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Garnet & Black: Spring 2025, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

Garnet & Black Magazine

No abstract provided.

Time-Series Forecasting In Smart Manufacturing Systems: An Experimental Evaluation Of The State-Of-The-Art Algorithms, Mojaba A. Farahani, Fadi El Kalach, Austin Harper, M.R. Mccormick, Ramy Harik, Thorsten Wuest

Faculty Publications

Time-Series Forecasting (TSF) is a growing research area across various domains including manufacturing. Manufacturing can benefit from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) innovations for TSF tasks. Although numerous TSF algorithms have been developed and proposed over the past decades, the critical validation and experimental evaluation of the algorithms hold substantial value for researchers and practitioners and are missing to date. This study aims to fill this research gap by providing a rigorous experimental evaluation of the state-of-the-art TSF algorithms on thirteen manufacturing-related datasets with a focus on their applicability in smart manufacturing environments. Each algorithm was selected based …

Does Travel Time Matter?: Predictors Of Transportation Vulnerability And Access To Hiv Care Among People Living With Hiv In South Carolina, Sayward Elizabeth Harrison, Peiyin Hung, Katherine Green, Sarah J. Miller, Mariajosé Patron, Divya Ahuja, Sharon Weissman, Caroline Rudisill, Tammeka Evans

Faculty Publications

Background

People living with HIV (PLHIV) in the southern United States (US) are at high risk for poor outcomes across the HIV care continuum leading to low rates of viral suppression. Understanding structural barriers to care—including transportation vulnerability—is critical to improve HIV outcomes. This study investigated relationships between travel time to HIV care, transportation vulnerability, and HIV care disruptions to inform future transportation interventions for PLHIV residing in South Carolina and other southern US states.

Methods

A total of 160 PLHIV (N = 160) were recruited from a large immunology center in South Carolina. Participants reported on transportation experiences, transportation …

Comparison Of Deep Learning And Traditional Machine Learning Models For Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers, Kesheng Wang Phd, Ma, Bs, Donald A. Adjeroh, Wei Fang, Suzy M. Walter, Danqing Xiao, Ubolrat Piamjariyakul, Chun Xu

Faculty Publications

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical condition characterized by a decline in cognitive ability and progression of cognitive impairment. It is often considered a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to compare deep learning (DL) and traditional machine learning (ML) methods in predicting MCI using plasma proteomic biomarkers. A total of 239 adults were selected from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort along with a pool of 146 plasma proteomic biomarkers. We evaluated seven traditional ML models (support vector machines (SVMs), logistic regression (LR), naïve Bayes (NB), random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor …

Time-Dependent Shear Flows And Their Applications In Parabolic–Parabolic Patlak–Keller–Segel Systems*, Siming He

Faculty Publications

In this study, we investigate the behavior of three-dimensional parabolic–parabolic Patlak–Keller–Segel systems in the presence of ambient shear flows. Our findings demonstrate that when the total mass of the cell density is below a specific threshold, the solution remains globally regular as long as the flow is sufficiently strong. The primary difficulty in our analysis stems from the fast creation of chemical gradients due to strong shear advection.

March 5, 2025 Faculty Senate Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Friction-Based Recycling: An Evaluation Of Friction Extrusion For Fabricating Ti-6al-4 V Wire Fabricated From Machining Chip Feedstock, Devesh Kumar Chouhan, Mageshwari Komarasamy, Scott B. Taysom, Nicole R. Overman, Nathan L. Canfield, Timothy J. Roosendaal, Anthony P. Reynolds, Scott A. Whalen

Faculty Publications

Titanium and its alloys are used in aviation and automobile industries due to their remarkable strength to weight ratio, but machining loss commonly is high with ~ 80 wt% of the material being converted to scrap. Recycling post-consumer Ti scrap directly into solid bulk products is a potential solution for repurposing valuable material. Further, eliminating fresh Ti sponge during recycling might lead to lower energy and greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a solid-phase process known as friction extrusion was utilized to recycle Ti-6Al-4 V machining chips into solid wires which could be used as feedstock in additive manufacturing. The …

Nucleoredoxin Regulates Wnt Signaling During Pituitary Stem Cell Differentiation, Michelle L. Brinkmeier, Leonard Y M Cheung, Sean P. O'Connell, Diana K. Gutierrez, Eve C. Rhoads, Sally A. Camper, Shannon W. Davis

Faculty Publications

Nucleoredoxin (Nxn) encodes a multi-functional enzyme with oxidoreductase activity that regulates many different signaling pathways and cellular processes in a redox-dependent manner. Rare NXN mutations are reported in individuals with recessive Robinow syndrome, which involves mesomelic skeletal dysplasia, short stature, craniofacial dysmorphisms, and incompletely penetrant heart and palate defects. Here we report that Nxn is expressed in the ventral diencephalon and developing pituitary gland, and that Nxn deficient mice have pituitary dysmorphology and craniofacial abnormalities that include defects in the skull base and cleft palate. Nxn mutant mice exhibit reduced WNT signaling and reduced differentiation of pituitary stem …

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake Among Black/African American Men Who Have Sex With Other Men In Midwestern, United States: A Systematic Review, Oluwafemi Adeagbo, Oluwaseun Abdulganiyu Badru, Prince Addo, Amber Hawkins, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Xiaoming Li, Rima Afifi

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Black/African American men who have sex with other men (BMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, experience significant disparities in HIV incidence, and face significant barriers to accessing HIV treatment and care services, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Despite evidence of individual and structural barriers to PrEP use in the Midwest, no review has synthesized this finding to have a holistic view of PrEP uptake and barriers. This review examines patterns of, barriers to, and facilitators of PrEP uptake among BMSM in the Midwest, United States (US).

Methods: Five databases (CINAHL Plus, PUBMED, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) were searched …

Disruption Of G3bp1 Granules Promotes Mammalian Cns And Pns Axon Regeneration, Pabitra K. Sahoo, Manasi Agrawal, Nicholas Hanovice, Patricia J. Ward, Meghal Desai, Terika P. Smith, Hao Min Sima, Jennifer N. Dulin, Lauren S. Vaughn, Mark H. Tuszynski, Kristy Welshhans, Larry I. Benowitz, Arthur W. English, John D. Houle, Jeffery L. Twiss

Faculty Publications

Depletion or inhibition of core stress granule proteins, G3BP1 in mammals and TIAR-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans, increases the growth of spontaneously regenerating axons. Inhibition of G3BP1 by expression of its acidic or “B-domain” accelerates axon regeneration after nerve injury, bringing a potential therapeutic strategy for peripheral nerve repair. Here, we asked whether G3BP1 inhibition is a viable strategy to promote regeneration in injured mammalian central nervous system (CNS) where axons do not regenerate spontaneously. G3BP1 B-domain expression was found to promote axon regeneration in the transected spinal cord provided with a permissive peripheral nerve graft (PNG) as well as in …

Disruption Of G3bp1 Granules Promotes Mammalian Cns And Pns Axon Regeneration, Pabitra K. Sahoo, Manasi Agrawal, Nicholas Hanovice, Patricia J. Ward, Meghal Desai, Terika P. Smith, Haomin Sima, Jennifer N. Dulin, Lauren S. Vaughn, Mark H. Tuszynski, Kristy Welshhans, Larry I. Benowitz, Arthur W. English, John D. Houle, Jeffery L. Twiss

Faculty Publications

Depletion or inhibition of core stress granule proteins, G3BP1 in mammals and TIAR-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans, increases the growth of spontaneously regenerating axons. Inhibition of G3BP1 by expression of its acidic or “B-domain” accelerates axon regeneration after nerve injury, bringing a potential therapeutic strategy for peripheral nerve repair. Here, we asked whether G3BP1 inhibition is a viable strategy to promote regeneration in injured mammalian central nervous system (CNS) where axons do not regenerate spontaneously. G3BP1 B-domain expression was found to promote axon regeneration in the transected spinal cord provided with a permissive peripheral nerve graft (PNG) as well as …

Understanding Ionic Transport In Perovskite Lithium-Ion Conductor Li3/8Sr7/16Ta3/4Hf1/4O3: A Neutron Diffraction And Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study †, Danyi Sun, Nan Wu, Yeting Wen, Shichen Sun, Yufang He, Ke Huang, Cheng Li, Bin Ouyang, Ralph E. White, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Solid-state Li-ion electrolytes (SSEs) are essential for the development of next-generation solid-state Li-metal batteries and new Li-extraction electrochemical cells. Among these, the perovskite-type SSE Li3/8Sr7/16Ta3/4Hf1/4O3 (LSTH) has garnered attention for Li-extraction applications, owing to its outstanding chemical and thermal stability and high ionic conductivity. However, its precise crystal structure and Li-ion transport mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study addresses these gaps by employing neutron diffraction to resolve LSTH's crystallography and machine learning force field (MLFF) based MD simulations to elucidate ionic transport mechanisms. A single-phase LSTH, synthesized via the sol–gel method, exhibits a room-temperature bulk conductivity of 0.418 mS cm−1 …

Neighborhood Disinvestment And Racial And Ethnic Disparities In Peripartum Cardiomyopathy In California, From 2004 To 2019, Curisa M. Tucker Phd, Rn, Chen Ma, Mahasin S. Mujahid, Afshan B. Hameed, Audrey Lyndon, Elliott K. Main, Suzan L. Carmichael

Publications

BACKGROUND: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare medical condition presenting as idiopathic heart failure. The aim of this study was to (1) examine the contribution of neighborhood disinvestment to PPCM risk and to racial and ethnic disparities in PPCM; (2) examine the extent to which sociodemographic factors and chronic hypertension explain these outcomes; and (3) describe severe maternal morbidity cases and the timing of PPCM. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study using vital records longitudinally linked with hospital discharge records for mothers and infants up to 9 months postpartum for births in California from 1997 to 2019. Using the …

Nanostructure Retention To 1100 °C In Soft-Templated Niobium Tungstates Using Dual-Carbon Strategy, Sean C. Wechsler, Alexander Gregg, Coby S. Collins, Santosh Kiran Balijepalli, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

Mesoporous metal oxides (MMOs) have diverse applications including energy storage, catalysis, and separation membranes. Block polymer structure directing agents enable the control of morphology and pore size, however preservation of the nanostructure is often limited to a narrow range of heat treatment temperatures which constrains the tailoring of defect chemistries. High temperature treatments typically lead to collapse of the porous structure as surface area is reduced during crystal growth. Here, using a mesoporous niobium tungstate it is shown that neither in situ carbon generation nor ex situ carbon infiltration alone enable preservation of the ordered mesostructure at temperatures high enough …

Alcohol Use Disorder Medication Coverage And Utilization Management In Medicaid Managed Care Plans, Maureen T. Stewart, Sage R. Feltus, Christina M. Andrews Ph.D., Andrea Acevedo, Cindy Parks Thomas, Jeffrey Bratberg, Constance M. Horgan, Dominic Hodgkin, Rachel Sayko Adams

Faculty Publications

Importance: Evidence-based, patient-centered treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) can include pharmacotherapy with naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram; however, these medications are rarely used. Medicaid managed care plans (MCPs) manage health services for nearly 80% of Medicaid enrollees and are the largest payer for addiction treatment services. Little is known about Medicaid MCP policies for AUD medications. Objectives: To describe Medicaid MCPs' coverage and management of acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram for AUD and examine associations of plan characteristics and state policies with medication coverage. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cross-sectional study, a content analysis was performed of 2021 insurance benefit …

Learning Lessons From Hard Truths: School Shootings, Devin Watson

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The American school system is plagued by violent attacks such as school shootings. Unfortunately, these events are incredibly difficult to predict. The security used for these schools is often found lacking and students aren’t getting the help needed. Part of the issue is the internal struggle of students in tough situations and teachers not being trained properly to help them. School security is more than just something at the gate. It’s about creating a safe environment that students can find sanctuary in. The solution is to provide better training for teachers and updating the physical security of the school.

Church Leaders’ Health Behaviors And Program Implementation In The Faith, Activity, And Nutrition Program In The United States, Kelsey R. Day, Sara Wilcox Phd, Lindsay Decker, John Bernhart Ph.D., Mph, Ches, Meghan Baruth, Andrew T. Kaczynski Ph.D., Christine A. Pellegrini Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Objectives: Church leaders are important to the success of faith-based health promotion interventions through the role modeling of health behaviors. However, clergy may be at a higher risk of chronic disease than their congregants and their health is understudied. This study examined church leaders’ health-related behaviors, differences in health behaviors by socio-demographic characteristics, and associations between health behaviors and church-level implementation of an ecological intervention. Methods: Pastors (n = 93) and church coordinators (n = 92) reported body mass index (BMI), self-rated health, fruit and vegetable consumption (F&V), and physical activity (PA) at baseline and 12 months post-training in the …

Rural–Urban Differences In Substance Use During Pregnancy, Emma Kathryn Boswell, Olivia M. Hinds, Cassie Odahowski Phd, Mph, Elizabeth L. Crouch, Peiyin Hung Ph.D, Christina M. Andrews Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Purpose: Drug overdoses are now a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. Despite evidence of rural–urban disparities in substance use, there has not yet been a nationally representative examination of rural–urban differences in perinatal substance use. This study provides a comprehensive examination of rural–urban disparities in perinatal substance use. Methods: This study uses cross-sectional data to examine 3499 pregnant women from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Rural (nonmetro)–urban (metro) differences in past-month tobacco use, alcohol use, binge drinking, illicit drug use, and marijuana use were examined using Rao–Scott chi-square tests and multivariable …

Continuous Improvement: Resources To Support Teachers’ Professional Growth, Victoria Oglan, Lauren Gehr

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Being an effective teacher requires attention to a wide variety of factors. In addition to knowing the content, teachers need to address the following: planning and implementing curriculum, building a welcoming classroom where every student feels safe, developing healthy relationships with students, mastering the many forms of assessment strategies, understanding how to actively engage and motivate students in their learning, growing a repertoire of best practice instructional methods, and being a reflective practitioner to address next steps in their methodology. The books reviewed here will assist in professional development for teachers.

A Review Of Three Verse Novels To Promote Engagement And Critical Thinking, Isaiah Gillian, Michelle Rasheed

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Verse literature is a valuable genre to incorporate into today’s classroom. Verse literature provides various benefits for students and teachers alike, while sparking readers’ interests and aligning with educational standards. The verse style requires writing to be concise, with relatively short lines, condensed thoughts, and depth of emotions. Verse literature delves into underrepresented topics and perspectives, beneficial for student growth and new learning experiences. This article reviews three verse novels—All the Fighting Parts (2023), Good Different (2023), and I Am Kavi (2023)— highlighting their potential to engage diverse student populations. Additionally, the article provides practical recommendations for integrating verse into …

Villain Or Victor: Advocating For Middle Level Students In The Face Of Systemic Challenges, Dywanna Smith, Kenesha Johnson, Jada Williams, Myles-Anthony Johnson

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Middle level students often face significant systemic challenges that can hinder their academic and personal development, positioning them in narratives where they are perceived as “villains” instead of “victors.” This paper explores the role of educators as advocates for these students, drawing parallels between the concept of superhero villains— figures who, like many students, are misunderstood or marginalized by society. Preservice educators will examine historical examples of heroes, who were initially viewed as villains for challenging the status quo but later celebrated for their transformative impact. Grounded in the principles of This We Believe (2020) by the Association for Middle …

The Gendering Of Literature In Middle School, Patrick D. Adkins

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The classification and promotion of books based on gender significantly affect middle education, where reading behaviors and external influences notably shape identity development. This paper examines the impact of gendered literature in middle schools on students’ academic engagement, social development, and self-concept. The article illustrates the repercussions of maintaining gender binaries in educational literature using examples from classroom practices and library systems, while advocating for a more inclusive methodology in book selection and curriculum development.

Beyond The Four Walls: Understanding The Impact Of Inter-Industrial Learning Experiences, Walter Lee, Olivia Bobo, Shaekwon Heard, Nicole Patton, Lauren Thrasher

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The traditional learning environment for pre-service teachers most commonly reflects the banking concept, coined by Paulo Freire. The instructor teaches in the classroom and students are expected to learn, applying concepts during lesson planning and certification exams as proof of their learning (Freire, 1996). If authentic learning is occurring and skills are transferable, students should be able to identify educational concepts in other industries as validation that these practices are relevant. In this article, we propose a fresh, engaging approach to teaching pre-service teachers: inter-industrial learning experiences. Learn about our experience with Clayton Construction Company and how middle level pre-service …

Helping Future Teachers Do History Through Digitized Primary Sources, Jeremy Rinder

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of using the National Archives DocsTeach program on preservice teachers enrolled in a social studies methods course. Candidates completed a document-based question and a perception survey about history before completing one activity within the DocsTeach program for four classes. Anecdotal observations focusing on collaboration and engagement were collected during the unit. At the conclusion, participants completed another document-based question, a perception survey about history, and an exit interview. It was determined that the DocsTeach program had a positive impact on the participants’ historical thinking and perceptions of history.

An Exploration Of The Disproportionate Representation Of Youth With Learning Disabilities In The Juvenile Justice System, Kayla S. Cox

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

This article examines the factors and potential remedial approaches to the longstanding overrepresentation of adolescents with learning disabilities in the juvenile justice system. As schools look to harden themselves and reduce their appeal as possible targets of violence, this group of students becomes more vulnerable to policies and decisions that can increase the risk of engagement with the juvenile justice system and prolonged criminality versus normal developmental adjustment into adulthood. This requires considering the unique challenges that this group faces, the impacts of the main hypotheses explicating the phenomenon, and considering ways that classroom educators can help to meaningfully divert …

Realizing The Potential Of Middle School Students With Autism, Zachary Evans

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a relatively common yet widely misunderstood condition among middle school students. The cognitive differences of students with autism can lead to academic and socioemotional difficulties. By using specific, evidence-based interventions, however, teachers can ameliorate these challenges and bring out the unique potential of this population.

2025 Scamle Full Volume

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.

Basil And Swiss Chard: Edible Crops For Use In Floating Treatment Wetlands Improving Agricultural Runoff, Clare Escamilla, David R. Tyrpak, William H.J. Stronsnider, Sarah A. White

Faculty Publications

The plant species established within floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) influence nutrient removal efficiency. To enhance adoption of FTWs by agricultural producers, both economic and ecological benefits from FTWs are needed to increase their use within irrigation retention reservoirs. Thus, we ascertained the feasibility of growing food crops in FTWs by evaluating two edible plant species to determine survivability and nutrient accumulation when grown in FTWs. We quantified plant growth (at saleable/harvestable size), nutrient uptake in root and shoot tissues, and overall nutrient removal efficiency of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) over a …

Modifiable And Non-Modifiable Risk Factors For Dementia Among Non-Hispanic White And Black Populations Aged 50-64 In The United States, 2006-2016, Jingkai Wei, Matthew C. Lohman Ph.D., Monique J. Brown, James W. Hardin, Chih-Hsiang Yang, Anwar T. Nerchant, Daniela B. Friedman

Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives

Research Design and Methods

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, And Syringe Services Program Attendance Among Persons Who Inject Drugs In Northeast Georgia, Usa: A Mediation Analysis, Mohammad Rifat Haider, Samantha Clinton, Monique J. Brown, Nathan B. Hansen

Faculty Publications

Background: Syringe services programs (SSP) are evidence-based venues offering harm reduction services to persons who inject drugs (PWID), such as sterile syringes, STI/HIV testing, and linkage to care to decrease drug use-related morbidities and mortalities. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with reduced resilience, while increased resilience can help PWID attend SSPs. This study examined the potential mediating role of resilience between ACEs and SSP attendance among PWID.

Methods: Data were collected from adult HIV-negative PWID in northeast Georgia, between February-December 2023 (N = 173). Data were collected on SSP attendance (Yes vs. No), resilience, and ACEs. Covariates included …