Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment Of Polymeric Chloroquine Formulations For Targeted Therapy Of Ulcerative Colitis And Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Neha Kumari

Theses & Dissertations

Effective targeted drug delivery is a critical unmet need in the management of both ulcerative colitis and metastatic colorectal cancer, where conventional systemic therapies may be hindered by suboptimal efficacy and significant side effects. This thesis explores the development and preclinical assessment of polymeric chloroquine (PCQ)-based nanotherapeutics, leveraging stimuli-responsive designs for disease-specific delivery and action.

For ulcerative colitis, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanogel system was engineered to release PCQ, a macromolecular derivative of hydroxychloroquine, specifically in the inflamed areas within the colon. Nanogels with well-defined size and positive surface charge were synthesized via reversible fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization …

Black Women And Latinas In Stem: A Systematic Review Of Literature, Karin Moore

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

This systematic review of literature examines scholarly studies conducted on Black women and Latinas in STEM fields and in STEM higher education. Women are underrepresented in STEM, and on average they comprise 27% of the STEM population (National Science Foundation, 2017). Black women and Latinas are even further underrepresented in STEM by making up only 14.58 % and 3% of the employees in STEM industries (Hispanic Heritage Foundation, 2020; National Science Foundation, 2021). Barriers for all women are the focus of much of the body of literature in STEM (Beach et al., 2024; Moore, 2024). Isolating specific challenges Black women …

How Do More Diverse Plantings Lead To More Carbon Accrual In Soil?, Haley Rose Wills, Kaylee Grace Duncan, Alexander Constantin Mazareanu

Student Scholar Symposium

No abstract provided.

To What Extent Do Urban Planning Practices Impact Climate Change In Latin America?, Oliver Orellana, Mitchell Roberts

Student Scholar Symposium

Understanding best practices with regards to urban planning and development is crucial to the success of any city. Given the historical, geographic, and economic state of Latin American countries, the role of these practices in innovation is exceedingly vital. By analyzing sustainability strategies employed in cities to mitigate the effects of climate change, this research will identify which practices are the most sustainable in the long run. Because Latin American countries face their own unique challenges in areas like democratic transition, physical landscape, or economic well-being, gaining understanding as to which practices would most benefit the region is pivotal to …

Validating Pharmacogenomics Generative Artificial Intelligence Query Prompts Using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (Rag), Ashley Rector, Beth Breeden, Jay Dorris

Student Scholar Symposium

This study evaluated the performance of Sherpa Rx, an artificial intelligence platform leveraging large language models and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for pharmacogenomics, by validating its performance across key response metrics. Sherpa Rx integrated Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) guidelines with Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB) data to generate contextually relevant responses. A dataset (N=260 queries) spanning 26 CPIC guidelines was used to evaluate drug-gene interactions, dosing recommendations, and therapeutic implications. In Phase 1, only CPIC data was embedded; Phase 2 additionally incorporated PharmGKB. Responses were scored on accuracy, relevance, clarity, completeness (5-point Likert scale), and recall. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared accuracy between …

Spilling The Tea: Effects Of Uv Disinfection On Bioactive Compounds In South African Rooibos Tea, Sora Ghanem, Leah Ankiah, Yusra Ahmed

Student Scholar Symposium

This study investigated the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection on key bioactive flavonoid compounds in rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis). There is an interest in non-thermal food preservation technologies, and UV treatment offers potential advantages for beverage processing. However, concerns exist regarding possible degradation of health-promoting compounds during treatment. Rooibos tea samples were subjected to five UV exposure intensities (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mJ/cm²), and concentrations of four major flavonoids (aspalathin, orientin, vitexin, and rutin) were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Surprisingly, most flavonoids showed stability or slight concentration increases at higher UV doses. Aspalathin concentrations …

Exploration Of Euclidean Distances In Five-Dimensional Color Space As Proof-Of-Concept For Identification Of Promising Alternatives To Platinum-Based Cancer Drug Candidates, Kiomi Tanakura, Elena G. Harvey

Student Scholar Symposium

Cisplatin, cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₂, is one of the most successful anticancer drugs of all time. However, it has some negative aspects, including toxicity to healthy cells, side effects, and cost. Our goal in this project is to design metal-based anticancer drugs that would be less expensive, less toxic, and more efficient for cancer patients than cisplatin. To begin this research we calculated Euclidean distances - as used by computerized recognition systems - to compare the properties of colors within seasonal palettes that are proven and visible to the eye. These Euclidean distances were then used …

Unveiling Hidden Hazards: A Complementary Approach To Affordable Non-Destructive Heavy Metal Detection, Mario Faragalla, Gulsin Barwari, Makenzie Brinkoeter, Eimy Lozano-Fuentes, Isabelle Riera

Student Scholar Symposium

History has bestowed upon us vast treasures, with the Victorian Era offering a wealth of gifts, such as vibrant art and even secrets preserved in books of this period. However, concealed within the pigments that bring these works to life lie heavy metals. Not only do they pose significant health risks, but they can also be found within these pieces centuries later. Intrigued by the Winterthur project, Beaman librarians, Jan Cohu and Kayla Rutledge, discovered that our library housed some of these Victorian Era books. From there, the Beaman staff sent an inquiry to the chemistry department and Dr. Weinstein-Webb …

The Role Of Dust Inputs And Sediment Phosphorus Diffusion Into Utah Lake, Utah, United States Of America, Kristen E. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Human activities have led to excessive nutrient enrichment which is greater than lake systems can naturally assimilate. This process is known as eutrophication and it is driving significant algae growth resulting in the more common release of harmful toxins. Utah Lake, located in Utah County, UT is one such water body that even after major reductions in anthropogenic phosphorus influent, continues to experience frequent, harmful algal blooms. The extent to which natural processes, like atmospheric dust deposition and sediment recycling, contribute to the lake's phosphorus budget is still poorly understood.

To address this gap of knowledge, this study quantified phosphorus …

Wild Robots: Humans, Wilderness, And Technology In Becky Chambers’ Monk And Robot Series, Melissa Moore

Honors Theses

As technology advances and the environment deteriorates, the way people view the relationships between technology, wilderness, and humans becomes essential for society to move forward. To investigate perceptions about technology’s place in an environmentally conscious society, this project examines manifestations of wilderness/wildness and technology in Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot series through the lens of ecocriticism. Using Timothy Morton's concept of the ecological thought as a framework for analysis, the circumstances present in the novel suggest that the triangle separating humans, wilderness, and technology has actually collapsed, replaced by an enmeshment of technology, wilderness, and humanity.

Environmental, Social, And Governance (Esg) Teaching Resources For Use In Any Accounting Class, Misty Newby

Student Scholar Symposium

With current and future Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting regulations, industry pressures, and stakeholder expectations, many organizations integrate ESG goals into business strategy. To aid accounting faculty in their goal of preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to create, review, and audit ESG reports, this flexible, three-part ESG teaching module can be used in whole or in part in any accounting course. This teaching resource provides lecture files (Google Slides), lecture notes, and student assignments and can be scaled up or down to fit the lecture needs. Topics covered in the modules include Sustainability, Climate Change, and …

Importance Of Sustainability Within Children’S Hospitals, Ashley Newby

Student Scholar Symposium

Author: Ashley Newby

Presentation Type: Poster

Faculty Mentor: G. Dodd Galbreath

Discipline: Sustainability and Pediatric Nursing

Importance of Sustainability within Children’s Hospitals

Sustainability is an important aspect of every environment that one encounters. For pediatric patients entering a children’s hospital, it is probably not something that is important and at the top of their list when looking for healthcare. However, sustainable children’s hospitals have not only their patients as their first priority, but they also take the earth into account. Some might not realize that they are walking into a sustainable children’s hospital unless someone tells them.

Topics include:

-Look …

Innovation In Circular Products For Healthy People, Planet, And Profit, Allison Golata, Misty Newby, Audrey Roberts, Dodd Galbreath

Student Scholar Symposium

Innovation in Circular Products for Healthy People, Planet, and Profit In our consumer-driven economy, companies tend to prioritize manufacturing efficiency to keep up with demand. While current practices can create short-term profits, there are financial and non-financial impacts on people, the planet, and profit. Innovation in circular products can create a win-win for businesses and consumers while meeting the needs of today and promoting future success. In this session, we will discuss the impact of current business processes and consumer practices on people, planet, and profit; explore how circular products can create long-term, sustainable value for business by designing products …

Utilizing Hot Water Treatment Methods On Shallow Rooted Herbaceous Invasive Species In Temperate Deciduous Forests, Ana Manning

Student Scholar Symposium

Abstract

People have been searching for new and innovative ways to control

invasive plant species for centuries. These methods have been categorized into three sections: mechanical,

biological, and chemical. The changing landscape of invasive plant management requires industry professionals to consider innovative technologies when developing their integrated pest management plans. The hypothesis of this research is that utilizing hot water treatment methods on shallow-rooted herbaceous invasive species in temperate deciduous forests will produce equal or better results than traditional integrated pest management methodologies. Six research plots in two locations were developed to test the Heatweed® hot water treatment tool on …

Enhancing Silicon Sampling In Large Language Models: Fine-Tuning Techniques Using Survey Data, Davis P. Forster

Theses and Dissertations

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to simulate responses of human demographic groups, a task known as silicon sampling. This paper investigates whether supervised fine-tuning can improve algorithmic fidelity in such settings. We construct a dataset from the General Social Survey (GSS), converting demographic attributes into natural-language backstories and randomly selecting one attribute as a held-out target. Fine-tuning a LLaMA-3.1-70B model on this dataset yields significant improvements on two tasks: (1) imputing missing attributes at the individual level, and (2) reproducing response distributions for demographic slices, such as racial and age groups. Notably, these improvements are achieved with minimal …

Tests Without Borders: A Global Approach To Measuring Visualization Literacy, Olivia A. Guess

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Visualization literacy assessments shape how we understand people's ability to interpret data, yet most existing instruments embed Western datasets and assumptions that limit their relevance for global audiences. This thesis argues that because data is personal, assessments must also be culturally grounded. We introduce a unified framework for adapting the Mini-VLAT into 22 regionally responsive short-form assessments, each retaining the structure of the original test while incorporating datasets and scenarios tailored to specific regions around the world. To demonstrate how such adaptations can be customized and validated, we present a detailed case study of a Ghana-adapted Mini-VLAT, developed in collaboration …

Microbial Communities Of Selected Regions Of The Deep Springs Lake Aquifer System, Rania Zaki, Emma Bourne, Andrew Storino, Jay Nadeau

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Deep Springs Lake is a small, isolated, highly alkaline soda lake in Inyo County of Eastern California, USA. It is a seasonally filled salt lake or playa, and is part of a closed aquifer system. Such closed systems are globally rare, occurring only in arid zones where annual evaporation is greater than annual rainfall. Deep Springs Lake’s hydrology and geology have been well studied, and it is home to a unique toad species, but its microbiome remains unexplored. Here we perform 16S, 18S, and ITS amplicon sequencing of the lake water, dried salt crust at the edges the lake, and …

Indigenizing Aquaculture: In Pursuit Of An Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System For Enhanced Self-Sufficiency In Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand, Cali R. Trainor

Capstone Collection

This study assessed the feasibility of integrating two pre-existing aquaculture activities in Akaroa Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand into an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. The cultivation of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) presents an opportunity to improve the sustainability of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) farming by introducing alternative food sources for salmon, which can be used to produce fish feed locally, enhancing the self-sufficiency of the community and boosting the holistic efficiency of the system. Macroinvertebrates residing in giant kelp wrack were collected, identified, and quantified to determine if any of the Macrocystis-associated specimens could serve as …

Cv: Joseph Kozminski (Physics), Joseph Kozminski

Physics Department Faculty Curricula Vitae

No abstract provided.

Is Ai Replacing Human Mental Health Professionals?, Michiko Ueda

Population Health Research Brief Series

An increasing number of people are turning to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and AI-assisted chatbots to manage mental health concerns. This data slice presents findings from a national survey of U.S. adults aged 18-49 (N = 1,805) conducted in October 2025. Among respondents, 35.2% reported using AI tools more than once a week for mental health support. Among those who had ever seen a human mental health professional, 28.4% reported visiting human providers less often since beginning to use AI for the same purpose. The findings suggest that a subset of users may be using AI to replace, rather …

Predicting The Attitudes Towards Mathematical Modeling Of Primary Math Teachers: The Role Of Self-Efficacy And Motivation, Brenden Rawls

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative predictive correlational study was to investigate the extent to which efficacy for pedagogy in mathematics, efficacy for teaching mathematics content, effectance motivation in mathematics, years of experience, and access to statistics, data science, or mathematical modeling courses predict attitudes toward constructivist practices in mathematical modeling of Virginia primary school mathematics teachers. The goal of the research was to understand what affective characteristics support effective adoption Virginia's mathematics curriculum change. Higher levels of mathematics teacher self-efficacy have been associated with constructivist instructional practices and higher levels of student achievement. The sample included kindergarten through fifth-grade …

Clerodendrum Kelli (Lamiaceae), A New Species From Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, And Lectotypification Of Clerodendrum Mindorense, David Justin R. Ples, Jacek Patykowski, John Charles A. Altomonte, Adriene B. Tobias, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante

Biology Faculty Publications

Clerodendrum kelli (Lamiaceae), a new species from the montane forests of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, is described and illustrated. The species shares morphological features with Clerodendrum quadriloculare and C. mindorense, but differs in inflorescence structure, corolla tube length, and calyx shape and color. A lectotype for C. mindorense is also designated. Preliminary conservation assessment places C. kelli in the Critically Endangered category (CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)). This study contributes to Philippine plant biodiversity knowledge and informs conservation strategies.

Assessment Of The Melt Quality Of A 30% Scrap Adc12 Aluminium Alloy Using The Inclusion And Fluidity Measurement Instrument (Ifmi) With Mullite Ceramic Filters, Gusti Ruri Ruri Lestari, Sandya Ananda Riswan, Muhammad Anis, Ahmad Ashari, Paramita Vidya Ayuningtyas, Bambang Suharno Prof, Donanta Dhaneswara

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The increasing demand for sustainable practices in the metal casting industry has driven the use of recycled aluminum alloys such as ADC12. However, the addition of aluminum scrap tends to increase oxide inclusions, which reduce melt fluidity and compromise casting quality. This study utilizes the Inclusion and Fluidity Measurement Instrument (IFMI), equipped with mullite ceramic filters, to assess the melt quality of ADC12 aluminum alloy containing 30% scrap. Fluidity and inclusion characteristics were evaluated at five pouring temperatures (660°C, 680°C, 700°C, 720°C, and 740°C). The results show that fluidity increased with temperature, reaching a peak of 84.6 g·s⁻¹ at 740°C, …

Equipment Criticality Analysis To Determine Asset Integrity Management System Scheme In Supporting Production Optimization Scenarios In The Aeging Field, Donny Andryanto, Donanta Dhaneswara

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

This research investigates the production decline and cost increase in the X&Y oil and gas fields from 2022 to 2023. Production fell by 34%, while production costs per barrel rose by 79%. To address these issues, a series of optimization processes are proposed. These aim to restructure and enhance the production facilities to reduce current production costs. The optimizations include reducing pressure at the PPP Platform in 2024. Additional steps include shutting down CPP-ORF 14” pipelines and most processes at CPP 2 Platform by 2027 to convert it into an accommodation platform. Further, the plan involves optimizing the release of …

Morphological Test Of Areca Nut Fiber Ceramic Membrane Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Mapping Spectroscopy, Amelia Marzain, Siti Umi Kalsum, Marhadi Marhadi, Ahmad Nabil Shahab

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

This study investigates the potential of ceramic membranes derived from areca nut fiber as a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable material for the removal of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) from groundwater. Two types of membranes were fabricated: one without activation and one chemically activated using 10% sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The morphological and elemental characteristics of both membranes were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping. The concentrations of Fe and Mn before and after treatment were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The NaOH-activated membrane exhibited a more porous surface structure and higher oxygen content, …

Cybercamp: An Experience Report On The Transformations Of An Intensive Cybersecurity Summer Camp For High School Students, Jose R. Ortiz Ubarri, Kariluz Dávila Diaz Ph.D., Rafael A. Arce Nazario

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The Cybercamp is a Cybersecurity summer camp for high school students that has been held for the last nine years at a Hispanic Serving Institution. Since its inception in 2016 the Cybercamp has undergone several transformations in response to budget reductions and the COVID pandemic, to finally become its current version: a rich, hands-on learning experience that we believe is easily replicable even in resource-challenged environments.

In this paper, we document the transformations of the Cybercamp and discuss the developed curriculum and materials in hopes that others will reuse, adapt, and improve upon them. In the Cybercamp, we apply active …

Shallow Groundwater Extraction Strategies In The Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, Teryl Stacey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Las Vegas Valley faces severe water scarcity due to Nevada’s limited Colorado River allocation and an arid climate. Population growth and prolonged drought have intensified these constraints, necessitating alternative resource strategies. This project evaluated a strategy to make use of brackish, shallow groundwater (from the top 30 feet below ground surface) located in the central and east-central parts of the valley. Its objective was to extract lower quality shallow groundwater for use as an alternative to fresh water currently being used for some applications that require little to no treatment. Dust suppression is among the most promising of such …

Mapping Climatic And Environmental Determinants Of Parasitic Helminth Prevalence In Southeast Asia, Angelica Avisado

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Climate change is reshaping environmental conditions across Southeast Asia (SEA) through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased droughts. These changes alter transmission dynamics of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by shifting spatial distribution, increasing larval development rates, faster pathogen growth development, and increasing transmission rates. NTDs are a group of preventable and treatable infections that disproportionately affect more than 1 billion people globally, specifically in tropical and subtropical regions. A subgroup of NTDs, parasitic helminth infections (PHIs) - particularly schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and lymphatic filariasis remains a public health concern in the Southeast Asian region. PHIs and their ecological responses …

Characterization Of The Electronic Structure Of Metal–Organic Framework Mil-125 And Its Derivatives Using Soft X-Ray Spectroscopies, Jennifer Alexia Napoles

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly porous, three-dimensional networks composed of coordinated metal clusters and organic ligand subunits. While tens of thousands of MOFs have been synthesized, the Ti(IV)-based MOF MIL-125 has garnered scientific interest due to the observed changes to its optical and photocatalytic properties upon chemical modification. For example, upon UV irradiation in the presence of an alcohol, MIL-125 undergoes a photochromic color change to a photodoped state that has been associated with the storage of charge in the form of Ti(III) sites. Another example is exemplified by the amine group functionalization of the 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (BDC) linker of MIL-125 …

A Comparison Of Airborne Tree Pollen In The Las Vegas Valley From 2017 – 2021, Asma Tahir

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Airborne pollen are a predominant cause of asthma, allergic disease, and respiratory infections. The strong allergenic potential of tree pollen is of a public health concern. Several allergenic trees grow in the Mojave Desert, but not all are native to the region. Concentrations of airborne tree pollen are affected by atmospheric, environmental, ecological, and geospatial factors. Previous research has reported high tree pollen concentrations in the Las Vegas Valley, but long-term comparison studies are lacking. This study measured and compared tree pollen concentrations from five different collection stations in Las Vegas. Pollen samples collected from January 1, 2017, to December …