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Working Memory Deficits In Psychotic Bipolar Disorder: Trait Marker For Psychosis, Carol Randall
Working Memory Deficits In Psychotic Bipolar Disorder: Trait Marker For Psychosis, Carol Randall
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
There is significant overlap in the symptom presentation and cognitive impairment found in individuals with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and in those with some subtypes of schizophrenia. Due to this overlap, debate regarding the existence and nature of a relationship between these disorders has been an ongoing and complicated one. Some continue to view these disorders as they are conceptualized in the current psychiatric diagnostic manual, as distinct and categorical in nature. Others have proposed an "affective-psychotic spectrum" with schizophrenia lying at one end of this spectrum, non-psychotic affective disorders lying at the opposite end of the spectrum, and …
How Subjective And Objective Memory, Family History, And Knowledge Of Alzheimer's Disease Influence Older Adults' Fear Of Developing Alzheimer's Disease, Samantha Lyn French
How Subjective And Objective Memory, Family History, And Knowledge Of Alzheimer's Disease Influence Older Adults' Fear Of Developing Alzheimer's Disease, Samantha Lyn French
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
It is projected that by the year 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease (AD) will rise to approximately 13.2 million. And, because AD is on the rise, apprehension about developing the degenerative disease (anticipatory dementia or fear of developing AD) has become a topic of study in the past few years. However, most studies focusing on anticipatory dementia have used a sample of individuals younger than age 65 and have used a single item questionnaire to explore their apprehension. The current study utilized 50 adults ages 65 and older to examine anticipatory dementia and its relationship with subjective …
The Neurocognitive Impairment Associated With Comorbid Schizophrenia And Ptsd, Lisa Duke
The Neurocognitive Impairment Associated With Comorbid Schizophrenia And Ptsd, Lisa Duke
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Individuals with severe mental illness report a higher incidence of trauma and PTSD than the general population. A trauma history in individuals with schizophrenia has been associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms including positive symptoms, depression, suicidality, anxiety, somatization and dissociation (Beck & van der Kolk, 1987; Craine, Henson, Colliver & MacLean, 1988; Ross, Anderson & Clark, 1994; Darves-Bornoz, & Gaillard, 1995; Holowka, King, Saheb, Pukall & Brunett, 2003; Strauss et al., 2006); The current study is among the first to examine the influence of comorbid schizophrenia and PTSD by performing comprehensive diagnostic, symptom and neurocognitive evaluations on four groups: …
The Effects Of Mushroom Body Lobe Disruption On Learning And Memory, Brian S Dunkelberger
The Effects Of Mushroom Body Lobe Disruption On Learning And Memory, Brian S Dunkelberger
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Animal models have been used for centuries to study learning and memory in simple systems with many applications to humans (Chapter 1). The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has added greatly to our current understanding of learning and memory and its underlying biology (Chapter 2). The research described here focuses on the relationship between learning and memory and the brain using three mutant strains of flies: mushroom body miniature B (mbmB), small mushroom bodies (smu), and mushroom bodies reduced (mbr). Mushroom bodies are paired neuronal structures found in most invertebrate brains involved in learning and memory consolidation. All three mutations studied …
Development And Validation Of The Facial Affect Learning And Memory Test (Falmt) And Facial Identification Of Affect Task (Fiat), Christina Marie Armstrong
Development And Validation Of The Facial Affect Learning And Memory Test (Falmt) And Facial Identification Of Affect Task (Fiat), Christina Marie Armstrong
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
The neurocognitive assessment of visuospatial memory has begun to receive attention and has been recognized as being important in the understanding of overall memory processing. Additionally, there has been an increased emphasis on emotion processing, particularly affect discrimination and attention bias. However, little information is currently available on learning and memory for emotional information. Because emotion is expressed to a large extent through nonverbal means, a nonverbal test of emotion learning would be valuable, although no such test currently exists. The aim of the current study was to establish normative performance characteristics, convergent and divergent validity for two newly developed …
Physics Based Modeling Of The Charging Dynamics In Silicon Nanocrystal Non-Volatile Flash Memory Cell, Pavan Kumar Singaraju Venkata Sai
Physics Based Modeling Of The Charging Dynamics In Silicon Nanocrystal Non-Volatile Flash Memory Cell, Pavan Kumar Singaraju Venkata Sai
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Flash memory devices based on continuous floating gate are rapidly approaching their technological limitations due to excessive gate leakage currents, resulting from reduced tunnel oxide thickness. A new architecture based on Si-Nanocrystal floating gate has shown promise through realization of devices with reduced gate leakage current and lower programming and erase voltages. The dominant transport mechanisms in this device are tunneling of electrons from the (3-D) silicon into the (0-D) nanocrystals and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of carriers from nanocrystals to the bulk Si. In order to accurately model the charging dynamics of such devices, size based quantum confinement effects should be …
The Effect Of Concomitant Ecstasy-Marijuana Use On Auditory Verbal Learning And Memory Performance, Kimberly M Cramer
The Effect Of Concomitant Ecstasy-Marijuana Use On Auditory Verbal Learning And Memory Performance, Kimberly M Cramer
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Previous research indicates that ecstasy users exhibit deficits of verbal learning and memory. This research has not considered polydrug use in ecstasy users, especially marijuana. Marijuana is an important confound because 90 percent of ecstasy users also use marijuana. Several studies have suggested that marijuana use alters verbal memory functioning; consequently, it is difficult to ascertain whether the observed memory deficits in ecstasy users are attributable to ecstasy, marijuana, or other drug use. The present study examined the effects of marijuana and ecstasy on verbal memory function. Marijuana use was accounted for by recruiting concurrent ecstasy-marijuana users' and ecstasy-naive marijuana-only …
Binaural Beats Enhance Alpha Wave Activity, Memory, And *Attention In Healthy-Aging Seniors, Janice Colleen Mcmurray
Binaural Beats Enhance Alpha Wave Activity, Memory, And *Attention In Healthy-Aging Seniors, Janice Colleen Mcmurray
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Human aging will be one of the biggest challenges we face during this century and optimizing health for the rapidly growing older population is imperative to avoid end of life suffering. Uncovering stimuli and methods that may enhance memory and attentional focus in the aging brain has become a priority. Current research demonstrates a connection between neurocognitive decline in seniors over 65 years and deficits in alpha frequency brainwave activity. Studies indicate that specific auditory tones have a significant effect on our brainwaves and provide a positive influence. These tones have been defined as alpha-harmonic sound patterns and they are …
The Influence Of Self-Efficacy And Working Memory Capacity On Problem Solving Efficiency, Bobby H Hoffman
The Influence Of Self-Efficacy And Working Memory Capacity On Problem Solving Efficiency, Bobby H Hoffman
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
The study investigated the influence of self-efficacy beliefs, working memory capacity and problem complexity on problem solving performance, response time, and problem solving efficiency. Previous research investigated these factors from an absolute performance perspective, but not from the perspective of efficiency, defined as the ratio of problem-solving accuracy over time; Students completed an operational span working memory task, rated their self-efficacy for solving multiplication problems without the use of paper or calculation aids, and then solved computer-based cognitive multiplication problems, under conditions of varying complexity. Two competing hypotheses were proposed, which state that the efficiency of problem solving is either …
Attention And Memory Bias For Positive Emotional Words, Gregory P Strauss
Attention And Memory Bias For Positive Emotional Words, Gregory P Strauss
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
The current study examined the relationship between attention and memory for emotional words. Theories of "basic emotion" divide emotions into positive and negative classifications, and propose that discrete categories exist within the larger positive negative dichotomy. Previous research on emotion has yet to investigate the areas of attention and memory by dividing positive/negative words into discrete emotional categories. Participants included 30 undergraduate students between the ages 18--40. Attention and Memory were examined using an Emotional Stroop task, The Emotional Verbal Learning Test, and the California Verbal Learning Test-II, respectively. Stimuli for emotional tasks are divided into five emotional word categories …
The Impact Of Dynamic Changes In Talker Amplitude On Recognition Memory For Words, Kimberly M Cramer
The Impact Of Dynamic Changes In Talker Amplitude On Recognition Memory For Words, Kimberly M Cramer
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
This study investigated whether dynamic changes in the amplitude of speech were represented along with word information. An emotional manipulation was used to examine if listeners were sensitive to dynamic changes in amplitude. In Experiment 1, six talkers produced 200 phonetically balanced (PB) words with different intended emotions (e.g., joy versus sadness). Intensity measurements across time were recorded for each target word. Statistically distinct amplitude contours were obtained as a function of intended emotion. In Experiment 2, listeners judged whether each word in a list of spoken words was "new" (i.e., word was new to the list) or "old" (i.e., …
Qualitative Scoring Procedures For The Detection Of Malingering Using The Wechsler Memory Scale - Third Edition, Joshua E Caron
Qualitative Scoring Procedures For The Detection Of Malingering Using The Wechsler Memory Scale - Third Edition, Joshua E Caron
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Individuals undergoing neuropsychological evaluation are often involved in litigation for compensation. Consequently, much incentive to perform poorly on neuropsychological assessments exists. Thus, sophisticated detection methods are desirable. One promising approach may be to utilize qualitative scoring that provides information regarding the test taking strategy. Many current methods use a single quantitative score to discriminate people who malinger cognitive deficits, which may overlook sensitive information and be less accurate. This study developed and applied qualitative scoring procedures for the WMS-III and evaluated them using four experimental groups: sophisticated malingerer, naive malingerer, normal control, and brain damage. Results were mixed. When added …
The Effect Of Feedback At Test On Source Memory Performance, Shelby Kainani Morita
The Effect Of Feedback At Test On Source Memory Performance, Shelby Kainani Morita
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
Previous research has demonstrated that witnesses can come to believe they saw details that were only suggested to them after the witnessed event. For both theoretical and practical reasons, there is interest in developing techniques that reduce the effect of misleading post-event information. The present study examined the effect of receiving feedback at the time of retrieval on eyewitness suggestibility. All participants watched a videotaped crime of a home burglary and then answered questions that contained misleading information. On a final source memory test, participants that were provided with feedback as to the accuracy of their attributions during the first …
Trackless On-Line Paging And Computer Memory Management, Edward Benjamin Mikhalkov
Trackless On-Line Paging And Computer Memory Management, Edward Benjamin Mikhalkov
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
We consider existing research methodology for dealing with competitiveness analysis of on-line algorithms as well as introduce some newer analysis techniques for testing research hypotheses. Paging is discussed in general and current algorithms are surveyed and analyzed; We also present a new randomized on-line algorithm for the 2-page cache problem that matches the lower bound, and, therefore, is optimal. The algorithm uses fewer resources than currently known algorithms for the same problem, and is, therefore, an improvement on existing results. Experimental findings for this new algorithm are also presented and analyzed.
Logical Rings In The Mutual Exclusion Problem Of Distributed Memory Systems, John Evan Dell
Logical Rings In The Mutual Exclusion Problem Of Distributed Memory Systems, John Evan Dell
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
In this thesis, we investigate distributed mutual exclusion algorithms and delineate the features of a new distributed mutual exclusion algorithm. The basis of the algorithm is the logical ring structure employed in token-based mutual exclusion algorithms. Specifically, there exists dynamic properties of the logical ring that, given certain restrictions regarding message traffic flow, passively give useful information about the location of the token. Effectively, the algorithm demonstrates a type of "intelligent routing" that identifies useful shortcuts to in the routing of the token. The result is a reduction in the total number of messages exchanged prior to the execution of …
Sharing Memory In Distributed Systems, Oscar Rodrigo Aguilar
Sharing Memory In Distributed Systems, Oscar Rodrigo Aguilar
UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations
We propose an algorithm for simulating atomic registers, test-and-set, fetch-and-add, and read-modify-write registers in a message passing system. The algorithm is fault tolerant and works correctly in presence of up to (N/2) -1 node failures where N is the number of processors in the system. The high resilience of the algorithm is obtained by using randomized consensus algorithms and a robust communication primitive. The use of this primitive allows a processor to exchange local information with a majority of processors in a consistent way, and therefore to take decisions safely. The simulator makes it possible to translate algorithms for the …