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Capturing the Intersection of Black-American, Muslim Males and Education: Exploring Their Attitudes, Perceptions, and Lived Experiences Within an Islamic Consciousness
No full textThis 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 and conscience, this dissertation ultimately liberates the researcher and his ensemble. It offers a true democracy to the research contributors and those who riff behind this performance
Influences On the Ecuadorian Flute Repertoire: Compositions by Sixto María Durán, Jacinto Freire, Gerardo Guevara, Luciano Carrera, Juan Carlos Urrutia, Blanca Layana, And Leonardo Cárdenas
No full textEcuadorian music is rich, diverse, and beautiful. It encompasses several genres, rhythms, histories, backgrounds, and influences. Ecuador is a small country situated in the northwest corner of South America atop by the equatorial line that divides the northern Hemisphere from the South, hence the name Ecuador. It borders to the north by Colombia, to the south and east border by Peru, and to the west, by the Pacific Ocean. The repertoire for flute from Ecuadorian composers is a very interesting topic that deserves further exploration and research. As additional repertoire is available; however, there are not many scholarly papers written about it. This fact encouraged me to explore this topic in more depth. Furthermore, there are no Ecuadorian flute repertoire pieces written that include extended techniques. As an Ecuadorian flutist myself, roots and culture are very important to me. Therefore, I intend to educate people about Ecuadorian flute music, a genre that music that far too often feels obscure to the general public. I feel a deep personal connection with this topic. Important pieces of music are unknown, lost or devalued, due to lack of publication, and other issues. I have chosen to bring to light the beautiful amazing world of Ecuadorian flute music through this document
Specters of Change: A Rhetorical and Qualitative Analysis of Environmental Ghost Stories from Las Vegas Locals
No full textThis thesis explores “environmental ghost stories,” a term created to represent narratives that blend emotions and memories of ecological loss to make sense of environmental change. This project utilizes a mixed-methods approach that blends narrative theory, environmental rhetoric, and qualitative interviews to examine the narratives of chronic and acute changes experienced by long-term residents of Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants (N = 15) were required to have resided in the Las Vegas valley for a minimum of twenty years in order to have had the opportunity to witness both chronic and acute changes to their environment. Using a phronetic iterative approach to analyze the gathered interviews, I found two prevalent ghost stories including the loss of the natural environment and the loss of connection. These stories reflected the acute and chronic changes locals witnessed in relation to both their human and nonhuman environment. Additionally, participants expressed similar emotions when discussing the past and present state of the Las Vegas environment, but differing emotional reactions when contemplating its future. Together, these findings deepen our understanding of how stories convey experiences of environmental loss and change over time and may be used as a point of unity by intertwining narrative and emotion
Advancements in Solar Energy Life Cycle Assessment and Implications for Power Plants in the Western US
No full textNew solar energy technologies, such as second-generation photovoltaic panels, are increasingly being installed at utility scale. Our accounting of the life cycle climate change impacts or carbon footprint of solar power technologies needs to be revised as technologies change and as prior omissions of related impacts are identified. This thesis aims to update the life cycle climate change impacts of two solar energy technologies. First, the direct land use change (DLUC) and albedo change impacts from removing native vegetation and installing CSP troughs were incorporated into life cycle assessment (LCA) scenarios for the four currently operational CSP trough power plants in the Southwest US. Through geospatial analysis, the original aboveground and belowground biomass carbon, organic soil carbon, and net primary productivity loss, and the before-and-after albedo difference of these sites were determined and converted to their contributions to the life cycle climate change impacts of CSP. The carbon-related impacts of the environmental change from desert soil to human infrastructure showed only a minor contribution (\u3c 5%) to the overall life cycle climate change impacts of electricity generated by CSP trough facilities. Albedo change impacts of three of the facilities, Mojave, Solana, and Genesis, show a similarly minimal contribution; however, the albedo change impacts of the Nevada Solar One CSP power plant result in a 11.27% increase in the total life cycle climate change impacts. In the second study, a cradle-to-grave LCA was performed for a 200 MW power plant comprised of cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels by Nevada Gold Mines, using primary data from the company. The study revealed a carbon footprint of 10.17 g CO2eq/kWh, a notable reduction from the LCA results of previous versions of CdTe panels. The carbon payback time of the facility was determined to be only 6 months in relation to the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of grid electricity. These new LCA results for CSP trough and CdTe panels can assist in building more accurate greenhouse gas inventories and in planning for an energy transition that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions
Anonymous Cyber Threat Intelligence Sharing on Blockchain
No full textIn cybersecurity, sharing of cyber threat intelligence (CTI) plays a pivotal role in our collective defense against emerging threats. However, the current paradigm of CTI sharing is one that participants are reluctant to share due to serious concerns about privacy and the potential exposure of sensitive information.We provide a comprehensive look at the potential of blockchain technology in cybersecurity, highlighting its advantages in creating an immutable, transparent, and decentralized ledger for CTI sharing. We also explore the mechanism of decentralized identity (DID) and explain how ZKP can be used to verify the authenticity of shared data without compromising the anonymity of participants. We detail the architecture of the proposed scheme, describing the application of an interplanetary file system (IPFS) for decentralized data storage, a private blockchain for transaction management and verification, and Zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) for privacy certification. Through this research, we demonstrate that a blockchain-based CTI sharing scheme significantly mitigates privacy concerns, encourages greater participation, and improves the overall resilience of cyber defenses. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for future cybersecurity practices, potential challenges in adopting blockchain and DID, and directions for further research. This research contributes to the field of cybersecurity by facilitating a more collaborative and effective approach to counter cyber threats, and by providing a new solution for secure and anonymous CTI sharing
Effects of Media Captured Vaporized E-Liquid on Oral Epithelial Cells
No full textBackground: In 2024, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) reported that 1.63 million middle and high school students (5.9%) were using e-cigarettes, with 87.6% opting for flavored varieties. Flavored electronic liquids (e-liquids), particularly those with fruity or sweet additives, release harmful substances when heated. Studies have shown that the vapor contains heavy metals, toxic chemicals, various carbonyls and other byproducts that pose significant health risks. These byproducts have been linked to oral cancer, periodontal disease, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease, yet their specific effects on the oral epithelium remain poorly understood. While the dental community strongly discourages smoking due to its association with inflammation and increased risk of periodontal disease, the precise impact of vaping on the cells and tissues of the oral cavity is not well defined.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of flavored electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) vapor on oral epithelial cells. A custom-designed vaping chamber was developed to expose cell growth media to vape byproducts. Vaporized components of mint and fruit-flavored e-liquids were analyzed in collaboration with the Desert Research Institute (DRI). The infused media was then used to assess its impact on the vitality and proliferation of OKF-4 cells, a human-derived oral epithelial cell line. Additionally, we examined the expression of a cellular marker associated with apoptosis and DNA damage to explore the potential mechanisms of toxicity. Methods: Oral keratinocyte cells, OKF-4s, were cultured in triplicate using media infused with vaporized e-liquid byproducts. Two flavored e-liquids, Frozen Fruit Monster Strawberry Kiwi and Mints Wintergreen, were tested at two different concentration levels: 1x, 5x ‘puffs.’ Since the vape device had an automatic shut-off at 8 seconds, 1 ‘puff’ was equivalent to 8 seconds of vapor exposure. Cell counts were recorded using a Countess™ II automated cell counter, and cell viability was assessed via trypan blue dye exclusion. Statistical analyses were conducted with a repeated measures ANOVA for vitality and population doubling over time. To further investigate cellular responses, the expression of DNA damage by analyzing a γH2AX marker was evaluated in cells exposed to vaporized byproducts. Additionally, carbonyl composition of unvaporized and vaporized e-liquids was conducted in collaboration with DRI. Results: Cells cultured in media not exposed to vaporized e-liquid exhibited minimal changes in cell count. In contrast, media infused with 5x vaporized mint and fruit e-liquids demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, with significantly reduced cell counts compared to the 1x exposure. By day 7, cells exposed to 5x vaporized media showed a marked decline in vitality, with very few viable cells remaining. Notably, mint-flavored vape byproducts exhibited greater cytotoxic effects with a more rapid onset than compared to the fruit-flavored byproducts. Conclusion: Exposure to vaporized e-liquid byproducts had a dose-dependent negative impact on OKF-4 cell viability and proliferation. Mint-flavored vape byproducts demonstrated a more pronounced toxic effect compared to fruit-flavored vape byproducts. These findings highlight the potential harmful effects of vaping on oral epithelial health and provide a foundation for further research into the mechanisms of vaping-induced cytotoxicity in the oral cavity
Emerging Adult Gamers: Nutritional Insights on Dietary Intake, Physical Well-Being, and Occupational Performance
No full textThis study aimed to gather insights from Emerging Adult (EA) gamers (between 18 and 24) regarding their nutritional literacy, dietary patterns, and its potential impacts on their occupational performance and physical well-being. There is a need to gather gamers\u27 perspectives to identify the specific facilitators and barriers regarding their ability to discern appropriate dietary choices, as it provides more information regarding preventative and client-centered measures for future healthcare professionals. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are uniquely equipped to address this population\u27s needs, as the profession\u27s holistic principles allow for a well-rounded and sustainable approach. Additionally, growing emphasis is placed on preventative rather than reactionary measures to facilitate improved quality of life (QOL) over a prolonged period. This study was completed through a focus group of seven individuals who fit the criteria for age, self-identifying as gamers, and being non-nutritional science majors. Participants were recruited at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where word of mouth, social media announcements, and promotional posters provided study details. Audio recordings were transcribed, and qualitative analysis was conducted by the doctoral researcher and verified by the Principal Investigator, utilizing a codebook for validation, code congruency, and consensus. The data suggests that EA gamers are highly self-aware of gaming stereotypes, internal/external constraints, and cultural influences, which ultimately guide their decision-making regarding dietary patterns and influence their physical well-being and occupational performance. Future researchers could build on this study by creating structured questionnaires that help develop preventative measures and tailored interventions or conduct several focus groups with a diverse sample size to improve the generalizability of findings
Acquired Brain Injury Education: Utilizing Unfolding Case Studies to Improve Critical Thinking Skills in Occupational Therapy Students
No full textAcquired brain injuries (ABI), including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and anoxia, affect millions worldwide, and often result in long-term impairments in daily functioning. Despite the need for specialized, ongoing care, many individuals with ABI lack access to adequate long-term rehabilitation services, and families report substantial caregiver burden due to limited resources and poor care coordination. Occupational therapy plays a critical role in meeting the needs of this population; however, many entry-level practitioners feel underprepared to manage the complex challenges associated with ABI, largely due to limited training and exposure. This capstone project aimed to address this educational gap by implementing an unfolding case study to enhance the critical thinking skills of occupational therapy doctoral students. The project included an advanced clinical practice focused on ABI followed by the development, implementation, and analysis of an unfolding case study. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was utilized to assess changes in students’ self-perceived critical thinking skills across three domains: analysis, explanation, and interpretation. Descriptive statistics indicated improvements across all three domains following the intervention. The greatest gains were observed in the domain of explanation, likely due to the case study’s emphasis on synthesizing clinical information and articulating clinical decisions in dynamic, real-world scenarios. These findings support the effectiveness of unfolding case study methodologies in fostering critical thinking skills related to ABI, an essential component of clinical reasoning
Feasibility and Acceptability of Tap Dance as a Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Lower Limb Amputation: A Pilot Study
No full textObjectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of an 8-week adapted tap dance program as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA).
Methods
Three participants with LLA (two with unilateral transfemoral amputation and one with bilateral transtibial amputations) attended weekly 1-hour tap dance classes, with movements adapted for their needs and mobility aids and dance barres available as needed. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) and participant feedback assessed acceptability. Functional mobility, balance and quality of life were measured using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Four Square Step Test (FSST), and Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scale (TAPES).
Results
All participants (P1-3) completed the classes with adaptations. PACES scores indicated moderate to high enjoyment, and participants reported increased confidence in daily activities. However, two experienced physical discomfort and one found weekly attendance challenging. Functional outcomes varied: P1 improved on the TUG and FSST but had reduced ABC and QOL scores. P2 improved on the BBS but showed no change in QOL, while P3 reported fewer activity limitations and improved QOL after the intervention.
Conclusion
Adapted tap dance may be a feasible and acceptable activity for individuals with LLA, offering potential improvements in balance, mobility, and QOL. Some caution is needed regarding physical discomfort, and larger studies are required to determine efficacy. This program could fill a gap in exercise options outside of traditional physical therapy for people with LLA
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Cardiac Structure, Function and Ventricular-Arterial Coupling of Adults with Down Syndrome
No full textBACKGROUND: This dissertation presents a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac structure, function, and ventricular-arterial coupling in adults with Down syndrome (Ds). Individuals with Down syndrome are living longer due to significant improvements in medical care and early surgical repair of congenital heart defects; however, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality in this population. Despite this, detailed cardiac assessment of adults with Down syndrome without congenital heart defects remains underrepresented in cardiovascular research, with most existing literature focusing on pediatric populations or congenital anomalies.AIMS: The primary objective of this research was to compare cardiac structure, systolic and diastolic function, and ventricular-arterial coupling between adults with Down syndrome and age- and activity-matched adults without Down syndrome. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design including 40 adults with Down syndrome and 20 adults without Down syndrome, aged 18-35, with similar low physical activity levels. Comprehensive baseline echocardiographic examinations were performed by a certified Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) following the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Measurements were obtained using multiple echocardiographic views (parasternal long axis, parasternal short axis, apical four-chamber, apical two-chamber, and apical five-chamber) and various imaging modalities (2-D imaging, M-mode, Tissue Doppler Imaging, and Simpson\u27s biplane) to acquire a comprehensive assessment of cardiac dimensions, volumes, velocities, and functional parameters. RESULTS: The first study (Chapter 2) focused on cardiac size and systolic function, showing that adults with Down syndrome had significantly smaller left ventricular internal diameters during diastole (LVIDd) and systole (LVIDs), smaller left ventricular end-systolic volumes indexed to body surface area (LVESVI), and smaller left atrial dimensions (LAD) and volumes indexed to body surface area (LAVI) compared to adults without Down syndrome. In this study, adults with Down syndrome had lower diastolic blood pressure and lower stroke volume than adults without Down syndrome. Despite having smaller internal diameters and volumes, adults with Down syndrome demonstrated higher ejection fractions and fractional shortening, suggesting compensatory mechanisms that help maintain cardiac output. The second study (Chapter 3) examined diastolic function, demonstrating that adults with Down syndrome had significantly reduced lateral Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) of early diastolic myocardial velocity (Em), suggesting impaired myocardial relaxation during early diastole. Conversely, they exhibited higher mitral inflow velocity (eV), indicating a compensatory mechanism for rapid ventricular filling. These findings suggest altered diastolic mechanics characterized by reduced myocardial relaxation velocities and increased early filling velocities, reflecting a complex pattern of diastolic function. The third study (Chapter 4) provided novel insights into ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) in adults with Down syndrome using the non-invasive single-beat method described by Chen et al. Adults with Down syndrome had significantly lower VAC ratios, faster pre-ejection times (PEP), and shorter normalized systolic durations (tNd) compared to adults without Down syndrome. These parameters suggest that in this study, adults with Down syndrome spent less time in systole, generated left ventricular pressure more rapidly, and exhibited a different balance between ventricular and arterial function than adults without Down syndrome. The findings of this dissertation reveal a unique cardiac phenotype in adults with Down syndrome characterized by smaller cardiac dimensions and volumes, compensatory systolic hyperfunction, altered diastolic mechanics, and a distinct ventricular-arterial coupling profile. These findings suggest that adults with Down syndrome maintained cardiac output at rest through several compensatory mechanisms: (1) higher ejection fraction and fractional shortening to maximize stroke volume from smaller ventricular dimensions, and volumes (2) increased early mitral inflow velocities to optimize diastolic filling despite reduced myocardial relaxation, and (3) rapid pressure generation during a shortened systolic period. Lower diastolic blood pressure in adults with Down syndrome may be an additional physiological factor that could impact cardiac function in this population. Lower diastolic blood pressure could decrease coronary perfusion during diastole and reduce preload due to diminished venous return, necessitating the compensatory mechanisms observed in this study. This challenges the traditional view that lower blood pressure is universally beneficial and suggests that lower diastolic blood pressure in adults with Down syndrome may contribute to a complex pattern of cardiovascular compensatory mechanisms. CONCLUSION: This dissertation provides several key contributions to the field. First, it challenges the conventional interpretation that a higher ejection fraction indicates superior cardiac function, demonstrating that a higher ejection fraction in adults with Down syndrome reflects a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output despite smaller cardiac dimensions and volumes. Second, it showed that adults with Down syndrome had impaired myocardial relaxation partially offset by increased early filling velocities. Third, it provides the first comprehensive assessment of ventricular-arterial coupling in adults with Down syndrome. These findings potentially have clinical implications, and clinicians should consider a comprehensive evaluation of structural parameters, diastolic function, and ventricular-arterial coupling to assess cardiovascular health in adults with Down syndrome thoroughly. Future research should explore whether the cardiac compensatory mechanisms observed in this study evolve with aging and whether they contribute to the increased cardiovascular mortality seen in older adults with Down syndrome. Longitudinal studies incorporating advanced echocardiographic techniques, such as 3D imaging and strain analysis, would provide valuable insights into this population\u27s cardiac function. Additional investigation of the underlying mechanisms of increased cardiac contractility, including assessment of endothelial function and biomarkers of myocardial stress, would further enhance our understanding of cardiovascular physiology in adults with Down syndrome. In conclusion, this dissertation illustrates that adults with Down syndrome exhibited a distinct cardiac phenotype characterized by smaller cardiac dimensions and volumes, compensatory hypercontractile systolic function, altered diastolic mechanics, and less efficient ventricular-arterial coupling. These adaptations assist in maintaining cardiac output at rest but may lead to reduced cardiac reserve. This research establishes a foundation for improved cardiovascular assessment and care in this expanding adult population by providing a more nuanced understanding of cardiac function in adults with Down syndrome