Digital Commons Network^™

Learning How To Digitize Community Histories In Horry County, Sara Keever

South Carolina Libraries

To learn more about creating a Digital Studio, we digitized the history of our library system and produced a short documentary in celebration of our 70th anniversary. The production offers an example of the services we will be able to offer families and communities interested in preserving local histories.

The Athletic Gut Microbiota, Alex E. Mohr, Ralf Jäger, Katie C. Carpenter, Chad M. Kerksick, Martin Purpura, Jeremy R. Townsend, Nicholas P. West, Katherine Black, Michael Gleeson, David B. Pyne, Shawn D. Wells, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Richard B. Kreider, Bill I. Campbell, Laurent Bannock, Jonathan Scheiman, Craig J. Wissent, Marco Pane, Douglas S. Kalman, Jamie N. Pugh, Carmen P. Ortega-Santos, Jessica A. Ter Haar, Paul J. Arciero, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

The microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract play a significant role in nutrient uptake, vitamin synthesis, energy harvest, inflammatory modulation, and host immune response, collectively contributing to human health. Important factors such as age, birth method, antibiotic use, and diet have been established as formative factors that shape the gut microbiota. Yet, less described is the role that exercise plays, particularly how associated factors and stressors, such as sport/exercise-specific diet, environment, and their interactions, may influence the gut microbiota. In particular, high-level athletes offer remarkable physiology and metabolism (including muscular strength/power, aerobic capacity, energy expenditure, and heat production) compared to sedentary …

Association Of Multisetting Community Programs And Policies With Child Body Mass Index: The Healthy Communities Study, Vicki L. Collie-Akers, Stephen B. Fawcett, Jerry A. Schultz, Kandace K. Fleming, Rebecca E. Swinburne Romine, Lorrene D. Ritchie, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., S Sonia Arteaga

Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION:

Expert opinion suggests that efforts to address childhood obesity should seek to transform the environments in which children operate. The objective of this study was to describe the extent to which multisetting programs and policies interact with community and child predictors and are associated with child body mass index (BMI) in the 130 US communities participating in the Healthy Communities Study.

METHODS:

For 2 years beginning in fall 2013, we collected data through key informant interviews on community programs and policies related to healthy weight among children that occurred in the 10 years before the interview. We characterized community …

April 15, 2020 Faculty Senate Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Associations Between Food Insecurity And Psychotropic Medication Use Among Women Living With Hiv In The United States, Henry J. Whittle, William R. Wolfe, Lila A. Sheira, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Kartika Palar, Daniel Merenstein, Tracey E. Wilson, Adebola Adedimeji, Mardge H. Cohen, Eryka L. Wentz, Phyllis C. Tien, Sheri D. Weiser

Faculty Publications

AIMS: Psychotropic prescription rates continue to increase in the United States (USA). Few studies have investigated whether social-structural factors may play a role in psychotropic medication use independent of mental illness. Food insecurity is prevalent among people living with HIV in the USA and has been associated with poor mental health. We investigated whether food insecurity was associated with psychotropic medication use independent of the symptoms of depression and anxiety among women living with HIV in the USA. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), a nationwide cohort study. Food security (FS) was the primary …

Is Vaping Related To Other Health Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents?, Alvina Emran

Senior Theses

Vaping (smoking a vaporized liquid with an active ingredient) has had an upward trend in high school populations (ages 13-18) within the last decade, mainly due to misinformation and targeting from companies that sell e-cigarettes (142, 7). The most common substances that are vaped in teens are nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active ingredient in marijuana) (147). Nicotine and THC bind to NAchR and CB1 receptors that affect certain parts of the dopamine reward pathway, such as the prefrontal cortex, the ventral tegmental area, and the ventral striatum in the brain (44,106). Dysfunction within these pathways have been associated with …

Differences In Food Spending On Groceries And Eating Out Between Two Dietary Groups: The New Soul Study, Carly Fassler

Senior Theses

Background: Heart disease is now the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all risk factors for heart disease. Research has shown that increasing consumption of plant-based foods may be effective in reducing risk factors for chronic disease, especially heart disease. A plant-based diet consists of nutrient-dense plant foods and minimizes the consumption of processed animal products. High costs of eating a healthier diet are a commonly cited barrier that prevents individuals from making dietary changes that could potentially decrease their chronic disease risk.

Objective: To …

Social Networks, The Local Food Environment, And Maternal Food Choice For Children Ages 1 To 5 Years Old In Rural Mexico, Ligia Ivette Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

Children’s nutrition is largely determined by the food choices their primary caregivers make. Food choice for children has important implications for nutrition, development, and the dietary habits and preferences that are formed during early life food exposure. Little is known about the food environments in which food choices are made and the role of social networks in maternal food choice during habit- and preference-forming years in contexts undergoing nutrition transitions and facing the double burden of malnutrition. The overall objective of this study was to gain an indepth understanding about how mothers, as primary caregivers, make food choices for their …

The Role Of A Community-Driven, Structured Exercise Program On Children's And Adolescent's Quality Of Life, Padgett Singley Powe

Senior Theses

Childhood obesity is a long-standing epidemic in the United States as of 2020, and the problem is continuing to worsen. Childhood obesity has been shown to have many unhealthy effects, such as increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease, depression, and social anxiety, which all can contribute to a worsened quality of life. Research suggests that summer is the most critical time period to combat childhood obesity is because children’s lives are less structured over the summer, which can lead to increased unhealthy behaviors, obesity, and a decrease in quality of life. The current study, the Skybrook Swim Team Study, aimed to …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Stem Cell Injections In Adults With Joint Injuries, Delaney Marie Merrill

Senior Theses

Introduction: Osteoarthritis plagues around 27 million Americans. Stem cell injections are a new method of treatment that could potentially cure this by regenerating cartilage in joints. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the perceived effectiveness of stem cells at regenerating cartilage in joints, specifically the knees, hips, and shoulders. Methods: Participants were recruited via social media, forums, and from healthcare clinics that offer stem cell treatments. They were asked to complete a survey focusing primarily on the treatment protocol and how the injured joint felt post-stem cell injection. Frequencies were calculated to describe problematic joints, treatment history, …

Examining Prevalence Of Eating Disorder Risk And Body Image Dissatisfaction In Female Adolescent Cheerleaders, Kelsi K. Mariner

Senior Theses

Content: Cheerleading has evolved into a highly competitive and physically demanding sport where athletes must balance academics, intense training, and pressure to maintain expected aesthetic qualities of the sport. These requirements can cause distress which may lead athletes to suffer from eating disorder (ED) risk and body image dissatisfaction (BID). Objective: To examine the prevalence of risk for ED and determine the presence of body image dissatisfaction within adolescent cheerleaders. Design: This study was conducted as a part of a larger concurrent study with Dr. Torres-McGehee and Allison Smith. It is a cross sectional study. Setting: Online survey. Participants: Female …

Comparing Public Preprimary Systems In South Carolina & Estonia: Closing Gaps In Educational Opportunities, Emily C. Herd

Senior Theses

The following research aims to explore and compare the assets and drawbacks of the public preprimary education systems in Estonia and South Carolina for the purpose of developing policy recommendations for altering funding systems to expand access. First, preprimary education is defined along with its importance, effectiveness, and affordability. Next, funding continuity and public funding are discussed with relation to public preprimary programs. Then a basis is established for comparing Estonia and South Carolina. The methods and limitations are described. A deep dive of data organizes the programmatic and funding data of Estonia and South Carolina, highlighting enrollment, providers, curriculum, …

Treatment Of Chronic Pain In U.S. Veterans: The Effectiveness Of Interdisciplinary Programs, Morgan L. Compton

Senior Theses

Chronic pain is a prevalent issue amongst US veterans. Experts suggest that interdisciplinary pain treatment is the most effective method of treating chronic pain, specifically due to targeting functioning and quality of life. These programs combine cognitive behavioral therapy and physical therapy by utilizing a variety of exercise and education regimens. The pain department at Columbia VA Health Care System offers both a comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment, Outpatient Interdisciplinary Pain Program (OIPP), and a flexible, multidisciplinary option (OIPP-Lite) for veterans suffering from chronic pain. The goal of this program is to improve knowledge for coping with chronic pain and to create …

Investigating The Role Of Iron-Sulfur Signaling In Yeast Transcriptional Regulation, Malini Gupta

Theses and Dissertations

As an essential cofactor in a myriad of cellular processes, uptake and mobilization of iron must be tightly controlled. Iron homeostasis in fungi involves balancing iron uptake and storage with iron utilization to achieve adequate, non-toxic levels of this essential nutrient. Extensive work in the non-pathogenic yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe have uncovered unique iron regulation networks for each organism that control iron metabolism via distinct molecular mechanisms. The activities of all fungal iron-sensing transcription factors characterized to date are regulated via iron-sulfur cluster signaling.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, expression of iron uptake, utilization and storage genes is primarily regulated …

Identifying And Characterizing Transgenic Lines That Drive Gene Expression In The Adult Fat Body Of The Drosophila Melanogaster, Michael Edward Meyerink

Theses and Dissertations

Adult Drosophila Melanogaster is a powerful model organism in genetic studies and has high tissue and gene homology to humans. Like humans, Drosophila tissues communicate in order to respond to physiological stimuli, such as diet, aging, and disease. The fat body, homologous to human adipocytes and hepatocytes, functions as both an endocrine and energy storage organ; and has been shown to play a critical role in many metabolic processes. The aim of this study is to characterize differences in fat body gene expression to ultimately identify if there are subpopulations of adipocytes with different functions related to fat body communication …

Checkmate: Exploring Father-Son Communication Regarding Reproduction And Sexual Health In Males With Cystic Fibrosis, Dianna C. Sanderson

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a heritable monogenic condition with allelic heterogeneity. A variety of sequence alterations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene results clinically in multisystem disease including a reduced reproductive capacity in affected males. Knowledge of reproductive capacity is often disclosed to parents by medical providers and to affected male children by medical providers and their parents. Despite advanced technology and therapeutics yielding the benefits of increased life expectancy and quality of life, males affected with CF largely remain uninformed in broader areas of sexual health and particularly in how their concept of masculine …

Natural Product Berbamine Enhances The Efficacy Of Doxorubicin Treatment For Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Jake Tyler

Theses and Dissertations

According to breast cancer statistics, 279,100 new cases are expected in the United States in 2020 (Siegel et al., 2020). Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a significantly shorter median overall survival compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. Unlike hormone-positive or HER2-positve breast cancers with effective hormonal or targeted therapies available, there has been very little clinical success from targeted therapies for TNBC. Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most used chemotherapy drugs. The only limitation of Dox treatment is its cytotoxicity. Berbamine dihydrochloride (BBM) is a natural benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that …

The Impact Of Personalized Learning Strategies On Educational Growth And Achievement Of Low Socioeconomic Elementary Students, Michele L. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Two Essays Examining Consumer Responses To Product And Service Failures, Sotires Pagiavlas

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is comprised of two essays that examine consumer responses to product and service failures. In essay 1, I use the U.S. automobile industry as a backdrop to investigate how consumers respond when their products experience a defect-related failure identified by the manufacturer that necessitates a recall. I develop a conceptual framework to test the impact of a regulator-initiated digital marketing campaign (DMC) on consumer compliance to product recalls. The empirical context is the launch of a nationwide DMC by the U.S. automobile industry’s regulator. The analysis spans 12 quarters of recall completion data pertaining to 296 recalls falling …

Integrating Survivors Of Stroke Into Cardiac Rehabilitation, Elizabeth Wherley Regan

Theses and Dissertations

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States (U.S.). Impairments after stroke typically result in reduced physical activity which increases the risk for stroke recurrence and the development or worsening of comorbid health conditions. Physical activity and exercise behaviors can reduce cardiovascular risk factors and improve endurance for survivors of stroke. Despite these known significant benefits, survivors of stroke face barriers to participating in regular physical activity due to limited self-efficacy, safety concerns, environmental restrictions and lack of accessible community programs.

Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a structured exercise and behavior modification program for people with cardiovascular disease …

The Youngest, Trezlen Drake

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a collection of poems that considers life in a southern Black family, memory, nostalgia, dysfunction, race and gender, and generational trauma. These poems are influenced by poetry, fiction, music, popular culture, and scholarship, each providing a different perspective on life and language to talk about that which can sometimes be unspeakable.

A recurring character in this collection is the girlchild, reminiscent of Marge Piercy’s character in “Barbie Doll.” The girlchild here is the figure of the woman or girl who experiences trauma, and what some consider to be unspeakable.

These poems are also an exploration and disruption …

The Impact Of Psychosocial, Clinical, And Neighborhood Factors On Inflammatory Outcomes Among African American Women, Malcolm Seth Bevel

Theses and Dissertations

Inflammatory-related chronic diseases are disparagingly prevalent among African Americans in the United States, particularly in the Southeastern region. Access to community gardens shows promise in mitigating chronic disease outcomes, despite multiple barriers to physical activity and diet among underserved populations. We seek to determine if psychosocial or clinical factors mediate the association between the treatment effect of a healthy lifestyle intervention and inflammatory biomarker levels among African American women, respectively. We also seek to analyze the relationship between residing in a food desert/swamp and inflammatory biomarker levels, while gaining a qualitative perspective about community garden access among African American women. …

The Interaction Between Caffeine Consumption, Alcohol Use, And Amount Of Sleep On Bone Health, Haley Davis-Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Using cross-sectional data from the 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 NHANES surveys we examined potential interaction between caffeine consumption, alcohol use, and sleep and its relation to bone health, measured using bone mineral density (BMD). The study population consisted of 2,405 individuals at least 40 years old who were not taking any medications or hormones that would affect bone mineral density. Several factors such as smoking status, exercise, dietary intake of calcium, dietary intake of vitamin D, dietary intake of phosphorus, presence of arthritis, age, gender and race were considered in this project. We found a statistically significant negative linear relationships between …

Treatment With Protease Inhibitor And Development Of Diabetes Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Human Immune Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Hiv/Aids), Eric Ejike Chinaeke

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The possibility of an association between the use of protease inhibitors (PI) by HIV/AIDS patients and the occurrence of T2DM mellitus (T2DM) is largely debated. Medicare recipients are disproportionally affected by T2DM. Unfortunately, evidence is unavailable from that particular segment of the population. Clinical management of HIV/AIDS is progressively expanding to include chronic/metabolic complications, which may pose a significant economic burden to both the patients and the Medicare system, which are disproportionally impacted. Objectives: The aims of this project were to (1) examine the association between the use of PIs and the odds of developing T2DM among Medicare beneficiaries …

Bridging The Transition To School: An Action Research Study, Susan Bates Hill

Theses and Dissertations

For over 50 years, school readiness has been a concern of educators and policymakers. In 1965, the Head Start program was “conceived as part of the ‘war on poverty’ to provide children from less affluent backgrounds with the kinds of experiences that other children were more likely to receive in the home” (Coley, 2002, p.8). Federal and state legislation continues to be enacted with the hope the inequities will be addressed. Ladson-Billings (2007) asserts the rigor of the standards is intended to appease the middle class. Exploring unique ways to transition a child from home to school should be of …

A Narrative Inquiry Into The Lived Experiences Of Early Childhood Teachers Who Implemented Garden-Based Learning, Jamison Keith Browder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative study was to investigate the lived experiences of early childhood teachers working in preschool settings who have implemented gardenbased learning for more than one year. The seven preschool teachers who agreed to participate in the study were asked to describe significant life experiences that influenced them to implement gardening into their curriculum. Additionally, the teachers were asked to describe the bridges and barriers to implementing garden-based learning and how school gardening has impacted their students’ learning and development. The data collection process included semi-structured interviews and teacher journal entries over a two-month period. The interviews …

Piloting A Smartphone-Based Sedentary Behavior Reduction Intervention For Adults With Overweight Or Obesity: Take A Stand 4 Health, Chelsea Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown a relationship between sedentary behavior as an independent and novel risk factor for high blood pressure. However, most of the evidence comes from cross-sectional and experimental studies, with only a few studies examining whether blood pressure is improved in individuals participating in a behavioral intervention. None of these studies utilized mHealth approaches, which hold potential for behavioral interventions, and none have focused on individuals with hypertension as a part of their target population. Therefore, the purpose of the dissertation was to 1) Examine the efficacy of a smartphone-mediated multi-component sedentary behavior reduction intervention for individuals …

The Effects Of Racialization On Skeletal Manifestations Of Disease Among Migrants In Historic St. Louis, Missouri, Kristina M. Zarenko

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the biological effects of racialization on migrants in late nineteenth and early twentieth century St. Louis, Missouri. Racialization is a form of structural violence in which real or perceived physical differences contribute to the creation of hierarchical racial categories along a continuum of whiteness. German and Irish immigrants and African American migrants from the South came to St. Louis in search of economic prosperity and in an attempt to escape poverty, famine, or conflict in their places of origin. However, racialization affected each migrant group’s access to housing and employment as well as their exposure to violence. …

Freedom And Food: Transformations And Continuities In Foodways Among The People Who Labored At Stono Plantation, James Island, South Carolina During The Eighteenth, Nineteenth, And Twentieth Centuries, Brandy Kristin Joy

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation compares archaeological assemblages from the Stono Plantation/Dill Farm, James Island, South Carolina between the periods of enslavement and Emancipation. Further comparisons are made with the neighboring Ferguson Road archaeological site and the Smith Plantation archaeological site, Port Royal, South Carolina. These comparisons are made in order to understand how Emancipation impacted the foodways including diet, vessel type and use, and cuisine of Lowcountry residents. Results suggest that while technological innovation and increased globalization enabled a shift in material culture, the overall foodways of the region remained relatively unchanged through time.

Quality Of Life Of Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Parents’ Perspectives In Light Of New Treatments, Analyssa R. Tallas

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To directly compare parents’ perspectives of the quality of life of their children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) who received supportive care, nusinersen (Spinraza®), onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (Zolgensma®), or both nusinersen and onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi. Methods: The parents of children with SMA were recruited to complete anonymous online surveys. All surveys included qualitative questions about quality of life. Surveys regarding children in the 1-12-month and 13-24-month age groups included the Pediatric Quality of Life Infant Scales assessment. Surveys regarding children in the 2-4-year age group included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the Pediatric Quality of …