Digital Commons Network^™

The Plunge Into Secession: The Presbyterian Schism Of The Reverends. Charles Hodge, James Henley Thornwell And Benjamin Morgan Palmer, Deborah Jane Rayner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Presbyterian Church had one of the largest pro-slavery clergy of any antebellum Protestant church. These men extracted verses and passages from the Bible to prove God sanctioned slavery. Many Southern Presbyterian ministers including Charles Hodge, James Henley Thornwell and Benjamin Morgan Palmer used the pulpit to defend slavery and advocate secession, collapsing political and religious boundaries. I focus on the 1855-1861 debates about slavery in the Presbyterian Church led by Charles Hodge, James Henley Thornwell, and Benjamin Morgan Palmer. I reorient the argument from the usual political and economic accounts of the antebellum secession discussions and build upon current …

Teacher And Student Perceptions Of Self-Determination, Jennifer L. Black

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For almost two decades, research efforts specific to self-determination have resulted in the development of curricula, assessments, instructional strategies, interventions, model programs, and proposed quality indicators (Field et al., 1998). Despite the combined efforts and perceptions of researchers, teachers, parents, employers, and college disability service providers related to these important aspects of self-determination research, limited attention has been devoted to understanding the perceptions of self-determination from secondary students with and without disabilities and their general and special education teachers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate teacher and student perceptions related to self-determination. Teacher perceptions were measured with the …

The Synthesis And Systematic Evaluation Of Modified Polymeric Foams And Electrically Conductive Polyimide/Carbon/Metal Films, John Macharia Kinyanjui

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Thermally processed PU foams are examined as a function of processing temperatures (25, 45, 65, and 85°C) at the side, middle, and center of a simple cylindrical mold. The PU foams show both chemical and morphological differences as a function of the processing temperature and radial position within the mold. Thermal degradation of uretoneimine structures, the emergence of carbodiimide structures, and extent of reaction of isocyanate groups are measured using photoacoustic FTIR spectroscopy. Chemical gradients and morphology differences between the side, middle, and center of the molded foam are observed for all processing temperatures. The data indicate that thermal activation …

The Role Of Larval Fat Cells In Starvation Resistance And Reproduction In Adult Drosophila Melanogaster, Jerell Roland Aguila

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The intricate life cycle of holometabolous insects includes well-defined larval and adult stages associated with feeding and non-feeding periods. The larval stage is distinguished by prevalent feeding and is necessary for supporting the animal as it quickly grows. The larval stage also serves as the period for the animal to obtain adequate energy stores, primarily in the larval fat body, to fuel the animal through the non-feeding pupal and immature adult stages. Acquiring sufficient energy stores is paramount for the success of the adult animal. In fact, certain insects, such as silkworms and mayflies, do not feed as adults and …

Arid Climate Decomposition And Decay: A Taphonomic Study Using Swine, James William Munkres

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The present project analyzes the taphonomic processes and variables involved in the decomposition and desiccation of animal remains in an arid/hyper-arid environment. The study and the derived data will assist in determining postmortem intervals for remains in modern contexts, inform judgments made regarding mortuary habits and techniques in archaeological contexts, and will improve our knowledge regarding taphonomic processes. Manner of deposition, the depositional surface/medium and arid-climate specific variables (temperature, water, insect activity, weathering, pH levels, and soil characteristics) were examined in this study. Reported observations are limited to the first ten months following death from early December through early October …

Architecture And Nostalgia In The British Modern Novel, Heather Lynn Lusty

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation focuses on Modern British literary culture and the construction of literary sites of nostalgia through architecture and landscape. The project considers examples from D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, Ford Madox Ford, and Evelyn Waugh, and examines how these authors employ presentations of architecture in their narratives to portray the irrevocably altered landscape of modernity.

The introduction presents the notion of national consciousness and literature, moving from Lukacs' conception of the historical novel to Victorian art critics John Ruskin and Walter Pater and their writings on national identity and architecture. Twentieth-century European culture responded to the trauma of the Great …

Photochemical Delivery Of Bleomycin In Malignant Glioma Cells, Joseph William Blickenstaff Iii

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Despite continued efforts, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains an incurable form of primary brain cancer. Surgical resection followed by radiation treatment and chemotherapy have been the most effective modalities in prolonging median survival time to 14 months. This research aims to study the response of two different cell culture models to a novel drug delivery method termed photochemical internalization (PCI). PCI is a technique to improve the utilization of macromolecules (e.g. the chemotherapeutic drug bleomycin) in site-specific cancer therapy. This concept is based on the use of specially designed photosensitizers (e.g. aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate; AlPcS _2a ) which preferentially localize in …

Women's Health And Fitness Magazines: An Accurate Portrayal?, Jennifer M. Shymansky

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study is a content analysis examining the representation of health information, particularly the leading causes of death, in cover story headlines of one year of the top women's health and fitness magazines: Prevention , Shape , Fitness , Self , Health and Women's Health. The study is grounded in social responsibility theory, a normative media theory. The findings show that women's health and fitness magazines' cover story headlines predominately discuss diet and exercise for weight loss, rather than the leading causes of death facing women. This under representation of actual societal health concerns can limit the vast readerships' health …

Wraith Walking, Jason Coley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

With this work I wanted to explore the space between memory and imagination: namely, how much imagination fills the fissures that run though our knowledge of our past. The protagonist, Joshua, has been estranged from his family for nine years and learns of his father's death while in China. But without explanation, Joshua is awaken one morning by an old fabrication of his childhood imagination--a character now very real--who accompanies Joshua on his search for a fantastical object.

Pareidolia is the phenomenon of seeing figures and faces in vague stimulus, such as clouds and wood grains. It is commonly believed …

Decentralizing Police Detectives: Increasing Efficiency Of Property Crime Investigations, Jon M. Zeh

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Beginning in November, 2007, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department implemented organizational changes to the Financial/Property Crimes Bureau by decentralizing all property crime detectives. Although no previous research was found on the decentralization of police detectives specifically, there is existing research on similar concepts that suggest at least two benefits of decentralizing police detectives: improved communication with patrol officers and increased efficiency of investigations. With these benefits in mind, the current study examines the following hypotheses: hypothesis 1: decentralizing property crime detectives will lead to improved quality of communication between property crime detectives and patrol officers; hypothesis 2: decentralizing property …

Program Evaluation Of Help Las Vegas Genesis Apartments, Shauna Davis, Bristol Ellington, Alexis Mussi, Jason Lamarr Wasden

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Our group conducted a program evaluation of HELP Las Vegas Genesis Apartments (HELP Genesis). We began the evaluation on November of 2008 and concluded May 2009. HELP Genesis is a permanent supportive housing facility for veterans and homeless with disabilities. It was a concern that they may be a transitional housing facility because of their turnover rate. We concluded that this was not the case.

We have identified the following limitations in our analysis. There was a lack of accessibility to the budget and accounting documents, limited access to key contacts for necessary information, and time constraints which prohibited us …

A Choice Model Approach To Business And Leisure Traveler's Preferences For Green Hotel Attributes, Michelle Millar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There has been an increase in environmental concern by travelers in the United States (U. S.). As a result, hospitality companies are taking note and have begun to incorporate environmentally friendly or green practices into their operations. What remains relatively unclear, though, is if the increase in environmental consciousness has translated into a demand for environmentally friendly tourism products, such as hotels. There are a few studies related to the demand for environmentally friendly hotel attributes, but none of them have looked at a bundle of environmentally friendly attributes and how customers would react to a hotel room incorporating not …

An Assessment Of Proposed Sex Offender Mobility And Residency Restrictions In Nevada, Samantha Dawn Beecher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research explores the impact of sex offender exclusion zones and residency restrictions proposed by Nevada Senate Bill 471. This law would prohibit sex offenders from being within 500 feet of places where children congregate and living within 1,000 feet of these places. Analyses conducted using Geographic Information Systems demonstrate the degree to which offender mobility, housing, employment, and access to social services may be restricted should the law be adopted and enforced. Data are also used to assess the potential impact of the law on victimization patterns. Policy implications, data limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

An Examination Of Body Composition Measurement Methods In Children, Robert Kaplan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction . Body-composition methods include underwater weighing (UWW), skinfold thickness (SKF), bioelectrical impedance (BIA), and the BOD POD. Although these techniques are used routinely, each has its inherent limitations, especially in children. Purpose . The purpose of this study was to examine the various methods of body composition in children. Methods . The body composition of 7 boys between the ages of 12-14 (13.1 +/- 1.1 years) was determined using the BOD POD, UWW, SKF, and BIA. Results . Percent body fat estimated from the BOD POD (21.9 +/- 7.8%BF) was not significantly different than the estimated percent fat from …

Anti-Islanding Schemes For Machine-Based Distributed Generation, Temesgen Tadegegn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The most common method of detecting the islanding in a machine-based distributed generator (DG) is to establish an under/over frequency and under/over voltage window within which a synchronous DG is allowed to operate. When such a DG is islanded from the utility system, the frequency or voltage will quickly move outside the operating window if there is a sufficient difference between the local load and DG power generation level. However, there is a possibility that the system voltage and frequency will be maintained within the specified limits following loss of the grid in cases where the load and generator are …

Evaluation Of X-Ray Fluorescence (Xrf) Lead Detection Method For Candy, Ashley Marie Phipps

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The harmful effects of childhood exposure to environmental lead continue to be a major health concern. Due to the significance of this hazard, a Healthy People 2010 objective was set to reduce all young children's blood lead levels to less than 10 micrograms per deciliter. Identification and removal of lead-contaminated candies is an integral part of the primary prevention of lead poisoning in children.

This research examined the efficacy of a protocol to use a portable XRF to screen candies for lead contamination. Method Detection Limits (MDLs) of 5.45 ppm and 7.05 ppm were determined in the Bulk Sample and …

Human Identification Using Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors, Aron E. Suppes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The objective of this thesis is to discuss the viability of using pyroelectric infrared (PIR) sensors as a biometric system for human identification.

The human body emits infrared radiation, the distribution of which varies throughout the body, and depends upon the shape and composition of the particular body part. A PIR sensor utilizing a Fresnel lens will respond to this infrared radiation. When a human walks, the motion of the body's individual components form a characteristic gait that is likely to affect a PIR sensor field in a unique way.

A statistical model, such as a Hidden Markov Model, could …

The Relationship Between Destination Personality, Self-Congruity, And Behavioral Intentions, Ahmet Usakli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to investigate the perceived destination personality of Las Vegas and to examine the relationships among destination personality, self-congruity, and tourist's behavioral intentions. A convenience sample of 382 visitors to Las Vegas was surveyed and 368 usable questionnaires were analyzed. The findings of the study indicate that tourists ascribe personality characteristics to destinations and perceived destination personality of Las Vegas is five dimensional: vibrancy, sophistication, competence, contemporary, and sincerity. These dimensions have a positive influence on intention to return and intention to recommend. The study also supports the self-congruity theory within the context of tourism …

Investigation Of Feasibility And Potential Mechanisms For The Bioregeneration Of Perchlorate Laden Gel-Type Anion Exchange Resin, Arjun Krishna Venkatesan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The feasibility and potential mechanisms for the bioregeneration of perchlorate laden gel-type anion exchange resin were investigated in this study. Bioregeneration is a sustainable process when compared to one time use of resin and disposal by incineration. Batch and bench-scale bioregeneration experiments were performed to evaluate the feasibility of the process and to gain insight into potential mechanisms that control gel-type resin bioregeneration. The results of the bioregeneration tests suggested that the initial phase of the bioregeneration process is controlled by kinetics, while the later phase is controlled by diffusion. Higher perchlorate load in the resin had a positive effect …

Investigation Of Plant Water Use In The Great Basin, Nv, Benjamin Conrad

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Global climate change in addition to a growing population can have a strong impact on our natural resources. In particular, cities in the semi-arid and arid southwestern US are currently faced with the challenge of providing sustainable fresh water to a growing population. In Las Vegas, dwindling water levels in Lake Mead have forced water managers to seek water resources from Spring Valley and Snake Valley, NV, which are located 402 km north of the city. The goals of this research were to investigate the water use of shrubs located in these valleys by using a large aperture scintillometer (LAS) …

Identifying Biomarkers For Resistance To Novel Cisplatin Analogues In Human Lung, Breast And Prostate Cancers, Becky Michelle Hess

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Cisplatin is a common therapeutic agent used in cancer treatment. Unfortunately, resistance to cisplatin in addition to severe side effects limits its use in cancer treatment. Two novel cisplatin analogues, 4DB and 4TB were shown to have varying cytotoxicity in lung, breast and prostate cancer cells. The hypothesis for this study states that the differences in 4DB and 4TB cytotoxicity among different tissue types is due to the type and efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms involved in response to these drugs.

To test the hypothesis, proteins involved in the rate limiting step of nucleotide excision repair (NER) and mismatch repair …

Factors Affecting Student Loan Default: Nevada System Of Higher Education, Christopher Anthony Kypuros

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nevada's rate of default on college loans is among the highest in the nation. At the time of this study, there were no research studies on defaulters in the state of Nevada. The present study was designed for initial exploration regarding the relationship between various kinds of student factors and default rates from institutions at the Nevada System of Higher Education. The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain a better understanding of default in Nevada.

To gain a better understanding of student loan default in Nevada, the following questions were considered: (1) What is the relationship between age, …

Technology Integration In A Title I Elementary School: An Exploratory Case Study, Barbara Louise Radecki

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine how technology was integrated into the curriculum of a Title I high achieving elementary school in a large school district in the Southwestern United States. Three research questions guided the study: How did teachers integrate technology and curriculum in a Title I, high achieving elementary school? How did that integration translate into the classrooms of this Title I, high achieving school? What existed in the school environment that promoted the integration of technology into the curriculum?

Six volunteer teachers from grades kindergarten through fourth filled out two screening instruments, were interviewed twice, …

Using Thermoluminescent Dosimeters To Measure The Dose From High And Low Energy X-Ray Sources, Wesley Leon Boyd

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This work focused on using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) to measure the doses from two x-ray sources, a CT scanner and a linear accelerator (linac). In addition ion chambers were used to determine the isodose contours from the operation of the linac. 1mm x 1mm x 1mm TLD-100 microcubes were placed in a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) torso phantom and irradiated using a Toshiba Aquilion One 320-Slice CT Scanner. Different thicknesses of shielding composed of antimony and bismuth powder suspended in an ethylene copolymer were used to shield the phantom and the dose reduction was measured. The dose reduction ranged …

Design Of A "Figure-8" Spherical Motion Flapping Wing For Miniature Uav's, Zohaib Parvaiz Rehmat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Hummingbirds and some insects exhibit a Figure-8 motion, which allows them to undergo variety of maneuvers including hovering. It is therefore desirable to have flapping wing miniature air vehicles (FWMAV) that can replicate this unique wing motion. In this research, a design of a flapping wing for FWMAV that can mimic Figure-8 motion using a spherical four bar mechanism is presented. To produce Figure-8 motion, the wing is attached to the coupler point of the spherical four bar mechanism and driven by a DC servo motor. For verification of the design, a prototype of the wing and mechanism is fabricated …

The Olympic Singer: Integrating Pilates Training Into The Voice Studio, Veera Khare Asher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The objectives of the document are to define potential synergies and benefits in the application of Pilates method physical training to versatile and high-level voice performance, and to develop an integrated vocal pedagogy-Pilates method to improve voice performance.

Comparing Lodging Reits Using Dupont Analysis: Evaluating Shareholder Equity, John Richard Kane Pellika

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research paper compares lodging REITs using DuPont analysis. The study examined United States publicly traded lodging REITs’ balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements between the quarterly periods of 12/31/1997 to 12/31/2005. Lodging REITs have to adhere to the REIT status guidelines, 90 percent of their taxable income must be distributed as dividends to shareholders and at least 75 percent of their income must come from real estate. Lodging REITs do not have government requirements on how a firm must efficiently manage its operations through financial leverage. The results indicate that there is a disparity between individual lodging …

Employee Orientation: Exploring Blended Learning Strategies To Improve Learner Outcomes And Meet Organizational Goals, Paul Washington

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The problem of effective, efficient and pragmatic solutions involving employee training are compounded when geographic logistics become an issue as organizations grow. Organizations must ensure financial and human resources are allocated to develop the highest impact training strategies at the lowest cost. Training in employee orientation was chosen as a logical starting point to re-think current training models to improve learner outcomes and achieve corporate initiatives. Thus, research involved literature review of basic concepts of learning theories and the integration of theory with pedagogical methods and technological delivery media. The result was a conceptual blended learning model reducing current training …

Case Study: Feasibility Analysis Of Renewable Energy Supply Systems In A Small Grid Connected Resort, Jody Robins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper presents a case study on the feasibility of a small grid connected resort in the marine west coast climate of Canada to implement a renewable energy supply system. The current industry conditions of three renewable energy systems are explored including small and large wind energy conversion systems, solar photovoltaic cell systems, and energy cell systems. Furthermore, these three systems are evaluated using the power load, wind, and solar radiation information from a specific resort. The renewable energy source assessment and optimization software HOMER (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, US) is used to evaluate the costs and benefits of each …

Going Green In The Hospitality Industry, Christina Wilson Micioni

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this research is to examine whether a hotel’s greening efforts are a reason why everyday guests or hospitality professionals choose a hotel. Do meeting planners and business travelers expect certain things while staying at a hotel? Do the personal greening activities of a guest affect their hotel stay? This will also include the housekeeping needs of the guests and why they choose the hotel. The objective of the research will be to discover whether there is guest data to support the need for hotels to become green establishments.