Digital Commons Network^™

Transmedia Edutainment For Sustainable Advocacy: How Narrative Engagement And Counterarguments Influence Generation Z’S Response To Sustainable Development Messages, Aya Shata, Michelle Seelig, Nick Carcioppolo

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Faculty Research

Media convergence has created new forms of storytelling, such as transmedia edutainment (TE-E), which can serve as an innovative communication strategy for promoting pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. Because of the limited evidence about the persuasive outcomes of narrative TE-E, this research investigates the role of TE-E as a novel communication approach that advocates for sustainable development among Generation Z. Drawing on narrative persuasion theories, we conducted an experiment (N = 441) that examined the narrative mechanisms of TE-E, focusing on narrative engagement and counterargument, and assessed the narrative outcomes of different single formats—including video, game, and comic—compared with TE-E. Findings …

Assisted Reproductive Technology (Art) In The Mountain West, 2022, Caitlin J. Saladino, Kristian Thymianos, William E. Brown Jr., Monserrat Cristando-Romo, Taylor Volk, Yashesvi Sharma

Health

This fact sheet examines data on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics located in five Mountain West states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2022 Fertility Clinic Success Rates Report includes data from all 50 states and provides information on ART services offered by individual clinics, including data on total cycles, fertility preservation cycles, pregnancies, deliveries, and total infants born.

Social Security And Retirement Income In The Mountain West, 2022, Dre Boyd-Weatherly, Taylor Volk, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Cities & Metros

This fact sheet presents data on the mean total retirement income for forty-four cities in the Mountain West: Arizona (13), Colorado (14), Nevada (9), New Mexico (3), and Utah (5). The Smart Asset report, “Social Security and Retirement Income Are Highest in These Cities – 2024 Study,” reports data from the 2022 one-year American Community Survey conducted by the U.S Census Bureau.

National Cancer Centers And Cancer Rates In Nevada, 2017-2021, Yashesvi Sharma, Ivan Sun, Taylor Volk, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr., Fatma Nasoz

Health

This fact sheet presents data from the National Institutes of Health including the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) “State Cancer Profiles” report and includes age-adjusted cancer incidence rates by race/ethnicity in Nevada, between 2017 and 2021. The fact sheet also shows data from the 2024 National Cancer Institute’s “NCI-Designated Cancer Centers” map, listing NCI-Designated Cancer Centers by state, and the distance to the nearest NCI-Designated Cancer Centers from the Las Vegas metro and Reno metro.

Community-Driven Policy Solutions To Police Accountability, Rashawn Ray

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

George Floyd’s death shifted public opinion as 76% of Americans agreed that incidents such as the killing of Floyd are signs of racism within law enforcement. While police reforms such as implicit bias training and body-worn cameras gained public support, they insufficiently address the structural, cultural, and organizational components of policing that can obstruct accountability and contribute to racial disparities in policing. In this lecture, Brooking Senior Fellow Rashawn Ray presents interview, survey, social media, and virtual reality data with police officers, activists, and civilians, and demonstrates state- and city-level databases on police reform legislation. Ray posits that evidence-based policy …

Trends And Financial Burden Of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors In The United States: A Comprehensive Analysis Of United States Hospitalizations, Sneh Sonaiya, Raj Patel, Charmy Parikh, Dushyant Dahiya, Karan Yagnik, Nicholas Alonso Barnechea Alvarado, Chun-Han Lo, Kenneth Chow, Abbas Ali Hussain, Anushri Parikh, Pranav Patel, Babu P. Mohan

Department of Internal Medicine Faculty Research

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are associated with a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system despite their relatively low incidence and prevalence compared to other more common malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate trends in GIST-related hospitalizations, inpatient mortality, and the financial burden of GISTs in the United States. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020 was used to identify adult hospitalizations (age > 18 years) with a primary diagnosis of GIST. A multivariate logistic regression along with Chi-square and t-tests was performed using SAS 9.4 software to analyze inpatient GIST-associated mortality, inflation-adjusted total hospital charge …

Reading The Rainbow: Exploring Themes And Identities In Lgbtqia+ Picture Books, Amanda Melilli, Alicia G. Vaandering, James W. Rosenzweig

Library Faculty Presentations

This presentation shares an analysis of over 275 picture books featuring LGBTQIA+ identities, providing evidence that the depiction of queerness in children’s literature is complex and varied. Tools for defining narrative themes and LGBTQIA+ identities will be shared as well as data on queer characters with intersecting identities. By exploring the nuances of LGBTQIA+ representation in picture books, attendees will gain a better understanding of novel research inquiries into representation.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Review, Taha Shaikh, Darren Nguyen, Jasmine Dugal, Michael Dicaro, Brianna Yee, Nazanin Houshmand, Kachon Lei, Ali Namazi

Department of Internal Medicine Faculty Research

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by structural abnormalities, arrhythmias, and a spectrum of genetic and clinical manifestations. Clinically, ARVC is structurally distinguished by right ventricular dilation due to increased adiposity and fibrosis in the ventricular walls, and it manifests as cardiac arrhythmias ranging from non-sustained ventricular tachycardia to sudden cardiac death. Its prevalence has been estimated to range from 1 in every 1000 to 5000 people, with its large range being attributed to the variability in genetic penetrance from asymptomatic to significant burden. It is even suggested that the prevalence is underestimated, as the presence of genotypic mutations …

Atherosclerosis: A Comprehensive Review Of Molecular Factors And Mechanisms, Vasiliki Tasouli-Drakou, Ian Ogurek, Taha Shaikh, Marc Ringor, Michael V. Dicaro, Kachon Lei

Department of Internal Medicine Faculty Research

Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of lipids and a culprit behind cardiovascular events, has long been studied. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in interest in its initiation, with researchers shifting focus from traditional pathways involving the vascular infiltration of oxidized lipids and towards the novel presence of chronic inflammatory pathways. The accumulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in combination with the activation of transcription factors, creates a positive feedback loop that drives the creation and progression of atherosclerosis. From the upregulation of the nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the Notch and Wnt pathways to …

Improved Open Access Support Through A Popular Open Access Fund, Andrea A. Wirth

Library Faculty Research

This paper describes results of a 2023 survey of authors who applied to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Open Article Fund, a fund that supports article processing charges (APCs). The survey sought feedback about the fund’s impact, value, and award criteria as well as opinions on other open access topics. Results show that the fund has had a positive impact on open access uptake and opinions of open access. Respondents reported that they participate in other open publishing activities and believe that most publications should be made open access. The results suggest opportunities for better strategic connections between the …

Six-Month Follow-Up Comparing Ait And Eft In The Reduction Of Negative Emotions Associated With A Past Memory, Gregory Brown, Kavita Batra, Emily Dorin, Andrew Han, Arianna Palermini, Robert Sottile, Sherine Khanbijian

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research

The field of Energy Psychology [EP] has amassed hundreds published research studies over its thirty year history which includes both systematic review and meta-analysis level data. These have consistently demonstrated significant effect sizes equivalent to EMDR and trauma based CBT (Church et al., 2022; Feinstein, 2021). Energy Psychology Techniques typically include an energetic component, an emotional component, a somatic component, focus upon a specific memory, which lead to automatic secondary cognitive shifts. Memory Reconsolidation may be a primary psycho-biological explanation for effectiveness. Emotional Freedom Technique [EFT] is the most studied EP technique to date, and considered an evidenced based treatment …

Recent Advances In Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Current Treatment And Future Direction, Arasalan Siddiqui, Vasiliki Tasouli-Drakou, Marc Ringor, Micael V. Dicaro, Brianna Yee, Kachon Lei, Tahir Tak

Department of Internal Medicine Faculty Research

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) has been established as a major component of heart failure management, resulting in a significant reduction in patient morbidity and death for patients with increased QRS duration, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and high risk of arrhythmias. The ability to synchronize both ventricles, lower heart failure hospitalizations, and optimize clinical outcomes are some of the attractive characteristics of biventricular pacing, or CRT. However, the high rate of CRT non-responders has led to the development of new modalities including leadless CRT pacemakers (CRT-P) and devices focused on conduction system pacing (CSP). This comprehensive review aims to …

Social Jetlag Alters Markers Of Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Adaptations In The Heart, Michael B. Dial, Elias M. Malek, Austin R. Cooper, Greco A. Neblina, Nikoleta I. Vasileva, Graham Mcginnis

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Social jetlag (SJL) represents the behavioral misalignment of sleep and wake times on work days and free days, and potently disrupts the circadian rhythm. SJL affects up to 70% of the population worldwide and is associated with increased risk for many cardiometabolic diseases. Animal models of acute SJL have shown disruption in locomotor activity and expression of clock genes in select tissues, its impact on the heart remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged SJL (6 weeks), on activity rhythms, and the impact on exercise-induced adaptations in the heart. Male mice (n …

Leveraging Substitute Teachers As Educational Leaders, Marcedes Butler

College of Education Faculty Research

This autoethnographic study explores the lived experiences of an advanced-degree holder and educator with expertise in leadership and education policy who worked as a substitute teacher in the Clark County School District. Despite my qualifications, I often felt underutilized and disconnected, revealing systemic barriers within the educational system. Using distributed leadership theory, I examine these challenges and uncover the untapped leadership potential of substitutes to make meaningful contributions to P-12 education. This study proposes actionable solutions, including substitute profile systems, comprehensive onboarding programs, and structured mentorship initiatives. The findings highlight the importance of shared leadership in fostering equity, professional growth, …

Achilles Tendon Morphology Adaptations In Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis: A Comparative Analysis With Neurologically Intact Controls, Jing Nong Liang, Greg Bashford, Kornelia Kulig, Kai-Yu Ho

Physical Therapy Faculty Research

Introduction: In individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis, slow walking speed is a significant concern related to inadequate propulsion of the paretic limb. However, an overlooked factor is this population's altered morphology of the Achilles tendon, which may compromise the propulsive forces by the paretic limb. This study aimed to explore changes in Achilles tendon morphology, including gross thickness and intra-tendinous collagen fiber bundle organization, following stroke-induced brain lesions.

Methods: Fifteen individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (at least 6 months post-stroke) and 19 neurologically intact controls participated. Ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate Achilles tendon thickness and collagen organization in the …

Chronic Student Absenteeism In The Mountain West, 2018-2023, Anirudh Polagani, Yashesvi Sharma, Zachary Billot, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet examines data on chronic student absenteeism rates across five Mountain West states: Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada. The “Tracking State Trends in Chronic Absenteeism” report by FutureEd, an education policy think tank at Georgetown University, provides data for 42 states and the District of Columbia for the school years of 2018-2019, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023.

Relational Database Schema To Support Research Profiling Studies, Natural Language Processing, And Bibliometric Analysis, Darnelle Melvin

Library Faculty Research

In this paper, a relational database schema is introduced that supports rapid prototyping, data preprocessing, and warehousing tasks associated with research profiling studies, natural language processing, and bibliometric analysis. Python scripts are leveraged for the seamless retrieval and processing of data from Semantic Scholar. This schema is tailored to efficiently analyze entities such as authors, their scientific papers, referenced papers, and cited papers. Adhering to the relational model, this schema offers a standardized approach to data storage and detailed information retrieval for scientific papers. Enhancing knowledge discovery in scientific databases, this schema provides researchers with a powerful platform for robust …

Introduction, Amanda Koziura, Amy Tureen

Library Faculty Research

Introduction to the book Making Values-Based Decisions in the Academic Library.

The Causes And Impact Of Evictions In Southern Nevada, Mohit Pande

Student Research

As the Southern Nevada region continues to quickly grow, evictions have become a structural feature of the region’s rental market. The region has one of the highest eviction filing rates in the country and this trend has continued to increase in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper examines the availability of market-rate affordable housing and the expansion of subsidized affordable housing to understand how the local housing conditions contribute to the number of evictions in Southern Nevada. Additionally, the paper studies local legal processes, such as the summary eviction system and habitability procedures, to understand the relationship between …

Hypnosis: An Evidenced Based Treatment, Gregory P. Brown

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Review of meta analyses and systemic review level studies of hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety, burnout, and depression.

Don’T Do More With Less: Sustainable Work As A Management Value, Amanda Koziura

Library Faculty Research

Discusses a series of decisions a middle manager made to keep the work of her department sustainable and how she incorporated her values into her process.

All Set For Next Week: Reorienting Domesticity, Gendered Labor, And Collective Mourning, Kayla Lockwood

Graduate & Professional Student Association Research Forum

All Set for Next Week (2024) was a coffin‐shaped coffee table that formed the focal point of my Honey, I’m Home! Midway Exhibition—a core requirement for my advancement to candidacy, which I successfully completed. Revisiting the nostalgic domestic imagery of mid‐twentieth‐century sitcoms like The Honeymooners and I Love Lucy, this piece examined the precarious nature of home, shifts in gender roles, and the collective reshaping of mourning rituals during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Made from red oak, a wood historically linked to coffin‐making, the table evoked the memory of my grandfather’s passing while probing deeper questions surrounding inherited skill sets and …

Tax Education For Financial Empowerment, Job Buenrostro-Diaz

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

Research Question: In what ways can understanding tax concepts help with financial literacy in improving money management decisions for lower income individuals?

This proposal outlines a strategy to increase quality education in middle to low income communities.

Is It Real Enough? A Mixed-Methods Study Of Realism, Engagement And Counterargument In Transmedia Edutainment For Sustainable Behaviors, Aya Shata, Michelle Selig

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Faculty Research

Advancements in technology have driven media convergence, paving the way for innovative storytelling formats like Transmedia Edutainment (TE-E), a new promising strategy for advocating prosocial behaviors. However, there is limited research on narrative processing and the persuasive outcomes of TE-E, particularly in environmental contexts. Therefore, this paper examines TE-E as a new communication strategy that leverages storytelling across multiple platforms to promote pro-environmental messaging. Drawing on entertainment-education literature and narrative persuasion theories, specifically the narrative engagement model and perceived realism as theoretical frameworks in this study, to help understand the role and influence of TE-E. Using a mixed-method design, five …

Influence Of Fused Deposition Modeling Process Parameters On The Constitutive Model Of Hyperelastic Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Lucas Gallup, Mohamed Trabia, Brendan O'Toole, Youssef Fahmy

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) are suited for fused deposition modeling (FDM) of parts that require high levels of flexibility and strength. Predicting the deformation of TPU parts produced using FDM may be difficult, especially under large deformations, as their constitutive models depend on the printing process parameters. The lack of understanding led to the absence of constitutive models for TPU parts produced using FDM. This work aims to identify accurate hyperelastic constitutive models. Six groups of uniaxial tensile specimens were produced using FDM. These groups were made with variations in two process parameters, which were infill geometry and extrusion nozzle temperature. …

Multi-Objective Optimization Of The Layout Of Tall Building Sites In Dense Urban Configurations For Improved Sustainability Outcomes, Grant Mosey, Brian Deal

Architecture Faculty Research

Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms have long been used by architects to find objective solutions to complex building problems involving trade-offs implicit in sustainable building design. At a larger scale, urban designers have created a variety of tools to improve sustainability in urban-and-larger scale design. However, to date, fewer studies have focused on improving sustainability outcomes at the “in between” scale of the neighborhood and urban site. Existing scholarship on optimization at this scale has tended to take a narrow view of sustainability. We seek to expand the implementation of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms to this sometimes overlooked scale while taking a broad …

Six-Month Follow-Up Comparing Ait And Eft In The Reduction Of Negative Emotions Associated With A Past Memory, Gregory Brown, Kavita Batra, Emily Dorin, Andrew Han, Arianna Palermini, Robert Sottile, Sherine Khanbijian

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Statistics have shown that about sixty percent of individuals with psychiatric illness do not respond adequately to standard treatments, yet only 1% of research studies are focused on developing new therapeutic strategies for these patients (McIntyre et al., 2023). This study investigated the long-term efficacy of Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) as compared to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), specifically evaluating the durability of the resolution of emotional distress tied to a single memory six months post-treatment. The study began with 72 participants: and 51 completed a follow-up survey, resulting in a response rate of 70.8%. The sample was predominantly female (65%), …

Game On! A Comparative Analysis Of External Load In Division Iii Soccer Players Across Gender And Position, Bianca J. De Lucia, Daniel M. Smith, Ashima Fillbach, Mary K. Feit

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Global positioning systems have been used increasingly in sports science due to their ability to quantify external loads of athletes during competitions and practices. Limited research has examined gender differences in external load throughout a collegiate soccer season. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare game workloads across collegiate men (MSOC) and women (WSOC) soccer players. Division III MSOC and WSOC players wore GPS devices during games throughout a 15-week season. METHODS: Metrics analyzed from GPS data were: total distance (TD), sprint distance (SD), number of deceleration efforts (decel) (>-3 m/s²), number of acceleration efforts (accel) ( …

Does Physician-Hospital Vertical Integration Affect Hospital Output?, Soumya Upadhyay, Neeraj Bhandari

Healthcare Administration and Policy Faculty Research

Background: Physician-hospital vertical integration is gaining steam but it is unclear how they affect hospital output.

Objective: To examine the direct impact of vertical integration on hospital output.

Design: A pooled design with 6-year data using linear regressions was used. Then, panel data design with hospital fixed effects was used.

Methods: We linked American Hospital Association data (2016-2021) with AHRQ Comparative Health System Performance Initiative’s Compendium (2018, 2020, 2021; 34 987 hospital-year observations) to develop new measures of vertical integration and assess its relationship with several measures of hospital output including annualized total admissions, total number of inpatients days, …

Climate And Gypsum Parent Material Shape Biocrust Communities And Moss Ecology In The Chihuahuan And Mojave Deserts, Nicole Pietrasiak, Katelyn G. Gobbie, Brian Jusko, Rebecca E. Drenovsky

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Biological soil crust communities (biocrusts) establishing on gypsum soils have been well-documented for their prolific appearance and rich diversity of lichens and bryophytes. However, studies characterizing gypsum biocrusts have occurred primarily outside of the U.S., most of which lack comparisons to other soil types. We conducted intensive field surveys to evaluate the ground cover and frequency of biocrust functional groups and moss species on gypsum and non-gypsum soils in the U.S. regions with the most extensive gypsum outcrops, the northern Chihuahuan and eastern Mojave Deserts. Study sites were stratified by geomorphology and paired, so that every gypsum site was matched …