Digital Commons Network^™

Is Increased Mutation Driving Genetic Diversity In Dogs Within The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone?, Megan N. Dillon, Allison N. Dickey, Reade B. Roberts, Jennifer A. Betz, Timothy Mousseau, Norman J. Kleiman, Matthew Breen

Faculty Publications

Environmental contamination can have lasting impacts on surrounding communities, though the long-term impacts can be difficult to ascertain. The disaster at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 and subsequent remediation efforts resulted in contamination of the local environment with radioactive material, heavy metals, and additional environmental toxicants. Many of these are mutagenic in nature, and the full effect of these exposures on local flora and fauna has yet to be understood. Several hundred free-roaming dogs occupy the contaminated area surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and previous studies have highlighted a striking level of genetic differentiation between two geographically …

Challenges And Opportunities In Implementing And Enforcing India’S Loose Cigarette Sales Ban: A Qualitative Stakeholder Analysis, Mayank Sakhuja, Daniela B. Friedman Ph.D., Mark M. Macauda Phd, Mph, James R. Hebert Scd, Mangesh S. Pednekar, Prakash C. Gupta, James F. Thrasher Ph.D., Ma, Ms

Faculty Publications

Introduction Several Indian states have banned the sale of loose cigarettes, and India is considering a national ban. This study examines the perceptions of policymakers, implementers, and law enforcement officials regarding the implementation and enforcement of this ban. Methods Between May–October 2022, we conducted in-depth interviews with 26 key stakeholders involved in tobacco control in two Indian cities, Delhi (where the ban was not implemented) and Mumbai (where the ban was in effect). Participants included representatives from various government departments such as police, municipal corporations, FDA, health, and civil society organizations / NGOs such as Vital Strategies, World Health Organization, …

Effect Of Improving Food Security On Parenting Practices And Caregiver–Adolescent Relationships: Qualitative Findings Of An Income-Generating Agricultural Intervention In Rural Kenya, Maricianah A. Onono, Lila Sheira, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Gladys Odhiambo, Pauline Wekesa, Amy Conroy, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, Craig R. Cohen, Sheri D. Weiser

Faculty Publications

Background

Despite the recognised links between food insecurity and parenting, few studies have evaluated the perceived impacts of livelihood or food security interventions on parental practices, intra-household functioning, adolescent behaviour and psychosocial outcomes in HIV-affected households in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aims

The study aimed to understand the perceived effects of food security on parenting practices and how this was experienced by both adolescent girls (aged 13–19 years) and their caregivers in rural Kenya.

Method

We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with 62 caregiver–adolescent dyads who were participants in the adolescent Shamba Maisha (NCT03741634), a sub-study of adolescent girls and caregivers with a …

Evaluation Of Impact Energy In Composites Using Acoustic Emission Sensing Technique, Li Ai, Tanner Mesaric, Sydney Flowers, Sydney Houck, Joshua Widawsky, Paul Ziehl

Faculty Publications

A major challenge faced by composite materials is impact, which can result in unexpected damage and degradation. Impact events can cause significant structural damage that may not be immediately visible, leading to a reduction in the material’s mechanical properties and overall performance. This paper presents an impact assessment method using acoustic emission (AE) sensing technology. The primary goal of this approach is to determine the extent of impact damage on composite components by analyzing AE signals produced under operating stress conditions. An advanced algorithm is proposed to predict the probability that the damage falls into various damage categories, providing a …

“Struggling For Years”: An International Survey On Autistic Experiences Of Menopause, Christine A. Jenkins, Rachel L. Moseley, Margaret Janse Van Rensburg, Julie M. Gamble-Turner, Miranda J. Brady

Faculty and Staff Publications

Emerging research suggests that menopause can be a difficult transition for some Autistic people. This international co-produced survey explored factors that might make menopause harder for Autistic people, such as lack of menopause and autism awareness; moreover, we aimed to explore what support Autistic people needed and what could help them cope and even flourish during this time. We employed a mixed-methods approach to analyze quantitative and qualitative responses from 508 Autistic participants. Both the quantitative and qualitative data supported relationships between lack of menopause and autism awareness and overall difficulties during menopause. Autistic participants wanted more appropriate and Autistic-specific …

Molten Flux Synthesis Of Plutonium (Iv) Silicates K2Pusi2O7 And Rb2Pusi6O15, Travis K. Deason, Gregory Morrison, Amir Mofrad, Jake Amoroso, David Diprete, Theodore M. Besmann, Shanna L. Estes, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

Few plutonium containing silicates have been reported in the literature and only one other tetravalent plutonium silicate structure has been reported using the flux growth method. With the goal of understanding actinide incorporation into silicates, we describe herein two new plutonium (IV) silicates, Rb2PuSi6O15 and K2PuSi2O7, synthesized using a mixed alkali chloride/alkali fluoride flux growth. Both structures crystallize in the C2/c space group with lattice parameters a=24.2980(10) Å, b=7.1466(3) Å, c=17.2025(8) Å and 96.6560(10)° for Rb2PuSi6O15, and a=9.9478(2) Å, b=5.59820 (10) Å, c=13.1848(2) Å, and 105.7400(10)° for K2PuSi2O7. Comparisons to the synthesis of other reported alkali actinide silicates (Ce, U, …

Racial And Ethnic Differences In Outcomes Of Neonates Born At Less Than 30 Weeks' Gestation, 2018-2022, Nansi S. Boghossian, Marco Geraci, Erika M. Edwards, Jeffrey D. Horbar

Faculty Publications

Importance: Previous research has examined outcomes among very preterm newborns by the birthing parent's race and ethnicity, but knowledge about these trends during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Objective: To examine trends in outcomes among Black, Hispanic, and Asian preterm newborns compared with White preterm newborns. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study (2018-2022) took place at 774 neonatal intensive care units in the Vermont Oxford Network. Participants were newborns born at 22 to 29 weeks' gestation. Exposure: Race and ethnicity. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were mortality and complications, including respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), early-onset …

Mental Health Care Disparities Among Us Pregnant Individuals In 2020–2021: A Cross-Sectional Study, Julisa Tindall, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Peiyin Hung

Faculty Publications

Purpose

To examine maternal characteristics associated with perceived unmet mental health needs and mental health care settings, focusing on residential rurality and race/ethnicity.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed self-reported unmet mental health needs and mental health care settings among 1097 pregnant respondents in the 2020–2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, incorporating the complex sampling weights for national representativeness.

Findings

Non-Hispanic Black pregnant individuals and those living in nonmetro rural areas reported lower odds of unmet mental health needs compared to those in large metro areas and non-Hispanic White individuals. Pregnant individuals in nonmetro rural areas and non-Hispanic other …

Chronic Disease Management In A Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic: An Interpretive Description Study, Natalie Floriancic, Anna Garnett, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan

Publications

Introduction

Objective

Verbal Working Memory And Syntactic Comprehension Segregate Into The Dorsal And Ventral Streams, Respectively, William Matchin, Zeinab K. Mollasaraei, Leonardo Bonilha, Chris Rorden, Gregory Hickok, Dirk Den Ouden, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Syntactic processing and verbal working memory are both essential components to sentence comprehension. Nonetheless, the separability of these systems in the brain remains unclear. To address this issue, we performed causal-inference analyses based on lesion and connectome network mapping using MRI and behavioural testing in two groups of individuals with chronic post-stroke aphasia. We employed a rhyme judgement task with heavy working memory load without articulatory confounds, controlling for the overall ability to match auditory words to pictures and to perform a metalinguistic rhyme judgement, isolating the effect of working memory load (103 individuals). We assessed non-canonical sentence comprehension, isolating …

Workforce Profile Of International Teachers In South Carolina For 2022–23, Angela Starrett, Brian Cartiff, Svetlana Dmitrieva, Ruiqin Gao

Reports

International teachers in the US primarily fall into two categories: those on J-1 or J-2 visas under the Exchange Visitor Program and those holding employment visas, such as H-1B, EB-2, or EB-3. J-1 and J-2 visas are aimed at cultural and educational exchange. Those who receive them are authorized under the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 to teach for up to 5 years with a short-term international teaching certificate before returning to their home countries. Employment visas (H-1B, EB-2, or EB-3) are for specialty occupations, advanced degree holders, or those filling a labor shortage, respectively. International teachers with this visa type …

Workforce Profile Of Alternatively Certified Teachers In South Carolina For 2022–23, Brian Cartiff, Svetlana Dmitrieva, Angela Starrett

Reports

Alternatively certified teachers constitute a growing portion of public school educators in the US. This is a trend that is expected to continue, due to the declining enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs across recent years.

As such, this report examines the profiles of alternatively certified teachers working in South Carolina public schools (those currently enrolled in alternative certification programs and those who have completed them). The analysis delves into the demographics and placements of these teachers and explores how their employment correlates with teacher attrition rates. Altogether, it offers preliminary insights into the roles of alternatively certified educators in …

Appropriateness Of Ambulatory Antibiotic Prescribing In South Carolina, 2012–2017, Pamela Bailey, Majdi N. Al-Hasan, Julie Royer, Max Habicht, Julie Ann Justo, P. Brandon Bookstaver Pharm.D., Sharon Weissman, Hana R. Winders

Faculty Publications

This population-based cohort study examines the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in South Carolina via aggregated pharmacy claims data matched with diagnosis codes from medical claims. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing decreased from 30.2% in 2012 to 22.6% in 2017 (P < 0.001) and was more common in adults >40 years old.

Libraries On The Front Lines: The Imperative For Disaster-Ready Information Professionals, Feili Tu-Keefner Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Libraries, particularly local public libraries, have evolved into hubs for community-first services, extending beyond traditional roles. Library personnel are now expected to act as first responders and crisis leaders during times such as natural disasters. This report documents the critical crisis leadership qualifications required for library personnel, identified through comprehensive research from 2015 to 2023. Findings from these situation-specific case studies call attention to the community’s needs for library services during emergencies, underscoring the requirement for LIS education to include disaster management. Continuing education (CE) is also critical in preparing information professionals for these essential roles.

December 4, 2024 Faculty Senate Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

No abstract provided.

Integrated Child Nutrition, Parenting, And Health Intervention In Rural Liberia: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study, Sejla Isanovic, Musa Sanoe, Shelbie Wooten, Edward A. Frongillo Ph.D., Aisha K. Yousafzai, Christine E. Blake Ph.D., Rd, Mufaro Kanyangarara Ph.D., Melanie Swan, Nicole Rodger, Miriam Murray, Leila M. Larson Ph.D., Mph

Faculty Publications

In Liberia, children are exposed to multiple forms of adversity which can negatively impact their health and development. Research is needed to examine the feasibility and benefits of integrated interventions that can be incorporated into existing health delivery programs to simultaneously address low responsive stimulation, undernutrition, and infection. This study assessed the feasibility of an integrated intervention promoting psychosocial stimulation and improved child feeding by the provision of eggs and fish. The integrated intervention was incorporated into an existing government health program. Thirty female caregiver-child dyads were randomly selected from two rural communities in Liberia. Participants received fortnightly group parenting …

Strategic (Non)Disclosure: Activation And Avoidance Of Social Ties Among Women Seeking Abortion, Kathleen Broussard

Faculty Publications

The increased politicization of sexual and reproductive health has created barriers to medically necessary care. In absence of formal health care, social ties become critical sources of information and resources, yet the disclosure of stigmatized health needs carries significant risk. How do people navigate the risks and benefits of disclosure when seeking care for stigmatized needs? Drawing on original survey data (N = 153) and in-depth interviews (N = 55) with women who attempted a self-managed abortion, I first describe the distinct roles of weak and strong ties in women’s health-seeking experiences. I then demonstrate how both partial disclosure and …

Beyond Amateurism: Examining The Potential Labor Expenses Of Ncaa Student-Athlete Employment, Alayna K. Falak, Tyler L. Custis

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

In light of recent administrative developments urging the classification of student-athletes as employees, litigation challenging the current employment status of student-athletes, and the Supreme Court’s willingness to tackle National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) issues, many questions surrounding the future of college sports under an employment model have emerged. The authors analyzed key litigation, recent developments from administrative agencies, and academic literature. The authors used publicly available data from the NCAA, the United States Department of Labor (DOL), and other sources to construct two estimates of what it would cost NCAA member institutions to provide baseline compensation to their Division I …

A Theory-Guided Qualitative Exploration Of Occupational Influences On Firefighters’ Dietary Behaviors, Cynthia Horton Dias, Courtney Catledge Dnp, Msn, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Robin M. Dawson Phd, Rn, Cpnp-Pc

Publications

Background: Firefighters face many inherent occupational health hazards and increased risk for several cancers, making peak health essential. However, cardiac events and stroke continue as leading causes of on-duty deaths. Healthy diets promote prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancers. While some dietary interventions have been undertaken, sustained improvements have not been observed. Understanding firefighters’ occupational influences on dietary behavior is vital for implementation of effective interventions to improve nutrition. Methods: The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) guided this qualitative study. Nine focus groups of firefighters who work 24-hour shifts and one interview with a fire administrator (N = 34) were conducted …

Increased Prevalence Of Peripheral Vestibular Disorder Among Patients With Fabry Disease, Tzong Hann Yang, Sudha Xirasagar Mbbs., Ph.D, Yen Fu Cheng, Chin Shyan Chen, Herng Ching Lin

Publications

Background: Although peripheral vestibular disorder is a non-fatal complication of Fabry disease, fatalities have been reported in some case reports and case series. To date, no studies have examined the relative risk of peripheral vestibular disorder in patients with Fabry disease compared to the general population without the condition. Due to the high prevalence of Fabry disease in East Asia and the potential shared pathogenic pathways between Fabry disease and vasculopathy, we conducted a study using a nationwide population-based dataset to compare the prevalence of peripheral vestibular disorder between patients with Fabry disease and matched comparison patients. Methods: Data was …

Associations Of Head And Neck Cancers With Herpes Zoster In The Preceding Five Years, Chao Hung Chen, Sudha Xirasagar Mbbs., Ph.D, Shih Han Hung, Herng Ching Lin, Chin Shyan Chen

Publications

This population-based study investigated the risk of having had prior herpes zoster within five years preceding a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. We conducted a case-control study that included 9,191 patients with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer in Taiwan’s Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2010 and 36,764 matched controls. We assessed the odds of patients with head and neck cancer having had a diagnosis of herpes zoster during the five years preceding head and neck cancer using multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of prior herpes zoster among the total sample was 4.6%, 7.9% and 3.8% among patients …

Prevalence Of Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Vertigo And Sudden Deafness Among Patients With Polymyositis And Dermatomyositis, Shih Han Hung, Sudha Xirasagar Mbbs., Ph.D, Luong Huu Dang, Nguyen Kieu Viet-Nhi, Yen Fu Cheng, Chin Shyan Chen, Herng Ching Lin

Publications

Little is known about a possible association of autoimmune inner ear disease among patients diagnosed with polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM). This study aimed to explore differences in the prevalence of inner ear symptoms among patients with and without PM/DM using a nationwide population-based dataset. Data for this study were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The study sample included 1622 patients diagnosed with PM/DM and 8109 propensity-score matched comparison patients without PM/DM. We performed multivariate logistic regressions to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for tinnitus, hearing loss, sudden deafness, and vertigo among patients with …

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity And Virologic Failure Among People With Hiv: A Cohort Study In All Of Us Research Program, Fanghui Shi, Ruilie Cai, Buwei He, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Xueying Yang Ph.D., Sharon Weissman, Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background: Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) are at higher risk of HIV incidence compared to their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. Despite the high HIV disease burden among SGMs, there was limited data on whether they are at higher risk of virologic failure, which may lead to potential disease progression and increased transmission risk. The All of Us (AoU) Research Program, a national community-engaged program aiming to improve health and facilitate health equity in the United States by partnering with one million participants, provides a promising resource for identifying a diverse and large volunteer TGD cohort. Leveraging various data sources available through …

The Dynamic Risk Factors Of Cardiovascular Disease Among People Living With Hiv: A Real-World Data Study, Ziang Liu, Jiajia Zhang Ph.D., Xueying Yang Ph.D., Haoyuan Gao, Shujie Chen, Sharon Weissman, Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background: This study aims to investigate the incidence and dynamic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: In this population-based statewide cohort study, we utilized integrated electronic health records data to identify adult (age ≥ 18) who were diagnosed with HIV between 2006 and 2019 and were CVD event-free at the HIV diagnosis in South Carolina. The associations of HIV-related factors and traditional risk factors with the CVD incidence were investigated during the overall study period, and by different follow-up periods (i.e., 0-5yrs, 6-10yrs 11-15yrs) using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results: Among 9,082 eligible …

Spatial Pattern And Differential Expression Analysis With Spatial Transcriptomic Data, Fei Qin, Xizhi Luo, Bo Cai Ph.D., Feifei Xiao, Guoshuai Cai

Faculty Publications

The emergence of spatial transcriptomic technologies has opened new avenues for investigating gene activities while preserving the spatial context of tissues. Utilizing data generated by such technologies, the identification of spatially variable (SV) genes is an essential step in exploring tissue landscapes and biological processes. Particularly in typical experimental designs, such as case-control or longitudinal studies, identifying SV genes between groups is crucial for discovering significant biomarkers or developing targeted therapies for diseases. However, current methods available for analyzing spatial transcriptomic data are still in their infancy, and none of the existing methods are capable of identifying SV genes between …

Bound States And Particle Production By Breather-Type Background Field Configurations, Abhishek Rout, Brett Altschul

Faculty Publications

We investigate the interaction of fermion fields with oscillating domain walls, inspired by breather-type solutions of the sine-Gordon equation, a nonlinear system of fundamental importance. Our study focuses on the fermionic bound states and particle production induced by a time-dependent scalar background field. The fermions couple to two domain walls undergoing harmonic motion, and we explore the resulting dynamics of the fermionic wave functions. We demonstrate that while fermions initially form bound states around the domain walls, the energy provided by the oscillatory motion of the scalar field induces an outward flux of fermions and antifermions, leading to particle production …

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

November

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Racial Tasking And Other Sport Management Theories Through The Lived Experiences Of Black College Football Coaches, Trevor Bopp, Robert Turick

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

The purpose of this study was to explore Black coaches’ (N = 17) perceptions of the academic research that purports to shed light on their experiences in college football. In sharing their lived experiences, coaches discussed the racial inequalities they have and continue to overcome to enter, remain, and advance in coaching; considered the existence and influence of racial tasking; and provided their thoughts on sport management research. In doing so, they remarked about many of the racialized barriers and disparate outcomes which we have hypothesized, analyzed, interpreted, and written about in our academic work. Implications from this study provide …

Framing Foreignness In Sports: The Effect Of Text And Image Frames On Attitudes Toward Australian College Punters, James Bingaman

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

In recent years, there has been an influx of Australian college punters receiving significant media attention. This media coverage often emphasizes these athlete’s “foreignness” by relying on cultural stereotypes. Existing research has shown that the framing of athletes – both text and image frames – can influence individuals’ attitudes and perceptions. Using a 2 x 3 (two textual frames x three visual frames) experimental design, this study sought to test the effects of “foreignness” framing on attitudes toward Australian punters and punters more broadly. The results offer several directions for sports media scholars to examine media effects related to the …

“We Need To Do More” To “This Is All Bullsh**” : A Continuum Of Race-Related Social Media Activism In College Athletics, Natalie N. Bunch, Lauren Beasley, Beth Cianfrone

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions have addressed social issues, such as racial justice, via team or athletic department social media platforms. Often the social media strategy is managed by a content creator within the athletic department. However, coaching staff members may be concerned with what is posted to team or athletic department accounts because of the public facing nature of their job, their use of social media in recruitment efforts, and their role in creating a positive environment for current athletes. We surveyed 128 coaches across divisions to determine perceptions of their athletic department’s race-related activism on social …