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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
Slot floor layout strategy: Optimizing revenues vis-à-vis game location and popularity
No full textSlot revenues are critical to the success of many of the world’s casinos. The rising cost of slot machines has often resulted in fewer games on the floor and fewer purchases of new games. Such conditions create choices for operators seeking to optimize slot revenues with their existing game mix, which invariably includes both high- and low-performing titles. Like game titles, the quality of all bank locations on the slot floor is not the same. Thus, operators must decide whether it is better to place the popular titles in the best locations and the less popular titles in the challenging locations, or the converse. The results of our paired-samples t test suggested it is the converse, as that combination produced a statistically and economically significant increase in daily t-win, over the course of a 120-day sample. Alternatively stated, the combination of high-performing titles in the bad location and low-performing titles in the good location outperformed the opposite combination. The observed increase in the mean daily t-win for the prevailing configuration was 21%, dropping to 18% with a single outlier omitted. The research design and method advanced herein offers a simple, rigorous, and objective means of examining this important question. Academically, this work extended research in the areas of both the servicescape and performance-potential studies aimed at the evaluation of individual slot machines
The Nexus of Sports Fandom and Sports Wagering: A Scoping Review
No full textThis scoping review examines the intersection of sports fandom and sports betting, with a particular focus on the marketing considerations involved in this relationship. Sports fandom, driven by strong emotional investments and team identification, plays a critical role in shaping betting behaviors. As this relationship becomes increasingly complex, it is essential to explore the underlying motivations and behaviors of sports fans who engage in betting, the ethical implications of marketing practices targeting this group, and the methodologies used to study this intersection. To address these relationships, this review examines four key areas: motivations for sports fans to engage in betting, responsible marketing practices, the methodological approaches used in current studies, and future research directions. This review highlights that fans are motivated to bet not only by potential financial gain but also by socialization, excitement, and loyalty to their teams. However, this emotional engagement raises ethical concerns about the normalization of betting in marketing, especially in targeting vulnerable populations. The review also identifies a reliance on quantitative methods in the existing literature and calls for more qualitative and longitudinal research. Finally, the study highlights the need for further exploration of diverse demographics and the impact of new technologies on the relationship between fandom and betting. This review offers insights for researchers, marketers, and policymakers to better understand and navigate the evolving landscape of sports betting and sports fan behavior
Bridging the Divide: Gaps in Mental Health Resources for K-12 Students in Nevada
No full textSince 2014, Nevada has consistently ranked among the bottom five states, if not last, in the nation for youth mental health, with more than 34,000 youth reporting experiencing thoughts of suicide in 2025 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). The state’s student-to-counselor ratio stands at 456 to 1, nearly double the recommended 250 to 1 (American School Counselor Association, 2024). In Southern Nevada, these challenges are compounded with persistent provider shortages, chronic underfunding, and a fragmented system of care. This policy brief focuses on the barriers preventing students from receiving timely, effective mental health support in school settings and examines how workforce shortages, underfunding, and a fragmented system contribute to the problem. It then offers three interdependent policy solutions: increasing dedicated funding, expanding school-based telehealth access, and strengthening cross-sector community partnerships to build a more equitable, sustainable mental health infrastructure for K 12 students across Southern Nevada
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
Men in Higher Education in Nevada, 1993-2023
No full textThis fact sheet compares enrollment, graduation, and earnings data for men and women that enrolled in the seven institutions of higher learning in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) between 1993 and 2023. This fact sheet further focuses on how male enrollment and graduation shares have changed with time. The data are derived from the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM) report, “Men in higher education: A national data tool,” which includes data for all fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This fact sheet focuses on institution-level data for seven public NSHE institutions: the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Nevada State University (NSU), the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Western Nevada College (WNC), Great Basin College (GBC), and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC)
“I Am Sorry for Being Abusive”: The Moderating Roles of Leaders’ Apologies on Subordinates’ Reactions to Abusive Supervision
No full textDrawing on cognitive dissonance theory, this dissertation examines how sustained and episodic abusive supervision and leader apologies affect subordinates\u27 service innovative behaviors. Three studies were developed to test the moderating role of abusive leaders’ apologies and the mediating role of rumination and working memory. Study 1 uses a 2 (abusive supervision: low abusive supervision vs. high abusive supervision) × 2 (leader apology: no apology vs. apology) between-subject scenario-based quasi-experiment and examines the direct interactive effect of abusive supervision and leader apologies on subordinates’ service innovative behavior. Study 2 extends the model from Study 1 by testing subordinates’ rumination as a mediator between abusive supervision and service innovative behavior and the moderating role of leader apologies with a one-month time-lagged survey. Study 3 investigates the research model by focusing on one-time episodic leader abuse behaviors, specifying the nature of leader apologies, and measuring actual subordinate behaviors. Sincere and insincere apologies were tested as two boundary conditions moderating the effect of episodic abusive supervision on the service innovative behavior via subordinate’s working memory. A 2 (abusive supervision: low abusive supervision vs. episodic abusive supervision) × 3 (leader apology: no apology vs. insincere apology vs. sincere apology) was adopted. The research findings and implications are discussed
Lower Limb Loss Related Physical Therapy Outcome Measures: A Scoping Review
No full textThis scoping review aims to explore the use of performance-based outcome measures (PBOMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in assessing the function of individuals with lower limb loss (LLL). The review identified common PBOMs, such as the 6- and 2-minute walk tests, Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Amputee Mobility Predictor (AMP), which evaluate mobility and overall physical function. PROMs, like the Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ), focus on the prosthetic experience, including comfort, satisfaction, and quality of life. Both PBOMs and PROMs assess patient function, yet with differing emphases; PBOMs primarily evaluate physical performance while PROMs capture broader health attributes, including psychological factors and the patient’s perception of their well-being. While PBOMs are more responsive to acute changes in function, they can be influenced by psychological factors, and are less effective in assessing long-term outcomes. PROMs, although valuable for long-term tracking, are susceptible to inaccuracies in self-assessment. The integration of both PBOMs and PROMs offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating functional status, providing complementary insights into physical and psychological function. This review also highlights gaps in the literature, particularly in the integration of physical therapy in post-amputation rehabilitation. The findings support the development of a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) to optimize outcome measure use in LLL rehabilitation, emphasizing the need for personalized interventions. Future research should focus on the use of these measures to refine and personalize rehabilitation protocols for individuals with LLL, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes
Effects of Altered Somatosensory Input on Gait Kinetics and Kinematics Via Different Footwear in Individuals with Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis
No full textPurpose/Hypothesis: Individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis walk with significant asymmetries, leading to slow, effortful walking, and a high risk of falls. One contributing factor is altered sensation on the plantar surface. Studies examining altered somatosensory input via insoles, vibration and other tactile stimuli observed improvements in hemiparesis gait. This study investigates whether altering somatosensory input through different footwear can affect kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during walking post-stroke. We hypothesized the barefoot conditions would have increased dorsiflexion (heel-strike, swing), increased plantarflexion during toe-off, increased muscle activity and kinetics, compared to memory foam conditions.
Participants: 13 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (4F/9M, age=56.9±14.4yrs) and 11 age-similar non-impaired controls (4F/7M, age=50.3±12.3yrs)
Materials and Methods: All participants were tested under 3 footwear conditions: self-selected sneakers (SS), barefoot (BF), memory foam slippers (MF). Trunk and lower extremity kinematics were collected utilizing a 12-camera Vicon motion analysis system. Ground reaction forces were collected utilizing an instrumented treadmill. Medial gastrocnemius (MG) and tibialis anterior (TA) activity was collected using surface EMG. Ankle angle at heel strike (HS), ankle angle at toe-off (TO), peak dorsiflexion (DF) in swing, TA co-contraction index (TA CCI), and peak propulsive impulsive were assessed using a 3 (limb: control, non-paretic (NP), paretic (P)) x 3 (footwear condition: SS, BF, MF) mixed factorial ANOVA. A priori significance was set at p ≤ .05.
Results: For ankle angle at HS, there was a statistically significant limb x footwear interaction (p\u3c .01), where in the control limb, we observed greater peak swing ankle dorsiflexion during MF (p\u3c .01) compared to SS (p=.05) and barefoot (p\u3c 0.01) conditions. For ankle angle at TO, there was a statistically significant main effect of Footwear, where regardless of limbs, greater plantarflexion at TO was observed in SS than the other conditions. For ankle angle during swing we observed a statistically significant main effect of Footwear, where regardless of limbs, greater dorsiflexion was observed when wearing MF (p\u3c .05) than other conditions. For TA CCI, there was a significant main effect of Footwear (p \u3c .01), where regardless of limbs, wearing MF promoted greater TA activity at toe off compared to SS (p = .02) and barefoot (p = .04). Statistically significant main effect of Footwear was observed for propulsive impulse, where regardless of limbs, wearing SS generated greater propulsive impulse than barefoot walking.
Conclusions: This study noted that altering plantar somatosensation through different shoes had a significant effect on ankle kinematics and muscle activation during gait. Specifically, foam slippers promoted ankle dorsiflexion angle at heel strike, during swing, and increased TA muscle activity at toe off. These findings suggest that memory foam slippers can be incorporated into post-stroke gait training to address commonly-observed reduced ankle dorsiflexion and insufficient TA muscle activity, which contribute to foot-drop during gait. However, if the goal is to increase propulsive impulse, memory slippers may not be an appropriate choice. Hence, this study may provide clinicians with new ideas for facilitating improved gait kinematics in stroke rehabilitation
East Meets West in Chinese Orchestral Repertoire: The Fusion of Chinese Nationalism and Western Musical Influence
No full textThis doctoral document explores the intersection of Chinese musical traditions and Western orchestral influences, focusing specifically on how Chinese composers have navigated this blend to create distinctive orchestral works. Grounded in my background as a doctoral student in orchestral conducting and enriched by my ethnomusicological expertise, this document examines how these composers have integrated both traditions into their music.CHAPTER 1, “Introduction”, introduces the document’s structure, central argument, and the selection of orchestral works for analysis. It also defines the document\u27s purpose and scope. CHAPTER 2, “A Brief History of the Orchestra in China”, examines the origins, evolution, and development of orchestras in China, which includes two primary forms: the Chinese orchestra, built around traditional instruments, and the Western orchestra that was introduced into China. This chapter provides essential historical context to understand the role Western influences have played in shaping modern Chinese orchestral music. CHAPTER 3, “Case Studies”, presents detailed analyses of several iconic Chinese orchestral works, including the Butterfly Lovers\u27 Violin Concerto, Yellow River Piano Concerto, Landscapes, and Concerto for String Orchestra and Pipa. These case studies demonstrate how composers have blended traditional Chinese elements with Western orchestration, creating music that resonates with both national pride and global appeal. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the role of the conductor in interpreting these repertoires. CHAPTER 4, “Balancing Western Musical Influence and Chinese Nationalism: Integration and Evolution”, examines the ongoing fusion process between Eastern and Western musical practices. This chapter explores how composers have embraced both traditions while maintaining a distinct Chinese musical identity, reflecting the evolution of Chinese orchestral music in a globalized context. Finally, CHAPTER 5, “Conclusion”, synthesizes insights from the previous chapters, emphasizing the cultural and artistic significance of the fusion between Chinese and Western musical influences. The conclusion highlights the continued relevance of these works within both Chinese music and global orchestral practices, underscoring the importance of cross-cultural dialogue in contemporary music