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Understanding Hospitality Students’ Perspectives Towards Hospitality Program Resources: A Qualitative Research
No full textHospitality students are qualified and well-trained candidates to meet the growing labor demand of the hospitality industry. It is worth noting that not all hospitality students are attracted to hospitality careers. While previous hospitality education research has shown interest in the role of hospitality program resources in students’ career intentions, there is a significant gap in qualitative research that investigates students’ detailed perspectives on how these resources can shape their career decisions. Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this case study explores students’ perspectives on their resource experiences, needs, and perceived SCCT factors associated with their career and graduate studies intentions. The data were generated through 17 online semi-structured interviews of hospitality students enrolled in a southwestern four-year hospitality program. Specifically, this case study’s findings revealed that hospitality program resources have an important role in helping students discover, identify, and develop their career interests and future plans. The most needed resources expected by students are redesigning hospitality courses, assigning jobs (including guaranteeing internships), and learning specific positions (e.g., job title, duties, daily work content, promotion paths, etc.) that are available in the hospitality industry. Consistent with the SCCT’s theoretical framework, students’ social cognitive variables, perceived contextual barriers and support, and additional personal factors work together and shape their career and academic development. Accordingly, the findings are valuable for hospitality programs to understand and better accommodate students’ needs, offering resources that can support students’ development
The Relationship Between Positive and Negative Experiences with Sport Culture and Psychiatric Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes
No full textAlthough mental health professionals have indicated their interest in understanding the relationship between sport culture and mental health, this relationship has yet to be examined using psychometrically validated scales. In this study, the Semi-Structured Interview for Consideration of Sport Culture in Therapy Scale (SSICSCTS; see Donohue et al., 2006) was administered to 59 Club and National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) athletes. This scale assesses how athletes experience importance (Sport Culture Importance Scale; SCIS) and negative experiences (Sport Cultural Problems Scale; SCPS) in sport culture. Participants were also assessed for psychiatric symptomology using a well-established scale, i.e., the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R; Derogatis, 1994). MANOVA results indicated no significant differences between NCAA and Club athletes on SCIS or SCPS scores. As hypothesized, regression analysis revealed that the SCPS significantly predicted SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI) scores, while SCIS was not a significant predictor. These findings suggest that negative experiences with sport culture may contribute to poorer mental health outcomes, whereas the perceived importance of sport culture does not appear to have a significant impact in mental health symptom severity
Fostering Intergenerational Connection Through the Implementation of Bingocize: A Community-Based Fall-Prevention Program
No full textFalling is an experience that can be traumatic and detrimental to the overall health of those aged 65 and older. As this portion of the population in the United States continues to grow, so does the importance of understanding the general health concerns of these individuals and the way they contribute to their risk of falling and impact their ability to live independently. One program to help address these risks is Bingocize, an evidence-based program designed by Jason Crandall, a professor of exercise science at Western Kentucky University in 2011. Bingocize is a 10-week fall prevention program designed to educate participants about the importance of fall prevention and perform exercises to increase body strength and endurance. It was specifically designed to help Crandall’s students get more experience working with older adults while integrating exercise and health education within that community. The purpose of this service-learning project was for young graduate physical therapy students to implement the novel fall prevention program, Bingocize, in the Sun City Summerlin community to enhance the health and social engagement of older adults. A key aspect of the program is the integration of bingo, which adds a fun and engaging element, making fall prevention education both enjoyable and interactive. The educational component of this 10-week program, led by student coordinators, provides participants with essential fall prevention strategies, such as home safety modifications, health screenings, and targeted exercises to improve balance and lower extremity strength. Additionally, Bingocize fosters intergenerational connections by bringing together graduate students in their twenties with older adults in a supportive, social environment. Through this shared experience, participants not only benefit from physical activity but also enjoy meaningful interactions, strengthening both their physical and social well-being. Participants completed pre- and post-program forms including the mFABQ, Six Easy Questionnaire, and Short IPAQ. To assess physical function, participants also completed Timed Up and Go (TUG), Four-Stage Balance, and 30 Second Sit to Stand (STS), following the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) protocol. Each form was evaluated to determine the activity level and overall fear of falling of the participants. Participants were recruited from multiple events in the Sun City Community, including health fairs as well as balance and memory screenings. Residents who were interested were able to give their contact information and sign up for the program. The program was held twice, once during fall and once during spring. The fall session was used as a trial run to see the potential interest in Bingocize, where the second session in the spring was used to collect more data on potential benefits of the Bingocize program. During the spring session, participants were asked to complete the pre- and post-program forms and STEADI testing. Participants who completed both pre-and post-program testing had their results analyzed to see if there was any improvement during the 10 weeks. A total of 50 participants completed pre-program forms and STEADI testing, with 24 completing the post-program equivalents. The data showed that there was an overall decrease in fear of falling and risk of falling in participants who completed the program. These findings suggest that the Bingocize program’s combination of education and exercise interventions was effective in reducing the fear and risk of falling in the older adults. Feedback from both participants and community staff indicated high satisfaction with the program. The interactive exercises and targeted education provided during each session facilitated the program’s feasibility and efficiency in conveying fall prevention strategies and promoting an active lifestyle. Furthermore, the program offered student coordinators valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, enhancing their skills as future healthcare professionals. The Bingocize program thus serves as a meaningful avenue for educational community outreach and the development of intergenerational connections within the Sun City Summerlin Community. In addition, Bingocize presented the students of the physical therapy program with an opportunity for professional development in a unique and personal environment
The Effects of Sugar Alcohols on The Growth of Cariogenic Bacteria
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the potential of sugar alcohols, commonly used as sugar substitutes to reduce the activity of dental caries causing bacteria. Specifically, the sugar alcohols xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and mannitol were placed into the growth media of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The effects on their bacterial growth were observed. 10% xylitol, 10% erythritol, 10% sorbitol, 10% mannitol, 5% xylitol + 5% erythritol, and 3.3% erythritol + 3.3% xylitol + 3.3% sorbitol combinations were compared to the control groups for differences in bacterial growth. S. mutans samples were significantly inhibited by all groups except sorbitol and mannitol. L. acidophilus samples were significantly inhibited by all groups. 10% erythritol reduced bacterial growth the most amongst all of the single sugar alcohol solutions for both bacterial groups. The xylitol + erythritol combination reduced S. mutans growth the most amongst all groups. This suggests that S. mutans may be vulnerable to the synergistic effects of more than one sugar alcohol and further research should be conducted to analyze their usefulness
Efficacy of Dorsal Application of KT for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Esport Gamers: A Randomized Clinical Trial
No full textThis doctoral study investigated the impact of the dorsal application of kinesiotape on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms and performance among Esport gamers. The study was conducted in controlled environments at the UNLV Esports Lounge, Black Fire Innovation, and the Musculoskeletal Lab using a randomized two-group pretest-posttest design. To maintain ecological validity, participants were permitted to use personally owned gaming peripherals (e.g., computer mouse), and all received brief instruction on proper body mechanics to promote consistency during testing. Participants (n = 11) were systematically assigned by order of registration to either an intervention group receiving dorsal application of kinesiotape on the dominant wrist or to a control group receiving kinesiotape on the spine of the scapula. Participants were recruited from both the UNLV gaming community and the broader Las Vegas gaming community.Participants were seen over a four-day period for the intervention, which included performance testing using Kovaak’s Aim Trainer during Sessions 1 and 4, conducted both with and without kinesiotape applied. Kovaak’s provided objective performance metrics accuracy, reaction time, and speed across tasks such as tracking, flicking, and strafing. On Sessions 2 and 3, participants returned for kinesiotape reapplication and completed a series of Qualtrics surveys, including a demographic questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale (BCTQ-SSS), and a KT Feedback Form. While the primary focus was on objective performance and symptom severity data, the subjective responses offered additional context regarding participants\u27 comfort and perceived effects of the kinesiotape. This study contributes to the growing body of research on non-invasive interventions for managing repetitive strain symptoms in gaming populations
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
Empowering Educators to Improve Social Emotional Behaviors Among K-8 Students: Quality Improvement Project
No full textSocial and emotional learning (SEL) encompasses essential skills for effectively managing and expressing emotions. Studies have shown that SEL strengthens early education while supporting students\u27 lifelong success by fostering positive behaviors within and beyond the classroom. In school settings, occupational therapists (OTs) aim to empower children to thrive as students and as social beings through targeted interventions and educational support for parents and teachers. In private school settings, limited access to occupational therapy services may impact teachers\u27 ability to implement SEL strategies effectively.This capstone project addressed gaps in teachers\u27 knowledge and confidence in applying the Zones of Regulation SEL curriculum at Cornerstone Christian Academy & Tykes Preschool (CCA) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Quality Assurance Questionnaires were administered to K-8 teachers to assess their competence, confidence, and consistency in implementing the Zones of Regulation program. Through an occupational therapy perspective, the quality improvement project integrated teacher education sessions with collaborative consultation and classroom-based interventions. Educators who received targeted support demonstrated meaningful improvement in SEL curriculum usage which revealed how interprofessional collaboration strengthens instructional confidence and SEL curriculum delivery
Qualitative Analysis of the Influence of Military Culture on the Resocialization of Combat Veterans
No full textThe researcher conducted in-depth interviews with 25 combat-experienced Veterans of the Global War on Terror who fit an operational definition of successful resocialization. How do successfully resocialized combat Veterans compare with combat Veterans who became involved with the criminal justice system? Utilizing a snowball method to identify each participant, the most significant finding from these interviews was that two factors seem to differentiate the civilian and military group styles the most, which were the overwhelming importance of purpose and tribe in the lives of combat Veterans. This confirmed the hypothesis that the most significant difference between the civilian and military cultures is the group style.All the Veterans interviewed for this study said that they drastically reduced their alcohol consumption after their active-duty service ended, compared to increased consumption reported by a comparison group of combat Veteran criminal defendants. Veterans who left the military over the age of 25 experienced smoother transitions than those who entered and left the military at younger ages. A logic model of Veteran crime is proposed that warrants further research to verify or nullify the theory. This study preliminarily found support for the theory that poverty and cultural misalignment are the primary drivers of crime within the Veteran community. At the philosophical level, this study challenges the ethics of war itself. The best possible way to address resocialization of combat Veterans is to avoid creating combat Veterans in the first place
Clustering of Internet Behaviors and Associated Mental Health Outcomes Among U.S. Adolescents
No full textIn recent years, the Internet has become an integral part of daily life, influencing education, work, and recreation. As of 2024, approximately two-thirds of the global population is online, with an estimated one-third of users under the age of 18. Given the potential long-term effects of excessive Internet use on health and well-being, adolescents represent a critical population for monitoring online behaviors. This study used baseline data from the SHARE project and conducted a latent class analysis (LCA) to identify patterns of Internet use among a sample of adolescents and the relationship of class membership with mental health outcomes, including Internet addiction, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The LCA resulted in a four-class solution: “high entertainment use”, “low Internet use”, “gaming-streaming”, and “high Internet use”. Class membership was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and Internet addiction while membership in the “high Internet use” class was associated with the worst mental health outcomes. Targeted interventions are recommended for adolescents based on their patterns of Internet use, and future research is recommended to focus on age and gender disparities as well as possible moderating factors such as genre of online game and motive for use
Clinical Decision Making in Pelvic Floor Therapy the OT Difference
No full textPelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a life-altering and debilitating chronic condition that affects 28 millions of women in the United States alone, the prevalence of (PFD) among women ranges from 11.5% to 35%, (Radzimińska et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2009). This study affirms how occupational therapy practitioners can be essential resource in treating pelvic floor dysfunction from a holistic perspective by addressing the wide range of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impacted by pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly in women. Through a qualitative descriptive case study and a single key informant—an occupational therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy— explored how clinical experiences, evidence-based practice, and continuing education influence clinical decision-making in delivering optimal client interventions and outcomes data analysis consisted of inductive coding and thematic analysis yielding (1) a holistic approach to evaluation and assessment of ADLs, IADLs, and occupational participation; (2) the application of an occupational clinical lens in treatment planning; and (3) an occupational perspective on intervention strategies and the development of personalized home exercise programs. These findings highlight the unique contributions of occupational therapists in addressing both the physical and psychosocial impacts of pelvic floor dysfunctio