Digital Commons Network^™

Seismic Adjustments: The Influence Of Inconvenience And Efficacy Perceptions, State Of Residence, And Demographic Factors, Nicole Elise Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that peoples' perceptions of household seismic adjustments, in addition to their perceptions of earthquakes themselves, should predict the likelihood that seismic adjustments are performed. However, little research has been done to address this issue. While recent research has found peoples' perceptions of the effectiveness of household adjustments to influence adjustment levels, people's perceptions of inconvenience of household seismic adjustments - namely the cost, time effort, required cooperation and required knowledge involved in making these adjustments - have been found to not influence seismic adjustment. However, this study did find that the higher the perceived inconveniences …

Direct Generation Of Optical Diffractive Elements In Perfluorocyclobutane (Pfcb) Polymers By Soft Lithography, Gregory P. Nordin, J. Ballato, P. C. Deguzman, S. Foulger, H. Shah, D. Smith

Faculty Publications

Optically diffractive line gratings with 0.58- m feature sizes have been generated in 100- m perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymer films by direct micromolding using only a silicon master. Strong reflectivities from the green to red portions of the visible spectrum, depending on incident beam angle, were observed with 3 dB bandwidths of approximately 30 nm. This negative mold-free technique permits, for the first time to our knowledge, feature reproduction at submicrometer size scales, eliminates several steps from conventional soft lithographic methods, and marks itself as a practical means for rapidly generating planar photonic structures that operate spectrally in the visible and …

Finite-Aperture Wire Grid Polarizers, Michael A. Jensen, Gregory P. Nordin

Faculty Publications

The transmission characteristics of wire grid polarizers fabricated in finite apertures are investigated by using a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain formulation. Specifically, the optical transmissivity and extinction ratio are characterized for a wide variety of geometrical parameters including aperture size in both dimensions, conducting wire fill factor, and polarizer thickness. A dispersive material model is used to investigate the performance of polarizers fabricated by using realistic metals at infrared wavelengths. The results indicate that the aperture dimension significantly impacts the polarizer transmission behavior and that the extinction of the unwanted polarization is often limited by depolarizing scattering that is due to …

Gender Differences In Sexual Behaviors And Factors Associated With Nonuse Of Condoms Among Homeless And Runaway Youths, Duncan A. Mackeller, Linda A. Valleroy, John P. Hoffmann, Donna Glebatis, Marlene Lalota, William Mcfarland, Johnny Westerholm, Robert S. Janssen

Faculty Publications

Few studies have examined gender-specific factors associated with the nonuse of condoms among homeless and runaway youths (HRYs)–a population at high risk for HIV infection. In this article, we evaluate these factors and explore gender differences in background experiences, psychosocial functioning, and risk behaviors among HRYs from four U.S. metropolitan areas. Of 879 sexually active HRYs sampled, approximately 70% reported unprotected sexual intercourse during a 6-month period, and nearly a quarter reported never using condoms in the same period. Among males and females, having only one sex partner in the previous 6 months had the strongest association with nonuse of …

Molecular Dynamics Calculations Of The Electrochemical Properties Of Electrolyte Systems Between Charged Electrodes, Richard L. Rowley, Paul S. Crozier, Douglas Henderson

Faculty Publications

We investigate the interfacial electrochemical properties of an aqueous electrolyte solution with discrete water molecules in slab geometry between charged atomistic electrodes. Long-range intermolecular Coulombic interactions are calculated using the particle particle particle mesh method with a modification to account for the slab geometry. Density distribution profiles and potential drops across the double layer are given for 0, 0.25, and 1 M aqueous electrolyte solutions each electrode surface charges. Results are compared qualitatively with experimental x-ray scattering findings, other computer simulation results, and traditional electrochemistry theory. The interfacial fluid structure characteristics are generally in good qualitative agreement with the conclusions …

Parallel Phylogenetic Inference, Mark J. Clement, David Mclaughlin, Quinn O. Snell, Michael Whiting

Faculty Publications

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have created large data sets upon which phylogenetic inference can be performed. However, current research is limited by the prohibitive time necessary to perform tree search on even a reasonably sized data set. Some parallel algorithms have been developed but the biological research community does not use them because they don’t trust the results from newly developed parallel software. This paper presents a new phylogenetic algorithm that allows existing, trusted phylogenetic software packages to be executed in parallel using the DOGMA parallel processing system. The results presented here indicate that data sets that currently …

Toward Automated Abstraction For Protocols On Branching Networks, Michael D. Jones, Ganesh Gopalakrishnan

Faculty Publications

We have used various manual abstraction techniques to formally verify a transaction ordering property for an IO protocol over bus/bridge networks. In the context of network protocol verification, an abstraction is needed to reduce the unbounded number of network configurations to a small number of representative networks that can be checked using algorithmic methods. The manually derived abstraction was both brittle and difficult to validate. In this report, we discuss the need for abstraction techniques in the formal verification of protocols over networks and present our recent efforts to create an automatic abstraction technique for network protocols using predicate abstraction …

Book Notes: Ambiguous Loss. Learning To Live With Unresolved Grief, Between The Alps And A Hard Place: Switzerland In World War Ii And Moral Blackmail Today, Around The World In Twenty Days: The Story Of Our History-Making Balloon Flight, Vergessene Geschichte: Illustrierte Chronik Der Frauenbewegung, Pauline Boss, Angelo Codeville, Bertrand Picard, Brian Jones, Mathe Gosteli

Swiss American Historical Society Review

No abstract provided.

Ecological Impacts Of Seed Harvester Ants On Soil Attributes In A Larrea-Dominated Shrubland, Simon A. Lei

Western North American Naturalist

The influence of seed harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex rugosus) colonies on soil properties and soil surface and moisture characteristics was investigated through comparison of adjacent, nonnest (reference, 4 m beyond ant colony) areas in Las Vegas, Nevada. Effects of ant colonies on both terrace and slope sites were investigated. Soil moisture content and soil bulk density in a creosote bush (Larrea tridentata)–dominated shrubland were significantly lower, while soil temperature, soil organic matter, and percent pore space were significantly higher in soils with ant nests relative to adjacent reference soils. Soil pH and texture did not differ significantly …

Breeding Ecology Of White-Faced Ibis (Pleagadis Chihi) In The Upper Klamath Basin, California, Michael R. Taft, David M. Mauser, Todd W. Arnold

Western North American Naturalist

The White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a California state and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service species of special management concern. We studied White-faced Ibis breeding ecology from May through July 1995 on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in the upper Klamath Basin of California. A total of 2029 pairs nested in 3 colonies exclusively in early-successional hardstem bulrush (Scirpus acutus). Nest initiation dates ranged from 10 May to 12 June, and mean clutch size was 3.16. Reproductive success averaged 87% apparent nest success (n = 115), 82% hatchability, 97% whole and partial brood survival, …

Interspecific Differences In Grass Seed Imbibition, Eric E. Jorgensen, Kelly L. Chesser

Western North American Naturalist

Seeds from 12 grass species were studied relative to mode of wetting and time of exposure to water to document interspecific differences in imbibition characteristics. Imbibition causes seeds to become wet, and wet seeds are more detectable to consumers than dry seeds. Thus, germination potential and ability to remain undetected by consumers may represent an important trade-off. Seeds wetted for 0–192 h in vials imbibed water at rates equivalent to seeds wetted by contact with wet paper towels pressing against their seed coat, except for seeds of Avena sativa, which weighed more after wetting in 2-mL vials with free …

Breeding Behavior Of The Plumbeous Vireo In New Mexico, Timothy E. Demarco, Christopher B. Goguen, David R. Curson, Nancy E. Mathews

Western North American Naturalist

The Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) is a poorly studied songbird species that breeds within the interior western United States and Mexico. We studied the breeding behavior of Plumbeous Vireos within pinyon-juniper habitats in northeastern New Mexico in 1996 and 1997. Over both years we located and monitored 40 nests and conducted behavioral observations throughout the nesting cycle. From these observations we described and compared basic behavioral traits of male and female vireos during their nest-building, egg-laying, incubation, and nestling stages, and their response to potential predators near the nest. Male vireos displayed potential nest sites to females, but …

Algae Of Devils Hole, Nevada, Death Valley National Park, William D. Shepard, Dean W. Blinn, Ray J. Hoffman, Paul T. Kantz

Western North American Naturalist

We examined algal flora in the aquatic system of Devils Hole, Nevada. The water is seasonally warm, near neutral in pH, and rich in dissolved carbonate, indicative of deeply circulating groundwater flowing through carbonate rock. Most algae were benthic, with only a few planktonic representatives. Eighty-four terminal identifications in 44 genera were recorded, with diatoms and blue-green algae the most speciose groups. Diatoms were major contributors to the grazing food web. Large, mat-forming filamentous algae have an important influence on the physicochemical and general structure of the benthic substrates in Devils Hole.

Status Of Descurainia Torulosa (Brassicaceae), Jerald S. Bricker, Gregory K. Brown, Tricia L. Patts Lewis

Western North American Naturalist

Descurainia torulosa was established in 1983 based on material collected in northwestern Wyoming. The species is now known from 2 disjunct populations in southwestern Wyoming, and recent collections have expanded the known distribution within the northern portion of its range. The north-south disjunct distribution and apparent habitat differences have stimulated questions concerning the degree of relatedness between the disjunct elements to the point that the southern populations have been suggested to be a distinct taxon. Recognition of D. torulosa as a distinct species has also been questioned. This paper is based on field examination of D. torulosa populations, study of …

C3 And C4 Species Changes Identified By Δ13C Values Of Soil Organic Matter In A Colorado Prairie, Penelope Sinton, Tim Seastedt, Barry Bennett, Carl Bock, Jane Bock

Western North American Naturalist

We measured carbon isotope signatures (δ¹³C) from 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil depth intervals for grassland soils near Boulder, Colorado. These grasslands included tall-, short-, and mixed-grass prairies that were grazed, ungrazed, or hayed. Soils exhibited δ¹³C signatures consistent with observations that current sites are a mix of C₃ and C₄ species, with C₃ plants more abundant in mixed-grass than in native tall- or shortgrass prairies. The δ¹³C signatures were not significantly different for grassland types; however, management treatments (grazing, no grazing, haying) significantly influenced changes in soil δ^{13 …}

A Confirmed Record Of The Ephemeroptera Genus Baetisca From West Of The Continental Divide And An Annotated List Of The Mayflies Of The Humboldt River, Nevada, Richard W. Baumann, Boris C. Kondratieff

Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Microtopography Of Microbiotic Crusts On The Colorado Plateau, And Distribution Of Component Organisms, D. B. George, D. W. Davidson, K. C. Schliep, L. J. Patrell-Kim

Western North American Naturalist

We analyzed the microtopography of microbiotic soil crusts at 3 sites on the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah and investigated distributions of cyanobacteria and several lichens in distinctive microhabitats created by this topography. At all 3 sites the long axes of linear soil mounds were oriented nonrandomly in a NNW–SSE direction. The conspicuous and consistent orientation of soil mounds may result from a combination of physical and biotic processes. Subtle differences across sites in mound orientation and organismal distribution suggest that these variables may be useful in comparing disturbance histories of crusts retrospectively.

Differences in colonization frequencies, abundances, and distributions …

Geographic Distribution, Morphological And Molecular Characterization, And Relationships Of Lathrocasis Tenerrima (Polemoniaceae), Leigh A. Johnson, Terri L. Weese

Western North American Naturalist

Lathrocasis is a recently recognized genus of Polemoniaceae that circumscribes the species first named Gilia tenerrima A. Gray. This species, distributed primarily in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain floristic regions, has previously escaped thorough taxonomic scrutiny. Surveys of herbarium specimens and living material show that some features of this species have been inaccurately characterized in the past, while other characteristics have not been previously considered in assessing its relationships. Lathrocasis possesses a distinct suite of morphological features that, considered as a whole, distinguish this taxon at the generic level. This suite of characters includes the mostly entire, nonmucronate leaves, …

Variability Among Five Riparian Cottonwood (Populus Fremontii Wats.) Populations: An Examination Of Size, Density, And Spatial Distribution, Diane L. Rowland, Beth Biagini, Ann S. Evans

Western North American Naturalist

Various abiotic and biotic factors are known to affect tree size, including age, genetics, and environment. Knowledge of size variation within natural riparian tree populations has both ecological and restorative importance. We determined tree sizes, basal area densities, and spatial distributions of 5 Populus fremontii Wats. populations within the Rio Grande watershed in New Mexico. At each site 10 randomly spaced plots, perpendicular to the river and extending from the river to the end of the forest, were established. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and distance to the river were determined for 1803 trees within the 5 populations, and stand …

Full Issue, Vol. 60 No. 4

Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Oreohelices Of Utah, I. Rediscovery Of The Uinta Mountainsnail, Oreohelix Eurekensis Uinta Brooks, 1939 (Stylommatophora: Oreohelicidae), George V. Oliver, William R. Bosworth Iii

Western North American Naturalist

Oreohelix eurekensis uinta had not been found since its original discovery and had never been reported as a living taxon, and this had led to speculation that it is extinct. However, searches for O. e. uinta had been confounded by multiple errors in the original definition of the type locality. The type locality has now been relocated and is here redefined, and O. e. uinta is reported for the 1st time as a living taxon. Although the holotype has been lost, existing specimens believed to be paratypes have been examined, and correction of errors in the literature concerning its size …

Facilitation Of Yucca Brevifolia Recruitment By Mojave Desert Shrubs, Steve Brittingham, Lawrence R. Walker

Western North American Naturalist

Patterns of recruitment for Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree) were investigated on 3 elevational transects, 1000–2000 m, in the Spring and Sheep Mountain ranges of southern Nevada. Yucca brevifolia is distributed throughout a broad range of plant communities dominated by Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa at low elevations, Coleogyne ramosissima at middle elevations, and an Artemisia-Pinus-Juniperus community at upper elevations. The density of Y. brevifolia gradually increased from the lowest elevations, peaked at 1600 m, and remained at intermediate levels at high elevations until reaching an abrupt upper elevational limit at 2000 m. Open substrate dominated the study areas; however, a …

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Acetaminophen, Cyclooxygenase 2, And Fever, Daniel L. Simmons, David Wagner, Kenneth Westover

Faculty Publications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used antipyretic agents that most probably exert their antifever effect by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX)–2. Thus, COX-2–selective drugs or null mutation of the COX-2 gene reduce or prevent fever. Acetaminophen is antipyretic and analgesic, as are NSAIDs, but it lacks the anti-inflammatory and anticoagulatory properties of these drugs. This has led to the speculation that a COX variant exists that is inhibitable by acetaminophen. An acetaminophen-inhibitable enzyme is inducible in the mouse J774.2 monocyte cell line. Induction of acetaminophen-inhibitable prostaglandin E2 synthesis parallels induction of COX-2. Thus, inhibition of pharmacologically distinct COX-2 enzyme activity by …

The Future Of East Asian Libraries: A New Vision For Public Services, Kristina Troost

Journal of East Asian Libraries

No abstract provided.

Tribute To Ms. Ai-Hwa Wu, Hideyuki Morimoto

Journal of East Asian Libraries

No abstract provided.

The Story Of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries Of Tradition And Reform Roger E. Olson, David L. Paulsen

BYU Studies Quarterly

Roger E. Olson. The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition and Reform. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999. 652 pp. Notes, index. $34.99.

Of Heaven And Earth: Reconciling Scientific Thought With Lds Theology David L. Clark, Noel L. Owen

BYU Studies Quarterly

David L. Clark, ed. Of Heaven and Earth: Reconciling Scientific Thought with LDS Theology. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1998. 234 pp. Introduction, notes, index. $18.95.

A Descriptive Bibliography Of The Mormon Church: Volume One 1830-1847 Peter Crawley; Studies In Mormon History, 1830-1997: An Indexed Bibliography, With A Topical Guide To Published Social Science Literature On The Mormons James B. Allen, Ronald W. Walker, And David J. Whittaker, Larry W. Draper

BYU Studies Quarterly

Peter Crawley. A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church: Volume Once, 1830-1847. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997. 477 pp. Illustrations, indexes. $55.00.

James B. Allen, Ronald W. Walker, and David J. Whittaker. Studies in Mormon History, 1830-1997: An Indexed Bibliography, with a Topical Guide to Published Social Science Literature on the Mormons [by] Armand L. Mauss and Dynette Ivie Reynolds. Urbana: University of Illinois Press in cooperation with the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for LDS History, Brigham Young University, 2000. 1,152 pp. $100.00.

Index, Byu Studies

BYU Studies Quarterly

No abstract provided.

Library Evaluation: The Shanghai Experience, Kuei Chiu

Journal of East Asian Libraries

No abstract provided.