Digital Commons Network^™

From Cough To Crip: The Development Of Codeine From A Purely Medical Substance Into A Popular Recreational Drug, Rhett C. Vaughn

Senior Theses

The research that was conducted aimed to elicit the influence that pop culture has on recreational drug consumption. Specifically, the usage of the drug codeine has become very popular in social media among many influencers. The research focuses on the prevalence of this drug across several media platforms, alongside the growing rate of consumption globally. Research was conducted primarily through combining various databases at various organizations and this study aims to compile the data into one coherent paper regarding codeine in pop culture. While, it cannot be solely attributed to one specific outlet or influence, this study found that alongside …

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 …

Preserving Viewpoint Pluralism And Democratic Principles: Florida's "Divisive Concepts" Law And Strategies For Challenging The Law's Enforcement In K-12 And Higher Education, Abigail Dallmann

The Journal of Law and Education

No abstract provided.

Cuing Safety In The Law School Classroom: Using A Polyvagal Theory Framework In Support Of Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices, Naomi Grace Hodo Walker, Brian Flaherty

The Journal of Law and Education

No abstract provided.

Spectre Of Justice: Russian Reform In The Courtrooms Of Dostoevsky And Tolstoy, Abby Moore

Senior Theses

The Great Reforms of Alexander II are regarded as transformative policies in the history of Tsarist Russia, drastically changing the empire’s social and political fabric. The judicial reforms of 1864 in particular addressed longstanding issues within the existing criminal justice system, yet they also liberalized the institution at large. Following in the West’s footsteps, the reforms introduced an unprecedented level of democracy into Russia’s courtroom. Among the critics of these changes were renowned authors Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy, both of whom used the realm of fiction to explore their respective concerns with reformed Russian jurisprudence. Both authors bring distinct …

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+ …

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 …

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 …

The Role Of Sport For Adolescents: The Effect Of Sport Participation As A Unique Form Of Physical Activity On Mental Health And Overall Subjective Well-Being During Adolescence, Caleb M. Rogers

Senior Theses

Well-being is an extremely multifaceted domain, as there are numerous factors that contribute to one’s way of life. Objective well-being focuses primarily on material factors such as access to food, housing, and a steady household income. Although these factors play a large role, it is important to analyze well-being from the perspective of the individual. Subjective well-being focuses on how one perceives one's own well-being. Physical activity has been well established as one factor associated with improvements within this domain for adolescents. This project investigates the role of one specific form of physical activity during adolescence: sport. The general assumption …

Plath Fostered It, Women Are Nurturing It: Cycles Of Existential And Confessional Women's Writing In The Mid-20th Century And Beyond, Sophie Elisabeth Conrad

Senior Theses

During the mid-20th century, a wide-ranging yet topically focused genre of women’s writing began to emerge in earnest, currently categorized as existential and confessional. Works like Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex (1949) and Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) offer explanations of why an ineffable feeling of malaise permeated the lives of 20th-century women and led them to adopt these methods of writing and thinking. However, existential feelings akin to that of the 20th-century female malaise have returned to stake their claim on the minds of 21st-century women, evidenced in popular contemporary works such as Otessa Moshfegh’s My Year …

Building Support And Community For Young Black Students Through Inclusivity In Academia: A Black-Centric Podcast, Jackson E. Mcfadden

Senior Theses

With digital media becoming such an important aspect of modern life, it is worth exploring the complex relationships that it holds with the various people who utilize it. It is clear that one’s identity can greatly impact one’s ability to utilize digital content for additional social and cultural education that is difficult to acquire in a classroom setting. In this project, the Black community’s relationship with digital media was summarized and reflected upon, making the argument that the representation of Black individuals in media is at worst harmful and in general unproductive. To encourage young Black individuals to consider how …

Zeitgeist Of The 2010s And Impact On Fashion Trends, Sophie Scott Anderson

Senior Theses

The zeitgeist of the 2010s can be examined through shifts in technology, politics, economy, environment, religion, and entertainment. This research explores how fashion serves as both a mirror and a driver of societal change during this transformative decade. Trend diffusion itself evolved from the traditional theories of trickle-up and trickle-down because of the prominence of influencer culture, giving average consumers the platform to influence numerous like-minded consumers. Defining the 2010s zeitgeist requires an analysis of the significant patterns in the technological and sociocultural environment through as many sources as possible for a holistic approach. Sociologically, fashion has been accepted as …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Development Of Social Anxiety In Young Autistic Children, Gillian K. Marshall

Senior Theses

Social anxiety is a prevalent anxiety disorder marked by fear and discomfort in social situations where scrutiny or evaluation by others is anticipated. This thesis investigates the interplay between social anxiety and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social and communication challenges. Individuals with ASD often face heightened levels of anxiety, intensifying their social difficulties and impeding their social development. Early identification of social anxiety symptoms, particularly in ASD children, is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes. However, diagnosing social anxiety in preschool-aged children, especially those with ASD, presents challenges due to the complexity of symptoms …

A Scoping Review On Racial Disparities In South Carolina’S Opioid Epidemic, Jake D'Alto

Senior Theses

This thesis examines racial disparities in opioid-related outcomes within South Carolina, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the opioid epidemic on minority communities. Using a comprehensive literature review methodology, the study analyzes the intersection of race, socioeconomic status, and systemic factors that contribute to heightened risks of opioid misuse and overdose among African American populations. The paper identifies key factors such as poverty, incarceration rates, and limited access to healthcare that exacerbate the opioid crisis in these communities. Additionally, it evaluates the effectiveness of current public health responses and legislative measures in addressing these disparities. The research proposes several actionable interventions, …

Comparison Of Raw Accelerometry Data From Actigraph, Apple Watch, Garmin, And Fitbit Using A Mechanical Shaker Table, James W. White Iii, Olivia L. Finnegan, Nick Tindall, Srihari Nelakuditi, David E. Brown Iii, Russell R. Pate Ph.D., Gregory J. Welk, Massimiliano De Zambotti, Rahul Ghosal, Yuan Wang, Sarah Burkart, Elizabeth L. Adams, Mvs Chandrashekhar, Bridget Armstrong, Michael W. Beets, Robert Weaver Med, Phd

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the raw accelerometry output from research-grade and consumer wearable devices compared to accelerations produced by a mechanical shaker table. Raw accelerometry data from a total of 40 devices (i.e., n = 10 ActiGraph wGT3X-BT, n = 10 Apple Watch Series 7, n = 10 Garmin Vivoactive 4S, and n = 10 Fitbit Sense) were compared to reference accelerations produced by an orbital shaker table at speeds ranging from 0.6 Hz (4.4 milligravity-mg) to 3.2 Hz (124.7mg). Two-way random effects absolute intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) tested inter-device reliability. …

Garnet & Black Spring 2024, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

Garnet & Black Magazine

No abstract provided.

Neonatal Autonomic Regulation As A Predictor Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Very Preterm Infants, Jessica Bradshaw, Christian O'Reilly, Kayla C. Everhart, Elizabeth Dixon, Amy Vinyard, Abbas Tavakoli Drph, Robin B. Dail

Publications

Infants born preterm are at a significantly higher likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with reports of a 10-fold increase in the rate of ASD for very preterm infants (VPT, born <32 weeks gestation) [1] and a 20-fold increase for extremely preterm infants (born <28 weeks gestation) [2]. Yet, the etiological link between preterm birth and ASD remains unknown. Preterm birth and ASD are both associated with neurological differences, notably autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. ANS dysfunction can be measured using abnormal heart rate characteristics (HRCs) and thermal gradients (TGs), and previous research has linked ANS dysfunction to neurodevelopmental impairment and autism-specific outcomes. …

Now It’S Your Turn!: Eye Blink Rate In A Jenga Task Modulated By Interaction Of Task Wait Times, Effortful Control, And Internalizing Behaviors, Kelley E. Gunther

Faculty Publications

Dopamine is a versatile neurotransmitter with implications in many domains, including anxiety and effortful control. Where high levels of effortful control are often regarded as adaptive, other work suggests that high levels of effortful control may be a risk factor for anxiety. Dopamine signaling may be key in understanding these relations. Eye blink rate is a non-invasive proxy metric of midbrain dopamine activity. However, much work with eye blink rate has been constrained to screen-based tasks which lack in ecological validity. We tested whether changes in eye blink rate during a naturalistic effortful control task differ as a function of …

Dissociating Reading And Auditory Comprehension In Persons With Aphasia, Rachel M. Harrington, Sigfus Kristinsson, Janina Wilmskoetter, Natalie Busby, Dirk Den Ouden, Chris Rorden, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D., Leonardo Bonilha

Faculty Publications

Language comprehension is often affected in individuals with post-stroke aphasia. However, deficits in auditory comprehension are not fully correlated with deficits in reading comprehension and the mechanisms underlying this dissociation remain unclear. This distinction is important for understanding language mechanisms, predicting long-term impairments and future development of treatment interventions. Using comprehensive auditory and reading measures from a large cohort of individuals with aphasia, we evaluated the relationship between aphasia type and reading comprehension impairments, the relationship between auditory versus reading comprehension deficits and the crucial neuroanatomy supporting the dissociation between post-stroke reading and auditory deficits. Scores from the Western Aphasia …

Investigating Consumer Purchase Intention Of Athleisure Products: A Study Of Lululemon’S Sns Ad, Julia Prigl, Jiyeon Kim Ph.D., Karen Edwards J.D.

Faculty Publications

This study investigated how SNS advertising by Lululemon affected consumer purchase intention from the brand. The influence of specific ad traits such as informativeness, creativity, and emotional appeal, on attitude towards the advertisement, the influence of attitude towards the advertisement on willingness to engage with the brand and the influence of willingness to engage with the brand on purchase intention. A moderating effect of a sedentary or active lifestyle is tested. Also, the influence of perceived behavior of others on subjective norm, and the influence of subjective norm on willingness to engage with the brand were investigated. This study contributes …

March 13, 2024 Faculty Senate Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Whole-Of-School Physical Activity Implementation In The Context Of The Dubai Fitness Challenge, Chris Mcmahon, Collin A. Webster, Robert Weaver, Christophe El Haber, Gönül Tekkurşun Demir, Zainab Mohamed Ismail, Syeda Zoha Fatima Naqvi, Mehnaz Ghani, Şevval Kepenek, Manel Kherraf, Thrisha Krishnakumar, Pranati Prakash, Yeowon Seo

Faculty Publications

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) promotion among school-aged youth is a global health priority. Recommendations for such promotion include implementing whole-of-school approaches that maximize resources across the school environment. This study examined schools’ participation in an annual, government-led, and emirate-wide initiative in Dubai, called the Dubai Fitness Challenge, in which the goal is to accrue 30 minutes of PA every day for 30 days (as such, the initiative is colloquially referred to as “Dubai 30x30”).

Methods

A mixed-methods design was employed for this study. Three schools were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants were 18 physical education teachers, 20 classroom teachers, 2 …

The Daily Gamecock: March 2024, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

March

No abstract provided.

Sc Teacher Working Conditions Survey Participation For Pilot Administration, Angela Starrett, Svetlana Dmitrieva

Infographics

More than 23,000 teachers have now participated in the SC Teacher Working Conditions Survey pilot administration. This high level of engagement provides comprehensive insights into teachers’ perceptions of working conditions throughout South Carolina. Read the info-brief for a state-level glimpse into district and teacher participation, plus a look into the background of the survey.

Now It’S Your Turn!: Eye Blink Rate In A Jenga Task Modulated By Interaction Of Task Wait Times, Effortful Control, And Internalizing Behaviors, Kelley E. Gunther, Xiaoxue Fu Ph.D., Leigha A. Macneill, Morgan Jones, Briana Ermanni, Koraly Pérez-Edgar

Faculty Publications

Dopamine is a versatile neurotransmitter with implications in many domains, including anxiety and effortful control. Where high levels of effortful control are often regarded as adaptive, other work suggests that high levels of effortful control may be a risk factor for anxiety. Dopamine signaling may be key in understanding these relations. Eye blink rate is a non-invasive proxy metric of midbrain dopamine activity. However, much work with eye blink rate has been constrained to screen-based tasks which lack in ecological validity. We tested whether changes in eye blink rate during a naturalistic effortful control task differ as a function of …

Achieving Equity In Child And Adolescent Mental Health By Addressing Racism Through Prevention Science, Nada M. Goodrum, Daniel K. Cooper, Sarah Edmunds, Guillermo M. Wippold, Jessica Bradshaw, Julie K. Nguyen, Norweeta Milburn, Funlola Are

Faculty Publications

Prevention science is a multidisciplinary field dedicated to promoting public health and reducing early risk factors that lead to negative health outcomes. It has been used to successfully improve child and family mental health and well-being, including for families affected by adversity. Despite advances in prevention efforts, major public health inequities remain for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) children and families, in part because of equity-implicit “one-size-fits-all” approaches that do not directly address racism which in part underlies the very health concerns these efforts aim to prevent. Structural racism not only introduces additional risk for negative health …

Uniting Students With Literacy Connections In Mathematics, Bridget K. Coleman, Michelle Rasheed, Nancy B. Ruppert, Toni M. Williams

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Literature provides opportunities for students to connect to mathematics, as well as each other. Reflecting on personal identities, storytelling, and place-based connections are avenues to enhancing the relevancy of content across the curriculum. Literature can bridge the divide for students reluctant to see the beauty in mathematics. It can also be the impetus in helping unite students as they gain a better understanding of cultures and places beyond their own. Stories, along with interactive tasks, give context for collaborative experiences. This article shares resources and strategies for building understanding and collaboration among students using cross-curricular connections between mathematics and literacy.

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.

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adolescents: How To Support Them In Life And Education, Emma Chambers

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

Research has shown that a socioeconomic divide is occurring and only getting larger in classrooms, and it is especially affecting the young adolescent age group. While there are many different problems that these students must face in their personal and public lives, the education system should be doing all it can to prevent this divide from growing larger with different strategies and prevention tools. This article will promote the use of several classroom management strategies, suggestions, and private organizations that offer help to make classrooms a more welcome place for all students no matter their home life.

Front Matter

South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal

No abstract provided.