Digital Commons Network^™

Addressing Sleep Health In The Fire Service: A Sleep Hygiene Education Program, Alyssa Elizabeth Neal

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project implemented an occupational therapy sleep hygiene program tailored to the unique occupational demands of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue (LVFR) firefighters. Guided by the Occupational Adaptation theory and the CALMS Framework, this project conceptualized sleep as a meaningful occupation essential to health, safety, and functional performance. The project’s aim was to assess the feasibility of a sleep hygiene program designed for the fire service using standardized measures, including the Sleep Hygiene Index. The methodology incorporated a structured educational session focused on educating firefighters on the importance of sleep, modifying routines and environments to support restorative sleep, implementing …

Exact Solution Of Steady Seepage In An Asymmetrical Domain Underneath A Cofferdam, Tan Nguyen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For decades, the evaluation of steady state seepage beneath asymmetrical cofferdams has relied on numerical methods, such as Finite Element Methods (FEM), Finite Difference Method (FDM), Finite Volume Method (FVM), Mesh Reduction Method (MRM), Meshless Method (MM), Boundary Element Method (BEM), or geometric idealizations, most notably Griffiths' vertical Method of Fragments assumption. While exact closed form solutions via Schwarz-Christoffel (SC) conformal mapping have been well established for symmetrical geometries (Banerjee and Muleshkov), the generalized asymmetrical case has historically remained an intractable mathematical frontier. The primary barrier to an exact analytical solution has been the "crowding problem," a numerical phenomenon where …

“I Just Kept Showing Up”: On Institutional Actors’ Motivations, Change Work, And Homeplaces At Desert Rose University In Support Of Undocumented Students, Vanessa Núñez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

My dissertation examines the roles that faculty and staff play in (re)shaping institutional policies and procedures to support undocumented students. While access to higher education has been examined through various lenses, we know very little about the “institutional activists” who advocate for undocumented student support in a bounded system like a college campus. The extant literature on faculty support of undocumented students focuses on the ways they create a sense of belonging and validation through mentorship and encouragement (Pérez-Huber, 2010; Gámez, Lopez, and Overton, 2017). My research suggests that while undocu student activists are the driving force behind change at …

True Biz: A Fusion Of Written English And Printed Asl, Elysha O'Brien

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper analyzes the book True Biz by Sara Novic with particular attention given to the socio-cultural and historical aspects of the story as well as the postmodern construction of the novel. The narrative of a young girl transferring to a Deaf school and learning American Sign Language features numerous translanguaging characteristics. This essay pays close attention to story elements and how those elements highlight significant aspects of Deaf culture and Deaf history as well as how the postmodern construction of the novel enables a book to feature two differing language systems, namely written English and printed American Sign Language.

Expanding Access To High-Quality Child Care For Infants And Toddlers With Disabilities And Their Families In Nevada, Turia M. Penkalski

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Access to high-quality child care significantly impacts outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, yet persistent inequities remain. This dissertation employed an instrumental case study design (Stake, 1995; Stake & Visse, 2023) to investigate Nevada's state-level policies and procedures that shape the accessibility and quality of child care for infants and toddlers with disabilities. Using a triangulated approach that integrates document analysis, family interviews, and a survey with state leaders, this study explored the perspectives and experiences of diverse key players. The research illuminates how policy intentions align with or diverge from system-level perceptions and the experiences …

The Impact Of Language-Concordant Diagnosis Education On Discharge Readiness For Spanish-Speaking Patients, Jorge Noel Perdomo Rodriguez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Current language service practices fail to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) resulting in decreased satisfaction with care, understanding of diagnosis education, and increased risk of post-discharge health disparities. Language-concordant care has been found to improve patient satisfaction with care and increase quality of transition from hospital to home. Research on language-concordant OT care is scarce and current studies suggest that language discordance leads to decreased quality of OT care for Spanish speakers. Problem: Language discordance leads to poor understanding of OT’s role and decreases patient-centered care for Spanish-speaking patients. Purpose: This project aimed …

Empowering Educators: Transforming Online Classrooms Through Interactive Training, Jodie Peterson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Faculty teaching in online nursing programs must continually adapt to evolving educational technologies and pedagogical methods to ensure high-quality learning experiences. However, nursing faculty may lack the resources, knowledge, and skills needed to effectively implement technology-driven, learner-centered strategies that facilitate engagement in virtual classrooms. Supporting faculty development in available interactive technologies is essential to enhance instructional effectiveness and improve student engagement and learning outcomes. This Doctor of Nursing Practice project focuses on strengthening faculty knowledge and competence in using interactive, learner-centered strategies in online education. The project was implemented within a southern Nevada university’s school of nursing and provided an …

Correlation Between Maxillary Sinus Volume And Maxillomandibular Size, Position, And Dental Occlusion: A Cbct Retrospective Study, Philip Villanueva Punzalan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) based three dimensional imaging to evaluate correlations between maxillary sinus volume and maxillomandibular skeletal size, position, and dental occlusion in an adult orthodontic population. A retrospective sample of 107 pretreatment CBCT scans (40 males and 67 females), aged 18–59 years, was analyzed. Right and left maxillary sinuses were segmented independently using semi-automatic volumetric segmentation in ITK-SNAP software, and total sinus volume was calculated in cubic millimeters (mm³). Linear and angular skeletal measurements of the maxilla and mandible were obtained using Anatomage TxSTUDIOViewer application software. Patients were categorized according to anteroposterior (A-P) skeletal …

Psychological Impact Of Nexus Program On Persons Living With Mild Dementia, Kaleigh Gailynn Quinlan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: Dementia is a global health concern due to the rapidly growing aging population (WHO, 2023). A wealth of evidence exists to support the notion that lifestyle interventions not only slow cognitive decline but improve cognition (Ngandu et al., 2015; Rosenberg et al.., 2018; Meng et al., 2022). However, there is a distinct lack of qualitative evidence examining the experience of being in a lifestyle redesign program. Lifestyle interventions require a large overhaul of an individual’s habits and performance patterns, and as such, there must be a subjective experience attached. Methodology: Through convenience sampling of the residents participating in the …

Volunteer Experiences In Outdoor Recreation: Navigating Uncertainty And Belonging, Morgan R. Purdy

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Volunteers play a central role in the operation of outdoor recreation areas, yet their positions often lack formal training, clear authority, and consistent structural guidance. While organizational socialization research has focused primarily on paid employees, less is known about how volunteers in outdoor contexts navigate uncertainty and develop identity through communication. Guided by organizational socialization theory and volunteer communication scholarship, this qualitative study examines two research questions: How do outdoor recreation volunteers manage uncertainty during socialization? And how does volunteering shape their sense of identity and belonging? Drawing on 13 semi-structured interviews and prolonged ethnographic fieldwork within a public land …

Identifying Well-Being Factors For At-Risk Young Adult Women: A Scoping Review, Carolina A. Quinonez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose

This scoping review has systematically explored and mapped the range of literature that pertains to the influences of well-being for at-risk young adult women, to inform occupational therapy practice, guide future research, and enhance the knowledge of holistic well-being.

Methodology

Four online databases, including Google Scholar, were searched to identify publications, in the past 20 years, on relevant data for at-risk women and their well-being levels. Data was tracked using a PRISMA-ScR diagram with guidance from JBI protocol.

Results

There were 39 studies that met all the inclusion criteria. The studies were categorized into the types of well-being and …

Methylation-Dependent Regulatory Pathway That Governs The Stability Of The Sox Family Proteins And Related Developmental Regulators, Keshari Gayathri Rajawasam

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) protein is a transcription factor encoded on the Y chromosome and is the key regulator responsible for initiating male sex determination in mammals. During early embryonic development, SRY activates the genetic program that leads to testis formation by promoting the expression of downstream genes involved in male gonadal differentiation. Mutations or dysregulation of SRY can lead to disorders of sex development such as male-to-female sex conversion and hermaphroditism, highlighting its critical role in sex determination.

SRY belongs to the SOX (SRY-related HMG-box) family of transcription factors, which includes the proteins SOX1, SOX2 and SOX3. These …

Fast Radio Bursts And Long Period Radio Transients: Radiation Mechanisms And Propagation Effects, Yuanhong Qu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are bright radio bursts with the highest brightness temperatures in the radio sky. In this thesis, we investigate the trigger mechanisms, radiation mechanisms, and propagation effects of FRBs. Two general classes of coherent radiation mechanisms are considered in two categories: pulsar-like models invoking emission originating within the magnetar magnetosphere, and GRB-like models, which attribute the emission to relativistic magnetized shocks occurring far away from the central engine. We use the general observed properties (polarization features and spectra bandwidths) of repeating FRBs to constrain the physical conditions needed for these two mechanisms. We propose that crust quakes …

The Vocal Songs Of Ángela Peralta: A Performer's Guide, Ana Rangel Ortiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This document is a performer’s guide to the five vocal works of Ángela Peralta from her 1875 Álbum Musical. While she is known as an operatic soprano in Mexico, her work as a composer is slowly receiving more recognition. This project builds on that growing interest by bringing her songs back into conversation by bringing her songs into a performance-centered framework and demonstrating that they extend beyond the expectations of salon music. This document combines historical context, score editing, and performance analysis to support modern singers. The original published scores contain many inconsistencies, including issues with text underlay, spelling, and …

Expanding Neurological Interventions: An Aquatic-Based Occupational Therapy Toolkit For Inpatient Rehabilitation, Kate Jannelle Rye

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: The objective of this project was to develop an evidence-informed aquatic therapy toolkit aimed at improving occupational therapy practitioners’ self-efficacy in planning aquatic interventions for individuals with neurological injuries.

Methods: This project utilized a quality improvement approach, involving the development of a toolkit, an in-service educational training, and a hands-on skills session. Practitioner self-efficacy was measured using a modified General Self-Efficacy Scale, which was administered before and after the educational training and hands-on skills session. Guided reflections and feedback from occupational therapy practitioners were also utilized to evaluate self-efficacy and the applicability of the toolkit.

Outcomes: Participation in the …

Movement-Based Program To Support Quality Of Life For Adults With Down Syndrome, Jillian Sanalila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This doctoral project focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a community-based movement program designed to support quality of life (QoL) among adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities at GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas. Adults with Down syndrome often experience significant health and participation disparities that negatively impact quality of life. These disparities include reduced physical activity, limited opportunities for social engagement, and barriers to engagement in meaningful occupations. Grounded in occupational therapy principles, this project introduced a structured intervention integrating dance, Pilates, and yoga to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. A program development design …

Who Am I As An Elementary Cs Teacher? The Identity Development And Struggles Of Elementary Teachers As Computer Science Teachers, Burak Sahin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigates how elementary teachers develop and negotiate their identities as computer science (CS) teachers within the expanding presence of CS in early K–12 education. As CS is increasingly integrated into early grades, many teachers are expected to teach it without formal preparation. It positions them to simultaneously learn, teach, and construct a professional identity in an unfamiliar domain. Using an interpretive phenomenological approach, this study examines teachers’ lived experiences of identity development by drawing on identity theory (Gee, 2000) and the performance, recognition, and competence framework (Carlone & Johnson,2007) to understand how identity is shaped through practice, institutional …

Efficacy Of The Dorsal Application Of Kinesiotape For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome On Sleep, Alyanna San Pedro

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common upper-extremity condition among university students who frequently engage in prolonged computer and device use. CTS symptoms, specifically in nocturnal pain, tingling, and numbness, often disrupt sleep quality, which can lead to negative effects on daytime functioning and participation in meaningful occupations. Despite growing interest in conservative management strategies, there is limited research on the potential role of kinesiotape (KT) in addressing sleep-related symptoms of CTS. This study aims to examine changes in sleep quality, nocturnal symptoms severity, and participation in meaningful activities in university students experiencing mild to moderate CTS symptoms. Participants were …

Digital Society: Media And Mental Health, James P. Sims

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis examines how contemporary media environments especially algorithmic, mobile, and socially interactive platforms are shaping attention, identity, emotional regulation, and mental health in a mediatized society. While research has documented rising levels of anxiety, depression, social comparison, compulsive media use, and fragmented communication patterns, much of the existing scholarship is quantitative and clinical, leaving a gap in how individuals experience these effects subjectively. This project combines literature grounded in media effects theory with a qualitative documentary film featuring lived-experience narratives from media users, clinicians, and scholars. The thesis argues that the psychological, social, and behavioral outcomes associated with digital …

Examining The Relationships Among Collaborative Teaching Practices, Self-Efficacy, And Teachers' Self-Regulation In Charter School Culture, Melissa J. Seltenreich

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation examined the relationships among collaborative teaching practices, teacher selfefficacy, and self-regulation among 226 in-service K–12 teachers in Southern Nevada public charter schools. Teaching is a demanding profession that requires strong self-regulation (goal setting, monitoring, reflection, and adaptive strategies) and self-efficacy to sustain effective instruction, teacher well-being, and professional longevity. Collaborative teaching practices, which emphasize teamwork, shared planning, and peer support, were hypothesized to strengthen these psychological capacities within charter environments characterized by high autonomy and accountability. This research study focuses on 3 questions including demographic and situational variables that contribute to differences in teachers’ self-regulation, teachers with higher …

Is Forgetting Independent Of Learning? An Examination Of Initial Learning Across Alternative Forgetting Analyses, Rhiannon Nicole Soriano Smith

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A long-standing debate has reappeared regarding whether the rate of forgetting is independent or dependent upon the initial degree of learning. Interestingly, both conclusions have been supported. These diverging conclusions could be due to the analytical method and operational definition of forgetting employed: Researchers supporting independence typically measure forgetting as the number of items forgotten at a given retention interval, while those in favor of dependence typically measure forgetting as the number of items forgotten between test intervals. The current study tested whether the degree of learning affects the rate of forgetting for recognition accuracy (da) and other memory processes …

Exploring Non-Native English Learners’ Attitudes Towards Ai And Online Multimedia Persuasive Opinions And The Role Of Sentiment, Zvetomira N. Svetleff

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study and various other studies use quantitative models to identify which persuasive features predict persuasiveness. Most studies in the field do not explain why participants responded as they did nor do they focus on studying adult non-native English learners also referred to as second language (L2) English learners. Despite seemingly remarkable progress on research related to how to convey persuasive messages, there has been little work related to persuasive messaging targeted at second language learners or non-native speakers. In addition, despite the increasing reliance on AI technologies and tools in language learning within educational and work settings, there has …

Negro Spirituals: The Long Journey West, Lavell Thompson, Jr.

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This text seeks to explore the origins of Negro spirituals, and how they evolved, highlighting their arrival to Las Vegas, Nevada. It outlines the primacy of vocal music, particularly in reference to African American spirituals, and how they were shaped via the influence of African and European traditions. As it is impossible to address every type of spiritual created, the text focuses on a few types of spirituals—namely joyous accounts and spirituals that use codes for messages. Moreover, it seeks to create a comprehensive understanding of the origins of Las Vegas, because without acknowledging the contributions of the Mormon Church, …

Examining Demographic And Contextual Differences In Stress-Related Sport Interference Among U.S. Collegiate Sport Participants, Heather Tran

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Collegiate athletes experience a range of stressors that may interfere with sport performance; however less is known about how stress-related sport interference varies across demographic groups and contexts. Guided by the transactional model of stress and coping, this study examined differences in stress-related sport interference by gender, race/ethnicity, and year in school, as well as across situational contexts (training, competition, and life outside of sport). Data were drawn from a secondary dataset of 288 collegiate sport participants who completed the Sport Interference Checklist (SIC). Independent samples t-test and analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examined demographic differences, and a …

Treatment And Recovery Of Mucoceles In Brass Musicians: The Performance Trap And Its Consequences, David D. Torres

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation examines the treatment and recovery of oral mucoceles in professional brass musicians through a qualitative case study combining personal narrative, semi-structured interviews, and analysis of medical and pedagogical literature. I interviewed four professional trumpet players who experienced mucoceles and lip trauma, and three medical professionals with relevant expertise. My own case serves as the primary study, documenting 15 years of scar tissue management following surgical excision and an immediate return to demanding performance. Medical literature treats mucocele excision as a routine procedure with recovery measured in weeks. Brass pedagogy literature assumes healthy lips and offers no guidance for …

Exploring A Boxing Community Exercise Porgram For Women With Parkinson's Disease, Emily Truong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objective: The purpose of this capstone project was to explore the lived experiences of 10 women with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who participate in the Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) program, an exercise community-based non-contact boxing program. Because women remain underrepresented in PD research and exercise-based interventions, this project aims to better understand how women perceive the physical, emotional, and social impacts of participating in RSB.

Methods: This qualitative case series included 10 women diagnosed with PD that participate in RSB at the Tony Cress Training Center. Data was collected through individual semi-structured interviews and audio recordings. Interviews were consented, transcribed verbatim, …

From Culture To Classroom: The Influence Of Professional Learning Communities On The Learning Organization And High-Cognitive Demand Instruction, Rebecca J. Tschinkel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As schools face increasing pressure to prepare students for the complexities of the 21st century, the role of job-embedded professional learning has become paramount to school improvement. This study investigated the relationships among teacher perceptions of the characteristics of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), the dimensions of the school as a Learning Organization (LO), and the frequency of high-cognitive-demand instructional practices. Grounded in Learning Organization Theory and the concept of evidence-based PLCs, this research sought to determine whether collaborative teacher structures could serve as a predictive lever for instructional rigor, regardless of school demographics, and to examine their influence on the …

Development And Evaluation Of A Training Program On Pain Assessments For Pediatric Care Teams In Skilled Nursing Facilities, Rudy Velasquez-Correa

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This capstone project was a program development and quality improvement initiative at Silver State Pediatrics focused on improving consistency and confidence of pediatric care staff in assessing and documenting pain in children, particularly those who are non-speaking and medically complex. Although validated tools such as the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC), revised-FLACC (R-FLACC), and Non-communicating Children’s Pain Checklist-Revised (NCCPC-R) exists, inconsistent training and limited interdisciplinary communication have led to variability in clinical practice. This project involved implementing a brief, 20-30-minute interdisciplinary training session for nursing and rehabilitation staff on the use of validated pediatric pain assessment tools and collaborative …

Application Of Occupational Therapy Task-Oriented For Chronic Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Case Study, Gia Nghi Vu

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Stroke remains the leading cause of long-term disability, with persistent upper extremity (UE) impairment limiting engagement in daily tasks, reducing quality of life and contributing to learned non-use in the chronic stage among stroke survivors. The Occupational Therapy Task Oriented (OTTO) approach is proposed to optimize occupational performance through the use of meaningful, functional and highly individualized tasks that enable clients to fulfill their valued roles and participate in desired daily activities. The purpose of this capstone project was to advance clinical skills by applying the OTTO approach to examine its effect on occupational performance and UE motor function in …

Examining The Effects Of Tailored Ergonomic Interventions On Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders For Taxi Drivers, Amal Youssouf

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Taxi drivers are frequently exposed to prolonged sitting, whole-body vibration, limited rest opportunities, and psychosocial stressors, placing them at increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This can be mitigated with the use of ergonomics, which changes one's environment to match an individual's needs within the context and demands of the job. Although ergonomics is a recognized area of occupational therapy (OT) practice, current research is limited to office-based or computer-related settings, leaving a gap in OT-led ergonomic interventions tailored for professional drivers. This capstone project aimed to determine whether OT-based ergonomic strategies, along with an ergonomic checklist as a guideline …