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Uncorking the Wine Industry\u27s Secret: Barriers for Women in the Wine Industry
No full textGiven the labor crisis across the United States and the increasing wine consumption by women, it is more critical than ever to engage women to join the wine industry. Although women are consistently battling against tokenization, discreditation, and underrepresentation in the wine industry, there is scant research that pinpoints the specific blockages, or barriers, that women face in their career in the wine industry. To address this question, this thesis explores what the horizonal and vertical sex-segregation issues and barriers are for women to join the wine industry. This thesis used a qualitative semi-structured interview design whereby 13 wine industry practitioners of various ages, genders, and backgrounds participated. Many different barriers for women were identified, notably sexual harassment, sexism, and both vertical and horizontal segregation. This thesis can contribute to the literature about women working in the wine industry by being the first to explore and identify specific barriers that women face. Practically, this thesis sheds lights for wine industry owners, executives, and managers to promote gender equity and break down the barriers for women to join the wine industry, and to attract talent for their organizations
State-to-State Migration in Nevada, 2017-2022
No full textThis fact sheet examines data on state-to-state migration patterns of people moving from other states to Nevada, as well as individuals leaving Nevada and moving to other states between 2017 and 2022. Data for all 50 states are found in the United States Census Bureau’s report, “State-to-State Migration Flows
Performance Effects of Dissociated Hydrogen in Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Engines
No full textNuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) research considers hydrogen dissociation as negligible to design and analysis of propulsion engines. This study reintroduces chemically reacting flow to NTP engine analysis for investigation of the dissociation effect on engine performance. A first-principles approach observes the basic chemical mechanism and reaction within the high-speed, high-temperature NTP flow to baseline expected atomic hydrogen levels and validate equilibrium. A surface reaction study looks into hydrogen absorption through dissociation and its effect on the boundary layer, and bulk flow. For total performance, the resulting dissociated flow is analyzed through nozzle expansion and performance metrics calculated.
All historic reactor inlet conditions can be assumed to be at equilibrium for atomic hydrogen values at, or below, 1% and remain at equilibrium until approximately 1600 K. Beyond this temperature, all reactors operated in non-equilibrium at worst conditions of sonic velocity, with one reactor operating as low as 51% of equilibrium but converged toward equilibrium at the outlet. All historic NTP reactors correlated with equilibrium at reactor outlet within 82%. Hydrogen dissociation is present in all historic NTP reactors, but all atomic hydrogen levels were below 0.5% molar fraction of total concentration when considering bulk flow temperatures and any speed up to the sonic speed.
Historic reactors demonstrate that similar NTP systems must consider non-equilibrium near the outlet above 1600 K as well as if the flow is disrupted from trace amounts below 1600 K. Highest core exit temperatures contains the highest dissociated atomic hydrogen while highest operating pressures cause the reactor to closely follow equilibrium. Reactor inlets that contain less than 1% molar fraction atomic hydrogen can be assumed to reach equilibrium by the reactor outlet.
NTP reactors contain a notable crossflow velocity near the reactor outlet due to the absorption of hydrogen into the NTP cladding material. Tungsten is selected as the cladding of choice due to concerning indications of high hydrogen penetration rates in molybdenum-tungsten (Mo-W) alloy. Zirconium carbide (ZrC) was rejected due to its historic issues with mass loss and carbon chemical reaction but proves to be a promising future candidate. The effects of the boundary layer were in questions as crossflow velocity reached 80 mm/s into NTP cladding resembling a form of wall suction. The absorption of hydrogen has a small effect on the thermal boundary layer. This demonstrated that the fluid mechanics of NTP reactors must consider the surface reaction of dissociated hydrogen flow in design and optimization of NTP engines. A follow-on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) looked closely at the boundary layer effects, assuming wall transpiration of hydrogen and provide the most accurate velocity and mass flow rates exiting the reactor and entering the chamber.
A 2-D axisymmetric computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the KIWI 4BE nuclear reactor provided the highest quality of chamber conditions for NTP. Atomic hydrogen was found to double over simple 1-D assumptions assuming equilibrium, equilibrium conditions, and assuming centerline temperature. For the KIWI 4BE model, 0.7% molar fraction of atomic hydrogen entered the NTP “Chamber” accompanied by a significant velocity decrement of 7% less than non-chemically reacting assumptions. The thermal profile changes appear relatively insignificant while the “1/7th” turbulent velocity profile was not accurate and needs further update. Analysis of zirconium carbide indicated that hydrogen absorption maybe greatly suppressed but further operational conditions are needed for testing. Further computations were completed in 1-D rocket nozzle expansion to fully understand the performance effect.
Calculation of the changing atomic hydrogen level requires a chemical analysis throughout nozzle expansion. NASA Chemical Equilibrium Analysis Application provides the tools to complete this analysis. The specific impulse is found for the chemically reacting flow and nonchemically reacting flow cases and compared. The specific impulse demonstrates the superior efficiency of the KIWI B4E engine over liquid engines. Despite reduced velocity and increased atomic hydrogen, the chemically reacting flow model produced a slight increase in specific impulse of 0.9% over the non-chemically reacting flow model. Modeling of NTP engines will underestimate the engine performance if chemically reacting flow is not considered
A New Canon: Dismantling Racist Exclusion in Opera and Paving the Way for Inclusive Representation
No full textThis document examines the exclusion of African American opera from the traditional Western operatic canon and standard performance practices within educational institutions and professional organizations. The narrow conception of opera as a European art form has obscured the contributions and cultural significance of works by pioneering African American composers. This study addresses this gap and elevates neglected histories by arguing for African American opera\u27s artistic merit and contemporary relevance within the American operatic tradition.
Through musical and historical analysis of representative works from the late 19th/early 20th centuries onwards, I aim to illuminate the genre\u27s unheard tales of struggle, identity, and collective empowerment. Composers like William Grant Still and Harry Lawrence Freeman combined spirituals, African rhythms, and European structures to create a hybrid art form crafted to capture the multifaceted Black experience in America. However, the lack of preservation and distribution and false dichotomies separating “classical” from “folk” music have limited widespread recognition of works that contain insights into marginalization and resilience.
To understand barriers to inclusion, I analyze discriminatory practices and attitudes that have legitimized the marginalization of African American opera within mainstream institutions. Standard audition requirements, curricula, and programming reflect a narrow cultural perspective rather than authentic diversity. My research question centers on how resistant characteristics can be addressed through education, exposure, and adaptions centered on inclusivity.
Adopting a mixed methods approach, I conduct a musicological analysis of select works and examine primary sources from pioneering opera companies juxtaposed with contemporary scholarship on activism, pedagogy, and anti-racist practices. My findings reveal African American opera as integral to understanding identity and empowerment within the arc of Black musical tradition in America.
By shedding light on marginalized perspectives and advocating for the full integration of this undervalued genre, my dissertation calls for transformative change, aiming to dismantle systemic disadvantages within opera. My research recommendations focus on expanding curricula, reevaluating audition expectations, and diversifying performance programming. These measures foster a more inclusive understanding of opera\u27s historical significance and potential within the American musical landscape.
In alignment with this vision, I find resonance in the words of Philip A. Ewell, particularly concerning music theory and its applicability to the realm of opera. Moreover, Ewell highlights the urgency of moving away from undergraduate textbooks solely centered around the music of white composers. His words emphasize the need for a reimagined canon that enriches our cultural understanding and advances the field\u27s responsibility to embrace and celebrate diversity authentically. As Ewell eloquently states, If we truly \u27embraced all approaches and perspectives,\u27 then we would make them—part of [our curricula], from freshman theory to doctoral comprehensive exams, and our undergraduate textbooks would not be based solely on the music of whites.” This mindset enriches opera\u27s cultural fabric and underscores our 1 collective responsibility to foster authentic diversity within the field
The Mitochondrial Membrane Potential as a Screening Tool for Immunostimulation
No full textThe rise of neuroinflammatory disorders highlights the importance of early detection and intervention for more effective treatment options. Neuroinflammation is associated with the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, Alzheimer\u27s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. There has been a focus on neurons to advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of neuroinflammation and its role in neurodegeneration. However, recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of glial cells, particularly microglia, in neuroinflammation due to their active participation in the immune response. This study investigates glial-specific indicators of morphology, metabolic changes, and drug efficacy in neuroinflammatory conditions. By analyzing the glial-specific activity of microglia at various levels, we uncover distinct patterns that correlate with disease progression. These findings offer insights into the early stages of neurological diseases and provide potential biomarkers for early detection. Moreover, this study explores the modulation of microglial metabolic activity as a screen for therapeutic approaches. We examine the impact of pharmacological interventions on glial cells and their subsequent effects on disease outcomes. In summary, this dissertation expands the current understanding of the dynamic interplay between glial cells, neuroinflammation, and disease progression, ultimately contributing to the development of a novel drug screening tool. Identifying glial-specific metabolic indicators and evaluating drug efficacy offer promising avenues for early detection and targeted therapeutic interventions in neurological diseases
Feasibility of an Occupation-Based Intervention Manual for Outpatient Hand Clinics
No full textPurpose
The purpose of this quality improvement study was to determine the usefulness of an Occupation-based Intervention Manual (OBI) for hand therapists in Southern Nevada and if the utilization of the OBI manual supported client-centered outcomes regardless of diagnosis, age, or population.
Methods
Convenience sampling was used, and five participants met the inclusion criteria in the twelve-week study. Pre-interview questionnaire responses from the therapists were used to develop the OBI manual content and corresponding Utilization Tracker. Post-interview questionnaire responses were used to determine the application and outcomes of the OBI manual. Descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, and thematic analysis were used and applied.
Results
Five participants were practicing hand therapists (n=5). Pre-interview responses revealed themes associated with occupation within hand therapy and current educational resources used for return to occupation. Utilization Tracker results demonstrated the utilization frequency of the OBI manual. The OBI manual was used primarily to visually display the included content of the OBI manual (f=27), patient education (f/n=89%), and during initial evaluations (f/n= 80%). Of the common diagnoses, trigger finger was the most common diagnosis treated with the use of the OBI manual (f/n=24%). Post-interview responses generated common themes associated with the overall perceptions and use of the OBI manual which included patient receptiveness, an effective use of time, an educational resource, and user-friendliness.
Conclusion
The initial outcomes of this project indicate therapists appreciated, used, and implemented the OBI for reference, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient education, thereby highlighting and rediscovering the value of occupation within hand therapy
\u3cem\u3eHunnenschlacht\u3c/em\u3e by Franz Liszt: A Transcription for Wind Orchestra with Accompanying Historical Context and Transcription Techniques
No full textThis document includes a transcription of Liszt’s symphonic poem Hunnenschlacht. An overview of the work\u27s historical context and a detailed explanation of the techniques used in transcribing the work for wind orchestra are included
Video Monitoring For Fall Prevention
No full textPatient safety is a vital aspect of healthcare. Falls and fall-related injuries continue to occur in hospitals worldwide and fall prevention is one of the top priorities in providing quality care. Fall assessment tools, bed alarms, patient rounding, patient education, physical restraints, environmental modification, bedside sitters, and remote video monitoring are some of the methods implemented to reduce falls. This project was a quasi-experimental study informed by Kotter and Cohen Model of Change. The initial purpose of this process improvement project was to educate staff on the significance of video monitoring in fall prevention and determine whether the education regarding the importance of video monitoring in fall prevention was effectively integrated into practice and resulted in a reduction in falls. Ultimately, the project was only able to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on staff knowledge of the uses of video monitoring. A cross sectional pre- and post-test design was utilized to assess any gap staff may have regarding video monitoring, and education about video monitoring was tailored to address any needs. Data were collected through a survey of 11 questions, and the mean scores of four selected responses compared before and after intervention. Findings revealed an increase in knowledge post-intervention, as evidenced by increased mean scores. Despite the increase in mean scores, post-intervention fall rates did not decrease. For this project, the final PICOT question was: In nurses working in a healthcare setting (P), does education on the importance of video monitoring in fall prevention(I), compared to pre-education self-report (C) increase staff self-report of understanding the uses of video monitoring (O)
Shifting Employment and Perceptions of Household Responsibilities During Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nevada, USA
No full textBackground: Employment and household responsibility are critical health determinants. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the work and social landscapes in Nevada, USA through closures of workplaces and schools/childcare centers, changing patterns of employment, and household responsibilities. This study aimed to measure changes in employment status and perceived housework responsibilities among Nevada adults in December 2020, before widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in a pandemic-affected economy.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional telephone survey of 1,000 Nevada adults, this study compared respondent experiences and perceptions of employment and time spent on housework in December 2020 to pre-pandemic using multinominal logistic, proportional odds, and logistic models.
Results: 70.52% of participants experienced no employment change; roughly 24% reported being fired/laid-off, working reduced hours, or quitting. Chi-square analyses found participants of color more likely than Whites to report being fired/laid-off or working reduced hours (p-value = 0.0005), though these findings were not significant in our models. Participants in the lowest income bracket had higher odds of being fired/laid off (p-value = 0.0030), and participants aged 65+ were less likely to experience employment change (p-value\u3c 0.0001). 32.43% of participants reported more time spent on housework. Multivariate analyses showed age is significantly associated with changes in both employment status (p-value\u3c 0.0001) and housework time (p-value\u3c 0.0001); income is a significant factor for employment status change (p-value = 0.0024). Of those reporting their households spent more time on housework, females were 2.90 times (95% CI=1.66, 5.05, p-value = 0.0002) more likely to report taking on the additional work.
Conclusions: Results demonstrate a disproportionate burden in employment change and/or more perceived household responsibilities on lower income and younger respondents, and females reporting they are more likely to take on additional housework. Understanding systemic vulnerabilities related to employment status and household responsibilities is necessary to aid impacted communities and to plan for future emergencies
Temporal Variations In and Predictive Values of ABG Results Prior to In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
No full textIn-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) has been understudied relative to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Further, studies of IHCA have mainly focused on a limited number of pre-arrest patient characteristics (e.g., demographics, number and types of comorbidities). Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, one of the most common diagnostic tests for assessing and managing critically or acutely ill hospitalized patients, reflects pathophysiological changes associated with adverse events or complications, including IHCA. Yet the predictive and prognostic values of patterns of pre-arrest ABG parameters for IHCA have not been fully studied. The purpose of this retrospective pilot cohort study was to investigate temporal variations in and predictive values of pre-IHCA ABG values among patients with a history of cardiopulmonary diseases. Eligible patients had a history of structural heart disease, heart failure, or pulmonary diseases. Patients were excluded if their IHCA was due to trauma, drug overdose, hypothermia, drowning, chronic terminal illness such as cancer or human immunodeficiency virus, or bleeding not caused by hemorrhage in the brain or heart. Also collected were dates, times, and causes of mechanical intubation prior to IHCA and causes of mortality. Co-primary outcomes were initial rhythms of IHCA and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We conducted a pilot study and the ABG results (pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PaCO2], partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2], bicarbonate [HCO3-] , and lactate) from each of the 3 days prior to IHCA were extracted from the electronic health records (EHRs) of patients (N = 44) who had experienced IHCA at a single medical center. To characterize differences in ABG parameters among study days, coefficients of variation (CVs) were compared using the modified likelihood ratio test (MLRT) using the worst ABG values. Linear regression models were run for the continuous ABG parameters and logistic regression models for the dichotomous ABG variables. Overall model effect and least squares means, SDs, mean differences within and between days (with 95 % confidence intervals), p-values and effect sizes were reported for continuous variables. For categorical variables, estimates and standard errors, 95 % confidence intervals, Wald X2 variables and p-values were presented. The CVs for pH, PaCO2 , and HCO3- differed significant between study days (p \u3c .05). The least squares means with 95 % confidence intervals for pH and lactate differed significantly in days (p \u3c .01). Moderate to large effect sizes were obtained for all ABG parameters. Arterial lactate predicted initial rhythm (shockable versus non-shockable) and ROSC, while pH and HCO3- predicted ROSC. Results demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of significant variability in ABG parameters across 72 h prior to IHCA and the predictive potential of these parameters for initial rhythms of IHCA and ROSC. While validation in a larger sample is necessary, this study confirms the feasibility and potential value of exploring temporal patterns of pre-arrest ABG values from the EHRs. Findings of future larger studies on pre-arrest patterns of ABG parameters and other laboratory values may be used to design models that better predict risk for IHCA and guide patient care in the pre- and intra-arrest periods