproterozoic ages. Leading potential hypotheses to explain this discrepancy include: (1) the recycling of ‘Pan-African’ poor sediments from pre-existing coastal plain deposits; (2) variability related to source rock zircon fertility; and/or (3) “missing” zircons due to sediment fractionation along the transport pathway.
This project sets the stage to test these hypotheses in the next phases of my research. Future work includes detrital-zircon analysis of sediment samples of Cretaceous and younger-aged coastal plain sediments and modern fluvial samples collected from strategic locations from a variety of geological terranes within the Santee River Watershed. Results from this work should yield greater insight into the source-to-sink mechanisms at play within the watershed, broadly applicable to numerous fluvial/coastal systems, and improve the growing detrital-zircon research community’s ability to address important geological questions with greater certainty.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 15
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| Shea, Madeline |
Deweil, David |
Field Data Collection and Environmental Remediation Internship Experience
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Abstract Text
Over the summer, I got hired by an engineering firm to do a variety of hands-on field testing and monitoring to collect data for various civil engineering projects. I traveled throughout the state of Connecticut and used well-monitoring equipment to collect water samples from multiple monitoring wells, I visited different construction sites and acted as a construction manager for environmental engineering procedures, and even walked miles around landfills testing the methane levels of the layers underneath. All of the data I collected went into decision-making about what sites needed to be remediated by the firm, meaning the damage had to be reversed. I even got to sit on meetings about how to reverse environmental damage using engineering practices I had only studied in school. While this job was not something I envisioned doing, it taught me a lot about how engineering connects to the everyday world around me by exposing me to many environmental problems. Experiencing them in person and seeing the physical impacts of polluted groundwater, soil ruined by leaking oil, and overproduction of methane was more impactful than any college course could teach me. Even if I end up in another field of civil engineering, I came away understanding why it is so important to consider the environmental impacts of any project that I'm working on, and that if not, someone else will inevitably be fixing the problems I caused.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 243
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| McInnis, Madeline |
Dawson, Robin |
Self-Management of Asthma in the Pediatric Patient: A Study of Artificially Intelligent Chatbots
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Abstract Text
Background:
Appropriate asthma-management (e.g., trigger avoidance, medication adherence) improves asthma symptoms and reduces illness-related anxiety, medical expenses, and hospital stays [1]. Asthma-management mobile applications (apps) are used to support these behaviors. Specific app features (e.g., patient-provider communication) associated with improved asthma control are labor-intensive [2]. Computer programs capable of simulating human conversations (chatbots) can be utilized within apps, allowing access to healthcare advice anywhere, at any-time [1]. However, availability and quality information for asthma-focused chatbots is limited.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess asthma-management apps with a chatbot feature downloadable from the Apple App and Google Play Stores.
Methods:
Keywords “Asthma”, “Asthma Manager”, “Asthma Management”, “Asthma Self-Management”, “Asthma Chatbot”, and “Asthma Chat” were searched in the Apple App and Google Play Stores. Apps were included for evaluation if they were for (1) asthma-management; and (2) contained a chatbot. Chatbots were evaluated for (1) literacy and usability (heuristic review) [3]; and (2) content, including asthma information (e.g., following current National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI] guidelines) and inclusion of behavior change techniques (BCT) [4].
Results:
The initial search yielded 386 apps. After removing duplicates (n=164), those not asthma-related (n=44), weather and allergen focused (n=32), or targeted to healthcare providers (n=5), 82 asthma-management apps remained for evaluation. Only 3 had a chatbot (Juli Asthma Tracker, Breath for Asthma and COPD, Vik Asthma). Heuristic review revealed positive tone (e.g., Vik Asthma showed emoticons) and easy navigation (all chatbots). Asthma content replicated Asthma Control Test questions [9], following current NHLBI guidelines. BCTs included instruction, self-monitoring, and feedback. Negative app aspects included limitations on daily chatbot usage and lack of acute asthma exacerbation management information.
Conclusions:
While the 3 chatbot applications displayed some positive aspects, negative aspects identified have the potential to affect app engagement and uptake of asthma management information and skills. Heuristic models [2] should be used when developing and evaluating app usability; development and evaluation of app content should be informed by current clinical guidelines and inclusion of appropriate BCTs.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 140
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| Lyons, Camille |
Deweil, David |
Two Parts Make a
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Abstract Text
During spring break of my junior year, March 2022, I was able to travel to Guatemala with a group of students at USC through an organization called Global Community Health Volunteers, striving to bring medical care to underserved, rural areas. Our team consisting of five students, one physician, and three translators was able to set up a free medical clinic for five days where members of the community could bring their families, be examined, and learn more about their health. I chose to volunteer over my break from classes because I knew this trip would expose me to a new culture and language, as well as provide immeasurable hands-on medical experience outside of the constraints of American medicine. After the week spent pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I left with more knowledge of medicine as a science, but also as an art. I learned how healthcare can serve as an avenue to learn from others’ experiences while also leaving an impact on their lives in the unique leadership role that being a physician requires. This experience reinforced my passion for medicine and encouraged my pursuit of medical school because it will give me the opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level while continuing to learn about a field that is ever intriguing.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 326
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| Sims, Valerie |
Sasanakul, Inthuorn |
Maximum and Minimum Density of Rounded and Angular Soil Comparison
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Abstract Text
Particle shape of different soil compositions can influence the mechanical behavior of soil due to particle-to-particle contact. One aspect of this mechanical behavior is the relative density of soil, defined as the degree of compactness in reference to its loosest and densest state. This research studies the influence of particle shape on relative density by examining the maximum and minimum density of angular and rounded soil. A series of maximum and minimum dry density tests were performed on both angular and rounded gravel-sand mixtures with no fine particles. Tests were performed on five different ratios of strictly sand-gravel compositions (20% sand - 80% gravel, 35% sand - 65% gravel, 50% sand - 50% gravel, and the inverse of these ratios). A maximum and minimum dry density for both angular and rounded soil was dependent on the ratio of gravel to sand with the peak value of both the maximum and minimum density at a 50%-50% mixture. Comparing the maximum dry density of angular soil to rounded soil, the results show a higher maximum dry density for angular soil. This shows that particle shape has a direct effect on the maximum and minimum density of soil. The importance of understanding the densest and loosest state of different particle shapes can be used to improve soil mechanics in geotechnical engineering.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 109
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| Chen, Kexun |
Wang, Hui |
Adsorbate-Nanoparticle Interactions Modulate Catalytic Reaction Pathway Selection: Insights Gained from Plasmon-Enhanced Spectroscopic Studies
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Abstract Text
As shown by ample examples in the literature, a catalytic reaction may occur over metallic nanocatalysts through multiple mechanistically distinct pathways. The chemical nature of the catalyst-adsorbate interactions has been identified as a crucial factor that dictates the selection of molecule-transforming pathways. Here we show that the chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of nitrophenyl isocyanide catalyzed by noble metal nanoparticles may proceed selectively through either a unimolecular or a bimolecular pathway, depending on how the nitrophenyl isocyanide adsorbates interact with the metal nanoparticle surfaces. We employ plasmon-enhanced Raman scattering as an in situ fingerprinting spectroscopic tool to precisely resolve the detailed kinetic features of the interfacial reactions and to unambiguously identify the key intermediates along different reaction pathways. Density functional theory calculations enable us not only to theoretically interpret the origin of our experimental observations, but also to gain detailed insights into the underlying relationships between catalyst- molecule interactions and reaction pathway selection.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 76
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| Sims, Lydia |
Bulusu, Subrahmanyam
Trott, Corinne |
Surface and Subsurface Properties of Anticyclonic Eddy and Marine Heatwave Interactions in the Northwest Atlantic
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Abstract Text
The Northwest Atlantic (36-46°N, 60-80°W) is heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream (GS) and the Anticyclonic Eddies (AEs) that it sheds. These AEs advect warm salty water onto the Atlantic shelf region. The Northwest Atlantic is also known for its extreme ocean temperature events known as Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) which can be forced by both atmospheric and ocean advection processes. MHWs have devastating effects on ecosystems, causing major fish kills and coral bleaching.
In the Northwest Atlantic, there are two important subregions on the Atlantic shelf: the Gulf of Maine (GOM, 42-46°N, 66-70°W) and the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB, 36-40°N, 73-76°W) that experience major ecological effects from MHW events. In the past decade, there have been four MHW active years, with prolonged events, in 2012, 2016, 2017, and 2020. Of these years, 2016 and 2017 are eddy-driven MHW active years. AEs are often present in these regions and force or intensify MHWs by increasing their duration, temperature intensity, salinity intensity, and maximum depth affected by extreme temperatures. These subsurface properties and intensification of MHWs are not well studied, as events are detected by Sea Surface Temperature anomalies (SSTA) and occasionally monitored through Sea Surface Salinity anomalies (SSSA). This study focuses on the interactions between MHWs and how AEs affect the surface and subsurface properties of these events.
Eddy tracking algorithms identified AEs using CMEMS altimetric Sea Surface Height (SSH). Depth analysis and composites of subsurface temperature and salinity in MHW and eddy interactions during MHW active years provide a better understanding of their event intensification. Analysis of SSTA, SSSA, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and GS velocity and the response of MHWs and AEs provide an understanding of the larger processes forcing these events.
Understanding both surface and subsurface properties of MHWs is vital to the creation of accurate warning and monitoring measures to prevent heavy ecological impacts.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 58
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Wojcik, Alex
Stuedli, Alexandra
Oruganti, Sai Durga Rithvik
Oruganti, Venkata Naga Anirudh
Pumphrey, Rori |
Raghu, Sowmya |
Optimization of 3D printing parameters for lithophanes
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Abstract Text
Lithophanes are delicate, three-dimensional images created by controlling the thickness of a material, such as plastic, glass or rock. By varying the thickness, light passing through the material creates variations in shadows and depth, resulting in a visually stunning image. However, traditional methods of creating lithophanes are time-consuming and can result in inconsistencies and inaccuracies. This project aims to solve these problems by using the flow rate of a 3D printer to create improved lithophanes. The flow rate of a 3D printer refers to the speed at which material is extruded from the nozzle. By controlling the flow rate, this project can achieve a high level of precision and accuracy in the creation of lithophane images. The project also incorporates machine learning algorithms based on imaging each layer to optimize the creation of the lithophanes by considering the properties of the material being used, such as PLA, PETG or ABS, and the desired level of detail using different layer heights. This results in a highly optimized and automated process that produces high-quality lithophanes with minimal human intervention. The improved lithophanes produced by this project have numerous applications, including in art, decoration, and even technical uses, such as in lighting fixtures. The combination of precision control and automated optimization results in improved image quality, increased detail, and greater consistency in the final product, thereby revolutionizing the way these intricate images are created. This project enables the development of an advanced 3D printing workshop catered towards the engineering students.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 95
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Pumphrey, Rori
Stuedli, Alexandra
VanWyk, Ryan
Ouganti, Venkata Naga Anirudh
Wojcik, Alex
Oruganti, Sai Durga Rithvik |
Raghu, Sowmya |
Futuristic Fashion: An Amalgamation of 3D Printing, Robotics and Attire Design
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Abstract Text
The past century has witnessed a steady maturation of robotics enabling modern systems to limit dependence on their designers, accelerated by the advent of artificially augmented processors broadening their computational flexibility. This study seeks to extend this pliability their physical structures with a bendable 3D-printed “fabric” that expands and contracts in response to heat stimulus. The fabric features a network of hexagonal geometry creating a woven structure analogous to standard knitted cloth. The material will be printed with a highly elastic filament known as TPU to prolong its durability to repeated strain and electrically conductive filament to carry the signal to dilate throughout the structure. To respond to the temperature of its surroundings, a temperature sensor will be wired to an Arduino microcontroller which will send a signal to the fabric to expand upon reaching a specific ambient threshold. Heat waves are known as the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States. With global warming increasing prevalence of such climate events, adaptive fabrics such as proposed in this study may have applications in prevention of heat illness such as exhaustion and stroke. Additionally, both filaments implemented in this design are biodegradable and recyclable, potentially enhancing sustainability within the fashion industry. This project was conceived and will be constructed entirely within the USC Makerspace via the materials available to all students within the College of Engineering and Computing and serves as testimony to what a remarkable resource it is to the student body.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: Display Table 2
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Oruganti, Sai Durga Rithvik
Oruganti, Venkata Naga Anirudh
Stuedli, Alexandra
VanWyk, Ryan
Pumphrey, Rori
Wojcik, Alex |
Raghu, Sowmya |
Self-Balancing Robot
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Abstract Text
The self-balancing robot serves as a valuable tool for exploring the principles of stability control and balancing in real-world applications, such as autonomous vehicles and service robots, where maintaining balance is critical for their functionality and safety. This poster focuses on the design and implementation of a self-balancing robot using various sensors, motors, and control algorithms. The robot uses an MPU6050 inertial measurement unit (IMU) to measure the tilt angle and a Kalman filter to eliminate noise from the IMU readings. The tilt angle is used as input to a PID controller, which generates control signals for two stepper motors that act as actuators to balance the robot. The entire system is implemented using a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller. Parts of the robot are designed using AutoDesk Inventor and 3D printed at the makerspace. The project provides an opportunity for makers to learn about designing, 3D printing, IMUs, Kalman filters, PID controllers, and their applications in robotics. The self-balancing robot can demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme and provides insight into self-balancing robots.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: Display Table 2
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Oruganti, Venkata Naga Anirudh
Pumphrey, Rori
VanWyk, Ryan
Wojcik, Alex
Oruganti, Sai Durga Rithvik
Stuedli, Alexandra |
Raghu, Sowmya |
Voice-Activated Home Automation using Microcontroller
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Abstract Text
With ChatGPT, Wita and Optimus in the forefront of development in Natural Language Processing (NLP), this project is a pioneering effort to bring the convenience in hands-free operation of modern-day technology such as wireless lights, through voice recognition and control. The central component of this project is a low computing device microcontroller (Raspberry Pi) that provides the necessary power to run the deep learning NLP model(s). The project utilizes a speaker and microphone to receive and respond to user voice commands, offering unique low-cost tech perspectives. The project utilizes open-source frameworks and tools, such as TensorFlow and Python, to train the deep learning models and recognize and respond to simple commands like "turn on the lights" or "set a reminder for tomorrow at 10 a.m" like Amazon Alexa. The NLP model which is featured in this project is inspired from many of the classical types such as CNN and RNN. Due to the high flexibility of these models, users will be able to control this devices at their convenience and liking; they will be able to customize the assistant to recognize different commands and perform different actions, to create highly personalized experience. The open-source nature of the project can be modified and improved by anyone with the necessary technical knowledge, making it a valuable contribution to the USC CEC-Makerspace. This project will translate to a peer taught workshop in the makerspace by providing a unique and innovative experiential learning opportunity for students to explore NLP.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: Display Table 4
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VanWyk, Ryan
Stuedli, Alexandra
Pumphrey, Rori
Oruganti, Sai Durga Rithvik
Oruganti, Venkata Naga Anirudh
Wojcik, Alex |
Raghu, Sowmya |
Automated Coffee Machine
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Abstract Text
The Automated Coffee Machine is a project that utilizes the capabilities of a Raspberry Pi, an RFID reader, and peristaltic pumps to create a device that can automate the process of making coffee. This project has practical applications in many aspects of daily life and also provides a project-based educational experience. The use of a Raspberry Pi t allows for the integration of multiple functions into a single device such as the control of the peristaltic pumps, the reading of RFID tags, and the ability to display messages or prompts on a screen. The integration of an RFID reader allows for a simple, user-friendly and interactive interface. The user can associate their preferred coffee recipe with an RFID tag, and by simply tapping it on the reader, the machine will dispense the necessary ingredients in the correct proportions. Peristaltic pumps are used to dispense liquids with high accuracy, making them ideal for use in the coffee machine. They are also easy to clean and maintain, which is vital in a food-based project. The data such as amount of coffee dispensed, peak hours etc., obtained from the dispenser will be used to create a minimal wastage system on a cloud platform that utilizes machine learning. This project provides an opportunity to work on a real-world scenarios’ application of knowledge on programming, electronics, and mechanics. By working on this project in the USC Makerspace, students gain hands-on experience in the design and implementation of automated systems.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: Display Table 1
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| Farmer, Christina |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Stepping In; Stepping Up
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Abstract Text
The Carolina Navigators served as a core experience that shaped my time in college. My involvement with the Carolina Navigators from my first year to my last personally brought belonging, purpose, and development to my life. As a member of the organization, I found community and built friendships to last a lifetime. This community was purposeful in following a mission and a vision in what they do and I wanted to be apart of that mission. My involvement encouraged me to serve and motivated me to become the student organization president. Serving as the student president developed me as leader and taught me skills to carry on in my future. I found through having this bigger, more meaningful involvement positively supported my college experience. My involvement with the Carolina Navigators was something that changed my life and I believe other students should have the opportunity to experience that too. I would like others to be aware of who the Carolina Navigators are and what they did to positively influence my life and how my involvement brought about opportunities and once in a lifetime experiences.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 298
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| Madappan Chinnasami, Vigneswaran |
Lai, Wei-Kai |
Magic Square Type Sliding Game
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Abstract Text
A magic square is a square grid in which the numbers of each row, each column, and each of the two diagonals sum up to the same number. By subtracting 1 from each number and using the space of 0 to be an empty block, we then create a magic square type sliding game. The goal is to arrange all the numbers, by moving one number at a time, to a decreasing order form from left to right, and from top to bottom. Even though any reflection or rotation of a magic square is considered the same, each resulting sliding game after reflection or rotation is a new game. Since it is known that not all sliding games are solvable, in our project we analyze how the rotation and reflection affect the solvability of an existing magic square type sliding game.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 88
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| Hampton, Sabrina |
DeWeil, David |
The Daily Gamecock, Design, and Leadership
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Abstract Text
Throughout the majority of my time at the University of South Carolina, I’ve worked with The Daily Gamecock in various roles. The Daily Gamecock (TDG) is USC’s student-run and editorially independent newspaper. I joined the design section as a freshman, having no clue what I was doing or where I was going. I was a freshman visual communications student who knew she was interested in design but had no experience. I joined TDG as a way to get involved on campus and in the Columbia and USC community, as well as grow as a designer and, eventually, a leader. Over the past 3.5 years, I worked my up through the design section to Design Director, and then ultimately Creative Director. As the creative director, I was a part of The Daily Gamecock’s management team, which lead a staff of over 75 journalists and creatives. I directly oversaw and collaborated with the photo and design sections as we published visual content on a daily basis for a variety of content. Throughout my time on the paper and as creative director, I was able to culminate my variety of experiences and education from all my within- and beyond-the-classroom experiences at Carolina. I learned that visuals have power, values drive passion, and research roots design. Because of my experience at The Daily Gamecock, I am graduating as a strong designer and leader. I am looking to enter the advertising agency world as a graphic designer, and I’ve gained confidence in this being the field for me based on what TDG has taught me. My presentation will discuss the insights I gained about myself and my leadership through my education and experience at The Daily Gamecock.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 256
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| Deatherage, Ashlin |
Benicewicz, Brain |
Novel Lithium-based platform: Improving ionic conductivity through polymer nanocomposites
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Abstract Text
Novel Lithium-based platform: Improving ionic conductivity through polymer nanocomposites
Ashlin Deatherage1, Richard Ly1, Beatrice Bellini2, Brain Benicewicz1
1. University of South Carolina, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
2. Columbia University, Department of Chemical Engineering
Ion exchange membranes are used in nearly all modern technologies, from batteries to purification systems. Ionic conductivity and selective permeability play a vital role in the characteristics and applications of these membranes. An issue that arises is with increasing ion conductivity, the selective permeability decreases. Through the incorporation of nanoparticles, conductivity increases without sacrificing selectivity. Despite this observation, few examples in literature are found utilizing this method. This work will present a synthetic approach towards a novel partially sulfonated polystyrene-grafted nanocomposites for optimum lithium ion-selective conductivity. The physical properties can be adjusted by tuning the nanoparticle graft density, the chain length and the sulfonation degree of the copolymer. The synthetic strategy, characterization, and challenges will be discussed.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 103
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| Poag, Nancy |
Spence, Gina |
Journalism in a Modern World
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Abstract Text
As a student, I interned for Elevation Proving Grounds, The State Newspaper, The Daily Gamecock and operated social media platforms for departments and organizations on campus. These experiences, alongside my course material, have taught me the importance of truth in journalism. My articles about various issues at The University of South Carolina have brought impactful change with food accessibility, COVID-19 protection for students and justice for a student studying abroad. My journalism Capstone Experience also further proved how journalists impact communities as I watched my classmates and my work uncover underdogs’ stories. Covering the BLM movement and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 taught me hard lessons about the importance of mental and physical support for journalists. I experienced moderate burnout as a 20-year-old and knew newsroom work cultures needed to change. Finally, as a journalist in the 21st century, I learned to find the best ways to connect with every generation, all of which have vastly different needs. We play multiple roles - advertisers, psychologists, and analysts - to use the attention economy to our advantage. My presentation will dive deeper into these important insights while offering specific suggestions for improving the work culture in my field and advancing public trust in journalism. Journalism is our biggest tool against tyranny, and I want to step up to protect our democracy.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 299
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| Schaefer, Valerie |
DeWeil, David |
Insight Gained from Pediatric Physical Therapy Internship
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Abstract Text
This past fall, I had the opportunity to intern at The Therapy Place for 300 hours. The Therapy Place is a pediatric rehab therapy that specializes in developmental delays and disorders. Some of the common disorders I encountered included cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and autism. As an inspiring physical therapy, my internship allowed me to gain hands on experiences that taught me more about my future career field. This gave me insightful into common disorders and treatment that were prevalent within the field of developmental pediatrics. Thanks to The Therapy Place, I was able to make meaningful connections between information learned in class and real-life application. EXSC 303 taught me all about developmental milestones that the physical therapists used at the internship to test for delayed characteristics in children. EXSC 464 taught me about conditioning methods and basic workouts to target muscle groups in the body. The physical therapists adapted many of these same workouts to create treatment plans that met the child’s needs. I appreciated my time at The Therapy Place because it was an all-encompassing experience that showed me the importance of concept learned in class and how they related to the physical therapy field. The internship allowed me to look into the future and see future treatments plans I will one day be administering. I am excited to continue my journey in the physical therapy field! This coming August, I will beginning physical therapy school at The University of Texas Medical Branch. I look forward to applying the concepts learned at my internship to the therapy techniques I will learn in school!
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 329
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| Brendel, Cassidy |
Jenkins, Zach |
Analysis of University of South Carolina's MPH Experiential Education Programs
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Abstract Text
This project conducts an analysis of the University of South Carolina's MPH experiential learning programs by using descriptive statistics, coding, and running a SWOT analysis in the form of an evaluation report. This will help to inform the Arnold School of Public Health during their self-study when completing the D5 criteria for the accrediting body, the Council on Education and Public Health (CEPH).
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 150
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| Warner, Calvin |
Pou, Jay |
Where Healthcare is Failing Columbia: My Experience Volunteering at the Free Medical Clinic
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Abstract Text
Over the last couple years, I spent over 290 hours volunteering at the Free Medical Clinic of Columbia. I chose to volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic because it was a way to gain medical experience, while also interacting with the community and giving back. While volunteering I had the opportunity to wear multiple “hats” learning about the administrative side of healthcare in a secretary role in the front office and gaining experience as a Medical Assistant in the clinic. From my interactions with patients, I learned that there are many diverse people in Columbia in need of treatment they can’t afford. I met people facing the choice to live homeless or live without medication and people who never got the opportunity. I learned how even with financial assistance programs, transportation and identification can be barriers to medical care. Through community donations, a mostly volunteer staff, and bus coupons the Free Medical Clinic aims to fight some of these problems, however at the end of the day people in need of healthcare are unable to get it. If healthcare is a human right, we are failing to provide it. There needs to be a focus on providing quality accessible primary care for the uninsured and a focus on creating avenues for these people to see the specialists they need to and get the lifesaving medications they need.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 330
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| Hardin, Blakely |
Brown, Kara |
An Accountability Report Card for the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee: To What Extent Do They Execute Self-Set Goals?
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Abstract Text
South Carolina’s Education Oversight Committee (EOC) sets student-centered goals for itself, but is not responsible for interacting directly with students. Instead, the agency’s statutory requirements include supervising Education Improvement Act (EIA) and Education Accountability Act (EAA) implementation, recommending EIA and EAA program changes to the appropriate entity, and annually publishing the SC Report Cards on the state’s schools and districts. The Committee was tasked with developing the state’s accountability system (by 2017) and overseeing, or “checking,” the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and State Board of Education. Yet, goals focus on improvement of student performance in specific areas like reading or more broadly in college and career readiness or civic engagement. The EOC does not directly influence student performance and its goals could more closely relate to the statutory requirements of the EOC rather than student performance.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 9
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| Lewandowski, Keith |
Vitzilaios, Nikolaos |
Drone-based Tracking and Following of Railway Lines
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Abstract Text
This project consists of developing an algorithm that receives a video input collected from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, commonly known as drone) and identifies any railroad tracks within the video frames using machine learning and line detection techniques.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 116
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| Zhang, Tianyu |
Yuan, Lang |
The improvement of surface roughness on vertical surfaces for 316L stainless steel in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing
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Abstract Text
In the laser powder bed fusion process, the surface roughness plays an important role in the geometrical accuracy and mechanical properties. Understanding and improving the surface roughness is required to improve the quality of products. In the prior study, the roughness of vertical surfaces is dominated by the dross formation under high laser energy density conditions and by partially melted particle and melt pool tracks under low energy density conditions. In this study, Alternating contour parameters, implementing contour remelting, and utilizing pulsing laser are executed to improve the vertical surface roughness by eliminating factors listed above. The surface roughness is measured by Keyence optical microscopy and the melt pool morphology and microstructure are gathered from the cross-section view via SEM. The effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of the different methods are analyzed and discussed based on the experiment results. Better surface quality has been achieved under different energy density levels
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 21
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| Reasons, Riley |
Sarzynski, Mark |
Association between the HDL-sized and circulating plasma proteomes
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Abstract Text
Background. Mass spectrometry (MS) profiling has identified over 250 proteins associated with HDL that are thought to underlie the diverse atheroprotective properties of HDL particles and thus may be important biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Likewise, recent studies have identified circulating plasma proteins as biomarkers of CVD risk factors and health outcomes. However, few studies have compared the HDL proteome with the circulating plasma proteome.
Purpose. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the relationship between the abundance of individual proteins measured in whole plasma and the HDL-sized plasma fraction.
Methods. We examined the HDL-sized and circulating plasma proteomes in 156
Black (30%) and White men and women (61%) from the HERITAGE Family Study. HDL was isolated from plasma via gel filtration chromatography and untargeted MS analysis was performed via nano-HPLC-MS/MS. The whole plasma proteome was measured using a modified aptamer (SOMAscan) assay. The correlations between protein abundances in HDL and whole plasma were examined for 101 HDL-associated proteins present in at least 40% of the sample.
Results. The abundance of 56 proteins in HDL-sized and whole plasma were significantly (5% FDR) correlated, with the strongest correlation for Haptoglobin levels (r=0.83, p=1.1x10-40) (Table 1). The remaining significant correlations ranged from weak to moderate (r=0.18-0.64) and were found among a mix of frequently and occasionally observed HDL proteins.
Discussion. We found that protein abundance measured in HDL-sized and whole plasma were moderately to strongly correlated for several proteins, whereas 45% of protein levels showed no association between HDL-sized and whole plasma fractions. Given the inherit differences in measurement techniques and sources of proteins, it appears that the plasma HDL-sized proteome is mostly distinct from the circulating whole plasma proteome as measured by the SOMAscan assay.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 126
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| Brown, Jackson |
Li, Chen
Tong, Yan |
Studying Bubble Dynamics in Flow Boiling Using Machine Learning
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Abstract Text
Flow boiling in minichannels has shown promise in space applications such as cryogenic propellant storage and transfer, high-density power generation, and temperature and humidity control for long-term missions. However, the lack of predictive models for two-phase flow regimes hinders the complete understanding of the phenomenon. Creating a predictive physical model of bubble dynamics would enable the simulation and synthetic imaging of flow boiling at a wide range of working conditions. Machine learning techniques have, in recent years, become very successful in the analysis of complex phenomena such as two-phase flows.
The goal of this project is to utilize a machine learning model leveraging a computer vision technique, namely semantic segmentation, to distinguish the boundary of bubbles and to extract important bubble dynamics parameters that can be used to develop a physical model for two-phase flow regimes in flow boiling.
A large database of microgravity in International Space Station (ISS) and Earth gravity flow boiling visualization and heat transfer data was compiled through experimentation. A wide range of working conditions was tested to provide a full picture of flow boiling phenomena. Some images from the visualization study were preprocessed by manually distinguishing the liquid-vapor interface to assist in the training of the machine-learning model. Preprocessed images and the training dataset were utilized to train the machine learning model. Parameters that are used to characterize bubble dynamics are extracted automatically by the model. These parameters are then used to develop a physical model for flow boiling.
Initial segmentation results show success in distinguishing the bubble boundary in some less complex cases. Present and future work focuses on continuing the training and refinement of the machine learning model to distinguish the bubble boundary and extract global and local bubble parameters for the development of a bubble dynamics model.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 110
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| Teal, Sarah |
Epps, Lauren |
Invoking Change in Our Healthcare System
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Abstract Text
Rural areas all around the United States face the significant issue of a lack of medical professionals; therefore, a lack of access to healthcare preventative services, treatment, and health information. There is a significant need for more advocacy for these rural communities. There is a significant need for the spreading of more information regarding how these individuals can implement more healthy behaviors and lifestyles. My time as an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina has further enhanced my public health knowledge and ability to approach these daunting issues associated with the United States’ healthcare system. I aim to share my experiences where I have learned more about diverse communities, about healthcare difficulties those with varying backgrounds face, and about the specifics of our U.S. healthcare system versus the healthcare systems of other countries. To elaborate, I aim to share what I have learned throughout my experiences studying abroad in Costa Rica, to explore the Costa Rican healthcare system and through working as an Emergency Department Technician in Columbia, South Carolina. Through enlightening others with the knowledge and skills I have gained through these specific experiences, I hope to invoke change in our healthcare system as well as the negative attitudes targeted at prevalent health issues.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 251
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| Hughesq, Matthew |
Hu, Jianjun |
Out-of-Distribution Generalization for the Prediction of Lattice Thermal Conductivity
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Abstract Text
Many classical machine learning algorithms can struggle to handle distributional shifts between the training and test data. These struggles stem from the model’s inability to handle a distribution that it has not been trained on. Over the past few years, algorithms have been published to try and solve this Out-of-Distribution(OOD) problem. These algorithms have seen use in the fields of computer vision and language processing along with some use in the field of regression. However, one area that OOD algorithms have not been applied to is material science, and in particular for this paper, material property prediction. In this paper, an OOD algorithm known as Stable Adversarial Learning(SAL) is applied to a dataset used to predict lattice thermal conductivity(LTC). The experiments show that OOD algorithms – in this case SAL – can be used to predict out-of-distribution LTC values at a greater accuracy than conventional machine learning methods.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 117
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| Scott, Anthony |
Rhodes, Morgan |
Implementation and Analysis of Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) for Hypertension in a Family Medicine Residency Clinic
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Abstract Text
The purpose of this study was to implement remote patient monitoring (RPM) for ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring in a family medicine residency clinic. This study aimed to increase physician awareness of technology and improve adherence to current hypertension (HTN) guidelines, and to utilize this technology to better manage patient’s HTN. This is a prospective, single-site, observational study. There are two arms of this study: the patient component of implementation of RPM and collection of patient socioeconomic factors, and educational arm for residents and faculty of the FMC. For the implementation, patients who met inclusion criteria were educated on use of the ambulatory BP monitor and given further instructions on how BP readings will be relayed to their healthcare provider. Standard HTN care is provided otherwise. For the education, residents and faculty of the family medicine residency program had the opportunity to voluntarily participate in education and the implementation of the RPM-HTN program. Residents and faculty completed a preintervention survey and then attend an educational session on RPM, implementation of RPM and updated HTN guidelines. They then participated in a post-intervention survey. 70 total patients have been enrolled in the study; result collection continues. The study evaluated BP control among those enrolled in the RPM-HTN program. Of the first 34 patients enrolled in the study, their average blood pressure decreased from 158/94 to 138/82. Our clinics overall HTN control (<140/90) has improved from 65% in January 2022 to 68% in January 2023. The top three SDoH categories identified that patients screened positive for were tobacco use, physical activity, and financial resource strain. Further results and data analysis to be completed. This project has helped to analyze the implementation of the RPM program in our clinic, which could be used for successful implementation in other clinics. Implementation in a residency clinic has presented challenges but creates an opportunity for growth. RPM-HTN study is a crucial step to moving forward this innovative and impactful tool and then translating it into improving patients' health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 126
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| Khan, Lareb |
Zand, Ramtin
Mohammadi, MohammadReza |
Facial Expression Recognition at the Edge: CPU vs GPU vs VPU vs TPU
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Abstract Text
Facial Expression Recognition (FER) plays an important role in human-computer interactions and is used in a wide range of applications. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) have shown promise in their ability to classify human facial expressions, however, large CNNs are not well-suited to be implemented on resource- and energy-constrained IoT devices. In this work, we present a hierarchical framework for developing and optimizing hardware-aware CNNs tuned for deployment at the edge. We perform a comprehensive analysis across various edge AI accelerators including NVIDIA Jetson Nano, Intel Neural Compute Stick, and Coral TPU. Using the proposed strategy, we achieved a peak accuracy of 99.49% when testing on the CK+ facial expression recognition dataset. Addition- ally, we achieved a minimum inference latency of 0.39 milliseconds and a minimum power consumption of 0.52 Watts.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 107
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| Harris, Quinn |
Hofseth, Lorne
Chumanevich, Alexander |
Does the synthetic food dye Blue-1 cause DNA damage?
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Abstract Text
There has been an increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) globally in young people (<50 years old) since the early 1990s, and we don’t know why. Interestingly, widespread consumption of synthetic food dyes has also been on the rise since the early 1990s. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF; E133) is one of these; and is widely consumed globally. It is added to food to make it look tastier; targeted especially towards children. However, it is unknown if damage caused by Blue 1 is responsible for these increased colon cancer rates in the younger population. Our hypothesis is that Blue 1 causes DNA damage to colon cancer cells in a dose dependent manner. The ultimate long-term objective of this project is to ask whether Blue 1 causes DNA damage in vitro. This was tested through cell culture of the adenocarcinoma cell line, HCT-116, and treatment with eight different doses of Blue 1. After a 24-hour time point, the cells were collected, frozen, and subjected to an alkaline comet assay. This technique is particularly sensitive to smaller amounts of DNA damage, including single and double-strand breaks. Results were consistent with our hypothesis: Blue 1 causes DNA damage in a dose-response manner. We also observed a decreased cell count and cell survival in those cells treated with higher dosage of Blue 1 – indicating toxicity. Our results are consistent with the understanding that Blue 1 causes changes to DNA that lead to cancer.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 42
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| Smith, Alaisha |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Service Learning in Panajachel, Guatemala
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Abstract Text
During spring break of 2022, I participated in a service-learning trip in Panajachel, Guatemala. While on this trip, we opened two medical clinics within the town and treated patients who had various medical conditions. Many of the illnesses we treated were related to lifestyle habits that stemmed from cultural practices and social issues. I recognized that many of the health issues we treated were related to poor diet, lack of health education, low-income, and low access to medical care. Before opening the clinics, we walked through the community to visit homes and complete a needs assessment which helped us prepare for situations we would potentially see in clinic. Once the clinics were open to the public, we spoke with patients to better understand their health background and provide them with medications needed to treat their illnesses. I felt that it was very important for me to participate in this service trip because I have done a lot of community service close to home and even some in different cities within the United States, but I had never been abroad to see how social issues affect people of different cultures. I feel that this community service trip provided me with very valuable information on how healthcare looks in a country outside of the U.S. and I learned lessons that will help me in my future career as a healthcare provider.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 331
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| Maceda, Rodrigo Miguel |
Thompson, Benjamin |
Impact of VR for Symptom Management
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Abstract Text
Background:
There has been increasing scrutiny on medications used for symptom management in patients with life limiting illnesses, as these medications can have adverse side effects (such as decreased respiratory drive, confusion, and other adverse effects that may limit their ability to spend their remaining time with their families). Non-medication interventions are preferred as first line interventions, because there are fewer side effects. Pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety are common symptoms among patients with cancer and other life limiting conditions. Severe pain can occur in about one in five patients at the end of life. Virtual Reality has been shown to be safe for management of depression and anxiety. Virtual Reality has been shown to be safe as adjunct pain management in patients with cancer undergoing procedures including lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration, venipuncture, port access, and chemotherapy. This study hopes to evaluate the impact of VR on symptom burden among patients with life limiting conditions who follow-up in the outpatient clinic.
Methods:
Patients will be recruited from the inpatient setting to follow-up in the outpatient clinic after confirming a life-limiting diagnosis with the goal of reaching 20. Patients will be randomized to receive either a 15-minute immersive Virtual Reality session or watch a 15-minute relaxing video. They will be guided by our fellow, who will handle to the technology aspect of the session. Patients will complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), before and after each session.
Results:
This pilot study will evaluate multiple symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. Each symptom is rated on a 0-10 Likert scale. Patients will be grouped (standard care vs virtual reality). We will compare pre and post intervention pain scores in the same patient using paired t-tests. We will look at the percentage of patients who have at least a medium effect size using Cohen’s effect size (d greater than or equal to 0.5). We will compare the number of patients with at least a medium effect between the two groups using a chi-squared test and calculate a number needed to treat, as has been done in previous VR research.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 108
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| Nguyen, Vy |
Epps, Lauren |
Reflections on my Bank of America Internship The Intersection of Data Analytics, Finance, and Cybersecurity Risk Management
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Abstract Text
During the summer prior to my senior year, I was fortunate to have been offered an internship in the Cybersecurity Oversight Strategy and Delivery team at Bank of America's headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The internship allowed me to develop my knowledge and skills in a number of areas, including cybersecurity, risk management, project management, and data analytics, while contributing to a critical aspect of the bank's operations.
Throughout the internship, I worked closely with the Cybersecurity Oversight Strategy and Delivery team to support several projects, such as the development and implementation of a new risk assessment evaluation model and performing advanced analytics for targeted assessments. My responsibilities included conducting research and analysis on cybersecurity risk, reviewing policies and procedures, and collaborating with stakeholders across the bank to ensure project success.
To complete my assigned tasks, I utilized a range of data analytics tools, such as Alteryx, Tableau, HTML, and SQL, as well as project management techniques, including Agile methodologies, process mapping, and stakeholder engagement. These techniques allowed me to communicate effectively with team members, identify potential issues, and track project progress in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Through my work, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of risk management in the cybersecurity field, and how it relates to the broader financial industry. Additionally, the internship provided me with valuable insights into the inner workings of a large financial institution and the complexities of managing cybersecurity in a constantly changing technological environment.
Overall, the internship experience was a great opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I gained at the University of South Carolina to a real-world setting. I was able to develop critical skills in cybersecurity, risk management, and project management, while contributing to important projects at Bank of America. This experience has prepared me well for a future career in the field of qualitative risk management, especially in banking industry and has helped me to earn the Leadership Distinction in Professional and Civic Engagement Pathway designation at the University of South Carolina.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 290
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| Ravula, Shreya |
Thompson, Benjamin |
Hypnosis-Assisted Symptom Management in an Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic: A Pilot Program
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Abstract Text
Background: Pain and anxiety are exceedingly common symptoms in patients experiencing serious illness. Clinicians are quick to treat these distressing symptoms with medications that can have unpleasant side effects, but sometimes we are slow to remember that symptoms have psychological, social, existential, and spiritual components as well. Therapies such as hypnosis and mindfulness-based relaxation can address the physical and psychosocial components of symptoms with fewer side effects. Offering hypnosis in the palliative care outpatient setting can improve the quality of the symptom management that we provide our patients. While our social workers are certified hypnotherapists, referrals to hypnotherapy remain low.
Aim statement: This QI project aims to increase utilization of hypnosis for symptom management among all patients referred to the palliative medicine clinic.
The goal is to increase hypnotherapy utilization in clinic by increased education for referring providers
Methods: Initially we identified barriers to hypnotherapy referrals by surveying stakeholders. We created a lecture to address the effectiveness of hypnosis, address misconceptions, leaving time at the end of the lecture to collaborate with our providers to standardize referral triggers. Referring providers' knowledge regarding hypnotherapy will be compared before and after the intervention.
Conclusion: Hypnosis is an important therapy with a positive side effect profile that has traditionally been underused in our clinic. Education and clear referral criteria will improve the use of this treatment modality.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 213
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| Cox, Tessa |
Ellermann, Melissa |
Disrupting bacterial lipid sensing results in altered E. coli growth in the mammalian gut?
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Abstract Text
The relationship between the gut flora and the host diet is a key determinant of gut microbiome structure and function. Recent studies have shown that higher fat intake is associated with increased Escherichia coli growth in the gut. The proliferation of E. coli tends to correlate with disease and is a common signifier of microbiome dysfunction. However, it is not yet known if commensal E. coli utilize lipids such as long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) as carbon sources to colonize the mammalian gut. Interestingly, inactivation of LCFA catabolism in closely related pathogens decreases their gut colonization. Therefore, we hypothesized that commensal E. coli utilize LCFAs to optimally grow within the mammalian gut. Using a well-established DNA recombineering technique, we generated E. coli mutants lacking fatty acid degradation (fad) genes. We inactivated fadL, which imports LCFAs; fadD, which initiates cellular consumption of LCFAs; and fadE, which catalyzes the first step of beta-oxidation, an LCFA catabolic pathway. Additionally, we inactivated fadR, a transcription factor that senses intracellular LCFA pools and regulates lipid metabolism in E. coli. Our results show that the beta-oxidation pathway is active in a commensal E. coli gut isolate. In a germ-free mouse model, all E. coli fad mutants showed no altered growth phenotypes in the gut. Likewise, growth of the fadE mutant was comparable to the wild-type strain in mice that harbor a microbiome. In contrast, we found that inactivating fadL or fadR in E. coli confers a growth advantage within the gut microbiome. Unexpectedly, when assessing the competitive fitness of the fad mutants relative to the wild-type strain, inactivation of lipid sensing via FadR or lipid transport via FadL resulted in E. coli exclusion from the gut. Inactivation of fadD did not affect E. coli competitive fitness, and instead drove competing strains to exclude one another from the gut. These findings altogether suggest that LCFA sensing, rather than catabolism, may be more important for modulating E. coli growth within the mammalian gut. Future studies will assess how E. coli lipid sensing mutants interact with the gut microenvironment through mRNA sequencing and culture of double knockout mutants.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 38
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| Postich, Ella |
Matthews, Sarah |
The Free Medical Clinic and Healthcare Disparities as a Result of Socioeconomic Status
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Abstract Text
For the past year I have been serving as a Clinical and Administrative Volunteer at The Free Medical Clinic in Columbia, SC. This organization provides free healthcare to residents who do not have insurance and cannot afford the treatment they need from other facilities. As a volunteer, I check patients in at the front desk, help them fill out paperwork, take patient vitals and obtain medical history, relay all health information to provider, aid patients with financial assistance applications, and schedule any necessary follow-up appointments. I first got involved with the clinic because I wanted to experience the healthcare field from a different perspective in which my patients were of low socioeconomic status to better educate myself on healthcare disparities regarding financial status. This is a huge issue in the healthcare field and is an inequity that is often overlooked and taken advantage of by physicians and other healthcare professionals. This opportunity has made a tremendous impact on my undergraduate experience as it has provided me with so many unique insights and perspectives that will help me best treat my future patient. Not only do any patients at the clinic have little to no income and no health insurance, they typically also do not have sustainable housing and transportation. The Free Medical Clinic treats all patients to the best of our ability, but we frequently must send patients to other facilities for more specialized care, which patients are often unable to visit due to lack of means to get there, further extending and worsening their medical problems. As a future physician my main goal is to ensure that any patient I treat is given equitable care regardless of any background and situation, and better educating myself on these disparities and the impacts they have on health status is imperative for my patients to receive the best quality care. The Free Medical Clinic has provided a great means for me to begin my journey, and I hope to continue my education in healthcare disparities throughout my career.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 263
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| Frederick, Kenneth |
Patel, Rekha |
Luteolin protects DYT-PRKRA cells from apoptosis by suppressing PKR activation
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Abstract Text
DYT-PRKRA is a movement disorder caused by mutations in the PRKRA gene, which encodes for PACT, the protein activator of interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase PKR. PACT brings about PKR’s catalytic activation by a direct binding in response to stress signals and activated PKR phosphorylates the translation initiation factor eIF2α. Phosphorylation of eIF2α is the central regulatory event that is part of the integrated stress response (ISR), an evolutionarily conserved intracellular signaling network essential for adapting to environmental stresses to maintain healthy cells. A dysregulation of either the level or the duration of eIF2α phosphorylation in response to stress signals causes the normally pro-survival ISR to become proapoptotic. Our research has established that the PRKRA mutations reported to cause DYT-PRKRA lead to enhanced PACT-PKR interactions causing a dysregulation of ISR and an increased sensitivity to apoptosis. We have previously identified luteolin, a plant flavonoid, as an inhibitor of the PACT-PKR interaction using high-throughput screening of chemical libraries. Our results presented in this study indicate that luteolin is markedly effective in disrupting the pathological PACT-PKR interactions to protect DYT-PRKRA cells against apoptosis, thus suggesting a therapeutic option for using luteolin to treat DYT-PRKRA and possibly other diseases resulting from enhanced PACT-PKR interactions.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 39
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| Galimba, Audrey |
Lessner, Susan |
Investigating the rate of medial cell proliferation in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome
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Abstract Text
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a chronic vascular disease in which a portion of the upper part of the aorta is weakened due to defects in the medial elastin. This weakening results in abnormal bulging in the vessel. Aortic aneurysms are the thirteenth leading cause of death in the United States. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder causing defects in elastin fibers that accounts for 5% of the total cases of TAA. Progression of the aneurysm may result in aortic rupture, which proves lethal in 95% of incidents. However, currently, clinical interventions to prevent aortic rupture are limited to surgical repair.
This study explores the rate of medial cell proliferation during the progression of TAA in a fibrillin-1 (FBN1) mutant mouse model of Marfan syndrome. Mice with an FBN1 mutation develop Marfan syndrome because they have defects in the production of the protein fibrillin-1. The specific aim of the study is to determine whether changes in cell proliferation may contribute to the development of TAA in Marfan mice. Both wild-type mice (non-Marfan) and heterozygote (Marfan) mice will be used in the study, with aorta samples collected at four time points: 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Immunohistochemistry will be used to visualize phosphohistone-H3 (PPH3). Phosphorylation of histone H3 is an indicator of proliferation, so by staining for PPH3, one can visualize proliferating cells. The images taken under a microscope will be merged and analyzed using image processing software to count the number of cells expressing PPH3 in the media of the aorta. The proportion of proliferating cells will be assessed by counting the number of cells positive for PPH3 and dividing by the total number of cell nuclei in the media. Statistical software will be used to compare proliferating cell data between the heterozygote and wild-type groups of each sex, as well as over time, to see whether the differences in medial cell proliferation are statistically significant. This information can be combined with data on migration and apoptosis of medial smooth muscle cells to generate a cell balance and provide insight into potential targets for TAA therapies.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 34
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| Sherzad, Nilofar |
Sigfus, Kristinsson |
Is region-specific median household income associated with individuals' (1) severity of language impairment in and (2) response to impairment-based treatment in chronic aphasia?
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Abstract Text
Aphasia is a language disorder that affects an individual's ability to communicate or comprehend speech. It is a linguistic impairment most commonly resulting from injury to the dominant hemisphere of the brain (Zeng-Zhi et al., 2017). Prior studies have yielded conflicting results on the association between socioeconomic factors, such as region-specific median household income, and aphasia severity as well as response to aphasia treatment (Reis et al., 2003). Furthermore, little is known about the mechanism through which socioeconomic status impacts aphasia severity and recovery (Cox et al., 2006). The purpose of this study is to examine how regional differences in median household income across counties in South Carolina relate to degree of language impairment and treatment outcomes in chronic aphasia. Data collected as part of prior treatment studies in the USC Aphasia Lab will be combined with socioeconomic (income) statistics collected by the US Census Bureau to address this question. At present, socioeconomic data has been queried and participants’ language testing is being curated. The primary analysis will rely on a regression model adjusted for age, gender, education, and race. The predictor of interest is median household income and two models will be constructed: one for aphasia severity and another for degree of treated recovery. The results of this study will aid in raising awareness on association of region-specific median household income and chronic aphasia and guide future research studies to further analyze the topic at a global level.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 137
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| Lamb, Lilian |
Voulgaris, George
Rekleitis, Ioannis |
RoboCat: A Self-positioning platform for stationary measurements in the Aquatic environment
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Abstract Text
With the Magellan grant, we conceptualized and implemented a self-positioning platform for aquatic-based data collection. In the ocean, there are several areas of study (coastal plumes, for example) where the usage of a boat is suboptimal. Due to their size, boats interfere with fine structures in the water column leading to data collected not been representative of the real conditions; however, the platform we created (RoboCat) generates indigently less disturbance while having the ability to maintain position automatically. Our project tackled a specfic question: Can we develop technology that facilitates measurements near the surface of the ocean? Similarly, the objectives of the project is to improve Eulerian Ocean measurements near the surface of the ocean (upper 2m) through the development of a cost-effective, self-adjusting, position-keeping platform. The design should improve data quality through minimization / elimination of interference by a nearby vessel or tether. We designed the RoboCat to be a catamaran platform fitted with four electric thrusters arranges in an Omni-X configuration and controlled by a Cube Orange® autopilot board utilizing the ArduPilot firmware. The default loitering option available in Ardupilot contained inefficiencies. In order to resolve the issues and improve the ability of the RoboCat to maintain its position (loitering), the source code of Ardupilot controlling the vehicle was modified. Once bench testing and the modifications were complete, we transported the platform to a local lake and conducted a series of successful tests, followed with additional testing in the marine environment off the SC coast. After making modifications to the code, it was discovered that the platform successfully maintained position while collecting data.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 80
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| Clark, Alexis |
Moran, Michael |
Spanish conquests and venereal disease controversies
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Abstract Text
Syphilis has been called the ‘great mimic,’ as its’ symptoms mirror those of multiple other diseases. Considering this, Sir William Osler is noted to have said “whoever knows all of syphilis knows all of medicine.” Even with modern methods of paleopathology, the origins of syphilis and its historiography are still widely debated. We were fascinated by the poem by Italian Renaissance man, Girolamo Francastoro, and the great debates surrounding syphilis by medical historians at the close of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.
It appears that this new disease spread rapidly throughout the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, who promptly named it after whomever they hated most- the French Disease, the Italian Disease, the Turkish Disease, and so on. We followed the trail from Fracastoro, to Jean Fernelius, to Dürer’s illustration of syphilis, to the Columbian hypothesis, and finally to the historical battles that continue with modern paleopathology. Describing the historiography 500 years prior, Osler described syphilis as, “A mysterious epidemic, hitherto unknown, which had struck terror into all hearts by the rapidity of its spread, the ravages it made, and the apparent helplessness of the physicians to cure it.” Karl Sudhoff studied this same history and added to the contentious origins surrounding the Columbian theory vs. the Unitarian hypothesis.
Syphilis had a great impact on the formation and later separation of urology and venereology. Along with treatment by mercurial applications by the 1840s, skin specialists and urologists arose to treat those with syphilis. In 1843, a short-lived journal was founded, Annales des Maladies de la Peau et Syphilis, then Jonathan Hutchinson became an investigator, and William H. Van Buren became the first professor of genito-urinary diseases. While we have had centuries to try to understand syphilis, the great pox is still of great interest to urologists and other physicians today as it has returned with a worldwide incidence in males up to 6%.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 122
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| Kenas, Anaiah |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Redefining Changing the World: How Small Impacts Make a Big Difference
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Abstract Text
Prior to arriving at the University of South Carolina, I was dead set on changing the world. I had full intentions of completely upending world policy, and shaping the way we operate for the better. However, as I worked within the community around me, I saw that the definition of “world” doesn’t necessarily have to be so grandiose. As a University Ambassador, I have been able to give upwards of 60 tours to prospective students of the university. On top of answering phone calls within the Visitors Center and providing 90 minutes of information, part of each tour is connecting with individual students. Through these interactions, I’ve realized that to change the world, I need to be looking at what is in front of me instead of what's ahead. By talking to a student about his love of baseball, I can change the way he sees this university. By explaining LGBTQ+ resources in depth on tour, I can open doors for students who need the reassurance they will be safe here on campus. My experience as an ambassador has shown me that in order to change the world, I only need to change one world, and it starts by building relationships and connections with others.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 212
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| Yates, Myrtle |
Barnes, Jessica |
Interactive Theater as a Bias Reduction Strategy
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Abstract Text
Recent years have seen increasing scrutiny of bias within the workplace. Many workplaces have introduced anti-bias trainings, which are often administered online or through a lecture format. An alternative model employs interactive theater to engage participants and foster positive discussions about how to understand and navigate bias in the workplace. This research evaluates the efficacy of an interactive theater approach to anti-bias training. Focusing on 160 faculty participants in the Speaking Up workshop, which will be held at the University of South Carolina on March 31 2023, we will evaluate the impacts of this training. Through administration of pre and post workshop surveys, we will explore whether engagement with the facilitators and professional actors in this interactive theater workshop affects faculty members’ understandings of and ability to respond to bias in the workplace. This study will provide valuable insights into the best ways to foster a more inclusive workplace culture.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 1
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| Joseph, Mia |
Pena, Marj |
Developmental Windows When Exposure to Antibiotics Increase the Risk for Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
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Abstract Text
Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), colon cancer diagnosed before the age of fifty, is now the third leading cause of cancer deaths in patients under fifty years old in the United States. Several factors from the environment have been proposed to be associated with the rise of EOCRC. Specifically, the increasing incidence of EOCRC over the past four decades has paralleled the increased use of antibiotics (Abx) globally. Abx have revolutionized our ability to fight infections; however, its overuse, particularly in infants and children, has become a public health concern. Abx alters the gut microbiome (called dysbiosis), which can lead to increased inflammation in the colon and, potentially, increase the risk of developing EOCRC. Previous studies in mice have demonstrated that exposure to Abx at an early age (5 days old) to two commonly prescribed classes of Abx (beta-lactams and macrolides) altered the gut microbiota and predisposed mice to inflammation, immune disease, and obesity, that have been linked to colorectal cancer. The impact of Abx on the microbiota and the distal colon environment, where EOCRC occurs, and incidence of EOCRC have not been studied before. Thus, we proposed that early life exposure to Abx will cause dysbiosis that leads to faster, more frequent, and more aggressive tumors as compared to Abx exposure later in life. In this project, exposure to Abx at the perinatal age (between 0-2 weeks of age) was examined using mouse models. Five-day old pups were exposed to Abx for seven days through their mother’s milk by administering Abx to nursing mothers. To induce tumor formation, the mice were injected with AOM (carcinogen) after Abx exposure. We expect to see a developmental window of time where the colon is susceptible to dysbiosis, and changes in the microenvironment in response to Abx exposure will predispose mice to developing EOCRC. If proven, it will be important to implement probiotic supplementation after exposure to antibiotics in infancy and childhood to normalize the gut microbiome.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 35
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| Doll, Lillian |
Dunn, Robert |
Investigating the influence of oyster reef biophysical and landscape features on key oyster predators
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Abstract Text
Oyster reefs vary in their physical structure due to environmental conditions and biological interactions. In turn, aspects of reef structure can affect the habitat utilization of reef-associated fauna. Mud crabs (Panopeus herbstii and Eurypanopeus depressus) are key interactors on oyster reefs due to the predation pressure they apply to recruits and small oysters. They are also sensitive to biophysical features that contribute to reef structure such as shell layer height and surface complexity. Previous studies have found that these structural features vary across the reef landscape, specifically between the reef edge and the reef interior. I characterized reef biophysical characteristics (shell height, clump height, rugosity, oyster density, and percent cover) within a landscape perspective to explore how these factors influence mud crab biological and ecological traits (body size, abundance) in addition to the composition of the overall reef community. I found no difference between biophysical attributes at the edge and interior of reefs, and though comparisons of P. herbstii and E. depressus mean body size did not differ significantly, the distribution of body sizes did vary between the reef edge and interior. Similarly, the overall communities observed at reef edge and interior locations were not distinct, though the edge community appeared to be more variable in composition. This suggests that some aspects of mud crab biology and the overall reef community structure can be impacted by landscape features despite limited impact of landscape location on the biophysical properties of the reef.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 75
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| Wilson, Mary |
Kubickova, Marketa |
In-Class Learning is Not Enough: Why Confidence Matters
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Abstract Text
As I approached my senior year at USC, I was fearful of not being successful as an engineer, and I did not feel prepared to enter the workforce. In the middle of my second to last semester, I was met with a chance to do a co-op with Shaw Industries, which would push off my graduation date, something I was already nervous about as I was in my 5th year of the chemical engineering program. Many people pushed me and told me that this was an opportunity that would completely change my mindset. Despite this uncertainty, I started as a technical engineering co-op with Shaw Industries in the Spring of 2022 and worked four consecutive semesters at the Aiken, SC location. Within my first week at Shaw, I was hit with a sudden thought: all the theories and knowledge I had accumulated in school were not enough to be successful in my field of study. I also had to have experience, and this co-op was the perfect chance to develop my capability as an engineer. My engineering knowledge and principles would be tested to solve problems. A challenge I was given as a co-op was to improve efficiency for a filter that could be used in the plant process while not increasing material costs exponentially or causing more work for the operators. I developed a prototype filter alongside a vendor that increased surface area and longevity while meeting the other parameters. The plant started with a five-day pack life that grew to twelve days with the newly developed filter, leading to production savings. I was able to walk away with the confidence that I could be a capable engineer with practice and experience, which was a question that I did not feel I could answer before this venture outside of school. Through this experience, I got an offer for a full-time position with Shaw once I graduate in May 2023.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 118
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| Kerrison, Mena |
DaVolio, Alyssa
Smoak, RRT-NPS, Tammy |
Are Bigger Babies in the NICU More Likely to Self-Extubate?
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Abstract Text
Background: Unplanned extubations (UEs) in the NICU are amongst the most common adverse events in NICUs across North America and can lead to serious complications, including cardiorespiratory compromise.
Methods: Utilizing a retrospective chart review approach of patients who experienced UEs between 2/28/21-12/31/22 at Prisma Health, we aimed to better understand various risk factors associated with increased incidence of UE in a level 3B NICU. Variables included corrected gestational age (CGA), weight on date of incident, ethnicity, time of day, type of HFV utilized, number of medical providers present, number of repeat UEs, and whether the endotracheal tube (ETT) was “self-extubated” or removed due to a healthcare intervention (iatrogenic). “Self-extubations” included reports when the ETT was dislodged when no medical providers were present and reports that described a patient pulling out their ETT despite a provider being present. Logistic regression models were created to assess the independent impact of each variable on whether the UE was self-dislodged or related to iatrogenic causes.
Results: Of 1463 patients admitted to our level 3B NICU in 2021-2022, 400 were intubated and 101 UEs were documented. Transition to a new EMR system in 2021 limited our study to characterize 89 events between 02/28/2021 and 12/31/2022. 31.46% of the events occurred in patients with a history of prior UEs and 56% occurred during the night shift. Majority of patients who experienced UEs identified as African American (74%), followed by 16% Caucasian, 6% Hispanic or Latino, 3% not identified, and 1% Asian. Both older age and heavier weight contributed significantly (p <0.005) to the patients self-extubating compared to iatrogenic causes. Of the UEs related to iatrogenic causes, 44% occurred when only 1 health care worker was present, when there should be 2. HFV type did not impact whether the UE was self-dislodged or related to healthcare interventions (p= 0.2089).
Conclusions: Our data analysis suggests that larger and older preterm infants are more likely to self-extubate, while HFV type does not have an impact. It also highlights how almost half of the iatrogenic-related UEs occurred when only 1 healthcare worker was present, suggesting an area to improve.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 138
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| Mazzoli, Lydia |
Epps, Lauren |
The Value of Numbers, Networking, and New Experiences
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Abstract Text
During this past summer, I worked in Financial Planning & Analysis at National Grid, an energy company serving the UK and Northeastern United States with the mission of a fossil-fuel free energy sector. This experience gave me the opportunity to work hands-on within financial analysis, learning key excel and analytical skills. My projects included revising existing excel documents to better fit the needs of the team and building commentary explaining expenditures across the business units. Revising the existing excel documents gave me the opportunity to complete a project start to finish. I began with newly generated reports to create a system that would allow for maximum efficiency during the end-of-month reporting process. The main objectives of this project included updating the newly reorganized business units, creating sheets that allow for easy filtering of units and segments, and generating accurate numbers of expenditures in comparison to the budgeted and forecasted numbers. This project helped me realize that I enjoy working with big data and helped me see a future within the analysis field. Additionally, I was able to network across the finance and global business divisions, learning more about the different roles that exist within finance and international business. I strengthened my networking and professional communication skills, while also discovering potential career paths and gaining valuable connections. After this well-rounded internship experience, I will be returning to National Grid to continue working in financial planning and analysis. I also plan to earn a higher-education degree in business, data analytics, or a related field.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 279
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| White, Reagan |
Epps, Lauren |
The environment around you is a key part to your success.
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Abstract Text
One of the most meaningful experiences I have had at Carolina is working as a Resident Mentor in Preston Residential College for the past two years. As a Resident Mentor, I enforce university housing policies while serving as a role model and mentor to about 250 residents to create a safe, inclusive, and impactful living community. I applied to be a Resident Mentor after bonding with an RM who helped me make the drastic transition from an extremely small town in Virginia to USC. I wanted to support residents just like I had been supported through a welcoming and supportive environment. To create a fun environment in the hall, I had a theme for the year and decorated the hall accordingly. My first year’s theme was constellations, so I used all the resident’s birthdays to create door decorations that were the zodiac sign constellations of the residents. I also hosted a stargazing event to fit the theme. My second year theme was hippie vibes and my door decorations were cute Volkswagen vans. My end of year event plan is for a tie-dye event to fit the theme. I also hosted monthly trivia nights both years where the themes ranged from Rom Coms to Serial Killers. Working as a RM, I learned how important a positive environment is for myself and others to succeed. This reinforced the concept of corporate culture that my Principles Of Management, MGMT 371, class emphasized was important to a successful business. A positive environment or good corporate culture helps people flourish and reach their full potential which I have seen in action while working as a RM.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 300
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| Howard, Chloe |
Lawrence, Dana |
“Fair and Balanced”: Maus, Censorship, and the Holocaust in the Classroom
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Abstract Text
Censorship in Children’s Literature has a long, complicated history--books for younger readers are more likely to be challenged due to adults’ feelings about what is appropriate. A recent high-profile text targeted by censors is Art Spiegelman’s Maus (1993), a Pulitzer-Prize winning graphic novel/memoir, which details the events of the Holocaust. Though it was not published as a young adult text, Maus, it nonetheless awarded YALSA’a 2009 “Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners” and it is included in YALSA’s 2015 list of “Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults”. In 2021, Maus made national headlines as it faced challenges by parents and school districts in Tennessee, Virginia, and Texas. The censorship of children’s books about the Holocaust is meant to be a form of protection for younger readers by subverting trauma, disguising moral and political complication, and softening the effect it has for survivors. However, this form of censorship opens up a need for a critical conversation the effect such withholding of information about history has on our present and future. While there is ample scholarship on Holocaust literature for children and Maus, my preliminary research suggests that there is no existing scholarship on the specific censorship of Holocaust literature for young readers. In this essay I will examine Maus as an example of how such “protective” censorship contributes to the spread of untruths about the very real horrors of the Holocaust—the events surrounding which continue to be relevant today.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 2
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| Szekely, Kennedy |
Hiott, Ambra |
Encouraging Diversity Encourages Your Team
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Abstract Text
In my time at USC, I was fortunate to be involved in many incredible leadership positions and organizations, including two summers with New Student Orientation and Peer Leading through University 101. Through these roles, the most important conclusion I have drawn about leadership and getting a new team acclimated to a professional environment has been the importance of actively encouraging diversity. When you are in a leadership position, you set the tone. When you take favorable stances on your team towards diversity, it is encouraging to the whole team. You become someone they are comfortable confiding in, and someone they want to work for. In my future career in healthcare, passionately and clearly advocating for diverse groups will make me a better provider, who is willing and able to learn the best ways to serve all different groups of people. This attitude will make my patients more comfortable with me and improve the atmosphere of appointments. I will be able to give all patients the care that every person deserves.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 280
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| Kartik, Janhvi |
Porcu, Alessandra |
Understanding sexual dimorphic responses to chronic blue light exposure in the amygdala
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Abstract Text
Blue light exposure and mood disorders have significantly increased in the last decade, but their causal relationship has yet to be fully explored. Adolescence is a period of high sensitivity to various environmental stimuli, of which blue light is the most notable example. Recent research has suggested differences in male and female neural circuits related to anxiety; particularly in the amygdala which regulates emotional processing and fear. Our aim was to evaluate whether blue light drives difference in anxiety and social behaviors between male and female mice altering amygdala neuronal activity.
To this end, we implemented a novel light paradigm that is designed to reflect human adolescent light exposure. The model consisted of a prolonged light phase (19hrs/day), with light exposure appearing during the biological night phase of the mice. Adolescent mice were exposed to either these light conditions or to control conditions (12hrs of light/day) for 4 weeks. They were subsequently tested for anxiety-like behavior and social behavior using the elevated plus maze test and social interaction test. We found that female and male adolescent mice exposed to blue light at night showed increased anxiety-like behaviors compared to control group. However, when tested for social behavior, male mice exposed to blue light at night showed reduced social interaction compared to controls, whereas female mice did not. We later quantified neuronal activity by utilizing immunofluorescent assays and confocal microscopy. Our results suggest that the amygdala regulates sex-specific emotional responses to blue light through neuronal adaptations that occurs during adolescence.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 50
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| Jackson, Sarah |
Cutter, Susan |
The Geographic Context of Tornado Risk: An Assessment of Illinois Counties
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Abstract Text
Our current understanding of tornado risk, risk perception, and protective action behavior lacks proper spatial consideration of the physical and social geographic contexts within which they operate. This investigation asks how the conceptual drivers of tornado risk (geographic context, risk perception, and protective action decision-making) interact to create the spatiality of tornado risk. The study proposes that the inclusion of geographic context and its influence on perception and behavior produces differential tornado risk and seeks to determine which factors contribute to such variability. A novel, researcher-designed Tornado Risk of Place (TROP) conceptual model guides the methodological framework, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques alongside statistical and geospatial analytics in a U.S. State case study. To first measure the geographic context of tornado risk, quantifiable indicators were created as computational metrics of both physical and social domains at the Illinois county level. Questionnaire data from a representative sample of Illinois residents then provided individualized assessments of risk perception and protective action behavior. Community knowledge is incorporated into tornado risk understanding and adaptation by employing individual-level survey construct data alongside the county-level indices of geographic context. A structural equation model framework is applied to assess the existence and strength of the linear relationships between the tornado context, perception, and behavior variables. The variability captured by the TROP conceptual drivers and their interactions is also assessed across the study area's formal and functional regions.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 87
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| Shi, Fanghui |
Li, Xiaoming |
Moderation effect of community health on the relationship between racial/ethnic residential segregation and HIV viral suppression in South Carolina: a county-level longitudinal study from 2013 to 2018
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Abstract Text
Background: Viral suppression is the ultimate goal of the HIV treatment cascade and a primary endpoint of antiretroviral therapy. Empirical evidence found racial/ethnic disparities in viral suppression among people living with HIV (PWH), but the evidence of the relationship between racial/ethnic residential segregation and place-based viral suppression is scarce. Further exploring potential structural moderators in this relationship has substantial implications for healthcare policymaking and resource allocation. The current study aimed to investigate the spatial-temporal disparities in the HIV viral suppression rate across 46 counties in South Carolina from 2013 to 2018. We also examined the impact of racial/ethnic residential segregation and the moderation effect of community health, one measurement of community engagement and volunteerism.
Methods: The proportion of PWH who achieved viral suppression for each county and calendar year was calculated using de-identified electronic medical records. The isolation index was calculated and used to measure racial/ethnic residential segregation. The community health index and other county-level factors were directly extracted from multiple publicly available datasets. We used geospatial mapping to explore the spatial-temporal variations of HIV viral suppression rates. Hierarchical quasi-binominal regression models were used to examine the impacts of racial/ethnic residential segregation on county-level viral suppression rate by the extent of community health.
Results: From 2013 to 2018, the average viral suppression rate across 46 counties in SC increased from 64.3% to 65.4%. Regression results revealed that counties with high racial/ethnic residential segregation were more likely to have a low viral suppression rate ( = -0.56, 95% CI: -0.75 ~ -0.37). In counties with high levels of community health, the impact of racial/ethnic residential segregation on viral suppression rate decreased as compared with those with low levels of community health ( = 5.50, 95% CI: 0.95~10.05).
Conclusions: Racial/ethnic residential segregation acts as a structural barrier to placed-based viral suppression rates and compromises the goal of the HIV treatment cascade. Concentrated and sustained county-level interventions aiming to improve community health can be practical approaches to promote health equity in HIV treatment and care.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 15
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| Murray, Erin |
Epps, Lauren |
Trial, Error, and Success within the Sport and Entertainment Industry
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Abstract Text
In my time at the University of South Carolina I have participated in a number of work experiences. These work experiences have led to my good and bad times within the sport and entertainment industry. The trial experiences that were key to error and success were both summer internships that opened my eyes to a different side of the sport and entertainment industry. The first is my SPTE 295 Internship with the Columbia Fireflies. This was a trial and error as I figured out working for sports teams, especially baseball, was not the pathway I was meant to head down. I learned a lot about myself, what I enjoy, and where I need to move on to in my trials. My trial and success was a Tournament Operations Internship with the Philadelphia PGA. Since working the Master’s and the President’s Cup, I knew that I was passionate about the golf industry. I had never had a bigger smile than when working a golf event. With the Philadelphia PGA, I was able to gain hands-on experience with the golf industry. I was able to go to work with an excitement to learn something new, and keep it with me as I continued along my journey in the golf industry. I completed these work experiences to guide my pathway through a vast industry with a million different avenues I could go down post graduation. I wanted to experience different opportunities to figure out what I truly enjoy being a part of so I can enter the sport and entertainment industry with full force post graduation. Each of these experiences taught me something about myself and where I see myself headed in my career. While professional sports, such as baseball, have always been a passion of mine outside of my major, it is not the pathway that I am meant to go down. I have found that my true path lies within the golf industry, specifically within professional tournaments. I have gained a better understanding about what career path will allow me to feel fulfilled, and that is within the golf industry.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 291
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| Davies, Abigaile |
Hastings, Tessa |
Community Pharmacists’ Pneumococcal Vaccine Knowledge and Perceived Barriers to Vaccination
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Abstract Text
Two types of pneumococcal vaccines are available in the United States, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, and PCV20) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Pneumococcal vaccination is routinely recommended for adults 65 years of age and older and adults 19 through 64 years old who are considered high-risk with certain chronic medical conditions or other risk factors. Patients considered at risk between the ages of 18-64 years old only have 34% pneumococcal vaccination coverage.
Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify pharmacists’ knowledge and perceived barriers to pneumococcal immunization services in the community pharmacy setting. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed via email to 124 South Carolina pharmacists between June and July 2022. A total of 58 pharmacists completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 46.7%. The majority of pharmacists were
currently offering PPSV23 (84.4%), PCV13 (84.4%), and PCV20 (60.3%) with fewer pharmacists offering PCV15 (15.5%). In terms of knowledge, the majority of respondents answered only three out of nine questions correctly. Only 31.0% of respondents
indicated that they felt knowledgeable about pneumococcal vaccine recommendations without having to reference guidelines.Lack of
knowledge related to recommended pneumococcal vaccines, especially for high-risk patients,
warrants immediate attention. Interventions to support pneumococcal vaccine knowledge
among pharmacy staff and strategies to overcome pharmacy barriers identified are needed to improve pneumococcal vaccination coverage in South Carolina
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 46
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Whittle, Kylie
Johnson, Jarvis
Malkan, Abhishek |
Nodelman, Matthew |
Implementation of standardized inpatient discharge process targeted to improve rates of hospital follow up
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Abstract Text
Purpose/Background: Current literature suggests patients are more likely to attend hospital follow-up appointments when they feel included in the discharge process. Factors that have increased rates of hospital follow up appointments include timing of follow-up, use of a standard discharge checklist, and patient participation in the discharge process. The goal of this project is to design and implement a standardized discharge process within the Family Medicine Inpatient Service at Prisma Health-Richland to increase Transitional Care Management (TCM) follow up rates in clinic and evaluate resident confidence with the discharge process.
Methods: This quality improvement project included interventions of LACE+ score discussions for potential discharges at rounds, preparation of discharge tab in Epic to include follow up instructions and appointments, and discussion with patients about discharge and follow up care. After discharge, patients are contacted by centralized TCM nurse to ensure they are aware of their appointment and to discuss any concerns that may have arisen since discharge. The project focuses on patients of Prisma Family Medicine Colonial discharged from the Family Medicine Service at Prisma Health Richland and to patients who qualify for TCM visits (Medicare or private insurer). TCM follow up rates will be compared pre- and post-intervention to evaluate the effectiveness of this discharge process. Pre-intervention data will be collected from July to September 2022 and post-intervention data will be collected from November 2022 to January 2023.
Results: Preliminary pre-intervention data shows a TCM show rate of 55.5% with a total of 27 patients discharged from the Family Medicine Inpatient service for the month of July 2022 who were eligible for a TCM visit. Intervention data collection is currently underway.
Conclusions: Focusing on rates of hospital follow-up is essential to improving patient care throughout the medical system in order to ensure patients remain well and stay out of the hospital. This project aims to determine the best methods to improve the rates of attendance of hospital follow-up to improve continuity of care for patients.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 201
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| Friedman, Laura |
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Performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Mothers of Autistic Children Indicates Risk for Atypical Aging
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Abstract Text
Emerging evidence suggests that mothers of children with disabilities are at risk for accelerated age-related cognitive decline, potentially due to increased risk factors associated with caregiving, such as parenting stress and poor sleep (Song et al., 2016). Mothers of autistic children, specifically, have documented challenges in working memory and verbal fluency. Recent research suggests that autistic adults are more likely to develop dementia (Vivanti et al., 2021). Because autism is heritable, mothers may be susceptible to additional, genetic-related risk for developing atypical aging or dementia-related disease. Yet, research to date has not examined risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI; a transitional zone between normal cognitive function and dementia) among mothers of autistic children. This study compared mothers of autistic children and control mothers on performance on an MCI screener. Fifty-one mothers of autistic children and 49 control mothers who were between the ages of 32 and 70 years participated in a virtual assessment as part of a larger study. All participants were fluent English speakers without existing neurological diagnoses (e.g., traumatic brain injury). Examiners administered Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which is a widely-used MCI screener. The MoCA assesses skills such as memory and attention. The cut-off for MCI is a score below 26 out of 30. Results from a logistic regression, controlling for age and years of education, indicated that mothers of autistic children were had lower MoCA scores than control mothers (p=.029). Specifically, groups differed in the domains of visuospatial/executive (p<.001), naming (p=.029), language (p<.001), and delayed recall (p<.001). Findings indicate that mothers of autistic children may be at risk for increased cognitive difficulties based on findings from the MoCA screening tool. Of note, this study only used one index of cognitive impairment; though the MoCA is a sensitive measure, future work should include a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological measures to characterize the risk for mild cognitive impairment.. Future research should assess risk factors of MCI that are common in mothers of autistic children, including poor sleep quality and parenting stress.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 221
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| Tilwani, Deepa |
O'Reilly, Christian
Bradshaw, Jessica
Sheth, Amit |
Interpretable Machine Learning for Predicting the Likelihood of Autism from Infant ECG Recordings
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Abstract Text
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by difficulties with social interaction and communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Currently, ASD is typically diagnosed between 2-5 years of age using behavioral observation, but there is a demand for quantitative, non-invasive biomarkers sensitive to ASD in infancy. Prior research on very early biomarkers of ASD in infants has been concentrated on brain recordings such as electroencephalography (EEG) and neuroimaging. In contrast, other systemic signals associated with the autonomic nervous system, like electrocardiograms (ECG), have seldom been explored. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of ECG as a low-cost and simple-to-use recording modality in the development of very early biomarkers of ASD. Our results show that ECG signals and the heart rate variability (HRV) contain information about ASD likelihood in infants and show potential for biomarker development.
We collected ECG recordings in 3-6-month-old infants with a typical (TL) or elevated (EL) familial likelihood for ASD and used these signals for group prediction. We compared the metrics accuracy, precision, recall, f1-score and ROC for eight machine learning models to determine the highest performing model. We also explained our results using the Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) approach. LIME gives us insight into the decision-making process of our models by showing the effect of combinations of features on predictions.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 33
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| Werner, Benjamin |
Wolfer, Terry |
Equity Theory within Technetics Group
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Abstract Text
During the summer of 2022, I was a Human Resources intern at Technetics Group in Columbia, SC. Technetics Group is a global producer of engineered seals for aerospace, nuclear, and life science applications. They manufacture and sell these seals to companies all over the world and work with large corporations such as Honeywell. As an HR intern in their Columbia production plant, I worked alongside the HR generalist manager in the completion of their duties. Activities such as I-9 paperwork processing, new hire training, on going manager training, and Covid-19 safety measures were a few of my duties that I worked on throughout my internship. In addition, I worked alongside both the office staff as well as the production staff in creating personal connections and identifying the needs of employees. One of my projects involved working with the managers and team leads and discussing where they believe they stand in relation to other departments and employees. This sparked conversations about equity and revealed inequality in the inputs and outputs that the managers face. In my conversations with managers, I recorded where they thought they needed more help and whether they thought their compensation was reflective of the effort and time they put into their job. After the conversations, I spoke with my manager about the current state, and I wanted to make a change to better the employee’s experience. The balancing of employee inputs and outputs to keep them engaged and productive is basic learning of the Equity Theory. I learned about the Equity Theory in my MGMT 376 Employee Engagement course in which we discussed the positive and negative effects of equity and inequity within the workplace on production and the work culture. Working with this theory within my internship strengthened my understanding of the Equity Theory as I had hands on experience with inequity and adjustments needed to balance the inputs and outputs of the employees. Because of my experience, I have further understanding of Equity Theory which I can use in my professional career as a manager in creating equity and equality within a workplace culture.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 213
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| Vikas, Athul |
Ostermann, Jan |
Economic downturns and food insecurity: A Systematic Scoping Review of Children’s Health and trends.
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Abstract Text
Background: Economic downturns increase unemployment and decrease purchasing power, leading to food insecurity and poor diet quality. Two recessions, the great recession from 2007 to 2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, have occurred in the past 20 years in the US. Economic uncertainty prompts individuals to make poor health choices, especially for children and adolescents whose early health choices can have lifelong detrimental health impacts. It is crucial to identify the relationship between macroeconomic factors, food accessibility and consumption, and health.
Objectives: This systematic literature review aims to investigate the impact of economic downturns on food insecurity and children’s and adolescents’ health in the United States. The study specifically focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of policies and programs in improving food accessibility during economic downturns.
Results: Out of 439 records screened, 14 records met the inclusion criteria. The review found a significant association between fruit and vegetable prices and weight outcomes. For instance, a .38 cent increase in fresh fruit and vegetable prices annually was linked with one-eighth to one-seventh of a standard deviation increase in BMI Z scores. In another context, the adjusted percentage of adolescents reporting excellent or very good mental health decreased significantly from 63.4% in 2001-2002 to 51.8% in 2009-2010. WIC programs were also effective during recessions, as women who did not enroll in WIC during pregnancy had a higher probability of lower birth weight outcomes, and young mothers without WIC enrollment had infants who weighed less than those of women aged 30-34 years.
Conclusion: This study highlights the dependence of individuals on assistance programs during economic downturns and the potential consequences of budget or quality deficiencies. As economists predict an imminent recession in the U.S., policymakers need to take a comprehensive approach to mitigate its negative impact on individuals, families, and communities. The findings of this review underscore the need for effective policies and programs that improve food accessibility and support mental health during economic crises. By addressing these issues, policymakers can help minimize the negative impact of economic downturns on vulnerable populations.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 151
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| DiMiceli, Kristina |
Mathew, Roy
Kota, Harshitha
Lucas, Amy |
Efficacy of Bioimpedance as a Prognostic Tool for Heart Failure
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Abstract Text
Background: Decompensated heart failure results in nearly one million hospitalizations in the US annually. Evaluating for potential volume overload is a leading clinical strategy to manage decompensated heart failure (HF) and ensure the efficacy of diuretic therapy. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a technique that uses a weak electrical current to measure resistance of the body’s tissues and thus gives an estimate of body composition. We hypothesized that BIA would match changes in weight and BNP in patients with decompensated HF.
Methods: Patients admitted from the emergency department at the Dorn VA Hospital with a complaint of dyspnea were placed in the either the HF or the control arm based on their past medical history. BIA was performed with the Impedimed bioimpedance spectroscopy device at enrollment, every day during inpatient care, and at a 30 day follow up.
Results: The HF group (n=2) showed a decrease in percentage of extracellular water during inpatient care, indicating a reduction in their edema. This was paired with either a reduction or a fluctuation in body weight. Measured extracellular water %(ECW%) in patient 001 decreased from 66% to 35%, and a 7 kg weight reduction. While patient 009 experienced a fluctuation in body weight, measured ECW% decreased from 43% to 37%.
Conclusions: Bioimpedance shows promise as a tool for monitoring volume overload due to its noninvasive and easy to use nature. Further study of this assay with a longer study period and comparison to markers such as BNP could establish it as a widely used tool to detect hypervolemia.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 105
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| Muraleedharan, Ahalya |
Nolan, Melissa |
A State-Wide Vector-borne Disease Survey: Frequency of Mosquito and Tick Bites
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Abstract Text
Vector-borne diseases disproportionately affect minorities in the United States, yet this population is often underrepresented in surveillance initiatives due to a variety of complex socioecological factors. Leveraging infrastructure from a state-wide health disparities COVID-19 study, we performed a minority-focused state-wide vector-borne disease survey on >1,000 residents of multiple socioeconomic levels. Mosquito bite frequency was not significantly different by one’s education, income, or occupational status. Interestingly, despite non-Hispanic white residents being <10% of the total surveyed population, this demographic group reported a statistically higher frequency of mosquito bites compared to minority populations. Next, increased mosquito bite frequency, but not tick bites, was significantly associated with regular outdoor activity. Residents with higher-paying jobs and higher educational levels reported statistically higher incidences of tick bites, which were not associated with race/ethnicity. When looking at vector-borne disease as a whole, non-Hispanic white respondents reported a statistically higher frequency of having a close friend or family diagnosed with a vector-borne disease. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and La Crosse Encephalitis were the three most commonly diagnosed infections reported among participants in our state. In closing, we were surprised to find lower levels of mosquito bites among minority populations, which we hypothesize could be due to lower public awareness of mosquito-borne diseases among this population. However, minority populations did report a high level of tick bites and tick-borne disease, which might represent a growing health disparity concern. These results warrant further study into the unique vector-borne disease transmission risk factors among this vulnerable group.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 152
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| Nixon, Joanna |
DePriest, Jack |
Replacing Magnesium in the Critically Ill: Be Sure to Check(list) Your Protocol!
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Abstract Text
Background: Electrolyte replacement protocols (ERP) have become the standard for guiding electrolyte replacement in the intensive care unit (ICU). ERP replacement dosing for magnesium is guided solely by serum levels, although the literature suggests that the critically ill may have significant total body deficits despite normal serum levels. Risk factors for total body deficits include diabetes, alcoholism, and diuretic use. Magnesium plays a critical role in supporting cardiac electrophysiology and ICU patients frequently have risk factors for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias secondary to structural heart disease, sepsis, and QTc prolonging medications.
Aim Statement: By June 30, 2023, the critical care pharmacists will utilize a magnesium replacement checklist on rounds to identify 50% of patients receiving QTc prolonging medications with ≥ 2 risk factors for clinically significant magnesium deficits and determine their requirement for more aggressive magnesium replacement than indicated by the ERP.
Methods: We created a checklist that highlights risk factors for both cardiac arrhythmias and magnesium deficits despite normal serum levels. We retrospectively assessed the prevalence of risk factors for hypomagnesemia in 364 patients admitted to the Prisma Health Richland Hospital medical ICU (MICU) from March 1, 2021 - May 31, 2021. The data emphasize a high-risk cohort including patients with diabetes who were taking diuretics. Further examination assessed for history of cardiac diagnoses and exposure to QTc prolonging medications.
Results: Approximately 10% of the patient population was classified to be high-risk. Within this cohort, 75% had documented cardiac diagnoses, and 88% had normal serum magnesium levels. Furthermore, 25% received at least one QTc prolonging medication during hospitalization. 63% had a documented cardiac diagnosis and 100% had normal serum levels. The ERP threshold is < 1.7mg/dL, suggesting that 13% of the high-risk subgroup would have been repleted.
Conclusions and Implications: We have shown that a checklist can be used to identify ICU patients who may require more aggressive supplementation than the ERP will provide. Our next steps include surveying clinical pharmacists and prospectively collecting new data to evaluate the utility of the checklist.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 148
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| Boswell, Emma |
Richard, Chelsea |
Reach and Impact of Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs Implemented by South Carolina First Steps Local Partnerships, July 2017 – June 2021
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Abstract Text
Background/Significance: South Carolina First Steps (SCFS) is a state agency and 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ensuring school readiness for all children throughout the state. Studies show that home visiting (HV) participants are more likely to meet the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended schedule of well-child visits (WCV) and have fewer emergency department (ED) visits. WCV increase school readiness by improving physical and social-emotional health. Therefore, HV can indirectly improve school readiness by increasing the number of WCVs its participants receive.
Purpose/Objectives/Aims: This study seeks to examine the association between enrollment in a HV program implemented by SCFS Local Partnerships and healthcare utilization (WCV and ED visits) amongst children ages 0-5 years enrolled in SC Medicaid.
Methods: This study uses de-identified, matched data from SCFS and SC Medicaid to evaluate healthcare utilization. Differences in the mean number of WCVs are compared via t-tests, and logistic regression is used to examine differences in the number of ED visits between groups.
Results: Between 2017-2021, SCFS served over 4,800 children in 5 HV programs. On average, children were enrolled for 34 months and received 1.8 visits per month, with each visit lasting 57 minutes. Participating children have an average of 3.2 risk factors; 82% of children were enrolled in SNAP and 61% of children were living in a single-parent household. More than 70% were children of color. Children enrolled in SCFS HV programs are more likely to meet WCV recommendations.
Conclusions/Implications: SCFS Local Partnerships are implementing HV programs that effectively reach children in need of intervention. These programs are being implemented with high model fidelity and having a significant, positive impact on the lives of their participants. SCFS is improving the physical and social-emotional wellbeing of the children they serve through these programs by indirectly increasing the number of WCV these children receive
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 98
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| Mack, Zachary |
Broude, Eugenia |
Adaptation of breast cancer cells to a CDK4/6 inhibitor
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Abstract Text
Inhibitors of CDK4/6 have become a major addition to the clinical arsenal against estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers. In particular, CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib (IBRANCETM) has been approved for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancers (in combination with hormone therapy). However, palbociclib treatment eventually fails due to the development of resistance. Laboratory studies based on long-term drug selection revealed several mechanisms of palbociclib resistance. However, it is now understood that drug resistance may first emerge as non-genetic adaptation of tumor cells to an anticancer drug, before stable resistant mutants can be selected. The goals of our study were to determine how breast cancer cells adapt to palbociclib, and whether inhibition of CDK8/19 Mediator kinase, a broad-spectrum regulator of transcriptional reprogramming, could affect the process of adaptation to palbociclib.
We characterized the dynamics of cell growth of MCF7 ER+ breast cancer cells in the presence of different concentrations of palbociclib and found that cells undergo rapid adaptation to the drug and resume cell growth within 2-3 weeks. Similar results were obtained with other cell lines, including ZR-75-1 ER+ breast cancer and SW-620 colon cancer cells. Although the adapted cells proliferated in the presence of palbociclib, their resistance was unstable, indicating its non-genetic nature. Remarkably, palbociclib adaptation in all the cell lines was prevented by the addition of CDK8/19 inhibitors (which by themselves had only a moderate antiproliferative effect). To investigate whether palbociclib adaptation is a variable stochastic process, we set up 10 concurrent adaptation studies of MCF-7 cells exposed to 500 nM palbociclib. Adaptation was observed at approximately the same time (28 days) in all 10 replicates, suggesting a similar non-stochastic process.
We also characterized the heterogeneity of MCF-7 cells in regard to their inherent sensitivity to palbociclib, SNX631, and their combination. 44 single-cell clones showed a wide range of palbociclib resistance but a narrower range of SNX631 sensitivity. All the clones were strongly inhibited when palbociclib was combined with SNX631. These results, coupled with our RNA Seq data from short- and long-term treatment, suggest that palbociclib adaptation is a robust process driven by phenotypic heterogeneity and transcriptional reprogramming mediated by CDK8/19.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 80
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| Morell, Kevin |
Jabbari, Esmaeil |
Industrial Production of Cell Based Meat, Its Present and Future
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Abstract Text
In recent decades, cell based meat or cultured meat has gained considerable amount of popular and commercial interest. For a number of environmental, ethical, and economic reasons, cell based meat appears to provide an attractive alternative to traditional agriculture. However, the biological and chemical processes involved in developing meat in vitro make creating a viable product difficult. This research focuses on the manufacturing steps of mass produced meat products, how they are achieved in industry presently and how they can be improved moving forward.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 119
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| McElveen, Mary |
Twiss, Jeff |
Disrupted Axonal mRNA Transport Links Mitochondrial Function to Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4J Neuropathy
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Abstract Text
Mutations in the phosphoinositide-5 phosphatase Fig4 are causative for the neurodegenerative disorder Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 4J (CMT4J). CMT4J is characterized by axon loss and demyelination that eventually leads to paralysis and a truncated lifespan. However, the role of Fig4 in neurons and the molecular mechanisms underlying how mutations in the Fig4 gene lead to CMT4J remain unclear. It is known that Fig4 is responsible for the turnover of the phosphatidylinisitol(3,5)bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P2]. This is a signaling molecule for lysosomes that is needed for proper endo-lysosomal maturation and trafficking. Here, we present results of proteomic and transcriptomic analyses on Fig4-depleted neurons where there is downregulation in the Ca2+ and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, pointing to possible mitochondria dysfunction. RTddPCR indicates that the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial mRNAs COX4I1 and ATP5h are decreased in the axonal compartment of Fig4-depleted neurons. In addition axonal mitochondria membrane potential of Fig4 deleted murine neurons shows depolarization compared to wild type neurons. The decreased axonal levels of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial mRNAs for proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial depolarization with loss of Fig4 indicates that PI(3,5)P2 may play a key role in maintainence of mitochondrial health. Recent studies have indicated that lysosomes may serve a role in transporting mRNAs, with PI(3,5)P2 functioning as anchor for the binding of the RNA to the lysosomes. Here, we suggest that nuclear-encoded mRNAs for mitochondrial proteins, including COX4I1 and ATP5h, may depend on the endo-lysosomal pathway for transport into axons exploiting PI(3,5)P2 as an anchor to “hitchhike” on lysosomes. When Fig4 is depleted, crucial nuclear-encoded mRNAs are no longer able to reach the axonal compartment, leading to mitochondria dysfunction and to possible axonal degeneration, a hallmark of CMT4J.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 36
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Yumen, Anna
Conner, James N
Mulji, Neelam |
Kim, Julian |
Treatment Trends for Stage 0 and I Breast Cancer from 2011 to 2020: A Retrospective Analysis using the National Cancer Database
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Abstract Text
The treatment of breast cancer has significantly evolved over time with the utilization of multidisciplinary treatment. The multimodal approach within breast cancer patients has improved survival and health outcomes. Through analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we sought to evaluate the treatment trends for stage 0 and I breast cancer based on year, as well as demographic variables.
We queried the NCDB from 2011-2020, evaluating 1,548,130 patients diagnosed with stage 0 (n = 440,841) and I (n=1,107,289) breast cancer. We then evaluated the treatment trends by year of surgery only (SO), surgery and radiation (SR), surgery and hormonal therapy (SH), and the combination of surgery, radiation and hormonal therapy (SRH). Furthermore, we examined a subset of demographic factors for secondary analysis including: age, insurance status, race, distance from hospital, and comorbidity score and their relationship to treatment modality. Mann Kendall Trend (MKT) analysis and chi-squared tests were performed where appropriate.
Overall from 2011 to 2020, the treatment trend of breast cancer showed decreased use of surgery only for stage 0 (38.7% to 31.6% p< 0.00001, MKT p <0.05, Fig 1) and stage I (12.2% to 7.6% p<0.00001, MKT p<0.05). Management with multimodal (SRH) increased for stage 0 ( 20.1% to 28.9% p < 0.00001, MKT p<0.05) and stage 1 (33.1% to 37.2% p < 0.00001, MKT p<0.05). The use of SR for stage 1 decreased from 2011 to 2020 ( 23% to 11% p < 0.00001). SH increased in stage 0 from 2011 to 2020 (12.2% to 18.8% p< 0.00001, MKT p<0.05).
The treatment trend for stage 0 and stage I breast cancer over the last decade has evolved, with overall increasing use of multimodal treatment (SRH) and decreasing use of SO modalities. Our review of the National Cancer Database showed statistically significant trends in overall management and for age, insurance and comorbidity score factors for stage 0 and I breast cancer.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 173
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Ancona, Lauren
Nyitray, Ashley |
Stephenson, Kathryn |
Locked and Unloaded: A Quality Improvement Study on Provider Barriers to Discussing Firearm Safety
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Abstract Text
Firearm related injuries and deaths are on the rise for children and adolescents. Physician counseling has been shown to improve safer firearm storage. When firearms are stored away safely or removed from the home, firearm related injuries decrease. Despite this evidence, only a minority of physicians provide effective firearm safety counseling. This resident-led quality improvement project aimed to first discover the barriers that exist and and then improve provider counseling by equipping residents with educational materials and resources. Education was delivered in the form of a powerpoint presentation that included local and nationwide statistics regarding firearm-related injuries and effective tactics on delivering counseling. In addition, teaching was provided on how to use a gun-safety lock. Locks were then provided to the clinic with instructions on how to distribute to families. Based on survey analysis, the three most common provider barriers to discussing firearm safety were limited time, knowledge and patient resources. After receiving educational resources, residents reported fewer identifiable barriers and were more comfortable providing effective counseling. Despite this resident-reported increase in comfortability, there was no improvement in EMR-reported counseling or gunlock distribution. This was felt to be due to built in EPIC smartphrases within note templates that made firearm counseling appear falsely elevated before and after education was provided. In conclusion, education regarding the impact of gun violence on the community, the roles providers play and evidence-based prevention strategies significantly improves provider comfort levels. If providers are more comfortable they may then counsel more often and effectively, hopefully leading to a reduction of firearm related injuries in children and adolescents.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 159
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| Keseko, Enid |
Turner-McGrievy, Brie
Bernhart, John |
Recruitment of African Americans Adults for a 3-month Restaurant Delivered Study on the Adoption of Vegan Diets
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Abstract Text
Background: The Nutritious Eating with Soul study examined the effectiveness of an adoption of soul food-based diets (vegan and omnivorous) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity. In the dissemination and implementation stage (NEW Soul D&I), researchers are partnering with African American-owned vegan restaurants to deliver a community-based nutrition intervention.
Objectives: This abstract provides an overview of the recruitment procedures used and yields from each method for the first cohort of NEW Soul D&I, with recruitment goals of n= 38 African Americans adults with overweight or obesity, ages 18-65 years, with a goal of 30% men and 70% women.
Methods: The recruitment strategies leveraged for NEW Soul D&I cohort 1 included referrals from prior study participants, NEW Soul website, churches, community events, radio ads, social media, referrals from friends and family, and targeted mailings using postcards. The recruitment timeline was from December 2022 to February 2023. Participants completed online screening forms to be considered for eligibility prior to enrollment.
Results: A total of 25 male (32.1%) and 52 female (67.9%) African American adults were invited to a study orientation for the first cohort of NEW Soul D&I. These study participants were recruited by radio ads (77.9%), followed by referrals from friends or family (15.6%), social media posts (5.2%) and targeted mailing (1.3%).
Conclusion: The use of radio ads followed by referrals from friends and family were the most effective methods for recruitment. The NEW Soul D & I team will continue to recruit future cohorts using radio ads.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 29
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| Bullard, John |
Thompson, Benjamin |
Impact of palliative referral education on primary care specialties
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Abstract Text
While the value of palliative care has been proven time and again, primary care physicians still hesitate to refer patients to palliative care. This hesitation is amplified in training programs where resident physicians face their own barriers to referrals – limited time, attending physician comfort, uncertain benefit of palliative services to name a few. Our previous Quality improvement work has demonstrated that half of patients we meet die within two weeks of referral. This is not enough time for patients to reap the benefits of palliative care. Resident education initiatives can improve the quality of care that resident physicians provide over the course of a career. We created a series of interactive didactic sessions targeted to resident physicians in family and internal medicine. Sessions included education on the benefits of palliative care and the services available at our outpatient clinic. We will provide training during these sessions on initiating palliative care conversations using SPIKES protocol. Participants will complete surveys before and after the intervention. Surveys will query resident physicians’ comfort level with palliative care and assess understanding of indications for referral. Survey results will be the primary outcome and secondary outcome will be the change in number of referrals. We hope to increase the quality of care for patients in our residency-associated primary care clinics by increasing the number of appropriate, early referrals to outpatient palliative care.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 194
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| Akers, Abigail |
Spence, Gina |
Growing Overseas
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Abstract Text
During spring semester of 2022, I left America for the first time to study abroad in Rome, Italy. My whole life, I had an appetite to travel. Dipping my toe in traveling by deciding to live in a different country for four months seemed ambitious to my parents, but it was exactly the test I needed to push my boundaries and get out of my comfort zone. I knew this move would immerse me in a new culture and I would not only learn, but experience how Italians live their day to day lives. Although extremely nervous at the time, I was never prepared for the personal growth I had opened myself up to as a 20-year-old with limited travel experience. I spent my four and half months building new relationships, exploring the majestic ancient history of Rome, and learning why Italian’s value eating as an art form. I got to see glimpse into other cultures by traveling to Hungary, Denmark, Spain, France, and many other countries. I spent time in the classroom learning about the Italian Government, learning the language, and the importance of the history of Italian cuisine and wine. I got to uncover the similarities between the small city of Columbia, South Carolina and the much bigger, much older, capital of Italy, Rome. Seeing first-hand how issues like homelessness and prejudice don’t stop just because you travel an entire ocean away. I learned what it felt like to be in countries just borders away from conflict by traveling to Budapest, Hungary, which borders Ukraine, during a very serious brewing global issue. For the first time, I had to make decisions for my safety. No longer being in the same country as my parents, or any adults that I knew, I learned to look at situations from a different perspective. My global learning experience has given me growth and knowledge I never would have gained without traveling to Italy.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 215
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| Nelson, Scott |
Edwards, Hollie |
Physical Findings Friday: a virtual curriculum to improve resident confidence and proficiency in physical exam findings during the pandemic era and beyond
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Abstract Text
Introduction. Several studies have shown that residents’ examination skills are suboptimal and that they lack self-confidence in performing physical exam maneuvers. In a recent survey of pediatric residents at the Prisma Health Midlands Children’s Hospital, 13.8% of residents felt confident in describing heart sounds and 3.4% felt confident relating their cardiac findings to pathology. On assessment of proficiency in identifying pathology only 58% were able to correctly identify stridor and only 22% were able to correctly identify a murmur correctly. This project aimed at improving both confidence and proficiency in the areas of describing and identifying skin lesions, heart and lung sounds.
Methods. In November 2020 when all residents were sent a survey assessing their confidence and proficiency in the areas previously described. In January 2021, the Physical Findings Friday curriculum began, consisting of monthly cases with questions and discussions. Following the completion of the first cycle, residents were once again surveyed. Confidence was measured on a Likert Score scale with numeric representation of each confidence level to aid analysis. Proficiency was measured by answering questions correctly. In the second cycle of the study began and only the intern class participated. Changes in confidence and proficiency over time were scored as before and compared to those in the first cycle.
Results. In the first cycle, residents improved in both confidence and proficiency in all areas. The area of most improvement in confidence was identifying heart pathology based on a sound. The area of most improvement in proficiency was describing a skin lesion. In the second cycle, confidence once again improved in all areas tested. The area of most improvement in confidence was identifying heart pathology and describing lung sounds. The area of most improvement in proficiency was identifying heart pathology.
Discussion. The study’s aims were completely met in the first cycle, with improvement in both confidence and proficiency among respondents. In the second cycle, the aim of improving confidence among at least 75% of respondents was achieved. The aim of improving proficiency by 10% of respondents was achieved only in the area of identifying heart pathology.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 192
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Lunt, Annabelle
Becker, Madeline
Davidson, Mollie
Brents, Riley
Douglass, Megan |
Reagan, Lawrence |
Improving care and identifying unrecognized health barriers in underserved diabetic patient populations of South Carolina: A developing modernizing care model
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Abstract Text
Purpose of the Study:
Our project implements a medical student supported management program for underserved diabetic patients in South Carolina. Trained medical students are paired with uninsured patients through a local free medical clinic to help educate, identify barriers to diabetic management, and set lifestyle goals.
Statement of Methods:
Adults (≥18 years old) with type 2 diabetes (T2D), an HbA1c ≥7%, and access to a phone are eligible for enrollment. Baseline A1c is collected via a blood finger stick and BMI is calculated via height and weight at the time of enrollment. A1c and BMI are trended every 3 months to evaluate effectiveness. Individualized one-on-one regularly scheduled phone calls between the students and patients aims to identify obstacles typically unrecognized in the clinical setting. Our program connects with the patient during their daily routine in their home environment, providing insight on specific obstacles such as access to kitchen supplies and exercise equipment.
Summary of Results:
Currently, 29 patients have been enrolled with a baseline A1c value of 9.5%. We have identified many barriers specific to patients’ health outcomes including food insecurity, transportation, mental health, disability, housing security, ability to exercise, financial insecurity, trouble sleeping, and others. We have found that even with the available resources, our patient population often lacks the availability of free time to implement their management strategies.
Conclusions and Implications for Future Research:
Through identifying these barriers, our goal is to create a targeted follow-up plan to lower A1c values. This individualized one-on-one care model may be a more effective resource in managing diabetes in underserved populations.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 178
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| Kearney, Zachary |
Vitzilaios, Nikolaos |
Small-Scale Autonomous Race Vehicle
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Abstract Text
Autonomous vehicles are a promising form of technology, and one of the often-overlooked applications for this technology is that of autonomous racing. In this project, a small autonomous vehicle was assembled using an RC car and various navigational components. The first portion of the navigation system included a LiDAR that sensor collects data on the surrounding environment and potential obstacles, then feeds that data to the navigation computer. The navigation computer processes the data and issues corresponding drive commands to the electronic speed controller, which controls the drive motor and steering servo. The primary goal of this project was to use this vehicle platform to develop a robust and versatile navigation algorithm that could allow the vehicle to quickly traverse a racecourse while avoiding both stationary and moving obstacles. Multiple navigational methods were investigated to gauge their effectiveness, but none of the individual methods provided satisfactory results alone. Instead, we discovered that combining RRT* and Pure Pursuit created an algorithm that provided adequate computational efficiency to quickly construct collision-free paths for the vehicle to follow. The resulting algorithm was then tuned and optimized to allow the vehicle to travel at higher speeds without losing control. With a functional navigation system, we competed in the F1TENTH Autonomous Grand Prix, which was slated to be held at IROS 2021, but was instead hosted on an online simulation platform due to the ongoing pandemic. Currently, the vehicle can navigate around a track at reasonably high-speed while avoiding most obstacles. However, it does have difficulty navigating around moving obstacles since it cannot predict their motion, which causes unintended collisions. Additionally, due to the randomized nature of RRT*, the vehicle tends to oscillate when taking straight path s, which limits its maximum speed. Our future work involves investigating more sophisticated navigational methods, particularly the A* search algorithm, which could yield improved performance with reduced computational requirements. Potential applications of our vehicle navigation system included search-and-rescue efforts, indoor structural mapping, and automated parcel delivery.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 119
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Lunt, Annabelle
Becker, Madeline
Patel, Janu |
Morris, Michael |
A Retrospective Study of Severe Right-sided Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhages and Investigation of Etiology related to Vascular Anomalies
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Abstract Text
Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a severe and common complication of tonsillectomy procedures. Analysis of clinical literature and patient cases indicate a higher frequency of PTH on the right side, in comparison to the left. Current literature discussing etiologies of PTH fails to address this unilateral occurrence, specifically to the right side. Hemorrhage often occurring from the inferior pole of the right tonsil indicates anatomical vascular variation and asymmetry as key components in the pathology of right-sided PTH. Vascular anomalies of the carotid arteries typically are not considered prior to tonsillectomy, despite common reports of aberrant internal carotid arteries (aICAs) and external carotid variations in literature. Given their prevalence, radiological imaging should be performed prior to tonsillectomy along with a more superficial surgical resection to specifically prevent right-sided PTH. Although techniques such as cauterization have been developed to prevent severe hemorrhage, they have been ineffective on the right-side due to the superficial nature of the vessels.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 203
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| Babb, Elizabeth |
Colascione, Megan |
Czeching In with New Perspectives on Community, Learning, & Opportunities
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Abstract Text
During spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad at the VSE University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic. I chose to attend an academic program within Central/Eastern Europe to explore a new area of the world and challenge myself to grow personally and academically within the International Business program at USC. VSE allowed me to live with 400 students from around the world and take classes on European Union policy, as well as business in countries like Russia, which would supplement my coursework at USC. In preparation for a career in international business, I wanted to better understand new places, cultures, and how to adapt among groups who may not think alike. This experience was significant for me because I was the only student from USC in a new country where I did not speak the language. I knew I would need to adapt within this new environment to find my community. The four months spent in Prague, as well as a supplemental case competition in Norway, gave me unparalleled opportunities for growth. I better understood how culture influences community and how academic theories can become upended in the face of current events. This experience showed me the importance of seeking diverse opportunities around the world and how different cultures can push us out of our comfort zones for the better. I feel much more capable of finding community among diverse groups and able to adapt to both the challenges and opportunities presented in new places, both skill sets which will influence how I lead in my career beyond USC.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 203
|
Conner, James
Yumen, Anna |
Kim, Julian |
Treatment Trends for Stage I, II and III Gastric Cancer from 2011 to 2020: A Retrospective Analysis using the National Cancer Database
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Abstract Text
Introduction
The treatment of gastric cancer has undergone significant changes with the institution of perioperative chemotherapy. Improved chemotherapy regimens have led to significantly improved overall survival. We aimed to evaluate the shifts in treatment trends for stage I, II, and III gastric cancer using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).
Methods
We queried the NCDB from 2011-2020 for patients diagnosed with stage I (n = 39,449), II (n = 24,346), and III (n = 30,153) gastric cancer. We evaluated the trends of surgery only (SO), chemotherapy and surgery (CS), and chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery (CRS) by year. We examined demographic factors: age, insurance status, race, distance from hospital, hospital type, and comorbidity score and their relationship to treatment modality. Trend analysis and chi-squared tests were performed where appropriate.
Results
From 2011 to 2020, utilization of SO for gastric cancer decreased significantly for stage II (24.4% to 19.2%, p <0.001) and stage III (18.5% to 10.6%, p <0.00001). During this same time period, the use of CS increased for stage II (19% to 32%, p <0.00001) and stage III (20.6% to 27%, p <0.00001). Additionally, the use of CRS decreased in stage II (27.3% to 12.4%, p <0.00001) and stage III (32.2% to 22.1%, p <0.00001). For stage I gastric cancer, patients >60 years old underwent less SO when compared to patients <60 years old (17% vs. 45.8%, p <0.0002). Insurance, hospital type, race, and distance did not have a significant impact in the treatment of gastric cancers. For stage II and III gastric cancer, treatment with CRS and CS decreased with higher Charlson comorbidity scores (2/3+) compared to lower scores (0/1) ( p <0.0001).
Conclusions
The treatment of stage I to III gastric cancers has evolved over the last 10 years, with increased use of CS and decreasing SO and CRS. Age and comorbidity score have a significant relationship with the usage of different treatment modalities. A more detailed multivariate analysis will allow us to gain more insight in the different trends that we observed in this review.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 167
|
| Johnson, Nohl |
Michalos, Alexis |
Communication and Leadership through Supplemental Instruction
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Abstract Text
During my junior and senior years at USC, I undertook the role of Supplemental Instructor (SI) for the Student Success Center – supporting MATH 142: Calculus II. SI’s are undergraduate students who have done well in classes that are historically difficult where they provide their peers with advice and host review sessions throughout the semester. Supplemental instruction plays an important role on campus as it gives students valuable tools for success in these classes. I became an SI because I am passionate about math and even more passionate about helping others, and this role was able to fill both of those areas. Supplemental instruction also gave me opportunities to develop and cultivate skills that are important for professional growth. These skills could be used in everyday situations, such as clear communication, or in areas that are more role oriented, such as leading a team. The difficult part about supplemental instruction was figuring out a way to explain the complex topics in a way that others could understand that is not even clear, to begin with. With experience, I was able to adapt strategies and devise solutions that could be presented in ways understandable to those who were seeking my help. I found that in difficult situations, communication is important to facilitate a shared understanding, and experience through practice is the best way to improve these skills.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 327
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Phan, Colleen
Mercado, Brandon |
Webb, Ginny
Travis, Justin |
Identifying the determinants of pediatric vaccine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Abstract Text
Identifying determinants of vaccination uptake is critical for public and community health. The population became divided in regard to preventative measures and vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are varying opinions on decisions to vaccinate children against childhood diseases and COVID-19. Recent findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vaccine hesitancy. Here, we assess the factors
responsible for vaccine hesitancy in parents and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected attitudes toward childhood vaccines using a survey given to parents in South Carolina. Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccinations affects vaccination intentions. Age, education, gender, and politics also all contribute to parents’ decisions about vaccinating their kids. Understanding potential deterrents to vaccine acceptance will aid healthcare providers and public health entities to better reach the community.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 153
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Baska, Katelynn
Gatrone, Erin
Nelems, Michael |
Richardson, William |
Medical Student Perception of Toxicology Education and Exposure in the U.S. Medical School Curriculum
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Abstract Text
Medical Toxicology is not a required component of the U.S. medical school core curriculum, yet it is crucial in acute settings such as the emergency department. While other studies have taken an interest in evaluating the variance between toxicology curriculums, none have previously assessed U.S. medical students’ perceptions of medical toxicology education or exposure at large. We hypothesize that medical students, particularly those interested in Emergency Medicine, a) perceive a lack of medical toxicology training within their own medical school experience, b) are interested in medical toxicology, and c) would appreciate access to more educational resources for medical toxicology as medical students. This is a pilot study with the hope of using this data as a foundation for a larger scale study to ultimately advocate for greater inclusion of toxicology in the U.S. medical school curriculum and encourage more medical students to consider medical toxicology as a future career option. This is a de-identified survey study conducted through REDCap. It is a 15-question Likert scale survey that has been sent through the Emergency Medicine Residents Association (EMRA). The inclusion criteria are 4th year medical students interested in Emergency Medicine. There were 30 students who started the survey but only 18 completed the survey. 47.4% of respondents felt as though toxicology is not well-represented in their curriculum while 21.1% felt it was. 73.7% of respondents would not feel as comfortable treating a toxicology-related complaint as they would treating abdominal pain. 61.1% of respondents would not feel confident taking a toxicology-based assessment for medical students. 72.3% of respondents state that they are more interested in toxicology now than before they started medical school. 5.6% felt that toxicology is a diverse field, 33.3 do not feel it is a diverse field.
Although this study was a pilot study with limitations, it appears to have provided sufficient data to support moving forward with a larger scale study on the topic. Based on this preliminary data, medical students, particularly those interested in Emergency Medicine, both desire and would benefit from further medical toxicology exposure and resources during their medical education.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 193
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| Wilson, Jenna |
Wellman, Denise
Hiott, Ambra |
Carolina Closet
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Abstract Text
When students go to college, they have one main goal in mind. They want to get a degree to assist them in getting a high paying job. Part of receiving that job is having the degree, but the other factor is dressing the part. Business clothing can be expensive for anyone, but especially college students. Student Government at the University of South Carolina created the Carolina Closet to offer students, faculty, and staff free business casual and business professional clothing. I have served as both the Assistant Director and the Director of the Carolina Closet over the past year. I was in charge of overseeing donation drives, volunteer management, answering emails, and running the social media accounts. This was an opportunity that I originally never planned on having. I was approached by a close friend to join her team in making a difference on our college campus. I decided to jump headfirst into a project that I thought was going to be a simple yet fulfilling way to end my senior year. Through many ups and downs, I have learned a lot this past year on how to lead and direct people, but even more importantly, how to serve people well. This has been a great experience for me to understand that as a teacher, I need to meet my students’ needs where they are. After presenting about the Carolina Closet, I hope everyone understands just a little bit more about the battles that some students face while just trying to come to school.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 301
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| Shewhart, Stephanie |
Michalos, Alexis |
Pi Chi: I'll Be There For You
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Abstract Text
Your first few days of college are very pivotal in a freshman’s mind. Having a reliable, supportive mentor there to guide you is very important. During Panhellenic Recruitment, you feel lost, overwhelmed and have a longing to be accepted. The weight of being in a sorority and finding your friends right away is heavy on women who are experiencing what it is like to be on their own for the first time. I remember going through the recruitment process and how much I loved my Pi Chi. A Pi Chi is a recruitment leader that oversees a group of 20-30 women with a partner. The Pi Chi helps potential new members find their home here at the University of South Carolina by listening to them through every round of the two week process. Ever since I went through recruitment, I knew that I wanted to be that person – a Pi Chi – so I could help guide other women going through the recruitment process. When the opportunity arose to apply for Pi Chi, I quickly ceased it. I heard how long and emotional the days were going to be, but nothing could have prepared me for how hard, yet rewarding the process would be. The process made me truly learn what being there for others, no matter the circumstances, meant. It taught me how important it is to be unbiased and that sometimes you just have to listen and be that shoulder to cry on. Along the way, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and I met a lot of amazing, different people. After two years of being a Pi Chi, I can happily say it was one of the best decisions I’ve made and has shaped me into the person I am today.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 335
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| Harder, Nicolas |
Brashears, Matthew |
Culture, Value, and Heuristics: How status is used to compress information about cultural objects and influence consumption
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Abstract Text
Part of the human experience is the creation and consumption of culture. Because of this, over the course of evolution humans adapted cognitive resources for the identification and development of cultural objects in social environments. These objects are so essential to human interactions that they are integrated into social structures and assumptions are made about individuals that possess them (e.g., those that listen to classical music are more intelligent). Using music as an example, prior theory proposes that the status value of an object acts as a proxy, providing information about its quality, possible uses, and value. However, empirical results show that the reality of music consumption this is much more mixed, with individuals consuming both music from a wider range of genres and from genres with different associated status values (e.g., consuming rock, pop, and jazz). To explain this, I propose that status value is acting as a heuristic, or cognitive shortcut, for compressing three types of value (i.e., Utility, Exchange, and Symbolic) into an easy to remember and communicate concept. In addition, status value not only influences how individuals perceive a cultural object, but also its popularity and level of consumption in the wider American population.
Data for this project is collected through Amazon’s Prime Panels service, a part of their CloudResearch platform. This is a nationally representative survey of American adults that collects: 1) ratings of 15 music genres on different types of valuation, 2) information on individual music consumption and participation behaviors, 3) information on who individuals discuss music with, and 4) a wide range of demographic variables. This project utilizes both multivariate regressions to predict how the 3 types of value compose status value, and ecological models to predict future consumption trends using current consumption and participation behaviors, valuation of music genres, and individual demographics.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 72
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| Jatoi, Isak |
Shustova, Natalia
Park, Kyoungchul |
Selective Radionuclide Sequestration Using Crown-Ether-Containing Metal-Organic Frameworks
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Abstract Text
Over the past few decades, demand has increased to improve nuclear waste administration due to a significant rise in the utilization of nuclear energy. The development of new methods for the efficient administration of nuclear wasteforms is evident through the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters of the past century, where radionuclide contamination of large bodies of water sparked public concern. In order to manage such radioactive species, radionuclide sequestration, storage, separation, and sensing are four emergent areas that must be addressed in the upcoming years. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a potential candidate for addressing these challenges due to their porosity, high surface area, tunability, and aptitude for sequestering radionuclides. Zirconium-based MOFs were synthesized using a novel crown-ether-based organic linker, which served as a cation chelating agent. To characterize this MOF, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was performed to probe the organic linker, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) was used to characterize the crystallinity of the MOF. The results show the possibility to control cation release kinetics in MOFs through postsynthetic linker installation of cation chelating agents, such as a crown-ether-based organic linker. Overall, the presented detailed structural analysis, kinetics, and thermochemical stability studies showcase MOFs as a viable nuclear wasteform material.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 86
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Zmuda, Anna
Dick, Brantley |
Richardson, William |
Acute Hydroxychloroquine Overdose with Severe and Prolonged Cardiotoxicity
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Abstract Text
We present a case of a large overdose of hydroxychloroquine (PlaquenilTM) with severe clinical toxicity and describe the hospital management of the patient with her subsequent successful hospital discharge. A 49-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) two hours following a reported ingestion of 24 grams of hydroxychloroquine in a suicide attempt. The patient developed hypotension, ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes, and profound hypokalemia. She was managed with intravenous fluid resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, electrolyte replacement, high-dose intravenous diazepam, sodium bicarbonate, and lidocaine and amiodarone infusions. The patient was ultimately able to be discharged to home. Though reported hydroxychloroquine overdoses are relatively infrequent, the management of large ingestions can provide significant challenges for the emergency medicine physician, as these patients can present in extremis. Understanding the toxicity and management of hydroxychloroquine overdoses may become even more important, as the prescription rate of hydroxychloroquine increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained high despite failure of studies to demonstrate a reduction in morbidity and mortality when used for the treatment of COVID-19.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 150
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| Reynolds, Chelsea |
Stephenson, Kathryn |
Improving the Discussion of Suicide Prevention: A Quality Improvement Project
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Abstract Text
Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death among young people in the United States [1] and the third leading cause of death in this age group worldwide [2]. From 2007 to 2017, the suicide rate among adolescents in the United States between the ages of 10 and 24 years old, increased by 56% [3]. Suicide prevention is a growing focus in pediatrics. Currently, at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Clinic (CHOC), suicidal ideation is screened for using a TEEN screen. The TEEN screen assesses not only for suicidal ideation but for prior attempts as well. However, after the screening is performed it is up to the provider to address these findings in a safe and effective manner. Project Aim: The goal of this quality improvement project is to develop and implement a suicide safety plan for our patients who express suicidal ideation and to increase the resident’s comfortability when discussing suicide prevention with patients.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 124
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Mercado, Brandon
Phan, Colleen |
Webb, Ginny
Travis, Justin |
Socioeconomic Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
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COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has brought about much suffering, with over a million deaths in the United States alone. To reduce deaths and severe disease, COVID-19 vaccines were developed and approved in 2021; however as of January 2023, only 53.9% of eligible South Carolinians are vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy has impeded efforts to reach herd immunity. Previous work has shown knowledge about COVID-19 as well as various demographic factors contribute to decisions about the practice of preventative measures like mask wearing or social distancing. Current research about vaccine hesitancy led us to speculate specific socio/political variables which might explain South Carolina’s low vaccination rate. In this study, we collected data from 1765 individuals from all counties in South Carolina using Qualtrics surveys on vaccine status, plans to vaccinate, and other demographics. Individuals also completed knowledge tests to produce knowledge scores about COVID-19 and vaccinations. Our findings suggest that gender, age, political affiliation, and education are all predictive of vaccination acceptance. Race was also a contributing factor to individuals being undecided about vaccination. To note, COVID-19 knowledge was not a determinant of vaccination acceptance, however COVID-19 vaccine knowledge and general vaccine knowledge were both predictive of vaccination acceptance. These results suggest personalized interventions towards increasing the public’s knowledge of general and COVID-19 vaccines might aid efforts towards reaching herd immunity. Understanding determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance can aid public health officials when reaching the public. Using this information, public health educational campaigns can be better tailored to the community.
Keywords: COVID-19, vaccination, public health
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 142
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| Barrentine, Emma |
Sutton, Kitty |
University 101 Peer Leader: More than just a Position
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Abstract Text
Serving as a University 101 Peer Leader during the fall 2021 and 2022 semesters was one greatest experiences of my undergraduate career. I had the pleasure of working with English teacher and lawyer Kitty Sutton, after having her as my own University 101 instructor during the fall of my freshman year. This organization works with thousands of freshmen and helps them to adjust to life here at USC.
Within this class, we touched on various subjects such as successful study skills, the importance of eating healthy, staying active, discussing diversity-equity-inclusion topics, touring the campus, studying abroad, hosting an upperclassmen major panel, and having a family dinner at my peer instructor’s house! As a peer leader, my role was to run our class GroupMe with reminders, assist with tracking attendance and lesson plans, and think of various icebreaker games and other outside-the-classroom activities to keep our students engaged.
I decided to become a peer leader during my sophomore year after seeing an advertisement for it on social media. I remember how much I enjoyed the class during my freshmen year so I decided to reach out to my former teacher Kitty about doing it with her and she was ecstatic! Once I completed the interviews and was given the position, we began to immediately work together on our schedule, lesson plans, and other fun activities for the class. I admire Kitty so much, and her passion for her career, constant optimism, and endless support inspires me continuously. I am forever grateful for her impact on my life.
As a peer leader, I have learned many incredible life lessons and character traits that will carry me far in life. Being a peer leader has taught me the importance of communication, mindfulness, and mental and physical health and well-being. I am grateful for all the insight it has given me over the last 2 years. I would recommend everyone consider applying for this role. This experience truly changed my life for the better and I just know it would do the same for you too.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 277
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| Olin, Brooke |
Spence, Gina |
Social Determinants of Health and the Impact on Patient Recovery
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Abstract Text
Last spring I had the opportunity to complete a department led observationship in an outpatient orthopedic trauma clinic at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. During this position I was the first person that patients talked to when they entered the clinic. I was responsible for rooming the patients and creating documentation for the rest of the care team addressing any concerns the patient had. Hands on experience and job shadowing are both crucial in ensuring that a career path is right in my opinion. Being able to interact with patients in a medical setting allowed for me to solidify my desire to attend medical school. I always had been interested in working in orthopedics, but had difficulty finding doctors who would allow for shadowing due to the ongoing pandemic. After gaining a contact within the Prisma Health system I reached out and was successful in finding times that worked for both me and the physicians I was going to shadow. I learned a lot of the behind the scenes work that a patient does not typically see. I got to see people on the care team call insurance companies, work with radiology, and set up physical therapy appointments in order to help the patients have a smoother recovery process. Through this opportunity I was also able to see the social determinants of health firsthand. After learning about the social determinants of health in my Introduction to Public Health course I began to pay more attention to nonmedical obstacles affecting a patient’s recovery. My presentation will highlight the experiences I gained while completing a department led observationship at Prisma Health and how I will use this knowledge as a future physician.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 313
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| Brackett, Emily |
Bookstaver, Brandon |
Adherence to Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis in an Emergency Department Setting
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Abstract Text
Introduction:
Although rabies is uncommon in the United States, the use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is frequently administered in emergency department (ED) settings. CDC guidelines recommend a one-time dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and a rabies vaccine series in previously unvaccinated individuals. Limited research has been done regarding institutions' adherence to CDC guidelines for rabies PEP.
Research question:
What proportion of patients receive guideline recommended HRIG for PEP?
Study design: Retrospective, cohort study conducted at a single hospital system in central South Carolina.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study was conducted from December 2014 through January 2020. Patients who presented to any of the hospital system campuses (4 hospitals) EDs with a chief complaint of animal exposure or rabies PEP were included in the study. Data collection was managed through REDCap® software. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who received the appropriate dose of HRIG based on CDC guidelines. The proportion of patients with the appropriate site of administration was also examined.
Results:
A total of 235 patients received an order for HRIG, among those 212 (89.1%) were dosed appropriately with 20 units/kg ± 5%. However, 191 (80.9%) had a documented body site where the immunoglobulin was given. Of the patients with a documented site, only 115 (48.7%) had received HRIG and vaccine on opposite sides of the body, and 141 (59.7%) had inappropriate administration, either same side, buttocks, or not documented.
Conclusions:
The appropriate dose for HRIG is commonly given, however documentation of specific sites of administration needed to be clearer within the electronic health record. Although rabies is uncommon in the United States, to prevent adverse events by administering the HRIG, appropriate administration is necessary and should be well documented.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 170
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| Albertson, Faith |
Will, Elizabeth |
Examining the impact of congenital heart defects on development in children with Down syndrome.
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Abstract Text
My project is titled, Examining the impact of congenital heart defects on development in children with Down syndrome. The goal of this project was to evaluate the potential effects of congenital heart defects (CHD) on development in Down syndrome (DS). The project compared multiple domains of development in children with DS without heart defects to those with heart defects. Prior evidence identifies associations between CHD and developmental delays, as well as poorer cognitive, language, and social skills for neurotypical infants with CHD relative to neurotypical infants without CHD. Although the developmental effects of CHD in neurotypical children are well-established, existing evidence on the developmental impact of congenital heart defects on development in DS is minimal, and none examines potential effects longitudinally across development. To address this critical gap in understanding impacts on early development in DS, this project examined differences across directly assessed, parent-reported, and behaviorally coded aspects of developmental domains at 12- and 24-months-old. To complete this study, participants were drawn from Dr. Will’s existing prospective longitudinal study. A total of 19 of the participants have congenital heart defects (DS+CHD) while 16 have no known congenital heart defects (DS-only).
I compared the infants scores on various domains using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale and the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales. Findings indicated meaningful group differences in cognition, expressive language, and socialization at 12 months of age, with infants with CHDs exhibiting greater skills for each domain. Findings also indicated meaningful group differences in receptive language and expressive language at 24 months of age, with infants with CHDs also exhibiting greater skills in both domains. Unexpectedly, children with DS with CHDs outperformed those without on these domains in infancy and toddlerhood. Although this was not at a statistically significant level, the magnitude of these differences was moderate, suggesting a clinically relevant difference that requires a better understanding. It may be the case that children with DS with CHDs are more closely followed by medical professionals, and consequently, more quickly identified for early intervention which may influence the areas of difference we identified.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 172
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| Boateng, Nana Ama |
Banerjee, Meeta |
An Exploration of Vicarious Racism After Witnessing George Floyd's Viral Video on Social Media
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Abstract Text
Vicarious racism comprises various exposure modalities, including in-person, online, and auditory reports. Harrell (2001) described vicarious racism as an indirect exposure to prejudice and discrimination experienced by friends, family, and strangers. Research has found that racism that targets Black victims continues to escalate as footage of high-profile deaths of unarmed Black men are seen on social media (Tynes et al., 2012; Williams & Clarke, 2019). Studies have shown that the George Floyd video has caused emotional and psychological reactions. However, there is limited data on the effects of the video in connection to personal race-based encounters among Black Americans.
This led to our research exploring whether personal race-based encounters are associated with vicarious distress after watching George Floyd’s video. In particular, our research examines the association between previous racial encounters (past year & whole life) and vicarious racism distress on social media after exposure to George Floyd’s video in Black American Adults. Three hypotheses led to this study. First, are there racial differences in reports of vicarious racism distress and exposure to online traumatic events between Black and White adults? Secondly, does watching the George Floyd video and having previous racist encounters (past year or whole life) as a Black American influence the degree of vicarious racism distress? Finally, does social media use affect the relationship between Black Americans' vicarious racism distress and past racial encounters?
A total of 179 participants completed the survey. Among the 179 participants, approximately 34% identified as Black American, and 66% identified as White. Results indicated significant group differences in the vicarious racism distress scores between Black Americans and White Americans (t [158] = 6.34, p <.001). There were significant group differences between Black Americans and White Americans (t [158] = 12.31, p < .001) for online traumatic events exposure. Interactions between past year racial encounters and social media use were significant (b = -.226, t [42] = -2.05, p = .0.46). Implications for studying vicarious racism in social media among Black populations will be discussed.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 2
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| Pulliam, Conor |
Li, Jie
Xue, Dan
Older, Ethan |
Discovery of promiscuous N-methyltransferase leads to production of new dimethylated lanthipeptides with improved antibacterial activity
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Abstract Text
Lanthipeptides are a class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) that have been noted for several medically relevant biological activities, including antibacterial and antiviral properties, among others. Our study involved a lanthipeptide biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) from Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus NRRL-B4156. Heterologous expression of this BGC yielded several novel lanthipeptide compounds with antimicrobial properties and a promiscuous N-methyltransferase. Further analysis of the structures of these peptides demonstrated that antimicrobial activity was directly correlated with the presence of a dimethylated N-terminus in several of the discovered peptides. Alignment of the peptide structures suggested that the identities of the first and second amino acid residues were essential for the dimethylation to occur. Subsequently, the first and second amino acid residues were mutated in the dimethylated peptides, which prevented these peptides from being methylated, confirming our hypothesis of the importance of the first and second residues. Lanthipeptides contained within the BGC that were natively unmethylated were then mutated at the second amino acid residue. These mutated peptides were able to be methylated using the unique N-methyltransferase, leading to an increase in their antimicrobial activities.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 94
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| Praylow, Dominique |
Michalos, Alexis |
Understanding What It Means To Serve
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Abstract Text
In March 2022, I began working for South Carolina State Senator Mia McLeod on her historic gubernatorial campaign. This internship was eye opening in many ways, showing me how capable I am, and that good things come to those that ask. I acquired this internship after Senator McLeod stopped by USC’s campus to speak to students at Hip Hop Wednesday. I was newly a political science student, looking to get experience in the field, so I approached her, introduced myself and asked to schedule a Zoom call. A few days later we met for a “virtual cup of coffee” and, at the end of it, she offered me the position. As an intern with Mia for SC, I was responsible for many tasks, such as, engaging with voters, staffing the Senator at events, driving the Senator to and from events all across South Carolina, collecting, documenting, and depositing campaign contributions, delivering and placing campaign literature and yard signs, among other things. This experience gave me a well rounded, hands-on view of what the campaign trail is like, and I found it so rewarding to be able to engage with everyday South Carolinians. From Senator McLeod, I learned the importance of knowing the people you serve, being well-versed in their plights, and actively trying to better their situations. The most eye opening events for me were food distribution events in Bamberg and Allendale. At both of these events, there were over 200 cars waiting to pick up boxes of non-perishable food. To see that there are so many South Carolinians struggling to even put food on their tables touched my heart and proved that there is much work to be done. Despite a loss in the primary, I learned so much from this campaign, and it solidified for me that I want to be in politics and serve my community.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 240
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| Habib, Peter |
Zarrett, Nicole |
Translation of the Connect through PLAY Physical Activity Intervention for Underserved Youth from In-person to Virtual Delivery: A Feasibility Study
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Physical activity (PA) is vital for adolescents’ physical, mental and psychosocial health and development, however, underserved youth (low-income, minority status) report the lowest levels of daily PA and the highest incidence of obesity and associated illnesses. Afterschool programs (ASPs) are a critical setting to provide PA opportunities for underserved youth, but previous research has identified several barriers within ASPs that inhibit staff from creating a positive social-motivational climate that supports youth PA engagement/accrual. Additional barriers due to the persistent state of the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the dire necessity to consider alternative approaches to deliver PA curriculum. A burgeoning set of new studies in virtual sport-based intervention programs indicate that implementing a virtual ASP curriculum can be promising for fostering positive emotional responses and peer relationships (Bates, 2021; Evans et al., 2021). However, no studies to-date have tested whether a positive ASP climate for supporting engagement and increases in PA can be established through a virtual format.
The Connect through PLAY virtual intervention is a social-motivational climate intervention that promotes increased PA through meeting youth social goals and developmental needs. The aims of this study were to 1) examine the feasibility and acceptability (value, usefulness, adaptability for ASPs) of implementing a virtual Connect through PLAY intervention within ASPs and 2) determine whether the virtual intervention is efficacious in increasing youth PA. Data were collected from nine ASP staff and 38 youth. Findings from youth and staff acceptability surveys indicated that the virtual format was acceptable. In 5-point rating scales, staff reported that they think the intervention was important (M= 4.6) and beneficial (M =4.6); Youth reported that the “Connect” activities are super fun (M = 4.1) and they would like to play them again (M = 4.41). A paired sample t test showed that there was significant improvement in youth’s PA interest, PA cognition, PA regulatory motives, and PA participation from pre- to post- survey (p <. 05). Findings provide support that a positive ASP climate for PA can be established through a virtual format. Future implications of virtual interventions within ASPs will be discussed.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 5
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| Ward, Madeline |
Ducate, Lara |
The Determinants of Health in the Adult Emergency Room
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Abstract Text
University of Maryland Medical Center is located in Baltimore City in Baltimore, Maryland. Here, the emergency rooms are split into the pediatric emergency room and the adult emergency room. This past summer, I got the opportunity to work as a patient transporter in the adult emergency room at this hospital. This means that I got to work with patients and take them all over the hospital to be admitted or get tests and scans done. Doing this, I got to interact with and talk to the patients as I was taking them to get their tests done. This allowed me to learn more about each patient and hear a little about their backstories and what brought them into the emergency room that day.
Interacting with my patients was not a requirement, but it was a defining moment in my experience as a transporter. This was because it made patients seem like more than just another person I was taking around the hospital. Because I am studying to go to physician’s assistant school after college, many patients would start telling me about what was wrong with them and how the doctors had explained things to them for me to get a better understanding of many different illnesses or problems that occur regularly in the AED.
From this experience, I learned about the different needs of people in the emergency room as well as who was utilizing the emergency room on a regular basis. This overall relates to how I learned more about the determinants of health I once learned about in Public Health 302. I specifically got more insight on the environmental and economic determinants of health. Now that I have worked in the adult emergency room at University of Maryland Medical Center, I understand that the need for the emergency room is greater for people who are experiencing a time of financial difficulty and/ or are living in an environment that may be seen as unsafe.
Overall, I got to see different issues that drew people into the emergency room and how these different issues were treated.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 314
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| Gibbons, Blake |
Tandon, Keah |
Creating a Sustainable, Equitable, and Walkable City via Improving Public Transportation
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Abstract Text
Ever since seeing my first city and feeling a sense of excitement and vibrancy, I knew I wanted to live on the feeling a well-designed city brings and implement that same vibrancy and feeling in communities across the U.S. Having a vested interest and passion for urban development and public transportation, I accepted an internship position as a Transit Services Intern at The COMET December of 2020, being assigned in the planning & development department while also being cross-trained in marketing, operations, and finance as well. Planning involved designing bus routes, modifying route timetables, and analyzing data and key performance indicators to improve service. As a geography and political science student at the University of South Carolina, this internship allowed me to use my geography skills in the real world as well as navigating the local government political structure. Throughout the internship, I found that public transportation was my niche and something I naturally grasped onto. With this ability, I took full advantage of the opportunity and was a sponge soaking up as much knowledge as I could learn. This means that now two years into this internship, I have received the skills needed to improve city life by means of vibrant public transportation and am in the progress of transitioning into the transportation sector as a full-time employee.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 229
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| Steger, Neve |
Berge, Nicole |
Enhancing Ammonia Removal from Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Leachate: Bench-scale testing of ammonia volatilization to develop optimal operating strategies
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Nearly 300 million tons of solid waste is generated annually in the U.S., with over 50% of this waste entering municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. As a result, significant amounts of landfill leachate, which is water that has percolated through solid waste, are generated. Landfill leachate contains a complex mixture of organics and inorganics that have leached into the water as it passes through the waste, and it is commonly treated at domestic wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Ammonia is a specific concern in landfill leachate because of its high concentrations and potential adverse impact on common processes used in WWTPs. As a result, WWTPs often charge large fees to treat ammonia. Therefore, effectively reducing leachate ammonia concentrations before treatment at a WWTP can significantly reduce costs. The overall goals of this project were to: (1) evaluate how increasing pH in landfill leachate via the addition of two different bases (sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide) influences ammonia volatilization and other leachate constituents (COD, alkalinity, metals, solids), (2) determine how changes in temperature (5, 20, and 35 degrees Celsius) expected at the landfill may influence ammonia volatilization, and (3) develop a plan for enhancing ammonia volatilization at the Three-Rivers Solid Waste Authority (TRSWA) landfill. It was hypothesized that increasing leachate pH with sodium hydroxide at high temperatures would result in the most ammonia volatilization and the least impact on other components of the leachate. For this study, MSW leachate was collected from the TRSWA and subsequently adjusted to 9, 9.5, 10, and 10.5 pH with either sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide at three different temperatures in separate trials. Results indicate that large amounts (> 99%) of ammonia removal can be achieved at high pH levels and temperatures and that sodium hydroxide is the best buffering agent due to its strength as a base and limited precipitation of solids. The findings indicate that on-site leachate treatment can effectively lessen high concentrations of ammonia and that operating strategies may differ based on season; as in the summer, less pH adjustment may be needed than in colder months due to seasonal temperature variation.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 95
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| Bunting, Tyler |
Ray, Donna |
Winnsboro Community Garden: A Service Learning Project
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The University of South Carolina School of Medicine has a mission to produce top quality community- focused physicians. Through service learning, students engage in community service while exploring the needs of the community. The impact of this engagement is then reflected on through the scope of an academic lens. Studies have found that compared to a traditional volunteer activity, service learning provides a more meaningful experience to medical students as they attempt to effect change in their community, and grow professionally. The Family Medicine clinic in Winnsboro, SC has a community garden comprising 10 individual raised beds and a front showcase garden. The aim of this project is to establish a School of Medicine associated position with local rural community garden at the Winnsboro Family Medicine clinic to help combat food insecurity and increase the wellbeing of community patients. The current scope and status of this service learning project will be explained.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 194
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| Gharib, Kate |
Cranmer, Robyn |
The importance of being #morethanastudent & gaining hands-on experience in your collegiate years
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Being a Visual Communications student at the University of South Carolina has allowed me to invest time into my craft, but my experience working for the Department of Student Life at USC has allowed me to be more than a student. This role has given me tangible, hands-on experience in social media, photography, videography, graphic design, and data analytics. I have had the opportunity to run the only student-run, university recognized social media account, @uofscstudents. The goal of this account is to increase awareness of student events and encourage extracurricular student involvement. Throughout my almost two years working for Student Life, I have seen our small, inactive Instagram account increase to being one of the most popular and engaging USC accounts with nearly 10,000 followers and an engagement rate of 12.8%. In conjunction with this role, I’ve also gained experience interviewing, hiring, and leading a student team of creatives who assist in creating content for our social platforms. From covering events such as football games, Cockstock, or First Night Carolina to interviewing students on campus for our newest Instagram reel, there is never a boring day in the office. I have had the opportunity to lead our newest social media campaign launch, #morethanastudent. Our hope is to increase reach and engagement from underrepresented groups of students through student spotlight reels, user-generated content, and increased engagement on student accounts. I’m excited to see the influence and engagement this has on the student body. As I conclude my time at Carolina, I believe my role has positively impacted the gamecock community by keeping students informed and encouraging campus involvement. On a personal level, this role has been significant to me because I know it has made me a better student, creative, and leader.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 290
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Saxena, Archana
Mitchel, Chandani
Staley, Shanieka
Bogdon, Raymond
Roark, Kasie
Michele, Hailey |
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I3C alleviate ulcerative colitis by improving intestinal epithelial barrier function via AhR/IL-22 pathway in Colonic epithelial cells
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Current treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) leaves a clear unmet need to target the colonic epithelial cells (CECs). In our previous study we found that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression on CECs has a vital role during indole-3-carbinol (I3C)-mediated protection against colitis. However, the precise mechanism behind this remains unclear. We investigated how intestinal regulatory components were altered in the absence or presence of AhR in CECs during I3C treatment under colitis (mouse model) or colitis-like conditions (colonic organoid). We generated conditional AhR-CEC knockout mice (AV) and induced colitis using the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model. Our results showed that the AV mice lost the protective effects of I3C against colitis. AV mice had higher disease scores and increased inflammation compared to controls. I3C treated AV mice that had DSS induced colitis were not able to regulate the colitis-associated parameters, even though flow cytometry analysis revealed AV mice were still capable of increasing protective interleukin-22 (IL-22) production in the colon. These results prompted us to study the CEC-specific mechanism involved in I3C-mediated protection against colitis. Whole transcriptome analysis of RNA isolated from enriched CECs of experimental mice was performed and results showed significant altered expression of several microRNAs, mucins (muc2 and muc13), and tight junction proteins (Cld3 and Cld4) in AV mice when compared to controls. RT-PCR data and direct effects of I3C on CECs (immunostaining) using organoids validated these results. This data concluded that AhR-dependent signaling orchestrates I3C-mediated protection of colitis.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 220
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| Haver, Jenna |
DeWeil, David |
Sustainable Global Collaboration
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The May after my junior year, I was a part of a Maymester program that focused on sustainability in Germany. During this program we spent time in villages in Saxony-Anhalt, the medium sized cities of Wittenberg and Leipzig, and the capital city, Berlin. Throughout the course of the program, I was able to explore examples of green solutions and alternatives, renewable energy, and experience environmental practices in both agrarian and urban landscapes. We met with start-ups in Berlin, spent time celebrating traditions with our host families, and seeing what life was like in both domestic and public spaces. As an Environmental Studies student, I was excited to see green lifeways in a place that was supportive of sustainable development. While speaking with my host family, green business entrepreneurs, and students at German educational institutions I gained a lot of insight into the reasons behind the ingraining of sustainable behaviors into the everyday. These encounters granted me optimism about a future with the ever looming threat of climate change and showcased how possible–and sometimes even easy–it is to take preventative and adaptive steps to secure a stable environmental future. After graduation, I will pursue a graduate degree in geography and further research the ways in which people interact with their environment and what that can tell us about creating green policy and behaviors.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 244
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Catrone, Melissa
Nance, Carson |
Pinnell, Courtney |
First Semester Nursing Students Anxiety and Stress Levels associated with Clinical Practicums versus High Fidelity Simulation
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High fidelity simulation is used more frequently in current nursing education along with traditional clinical rotations. The goal was to assess first semester nursing students’ anxiety and stress levels with their first clinical rotations and high-fidelity simulation activity. 18 students were surveyed the mornings before their clinical rotation days to assess feelings of preparation, symptoms of stress and anxiety, and concerns about clinical. Students were asked to report vital sign measurements of heart rate and blood pressure for objective data as well. Due to attrition, the eight remaining students in the cohort at the end of the semester were surveyed before their high-fidelity simulation activity for the same assessments. During the simulation students were observed for objective signs of stress including shaking hands, shaking voice, red faced, questioning themselves, and difficulty communicating. After the simulation was completed, students were surveyed on their feelings about the simulation including if being watched, working as a team, thought processes, and fears may have affected their performance. Students were asked open-ended questions about changes to their personal preparation or how instructors could prepare students more in the future. Survey results indicated before the seven weeks of clinical symptoms of stress and anxiety were higher in weeks one through three and decreased through week seven. Additionally, feelings of confidence and excitement were higher than anticipated in the first weeks and increased by the end of the seven weeks. Students answered they felt more prepared for clinical and to care for their patients at a higher percentage in the last weeks of the rotation than the beginning. Simulation survey results indicated before the activity most students completed the required preparation work (75%) while only half answered they felt prepared to complete the activity. Students reported less symptoms of stress and anxiety before simulation than before the first three weeks of clinical. After the activity students reported being watched, fear of making a mistake, and thought processes affected their performance in the simulation. Feelings of contentment, satisfaction, and confidence were reported at higher levels than feelings of regret, inadequacy, and helplessness after the simulation.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 159
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| Staley, Shanieka |
Busbee, Philip |
Role of Bacteroides acidifaciens in gut inflammation during colitis
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Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon with significant disease-associated alterations in the gut microbiome, a term known as microbial dysbiosis. IBDs, such as colitis, are becoming more prevalent in industrialized areas, impacting over 1.6 million Americans. Our lab has previously shown that in mouse models of colitis, Bacteroides acidifaciens (BA) significantly increases in abundance during disease. In fact, disease severity directly correlates with the increase of abundance of this microbe. BA are obligately anaerobic, non-sporing, non-motile, gram-negative rods. This bacterium can degrade protective mucus in the colon and has properties linked to inflammation, such as enhancing immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses and producing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetic acid. This study investigates the effects of the overgrowth of BA in mice with colitis as well as germ-free (GF) mice to access the ability of this microbe to induce or enhance colitis symptoms. Colitis was induced by administering the 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model. Results showed that compared to disease controls, conventional C57BL/6 mice inoculated with a high dose of BA via oral gavage had more severe colitis symptoms. These mice lost over 20% of their initial body weight, their colons were shorter, and their colons displayed ulcers, redness, and mucosal crystallization, suggesting BA significantly exacerbated the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis. Introducing BA into GF C57BL/6 mice resulted in a colitis-like phenotype with significant reduction in weight-loss and colon lengths. From this data, we deduced that BA may have the potential to induce colitis if overgrowth of this microbe reaches pathogenic levels.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 49
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| Tippett, Grace |
Colascione, Megan |
The Greek experience leads to a multitude of opportunities for impact
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Having a positive impact has always been extremely important to me and has been at the forefront of my college experience. I am someone who thrives with a full schedule of meaningful commitments and leadership opportunities, many of which have stemmed from my membership in Greek life. The greatest of these meaningful impacts was my time as Vice President of Recruitment for the College Panhellenic Association. In this role, I served on the university’s Panhellenic executive board and was responsible for planning and executing the 2022 sorority recruitment process. My dedication to making an impact in our Panhellenic community resulted in more than 1,500 potential new members joining sorority chapters on our campus - the largest Panhellenic new member class in USC’s history. This accomplishment boosted my confidence as a leader and is something I am immensely proud of. This contribution to our Greek community is just of the many reasons going Greek at USC was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Every one of my meaningful commitment’s during my time at USC has been related to my Greek experience in some way. Every internship, fellowship, student organization membership, and even my admission to law school is, in some way, a result of my Greek experience. The combination of Greek life and my undergraduate education in Journalism have taught me how to be a strong leader and how to communicate effectively. I hope to continue making a meaningful impact in law school and in my legal career, as I’ve done during my undergraduate years. Through my presentation I will describe my pivotal experience as Vice President of Recruitment, how it shaped me as a leader, and how it will benefit me in my future career.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 201
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| Roach, Mackenzie |
DeWeil, David |
University 101 and the Impact on My College Experience
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There is a reason South Carolina’s University 101 Program has been ranked #1 consistently, and it comes down to one thing: quality. This encompasses everything from the quality of professors, quality of peer leaders, quality of learning experiences, and quality of relationships. I could not wait to be a part of such an amazing program. Remembering my U101 Peer Leader and the impact she made on all of us in that class is the reason I decided to become a Peer Leader myself. Along the way, I learned more about myself, my students, and our community than I ever thought possible. I loved it when I was able to form a meaningful connection between my co-teacher and my students, knowing that I impacted someone’s life in a positive way. Being a U101 Peer Leader played the most significant part in achieving a goal that I had coming to college: finding out who I am and what that means in the context of other people and the world around me. My interpersonal relationships have improved, my understanding of myself has improved, and my knowledge of the world has improved because of taking on this role, and I am so glad I now have this insight to take with me as I graduate this semester. Peer Leadership shaped me into who I wanted to be and gave me the tools I’ll need to tackle problems I will face no matter where I go or what I do. I know for a fact that I will use these skills in my postgraduate job I have accepted, where my job will very literally be solving problems that get brought to me as a Supply Chain Consultant.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 257
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| Kramer, Mardy |
Hiott, Ambra |
Flexibility in Management
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The summer after my junior year I was a restaurant management intern at Sea Island Resort where I managed Front of House staff and dining shifts. I was assigned mainly to the Southern Tide seafood restaurant, our casual beachfront eatery. I learned vast knowledge of food and beverage regulations, customer care and relations, and restaurant management in a luxury resort venue. Sea Island is a multiple-venue resort and is rated as a Forbes 5-Star Resort which requires excellent service in all areas of the property. This internship opportunity allowed me to combine my classwork from my minor (Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management) with real-life experience to hone my skills in luxury hospitality management. While no two days were the same, I was reliability an extra set of hands, creating and presenting reports, doing inventory, and attending meetings in place of my boss. I learned how to be flexible as a manager and further my managerial skills. Through this internship, I found a passion for the wine business, prompting me to pursue a master’s degree in Tourism Development and Culture, hopefully with a focus on wine tourism. I am hoping to go back to Sea Island and continue to develop my wine skill and take my Wine Sommelier tests.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 227
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| Deese, Sarai |
Edmunds, Sarah |
Quality Assessment of available South Carolina emotional regulation resources for parents of pre-school aged Autistic children
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Overwhelmed parents of young Autistic children often use the internet to find educational resources, yet there is a lack of clear information about services and emotional regulation strategies that is endorsed by the adult Autistic community. The aims of this study were 1) to investigate what kinds of emotional regulation resources are available to parents in South Carolina and 2) assess the quality of these resources. For Aim 1, resources were sourced from South Carolina’s three state agencies that work directly with Autistic individuals, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Department of Mental Health (DMH). For Aim 2, the quality of the resources on the state agency “home” and (if available) “about” pages were assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease and Dale-Chall readability measures and thematic coding created based on quality criteria specified by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Analysis revealed that there are limited emotional regulation resources available to parents through state agencies and their supporting nonprofits (BabyNet and Family Connection). On average, resources aligned with the ASAN guide on categories related to what outcomes the interventions should target and reliability analysis is the next step. Initial thematic analysis revealed that the websites do not meet qualitative criteria with regard to the inclusive language or Autistic-led initiative categories. The next step is to evaluate the social validity and acceptability of current resources with a pilot group of parents of Autistic children and Autistic adults to determine their central concerns.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 156
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| Duncan, David |
Armstrong, Alissa |
Characterizing lifespan and reproduction in response to varying diet compositions across Drosophila melanogaster control genetic backgrounds
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Diet plays a significant role in maintaining organismal health. Consumption of optimal macronutrients helps prevent chronic disease; however, many organisms may only have access to suboptimal diets at various timepoints throughout their lifespan. Obesogenic diets are detrimental to the health of any organism, and can lead to obesity-associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and chronic inflammation. Over 60% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, however the link between obesity and chronic inflammation is unclear. Botanical dietary supplements can serve as new therapeutics to ameliorate obesity-associated inflammation and related pathophysiology. Drosophila melanogaster is a useful in vivo model to screen the potential influence of plant compounds administered through diet. To define a diet that induces immune responses, we fed adult flies diets that varied in protein and sugar source, as well as amount and measured lifespan and reproduction in three control lines, wildtype Oregon-R, and its mutant derivatives w1118, and yw. Next, we characterized the innate immune responses across these control lines when challenged with obesogenic diet. We find that lifespan and reproduction for each fly line were affected differently by different diet compositions. Additionally, we observed increased expression of several antimicrobial peptides in flies fed a High Sugar Diet (HSD), suggesting that this obesogenic diet activated the innate immune system. These results establish a connection between obesogenic diet and elevated immune response in Drosophila. In future studies we will use this approach to screen several botanical supplements, such as Resveratrol, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and its derivative Diindolylmethane (DIM) for their ability to suppress the diet activated immune response. We hope that this work will inform the development of treatments for diet induced obesity associated diseases in humans.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 40
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| Bakley, Shane |
Colascione, Megan |
Turning Ideas into Reality: The Power of Visualization
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When my best friend, Tyler, came up with the idea of creating our own charity golf outing for breast cancer awareness, he did certainly not expect this to become a reality. Through my various experiences working in different leadership positions on and off campus, I knew this was something we could accomplish. After planning, organizing, and marketing our event for months, the First Annual South Jersey Breast Cancer Awareness invitational raised $6,175 and had 70 players. This experience was especially motivating and rewarding considering me and Tyler became friends through golf, as well as having both our mothers recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. There were many challenges we faced that we were able to overcome by not being afraid to fail, effectively using our resources and deeply visualizing what the event could be like. By the end of this experience, I learned the power of visualizing your goals and what is truly possible with a persistent mindset. My presentation will explore the psychology behind success and how we are able to train our minds to achieve whatever we want.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 283
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| Rosenbaum, Lauren |
Colascione, Megan |
Seeing Myself as a Leader
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Throughout my college experience, I have gotten involved in many aspects of the University that have allowed me to grow as a leader. Coming into college, I was unsure of myself and who I was as a leader and as a member of the Carolina community. Through my involvement with University 101, Greek Life, and Education Abroad and the Education Abroad Office, I have learned the best way for me to make decisions, that I thrive when it comes to community building, and have developed my leadership and presentation skills. My experiences with leadership and the classes I have taken at the University of South Carolina have helped shape me into the leader that I am today. In my presentation, I will share how my experiences both in an out of the classroom have helped shape my leadership style and given me the tools necessary to continue to lead in my future career in business.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 202
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| Miranda, Juan Sebastian |
Sarzynski, Mark |
Plasma proteomic signatures of ANGPTL3/8 and 4/8 before and after exercise training
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INTRODUCTION. Angiopoietin like protein (ANGPTL) complexes 3/8 and 4/8 are established inhibitors of lipoprotein lipase and modifiable by regular exercise. However, the molecular biomarkers related to their exercise responses have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between plasma proteins and ANGPTL3/8 and 4/8 before and after exercise training.
METHODS. Measurements were taken before and after 20 weeks of exercise training in 630 Black (36%) and White adults (56% women) of the HERITAGE Family Study. Meso Scale Discovery immunoassays were used to measure ANGPTL3/8 and ANGPTL4/8 complexes in serum. Plasma proteins (n=4979 aptamers) were quantified using SomaScan. Linear mixed models tested the association between plasma proteins and each trait at baseline and post- training with full covariate adjustment. Significance was set to FDR<0.05.
RESULTS. A total of 862 and 126 proteins were significantly associated with ANGPTL3/8 at baseline or post-training, respectively, with 80 proteins associated at both time points, including PCSK9 and PLTP (Figure 1A). Conversely, 46 proteins were only associated with ANGPTL3/8 at post-training, 23 of which whose levels significantly changed with training including NRP1, ghrelin, HHIP, and APOA1. A total of 433 and 71 proteins were significantly associated with ANGPTL4/8 at baseline or post-training, respectively, with 46 proteins associated with both time points (Figure 1B). A total of 25 proteins were only associated with ANGPTL4/8 at post-training, 12 of which whose levels significantly changed with training including ghrelin, COL6A2, and MMP16.
CONCLUSIONS. We identified a diverse set of plasma proteins associated with ANGPTL3/8 and 4/8 before and after exercise training. Importantly, we identified a subset of proteins uniquely associated with exercise-induced changes in ANGPTL3/8 and 4/8 that may represent exercise responsive biomarkers of ANGPTL3/8 and 4/8 responsiveness to regular exercise.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 94
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| Stevenson, Emma |
Ducate, Lara |
Mentoring Confidence
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Throughout highschool and college, I have grown in my leadership skills and become an active mentor for a nonprofit organization called Just Be You. The main goal of Just Be You is to encourage others to be themselves in today’s ever-changing society and love the person they are. In highschool, I was approached by a mentor and friend to become one of the founding mentors of the organization. We went through a psychology training program that included exercises where I learned a lot about my own strengths and how to coach confidence into our target audience of young girls. After training, we went into middle schools and started clubs where girls could come to authentically be themselves and appreciate the obstacles they had already overcome. I learned that confidence is extremely important for success, and I found I was very passionate in helping others find their confidence. This led me to continue mentoring by getting involved in UofSC’s U101 peer leader program. Here I was able to help students grow in their confidence as they navigated their independence in their first year of college. I focused on creating an inclusive environment through activities that encouraged students to embrace their individuality. In my future profession of dentistry, I want to continue to help instill confidence in others by enhancing their smiles and overall health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 252
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| Lee, Payton |
Beets, Michael
da Silva Bandeira, Alexsandra |
Examining How Researchers Measure Social- and Setting Specific Contexts in Youth Health Behaviors: A Systematic Review
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Authors: Payton Lee, Alexsandra Bandeira Ph.D., Michael Beets Ph.D.
Introduction: The physical and social context that health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep) are performed provide vital information about overall behaviors. Previous studies have used tools such as time-use diaries, but a knowledge gap still exists regarding how these tools evaluate context.
Aim: Examine how studies measure social- and setting-specific contexts in studies of youth health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, sleep, screen time).
Methods:
We conducted a systematic review of the literature. Eligible studies evaluated health behavior contexts of youth 0 to 18 years through the use of time-use diaries measuring physical (where) and/or social (whom with). The research team first collected studies through databases such as PUBMED/MEDLINE, APA PhysNet, CINHAL Complete, and Web of Science. During the screening process, the duplicates were removed and the titles and abstracts were examined to see if the study would be eligible. Next, the remaining full-text articles were assessed, and only those that met the inclusion criteria were kept in the pool of studies.
Results: A total of 3104 records were screened based on their title and abstract resulting in the exclusion of 2717 papers. In the end, 387 full-text articles were assessed based on the eligibility criteria leaving a total of 75 studies included in the review.
Conclusion: With the remaining studies, in-depth data extraction will be conducted to analyze how each study uses the time-use diary and evaluate how the context has been approached.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 147
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| Hajzus, Seth |
Ducate, Lara |
Cultivating Change in the Community Through Service
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For the past two years, I have had the pleasure to serve as the Vice President of Finance for University of South Carolina Dance Marathon (USCDM), the largest student run organization in the state of South Carolina. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, USCDM raises money to fund the Child Life Program at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in the Midlands. Last year, USCDM raised more than $931,000 for Children’s Hospital. My primary responsibilities in the role include tracking all incoming donations, organizing fundraising pushes, and coordinating our alumni relations. I worked jointly with our campus, hospital, and Children’s Miracle Network advisors to oversee an organization that encompasses over 2500 individuals on campus and in the community. Internally, I oversee a team of 17 passionate individuals and help to coordinate collaboration efforts between over 300 people on our internal team. I joined Dance Marathon back in 2015 when I was a freshman in high school in order to make a tangible difference in my community. I fell in love with the message behind the organization and how it helps patients and their families. I learned about the story of a five-year-old girl named Olivia Lynch who was diagnosed with terminal brain and spinal cord tumor. Through her treatment in the hospital, Olivia never stopped smiling. She was going through circumstances that are hard to comprehend for people of any age. Although Olivia passed away, her legacy lives on and continues to push me to do more in this organization. In my tenure, I have also seen the impacts COVID-19 had on Children’s Hospital and as such recognize the importance of Child Life and the community of Dance Marathon in times of trial and tribulation. Through my experiences in USCDM, I have learned a multitude of skills to help me in my professional career. I learned how to best utilize Excel, PowerBI, and other data analytics platforms while also cultivating leadership skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 321
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| Glass, Victoria |
Grillo, Claudia
Maxwell, Nicholas |
Identification of Hypothalamic Neurons Involved in a Novel Circuit that Regulates Feeding Behavior
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Obesity is characterized by an excessive amount of adipose tissue that may impair health. Affecting over 40% of adults in the US, obesity increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and depression. Obesity results from complex interactions that include lifestyle factors such as sedentariness and changes in eating behavior. It is known that a brain area, the hypothalamus, regulates eating behavior. However, some extra-hypothalamic areas can control food intake, such as the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a primary source of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5HT). It has been well-established that leptin, a hormone released by adipose tissue, acts as a satiety factor in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, it has been shown that 5HT injection into the hypothalamus, more specifically into the arcuate nucleus (ARC) decreases food intake in rats. In relation to this, leptin interacts with 5HT to influence food intake. The Grillo lab has shown that leptin acts upon DRN neurons to reduce food intake through an anatomical connection from the DRN to the ARC. The objective of this project is to further characterize and understand this novel circuit between the DRN and the ARC and identify the role of neuropeptide-Y (NPY), an appetite stimulating neuropeptide, and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), an appetite suppressing neuropeptide, in the ARC when leptin is administered in the DRN. The characterization of this circuit will allow us to better understand the mechanisms through which 5HT and leptin influence eating behavior and allow us to reach our goal of understanding how the leptin system could be targeted to treat obesity. We hypothesize that leptin injection into the DRN will stimulate the release of 5HT to the ARC and increase expression of c-fos, a marker for neuronal activation, in neurons that express POMC. Furthermore, we also hypothesize that leptin into the DRN will decrease the expression of c-fos in neurons that express NPY. Using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, we have double labeled neurons with POMC/c-fos or NPY/c-fos in hypothalamic sections from rats treated with leptin or vehicle into the DRN.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 157
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| Hill, Morgan |
Morris, Caleb |
The Impact of Orientation
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The first people you encounter at the University of South Carolina are your Orientation Leaders. orientation is a two-day overnight experience where you get to meet some peers, as well as your college, and plan your first college schedule. I was one of those smiling faces with way too much energy for 7 AM, supporting new students through every step of the orientation experience. Orientation is the first thing you do as a new student, and your Orientation Leaders are crucial to that experience. My experience at orientation was not the best. So, this inspired me to be an Orientation Leader to help future new students not have the same experience. My three summers in the Office of New Student Orientation shaped the leader and individual I am today. I learned many valuable skills such as public speaking, problem solving, mentorship, and how to work with a diverse group of people. My presentation will discuss the insights I gained about my leadership abilities as well as the positive impact the Office of New Student Orientation has had on my college experience and shaping me as an individual.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 292
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| Shirkey, Lauren |
Morris, Caleb |
South Carolina Republican Party Internship
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A key part of college experiences and building up any resume is a student’s internship experience. Working with the SCGOP, I maintained communication with constituents, managed and fielded incoming messages and directed calls as well as gaining experience working with grassroots campaigns and the candidates running them. After taking several classes amongst my political science curriculum, I came to recognize how integral state politics really is and that its daily impact is tenfold that of the federal government. I came to learn how state politics truly successfully campaign. The grassroots individuals go into their communities and rally their neighbors. This came to help me realize that the greatest impact I can have on the world, is the impact that I have on my own world. This was a huge driving factor which has led me to prepare for law school as being educated in the law will allow me to make the differences that those around me may not be able to advocate for on their own.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 241
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| Johnson, Samantha |
Morris, Caleb |
The People Closest to the Problem are the Closest to the Solution: An Empirical Perspective of Health Policy
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“It would cost less to perform a lung transplant on my patient in your condition than it would be to prescribe them the medication you are taking”. This was the comment made to me when meeting the cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonologist and transplant physician, Dr. Greg Calligaro, in Cape Town, South Africa. I learned the alarming reality of people living with CF in South Africa do not have access to the highly effective medication I am prescribed. In Cape Town, I became a patient and experienced the new logic of health care bureaucracy and ontologies of patient rights first-hand. Growing up with a chronic illness and immersed in both the medical and advocacy milieu, I developed a deep curiosity about my fellow human beings and the ways other people experience life with chronic illnesses. My interest took me beyond the hospital room, classroom, and community. This past semester, I embarked on a comparative study abroad program in India, South Africa, and Jordan to learn the dynamics of community well-being and the political economy of health systems. While being immersed in each of these radically different sociopolitical, economic, and linguistic contexts, I witnessed the same sentiment I have felt all my life. Pharmaceutical policies are disparate, and there is immense pressure to understand and navigate health care policies. Speaking with Dr. Calligaro, and seeing firsthand the praxis and the challenges therein, with policy and implementation, and availability and access, revealed many disparities within my CF community. How can we incentivize governments and international financing institutions to fund robust public health measures? There needs to be more voices in the health policy arena who have an empirical perspective. This experience has motivated me to pursue a Master in International Affairs, focusing on global health policy, at Sciences Po University in Paris, France this fall, where after I will continue my career into health diplomacy, to advocate for CF access to these vital medications.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 298
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| Wolfe, Cayla |
Welshhans, Kristy
Rygel, Katelyn |
The Adhesion Protein Paxillin is Increased in Fibroblasts from Individuals with Down Syndrome
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Abstract Text
Down Syndrome is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that results from the triplication of human chromosome 21. The various phenotypes resulting from Down Syndrome include intellectual disability, congenital heart defects, and slow wound healing. However, many of the underlying mechanisms that cause these phenotypes remain unknown. Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells that contribute to the structure and function of many tissues and organs within the body. Fibroblast morphology and motility depend on focal adhesions, which are multi-protein integrin-dependent adhesion sites that link the intracellular actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. Focal adhesions are composed of a large multi-protein complex, including paxillin, vinculin, talin, and receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1). Preliminary studies suggest cellular adhesion and morphology are highly dysregulated in individuals with Down Syndrome, and this affects cell motility and function, but very little is known about this topic. Here we used two sets of matched fibroblasts: each set contains one cell line from an apparently healthy individual (control) and one cell line from an individual with Down Syndrome. Using quantitative immunocytochemistry, we examined the expression level of paxillin and cell morphology. We find that Down syndrome fibroblasts are larger in area as compared to the control fibroblasts. Additionally, paxillin is overexpressed in the Down syndrome fibroblasts as compared to the apparently healthy controls. These results were consistent between both sets of cell lines. The overexpression of paxillin may contribute to changes in cell morphology and motility, and the slow wound-healing phenotype in individuals with Down Syndrome. In addition, many cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating fibroblast adhesions occur similarly in developing neurons. Because adhesion in developing neurons is critical for the formation of neural wiring, this research also has implications for the intellectual disability phenotype of Down syndrome. In the future, other focal adhesion proteins such as vinculin, talin, and RACK1 will be examined to understand better how adhesion is dysregulated in individuals with Down Syndrome. Overall, this data provides insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Down syndrome phenotypes.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 51
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Williamson, Lauren
Patel, Isha |
Morris, Caleb |
A Look Into Rural Guatemala
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During the spring of March 2022, we went to a rural community in Guatemala, called Panajachel, which had very limited access to healthcare. As a team, we set up and promoted a free medical clinic within Panajachel and provided basic healthcare services and primary prevention education alongside local physicians. We wanted to learn more about the health disparities in a foreign third-world country and how they have an impact on health. This experience allowed us to learn about the different social determinants that influence health outcomes in the underserved community. We believe that it is important for others to understand the effects of not having access to primary healthcare as well as how difficult it is for people in underprivileged communities to have access to basic medications and supplies. As aspiring physicians, we plan to utilize what we learned about the health disparities in this community and apply it to future patient populations who may have had similar experiences and backgrounds in order to better serve them. This trip provided a hands-on experience in global medicine, which has piqued our interest in pursuing a career in global health.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 264
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| Collins, Elizabeth |
Morris, Caleb |
My College of Engineering and Computing Ambassador Experience
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The College of Engineering and Computing, fosters learning, creativity and leadership through each of its classes, the faculty, professors and the various opportunities to get involved in research or organizations. During junior and senior year, I had the opportunity to be a CEC Ambassador. During my time as an ambassador, I have lead tours and showcased the CEC to potential new student and their families and have been part of outreach programs to local middle and high schoolers to get them interested in engineering and computing. The reason I became an ambassador was to show others all that the CEC has to offer. Between the faculty and professors and different clubs and organizations I have been able to grow as a young engineer but also as a young adult. I learned leadership, communication and other skills while an ambassador. I also developed my public speaking skills and became more confident in myself. To be able to introduce younger people into the world of computing and engineering, and the CEC has left a colossal impact on me. To teach others about something that I am so passionate about has been so rewarding and a great way to reflect on my time at the CEC. As an ambassador I was able to give back to a college that has given me so much. The next adventure for me is to attend graduate school and put to use what I have learned during my time at the CEC. Without being an ambassador at the CEC I would not have developed specific skills that have prepared me for graduate school.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 203
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| Phillips, Kaitlyn |
Royals, Carrington
Barfield, Reagan
Bookstaver, P. Brandon
Turell, David |
Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Asthma Clinic in a High-Risk Pediatric Population at a Federally Qualified Health Center within a Medically Underserved Area
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Abstract Text
Background: The 2020 NHLBI asthma guidelines identify important asthma management tools and a stepwise approach to pharmacotherapy based on level of control in pediatric patients. However, there are few publications regarding asthma treatment at a federally qualified health center (FQHC), and even fewer regarding the pediatric population at FQHCs. FQHC patients, especially pediatric patients, are considered high-risk as they commonly face a multitude of social determinants of health. This FQHC, Tandem Health, in Sumter, SC, has an established collaborative practice agreement for pharmacist management of pediatric asthma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the direct impact of pharmacist intervention as part of an interprofessional collaborative team in high-risk pediatric asthma patients.
Methods: This single-center, observational study assesses the asthma control of pediatric patients within Tandem Health before and after pharmacist intervention. Patients are included if they have a current diagnosis of asthma aged 4-21 years old and are an active patient of Tandem Health. Patients are referred by Tandem Health pediatric providers to the pharmacist-led asthma clinic where they receive holistic disease state education and guideline-directed changes to asthma pharmacotherapy if needed. Patients and caregivers are surveyed with the age-appropriate asthma control test (ACT) prior to the first appointment with the asthma clinic pharmacist and at each follow-up asthma clinic or pediatric provider visit. The primary endpoint is the change in ACT score from baseline to most recent follow up, where a change of 2-3 has been validated as a clinically meaningful difference. Secondary endpoints include proportion of patients who achieve clinically meaningful increase in ACT, reduced usage of systemic corticosteroids and emergent care, and proportion of patients converted to utilizing Tandem Health’s on-site pharmacy.
Results: In progress
Conclusion In progress
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 142
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| Collins, Megan |
Hancock, Nathan C. |
Studying the Transposition Mechanism of the mJing Miniature Inverted Repeat Transposable Element in Yeast
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Transposable elements are DNA segments that can jump in and out of the genome, causing mutations. The mJing miniature inverted repeat transposable element found in rice is mobilized by proteins encoded by the transposable element Jing. Studies with a related element, mPing, showed a cut and paste mechanism of mobilization catalyzed by the ORF1 and Transposase proteins. We hypothesize that mJing transposition requires two proteins encoded by Jing, however, the exact sequences are unknown. We set out to develop a yeast transposition assay to further define the Jing coding sequences and investigate the mJing transposition mechanism.
We designed and cloned Jing ORF1 and Transposase expression constructs based on predicted splicing from the consensus across three Jing elements. We also developed a reporter plasmid, containing mJing inserted into the ADE2 gene. These plasmids were transformed into yeast, and a transposition assay was performed, by plating liquid cultures onto galactose plates lacking adenine. Transposition of mJing should have resulted in a functional ADE2 gene, allowing colonies to grow. Unfortunately, no colonies were observed from the yeast transposition assay.
Moreover, we were successful in creating the expression clones of the predicted Jing ORF1 and TPase proteins, as well as the plasmid containing the mJing reporter construct. The fact that we didn’t observe any transposition events suggests that we incorrectly predicted the splice sites. To identify the splice sites, we will express a genomic version of Jing in Arabidopsis to obtain Jing cDNA sequences. This will allow us to identify the coding sequences needed for transposition of the mJing element.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 55
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| Lakkaraju, Kausik |
Srivastava, Biplav |
Rating AI Systems through a Causal Lens
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Abstract Text
Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems like facial recognition systems and sentiment analyzers are known to exhibit model uncertainty which can be perceived as algorithmic bias in most cases. The aim of my Ph.D. is to examine and control the bias present in these AI systems by establishing causal relationships and also assigning a rating to these systems, which helps the user to make an informed selection when choosing from different systems for their application.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 34
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Pless, Lydia
Maile, Rachel |
Mousseau, Timothy |
A Field Camera Trap Application: Observable Mammal Species in Chernobyl, Ukraine
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Camera traps have recently become in-situ sensors for collecting information on animal abundance and occupancy estimates. We deployed 45 camera trap locations across the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) in 2016 to observe a variety of mammal species. Our camera traps detected animals via passive infrared detectors and were generally placed 1.22 meters above the ground oriented toward the north. Camera traps proved ideal for this location due to the high levels of radiation, restricted human access, and Russian-Ukrainian skirmishes. We were able to successfully observe 12 different mammal species: moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), weasels (Mustela), badgers (Meles meles), boars (Sus scrofa), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), hares (Lepus ), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), lynxes (Lynx lynx), Przewalski’s horses (Equus ferus przewalskii), and wolves (Canis Lupus). Over the past six years, we have amassed over two million images from the CEZ. In the future, researchers will need to devise an effective means of rapidly and accurately classifying animal species without it being too labor-intensive. Machine learning, such as convolutional neural networks, is already proving helpful in this field. Once classified, researchers can use this data to make animal abundance and occupancy estimates for certain regions.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 81
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| Saravanan, Pranav |
Epps, Lauren |
Providing Help to Those in Times of Need as an EMT
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Abstract Text
As a nationally and state-certified EMT during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have worked multiple ambulance shifts and gained valuable experience in providing care to people in need. During a time when opportunities were severely limited for pre-medical students to gain clinical, hands-on experience in hospitals, I decided to earn my EMT certifications. On my ambulance shifts, an instructive moment occurred when we were trying to administer an IV injection for a patient with a dangerously elevated heart rate and he asked, “Is that a COVID vaccine? You aren't trying to vaccinate me, are you?” That question made me realize that patients have their doubts and concerns but as a caregiver, I must be considerate, provide comfort, and instill confidence.
My biomedical engineering senior design project for BMEN 427/428 involved the development of a Neurotrauma Feedback System (NTFS), a compact device that can accurately detect acute stress disorder (ASD) from brain waves so that it can be recognized and treated before it can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our goal was to create this device for nurses, EMTs, and other professions susceptible to acute stress disorder. As an EMT, I have experienced and learned firsthand the stressful events that a first responder can experience and that there is a great need for an NTFS device due to the large prevalence of mental health disorders in such professions. Working on this device has opened up my perspective on the field of medicine and made me realize the struggles that a first responder can endure.
My experiences working on my senior design project in BMEN 427/428 and working as an EMT have taught me the importance of addressing mental health, especially in professions susceptible to stress such as emergency medical services, and the importance of providing health and medical care, especially in times of need. As I continue to pursue a career in medicine, I will take the lessons I have learned while developing the NTFS device and working as an EMT to continue to grow as an individual and make a positive impact.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 302
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| Kelly, Katherine |
Cook, James |
Utility of gynecological teaching associates
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Abstract Text
Introduction: Gynecological teaching associates (GTAs) are trained to teach the pelvic exam using themselves as models. The GTA program was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2021-2022 school year at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Columbia (USCSOM) which prevented the class of 2022 from practicing on GTAs. The purpose of this study is to determine whether use of GTAs is associated with an increase in medical students’ confidence when performing the pelvic exam during clinical rotations.
Methods: An online survey was distributed via email to the classes of 2022 and 2023 at USCSOM-Columbia. A Fisher's exact test was performed to determine associations between use of GTAs and confidence performing the pelvic exam with a p-value of <0.01.
Findings: Out of the 85 survey participants, 68 had performed a pelvic exam in the clinical setting and thus rated their confidence level. Of the 38 students who learned using a GTA, 66% (p<0.0024) reported a confidence level of 4 or 5 (out of 5) compared to 50% of the 30 students who were not able to practice using a GTA. There was a statistical significance in confidence levels of students who practiced on GTAs compared to those who did not.
Discussion: Our findings demonstrated that students who were able to learn and practice the pelvic exam on a GTA reported higher confidence levels when subsequently performing a pelvic exam in a clinical setting.
Conclusion: Our findings support incorporation of GTA programming into teaching the pelvic exam in medical schools.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 166
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| Aubin, Ashleigh |
Staples, Heather |
vImproving the efficiency of discharge planning and execution: A quality improvement qualitative analysis
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Excellence in discharge planning typically is characterized by 3 things: standardized practice, preparation, and effective communication. The aim of this study was to improve efficiency and reduce deviation for discharge planning in the hospital. A discharge checklist was made to standardize procedures. A pre-intervention survey and post-intervention survey were implemented. Ultimately, few implemented the checklist into their practice and reported quality measures were equivocal.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 128
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| Stafford, Adam |
Moran, Michael |
Artificial Intelligence and Human Warfare: Fate of urology and everything else and a function of history
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Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The next generation of warfare has already happened, and both civilization and writers of warfare have taken notice. As nations begin to invest into the rapid progression of AI, the use in warfare has become a topic of concern. Notable thinkers Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk have expressed their concerns on the detrimental effects that come with the incorporation of AI into warfare. Everyone, including urologists, should take notice, acknowledging these fears of expressed by Hawking and Musk.
METHODS: Artificial intelligence already has a burgeoning literature and the apocalyptic side of this was pursued. It was Hawking’s and Musk’s dire pronouncements that attracted significant media attention. Sparking debate both for and against the existential risks, however the dual application by military concerns is of chief interest. Duality portrays potential benefit, but also actual risks posed by military application.
RESULTS: In 2021 two books appeared on brain neurophysiology that shook the foundations of neurosciences. One book is by neuroscientist Mark Solms entitled "The Hidden Spring" which purports to have solved the mystery of human consciousness. The second book is by computer scientist turned cognitive neuroscientist Jeff Hawkins entitled "A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence" which purports to have solved how the human cerebral cortex functions. The implications of both works to computer science could be mind-boggling. However, to warfare the implications can be earth shattering. Creating our relationships to machines is unnerving, even applying to our robotic surgical systems.
CONCLUSIONS: Powell and Prasad wrote essentially an op-ed in Eur Urol in 2021 on the quaint notions that humans will be always driving our technologies. These statements emerge as naïve and historiographically false. Fear of AI warfare is a reality as Israel states that their Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021 was the world’s first AI war. From autonomous drone weapons to air strikes and defense systems, the use of AI is rapidly becoming deeply engraved in warfare. Though no one can actually predict the future, we can use the past to better anticipate and plan for realities sure to follow.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 134
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| Noth, Riley |
Folks, Laszlo |
The Use of Exercise as Medical Treatment in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
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Abstract Text
During the spring 2023 semester, I completed my Exercise Science Practicum experience through an internship at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. MUSC’s rehabilitation is an exercise and education-based rehabilitation for patients with diagnoses including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and many others. The program consists of 36 sessions where patients are monitored and prescribed exercise treatment that continuously progresses based on the patient’s medical needs and physical abilities. This internship has allowed me to apply the knowledge that I have learned as an exercise science major to the medical treatment of patients. This position specifically relates to the concepts I learned in EXSC 666 (Cardiorespiratory Exercise Physiology) including how exercise training affects the body’s arteries. Through this internship, I have learned how to monitor the cardiovascular system through electrocardiograms and vital signs, prescribe exercise, instruct exercise techniques and safety, and educate patients on nutrition, stress relief, and the implication of physical activity in their daily life. This internship has also given me the opportunity to observe multiple cardiac procedures including cardiac catheterizations and coronary artery bypass graft surgery at MUSC’s downtown hospital. My aspirations for a career in healthcare as well as my overall interest in the study of cardiology encouraged my involvement in this internship. This experience has deepened my knowledge of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and allowed me to witness the medical benefits of physical activity first-hand. It has fueled my passion for medicine and changing patients’ lives for the better. It has also encouraged me to continue to value the power of exercise as I work to pursue a career in the medical field.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 316
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Eubanks, Adam
McCord, Deanna
Watson, Skyla |
Martin, Melissa
Lintner, Timothy |
Examining the Perceived Self-Efficacy of Inclusive Special Area Teachers in k-12 Classrooms
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This project has used the TSES to measure self-efficacy among k-12 special area teachers regarding students with disabilities in their inclusive classroom. Researchers believe that teacher self-efficacy is a major factor in student achievement, and therefore measuring it can provide valuable information about the quality of education being provided to students (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001). We have obtained more information in this subject which was used to create a professional development program which will increase teacher-self-efficacy in this area and improve educational quality for students with disabilities.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 10
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| Gotberg, Ashlyn |
Welshhans, Kristy
Kirkise, Nikita |
Local translation and focal adhesions are dysregulated in Down syndrome
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Abstract Text
During cellular migration, fibroblasts sense extracellular cues through membrane complexes at their leading edge and can respond to these cues via local translation. Local translation is the process in which mRNAs are transported to subcellular regions and translated in response to specific cues. There is evidence that local translation may be dysregulated in the neurodevelopmental disorder, Down syndrome, which is caused by the triplication of chromosome 21 and results in genome-wide dysregulation of protein expression. To determine if dysregulated local translation contributes to Down syndrome, we used three sets of primary fibroblasts from individuals with Down syndrome and apparently healthy individuals. Because of the extra copy of chromosome 21, we hypothesized that local translation would be increased in Down syndrome fibroblasts. A starve and stimulate puromycin assay was used to label and fluorescently visualize locally translated proteins. Although we anticipated an increase in local translation, which was the case in one of the Down syndrome fibroblast cell lines, we found a decrease in local translation in the other two Down syndrome fibroblast cell lines. One location where local translation occurs is focal adhesions, which are present at the leading edge of fibroblasts. Focal adhesions link the extracellular matrix to the intracellular actin cytoskeleton and regulate many cellular processes, including motility and signaling. We examined a key member of the focal adhesion protein complex, paxillin, in the leading edge of Down syndrome fibroblasts and find that it is downregulated in all 3 Down syndrome cell lines. This decrease in adhesion likely impacts local translation, cell motility, and cell signaling in Down syndrome, thus contributing to the phenotypes of this disorder. Taken together, we show that local translation and focal adhesions are altered in Down syndrome fibroblasts. This provides insight into the slow wound healing phenotype of Down syndrome. Furthermore, the cellular and molecular mechanisms occurring in the leading edge of fibroblasts are very similar to the tips of developing neurons; therefore, these studies also suggest that future studies examine whether these same mechanisms may be altered during neural development in Down syndrome and contribute to the intellectual disability phenotype.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 26
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| Borsum, Anjali |
Matthews, Sarah |
Study Abroad Experience in Florence, Italy
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Abstract Text
During the summer of 2021, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for twelve weeks. I always knew I wanted to study abroad during college because I wanted to spend some time in another country to experience another culture and way of living. I also was eager to learn more about European history and art. During my time in Italy, I took a cooking course about Health and Wellness in the Mediterranean, and Italian Food, Wine, and Culture course, and an alfresco painting course. I learned a lot about the Mediterranean Diet, Italian culture, types of Italian wines, how to pair food and wine, all the while learning how to cook different types of Italian dishes. I also learned a lot about Renaissance Art and Italian History while I practiced painting architecture with oil paints. During my time in Italy, I was able to work in a café serving espressos, coffees, and mixed drinks, too. In addition to everything I learned during my classes, my study abroad experience allowed me to become fully immersed in a new culture and adopt a new way of life. I was able to see how Italians live and experience the European ways. Now that I have studied abroad, I understand how different European culture is from American culture. This experience was very important to my college career because of how much it taught me in my classes and about myself. As I navigated a new country by myself, I was able to practice being self-sufficient as I got to explore Europe, and I became a better problem-solver. What I learned while abroad will be applied in my life as I incorporate the Mediterranean Diet and European lifestyle into my everyday life, and I will also practice the independence I developed from this experience.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 245
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| Marin, Baylee |
Morris, Caleb |
Promoting the Health of the Underserved- Creating an Item Closet at Prisma Health to Provide Homeless Patients with Necessities Upon Discharge
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Abstract Text
There are many groups of people that are underserved in medicine, with the homeless population being one that often goes through the hospital setting. As a social advocacy project, I organized a warm clothing and hygiene product drive to create a supply of products that could be given to homeless patients at the local hospital upon discharge. A patient’s health journey and recovery does not end when they are discharged, and often these patients cannot have an effective recovery because they lack basic necessities or health promoting products. They are leaving the hospital with the stress of recovering from a health issue, while still facing issues such as lacking warm clothing. Having the ability to give these patients these products shows the hospital’s commitment to the homeless population while helping foster this relationship despite the barriers that have been put up by healthcare policy. I hope that from this drive people understand the fact that healthcare is a human right, but it is not just a right that can be supported by doctors and clinical staff, but instead the health of the homeless population can be promoted by community support as well. I hope to bring this drive to organizations I am involved in with here on campus in efforts to maintain a steady closet of materials available for years to come at the hospital after I leave.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 265
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| Patel, Juhi |
Welshhans, Kristy
Agrawal, Manasi |
Examining changes in neuronal morphology in Down syndrome iPSC-derived neurons
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Abstract Text
Down syndrome (DS), or trisomy 21, is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by an extra copy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21). It has been identified as the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, which varies in severity among individuals. DS is associated with an array of cognitive defects, including reduced brain size and impaired synaptic function. These phenotypes are likely due, in part, to impaired neuronal morphology during development. There are a number of genes known to play critical roles in the development and maintenance of neuronal morphology; thus alterations in their expression may contribute to the morphological changes observed in DS. One candidate that is located on HSA21 and known to regulate neuronal development and synaptic connectivity is Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM). In this study, we derived cortical neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) that were created from an individual with DS and its isogenic control. We find a significant increase in DSCAM in DS hiPSC-derived neurons as compared to their isogenic controls; this is in line with previous studies using Down syndrome human postmortem tissue, murine models, and other stem cell lines. We examined morphology changes in these developing DS cortical neurons. We then used siRNA to knockdown DSCAM in DS hiPSC-derived neurons to levels found in the isogenic control neurons, and examined whether this rescued the neuronal morphology changes. Overall, these data highlight the importance of studying genetic mechanisms underlying DS pathophysiology using hiPSC-derived cortical neurons. Our findings suggest that targeting DSCAM may be a potential therapeutic approach for rescuing neuronal morphology in DS.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 43
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| Littleton, Laura |
Boggs, Carol |
Effect of Larval Salt Availability on Adult Lepidoptera Sodium Preference
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Abstract Text
Adult lepidopteran males feed from mud, carrion, or dung in order to collect sodium (Boggs & Jackson 1991). In ants, recruitment to sodium baits is greater further from the ocean due to lack of sodium from salt spray (Kaspari et al 2008). It is not known if salt spray closer to the coast affects butterflies in the same way. Therefore, I hypothesized that there would be an inverse relationship between the amount of sodium eaten as larvae and their sodium preference as adults.
I collected wild females and gave them Passiflora incarnata cuttings to oviposit on. Larvae were fed a dry artificial diet mixed with fresh passionflower and various solutions: deionized water, 0.11mg/mL sodium, 1.1 mg/mL sodium, or 5.6 mg/mL NaCl, similar to the concentrations used in a study of the effects of road salt on larval butterfly feeding (Mitchel et al 2019). 5-6 days after adult eclosion, I tested preference of the male butterflies of each group by feeding them to satiation on deionized water before presenting 0.0145 mg/mL NaCl and 0.146 mg/mL NaCl in random order, similar to the mud puddle concentrations. I recorded whether they fed from each solution along with the amount of 0.146 mg/mL concentration NaCl solution they ate.
All butterflies accepted the high sodium solution, except one from the high NaCl larval group. Acceptance of the low sodium did not differ significantly among larval treatment groups. However, the amount of sodium solution eaten decreased significantly with increased amounts of sodium in the larval diet. This is similar to the data found in the experiment performed by Kaspari et al, so adult butterflies on the coast may not require as much sodium in their diet.
References
Boggs CL and Jackson LA. 1991. Mud puddling by butterflies is not a simple matter. Ecological Entomology. 16: 123-127.
Kaspari M, Yanoviak SP, and Dudley R. 2008. On the biogeography of salt limitation: A study of ant communities. PNAS. 105(46): 17848-17851.
Mitchell TS, Shepard AM, Kalinowskpi CR, Kobiela M, and Snell-Rood E. 2019. Butteflies do not alter oviposition or larval foraging in response to anthropogenic increases in sodium. Animal Behavior. 154: 121-129.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 81
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| Borduas, Isabelle |
Kubickova, Marketa |
Social Work and Disability Rights
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Abstract Text
As a part of my Social Work education, I am required to dedicate myself to a service-learning experience. I served with Project SEARCH SC, a transitional service for young adults with disabilities to gain real-world employment experience through a series of internships. My role was to bring attention to and coordinate outreach experiences for Project SEARCH SC. I used social media to market the experience, attended conferences to spread the word, and helped plan events for people to learn about the program. I wanted to be a part of this program to expand my insight and understanding of disability rights and policies surrounding disabled individuals. I learned that employment is a privileged experience that people with disabilities view as a source of freedom and independence but may not have the opportunity to participate in as they are viewed as undervalued or they fear the loss of their supplemental services. My view on employment changed as I realized how much being employed is valued by this community and I recognized my privilege in being a part of high education. I felt the impact of coming to the realization that I expected employment in the future when others did not have this guarantee. Policy around employment for people with disabilities is lacking and services like this aim to bridge the gap but can only do so much until policy changes to support employment opportunities further. My hope for others to understand from my experience is that people with disabilities deserve and want employment opportunities without the risk of supplemental services being lost. I want to encourage everyone to advocate for changes in policy regarding those with disabilities to reflect the dream to work and live independently. This experience has pushed my future towards advocacy and policy research with a focus on independent living and disability rights and I will be attending graduate school to further my education and skills to be a better social worker for this population.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 242
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Parsa, Parmida
Castles, Hannah |
Al-Hasan, Majdi
Winders, Hana |
Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention on Ambulatory Antibiotic Prescriptions for Sinusitis
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Abstract Text
Background:
Acute sinusitis affects almost 30 million adults in the USA annually. It is estimated that over 90% of cases are viral in origin. Despite this, antibiotics have reportedly been prescribed for over 80% of patients with acute sinusitis in ambulatory settings. When not clinically indicated, antibiotics can cause patient harm through side effects and increased antimicrobial resistance. This quality improvement project examines antibiotic prescription rates for sinusitis before and after an antimicrobial stewardship educational and data sharing intervention.
Methods:
Antibiotic prescription rates for a documented primary diagnosis of sinusitis were obtained from Prisma Health Midlands internal medicine and family medicine clinics. An antimicrobial stewardship intervention was performed in the internal medicine clinics, consisting of presentation of clinic-specific historic antibiotic prescribing data for sinusitis and review of institutional management guidelines for acute sinusitis. Antibiotic use for sinusitis before (October 1 to December 31, 2022) and after (January 23 to April 30, 2023) antimicrobial stewardship intervention was compared. A preliminary analysis was performed on the first month of the post-intervention period (January 23 to February 22, 2023). Family medicine clinics did not receive an antimicrobial stewardship intervention and were used as control group.
Results:
In the pre-intervention period, internal medicine clinics prescribed antibiotics in 187/211 (88.6%) visits with sinusitis as a primary diagnosis. Family medicine clinics prescribed antibiotics in 439/489 (89.8%) visits with sinusitis as a primary diagnosis. After the intervention, internal medicine clinics prescribed antibiotics in 84/99 (84.8%) visits with sinusitis as the primary diagnosis. In contrast, family medicine clinics prescribed antibiotics in 162/177 (91.5%) visits with sinusitis as a primary diagnosis.
Conclusion:
With one month of comparison data, total prescription rates for sinusitis declined by 3.8% in internal medicine clinics after the antimicrobial stewardship intervention. In contrast, prescription rates for sinusitis in family medicine clinics, which served as the control group, remained relatively stable. Final analysis will be performed at the end of the post-intervention period with formal statistics to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention. Preliminary results suggest that an educational antimicrobial stewardship intervention may improve antibiotic prescription rates for sinusitis in ambulatory settings.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 199
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| Pratt, James |
Moran, Michael |
Herod the Great's Biblical Punishment - Fournier's Gangrene?
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Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Herod the Great (c74 BCE- c4 or 2 BCE), or known as Herod, King of the Jews, is historically significant for his massacre of the innocents as well as his subjugation of the Jewish peoples on behalf of the Romans. He was paranoid throughout his troubled reign but was popular with the Roman overlords. He was constantly worried about his own death by family members and his courtiers, which he routinely murdered. It is of some interest therefore that the wrath of God, so to speak, might be called down upon this probable tyrant leading to suffering and death.
METHODS: All historical accounts of the life and death of Herod the Great were scrutinized, especially by Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus (Joseph Ben Mattithiah) who wrote at the time of Herod. We are particularly interested in his genital disease, described very well by Josephus that was most likely Fournier’s gangrene. We will pay attention to the history of Fournier’s gangrene itself concerning ourselves with Jean Alfred Fournier (1832-1914).
RESULTS: Genital infections that follow the spectrum of Fournier’s gangrene have been documented well before the description of J.A. Fournier of “gangrene foudroyante de la verge” on December 3, 1883. He had seen five cases and they were all “fulminating.” Josephus tells us of Herod’s suffering from his genital affliction.
CONCLUSIONS: Bring in religion and history becomes a baffling muddle, yet it seems clear that Herod for sure was called King of the Jews. Herod had a genital infection at the time of his death which occurred sometime from either 4 BCE or 2 BCE, both significant as Jesus is reported to have been born by both Luke and Matthew in 2 BCE. Herod’s mausoleum has been recently unearthed and much archeoanthropology has followed. Finding his body might just lead to a diagnosis of Facklamia and wouldn’t that be an alliterative coincidence, but sadly his red sarcophagus had been looted prior to rediscovery.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 205
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| Arnold, Virginia |
Shustova, Natalia
Thaggard, Grace |
Photophysics and Kinetics of Photochromic Hydrazone-based Materials
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Abstract Text
The next generation of advancements in the technology and energy sectors is dependent on the development of novel stimuli-responsive materials. However, progress in the area of light-responsive materials has previously been limited because photoisomerization for many classes of photoswitches (e.g., hydrazone and spiropyran derivatives) is restricted in the solid state.1 The challenge of obtaining efficient photoisomerization in a solid-state material could be addressed by integration of photoswitches in porous host frameworks, such as covalent-organic and metal-organic frameworks (COFs and MOFs, respectively). Thus, we integrated hydrazone-based photoswitches into two topologically different porous scaffolds, including a two-dimensional (2D) COF and three-dimensional (3D) MOF and investigated the photophysical properties of the prepared materials.2 Successful integration of the photoswitches within the COF and MOF scaffolds was monitored by Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Further, material crystallinity and stability were assessed using powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Following material characterization, photoisomerization of the hydrazone-based COFs and MOFs was studied using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. As a result, integration of hydrazone derivatives in the 2D COF exhibited unexpected irreversible photoisomerization due to strong hydrazone-COF interactions. However, this challenge could be resolved through integration in the 3D environment of MOFs. Remarkably, the determined photoisomerization rate constants for hydrazone derivatives integrated in 3D MOFs are comparable with those determined in solution. Thus, the problem of limited photoisomerization in the solid state for hydrazone derivatives was overcome through integration in a porous host framework, which foreshadows the role of hydrazone-based photoswitches in the development of novel stimuli-responsive materials.
References:
1. G. C. Thaggard, J. Haimerl, K. C. Park, J. Lim, B. K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage, B. J. Yarbrough, G. R. Wilson, N. B. Shustova, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 23249–23263.
2. G. C. Thaggard, G. A. Leith, D. Sosnin, C. R. Martin, K. C. Park, M. K. McBride, J. Lim, B. J. Yarbrough, B. K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage, G. R. Wilson, A. R. Hill, M. D. Smith, S. Garashchuk, A. B. Greytak, I. Aprahamian, N. B. Shustova, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, 62, e202211776.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 89
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| Dawkins, Jessica |
Lowell, Randy |
Impact of Context Consistency on Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition: An Eye Movement Study
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Abstract Text
The current project examined the cognitive mechanisms that underlie adult skilled readers’ ability to infer meaning from context for novel words, including the influence of context variation as consistent or inconsistent across encounters in supporting its possible meaning, and the extent to which that information remains in memory. This involved two lab visits a week apart. During the first visit, participants read two versions of 40 experimental sentence pairs on the EyeLink 1000 Plus eyetracker, with each sentence pair containing an informative context region in the first sentence, and a target word in the second sentence. The intended meaning of the target word remained constant across two versions of each item during that block, and the target word in both cases was either novel or a known control. After a digit span, participants completed another block of reading trials for which both versions for each item reflected a different intended meaning for the target than in the first block. The target was either novel or known. Known controls were homophones so that the same one could be used across all four sentence pairs when needed. Following the reading blocks, participants completed surprise recognition and memory novel word post-tests. During the second lab visit, participants took the post-tests again. Data analysis within R statistical software utilized linear and logistic mixed effects regression models. Dependent variables included eye movement measures of interest on the target and informative context regions of the reading stimuli, and measures of post-test performance. Fixed effects included target word (novel or known), context consistency (consistent or inconsistent across blocks), number of exposures to novel target (zero, two, or four), and their interactions. Additional models connect eye movement measures with post-test performance. Preliminary trends in recognition and memory of the novel words and their intended meanings, indicate that readers were sensitive to when they encountered the novel targets and which meaning it was presented with, as well as a strong recognition benefit for novel targets seen four times rather than only two times. Connections to the eye movement record and its implications for incidental acquisition will be discussed.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 171
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| Moser, Carly |
Klusek, Jessica |
Mother-Child IBI Synchrony: Moderation by Autism Symptoms
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Abstract Text
Background
Physiological synchrony, or the dyadic coordination of physiological states, between parents and their children is foundational for socioemotional development. Physiological synchrony is shown to be weaker in dyads of parents and their autistic children as compared to neurotypical children, yet it is not known how moment-to-moment dynamic changes in physiological synchrony relates to individual differences in autism symptom severity. Therefore, the current study measured synchrony of inter-beat interval (IBI), an index of autonomic regulation, to examine second-by-second changes in dyadic physiological synchrony between mothers and their autistic children and its association with autism symptom severity.
Methods
Participants included 31 dyads of mothers (M age=38.97) and their autistic children (M age=8.87 years). Physiological data was collected during a 4-minute interaction task where the dyad was asked to copy a series of drawings using an Etch-A-Sketch. The Actiheart-5 heart rate monitor captured the ECG signal, which was processed through CardioEdit Plus to correct for artifacts. CardioBatch Plus Synchrony extracted one second IBI estimates for each participant within each dyad. Autism severity was assessed using the calibrated severity scores from the ADOS-2.
Results
A mixed-effects model included child IBI reactivity, child task average IBI, autism severity, and their interaction as predictors of maternal IBI. The interaction between child IBI reactivity and autism severity was significant (p=.035). Simple slopes analyses showed that dyads of children with lower autism symptoms demonstrated positive IBI synchrony (p<.009) and dyads of children with higher autism symptoms demonstrated did not exhibit IBI synchrony (p=.181). The main effect of task average IBI and its interaction with autism severity were not significant (ps>.055).
Conclusions
Findings show that the level of autism symptom severity differentiates the magnitude of moment-to-moment IBI synchrony in mothers and their autistic children. Those with lower autism symptom severity demonstrated significant positive IBI synchrony (i.e., both partners show similar IBI reactivity across the task), while those with higher autism symptom severity did not demonstrate IBI synchrony. Our findings demonstrate that autism symptoms interfere with dynamic changes in physiological synchrony. Further research is needed to better understand how physiological synchrony can support social development in autistic children.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 17
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| Jackson, Emma |
Carlson, John |
Feeding habits of the Sandbar shark, Carcharhinus plumbeus, off of the Southeast coast of the U.S from 2006-2022
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Abstract Text
Sandbar sharks, Carcharhinus plumbeus, are apex predators that may structure marine communities through predation. Despite historic studies,
there is no current quantitative data on the diet of sandbar sharks off the Southeast U.S. coast. This study describes the diet, highlighting changes
in feeding habits, determining ontogenetic changes within the diet, and comparing this contemporary study with previous studies. From North
Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), 705 shark stomachs were obtained through the NOAA Fisheries Observer Program from the shark bottom
longline fishery between 2006 and 2022. Of the 705, 258 were used for diet analysis, excluding empty and those with only bait as contents. In the
two regions, there were 173 females and 85 males caught with similar numbers of juvenile and mature adults but females being more prevalent in both. Diet was assessed by life-stage and quantified using five indices: percent by number, percent by weight, frequency of occurrence, the index of
relative importance (IRI), and IRI expressed as a percent (%IRI) for prey categories and lower taxonomic classifications. The largest consumed
prey item between age class, sex, and region were teleost followed by cephalopods according to their indices of relative importance (IRI). The survey of prey items ranks cephalopods of higher importance than previous studies. Ontogenetic shifts were not likely due to large juveniles and a lack of neonates within the region.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 68
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| Alkhatib, Bailey |
Goodman, Christopher
Ray, Donna |
Mentee Guided Assessment and Development of Mentorship within the QUEST Training Program
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Abstract Text
Formal instruction regarding the fundamentals of patient safety and quality improvement and real-life application of this knowledge is crucial for professional student development in becoming life-long learners, interprofessional team players, and problem identifiers and solvers of the healthcare systems in which they will work. The Quality Improvement Education and Systems Training (QUEST) program offers experiential learning in quality improvement methods by pairing health science students with USC School of Medicine Columbia health partners at Prisma Health – Midlands and at the Florence regional campus. On prior mentor self-assessment, mentors indicated they felt they exceled at relationship development and role clarification but needed support on navigating barriers and keeping mentees engaged. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to assess the perspectives and attitudes of returning QUEST student participants regarding the mentor-mentee relationship with the end goal of identifying potential areas to strengthen this relationship and the overall experience. An excel spreadsheet was created to anonymously document feedback from returning students. All information was obtained verbally and notated by the student investigator with the verbal consent of the returning student. The information obtained included the following: open-ended questions regarding knowledge acquired, reasons for recruitment of future student participants, and mentee development; Likert scale assessing student perception of mentor interpersonal abilities; and an inquiry of professional and personal benefits the student experienced via participation in QUEST. Data collection and analysis is ongoing. The findings will be disseminated with the poster presentation.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 185
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| Hall, Reagan |
Deweil, David |
How My Peer Leader Role Prepared Me for the Future
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Abstract Text
The University of South Carolina has continuously been the top school in the nation for first-year experience, and the University 101 program has had a big impact on many students’ first-year experience at Carolina. I had the opportunity to serve as a University 101 peer leader, where I helped 19 freshmen with their transition to college, how to navigate campus, and teach them about the services offered on campus. I wanted to do this because I really looked up to my University 101 peer leader when I was a freshman, and I wanted to do the same with my students. I ended up with a great group of students, and each and every one of them left a lasting impact on me, and I left a lasting impact on them. This role also helped me with my public speaking and leadership skills, and it taught me how to sell myself to my students and how to manage. The skills I learned as a University 101 peer leader are skills I value and cherish, and they will help me in my future endeavors post-grad.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 312
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| Berryman, Taylor |
Reinhardt, Sara |
Socioeconomic Statuses Affecting Access to Healthcare
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Abstract Text
During the summer of 2021, I shadowed at a primary care physicians office called Mercy Health- Powell County which is a rural community in Eastern Kentucky. I grew up in this small community, so it was very interesting to see how their healthcare is affected based on where they live. I also shadowed at UK Hospital in Lexington, KY during the same time which is a much bigger city with more diversity. Although these locations are only an hour away from each other the major differences that I saw in their healthcare because of resources, transportation, and socioeconomic statuses showed me how there needs to be change in policies to make sure everyone gets the healthcare they need at affordable costs because where you live should not affect your health. Shadowing at these different locations really made it clear that I want to continue in my pursuit of becoming a doctor and hopefully helping access to healthcare as I do it.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 332
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| Strickland, Morgan |
Goldberg, Kelly |
The Impact of a Resident Mentor
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Abstract Text
Resident mentors play important roles in the transition of first-year University of South Carolina students. My role as a resident mentor is to develop relationships and build community with over twenty residents in university housing. I provide resources, create hall events, and respond to resident concerns. I also help residents develop their soft, educational and life skills over the course of their first-year on campus. I am responsible for building a safe and inclusive environment for residents. I build relationships with them during their transition into college. My resident mentor my freshman year helped me transition into college and I knew I wanted to help other first-year students do the same. Leaving home to go to college is a big change and it is hard on people. I watched how my resident mentor helped other students and myself and knew it was something I wanted to do. My sophomore year I was hired as a resident mentor; applying for this position was the best decision I made. I was able to help my residents with various concerns such as homesickness, academic help, mental health, and finding ways to be involved on campus. I learned how to build relationships with residents and encouraged them to cultivate relationships between themselves. I planned events that encouraged community involvement with everyone on the hall and in the building. I learned which resources helped my residents and held discussion-based events where they could talk about their transition and relate to each other. I created inclusive living environments for residents through training and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion events. After serving as a resident mentor for three years I understand the importance of fostering relationships with others and supporting people through their transitions. Working as a resident mentor has helped me develop as a person and showed me how to be a leader, empathetic, and compassionate. This presentation will highlight the impact of serving as a resident mentor, including the experiences and leadership skills I gained during my time in my position.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 216
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Quiroz, Beatrice
Ferguson, Shea
Raygoza, Alyssa |
Starrett, Angela
Irvin, Matthew |
Identifying Rural Communities' Issues and Barriers
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Abstract Text
Rural communities experience issues related to mental and behavioral health (e.g., cultural stigma decreasing the urge to reach out for help, Douthit et al., 2015), physical health (e.g., higher prevalence of obesity, Befort et al., 2015), and substance use (e.g., higher rates of alcohol and drug use, Dombrowski et al., 2016) in comparison to urban communities. Additionally, the role of COVID-19 may heighten these issues as there is an overall consensus on its detrimental effects on well-being (Melvin et al., 2020). This study aimed to examine the health-related challenges rural communities in the south face and explore how the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues. Qualitative data were collected in Summer 2022 through a mix of semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Sixteen individuals, including substance abuse treatment staff (n=6), school counselors (n=4), school social workers (n=3), Physical Education (PE) teachers (n=2), and one faith leader, were interviewed. The overall sample consisted of 75% females and 94% African Americans, with 44% residing in the county. Participants reported increased substance abuse, increased mental health concerns and referrals in schools, and decreased levels of physical activity among community members. Additionally, barriers to accessing treatment were identified. More specifically, participants reported difficulty accessing resources (e.g., lack of treatment facilities, school psychologists, and transportation) and lack of accountability. There were also reports of an increased stigma related to accessing treatment and family influence in people’s decision to seek help. Participants further noted that the COVID-19 pandemic increased these community issues and barriers. For example, participants stated that the shutdowns led to fewer treatment options, increased alcohol use, and a higher prevalence of mental health issues. Participants stated that collaboration among churches, families, and schools is needed to solve community issues. Findings from this study suggest that building social capital may be an effective method for solving these issues. Regarding practical implications, policymakers should focus more on direct support to rural communities, specifically when considering physical, mental, and social health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 12
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| Scaglione, Bridget |
Zarrett, Nicole |
Connecting Through Physical Activity
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Abstract Text
The Connect Lab works to promote positive youth development through educating teachers, coaches, after school program counselors, and other influential individuals, to give them the tools to raise strong young people. Connect Through PLAY is a trial set place in after school programs to promote youth physical activity. My junior year I began working with Connect Through PLAY as a volunteer undergraduate research assistant on the intervention team and was hired as an Intervention Site Manager the following year, for my senior year. My duties as a volunteer consisted of setting up equipment, introducing the games, participating in the games or activities to promote effort, participation and fun, and clean up. As the Site Manager, these tasks were carried over, and in addition to these duties I was responsible for coordinating the research assistants on site, interacting with the Boys and Girls Club, data entry, and other additional tasks for my supervisor. I was interested in getting involved in research but was uninterested in working with test tubes wearing goggles in a lab. Connect Lab gave me the perfect outlet to work with kids, be physically active, and share my love for physical activity. I will be attending graduate school, to earn my doctorate in Physical Therapy starting summer 2023, and I have learned so much valuable information about how to motivate others, work with diverse populations, and reminded me of how creative and fun physical activity can be. At times, telling someone to be more physically active can make you the “bad guy”, especially working with some problematic youth, but it reminded me that value of focusing on their health, and not being liked, which has prepared me for working with difficult clients as a physical therapist.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 172
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Arif, MD MPH, Muhammad
Gibbons, MD, Michael
Conner, MD, James Nick
Tichenor, MD, Michael
Boyd, MD, Ethan |
Tribble, MD, James
Moffat, MD, David
Pallapothu, MD, Ratna
Keilani, MD, Zeid |
Abstract: An interesting Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction secondary to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease- A Case Report
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Abstract Text
Introduction
In the United States, small bowel obstructions (SBO) account for more than 300,000 operations every year and make up almost 16 percent of all surgical admissions to the hospital. Most SBOs are secondary to adhesions, hernias, malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, and intussusception. SBO secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is rare and can often be overlooked in older patients who report prolonged abstinence from sexual activity.
Case Summary
A 59-year-old woman with history of a C-Section presented with new onset of abdominal pain. A CT scan revealed multiple dilated loops of small bowel, with a transition point in the left true pelvis. Patient was medically managed for SBO with bowel rest, nasogastric tube, and IV fluids. Incidentally, she was found to have Trichomoniasis on urinalysis. She failed to progress after non-surgical management. On hospital day 3, she complained of ongoing severe abdominal pain. Abdominal radiograph revealed persistent small bowel dilation. The decision was made to proceed with a diagnostic laparoscopy. Upon initial laparoscopic inspection, a large abscess was noted in the true pelvis near the transition of dilated small bowel to collapsed small bowel. Boundaries of this abscess included the uterus, fallopian tube, and the left ovary. Abscess was drained and the pelvis was irrigated with saline. Small bowel was reinspected, and the dilated portion was clearly decompressing into the collapsed portion proving resolution of the obstruction. Near the termination of the procedure, an intraoperative consultation was obtained from a gynecologist. The gynecologist agreed with the PID diagnosis. Antibiotics coverage was broadened. The patient reported return of bowel function on postoperative day 1 and was discharged home on postoperative day 5. At her follow up visit, the patient did not report any postoperative complications.
Conclusions
SBO is a common disease process which often requires surgical intervention. There are many potential causes of SBO, including adhesions, hernias, inflammatory bowel disease, and intussusception. It is important to remember uncommon etiologies of SBO like PID. This case report demonstrates that abscesses from PID must be considered even in post-menopausal women. Any abdominal or pelvic abscess can easily lead to SBO.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 119
|
Lampson, Morgan
Moore, Christian
Emran, Alvina |
Pancholi, Suchita |
Advance Care Planning - Increasing Discussions in the Ambulatory Setting by Klariz Tucker, MD; Morgan Lampson, DO; Christian Moore, MD; and Alvina Emran
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Abstract Text
Advance care planning (ACP) is an integral part of inpatient care and is most often discussed during hospital admissions, but very little ACP discussion, if any at all, is approached during routine primary care office visits, with the exception of Medicare annual wellness visits. In the 1801 Prisma Health Internal Medicine Ambulatory Care Center (IM ACC), a sub-group of providers reviewed ACP with at least one patient per week with the goal to increase patient-physician discussion of this topic, to improve documentation of these discussions using Epic dot phrases, and to evaluate the efficacy of this new change in workflow. Three residents piloted this study for 6 months and compared the results with data from the preceding 6 months (the “pretreatment” period). Findings showed that even minor changes in workflow, as described above, yielded improvements in both the frequency and the documentation of advance care planning discussions. Setting a specific numeric goal to complete weekly ACP discussions and constructing a ready-to-use dot phrase led to an increase in well-documented advance care planning discussions between providers and patients. In future projects, improvements could include making ACP discussions a routine part of annual physicals, extending allotted time per patient for discussion, and streamlining a process for follow-up and ACP form submission, to further reduce barriers to ACP discussion and documentation.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 162
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| Cortez, Alexandra |
Zarrett, Nicole |
The Importance of Saying ‘Yay!’: Why the Words We Use Truly Matter
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Abstract Text
I participated in a research lab titled “Connect Thru P.L.A.Y” at USC. The program is a multi-year intervention study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a staff-based physical activity intervention with underserved adolescent youth. There are two types of intervention (MOVE and WELLNESS) with the main difference between the two is that the Connect MOVE program is aimed at changing the social climate while the connect WELLNESS program is not. I worked as an intervention team member for the Connect MOVE program in elementary and middle schools in Blythewood. I was responsible for introducing games, encouraging participation of ALL the students, and creating a positive and inviting atmosphere for the children. This would include positive feedback, avoiding strong competition (losers or trash talk), and finding an activity that kids who did not enjoy the main game we were playing to participate in. This research study interested me because it combined my previous work experience and interests in psychology. I had worked at an extended care program before and saw the influence that staff members can have over children’s behavior and competitiveness. I really liked the idea of a positive environment and challenged myself to try to make sure everyone felt included in games. If I saw a kid that seemed frustrated with the game, I would throw them the ball to get them more interested. If there were a large group of girls uninterested in the game, we would go in the hallway and do jump-rope games or see who could hula-hoop the longest (while letting people that dropped their hula hoop still participate so no one was sitting out). I learned how important the way we talk to people is. Using positive language really made a difference in how the kids acted and treated each other. I also learned that research can be fun! I have really enjoyed my time working for intervention, and I think I realized research is not strictly in a dimly lit lab or library room and that it involves behavior and interacting with people.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 164
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Arif, MD, MPH, Muhammad Sohab
Conner, DO, James Nick
Holley, DO, Zachary
Stephenson, MD, Christopher
Orcutt, DO, Gunnar
Norris, DO, Ashton |
Keilani, Zeid
Moffat, David
Tribble, James |
Abstract: A rare case of Gastric Bronchogenic Cyst during routine bariatric surgery: A Case Report
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Abstract Text
Introduction
Gastric bronchogenic cysts (GBCs) result from dysfunctional ventral bronchopulmonary budding of the foregut during the 25th to 40th day of embryonic development (1,2). Most of these cystic masses are asymptomatic, found in the upper mediastinum, but can present with compressive symptoms of nearby structures. Given the rarity of these masses, lack of clinical symptoms, and nonspecific radiological findings, GBCs are difficult to diagnose. Pathological examination is often necessary to make the diagnosis of GBCs (3).
Case Summary
We present a case of a 34-year-old woman who presented to our bariatric surgery clinic after experiencing unsuccessful weight loss with various diets and exercise programs. During preoperative bariatric surgery evaluation, the patient underwent routine endoscopic esophagogastroscopy which was anatomically unremarkable with biopsy results returning as benign gastric mucosa. During the initial intraoperative inspection, the patient was found to have no anatomical abnormalities except for a medium sized hiatal hernia which is a common finding in the bariatric patient population (4). During the dissection of the hiatal hernia, an incidental 3-4 cm mass on the right upper posterior stomach was noted. This mass was 3 cm distal from the esophagogastric junction and appeared to be coming from the muscular layer of the stomach without communication with the gastric lumen as confirmed by intraoperative esophagogastroscopy. This mass was excised with a stapler, removed using an endocatch bag, and then passed off as specimen for pathology. The planned procedure of sleeve gastrectomy was terminated until definitive pathological examination which returned as a GBC. The patient tolerated the procedure well and is now rescheduled for the intended bariatric surgery.
Conclusions
Gastric bronchogenic cysts are rare masses resulting from abnormal ventral foregut budding during gestation. This case report highlights the steps that were taken in caring for a patient with an extremely rare finding of gastric bronchogenic cyst during a routine bariatric procedure.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 120
|
| Gehant, Benjamin |
Hiott, Ambra |
Communication in Engineering
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Abstract Text
Over the course of the summer, I worked as an Engineering Sales Intern on the Commercial Water Solutions team at Pentair. Pentair is a global leader in water filtration solutions, whether that be for the food and beverage industry, pool equipment industry, or agriculture industry. I spent my time specifically with the commercial water solutions team, in the food and beverage segment of Pentair. My task for the summer revolved around the launch of a new product line, the EZ-RO. The EZ-RO is a new variation of a reverse osmosis water treatment device, typically placed before a soda, coffee, or espresso machine. They can be found at common restaurants and coffee shops across the country, such as McDonalds and Starbucks. That is why their soda or coffee tastes the same no matter where you are in the country! My responsibilities on the new product launch included setting up face to face customer meetings, usually via emails or phone calls, in order to set up a technical product demonstration. Once the meetings were set up, I was tasked along with my mentor to travel to these clientele locations to lead these product demonstrations across the Midwest. By using presentation skills learned in PHIL325, Engineering Ethics, along with BMEN303, Professional Development and Ethics for Biomedical Engineers, I was adequately and successfully able to perform my job. These skills include how to conduct myself as a confident speaker, voice inflection, posture, etc. They also demonstrated to me how failures with communication between engineers can lead to catastrophe. I learned the important lesson that it is better to over-communicate than under. Through experiences from my internship, PHIL325, and BMEN303, I realized the importance of communication in the workplace. Specifically communication in engineering disciplines, where ideas are not easily communicated cross-functionally. Communication is a major key in being able to grow and build professional relationships. I learned that sales, just like anything else in life, is relationship based. You could have the best product in the world but the worst relationship and you will not be successful in selling anything.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 334
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| Forrester, Kelly |
Shustova, Natalia
Thaggard, Grace |
Tunable Energy Transfer in Photochromic Hydrazone-based Materials
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Development of stimuli-responsive materials for directed energy transfer processes is crucial for the next advancements in the energy sector. Energy transfer processes, such as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), between emissive donor (D) and absorbent acceptor (A) molecules could be tuned by altering either the emission intensity or absorbance profile of the D-A pair. Photochromic molecules (e.g., hydrazone derivatives), which undergo isomerization between two distinct states under an appropriate excitation wavelength, offer an opportunity to modulate emission or absorbance of a system using light as an external stimulus. Progress in this area has previously been hindered because hydrazone derivatives exhibit restricted photoisomerization in the solid state, which is critical for device development. However, integration of hydrazone photoswitches in a porous framework provides the void space necessary for photoisomerization to occur in a solid-state material. Thus, a hydrazone-based photoswitch was integrated into a three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) to promote efficient photoisomerization within the pores of a crystalline extended structure. The prepared hydrazone-based MOFs were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Changes in emission intensity associated with E-to-Z photoisomerization of the hydrazone photoswitch were used to modulate the FRET efficiency between the hydrazone-based MOF and guest acceptor molecules as determined by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. In fact, the estimated FRET efficiency nearly doubled upon E-to-Z photoisomerization for the hydrazone-based MOF, which illustrates the potential to achieve noninvasive control of energy transfer pathways through integration of photochromic molecules in porous frameworks.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 96
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| Johnson, Hannah |
Hiott, Ambra |
Becoming an Effective Leader
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Getting involved on campus is one of the most impactful decisions a Gamecock can make. Joining organizations on campus creates opportunities to build relationships, further develop your leadership and professional skills, and leave a lasting impact on a place we grow to love so much. My most significant contribution to the University of South Carolina has been my dedication to Relay For Life. Starting off as a member of the Survivor and Luminaira Committee, I was able to further develop my passion for the mission behind USC Relay, learn from experienced leaders, and start off building relationships that would last for the rest of college. From there, I had the privilege of serving as the Team Development Chair on the Executive Board during my sophomore and junior yers. In that role, I grew tremdonsly as a leader by learning the importance of building an environment that fosters effective communication and motivates the people you work closely with. I was tasked with engaging and delegating to a committee of 10 members, and ensuring that Team Captains felt prepared and confident to lead their organizations during our Main Event. Along with conducting the logistics for them, it was a crucial part in my role to build excitement around our Main Event and the mission behind it. During my senior year, I have had the opportunity to serve as the Director of Community Relations. This role comes with a wide variety of responsibilities, but it has been the most rewarding experience to oversee an Executive Board that has set numerous historical records and had arguably the best year yet. Through my various roles in Relay For Life, I am confident that I have become an effective and encouraging leader. I have accomplished that by ensuring that I have instilled the same values and goals into my team.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 271
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| Marshall, Gillian |
Hogan, Abigail |
Behavioral and Physiological Signs of Social Anxiety in Preschool-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Social anxiety is a common anxiety disorder that has detrimental effects on quality of life. My project focuses on social anxiety symptoms in preschool-aged children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research suggests that autistic individuals exhibit higher levels of social anxiety than do typically developing individuals. Early intervention and treatment for social anxiety has been proven beneficial. However, it can be difficult to identify social anxiety in young children, especially those with ASD, because most social anxiety measures are parent- or self-report measures, and young children are often unable to describe their symptoms and internal states. Measurement of social anxiety symptoms via behavioral observation combined with physiological measurement may be a promising alternative to identifying social anxiety symptoms in young autistic children. My goal is to increase understanding of the early signs of social anxiety in children with ASD by determining whether they exhibit greater behavioral and physiological responses to a stranger approach, as well as determine whether children whose parents reported more social anxiety symptoms have a more distinct behavioral and/or physiological response to the stranger-approach. I studied 85 preschool-aged children: 50 with ASD and 35 that were typically developing. Children underwent a stranger approach task, and their behavioral responses were measured using an observational measure of anxiety-related behaviors, and their physiological response was measured via heart rate activity. The data from each of the measures will be compared (a) between groups to determine if children with ASD exhibit more social anxiety-related behaviors and atypical physiological responses, and (b) within the ASD group to determine if behavioral signs of social anxiety correlate with atypical heart rate activity and higher parent-reported social anxiety symptoms. I predict that there will be more social anxiety symptoms in children diagnosed with ASD, as well as a correlation between behavioral signs of social anxiety and higher heart rate activity and parent-reported social anxiety. The findings of this project will be important because identifying early social anxiety symptoms in young children and can help us understand how these behaviors and responses may differ for children with ASD, allowing them to receive earlier intervention.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 160
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| Bhasin, Aarushi |
Enos, Reilly |
The role of the skeletal muscle androgen receptor to regulate polycystic ovarian syndrome-linked insulin resistance.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects about 10-15% of pre-menopausal women and is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women in their reproductive years. PCOS is characterized by hyperandrogenism which leads to several negative side effects including irregular menstruation, infertility, dyslipidemia, and metabolic dysfunction typified by hyperinsulinemia, skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and 4-fold increase in the risk for the development of type II diabetes. Currently, there is no cure for PCOS.
Prior research has highlighted the fact that assessment and management of PCOS is underwhelming and neglected with a dire need for mechanistic research to understand the etiology of the disease and its detrimental side effects. It is evident that hyperandrogenism plays a central role in regulating the symptoms induced by PCOS as whole body androgen receptor deletion and inhibition has been shown to alleviate hyperandrogenism-associated PCOS characteristics including reproductive and metabolic phenotypes. However, the tissue-specific role of excess androgen signaling to propagate its deleterious metabolic effects remains unresolved. Furthermore, whole body androgen receptor antagonism is not a viable clinical treatment due to potential liver toxicity associated with androgen receptor antagonist drugs.
Dr. Enos’ group has developed a novel mouse model that allows for inducible deletion of the androgen receptor specifically in skeletal muscle. Using this animal model my research project will determine if inducible skeletal muscle androgen receptor deletion can serve as an effective interventive target for hyperandrogenism-induced insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism. The general overall research outline will be to first induce hyperandrogenism with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment for 8 weeks, assesses insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in these mice, followed by inducible deletion of the skeletal muscle androgen receptor to determine if targeted skeletal muscle androgen receptor deletion can be a valid target for novel therapeutics for PCOS-associated skeletal muscle insulin resistance.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 153
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| Shannon, Kayla |
Lewis, Elise |
Making an Impact Through Student Leadership
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Student leadership presents a unique opportunity for college students to make an impact on those around them while growing personally and professionally. The best parts of my college experiences stem from holding leadership positions in USC Dance Marathon and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Taking on leadership roles in these two amazing organizations allowed me to understand the importance of prioritizing mental health and truly being a good listener for others. I’ve learned how to build relationships with people from all different backgrounds and implement programs to allow my peers to have an outlet to come to when times get difficult. The skills I have learned from these experiences are something I will carry with me throughout my career in the sport and entertainment industry. In my presentation I will discuss the insights I will take away from my student leadership experiences as well as where I hope to take the competencies I have learned in my time at Carolina.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 217
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| Fitzpatrick, William |
DeWail, David |
Gaining a Comprehensive View of South Carolina from Hannah News internship
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In my senior year, I worked for Hannah News. We are tasked to attend legislative committee meetings from the Senate as well as the House of Representatives building. I was introduced to the experience through Poli 379 which is a Poli internship course. In order to be placed I had lengthy discussions with the professor about my goals for the future and the strengths that I had acquired through the leadership experiences I pursued in my university career. I chose this opportunity with Hannah News because despite being a senior I was ignorant of South Carolina as a whole excluding the bubble that is the city of Columbia. This opportunity gave me greater insights into the legislative ongoing in practice as well as the values of the people of South Carolina through its legislators. I provided in my role in Hannah news notes that addressed highly influential bills as well as reports of the ongoing in all spheres of discussion including education. I was able to see the skills of masters of presence at work through legislators' years of being at the forefront of discussions and debates. I found that the values and skills that I had worked to obtain were implemented at these higher levels of leadership in the senators and legislators that I wrote notes for in their committee meetings. This experience reaffirmed my leadership goals of representing individuals' concerns as well as reinforced my growing concern for lackluster public schooling in the lower-income areas of South Carolina.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 304
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| Steigner, Kaitlyn |
Gassman, Sarah |
Pavement Distresses in South Carolina
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The aim of this research is to study the performance of asphalt pavements in South Carolina. Pavement performance is a function of distresses that develop in pavements such as rutting, longitudinal cracking, and fatigue cracking. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) needs to know how pavements are performing with time, so they know when to perform maintenance and reduce a full rehabilitation on the road. For this study, field-measured distress data including the International Roughness Index (IRI), rut depth and extent of cracking was obtained from the SCDOT. This data was extracted and analyzed through excel tables and graphs. Data for a total of 77 pavement segments was recorded. Of the 77 segments, all 77 segments of the rutting data were below the high severity of 1.5 inches and 73 segments of the total were below medium severity of 0.5 inches. For IRI, 72 segments of the total were beneath the terminal IRI of 172 in/mile which is failure of the pavement.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 108
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| Staines, Sydney |
Peng, Xuefeng (Nick) |
Examining the role of Myxococcota in Denitrification in Oceanic Oxygen Minimum Zones
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The global nitrogen budget is kept in balance by the processes of nitrogen fixation and denitrification. In order to perform these processes of altering nitrogen to and from biologically available form, organisms must be specially equipped genetically. By looking at the genome of an organism, it can be determined whether that organism is capable of nitrogen fixation, denitrification, and other metabolisms potentially highly relevant for global biogeochemical cycles. Myxococcota are a recently proposed phyla of denitrifying bacteria that have been studied in sediments both on land and in the ocean. They have been proven to exhibit some interesting behaviors, such as the formation of fruiting bodies and communitive predatory behavior. In this study, Myxococcota were further examined through the use of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to better understand their biogeochemical function in the world’s largest oxygen minimum zone, the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP). We have reviewed other studies that have already determined the genes that signify an organism’s ability to conduct nitrogen fixation and denitrification; additionally, Myxococcota have shown potential to conduct other functions, such as the production of secondary metabolites, which can also be determined through studying their genome. Myxococcota as a phylum are understudied in the oceanic water column, so the aim of this study is to better quantify its contribution to the global nitrogen budget.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 87
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| Holler, Greyson |
Folks, Laszlo |
Peer Leadership
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The Education and uplifting of others are central to the field of medicine. As a pre-med student and tutor in the Student success center I was able to assist and connect with others in their education journey. Tutoring gave me the opportunity to give back to UofSC students and learn a tremendous amount about myself. I gained knowledge on developing others to lead and the power of effective communication. I was able to implement this knowledge through my work with the Carolina Clemson Blood drive as I focused on preparing the next class of students to take the club to greater places. I have learned to cater communication to my audience, invest in others, and critically analyze the consequences of my decisions. In my presentation I will discuss how my experiences at UofSC has made me a better leader, person, and will shape me as I pursue a career in medicine.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 335
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| Mitchell, Sarah |
Epps, Lauren |
Changing Lives in Guatemala
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After the spring semester of my sophomore year, I spent a little over a week in Guatemala on a medical mission trip. There were 12 of us in total on the trip and we were all a part of APPAS, Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students, on campus. On this trip we spent our days seeing the maximum number of patients we could and provided them with free healthcare. As students we did intake on each patient to get their medical history and any concerns they had and then took each of their vitals. We presented our findings to the physician working with us and then completed a full examination on each patient. It was especially important that these patients allowed us to take their vitals and complete an examination on them as many of them had never been seen by a healthcare provider in their life. Hundreds of members of the community of Panajachel came to our clinic each day. It was an unforgettable experience seeing how grateful each patient was for our work. Many of them discovered health conditions they had and never would have known about if it wasn’t for our clinic. Others were given medications by our physician that they would not have been able to get anywhere else. This experience was eye opening for me by not only giving me insight to their community and how they all lived but also allowed me to witness a different style of healthcare and their lack of a healthcare system. With my goal of becoming Physician Assistants, the lessons we learned on this week-long journey will carry on with me for the rest of my life and into my career. Personally, this experience has me now considering becoming a travel PA as it made me aware of just how bad some healthcare systems are and that needs to be changed.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 252
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| Osborne, Ashlyn |
Ducate, Lara |
Peer Mentoring
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Through the University 101 Program, I guided 19 college freshmen in a Capstone business section of the introductory U101 course. This course was designed to guide students through their first semester of college and help build skills for success throughout their college careers.
I was able to collaborate with my co-instructor to design a cohesive class schedule filled with activities tailored to student needs. These activities included resume workshops, LinkedIn workshop, campus organization spotlights, daily check-ins, and time management activities. In addition, we incorporated out of the classroom activities to truly understand our students and their needs as well as foster a community within the classroom. We held a class dinner at our professor’s house, volunteered as a class at the local Zoo, and held individual student meetings to support them one-on-one.
Throughout my personal college experience, I was afforded the opportunity to learn from mentors who invested in me. For example, my Peer Leader was a welcoming face when I joined campus and my business fraternity mentor helped me grow professionally and personally. These role models left a large impact on my success in college as well as my drive to get involved. I have always wanted to give back to others what was given to me and this is what led me to become a peer leader, as well as other supportive roles such as an orientation leader.
When it comes to mentoring others, it is important to remember that a mentorship has an expiration date. Of course, I will be there to check in on my students, but the role itself was only a semester long. When realizing the time capacity of this role, I understood what it means to be an effective mentor. “Give a man a fish, he eats for a meal. Teach a man to fish, he eats for life”. This quote is a good example of how to be a good mentor. Rather than just give advice, give students the opportunity to build the skills to be successful, and they will carry those skills with them for life.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 237
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| Carriuolo, Avery |
Chruszcz, Maksymilian |
Impact of Conserved Cysteine Residues on Plant and Mite Profilins
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The profilin family of allergens is of particular interest to current allergenic research because their specific mechanism of allergenicity is unknown. These small proteins contain cysteine residues which can interact with other molecules of the same protein to form disulfide bonds, therefore generating oligomers such as dimers, trimers, and even tetramers in some cases. In this study, the potential oligomerization of three profilins- Mal d 4, Tyr p 36, and the profilin from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus- have been examined to determine the effect of varying cysteine residues on stability, as well as to elucidate which cysteine residue(s) may be involved in the oligomerization process. This process is important in the case of allergens because oligomerized profilins can bind differently to antibodies as compared to their monomeric form. Various experimental methods, such as differential scanning fluorimetry, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography were used to characterize these proteins. Understanding the structural characteristics of profilins and the effects of cysteine residues on their function is vital in connecting protein structural studies to human immune response to this group of allergens. The results obtained in these studies provide molecular insights on profilins’ stability and ability to form oligomeric structures.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 97
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| Gallegos-Tinajero, Manuel |
Kubickova, Marketa |
For People With People
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My campus involvement throughout my collegiate career has led me to an opportunity where I could advocate, inform, and assist thousands of students and guests through orientation sessions. My most momentous experience throughout my time here at the University of South Carolina has been my commitment to giving back to all the different experiences I have had as a Latino, first-generation college student as an orientation leader. Becoming a member of this team has enhanced my opportunity to grow and enhance my leadership skills professionally, personally, and socially. I never expected any of these benefits when applying for and getting accepted into this position. Throughout this experience, I have been able to think critically to solve complex issues, interact with diverse groups of people with divergent backgrounds, and communicate respectfully and effectively. This helped reaffirm how I highly enjoy serving others and align my passion to continue to follow a path for a career where I can continue to contribute and serve others.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 293
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| Davis, Sarah |
Zhu, Jun |
In vivo HIV-1 Tat protein expression alters synaptic dopamine release through multiple monoamine transporter interactions
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Dysregulation of dopaminergic transmission induced by the HIV-1 transactivator of transcription
(Tat) has been implicated as a central factor in the development of HIV-1 associated
neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Using Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry (FSCV), this study determined whether Tat influences extracellular dopamine (DA) dynamics through regulation of DA transporter (DAT) and vesicular monoamine transporter2 (VMAT2). We found that 14-day doxycycline (Dox)-induced Tat expression in inducible Tat transgenic (iTat-tg) mice resulted in a two-fold increase in phasic but not tonic baseline DA release in the caudate putamen (CPu), whereas the baseline DA release was decreased (~ 50%) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), compared to G-tg (Tat null) mice. A single systemic injection of a novel DAT allosteric modulator, SRI-32743, reversed the Tat-induced increase in baseline DA release in the CPu, while SRI-32743 alone did not alter baseline DA release. To determine whether Tat influences DA dynamics through VMAT2, we profiled the time to DA depletion in response to the “reserpine like” VMAT-2 inhibitor Ro4-1284. We found that Tat did not significantly alter response to Ro4-1284 (50 or 500 nM), however, Tat did increase cytosolic DA levels in the NAc as determined by bath application of amphetamine (1 µM). These findings support the involvement of monoamine transporters in the mechanism of Tat induced dysregulation of DA neurotransmission. Future work delineating the molecular mechanism of Tat-induced dysregulation of DA neurotransmission will provide insight into the development of therapeutics for prevention of HAND.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 73
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| Dorn, Chase |
Tandon, Keah |
Classroom Learning to Culture Experiences: My Global Learning Journey
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As an International Business major, integrating global learning into my experience was a part of my college plan from the beginning. I have always taken a keen interest in exploring how global forces influence us as individuals – I even wrote my International Baccalaureate Extended Essay in high school on the effect of globalization on isolationist national policies. My global knowledge has only expanded since that time four years ago. I consider my time spent studying abroad in the spring of my junior year as the culmination of my global learning. Although it was a requirement of the International Business program, I wanted to go abroad to push myself in a variety of ways – academically, culturally, linguistically, and beyond. I feel I achieved that: after spending the semester learning alongside and working with other exchange students from across the world at Esade Business School in Barcelona and experiencing nine different countries, I not only expanded my academic knowledge but my global and cultural knowledge as well. Taking classes like Leading Teams in a Globalized World, Reimagining Capitalism, and the Euro Financial Crisis allowed me to apply concepts I had learned in my international business studies at USC, like Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, to apply to both my learning and interaction with my peers. Understanding the cultural background of my peers allowed me to better communicate with them and form stronger relationships. But not only did I learn about how to interact with others, but I learned a lot about myself as well. Being halfway across the world for months taught me how to navigate across cultures and learn confidence in an unfamiliar environment. My time abroad was crucial to my global learning, translating my knowledge from within the classroom to the real world. Going forward, I want to apply this experience to not only be effective taking on global projects in my professional life but to enrich my personal life as a global citizen as well.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 272
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| Restino, Meghan |
Parker, Hannah
Smith, Michal
Armstrong, Bridget |
The Acceptability of a Novel Device to Measure Sleep in Children: Preliminary Results from a Qualitative Study
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BACKGROUND: Sleep is associated with many positive health outcomes in children; thus, accurate measurement is essential to inform sleep recommendations and evaluate interventions. A novel device, the PATCH mounted by an adhesive to a location close to the child’s center of mass, may be able to measure sleep. The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability of wearing the PATCH to measure sleep in children.
METHODS: Forty-seven children (5.8±1.7 years, 51.1% female, 74.5% white, 16.3% black) wore the PATCH device. We tested five different adhesive strategies varying in placement and adhesive material. In waves one, two, and five the PATCH was placed on the child’s chest. During wave three, the PATCH was placed on the center of the child’s back, and in wave four it was placed on the side of the child’s lower back. Each child tested one strategy for 14 days. After the 14 days, qualitative interviews were conducted, transcribed, and reviewed for mentions of “sleep”. We calculated the number of participants who mentioned sleep and the number of positive and negative mentions of sleep.
RESULTS: In 35 of 47 interviews, parents mentioned sleep. Of these total mentions, 28 were positive and 6 were negative. From wave one, 11 out of 12 transcripts mentioned sleep, 10 were positive and 1 was negative. From wave two, 6 of the 10 transcripts mentioned sleep, and all 6 mentions were positive. Seven of 10 wave three transcripts mentioned sleep, 4 were positive and the remaining 3 mentions were negative. Nine transcripts from wave four were evaluated and 6 mentions of sleep were found, all of which were positive. Wave five had 4 mentions of sleep in 6 transcripts. Two of the mentions were positive and 2 of the mentions were negative.
CONCLUSION: Overall, wave one had the most positive mentions of sleep when the device was placed on the chest. The most negative mentions were made during wave three when the device was placed on the center of the lower back. This shows the PATCH device is acceptable for measuring sleep in children, especially when placed on the chest.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 143
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| Rivers, Gabrielle |
Tandon, Keah |
Public Health in the Pediatric Emergency Department
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For the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of being a tech in the pediatric emergency department. As an emergency department tech, I am a nurse assistant, and I help patients, nurses, and providers throughout our department. We are an eleven-bed department but oftentimes exceed well over that limit to extend patient care to such a large population. I have spent over 1,500 hours working in this position and have learned more than any classroom could ever teach me. In this position, I serve as a member of the healthcare team to ensure that patients are checked into the emergency department correctly, vital signs are promptly taken and updated, labs are sent, and parents are accurately communicated with. I will be applying to physician assistant school in May, and a sufficient number of hours of hands-on patient care experience is required for acceptance. I’ve known I wanted to work in medicine since I was in elementary school because of the experience my younger sister had in the hospital, so when I realized there was an incredible pediatric emergency department just a few miles from my college apartment, I immediately knew this is where I wanted to obtain my patient care experience. The emergency department has taught me so many clinical concepts and skills, such as normal vital signs ranges, how to perform an EKG, the process of a patient being admitted to the hospital, and even how to have bedside manner and speak with a patient. Working in the emergency department has also allowed me to see public health concepts in the real world. The social determinants of health are present in many of our patients, which makes the emergency department their only option rather than primary care. Having a minor in Spanish has helped me with the large Latino population of patients because I have learned not only the language, but cultural competency to provide equitable care. Being a future physician assistant, I appreciate the experience I have gained to help me understand the value of primary care and cultural competency.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 253
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| Woodison, Olivia |
Tandon, Keah |
Learning To Think Like A Clinician
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Gaining experience in a clinical setting is essential for anyone wanting to pursue a career in physical therapy. It provides knowledge that simply can not be learned in a classroom. The most valuable thing that I have had the experience of doing throughout my time at the University of South Carolina is being able to complete my practicum at Carolina PT and Sports Medicine. I was given so many options as opportunities for my practicum and Carolina PT was the best choice for me and my future goals. I would love to become a physical therapist and help patients reach their desired goals in relation to their strength and range of motion. I have had the experience to learn specific techniques that the clinic does, such as dry needling, aquatic therapy, and traction. I was also given the opportunity to work with some of the patients, leading them in their activities during their appointment. The knowledge that I have gained being at the clinic is more than I could have ever asked for. I have begun to think like a clinician, rather than a student or patient when interacting with patients. I have plans to attend graduate school in order to get my Doctorate of Physical Therapy and this experience has prepared me immensely for everything to come.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 254
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| Walters, Daniel |
Tandon, Keah |
A Community In Need & The Army Behind It: COVID-19 Relief Missions
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The COVID-19 pandemic affected every state, country and community in the world. South Carolina was no different. Masks went on, Germ-X went flying off shelves and many schools went virtual in Spring of 2020. In the wake of school doors closing, many students who relied on school lunches were left unfed. On March 15th I was given the opportunity to volunteer for State active duty as a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard, and by April 1st I was moved to title 32 orders (Federal). As an 88M, Motor Transport Operator, I was tasked with getting certified to drive school buses. Within a week my Transportation Company, 1051st, drove down to Myrtle Beach in LMTVs. At first we were not welcomed because the larger military vehicles, especially in a time of uncertainty, raised the suspicion and concerns of the community. However, after we transitioned to buses, supplied by Socastee High School, the community absolutely loved our presence. Our mission was to drive local bus routes and hand deliver meals to students and needy individuals in order to combat hunger in Horry County. The bus I drove along with two other soldiers delivered over 100 meals daily. By the end of our mission my company had delivered over 70,000 meals. Additionally, we partnered with local libraries who had summer reading programs to hand out books and occasionally toys to children. This was easily the most rewarding set of orders I have ever been on as I was able to make a direct impact on so many lives on a daily basis. The next year I took Public Policy, POLI 374, and realized just how much of a positive impact that mission had on the Horry County community. The relations and trust we built, while serving as street level bureaucrats, will stay with those children for their whole life. This impacted me in ways I couldn’t anticipate. Originally, I only enlisted to pay for school, but now I am commissioning into the Army in May and plan on continuously serving my community for as long as possible.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 305
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| St. Clair, Paige |
Tandon, Keah |
Facilitating Difficult Conversations While Guiding First-Year Experiences
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The running theme of my college career has been working alongside first-year students. Early on in my freshman year, this trend began as I took a leadership position within my sorority that turned into me joining our Leadership Team the following year. In these positions, I tried to get first-year students as involved in the Panhellenic community as possible. Not only did I push community involvement, I also had a lot of first-year members come to me for advice on how to get involved in my sorority and at USC. What I loved most about serving in these positions was that I was able to give back to my organization while giving advice and pushing community involvement among first-year students. This was something that I was able to carry-on when I became a University 101 Peer Leader, which was one of the most rewarding things I was able to do at USC. Being able to continue to give back to the Gamecock community and work alongside first-year students was one of the deciding factors for me in becoming a Peer Leader. I was able to make an almost immediately visible positive impact on my students which is something that I am extremely proud of. My students and I were able to build a good rapport early on in the semester and I had them coming to me for advice on roommates, friends, classes and all the other drama that comes with being a first-year student. In addition to this as a Peer Leader, I was able to learn how to navigate more difficult conversations and how to facilitate them in a respectful manner. These opportunities allowed me to succeed academically, grow socially, develop my leadership skills and make lasting connections on campus. My presentation will discuss the insights that I gained as a result from my leadership experience as a University 101 Peer Leader working with first-year students.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 313
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| Morgan, Nori |
Grace, Breanne |
Analyzing Syrian Refugee Experiences in Istanbul through their Presentations on Social Media
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During the Fall 2022 semester, I was granted the Magellan Navigator award for Maxcy International House students. This award grants up to $1,000 toward faculty-led student research and my proposal “Analyzing Syrian Refugee Experiences in Istanbul through their Presentations on Social Media” was accepted. I am creating a thematic analysis of Syrian refugee experiences in Istanbul alongside Dr. Grace in which I use social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. As this is on-going, early themes have included the use of music, food, and humor in order to demonstrate resilience in the face of a lack of resources and also discrimination in the neighborhoods of Istanbul Syrian refugees reside.This is highly important to me professionally, academically, and personally as this topic aligns with my long-term career goals and passion for ethical humanitarian aid. As a student majoring in International Studies with an aspiration to empower displaced communities, engaging in the creation of published research gives me not only experience, but the chance for me to show my efforts publicly. While I am reviewing content online I get to see glimpses into their own views of their individual experiences and their methods of resilience, especially due to the recent Earthquake. This experience is highly rewarding as it furthers my personal understanding of how Syrian communities are both alienated and included into Istanbul’s society. I look forward to publishing and presenting my research as it has been very impactful to me and is an excellent resource for those who are curious about the experiences of Syrian refugees in Turkey.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 2
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| McHenry, Julianne |
Tandon, Keah |
Conservation, Sustainability, and Ecolodges in the Virgin Islands
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In the Fall of 2022, I studied at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas. I was in the U.S. Virgin Islands for 4 months. I have had a passion for the ocean and tourism from a young age, and I decided to major in marine science and minor in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management to expand my knowledge. While studying in St. Thomas, I took Marine Invertebrate Zoology, Resort Management, Principles of Marketing, and Physical Geography. These courses allowed me to explore the amazing wildlife found on the islands, experience daily life of the locals, and witness tourism. During my time in the Virgin Islands, I island hopped to St. John and Water Island. My experience on these islands were similar in some ways, yet very different. The classes I took helped immerse me in the culture and the island life. While on the islands I was constantly reminded of sustainability, tourism, and conservation. Studying in a new place helped me open my eyes and realize how much I can do with my degree. While on Water Island, I visited an ecolodge and the owners gave me hope that I could achieve my dream of opening an ecolodge that teaches guests about conservation. Owning an ecolodge would allow me to use the knowledge I have learned while in undergrad and continue my personal growth.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 318
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| Johnson, Amber |
Tandon, Keah |
Applying Public Health to EMS
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During the fall of 2022, I earned my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification at Midlands Technical College. An EMT responds to medical emergencies and delivers patient care and evaluations in a prehospital setting. EMTs usually work for public or private emergency medical services (EMS). I was promoted from a driver to an EMT at First Priority, a private EMS company, after receiving my certification. Obtaining my certification permitted me to deliver direct patient care to a variety of patients. The differing experiences with each patient have opened my eyes to healthcare within the U.S. This certification allowed me to conceptualize public health topics learned in various courses relating to the influences of environmental factors on health. Furthermore, this certification granted me hands-on clinal experience which is important as I am pursuing a career in medicine. My experiences as an EMT solidified my decision to go into the medical field because it enabled me to help those in a time of need.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 255
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| Faulk, Kailik |
Wolfer, Terry |
Building My Case
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This past summer I interned with Amazon in Southern California as a full-time Loss Prevention Specialist. During my two months with Amazon, I had multiple responsibilities. I was in charge of leading data-motivated investigations using electronic sources regarding product shrinkage. I monitored workplace safety incidents. I conducted interviews on workplace altercations, suicidal reports, and suspected theft. Also, I was assigned a project that was to be completed by the final day. The main objective of my project was to implement a system to reduce shrinkage in the electronic department of our facility. The Site was an Amazon Robotics(AR) site. There were over 3,000 employees there. My time there was very beneficial in gaining real-world experience inside the workplace. I engaged in meaningful conversations with my leads and co-workers. My comfort with small talk improved a lot. Working on my project, was the most important part of my internship. Through this, I had the opportunity to utilize intelligence, research data, and generate innovative ideas. Ultimately, my project was approved by the site General Manager and implemented. This experience was eye-opening for me. I learned how to be a professional, set deadlines, and achieve. I became competent in articulating my own ideas which garnered feedback for improvement. This opportunity created a drive for me to develop cybersecurity skills. As I put this into perspective, I hope to go into a Loss Prevention or Cybersecurity role in the future. Overall, this experience reassured my decision to study Criminal Justice.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 302
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| Houle, Aubrey |
Pou, Jay |
Leading the Way Through the First Year Experience: Creating a Sense of Community for First Year Students as a Resident Mentor
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The first year experience as a college student is one that has the power to set the tone for the rest of your college career from who you surround yourself with, what you get involved in, and what you walk away with four years later. In some ways, I felt robbed of my first year experience because it was during the beginning of Covid-19 closing everything. I know that is something I will never get back, so when I was given the opportunity to serve as a Resident Mentor to 34 first year students I was elated to make their first year experience better than my own. This experience, throughout the course of the two years I was in the RM role, heavily shaped my college experience and my outlook on the undergraduate experience. Seeing students at their highest and lowest, myself included, offered so much personal growth and leadership development. It was not always an easy role to be in, but it showed me the truth in my character and my limits. I learned when to say “no”, how building a quality of foundation to be approachable and trusted impacts the community, and how to engage with others in a professional way. This experience has left me more certain than ever before that being able to serve those in my community and being a resource is important to me. The greatest takeaway though, may just be that remembering I am only one person, one human, who is not capable of doing everything all the time and having boundaries is okay and necessary to ensure I can still be the version of myself I want to be.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 272
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| Pham, Triet |
D'Antonio, Edward |
Rapid, Novel, and Sensitive Tetrazolium-Based Colorimetric Assay for Helicase nsp13 in SARS-CoV-2
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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a human pathogenic virus that has essential proteins ranging from cell surface attachment, RNA and viral genomic replication, and translation of viral structural proteins. Once expressed in the host cell, 16 non-structural proteins are produced, which represent a drug discovery targeting opportunity. One target that has received attention in early-stage drug discovery is Coronavirus non-structural protein 13 (nsp13) that is also known as SARS-CoV-2 helicase (SC2Hel). The enzyme serves the function of unravelling double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in an NTP-dependent method from the 5′ to 3′ directionality. The standard nucleic acid unwinding assay involving helicase from studies of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 encompasses the concept of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Although effective in detection of nucleic acid unwinding activities, there is the drawback of relatively expensive fluorophore and dark quencher components for the nucleic acid. Herein, we have developed a rapid, novel, sensitive, tetrazolium- based colorimetric assay for the detection of SC2Hel activities (nucleic acid unwinding activity and ATPase activity) using a standard unmodified duplex nucleic acid substrate. This SC2Hel
assay combines three enzyme-coupled steps involving the ADP-dependent Thermococcus litoralis glucokinase (TlGlcK), Leuconostoc mesenteroides glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (LmG6PDH), and Clostridium kluyveri diaphorase (CkDIA). In the final step of the assay, a colorimetric tetrazolium reagent was used, known as iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT), that converts into INT-formazan upon reduction and exhibits an intense colorimetric response at a wavelength maximum of 505 nm (in a pH 7.6 buffered solution). The assay is more cost effective than the canonical FRET-based assay since the duplex nucleic acid substrate lacks any modification.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 44
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| Delahunty, Nathan |
Jackson, Benjamin |
A Cross Sectional Analysis of Arch Height and Pressure Distribution in a Normalized Population of More than 1000 Subjects
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Background: There are normal variations in the shape of an individual’s foot. However, recent investigations involving large, heterogenous populations are scarce, complicating attempts to create a uniform definition of clinical foot arch height. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of plantar foot pressures from the general population.
Methods: 1015 randomly sampled individuals (2030 feet) had a bipedal standing profile obtained utilizing a high sensitivity pressure mat. Data collected included: total foot length (cm), peak pressure (kPa), peak contact pressure (kPa), and total contact area (cm2). Demographic information and data regarding individual comorbidities previously to be linked to pathologic arch height conditions were collected. A flatfoot was defined as Midfoot total area>Mean+1SD while a high arch was defined as Midfoot total area
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 154
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| Nolen, Jack |
Ducate, Lara |
Siemens Buffalo Grove Inbound Transportation Optimization Project
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During the Fall of my Senior year, I had the opportunity to work with Siemens as a Supply Chain Consulting Analyst. Along with a team of fellow Senior Supply Chain Students and professor David Precht, we were allowed to run a remote process improvement project for Siemens. We were tasked with discovering potential new supply routes inbound to Siemen’s main manufacturing plant in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, as well as optimize current routes. We analyzed CASS freighting data to create pivot tables, graphs, and Power BI maps to dive deep into the data and location areas for improvement. Over the course of the semester, we laid out a DMAIC roadmap for our project and followed it every step of the way. At the end of the semester, we presented our findings to twenty Siemens’ higher ups, including the Vice President of Logistics in a near eighty slide Power Point presentation. As a result, from our efforts, we were able to present Siemens with an estimated cost reduction between $140,000 and $180,000 year over year in transportation costs. In addition to this savings, we also ran a sustainability analysis which found that from our recommendations, Siemens could reduce their carbon footprint by an estimated seven cars worth of kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted per year. The purpose of this project was to prove to Doctor Ahire of the University of South Carolina, and a representative from Sonoco, that the members of my team were fluent in Lean Six Sigma teachings and worthy of receiving a Green Belt Certification. Through this project, I learned two key insights; Increasing waste in a process is not necessarily a bad option if it means you can reduce the risk of a process breakdown and creating sustainability in operations can also be profitable if done the right way. From this experience, I now feel competent, comfortable, and ready for the workforce as this project will be almost identical to project’s I will receive out in the field in just a couple of months.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 306
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| Delahunty, Nathan |
Moran, Michael |
“War and Peace” and Urology- legacy of Andrew Dickson White
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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Andrew Dickson White (1832-1918) is now a virtually unknown academician who transcended his generation and founded Cornell University. He wrote a two-volume treatise on A History of Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom in 1896. Religions vs. science comes to nest upon the practice of urology seen in Amparore et al’s overview Forecasting the Future of Urology Practice as the erosion of trust.
METHODS: A biography of White is available as are his archives at Cornell. These were all utilized to better understand this unique individual. His autobiography is also a great historical source of information. In 1921 Nicholas Murray Butler wrote a commemorative tribute to White. Also, his own personal library was catalogued and published in 1889 which reveals the interests of the man. His writings on the friction between science and religion were pursued with specific reference to evolution to the health sciences and notably, urology.
RESULTS: One does not have to be a philosopher to understand the tensions that exist between religion and science. Urology is the medical science of diseases of the genitourinary system and becomes involved with religion whether this is sought or not. There is a rapid, confirmed, authoritarian, and committed group of increasing vociferous atheists which affect practitioners, politics, and populations. This was already predicted by Professor White in 1896, following in the wake of Thomas Henry Huxley and his coining a new word- agnostic.
CONCLUSIONS: The Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 highlights this battle. Though lampooned by avowed atheist Henry Louis Mencken, the only scientist for the prosecutor was early AUA physician and Founding Father of Johns Hopkins, Howard Atwood Kelly. The world of urology is becoming a smaller place, though the specialty is burgeoning, much as in Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat. Though classically taught to avoid the two perils of patient interaction- “politics and religion” this is often no longer possible, how and which end of spectrum one lands upon, the “position” of the urologist must be addressed.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 202
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| Lavin, Ingrid |
Tandon, Keah |
From A1 to B2: Becoming a Student and Leader in the Russian Language
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I studied abroad in Kyiv, Ukraine, during my spring semester of sophomore year as part of a 16-week, intensive Russian language program. As a Russian major, I wanted to strengthen my foreign language capabilities. In order to do so, I knew that I needed to be fully immersed in the Russian language, day in and day out. I registered for a study abroad program through the company SRAS, which placed me in a homestay and included excursions to other cities within Ukraine. I attended classes for approximately six hours each day, met with a peer tutor three days each week, and spent much of my time outside the classroom practicing Russian with my friends and host family. On the weekends, I visited museums, art exhibits, restaurants, and banyas, speaking solely in Russian in all of these environments. During this time, I grew as a person and forced myself to venture beyond my comfort zone in so many ways. I started as an A1 level speaker and left with a B2 certification. I made long-lasting friendships and gained a deeper understanding of Ukrainian culture, as well as Russian and Georgian. I ended my study abroad program with the confidence in both myself and my language skills to become a stronger leader at home and continue to foster cross-cultural connections in my own community. Nearly two years later, I still find myself thinking of the experiences I had and the memories I made while in Ukraine. Going forward, I want to use my Russian language, leadership, and writing skills to research and address social issues in Eastern Europe and help others.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 273
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| Smoker, Brice |
Jackson, Benjamin |
Assessing Ultrasonographic Abnormalities in Asymptomatic Peroneal Tendons
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Background. The peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) tendons comprise the lateral compartment of the leg and stabilize the foot during weight-bearing. Peroneal tendinopathy can precipitate lateral ankle pain and induce functional disability. The progression of peroneal pathology to lateral ankle dysfunction is thought to stem from asymptomatic, subclinical peroneal tendinopathy. There may be clinical benefit to identifying asymptomatic patients with this condition before progression to disability. Various ultrasound characteristics have been observed in peroneal tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to identify the frequency of subclinical tendinopathic characteristics in asymptomatic peroneal tendons.
Methods. 170 participants underwent bilateral foot and ankle ultrasound examination. Images were assessed for abnormalities of the PL and PB tendons by a group of physicians who recorded frequencies of abnormalities. This team consisted of an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, a fifth-year orthopedic surgery resident, and a family medicine physician with musculoskeletal sonographer certification.
Results. 340 PL and 340 PB tendons were assessed. 68 (20%) PL and 41 (12.1%) PB tendons had abnormal traits. 24 PLs and 22 PBs had circumferential fluid, 16 PLs and 9 PBs had noncircumferential fluid, 27 PLs and 6 PBs had thickening, 36 PLs and 12 PBs had heterogenicity, 10 PLs and 2 PBs had hyperemia, and 1 PL had calcification. In Caucasian participants, male gender was associated with increased frequency of abnormal findings, but there were no other significant differences based on age, BMI, or ethnicity.
Conclusion. In our studied population of 170 patients who had no complaints of associated symptoms we found that 20% of PLs and 12% of PBs displayed ultrasonographic abnormalities. When we included all unusual findings within and around the tendons prevalence rates of US abnormalities were 34% for PLs and 22% for PBs.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 168
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| Lyons, Mary Kate |
Folks, Laszlo |
Internship with Paratek Pharmaceuticals
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During summer 2022, I worked as a clinical microbiology intern at Paratek Pharmaceuticals located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Paratek developed a novel antibiotic, NUZYRA® (omadacycline) which received FDA approval in October 2018 to treat various acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, as well as various community acquired bacterial pneumonia infections. Since then, Paratek has worked tirelessly to find new uses for NUZYRA® and fight antimicrobial resistance. As a clinical microbiology intern, I worked on various independent and partnered research projects and presented slide decks based on the completed research to various groups within the company, as well as two clinical trials. This internship has allowed me to apply knowledge, leadership skills, and public speaking skills that I have gained as a B.S. public health major at the University of South Carolina, from courses including but not limited to microbiology, principles of epidemiology, and principles of global health. Although I wish to pursue a career in nursing by attending an accelerated nursing program in fall 2023, this internship has affirmed to me that I would like to work on clinical trials in the clinical setting, and potentially return to pharmaceuticals in the far future as a medical science director.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 303
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| Bryant, Grace |
Ducate, Lara |
Building an Effective Team
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Freshman year of college I joined the Garnet Media Group marketing team, and after being on the team for a few months without any action I asked my mentor for help finding a different team to join within the organization. Instead, he asked me to lead the team and I officially became Garnet Media Group Marketing Director in the Spring of 2020. The marketing team strives to promote Garnet Media Group’s four partner organizations, create two special publications, plan and host events, and more.
When becoming marketing director, the team was a maximum of 5 team members that were not engaged and left once COVID-19 hit. Over the last three years, I have built the team into a 15+ group of students that are willing, able, and excited to learn about marketing. To do this, I took 5 key steps including setting benchmark objectives, setting an organizational structure, communicating my own and team members' why for being a part of the organization, fostering growth through meetings, and finding the balance between being a peer and a leader. Over the last 3 years, I have continued to build the team and work hard for Garnet Media Group because it’s something that I care about and believe in the mission of.
After being the marketing director for Garnet Media Group, I have learned how to create and manage an effective team. I take this experience with me to other organizations, internships, and jobs to be an effective teammate and leader. Personally, I was able to better understand my career interests, build my resume to secure internships, and gain valuable experiences like presenting at a national convention in Washington, DC, after being named national Best Marketing Manager 2022. Overall, Garnet Media Group greatly impacted my time at UofSC and beyond.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 284
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| Wilson, Jay |
Matthews, Sarah |
Professionalism and Influence in Government
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During my time at USC, I participated in an internship for a lobbying and legislative consulting company by the name, Capitol Information Affiliates. This firm focuses on legislative lobbying and monitoring the legislature and state agencies, change management, and trade practice compliance. However, this small firm takes a different approach than other organizations and agencies. Capitol Information Affiliates has an open-door policy when it comes to partnering with other lobbying firms and state agencies. Which means that C.I.A is open to collaborating on any issue, with other interested stakeholders. Nonetheless, C.I.A also represents clients independently.
My work mainly consisted of taking notes on legislative committee and subcommittee meetings as well as both the House and the Senate. However, I was also tasked with updating clients on live action reports for both the House and Senate. This work gave me valuable insight on the state legislator and how the state government works. With my major being political science I was able to apply in-class knowledge to my work and vice versa, learning more and more everyday. By working at the firm for three years my bosses became more and more trust worthy of me and I began taking on a larger role. I would attend meetings with clients and legislators alongside our lobbyists. This gave me first hand experience in the lobbying practice and reaffirmed my decision in wanting to pursue a career in government. I learned the importance of effective communication, how to further build relationships in business, and how to dress professionally. All are valuable resources I will be using to pursue my career in the legal field.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 243
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| Vascsinec, Abby |
Deweil, David |
Zeroed in on Zero-Waste
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Sustainable Carolina is the student branch of the Office of Sustainability with a mission to educate and transform the campus community through sustainable practices. In fall 2020, I joined Sustainable Carolina as a peer leader and in fall 2022 began serving as the project coordinator for the zero-waste team. I led a team of 10 students through the planning and implementation of sustainability focused events and education designed for the USC student body. I also had the opportunity be involved in mentorship and monthly professional development and coaching workshops. I have always had a passion for sustainability and a love for the earth. When COVID-19 hit my freshman year, I strived to find an organization that would help me connect to my passion and make a difference, which led me to Sustainable Carolina. Through the organization, I have been able to step outside of my comfort zone and build relationships that will last a lifetime, leave an impact on those I worked with, and grow as a leader. My involvement with Sustainable Carolina provided me with experiences, knowledge, and fulfilment that would have been unattainable inside the classroom. The experience has helped me realize that I thrive when leading and working on a team. Further, it will guide me as I enter the corporate workforce and look for ways to continue to promote sustainability.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 314
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| Lefler, Chloe |
Childs, Matthew |
Positive Impacts of Peer-leadership
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All first-year freshman requires some type of guidance- whether it be academically, socially, or directionally. Most freshman are far from home, out of their comfort zone, and unsure of who to turn to. I was able to guide freshman in their first year at USC, by becoming a university 101 peer-leader. My semester as a peer-leader included teaching freshman all there is to know about the campus (from history, to where things are located, to all of the organizations to get involved in), as well as how to stay true to yourself during these formative years. This experience was extremely valuable to me as I am a first-generation college student and being a freshman was terrifying for me. However, my university 101 peer leader guided me through some of the most confusing times I had as a freshman. Being able to contribute to a program that had once helped me out so significantly is what made becoming a university 101 peer-leader the most rewarding experience I’ve had at the University of South Carolina. Though I was the one teaching the lessons as a peer-leader, I also learned quite a few things as well. Through this experience as a U101 peer-leader, I learned how to become an efficient leader. Being an efficient leader takes many skills- communication skills, interacting with a diverse group of people, and building positive relationships. Before becoming a peer-leader, I wasn’t confident in my ability to communicate thoroughly. I had also not been in the position of presenting to a diverse group of individuals. After my role as a peer-leader I became confident in speaking Infront of a large group of people and catering to a diverse group. These skills are crucial to my future as a Physicians Assistant, as I will have to speak to many different types of people and be confident in the information I am conveying to them. My presentation will encompass the insights I gained through this experience that have shaped me into who I am- as well as other leadership experiences I have taken part in on and off-campus.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 278
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| Alderson, Hailey |
Kubickova, Marketa |
Aggression Project
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This project's main goal is to discern patterns and/or similar circumstances in which school shootings occur. This topic is important because it seems as though every other day there is another threat of a school shooting or actual shooting. Legislation has been discussed on how to protect children in schools but nothing much has been done that actually deters these shootings. With the data that this project collects, there will be a fundamentally better understanding of how and why school shootings occur, and a starting point in figuring out how to decrease them. Research assistants read through case files, many cases ranged from 50-60 pages, so being able to locate relevant data was a large part of this research project. After reading the assigned case, we then organized what we found in a data sheet that was coded according to our instruction manual. I found that school shootings occur for a wide range of reasons and under a wide range of circumstances. This was to be expected and what I hypothesized prior to this project. These results are troubling though because it makes it even harder to prevent school shootings and to ensure the safety of individuals in schools. This project is ongoing and I believe the results will stay the same, I am eager to continue this project and work on the next steps. This research should be relevant and important to everybody. There have been over 70 mass shootings since the beginning of this year, and with no sign of legislature changing there is bound to be more. With the data from this project, further research can be done into mass shootings which can be translated into recommendations for gun control, school safety measures, and more. This experience ties into the research pathway since I researched numerous cases and pulled relevant information from them. This project was a great experience for me as the topic was and still is prevalent today. Hopefully, this data can be utilized and make schools safer, as many of these instances could have been prevented with more safety measures.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 20
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| Hartman, Alexa |
Sayers, Christina |
Exercise Science Practicum
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As a spring semester senior, I am in the process of completing my practicum requirement for my degree in Exercise Science. Since early January, I have been interning at Arena Athletic Club, which is a personal training focused gym in Forest Acres that offers individual and group training sessions. During this beyond-the-classroom experience, I have been able to assist the trainers in client coaching, lead parts of the group training classes, and learn more about owning and running a successful fitness company. I chose to pursue my practicum placement at Arena Athletic Club because of their close-knit clientele community, as well as the active experience that I would gain by jumping right into working with clients. Previously, I have had years of experience working and volunteering in hospitals and other medical settings, but this has been my first opportunity to dive into the fitness side of health and wellness. With that being said, it was hard for me to shift from the clinical, bedside manner-focused experiences that I have been used to. Since starting this position a few months ago, not only have I learned so much about the fitness industry and gained insight into what it takes to be a successful personal trainer, but I have also learned just as much about myself. Everyday walking into my internship I was stepping outside of my comfort zone, learning at least one thing new, and then having to teach it, and building relationships to help both the clients and myself grow together the best we can.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 328
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| Stewart, Abby |
Epps, Lauren |
Working My Way Up
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Beginning in November 2021 I started working alongside the owner of a Staffing and Recruiting agency, Zilligent, to begin to learn the ropes of owning a business. The goal at the end of the day was to set me up to one day take over Zilligent. Owning a business has always been an aspiration of mine, and I was lucky enough to find myself in a position to foster this dream. I began working on the financial side to learn how to keep books including but not limited to; weekly invoicing, billing, and reconciles. After this, I got involved with the recruiting side of the business. This allowed me to sit in on interviews and learn how to vet candidates based on their work experience. I also met with clients to discuss openings at their companies and potential opportunities to give them resources. I also learned how to run sales campaigns, for both desired clients and candidates. The accumulation of these things, along with my time spent learning from the owner, taught me a great deal about staffing and recruiting, as well as the trials and tribulations of owning your own business. I found out how important even the seemingly “small details” can be, and the solutions to these. I began this position as just a hopeful intern, and came out the other end with an education on topics I would have never studied without this position. Through advancing my skills and understanding, I have found that I learned a lot about myself along the way. I found that I was smarter than I had known, and much more capable. Working with Zilligent, while teaching me a lot, further encouraged my dream of one day owning my own company. I gained skills, knowledge, and confidence, and found that I was correct so many years ago, owning a company is my dream, and it is possible.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 234
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| Jones, Tamia |
Pizzuti, Morgan
Caulder, Celeste
Asbill, Steven
Yunusa, Ismaeel |
Pharmacist Utilization of MRSA PCR Nasal Swabs for anti-MRSA Therapy Discontinuation
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Abstract Text
Background:
The Centers for Disease Control estimates the incidence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to be approximately 5% in the inpatient setting. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has suggested empiric use of anti-MRSA therapy, like intravenous (IV) vancomycin, linezolid or daptomycin, in certain patient populations. Anti-MRSA therapy is often initiated empirically in Emergency Department settings, and clinicians maybe hesitant to de-escalate in absence of definitive cultures. Thus, empiric anti-MRSA therapy is often continued longer than necessary for most patients with community-acquired infections. MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal swabs are a screening tool to identify colonization of MRSA DNA in the nares. Its 94 to 99% negative predictive value reduces time to de-escalation for pneumonia. Recently, clinicians have found MRSA PCR nasal swabs may be useful for de-escalation of non-pulmonary infections.
The study was conducted at Prisma Health Richland (PHR), a 641-bed community academic medical center. Per protocol, pharmacists are allowed to order MRSA PCR nasal swabs if anti-MRSA therapy is ordered for pneumonia. Prisma Health also has pharmacist driven vancomycin consults, and pharmacists are allowed to discontinue vancomycin therapy following a negative MRSA PCR nasal swab.
This study will analyze the pharmacists’ involvement in anti-MRSA therapy discontinuation for pneumonia. In addition, the rate of MRSA PCR nasal swab utilization as a de-escalation tool for non-pulmonary infections will be assessed.
Methods:
A multi-center retrospective chart review was conducted for adult patients hospitalized from March 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022, receiving at least two doses of anti-MRSA therapy defined as linezolid and/or IV vancomycin for treatment of pneumonia in addition to daptomycin for non-pulmonary indications. The primary objective was the difference in duration of anti-MRSA therapy for patients with suspected pneumonia in patients with pharmacist involvement vs those without pharmacist involvement. Pharmacy involvement was defined as a pharmacist ordering an MRSA PCR nasal swab or discontinuing a patient’s final inpatient order of anti-MRSA therapy for treatment of pneumonia. Data was collected using REDCap. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses was performed to examine the difference in duration of anti-MRSA therapy.
Results:In progress
Conclusions:In progress
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 173
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| Noonan, Sean |
Smith, Deanna
Duff, Keely |
LIS1 Missense Mutation's Impact on Dynein Function
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Abstract Text
Dominant mutations in LIS1 are the primary cause of lissencephaly, a rare developmental brain disorder. I helped explore the possibility that certain missense mutations may not disrupt protein folding and could instead change protein function. My focus in the Smith lab was to study the missense mutation C226S. This variant was reported in 3 people in the GnomAD database, all older than 30 years. Children with lissencephaly die in childhood (usually from increasingly severe seizures). Also, GnomAD does not include developmental disorders, so this mutation is unlikely to cause a developmental disease.
I used the Q5 Site-Directed Mutagenesis kit to create the mutation in GFP (green fluorescent protein)-tagged LIS1. For the mutagenesis kit, I followed the protocol step by step (accounting for 6 kilobases where necessary), and I used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to make copies of the mutation. The PCR product was then mixed with a Kinase, Ligase, and Dpnl (KLD) treatment, which allows for rapid phosphorylation and ligation to occur, circularizing the PCR product, and removing the template DNA used for the PCR. This was then transfected into COS7 cells. While other mutations in the lab were found to have a contaminant, C226S and one other mutation, K351R, had been used in further transfections.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 27
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| Adame-Ramirez, Emely |
Shimizu, Linda |
Triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles as a nanoreactor for confined polymerization reactions
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Abstract Text
Porous materials have found uses in numerous areas such as storage, confinement, separation, and sensing. The Shimizu group utilizes bifurcated urea hydrogen bonding motifs to assemble molecules into columnar structures with a permanent 1D channel. Recently, triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles have been reported by the group to assemble and provide a porous crystal with a pore aperture of 6.5 x 4.3 Å. In this work we utilize the porous crystals of the TPA host as a nanoreactor to encapsulate different small monomer guests and polymerize them in the confinement. Two monomers, pyrrole (Py) and ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) were successfully loaded within the channels and were oxidatively polymerized using iodine. The resultant polymers were then extracted by dissolving the host in dimethylsulfoxide. The extracted polypyrrole (PPy) and PEDOT (polyethylenedioxythiophene) displayed significant altered physical and chemical properties obtained by solid-state and photophysical measurements. Through X-ray diffraction studies, it was observed that our polymers retained memory of their host structure indicating the host acted as a template during the polymerization reaction. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis of the extracted polymers, in contrast to the bulk polymerized controls, demonstrated that confined polymerization led to polymers with a higher thermal stability. The successful loading and polymerization of Py and EDOT has further prompted us to employ other monomers such as styrene and N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) to test the ability of the nanoreactor in photopolymerization reactions. Polymerization of the NVP monomers leads to polymers with approximate molecular weights of 35,820 g/mol with a very low dispersity of 1.26. Further studies on these polymers are currently under investigation. Overall, this work shed light on the utility of the TPA bis-urea nanoreactor for controlled polymerization reactions which can lead to interesting properties in the resulting polymers.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 37
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| DiCintio, Alannah |
Waldman, Alan |
The Impact of Farnesylated Variants of Lamin A on Genome Stability
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Abstract Text
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disorder involving premature aging and patients have an average life expectancy of approximately fourteen years. HGPS is commonly caused by a point mutation in the LMNA gene, which normally produces Lamin A, an essential protein in the nuclear lamina. The mutated form of Lamin A in HGPS is permanently farnesylated and methylated due to absence of the ZMPSTE24 protease cleavage site and is known as progerin. A more severe laminopathy, known as Restrictive Dermopathy (RD), is an autosomal recessive rare genetic disorder that, like HGPS, involves premature aging but is neonatal lethal. If children are liveborn, they usually do not make it through the first week of life. A common cause of RD is a heterozygous insertion that produces a premature termination codon in the ZMPSTE24 gene, which causes a ZMPSTE24 deficiency. In RD, the form of Lamin A produced is permanently farnesylated and methylated, and is known as farnesylated prelamin A. The normal aging process is believed to have changes in DNA repair, and previous studies have indicated that progerin and farnesylated prelamin A both disrupt the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), as well as cause a decreased ability to maintain genomic integrity. Repair of DSBs may occur by either homologous recombination (HR), which is an accurate and templated form of repair, or by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), which is an error prone non-templated rejoining of DNA ends that often leads to deletion or insertion mutations. A subset of repair may occur via accurate end-joining in a process known as precise ligation (PL). Recently published work from our lab showed that progerin shifts DSB repair away from HR and toward the less accurate pathway of NHEJ and demonstrated that progerin expression promotes error prone NHEJ over the alternative accurate PL. We now report on ongoing studies on the effects of ZMPSTE24 deficiency on DNA repair.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 11
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| Sanders, Ella |
Deckert, Jennifer |
Application of Dance Science Principles – From Lecture to Studio
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Abstract Text
Dance medicine and science is an emerging field of study that reflects the shift in the dance realm to recognize dancers not just as artists but also athletes. How does a collegiate dance program encourage the exploration of dance science principles and assist in successful transfer of learning from a 3-credit dance anatomy course (DANC 103) to the dance studio? In other words, how can dance educators help bridge the potential disconnect between a lecture-based instructional approach and the kinesthetic application seen in dancing? To answer this question, students enrolled in this course will be asked to complete a pre-class and post-class self-perceived survey that assesses the following aspects: (1) ability to use anatomical and physiological terminology to further kinesthetic awareness, (2) identification of muscle activations during dance-specific movement vocabulary, (3) ability to apply anatomical knowledge to support individual growth as a dancer, (4) understanding of previous injuries, (5) understanding of current injuries, and (6) ability to translate from dance terminology to anatomical terminology in order to effectively communicate with healthcare professionals, teachers, and peers. The results from the two surveys will be compared to conclude if the presentation of class content increased dancers’ self-perceived understanding of dance science knowledge and application of anatomical principles to their own dancing.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 10
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| Melton, Laurie |
Obi Johnson, Bettie |
Optimization of SPME Arrow Sampling for In-Situ Floral Scent Analysis
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Flowering plants often produce scent to attract pollinators. The scent profile of a flower is composed of many different volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A common method for analyzing VOCs involves solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. This method is often used to evaluate picked flowers from plants that are transferred to a septum-sealed glass container for sampling VOCs. A recently developed technology called the “SPME Arrow” uses a thicker sorbent phase coated on a stainless-steel manifold with a self-sealing arrow-shaped tip. In addition to being more robust, this method is more sensitive than traditional SPME fibers, allowing the possibility of in-situ floral scent analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SPME Arrow for in-situ floral scent analysis and compare its performance to the traditional SPME fibers. Two popular hybridized American roses, Rosa ‘Radrazz’ and Rosa ‘Radtkopink’, were used to evaluate the devices with three different sorbent phases: PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), DVB/CAR/PDMS (divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane), and PA (polyacrylate). Method parameters were explored and optimized. The SPME Arrow device consistently picked up more floral scent compounds and a greater amount of each compound than the SPME fibers with all phases and flowers tested. The DVB/CAR/PDMS phase on both devices extracted the most compounds and the highest total amount of VOCs compared with the PDMS and PA phases. This investigation demonstrated the effectiveness of the SPME Arrow for in-situ floral scent analysis and it provided insight into the method parameters that should be controlled. Future studies will be aimed at improving the sample containment method and exploring temporal changes in the floral scents of other plants.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 90
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| Nath, Rohan |
Sayers, Christina |
The Importance of Mentorship Programs
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Abstract Text
A mentor is someone, preferably in the same field, who provides advice to another individual, a mentee. Mentorship benefits both the mentor and mentee to grow as individuals. Mentors use the knowledge they have gained through experiences to support growth and serve as a source of knowledge, help set goals, and encourage the mentee to reach their potential while being an ally. As an involved pre-medical student at USC, I have been privileged to participate as a mentee and use my experiences to become a mentor. As a mentee in the Vertically Integrated Training Program program, through AED, I was able to gain substantial knowledge from my mentor at the School of Medicine about strong resources to study for the MCAT. He shared information that helped him get into medical school and ensured that I met all the premed classes and extracurricular requirements to make sure I am a strong applicant. I am truly grateful to hear firsthand from someone on how to navigate college experiences. I am still so appreciative for the opportunity and the best way I could give back to the community was to be a mentor myself. I was honored to be selected as a mentor Beyond the Classroom for the AMPED program and the Connect Lab, and a mentor Within the Classroom as a U101 Peer Leader. AMPED is a youth mentoring program that promotes positive development of youth, especially students who struggle at school. I underwent extensive training to be a successful mentor through the AMPED mentorship program to help deal with students from different backgrounds. As a research assistant, I mentor students who come from low income populations about the importance of physical exercise and healthy diet. As a U101 Peer Leader, I was able to draw from my experiences and help incoming Freshman ease their way during their first semester of college. It is a humbling experience personally, and I was able to use the training to be strongly involved in extracurricular programs by demonstrating and strengthening my leadership, communication, and collaboration skills while making a positive impact on students.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 273
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| Rice, Garrison |
Foster, Zoë
Rhodes, Morgan |
The Camouflage of Neck Pain
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Abstract Text
An 18 yo high school football athlete was evaluated on the field after being tackled. The player removed his helmet and remained on the ground prior to the athletic trainer’s evaluation. He reported a headache and midline cervical spine tenderness. The athletic trainer immediately began to stabilize C-spine as the team physician came to evaluate the player on the field. The player continued to report midline cervical spine tenderness and stated he heard a “pop” in his neck. On the field, he had 4/5 strength in left upper and lower extremities with fasciculation on muscle activation. EMS was called and the patient’s football pads were cut off so he could be placed in a neck brace. While waiting for EMS arrival, he continued to endorse some weakness, but stated it was improving. Headache remained unchanged. EMS arrived and he was transported to the hospital. In the ED, his weakness resolved prior to arrival, and C-spine was cleared. He reported having a concussion 3 weeks prior and had just been cleared via return-to-play progression. Concussions are a form of mild TBI most commonly seen in football, hockey, rugby, soccer and basketball. It commonly presents with headache, confusion, memory difficulties, dizziness, and/or emotional lability. He likely sustained another concussion resulting in an atypical presentation with transient left-sided weakness, fasciculations, and headache. Atypical presentations are more common in subsequent or recent concussion. This concussion was missed on the sideline due to the neck pain and atypical presentation. The athlete was seen in concussion clinic the following Monday where he endorsed persistent headache, photophobia, and difficulty concentrating. He continued to have neck pain and was prescribed gentle range of motion exercises, naproxen, and flexural. The patient missed the remaining 2 weeks of his football season but has made a full recovery.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 132
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| Mikes, Madeline |
Milling, Stephanie |
Organization of Running a Mass Vaccination Facility
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Abstract Text
Implementing COVID-19 vaccinations was the biggest medical intervention in human history. With over 12.7 billion vaccines given worldwide and 630 million given in the US, organization of mass facilities was essential in the beginning stages of introducing COVID vaccines to the public. The Gamecock Park Vaccine Clinic was a mass vaccine clinic run by Prisma Health and provided over 370,000 Pfizer vaccines. Everything from the patients accepted, to the designated zones and level of training of the staff running them was a carefully planned operation that was designed to provide up to 5,000 vaccinations a day. The clinic was a drive-through clinic that ran through several zones to check in, screen and register patients, vaccinate, observe post-vaccination, and exit. Working as a check-in volunteer taught me about the pre-vaccine process and the organization of checking in and preventing traffic jams within the drive-through clinic. After transitioning into the role of a head medical observer, working 6-to-8-hour shifts, I had to reorganize the 15- and 30-minute observation lines to accommodate the thousands of cars we would see in a day as well as develop a process to better recognize and respond to emergencies as fast as possible. In addition to my primary duties, I had to be able to answer questions regarding the Pfizer vaccine, know the pre-existing conditions that required a 30-minute observation, and delegate tasks to my non-medical volunteers to ensure that everything ran smoothly and safely. This presentation is a synthesis of what I learned by experiencing the organization, frequent questions, and emergency response plan that I oversaw at the Gamecock Park Vaccine Clinic.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 266
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| Todd, Carlie |
Germany, Kent |
Breaking the ‘Old Boy’s Club’: A History of Women in the US Intelligence Community, 1945-2001
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Abstract Text
Nearly fifty percent of the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) workforce is made up of women. In 2018, Gina Haspel became the agency’s first female director, alongside three more female deputy directors. Despite such representation, the historical narrative surrounding women’s involvement in US intelligence is particularly lacking in scholarship. There has yet to be a complete comprehensive study documenting women’s involvement in civilian intelligence agencies from 1945 through the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Moreover, women serving in other agencies within the US intelligence community, still face gender discrimination and an overall lack of diversity in representation, leadership, job promotions, and sexual harassment. Despite their omissions in scholarly literature, women have a long history of involvement in this domain, making significant contributions to the field especially during the Cold War as intelligence was crucial in combating the USSR. This project gives voice to the experiences of these women.
As part of my dissertation, this project relies upon various primary sources including declassified documents from federal agencies such as memos, letters, and reports. Through funding from the SPARC Grant, I was able to conduct extensive archival research at the National Archives and Records Administration II in College Park, MD. Alongside these documents, this project utilizes numerous memoirs and autobiographies by former female intelligence officers and analysts which is utilized to counterbalance bias within textual government documents. Oral histories and interviews conducted by myself, news reporters, museums, and libraries are also used to support this research. Utilizing “lived experiences” is crucial to this research as it often cannot be found in agency documents and can provide a wholistic and well-rounded approach. This work also emphasizes the significance of women’s historical involvement through utilizing feminist theories and concepts, primarily “situated knowledges.” By doing so, this study suggests a strong need for reforms that recognize the benefits of gender diversity for intelligence gathering, analysis, and operations. Gender representation is crucial in not only allowing for more breadth in collection but in combatting groupthink and other analytical pitfalls, providing better intelligence and decision making by policymakers.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 66
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| McGregor, Mary Kathryn |
Sanasi-Bhola, Kamla |
Does Lifestyle Intervention Decrease Weight Gain in Patients on HIV PrEP?
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Abstract Text
Background
For the past decade, South Carolina has ranked among the top states for number of people living with HIV. To combat this, there are currently two medications approved for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use for HIV: tenofavirDF-emtricitabine (TDF) and tenofavirAF-emtricitabine (TAF). According to previous studies, one side effect of TAF is a 1-7kg weight gain.
Methods
To assess if lifestyle intervention would decrease this weight gain, all patients currently taking PrEP at one clinic site in the midlands, SC were enrolled in the study. The process began with retrospective chart review of PrEP medication history and weight changes since PrEP initiation. Then, all patients were contacted, phone survey completed, and given a brochure with diet and exercise information. The patients were called again at 3-month follow-up to note any changes in lifestyle habits.
Results
Of the 73 patients identified for the study, 22 completed the assessment survey and 9 completed the 3-month follow-up survey. Patients on TAF had a significant weight gain (p=0.004) compared to patients on TDF following 1 year on PrEP. From assessment to follow-up, 2 patients lost weight and 2 patients gained weight. There was no increase in exercise, but there was a 22% increase in diet healthiness.
Conclusions
Lifestyle intervention is not effective through phone conversations with a medical student. In-person discussion with a trusted provider may be more beneficial in this subset of patients.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 198
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| Lighty, Ethena |
Lewis, Elise |
Representation Matters
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Abstract Text
Black students at the University of South Carolina make up only ten percent of the student population. With those figures being lower within the Capstone Scholars Program, it is imperative that there is a space available for these students to connect with others like them. These recognized high achieving Black scholars were invited into the program due their strong admission applications exemplifying interest in study abroad, undergraduate research, leadership, service learning, and intellectual discourse. My presentation will discuss how I have found it important for there to be an organization that uphold these same values and ensures a precedent of excellence during these students’ time at the University of South Carolina as well as their future endeavors through the creation of the Registered Student Organization (RSO), The Black Capstone Caucus.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 204
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| Goodwin, Averiona |
Pou, Jay |
Losing Myself In Service, Finding Myself In Healthcare: Columbia Community Outreach
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Abstract Text
“As we lose ourselves in the service of others we discover our own lives and our own happiness.” -Dieter Uchtdorf
These past years have been the most teachable moments thus far in my life. Throughout my collegiate experience I discovered so much about myself: who I am as a person, what I stand for and what I can do to make the world a better place. Over time I’ve learned one of my purposes in life is to serve others, which is why I choose to do Graduation with Leadership Distinction in Community Service. I’ve made it my duty to serve locally around the Columbia area, from food banks to homeless shelters to nature preserves; I made my mark to provide service to mankind. Although, my most purposeful beyond the classroom experience takes place in healthcare. As a nursing major, I’ve learned the importance of health & well-being, and aspire to live a life where I’m helping people daily, especially with their medical needs. Throughout my time in Upper Division, I’ve had the opportunity to serve at Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Lexington Medical Center, and MUSC Northeast. This vast exposure has allowed me to work with all kinds of clients with various needs. Specifically, I’ve gotten to work on a cardiac unit with heart condition patients, medical surgical floors with post-operative patients, labor and delivery units with soon to be mothers, a behavioral health center with psychiatric patients and the Emergency Department with emergent patients. I got to work one on one with nurses and patients providing care. Each clinical taught me something different, but they all built on my foundation as a soon to be nurse. Overall, this experience has taught me the significance of one's health and our healthcare system. Additionally, the resources and tools available to those in our community that contribute to our health. Serving this way has meant so much to me because it’s expanded my knowledge and allowed me to make a difference.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 256
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| Kiesow, Abby |
Sayers, Christina
Neils-Strunjas, Jean |
Research Experience with Mindful Walking for Older Adults At-Risk for Dementia
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Abstract Text
As age increases, the risk for developing dementia does as well. This amplifies the need to identify ways to maintain or prevent cognitive decline in older adults. An ongoing mindful walking intervention is being conducted at the University of South Carolina for older adults at risk for dementia. The study aims to determine if mindful walking improves or maintains cognition and physical fitness in adults aged 60+ who are screened for dementia risk factors. Participants are assigned to either the control or intervention group, with those in the intervention group participating in twice weekly 30-minute mindful walking sessions for six weeks. The mindful walking skills included in the intervention involve focusing on breath, steps, completing a body scan for sensations, and focusing on the present moment. Participants in the control group do not participate in the walking intervention, but complete pre-test and post-test measures to compare to the intervention group. As of February 20, 2023, 24 participants (15 in the intervention group), ages 61-85 (mean= 72.67, SD= 8.60), have completed the study. On average, participants in the intervention group displayed improvement or maintenance of their score on the MoCA Test (mean baseline = 25.2, mean post-test= 26.47) and displayed a faster mental processing speed on a symbol search test (mean baseline= 3,667.79 ms, mean post-test= 2,175.71 ms). A paired samples t-test was conducted to determine if MoCA scores differed significantly between pre- and post- testing in the intervention and control groups. Results indicate there was a significant difference in the intervention group, t(14) = 5.17, p < .001, and there wasn’t a significant difference in the control group, t(7) = 1.75, p = .124. Initial results suggest that the mindful walking intervention is helpful in maintaining cognition in older adults with dementia risk factors. This pilot study has been informative on the benefits of physical activity, mindfulness, and social interaction for older adults.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 16
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| Pierre, Arianna |
Ducate, Lara |
No Niche Too Niche
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Abstract Text
This past summer, I worked as a CultureTap Academy Fellow for Weber Shandwick. In my fellowship, I was part of the agency’s CultureTap team, which is a group of some of their top creatives who work to create campaigns that incorporate cultural moments from media and niche internet culture. I worked as part of a highly specialized Gen-Z agency team to “culture tap” for emerging Gen Z trends on across social media and identify ways for our clients to get involved. As a fellow, I was given a weekly creative brief and all brainstorming, development, and finalization of the creative campaign ideas were completed withing that week timeframe. During my time with Weber, I was able to work with some of the top brands in the country like Chevy, Airbnb, Froot Loops, and more. My campaigns were designed to target various groups, anywhere from early 20s girls who subscribe to the coastal grandmother aesthetic to campaigns for people who are overly bougie about chocolate milk.
Through this experience, I was able to develop a better understanding of earned public relations and the value of organic coverage through developing communication strategies that were authentic to the target audience of any size.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 246
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| Bruck, Heather |
Behringer, Donald
Baeza, Antonio
Dudycha, Jeffry
Ladd, Mark |
Questions, dead ends, and discovery: an ecological exploration of the Panulirus argus – Carcinonemertes conanobrieni symbiosis.
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Abstract Text
The nemertean worm Carcinonemertes conanobrieni parasitizes egg masses of the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, where it lays eggs and consumes lobster embryos. Little is otherwise known of how these nemerteans interact with their host, nor what environmental factors within and around the host’s shelters influence parasite intensity. To learn if environmental conditions and host behavior correlate with nemertean infection, we captured gravid P. argus and analyzed the C. conanobrieni among the egg masses from June to August of 2022 in the Florida Keys. Gravid P. argus that share shelter with other P. argus have a higher parasite intensity, and the stage of embryo development correlates with number of adult C. conanobrieni. This study provides an ecological exploration of host and nemertean symbiosis in situ. It’s vital to understand factors that influence P. argus parasitism to predict how the size and health of future populations may be impacted by C. conanobrieni.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 82
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| Srivastava, Vandana |
O'Reilly, Christian |
Characteristics of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - A Systematic Review
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Abstract Text
Cerebrospinal fluid or CSF is a clear, colorless fluid in all vertebrates surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is mostly produced by the neuroepithelial lining of the brain in the cells found in the choroid plexus. Its major functions are to keep the brain floating, preventing brain tissues from jolt and trauma, carrying the waste products from the brain, and distributing nutrients to the brain.
CSF is an important medical diagnostic tool which can be drawn from the spinal canal or its circulation can be captured in Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI).
CSF has a very important role in neurodevelopment. The study of CSF is very relevant in understanding neurological diseases as its properties change with the diseases.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of neurodevelopmental conditions resulting in individuals with impaired social behavior and other traits.
We hypothesize that in ASD, the composition and properties of the CSF would be altered in comparison to healthy controls. The objective of this study is to find the various CSF features specific to ASD, from the literature and discuss possible biomarkers.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 37
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| Hodgdon, Ellen |
Schools, Gary |
Evaluation of the Role of CDK8/19 in Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer Cells
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Abstract Text
Among all breast cancers (BrCas) nationwide, about 20% carry an overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, which is produced in excess by erythroblastic oncogene B (ERBB2) on the surface of breast and skin cells. Current treatments for HER2(+) BrCas include the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab and most preferably the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib. Intrinsic resistance against lapatinib has steadily increased and is indicated by recurrence of relapse or lack of efficacy while undergoing treatment. Because of this, patients are gradually becoming completely resistant to therapies that specifically target HER2. It is hypothesized that the resistance is mediated by CDK8/19 proteins, which are a subset of cyclin-dependent kinases that are essential for cell division control and transcription modulation. Previous research completed in our laboratory has also observed CDK8/19 protein interference in intrinsic resistance in xenografted prostate cancer cells. The study began by generating HER2(+) BrCa cell lines with the near complete or complete double knockout of CDK8/19 proteins, with the double knockout being driven by CRISPR-modified lentiviruses. Current Western Blot results show that we have near complete knockout in BrCa cell lines SKBR3 and BT474, and subcloning is currently underway to create more thorough knockouts. These cell lines will then be re-infected with another variant of lentivirus that expresses sequences encoding the kinases, with or without mutations at the kinase active site. Resistance of the cell lines will be measured through long-term in vitro incubation with treatment of only lapatinib or lapatinib combined with a CDK8/19 inhibitor (SNX631). Although this experiment is currently ongoing, analysis of the finalized data is expected to better inform us about the molecular mechanism of CDK8/19 and its role in resistance in HER2-targeting therapies.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 107
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| Titus, Ryan |
Chen, Hexin
Gupta, Gourab |
miRNA-489 induces immunogenic cell death in triple negative breast cancer cells
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Abstract Text
It has been well established that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of gene expression and consequently promoting or downregulating molecular pathways. When dysregulated, miRNAs have been found to serve as important biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and influence tumor initiation and progression. It has been previously established that miRNA-489 is a tumor suppressor microRNA, and it directly targets cell proliferative pathways like the HER2-SHP2-MAPK pathway. In this study, we focus on the role of miRNA-489, in the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) in triple negative breast cancer cell lines. We first examined the effects of miRNA-489 on two main ICD hallmarks and showed that overexpression of miR-489 triggered ATP release and the expression of calreticulin (CRT) on the surface of the tumor cells. Mechanistically, we for the first time found that miRNA-489 induces ER stress through the upregulation of markers like PERK, IRE1, and eIF2A, which triggers the release of damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), leading to CRT exposure on the tumor cell surface and ATP release. Lastly, miRNA-489 induced ICD was further confirmed by the promotion of tumor cell phagocytosis by microphages. Overall, our results suggested that miRNA-489 overexpression, without any corresponding ICD inducer, was able to elevate a phagocytotic and immunogenic response, through the trigger of DAMPS, release of CRT on the cellular surface, and release of ATP.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 45
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| Fatima, Ridha |
LaVoie, Holly |
Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 overexpression impacts extracellular matrix-related mRNAs in pregnant and postpartum mouse left ventricles
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Abstract Text
Background: During pregnancy, the heart enlarges to accommodate increased blood volume. Peri- or post-partum cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart fails to return to its original size following delivery. Matrix-metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) is important in heart remodeling by cleaving extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins surrounding blood vessels and cardiac muscle cells.
Goal of Study: Our goal was to evaluate the effects of human MMP14 transgene (hMMP14) expression from fibroblasts on left ventricle (LV) mRNAs encoding key ECM proteins during and after pregnancy. We also examined the distribution of MMP14 in cardiac sections.
Methods and Results: Left ventricles of wildtype and hMMP14 mice at pregnancy day 17 (ed17), postpartum day 49 (ppd49) and age-matched virgins (AMV) were isolated, n=5-8/group.
LV RNA was extracted. Real-time PCR was performed with cDNA and mouse (m) Timp1, mTimp2, mTimp3, mTimp4, mTgfb1, mCol3a1, and mMMP2 primers with Rplp0 for normalization. Microscopic imaging was performed with anti-MMP14 immunohistochemical-stained LV tissue sections. Masson’s Trichrome staining was also used to identify connective tissue. Data were analyzed by Two-Way ANOVA and Sidak’s post-hoc test; P<0.05 was significant.
Reproductive state and genotype did not affect Timp1, Timp2, Col3a1, or MMP2 LV mRNAs. Timp3 mRNA was lower in hMMP14 ppd49 mice than ppd49 wildtypes.
In wildtype mice, ppd49 Timp4 mRNA level was lower than ed17 mice. hMMP14 mice at late pregnancy had higher Timp4 mRNA level than all other hMMP14 groups. LV Timp4 mRNA level was lower in hMMP14 ppd49 and their age-matched virgins than their respective wildtypes. Tgfb1 mRNA showed significance with genotype by Two-Way ANOVA but not post-hoc test. LV MMP14 immunoreactivity was localized around blood vessels and fat.
Conclusions: Timp3, Timp4 and potentially Tgfb1 mRNA levels differed with genotype. Timp4 was the only mRNA influenced by reproductive state. Elevating MMP14 expression in fibroblasts lowered the abundance of LV mRNAs encoding metalloproteinase inhibitors. Future experiments aim to evaluate these protein levels.
Funding: Magellan Journey & SCHC Research awards, SC INBRE award (P20GM103499), USC ASPIRE I
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 38
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| Cheek, Joel |
Krizek, Beth |
Generation of GRF2:GUS transgenic Arabidopsis to investigate GRF2 expression and regulation in flowers
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Abstract Text
Members of the GRF family of plant-specific transcription factors promote the expression of genes that positively regulate growth. ANT and AIL6 are transcription factors that are known to promote leaf and floral organ growth. We hypothesize that ANT and AIL6 positively regulate GRF2 in flowers. To test this, we are creating plants in which the GUS reporter is under the control of the GRF2 promoter (GUS is a protein that cleaves X-gluc, producing a blue precipitate). Transgenic plants that contain this reporter will express GUS in the same cells that express GRF2. When tissue from GRF2:GUS transgenic plants are incubated with X-gluc, a blue precipitate will accumulate in the cells expressing GUS, thereby reporting on the expression pattern of GRF2. We have constructed a GRF2:GUS plasmid utilizing a 3.8kb GRF2 promoter fragment which includes sequences shown to be bound by ANT and AIL6 in a previous ChIP-Seq experiment performed by the lab. We are currently transforming wild-type (Ler) Arabidopsis plants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing the GRF2:GUS construct. After generating these lines, we will cross them into the ant ail6 double mutant background to obtain GRF2:GUS ant ail6 transgenic plants. We will then compare the GUS staining pattern in the two genotypes to determine if GRF2 expression is altered in the absence of ANT and AIL6 activity. An existing report on GRF2:GUS transgenic plants in which a 1.5kb upstream promoter fragment was used to drive GUS expression did not show GUS expression in young flowers. However, this 1.5kb fragment did not include the region bound by ANT and AIL6.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 82
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| DeVivo, Katherine |
Pellegrini, Christine |
Discordance of Sedentary Time Reporting in Adults with Total Knee Replacement
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Abstract Text
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare differences and level of agreement between adults self-reported ST and objectively measured ST.
METHODS: As part of a sedentary reduction intervention for adults following knee replacement (TKR), participants ST was self-reported (screening item and SIT-Q) and objectively measured (activPAL). The screening item asked hours per day (h/d) that participants spend sitting. The SIT-Q-7d is a self-administered questionnaire that quantifies ST in the last 7 days by assessing behavior across five domains of daily life activities and calculates weekday and weekend SIT-Q scores (h/d). For 7 days, participants wore an activPAL on their thigh, the gold standard for assessing sedentary behavior, to measure ST (h/d). Paired samples t-test compared mean differences in ST between the self-reported measures and activPAL. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) measured the extent of agreement between self-reported and objectively measured ST.
RESULTS: Participants (n=40) were 65% female, 85% White, 65.1±9.0 yrs, 34.1±6.9 kg/m2 BMI. Self-reported ST via screener (9.0±2.1 h/d) and ST via the SIT-Q weekend (10.3±3.4 h/d) were significantly lower (p<0.001 and p=0.009, respectively) than activPAL ST (12.1±2.2 h/d). There was no difference (p=0.202) in ST between the SIT-Q weekday (11.3±3.6 h/d) compared to activPAL. ICC between the activPAL and screener was 0.301, 95% CI -0.012 - 0.560, between the activPAL and SIT-Q weekday was 0.130, 95% CI -0.189 - 0.424, and between the activPAL and SIT-Q weekend was -0.001, 95% CI -0.312 - 0.311.
CONCLUSIONS: The level of agreement in ST was low between the self-reported and objective measures in adults after TKR. The one-item screener question resulted in significantly lower estimates of ST than that measured by the activPAL. Caution is warranted on future use of this one item to obtain an accurate measure of ST in this population. If objective measures are not available, the SIT-Q would provide a closer estimate of ST.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 84
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| Koch, Charles |
Moore, Teresa |
Impact of COVID-19 'Anthropause' on Physical Activity and Transition to Alternative Exercise
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Abstract Text
The global COVID-19 pandemic affected nearly every aspect of our social, mental, and physical lives. Lockdown protocols forced millions of people into isolation where feelings of loneliness and stagnation set in. Normal routines were thrown off as most of what we filled our days with became impossible to do. Work, school, and seeing friends were all put on hold as the disease spread and our only effective defenses were sanitation and social distancing. For many people, going to a public gym for daily exercise was just as vital to their routine as anything else. This paper aims to perform a secondary data analysis on the impact of reduced access to fitness facilities on physical health which includes a larger transition to self-guided or at-home workouts. In addition, this paper will review how the University of South Carolina responded to the crises and a comparison between the student population and the national population will be made to see if the policies were appropriate and effective.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 144
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| Hanna, Alyssa |
Miller, Sarah |
Bettering Myself to Better Serve Them
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Abstract Text
In His Name-Colleton has been working to open a homeless shelter in our town for several years. The journey has been long and hard and has required a significant amount of support from people in the community. Though at this time the plans to open a fully operating shelter have fallen through, IHN Colleton has still been continuously working hard to provide for the needs of those in our community. With an office up and running, we have been able to provide walk ins with food, a place to shower, and clothing necessities on the spot. We also provide individuals seeking recovery and safety with a means of shelter by setting them up and transporting them to operating shelters in surrounding areas. Along with that, we have events throughout the community like free laundry days and free community dinners to reach out to more individuals. While volunteering with IHN-Colleton the last three years, I’ve notice times when I am using knowledge obtained in the classroom to better my means of serving those around me. For example, in Introduction to Psychology, we learned about brain development and psychoactive drugs. Two chapters were devoted to covering how the brain develops in stages and how psychoactive drugs affect how the brain functions. Serving in the community requires being quick on your feet, conscious of any possible situations that may arise, but allows me to guide these individuals in obtaining more abundant services.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 218
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| Colón-LaBorde, Monica |
Hancock, C. Nathan |
Determining if the Bases Adjacent to the mPing Element Impact Transposition
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Abstract Text
A transposable element is a segment of DNA that can move from one part of the genome to another. mPing is a small, transposable element that actively transposes in rice. Our laboratory studies the transposition mechanism of mPing because it is currently altering the rice genome and is being developed into a gene tagging tool for plant gene discovery. The established method for measuring the transposition of mPing in Arabidopsis uses a GFP reporter which only allows expression of the fluorescent biomarker when mPing mobilizes. We are attempting to determine if the bases adjacent to the mPing element affect its transposition. The consensus sequence that normally flanks mPing is TTA:TAA. Experiments in yeast show that the element excises more when flanked by TTA:TAA and less when flanked by GGT:ACC. Our goal was to make constructs that would allow us to test the effect of these flanking sequences in Arabidopsis. Using PCR and NEB Builder cloning, we created four different plasmids containing mPing or mmPing20 (a hyperactive version of mPing) with adjacent TTA:TAA or GGT:ACC sequences. Preliminary results showed evidence of transposition for all four constructs. We will transform these constructs into an Arabidopsis line that contains the ORF1 and Transposase genes needed for transposition. This will allow us to use PCR and fluorescence microscopy to determine the relative frequency of transposition. We predict that elements with adjacent TTA:TAA will have higher transposition rates, indicating that these bases are contributing to the transposition mechanism. This is important as it will help us to understand how transposable elements function and interact in all genomes.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 83
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| Sentman, Claudia |
Bernhart, John |
NEW Soul Dissemination & Implementation: A Baseline Description of Socioeconomic Status and Health in a Community Nutrition Intervention
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Introduction: Socioeconomic status (SES) is a strong predictor of negative health outcomes, especially in African American populations. The two-year Nutritious Eating with Soul (NEW Soul) study was created to reach African American adults and teach them how to adopt a culturally-tailored plant-based diet. The twelve-week NEW Soul Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) study, partnering with Mimsy’s Restaurant, will test the delivery of the program in the community and will test how plant-based diets impact African Americans’ nutrition, body weight, and blood pressure. The first of 12 weekly classes begins on April 3, 2023 and finish June 26, 2023. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the representativeness of the first cohort of participants pertaining to zip code, SES, body mass index, and blood pressure.
Methods: Participants will be categorized to low SES or high SES zip codes using the United States Census Bureau Data. For this study, the zip code is considered low SES if at least 20% of African Americans in that zip code report living below the federal poverty line. Participants’ weights, heights, and blood pressures will be measured during baseline assessments on March 20 and March 27. Participants will be categorized as having overweight if body mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.99 kg/m2 and as having obesity if BMI is 30 kg/m2 or greater. A participant will be categorized as having normal blood pressure if blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg, prehypertension if blood pressure is between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg, and hypertension if systolic pressure is 140 mmHg or higher or diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg or higher.
Results: All data will be available on March 28, 2023. Of participants signed up for an interest session on February 27 and March 13, 50% report residing in a low-SES zip code.
Discussion: Low SES is a social determinant of health because it can affect an individual’s access to resources such as healthy foods or medications. The NEW Soul study hopes to improve on AA residents’ BMI and blood pressure, especially those living in low-SES areas.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 124
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| DeScenza, Victoria |
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Effects Of A Community-based Lifestyle Intervention Among Breast Cancer Survivors
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Abstract Text
Weight management is critical to longevity and quality of life among breast cancer survivors (BCaS). Mounting evidence demonstrates that comprehensive lifestyle weight management (LWM) interventions combining exercise and dietary modifications results in superior weight loss and improvements in clinically relevant health outcomes, yet a need remains to determine the feasibility and utility of LWM interventions among overweight and obese BCaS in the community. PURPOSE: The purpose of the single-arm pilot trial, Healthy New Albany Breast Cancer (HNABC) trial was to establish the feasibility and efficacy of implementing a group-mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) exercise and dietary intervention among overweight or obese BCaS.
METHODS: A total of 21 BCaS (M age = 57.2 years; M BMI = 33.4 kg/m2) were enrolled into the GMCB intervention. Body composition, strength, and psychosocial assessments were obtained at baseline, 3-, and 6-months using DEXA, 1-RM chest press and single leg extension, Satisfaction with Function and Appearance (SWF, SWA), and 12-item Physical Activity Regulation Scale (PASR-12). Baseline to 3 and 6 month changes were calculated and effect size was estimated using Cohen’s d.
RESULTS: Findings from an intention to treat analysis (n=21) yielded small effect size reductions in total body mass and fat mass (body mass: 3M d=-0.11 and 6M d= -0.12; fat mass: 3M d=-0.16 and 6M d= -0.18). There was a small effect size increase in percent lean mass (3M d=0.23 and 6M d= 0.27) and reductions in percent fat mass (3M d=-0.23 and 6M d=-0.23). Interestingly, moderate effect size increases in upper body strength were observed at 3 months (d= 0.42) and 6-months (d= 0.64). Sub scales of the PASR-12, self-monitoring (d= 1.16), goal setting (d= 0.62), and reinforcement (d= 0.27) saw positive effects at 6-months.
CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that exposure to the GMCB lifestyle intervention yielded modest, yet favorable shifts in select outcomes that have significant clinical, health promotion, and disease prevention implications for overweight or obese BCaS. The findings illustrate the potential utility of implementing LWM in the supportive care of BCaS and suggest this intervention should be evaluated in future large-scale efficacy studies among more representative samples of BCaS.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 219
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| Solorio, Giselle |
Barideaux, Kenneth |
Do Professor Characteristics Influence College Students Mental Health Disclosure?
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Abstract Text
Researchers have previously indicated that college students may hesitate to disclose their mental health status because of social stigma (Conley et al., 2020; Martin, 2010; Woodhead et al., 2021). While some students may choose to confide in a professor concerning their mental health, Woodhead et al. (2021) found that college students reported better experiences disclosing to peers than professors. Although this research has raised questions about improving students' mental health disclosure, more research is needed to identify and understand the contributing factors that influence their willingness to disclose to professors. It is unclear whether the gender of the professor and the professor's teaching discipline will impact the likelihood of disclosure. Past research has revealed that female professors are assumed to be more nurturing toward students compared to male professors (Meltzer & McNulty, 2011). Thus, it seems plausible that students may be more likely to disclose their mental health problems to a female professor. In addition, it has been reported that students tend to anticipate more negative psychological experiences in courses taught by science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) professors (LaCosse et al., 2021). Given these findings, it seems likely that the professor’s teaching discipline may also influence whether students choose to disclose any mental health problems. In the current study, we examined whether the gender of the professor (male vs. female) and teaching discipline (STEM vs. Humanities) affects students' likelihood to disclose a mental health problem. Participants read a fictitious syllabus where the professor was either male or female and taught a Chemistry or English course. Participants were then asked to respond to a questionnaire concerning whether they would disclose their mental health problems to the professor of the course described in the syllabus. Preliminary results indicated students believed that humanities professors would be more understanding towards their mental health situation. It was also found that the students with higher self-disclosure believed professors would understand more, but this effect was only found for the humanities professor. These findings could have implications for our understanding of the relationships between students and professors concerning mental health.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 178
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| Bell, Briashmel |
Matthews, Sarah |
Diversity and Social Advocacy in American Education
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Abstract Text
The past Fall and Spring semesters, I have worked with Teach for America as an Ignite Fellow tutoring second grade students in reading. Teach for America is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to "enlist, develop, and mobilize as many as possible of our nation's most promising future leaders to grow and strengthen the movement for educational equity and excellence". I met virtually with students, who were based in Oklahoma, for one hour each day three days per week where we strengthened the analytical reading and writing skills they learned in class. Fellow tasks also included two weeks of training before beginning to tutor students as well as weekly meetings with our faculty trainers. I was able to travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit the Teach for America partner schools in the area and other historical sites such as the Greenwood District. I became a fellow because of the educational disparities I have observed over the years in my educational journey. Through my experience as a Teach for America Ignite Fellow, I was afforded the opportunity to see the effects of having an inclusionary atmosphere in education systems as early as elementary school. In conversations with teachers and principals that matriculated through the Teach for America program, they expressed how essential it was for their students, who were mostly Black and/or Hispanic, to have educators that come from a similar cultural and ethnic background. Working with this organization has deepened my understanding of the American education system and my hope is that this presentation will do the same for its viewers.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 279
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| Thurber, Ashley |
Larson, Leila |
A Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions in Adolescent Mothers and Effects on Child Development
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Abstract Text
In 2019 in South Carolina, 21.6 per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 gave birth. The SC adolescent birth rate is higher than the national prevalence of adolescents giving birth of 16.7 per 1,000 girls. Public health literature focuses on prevention of adolescent pregnancy, but limited research exists about support and education programs among adolescents once they become pregnant. This systematic review aims to understand the impact of education and behavior change interventions among adolescent parents on mental and motor development of their children 0-5 years of age. Keywords were used to search PubMed, PsycInfo, and CINAHL, including terms such as adolescent parent, adolescent pregnancy, child development, and cognitive development. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) an evaluation of a behavioral or educational intervention in (b) adolescent mothers (defined as 21 years old or younger) that (c) evaluates child development outcomes using (d) an experimental or quasi-experimental study design. Of the 2,019 articles found, 20 met the inclusion criteria. The literature review is ongoing and has not been completed. Preliminary findings suggest that behavioral and educational interventions among adolescent mothers have positive outcomes on child language development. The existing literature, however, is limited by high attrition rates which limits generalizability of findings and small sample sizes which result in reduced ability to detect effects. This review indicates that there are positive impacts from education and behavior change interventions among adolescent parents on their children’s language development, but further research is needed to understand effects on other domains of child development, such as cognitive and socio-emotional development.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 129
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| McKenna, Jackie |
Tandon, Keah |
Investing in People
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Abstract Text
Growth is defined by discomfort. There is no specific metric or formula, yet the right opportunity always comes with uncertainty. Throughout my time as a Gamecock, I have pushed myself into rooms where I feel I am not the best—which is exactly where I want to be. Last summer, I interned with a nonprofit in their economic empowerment department. Using my technical understanding of finance and business, I helped guide refugees through loan and credit building processes. Different from typical finance internships, I was able to see the direct impact of the financing on peoples’ lives—many of whom had lost everything in war torn countries. Working with individuals from a range of background highlighted the most fundamental point of fulfillment: human connection. Growth requires opportunity, whether it is found or fostered. Creating opportunity and connection with individuals regardless of backgrounds has become the focal point of my career trajectory. As an International Business and Finance major, I am incredibly passionate about the importance of financial opportunity. Between my experience in the private sector, working for a start-up, and traveling internationally, discomfort has brought me the greatest sense of belonging. Being with a quilt of people—diverse in every sense of the word yet layering lived experiences to connect—has given me the most beautiful friendships. Finding connection with such a range of individuals in my personal life has transcended into my academic and professional pursuits immensely. I have found a passion for impact investing—which is allocating funds towards sustainable financial pursuits. With a love for people, the planet, and the fulfilment that comes with independence, there are endless avenues for growth within financial services.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 285
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Aggarwal, Abhishek
Tracy, Allison |
Yang, Chih-Hsiang |
Real-time associations between momentary mindfulness and self-regulation levels with emotional and cognitive outcomes in college students: An ecological momentary assessment study
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Abstract Text
Introduction
Practicing mindfulness and self-regulation have demonstrated beneficial effects in mitigating emotional or mood disorders, and improving cognitive and health-related outcomes. However, the existing studies mostly applied cross-sectional surveys or pre-post intervention design to study the beneficial role of mindfulness and self-regulation. This study uses Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to examine the real-time associations between momentary mindfulness and self-regulation levels with emotional and cognitive outcomes within college students’ natural environments.
Methods
A total of 44 college students (Mean age=20.5, SD=1.38; Mean BMI=23.7, SD=4.1) participated in an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study using a smartphone application (Expiwell) during the Fall 2021 semester. This application delivered brief surveys up to 6 random times per day for 7 consecutive days. Each survey asked students’ momentary affect (negative and positive), perceived cognition, mindfulness, and self-regulation levels on a 0-4 Likert scale. Three multilevel models examined the relationship on three different outcome variables (momentary positive affect, negative affect, and perceived cognition) using the same set of predictors including momentary mindfulness, momentary self-regulation, demographics, and other time-based covariates.
Results
In total, 1,104 EMA surveys were collected from all students. The majority of the participants were female (n=36, 81.8%), Whites (n=28, 63.6%), lived off-campus (n=39, 88.6%), and had a major other than ‘exercise science’ (n=24, 54.5%). Our models showed that higher levels of momentary mindfulness and self-regulation were independently associated with higher levels of momentary perceived cognition (β=0.52, p<.001; β=0.21, p<.001) and momentary positive affect (β=0.21, p<.001; β=0.08, p=.062), and lower levels of momentary negative affect (β=-0.11, p<.05; β=-.15, p<.01), after controlling for between-person association (i.e., individual’s mean levels) and other covariates. Further, at any moments when students had both lower mindfulness state and self-regulation than their usual levels, they reported the highest negative affect (β =0.10, p<.01).
Conclusion
Our EMA study revealed the time-sensitive associations that students’ momentary affect and cognition were each predicted by their momentary mindfulness and self-regulation levels. Health interventions may need to target more frequent practice of self-regulation or/and mindfulness skills in students’ typical day-to-day life to improve emotional well-being and cognition.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 30
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Tichy, Leah
Pham, Kylie |
Torres-McGehee, Toni
Uriegas, Nancy |
Micronutrient Intake and Bone Mineral Density in Endurance Athletes
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Abstract Text
The Female and Male Athlete Triad (Triad) is the interrelated spectrum of low energy availability with or without eating disorder, hormonal dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD). Low energy availability is a precursor to low BMD, and which in turn may predispose an endurance trained athlete to stress fractures and/or osteoporosis. Adequate consumption of specific micronutrients (e.g., calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, etc.) are associated with healthy BMD ranges. To examine whether college-age endurance athletes are meeting micronutrient requirements that support bone health (Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, and Vitamins D and B12). A secondary aim will examine the relationship between dietary intake of micronutrients (Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium, and Vitamins D and B12) and BMD (low vs. normal BMD) in college-age endurance athletes.
Methods: A convenience sample of 11 long distance runners from the student population at the University of South Carolina was recruited. Participants completed a basic demographic survey and anthropometric measurement (i.e., height, weight, body composition) Participants self-reported daily dietary intake and exercise expenditure for 7 consecutive days using an online food log (ESHA food processor 8.0; Salem, OR). A Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan was taken of the lumbar spine (L1-L4), total left hip, left femoral neck, and total body to find bone mineral density. Mean dietary intake of Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium, Manganese, Potassium and Vitamins D and B12 was compared to recommended values set by the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and participants were classified as meeting or failing to meet requirements of each micronutrient. T-scores were calculated for BMD and participants were classified as having ‘normal’, ‘low’ or ‘very low’ BMD. Chi-squared analyses will be used to examine differences in micronutrient consumption (low, within range, above range) between the normal, low, and very low BMD groups.
Anticipated Results: To be determined, we are in the process of finalizing data collection and then will undergo data analysis. We anticipated that individuals with low BMD will fail to meet the required dietary intake of micronutrients associated with bone health.
Conclusions: We will present overall conclusion on USC Discover Day.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 154
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| Spanke, Halle |
Newman-Norlund, Roger
Newman-Norlund, Sarah |
Linking Cardiovascular and Brain Health Across Adult Lifespan
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Abstract Text
The current study examines the relationship between cardiovascular and brain health across the adult lifespan. We evaluated the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors, including heart rate, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and brain-health measures including volume of white matter hyperintensities, normality of cerebral blood flow, and presence of enlarged perivascular spaces. Participants (N = 155; Mean age = 60.6 years (range 41-81); 117 females, 38 males) completed questionnaire packets, blood pressure measurements (2x then averaged), and MRI as a part of the Aging Brain Cohort. A series of one-tailed Pearson correlations were used to examine the main effects of age on our variables of interest. Age was associated with systolic blood pressure, r(94) = 0.336, p < 0.001, heart rate, r(94) = -0.20, p < 0.05, but not with diastolic blood pressure r(94) = -1.38, p > 0.05. Older participants were more likely to have a medical history of high cholesterol, hypertension, irregular heart rhythms (all p’s < 0.05). Additionally, blood perfusion in gray matter was impoverished in older participants, r(155) = -0.15, p = 0.04 and WMHs and enlarged perivascular spaces, proxies for microvascular disease, were more numerous in older adults (p’s < 0.001). A partial correlation revealed that, after controlling for age, race, and sex, WMH volume was positively correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, r(63) = 0.319, p = 0.005, r(63) = 0.225, p=0.036. Additionally, perfusion in cortical gray matter (GM) was correlated with self-reported health history of heart palpitations, r(118) = -0.173, p = 0.029, high cholesterol, r(118) = -0.143, p = 0.059 and hypertension, r(118) = -0.185, p = 0.022. Individuals reporting a history of hypertension showed increases in perivascular space. Interestingly, individuals with lower BMI had slightly higher GM perfusion values, r(118) = -0.16, p = 0.039. Taken together, poor brain health was associated with cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol, hypertension, and BMI. Critically, these effects were present regardless of age and sex. Future studies should evaluate diet and exercise not only on heart health but brain health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 148
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Pham, Kylie
Tichy, Leah |
Torres-McGehee, Toni
Uriegas, Nancy |
Tracking Energy Availability Using Self-Reports and Watches
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Abstract Text
Energy availability (EA) is the amount of dietary energy intake (EI) that remains after exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and is available for other physiological functions in terms of calories per kilogram per day of fat free mass (FFM). Optimal level of EA is considered 45 kcal/kg FFM/day and Low EA is defined as <30 kcal/kg FFM/day. At this low threshold, severe health complications (e.g., low bone density, osteoporosis, fat retention, motivational slumps, and in females a hypothalamic amenorrhea, or in male’s hypogonadism) may occur. Different methods exist to assess total exercise energy expenditure (TDEE) and EEE, including but not limited to the use of self-reported logs, scientific equations, accelerometers, and heart rate monitors. The purpose of this study is to examine EA in endurance runners, and a secondary analysis will compare two methods used to calculate EEE (self-reported exercise logs and heart rate monitors). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study design in a free-living environment and is part of a larger study. A convenient sample of approximately n=10 distance runners will participate in the study. Inclusion criteria include participants who exercise at least 3 times a week and are between the ages of 18-35. Participants will complete a basic demographic survey, anthropometric measurements (i.e., height, weight, body composition) and will be asked to track their planned/intentional exercise and dietary intake using a self-reported food log (ESHA food processor 8.0; Salem, OR). Additionally, participants will wear a Polar Ignite Heart Rate monitor throughout the day and track their planned/intentional exercise. Data will be collected for 7 consecutive days. Basic descriptive statistics will be used for all demographic variables. Crosstabulations and Chi-square analysis will be used to determine the proportion of participants classified as at risk for EA and sex, and a t-test statistic will compare the differences in mean EEE for both the exercise log and the heart rate monitor.
Anticipated Results: We anticipate majority of participants will be at risk for low energy availability, and that the polar watches will provide a better estimate for EEE. Conclusions: Will report the conclusions during the USC Discover Day
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 141
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| Loomis, Ashley |
Twiss, Jeffery
Zdradzinski, Matthew |
The identification of the 3' untranslated region motif of prenyl-Cdc42 that drives its axonal localization.
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Abstract Text
Axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) can spontaneously regenerate after traumatic injury. mRNAs that are needed for protein synthesis localize into both uninjured and injured axons and can be translated into their protein products within said axons. The gene Cdc42 encodes two distinct mRNA splice variants, one of which (prenyl-Cdc42) localizes into CNS and PNS axons. Prenyl-Cdc42 is locally translated within the axons and produces a protein that promotes axon growth. However, the exact mechanism used to localize prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA into the axon is still unknown. Prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA's 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) is necessary and sufficient for its axonal localization. The 150 nucleotide (nt) 5' region of the 3'UTR of prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA (nucleotides 764-915) is evolutionarily conserved and this region is sufficient for axonal localization of heterologous mRNAs. This suggests that this region contains a motif for protein binding that would drive its axonal localization. To test that possibility, three, overlapping segments were subcloned from the 150 nt region (nt 764-838, 801-875, and 839-913) and these were cloned into a localization reporter plasmid using synthetic oligonucleotides. The three DNA inserts were digested with restriction enzymes Xho1 and Not1 and ligated downstream of GFP cDNA in a plasmid vector containing the non-localizing 5' UTR of CamKlla and coding sequence (CDS) of myrEGFP, which encodes green fluorescent protein (GFP). These localization reporter plasmids were transfected into adult mouse DRGs and 72 hours later fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence (FISH/IF) was performed to look for axonal localization of the eGFP mRNA. The plasmid containing nt 764-838 was sufficient to localize eGFP mRNA into axons however neither nt 801-838 nor 839-913 were. We then subcloned a smaller 37 nucleotide sequence (nucleotides 764-800) that was also found to be sufficient to drive axonal localization of eGFP mRNA. Preliminary RNA affinity mass spectrometry using biotinylated oligonucleotides for 764-838 nt, 801-875 nt, and scrambled sequences identifies several promising protein hits as possible localizing RNA binding proteins. These findings suggest that the nt 764-800 of prenyl-Cdc42 mRNA’s 3'UTR contains an axonal localizing motif for interaction with RNA binding proteins and physical localization into axons.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 42
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| Orth, Alexis |
McQuail, Joseph
Fadel, Jim |
The impact of the ketogenic diet on the activation of the orexinergic system
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Abstract Text
Energy homeostasis and cognitive decline occur with normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Age-related dysregulation of blood glucose and deficient brain glucose utilization, especially in the context of age-associated metabolic disorders such as diabetes or obesity, are frequently implicated in the onset and progression of neural and cognitive changes that culminate in AD. Recent studies suggest a ketogenic diet that is nutritionally complete but supplies most calories as medium chain triglycerides (MCT), rather than as carbohydrates, can reverse age-related metabolic deficits and memory loss. However, we do not know the neural mechanism(s) underlying these effects and whether benefits are similar in aging males and females. Orexin (hypocretin)-producing neurons of the hypothalamus modulate food intake, respond to changes in blood glucose, and regulate activity of basal forebrain, hippocampal, and prefrontal neurons. This project tests the hypothesis that the ketogenic diet improves cognition by augmenting orexinergic signaling of the aged brain. Young adult (6 months) and old (24 months) male and female F344 x Brown Norway F1 hybrid rats were fed a ketogenic, MCT-enriched diet (76% MCT oil), a calorie-matched control diet (65% carbohydrates), or an ab libitum diet (65% carbohydrates). Blood metabolites of rats on the ketogenic diet confirmed ketosis, with lower blood glucose levels and higher beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) blood levels. Behavioral testing showed improved memory in young adult females and aged males on ketogenic diets. After testing was complete, the diencephalon was harvested from all rats, horizontally sectioned and processed for dual-label immunohistochemistry staining of orexin-A, the major orexin peptide, and c-Fos, a neuronal activation marker. The total number of orexin neurons on sections from each animal were counted along with the number of double-labeled (orexin-A and c-Fos) neurons. Preliminary data indicate trends for a main effect of diet, with ketogenic diet rats showing a greater percentage of activated orexin neurons. Early analysis suggests potential interactions of diet with sex and age, with old female rats showing the greatest increases in orexin activation relative to young or control-diet counterparts. Collectively, these data suggest that the orexin system may mediate some aspects of ketogenic diet effects on energy balance and cognition.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 64
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| Hartsell, Reston |
Alberg, Anthony |
AGE OF INITIATION OF CIGARETTE SMOKING IN RELATION TO SUBSEQUENT NICOTINE DEPENDENCE: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
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Abstract Text
Aims
This systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to address the following question: Is younger age of initiation of cigarette smoking associated with greater nicotine dependence?
Methods
Five bibliographic databases (i.e., APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Complete, Embase, Legacy PubMed, and Web of Science) were searched without limiters until June 2021. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed all eligible studies examining age of initiation and nicotine dependence, regardless of methodological quality or risk of bias. To obtain a standard metric for comparison, we converted outcome effect sizes to Cohen’s d for studies presenting proportional, correlational, and relative measures of nicotine dependence. Estimates were pooled using random effects meta-regression.
Results
Our bibliographic search identified 76,926 references, of which 38 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. Sample sizes ranged from 28 to 337,933. Measures of association data were presented (or calculable) from 33 cross-sectional studies and 5 prospective cohort studies. Clear dose-response associations between earlier age of starting cigarette smoking and greater nicotine dependence (or the inverse) were present in several study design and data analysis approaches, such as prevalence differences by initiation categories; differences in mean/median nicotine dependence by initiation categories; odds, hazards, and prevalence ratios; and correlational measures of
nicotine dependence. The random effects meta-analysis of correlational data indicates a significant overall combined effect of -0.15 [-0.21, -0.10] of older initiators experiencing a negative effect of nicotine dependence as age increases. The pooled proportional (-0.03; 95% CI -0.14-0.08) and relative (-0.08; 95% CI -0.20-0.04) measures were in the direction of greater nicotine dependence with younger ages of initiation but were not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Consistent dose-response trends were observed; the younger the age of initiation, the greater the risk of nicotine dependence. The findings were robust across age groups, indicating a durable impact of age of initiation throughout life. These findings imply that those who start smoking earlier are more likely to develop a greater degree of nicotine dependence, which may lead to smoking more frequently and persistently over longer periods of time. Thus, these data reinforce the premise that delayed initiation would positively impact public health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 24
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| Kirkise, Nikita |
Welshhans, Kristy |
Coordinated Signaling of Laminin and BDNF Stimulates Local Translation and Point Contact Density in Axonal Growth Cones
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Abstract Text
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 be guided to their synaptic partners. One mechanism initiated by these cues that regulates axon guidance is the local translation of mRNAs, such as beta-actin, within growth cones. Dysregulation in local translation of mRNAs is one of the underlying causes contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, understanding its role in typical development is essential and the focus of the current study. 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 not well understood. Our lab has previously shown that local translation of beta-actin mRNA occurs at growth cone adhesion sites called point contacts that link the ECM to the intracellular cytoskeleton. 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) a puromycin assay to label all nascent protein synthesis and (2) a puromycin-proximity ligation assay (Puro-PLA) to label only newly translated beta-actin. We found that acute stimulation with laminin 111 and BDNF together increases local protein synthesis and local translation of beta-actin mRNA in growth cones. Stimulation with laminin 111 and BDNF together also increases axon length and point contact density. Interestingly, stimulation with either BDNF or laminin alone does not result in a significant increase in beta-actin local translation, axon length, or point contact density, suggesting that coordinated signaling of these two factors is needed for axon development. Thus, these results indicate that laminin and BDNF synergistically affect local translation and point contact density, thereby facilitating the movement and directionality of growth cones during axon pathfinding. In summary, these studies provide novel insight into how the nervous system is wired during typical development.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 41
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| Lofton, Sadie |
Gower, Michael
Colonna, Nicholas |
Optimization of a Mucoadhesive Nanoparticle for Intranasal Drug Delivery
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Abstract Text
Mild forms of traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), such as concussions, are prevalent and can lead to debilitating headache disorders such as post-traumatic headache (PTH). However, there is a lack of available treatments, resulting in an impaired quality of life for those with PTH. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a promising therapeutic known to inhibit inflammation and has the potential to treat or prevent PTH thanks to its ability to interact with the relevant receptors in the brain. However, there are currently no non-invasive drug delivery methods with adequate delivery to the brain. This is largely due to the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB), the natural structure of tightly joined tissues and blood vessels that inhibits the transmission of diseases from the blood stream to the brain. However, its impenetrable nature also prevents the systemic delivery of therapeutics agents to the brain. Intranasal delivery is a promising route to bypass the BBB and enable drug delivery to the brain. Therefore, we aim to combat PTH by developing a mucoadhesive nanoparticle drug carrier that can enable the delivery of ATRA intranasally. We have developed PLG nanoparticles, which are known to be biocompatible and FDA approved, using nanoprecipitation. To enable mucoadhesion, we have modified these nanoparticles via the incorporation of a positively charged lipid called dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP). We have successfully fabricated and characterized various formulations of DOTAP:PLG nanoparticles. Using a mucoadhesion assay, we demonstrate that DOTAP:PLG nanoparticles bind significantly more mucin, the primary component of mucus, compared to PLG nanoparticles. During the final phase of this Magellan Award, we will be investigating if DOTAP enhances small molecule delivery to the brain of mice using a near-infrared dye encapsulated in DOTAP:PLG or PLG nanoparticles and delivered intranasally. If successful, this work may lay the foundation for a much need technology that improves drug delivery to the brain for the treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 113
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| Omer, Delvin |
Barfield, Reagan K
Caulder, Celeste
Bookstaver, P Brandon |
Board certification preparation among pharmacy residency programs
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Abstract Text
Board certification among pharmacists is increasing in prevalence accompanying expanded practice opportunities and exam availability to broader specialty areas. Residency training is one common prerequisite for board certification. Although there are documented benefits, board certification preparation (BCP) has yet to be evaluated among American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited residency programs. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of RPDs from the U.S. to assess the status of BCP among ASHP-accredited residency programs and corresponding attitudes of residency program directors regarding BCP. Eligible RPDs were identified through the ASHP residency directory. A 33-item survey was developed in REDCap and distributed to RPDs via email. Those with missing or invalid emails were excluded. The survey was open for six weeks and responses were anonymous. Respondents were eligible to receive one of six available gift cards through a random drawing. Descriptive statistics were applied to the collated data. Among the 360 survey respondents, 313 (86.9%) were board certified. Respondents primarily served as RPDs of PGY1 (48.6%) or PGY2 (49.2%) programs. Structured BCP was offered by 9.2% (n=33) of programs and 13.6% (n=49) support residents by purchasing review materials or sending them to complete a board certification course. The majority of programs (69.4%) do not offer financial support or BCP for residents. Among programs that do not currently offer BCP, 57% indicated they were “somewhat” or “very” interested in implementation, identifying the top barriers as cost and time. A small proportion of programs offer structured BCP, although interest appears high among RPDs to consider implementation. The likelihood of implementation would presumably increase if associated barriers were addressed. Further qualitative evaluation of current program offerings may assist interested programs in efficient, cost-effective implementation of BCP through institution-specific or commercially available products.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 198
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| Houston-Dial, Ryan |
Banerjee, Meeta |
Understanding Intergenerational Transmission and Frequency of Ethnic-Racial Socialization Practices Among Racial Ethnic Minority Groups
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Abstract Text
Ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) is a multidimensional concept that can be defined as the transmission of attitudes, beliefs and messages about ethnic-racial group membership (Hughes et al., 2006). To counteract the negative effects of discriminatory experiences, ethnic minority parents proactively impart race-salient messages to their youth. Sociodemographic variables such as regional location has been shown to affect the frequency of ERS messages as well (Thornton et al., 1990). The current study examines ERS practices in 436 African American, Hispanic/Latinx and Asian American parents. This study also investigates evidence of the intergenerational transmission of ERS practices and messages. Specifically, whether parents are imparting messages that they once received as children to their own youth. Participants reported on their ERS practices, memories of ERS from their own parents, and their ethnic-racial identity (ERI). Results indicated that there were no differences on certain ERS practices between ethnic groups. However, findings show that African American parents reported higher use of specific ERS messages. Furthermore, regional location was found to be a predictor of the frequency of ERS messages. Lastly, ethnic racial identity fully mediated the relationship for certain ERS messages and practices. This study builds on the ERS literature indicating there are a myriad of factors that influence the frequency of ERS messages in ethnic minority families.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 73
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| Murphy, Harper |
Wippold, Guillermo
Frary, Sarah Grace |
Understanding the Impact of Positionality on Coding in a Qualitative Study of Black Men's Preventative Healthcare
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Abstract Text
In the United States, Black men have the lowest life expectancy of any racial and gender group. One reason for this is Black men are less likely to use preventative health services, which can help prevent illness, disease, and other health problems, than any other group. Since preventative health services can stop premature mortality, it is important to learn about the factors that impact Black men's preventative health service use. A Community-Based Participatory Research partnership—a partnership in which research participants have ownership over the entire research process—was initiated to better understand preventative services among Black men in rural South Carolina.
This project used qualitative research, which is collecting and interpreting nonnumerical data. A Core Leadership Team of five Black men reached out to other Black men to participate in individual interviews. Interviewers asked about the perceived health of Black men, what prevents and facilitates Black men's use of preventative health services, and how they would improve preventative health service use among Black men. This project used qualitative coding, a process of interpreting qualitative data by parsing meaning of statements at a sentence, paragraph, or thematic level, in order to best understand Black men's experiences with preventative health service use.
One concern that the research team had was that no other qualitative coder identified as a Black man from South Carolina, including this presentation's presenter, posing as a potential for misunderstanding or bias. In order to have an impartial perspective, members of the research team each coded individual interviews and then looked at the codes together to identify missed or misinterpreted information. Once all of the interviews were coded, there was a community check-back, during which the research team presented their findings back to the Core Leadership Team to ensure results from the coded interviews matched the experiences of these Black men. The presenter constantly reflected about what components of their personal viewpoint could be pertinent throughout the research process. The presenter plans to discuss personal critical reflexivity as a methodology for community-based health promotion during this poster presentation.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 165
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| Pearce, Alyson |
Kim, Jung-Hwan |
It is more than the Posts and Likes on Instagram! Investigating the mediating roles of FOMO and Upward Social Comparison
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Abstract Text
About 98% of college students use social media and spend an average of three to four hours each day on it. Previous research underlined that how individuals use social media has a wide range of effects on physical and psychological health. Of the various social media networks, Instagram is the commonly used channel of communication among young adults. It has more than 1 billion monthly active users and presents the users with continuous content by posting and sharing photos and videos. According to the American Psychological Association, Instagram’s image-heavy interface and bottomless content have a significant impact on users’ mental health. The association also addresses how users engage with the platform rather than the time spent on the network brings more substantial problems.
Based on this insight, the current study investigates college students’ usage of Instagram and its impact on their physical/psychological wellbeing and focuses on the mediating roles of fear of missing out (FOMO) and upward social comparison. FOMO is a multifaceted feeling of uneasiness and anxiety that is experienced when people believe that others may be engaging in more enjoyable experiences than they are. Upward social comparison is a comparison of oneself to someone who is perceived as better off or superior. Both FOMO and engaging in upward social comparison through Instagram can lessen an individual’s self-evaluation which eventually creates problematic effects on physical and psychological health.
This study also aims at understanding how individual characteristics such as social acceptance and mental wellbeing can mitigate the negative impacts of Instagram on physical and psychological health. If people feel a high level of social acceptance on social media, they will maintain positive emotions with an increased level of life satisfaction. Users who are aware of their present reality in a nonjudgmental and accepting manner are less likely to be affected by Instagram’s unrealistic and curated images and lifestyles. By thoroughly examining the linkage between Instagram interface and its negative impacts in connection with potential mediating and moderating factors, this study is expected to provide useful insights to reduce the problematic risks of Instagram usage among college students.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 11
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| Letterhos, Leah |
Ducate, Lara |
Respect is Inclusive: The Importance of Multiculturalism
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Abstract Text
In Spring of 2022, I had the opportunity to study aboard in London, England, at the University of Westminster. I made sure to research the study abroad programs at all the universities I had applied to as a senior. I was impressed by the amount of options USC had to offer, thus contributing to why I decided to enroll here, which led me to my study abroad experience that helped me grow personally and professionally. I not only was able to explore England, but I also explored many other European countries, as well as taking a course load that reflected the culture of learning in London. These experiences included taking British Politics, attending an Ash Wednesday service in Berlin, and even attending a Papal Audience in the Vatican City. When I was in London, I was able to prioritize learning about our increasingly globalized world in a place different what I have known from growing up in the Carolinas. An important part of my time here at the University of South Carolina has been being able to explore all my interests, rather than just my primary major. This has come in the form of adding Religious Studies as a double major, thus leading to taking many niche classes, which I was able to do abroad as well. Due to many of these classes, studying abroad, and being a Career Studio Peer Educator, I have learned the importance of diversity and differences, particularly when it concerns respect. Respect is inclusive, and whether it comes in the form of religious dress, expression, etc., it must be protected.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 274
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| Fleifel, Samantha |
Spence, Gina |
Summer with MedEx
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Abstract Text
Since the summer of 2021 I have been blessed to participate in the Medical Experience Academy (MedEx) in Greenville, SC. This summer program is an internship through Prisma Health located at the Greenville school of medicine. I have been fortunate enough to participate in tier II and tier III and hope to continue in tier IV this upcoming summer. MedEx is setting that allows students to experience and learn about a multitude of health care professions. As an undergraduate student on the Pre-PA track, I have been able to grow my school on the PA practice and all work they do in the health field. I have always wanted to be either a PA or doctor and MedEx helped me in choosing a path and look into specialties through shadowing and lectures. During my time in tier II, most of my time was spent on different shadowing experience from the emergency department to a free clinic. This time in the filed allowed me to look at the jobs of case workers, PA’s, doctors, and nurses and how they all work together. With the help of tier II, I was able to narrow down a passion for pediatrics as a PA. Tier III came along and helped make that passion into reality with more shadowing in the fields I am interested in and materials to prepare for the GRE. With all the materials, guidance, and clinical shadowing MedEx has provided I have been able to gain insight and knowledge in my future career. Throughout my undergraduate career, as a public health major, I have been able to connect concepts to my clinical experiences such as social determinants and the improvement of quality of life. During my tie this summer research on rural areas and the lack of access to certain care and nutrition was a major social determinant that affected one’s health. I plan to continue my journey by attending graduate school to become a PA. I have been honored to be a part of this opportunity that has enabled to me explore and prepare for my future.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 257
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| Dirr, Kaitlyn |
Meyer-Gutbrod, Erin |
An Investigation of National Estuarine Research Reserves for Grades 6-12
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Abstract Text
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a system of 30 coastal sites, spanning 1.4 million acres in 24 states and Puerto Rico, created to protect and study estuarine ecosystems. Administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), these sites are living laboratories where scientists and stakeholders collaborate to develop place-based solutions to understand, conserve, and restore coastal areas so they can benefit local communities for generations. They do this through various projects and initiatives related to research, education, coastal training, and stewardship. NERRs and their impacts are not well-known beyond the scientific community, and the current available resources are geared towards older, more educated populations. This issue was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature centers, reserves, and various marine facilities were closed or slowly reopened in response to government mandates, and many field trips that would have allowed students to experience these areas for themselves were canceled. It is now more important than ever for environmental education to improve and adapt to our changing world. To address this educational gap, a teacher survey was conducted and 43 responses were analyzed to identify best practices for middle school and high school lesson formats and assessment strategies. Based on the feedback from teacher surveys, an introductory podcast series was created for grades 6-12 on the NERRs of the Southeast, as well as supplemental resources for teachers, including classroom lesson plans. These podcasts are based on audio recordings of interviews with representatives from 7 NERR sites, including NERR managers, coastal training program coordinators and reserve educators. Podcast content covers coastal ecology, management, anthropology, hazard mitigation and opportunities for public interaction with NERR sites. Once this content is fully curated, a website will be created to make the podcast series and teacher resources freely available to the general public. This podcast series will increase access to regional conservation information and foster stewardship of the coastal waters of the southeast US.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 74
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| Carter, Boykin |
Gainey, Christopher |
Improving Compliance with Sepsis Protocol: Collecting blood cultures prior to antibiotic administration
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Abstract Text
Sepsis is a leading cause of inpatient mortality in hospitals across the U.S. In 2015, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a quality measure for hospitals detailing an "all-or-none" approach to evaluating hospitals' compliance with a sepsis "bundle." This recommended bundle includes several stepwise tasks in the evaluation and management of a patient with sepsis, one of which involves collecting blood cultures prior to antibiotic administration. The specific aim of this project was to improve nursing compliance with performing blood culture collection prior to antibiotic administration by 33% by April 1, 2023, utilizing several in time reminders prompting culture collection.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 195
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| Rajbanshi, Abhinna |
Jin, Rongying |
Thermoelectric Properties of SnSe and SnSe2 single crystals
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Abstract Text
The consumption of energy in the world increases day by day, and though we have sophisticated technology, the amount of waste heat is also increased. This issue can be alleviated by the application of thermoelectric materials, which directly convert waste heat into electricity. SnSe and SnSe2 are promising candidates of thermoelectric materials. We successfully synthesized SnSe and SnSe2 single crystals by the chemical vapor transport method, and studied the thermoelectric properties: thermopower (S), thermal conductivity (????), and electrical conductivity (σ) in temperature range between 2 K and 300 K. At 300 K, the thermal conductivities of SnSe and SnSe2 are 19.6 WK^-1m^-1 and 50 WK^-1m^-1, respectively. On other hand, we observed that the electrical conductivity of SnSe is much larger than that of SnSe2 at 300 K. Higher power factor (S^2σ) and lower thermal conductivity of SnSe result in higher figure of merit (????????=????^2????????/????) compared to SnSe2.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 52
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| Ayiku, Pearl |
Grob, Kristina
Whitener, Kasie |
Ethnoracial Effects in Neural Reactivity to Alcohol Cues in Comorbid PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) : My Beyond the Classroom Project as a Diversity in Addiction Research Training Summer Fellow
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Abstract Text
Background: AUD and PTSD commonly co-occur. The estimated lifetime prevalence rate of AUD among US adults is 29.1%, and AUD is associated with 30% increased odds of PTSD. Although AUD has a lower prevalence rate among Black populations, Black individuals who drink are more likely to experience more severe AUD symptoms and adverse drinking consequences than their white counterparts. This study aims to determine if there is a difference in neural responses to alcohol, trauma, and neutral auditory cues based on race and alcohol use severity by race for comorbid PTSD/AUD. Methods: Baseline measures assessed AUD and PTSD severity among participants (N = 51; 35% Black) who met criteria for current AUD and PTSD. A functional magnetic resonance imaging scan was conducted, where patients were presented with personalized alcohol, trauma, and neutral cues. Statistical analysis of fMRI data was performed using FMRI Expert Analysis Tool (FEAT). Results: For the Alcohol > Neutral contrast, higher percent drinking days were associated with greater activation in the supramarginal gyrus/angular gyrus for Black participants as compared to white participants. For the Alcohol > Trauma contrast, higher percent heavy drinking days were associated with greater activation in the precuneus cortex/cingulate gyrus for Black participants compared to white participants. Conclusion: Greater activation of regions primarily associated with memory and attention for Black individuals suggests that habitual alcohol use may enhance positive memories about alcohol and feelings associated with drinking alcohol for this population. Exposure to alcohol cues may trigger memories of drinking, which could be linked to alcohol craving. Although preliminary, the differences observed in neural reactivity could inform how treatment can be tailored to address the unique needs of individuals with AUD/PTSD by racial identity and create more effective interventions.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 173
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| Campbell, Riley |
Gibson, Kelly |
Marine Microfossils and Estuarine Health: Benthic Foraminifera from North Inlet, SC
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Abstract Text
Benthic foraminifera are sensitive to changes in environmental parameters that fluctuate with anthropogenic influence, such as salinity and nutrient and dissolved oxygen content, and are therefore useful as markers of estuarine ecosystem health. We aim to establish links between benthic foraminifera and the environmental factors that affect their abundance/diversity in the relatively pristine North Inlet estuary in Hobcaw Barony, SC. We can compare assemblages in similar estuarine settings that have been impacted by anthropogenic factors (e.g. Murrell’s Inlet) by utilizing the North Inlet (NI) as a control environment. For this project, we collected 39 sediment samples from the high marsh to the inlet mouth and within tidal channels of NI to evaluate physical and chemical factors that could affect faunal assemblages. We also collected bulk sediment samples to measure organic carbon and nitrogen content and measured physical and chemical water properties at each sample site that was submerged at the time of collection (temperature, salinity, pH, TDS). After processing sediment samples, we IDed foraminifera to genus level and calculated diversity and evenness of assemblages.
Here we present faunal assemblage data from six sites (Oyster Reef 3, Oyster Channel 2, Clambank South Channel 1, Clambank South Spartina Flat 2, Debordieu Creek 3, and Reef Road) spanning elevations from subtidal to intertidal within the estuary. The dominant genera amongst all sites are Ammonia, Elphidium, Haynesina, and Trochammina. The subtidal channel sites are dominated by Elphidium and other calcareous genera, while sites on the spartina flats include a mixture of calcareous (e.g., Ammonia, Haynesina) and agglutinated members (e.g., Trochammina, Haplophragmoides). We will analyze diversity and evenness to provide more detailed insights into community structure and compare those results to water and sediment physical and chemical properties to gain insight onto the dominant control(s) on community composition in NI.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 83
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| Barnett, Eleanor |
Colascione, Megan |
Growing into a Well-Rounded Leader
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Abstract Text
As a public health major and business administration minor at the University of South Carolina (USC), I have learned the importance of understanding leadership styles and influence through multiple experiences inside and outside the classroom. During the summer of 2022, I participated in CVS Health’s General Management Corporate Internship Program. This internship served as a catalyst for my leadership development as I worked with and learned from peers located all over the world. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and working with individuals that are different from myself. In my PUBH 498: public health capstone course, we read an article written by Peter Drucker called “Managing Oneself.” This article directly spoke to my experiences as an intern and highlighted the importance of collaboration, diversity, cultural-awareness, and building respect amongst peers in the workplace. As I embraced new leadership roles within my extracurriculars and within the classroom, I saw first-hand the importance of being a well-rounded leader. My presentation will discuss the leadership learning moments throughout my time at USC and how they shaped me for my future career in public health.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 219
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| James, Lauren |
LaVoie, Holly |
Ovarian Proteomics Profile in Mice Overexpressing a Human MMP14 Transgene in Fibroblasts
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Abstract Text
Ovarian cancer is the second most common cancer of the female reproductive tract. According to the American Cancer Society, women have a 1 in 78 lifetime chance of developing ovarian cancer, and the disease has a poor prognosis. Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) cleaves extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen, fibronectin and laminin. Clinical studies have shown an association between high MMP14 levels and cancer deaths, and in vitro studies implicate MMP14 in ovarian cancer cell proliferation and migration.
We aimed to determine protein differences that contribute to abnormal ovarian phenotypes in mice overexpressing human MMP14 (hMMP14).
We utilized hMMP14 mice which overexpress a human MMP14 transgene under control of the murine Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (Col1a2), which drives the gene in fibroblasts, and wildtype FVB mice as controls. Ovaries were collected from wildtype FVB and hMMP14 mice euthanized as virgins, at day 17 of pregnancy, and at postpartum day 49. At sacrifice, ovaries were dissected and examined visually for gross abnormalities. One ovary was fixed in paraformaldehyde, and the second ovary was snap frozen for molecular analyses.
Two of 156 FVB/NJ wildtype mice (1.3%) exhibited a grossly abnormal ovary, whereas 8 of 70 hMMP14 mice (11.4%) exhibited a grossly abnormal ovary. For differential protein analyses, five virgin wildtype and five virgin hMMP14 grossly normal ovaries were analyzed by DIA mass spectrometry. In hMMP14 mice the proteins with the highest increase compared to wildtypes were ZP1, ZP3, KRT7, COL6A2, and MYH11, and the proteins with the most decrease were FLAD1 and LAMA1. The top 19 significantly increased proteins were subjected to pathway analysis with the DAVID Bioinformatic Resource annotation tool. The prevalent pathways detected were extracellular matrix organization and degradation, neuronal growth, and interactions with zona pellucida.
hMMP14 mice have a higher incidence of abnormal ovaries than wildtypes. Quantitative proteomics with grossly normal ovaries revealed pathway differences that might lead to the increase in abnormal ovaries in hMMP14 mice.
Funding: Magellan Journey & SCHC Research awards, SC INBRE award (P20GM103499), USC ASPIRE I, & IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics (R24GM137786).
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 43
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| Giakas, Alec |
Jackson, J. Benjamin |
Prevalence of Abnormal Ultrasound Findings in Asymptomatic Achilles Tendons
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Abstract Text
Background. Achilles tendinopathy can precipitate significant pain and potentially lead to surgery. The progression of Achilles pathology is thought to stem from asymptomatic, subclinical peroneal tendinopathy. There may be clinical benefit to identifying asymptomatic patients with this condition before progression to disability. Various ultrasound characteristics have been observed in Achilles tendinopathy. The purpose of this study is to identify the frequency of subclinical tendinopathic characteristics in asymptomatic Achilles tendons.
Methods. 168 participants underwent bilateral foot and ankle ultrasound examination. Images were assessed for abnormalities of the Achilles tendon by a group of physicians who recorded frequencies of abnormalities. This team consisted of an orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, a fifth-year orthopedic surgery resident, and a family medicine physician with musculoskeletal sonographer certification.
Results. 336 Achilles tendons were assessed. 36 (10.7%) had abnormal traits. 3 had circumferential fluid, 1 had noncircumferential fluid, 21 had thickening, 24 had heterogenicity, 11 had hyperemia, and 21 had calcification. In Caucasian participants, male gender was associated with increased frequency of abnormal findings, but there were no other significant differences based on age, BMI, or ethnicity.
Conclusion. In our studied population of 168 patients who had no complaints of associated symptoms we found 10.7% of Achilles tendons displayed ultrasonographic abnormalities.
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9:30-11:00 a.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 131
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Hensing, Caroline
Barnes, Dylan
Conner, James |
Choong, Kevin |
The Effect of Clean Closure Protocol During Colorectal Surgeries on Surgical Site Infection Rates
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Abstract Text
Background
Surgical site infections (SSIs) have many implications for patient care and SSI reduction has been targeted by quality improvement initiatives at many institutions. Cases with a higher wound class, such as colorectal surgery, have inherently higher postoperative SSI rates reported from 15% to over 30%. Different protocols have been implemented in an attempt to reduce SSI rates. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the utilization rate of a recently implemented clean closure protocol (CCP) in our hospital system and its effectiveness in reducing SSIs.
Methods
We performed a retrospective review of colorectal surgeries performed on adult patients >18 years old between April 2021 and December 2021 at a single institution. The cases were analyzed for CCP compliance and the presence or absence of SSIs. Univariate analysis was performed using Chi-squared tests.
Results
164 cases were included in the study, of which 69 were minimally invasive and 95 were open surgeries. There were four (2.4%) SSIs reported during this study period. There was a statistically significant increase in utilization of the CCP over time in the open surgery cohort (60% v. 78%, p = 0.037). Over time, there was a statistically significant decrease in overall SSI rates (3.9% v. 1.5%, p < 0.001). This decrease was seen in both the minimally invasive subgroup (3.1% v. 0%, p < 0.001) and the open surgery subgroup (4.3% v. 2.6%, p < 0.001) and there was no difference in SSI rate between MIS and open surgery (1.4% v. 3.2%, p = 0.27) . There was no statistically significant correlation between the increased CCP rate and decreased SSI rate (p = 0.8).
Discussion
There was a significantly increased utilization of CCP, particularly in the open subgroup, during our study period. A decrease in SSI rates was observed over time in the open and minimally invasive subgroups, however this could not be directly attributed to the increased CCP utilization. The results of this study warrant ongoing analysis with a larger data set over a longer period of time.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 188
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| Hope, Marion |
Enos, Reilly |
Impact of Hepatic ER-alpha Overexpression on development of Obesity in Female Mice
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Abstract Text
INTRODUCTION: Women experience greater protection from obesity-related comorbidities including insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis compared to males. Evidence suggests that the primary pre-menopausal estrogen, 17β-estradiol (E2), serves as the regulator of this protection. The exact mechanism by which E2 controls protection of obesity-related comorbidities is unknown Therefore, it is critical to identify the tissues and pathways responsible for eliciting this protective effect.
METHODS: Our lab has developed a novel Tet-On estrogen receptor-α (ERα) liver-specific mouse model (LIV-ERα↑). This mouse model allows for the inducible overexpression of liver ERα. We used this model to determine if overexpression of hepatic ERα could prevent the development of obesity and associated metabolic dysfunction in female mice. Female wildtype littermate control and LIV-ERα↑ mice were fed either a purified low-fat or high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks (n=15-19/group). Body composition and metabolic outcomes were assessed.
RESULTS: Hepatic ERα overexpression improved glucose metabolism independent of changes to body composition or adiposity.
CONCLUSIONS: Targeting hepatic ERα may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation. Future studies should be undertaken to determine the molecular mechanisms by which hepatic ERα signaling improves metabolic outcomes.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 46
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| Bulusu, Rahul |
Sur, Sanjib |
Theia: Outdoor Millimeter-Wave Picocell Placement using Drone-based Surveying and Machine Learning
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Abstract Text
Millimeter-Wave (mmWave) networks rely on small, short-range base stations called “picocells,” which must be placed carefully to achieve optimal network capabilities. However, to ensure no significant capacity loss, network deployers rely on expensive and time-consuming site surveys. Existing approaches to reduce time and money spent are focused on indoor surveying, which is typically inapplicable to outdoors due to many environ mental factors. In this work, we propose Theia, a system for accurately predicting outdoor mmWave signal reflection profiles (SRPs) that facilitate picocell placement using a drone-based platform for surveying. The drone platform integrates optical systems and a mmWave transceiver to collect depth images and mmWave SRPs of the environment. This data is then fed into a machine learning model that maps the depth data to SRPs and enables SRPs to be predicted at unseen parts of the environment. Theia builds on this prediction to find the optimal picocell locations that maximize the network coverage and minimize the link outages. We evaluate Theia in three large-scale outdoor environments and show that the design can generalize the deployment method with a little refinement of the model.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 96
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Brown, Hannah
Evans, Zach |
Klik, Kathleen |
Internalized Stigma Comparison of Undiagnosed Versus Diagnosed Mental Illness
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Abstract Text
Although there is clinical and research utility associated with diagnosing psychiatric disorders, there is a debate about diagnostic classification, with some urging for the change of formal diagnostic systems. One problematic aspect is that a psychiatric diagnosis can serve as a label that signals to others one’s membership in a low-status, stigmatized group. While there is empirical and conceptual research that explores the impact of mental illness stigma on those with a psychiatric diagnosis, no empirical evidence has assessed whether those with a psychiatric diagnosis experience stigma differently than those who have not had a formal diagnosis. The current study fills this gap by quantitatively examining differences in stigma between those with a formal psychiatric diagnosis, namely depression (n = 317), and those who meet similar criteria but have not been formally diagnosed with a psychiatric illness (n = 84). A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed to examine whether having a psychiatric diagnosis (or not) impacts the cognitive process by which public stigma becomes internalized (measured via the four subscales of the SSMIS-F). Results indicated there was a significant effect of having a psychiatric diagnosis on the cognitive process of internalized stigma, V = 0.03, F(1, 375) = 3.15, p = 0.02, controlling for symptom severity. However, separate univariate tests on these steps revealed non-significant effects of psychiatric diagnosis on all subscales (e.g., stereotype awareness, stereotype self-concurrence, and self-esteem decrement) except stereotype agreement (F(1, 378) = 5.44, p = 0.02). To provide more insight about this finding, the MANOVA was followed up with discriminant analysis. The cognitive process of internalized stigma differentiated the groups (i.e., group with and without psychiatric diagnosis), Λ = 0.95, χ2(4) = 18.91, p = 0.00. The standardized discriminant function coefficients suggest that stereotype agreement (-1.07) and self-concurrence (1.00) have an equally strong influence in discriminating the groups. These results provide empirical evidence that a psychiatric diagnosis serves as a label that signals to others one’s membership in a devalued, stigmatized group. These findings will be discussed in relation to the debate about benefits and costs of diagnosing psychiatric disorders.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 191
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| Balzer, Mackenzee |
Pou, Jay |
Building the Future of Phi Chi Theta
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Abstract Text
When I started at USC, I wanted to get involved. After facing rejections, I found my home at Phi Chi Theta. This is a professional fraternity with 70+ members. Joining this organization had a huge impact on my college experience.
This year, I have had the pleasure to serve on the executive board as Vice President of Education. This means I was responsible for helping people we selected during rush, learn and be integrated into the group. I created curriculum that focused on their personal and professional growth with an emphasis on building strong relations with one another. I also served as a mentor providing guidance. Without this process, I wouldn’t have become the business professional that I am. As one of the 5 members of exec, I also learned that there is a lot of things that must be done that isn’t in the job description.
I learned both hard and soft skills in this role while becoming a strong leader. I had to improve my active listening skills and my patience. I answered a lot of questions. I was able to better my business skills by observing and teaching others. To run an organization, it takes being always willing to help. I took it upon myself to help with any task for the betterment of the fraternity.
I like to think that I made an impact on all of these students. It brings me so much joy when I see them be successful. This could be things like getting a job, helping someone else, or just hanging out. I hope that they will forever look to me as a mentor and continue to ask me for advice after college.
I am sad to leave this organization. I hope that the fraternity can continue, and I helped instill a love of it in the younger members. After serving in this role, I have found a passion for helping others with their professional development. I hope to donate my time, after graduating, to helping community college or high schooler students work on their business skills. Mentorship truly goes both ways.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (CMCC lower level) |
Poster: 319
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Chu, Annie
Clarkson, Wright |
Clanton, Jesse |
Peri-gastric Adhesions Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction after Living-Donor Hepatectomy
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Abstract Text
Peri-gastric Adhesions Causing Gastric Outlet Obstruction after Living-Donor Hepatectomy
Authors: Annie Chu, MD. Wright Clarkson, BS. Jesse Clanton, MD FACS
Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic surgery
Introduction:
Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is described as a mechanical obstruction of the pylorus which results in gastric distention and subsequent nausea and emesis. This case report highlights another rare etiology of peri-gastric adhesions which resulted in gastric outlet obstruction.
Case Report:
In April of 2021, a 32-year-old man with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease, living donor hepatectomy, and panniculectomy presented to the Emergency Department with nausea and emesis. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast did not show evidence of a small bowel obstruction or other intra-abdominal pathology. Given persistence of symptoms, he was referred to a gastroenterologist. Fluoroscopic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal system (UGI) showed delayed passage of contrast due to an anatomic abnormality in the distal stomach and pylorus. Upon evaluation with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), the pyloric channel was noted to have an acute angulation not able to be traversed by an adult endoscope. Subsequently, a diagnostic laparoscopy with lysis of adhesions was offered and performed. After lysing adhesions from the stomach to the liver, intraoperative EGD demonstrated an unobstructed and clear path to the pylorus and duodenum. At his postoperative clinic visit, the patient reported significant improvement in symptoms and tolerated a normal diet without nausea or emesis.
Discussion:
In the literature, a 1964 article from the British Medical Journal described three cases of postoperative perigastric adhesions which resulted in GOO. A more recent case report published in 2011 in the Journal of Medical Case Reports described another patient who developed gastric outlet obstruction due to perigastric adhesions. With the exception of these two articles, little else has been published on the topic of secondary adhesive mechanical gastric outlet obstruction. Additionally, there is a sparsity of publications in the literature that describes the successful treatment of this pathology, Our case report describes a patient with GOO secondary to peri-gastric adhesions after living-donor hepatectomy who was successfully treated with laparoscopic adhesiolysis.
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1:00-2:30 p.m.
Columbia Ballroom (CMCC upper level) |
Poster: 121
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| Thomas, Kelsey |
Kaczynski, Andrew |
Examining sociodemographic disparities in sidewalk access and walkability across Columbia, South Carolina
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Abstract Text
Background: Physical activity levels consistently differ across s |