Digital Commons Network^™

Play-Based Assessment Of The Cardinal Principle, Allyssa Sonnefeld Leavitt

Theses and Dissertations

Gelman and Gallistel (1986) determined five counting principles that are essential for successful counting, including the cardinal principle where children understand that the last number counted represents the quantity of a set of objects. The traditional How many? task and the Give-n task are the most common tasks that have been used to assess whether children understand the cardinal principle. However, many researchers claim that these tasks either overestimate or underestimate children's understanding of the cardinal principle. Some researchers (Baroody & Pellegrino, 2023) suggest that embedding the traditional How many? task in a game may improve its validity. In this …

The Mechanics And Consequences Of The Löwenheim-Skolem And Compactness Theorems, Adam Murphy

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The compactness theorem for first-order logic says that for a set of first-order sen-tences to be satisfiable, it’s enough for every finite subset to be satisfiable. We’ll see how the compactness theorem arises from two methods of model construction: first by ultraproducts, and second by Henkin’s method of constructing models from constant symbols. We’ll explore several representative applications of compactness, such as how it can be used to demonstrate that a property is not expressible, establishing limitations on first-order expressibility. The Löwenheim-Skolem theorem says that if an infinite set Γ of first-order sentences has an infinite model, then for all …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda December 15, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes November 17, 2025
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report - December 4, 2025
• 3:40 Report
• Council on Teacher Education
• Scholarship Annual Report
• University Studies Report
• 4:05 Old Business
• 4:10 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

The Relationship Between Experience And Training With Counselor Confidence In Working With Veterans, Nilton Castro

ETD Collection

Up to 65% of veterans deployed in combat or returning from combat regions such as Afghanistan and Iraq meet criteria for a mental health diagnosis, yet up to 50% do not receive specialized mental health treatment. On October 17, 2020, the United States government passed legislation to increase and improve mental health services for veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) agreed to submit a plan that bolsters the mental health workforce in its facilities by recruiting licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHCs). Although this legal statute intends to enhance the VA mental health workforce with LPMHCs, recent memorandum published …

Efficient Catalytic Synthesis Of 5-Methylpyrazine- 2-Carboxylic Acid By Recombinant Escherichia Coli, Luxi Gan, Heng Gong

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to improve the yield and conversion rate of 5-methylpyrazine- 2-carboxylic acid (MPCA ) through biocatalysis.[Method ] Escherichia coli (E.coli）was used as the model organism to construct an MPCA synthesis system,and the whole-cell catalytic reaction conditions of recombinant E.coli were optimized.In addition,the parental host strain was subjected to ultraviolet mutagenesis for the screening of host strains tolerant to high mass concentrations of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (DMP ).[Result ] The recombinant mutagenized strain could completely convert 10 g/L DMP to MPCA within 12 h in a 10 mL reaction system,achieving a yield of 12.9 g/L and a corresponding molar …

Sticker Or No Sticker, That Is The Question: A Test Of Two Competing Hypotheses, Dongdong Yang, Yi Luo, Marylou Naumoff

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

Stickers, as an important nonverbal communication affordance on social media, have been understudied in Western contexts. This study employed an online survey (N = 300) to test two competing hypotheses—the social compensation and withdrawal hypotheses—to examine how personality traits influenced sticker use for emotional expression and self-presentation among U.S. college students. Results demonstrated that when communicating with a new friend on their mobile messenger, participants used stickers more frequently for self-presentation than emotional expression. Moreover, loneliness was positively related to neuroticism and negatively related to agreeableness and extraversion. Neuroticism was negatively related to sticker use for both emotional expression and …

2d-Nanosilicate Carriers For Sustained Delivery Of Vaccine Components, Chih Yun Liu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Laponite® 2D Nanosilicates (NS) are disc-shaped platelets (~30 nm diameter, ~1 nm thick) with positively charged edges and negatively charged faces, capable of loading proteins, drugs, and nucleic acids via electrostatic interactions to form a house-of-cards gel that sequesters cargo. Here, we evaluated NS for sustained delivery of antigens and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to extend germinal center duration and enhance antibody quality. The model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) was adsorbed onto NS at acidic pH in a ~1:1 ratio, with partial unfolding that remained stable at physiological pH. NS-OVA complexes were efficiently internalized by dendritic cells, with uptake driven primarily …

Give Unto Caesar?: The Politicization Of The Internal Revenue Service And Its Potential Impacts, Tanner Boshart

The Crown: Syracuse Honors Research Journal

This article, excerpted and adapted from an Honors thesis, explores the politicization of the In-ternal Revenue Service and its budgetary implications. It identifies instancess of politicization of the IRS at a national level throughout different election cycles in the modern era. The Inter-nal Revenue Service is tasked with collecting over $4.9 trillion in annual revenue, yet it has be-come a political lightning rod. Over the years, it has become increasingly vulnerable to partisan manipulation, budgetary constraints, and shifting public trust. This section specifically looks at the modern political manipulation of the IRS’s reputation in the post-2008 political landscape.

Diagnosis Of Platelet Dysfunction In Children: Clinical Predictors And Test Methods, Bhavya S. Doshi, Eric N. Thompson, Walter Faig, Abigail Wax, Amrom E. Obstfeld, Michele P. Lambert

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Evaluation for platelet function disorders (PFD) in children is complicated by their limited exposure to hemostatic challenges, large volumes needed for light transmission aggregometry (LTA) testing, and limited data on the performance characteristics of whole-blood methods such as whole-blood impedance lumiaggregometry (WBILA). The objective of this study was to determine the clinical variables associated with the diagnosis of a PFD. A single-center, retrospective, cohort study of children evaluated for PFD was conducted. Medical charts were abstracted for demographics, medications, testing indications, bleeding sites and severity, and laboratory results. Univariate odds ratios (OR) and multivariable modeling were conducted for association of …

Effectiveness Of Acupressure At Different Ear Acupoints On Insomnia: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Jingyu Zhang, Giulia Castelli, Aomei Shen, Junxin Li, Jennifer Kawi, Hulin Wu, Paul Christo, Claudia M Campbell, Johannes Thrul, Constance M Johnson, Nada Lukkahatai

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Insomnia is highly prevalent among older adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP), contributing to a cycle of heightened pain sensitivity, impaired physical function, and reduced quality of life. Auricular Point Acupressure (APA), a nonpharmacologic intervention for pain, has shown emerging evidence of improving sleep. We compared the effectiveness of targeted APA (T-APA) versus non-targeted APA (NT-APA) on insomnia in older adults with cLBP.

Methods: This secondary analysis used data from a parent RCT, including 99 adults aged 60 or older with cLBP and clinical insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]>7). Participants received four weeks of T-APA or NT-APA. …

Radiogenomic Profiling Of Prostate Tumors Prior To External Beam Radiotherapy Converges On A Transcriptomic Signature Of Tgf-Β Activity Driving Tumor Recurrence, Anson T. Ku, Uma Shankavaram, Shana Y. Trostel, Hong Zhang, Sumeyra Kartal, Houssein A. Sater, Stephanie A. Harmon, Nicole V. Carrabba, Yang Liu, Hyunnam Ryu, James A. Proudfoot, Boon Hao Hong, Bradford J. Wood, Peter A. Pinto, Peter L. Choyke, Mack Roach, Howard M. Sandler, Stephanie L. Pugh, Kenneth L. Zeitzer, Lucas C. Mendez, Nirav S. Kapadia, William A. Hall, Anand B. Desai, Radka S. Stoyanova, Alan Pollack, Elai Davicioni, Melvin L. K. Chua, Baris Turkbey, Adam G. Sowalsky, Deborah E. Citrin

Einstein Health Papers

PURPOSE: Clinical risk grouping based on PSA, tumor grade, and disease extent guides treatment intensity for localized prostate cancer. However, many patients with intermediate- or high-risk disease treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) still develop biochemical recurrence (BCR). Early identification of patients at high risk for BCR could enable personalized treatment strategies.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We prospectively enrolled 29 patients with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer undergoing EBRT and ADT. Pretreatment biopsies (n = 60) underwent whole-transcriptome microarray and whole-exome sequencing. Patients received multiparametric MRI at baseline and 6 months after treatment, with a median follow-up …

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 …

Beyond Additive Risk: Longitudinal Associations Between Discrimination And Positive Affect Development Among Adolescents With Single And Multiple Marginalized Identities, Vanni Jefferson V. Arcaina

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adolescents with marginalized identities often face chronic exposure to discrimination, a social stressor linked to a range of negative mental health outcomes. While much of the existing literature focuses on internalizing symptoms, fewer studies have explored how discrimination may disrupt the development of positive affect (POA), which is a core dimension of emotional well-being linked to resilience, identity formation, and long-term health. The present study examined how overall, race/ethnicity-based, and sexual minority (SM)-based discrimination affects longitudinal patterns of POA among adolescents with single or multiple marginalized identities. Drawing on four waves of data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, …

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 …

Unseen, Unbroken: Black Women In Educational Leadership Overcoming Inequities, Microaggressions, And Invisibility, Inspiring Perseverance And Resilience In Future Black Women Leaders, Angella Baldwin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study explored the challenges that Black women face when pursuing leadership roles in K–12 education, specifically in middle schools. Despite being prepared and eager to lead, Black women are often overlooked and made to feel invisible. Still, we persevere, navigating barriers with determination, faith, and purpose, and continue to support those who follow. Guided by Black Feminist Thought, Endarkened Feminism, and Structural Intersectionality, this study centers Black women’s lived experiences as valid sources of knowledge. It highlights how leadership is shaped by overlapping systems of oppression and resistance, and how it is sustained by prayer, faith in God, and …

Automated Spectrum Analysis And Radionuclide Identification For Robot-Based Gamma Probes, Kennedy Ochieng Mengoh Alila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Gamma spectroscopy is a technique used for the detection and identification of nuclear materials. Gamma-ray emission by radio nuclides is detected using scintillation detectors or semiconductor detectors such as NaI and CZT. Robot-based gamma probes enable radiation measurements in large areas and hard-to-reach cluttered hazardous environments, which significantly reduces radiation risks to personnel. The robotic probes require automated on-board gamma spectrum analysis and capabilities with platforms (unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicle systems) which use Robot Operating System (ROS). The aim of this thesis was to develop a method of an automated spectral analysis and isotope identification for robot-based …

Comparative Study Of Vocal Pedagogy Systems In South Korea And The United States: Developmental Strategies For Classical Voice Education In South Korea, Dongmin Byeon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation presents a comparative study of vocal pedagogy systems in South Korea and the United States, with the aim of identifying deficiencies in Korean higher education and proposing strategies for reform. While South Korean university voice programs are deeply rooted in the traditional master–apprentice model and rely heavily on anecdotal teaching methods, U.S. institutions have developed structured, evidence-based pedagogical frameworks informed by anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and voice science. This research explores the historical evolution of vocal pedagogy in both countries, highlighting how traditional practices in Korea, though culturally significant, have not sufficiently adapted to contemporary scientific standards.

Employing qualitative …

The Maroons: The First Black Nationalists Of The Americas, Marquise K. Camp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Maroon communities are seldom discussed in academic discussions about Black nationalism. This suggests that the goals and achievements of the Maroons differed from those of Black nationalists, and that there are no significant historical links between the two. This project argues that Black nationalists and the Maroons are closely related, not only because of their shared roots in the African diaspora but also because they both sought independence and self-governance for Black people. The aims of Black nationalists like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X closely resemble those of the Maroons. By examining the Maroons alongside Black nationalism, one can gain …

Acute And Chronic Effects Of Neuroinflammation On Hippocampus And Anterior Cingulate Cortex Network Dynamics, Lauren A. Crew

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Neuroinflammation has emerged as a critical modulator of cognitive function and neural circuit dynamics, yet the distinct contributions of acute and chronic neuroinflammation to brain function remain poorly defined. This dissertation examines how inflammation independently alters large-scale neural activity and behavior, focusing on interactions between the hippocampus (HPC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), regions essential for memory and executive processes. Using in vivo electrophysiological techniques in a rodent model, this study compares the effects of short-term (acute) and prolonged (chronic) neuroinflammatory states, induced via Poly I:C, on neural oscillations, regional coherence, and spatial coding. Findings reveal that even transient inflammation …

Creando Conexiones Verdaderas?: Examining Latinx Families’ Lived Experiences With Family-School Partnerships, Jacqueline M. Eddy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Family-school partnerships are essential for a child’s academic and social-emotional well-being in schools. These partnerships thrive when families and school personnel cultivate trusting, communicative, and cooperative relationships. However, families from minoritized communities, such as those from Latinx backgrounds, may encounter challenges that prevent them from forming strong, meaningful relationships with teachers and administrators. This qualitative dissertation study was grounded in a social constructivist paradigm and a phenomenological tradition. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of Latinx families as they navigate relational aspects of family-school partnerships in their children’s schools. Using semi-structured interviews, four participants were …

Functional And Microbial Consequences Of Experimental Evolution Under Starvation In Drosophila Melanogaster, Kristal Marie Aguilar-Conger

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Previous studies in the Gibbs lab have shown that starvation resistant Drosophila melanogaster flies have increased lipid content, lower metabolic rates, and poor physiological health. Historically, many evolutionary studies end at the phenotypic level, leaving the genomic basis largely unresolved. Using Evolve and Resequence (E&R) study, we can map genome-wide allele-frequency trajectories under selection, linking phenotypic shifts to their genomic underpinnings. This study utilized the E&R approach to identify enriched biological processes and pathways underlying starvation adaptation in Drosophila melanogaster. Five replicate restart populations (RS A–E) selected for starvation resistance, along with a control (RC), were resequenced at Generations 1, …

Examining The Complementary Nature Of Working Memory And Dual Coding Theory, Elizabeth Hofschulte Collins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The working memory system is responsible for maintaining, manipulating, and transferring information into long-term memory, yet it operates under strict capacity limitations. Dual coding theory proposes that information can be encoded both verbally and visually, allowing learners to distribute cognitive load across complementary representational systems. Leveraging dual coding may therefore enhance recall, particularly for noun-based stimuli, though there is little to no research exploring this possibility. In the present study, 529 adults completed a forward digit span task and pre-test and post-test free recall tasks involving concrete, abstract, and mixed nouns. Participants were assigned to one of four instruction groups …

Applying Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (Inaa) To Characterize Trace Elements In Water Samples Around Lake Mead, Danesha Hunter

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States is located on the boarder of Nevada and Arizona. Despite reaching historically low water levels, it continues to supply water and energy to millions of Americans in the southwest. It is well known that the United States suffers from negative implications from nationwide drought. The ongoing megadrought affecting the Colorado River Basin and its tributaries undergoes the urgent need to assess the future water quality of Lake Mead as it continues to shrink. With water levels depleting at an alarming rate, water quality is significantly impacted, indicating that heavy metal accumulation …

Post-Probationary Principals’ Perceptions Of Professional Development, Matthew Jackson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This qualitative phenomenological study explored post-probationary principals’ perceptions of professional development, examining the relevance, adequacy, and impact of support provided after 4 years of their leadership. Although research and policy have emphasized the development of new principals, professional learning opportunities for those beyond probationary status remain inconsistent, generic, and misaligned with individual and contextual needs. Guided by adult learning theory, this study sought to understand how post-probationary principals evaluate current professional development, describe their desired opportunities, and determine their ongoing needs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with principals from multiple districts and analyzed using coding, memo writing, and mind …

Overcoming The Labor Shortage: Enhancing Pga Associate Education Through Targeted Support, Brian Milford Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The golf industry faces a critical workforce shortage, exacerbated by impending retirements and a lack of new PGA Members. This exploratory sequential, mixed-method study investigates the barriers and facilitators PGA Associates encounter during their education and identifies support strategies to enhance completion rates. Employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the research explores barriers, completion metrics, facilitator impact, and perceived support benefits. Qualitative data from interviews with Section Executive Directors who oversee PGA Associate development, analyzed through thematic coding, informs the survey instrument. Quantitative data, collected via surveys with PGA Associates themselves, was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural …

Face Recognition Ability: The Role Of Facial Experience Across The Lifespan, Kirsty Kulhanek

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The other-race effect is a phenomenon in which individuals are better able to recognize individuals of their own race than individuals of another race. These effects begin to develop during the first year of life and may be attenuated by intergroup contact. Limited research in the language domain has suggested that multilingualism may result in easier learning of non-native speech contrasts, so it is of interest whether early experience with racially diverse faces may result in more easily learning to recognize unfamiliar race faces. We conducted two studies to examine the effects of early diverse experience with faces on recognition …

Transforming Fear Of Falling Care: Bridging Evidence Synthesis And Clinical Trial On Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Multicomponent Interventions For Older Adults, Haehyun Lee

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Fear of falling (FoF) and associated avoidance behavior represent critical health concerns for older adults, with profound impacts on physical functioning, independence, psychosocial well-being, and healthcare utilization. Although fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is increasingly recognized as a distinct construct and clinically meaningful construct, intervention research remains limited due to fragmented assessment methodologies and incomplete integration of cognitive-behavioral and physical approaches. This dissertation addresses these gaps through two interrelated projects (1) a scoping review of the evidence base, assessment methods, and intervention strategies for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targeting FFAB in older adults; and (2) a randomized controlled …

Computational Study Of Cavitation In An Inducer Pump, Jaylen Leonard

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Cavitation is ubiquitous in liquid-handling turbomachines. Cavitation bubbles form when the local pressure drops below a fluid’s vapor pressure, and their subsequent collapse causes implosions that generate shockwaves and microjets. These effects lead to fluid instability and structural damage to the blades and casing in turbomachines. This thesis investigates this cavitation phenomenon in turbomachines using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The cavitation model built in ANSYS Fluent® is first validated in a venturi tube model and then applied to an inducer pump. The geometry of the pump is derived from the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Low Pressure Oxidizer Pump (LPOP) …

A Case Study Of The Implementation Of Nevada’S Program To Reduce Recidivism Of The State’S Female Prison Population, Lisa C. Levine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Success in public administration is often defined by long-term goals that demonstrate how effective a program or policy is. These long-term goals can take years to measure leading to investment doubts, shifting stakeholder goals, and the sunsetting of programs. There is a need to better understand how short-term and intermediate outcomes of a program can be used to measure success and the role goal orientation of stakeholders play in the implementation. Prison education programming exemplifies this problem as reducing recidivism, a leading goal for these types of programs, take a lifetime to prove. This study examines a female prison education …

Geometric And Proximity Based Substrate Targeting By Cullin-Ring Ligases, Jerry Li

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Homeostasis, the process of maintaining stable biochemical and biophysical conditions, is a fundamental facet of cellular viability. Biochemical homeostasis is critical to support the biological functions that sustain living organisms. Protein ubiquitylation is one of the primary cellular pathways that regulate protein homeostasis and turnover. Ubiquitylation is initiated through the conjugation of a small globular protein known as ubiquitin, onto a given substrate. There exists a myriad of cellular fates that ubiquitylated proteins may undergo, but the most widely studied pathway is protein degradation, whereby a ubiquitylated protein substrate is shunted to a large macromolecular protease known as the proteasome, …