Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

PDF

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Theses/Dissertations

2001

Articles 1 - 30 of 162

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Water Policy And Theoretical Models: Political, Bureaucratic And Class Dynamics In A Growth Economy, Kelly Michelle De Vine Dec 2001

Water Policy And Theoretical Models: Political, Bureaucratic And Class Dynamics In A Growth Economy, Kelly Michelle De Vine

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Water Policy and Theoretical Models: Political, Bureaucratic and Class Dynamics in a Growth Economy explores the three major socio-political theories of the state and public policy: pluralism, elite/managerialism and class-dialecticism using a case study of a series of policy decisions and outcomes during the period from 1989 to 1995 related to the Las Vegas Valley Water District which serves Las Vegas, Nevada. This time period is important due to the unprecedented levels of population growth experienced in the Las Vegas Valley and due to the extreme scarcity of water resources. This case study explores the issues of popular politics, bureaucratic …

Go to article

Challenges For The New West: Economic Impacts Of Wilderness In Nevada's Rural Counties, Lesley Regina Argo Dec 2001

Challenges For The New West: Economic Impacts Of Wilderness In Nevada's Rural Counties, Lesley Regina Argo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Public lands designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System are removed from multiple-use management for protection of their natural condition. Opponents argue that "locking up" the natural resources on these lands through designation will undermine the rural economies in the west that are dependent upon extractive industries such as mining and logging. Proponents argue that the "Old West" reliance on extractive industries is declining and, in the "New West", wilderness promotes economic development in rural communities by preserving the amenity values that draw population and employment to the region. Characteristics of Nevada's economy, population and land challenge the …

Go to article

Top Female Hospital Executives In Las Vegas, Nevada: An In Depth Case Study, Caroline R. Copeland Dec 2001

Top Female Hospital Executives In Las Vegas, Nevada: An In Depth Case Study, Caroline R. Copeland

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper will review the findings of in depth interviews with the four top female executives for the acute care hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada, with regards to the ‘Glass Ceiling’ phenomenon, stereotyping and gender role behaviors, and how these elements have affected their careers. Out of seventeen (17) local senior executive positions, women hold four of these positions, or twenty-three percent (23.5%), compared to six percent (6%) nationally. The healthcare system changes were also a consideration for theses female executives, and how these changes have influenced their careers.

Go to article

The Suitability Of Reclaimed Agricultural Lands Along The Lower Colorado River For Native Riparian Habitat Restoration, Patti Aaron Dec 2001

The Suitability Of Reclaimed Agricultural Lands Along The Lower Colorado River For Native Riparian Habitat Restoration, Patti Aaron

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to determine the suitability of agricultural lands for use in native riparian restoration efforts under development for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. Assuming these fields are productive for crops, would they be productive for cottonwood-willow restoration? There are two aspects to consider: (1) the edaphic conditions required for three major LCR agricultural crops; alfalfa, cotton, and wheat, and (2) whether those conditions are consistent with the conditions required for the restoration of native LCR riparian habitat, primarily Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and Goodding willow (Salix gooddingii). Using the case study research approach …

Go to article

Nurses, Pharmacists, And Information Technology In Public Healthcare, Larry Allen Malato Jul 2001

Nurses, Pharmacists, And Information Technology In Public Healthcare, Larry Allen Malato

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to explore the healthcare professional’s experience during the implementation of information technology. The focus is on the implementation of a computerized medication ordering, dispensing, and tracking system in acute care departments of a 600- bed public hospital. Spradley’s qualitative, ethnographic research methods were used to discover the personal meaning of the implementation. How do pharmacists and nurses feel about the implementation of an advanced technology system? Are there any barriers to implementation? Findings suggest a resistance to implementation by professionals in the disciplines of Pharmacy and Nursing. Resistance is based on their perceptions of …

Go to article

Auto Dealership Compliance With Hazardous Materials Management In The Las Vegas Valley, Lisa Evenson May 2001

Auto Dealership Compliance With Hazardous Materials Management In The Las Vegas Valley, Lisa Evenson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection inspects automobile dealerships in Las Vegas and Henderson approximately every two years to evaluate their compliance with hazardous waste disposal regulations. The follow-up inspections alert the Division as to which regulatory issues appear to be the most problematic and occur most often. This paper provides the methods and information needed to establish auto dealership compliance in the Las Vegas Valley, and the results obtained from the inspections of those facilities. The data is then summarized to allow the Division to determine the effectiveness of its current enforcement program.

Go to article

An Ethical Framework For Interpreting The United States Endangered Species Act, Cathryn M. Elgin May 2001

An Ethical Framework For Interpreting The United States Endangered Species Act, Cathryn M. Elgin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this study I argue that a holistic approach is better than an individualistic approach for interpreting the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA). I propose that the use of a holistic ethical framework, based on fundamental environmental philosophy, is better in that it more effectively fulfills the ESA's goals of species and ecosystem conservation. Holistic ethics is based on concern for a community as a whole, while individualistic ethics is based on concern for the individual. A holistic approach, I argue, is more beneficial to nature than is an individualistic approach or other non-holistic approaches. I set up basic …

Go to article

Sales And Use Taxes In Clark County And Potential Implications Of The Internet Sales Tax Moratorium, Patrick Timothy Collins Smith May 2001

Sales And Use Taxes In Clark County And Potential Implications Of The Internet Sales Tax Moratorium, Patrick Timothy Collins Smith

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sales taxes have been a much-depended on source of revenue for local governments since the early part of the 1900’s. Southern Nevada local governments rely relatively heavily on sales and use taxes for a source of income. In 1998, the United States Congress passed an Act that imposed a moratorium on Internet sales tax collection until October 2001. With the explosive growth in Internet sales, the issue of the failed collection of an Internet sales tax has come to the forefront of local government finance discussions.

Go to article

Policy For Management Of Living Collections At The Las Vegas Springs Preserve, Peter F. Duncombe May 2001

Policy For Management Of Living Collections At The Las Vegas Springs Preserve, Peter F. Duncombe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper, prepared for the Department of Public Administration, discusses policy in botanic gardens in regard to development and management of living collections and the potential implementation at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Review of the literature and study of policy from other institutions has resulted in recommendation of policy for the Preserve. Its basic contents describe the purpose and need for collections policy, examine the elements of collection policy, characterizes the types of living collections to be held at the Preserve, and outlines the objectives of these collections. This document raises issues associated with the management of living collections …

Go to article

Collaborative Interaction: Military Managers Consulting With American Indians, Susan B. Barrow Apr 2001

Collaborative Interaction: Military Managers Consulting With American Indians, Susan B. Barrow

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research paper outlines methods for American Indians’ and military land managers’ collaborative work of accomplishing resource stewardship aimed at achieving both the Indians’ “One Earth” and military “Mission Preparedness” postures. The research goal is to benefit military facility managers’ by providing tools to establish interaction programs with Indian Tribes and organizations. The paper provides a process framework, gleaned from on-going programs, directives, and policies identified by reviewing books, journals, and reports. A comparison of the process-streams from several programs was conducted determining steps recurring in the programs. These repeated steps form key processes for use by installation managers in …

Go to article

College Sports Wagering: A Case Study About Gambling On College Athletics And The Motivations And Consequences Surrounding Legislation Wanting To Ban Wagering On College Sports, Neil H. Huffey Apr 2001

College Sports Wagering: A Case Study About Gambling On College Athletics And The Motivations And Consequences Surrounding Legislation Wanting To Ban Wagering On College Sports, Neil H. Huffey

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sports wagering is the largest form of gambling in the world. In the United States, the practice is largely illegal. Nonetheless, it has sustained incredible growth both legally and illegally throughout the twentieth century. Current legislation in Congress would revise a 1992 federal law that banned legal sports wagering in this country with the exemption of four particular states, Nevada included. The state of Nevada is the only place in which wagering on college sports is legally practiced. The State of Oregon runs a small sports betting game out if its lottery. Proponents of the legislation suggest that passage is …

Go to article

Clark County School District: Bonds And Debt. Can They Be Divided Equally?, Jocelyn Izumigawa Apr 2001

Clark County School District: Bonds And Debt. Can They Be Divided Equally?, Jocelyn Izumigawa

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Clark County School District is one of the largest school districts in the nation with a student population of 203,616 for 1998-1999. Talk of deconsolidating Clark County School District has been proposed by Assembly persons. However, as recent as November 2000, another initiative for deconsolidation and reconfigurations had not been approved by the voters. One of the issues surrounding deconsolidation is the district's bond debt. An equitable division has not been reached should Clark County School District deconsolidate. This paper deals with dividing the bond debt equally among eight districts (identified in an earlier study of deconsolidation) and assessing whether …

Go to article

The Workforce Investment Act Of 1998: Implementation In The State Of Nsvada, Kimberly Meier Mar 2001

The Workforce Investment Act Of 1998: Implementation In The State Of Nsvada, Kimberly Meier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The topic of this professional paper is the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act in the State of Nevada. I have prepared this paper for the Department of Public Administration in partial fulfillment of a Masters of Public Administration degree. The paper focuses on information gathered through interviews with various stakeholders including those providing services, those needing service and those who designed the plan for the State of Nevada. The data presented supports that the initial implementation was successful, however further study and analysis are required to determine long term effects. At the conclusion, suggestions to increase the effectiveness of …

Go to article

Patient Satisfaction In Managed Care, Veronda M. Finley Mar 2001

Patient Satisfaction In Managed Care, Veronda M. Finley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of patient satisfaction in Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). This will be achieved by reviewing the literature on managed care, patient satisfaction and the use of patient satisfaction in Managed Care Organizations. The author will also analyze how Health Alliance Plan (HAP) measures patient satisfaction and uses satisfaction data to improve their service. HAP is a Michigan based health maintenance organization (HMO). Lastly, the paper will give recommendation for improvements based upon the literature review and analysis of HAP.

Go to article

Southern Nevada Water Authority, Statler Hasley Jan 2001

Southern Nevada Water Authority, Statler Hasley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The arid Southwest of the United States is confronted with increasing water demands. Past efforts to meet water demand have been directed toward development of scarce water resources. Now the times are changing and conservation programs are being instituted to expand supplies for the growing population. In Las Vegas, the tides are shifting to conservation programs. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), an agency comprised of the local water utilities, have united to find new sources of water to feed the growing city. SNWA has invested a great deal of money into the conservation programs as an alternative to developing …

Go to article

Starbursts In The Uv Bright Interacting Galaxies Ngc 3395 And Ngc 3396, Mark Hancock Jan 2001

Starbursts In The Uv Bright Interacting Galaxies Ngc 3395 And Ngc 3396, Mark Hancock

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

We have obtained ultraviolet and visible wavelength images for the interacting galaxies, NGC 3395/6, using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The images show many isolated sources of ultraviolet emission which are young star forming regions with ages ≤8 x 107 years. Reddening of the star forming knots ranges from E(B--V) = 0.0 to E(B--V) = 0.3, indicating variable amounts of dust surrounding these regions. The full width at half maximum of most of the knots in both galaxies are ≤20 pc. The distribution of far ultraviolet (FUV) fluxes in the knots corresponds to ∼3 …

Go to article

The Ecological Role Of Beavers (Castor Canadensis) In A Southwestern Desert Stream, Bryan James Harper Jan 2001

The Ecological Role Of Beavers (Castor Canadensis) In A Southwestern Desert Stream, Bryan James Harper

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The ecological impact of beavers on a stream in the southwestern United States was investigated to determine if beavers have impact on community and ecosystem level processes in a manner similar to what has been documented in more mesic regions. Specifically, my goals were to determine: (1) whether beaver pond densities differ in an arid Mojave Desert system from densities reported for those of more mesic regions, (2) what riparian plant species beaver are foraging on most frequently in this system, and (3) to determine if beaver ponds alter the system retention of nitrogen, a nutrient that often limits primary …

Go to article

Questions And Conjectures About Multinomial Coefficients, Troy Richard Kessler Jan 2001

Questions And Conjectures About Multinomial Coefficients, Troy Richard Kessler

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to try to answer some of the questions in Dr. Bachman's paper "On Divisibility Properties of Certain Multinomial Coefficients". First we let {ai} be any sequence (finite or infinite) of positive integers such that i1ai ≤1 . It is clear that n!&sqbl0;na1 &sqbr0;!&sqbl0;na2&sqbr0; !&sqbl0;na3&sqbr0;!&ldots; is an integer because it is a multiple of a certain multinomial coefficient. We let fan=n! Ln&sqbl0;n a1&sqbr0;!&sqbl0;na 2&sqbr0;!&sqbl0;na3 &sqbr0;!&ldots; where L(n) = lcm(1, 2, 3, .., n). It is easy to show that fa(n) is integer-valued. In particular, we would like to study the sequence a1 = b1 = …

Go to article

Peer Education And Its Effects On The Beliefs Of Rape Myths, Allison Marmer Jan 2001

Peer Education And Its Effects On The Beliefs Of Rape Myths, Allison Marmer

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Research has found that there is a relationship between men's acceptance of rape myths and violence against women (Malamuth, 1989). These stereotypical ideas about rape, rape victims, and rapists, perpetuate rape. Peer education may play a beneficial part in teaching students about rape, and is the primary focus of this study. The hypothesis of this study was that the rape myth prevention intervention would reduce the beliefs in myths about rape. The intervention, or informative lecture that was given to the experimental group was a derivative of material geared towards high school students. In summary, this research study succeeded to …

Go to article

Muscle Performance During Slow Isokinetic Speeds, Jonathan Michael Kwantes Jan 2001

Muscle Performance During Slow Isokinetic Speeds, Jonathan Michael Kwantes

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism responsible for the decrease in force during the 5°/sec velocity compared to the isometric velocity. Subjects (n = 9) completed MVC knee extension exercises during eccentric speeds of 5, 10, and 15°/sec, as well as isometric contractions. Extensor force and average EMG (aEMG) of the vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF) were quantified at knee angles of 55° and 65°. Six ANOVA (alpha = 0.05) tests determined a decrease in FT (p < 0.05) at both knee angles and a decrease in VL aEMG (p < 0.05) at 55° during 5°/sec condition compared to the isometric condition. No change in BF aEMG was observed across speeds (p > 0.05). It was concluded that there is a controlling mechanism which is neurological in nature which …

Go to article

Deterrence And Urinalysis Of Probationers, James Pierre Perdue Jan 2001

Deterrence And Urinalysis Of Probationers, James Pierre Perdue

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Urinalysis of offenders under community supervision has become a standard procedure for probation offices in the United States. The District of Nevada reports proportionally half the rate of positive urine tests compared to the national average. The current research utilized a survey and field study of the offenders under federal supervision in the District of Nevada who were court ordered to submit to urine testing. The research addresses questions regarding deterrence and the accuracy of the urine testing program. Results indicate that there was little difference between groups of offenders who reported using drugs while in the testing program. A …

Go to article

The Fixture And Methodologies For Evaluating Vibration Characteristics Of Hand-Held Pneumatic Impact Tools, Jeffrey G Markle Jan 2001

The Fixture And Methodologies For Evaluating Vibration Characteristics Of Hand-Held Pneumatic Impact Tools, Jeffrey G Markle

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A test fixture has been designed for the testing of hand held pneumatic impact tools. The test fixture was modeled after a one-degree of freedom mass-spring-damper system. The design of the test fixture allows for a broad range of testing scenarios intended to simulate the methods in which impact tools are used in industry. Sustained use and assembly operations performed by impact tools were simulated on the test fixture. Acceleration measurements at the impact tool's handle and on the test fixture's mass were recorded during the simulations. From the measurements made on the test fixture's mass, the acceleration levels at …

Go to article

Anomaly Detection In Hyperspectral Signatures Using Automated Derivative Spectroscopy Methods, Srilatha Panchanathan Jan 2001

Anomaly Detection In Hyperspectral Signatures Using Automated Derivative Spectroscopy Methods, Srilatha Panchanathan

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The goal of this research was to detect anomalies in remotely sensed Hyperspectral images using automated derivative based methods. A database of Hyperspectral signatures was used that had simulated additive Gaussian anomalies that modeled a weakly concentrated aerosol in several spectral bands. The automated pattern detection system was carried out in four steps. They were: (1) feature extraction, (2) feature reduction through linear discriminant analysis, (3) performance characterization through receiver operating characteristic curves, and (4) signature classification using nearest mean and maximum likelihood classifiers. The Hyperspectral database contained signatures with various anomaly concentrations ranging from weakly present to moderately present …

Go to article

Parent Pathology And Family Environment As Correlates Of Child Separation Anxiety Disorder, Courtney Ryan Pursell Jan 2001

Parent Pathology And Family Environment As Correlates Of Child Separation Anxiety Disorder, Courtney Ryan Pursell

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Forty-four families whose children were tested for Separation Anxiety Disorder three years ago were again contacted for a follow-up study focusing on stability of the diagnosis over time and the associative characteristics of parent pathology and aspects of their family environment. Children were diagnosed with either no symptoms of separation anxiety, subclinical symptoms of separation anxiety (1 or 2 symptoms), or clinical Separation Anxiety Disorder (3 or more symptoms). Parent pathology focused on depression, obsessive/compulsive, phobic anxiety, and somatization. Family environment examined parental control and level of expression in the family. Current levels of parental pathology were found to be …

Go to article

The Experience Of Successful Smoking Cessation: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Gail Ann Rattigan Jan 2001

The Experience Of Successful Smoking Cessation: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Gail Ann Rattigan

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Cigarette smoking is a significant public health issue and despite efforts, prevalence of smoking has not decreased in accordance with national goals. This study utilized a phenomenological approach to describe women's experience of successful smoking cessation. Pender's Health Promotion Model (1996) and Prochaska and DiClementes' Transtheoretical Model of Change (1996) were utilized. Twelve women who had successfully quit smoking were interviewed; Data analysis yielded a core theme of transformation to non-smoker. Sub-themes included motivational factors of image conflict and cues for action. Other themes included barriers to cessation and coping mechanisms. Interpersonal factors and unconditional resolve were influential. Activity-related affect …

Go to article

Perceptions Of Nonconforming Sexualities And Genders On Television Talk Shows, Violeta Oliver Jan 2001

Perceptions Of Nonconforming Sexualities And Genders On Television Talk Shows, Violeta Oliver

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer/Questioning) people often appear as guests on daytime television talk shows. Using cultivation analysis, the author explored television talk show viewers' perceived realism of television talk shows and GLBTQ people. This quantitative study tested seven hypotheses. Support was found for the first two hypotheses, indicating that heavy viewers of television talk shows perceived television talk shows to be more realistic or true to life than light viewers. Support was not found for the other hypotheses. There was no significance difference between heavy and light viewers of television talk shows and their perception of the GLBTQ …

Go to article

An Assessment Of Financial Ratios As Predictors Of Casino Stocks' Behavior, Flavia Godoy Razuk Jan 2001

An Assessment Of Financial Ratios As Predictors Of Casino Stocks' Behavior, Flavia Godoy Razuk

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of financial ratios as predictors of casino stocks' performance. The financial ratios used in this study were EBITDA/sales, adjusted EBITDA/shares, asset turnover ratio, current ratio, and debt/equity ratio. A regression analysis tested the correlation between the percentage changes in the financial ratios and the percentage change in the E/P ratio. In addition, a regression analysis tested the correlation between the percentage changes in financial ratios and the percentage change in the market capitalization of the companies in the sample. The statistical test used was a multiple regression analysis; The findings …

Go to article

The Effect Of Surface Compliance On The Cost And Benefit Of Performing Drop-Jumps, Michele Nicole Reid Jan 2001

The Effect Of Surface Compliance On The Cost And Benefit Of Performing Drop-Jumps, Michele Nicole Reid

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of surface compliance on the cost and benefit of performing drop jumps (DJ). The cost was quantified using peak ground reaction force (GRF) (FPEAK), time to peak GRF (TFPEAK) and loading rate (LR). The benefit was quantified using lower extremity stiffness (K) and amortization phase (AMORT). Ten female subjects performed five DJ trials each on a force plate (C1), turf surface (C2) and aerobics mat (C3). GRF and kinematic data were recorded concurrently at 1000 Hz and 200 Hz, respectively. Dependent variables were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. FPEAK …

Go to article

Self-Stabilizing Interval Routing Algorithm With Low Stretch Factor, Sripriya Sundaram Jan 2001

Self-Stabilizing Interval Routing Algorithm With Low Stretch Factor, Sripriya Sundaram

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A compact routing scheme is a routing strategy which suggests routing tables that are space efficient compared to traditional all-pairs shortest path routing algorithms. An Interval Routing algorithm is a compact routing algorithm which uses a routing table at every node in which a set of destination addresses that use the same output port are grouped into intervals of consecutive addresses. Self-stabilization is a property by which a system is guaranteed to reach a legitimate state in a finite number of steps starting from any arbitrary state. A self-stabilizing Pivot Interval Routing (PIR) algorithm is proposed in this work. The …

Go to article

Multi-Object Recognition And Retrieval Using Puma560 Robot, Bharatha R Viswanadha Jan 2001

Multi-Object Recognition And Retrieval Using Puma560 Robot, Bharatha R Viswanadha

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The objective of the research described here is to develop efficient algorithm and software tools for multiobject recognition and retrieval. This research project addresses two major issues: The first issue is the identification of features and efficient methods for feature extraction which can completely describe an object. These features can be acquired using visual and ultra-sonic sensors. The second issue is the development of efficient algorithms for the retrieval of multi-objects based on their features; The methods and algorithms developed in this research are verified on a Unimation PUMA 560 robot. Non contact sensors (a vision and a range sensor) …

Go to article

Next Last