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The State of Mental Health in the Mountain West, 2023
No full textThis fact sheet examines the state of mental health for both youth and adults and availability of mental health care in the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The data are retrieved from Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2023 report, The State of Mental Health in America
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Government Investments in Nevada
No full textThis fact sheet examines data from the Brooking Institution’s Local Government ARPA Investment Tracker, an online database that tracks the spending of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars at the local government level. This fact sheet examines ARPA spending data from six Nevadan cities and counties: Washoe, NV; City of North Las Vegas, NV; City of Las Vegas, NV; City of Reno NV; City of Henderson, NV; and Clark County, NV
Promoting Positive Dementia Attitudes Through Occupational Engagement: The Development of a Dementia Awareness Program for Community Older Adults
No full textPurpose: This capstone project explored the effects of adding occupational engagement into a dementia awareness program on attitudes toward dementia among community-dwelling older adults, aiming to challenge dementia myths and promote an inclusive environment through occupational therapy perspectives. Methods: This project used a pre-test, post-test design with convenience sampling to develop and assess a dementia awareness program based on insights from Silverado Red Rock Memory Care Community and participation from members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the program. Changes in positive attitudes toward dementia were measured using the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS). Participants also completed a feedback form regarding their insights upon completing the program. The feedback was reviewed through thematic analysis and identification of positive keywords, phrases, and direct quotations. Results: A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test on the DAS showed a non-significant increase from a pre-program average of 102.33 (SD=14.59) to a post-program average of 104.75. However, upon completion of the program, five participants showed an upward trend toward more positive attitudes, which was also reflected in their feedback forms. Conclusion: While the total scores of the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) did not significantly differ between pre and post-program assessment, qualitative feedback indicated a positive program reception, suggesting a beneficial impact on attitudes toward dementia
How and Why Foster Care Impacts Maltreated Youths\u27 School Performance
No full textYouth mistreated within the foster care system are more likely to miss school as compared to non-maltreated peers. A single report of child maltreatment has a rapid and negative effect on school attendance and causes serious, long-term effects on school performance. A report of maltreatment substantiated by the department of family and child services removes a youth from a foster home and places the child in an alternative setting. These disruptions in foster care often result in additional problems with school behavior, achievement, and attendance. This lecture will explore how disruptions in foster care affect school behavior and performance and will offer a series of actions and policy recommendations to increase educational support for our most at risk youth in Nevada
The Voice Actor and Their Double: Working as a voice actor and teaching voice acting in the age of AI voice cloning
No full textThe rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and voice cloning technology presents significant challenges and opportunities in the field of voice acting and performing arts. This article explores the profound transformations taking place in the voiceover industry due to the convergence of AI, voice synthesis, and personal voice cloning technologies. The author, a seasoned voice actor, reflects on the impact of these advancements on his profession, from the democratization of voiceover tools to the emergence of AI-generated voices that closely mimic human speech.
The article delves into the intricate interplay between technology and human creativity, investigating the implications for voice artists in an era where AI-generated voices are becoming indistinguishable from human performances. The study further examines the expanding market for voice cloning, as well as its potential to transform industries beyond voice acting, such as healthcare and entertainment. The ethical dimensions of voice cloning, including issues related to intellectual property and artistic identity, are explored, with a focus on how artists can assert their uniqueness and maintain control over their vocal identity in a landscape where AI-generated voices proliferate.
As the author engages with the complexities of AI\u27s impact on voice acting and teaching the craft in higher education, he underscores the enduring power of human connection and emotional resonance in storytelling. The article concludes by highlighting the role of arts education in cultivating and celebrating the idiosyncrasies of human expression, and how educators must guide voiceover students to embrace their individuality in a world increasingly influenced by AI. Ultimately, the study calls for a renewed dedication to the distinctive qualities of the human voice, emphasizing that despite AI\u27s advancements, the essence of human communication remains irreplaceable. (written by Chat GPT, trained on the article
Torture and Its Sequelae Among Prostituted Women in the United States
No full textBackground: Extreme violence and psychological abuse have been extensively documented and are pervasive in prostitution. Survivors of prostitution report high levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation, depression, and self-loathing. These are the same sequelae reported by torture survivors.
Objective: Severe forms of violence have been categorized as torture by experts. The authors note that torture is commonly suffered during prostitution and should be appropriately named.
Method: Using standardized measures and including a new measure of torture, we interviewed 45 women in the United States about their torture experiences in prostitution and their symptoms of PTSD, dissociation, childhood trauma, health status and somatic symptoms. The interviewees had exited prostitution and were in supportive programmes.
Results: Formerly prostituted interviewees reported acts of physical, sexual, and psychological torture, including strangulation, rape, beatings, restriction of movement, denial of privacy, sleep, or food, and being forced to witness the torture of others. The 45 women had high levels of PTSD and dissociation. They endorsed needs for individual counselling, substance abuse treatment, and other medical care.
Conclusions: A recognition of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture experienced in prostitution would strengthen psychological and medical interventions for survivors. Naming specific acts of prostitution as torture will reduce the survivor’s shame and self-blame. Holistic treatment includes medical and psychological interventions and peer support, as seen in torture rehabilitation programmes for survivors of state-sponsored torture. This research supports the perspective that private or non-state-sponsored torture against women and marginalized populations should be clinically and legally understood in the same way as state-sponsored torture
Multi-Objective Optimization of the Layout of Tall Building Sites in Dense Urban Configurations for Improved Sustainability Outcomes
No full textMulti-objective evolutionary algorithms have long been used by architects to find objective solutions to complex building problems involving trade-offs implicit in sustainable building design. At a larger scale, urban designers have created a variety of tools to improve sustainability in urban-and-larger scale design. However, to date, fewer studies have focused on improving sustainability outcomes at the “in between” scale of the neighborhood and urban site. Existing scholarship on optimization at this scale has tended to take a narrow view of sustainability. We seek to expand the implementation of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms to this sometimes overlooked scale while taking a broad view of sustainability which includes social, environmental, and economic design factors. In doing so, we argue this optimization method is uniquely well suited to help designers balance the sometimes competing demands of multiple axes of sustainability which are applicable to design at this larger-than-building scale. In demonstrating the application of such an algorithm to a hypothetical problem in Chicago, we find the method offers a promising way of narrowing potential design solutions. Finally, we discuss the suitability of the solutions generated, the virtues and shortcomings of the method, and offer areas for future study
Facile One-Pot Synthesis and Anti-Microbial Activity of Novel 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivatives in Aqueous Micellar Solution under Microwave Irradiation
No full textThe current study describes a novel and eco-conscious method to synthesize 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives utilizing an aqueous micellar solution containing aluminum dodecyl sulfate, Al(DS)3, using readily available starting material. The final products were synthesized with excellent yields within remarkably quick reaction durations, promoting remarkable atom economy and minimizing environmental impacts. The present protocol has several advantages over other methodologies in terms of high yield (up to 97%) with excellent purity. Further, the synthesized 1,4-DHPs exhibit favorable to excellent resistance against examined bacterial and fungal species. Intriguingly, polar groups on the phenyl ring (5b, 5c, 5i and 5j) make the 1,4-DHPs equally potent against the microbes as compared to the standard drugs
Nevada Problem Gambling Treatment System, Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2024
No full textIn FY2024, Nevada Problem Gambling Services offered outpatient, residential treatment, and crisis intervention across five Problem Gambling Specialty Clinics statewide. Collectively, these clinics served 427 Nevada residents. Northern Nevada’s Bristlecone Family Resources and New Frontier Treatment Center provided both outpatient and residential services, while Southern Nevada’s Dr. Robert Hunter International Problem Gambling Center, Mental Health Counseling and Consulting (MHCC), and Hope Medical Center offered outpatient services to individuals affected by gambling and their concerned others.
Outpatient enrollments increased by 19% this fiscal year, while residential enrollments remained steady at the state-funded clinics. Additionally, 809 Nevadans were screened for gambling-related issues at five substance use clinics under the Gambling Integration Pilot Program. Among those screened, 10% had severe gambling problems, and 17% experienced moderate gambling issues. In total 223 additional individuals received problem gambling services through the Gambling Integration Program. These findings suggest that individuals facing gambling harms may often seek help in settings outside the treatment centers, underscoring the importance of community partnerships and heightened awareness of gambling-related support services.
The typical treatment-seeking population consists of single white men, averaging 42 years of age, with lower educational attainment and household income than Nevada’s broader population. Most clients presented with severe gambling disorder as measured by DSM-5 criteria and were new to formal treatment. Approximately 50% of clients enrolled in FY2024 successfully met 75% of their treatment goals before exiting their program, reflecting the effectiveness of Nevada’s treatment system and its positive post-treatment outcomes
They are Usually Borderline Homeless : Exploring the Nexus of Homelessness, Housing Instability, Successful Reentry, and Long-term Reintegration
No full textFor previously incarcerated persons, affordable and safe housing options are scarce. Barriers to securing housing include federal mandates (i.e., eligibility requirements) as well as local rules and regulations (i.e., zoning and ordinances). When housing is available, disclosing criminal history on applications impacts individuals’ chances to rent (Philips & Spencer, 2013). A lack of a consistent rental history, no personal and/or employment references, and securing capital to cover security deposits are added challenges. Since parole rules direct ex-convicts not to associate with others that have a criminal record, living with partners, friends, and family members may not be an option. Research within this article was conducted as part of a Department of Justice (DOJ) Second Chance Act (SCA) Grant awarded to HOPE For Prisoners (HFP). Experiences with homelessness and housing instability highlight the need for continued research that captures the lived experiences of previously incarcerated persons as well as the experiences of reentry programming staff persons serving them. Data within this article is derived from 2 years (2020 – 2022) of intake forms (i.e., client risks, needs, and service plans), case managers’ notes about tracking client homelessness, focus group conversations with reentry programming staff, and interviews with post-incarcerated clients. Based on a triangulation of these data, the purpose of the article is to describe housing challenges and opportunities in securing housing as well as to highlight programming efforts to remove barriers to accessing housing. Given the number of formerly-incarcerated persons returning home to homelessness, lessons gleaned from this article are helpful in understanding the importance of securing permanent housing including the impact of housing on successful reintegration