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The 2025 SC Teacher Working Conditions Survey
No full textThe SC Teacher Working Conditions Survey (SCTWCS) was developed to better understand teachers’ experiences in their schools and the factors that infl uence their workplace satisfaction and career decisions. SC TEACHER designed the SCTWCS to include 10 areas of working conditions—six resources and four demands—with job satisfaction and intent to stay in the profession as outcomes. For novice teachers, three areas of mentor support (mentor instructional support, mentor non-instructional support, and proximity) are also included.
In the 2025 administration, 54 of the state’s 72 traditional school districts (75%) participated, along with f i ve of the six specialty schools and two of the three charter districts. Of the 41,888 teachers invited to participate, 24,913 responded (59.5% response rate), providing a comprehensive picture of teaching conditions across 1,034 schools. SCTWCS results provide a clearer understanding of the working conditions for classroom teachers across the state and can be leveraged to enhance and sustain the South Carolina teacher workforce
CDK8/19 Inhibition Attenuates G1 Arrest Induced by BCR-ABL Arrest Induced by Bcr-Abl Antagonists and Accelerates Death of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cells
Get PDFImatinib mesylate (IM) and other BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BCR-ABLi) are the mainstay of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) treatment. However, activation of circumventing signaling pathways and quiescence may limit BCR-ABLi efficacy. CDK8/19 Mediator kinases have been implicated in the emergence of non-genetic drug resistance. Dissecting the effects of pharmacological CDK8/19 inhibition on CML survival in response to BCR-ABLi, we found that a selective, non-toxic CDK8/19 inhibitor (CDK8/19i) Senexin B (SenB) and other CDK8/19i sensitized K562 cells to different BCR-ABLi via attenuation of cell cycle arrest. In particular, SenB prevented IM-induced upregulation of genes that negatively regulate cell cycle progression. SenB also antagonized IM-activated p27Kip1 elevation thereby diminishing the population of G1-arrested cells. After transient G1 arrest, cells treated with IM + SenB re-entered the S phase, where they were halted and underwent replicative stress. Consequently, the combination of IM and SenB intensified apoptotic cell death, measured by activation of caspase 9 and 3, subsequent cleavage of poly(ADPriboso)polymerase 1, positive Annexin V staining and increase of subG1 fraction. In contrast, IM-treated BCR-ABL-positive KU812 CML cells, which did not induce p27Kip1, readily died regardless of SenB treatment. Thus, CDK8/19i prevent the quiescence-mediated escape from BCR-ABLi-induced apoptosis, suggesting a strategy for avoiding the CML relapse
Raising Red Flags: Exploring Phenotypic Change in Tiger Moths (Apantesis) of Coastal SC over 50 Years\u27 Time
Get PDFOrganismal phenotypes play a critical role in ecological interactions and individual fitness, and they may undergo rapid shifts through evolutionary adaptation or phenotypic plasticity in response to climate change and environmental disturbances. As morphological traits such as body size, melanization, and aposematic coloration are especially significant for thermoregulation and predator deterrence, it is important to understand the ways in which these traits may be changing on a regional level. Here, I examined the change in phenotype in populations of three tiger moth (Apantesis) species from a single site in coastal South Carolina over a fifty-year period, testing for differences in body size, forewing melanization, and hindwing coloration. Utilizing the Richard B. Dominick Moth & Butterfly Collection as a historical baseline (1965-1975), I engaged in modern sampling efforts of Apantesis vittata, A. phalerata, and A. parthenice at the same site throughout 2023-2024. A comparison of forewing length and area in historic and modern Apantesis specimens revealed that these species experienced a body size reduction over the past half-century. Apantesis vittata and A. phalerata demonstrated reduced forewing melanization as expected. Interestingly, Apantesis vittata hindwing coloration was found to be redder, less saturated, and lighter in coloration in the modern population, potentially hinting at shifting predation or mating interactions
Monitoring Opioid-Use-Disorder Treatment Adherence Using Smartwatch Gesture Recognition
Get PDFThe opioid epidemic in the United States has significantly impacted pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD), leading to increased health and social complications. This study explores the feasibility of using machine learning algorithms with consumer-grade smartwatches to identify medication-taking gestures. The research specifically focuses on treatments for OUD, investigating methadone and buprenorphine taking gestures. Participants (n = 16, all female university students) simulated medication-taking gestures in a controlled lab environment over two weeks, with data collected via Ticwatch E and E3 smartwatches running custom ASPIRE software. The study employed a RegNet-style 1D ResNet model to analyze gesture data, achieving high performance in three classification scenarios: distinguishing between medication types, separating medication gestures from daily activities, and detecting any medication-taking gesture. The model’s overall F1 scores were 0.89, 0.88, and 0.96 for each scenario, respectively. These findings suggest that smartwatch-based gesture recognition could enhance real-time monitoring and adherence to medication regimens for OUD treatment. Limitations include the use of simulated gestures and a small, homogeneous participant pool, warranting further real-world validation. This approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and management strategies
The Road Less Traveled: Analyzing the Career Paths of Women Athletic Directors Utilizing Social Network Analysis
Get PDFThe purpose of this research is to analyze the career paths of current NCAA Division I women athletic directors (ADs), towards the goal of building and identifying networks within intercollegiate athletics. By using social network analysis (SNA), this research builds out a hiring network within intercollegiate athletics by analyzing the career changes of current Division I women ADs. The objectives of this study included exploring current women AD career paths, uncovering institutions deemed most influential in the network, and comparing the career paths of women and men ADs. Findings suggest that on average, women ADs have longer career paths than men, and are alongside a much sparser network. Most women who pursued the title of AD climbed their way up through various positions in college athletics, while hubs in the network accelerated an AD\u27s career. Institutional authorities hired women at a higher position and often at a senior executive level, prior to becoming an AD
BC-77 Glycoconjugated Phthalocyanines: A Synthetic Journey
No full textGlycoconjugated phthalocyanines hold significant potential as photosensitizers in targeted light therapies, possibly overcoming the drawbacks of their counterparts. Unlike other photosensitizers such as porphyrins and chlorins, phthalocyanines allow for deep tissue penetration via light absorption between wavelengths 650 and 700 nanometers. Thus, making them a promising candidate for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), a phototherapy with implications in antimicrobial and cancer treatments. Our research aims to explore this potential by building a library of glycoconjugated phthalocyanines, from synthesis to characterization, unveiling various methods to functionalize these phthalocyanines. Synthesis was performed using three methods, pre-functionalized, post-functionalized, and sub-phthalocyanine ring expansion. The pre-functionalized method was split between only adding the linking group and adding both the linking group and the carbohydrate. For both, the nitro group on a phthalonitrile undergoes a substitution reaction with an alkynylated alcohol. That alkynylated alcohol then undergoes a condensation reaction using a 3:1 mixture of tert-butyl substituted and the alkynylated phthalonitrile to form the phthalocyanine, which is then glycoconjugated via click-reaction. Alternatively, the alkynylated phthalonitrile can be glycoconjugated through the same process and then undergoes a similar condensation reaction. The post-functionalized method begins with a condensation reaction using a 3:1 ratio of tert-butyl substituted and brominated phthalonitriles. The resulting brominated phthalocyanine is alkynylated by a palladium catalyzed cross-coupling reaction which is then glycoconjugated by a click-reaction. Lastly, the sub-phthalocyanine reaction can be performed with brominated, alkynylated, or glycoconjugated phthalonitriles, with the product being a monosubstituted phthalocyanine. This work was supported by funding through SC INBRE/NIH (P20GM103499-20) and an NIH R15 award (1R15GM148916-01)
BC-78 Affordable Microfluidics for Resource-Limited Environments: Leveraging 3D Printing and Microcontroller Technology to Expand Access to Advanced Research
No full textThis project presents the development of a cost-effective, open-source spin coater and microfluidic molds using 3D printing technologies and advanced microcontroller techniques. These new technologies enable us to overcome the high cost of microfluidic device development, which limits their adoption in economically depressed areas. The spin coater, constructed from 3D-printed parts made of Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, utilizes a repurposed PC fan motor with external magnets for precise RPM monitoring via a Hall effect sensor. An Arduino microcontroller regulates speed, with real-time feedback displayed on an LCD. The system’s robustness was enhanced by evolving the circuit design from a breadboard prototype to a soldered perf board. By integrating a microcontroller to control spin RPM and time and using AutoCAD Inventor for design, the spin coater facilitates photolithography of silicon wafers coating with photoresist. Calibration with a laser tachometer ensures accurate speed readings. The photoresist layers were measured using optical profilometry to measure the depth of the microstructures. The photoresist-coated wafer is then patterned through photolithography to give a mold master to create microfluidic devices. The resulting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices are intended for point-of-care testing (POCT) for diseases such as Lyme disease. We compared our low-cost open-source spin coater film thickness to the manufacturer\u27s model behavior from a high-cost spin coater with their expected values. Our data shows a high R2 agreement with the model film thickness. Additionally, we will show examples of how the DIY spin coater can be used to create microfluidic devices in a resource-limited setting.
Open-source microcontrollers like Arduino, microcontroller code, and 3D printable library parts make this technology accessible to researchers, educators, and open-source scientists. The Arduino code and 3D-printed part designs will be publicly available, providing an affordable solution for thin-film deposition and microfluidic device fabrication in resource-limited settings
HS-44 Wearable Technology in Healthcare: Advancing Remote Patient Monitoring and Personalized Medicine
No full textResearch Symposium Abstract
Title: Wearable Technology in Healthcare: Advancing Remote Patient Monitoring and Personalized Medicine
Introduction
Wearable technology is improving healthcare daily by monitoring real-time health data of its users. Devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers collect data on physical activity, sleep patterns, and cardiovascular health. These devices can detect conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, helping individuals keep track of their health. However, challenges related to data accuracy and privacy must be addressed.
Research Question
How effective are wearable health devices in improving patient outcomes, detecting diseases early, and managing chronic conditions compared to traditional healthcare monitoring methods?
Methods
We analyze data retrieved from wearable devices to track the accuracy of heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels. This study also examines the integration of wearables with electronic health records (EHRs). Additionally, we explore challenges faced by users and consider concerns related to data privacy.
Results
The findings indicate that wearables enhance early disease prediction, allowing patients to seek medical attention when alerted by their device. The accuracy of these devices was found to be close to 95%, making them highly reliable and increasing user trust. Furthermore, their use led to a 30% reduction in hospital readmissions.
Conclusion
Wearable technology is set to transform healthcare by providing continuous health monitoring and personalized treatment plans. These devices significantly improve patient engagement and enable early disease detection. However, for their successful integration into the healthcare system, it is crucial to address concerns about data privacy and accessibility. Future research should focus on improving sensor accuracy and advancing AI-driven analytics to fully leverage the benefits of wearables in healthcare
SS-14 Do Internships, GPA, and University Ranking Really Influence Job Offers? An In-Depth Analysis
No full textMany believe that academic performance, internships, certifications, and soft skills are crucial for securing employment and determining salary. However, it is essential to explore whether these factors significantly impact real-world career outcomes. This research examines various influencing factors to identify which aspects contribute most to career success and job satisfaction. The dataset Education & Career Success by Adil Shamin, available on Kaggle, contains records of 5,000 students from seven fields of study: Computer Science, Medicine, Business, Engineering, Arts, Law, and Mathematics. Using Python, this study explores the relationships between variables through methods such as mean, mode, bar charts, line graphs, and proportions. The results show that university GPA significantly influenced the number of completed internships, with top-ranking students (1-400) completing the highest number of internships. On the other hand, students ranked 600-1000 tended to receive more job offers. Interestingly, university GPA, internship completion, certifications, and project experience did not have a significant effect on job offers overall, but were more beneficial for specific fields. For instance, certifications were particularly valuable for Mathematics majors, while a higher number of projects benefited Arts, Engineering, Medicine, and Business majors. Additionally, job offers tend to decline after age 25, with the highest potential for job offers occurring between ages 22-24. The study also found that graduates in Art, Engineering, and Law majors had a higher proportion of entrepreneurial aspirations. Mathematics graduates received the highest number of job offers and reported the highest career satisfaction, while Art majors had the highest starting salaries, and Business majors reported the best work-life balance. The findings suggest that career success is not solely determined by internship completion, certifications, and project experience, as often assumed. Instead, factors such as university ranking, age, and field of study are more influential in determining the number of job offers