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A Comparison Of Spinal Reflex Function And Morphological Adaptations Of The Achilles Tendon Between Individuals Chronically Post-Stroke And Healthy Controls, Migi Contreras, Mira Seekins, Johanna Mendez, Trevor Diez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: The hallmark gait deviation in individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis is slow walking speed. Reduction in gait speed after stroke is influenced by decreased propulsive forces, which may likely be related to impaired spinal circuit function and spasticity of the paretic plantarflexors. Chronic muscle tone maladaptations in paretic ankle plantarflexors can result in altered Achilles tendon (AT) morphology, therefore leading to altered mechanical properties, force transmission capabilities and subsequent insufficient propulsive forces during walking. The purpose of this study is to characterize the chronic maladaptations in both the spinal Ia afferent loop excitability and AT morphology after stroke lesions in …

Implementing Physical Therapy Services And Screenings For The Students Of The Unlv College Of Fine Arts For Health And Injury Prevention: A Service-Learning Approach, Selene Barajas, Justin Dietrich, Brenna Ganzon, Payton Mack, Katherine Metzger, Tanner Mueller

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Individuals who participate in Fine Arts such as orchestra, dance, and theater at high levels are predisposed to injury. Many of these injuries are preventable, and when not adequately managed, they can result in lost rehearsal time and prevent participation in performances required for degree completion. While collegiate athletes typically have access to healthcare resources such as a team physician, athletic trainer, and physical therapist, collegiate performing artists often must navigate the healthcare environment on their own. Furthermore, available healthcare providers may lack knowledge and experience working with performing artists and be less able to treat the unique healthcare needs …

Effect Of Asynchronous Virtual Interviews On Ethnic Minority Matriculation Into A Doctor Of Physical Therapy Program, Conner Clark, Nanea Lagasca, Gladys Miller, Jasmine Puspos

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Methods: This study examines the impact of the use of asynchronous virtual interviews (AVIs) in the admissions process of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This research aims to examine racial and ethnic subgroup differences in AVI scores, evaluate the influence of AVIs on applicant scores in the admissions process, and assess the AVI inter-rater reliability among faculty evaluators using data from the 2019-2022 admissions cycles.

Results: Significant differences were found in AVI scores among racial and ethnic groups, with Black applicants scoring highest and Asian applicants scoring lowest. Additionally, inclusion …

Effects Of Exercise On Level Of Support, Mobility, And Quality Of Life In Adults With Down Syndrome, Jorge Lorza-Lopez, Jolena Sagaya, Simone Schroder, Paige Melvin Zink

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Down syndrome (Ds) is a genetic disorder characterized by the autosomal abnormality of a third copy of chromosome 21. Due to the physical and intellectual disabilities that many people with Ds experience, they often need support with (instrumental) activities of daily living. Since adults with Ds are living longer, it is important to determine how exercise can affect mobility and quality of life in the Ds community. The impact on more functional outcomes, such as level of support and quality of life has not been systematically investigated. Therefore, the aim was to investigate whether twelve weeks of a remote, structured …

Mystical Life And Altered Consciousness: Comparing The Subtle Paths And Trance States Of St. Teresa And Patañjali, Dana Tarasavage

Say Something Theological: The Student Journal of Theological Studies

The study of mysticism is said to be the study of the ineffable, and thus by its nature, difficult to define. Yet the structured paths and trance states described by St. Teresa of Ávila in Interior Castle and Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtra demonstrate meticulous and thoughtful explanation of mystical practices and phenomena. This paper situates these texts, mystic guidebooks in their respective traditions, in conversation, examining and comparing the path towards, experience within, and the effect of mystical trances. It employs a balanced approach to essentialism and highlights the shared features of mystical life as a vantage point from …

Matching Study Design To Prescribing Intention, Bethany L. Diprete, Gyeon Oh, Daniela C. Moga, Nabarun Dasgupta, Svetla Slavova, Emily Slade, Chris Delcher, Brian W. Pence, Shabbar I. Ranapurwala

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Purpose: In drug studies, research designs requiring no prior exposure to certain drug classes may restrict important populations. Since abuse-deterrent formulations (ADF) of opioids are routinely prescribed after other opioids, choice of study design, identification of appropriate comparators, and addressing confounding by “indication” are important considerations in ADF post-marketing studies. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study using claims data (2006–2018) from a North Carolina private insurer [NC claims] and Merative MarketScan [MarketScan], we identified patients (18–64 years old) initiating ADF or non-ADF extended-release/long-acting (ER/LA) opioids. We compared patient characteristics and described opioid treatment history between treatment groups, classifying patients as …

Quantifying Image Quality In Aoslo Images Of Photoreceptors, Brea D. Brennan, Heather Heitkotter, Joseph Carroll, Sergey Tarima, Robert F. Cooper

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

The use of “quality” to describe the usefulness of an image is ubiquitous but is often subject to domain specific constraints. Despite its continued use as an imaging modality, adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) lacks a dedicated metric for quantifying the quality of an image of photoreceptors. Here, we present an approach to evaluating image quality that extracts an estimate of the signal to noise ratio. We evaluated its performance in 528 images of photoreceptors from two AOSLOs, two modalities, and healthy or diseased retinas. The algorithm was compared to expert graders’ ratings of the images and previously published …

Gopher Tortoises In Protected Natural Areas: Effects Of Natural Area Characteristics On Populations, Taryn Lagor

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is native to the Southeast region of the United States. The burrows it digs supports the survival and wellbeing of over 350 other species, with over 60 of those being other vertebrates, making it a keystone species. It is ranked threated to rare by differing organizations with the main threat throughout its entire natural range being habitat loss. The Florida Scrub is the natural habitat of Florida gopher tortoise populations and is one of the fastest declining ecosystems in Florida, particularly in South Florida, due to rapid urban development. Many of the remaining …

Lucy Through The Years -- Temporal Trends In The Australopithecus Dentition, Olivia Ervin

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Australopithecus afarensis, an extinct human ancestor (ca. 3.75 – 2.95 million years ago) first distinguished in 1978, has a dense fossil record. Until recently, A. afarensis fossils were primarily known from two locations, Laetoli, Tanzania, and Hadar, Ethiopia, that are approximately 1750 kilometers apart. Additionally, there is no temporal overlap between the sites; fossils from Laetoli are older than 3.5 Ma and those from Hadar stretch from 3.4 – 3.0 Ma. For some tooth positions, the Laetoli and Hadar fossils subtly differ in size and shape. Previous research indicated that some of these differences could be attributable to evolutionary change, …

Houses Built For Gods: Articulations Of Urban Hokora In Kyoto, Steele Engelmann

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Amidst the urban landscape of Kyoto, Japan, there are thousands of hokora, small neighborhood shrines. This study uses social theories of pilgrimage and space to examine the articulation of hokora, community, and personal desire. As sites of local pilgrimage, hokora form networks of communal, but also individual, aspirations across the urban spiritual landscape of the city. This thesis argues that communities are connected to the larger social structures of Kyoto through hokora. As such, neighborhoods are reproduced and displayed through their hokora’s entanglements with the urban, social, and religious landscapes of Kyoto. Therefore, this study deploys an ethnographic approach to …

The Effect Of Contemporary Art On Fashion In Generation Z, Hayden Dewey, Hayden Claire Dewey

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

This creative project takes a closer look at the dynamic relationship between Contemporary Art and fashion within the context of Generation Z. There is a noticeable influence Contemporary Art has on the fashion choices Generation Z makes, but a gap exists in scholarly exploration of this topic. This study aims to bridge this gap and investigate further the multifaceted influences of Contemporary Art on the fashion preferences and trends among Generation Z, mainly their preference for maximalism within their clothing choices.

Throughout this project, an analysis of Generation Z’s distinct attitudes towards fashion and art takes place, emphasizing their draw …

Influence Of Fashion Involvement And Product Presentation On Consumers’ Online Impulse Buying, Sydney Buford

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

The buying and selling of goods online (e-commerce) has grown significantly in recent years and will continue to grow (Grand View Research, 2023). E-commerce platforms serve as an alternative environment to brick-and-mortar stores, providing customers with the opportunity to make impulse purchases. Due to this, it is important to understand the reasons why people make impulse purchases online. The purpose of this study was to examine the driving factors behind impulse purchase patterns within e-commerce platforms. Using the stimulus-organism-response theory, this study examined the impact of consumer characteristics and external stimulus on consumer’s impulse purchase behavior. In particular, the study …

The Extreme Rise Of The Fast Fashion Industry From Country To Country: Does Consumer Behavior Differ Cross Culturally Regarding Fast Fashion Between The United States And European Countries?, Madison R. Feuerbacher

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

The apparel industry has various categories of fashion. One of these categories known more readily today as fast fashion. Fast fashion has gained immense global popularity over the past decade. The concept of fast fashion apparel involves producing vast amounts of product as quick as possible to sell to the consumer at an aggressively low price. It is important to understand this current phenomenon of the global rise of fast fashion as well as understand the devastating effects our environment is facing because of it. As the vocalization of the harmful effects of fast fashion have become more prevalent …

Development Of Woven Blouses For Women Living Flat, Ailish Leahy

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Undergraduate Honors Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with millions of survivors in the United States today. A mastectomy surgery is the most recommended treatment for breast cancer. A mastectomy removes the entire infected breast area, and it can be necessary for women to receive a double mastectomy to have both breasts removed. After receiving a mastectomy, women are faced with a decision: to receive breast reconstruction or to opt out of it.

Recently there has been an increase in the number of women who are opting out of breast reconstruction, also known as choosing to ‘live …

Caregivers Of Dialysis Patients, Alyssa Bousquet, Amelia Murillo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored the stress and coping skills as it relates to the burden of care experienced by Caregivers of Dialysis patient's. Questionnaires were sent out to 100 caregivers currently caring for dialysis patient's. The surveys explored demographics, stress, self-care, and types of care provided. Questionnaires were designed in order to elicit responses associated with perceived burden of care. These questions were also designed to pinpoint areas of exploration for future research based on the responses of the sample.

Accessibility Of Services For Transgender Adolescents From A Child Welfare Perspective, Eduardo Cedeno

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The following is a quantitative study with an explorative element conducted at Southern California University with a convenience sample of 23 social worker participants with experience in child welfare. A Qualtrics questionnaire was administered during the Fall 2023 semester and was used to assess the social workers perception, preparedness, and knowledge in providing services to transgender youth in foster care. The study aimed to gain an understanding of the overall perception of the effect in available transgender resources and training within the child welfare system.

What Are The Barriers To Seeking Psychotherapy Services Across Different Racial And Ethnic Groups?, Deysee Chavez, Elisa Rodarte

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explored barriers to seeking psychotherapy services across racial and ethnic groups among adults of 18 years of age or older (2) any individual who has considered, sought, or received mental health services (3) residing in Southern California. The surveys consisted of questions from the Barriers to Mental Health Services Scale Revised (BMHSS-R) sub-scales; Help Seeking, Stigma, Knowledge and Fear of Psychotherapy, Belief about Inability to Find a Psychotherapist, and Belief that Depressive Symptoms are Normal. It was hypothesized that Latino individuals face greater barriers when seeking psychotherapy services as compared to other racial groups. This study consisted of …

Child Maltreatment Primary Prevention Methods In The U.S.: A Systematic Review Of Recent Studies, Maria Godoy-Murillo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Child maltreatment remains a widespread issue in the United States of America, (U.S.). Identifying effective methods of preventing child maltreatment is key to reducing the prevalence of this issue. Objective: This systematic review provides an overview of contemporary primary child maltreatment prevention methods in the U.S. to investigate their effectiveness. Methods: Using the OneSearch database, the following keywords were included: (“prevention methods” and “child maltreatment”), (“parental leave” and “child maltreatment”), (“primary prevention” and “child maltreatment”), (WIC and “child maltreatment”), (“home visit” and “child maltreatment”), (“child abuse and neglect” and “primary prevention”), (“affordable housing” and prevention and “child maltreatment”), (“early …

Composing From The Margins: The Breaking Of Writing Barriers, Empowering Voices & Broadening The Work Of Feminist Composition Studies, Jasmin Salgado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The concept of identity politics within Composition Studies acknowledge how a writer’s social identity (race, gender, sexuality, disabilities, etc.) influences their writing style and shapes their language. Understanding the relationship between social identity and writing practices means recognizing the diverse perspectives writers bring to the writing classroom. In alignment with this perspective, feminist composition studies emphasize the importance of centering marginalized voices and creating inclusive learning environments where students can safely express their identities through writing. However, research reveals that diverse perspectives haven’t always been welcomed in academic spaces. Feminist compositionists unveil how discourse around writing conventions and language norms …

Investigating The Level Of Evidence Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Parenting Practices: A Systematic Review, Eloisa Deshazer

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with mental and physical health outcomes of children, but less is known about how ACEs impact parenting. Objective: This study systematically reviewed the evidence of the association between parental adverse childhood experiences and parenting behaviors. Methods: The study employed a rigorous methodology, including searching several electronic databases, such as the CSUSB search engine, EBSCOhost Academic Search Premiere, PsycINFO, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used for the search process included Adverse Childhood Experiences, ACEs, Maltreatment, Adverse Experiences, Traumatic Experiences, and Parenting or Childrearing. Inclusion criteria were restricted to studies published between 2014 and …

Examining A Relationship Between Sexual Satisfaction And Child Maltreatment, Amanda Titone

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child maltreatment is prevalent despite extensive research informing interventions. While many risk factors have been identified, exploring additional determinants may improve existing methods or reveal better alternatives. This study’s basis was family systems theory, and it utilized the post-positivist paradigm to explore the topics of relationship fulfillment, sexual satisfaction, and parenting. Qualitative interviews with five heterosexual, cisgender parents born between 1971 and 1991 (average age 39-40) revealed four main themes: participants' childhood/parental relationships, history of abusive relationships, current sex life, and role balancing between relationships and parenting. Although limited by a small sample size and a specialized population (social work …

Gender Dysphoria In Adolescence And The Models Of Care: A Systematic Literature Review, Arnold Briseno

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This systematic literature review examines and compares the efficacy of gender-affirming care and mixed-method approaches in treating adolescents with gender dysphoria. Through a detailed analysis of existing empirical studies, the research aims to identify optimal strategies that support the mental health and well-being of adolescents who are exhibiting criteria of gender dysphoria. The findings suggest a nuanced landscape where gender-affirming and mixed-method care models offer valuable benefits, highlighting the importance of individualized and flexible treatment approaches. This work contributes to the ongoing discourse on adolescent mental health care, advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the needs of this population, …

Client Perpetrated Violence And Safety Culture In Child Welfare: A Systematic Literature Review, Amber Castro

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Interpersonal client and workplace violence pose significant challenges in contemporary society, particularly within health care and social service sectors. Social workers, dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations, face heightened risks of client perpetrated violence (CPV) due to the nature of their work. Despite being a global issue, CPV remains underreported and often normalized within social work practice, specifically in child welfare. This paper explores the prevalence and impacts of CPV on child welfare social workers, aiming to identify key risk factors and promote a culture of safety within child welfare agencies. Utilizing a systematic literature review encompassing quantitative and qualitative data, …

Non-Binary Identity Within Competency Training For Mental/Behavioral Health Providers: A Systematic Review, Alexis Mcintyre

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This research project aimed to identify the level of inclusion of the identity “non-binary” within LGBTQ+ competency training for mental/behavioral health service. Non-binary has become more widely used within the last decade as LGBTQ+ identifications evolve and become more open. Existing research shows the need for mental/behavioral health services within this community, as well as the biases and misinformation that providers hold about gender identity. This study utilized a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles discussing research on conducting LGBTQ+ competency training for staff providing mental/behavioral health services to look for education on non-binary identity.

Databases searched were Social Work Abstracts, …

Effectiveness Of Cnn-Lstm Models Used For Apple Stock Forecasting, Ethan White

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This culminating experience project investigates the effectiveness of convolutional neural networks mixed with long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) models, and an ensemble method, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), in predicting closing stock prices. This quantitative analysis utilizes recent AAPL stock data from the NASDAQ index. The chosen research questions (RQs) are: RQ1. What are the optimal hyperparameters for CNN-LSTM models in stock price forecasting? RQ2. What is the best architecture for CNN-LSTM models in this context? RQ3. How can ensemble techniques like XGBoost effectively enhance the predictions of CNN-LSTM models for stock price forecasting?

The research questions were answered through a thorough …

Classification Of Remote Sensing Image Data Using Rsscn-7 Dataset, Satya Priya Challa

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

A novel technique for remote sensing image scene classification is employed using the Compact Vision Transformer (CVT) architecture. This model strengthens the power of deep learning and self-attention algorithms to significantly intensify the accuracy and efficiency of scene classification in remote sensing imagery. Through extensive training and evaluation of the RSSCNN7 dataset, our CVT-based model has achieved an impressive accuracy rate of 87.46% on the original dataset. This remarkable result underscores the prospect of CVT models in the domain of remote sensing and underscores their applicability in real-world scenarios. Our report furnishes an elaborate account of the model's architecture, training …

Data-Driven Forecasting For Effective Demand Management In The E-Commerce Ecosystem, Chirag Pandey

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This culmination project investigated and analyzed the impact of factors influencing sales forecasting models in the e-commerce ecosystem. The research questions are: Q1) To what extent are sales forecasting models in the e-commerce ecosystems influenced by customer demographic variables such as gender, age, and geographic locations? Q2) To what extent are sales forecasting models in the e-commerce ecosystems influenced by product specific factors? The datasets used were from Kaggle, and the Worldometer websites. The findings are: Q1) Individuals aged '55 or over' significantly impact total sales in both the USA and Brazil. Male consumers consistently accounted for a higher proportion …

An Empirical Study On The Efficacy Of Llm-Powered Chatbots In Basic Information Retrieval Tasks, Naja Faysal

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The rise of conversational user interfaces (CUIs) powered by large language models (LLMs) is transforming human-computer interaction. This study evaluates the efficacy of LLM-powered chatbots, trained on website data, compared to browsing websites for finding information about organizations across diverse sectors. A within-subjects experiment with 165 participants was conducted, involving similar information retrieval (IR) tasks using both websites (GUIs) and chatbots (CUIs). The research questions are: (Q1) Which interface helps users find information faster: LLM chatbots or websites? (Q2) Which interface helps users find more accurate information: LLM chatbots or websites?. The findings are: (Q1) Participants found information significantly faster …

The Community Resiliency Model (Crm) Applied To Teacher’S Well-Being, John Waterson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The goal of the proposed research is to study the efficacy among educators of a training program based on the Community Resiliency Model (CRM). The role of an educator is currently one of the most stressful vocations in the United States. Chronic stress leads to burnout, has a negative effect on pedagogy, which ultimately degrades the classroom experience. The purpose of this study is to explore whether teachers can learn a simple set of wellness (CRM) skills and become more resilient to stress, which may foster a more robust classroom experience.

Leveraging Blockchain Technology To Revamp The Vehicle Electrification Journey: Perspectives Of Accountability And Economic Circularity, Eva Escobar Brown

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transition accelerated by global emission regulations for a phase out of internal combustion engines (ICEs) and a transition toward the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). While regulatory measures and incentivized adoption for EVs presents opportunities for reducing emissions and promoting sustainability, it also poses complex challenges. The EV industry faces potential production challenges, particularly in the sourcing, manufacturing, and lifecycle management of critical minerals and raw materials for electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). With a heavy reliance on a steady and diversified supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, …