Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy Of Dorsal Application Of Kt For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome In Esport Gamers: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Anthony Foreman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral study investigated the impact of the dorsal application of kinesiotape on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and performance among Esport gamers. The study was conducted in controlled environments at the UNLV Esports Lounge, Black Fire Innovation, and the Musculoskeletal Lab using a randomized two-group pretest-posttest design. To maintain ecological validity, participants were permitted to use personally owned gaming peripherals (e.g., computer mouse), and all received brief instruction on proper body mechanics to promote consistency during testing. Participants (n = 11) were systematically assigned by order of registration to either an intervention group receiving dorsal application of kinesiotape on …

Past Instability, Future Consequences: Evaluating The Relationship Between Pre-Incarceration Housing Status And Rearrest In The Paroled Population Of Colorado From 2013-2023, Sarah E. Maynard

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Paroled individuals re-enter society at a disadvantage with an increased risk of housing instability, mental and physical health concerns, and difficulty finding gainful employment. Houselessness places a significant burden on parolees and may increase their risk of rearrest. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association between pre-incarceration housing status and rearrest among non-violent parolees (n=23,786) in Colorado from 2013-2023. The Sequential Intercept Model was used as a framework to identify the point in the criminal justice process that rearrest occurred and to identify opportunities for new intercepts (e.g., housing interventions). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and logistic regression with estimated …

Capturing The Intersection Of Black-American, Muslim Males And Education: Exploring Their Attitudes, Perceptions, And Lived Experiences Within An Islamic Consciousness, Kirk A. Talib-Deen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation explored the lived realities of Black-American, Muslim males and their attitudes, perceptions, histories, and endurances toward higher learning in America. It attempted to join and contribute to the more significant, historical, and extant conversations and literature on Black-American males and education, as well as their successes and failures. This dissertation adds to the dearth of literature on the intersection of Black-American, Muslim males, and education, and using jazz as an epistemological way of navigating and organizing the content, the research works to uncover, locate, and define an Islamic consciousness. While negating racist histories concomitant with the American narrative …

Piloting The Inclusion Of Dollar Stores In The Modified Retail Food Environment Index (Mrfei) In Urban Clark County, Nevada, Tiana T. Tu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Food insecurity is the condition of having limited or uncertain access to adequate food. It contributes to poor diet-related health outcomes which are in turn influenced by the food environment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Modified Retail Food Environment Index (mRFEI) to characterize food environments by measuring the proportion of healthy and non-healthy retailers. The CDC mRFEI considers a variety of establishments but fails to include dollar stores, which contribute to the food environment by offering food and, in some cases, fresh produce. This study proposed an “expanded mRFEI” that modified the CDC mRFEI methodology …

The Mindful Officer: Enhancing Officer Mental, Physical, And Social Wellness Through Resilience Training, Tanya Dudinskaya

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The issue of mental health among the U.S. population has gained national attention, with numerous wide-scale initiatives aimed at providing resources for the public. However, certain professional populations encounter unique challenges in their occupation and often lack specific support for their mental and physical health needs that stem from long-term exposure to unpredictable stressors. One population facing these issues is law enforcement. Police officers regularly experience chronic stress related to their job demands, as they manage high-pressure situations and exposure to significant trauma, all while being under increased public scrutiny in recent years. Previous research has highlighted the effects of …

Leveraging Data Pipeline And Llm To Advance Patient Safety Event Studies, Fagun Shah, Yue Yu, Yuheng Shi, Yang Gong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Research utilizing the open-access MAUDE database frequently reveals unclear methodologies for extracting and processing medical device report (MDR) data, reducing reproducibility and consistency. By harnessing the OpenFDA API and our MAUDE extract-transform-load (ETL) pipeline that standardizes the extraction and transformation of MDR data, this project explores how a large language model (LLM) can be employed to analyze free-text narratives in MDRs, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of event categorization. The ETL-LLM approach is demonstrated through MDRs related to endoscopic mucosal resection, with potential applications extending to other devices and patient issues. Additional efforts are necessary to expand the size and …

The Lung Cancer Autochthonous Model Gene Expression Database Enables Cross-Study Comparisons Of The Transcriptomic Landscapes Across Mouse Models, Ling Cai, Fangjiang Wu, Qinbo Zhou, Ying Gao, Bo Yao, Ralph J Deberardinis, George K Acquaah-Mensah, Vassilis Aidinis, Jennifer E Beane, Shyam Biswal, Ting Chen, Carla P Concepcion-Crisol, Barbara M Grüner, Deshui Jia, Robert A Jones, Jonathan M Kurie, Min Gyu Lee, Per Lindahl, Yonathan Lissanu, Corina Lorz, David Macpherson, Rosanna Martinelli, Pawel K Mazur, Sarah A Mazzilli, Shinji Mii, Herwig P Moll, Roger A Moorehead, Edward E Morrisey, Sheng Rong Ng, Matthew G Oser, Arun R Pandiri, Charles A Powell, Giorgio Ramadori, Mirentxu Santos, Eric L Snyder, Rocio Sotillo, Kang-Yi Su, Tetsuro Taki, Kekoa Taparra, Phuoc T Tran, Yifeng Xia, J Edward Van Veen, Monte M Winslow, Guanghua Xiao, Charles M Rudin, Trudy G Oliver, Yang Xie, John D Minna

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality, exhibits diverse histological subtypes and genetic complexities. Numerous preclinical mouse models have been developed to study lung cancer, but data from these models are disparate, siloed, and difficult to compare in a centralized fashion. In this study, we established the Lung Cancer Autochthonous Model Gene Expression Database (LCAMGDB), an extensive repository of 1,354 samples from 77 transcriptomic datasets covering 974 samples from genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), 368 samples from carcinogen-induced models, and 12 samples from a spontaneous model. Meticulous curation and collaboration with data depositors produced a robust and comprehensive database, …

G-Quadruplex Stabilizer Cx-5461 Effectively Combines With Radiotherapy To Target Α-Thalassemia/Mental Retardation X-Linked-Deficient Malignant Glioma, Sharvari Dharmaiah, Prit Benny Malgulwar, William E Johnson, Brandon A Chen, Vladislav Sharin, Benjamin T Whitfield, Christian Alvarez, Vasudev Tadimeti, Ahsan S Farooqi, Jason T Huse

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Inactivation of α-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX) represents a defining molecular feature in large subsets of malignant glioma. ATRX deficiency gives rise to abnormal G-quadruplex (G4) DNA secondary structures, enhancing replication stress and genomic instability. Building on earlier work, we evaluated the extent to which pharmacological G4 stabilization selectively enhances DNA damage and cell death in ATRX-deficient preclinical glioma models.

Methods: Using the G4 stabilizer CX-5461, we treated patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs) in vitro and GSC flank and intracranial murine xenografts in vivo to evaluate efficacy as both a single agent and in combination with ionizing radiation (IR), the …

Enhancing Motor Function In Individuals With Lower Limb Amputation Through Peerbased Learning Of Balance And Fall Recovery Skills, Zoe Castle, Jer Ja Chuang, Jewel Granados, Danna Shaw

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose: Lower limb amputation (LLA) is a devastating condition that is becoming more prevalent in the United States. We examined the effects of peer-based action observation learning on the brain activation and the eyetracking pattern in individuals with LLA.

Methods: Fourteen individuals with LLA (51.9±12.6 years, 4 females, 9 with transfemoral amputations) were asked to learn a balance task through observing the movements demonstrated by individuals with LLA or persons with intact limbs. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, visual attention time, and peak saccade velocity were recorded when participants watched the demonstration videos. Power spectral density (PSD) was used to analyze the …

Gotta Be Fresh: Comedy Central’S Workaholics, Masculinity, And Paratextual Decay, Adamandrew Lenox

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis examines social media marketing materials for Workaholics, a sitcom aired on Comedy Central from 2011 to 2017, to study paratextual temporality/ephemerality, the “brand as friend” social media strategy, and how masculinity is articulated through paratexts. The project incorporates theories from the fields of social media and internet marketing studies, television content and industry studies, and promotional paratext studies. Research centered on 100 Workaholics X (formerly Twitter) posts, published from January 2012 to March 2017. Posts were collected using Google Chrome extension TwExportly. Qualitative textual and content analysis of these paratexts results in three categories of findings. First, I …

Secondary Educators’ Knowledge And Perceptions Of Their Own Self-Efficacy As It Relates To 504 Plan Accommodations For Students Diagnosed With Adhd, Anne Richardson

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study investigated the role of Section 504 accommodations in meeting the needs of secondary students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States. While legislation requires equitable education for students with disabilities, gaps remain in understanding how educators perceive their own abilities in implementing Section 504 plans for students with ADHD. The study used a qualitative research design to explore the academic and organizational challenges faced by secondary school students with ADHD, specifically examining the knowledge, perceptions, and self-efficacy of secondary educators regarding ADHD strategies and 504 plan accommodations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with 11 educators from …

Examining Validity And Reliability Evidence For The Multicultural Neuropsychological Scale (Muns) Party Subtest Scores, Madyson Hernandez

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Neuropsychological tests were developed primarily for Westernized, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) populations (Henrich, 2020; Fernández & Abe, 2018). According to the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) Relevance 2050 Initiative project, approximately sixty percent of Americans will be deemed unsuitable for neuropsychological testing because test norms are primarily based on European Americans who speak English (AACN, 2015). To aid in effective cross-cultural neuropsychological assessment, The Multicultural Neuropsychological Scale (MUNS; Fernández et al., 2018) was developed to be easily translatable to various languages. The MUNS is a 40-minute neuropsychological test battery that examines cognitive abilities such as reading fluency, …

Characteristics Of Parent-Adolescent Relationships As Predictors Of Adolescents’ Future Emotion Regulation Abilities, Jaclyn H. Snyder

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Adolescence is a critical period for the development of emotion regulation skills and parents play a pivotal role in the shaping of such skills. Indeed, several characteristics of the parent-child relationship have been implicated in adolescents’ emotional development. Namely, parental acceptance of adolescents’ emotions, the quality of parent-child attachment, and the tactics parents utilize to resolve conflict with their child appear to be significant sources of influence. The current study aimed to examine each of these three factors as possible predictors of adolescents’ emotion regulation abilities later in life. Additionally, this study sought to understand the relative strength of these …

Sundown In Indiana: A Midwest Story Of Racism, Exclusion, And Memory, Kelsey A. Snyder

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Sundown towns were a prominent aspect of the northern life from the early 1900s till in some places till the 1970s but they have been lost to history. These towns have been silenced and erased not just from the history books but from public memory. Indiana is my home state and the three towns that will be discussed have all had an impact on my personal development especially in understanding race. Decatur and Huntington places I have called home, both have been classified as sundown towns. The third, Marion was the location of the one the last known lynchings in …

Power Impacts Target Goals And Responses To Racism, Urmi Chatterjee

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Racial microaggressions are harmful to people of color (POC) and inhibit their social functioning in the long term. Explicit forms of racism have been focused on in previous studies on interpersonal racial interactions. While studies have found the effect of confrontation on POC who experience subtle racism, other forms of responses to racism lack research. Are responses influenced by how powerful targets are? What happens when a powerful target experiences subtle racism? This study shows how power shapes the strategies people of color use to respond to subtle racism. We used a negotiation framework between three types of goals and …

Varied Versus Non-Varied Behavior-Specific Praise On Student On-Task Behavior, Jessica Boss

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The current study examined the effects of praise statements on students’ behavior by assessing how varied and non-varied behavior-specific praise statements effect student on-task behavior. An alternating treatment design was used to compare the treatment conditions of varied and non-varied BSP. During baseline, participants were not given feedback on their praise statements or their interactions. After baseline, participants were taught to a mastery criterion on varied and non-varied BSP conditions. In the experimental phase, the participants alternated between a condition providing non-varied BSP and a condition providing varied BSP. The results of this study showed that both varied and non-varied …

Item Response Predictors Of Disengagement On The Pisa, Juste M. Mehou

Masters Theses, 2020-current

International assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), are instrumental in understanding educational progress, assessing teaching effectiveness, and ensuring institutional accountability (OECD, 2023). Central to the validity of these assessments is the assumption that students will exert sufficient effort and perform to the best of their abilities (AERA, APA, & NCME, 2014). This assumption is essential to ensure that scores accurately reflect students' true abilities (Wise & Kong, 2005). However, there is a documented concern that students often exhibit low effort in low-stakes tests, such as the PISA, where individual results have no direct consequences (Wise & …

Empowering Paraprofessionals Through Behavioral Skills Training: Abc Data Recording, Addison Raso

Masters Theses, 2020-current

This study investigates the efficacy of the behavior skills training (BST) framework in enhancing data collection procedures for paraprofessionals. An add-in component analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of individual BST components. Three participants (i.e., Nathan, Molly, Bailey) were assessed across baseline, instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback phases. Nathan showed little improvement, with low and variable performance across phases. Molly demonstrated gradual improvement, achieving high accuracy in the final phase with feedback. Bailey exhibited an initial decline, followed by a steady increase, reaching near-perfect accuracy in the final phase. Data analysis revealed an additive effect with feedback having the …

Adapting A Contingency Contract Across Environments For Interfering Behaviors And Coping Skills, Samantha N. Eckstein

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of taking an already successful contingency contract for an individual and adapting it to two separate environments to determine the effects on interfering behaviors and the utilization of coping skills. An AB design was utilized to allow for comparison of effects between conditions (i.e., control and treatment). The independent variable was the contingency contract(s) used across all settings and there were three dependent variable measures. These were the effects on interfering behaviors, skills demonstrated, and the utilization of coping skills. There is not enough evidence shown in the data to …

The Effects Of Goal Setting With Performance Feedback On A Teacher’S Use Of Praise And Reprimand Statements, Elisabeth Morris

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to further extend the literature on teacher praise-to-reprimand (PTR) ratios by systematically replicating a study by Criss et al. (2023). This study evaluated the effects of goal setting with performance feedback on a special education teacher’s use of BSP and reprimands. A changing criterion design was used to gradually increase the participant’s use of BSP in 15 min whole group reading sessions with up to four students in grades 4^th through 6^th. The results of the study demonstrate a functional relation with the intervention and participant’s use of BSP. Implications for …

Grief As Slip: (How Little I Show) An Exploration In Clay, When Words Are Not Enough, Michelle A. Smith

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Grief as Slip (how little I show) implies that even as we acknowledge our mortality and the fleeting nature of life, we still only reveal a fraction of our true selves or our deeper realities. The ceramic artwork in this exhibition carries and conveys a journey through the present and remembered emotions of the artists’ personal narrative. By juxtaposing the tactile nature of clay with the ethereal quality of human experience, Smith contemplates the profound interplay between material transformation and emotional resilience. The exhibition’s intent is to translate the essence of complex emotional states into abstracted forms so they can …

Development And Validation Of A Clinical Risk Model For Postoperative Outcome In Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: A Report Of The Rano Resect Group, Philipp Karschnia, Jacob S Young, Gilbert C Youssef, Antonio Dono, Levin Häni, Tommaso Sciortino, Francesco Bruno, Stephanie T Juenger, Nico Teske, Jorg Dietrich, Michael Weller, Michael A Vogelbaum, Martin Van Den Bent, Juergen Beck, Niklas Thon, Jasper K W Gerritsen, Shawn Hervey-Jumper, Daniel P Cahill, Susan M Chang, Roberta Rudà, Lorenzo Bello, Oliver Schnell, Yoshua Esquenazi, Maximilian I Ruge, Stefan J Grau, Raymond Y Huang, Patrick Y Wen, Mitchel S Berger, Annette M Molinaro, Joerg-Christian Tonn

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Following surgery, patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma frequently enter clinical trials. Nuanced risk assessment is warranted to reduce imbalances between study arms. Here, we aimed (I) to analyze the interactive effects of residual tumor with clinical and molecular factors on outcome and (II) to define a postoperative risk assessment tool.

Methods: The response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) resect group retrospectively compiled an international, seven-center training cohort of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The combined associations of residual tumor with molecular or clinical factors and survival were analyzed, and recursive partitioning analysis was performed for risk modeling. The resulting model …

Effect Of Coarse Aggregate On The Stability And Mechanical Performance Of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (Uhpc), Rui Zhong, Mingyan Pan, Hongyu Wu, Zhao Cheng, Jianzhong Liu, Jingquan Wang, Yiming Yao, Hongyan Ma

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effect of coarse aggregate (CA) on the stability and mechanical performance of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was investigated. To assess UHPC stability, a unique approach was developed that utilizes specially fabricated large specimens with a depth of 400 mm. It overcomes the drawback of limited CA migration distance using small specimens, which may not replicate conditions relevant to structural applications. The spatial distributions of various constituents along the vertical casting direction were quantified through image processing technology. Results showed an approximately 12 % reduction in CA content in the top layer, while the bottom layer exhibited 12 % more CA …

Four Students Named Summer Eckley Scholars, Jeffery Woodard

Press Releases 2020-2029

No abstract provided.

Parents Perceived First Aid Skills In Dealing With The Ingested Poisoning Products, Saudi Arabia, A Cross-Sectional Study, Maher Hassan Nahari, Bsaim Abdulsalam Altirkistani, Athoub Nasser Kadasa, Saleh Salah Alilwani Et.Al.

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Introduction: Toxins are substances that can lead to harmful effects when introduced to the body. Accidental poisonings remain a critical concern for pediatric health, so understanding the nature of toxins and the potential risks associated with them is a fundamental aspect of child safety. Parents' knowledge and attitudes towards toxins and poisoning incidents significantly influence the outcomes of accidental exposures. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study conducted across various regions of Saudi Arabia in March 2024. Participants were selected by convenience sampling. A total of 1,997 participants took the self-administered questionnaire. Results: The majority of the participants are married …

Safety And Efficacy Of A Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Therapy (Kpi-012) For Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects: A Phase 1b Trial, Valeria Sánchez Huerta, Hugo Quiroz-Mercado, Enrique O Graue-Hernández, Alejandro Navas, Spencer Alford, Darius Kharabi, Stephen Pflugfelder

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Persistent corneal epithelial defect (PCED) is a condition often refractory to conventional treatments. KPI-012 is a topical mesenchymal stem cell secretome therapy under investigation for PCED management.

Objective: To assess the safety, tolerability, and corneal wound healing efficacy of KPI-012 in a phase 1b, proof-of-concept, open-label, single-arm clinical trial.

Methods: The safety profile and tolerability of topical self-administered KPI-012 therapy (twice daily, 1-week duration) were first evaluated in an initial safety cohort of participants with pre-existing permanent vision loss and no active corneal disease (n = 3). The safety profile and efficacy of KPI-012 were then assessed in participants …

The Identification Of Xpr1 As A Voltage- And Phosphate-Activated Phosphate-Permeable Ion Channel, Hongjiang Wu, Liang Sun, Tong Huo, Theodore G Wensel, Frank T Horrigan, Zhao Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Maintaining a balance of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is vital for cellular functionality. Proper phosphate levels are managed through Pi import and export; and the processes governing Pi export remain the least understood. Xenotropic and Polytropic retrovirus Receptor 1 (XPR1) has been identified as the only known Pi export protein in mammals. In this study, we introduce the cryogenic electron microscopy structure of human XPR1 (hXPR1), unveiling a structural arrangement distinct from that of any known ion transporter. Our structural results suggest that hXPR1 may operate as an ion channel, a hypothesis supported by patch clamp recordings revealing hXPR1's voltage- and …

A Theory-Based Examination Of Factors Influencing Caregivers’ Intentions To Disclose Sickle Cell Trait Status To Their Children, Christine A. Chaba

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Sickle cell trait (SCT), the heterozygous form of sickle cell disease, has significant implications for health and reproductive decision-making. Timely disclosure of SCT status to children by their caregivers is critical for promoting genetic awareness and supporting informed reproductive choices. However, many caregivers delay or avoid this conversation. This study examined the psychosocial and behavioral factors influencing caregivers’ intentions to disclose SCT status to their children, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Theory of Regret Regulation. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 78 caregivers of Children with SCT, who completed an online survey. The study addressed …

Toward An Understanding Of Loneliness And Social Participation In Serious Mental Illness, Samantha B. Randolph

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

Loneliness is an immense challenge facing the majority of Americans with Serious Mental Illness. Loneliness is linked to negative outcomes, including heart disease, reduced quality of life, and early mortality. Current loneliness interventions (e.g., social skills training, social support) do not effectively address all the complex factors that lead to loneliness in this population. More work is needed, therefore, to better understand how to optimally research and prevent loneliness among individuals with Serious Mental Illness, who experience unique barriers to social integration/participation and dwell in complex settings, such as permanent supportive housing. The presented dissertation aims to address current gaps …

Targeting The Beiging Of Muscle-Associated Adipose Tissue To Promote Muscle Regeneration, Jacob C. Parson

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

The expansion of intra-muscular adipose tissue (IMAT) between myofibers and epi-muscular adipose tissue (EMAT) outside of the muscle boundary accompanies numerous pathologies including diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and aging. IMAT and EMAT are anatomically juxtaposed to myofibers. Some evidence supports that IMAT and EMAT impede muscle function. This is potentially due to paracrine factors that are secreted by IMAT/EMAT. Different adipose depots can be classified in numerous ways including where they are located anatomically as well as the factors in which they secrete. Unlike classical white fat, adipose depots classified as brown or beige, noted by the marker uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) …