Digital Commons Network^™

Neuro-Symbolic Ai For Deep Analysis Of Social Media Big Data, Vedant Khandelwal, Manas Gaur, Ugur Kursuncu, Valerie Shalin, Amit P. Sheth

Faculty Publications

This tutorial introduces a neuro-symbolic AI framework to analyze big data from social media platforms. Integrating human-curated knowledge through symbolic AI with the pattern recognition capabilities of neural networks enhances the adaptability and efficiency of traditional neural network approaches. Knowledge-guided zero-shot learning techniques enable swift adaption to new linguistic contexts and emerging events [6]. Participants will explore how to design, develop, and utilize these models in specific domains, such as public health surveillance, that require dynamic adaptation to new terminologies. This session The tutorial aims to equip attendees with practical skills and a deep understanding of how to apply neuro-symbolic …

Synergistic Inhibition Of Hiv-1 Regulatory Function Using A Dual Expression Shrna Plasmid, Christine Sanderson, William H. Jackson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

HIV infection of CD4⁺ T Helper lymphocytes results in a gradual loss of immune competence, which ultimately leads to development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1 expresses two regulatory proteins, Tat and Rev, which act to upregulate viral transcription and facilitate mRNA transport enhancing the rate of translation. Inhibition of Tat and Rev have been shown to block virus replication. Therefore, Tat and Rev represent critical key points in the virus replication cycle. This study investigated the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit these proteins using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). For this, plasmids expressing shRNAs targeting …

Citation Accuracy Of Scholarly Journal Articles In Sports Medicine, Lk Warner, Le Trail, Bj Warner, Sa Cage

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Previous research has expounded on the importance of accurate use of references in scholarly manuscripts. A thorough and appropriate use of references allows authors to validate and lend credence to the position they are attempting to take on their subject matter.Reference errors have been well documented in multiple scholarly journals covering healthcare topics. To date, there does not appear to be a description of the accuracy of reference lists in sports medicine scholarly journal articles. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the rate of reference errors in sports medicine literature. Methods: We examined four peer-reviewed sports …

South Carolina Teacher Workforce Profile For 2022–23, Brian Cartiff, Svetlana Dmitrieva, Angela Starrett

Reports

SC TEACHER’s research mission includes publishing yearly reports that detail the South Carolina educator workforce, sharing insights with educators themselves, policymakers, community members, and other stakeholders. This report is an annual review of the state's public school teacher workforce.

Analysis in this study uses statewide data from 2022–23, plus available data from published reports, to compare the demographics of South Carolina’s teacher workforce with that of other states and nationwide. This report also provides a longitudinal view of state trends by examining data over three academic years from 2020–21 to 2022–23. Results are based on analysis of data collected from …

Boosting Steam Tolerance And Electrochemical Performance Of An La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2,Fe0.8O3− Δ-Based Air Electrode For Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells, Lei Wu, Jiqiang Sun, Huiyang Qi, Baofeng Tu, Chunyan Xiong, Fanglin Chen, Peng Qiu

Faculty Publications

La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ (LSCF) is the state-of-the-art air electrode material for solid oxide electrochemical cells using oxide-ion electrolytes, yet its application in proton ceramic electrochemical cells (PCCs) remains limited, mainly attributed to its instability under operating conditions of high temperature and high humidity. To address this issue, coating a PrCoO_3−δ (PCO) catalyst onto the LSCF scaffold has been evaluated in this study. The introduction of the PCO coating not only enhances the LSCF electrode's electrochemical performance but also significantly improves its steam tolerance by preventing direct contact between steam and …

Length-Weight And Length-Length Relationships For Common Fish And Invertebrate Species In The North Inlet-Winyah Bay Estuarine System, South Carolina, Usa, Catherine A. Friedline, Matthew E. Kimball, Bruce W. Pfirrmann, In Cha, Kayleigh B. Wolstenholme, Ryan J. Rezek

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Establishing accurate weight-length relationships (WLR) and length-length relationships (LLR) is critical for effective fisheries management and ecological research. This study updates these essential metrics for commonly found fish and shrimp species in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay estuarine system, South Carolina, addressing gaps where previous data were unavailable, outdated, or sourced from other regions. Our research analyzed 7,874 specimens from 20 species across thirteen families, collected through trawl samples and bi-weekly seines from November 2022 to December 2023. The findings demonstrate robust WLRs with high coefficients of determination. Similarly, the LLRs confirmed reliable conversions between different length measurements. This study not …

Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) At Croft State Park In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Jonathan J. Storm, Amelia R. Scollon, Melissa A. Storm, Briget C. Doyle

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

A Triumph Of Conservation: The University Of South Carolina Aiken’S Bluebird Trail, Alyssa Godfrey, Emory Owens, Quinn Schreiber, Michelle L. Vieyra

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) was once an endangered species, with over 90% of its population declining in the early 1900s (Ritchison, 2000). These birds play a crucial role in regulating insect populations and maintaining the safety of food sources, making them important both economically and environmentally. Eastern Bluebirds are proof that conservation efforts work, as they are now a species of least conservation concern in the United States. Since 2020, undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina Aiken have collaborated with the South Carolina Bluebird Society to establish and monitor 31 nesting boxes across the main campus …

Striatal Beat Frequency Interval Timing Model With Microgravity Stressor, Jason Michael Fitzgerald, Sorinel Oprisan

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The Striatal Beat Frequency (SBF) model of interval timing uses frontal cortex (FC) neural oscillations to record the state of the brain at the reinforcement time Tc during fixed interval (FI) procedures in the long-term memory (LMEM). The state of the FC oscillators at any given time is stored in a short-term memory (SMEM) buffer. The SBF model uses the spiny neurons of the basal ganglia (BG) as coincidence detectors to produce beats between the content of the SMEM and LMEM. Across multiple species that can perform interval timing, there are two invariant properties: (a) the timing is precise, and …

Growth And Mobility Of Physella Acuta Under Individual And Combined Acetaminophen And Salinity Exposure, Rhea Wilder, Jason Doll, Daniel Elias

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Global climate change, driven by rapid population growth and anthropogenic activities, presents an urgent challenge to aquatic ecosystems. Salinity intrusion threatens water quality and availability for human and wildlife populations. At the same time, due to the demand for pharmaceuticals, these pollutants are increasingly detected in freshwater environments, with acetaminophen being one of the most prevalent. This research analyzed the individual and combined effects of salinity (2.5 g/L) and acetaminophen (488 μg/L) on Physella acuta. Overall, we observed reduced snail movement under elevated salinity and no effects on growth or movement with acetaminophen alone or in combination with salinity. …

Potential Nec2/Nek1 Inhibitor And Inh1 Analog N-[4-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2-Thiazolyl]-4-Pyridinecarboxamide Via Hantzsch Thiazol Condensation, Robert E. Lee Sr, Isabella G. Mcdonald, Paige E. Heiple, Lukas D. Shelton

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The potential active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), N-[4-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-2-thiazolyl]-4-pyridinecarboxamide (6) is a cancer cell metabolism mitosis inhibitor via the Nek2 and Hec1 enzymes. The three-step synthesis starts with the bromination of 1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)ethan-1-one (1) using CuBr₂ to produce 2-bromo-1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)ethan-1-one (2) with a yield of 90%.[i]^,[ii],[iii] Followed by Hantzsch thiazol ring synthesis as (2) reacts with thiourea (3) and, resulting in 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)thiazol-2-amine (4)[iv] in 80% yield. Finally, isonicotinoyl chloride hydrochloride (5) and (4) reacted to form the amide (6).[v]^{,[vi],[vii],[viii],[ix],[x]} Characterization of the final product was determined …

Determining Drug Dosage Using Calculus, Rajendra Dahal, Keith Bullard

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

For most drugs, there is a concentration below for which the drug is ineffective and a concentration above for which the drug is dangerous. In this paper, we will study how the dosage and dosing intervals can be modified to ensure a safe, yet efficient level of the drug in the bloodstream using calculus. In particular, we will study the concentration of a drug over time and its dosing schedule.

Examination Of Oncogenic Effects Of Environmental Pollutants, Andrew Ackerman, Matthew Behling, Brock Earley, Janay Vacharasin

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Chemical byproducts produced by surrounding industrial complexes have polluted the local estuaries of Georgetown, South Carolina for several decades¹. Previous studies completed by the EPA and SCDNR showed that the estuaries contained carcinogenic pollutants released from the local manufacturing plants¹. One of the mentioned pollutants was dioxins which are produced during the paper bleaching process². Dioxins are highly toxic compounds that have various carcinogenic effects on the organisms that inhabit the area. These previous studies were conducted over thirty years ago. Therefore, a current study to determine if chemical byproducts are contaminating local estuaries …

Hpv Prevalence In A College-Aged Sample Group And Its Link To Sexual Behaviors And Attitudes, Emily E. Bishop, Rahjai Thomas, Katelyn Ambrose, Gabriela Lewczyk, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus, is the most common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). It is the number one STI in men and women. There are over 460 subtypes; a majority of the subtypes are able to be cleared by the human immune system within 3 years after initial infection. However fifteen of these subtypes have been classified as ‘high-risk’ for carcinoma development, accounting for almost 100% of cervical cancers. This STI has an age prevalence starting at 19 for oral and genital infections. The overall goal of this research is to provide students with an equally represented and unbiased database …

First-Order Comprehensive Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology For Neural Ordinary Differential Equations: Mathematical Framework And Illustrative Application To The Nordheim–Fuchs Reactor Safety Model, Dan Gabriel Cacuci

Faculty Publications

This work introduces the mathematical framework of the novel “First-Order Comprehensive Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Neural Ordinary Differential Equations” (1st-CASAM-NODE) which yields exact expressions for the first-order sensitivities of NODE decoder responses to the NODE parameters, including encoder initial conditions, while enabling the most efficient computation of these sensitivities. The application of the 1st-CASAM-NODE is illustrated by using the Nordheim–Fuchs reactor dynamics/safety phenomenological model, which is representative of physical systems that would be modeled by NODE while admitting exact analytical solutions for all quantities of interest (hidden states, decoder outputs, sensitivities with respect to all parameters and initial conditions, …

Predicting Poor Mental Health Among Older Syrian Refugees In Lebanon During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Nested Cross-Sectional Study, Berthe Abi Zeid, Leen Farouki, Tanya El Khoury, Abla M. Sibai, Carlos Mendes F. De Leon, Marwan F. Alawieh, Zeinab Ramadan, Sawsan Abdulrahim, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Stephen J. Mccall

Faculty Publications

Background: Post-term pregnancy, defined as reaching or exceeding 42 + 0 weeks of gestation, is known to be associated with unfavourable birth outcomes. High-income countries have responded to this risk by widely adopting labour induction protocols in late-term, but many low- and middle-income countries have not. However, understanding underlying mechanisms linking post-term births to adverse newborn and infant outcomes remains limited.

Objective:To investigate the (a) prevalence of post-term, (b) the risk factors associated with post-term (c) the association between post-term births and the risk of smallfor-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and of infant mortality in middle-income settings.

Methods:We used existing …

Association Between Seated Trunk Control And Cortical Sensorimotor White Matter Brain Changes In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain, John R. Gilliam, Pradeep K. Sahu, Jennifer M.C. Vendemia, Sheri P. Silfies

Faculty Publications

Trunk control involves integration of sensorimotor information in the brain. Individuals with chronic low back pain (cLBP) have impaired trunk control and show differences in brain structure and function in sensorimotor areas compared with healthy controls (HC). However, the relationship between brain structure and trunk control in this group is not well understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare seated trunk control and sensorimotor white matter (WM) structure in people with cLBP and HC and explore relationships between WM properties and trunk control in each group. Thirty-two people with cLBP and 35 HC were tested sitting on an unstable chair …

Addressing Strain And Porosity Changes Of Battery Electrodes Due To Reversible Expansion Through Dem Simulations, Hunter Teel, Taylor R. Garrick, Srikant Srinivasan, Fengkun Wang, Yangbing Zeng, Sirivatch Shimpalee

Faculty Publications

In this work, discrete element method (DEM) simulations were used to probe changes in electrode porosity, electrode strain, and the resultant pressure changes for composite electrodes comprised of active material and binder particles. Through the results acquired by these simulations, three cases that are representative of two limiting cases for electrode operation, and one case for realistic electrode face pressure during operation were captured and the implications on design and performance are discussed. Predicting changes in the porosity is a unique insight that is difficult if not impossible to capture experimentally but is important for predicting changes in electrochemical performance …

The State Of Elementary School Recess In Georgia: Policy, The Pandemic, And Patterns Of Play, Karyn A. Alee, Erica Decuir, Dawn M. Robinson

Education Faculty Publications

While we continue to see a growing push for the restoration and codification of recess in elementary schools, policy does not necessarily equal practice. Georgia recently passed legislation requiring at least 20 minutes of recess per day for students in PK-5. The purpose of this research study was to survey elementary school educators to reveal the temporal (i.e., duration, frequency, and cancellation practices) and descriptive (i.e., type, equipment, place) characteristics of recess in Georgia’s public elementary schools. The results of this study, which can be summed up statistically and descriptively as less recess overall, and less free play specifically, as …

Quantifying The Impact Of Microstructure Variation On Charging Capability In Lithium-Ion Batteries, Hunter Teel, Taylor R. Garrick, Mitchell A. Sepe, Joseph S. Lopata, Srikant Srinivasan, Fengkun Wang, Yangbing Zeng, Sirivatch Shimpalee

Faculty Publications

Through the use of electrochemical simulations, variation in the local onset of lithium plating can be predicted and used to set charging guidelines to reduce the risk of lithium plating. The pseudo-two-dimensional (P2D) model is typically used for capturing this behavior; however, it only provides a global lithium plating onset estimate and does not consider the local variation. With material properties translated to an average continuum value, the P2D model can simulate rapid charge and capture global onset of lithium plating. However, this model lacks the ability to resolve localized behaviors across individual components due to local non-uniformities. Our three-dimensional …

Achieving Destination Sustainability: How Tourist-To-Tourist Interaction Quality Affects Tourist Loyalty?, Junli Gao, Fang Meng Ph.D., Weifeng Guo, Baomin Lin

Faculty Publications

Although tourist-to-tourist interaction (TTI) has been identified as an essential element in tourist experiences, the effect of TTI quality on tourist loyalty, and the mechanism underlying this effect is scarcely discussed in the literature. Based on the self-determination theory, this study aims to examine whether and how TTI quality influences tourist loyalty, representing a significant means to achieve destination sustainability. More specifically, this study tested a moderated mediation model in which basic psychological needs satisfaction mediated the relationship between TTI quality and tourist loyalty, while sociability moderated the link between TTI quality and basic psychological needs satisfaction. A survey research …

Brain-Hand Function Relationships Based On Level Of Grasp Function In Chronic Left-Hemisphere Stroke, Elizabeth Rizor

Faculty Publications

Background and Objective

The biomarkers of hand function may differ based on level of motor impairment after stroke. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between resting state functional connectivity (RsFC) and unimanual contralesional hand function after stroke and whether brain-behavior relationships differ based on level of grasp function.

Methods

Sixty-two individuals with chronic, left-hemisphere stroke were separated into three functional levels based on Box and Blocks Test performance with the contralesional hand: Low (moved 0 blocks), Moderate (moved >0% but < 90% of blocks relative to the ipsilesional hand), and High (moved ≥90% of blocks relative to the ipsilesional hand).

Results

RsFC in the ipsilesional and interhemispheric motor networks was reduced in the Low group compared …

Mild Hydrothermal Crystal Growth Strategies For Complex Inorganic Metal Fluorides, Navindra Keerthisinghe

Theses and Dissertations

Inorganic metal fluorides have been investigated for their interesting magnetic and optical properties, their electrochemical behavior, and their ionic conductivity. Fluoride materials can accommodate metals in very low oxidation states, which can be advantageous for designing new magnetic materials. Specifically, mixed metal fluorides incorporating transition metal cations often exhibit interesting magnetic behavior, such as frustrated magnetism. However, many challenges are encountered during the synthesis of such fluoride materials, including the inability to perform reactions under ambient conditions and the involvement of toxic gases for fluorination during solid-state reactions. Therefore, solution growth techniques such as mild hydrothermal synthesis are currently utilized …

A Survey Of Improvisation Activities In Average-Age Beginning Piano Method Series And A Sample Two-Year Improvisation Curriculum, Qiwen Wan

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout music history, improvisation has always been part of piano learning and is a mode of expression for the creation of new music. Current research in music education, such as Dr. Edwin Gordon and others indicates that immersion in music improvisation is crucial in beginning students’ acquisition of music skills. However, recent studies demonstrate a continued lack of improvisation activities in their students’ piano studies that complement current research in music education, and fewer studies reviewed improvisation curricula in average-age piano methods. Therefore, there is a need for a study that examines the current state of the improvisation curriculum in …

Examining The Overall Impact Of Computer-Based Mathematics Instruction On Math Achievement In An Alternative High School, Jacqueline Levon Gilyard

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, the United States has witnessed a remarkable surge in computer-based instruction, revolutionizing the way students learn and educators teach. This action research study aimed to investigate the overall impact of computer-based instruction on mathematics achievement in the alternative high school setting. The research design incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather comprehensive data for twenty high school students enrolled in an alternative high school setting. The quantitative data analysis involved examining pre-and post-test scores, graduation data, and final course grades to assess the effect of computer-based instruction on mathematics achievement. All of the students showed …

Examining The Impact Of A Professional Learning Community On Teachers' Awareness Of Neurodiversity In The Classroom, Taylor Diane Williams

Theses and Dissertations

In this action research study, the researcher sought to explore the influence of Professional Learning Community (PLC) participation on the recognition and awareness of general education teachers on neurodiversity in their classrooms. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the effects of the teachers’ awareness on their instructional approaches. The participants of this study hail from a variety of cultures and languages from around the world. Conducted over a six-week period in an international school in southern Germany, the participants demonstrated an enhanced understandings of neurodiversity through their engagement in the PLC sessions. The data collection tools used in the study …

Evaluating Nutrient Limitation Of Phytoplankton Growth In North Inlet Estuary, Sc, Catherine Schlenker

Theses and Dissertations

The biolimiting nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are vital components of molecules essential to life. In marine systems, N:P ratios tend to follow the “Redfield ratio” of 16:1, which is often used to infer nutrient limitation of phytoplankton biomass. Traditionally, estuaries are thought to be N-limited (N:P < 16), but there have been increasing instances of P-limitation (N:P > 16) in coastal waters worldwide. Over the last few decades, nutrient loading in North Inlet Estuary (NIE) has changed such that dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN):dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) ratios have increased by ca. 130%. This increase suggests that the estuary may be transitioning to N and P colimitation or primary P-limitation. We …

Electron Rich Cobaltocenium Derivatives As Tunable Mechanophores For Mechanochemistry, Luis Daniel Ramos

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, metallocene-containing polymers are investigated and probed for tunability in mechanochemistry. These metallocene moieties are experimentally and computationally characterized.

In chapter 1, relevant background and recent developments of metallocene-containing polymers are discussed. Additionally, the field of mechanochemistry is briefly introduced including applications and future directions within the field.

In chapter 2, design and synthesis of these metallocene-containing polyelectrolytes via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) are outlined. These polymers then undergo mechanophore activation via ultrasonication and relevant analysis and characterization of polymers both before and after ultrasonication are detailed. These polymers are comprised of differing electron donating substituents on …

Using Latent Class Analysis To Conceptualize Heterogeneity Among Non-Resident Parents With Current Child Support Orders And Arrears: Identifying Windows Of Opportunity, Victoria Adkins Charles

Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 40% of children living in poverty are in a single parent household headed by their mother (Grall, 2017). The public child support services program exists to provide the service of establishing and enforcing child support orders for parents with primary legal custody of their child. Even with the child support services system in place, child support goes uncollected (Grall, 2020). Many of the non-resident parents (NRP) who are not paying live at poverty level as well. Child support research has focused primarily on NRPs’ ability to pay, but, generally, has drawn on the information contained in the constellation of …

Kim Kook Jin’S The Pieces Of Korean Melody For Piano: An Analysis Of Pedagogical Elements And Korean Folk Traditions, Seoyeon Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

In this era of increased globalization, our education system is actively embracing multiculturalism, with educators incorporating diverse perspectives into their classrooms. A noticeable trend among music educators is the introduction of compositions by non-white male composers at conferences and in educational publications. In fact, we can now find more pedagogical pieces featuring distinctive musical languages and cultural influences, marking a shift from the predominantly European tradition seen in the past.

However, there remains a limited number of pedagogical pieces that display the musical cultures of Asian countries. Particularly in Korea, it is extremely difficult to find compositions with Korean musical …