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Planting Seeds, Changing Minds: A Narrative Analysis of Environmental Children’s Books
No full textChildren’s books are some of the earliest forms of entertainment and education a person will interact with in their lifetime. Simultaneously weaving a tale and teaching a lesson, children’s books, therefore, have the great potential to communicate important lessons and mindsets at young ages. Utilizing narrative theory (Fisher, 1984) and ecocriticism (Glotfelty, 1996), while also considering environmental ideologies and narrative components (Bloomfield, 2024), this study explores the functions of environmental children’s books and how they might communicate environmental messaging and encourage ecological thinking. Following a narrative analysis of 46 environmental children’s books, the results of this study indicate that there are three primary functions to environmental children’s books—pedagogy, representation, and identification—that work together to encourage young readers to behave and think ecologically. Significantly, environmental children’s books place a great emphasis on visual aids and illustrations—an essential component to this medium but missing from narrative theory—and foster ecological action, in both image and words
Cultivating the Creative Ecosystem Amid the Disruption of AI
No full textCan humanity’s creativity, our artistic intelligence, thrive in symbiosis with the disruptive forces of technology’s Artificial Intelligence in work, media and education? “Who is responsible?” may be the more important question as we face a future infused with AI. Impacted individuals and industries cannot wait for ambiguous political powers to determine AI regulatory policy. They must develop strategies for critique and discernment in real time to prevent the technology’s disruption in society from devolving into oppressive dysfunction.
Who is responsible for cultivating the balance that sustains humanity? Scholars and practitioners with artistic intelligence are adaptive catalysts for collaborative problem solving and interdisciplinary discovery. They combine the speculative power of imagination with the clarity of science, and an awareness of the human condition to create a common purpose, and multiple dimensions of understanding that empower humanity to thrive. It is critical for members of the creative community of every discipline to join in on the AI conversation, along with policymakers and the public square, for humanity to thrive
Equitable and Efficient Exams in Large Courses
No full textHow do we asses over 1,200 students six times a semester equitably and efficiently? Our program\u27s need: Assess learning equitably and efficiently in KIN 223 and 224 Human A&P I and II. Set clear expectations, minimize anxiety. Process \u3e 7,200 exams per semester. Give timely feedback quickly and progress through curriculum.https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/btp_expo/1207/thumbnail.jp
Leveling the Playing Field: the Power of Pre-class Structure in Inclusive Education
No full textMany students enter UNLV without prior instruction on effective learning strategies or class preparation, and their limited classroom contact hours further hinder the development of essential study and self-regulation skills. This challenge is particularly pronounced among students from underrepresented and underserved communities. To address this, I created structured pre-class activities designed to equip students with effective study habits and learning strategies that support their success both in and out of the classroom. Before each class session, students complete a “Pre-Class Guided Practice” handout, which includes an overview of the new material, clearly defined learning objectives, a QR code linking to short instructional YouTube videos I have created, targeted practice problems, and a reminder to complete a low-stakes pre-class Canvas quiz. These pre-class activities foster independent learning and skill development, allowing valuable class time to be dedicated to higher-level activities and more meaningful hands-on engagement rather than passive content delivery.https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/btp_expo/1212/thumbnail.jp
One-Page RPGs: An Engaging Alternative to Group PPTs
No full textLooking to increase student engagement and interest, I added the one-page RPG as an option my HON 110 students have for their group project. Ideally, student-designed games help them think more carefully about class readings and related contexts and connect meaningfully to that material in ways that make the Honors College’s second-year seminar a more memorable, transformative experience. These games also help students better understand a potentially unfamiliar genre. Finally, because materials are shared outside of class, there is a reduced stress level related to conventional, in-front-of-the-class, end-of-semester group presentations.https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/btp_expo/1220/thumbnail.jp
Six-Month Follow-Up Comparing AIT and EFT in the Reduction of Negative Emotions Associated with a Past Memory
No full textThe field of Energy Psychology [EP] has amassed hundreds published research studies over its thirty year history which includes both systematic review and meta-analysis level data. These have consistently demonstrated significant effect sizes equivalent to EMDR and trauma based CBT (Church et al., 2022; Feinstein, 2021). Energy Psychology Techniques typically include an energetic component, an emotional component, a somatic component, focus upon a specific memory, which lead to automatic secondary cognitive shifts. Memory Reconsolidation may be a primary psycho-biological explanation for effectiveness. Emotional Freedom Technique [EFT] is the most studied EP technique to date, and considered an evidenced based treatment for a number of conditions. Advanced Integrative Therapy [AIT] was created in the same time period, but did not receive similar research focus as EFT, in spite of having an enthusiastic group of practitioners using it effectively with patients. Comparative evidence related to the effectiveness of EFT vs. AIT is lacking. Our original randomized controlled trial comparing the results showed equivalence (Brown et al., 2023). This six-month follow-up (Brown eta l., 2024) aims to compare the efficacy of EFT and AFT in sustained relief from negative emotions related to the chosen memory over time
AI Governance in the Gaming Industry: A Proposal for a Use Case Registry
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into everyday life. From customer service chatbots and marketing strategies to player protection tools and surveillance systems, casino operations are embracing the trend. However, without a systematic framework to track the current and emerging use cases across the industry, concerns about transparency, ethical use, and potential consumer harm continue to grow. Rather than aiming to establish binding regulatory practices for an industry and technology that are both quickly evolving, this policy brief advocates for the creation of an AI-use case registry. The registry would comprehensively track gaming companies that are using AI. The growing adoption of AI has demonstrated a need for caution (e.g., issues with bias in facial recognition), and the unique nature of gaming, one in which profits are directly tied to consumer losses, only heightens AI-related risks for this controversial industry. This policy brief focuses on Nevada, a state with a long-standing connection to gaming and industry-specific laws that place it at the forefront of gaming regulation. By establishing a comprehensive registry to document AI-use cases, this brief proposes that Nevada can remain at the frontier of AI-governance and set a precedent for gaming-specific regulatory efforts. The registry’s design can help support progress and innovation while preventing unintended consequences. By tracking how the gaming sector interacts with AI, the state can respond more effectively, adapt in real-time, and stay ahead of the curve in one of its highest-risk industries
Leveraging College Men’s Sports Betting Experiences to Inform Responsible Gambling: A Focus Group Study
No full textCollege students are especially vulnerable to the harms associated with sports betting. Responsible Gambling (RG) strategies aim to mitigate these harms. However, research on the relevance and adoption of RG strategies among college students is limited and lacks insight from consumer experiences. The current study conducted a qualitative investigation to examine the experiences of college men who sports bet to provide guidance on how these experiences can subsequently inform RG. Three online focus groups with college men who sports bet (n = 12) were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an open coding Thematic Analysis approach. Codes were independently identified and analyzed, resulting in 12 sub-themes that were consolidated into 5 primary themes. Themes included 1) gambling-related language, 2) motivational factors such as promotions and live games, 3) engagement through types of bets and features such as parlays, 4) emotional factors such as negative feelings from losses, and 5) social factors including betting with friends and its cultural significance. Insights from the lived experiences of participants will expand the knowledge base on sports betting among college men and guide efforts to develop more informed and consumer-driven strategies for promoting safe and responsible betting practices
Trends and Financial Burden of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors in the United States: A Comprehensive Analysis of United States Hospitalizations
No full textBackground: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are associated with a substantial economic burden to the healthcare system despite their relatively low incidence and prevalence compared to other more common malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate trends in GIST-related hospitalizations, inpatient mortality, and the financial burden of GISTs in the United States. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2016 to 2020 was used to identify adult hospitalizations (age \u3e 18 years) with a primary diagnosis of GIST. A multivariate logistic regression along with Chi-square and t-tests was performed using SAS 9.4 software to analyze inpatient GIST-associated mortality, inflation-adjusted total hospital charge (THC), and length of stay (LOS) during the study period. Results: The study analyzed 48,690 hospitalizations (49.2% female, mean age 64.2 years, 38.2% elective admissions) with a primary diagnosis of GIST between 2016 and 2020. Annual GIST-related hospitalizations increased from 2,645 in 2016 to 11,565 in 2020 (P = 0.1208). The most common tumor location was stomach (48.5%), followed by small intestine (18.7%), large intestine (3.6%), and rectum (1.6%). There was a non-significant reduction in inpatient mortality from 4.16% in 2016 to 3.29% in 2020 (P = 0.807). Overall, 36.2% of patients had THC between 20,000 (36.5% in 2016 vs. 34.7% in 2020, P = 0.0001), and 9.8% of patients had a THC \u3e $40,000 (8.3% in 2016 vs. 12.6% in 2020, P = 0.0001). Furthermore, 61.5% of patients had LOS of fewer than 5 days (59.16% in 2016 vs. 61.39% by 2020, P = 0.0001), and 38.5% had LOS of 5 days or more (40.84% in 2016 vs. 38.61% in 2020, P = 0.0001). The proportion of GISTs treated with endoscopic resection has remained stable with 13.02% in 2016 and 13.01% in 2020 (P = 0.08). Additionally, the proportion of surgical excisions decreased from 26.8% in 2016 to 21.4% in 2020 with a statistically significant trend (P = 0.004). Conclusions: GIST-related inpatient mortality between 2016 and 2020 has remained stable, and endoscopic and surgical interventions have become more common for the management of GISTs. This has been accompanied by a significant rise in overall inflation-adjusted hospitalization costs in the study period. These findings highlight the need for continued optimization of care and resource allocation for GIST management
Gambling Behaviors, Perceptions, and Risks Among Nevada Adults
No full textThis study presents a statewide assessment of gambling behaviors, perceptions, and gambling-related risk among 1,078 Nevada adults. Using a mixed-source, population-calibrated survey developed by UNLV and NORC, the research measures gambling participation, motivations, venue exposure, and attitudes toward harm, treatment, and regulation. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) identifies substantial levels of harm: nearly half of past-year gamblers show some degree of risk, with the highest rates among younger adults, racially diverse groups, gaming and hospitality workers, and those who gamble in neighborhood bars or slot parlors. The survey also documents public beliefs about gambling addiction, youth exposure, stigma, and help-seeking, finding broad support for state leadership in reducing gambling harm but limited awareness of available services. This dataset provides an important baseline for monitoring trends and informing prevention, treatment, and policy strategies in Nevada