Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization And Optimization Of Extraction Chromatography Resins For Rapid Separations For Safeguard And Nuclear Forensics Purposes, Audrey Roman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this work, extraction chromatography resins, DGA and UTEVA, were characterized under various conditions in order to identify novel rapid separations for safeguards and nuclear forensic purposes. For safeguards purposes, mixed matrices containing some of the largest components found in used fuel and either Am, Pu, or U were characterized on DGA and UTEVA resins in order to determine any effects from the addition of these constituents. Results indicated that 5 M HNO₃ would be an optimal loading condition due to the consistent actinide adsorption in the presence of the additional used fuel components. Investigations of varying the anion …

Lattice Methods For The Valuation Of Options With Regime Switching, Atul Sancheti

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this thesis, we have developed two numerical methods for evaluating option prices under the regime switching model of stock price processes: the Finite Difference lattice method and the Monte Carlo lattice method.

The Finite Difference lattice method is based on the explicit finite difference scheme for parabolic problems. The Monte Carlo lattice method is based on the simulation of the Markov chain. The advantage of these methods is their flexibility to compute the option prices for any given stock price at any given time. Numerical examples are presented to examine these methods. It has been shown that the proposed …

A Light-Weight Real-Time Privacy Protection Scheme For Video Surveillance By Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Surendra Shrestha

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)have raised a great concern on privacy recently. A practical method to protect privacy is needed for adopting UAS in civilian airspace. This thesis examines the privacy policies, filtering strategies, existing techniques, then proposes a new method based on encrypted video stream and cloud-based privacy servers. In this scheme, all video surveillance images are initially encrypted, then delivered to a privacy server. The privacy server decrypts the video using the shared key with the camera, and filters the image according to the privacy policy specified for the surveyed region. The sanitized video is delivered to the surveillance …

Health Hazards In Rental Housing: An Overview Of Clark County, Nevada, Amanda Nicole Sokolowsky

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A wide range of health conditions are associated with housing conditions, including asthma, respiratory infections, injuries, mental health issues, and lead poisoning. People in modern societies spend more than 90% of their time indoors, the vast majority of which is spent at home. Therefore, any new information on housing related health hazards in a population provides an opportunity for a new prevention program. Reports have shown that rental properties have more health related hazards than owner occupied housing, and rental properties are frequently occupied by low-income and minority individuals. This descriptive study intended to provide an overview of housing related …

Modern To Late Pleistocene Stable Isotope Climatology Of Alaska, Alison Sloat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Understanding modern controls on climate is necessary to interpret past climatic conditions. This project investigated the modern controls on δ18O and δD values in Alaskan surface waters to interpret the controls on Late Pleistocene climate variability. ArcGIS was used to develop an isoscape of modern δ18O and δD values of over 400 surface water samples collected across Alaska and the Yukon. It was found that winter temperature and precipitation have the greatest controls on δ18O and δD values in Alaska, resulting in high δ18O values along the coast of the Gulf of Alaska and low values inland toward Central Alaska. …

Merging Educational Technology Into Routine Care For Patients Living With Fibromyalgia, Toni Sparks

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Fibromyalgia is a complex and challenging disorder of unknown etiology; however the management of patients with fibromyalgia is becoming facilitated more often by Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). Unfortunately, the lack of clarity in diagnosis, variances in practice guidelines, time constraints and the resources required for APRNs to adequately manage fibromyalgia can be extensive. The evidence supporting nonpharmacological strategies is strong; yet implementation of these strategies into routine care has not been sufficient.

Substantial research in the past five years has resulted in new diagnostic criteria intended to simplify the fibromyalgia diagnosis. Moreover, new clinical practice guidelines stress the importance …

Time Correlated Measurements Using Plastic Scintillators With Neutron-Photon Pulse Shape Discrimination, Norman Edison Richardson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Since the beginning of the nuclear age, there has been a strong demand for the development of efficient technologies for the detection of ionizing radiation. According to the United States' Department of Energy, the accurate assessment of fissile materials is essential in achieving the nonproliferation goals of enhancing safety and security of nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear energy facilities [1]. Nuclear materials can be characterized by the measurement of prompt and delayed neutrons and gamma rays emitted in spontaneous or induced fission reactions [2] and neutrons emitted in fission reactions are the distinctive signatures of nuclear materials. Today, the most …

Analysis Of Bolted Joints Under Medium And High Impact Loading, Deepak Somasundaram

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Understanding the transient behavior of structures with bolted joints when subjected to medium and high shock or impact loads can be challenging due to their nonlinear response, which is induced by the complex interactions between the bolts and the structure. While few researchers have considered shock transmission through bolted joints at low impact loading, there are little literature on shock transmission through bolted joints under high loading conditions. Low impact loading condition generally excites the lower order frequencies but under high impact loading higher order frequencies are excited. Typical factors that affect the response of a bolted joint include, preload …

Post-Occupancy Energy Efficiency Evaluation Of A Leed Platinum Federal Government Facility, Theresa Tincher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification system and its relevance to Federal policies, building codes, and building standards, develop experience with whole building energy modeling, and determine the actual post-occupancy energy usage as compared with developed model and design projections. This thesis hypothesized the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system compared favorably to other policies, codes, and standards in use at the time, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamations' LEED Platinum Lower Colorado Regional Office Green Building (LCROGB), located in Boulder City, Nevada, operated …

Simulations Of Interfacial Electrokinetics With Applications To Microfluidic Systems, Sebastian Uppapalli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Electrokinetics plays an important role in facilitating fluid transport and particle manipulation in microfluidic systems. This dissertation studies the mechanics of electrokinetic phenomena for microscale particles and drops. The work aims to increase the understanding of complex electrokinetic phenomena for applications in Lab-on-Chip technology, assembly of colloidal particles and two-phase flow sensing. The standard model consisting of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations is used to study the electric double layer polarization of charged dielectric particles and channel wall which plays a major role in control and manipulation of colloidal particles and understanding of electrohydrodynamic flow field.

The cases of polarization of "soft" …

Development Of A Molecular Method For Detecting The Causative Agent Of Swimmer's Itch (Trichobilharzia) In Freshwater Ecosystems, Heidi Mcmaster

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Cercarial dermatitis, commonly known as swimmer's itch, is caused by penetration of larvae of the schistosome,Trichobilharzia, into the dermis and epidermis layers of the skin. Symptoms are characterized by painful swelling and itching at the site of penetration. The normal hosts for the life cycle of the schistosome are aquatic birds and aquatic snails. The most frequently used method of detection forTrichobilharziais microscopy. With increases in the occurrence of cercarial dermatitis outbreaks in freshwater in the Southwestern United States, it is becoming increasingly important to develop and standardize a molecular method for rapid detection that can assist health professionals and …

N-Dimensional Quasipolar Coordinates - Theory And Application, Tan Mai Nguyen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this thesis, various generalizations to the n-dimension of the polar coordinates and spherical coordinates are introduced and compared with each other and the existent ones in the literature. The proof of the Jacobian of these coordinates is very often wrongfully claimed. Currently, prior to our proof, there are only two complete proofs of the Jacobian of these coordinates known to us. A friendlier definition of these coordinates is introduced and an original, direct, short, and elementary proof of the Jacobian of these coordinates is given. A method, which we call a perturbative (not perturbation) method, is introduced so that …

Numerical Study Of A Novel Fin Configuration Of A High Temperature Ceramic Plate Fin Heat Exchanger, Vijaisri Nagarajan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Compact heat exchangers are widely used in industries due to their compactness, reduced space, energy requirement and desired thermal performance. The proposed ceramic plate fin heat exchanger (PFHE) based on the offset strip fin design is used in applications which require extreme operating temperatures. It is well known that the compact heat exchanger requires small fins and channels to achieve high heat transfer rate and thermal performances. The fins in the ceramic heat exchanger ensure periodic restart of the boundary layer region which increases the thermal performance or heat transfer enhancement of the heat exchanger.

In this dissertation a novel …

Finite Difference Modeling Of Surface-~Wave Scattering For Shallow Cavity Detection, Heston Travis Norcott

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Data collection and analysis of scattering of Rayleigh-type surface waves are investigated for locating shallowly buried cavities. Surface-based seismic experiments conducted by others at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Engineering Geophysics Test Site (EGTS) demonstrate scattering of Rayleigh waves caused by buried empty barrels (essentially air-filled cavities). The interpretation of the data is complicated by factors such as the presence of a high-velocity geologic layer just below the cavity.

This research uses a finite-difference seismic wave propagation code to compute time histories for a model that represents the Engineering Geophysics Test Site. By adding cavities to a background …

Wisc-Iv Profiles In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Comorbid Learning Disabilities, Elyse Parke

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD), including Reading Disorder (RD), Disorder of Written Expression (DWE), and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) all co-occur at high rates. Previous research indicates increased neurocognitive impairment in ADHD with the presence of comorbid diagnoses. However, few direct comparisons between intellectual profiles of children with one or multiple ADHD and LD diagnoses are available, specifically for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), despite its frequent and historical use with this population. Profile analysis may contribute insights into spared and impaired abilities. Therefore, the present study addressed these matters by comparing WISC-IV profiles …

Evaluation Of Conservation Voltage Reduction As A Tool For Demand Side Management, Ali Dorrody

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

To ensure stability of the power grid, electricity supply and demand must remain in balance in real time. Traditionally utilities, call upon peaking power plants to increase power generation to meet the peak demand during the afternoons of the hot summer months. Demand-side management (DSM), which includes energy efficiency and demand response (DR), works from the other side of the equation - instead of adding more generation to the system, it pays energy users to reduce consumption as it is cheaper and easier to procure than traditional generation. As a consequence, demand-side management allows utility customers to act as a …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Home-~Based Childhood Asthma Intervention Program In Clark County, Nevada, Mackenzie Suzanne Burns

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Asthma is a chronic, incurable, costly, and potentially life–threatening disease that affects an estimated 7 million children in the United States; further, more than 56,000 Nevada children are currently living with asthma. The literature suggests that a number of factors that contribute to either the development of asthma or the exacerbation of asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals can be traced to the home environment. Given that the majority of Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors, of which two–thirds are spent at home, a home–based childhood asthma intervention program represents a unique primary prevention opportunity. This pre–experimental study evaluated …

The Effect Of Single Crystal Elastic And Plastic Anisotropy On Stress And Strain Heterogeneity: Comparison Of Olivine To Other Common Minerals, Christopher Joseph Cline Ii

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In order to investigate the influence of single crystal elastic anisotropy on the heterogeneity of stress distributions during polycrystalline deformation multiple deformed crystalline materials were analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Deformation experiments were conducted on samples of Solnhofen limestone using a modified Griggs piston cylinder apparatus at UNLV, and also on San Carlos olivine using the D-DIA multi-anvil press at the National Synchrotron Light Source beamline X17B2. Analysis of the mechanical twins in deformed calcite and kink bands in olivine help elucidate deviations in local stress directions away from that of the applied macroscopic stress. Combined calculated compression directions …

Physics Of Gamma-Ray Bursts And Multi-Messenger Signals From Double Neutron Star Mergers, He Gao

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

My dissertation includes two parts:

Physics of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs): Gamma-ray bursts are multi-wavelength transients, with both prompt gamma-ray emission and late time afterglow emission observed by telescopes in different wavelengths. I have carried out three investigations to understand GRB prompt emission and afterglow. Chapter 2 develops a new method, namely, "Stepwise Filter Correlation" method, to decompose the variability components in a light curve. After proving its reliability through simulations, we apply this method to 266 bright GRBs and find that the majority of the bursts have clear evidence of superposition of fast and slow variability components. Chapter 3 gives …

The Application Of Zircon (U-Th)/He Thermochronology To Determine The Timing And Slip Rate On The Willard Thrust, Sevier Fold And Thrust Belt, Northern Utah, Bryan Eleogram

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Although the Sevier fold-thrust belt is one of the best-studied foreland systems in the world, timing of motion on the dominant western thrust sheets that carry thick Neoproterozoic to Paleozoic strata remains incompletely understood. Zircon (U-Th)/He thermochrometry (ZHe) studies of the hanging wall of the Willard thrust sheet (WTS) in northern Utah are used to constrain the timing and rate of thrust slip. Previous interpretations of the age of initial slip on the Willard thrust vary widely from 150 to 115 Ma, reflecting ambiguous relations with foreland basin strata and limited geochronologic data. The large displacement on the Willard thrust …

Design And Analysis Of Hydrogen Powered Actuator Integrating Metal Hydride Storage System, Md Mainul Hossain Bhuiya

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The multi-fold purposes of this dissertation consists of construction, simulation and validation of a model describing hydrogen sorption kinetics in metal hydride. The project involves a comprehensive review of engineering applications involving metal hydrides and furthermore, design and investigation of a thermo-kinetically driven actuation system integrating metal hydrides for compact and soft robotic actuation. This will also shed some light on the feasibility of designing a damping system integrating metal hydride. Firstly, a mathematical model along with comprehensive simulation strategy of hydrogen absorption and desorption processes in porous metal hydride compacts was developed. A two dimensional axisymmetric model was built …

Smart Data Collection Using Mobile Devices To Improve Transportation Systems, Tharindu Dasun Abeygunawardana

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Travel time is a matter that affects most of us, especially those that live in highly congested cities. Ideally, we want to reduce travel time as much as possible, thereby freeing up more of our time and enabling a higher quality of life. Data collection of transportation metrics helps us get a clearer picture of the transportation system, and helps us make smarter choices when it comes to improving the existing system. The rapid emergence of interconnected mobile devices carried along by travelers opens up many possibilities for gathering data as they travel, and also to serve them relevant data …

Behind His Father's Saying: Robert Frost's Wisdom Tradition, James H. Altman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

It is no coincidence that Robert Frost draws on the European/American aphoristic wisdom tradition. From the fables of Aesop, to the esotericism of pre-Socratic Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Empedocles, to the works of moralists like Blaise Pascal and Michel De Montaigne, to Erasmus, Frederick Nietzsche and others, Robert Frost weaves diverse wisdom into his work. He does not, however, as much take verbatim the words or sentiments of those who inspire him. Rather he adapts the spirit of their thoughts for his own purposes. Why and how does he do this? What are those purposes, and their subsequent …

Cognitive Differences Between High And Low Responders Of A Tier Ii Reading Intervention, Jillian Cohen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study evaluated a population of young students with potential reading disabilities who participated in a large western school district's Reading Skills Development project from October 2012 to May 2013. The following questions were addressed: Are there cognitive differences between students who respond well to an intense Tier II reading intervention and those who make little progress? If so, which cognitive skills best discriminate between high and low responders? De-identified data was collected from 171 struggling readers in 1st through 3rd grade who participated in the Reading Skills project. After controlling for English proficiency level, high and low responders were …

Unlv Jazz Ensemble L And Unlv Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Dave Loeb, Nathan Tanouye

Jazz Ensembles

List of performers and performances.

Unlv Jazz Ensemble Ll And Unlv Latin Jazz Ensemble, Dave Loeb, Nathan Tanouye, Uli Geissendoerfer

Jazz Ensembles

List of performers and performances.

Employment And Economic Development In Southern Nevada, Jennifer Pharr, Courtney Coughenour, Shawn Gerstenberger

Nevada Journal of Public Health

Wealth influences a person’s health. People who are higher on the socioeconomic scale tend to have better health outcomes. To improve the health of a community, it is important to understand the employment opportunities of the people living in the community.

Southern Nevada’s economy was hit hard between 2008 and 2012. Unemployment rates in the region exceeded national and peer regions between during this time period. Construction; leisure and hospitality; trade, transportation and utilities; and professional and business service sectors experienced the greatest job loss during the recession. The Education and Health Services sectors did not experience a decrease in …

Current Issues: Doe's Nuclear Energy Programs, Peter Lyons

NSTec UNLV Symposium

• Secretary Moniz on Nuclear Energy
• Secretary Moniz Announces $6.5 Billion Vogtle Loan Guarantee
• Role of U.S. Department of Energy for Sustainable and Innovative Nuclear Energy
• Overview
• Why is the U.S. Government Interested in Supporting SMR Technologies?
• DOE Program to Support SMR Design Certification & Licensing
• Status of SMR Licensing Technical Support Program
• Blue Ribbon Commission Recommendations
• Administration Strategy for Used Fuel Management
• Congressional Activity
• Uranium Extraction from Seawater
• Supercritical CO₂ Energy Conversion
• HUBS AND NEAMS – PARTNERSHIP AND COMPLEMENTARITY
• Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling & Simulation (NEAMS)
• NE Modeling and Simulation Energy Innovation Hub Highlights
• Nuclear …

Connecting Aerial Gamma Ray Surveys And Geochemical Data, Kara Marsac, Pamela Burnley, Elisabeth Hausrath, Russell Malchow, Daniel Haber

NSTec UNLV Symposium

• Radiation in the Environment
• Aerial Gamma Ray Surveys
• Radiation and Geology
• Collecting Existing Geochemical Data
• Rock Unit Geochemistry
• Model Creation and Comparison

Predictive Modeling Of Radiological Background Using Geochemistry, Daniel Haber, Pamela C. Burnley, Kara Marsac, Russell Malchow, Elisabeth Hausrath, Christopher Adcock

NSTec UNLV Symposium

• Introduction & Background
• Methods
• Models
• Results and Discussion
• Future Work