Digital Commons Network^™

Distributed Importance-Based Fuzzy Logic Controllers For Flexible Link Manipulators, Zhixia Shi

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This research studies the design and tuning of the distributed importance-based fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) for two dynamic systems: a single-link flexible manipulator and a two-link rigid-flexible manipulator. The importance analysis algorithm is introduced in the structure design of a FLC. The fuzzy rules for the former system are written based on observing the system behaviors. The fuzzy rules for the latter are selected to mimic the performance of the comparable linear controllers. A Modified Nelder and Mead Simplex Algorithm is used to tune the parameters of the membership functions in the distributed importance-based FLC. The tuned distributed importance-based FLC …

Recontextualization And Identity Assessment Of Unprovenienced Mummified Human Remains, Gwyn Dee Madden

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

While museums and other facilities housing human remains will obviously vary in the organization and documentation of remains, most realized in the 1990's much could be done to improve conditions. Due to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 and the inventories required therein, UNLV human remains collections were examined or re-examined and some were found with little or no accompanying information. Some of these remains were skeletonized and others mummified, as the study of mummified remains is a specialty within physical anthropology incorporating a multi-disciplinary focus, few if any have likely been fully examined; Therefore, this …

A Motivational Analysis Of Chinese Tourists To The United States: Push And Pull Motivations Of Travel To Las Vegas, Fanghong Jiao

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the motivational push and pull factors of Chinese tourists to Las Vegas. A self-completed survey was conducted among Chinese tourists, who traveled to Las Vegas with the service of America Asia Travel Center Inc. The surveyed Chinese tourists rated the motivational items; Factor analysis was applied in this study. The most important motivational push factors were entertainment, knowledge seeking, and variety seeking; and the most important pull factors were hedonism, image and natural conditions, convenience, and cleanliness. The derived push and pull factors were compared to the previous studies. Suggestions for future …

Temperature And Mold Size Effects On Density Gradients And Mechanical Properties In A Polyurethane Foam System, Dacia J Jackovich

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Rigid polyurethane foams can be used as a thermal or vibration insulator and energy absorption material. They are often molded directly in place, where a smooth, thin skin forms between the mold and the cellular structure of the foam. Density gradients and the skin are shown to have an effect on the mechanical properties of the foam; This work will investigate the effects of processing temperature and mold size on the average density, density gradient, compressive modulus, and compressive strength, for a molded free rise, water blown polyurethane foam system. Four processing temperatures are used during foam fabrication: 25°C, 40°C, …

Selling The Drama: A Content-Analysis Of Prescribed Storylines In Abc's "Monday Night Football", Frederick William Krauss

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study is a qualitative content-analysis of prescribed storylines used in ABC's Monday Night Football. The sample is of five broadcasts that were recorded during the 2002 National Football League seaSon The analysis of the programs is twofold: (1) to identify the storylines set forth during the pregame show; and (2) to document each time a storyline is referred to during the game, and how it is transmitted to the audience. The storylines were documented through several elements: the time in the game (by quarter) in which an actor was referred to, the actor it was featuring, a descriptive account …

The Role Of Hotel Image And Image Congruence And Their Effects On Repeat Intention In The Hotel Industry, Grace S Lee

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The primary objective of this study was to empirically determine the relationship between hotel image, image congruence and repeat intention of Las Vegas Hotels. The sample (N = 211) included customers of various hotels in Las Vegas. The data was collected on the Las Vegas Strip through self-administered surveys and was analyzed using Correlation, Analysis of Variance, and Regression. As previous research indicated that a favorable image led to repeat patronage, the findings from this study determined a significant effect of hotel image and image congruence on repeat intention. Some other interesting findings included variations in the effects of hotel …

Being Bullied In Adolescence: A Phenomenologic Study, Linda Louise Lesperance

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Bullying is a common phenomenon that involves repeated intentional infliction of harm (physical, verbal, or social) to someone less powerful. Although bullying has been accepted as a normal childhood experience, it can result in a number of negative outcomes, including psychosomatic complaints, depression, suicide, and even homicide. A review of the literature found many research studies related to bullying, but only one phenomenologic study. Understanding what the experience of being bullied is like for those who endure it is an essential element in understanding and addressing the phenomenon of bullying; The purpose of this phenomenological investigation was to understand and …

Development Of An Automated Gis Tool To Identify And Rank High Pedestrian Crash Zones, Vanjeeswaran Krishna Kumar Kannimangalam

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Pedestrian safety is an important concern on many urban streets in the United States. Identification of high pedestrian crash zones is an important component to help allocate resources to enhance pedestrian safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes in a cost effective way. High crash zones identify the locations that pose high risks to pedestrians. The main objective of this research is to develop an automated Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based tool to identify and rank high pedestrian crash zones. The tool identifies spatial concentration patterns and high pedestrian crash zones, extracts the crash characteristics and population details …

Nurses' Perceptions Regarding The Role Of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Jennifer Bry Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Growth Factor Regulation Of Scleral Proteoglycan Synthesis, Aaron L. Luebke

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Music In The Surgical Setting, Jenny A. Stenehjem

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Automated Analysis Of Aqueous Sulfide, Hina Pandey

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Legislative Voting Record Regarding Independent Pharmacy Ownership In North Dakota, Damian Schlinger

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Grand Forks Public Transportation Department Review And Recommendations, Carol Diamond Gierszewski

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Fifteen-Passenger Vans : A Study Of Accident Statistics, Rollover Risks, And Training Programs, Charles Patrick Conlin

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Culture That Time Forgot: Nineteenth-Century Mezzogiorno Society And The Stories Of Giovanni Verga, George Guida

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Eric: Overview, P. S. Mcmillen

Library Faculty Research

ERIC ( the Educational Resources Information Center) has provided, for over 35 years, the most extensive access to education related information in the world –currently more than 1.2 million records. Millions of people utilize ERIC’s diverse services and products every day. As Jim Kohlmoos, the president of the National Education Knowledge Industry Association emphasizes, “As the nation works to implement both the No Child Left Behind Act and the recently passed Education Sciences Reform Act, there has never been a greater need for ERIC and its resources.” (http://www.nekia.org/about-nekia.html)

Established in 1966, ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education …

The Role Of Ontology In Information Management, Renato De Freitas Marteleto

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The question posed in this thesis is how the use of ontologies by information systems affects their development and their performance. Several aspects about ontologies are presented, namely design and implementation issues, representational languages, and tools for ontology manipulation. The effects of the combination of ontologies and information systems are then investigated. An ontology-based tool to identify email message features is presented, and its implementation and execution details are discussed. The use of ontologies by information systems provides a better understanding about their requirements, reduces their development time, and supports knowledge management during execution time.

Improving Resolution Of Stiff Layers In Soil Profiles Through Multi-Step Inversion Of Sasw Data, Haiyan Liu

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Stiff, cemented layers commonly encountered in desert soil profiles significantly affect the soil load capacity and load distribution pattern. The purpose of this research is to develop algorithms for detecting stiff layers through inversion of seismic surface wave data to generate one-dimensional shear wave velocity (VS) profiles; The inversion algorithms begin with a starting model. Development of a high-quality starting model helps ensure good results; Two inversion methods, simulated annealing (SA) and linearized inversion (LI), are applied to the problem. The SA method includes a general approach (SA-G) and an approach developed specifically to investigate stiff-inclusion systems (SA-I). Algorithms for …

Estimation Of The Population Mean Using Two Extremes In Order Statistics, Vladimir Emil Minev

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

For most non-parametric statistical inference, the sampling theory of order statistics has been playing a fundamental role because of that properties of the range and the average of the smallest and largest order statistics are useful for estimate the population parameters of both large and small samples; The applications of the method using order statistics in a given sample to estimate the parametric values appear quite often in the literature. For a certain data set, such as stock market data, the method we are considering may have an advantage in estimating the mean due to the fact that the stock …

The Sweet River: A Collection Of Short Stories, Keith Harold Menter

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Herein is a book-length collection of short stories entitled The Sweet River. The stories in this collection follow a self-discovered structural paradigm found in the works of influential short story writers. This paradigm comprises four sequential stages: situation, tension through a series of patient complications, catharsis or reversal and double reversal, and epiphany. Thematically, the stories feature a protagonist adrift from conformist society, in search of transcendence amid the age-old dichotomy between the self and the other, and ultimately facing a moral crucible. Stylistically, the stories rely heavily on the external landscape as a means of avoiding sentimentality while still …

Political Silence, The Feminine Style, And Aids: The Role Of Surrogate Speakers At The 1992 Presidential Nominating Conventions, Rebecca Ruth Moldenhauer

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

By the 1992 presidential campaign, AIDS had become a national health crisis and a highly publicized political issue that each party knew had to be addressed. Until this point, presidential candidates had remained relatively silent on the issue without consequence. Due to the nature of the subjects relating to AIDS (i.e. sex, homosexuality, drug use, etc.), the candidates, Bill Clinton and George Bush, felt it an unwise political decision to openly discuss it. Surrogate speakers, therefore, were chosen to address the AIDS issue at the 1992 national nominating conventions. Bob Hattoy, Elizabeth Glaser, and Mary Fisher delivered speeches about AIDS …

Homelessness: A Qualitative Genogram Analysis Of Trauma And Addictions, Lorraine K Moss

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study conducts a qualitative analysis of genograms based from a homeless population sample. The purpose of the study is to illustrate a pattern within the homeless population of a generational history of the conditions of traumatic experiences and addictions during childhood and young adulthood, prior to becoming homeless. This study is not intended to show causal relationships between the two conditions of homelessness, rather, a prior pattern of the two conditions; The data was collected by graduate students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, during the student's advanced practicum/internship classes occurring in the final year of the master …

Second Law Analysis Of The Transient Behavior Of Solid Media Thermal Storage Utilizing Finite Difference Computational Modeling, Jason Scott Mulvey

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A computational model utilizing the finite difference method was developed to simulate the behavior of a simple storage system. The system analyzed utilizes the deposition of heat from a fluid to a solid matrix in the initial part of cycle followed by heat removal in the latter part. The storage system was divided into perpendicular slices with respect to the direction of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow. The symmetry of the design was then used to further reduce the area of the slice on which the calculations were performed. Two dimensional conduction and convection calculations were performed within the …

Effects Of Elevated Carbon Dioxide On Bromus Rubens And Nutritional Consequences For The Desert Tortoise, Kristen Marie Murphy

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide conditions on forage quality for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), using a common diet component, Bromus rubens. Nitrogen balance was monitored for tortoises fed pelleted diets reflecting the nitrogen levels of Bromus plants grown under elevated and ambient CO2 conditions, with varying potassium levels (3.5% and 1.4% DWB). Nitrogen content in the diet approached a positive correlation with total diet intake (p = 0.11), and was positively correlated with nitrogen loss at alpha = 0.10 (p = 0.08) and yet remained positively correlated with nitrogen …

The Zone Of Proximal Development In An Online Esl Composition Course, Jennifer Ann Paver

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study investigated the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) in an online ESL composition course. The study analyzed the correspondence between three Koreans and one Russian participant with their instructor that occurred through the WebCT computer-mediated communication (CMC) software tools of asynchronous e-mail and discussion boards and synchronous chat. The results indicated that, (1) personal background issues, (2) personal views of the instructor, and (3) motivation, attitude, and personal awareness of tool utilization impacted the participants' use of the CMC tools and this in turn impacted the ZPD. The implications of the study are discussed in terms of the …

Thermoregulatory Behavior Of The Crayfish Procambarus Clarkii In A Burrow Environment, Aaron Lawrence Payette

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The behavioral thermoregulation of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, was investigated and the environmental parameters of crayfish burrows were measured in situ. Although temperatures within burrows fluctuated less than surface temperatures in the Mojave Desert, crayfish can experience sub-optimal temperatures inside the burrow. In the laboratory, P. clarkii heated and cooled more rapidly in water than in air, selected a water temperature of 22°C, and avoided water temperatures above 31°C and below 12°C. P. clarkii displayed three main shuttling behaviors between water and air and the relative amounts of these behaviors and the time spent in air were significantly …

Violent Teeth: The Validity And Scientific Basis For Bite Mark Evidence, Kapka Dimitrova Pchelarova

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Bite marks have become widely used in criminal-cases in the last 10 years due to the fact that greater public attention to dental hygiene and professional dentistry record keeping has increased the number of dental x-rays used for compariSon Dental evidence is accepted in courts, but its validity and the scientific basis for its use as evidence, has been questioned. One problem is the wide variety of dental techniques described in the literature and the lack of direction from both European and American forensic dental organizations; The paper explores the history of scientific evidence, addresses the evidence standards presented in …

(What You Want Hummed Here), Lara Victoria Ramsey

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

(What You Want Hummed Here) represents the cumulative work of my past three years of studies in poetry as an MFA of Creative Writing candidate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Included in the following document are a preface and manuscript of poetry. The preface details my poetic aesthetic, chiefly based on concepts of translation, negative capability, and being. The preface discusses these concepts in relation to "I" and "Other." The collected poems explore the borderlands of opposing forces such as flesh versus spirit, reality versus dream, arrival versus departure, and knowing versus not-knowing. This is a manuscript in …

Factors Associated With The Bioaccumulation Of Mercury In Human Hair Following Consumption Of Fish From The Great Lakes Region, Anne M Rothweiler

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Due to the ubiquitous nature of mercury in the environment, an increase in potential human health risks arises from exposure to different media. The Great Lakes region, for instance, is an area of known mercury pollution. This project examines the relationship between fish consumption of a sensitive human population and the concentration of mercury in humans using information obtained from the Ojibwa Health Study hair samples and questionnaires, this study focused on the species of fish, the amount of fish, the size of fish, and the geographic source of fish consumed. Also, human factors, such as years of eating Great …