Digital Commons Network^™

Mhealth Intervention For Elevated Blood Pressure Among College Students: Single-Arm Intervention Study, Dieu-My T. Tran, Catherine E. Dingley, Roger Bonilla

Nursing Faculty Research

Background: Current evidence reveals a growing pattern of hypertension among young adults, significantly increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. Young adults, particularly those of college age, often develop risk factors related to lifestyle choices in diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption. Developing useful interventions that can assist with screening and possible behavioral modifications that are suitable and appealing to college-aged young adults could help with early identification and intervention for hypertension. Recent studies indicate mobile health (mHealth) apps are acceptable and effective for communication and message delivery among this population.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to …

Predicting Homelessness: Housing Risk Insights From Latent Class Analysis, Katherine E. Marcal, Nicholas Barr

Social Work Faculty Research

Millions of families with children in the U.S. struggle to afford adequate housing. Housing cost burden places families at risk for homelessness, and prevention efforts are hindered by limited understanding of insecure housing experiences at the margins. The present study investigated variation in housing insecurity experiences in a sample of mothers, as well as which risk profiles were most strongly associated with subsequent homelessness. Latent class analysis identified four distinct subgroups of housing insecurity: “Stable,” “Unstable,” “Rent-Focused,” and “Strategic Bill-Paying.” Classes differed on whether they made rent or utility payments on time, experienced utility shutoffs, or were evicted. Mothers who …

Kairotic Entanglement: Kairos, Artificial Intelligence, Persuasion, And The Search For Meaning – A Literature Review, Jonathan Moore

Spectra Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper advances to understand kairos in the contemporary context and its relation to emerging persuasive technologies. The ubiquitous and omnipresent nature of digital technologies prompts a deeper understanding of the possible implications of these technologies and the meaning which emerges from human- computer interactions. A substantial literature review was conducted on kairos, captology, and related subterms to understand and interpret the proximal relationships of these concepts. Additionally, a discussion is offered, and a direction for future works is presented. This paper moves to suggest that kairos plays a substantive role in persuasive technologies and human computer interactions by presenting …

Beyond The Waterfall: A Review Of Project Management Methodologies In Stem, Yessenia Henriquez, Brendan O'Toole

Entertainment Engineering and Design Student Research

Project management has been exercised from the early stages of history to concurrent practices happening today. It has evolved from the early stages of the Gantt chart and five primary principles to well-renowned project management methodologies such as Waterfall and Agile. This literature review focuses on comprehending four project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Kanban, and Scrum), learning their criteria and frameworks, and learning about their application in a specific STEM environment when applicable. This work reviews the recent research literature pertaining to these four methods. An overview of project management certificates and guidelines is covered as well. Waterfall is known …

Kicking The Robots: The Roles Of Transformational Leadership And Fear On Service Robot Risk Awareness And Robot Abuse Relationship, Cass Shum, Hyounae (Kelly) Min, Jie Sun, Heyao (Chandler) Yu, Zhaoli He

Hospitality Faculty Research

Purpose: Service robots are increasingly prevalent in the hospitality industry. While studies have explored the concept of service robot risk awareness (SRRA)– an employee’s perception of service robots posing a threat to human labor– the impact of SRRA on robot abuse and its emotional mechanism through which it affects employees remains unclear. This research leverages emotional appraisal theory to investigate the mediating role of fear of robots in the relationship between SRRA and robot abuse. Additionally, considering the influential role of leadership in shaping emotional appraisal, this study examines the moderating impact of transformational leadership.

Design/Methodology/Approach: To test the proposed …

Exploring The Mechanistic Trail Connecting Cellular Function, Health, And Athletic Performance With Phase Angle: A Review On The Physiology Of Phase Angle And Exercise-Based Interventions, Trevor Short, Paulette Yamada

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 5: Issue 1, Article 7, 2024. Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle (PhA) has been widely used in clinical and sports settings, as it is positively associated with health and fitness. However, what PhA is measuring at the cellular level has not been addressed, which limits our interpretation of PhA. The purpose of this review is to provide a roadmap, starting with the mechanistic link between the dielectric properties of mammalian cells and their physiological function. In simplistic terms, PhA measures cellular permittivity and electrical conductivity. These characteristics determine cellular health and function. This …

Risk Of Climate Damage In The Mountain West, 2024, Taylor Volk, Isabelle G. Graham, Ivan Sun, Zachary Billot, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Environment

This fact sheet examines 2024 data on the estimated annual cost per person of damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and population from climate related disasters for the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The original report, “States at Greatest Risk of Climate Damage - 2024 Study,” by Jaclyn DeJohn and published by SmartAsset, includes data on climate disaster risk for all 50 states.

Salary Needed To Live Comfortably In The Mountain West, 2024, Mohit Pande, Anirudh Polagani, Monserrat Cristando-Romo, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Economic Development & Workforce

This fact sheet examines data on the annual salary needed to live comfortably in selected cities in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico as of February 2024. A report by Smart Asset titled, “Salary Needed to Live Comfortably – 2024 Study,” provided wage data for the 99 largest cities in the United States.

Property Taxes In Mountain West Cities, 2022, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Housing & Real Estate

This fact sheet examines data on homestead, apartment building, and commercial property tax rates for five cities in the Mountain West: Phoenix, AZ; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Albuquerque, NM; and Salt Lake City, UT). The fact sheet compares the average tax bill for homestead properties and median home values reported in “50-State Property Tax Comparison Study For Taxes Paid in 2022,” an August 2023 report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence.

Aging-Related Changes In The Mechanical Properties Of Single Cells, Amarnath Singam, Chandrabali Bhattacharya, Seungman Park

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research

Mechanical properties, along with biochemical and molecular properties, play crucial roles in governing cellular function and homeostasis. Cellular mechanics are influenced by various factors, including physiological and pathological states, making them potential biomarkers for diseases and aging. While several methods such as AFM, particle-tracking microrheology, optical tweezers/stretching, magnetic tweezers/twisting cytometry, microfluidics, and micropipette aspiration have been widely utilized to measure the mechanical properties of single cells, our understanding of how aging affects these properties remains limited. To fill this knowledge gap, we provide a brief overview of the commonly used methods to measure single-cell mechanical properties. We then delve into …

Gender Pay Gaps In Mountain West Cities & States, 2024, Dre Boyd-Weatherly, Maryam Raja, Sean Curry, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Economic Development & Workforce

This fact sheet examines data on the gender pay gap, or the difference in pay between male and female year-round full-time workers in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. “Cities with the Largest Gender Pay Gaps” published by the Chamber of Commerce uses 2020-2021 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Crafting A Queer Information Literacy (Qil) Framework: An Exploration Of Embodiment, Digital Learning, And Information Literacy In Academic Spaces, Joseph Kevin Sebastian

Library Faculty Presentations

This presentation introduces and explores Queer Information Literacy (QIL) as a critical, embodied, and transformative framework within academic and digital learning contexts. Bridging theoretical explorations with practical applications, the project delves into the intersections of queerness, embodiment, and information literacy, challenging and subverting normative structures embedded within traditional literacy models and digital learning environments. Personal narratives from the researcher’s experiences as an academic librarian and digital learning specialist enrich the discussion, offering tangible insights and strategies for enacting QIL. The presentation ultimately advocates for a QIL that is collaborative, adaptive, and reflective, honoring the fluidity and multiplicity of queer experiences …

The Cost Of Long-Term Care In The Mountain West, 2023, Madison Dwyer, Freddy Nie, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Health

This fact sheet examines data on the cost of long-term care for the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah from the Genworth “Cost of Care Survey.” Data on long-term care includes home health care, adult day health care facilities, licensed assisted living facilities, and certified and licensed nursing homes.

The Hidden Struggle: Challenges Older Women Face In Nevada, Annie Vong

Student Research

In 2020, almost one in five Nevadans was over the age of 65.[1] However, within this age group, women outnumber men due to longer life expectancies[2] and migration patterns. Women over 65 years of age make up an estimated 18.1% of the female population in Nevada.[3] Of the male population in Nevada, 15.1% are over 65 years of age.[4] Older women are less likely to be married, are less likely to have completed a bachelor’s degree, are more likely to drop out of the labor force, and are more likely to be living in poverty in …

Return On Investment (Roi) For Undergraduate Degrees At The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas (Unlv) And The University Of Nevada, Reno (Unr), Riley Ruff, Miguel Soriano Ralston, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Higher Education

This fact sheet examines return on investment (ROI) data for undergraduate degrees at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). The original report from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) includes data on the ROI for various undergraduate degree programs across the United States.

Access To K-12 Educational Opportunity In The Mountain West, 2017-2018, Yashesvi Sharma, Isabelle G. Graham, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

K-12 Education

This fact sheet examines K-12 education climate data in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The original report from Research For Action explores a variety of educational opportunity indicators, such as the presence of STEM certified teachers, experienced teachers, offerings of AP/Dual Enrollment classes, and low student/teacher ratios.

The Safest Suburbs In The Mountain West, 2023, Ivan Sun, Zachary Billot, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Cities & Metros

This fact sheet presents data from the Smart Asset report, “America’s Safest Suburbs – 2023 Study,” which examines the 370 safest suburbs in the United States and the 35 most affordable safest suburbs. This fact sheet focuses on data for the nine safest suburbs and most affordable safe suburbs in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah ranking among the top 100 safest suburbs in the United States.

Biodiversity Loss & Urban Heat: A Nature- Based Wildlife Policy For The Las Vegas Metro, Zachary Billot

Student Research

As the population of the Las Vegas Metro continues to grow, new developments expand on the periphery. As Las Vegas continues to increase in size and develop further into wildlife habitat, not only are native animals and plants endangered, but residents are at risk of increasingly dangerous urban heat given the increase in impervious cover that makes Las Vegas the 2nd fastest warming metro in the U.S. This policy brief examines current policy and practice in place to highlight the need for positive human-wildlife interaction that will address the growing threat of biodiversity loss and heat vulnerability. This policy brief …

Homelessness In Mountain West Continuums Of Care (Coc), 2022-2023, Yvette Machado, Anna Vu, Annie Vong, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Demography

This fact sheet examines data on the number of homeless per 100,000 individuals and the number of unsheltered per 100,000 individuals in six Mountain West metropolitan areas in 2023. Six continuums of care (CoC) are identified in the Mountain West: the Albuquerque, NM CoC; the Las Vegas/Clark County, NV CoC; the Phoenix, Mesa/Maricopa County, AZ CoC; the Tucson/Pima County, AZ CoC; the Metropolitan Denver, CO CoC; and the Colorado Springs/El Paso County, CO CoC.

Lgbtq+ Municipal Equality Index In Mountain West Cities, 2022, Zachary Billot, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Cities & Metros

This fact sheet examines the status of LGBTQ+ legislation, policy, and services as defined by the Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF). Data are included for “large cities” in the Mountain West, defined as cities with estimated populations larger than 250,000 people according to the United States Census Bureau’s April 1, 2020 Decennial Census population data. This fact sheet includes data on 13 large cities in the Mountain West including five in Arizona, three in Colorado, four in Nevada, and one in New Mexico.

The Effects Of The Tax Credit On The Used Electric Vehicle Market, My Tu T. Tran

Undergraduate Economics Working Paper Series

In the past few years, tax credits have become the fundamental policy instrument to incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. However, contemporary research primarily focuses on new EVs, while the impact of tax credits on the used EV market remains obscure. This research aims to enhance the knowledge of EV adoption by examining the potential effects of the Used Clean Vehicle Credit, a federal program providing up to $4,000 credit to eligible consumers. We have collected sales data of used cars from 245 CarMax locations in the U.S. between 2021 and 2023 to assess the …

The Race For Increasing College Costs, Mark Jayson Farol

Undergraduate Economics Working Paper Series

As higher education continues to shift to be more progressive, providing access to more students of different backgrounds, it currently is facing an obstacle. The escalating cost of tuition is growing to be a significant concern for access to higher education. The government has prioritized increasing federal financial aid to improve accessibility. However, this intervention may paradoxically worsen the rise of the cost of college, as suggested by William Bennett's famous hypothesis. As the higher education landscape evolves, a nuanced examination of tuition rise drivers is essential. This study utilizes cross-sectional data from the National Center for Education Statistics to …

Chasing Wins To Chasing Memories Visitor Trends Playing Their Hand In The Casino Floor Through Informed Architectural And Interior Design Cues, Taylee Kelly

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

Integrated resorts throughout Las Vegas captivate audiences through its immersive architectural design and unique thematic branding. Beyond hotel accommodations, integrated resorts offer a variety of amenities for the enjoyment and convenience of visitors from dining, retail, entertainment and more. Among the heart of these resorts lies the alluring casino floor, filled with endless gaming options for visitors optimistic in the possibility of winning big.

Las Vegas’ identity as a gambling mecca has heralded slot machines and table games as the cynosure of casino floors, strategically placed and oriented by designers in aims of optimizing gaming revenue and increasing engagement among …

Hidden Portals An Architectural Intervention Of Casino Employee Entrances, Cesar Salazar

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

The current design of employee entrances across the Las Vegas Strip starkly contrasts the vibrant and inviting atmosphere experienced by visitors (Sheehan, 2004). This oversight undermines the potential for creating a hospitable and efficient work environment where every design decision contributes positively to the employees' experience. There is a critical need for a shift towards authentic utilitarian architecture in these spaces, where the primary goal should be to simultaneously enhance functionality, productivity, and employee well-being.

This book posits that a transformative architectural intervention of resort employee entrances, rooted in principles of architectural determinism, is a necessity to enhance employee morale …

Agri-Tecture Aesthetic Designs Addressing Food Resilience In Urban Environments, V. Kate Ferguson

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

Food resilience in urban centers is increasing at risk due to climate change, economic costs, diminishing resources and ultimately the evolution of human society. As our way of life changes we must also adapt in how we grow, harvest and transport food. Hydroponic farms and innovative urban agriculture have proven to yield more food production with fewer resources than traditional agriculture methods. Urban centers throughout the world have been more of food deserts and rely on importation of over 90% of food. Proven urban farming methods can be integrated into existing buildings, such as rooftops, walls, warehouses, or vertical structures, …

Meadows Micro-City Transforming The Retail Typology Of Meadows Mall Into A Mixed-Use Urban Micro-City, Horacio Botello

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

This research book has initiated a comprehensive analysis on optimal micro-city developments in Las Vegas based on two impending issues that when combined can provide lead to a potential solution. It begins with an overview of the doomed future of the great American mall that will eventually disappear. The research then transitions into the severe housing deficit in Las Vegas which paired with the drastic increase in housing costs has directly affected new potential home buyers. The thesis proposes to utilize soon to be vacant malls and their surrounding sites as prototypes for a micro-city development. Through the analysis of …

Redesigning Studentscapes The Future Of Outdoor Educational Spaces, Jamie Centeno

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

Currently, there is very little research in the field of architecture that touches upon mental health. While there were many articles that were written during this period discussing the correlation between architecture and mental health, most of them were not peer-reviewed studies and did not specify any mental illness, but were instead very broad and vague. In a recent investigation from 2020, researchers found that between 2008 and 2020, there were a total of 59 academic papers published discussing the relationship between architecture and at least 1 mental illness (Aljunaidy & Adi, 2020). The majority (66%) of articles focused on …

Suburban Sustainability Lessons From History And Environment, Innovations For Tomorrow, Joan Barlongo

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

This study explores the re-imagining of outdoor spaces in suburban homes within the context of Las Vegas, utilizing vernacular architecture principles and climate-responsive sustainable solutions to enhance residents’ quality of life. Las Vegas, situated in a desert climate, presents unique challenges in terms of sustainable living and outdoor comfort due to extreme temperatures and limited water resources.

By incorporating vernacular architectural elements and adopting climate-responsive strategies, this study aims to propose innovative approaches to outdoor space design that promote environmental sustainability, cultural identity, and improved well-being for suburban residents. Through an analysis of vernacular architecture, climate data, and sustainable design …

“Minimal-Impact” Las Vegas Spaceport, Joshua Bombala

Hospitality Design Graduate Student Capstones

The development of a Minimal-Impact spaceport stands as a pivotal stride in the pursuit of sustainable aerospace initiatives, bridging the gap between human progress and environmental care. This thesis seeks to explore the emotional impact of architecture on guests, drawing parallels from the world of aerospace to examine how the design of spaces, such as those in Las Vegas, significantly influences the emotions of visitors. By conceptualizing a Minimal-Impact spaceport that minimizes ecological footprint, optimizes resource efficiency using local resources, and seamlessly blends with its natural environment, this thesis contends that a spaceport should adhere to a new set standard …

Federal Government: Assessing The Impact Of Lithium Mineral Resource Extraction On Indigenous Communities In The State Of Nevada, Zachary Johnigan

Student Research

The research topic for this project is lithium mining which holds significance to indigenous populations in the State of Nevada and mineral extraction companies seeking to mine there. My research objective is to gain a deeper understanding of the direct impacts that lithium mining has had on indigenous communities, throughout history and today. Overall, the purpose of the project is to expound upon the implications of lithium mining on indigenous communities in response to the recent higher demand for the critical mineral in the United States. If it can be understood exactly how lithium mining has affected Nevada’s indigenous population, …