Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Dementia Symptoms Through Personalized Music, Lindsay Grainger

SC Upstate Research Symposium

Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) is a prevalent, costly, and complicated disease. With over 6 million Americans affected and the cost of treatment soaring to over $320 billion dollars annually, there is a growing need for low-cost interventions to treat symptoms. Routinely listening to personalized music selections has been shown to reduce agitation—the most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. The purpose of this study was to provide a personalized music listening (PML) intervention of thirty minutes to 10 nursing home residents with dementia. Thirty-minute PML sessions occurred multiple times a week over six weeks. The inclusion …

The Evolution Of The Nonprofit Sector In Nepal, Charles Harrington, Davis Jones

SC Upstate Research Symposium

The nonprofit sector in Nepal has grown exponentially over the last decade. Significant growth in the areas of education, economic development, health and human services, tourism, and environmental conservation has created a demonstrable need for nonprofit organizational support and development to address these emerging needs. This paper and accompanying oral presentation will address the underlying factors that have driven the growth of the nonprofit sector in Nepal, including, but not limited to the history of national philanthropy and community service, early formulation of the nonprofit sector, development of civil society, non-government organizational proliferation, earthquake response and resilience, the emergence of …

Do “In The Family” Coaching Hires Outperform External Hires In Ncaa Division I Men’S Basketball, Maxfield Lane, Nels Popp, Jonathan A. Jensen

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

When conducting searches to fill head coaching positions, many college athletics directors frequently look to candidates who have a connection to the university; former players, assistant coaches, or students. Hiring someone from a university’s “family” is often a popular decision among stakeholders, but utilizing such parameters in a search severely restricts candidate pools. More importantly, little empirical evidence suggesting such hires perform better. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether NCAA Division I men’s basketball coaches who are “In the Family” hires perform better than “External” hires in measures of (a) team success and (b) recruiting. The …

Inclusive Description Recommendations Of The Cooperative Metadata Team, University Of South Carolina Libraries Cooperative Metadata Team

University Libraries Policies and Reports

The University of South Carolina strives to “foster access and belonging” (University of South Carolina Strategic Priories, 2023/28), and the University Libraries endeavors to be “respectful and accessible” and “responsive to changes in user needs” by investing in initiatives that “promote inclusion for and within our community” (University of South Carolina Libraries Strategic Plan, 2022/24). The USC Libraries Cooperative Metadata Team (CoMeT) seeks to support these goals by providing guidelines for creating inclusive metadata and remediating existing records. These guidelines will allow for more efficient, timely, and thoughtful processing of materials.

Adherent-Invasive Escherichia Coli (Aiec) Promotes Mild Colitis In The C57bl/6 Il-10 Ko Mouse Model Of Crohn's Disease, Sarah Sm Zaw

Senior Theses

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Interleukin-10 knockout (IL-10 KO) mice are crucial in CD research. Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) is a subgroup of E. coli. In one study, IL-10 KO mice colonized with AIEC developed colitis in the distal colon compared to wild-type (WT) mice. I investigated how AIEC NC101 WT affects colitis severity in IL-10 KO mice of the C57BL/6 genetic background. Similar results in both genotypes would enhance mouse strain accessibility. Germ-free C57BL6 IL-10 KO mice were divided into groups: colonized with AIEC NC101 for 12, 15, or 18 weeks, or kept germ-free. Histopathological …

The Individuality Of Bereavement: A Phenomenological Analysis Of Sudden Loss Trauma On Young Adults, Teaghan B. Brosokas

Senior Theses

While death of a loved one or peer is likely experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime, bereavement is far from a universalized experience. Just as no two people are alike, no two relationships are alike. Thus, no two losses breed the same after-effects. Multiple factors influence the individual characteristics of bereavement, such as mode of loss, relationship to the deceased, and possible societal barriers. This study explores the impact of a sudden unexpected death on young adults based on their relational closeness to the deceased, including plausible reasoning behind reactions and influences on post-loss adjustment. Young adults …

Motivations Behind The Rise And Success Of Homeopathy In India, Kavya Patchipulusu

Senior Theses

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that is incredibly controversial and is often labeled as a fraudulent, placebo effect drug, that can have potentially dangerous side effects. This is the picture that is painted of homeopathy in the United States and many other countries in which these medicines are banned in distribution or highly unregulated. In contrast, India has popularized and well-integrated homeopathy into their medical systems with government backing and consistent funding towards accredited homeopathic institutions and funding hospital systems. This paper will explore the circumstances and health care dynamics of India that allowed homeopathy to gain the level …

Post-Discharge Follow-Up Call To Impact Heart Failure Re-Admission Rates, Regina Mitchell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: The clinical setting for this project, a 321-bed southeastern hospital in South Carolina, has an elevated re-admission rate for CHF patients of 22.67% (Ferguson, B. V.P. Quality, personal communication, October 21st, 2022), 1.57% above the Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) benchmark of 21.1% for payment reduction penalties. Purpose: Determine if post-discharge interview phone calls decrease CHF re-admission rates. Methods: A two-group pretest-posttest design will be used. Data will be collected during retrospective unit chart review, weekly chart review of patient participants, and structured post-discharge phone interviews. Inclusion Criteria: English-speaking, adult (>18 years of age) patients with …

Elucidating The Role Of Protease-Activated Receptor 2 In Elastase-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, John Pitstick

Senior Theses

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality in the world despite extensive research. As a type of CVD, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents a critical medical condition characterized by the localized dilation of the abdominal aorta. Complications from aneurysm development results in catastrophic aortic rupture, which leads to mortality more than 80% of the time. As aneurysm development is typically asymptomatic, many AAAs remain untreated until they present a serious risk of rupture. Additionally, no pharmaceutical treatment exists for AAAs, with the only option being surgical intervention. Despite advancements in diagnostic methods and surgical techniques, the pathogenesis of …

The Sentiments Of Drag Performers On Anti-Drag Legislation: A Thematic Analysis, Brian D. Briggs

Senior Theses

Since 2022, at least 21 states have considered, filed, or passed legislation with the goal of banning or limiting drag performances in public spaces or in the presence of minors. These pieces of legislation seek to suppress drag performances on the grounds that they appeal to sexual interests, and they even go as far as to claim that drag performers aim to groom and assault children at their performances. These claims are baseless and vastly misrepresent the true breadth of drag as a performance art and the positive messages it promotes, as well as suggest that bias against the LGBTQ+ …

The Impact Of Individual Culture On Purchase Decisions Of Fast Fashion In Brazil, Lucie S. Speck

Senior Theses

Fast fashion is an emerging method of production in the apparel industry that is characterized by lower-quality materials and faster production timelines than the traditional methods of producing clothing. It is becoming a trending topic in modern business due to its negative social and environmental impact, as brands that use fast fashion production processes are constantly being criticized for inhumane labor practices and large amounts of textile waste.

This research proposes two models using a survey as its main research method. The first model determines how financial situation, collectivism as a cultural value, and education level impact whether social media …

Facing Two Fronts: Asian Americans Grappling With Covid-19 And Xenophobic Tensions, Matthew Soos

Senior Theses

This thesis examines the impact of COVID-19-induced discrimination against Asian Americans (AsAms) and its effects on the mental health of college-aged individuals within this demographic. The study specifically targets East and Southeast Asians due to their heightened connection with the pandemic. Data was gathered via a survey disseminated among undergraduate AsAm students at the University of South Carolina. The survey sought information on the occurrence and forms of discrimination encountered pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, alongside the mental health condition and coping mechanisms of the respondents. Moreover, participants were prompted to assess the efficacy of suggested approaches in addressing discrimination. …

Music As A Coping Mechanism: Clinical Implications Of How College Students Utilize Music To Cope With Anxiety, Depression, And Daily Stressors, Karly Pikel

Senior Theses

Many college students face stress, anxiety, and/or depression in their daily lives which they cope with in their own ways. Listening to music or playing an instrument are particularly powerful forms of coping that can have a plethora of positive effects on an individual. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey amongst the University of South Carolina student body to determine how they utilize music to cope in their daily lives. Of 847 respondents, almost all of them reported experiencing some extent of anxiety and/or stress and listening to music to help them cope. Respondents agreed that …

The Use Of Figurative Suicidal Language By College Students And Its Impact On Mental Health And Suicide Stigma, Makayla Hooker

Senior Theses

Using suicidal language as a hyperbole in everyday conversation has become common for college students experiencing stress. Previous research analyzed use of suicidal language on social media with the intention of finding the best way to provide help to the individuals expressing true suicidal ideation on social media but found that many people do not literally mean what they are saying when they use suicidal language. It was hypothesized that the frequency with which individuals use suicidal statements figuratively as well as the frequency with which they hear others use these statements would negatively correlate with the level of seriousness …

University Libraries Impact Report 2023, Leslie Haynsworth, Kristine Hontz

University Libraries Policies and Reports

A report on notable activities in University of South Carolina Libraries in 2023.

And Then The Black Birthed Me: Celebrating Black Girlhood In Middle Level Ela Classrooms Through Afrofuturism, Dywanna Smith, Kenesha Johnson, Kiana Eaddy

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The manuscript delves into the dynamic interplay between Afrofuturism and young adult literature and Middle Level English pedagogical inspiration to offer fresh perspectives on intersectionality, agency, and empowerment among marginalized youth. The authors explore how Afrofuturistic young adult literature authors are employing characters who navigate a multitude of identities, challenging traditional power dynamics, and dismantling oppressive structures. Through its incorporation of technological innovation, speculative visions, and the reclaiming of historical narratives, Afrofuturistic young adult literature creates new paradigms of empowerment and self-realization for all students, but especially Black girls. Works such as Kalynn Bayron’s The Poison Heart (2021), Namina Fornas’ …

Adolescents With Eating Disorders Due To Bullying, Avery Page

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Bullying is a strong predictor of eating disorders. Adolescent girls are more susceptible to developing eating disorders due to social media, developmental changes, and societal pressure for unattainable perfection. Adolescent advocates have an important role in addressing this issue and providing support for students.

The “System” Was Never For Us: Redefining Middle School Discipline To Empower Black Girls, Kenesha Johnson, Dywanna Smith, Kamryn Griffin, Jada Williams

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This manuscript addresses the need for a transformative redefinition of school discipline, focused on empowering Black girls. It highlights the heightened likelihood of suspension and expulsion faced by Black girls, exposing flaws in traditional practices. Advocating for a paradigm shift, the manuscript emphasizes adopting restorative practices, centered on healing and collaboration to address behavioral issues at their core. It explores the impact of implicit biases and systemic racism on Black girls’ experiences, proposing a comprehensive, inclusive approach. Through transformative measures, schools create environments that actively empowers and supports the academic journey of Black girls, fostering a more equitable educational experience.

Advocating For Adolescent Sexual Minorities, Madeline Hawkins

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Sexual minority (gay, lesbian, and bisexual) adolescents experience bullying and mental health issues at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. It is important that teachers find ways to protect, support, and advocate for these students to prevent them from struggling academically and socially. Through the use of inclusive curricula, gay-straight alliances, and informal mentoring, educators can foster an environment of inclusion and respect for sexual minority students.

Attitudes Of Intercollegiate Athletes Toward Transgender Individuals And Transgender Athletic Participation, Austin R. Anderson, Eric Knee, Alison Fridley

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Debate around the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sport has been increasing recently. These debates, and the discourse surrounding transgender athletes, have had wide ranging consequences, including changes to gender participation policies by sport governing bodies. While policy changes are being made, little data exists around the attitudes of athletes on the participation of transgender persons. This study explores the attitudes of intercollegiate student-athletes on transgender individuals and transgender collegiate athletic participation, using a sample of three collegiate athletic programs. Findings suggest that attitudes towards transgender persons and political ideology are significant factors in the acceptance of transgender athletic …

Does All Work And No Play Make Me A Winner? Institutionalized Perceptions Of Hours Worked And Athletic Program Success, Matt R. Huml, Elizabeth A. Taylor, Calvin Nite, Jacob Ackermann, Elenor Ishida

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

The belief that more hours worked equate to higher levels of success has been institutionalized within sport. However, research has yet to interrogate this taken for granted notion. The current study examined the relationship between hours worked and athletic department success. Data were drawn from college coaches and athletic administrators in the United States and consisted of self-reported work hours, team postseason appearances, Directors’ Cup points, and Directors’ Cup rankings to determine if higher work hours were predictive of success. This study also examined the moderated effects of work/family conflict between gender and number of hours worked. The findings show …

What Are The Odds? Judicial Decisions Involving The Ncaa: 1973-2020, Chris Corr, Richard M. Southall, Mark S. Nagel, Christopher Atwater, Caroline Jenkins, Michael S. Carroll

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

Transitioning Out Of Sport For Collegiate Female Athletes: Individual And Organizational Implications, Kristi F. Oshiro, Ashlyn Hardie, Marlene Dixon

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

The Myth Of “More” And The Impact Of Significant Others On Student-Athlete Participation In High Impact Practices, Jessica R. Braunstein-Minkove, Nicolo Russolillo, Ryan King-White

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Decoupling On Internal Organizational Members: Complacency, Apathy, And Hostility, Charles D.T. Macaulay

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

The Disconnect Between Athletic Department Employees And Student-Athletes On Leadership Programming Initiatives, Jessica K. Brougham, Elizabeth Taylor, Matt R. Huml, Hannah R. Kloetzer, Janelle E. Wells

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

Suicide Prevention For Athletic Staff: Evaluation Of A Brief Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training For Athletics, Matthew C. Mishkind, Teresa Mescher, Crystal Natvig, Alexandra Yannaconek, Zachary Giano, Becky Alberti-Powel

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

Supporting The Supporters: Decreasing Workaholism In Athletic Academic Advisors, Molly Harry, A. Lamont Williams, Kristopher White

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

Sign Me Mabi? Women Athletes’ Brand Images In The Nil Era, Cara Hawkins-Jedlicka, Shannon Scovel, Scott R. Jedlicka

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.

Sexual Orientation And Gender Identities Among Ncaa Athletes: A Pilot Study, Elizabeth M. Mullin, Anna Baeth, Kayla Vieira

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

No abstract provided.