Digital Commons Network^™

The Distribution Of Phosphorus In The Nature Preserve At The Clark County Wetlands Park In Las Vegas, Nevada, Rosangela Gomes Brazao

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The main objective of this thesis was to investigate the distribution of phosphorus among three different compartments of the Upper Pond at the Nature Preserve at the Clark County Wetlands Park in Las Vegas, NV: influent and effluent water, sediments, and plants. Samples were collected from September 2002 to January of 2003 and analyzed for phosphorus content. Results showed that the Upper Pond removed 55% of the ortho phosphate (OP) and 39% of the total phosphorus (TP) loadings during the study period. Sediment results showed that the East Outflow concentrated the most P (644.85 +/- 120.26 mg P Kg-1), followed …

Genetic Algorithms For The Traveling Salesman Problem Using Edge Assembly Crossovers, Dwain Alan Seppala

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The central issue in creating new genetic algorithms is the algorithm's crossover method. My focus is on a particular crossover known as the Edge Assembly Crossover, or EAX, by Nagata and Kobayashi. The basics of a what make up a genetic algorithm is reviewed. The traveling salesman problem is defined. The EAX as an algorithm within an algorithm is explained. The crossover's implementation is original and is listed. The use of the graphic user interface, TSP View, used to run algorithms is explained as well as the extensions to the interface that were implemented for this study. The results of …

Effects Of A Heat Acclimation Program On Physiologic And Psychological Responses To Work And Heat While Wearing Fire Ensemble, Dale Anthony Branks

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Heat acclimation program effects on rectal temperature and heart rate during walks in the heat wearing structural fire protective ensemble (FE) were examined. On six consecutive days, male subjects (N = 7) walked 30 minutes on a treadmill (46--53% V˙O2peak) within a 40 +/- 2°C, 20--22% r.h. environment, wearing FE. Rectal (Trec) mean skin (Tsk), and rectal-skin temperature gradient (T rec-Tsk), heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), rating of thermal discomfort (RTD), sweat rate and Na+ and K+ were assessed daily. Significance (p < 0.05) was determined by one way repeated measures ANOVA. Average heart rate, and daily sweat Na+ and K+ concentrations were the only variables observed to decrease significantly during the six days. These changes however were small and represent a questionable practical benefit. Therefore, a six day heat acclimation program during summer months provides no benefit to work in the heat while wearing FE.

Emerging Identities: New Subjects Within Gay Adoption, Megan O Hartzell

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the identity construction and subject positions of gay male foster and adoptive parents. Using late twentieth and early twenty-first century cultural texts, I apply a Foucaultian perspective to analyze how controversies over gay adoptions articulate shifts in contemporary American discourses of homosexuality and the family. Identities available to homosexuals have shifted since the nineteenth century; this thesis looks at the emergence of a new contested identity for homosexuals as adoptive parents at the turn of the twenty-first century by employing Foucaultian methodological techniques of archaeology. This work contributes to the sociological literature on gender, law, and the …

Investigation Of Different Light Delivery Schemes In Photodynamic Therapy Of Human Glioma Spheroids, Robin Marie Rodenbush

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The response of human glioma spheroids to ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy subjected to various optical dose delivery schemes is investigated. In particular, the effects of fluence, fluence rate, light dose fractionation and long-term repeat PDT is considered. Improved PDT response was found for low fluence rate photodynamic treatments i.e. those at or below 25 mW cm-2 . Results are consistent with the self-sensitized singlet oxygen mediated photobleaching model of Georgakoudi et al (Georgakoudi, 1998., in which the response is attributed to the deposition of singlet oxygen to a larger volume, i.e., deeper into the spheroid. The efficacy of high-fluence rate PDT …

Nonpoint Source Pollution During Dry And Wet Weather Flows In An Urbanized Watershed, Uma Malik

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This research evaluates the quality of urban runoff, from various nonpoint sources during dry weather flows (DWF) and wet weather flows (WWF) in the Las Vegas Valley. Standard constituents in urban runoff were measured to assess the quality of urban runoff, to identify the possible sources of DWF (groundwater flows, excessive irrigation and car washing) and to determine the quality of runoff from residential areas and parking lots during WWF. DWF samples were collected from storm channels on a weekly and monthly basis. WWF samples were collected when the precipitation was at least 1mm. DWF water quality results indicated that …

Dose Coefficients For Radionuclides Produced In A Spallation Neutron Source, John Patrick Shanahan

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Internal and external dose coefficient values have been calculated for 14 anthropogenic radionuclides which are not currently presented in Federal Guidance Reports No. 11, 12, and 13 or Publications 68 and 72 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Internal dose coefficient values are reported for inhalation and ingestion of 1 mum and 5 mum particulates along with the f1 values and absorption types for the adult worker. Internal dose coefficient values are also reported for inhalation and ingestion of 1 mum particulates as well as the f 1 values and absorption types for members of the public. Additionally, external …

Labor Violations And Discrimination In The Clark County Outcall Entertainment Industry, Candice Michelle Seppa Arroyo

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Researchers who insist that sexual exploitation is intrinsic to sex work have deflected attention from two key issues facing sex workers: labor violations and prejudice. The purpose of this study is to investigate unethical labor practices and institutional sexism, racism, and classism in the Clark County outcall entertainment ("escort") industry. To analyze these issues from a sex radical feminist perspective, I spent 820 hours engaged in covert participant observation while working as an appointment setter at two major outcall entertainment agencies in Clark County; Much of the abuse that outcall entertainers in Las Vegas encounter could be eliminated by enforcing …

Fecundity Of Larrea Tridentata And Ambrosia Dumosa Across A Spatially Heterogeneous Mojave Desert Landscape, Nicole Sikula

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Seed dynamics of Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa were measured for two consecutive years (2000--2001) in microhabitats under adult Larrea, under adult Ambrosia, under non-Larrea/Ambrosia shrubs, in barren open areas, and in open areas with >50% microphytic crust cover. Microhabitat measurements were replicated at four large-scale sites that differed in elevation and canyon. Both species produced equivalent numbers of seeds per shrub when both years were considered. Ambrosia had significantly more seeds in the soil seed bank than Larrea at two of the four large-scale sites. Microsite effects on the seed dispersal and subsequent distribution of these species were not …

Women Recovering In Alcoholics Anonymous: The Impact Of Social Bonding, Tina Marie Wininger

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the process of same-sex bonding within the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) women's community. More specifically, this research measures the impact of same-sex bonding on life-satisfaction and length of sobriety for alcoholic women in A.A. Linear regression analyses of survey data from female A.A. members (N = 293) indicate (1) a statistically significant relationship between Respondents' same-sex social bonding and life-satisfaction, and (2) that the effect of this social bonding on the number of years respondents have remained sober is mediated by life-satisfaction. Therefore, it is likely that higher female bonding scores among women lead to higher life-satisfaction and, …

Development Of A Synthetic Route To Aminofluorohexenones As Precursors For Novel Caspase Inhibitors, Ping Xi

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Apoptosis is a normal biological process in which cells commit suicide. In cancer cells, a family of proteases called caspases, is involved in one or more of the signaling pathways leading to apoptosis. To better understand this cellular mechanism at the molecular level, selective inhibition of each caspase would allow scientists to determine the exact function of that caspase in the overall pathway. The long term goal of this research project is the synthesis of new, highly specific caspase inhibitors that will be used to study the mechanism of apoptosis in certain cancer cells. The first step, and the primary …

A Vlsi Architecture For Lifting-Based Wavelet Packet Transform In Fingerprint Image Compression, Tao Zhu

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

FBI uses a technique called Wavelet Scalar Quantization (WSQ), a wavelet packet transform (WPT) based method, to compress its fingerprint images. Though many VLSI architectures have been proposed for wavelet transform in the literature, it is not the case for the WPT. In this thesis, a VLSI architecture capable of computing the WPT is presented for application of WSQ. In the proposed architecture, Lifting Scheme (LS) is used to generate wavelets instead of the traditional convolution filter-bank (FB) specified in original standard. A comparative study between LS and FB shows that quality of images transformed by LS is completely acceptable …

An Exploration Of Attributional Style Using The Descriptive Experience Sampling Method, Nicole A Cavenagh

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the association between cognitive style and depression. Phase I: 195 participants completed questionnaires that assessed cognitive style and psychological distress. Among these participants the expected relationships were found between depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, attributional style, and rumination; Phase II: Six participants selected based on their attributional style engaged in Descriptive Experience Sampling, which entails wearing a small device that will beep at random intervals, recording their awareness at the sound of the beep, and being interviewed within twenty-four hours of doing so. The inner experiences revealed by DES did not generally show the patterns suggested by current …

Converging Behaviorist And Constructivist Theories In Classroom Settings, Lisa M Freitas

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Educators attempts to meet the needs of all students become more difficult as school districts are forced to reduce spending which may result in increased class sizes, elimination of second language and enrichment programs, and a reduction in school personnel at school sites. With these budget cuts the demands placed on educators will be even greater. Teachers will be forced to implement new strategies to ensure that no child is left behind. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of converging behaviorist and constructvist theories into classroom management and instructional practices. Three groups of students were randomly …

Predictive Modeling Of Soluble Sulfate Ion Concentration In The Las Vegas Valley, Werner K Hellmer

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the process of identifying soluble sulfate ion concentrations in the Las Vegas Valley. Data utilized in this study were obtained from Clark County Department of Development Services records. Once collected, the data were reviewed and analyzed with traditional non-spatial statistics and spatial-based geostatistical modeling. This study was undertaken in an effort to identify factors that may correlate with soluble sulfate ion concentrations and to determine the feasibility of producing a predictive model capable of estimating soluble sulfate ion concentrations within the Las Vegas Valley; The study showed that relief, spatial location, soil grain size classification and Clark …

"In That New World Which Is The Old": New World/Old World Inversion In Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World", Oliver Quimby Melton

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

"'In That New World Which Is The Old': New World/Old World Inversion In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World" examines the inversion of the concepts Old World, specifically associated with England, and New World, specifically associated with America, in the novel Brave New World. After examining and denotatively defining the terms Old World and New World, this thesis argues that the New World/Old World inversion in Huxley's dystopian novel exists because of Anglo-American cultural and political events of the 1920s and early 1930s, namely, the United States' rise as a military, political, and cultural superpower following World War I and Great …

A Benefit-Cost Analysis Of An Interstate Seawater Desalination Plant Shared Between California And Nevada, Mcclain L Peterson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority (2002), increasing demands for water in southern Nevada will require the importation of additional water resources. The purpose of this thesis was to examine one possible imported resource: an interstate seawater desalination cooperative between entities in California and Nevada. This cooperative would provide a permanent transfer of Colorado River water from California to southern Nevada, in trade for a capital contribution toward California coastal seawater desalination. This study uses a benefit-cost approach as outlined in Dively and Zerbe (1994). Costs of both entities in Nevada and California were calculated and technical feasibility detailed. …

Spectral Analysis Of Hybrid Bermudagrass Placed Under Various Combinations Of Nitrogen And Water Availability, Malika Baghzouz

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Remote sensing technology that uses a movable ground-based system has promise for rapid, accurate and objective evaluation of turfgrass quality for instantaneous nitrogen and water application correction. Such a test has been made on hybrid bermudagrass 'Tifway' [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] through a 2-year field study at the Center for Urban Water Conservation in the city of North Las Vegas. Ten combinations of water and nitrogen treatments including cyclic and steady conditions were imposed on twenty experimental plots, with two replications per treatment. Treatments consisted of five N treatments: High Steady Nitrogen (HSN), Low Steady …

Measurement Of Inorganic Arsenic And Chromium Species In Southern Nevada Groundwater Using Ion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Julie A Bertoia

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Two analytical methods employing an ion chromatograph-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer were used to separate inorganic arsenite from arsenate and trivalent from hexavalent chromium in southern Nevada groundwater. Method detection limits were found to be 0.011 ppb and 0.005 ppb for arsenite and arsenate respectively, and 0.015 ppb and 0.02 ppb for trivalent and hexavalent chromium respectively. Following an investigation of the stability of the oxidation states of arsenic and chromium in aqueous solution with time, the following procedures were adopted. Samples collected in the field for arsenic were filtered, stored at 4°C, and analyzed within 7 days; and those …

Growth, Reproductive Phenology, And Population Structure In Syntrichia Caninervis, Mary Lynn Bonine

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Syntrichia caninervis is a dioicous bryophyte of the arid Southwest. It exhibits a phenology and growth rate similar to the related species Tortula inermis. Mean growth rate was 0.29 mm +/- 0.04 (mean and S.D.). Expressing stems had a significantly greater growth rate than non-expressing stems, but no difference was detectable between males and females. The pattern of gametangial maturation is one of rapid perichaetial development, initiating in September and becoming receptive in March; and protracted perigonial development, initiating in October, developing to an immature state prior to over-summering, and completing maturation during the second fall and spring, with sperm …

A Model To Understand Population Decline Of The Devil's Hole Pupfish (Cyprinodon Diabolis) And Support Habitat Management Decisions, Yuri V Graves

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

After intensive efforts in the 1970s to stabilize the water level in Devil's Hole, the population of the Devil's Hole Pupfish showed slight but steady increase from the 1970s until the mid-1990s when the population began a steady deCline In this study I developed a system dynamics model to help the Devil's Hole Pupfish Recovery Team understand the recent decline and identify and test potential management strategies and policies to reverse or stop the deCline The model and modeling process was used to identify critical gaps in existing data. Tests simulating pore space manipulation, algae removal and addition of refugia …

The Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Doses Of Perchlorate (Clo(4)(-)) On Rana Pipiens Metamorphosis And Development, Andrea N Golli

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Perchlorate not only blocks the body's ability to incorporate iodine into T3 and T4 hormones through the sodium iodine symporter system, but also depletes the thyroid glands' internal stores of iodine. Many of the steps that regulate metamorphosis in amphibians are also triggered by thyroid hormones therefore we investigated the ability of perchlorate to interfere with the development and metamorphosis of Rana pipiens . Aquaria containing concentrations of 40 ppb, 400 ppb, and 4000 ppb perchlorate with a 0 ppb perchlorate control as well as a magnesium control (since magnesium perchlorate was used) to evaluate the growth and development of …

The Psychological Impact Of Carrier Status In Hereditary Disorders, Jane Elizabeth Karwoski

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Previous studies have indicated that carrier status has little effect on self-concept. However, rather than examine autosomal recessive illnesses, wherein genetic responsibility is shared by both parents, the present study samples women at risk of being sole carriers of an X-linked hereditary disorder, Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Previous research most often assessed global self-esteem, thus problems in particular domains (such as future parental role or desirability as a mate) have generally been overlooked. Herein, a stigmatizing process is hypothesized whereby one aspect of the self, genetic identity, may be spoiled through a diminished sense of worthiness to reproduce. Family attitudes toward …

Finite Element Analysis Of Pin Positioning In Lapidus Procedure For Treating Hallux Valgus, Haritha Royyuru

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A finite element analysis is carried out to find the optimum position of the pin placement of mini fixator in Lapidus procedure in the treatment of Hallux Valgus. Various parameters are considered for analysis like diameter of the pin, positioning of the pin from the fracture site, number of pins effecting the stability of the fixation device and fusion site, rail distance from the fusion site, effect of width and length of the rail, effect of fusion angle and effect of pin angle positioning in fusion the joint by using FEMLAB 2.3 for both modeling and analysis. A 2D model …

Two Colored Women's Conversation About The Relevance Of Feminist Law Journals In The Twenty-First Century, Taunya Lovell Banks, Penelope Andrews

Articles & Chapters

This is a critique by two non-white law professors in the form of a conversation about the relevance offeminist law journals on their lives and scholarship. We conclude that the impression that feministscholarship now is accepted in mainstream law reviews may be illusory and thus there is a continuing need for feminist law journals. In the past rather than creating a new type of journal, feminist law journals tend to replicate the traditional law journal model. Only the focus is different. Twenty years later not only do race and sexuality continue to separate us, but increasingly, careerism as well. The …

Excellence In Nursing Education And Research [Complete Issue - Digital Origin: Second Quarter 2003, Vol. 4, 2], Donna Steele Martsolf, Sigma Theta Tau International

Sigma Past Publishing - Excellence Newsletters

Publishing History: Nursing Excellence published yearly in 1998 and 1999. The publication became Excellence in the first quarter 2000. It transitioned to Excellence in Nursing Education, Excellence in Nursing Administration, and Excellence in Clinical Practice in the second quarter 2000 with volume 1, number 2. Excellence in Nursing Education transitioned to Excellence in Nursing Education & Research in the first quarter 2002.

Publishing Frequency: Yearly 1998, 1999; Quarterly 2000 - 2004.

Format: Print 1999 - third quarter 2002; Online fourth quarter 2002 - first quarter 2004. Ceased publishing in 2004.

Select features in this issue:

Haiti research diary: Gathering data …

Dietary Habits Of Two Threatened Co-Roosting Flying Foxes (Megachiroptera) Subic Bay Philippines, Samuel Cord Stier

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Functional Characterization Of Ribosomal Protein L11 Mutants In Escherichia Coli, Stephen A. George

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Diet Distribution And Life History Of An Invasive Opossum Shrimp (Neomysis Mercedis) In John Day Reservoir Columbia River, Craig A. Haskell

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Habitat Use Reproductive Biology And Nest-Site Selection Of Ground-Nesting Birds At Freezeout Lake Wma In Central Montana, Alison E. Perkins

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.