Follow

• 

  Injury Inequity Among Nevada Pedestrians: Assessment Using Measurements of Community Needs

  Merika Charupoom; Nicole Bacani; Emily Carter; Emily Strickler; Laura K. Gryder; Kavita Batra; and Deborah A. Kuhls MD, FACS

  In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that Nevada was the 10th highest ranking in pedestrian fatality rates. According to a report by Zero Fatalities, in 2021, there were 84 pedestrian deaths. Underserved communities, the elderly, and low income individuals are more likely to use walking, biking, or public transportation as a primary means of transportation due to vehicle expenses. Older adults, racial/ethnic minorities and those with lower socioeconomic statuses (SES) may bear a disproportionate burden of auto-pedestrian crashes.

• 

  Comparison of Molecular Methods for Absolute Quantification of Low-Abundant Bacterial Communities in Milk

  Carmina Chavez, Janet E. Williams, Michelle K. McGuire, and Mark A. McGuire

  Milk was historically thought to be generally sterile. However, use of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods has provided strong evidence that milk has a microbiome (Figure 1). Culture-independent methods (e.g., high-throughput sequencing) have demonstrated the diversity of microbes in milk but provide relative abundance data. Culture-dependent methods have indicated microbial communities in milk are of low abundance, but it is challenging to measure absolute quantities accurately. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) has been used to quantify bacterial taxa in milk, However, concentrations often fall below the detection limit (Figure 2 & 3). Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) allows detection of low-abundant copies of DNA due to its high sensitivity (Figure 4).

• 

  A Timeline of Klinefelter’s Syndrome, XXY

  Emma Chevalier, Tyler Venegas, and Mary Salibi

  Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) is a non-mendelian chromosomal disorder consisting of supernumerary X chromosomes in males, 80% of which manifest as the 47,XXY karyotype. The resulting gene dosage abnormalities affect both cognitive and physical development, with variable expressivity. The disease was first described by Harry Klinefelter in 1942 and was thought to be an endocrine disorder until the late 1950s, when karyotyping of affected individuals revealed an extra X chromosome.

  (It is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy (1:500 males) and the most common cause of azoospermia. The phenotype for KS is highly contested due to its extremely variable expressivity and the extreme heterogeneity in its clinical and genetic presentation.

• 

  The Role of Prediction Error in Episodic Memory

  Natalie Chisam and Natalie Hsiao

  Prediction Error and Memory: Memory encoding and retention is influenced by prediction errors (PE), which occur when observed events deviate from expectations. Predictive Based Theories: Several theories have been proposed to predict how PE influences memory.

• 

  The Analysis of Wartime Rape Using Postmodern Feminism in The Conflicts of Sierra Leone 1991, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1992, Darfur 2003

  Allyssa Chua

  The practice of wartime rape has occurred from the ancient times until the present with the United Nations reporting about 2,542 confirmed cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2020. Estimates tend to be significantly higher, with UNICEF estimating 250,000 rape cases in Sierra Leone’s civil war. Women and girls are disproportionately and deliberately targeted compared to men and boys in sexual violence. This paper uses a postmodern feminist framework in analyzing wartime rape. It contends that the phallocentrism allows rape to become a language of masculine dominance.

• 

  Youths’ Sense of Mastery Scores in Correlation to PTSD Criterion D Scores & Total PTSD-RI Scores

  Katherine Conklin and Amanda Mraz

  Childhood resilience levels impact the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Resiliency is defined as a personal characteristic fostering effective coping, adaptive functional abilities, and motivation.

• 

  A Young Adult Male With a Neck Fracture from Bronze Age (3146-3130 BP) Non Nok Tha, Thailand

  Madelyn Cram

  Individual identity is shaped by experience. Trauma & illness �� Individual experience & identity. Bioarchaeology demonstrates the ability to explore how individual experiences manifests into unique identities for past peoples. This poster presents an osteobiography of a young adult male living with a whiplash fracture form Bronze Age Non Nok Tha, Thailand (3146-3130 BP).

• 

  Success in the Theme Park Industry

  Tyler Crowder, Jessica Jones, and Greg Lonnquist

  We researched Disneyland Theme Park to determine what makes a theme park experience successful for consumers. This research examines positive and negative attitudes about Disneyland Theme Park in Anaheim, California.

• 

  Unique Marketing Struggles in Web3 Compared to Web2

  Vincent D'Ambrosia

  Web 2 is a technical term in reference to the internet as we know it today and focuses on social media and allowing people to interact better and communicate with each other. Web3 is the next evolution of the internet and its focus leans towards decentralization which aims to place more control of an individual’s data and finances into their own hands. Due to this decentralization, connecting with people is more difficult compared to Web2 communication outlets. NFTs are a common and popular product in Web3. While they come in many forms, the collectible market dominates NFTs and these can be compared to a Pokemon card minus the cardboard. Opensea is a popular centralized marketplace that facilitates buying and selling of NFTs. Web2 brands typically market value in their product to their audience whether it be entertainment or influencer value, a successful customer may be someone who recognizes enough worth in the product to spend money. Web3 brands are typically selling you personal ownership as part of the NFT. Many collections will have a set number for sale with each one being unique and the only one like it, which helps towards the perception of scarcity.

• 

  Sensitivity to Musical Groove is Predicted by Sensitivity to Musical Chills, but not General Musicality

  Nicole Datastanyan, Kaela Omengan, Isabella Aceituno aceituno@unlv.nevada.edu, Solena Mednicoff, and Sivan Barashy

  Previous research suggests that individual differences in musicality may predict groove sensitivity. Groovy music is highly stimulating music that makes listeners want to move while eliciting feelings of pleasure and arousal. Musicality refers to listeners’ affinity to music including musical talent, sophistication, and expertise. Frisson (musical chills) is an intense emotional response to music characterized by goosebumps or a tingling sensation.

• 

  Examining Differences in PTSD Symptomatology Among Youth Who Have Experienced Sexual and Psychological Maltreatment Using Nonparametric Analyses

  Emma Domschot and Vanni Jefferson V. Arcaina

  Child sexual abuse, even when accounting for co-occuring risk factors, may be predictive of worse clinical outcomes when comparing to other types of trauma (Kisiel et al., 2014). However, contrasting research suggests that psychological maltreatment may independently contribute to a negative risk of clinical outcomes comparable to child sexual abuse (Hodgon et al., 2014). Other studies suggest that complex trauma, in terms of experiencing prolonged and several traumas over a period of time, may often lead to an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (John et al., 2019). The current study aimed to examine differences in PTSD symptomatology among youth who experience sexual maltreatment, psychological maltreatment, and both concurrently.

• 

  What made you Choose?

  Reyes Felix

  The social, revenue, and other differences between iPhones and Samsung phones are examined through netnography and literature reviews. Individuals were surveyed on their current and previous devices.

• 

  The Evolution of Racial Representation in Spider-Man Movies

  Janelle Ferraris

  Discusses the current evolution of racial representation in Spider-Man movies using content analysis with qualitative approach. Using plot, quotes, and character interactions, conclusions were made about current film limitations and possible future studies.

• 

  Can Reconsolidation Account for the Misinformation Effect?

  Olesya T. Frolova and Gabriel E. Hull

  A successful replication of Rindal & Zaragoza (2016) would indicate that reconsolidation cannot account for the misinformation effect. Current preliminary data supports the results found by the original study, suggesting that an alternative theory must be explored to explain the misinformation effect. For example, it is possible that the original memory is not altered by the misinformation but competes with the original memory leading to temporary inaccessibility at test. Results from this study could influence law enforcement interview techniques to avoid false testimonies. One limitation of the study is that performance on the test was potentially too good; this will be addressed in future studies.

• 

  Perceptual Learning of Infants Across Domains

  Melanie Garcia, Carolina A. Herrera, Ryan K. Perez, Rodica R. Constantine, and Erin E. Hannon

  Infancy is a unique developmental period in which there is rapid attunement of perceptual systems to specific environmental properties. Perceptual narrowing: By the end of the first year, infants become adept processors and develop expertise of familiar socially meaningful domains such as faces, language, and music leading to subsequent social and cognitive abilities. The mechanisms driving these perceptual changes remain debated, with contrasting accounts proposing experience-dependent or domain-general influences. Objective: This research aims to investigate whether perceptual narrowing in early development is primarily driven by domain-specific experiences or by domain-general factors such as brain maturation and information processing.

• 

  The Application of Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing Data Analysis to Assess Changes in Gene Expression

  Mark Vincent Gatan and Hazel Jane Cadiz

  Human diseases can be analyzed by studying the dysregulation of gene expression. This can be applied to: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), age-related changes in immune cells and neurons, and COVID-19. We sought to develop an scRNA-seq bioinformatics pipeline that would support future studies on gene expression in AD.

• 

  Does Children’s Openness to Experience and Musicality Influence Perception of Major and Minor Musical Modes?

  Bryanna Grijalva, Natalya Sayegh, Carlos Tamayo, Ryan K. Perez, Sivan Barashy, and Solena Mednicoff

  Previous studies have found a relationship between openness to experience, musical training, and auditory abilities in adults. Openness to experience: one of the major personality traits that encapsulates how open-minded, creative, insightful, and imaginative a person can be. Tonality: the orientation of melodies and harmonies toward a referential pitch class. Musicality: one’s enthusiasm for music and desire to make music.

• 

  Listener’s Judgement of Tempo Is Influenced by Dance Speed

  Carolina A. Herrera, Ryan K. Perez, Jared W. Leslie, and Erin E. Hannon

  The tempo of a musical composition is typically denoted by the number of beats per minute (BPM). Nevertheless, perception of tempo is inherently subjective, and it can be shaped by the listener's familiarity with both musical and dance elements [1, 2, 3, 4]. Even when songs have the same BPM, the perceived speed of the songs can differ based on the specific dance form and cultural context [1, 4]

• 

  Social Media Marketing Related to Nike

  Felipe Herrera

  This research examines positive and negative attitudes about social media marketing within Nike. Understanding consumer attitudes about social media marketing is important because it affects our lives every day and we are exposed to it on a regular basis. Previous research about this product category showed that there are new tactics Nike is using to expand business, how the pandemic affected usage of social media, and the percentages of apps being used by adults in the last year. I conducted three netnography analyses by observing consumer groups on Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit social media platforms on Nike to understand consumer meanings related to this product category. I found that consumers choose to support Nike because of the risks that they take when promoting certain products or choosing to support certain individuals who may not be admired by everyone. Next, I will conduct surveys to examine consumer groups on Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit social media platforms on Nike. My research has the potential to provide insights to marketing managers in increasing traffic through certain platforms, seeing why people choose to stay loyal to certain brands, and how users interact with one another.

• 

  Sexual Abuse and Interpersonal Difficulties in Youth

  Priscilla Herrera and Kinsey Ellis

  Researchers have found childhood sexual abuse victimization to be associated with impairments in trust, social comfort, and quality of interpersonal relationships1,2,3. Research which investigates the unique relationship between sexual abuse and interpersonal difficulties among youth with a history of child maltreatment is limited. The present study aimed to investigate interpersonal functioning differences in maltreated youth who have and have not experienced sexual abuse.

• 

  Emotional Reactivity Predicts Dissociation in Maltreated Youth

  Jaelin Isquith and Kinsey Ellis

  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) defines dissociation as “disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity or perception of the environment”11. Dissociation most commonly occurs after a traumatic experience and can take many forms; Subtypes include dissociative amnesia, absorption and imaginative involvement, passive influence, and depersonalization and derealization. Dissociation has been linked to several negative outcomes such as increased risk for development of personality disorders, suicidal ideation, and self-harm2,3. Risk factors for dissociation have been understudied in child and adolescent populations. One factor that has been found to be related to severity of dissociative symptoms and negative outcomes is emotional dysregulation4,5. The relationship between specific aspects of emotional dysregulation and dissociation is understudied. Studies which consider specific aspects of emotional reactivity in youth are particularly limited.

• 

  State Government: A Comparison of Bicameral, Biennial, Citizen Legislatures

  Zachary J. Johnigan

  Governing agencies can be classified as either federal, state, or local. The Nevada Legislature is a state level governing body that provides governance for the state of Nevada. A large part of the process of governing the state takes place during a regular legislative session, where new laws are heard then passed or denied and old laws are revised or abolished. One regular legislative session consists of 120 calendar days. In the event that not all business was able to be conducted within a regular session, the governor of the state can call for a special session to be opened. A special session is typically not budgeted and ends up costing extra money to operate. There may be operational issues surrounding current regular session lengths and frequency which attribute to the Nevada Legislature needing to open so many special sessions. This topic is of interest for the Nevada Legislature’s stakeholders. The stakeholders are the citizens of the state of Nevada who pay taxes.

• 

  Finding Diffs of Pull Request Commits

  Chalinee Karawek and John Businge

  Github is a social network that allows developers' projects to be forked for various uses, such as developing the existing repository or use the code to steer development into a new direction. As more forks are made, the more bugs that can occur due to new pull requests not synchronizing with the upstream repository. PaReco is a clone detection tool by Ramkisoen et al. (Ramkisoen et al. 2022) that identifies the changes inside the files inside a pull request by performing diff on every file. However, in this study, we take a different approach to identifying the changes inside the files of a pull request by considering a diff in the entire pull request.

• 

  Music Enhances Focus and Concentration

  Daniyal Kheradmand

  This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the genre of music listened to and its impact on enhancing focus and concentration during puzzle-solving, as measured by completion time, across a diverse sample of individuals. The researcher, Daniyal Kheradmand, conducted the study at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) on a sample of 50 students and employees. Participants were required to solve two simple puzzles (9 pieces) while listening to their favorite music and without music. The time taken to complete each puzzle was recorded and compared. Results showed that 68% of participants completed the puzzle faster while listening to music. These findings suggest that listening to music, including one's favorite music, can improve concentration and enhance the learning process. The study emphasizes the importance of individual preferences when utilizing music as a tool to increase concentration.

• 

  Investigating the Impact of Dividing Attention on Auditory and Visual Object Memory

  Sharica Lee, Julius Hernandez, and Ryan Tyler Sablan

  Recently, we found that dividing attention reduced recollection and familiarity for visual objects, but a different pattern emerged for auditory object memory: auditory object recollection was not affected by dividing attention. This could be attributable to differing levels of baseline performance with visual memory far exceeding auditory memory. Thus, we attempted to equate baseline performance in both modalities in order to adequately investigate the previous findings.