Digital Commons Network^™

Ventilation Rates For Carassius Auratus During Changes In Dissolved Oxygen, Collin Nolan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This experiment was designed to determine whether dissolved oxygen concentrations would influence the ventilation rate of goldfish, Carassius auratus. Ventilation rate can be determined by counting opercular movements. Opercular movements of the same five goldfish were counted at three different levels of dissolved oxygen to determine whether there were differences in ventilation rates. Average ventilation rates were established for each of the three levels of dissolved oxygen and compared statistically. There were significant differences in the ventilation rates averages at each of the three levels. Carassius auratus will exhibit changes in ventilation rates when dissolved oxygen levels change.

The Geology And Structures In The Northern Hiko Range, Lincoln County, Nevada, Douglas D. Switzer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In the northern Hiko Range, extension occurred in four temporally distinct episodes during the Cenozoic. The extensional events are (1) prevolcanic (> 27.31 ± 0. 03 Ma), (2) syn-volcanic (between 22.78 ± 0,03 and 18.5 ± 0.4 Ma), (3) Tertiary(?) post-volcanic ( < 14.7 ± 0.4 Ma), and ( 4) Pliocene(?) - Quaternary. Four fault sets are delineated based on orientation and cross-cutting relationships: (I) northeast- to northwest-striking moderately dipping prevolcanic faults, (2) east-west striking, steeply-dipping syn-volcanic faults, (3) east-west- and east-northeast-striking, steeply dipping Tertiary(?) post-volcanic faults, and (4) generally north-striking steeply dipping Pliocene (?) - Quaternary faults.

Prevolcanic faults in the northern Hiko Range are interpreted to be footwall faults to an Oligocene age extensional system. These faults increase the area affected by Oligocene extension and support existing evidence that suggests this event is widespread.

A tectonomagmatic rift model has been proposed to explain synvolcanic extension during the Tertiary in the northern Basin and Range …

Hydrostratigraphy And Allostratigraphy Of The Cenozoic Alluvium In The Northwestern Part Of Las Vegas Valley, Clark County, Nevada, David J. Donovan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This investigation was conducted to determine the location, nature, and boundaries of the most permeable unit within the alluvial aquifer material in Las Vegas Valley. It was prompted by declines in specific capacity of about 90% at the Las Vegas Valley Water District's West Central Well Field. It was hypothesized that the decline in specific capacity resulted from dewatering of the most permeable interval of the alluvium. Lithologic descriptions from wells and aquifer test information were analyzed for geologic and hydrogeologic variability. New information, in the form of detailed unpublished lithologic and hydrologic information, was available from twenty water wells …

The Petrogenesis Of Andesites Produced During Regional Extension: Examples From The Northern Mccullough Range, Nv And Xitle Volcano, Mexico, Kelly Ann Boland

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Andesite dominated volcanic systems produced during regional crustal extension remain a relatively unexplored aspect of andesite petrogenesis. In the southern Basin and Range province, thick sections of andesite and basaltic andesite have been documented in areas including the Piute Range, California, the Eldorado Range, Nevada, and the McCullough Range, Nevada. The northern McCullough Range, located 20 miles south-southeast of Las Vegas, is an ideal place to study the petrogenesis of an andesite dominated system. This area contains a mid-Miocene stratocone composed mainly of a 1200 m thick section of andesite flows that formed synchronous with regional extension.

The northern McCullough …

Las Vegas Flamigo Hilton/Unlv Environmental Studies Program Environmental Resource Analysis & Optimization Plan, Dennis Nowlin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

From 1987 through 1992 the Las Vegas Flamingo Hilton instituted resource efficiency improvements in electrical, natural gas, water and materials consumption. In 1992, the Flamingo Hilton commissioned the University of Nevada Las Vegas Environmental Studies Department to analyze and quantify the improvements made by The Flamingo Hilton and investigate the potential for further improvements.

Historical billing data from the periods 1987 - 1992 were used to analyze past and present (1992) electric, natural gas and water consumption. Materials disposal data was only available for a ten month period in 1992. Pollutant emissions data were supplied by Nevada Power Company.

The …

The Real Cost Of Beef: A Monetary Assessment Of The Environmental Degradation Caused By Beef Production, Carolyn Babcock

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The environmental degradation caused by beef production is severe. The current literature assesses the ecological damage, but falls short of assigning a per pound dollar amount to reflect the real cost of beef. In the United States, most of the environmental focus has been centered around the use of public lands for grazing and the grazing fee the government considers appropriate. The fee covers the maintenance of the grazing program, which includes maintenance of the actual land. This paper will concentrate on beef-related environmental degradation and select specific damage for monetary valuation.

A Comparative Analysis Of Viable Solar Thermal Technologies For Solar Field Development And Commercialization, Sean M. Crawford

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Diminishing fossil fuels and concerns about the quality of the environment has lead the recent drive to establish a commercialized solar field in Southern Nevada. The competing solar thermal technologies for the Solar Enterprise Zone (SEZ) are Parabolic Dish-Stirling, Central Receiver Power Towers, and Parabolic Trough Systems. It is important to compare the technologies based on the guidelines set by the Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources. The variables weighted are solar conversion performances, initial capital investment, operation and maintenance costs, water and land use, and electricity production costs. All technologies have been proven to viable power sources and …

Residence Time Of Groundwater Issuing From The South Rim Aquifer In The Eastern Grand Canyon, Jim Fitzgerald

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In the eastern Grand Canyon, secondary porosity created by north trending faults, folds, and breccia pipes, facilitates groundwater flow through the South Rim carbonate aquifer. Springs associated with the South Rim Aquifer have low ³H concentrations, [Ca²⁺]/[Mg²⁺] rations close to unity, and variable uranium concentrations. For a geochemical comparison, springs are subcategorized on the basis of geology and discharge. Type I springs are associated with high-angle normal faults and have high discharge rates. These springs discharge Ca²⁺ - Mg²⁺, HCO₃^- waters, have ³H concentrations <2 TR, and ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity …

Trace Element Analysis Of Selected Springs In The Virgin River Basin, Mary A. Yelken

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Spring water from 23 springs in and near the Virgin River Basin (southwestern Utah, northwestern Arizona, and southeastern Nevada) was collected and analyzed for chemical concentrations. Trace elements and major ion chemistry was used to determine the potential for utilizing water chemistry to provide information on spring water source and flow pathways. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), rare earth element (REE) normalization patterns, and mineral equilibrium modeling (PHREEQE) techniques were used to analyze the data set. Four major spring water groups were displayed by the PCA, based on similarities in water chemistry. The analyses suggest that spring water chemistry is a …

An Experimental Technique In Lowering Total Dissolved Solids In Wastewater, Aaron Crotts

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

An experimental method for lowering total dissolved solids in wastewater. This thesis project has been undertaken by Aaron Crotts in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. The problem undertaken in this thesis is to apply an experimental technique in wastewater treatment in hopes of reducing the total dissolved solids. Total dissolved solids consist of various dissolved ions in water such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur and sodium. In looking at one industry in particular a local Ice Cream manufacture, the problem with total dissolved solids is evident because of their manufacturing process, an …

An Analysis Of Remediation Alternatives In An Attempt To Establish An Effective Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils Remediation Program At The Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project (Ymp), Marc A. Gonzales

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

An analyses, of six (6) soil remediation alternatives was completed in attempt to establish an effective hydrocarbon-contaminated soils remediation program at the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Program (YMP). The remediation alternatives analyzed included: no remediation, on-site incineration, off-site incineration, in-situ .bioremediation, ex-situ bioremediation, and excavation and disposal. Variables considered in the evaluation process included cost of contaminated soil transportation, treatment costs, future liability, and success of remediating the contaminated soils to below regulatory thresholds. The analysis concluded in the recommendation of an on-site ex-situ bioremediation treatment facility (BTF) to remediate hydrocarbon-contaminated soils at the YMP. The selection was based on …

Innovations In Reuse, Lisa R. Osorio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Material reuse benefits all sectors in the community by decreasing the amount of reusable solid waste that is discarded. It increases the resources available for various programs and builds partnerships with educators, and businesses to support and promote reuse programs that will improve the quality of life in areas in which they operate. Several areas of the country currently have reuse programs that focus on several areas of reuse. Successful projects in several cities have focused on such areas as reuse for education, the arts, or other nonprofit activities. These sustainable programs have benefited other communities and should serve as …

The Barriers Present In More Developed Countries And Less Developed Countries Slowing The Implementation Of Substainability, Luke Giovine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In 1996 the natural resource base of the world is being depleted at a rate far below the sustainable level. This is very evident in less developed countries (IDC), where raw limited natural resources are being poorly utilized and/or exported to more developed countries (MDC). The More Developed Countries such as the United States, Japan, and Germany use a high amount of natural resources and energy to maintain their material Standard Of Living (SOL), and this is at rates above what their own country can sustain with its own natural resources within its own borders. Both MDC's and LDC's are …

Feature Recognition In Ocr Text, Jeffrey Todd Gilbreth

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates the recognition and extraction of special word sequences, representing concepts, from OCR text. Unlike general index terms, concepts can consist of one or more terms that combined, have higher retrieval value than the terms alone (i.e. acronyms, proper nouns, phrases). An algorithm to recognize acronyms and their definitions will be presented. An evaluation of the algorithm will also be presented.

A Statistical Approach To Assess The Efficiency Of Bioremediation Methods, Cynthia Lynn Glickman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

There are a number of Superfund sites in which biotreatability studies are used to assess whether an addition of some surfactants have a positive effect on the rates of biodegradation of PAH concentrations when compared to a control. U.S. EPA, in many situations, will require a minimum of 40% reduction over the control before approving the bioremediation method. Typically, samples of PAH concentrations are collected from an experiment involving the bio-treatment and the control conditions. The percent reduction is calculated by the formula: {dollar}\rm{\=x\sb1-\=x\sb2\over x\sb1}\times100\%.{dollar}; If the above percent reduction exceeds 40%, then the biotreatment is considered to be effective. …

An Approach To Building A Secure And Persistent Distributed Object Management System, Yu Kin Ho

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) proposed by the Object Management Group (OMG) is a widely accepted standard to provide a system level framework in design and implementation of distributed objects. The core of the Object Management Architecture (OMA) is an Object Request Broker (ORB), which provides transparency of object location, activation, and communications. However, the specification provided by the OMG is not sufficient. For instance, there are no security specifications when handling object requests through the ORBs. The lack of such a security service prevents the use of CORBA from handling sensitive data such as personal and corporate …

Girlfriend Or Esposa? Cultural Scenarios In Translation, Megan S Fuller

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In the United States only married couples are called by the terms husband and wife. In Mexico, both married and unmarried cohabiting couples are referred to as esposo and esposa, terms usually translated as 'husband' and 'wife'. By using schema theory, American and Mexican cultural scenarios of marriage are developed and compared. The characteristics most important to terminological usage are determined. For Americans, the terms husband and wife indicate partners with a permanent commitment to each other. Mexicans, on the other hand, use the terms esposo and esposa as indices of adult status, which can be achieved through cohabitation.

Predictor Of Ocr Accuracy Using Statistical Techniques, Juan Manuel Gonzalez

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Systems that predict optical character recognition (OCR) accuracy of an input image by a given OCR system were developed. Seven features associated with image defects were identified and utilized. Two kinds of nonparametric classification engines, the nearest neighbor rule-based and neural network-based, were implemented. The performance of these systems were compared to an old heuristic-based system using a cost model of a large-scale document conversion process and a test data set consisting of 502 pages. The results show that the performance of new classifiers were better than that of the heuristic-based system. The neural network-based system outperformed the nearest-neighbor-based system. …

The Use Of The Genitive In The Arthurian Section Of Layamon's "Brut", Heather Fleming Grigg

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

New insights into the use of the genitive case in Early Middle English are possible because of the recent publication of Bruce Mitchell's Old English Syntax which updates previous exhaustive grammars. Using Layamon's Brut as a basis of study, it was found that Layamon employs a variety of case endings to indicate the genitive; alternatively, he uses of-periphrasis. He appears to be choosing among these grammatically acceptable possibilities in order to facilitate meter and rhyme.

The Distribution Of Household Labor: Comparing Spouses' Role Orientation, Ratings Of Satisfaction, And Amount Of Discussion, Christina Elaine Hanson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study of 114 married couples investigated Role Orientation and how it related to satisfaction with the division of household labor. Husbands' and wives' Role Orientations were significantly different, with husbands being more traditional. Spouses Role Orientation scores were correlated. Husbands were more satisfied with the household division of labor. A wife's Role Orientation score was associated with her labor satisfaction, however, the husband's Role Orientation wasn't associated with his satisfaction. Couple's combined Role Orientations were related to their labor satisfaction, and as scores became more modern, couple satisfaction decreased. Therefore, the more modern a couple's household labor orientation, the …

Colloidal Interactions Of Thorium, Frezewd Haile-Meskel

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Some organic and inorganic colloids have a strong affinity to bind radionuclides, and therefore, enhance their mobility. This study attempted to determine the interactions of thorium with colloidal humic acid and colloidal silica under various aqueous conditions and organic carbon from Blue point, Muddy, and Rogers Springs. A colloidal distribution study was done in spiked Lake Tahoe and Mono Lake samples. Plutonium was studied as an example for other radionuclides. Based on these studies, both thorium and plutonium were associated mostly with particles smaller than 0.45{dollar}\mu{dollar}m. Humic acid and organic carbon were found to have little influence on thorium speciation …

The Role Of Interference In Metacognitive Monitoring, Katherine M Jacobi

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Recent advancements in neuropsychology have initiated theoretical advancements in cognitive psychology, particularly concerning the constructs of interference and metacognition. These constructs share similar cognitive functioning and this study investigated the relationship between them. It was expected that students with higher monitoring ability would demonstrate lower susceptibility to interference. Students from undergraduate Educational Psychology classes were administered three tests: two measures of interference, and one measure of metacognitive monitoring ability. Variables from the Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST) and the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) measured susceptibility to interference. A monitoring task applied to a math aptitude test was used …

A Recent Application Of The Saxe-Binford Hypothesis In Establishing Social Persona, Barbara Ann Holz

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

An excavation and analysis of an abandoned cemetery located in Las Vegas, Nevada was used to test the Saxe-Binford hypothesis regarding social persona. A total of 128 individuals (117 nonveterans and 11 veterans) were disinterred. These remains were in various different states of decomposition, two different burial types (casket and copper box), three different burial locations, and age ranges between fetal and elderly adult (90s); According to the Saxe-Binford hypothesis certain mortuary attributes should reflect social information. Attributes studied were burial location, burial type (coffin type, urn), headstone type, and associated grave goods. The boundaries of the cemetery sections, burial …

An Evolution Of Creativity And Ritual: The Immortalizing Craftmenship Of The Chinchorro Morticians, Russell Allen Hapke

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The ancient Chinchorros are the oldest culture known to have developed elaborate artificial mummification practices for their deceased. This study tested a Chinchorro sedentary subsitence strategy proposed by Arriaza (1995a). This proposition conflicts with the present paradigms concerning prehistoric egalitarian societies. By analyzing the mummified remains of twenty-seven individuals, radiocarbon dates and ethnographic mortuarial data of ten other maritime cultures, this thesis builds a base for both supporting and opposing the sedentary proposition. It is suggested that the Chinchorro were sedentary during the black period (ca. 5050-3000 B.C.) but more mobile during the subsequent red and mud-coated periods. The style, …

Nuclear Diffusion: A Rethinking Of Why Nation-States "Go Nuclear", Chris Kofinis

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Nuclear Diffusion: A Rethinking of Horizontal Nuclear Weapons Proliferation examines the spread of nuclear weapons throughout the nuclear age. What is pondered are the specific reasons why a state would pursue a nuclear weapons deterrent. For example, are there identifiable reasons or conditions that explain horizontal nuclear weapons proliferation? While numerous arguments have been made for why countries proliferate, this piece posits a simple assumption; A non-nuclear state is inclined to proliferate because of the dramatic nature of the nuclear threat. The imperiled non-nuclear state prefers to proliferate as only the nuclear deterrent ensures relative security in an anarchic nuclear-armed …

Physical Characteristics Of Male And Female High School Varsity Soccer Players, Sean Michael Roger Mccarthy

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to create a profile of high school soccer players by measuring physical attributes, abilities, and skills in players competing in interscholastic soccer in Las Vegas. Seventy-two male and sixty-nine female varsity players completed a soccer history questionnaire and fourteen physical and skill characteristics were measured. The results indicate that high school soccer players are in slightly better physical condition compared with typical adolescents. Male players are similar to international soccer players of the same age and female players are similar to older international players. There is no difference between gender and position played with …

Dental Evidence For The Peopling Of Guam, Pamela Lin Lawrence

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The morphology of fifty-six dental casts from pre- to early European contact Chamorro skeletal remains from Guam, Micronesia is described based on eighteen tooth crown traits. Chi-square tests for sex dimorphism do not indicate significant differences between males and females. Observer error was found for two traits on the upper first molar and one on the upper canine; The Chamorro dentition exhibits a simplified crown morphology typical of the Sundadont dental pattern. Comparisons of trait frequencies from this study with other Asian and non-Asian samples selected from the literature support Turner's (1990b) suggestion that the Chamorro likely originated in southern …

The American Church/State Quagmire: A Major Cause And A Proposed Solution, Mary Fleming Morton

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The primary purpose of this thesis is to clarify possible legitimate interactions between churches and government bodies in America. Finding that the present interpretation of the First Amendment has actually precipitated much of the current controversy, evidence is presented of its lack of validity. Instead an alternative interpretation is offered that clearly shows that the American colonists had come to recognize an entirely new manner in which to organize a society. This new manner of organization gave sovereignty to the individual in two major societal systems: the political and the religious. The consequence of this was the recognition that churches …

Comparison Of Models To Mitigate Flood Hazard To Transportation Alignments On Alluvial Fans, Julianne Joy Miller

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Many investigators have suggested that available one- and two-dimensional, deterministic models may provide better discharge estimates for alluvial fan flood mitigation studies than the one-dimensional, stochastic Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) model; A modified version of the one-dimensional, stochastic FEMA model (French, 1992), and the one- and two-dimensional, deterministic models, DAMBRK (Fread, 1984) and FLO-2D (O'Brien, 1995), respectively, are used to estimate peak discharges at railroad alignments crossing three alluvial fans in southern Nevada. Risk analyses calculate exceedance probabilities. Results are compared with railroad maintenance records documenting damage to these alignments; All three models generally predict peak discharges that are …

Alternative Estimation Methods For Survival Models, John William Trabert

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, we will address the problem of estimating the parameters of two types of three parameter survival models for the force of mortality, the Makeham model and the Weibull model. The existing methods for estimating these parameters by the method of least-squares include using a log-transformation on the force of mortality data. We will propose another method of estimating these parameters that uses linear regression, and finding the least-squares estimates of the parameters by using the golden section search procedure for computer minimization.