Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Caregiving Choice In The Adult Cancer Population, Jennifer L. Huggins

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Purpose Although extensive research examines family caregivers (FCs) across populations, less attention has been paid to how lack of choice in assuming the role affects quality of life (QOL) among FCs of adults with cancer. Understanding choice could guide interventions protecting this invaluable, often invisible workforce. Aims (1) Synthesize what is known about perceived choice among informal caregivers of adults with serious illness; (2) assess relationships between caregiving choice and caregiver QOL, burden, sleep, depression, stress, and social determinants of health; (3) describe experiences of FCs of adults with cancer providing care with no, little, or some choice. Design …

Neural-Immune-Cardiovascular Axis: From Mechanistic Crosstalk To Therapeutic Targets In Cardiovascular Disease, Junkang Cheng, Shuang Gao, Haowei Zhang, Wei Gao, Zeyuan Mei, Xiaoling Liu, Jocelyn Gao, Chenghu Guo, Guipeng An

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

The neural-immune-cardiovascular axis represents an emerging and highly integrated physiological and pathophysiological concept, describing a complex bidirectional communication network between the nervous, immune, and vascular systems. This review systematically examines the pivotal role of this axis in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. We first provide an overview of the fundamental signaling pathways between the components of this axis. Subsequently, we delve into the specific crosstalk mechanisms within the axis in the context of major cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure. A central focus is placed on critically evaluating the potential therapeutic targets and …

Barriers To Recommendation Of Integrative Oncology Modalities In Supportive Care: A Mascc/Sio Survey, Alexandre Chan, Dalia Kagramanov, Reem Nasr, Chioma Asuzu, Ting Bao, Yin Ting Cheung, Jung Hye Kwon, Judith Lacey, Richard T. Lee, Maryam Lustberg, Beatrice M. Ohaeri, Santosh Rao, Enrique Soto-Perez-De-Celis, Claudia M. Witt, Ana M. Lopez

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Integrative oncology (IO) modalities aim to improve the quality of life of persons with cancer, including strategies to manage treatment and disease-related symptoms. As evidence increases to include IO in supportive care, interest grows globally. Understanding barriers to IO recommendation is key to facilitating its uptake.

METHODS: Members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) were invited to complete an online survey in Fall 2023 assessing barriers to IO recommendation on a 5-point scale. Descriptive statistics assessed demographic data and general counts of scaled agreement, while logistic regression analysis …

Prescribing Poetry: Incorporating Literary Arts Into Patient Recovery, Amanda K. Bauer

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Poetry can help people understand and express complex emotions that often become apparent during illness. This literature review aims to determine whether poetry therapy -i.e., reading, writing, or listening to poetry- affects patient well-being when compared with standard of care treatment.

Methods: Google Scholar and Valparaiso University's databases were searched using primary keywords "poetry therapy" and "poetry in medicine" to find six English-language studies published after 2008 that used poetry as the primary intervention.

Results: Across three studies, poetry therapy showed reductions in anxiety and stress levels. Patients also showed improvements in emotional regulation, with one study citing reductions …

Emergency-Only Dialysis Under Emtala And Barriers To Kidney Transplantation In Uninsured Patients: Clinical, Economic, And Ethical Considerations, Heta Patel

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: Evaluate the clinical, economic, and ethical implications of emergency-only dialysis under the EMTALA and examine evidence supporting pathways to kidney transplantation for uninsured patients with ESRD. The population included uninsured and undocumented patients with ESRD. The intervention was transplant pathways compared with emergency dialysis, with outcomes including transplant access, clinical outcomes, healthcare utilization, costs, and ethical considerations.

Methods: A structured narrative literature review was conducted using Google Scholar, UpToDate, and Research Rabbit. Searches focused on uninsured and undocumented populations, emergency dialysis, EMTALA, organ transplantation, health equity, ethical considerations, and post-transplant care. English-language publications after 2019 were included, with older …

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome As A Sequela Of Long-Covid-19: Recognizing The Clinical Spectrum Of Covid-19 Related Dysautonomia, Bridget G. Pollard

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

This review evaluates the association between post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long-COVID, and the development of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in a symptomatic adult population. It examines the spectrum of COVID-19-related autonomic dysfunction, identifies barriers to timely diagnosis, and discusses clinical implications for screening, symptom management, and the necessary specialist referrals.

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using UpToDate, Google Scholar, citation tracking, and Research Rabbit to identify studies examining long-COVID syndrome, dysautonomia, and POTS. Peer-reviewed, English-language, full-text studies involving adults with long-COVID and dysautonomia were included, while studies published before 2020, acute …

The Relationship Between Oral Contraceptives And Soft Tissue Injuries In Women: Tailoring Reproductive Care For Female Athletes, Katy Smith

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

a)     Objective: The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptives on ligamentous injuries in female athletes, and if treatment/counseling should be tailored accordingly.

b)     Methods: A literature search for this narrative review was conducted using UpToDate, Google Scholar, and the Christopher Center library databases. Search terms included OCPs, ligament injuries, female athletes, menstruation, menstrual cycle, and follicular phase. English-language studies published from 2017 onward examining soft tissue or musculoskeletal injuries in female athletes of reproductive age were included. Relevant articles were identified with ligamentous, soft tissue, and MSK injuries as the …

Diabetic Alert Dogs As Glucose Monitoring Tools: Detection Accuracy For Hypoglycemic And Hyperglycemic Events, Dianne C. Dollison

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this review was to determine whether trained diabetic alert dogs (DADs) provide detection accuracy comparable to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for hypo- and hyperglycemic events in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using UpToDate and Google Scholar. Studies involving adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes that reported glucose detection accuracy for DADs or CGMs were included. Pediatric-only and non-glucose-detection studies were excluded. Because few direct head-to-head studies lasting 6 months or longer were available, shorter-duration studies were included as supporting evidence. Outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, …

Reframing The Conversation: Evidence-Based Communication Strategies To Address Parental Vaccine Hesitancy, Azucena Hernandez

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of the literature review is to identify factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy and evaluate evidence-based communication techniques. Effective communication techniques can be implemented in clinical practice to address hesitancy and improve parental attitudes toward vaccination.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify studies examining parental vaccine hesitancy and provider communication strategies. Search terms included vaccine hesitancy, parental attitudes, childhood immunization, communication strategies, motivational interviewing, and vaccination uptake. Peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2012 and 2025 were reviewed. Seven studies were selected based on relevance, methodological quality, and applicability …

More Than Rest: The Impact Of Sleep On Cardiovascular Disease, Jane S. Thomas

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this literature review was to evaluate whether < 6 hour sleep duration and poor sleep quality, compared with normal >7 hour sleep duration, increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults. Outcomes included cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, cardiovascular mortality, and related cardiovascular health measures. Methods: A literature review was conducted using Google Scholar to evaluate the relationship between sleep parameters and cardiovascular outcomes. English-language, full-text studies published since 2019 involving adults were included, while pediatric studies and non-cardiovascular outcomes were excluded. The review included three prospective cohort studies, two meta-analyses, and one interventional study. Results: Evidence consistently demonstrated that short sleep duration …

Impact Of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist On Reducing Major Adverse Limb Events In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease, India A. Harris

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective:

The purpose of this paper is to explore the efficacy of utilizing Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA) to prevent major adverse limb events (MALE) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) versus standard treatment.

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using systematic searches of MEDLINE and Google Scholar for studies evaluating GLP-1RAs and vascular outcomes. English-language, full-text studies published since 2020 assessing GLP-1RA use and limb-related outcomes were included; older studies and those not involving GLP-1RAs were excluded. Primary outcomes include a reduction in MALE and a decrease in risk factors associated with MALE. Secondary outcomes include transcutaneous …

Exploring Aquatic Therapy And Scuba Diving As Adjunctive Rehabilitation Strategies In Neurorehabilitation, Katelyn Kolkebeck

Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

Objective: To evaluate the evidence surrounding aquatic therapy and scuba diving as adjunctive rehabilitation strategies for adults with neurological disorders and to assess whether these interventions improve balance, fatigue, gait, motor function, pain, quality of life, and psychosocial well-being compared with conventional rehabilitation.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, the National Library of Medicine, the Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect. English-language studies involving adults with neurological disorders who participated in aquatic therapy or scuba diving interventions were included while studies involving pediatric populations, non-neurological conditions, severe cognitive impairment, or contraindications to aquatic therapy were excluded. Outcomes …

Co-Designing New Website Ideas In The Age Of Ai, Rami Huu Nguyen

Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute Publications

This workshop introduced students to the principles of website co-design in the age of artificial intelligence through a collaborative, project-based learning experience. Participants first explored the mission of the Paul English Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute and the instructor's career journey before learning the fundamentals of e-commerce website design. Students were organized into five teams to develop original website concepts in areas including travel, fashion, sports, and gaming. Each team conducted research using search engines and generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, created website wireframes, and presented their ideas using Canva. The workshop emphasized teamwork, creativity, user-centered design, …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Structured And Semi-Structured Training Program Design For Law Enforcement Recruits, Ian Bonder

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Law enforcement recruits typically complete law enforcement agency (LEA) academy training before assuming sworn-in duty. Tactical strength and conditioning facilitators (TSAC-F) may need to modify program design based on their unique circumstances. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different training program designs in five state-mandated tests (vertical jump [VJ], 1-minute sit-ups and push-ups, 300-meter [300m] sprint, and 2.4-kilometer [2.4km] run) among LEA recruits at a Midwest LEA training academy. De-identified data for 26 LEA recruits (Periodized/Structured Group [PSG; n = 7]) and (Semi-structured Group [SSG; n = 19]) were retrospectively analyzed. Repeated measures ANOVA assessed …

Aoc & Buttigieg Lead Dem Field, Vance & Rubio Lead Gop Field In 2028 New Hampshire Presidential Primaries 7/22/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez heads the field of prospective Democratic candidates in the 2028 New Hampshire presidential primary, followed closely by former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Ocasio-Cortez draws much of her support from self-described socialists and progressives, while support for Buttigieg is spread about evenly among progressives, liberals, and moderates. Vice President JD Vance continues to lead on the Republican side, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has closed the gap significantly over the past few months. Vance's support comes mainly from conservatives while Rubio gets more of his support from moderates and libertarians. Two-thirds of likely Republican …

Segmented Profile Analysis (Sepa): Plane-Wise Decomposition Of Within-Person Variation Via Ipsatized Singular Value Decomposition, Se-Kang Kim, Joe Grochowalski

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Traditional profile analyses summarize multivariate person data with overall mean levels and relative patterns, but existing methods often blur these sources of variation or reduce each individual to a single best-fitting profile. Segmented Profile Analysis (SEPA) offers a unified, ipsatized singular-value decomposition (SVD) framework that decomposes individual profiles into orthogonal level (LE) and pattern (PE) effects and, crucially, introduces plane-wise segment profiles (summaries of each person's response pattern within each variable-contrast dimension) as primary person-oriented objects. Within each low-dimensional plane, SEPA defines a projected response pattern (segment profile), domain-person cosines that index variable-by-variable alignment, and plane-fit correlations that summarize how …

Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage And Associated Factors Among Women Aged 25-59 In Eswatini: Insights From The 2021 Population-Based Hiv Impact Assessment (Phia), Abenezer Melaku Tafese, Bikiltu Dirbaba, Meseker Fentie, Charnita Zeigler-Johnson

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Eswatini, which reported the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates globally in 2022. However, recent nationally representative published data on cervical cancer screening coverage in Eswatini remain limited. This study aimed to estimate cervical cancer screening coverage and identify factors associated with screening uptake among women aged 25-59 years in Eswatini.

METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2021 Eswatini Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA), a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey. Survey-weighted bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify …

Getting Tolkien Right: Middle-Earth In The National Review, Craig Franson

Journal of Tolkien Research

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings entered Anglo-American popular consciousness as an emblem of 1960s, leftist youth culture, but the novel slowly gained currency across the political right. In the U.S., conservative intellectuals published book notes and articles on Tolkien’s writing in their movement’s leading journals, gradually habituating their readers to seeing the once-obscure English fantasist as a canonical writer for American conservatism. The most prominent of these journals was William F. Buckley’s National Review, which recurrently promoted Tolkien’s writing and offered a distinctly partisan interpretation of his texts. This paper offers a partial outline of the conservative …

Missed Diagnoses Beyond Endemic Borders: How Knowledge And Resource Access Shape Testing For Cutaneous Leishmaniasis And Chagas Disease, Alyssa Agnew, Brandon Lopez, Cherry Mawii, Erin Aslan, Sreshta Sankar, Semené Clement

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) and Chagas Disease (CD) are both tropical vector borne diseases most common in endemic regions. CL is caused by a parasite spread through sandfly bites. CD is caused by the parasite transmitted through the feces of Triatomine bugs. They are not common in non-endemic regions resulting in lack of training and knowledge required to properly diagnose and treat these diseases. This study assesses how clinician knowledge and access to diagnostic tools influence testing practices for CL and CD in non-endemic regions and contribute to diagnostic bias, underrecognition, and delayed diagnosis.

A comprehensive literature review was performed through …

Patient Perspectives On Lung Cancer Screening Uptake: Findings From In-Depth Interviews, Patricia A. Falcon

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and is primarily caused by tobacco use. Lung cancer screening with a Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) scan is an established method to detect this disease at an early stage and can reduce its death rate by up to 20%. However, the uptake of lung cancer screening across eligible individuals has been low, especially among underserved populations. The goal of this study was to have a better understanding of how to increase lung cancer screening among eligible underserved population. Eligible participants included adults aged 50 to 80 years …

Impact Of Private Equity Investments Integration On U.S. And European Sports Industries, Evan Alexander

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Private equity investments in the sports industry have become increasingly prominent in both the United States and Europe, although the dynamics, regulations, and strategies differ between the two regions. In this thesis, I discuss the concept of private equity (PE) investments within the sports industry, evaluating it in the context of the United States of America and Europe.

I analyze the overall impact that the integration of private equity investments has had on several sports leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and European Soccer Clubs, among other sports. I …

How The Erosion Of The German Drinking Culture Impacts Social Cohesion And The Economic Progression, Tran B. Duong, Monica Hennawy

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

German drinking culture has begun to wane within the past decade. While this may be viewed as a public health success, it has multifaceted impacts. The lifestyle adjustment threatens the third space which has historically fostered social interaction, making their erosion significant not merely economically but also culturally. Substance use also has a multifaceted impact on mental health, whereas in regulation social drinking can promote bonding. This leads to the need for appropriate policy in alcohol consumption which should help the public draw a balance in sustainable drinking practices. Alternatively, Germany’s third places also serve as a significant source of …

The Moderation Of Gender In The Relationship Between Social Cognition And Narrative Language Skills In Autistic Children, Zara Khan, Coral Morley

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Compared to males, autistic females often demonstrate a greater desire for social interactions and may imitate peers’ social behaviors, sometimes masking underlying social-cognitive difficulties (Hull et al., 2017; Lai et al., 2015). To better understand these differences, the present study focuses on two key components of social cognition (i.e., affect recognition and theory of mind (ToM)), and their associations with narrative listening comprehension. Gender may act as a moderator, showing variability between these variables; thereby providing a more nuanced view of autism that may inform assessment and screening practices rather than relying on the traditional male-centered research (Harrop et al., …

Presidential Clemency, Criminal Contempt, And The Structural Limits Of Judicial Authority: Reconsidering Ex Parte Grossman In The Modern Separation-Of-Powers Framework, Titan L. Sanchez

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Ex parte Grossman (1925) was a landmark Supreme Court case regarding the presidential pardon power granted by the Pardon Clause in Article II of the United States Constitution and whether it extends to criminal contempt of court. The Court ruled that the Clause’s phrasing, “offenses against the United States…” does not ultimately exclude criminal contempt. Among several justifications, Chief Justice Taft included a historical overview and partially relied on English common-law history, as well as monarchical practice, to interpret the scope and help justify the use of the presidential pardon power. This partial analysis relies on the assumption that constitutional …

The Impact Of Ramadan Fasting On Chronic Disease Management, Abdulwahab Eddib, Aakez Adrak Marjan, Faris Jabbar, Nuzat Indawala

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Every year, 2.06 billion Muslims perform Ramadan fasting, a religious practice involving abstinence from food and drink from dawn to sunset for 30 days. This religious practice changes diet, hydration, sleep, and medication timing, raising clinical concerns for the safety of individuals with chronic diseases who choose to fast. Research reports mixed effects on disease control and treatment safety, emphasizing the need for an overarching analysis of its impact on chronic disease management. This literature review is aimed to examine research on Ramadan and intermittent fasting on chronic disease management and to analyze its effects on disease control, clinical outcomes, …

Telemedicine Vs. In-Person Oncology Care During Covid-19, Sarah C. Widlak, Genelle Leo, Moksh Patel, Hailey Menias, Ariadna Coa, Serena Bhaskar

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare rapidly shifted towards telemedicine, raising questions about its efficacy. Although there is limited research, it is critical to understand how telemedicine affected oncology patients during the pandemic to improve patient care and experiences post-pandemic. This review addresses this gap by evaluating how telemedicine use among adult oncology patients during the pandemic compares with in-person visits regarding quality of care and patient satisfaction. A comprehensive search was performed across multiple databases, mainly PubMed, using keywords related to telemedicine, cancer, and COVID-19. The search yielded 106 unique articles, of which 41 met the inclusion criteria. Two rounds …

The Effect Of Distraction On Emotion-Based Communication Behaviors, Twisha Nadella

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As technology becomes increasingly integrated in daily activities, there are growing concerns for the effects of multi-tasking within the workplace. It is important to consider how communication efficiency may be impacted by dual-task situations. Therefore, understanding the potential outcomes that distraction may have on language production is valuable in determining optimal working conditions for effective use of emotional communication. This dual-task study was designed to understand the effects of distraction on emotion-based communication behavior. A driving task was utilized as the means of distraction in this experiment, while the concurrent negotiation task was analyzed to understand how emotional language was …

Biased Agonism At Β2-Adrenergic Receptor For Therapeutic Precision, Miranda J. Miranda, Jinay Mehta, Zara Kazi, Pravarakhya Pottigari, Praveen Muthusamy, Ritesh Palla

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Immune and inflammatory disorders occur when the immune system becomes overactive, leading to ongoing inflammation and tissue damage. The β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR), found on many immune cells, helps regulate how immune cells move and respond. Traditional β2-AR drugs activate multiple signaling pathways at the same time, which can lead to inconsistent effects and off-target side effects such as increased heart rate, tremors, and reduced receptor sensitivity over time. This highlights the need for more targeted approaches. This systematic review examined whether biased agonism of β2-AR can selectively activate specific signaling pathways to better control immune responses and improve treatment outcomes. …

Comparative Evaluation Of Surgical And Non-Procedural Intervention On Fibroid Burden In Women Aged 30-50, Skylar Skupienski, Hiba Boumahdi, Vienna Nguyen, Brianna Casasu, Maimouna Dembele, Ryan Singh

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors arising from the uterine wall that commonly affect women aged 30–50. While surgical options such as hysterectomy and myomectomy remain the most prevalent treatments, emerging non-procedural approaches including dietary and lifestyle strategies show promise as alternatives. However, the comparative effectiveness of surgical versus non-procedural interventions on fibroid size and symptom burden remains unclear.

To compare the effectiveness of surgical, hormonal, and non-procedural interventions, including dietary and lifestyle strategies, on fibroid size reduction and symptom burden in women aged 30–50. A literature review was conducted using PubMed with search terms including “Uterine Fibroid Management,” “Dietary Interventions,” …

Differential Effects Of Testosterone And Estrogen On Inflammation And Disease Severity In Asthma And Copd, Samyslandine B. Eugene, Prisha Gupta, Srimayi Yeedara, Abdulwahab Eddib, Tanya Joseph, Tanmayee Maddineni

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, and airflow obstruction, while Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition characterized by irreversible airflow limitation. Although previous research has examined hormonal influence, the specific effects of sex hormones in asthma and COPD remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate how testosterone and estrogen influence inflammation, disease severity and exacerbation frequency in adults with asthma and COPD. A comprehensive literature review using PubMed with keywords (asthma OR COPD) AND (sex hormones OR estrogen OR testosterone) AND (inflammation OR disease severity OR exacerbations) yielded 145 articles. After screening …