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Seasonal Xylem-Conducting Ability In The Desert Shrub Chilopsis Linearis, Judith Michele Dudek Jan 1997

Seasonal Xylem-Conducting Ability In The Desert Shrub Chilopsis Linearis, Judith Michele Dudek

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Chilopsis linearis, a facultative phreatophyte, is a shrub that is common along washes in arid environments like the Mojave Desert. In addition to adaptive drought tolerant and drought avoidance mechanisms, internal anatomical and developmental characteristics such as vessel diameter, number of vessels produced and the season of the year they are produced affect the conducting ability of xylem to transport water to the leaves. Xylem conductance measurements indicated that no more than half of the vessels in C. linearis are conducting in either a dry year (1994) or a wet year (1995). This was likely due to the obstruction of …


Children's Perspectives On Coping Strategies Used For Asthma, Terri A Dymeck Jan 1997

Children's Perspectives On Coping Strategies Used For Asthma, Terri A Dymeck

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Asthma is the most common chronic pulmonary disease among American children. There is limited research describing how children cope with asthma, and evidence suggests that many of these children demonstrate poor coping ability. This study, originally performed by Ryan-Wenger and Walsh (1994), describes the relationship between the frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies personally used by school-age children to manage asthma. Additional questions were incorporated to provide an objective measurement of coping and augment the original research; The Schoolagers' Coping Strategies Inventory (SCSI) and a demographic questionnaire were mailed to children with asthma and their parents. Data analysis {dollar}(N=65){dollar} demonstrated …


Predictors Of Life Satisfaction Of Persons With Mental Retardation, Colleen Sisley Firth Jan 1997

Predictors Of Life Satisfaction Of Persons With Mental Retardation, Colleen Sisley Firth

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Data from a study conducted by the State of Nevada to assess consumer satisfaction with services of persons with mental retardation were factor analyzed. Data collected using ACD's Outcome Performance Measures for People with Disabilities were used. It was attempted to replicate ACD's obtained factor structure. It was then explored which groups of these variables best predicted the life satisfaction of these individuals; Results indicated that ACD's factor structure was replicable with a sample of persons with mental retardation. This may suggest that variables important to a person's quality of life may be similar for people with different disabilities. Results …


Theoretical Study Of Crystal-Amorphous Transition In (111) Silicon, And Oxidation Of (100) Silicon, Suresh Gorantla Jan 1997

Theoretical Study Of Crystal-Amorphous Transition In (111) Silicon, And Oxidation Of (100) Silicon, Suresh Gorantla

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Molecular Beam Epitaxial (MBE) silicon (Si) (111) grown below a certain temperature results in amorphous structure due to the limited surface mobility of atoms for finding the correct epitaxial sites. A theoretical model based on the formation of stacking fault like defects as a precursor to the amorphous transition of the (111)Si layer is developed. The model is simulated based on a stochastic model approach and the results are compared to that of experiments for temperatures in the range of {dollar}500{-}900\sp\circ{dollar}K and growth rate in the range of 0.1-3.0 {dollar}\A/sec.{dollar} The agreement between the results obtained and experimental observations is …


Caesars Palace, 1966-1996, Cherie L Guzman Jan 1997

Caesars Palace, 1966-1996, Cherie L Guzman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Caesar's Palace has provided an image of an extravagant lifestyle and a formalist architecture to the public. By creating a hotel casino in which the image of living an extravagant lifestyle could be experienced in social and aesthetic terms, the longevity and success of Caesar's Palace contributed to the rise of a new standard of casino architecture. This thesis traces the impact of Caesar's Palace on casino design by illustrating and discussing the architectural language of the Las Vegas Strip prior to Caesar's Palace. This thesis displays a progressive history of Caesar's Palace. This thesis discusses and analyzes the architecture …


The Grid Sketcher: An Autocad-Based Tool For Conceptual Design Processes, Brian Martin Gardner Jan 1997

The Grid Sketcher: An Autocad-Based Tool For Conceptual Design Processes, Brian Martin Gardner

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Sketching with pencil and paper is reminiscent of the varied, rich, and loosely defined formal processes associated with conceptual design. Architects actively engage such creative paradigms in their exploration and development of conceptual design solutions. The Grid Sketcher, as a conceptual sketching tool, presents one possible computer implementation for enhancing and supporting these processes. It effectively demonstrates the facility with which current technology and the computing environment can enhance and simulate sketching intents and expectations; Typically with respect to design, the position taken is that the two are virtually void of any fundamental commonality. A designer's thoughts are intuitive, at …


Who Is Most Likely To Remain On Welfare?, Sonya M Kessinger Jan 1997

Who Is Most Likely To Remain On Welfare?, Sonya M Kessinger

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Recent welfare reform legislation imposes a five year limit on federal welfare benefits. This study examines earnings, family structure and race to determine their impact on the associated probabilities of remaining on welfare. Data of families that received AFDC in the first year of a two-year period is analyzed. In the second year, some of these families stopped receiving benefits while others continued on welfare. Based on characteristics from the first year, a logit model develops the probabilities of leaving welfare rolls in the second year. These characteristics include earnings, employment, the average state benefit, age, gender, marital status, children, …


Public Participation Program Development: An Analysis Of Public Participation In The Water Industry, Marcia Lynne Holmberg Jan 1997

Public Participation Program Development: An Analysis Of Public Participation In The Water Industry, Marcia Lynne Holmberg

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The field of public participation is a distinct, but yet unpolished facet within the public relations industry. While the purpose of and need for public participation are becoming increasingly clear, many remain unaware or unconvinced of its advantages. Likewise, even among those who endorse the necessity of public participation, its methods and strategies continue to be a mystery to most; One industry, in particular, that has recognized and embraced the benefits of conducting public participation is the water utility industry. The purpose of this thesis is to (1) crystallize the understanding of why public participation is a necessary and advantageous …


The Degree Of Relationship Between Tests Of Cognitive Mechanisms, Craig Allen Lane Jan 1997

The Degree Of Relationship Between Tests Of Cognitive Mechanisms, Craig Allen Lane

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In a variety of fields interested in cognition and cognitive processes 'tests' have been developed to help scientists infer a variety of cognitive processes. In the current study, the extent to which these tests share commonality in a predicted direction was assessed. Four tests were employed including the Stroop task administered via computer, the Stroop task administered manually, the Simon task, and an Inspection Time task. Eighteen undergraduates served as participants. The study was a one-way within subjects design. The dependent measure for the Simon and Stroop (automated) tasks was reaction time, while the number of correct responses was the …


Sublimation From Snow Packs In Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada And Dixie National Forest, Utah, Stephen M Lawson Jan 1997

Sublimation From Snow Packs In Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada And Dixie National Forest, Utah, Stephen M Lawson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A study was conducted to measure sublimation rates and concurrent meteorological parameters on snow packs at Kyle Canyon, Nevada; Brian Head, Utah; and Lee Canyon, Nevada. Over 730 individual gravimetric measurements were made using snow lysimeters and over 16,500 individual meteorological measurements were taken. The measured sublimation rates averaged 0.438 mm/day, 0.757 mm/day, and 0.586 mm/day for each site respectively, with a combined average of 0.647 mm/day for all sites. There was little or no correlation between measured sublimation rates and meteorological measurements with the exception of Kyle Canyon. However, the data set from Kyle Canyon was the most limited …


The Effects Of An Eight-Week Training Program On A Population With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Tracy Lynn Lawyer Jan 1997

The Effects Of An Eight-Week Training Program On A Population With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Tracy Lynn Lawyer

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study was designed to determine the effects of an 8 week training program on muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness in participants affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eight participants (ages 64-83) were evaluated before and after the training program on the basis of a modified 3-level step test, biceps curl strength, 6 minute timed walk for distance, and grip strength; Significant improvements were found in biceps curl strength (+12 repetitions, P {dollar}<{dollar}.05), 6 minute walk distance (P {dollar}<{dollar}.05), and in both stepping time and heart rate at each level in the modified step test (P {dollar}<{dollar}.05). No significant improvement was found in grip strength. These results suggest that a program of strengthening and conditioning exercises improves upper body strength and exercise tolerance in participants with COPD, which may have implications for performance of activities of daily living.


Empirical Analysis Of The Situational Variables And Their Impact On A Manager's Leadership In Influencing Employee Organizational Citizenship Behaviors In Korean Hotels, Jung Hoon Lee Jan 1997

Empirical Analysis Of The Situational Variables And Their Impact On A Manager's Leadership In Influencing Employee Organizational Citizenship Behaviors In Korean Hotels, Jung Hoon Lee

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to identify situational variables that may influence the effect of a manager's leadership on subordinate organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in the Korean hotel industry; Data were collected from 107 managers and their 487 subordinates across a wide variety of different departments in the deluxe business hotels in Korea; Thirteen hypotheses were tested using a partial correlation coefficient test in multiple regression to examine the correlation between thirteen situational variables and five employee OCB dimensions. The test generally showed that selected characteristics of a manager, task, and organization either substitute or enhance a manager's leadership …


Trace Element And Polysaccharide Sorption In A Lacustrine Biofilm, Ephraim G Morris Jan 1997

Trace Element And Polysaccharide Sorption In A Lacustrine Biofilm, Ephraim G Morris

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Twenty-four elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Ti, U, V, Zn, and Zr) were determined in freshwater biofilms from Lake Mead by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The uptake of polysaccharides (as glucose) was determined by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry. Taxonomic identification of the biofilm was determined using a stereo and compound microscopes. Major components included the diatoms Cyclotella, Fragilaria, Cymbella, and Amphora. Results for both major cations and trace elements presented for filtered lake water and for particulates filtered from the water …


Antisite Arsenic Incorporation In The Low-Temperature Molecular Beam Epitaxy Of Gallium Arsenide, Sivakumar Muthuvenkatraman Jan 1997

Antisite Arsenic Incorporation In The Low-Temperature Molecular Beam Epitaxy Of Gallium Arsenide, Sivakumar Muthuvenkatraman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A stochastic model for simulating the growth processes during the low temperature molecular beam epitaxy of gallium arsenide is developed. The model includes the presence and dynamics of a weakly bound physisorbed state for arsenic. Three different kinetic models with a combination of surface kinetic processes such as incorporation of antisite arsenic, evaporation of antisite arsenic and incorporation of regular arsenic, were considered. The kinetic model which includes all three surface processes was the best model. The activation energy of 1.16eV for the evaporation of antisite arsenic from our model is in good agreement with theoretical estimates. At constant substrate …


Patients' Perceptions Of Spiritual Needs And The Role Of Nurses To Resolve Spiritual Needs, Barbara Ann Nelson Jan 1997

Patients' Perceptions Of Spiritual Needs And The Role Of Nurses To Resolve Spiritual Needs, Barbara Ann Nelson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study replicated Finney's (1989) study which examined acutely ill hospitalized patients' perceptions of spiritual needs and the nurse's role in assisting them to resolve those needs. The Spiritual Needs of Patients questionnaire (Martin, Burrows, & Pomilio, 1976) was used to assess patients (n = 73) in a southwestern regional hospital. Reliability was reported as Cronbach's alpha at 0.68. Findings supported Finney's study as well as the original study (Martin et al., 1976) and Hoskins (1986). Patients' responses supported the statement that a person who is ill thinks more about his/her relationship to God. The most important spiritual need identified …


Controlling Urban Sprawl In The Las Vegas Valley Through A Mixed Use Zoning Strategy, Gene Paul Pasinski Jan 1997

Controlling Urban Sprawl In The Las Vegas Valley Through A Mixed Use Zoning Strategy, Gene Paul Pasinski

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Urban sprawl is one of the biggest issues facing communities throughout the country today. Urban sprawl is defined as a detrimental form of growth that occurs on the fringe of communities. Most urban areas in the United States are affected by this type of growth; This thesis will address the problems of urban sprawl within the Las Vegas Valley. It documents the effects of urban sprawl on the Valley's infrastructure cost, transportation, resource depletion and the environment; Strategies will be offered to control urban sprawl. Mixed use combined with increased land use density will emerge as the proposed solution for …


Political Corruption In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Assessment Of Kenya, Nigeria, And Zaire/Congo, Kennedy Geoffrey Ondieki Jan 1997

Political Corruption In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Assessment Of Kenya, Nigeria, And Zaire/Congo, Kennedy Geoffrey Ondieki

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Legally, politically, academically, and culturally, political corruption eludes clear, precise, and comprehensive definition. It is a universal phenomenon that afflicts every political system. It means different things to different people. It manifests itself in a variety of ways in both developed and developing countries. It is considered morally, economically, politically, and socially devastating. This thesis addresses the dynamics of political corruption in sub-Saharan Africa and explores some central and perplexing questions. How is it that one of the most serious problems in sub-Saharan Africa receives such limited attention despite its magnitude, pervasiveness, and consequences? Is political corruption a cultural characteristic …


A Self-Consistent Numerical Model For Multiple Quantum Well Photovoltaic Devices, Stephen Mcharry Ramey Jan 1997

A Self-Consistent Numerical Model For Multiple Quantum Well Photovoltaic Devices, Stephen Mcharry Ramey

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In this work, a comprehensive numerical model is presented for a multi-quantum well pin photovoltaic device. The model accounts for the fundamental carrier dynamics in the quantum wells without assuming thermal equilibrium between the confined carriers and crystal lattice. It is based on a self-consistent solution of the Poisson, Schrodinger, and current continuity equations. In the quantum well regions, a second set of continuity equations is coupled to these three equations to account for the recombination, generation, escape, and capture in the quantum well. The effect of these quantum well rates on device performance is examined for various well configurations …


The Relationship Between Media Exposure, Personal Experience And Education On The Public's Perceptions Of People With Disabilities: A Correlational Study, Melissa Lynn Reichley Jan 1997

The Relationship Between Media Exposure, Personal Experience And Education On The Public's Perceptions Of People With Disabilities: A Correlational Study, Melissa Lynn Reichley

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The Relationship Between Media Exposure, Personal Experience and Education on the Public's Perceptions of Disabilities seeks to determine whether there is any correlation between people's opinions about people with disabilities (PWDs), and their media consumption, education, and experience or contact with PWDs. The author compares such perceptions between respondents with and without disabilities. While research suggests nondisabled people view people with disabilities to varying degrees of negativity depending on the level and type of disability and accompanying social stigma attached, this researcher questions whether frequency of media exposure is having a positive influence on media consumers' perceptions of PWDs (which …


The Influence Of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Enrichment On Belowground Growth, Katrina J Salsman Jan 1997

The Influence Of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Enrichment On Belowground Growth, Katrina J Salsman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Root growth under elevated atmospheric CO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} was examined with the intention of quantifying the effects of elevated CO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} on growth, cell wall characteristics and root carbon status of three herbaceous legumes: Phaseolus vulgaris L., Phaseolus acutifolius Gray and Pisum sativum L. Plants were grown hydroponically in 0.1 strength Hoagland's solution in the UNLV greenhouse at atmospheric CO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} concentrations of ambient (350 {dollar}\mu{dollar}mol mol{dollar}\sp{-1}),{dollar} 1.5x ambient (550 {dollar}\mu{dollar}mol mol{dollar}\sp{-1}){dollar} and 2x ambient (700 {dollar}\mu{dollar}mol mol{dollar}\sp{-1}).{dollar} Root biomass increased under elevated CO{dollar}\sb2{dollar} for P. acutifolius and P. sativum, but not for P. vulgaris. Phaseolus vulgaris roots grew faster during the day under …


What Do Today's Business Travelers Want In Terms Of Business Service Amenities, Won S Seo Jan 1997

What Do Today's Business Travelers Want In Terms Of Business Service Amenities, Won S Seo

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In the United States the numbers of business travelers has been growing at an increasing rate, becoming an important source of income in the hospitality industry. In 1995, according to the around 1.6 million businesses travelers traveled more than 50,000 miles and this number increased by seven percent from 1994; Business travelers are the major market segment of the hotel industry since most business travelers stay in hotels or motels during their business trips. In 1995, sixty-six percent of business travelers stayed in hotel or motels and that percentage is almost double of the leisure travelers' percentage (39%); As the …


The Migration Of Arsenic And Lead In Surface Sediments At Three Kids Mine, Henderson, Nevada, Douglas Brian Sims Jan 1997

The Migration Of Arsenic And Lead In Surface Sediments At Three Kids Mine, Henderson, Nevada, Douglas Brian Sims

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study focused on the distribution of arsenic and lead in surface sediments at Three Kids Mine in Henderson, Nevada. The mine site encompasses approximately 470 acres of desert and is situated above two developing communities (Lake Las Vegas and Calico Ridge) and the Las Vegas Valley's water source (Lake Mead); Transport of arsenic and lead appears to have occurred within a limited range in both the eastern and western washes on the eastern and western sides of Three Kids Mine. Concentrations of arsenic range between 20 mg/kg (ppm) and 1130 mg/kg and between 20 mg/kg and 8400 mg/kg for …


Low Harmonic Distortion Flash A/D Converters Incorporating Dynamic Element Matching Techniques, Bret David Steadman Jan 1997

Low Harmonic Distortion Flash A/D Converters Incorporating Dynamic Element Matching Techniques, Bret David Steadman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

New dynamic element matching techniques are shown to reduce the harmonic distortion and improve the spurious-free dynamic range of flash ADCs. Resistor chain mismatch errors are negated by randomly rearranging the resistors each sample by utilizing 5(2{dollar}\sp{b}{dollar}-1) digital switches and b + 1 random control signals for a b-bit flash ADC. The integral and differential nonlinearity of a non-ideal flash ADC are derived for three common resistor chain mismatch errors; namely, geometric mismatches, linear gradient mismatches, and dynamic mismatches. The transfer function of a non-ideal flash ADC is also derived and the converter output is shown to consist of a …


Automatic Clustering And Feedback In Information Retrieval, Girish Venkatachaliah Jan 1997

Automatic Clustering And Feedback In Information Retrieval, Girish Venkatachaliah

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Clustering and feedback have been used in information retrieval to improve the effectiveness of retrieving relevant documents. In this thesis, we investigate the retrieval effectiveness from various document collections in presence of both clustering and feedback. More precisely, we apply a clustering algorithm to an initial run of our queries to choose appropriate clusters for feedback. The clustering and feedback are done automatically.


The Credibility Of News Photography In The Digital Age, Mara Evonne Vernon Jan 1997

The Credibility Of News Photography In The Digital Age, Mara Evonne Vernon

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Photographers have been manipulating photographs since photography's invention, but digital imaging technology presents photographers with unlimited possibilities. Digital imaging technology allows both simple and complex manipulations to be completed easily and quickly, unlike traditional techniques that are both difficult and time consuming. Additionally, detecting digital manipulation is virtually impossible, jeopardizing photography's referent to the original scene captured through the lens of a photographer's camera; A review of the literature demonstrated a need for research in relation to the media consumer because prior research focused on media practitioners and their tolerance or intolerance for digital manipulation practices. This thesis explores the …


On The Design Of A Secure Data Warehouse, Rihui Wang Jan 1997

On The Design Of A Secure Data Warehouse, Rihui Wang

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The data warehouse is the combination of subject-oriented, authoritative, integrated databases designed to support the DSS (decision support). Data mining means to extract useful information which is previously unknown from information sources. The topic of data warehousing and data mining encompasses architectures, algorithms and tools for collecting selected data from multiple databases or other information sources into a single repository known as a data warehouse which is structured to facilitate query or analysis in supporting decision making; In this thesis, we will discuss the principles, architecture, and implementation of data warehouses. We will also discuss construction of data mining and …


Use Of Neural Networks To Predict Ocr Accuracy, Ying Wang Jan 1997

Use Of Neural Networks To Predict Ocr Accuracy, Ying Wang

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Use of Neural Networks to Predict OCR Accuracy investigates issues in developing an artificial neural network (ANN) based system for prediction of OCR accuracy from the image of a page. This work extends the work of Blando and Gonzalez in the following ways: enlarging training data, proposing new features, comparing different ANN architectures, and introducing a cross-validation learning algorithm; The following experiments were performed: comparison of 14 dimension feature metrics and 7 dimension feature metrics, comparison of an ANN trained with and without cross-validation, comparison of different neural network architectures, comparison of prediction capability of neural network and linear regression, …


Examining Student Perceptions Of The Transitional Services School Counselors Provide To College-Bound Individuals With And Without Learning Disabilities In The Areas Of Self-Awareness, Self-Advocacy, And The Law, Gillian Elisa Wells Jan 1997

Examining Student Perceptions Of The Transitional Services School Counselors Provide To College-Bound Individuals With And Without Learning Disabilities In The Areas Of Self-Awareness, Self-Advocacy, And The Law, Gillian Elisa Wells

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

College-bound students with and without learning disabilities were surveyed, to examine their perceptions of the transitional services provided by school counselors in the areas of self-awareness, self-advocacy, and the law. It appears that both groups are receiving some transitional services. Self-Awareness, self-advocacy, and the law are three components that are not covered by school counselors who work with students. In a majority of cases students cite family and other professionals as the only assistance they receive in these areas.


Robust Dynamic Feedback And Variable Structure Adaptive Control Of Rigid And Flexible Spacecraft, Yueming Zeng Jan 1997

Robust Dynamic Feedback And Variable Structure Adaptive Control Of Rigid And Flexible Spacecraft, Yueming Zeng

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents control systems design for control of rigid and flexible spacecraft in the presence of parameter uncertainty and disturbance inputs. Two kinds of control systems are designed for the control of rigid spacecraft. For the design of the first controller, Rodrigues parameters and modified Rodrigues parameters are used to describe the orientation of spacecraft. A dynamic decoupling attitude control law is derived for the tracking of reference attitude trajectories. The singular perturbation theory is used for the stability analysis of the closed-loop system. For the synthesis of the control law, only the attitude error is required. The second …


The Effect Of A Second Stimulus On The First Reaction Time Within The Psychological Refractory Period Paradigm, Huiwen Zhang Jan 1997

The Effect Of A Second Stimulus On The First Reaction Time Within The Psychological Refractory Period Paradigm, Huiwen Zhang

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study was to examine the effects of the second stimulus and response on the first response by investigating RT1 under controlled conditions with different S2-R2. 24 subjects participated in this study. Results of the repeated measure ANOVA revealed that the effect of the second stimulus and response on the first response in PRP paradigm was significant. The findings of this study suggest that PRP exist not only in the processing of the second stimulus but also in the processing of the first stimulus and response. The result from this study failed to support either traditional bottleneck models or parallel …