Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of Prediction Models Of Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Lebanese And Syrians In A District Of Beirut, Lebanon: A Population-Based Study, Marie-Elizabeth Ragi, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Hazar Shamas, Jocelyn Dejong, Nada M. Melhem, Stephen J. Mccall, The Caep Study Group

Faculty Publications

Introduction Vaccines are essential to prevent infection and reduce the morbidity of infectious diseases. Previous evidence has shown that migrants and refugees are particularly vulnerable to exclusion and discrimination, and low COVID-19 vaccine intention and uptake were observed among refugees globally. This study aimed to develop and internally validate prediction models of COVID-19 vaccine uptake by nationality.

Methods This is a nested prognostic population-based cross-sectional analysis. Data were collected between June and October 2022 in Sin-El-Fil, a district of Beirut, Lebanon. The study population included a random sample of Lebanese adults and all Syrian adults residing in areas of low …

A Comparison Of Gaussian Processes And Polynomial Chaos Emulators In The Context Of Haemodynamic Pulse–Wave Propagation Modelling, L. Mihaela Paun, Mitchel J. Colebank, Dirk Husmeier

Faculty Publications

Computational modelling of the cardiovascular system is a promising future direction for patient-specific healthcare. However, the computational cost of these simulators is a bottleneck for their practical use in clinic for real-time digital twins. Emulation can overcome this, yet an extensive investigation into cardiovascular emulators is warranted. In this study, we emulate two one-dimensional haemodynamics models of the pulmonary circulation and compare two common emulation strategies: Gaussian processes (GPs) and polynomial chaos expansions (PCEs). We start by reducing the parameter space of the models through global sensitivity analysis, and then compare both emulation strategies using a multivariate, time-series output …

Disclosure Patterns Of Opioid Use Disorders In Perinatal Care During The Opioid Epidemic On X From 2019 To 2021: Thematic Analysis, Dezhi Wu, Minnie Ng, Saborny Sen Gupta, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Youyou Tao, Yang Ren, Peiyin Hung, Shan Qiao, Jiajia Zhang, Jennifer Fillo, Xiaoming Li, Constance Guille, Kacey Eichelberger, Bankole Olatosi

Publications

BACKGROUND: In 2021, the United States experienced a 14% rise in fatal drug overdoses totaling 106,699 deaths, driven by harmful opioid use, particularly among individuals in the perinatal period who face increased risks associated with opioid use disorders (OUDs). Increased concerns about the impacts of escalating harmful opioid use among pregnant and postpartum persons are rising. Most of the current limited perinatal OUD studies were conducted using traditional methods, such as interviews and randomized controlled trials to understand OUD treatment, risk factors, and associated adverse effects. However, little is known about how social media data, such as X, formerly known …

Examination Of Photoinduced Radicals In Two Crystal Forms Of Triphenylamine Bis-Urea Macrocycles, Md Faizul Islam, Gamage Isuri P. Wijesekera, Anmon J. Sindt, Mark D. Smith, Linda S. Shimizu

Faculty Publications

This study probes two solvates of triphenylamine (TPA) bis-urea macrocycle 1 and their activated structures to evaluate their maximum photoinduced radicals (PIRs), the subsequent decay of the radicals, and their regeneration. The hierarchical assembly of TPAs shows promise in stabilizing less substituted derivatives, potentially expanding the utility of TPAs that lack stabilizing para-substituents. Single crystal structure analysis reveals that host 1 adopts a planar conformation with the two ureas pointing in opposite directions when dimethoxyethane (DME) is encapsulated within the channel. Whereas previously, 1 adopted a bowl-shaped conformation with the two ureas pointing in the same direction (syn …

Examination Of Photoinduced Radicals In Two Crystal Forms Of Triphenylamine Bis-Urea Macrocycles, Md Faizul Islam, Gamage Isuri P. Wijesekera, Ammon J. Sindt, Mark D. Smith, Linda S. Shimizu

Faculty Publications

This study probes two solvates of triphenylamine (TPA) bis-urea macrocycle 1 and their activated structures to evaluate their maximum photoinduced radicals (PIRs), the subsequent decay of the radicals, and their regeneration. The hierarchical assembly of TPAs shows promise in stabilizing less substituted derivatives, potentially expanding the utility of TPAs that lack stabilizing para-substituents. Single crystal structure analysis reveals that host 1 adopts a planar conformation with the two ureas pointing in opposite directions when dimethoxyethane (DME) is encapsulated within the channel. Whereas previously, 1 adopted a bowl-shaped conformation with the two ureas pointing in the same direction (syn …

Understanding Patterns Of Hope And Sense Of Belonging From Mentoring Through Latent Class Analysis, Bailey Dow

Theses and Dissertations

Youth who have safe, stable, nurturing relationships (SSNRs) are more resilient to adverse childhood experiences and have better mental health. Compared to prior generations, today’s youth feel lonelier and more socially isolated than ever, and they crave the sense of belonging and hope that comes from meaningful social connections. Mentors can play a crucial role in bolstering these attributes. Mentors help youth in different ways, depending on the mentee's characteristics, preferences, or circumstances. Despite the well-known significance of natural mentoring relationships as a SSNR, researchers have paid little attention to how and why natural mentoring benefits vary among mentees. The …

You're Not The Only One Who Can Teach Us: Teacher Facilitation In Three Secondary School Music Contexts, David Dwight Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last half-century, school music reforms have focused more on content than process, and the directive teaching that serves as the dominant method used by secondary school music teachers is not adequately meeting the needs of the students who currently occupy American high schools. To improve teaching practice in one such high school, an action research study was conducted to investigate the use of facilitative teaching strategies, how those teaching strategies impact students’ learning experience, and what the perceived impacts of those strategies are. A qualitative case study methodology was employed to determine how an intervention period of facilitative …

Juries And Tax: The Effect Of Income Taxation On Tort Damages, Jeffrey H. Kahn, John E. Lopatka

South Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Inclusivity In Primary Care On A College Campus, Amanda Finkle Plyler

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) face higher health disparities and are less likely to seek healthcare due to fear of being misgendered or judged by staff. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to implement an intervention for college students seeking care at Student Health Services (SHS) that includes a question addressing preferred pronouns during establishment of care, creating the opportunity for staff to address patients appropriately and to provide gender-affirming care. Method(s): A pre and post intervention patient satisfaction survey related to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), …

Assessing The Impact Of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr) On Emergency Nurses' Absenteeism And Receptive Awareness Of And Attention To What Is Taking Place In The Present, Rachael Moore Drake

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem: The changing terrain of modern healthcare has made emergency nurses' well-being a top priority. Within the small community hospital where this project was conducted, the issue of employee work-related stress was identified through managers' feedback and employee surveys. Purpose: Leaders employ a comprehensive mindfulness program based on assessed employee needs to understand the practical interventions to address work-related stress. This project implemented mindfulness-based stress reduction (MSBR) interventions and assessed emergency nurses' absenteeism and receptive awareness of and attention to what is taking place in the present. Method: The project utilized the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) to assess emergency …

The Impact Of A Visual Remote Patient Monitoring Device (Leaf) On Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries (Hapi), Tyler Andrew Gunther

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: The Critical Care Department at a large academic hospital in the Southeast has experienced a significant increase in healthcare-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs), contributing to elevated mortality rates. Factors such as insufficient adherence to turning protocols and resource limitations impact patient safety, thus increasing the potential for adverse outcomes and increased costs. Purpose: The purpose of this DNP scholarly project was to evaluate the impact of a turn monitoring device, specifically the LEAF system by Smith and Nephew, on HAPI incidence in the critical care setting. The project aimed to address the identified barriers to compliance, enhance patient safety, …

Implementation Of Eat Sleep Console For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Quality Improvement Project, Harley Addison Kennington

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: A level III NICU and mother-baby unit within an inpatient hospital in the Southeast United States transitioned from the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scale (FNASS) to the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) for treating Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Prior to ESC implementation, there was limited nursing education of ESC practice guidelines or consideration for proper implementation protocol. Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to reintroduce nursing staff to the ESC NAS Care Tool and ESC charting guidelines within the NICU and mother-baby units. Methods: This project followed the PDSA process – Plan, Do, Study, Act, underscored …

Increasing Pre-Procedure Communications To Decrease Colonoscopy Cancellations, Natalie Brooke Midkiff

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Colonoscopies play a vital role in early colorectal disease detection and prevention. Yet, the field of gastroenterology faces a persistent challenge - frequent procedure cancellations and incomplete examinations due to suboptimal bowel preparation. This not only compromises the effectiveness of colonoscopies but also poses potential health risks.

Purpose: This project aimed to reduce procedure cancellations and incomplete examinations by regularly communicating pre-procedure instructions and reminders through text messages and phone calls.

Inclusion Criteria: The criteria were clearly defined, targeting patients aged 18 and older who needed colonoscopies. This focus ensured the project's relevance to specialized gastrointestinal intervention. Establishing …

Depression In Individuals With Chronic Liver Disease: Improving Screening In The Outpatient Setting, Kayla Corine Wright

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Problem Statement: Individuals with chronic conditions such as chronic liver disease experience higher rates of depression, often underdiagnosed and placing high risk demographics in jeopardy of adverse outcomes, including worsening prognosis, decreased quality of life, and increased symptomatology.

Purpose: Evidence advocates for routine depression screening within high-risk patient populations. This paper outlines the implementation of a quality improvement initiative aimed at enhancing depression screening at a selected outpatient liver clinic within an extensive hospital system by implementing the PHQ-9 questionnaire during patient clinic visits, where no standardized screening protocol was previously in place.

Methods: The Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle guided the implementation …

El Centro Newsletter (Oct/Nov 2024), Bryan Ramirez, Mariana Bakhoum, Araceli Hernández-Laroche

Newsletters & Reports

Table of Contents:

• Dr. Begoña Caballero-García Speaks (Wofford College), page 1
• 3rd Annual Latinx Prom, page 1
• Professor Michael Wooten Welcomes El Centro to the George During Newsletter Workshop Sessions, page 1
• Latinx Prom Years 1 & 2, page 2
• Call for Hurricane Helene Stories, page 3
• Rommel Acosta, Telemundo Greenville Executive, page 4
• Spotlight, Juana Saavedra, Victim Advocate, Midlands, page 5
• 2024 Women Economic Forum SC, page 6
• Trunk or Treat with El Centro, page 7
• Upcoming Fall 2024 Events, page 8
• LASO Organizes Día de los muertos at the Library, page 9
• Hope Blackley Speaks on Nov. 13, …

Caroliniana Columns - Fall 2024, University Libraries--University Of South Carolina

University South Caroliniana Society Newsletter - Columns

The 87th Annual Meeting of the University South Caroliniana Society May 11, 2024 (Business Session) / Nathan Saunders… p.2

Taste the State: Program of the 87th Annual Meeting of the University South Caroliniana Society … p.3

Rowe address: An important new acquisition … p.8

Reunited: SCL, SCPC, and the DOH … p.8

Personal Reflections on the South Caroliniana Library / Jay White … p.9

Renovations recognized: Work on Caroliniana Wins Preservation Award … p.16

Thank you, Graham Duncan / Craig M. Keeney … p.17

Proslavery Malthusianism at South Carolina College / K. Howell Keiser, Jr. … p.18

Primary Sources: Authors …

Harvesting Health: The Role Of City Policy In Urban Agriculture And The Downstream Effects On Youth, Lesley Leake

Theses and Dissertations

Contextualizing environmental health within the socio-ecological framework, acknowledges the diverse factors at play in the environment-human dynamic. The research design, methods, and study populations of each chapter vary to match the socio-ecological level(s) of focus and reinforce the translational and interdisciplinary nature of this research. Chapter 2 examines the policy-supports for urban agriculture using a mixed-methods case-study of the City of Charleston, SC to understand how municipal policy (societal) impacts urban agriculture implementation (community) and what impact this has on residents (relationship and individual). Chapter 3 centers on the potential impact of urban farms (community) and their programming (community and …

Rational Catalyst Synthesis For Sustainable Energy Applications, Alaba Upe Ojo

Theses and Dissertations

Energy accounts for two-thirds of the global climate challenges. Effective utilization of green hydrogen or finding cleaner ways to improve energy generation is necessary to combat climate crisis and allow for a more sustainable future. This work evaluates three heterogeneous catalytic processes which contribute to a sustainable future. In chapter 2, we studied the hydrogenation of toluene to methylcyclohexane; a reaction that can potentially serve as a medium for hydrogen storage and help to overcome the safety challenges of transporting gaseous hydrogen. We found that palladium catalysts on certain carbons exhibited significantly enhanced toluene hydrogenation rates compared to activated carbons …

Systemic Inflammation And Neurocognitive Deficits In School-Age Children With Sickle Cell Disease., Elizabeth A. Gillooly

Theses and Dissertations

Sickle cell disease (SCD) causes inflammation that contributes to poor clinical outcomes, including cerebrovascular disease (CVD). CVD can take several forms in SCD, including neurocognitive deficits without visible cerebral infarction. The role of chronic inflammation in cognitive development in SCD has received little attention to-date. We aimed to study novel markers of systemic inflammation: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic inflammation index (SII) to describe developmental trends and relationships to cognitive outcomes in SCD at early elementary school-age. Sixty-one children with SCD and no history of stroke were identified who completed an early elementary school age cognitive …

Exploring Culturally Relevant School Leadership Practices: An Autoethnographic Study, Kezia Myers

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this autoethnographic study was on the implementation and impact of Culturally Responsive School Leadership (CRSL) within an elementary school. The school is comprised of approximately 400 P-5 students, with a predominantly Black student body (77%), along with students who identify as Hispanic, multiracial, White, and other ethnic backgrounds.

Three research questions were posed: 1) In what ways have I, as a school principal, integrated culturally relevant leadership practices into the decision-making framework at the school? 2) How might what I learn about other principals’ implementation of CRP in their respective schools inform my understanding of its effectiveness …

Increasing Engagement And Self-Efficacy Levels In Underachieving 5Th Grade Students: A Qualitative Study, Raney Altman

Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement and mastery of content taught in reading is measured each year in the state of South Carolina. A pattern of low achievement was identified, but more specifically, there were patterns of low engagement and self-efficacy levels in 5th grade students in this study. Because reading is a critical tool needed to participate in all life necessities such as finding work and experiencing interviews, paying bills, and following simple everyday directions, it was evident in student behavior in the classroom that adjustments needed to be made instructionally to ensure success for all students in school and in future endeavors. …

Utilizing Project-Based Learning To Improve Statistical Literacy, Edward Sabat

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examined the impact of Project-Based Learning (PBL) on statistical literacy among community college students enrolled in introductory statistics courses. The study addressed the challenge students face in interpreting statistical results in real-world contexts, despite achieving correct numerical answers. Utilizing a PBL approach during the hypothesis testing unit, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, incorporating a pretest and posttest using the Reasoning and Literacy Instrument (REALI), followed by structured interviews. Quantitative results demonstrated improvement in statistical literacy in all areas assessed on the REALI, particularly in the area of hypothesis testing and p-values. Qualitative …

Investigating Electrochemical Performance And Interfacial Stability Of Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries: A Study Of Hybrid Polymer-Ceramic Electrolyte Systems, Ziba Rahmati

Theses and Dissertations

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are emerging as a promising energy storage technology, surpassing traditional liquid electrolyte (LE) counterparts in performance and safety. A critical component in SSBs is the solid-state electrolyte (SSE), which plays a pivotal role in safety, efficiency and stability. SSEs, including sulfides, halides, oxides, and polymers, present distinct advantages and challenges compared to LEs. Among these, oxide-based SSEs are particularly attractive for their balance in ionic conductivity and chemical stability.

This study addresses key challenges related to interfacial stability and electrochemical performance in SSBs by focusing on hybrid polymer-ceramic electrolyte systems. A major challenge to such a SSB …

The Role Of Spatial Attention In The Maintenance Of Visual Working Memory: Modulatory Effect By Task-Relevance Of Spatial Information And Evidence From Alpha Oscillations, Sori Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The close interplay between spatial attention and visual working memory is essential for optimizing our visual experiences. The following studies investigated this interaction, focusing on how spatial attention influences visual working memory processes. In Chapter 2 a dual-task paradigm was used to examine how the relevance of spatial information to the task modulated the effects of spatial attention. The findings showed that shifting spatial attention away from a potential memory target impaired its consolidation in working memory. In Chapter 3, the experiment aimed to amplify these effects to observe clearer facilitatory and inhibitory processes. However, the results only demonstrated that …

Shared Trauma: An Evolutionary Model Concept Analysis In Light Of Covid-19, April Hutto, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Beverly Baliko Phd, Rn, Pmhnp-Bc

Publications

Shared trauma (ST) is a term historically applied to social work experiences, but other healthcare professionals (HCP) also experience ST. With the occurrence of COVID-19, ST has impacted HCP globally and has led to new discoveries and more questions regarding its scope, impact and duration. This article aims to explore the concept of ST applied to nurses in light of COVID-19 using the Rogers and Knafl Evolutionary Model for Concept Analysis. Further examination and evolution of ‘shared trauma’, particularly during COVID-19, has led to the development of an adapted model to explore the implications of ST on health-related outcomes for …

In Situ Assembly Enabling Adhesive-Free Bonding Of Large Area Electronic Sensors To Concrete For Structural Health Monitoring, Emmanuel Ogunniyi, Han Liu, Austin Downey, Simon Laflamme, Caroline Bennett, William Collins, Hongki Jo, Paul Ziehl

Faculty Publications

Cracks developed in concrete infrastructure are one of the primary mechanisms that degrade their structural integrity, which may result in structural failures. Previous research on soft elastomeric capacitors (SEC) has shown their viability for structural health monitoring of structural materials, including concrete, steel, and fiberglass composites. The SEC, or its derivative version with a corrugated geometry termed corrugated SEC or cSEC, is a parallel plate capacitor. Prior work demonstrated that it was possible to directly paint the electrode interfacing with the structural material onto the structure and adhere the rest of the pre-fabricated sensor onto the wet interface, thereby eliminating …

Sex Differences In Active Avoidance And Neural Circuit Mechanisms In Contextual Fear Generalization, Carly Vincent

Theses and Dissertations

The current studies were aimed to investigate two behavioral hallmarks of anxiety and stress-related disorders, avoidance responses and the over-generalization of fear. In the first set of studies, active avoidance and extinction learning, that parallels exposure therapy in preclinical rodent models, were used. It is known that stress can influence aversive learning and extinction training, which can result in poor extinction retention. However, it is not well understood how the stress response is facilitating extinction resistance in active avoidance learning across sexes. Therefore, the first set of studies aimed to investigate the role of biological sex and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) …

Towards Understanding The Relationship Between Hearing Loss And Cognition In Healthy Aging, Samaneh Nemati

Theses and Dissertations

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) has been increasingly linked to cognitive decline, both directly and through structural brain changes. This study utilized data from the Aging Brain Cohort project at the University of South Carolina (ABC@UofSC) to investigate the relationships between hearing impairments, cognitive performance, and gray matter volume across key brain regions. Specifically, the study aimed to: (i) examine the mediating role of gray matter volume in the relationship between ARHL and cognitive impairments; (ii) investigate the role of regional brain age gap in mediating the relationship between ARHL and cognitive decline; and (iii) delineate the distinctive impact of ARHL …

Design And Application Of Redox-Mediated Flow Electrode Electrodialysis For Ion Removal And Recovery, Rongxuan Xie

Theses and Dissertations

To meet the growing demand for freshwater driven by population growth and rising living standards, the first desalination plants were established in the late 1950s. As energy costs have risen over time, research has increasingly focused on reducing the overall cost of water treatment. Electrodialysis (ED), which facilitates the migration of anions and cations across ion exchange membranes under the influence of an electric field, has gained significant attention as a treatment method for saline water and brine due to its simplicity, low cost, and scalability. However, its traditional batch operation mode and the potential for generating flammable gases have …

Autonomous Real-Time Model Updating Within Digital Twin Frameworks For Thermal Systems, Braden Robert Priddy

Theses and Dissertations

As engineering systems increase in scale and complexity in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, data-driven solutions will become essential in enabling the next generation of these systems. One of the trending tools that can aid in this transition is digital twins. As physical systems degrade throughout their life cycles, their behavior also changes. Digital twins use data assimilation to continuously update virtual models to represent the current state of their physical counterparts. A reliable digital twin can be leveraged by a system operator to perform diagnostics, optimize, and tests without ever needing the physical system. However, implementing effective …