Ex Vivo Multiplex Knockdown Of Angptl3 And Cypor In Hepatocytes As A Novel Cell Therapy For Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Callie D. Clark

All Dissertations

Inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs) affect approximately 1 in 800 individuals. The only curative treatment for IMDs is liver transplantation. However, transplantation carries significant risks, including organ rejection and a lifelong need for immunosuppression. Therefore, gene editing has emerged as a promising alternative to liver transplantation for treating IMDs.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is and IMD characterized by elevated LDL-C levels resulting in premature cardiovascular disease. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing to disrupt the gene encoding angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) in the liver represents a novel therapeutic approach for FH. Nonviral delivery performed ex vivo is safer than systemic delivery because gene editing is in …

The Effect Of Mobile Augmented Reality On The Self-Efficacy Of Adults Learning English In The U.S., Cinamon S. Bailey

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For foreign-born adults living in the U.S., learning, speaking, and understanding English is essential to be able to work, access needed resources, facilitate healthcare, communicate with teachers at a child’s school, and build relationships and communicate with others within their communities. Yet, many of these individuals have limited English proficiency and are unable to speak and understand the language well. There are some opportunities to learn English in the U.S. as a foreign-born adult, but these avenues of learning are limited in the type of personalized, contextualized, and real-world language learning opportunities that are provided. There is a need to …

The Administrators’ Role In Teacher Retention And Their Role On Teachers’ Perceptions Of School Climate At An Exemplar Title I School: A Qualitative Study, Stephen W. Brown Iii

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This study looks at how principals affect teacher perception of school climate and teacher retention at Title I schools. While teacher retention and school climate have historically been issues at Title I schools, the issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study explored an elementary school in South Carolina through the lens of Critical Systems Theory. According to publicly available data, this school was an anomaly among Title I schools regarding the climate and teacher retention, with both measures being extremely high. To explore these phenomena, semi-structured interviews were conducted with both the teachers and administrators at …

An Examination Of The Role Of Recreational Therapy In Forensic And Correctional Settings, Sarah R. Fischer

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The estimated prevalence of adults, age 18 and older, with serious mental illness (SMI) in the United States is approximately 6% (NIMH, 2022a). Having a mental illness places individuals at higher risk for arrest and incarceration (NAMI, n.d.b) where they receive treatment, including recreational therapy (RT) in state hospitals, jails or prisons. The purpose of this multi-method study was to gain a better understanding of the role of RT in treating adults with SMI in forensic and correctional settings. A non-standardized 122-item cross-sectional survey (n=49) was used to identify what interventions recreational therapists are using, for what intended outcomes; and …

Domain Decomposition For Coupled Systems Of Fluid-Structure Interaction And Numerical Modeling For Thin Film Polymers, Amy De Castro

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We consider two primary areas of physical application in this work: fluid interaction systems with either linear elastic structures or with poroelastic structures, and thin film polymers, where the majority of the work focuses on the fluid-structure interaction systems.

In the first chapter, we present a strongly coupled partitioned method for fluid structure interaction (FSI) problems based on a monolithic formulation of the system which employs a Lagrange multiplier (LM). We prove that both the semi-discrete and fully discrete formulations are well-posed. To derive the partitioned scheme, a Schur complement equation, which implicitly expresses the Lagrange multiplier and the fluid …

Nasig Board Conference Call March 3, 2025

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Committee Annual Reports And Updates

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

May 2025 Full Issue, Faye M. O'Reilly

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

April 4, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

May 12, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Cigarette Smoke Extract On Osteoarthritis In A Primary Joint Tissue Explant Model, Emily Sawvell

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease in the world with an economic burden of nearly $140 billion annually. Factors identified to increase the risk of developing OA include age, obesity, sex, race, genetics, and previous joint injury. However, one risk factor that has been scarcely studied in OA etiology is cigarette smoking. While some studies have reported smoking to protect against OA, increasing evidence suggests that cigarette smoking results in more severe and painful OA, increases the rate of developing OA, and reduces the efficacy of pain medications and arthritis-targeting therapies. Despite this, the impact of cigarette …

A Stakeholder-Informed Conceptual Framework For Evaluating Genomics In Precision Oncology, Julie A. Wiedower

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This dissertation explores the value of genomic testing in precision oncology with an emphasis on how US payers conceptualize and prioritize elements of value. This research aims to address gaps in understanding payer perspectives and proposes a stakeholder-informed framework for evaluating genomic testing in oncology. To achieve this aim, the presented research investigates payer perspectives, value-based cancer care priorities, and the conceptual understanding of the value of a genetic diagnosis to establish a framework for value with the payer audience in mind. Chapter 1 outlines relevant background information relating to the genomic revolution and challenges in translating genomic testing technologies …

Integrating Applied History And Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Into City Planning Practice, Russell H. Stall

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History matters. History provides a vital foundation for shaping present decisions and future planning. By understanding a city’s past, cities can make more thoughtful, informed choices to guide development and policy with greater intention and impact.

Greenville, South Carolina, is a unique city planning case study and learning laboratory. Greenville’s Downtown revitalization since the 1980s demonstrates how historical insights can be integrated into contemporary policymaking to create vibrant, human-centered, and citizen-focused urban environments. Greenville’s evolution from a deserted, forgotten Main Street to one of the world’s most livable cities is an example of community development worthy of emulation from other …

Exploring The Pedagogical Impact Of Software Development Live Streams: Informal Learning Opportunities For Software And Game Developers, Ella Kokinda

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Live streaming is an increasingly popular medium for throwing back the curtain on software development where streamers and viewers share their knowledge and experiences. Popular platforms like Twitch and YouTube enable developers to stream live coding sessions where people around the world can engage in real-time collaboration, feedback, knowledge sharing, and skill development. This work investigates the pedagogical implications and learning opportunities present in software and game development live streaming while focusing on the role of streaming as a learning environment and collaborative community. We begin by exploring summer camps as an informal learning opportunity for STEM education, highlighting the …

Countering Deficit Narratives Through A Blackcrit Lens By Examining Case Studies Of Black College Mathematics Students’ Classroom Experiences, Akhenaton Wilbourn

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This dissertation examines the lived experiences of 11 Black college mathematics students at their predominantly white institution (PWI) through the lens of Black Critical Theory (BlackCrit) to counter deficit narratives about the racial achievement gap (RAG) in mathematics education courses. Deficit narratives often attribute disparities between Black and white students’ mathematical performance to assumed deficiencies in Black students’ abilities rather than systemic inequities, historical marginalization, and ongoing anti-Blackness in educational settings (Cobb & Russell, 2015; Kress, 2021). Using multiple case studies, this study explores how anti-Blackness manifests in mathematics classrooms, how students navigate tensions between multiculturalism, neoliberal educational policies, and …

Preparing Preservice Teachers To Support Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students Through The Implementation Of A High Leverage Practice, Mya Kelley

All Dissertations

The student population of United States (U.S.) schools is becoming more culturally and linguistically diverse. Similarly, students identifying as culturally and linguistically diverse students represent approximately 54% of students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). Despite increased ethnic diversity among students, the teacher workforce remains relatively homogenous, with most teachers identifying as White. Consequently, many new teachers feel ill-equipped to implement effective, evidence-based instructional practices to support culturally and linguistically diverse students. To prepare preservice teachers to meet culturally and linguistically diverse students' unique needs, teacher preparation programs must embed culturally relevant pedagogy and …

Understanding Dimensional Stability Of Polymer Surgical Mesh, Simeon J. Mckelvey

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Polymer surgical mesh is a biomedical implant that has revolutionized the repair of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor. Each year, over 1.6 million Americans undergo surgical procedures using polymer surgical mesh to treat conditions where internal organs protrude through weakened tissues. This material is used in approximately 90% of hernia repairs, 80% of stress urinary incontinence procedures, and 30% of pelvic organ prolapse surgeries.

Despite this widespread use of polymer surgical mesh, post-implantation complications have prompted regulatory investigation and scrutiny. These complications stem from the mesh's behavior within the human body, including wrinkling, contraction, and loss of fixation, which …

Serious Leisure, Passion, And Burnout, Carson Matsick

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This study examined the relationships between aspects of serious leisure, dualistic passion, and burnout in the MBI-GS and BM. Serious leisure has been shown to improve leisure and general life outcomes, but little research considers how harmonious or obsessive leisure engagement affects these outcomes or has extended serious leisure benefits to the workplace. Overall, the study hypothesized that leisure seriousness, harmonious passion, and satisfaction with time spent in serious leisure will negatively correlate with burnout, and obsessive passion will degrade the benefits derived from serious leisure. 240 participants completed Gould's Serious Leisure Inventory, the Passion Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory …

Live-Streaming E-Commerce: The Role Of Firms And Influencers In Driving Sales, Jingyun Hu

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Livestreaming is a transformative technology that removes the limitations of time and lo- cation, enabling real-time interaction between hosts and audiences. When combined with online shopping, it creates livestreaming e-commerce, a fast-growing marketing channel where influencers promote products live and engage directly with consumers.

My doctoral dissertation explores how firms and influencers collaborate effectively in this emerging retail space. Livestreaming e-commerce offers new opportunities for reaching consumers, but also raises questions about how to manage partnerships and present products in a dynamic, real-time setting. Specifically, I investigate how firms should choose and switch influencers over time, and how influencers can …

Synthesis Of Nanoparticles In Silicate Matrix And Stimuli Responsive Nanocomposite Polymer Films, Dimuthu Edirisinghe

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Interactions between aqueous metal ions and soluble silicates lead to the formation of insoluble metal silicate complexes that form nanoparticles via condensation polymerization. Metal silicates function as nanoreactors, effectively condensing metal ions into nano-sized particles that can undergo further chemical transformations. Core-shell nanostructures present an intriguing strategy for integrating materials with different properties. The silicate shell around the silver nanoparticles can be successfully infused with other metal ions, enabling subsequent reactions to tailor their properties. Silver nanoparticles exhibit strong interactions with light, surpassing other chromophores, including noble metal nanoparticles, due to their highly efficient surface plasmonic resonance. The unique optical …

Ceramic Membrane Evaluation Via Automated Filtration Systems For Water Treatment And Resource Recovery, Weiming Qi

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Membranes are an advanced and mature water and wastewater treatment technology. Membrane fouling is a key difficulty for all membrane filtration processes, leading to significant attention in the literature over the years. A common problem in laboratory-scale membrane research is that the testing methods in the laboratory are often quite different than industrial applications due to the limitations of manual experimental setups. An automated membrane filtration apparatus was built in the lab to solve this problem by allowing long-term filtration, frequent backwash and CIP, and high-accuracy operation. The filtration system achieves different cleaning strategies for both theoretical research and practical …

An Investigation Of Design Processes And Their Effects On Accessibility In Narrative Themed Environments, Arielle Spencer

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Accessibility matters, and not merely in meeting minimum codes or limited to basic necessities. Access and inclusion matter still more in places of recreation and leisure which have too often been overlooked or considered low priority, however it is precisely these places that merit special attention. Narrative Themed Environments occupy a unique position relative to the general built environment, often acting as utopic ‘other-spaces’ for enjoyment, freedom, and escape. However, for guests with disabilities, current themed experiences can often lack true inclusivity and instead create inequality, segregation, diminished experiences, and feelings of isolation and exclusion. The peculiar idiosyncratic design process …

Executive And Audit Committee, Minutes Clemson Board Of Trustee,S 2025 April 25, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Clemson University Board Of Trustees Minutes, 2025 April 25, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Compensation Committee Minutes, Clemson University Board Of Trustees, 2025 May 12, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Compensation Committee Minutes, Clemson University Board Of Trustees, 2025 April 25, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Breakfast Minutes Clemson University Board Of Trustees, 2025 April 25, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Agriculture And Natural Resources Committee Clemson University Board Of Trustees 2025 April 24, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Institutional Advancement Committee Minutes, Clemson University Board Of Trustees, 2025 April 24, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Student Affairs Committee Minutes, Clemson University Board Of Trustees, 2025 April 24, Clemson University Board Of Trustees

Minutes

No abstract provided.