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2005

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Performance Analysis Of Error Detection And Correction Code For Wireless Sensor Networks, Gopinath Balakrishnan Jan 2005

Performance Analysis Of Error Detection And Correction Code For Wireless Sensor Networks, Gopinath Balakrishnan

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Recent advances in wireless communications and electronics have enabled the development of low-cost, low-power, self-organizational, multifunctional wireless sensor networks. Wireless sensor networks can be applied to a wide range of application areas including heath, military and homeland security, environment, industry and commercial, and home. A typical wireless sensor network consists of one or more sink nodes and a large number of sensor nodes scattered in a sensor field. Each of these sensor nodes is capable to collect the data and relay the data back to the sink through a multi-hop architecture. The key challenge in sensor networks is to overcome …

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Residual Stress Characterization And Defects Analyses By Microscopy, Subhra Bandyopadhyay Jan 2005

Residual Stress Characterization And Defects Analyses By Microscopy, Subhra Bandyopadhyay

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The structural material to contain the spallation target during transmutation of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) may develop internal stresses resulting from forming operations including plastic deformation and welDing Techniques such as pair-production, activation and life-time analysis based on classical positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) have been used to characterize residual stresses in candidate structural materials subjected to cold-reduction, plastic deformation and welDing Since the PAS techniques can only provide qualitative evaluation of residual stress, calibration curves were developed to estimate the resultant residual stress as a function of PAS line-shape parameters. Since plastic deformation can lead to the generation of defects …

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Youth Culture, Clothing, And Communicative Messages, Eric Batson Jan 2005

Youth Culture, Clothing, And Communicative Messages, Eric Batson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

As a nonverbal form of communication, clothing reveals much about its wearers. In addition to exposing attitudes, values, beliefs, and other personal traits, individuals can utilize clothing to disseminate deliberate, symbolic messages. This project focuses on youth subcultures and the messages associated with their strategically constructed clothing images. It addresses how they display in-group affiliation and out-group separation through the management of clothing. It discusses how individuals can increase their personal value with in-group members as they manage their apparel in appropriate and deliberate ways. This thesis also notes the multiple influences that affect the clothing choices of youth subcultures …

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Interactive Message Debugger For Parallel Message Passing Programs Using Lam-Mpi, Hoimonti Basu Jan 2005

Interactive Message Debugger For Parallel Message Passing Programs Using Lam-Mpi, Hoimonti Basu

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Many complex and computation intensive problems can be solved efficiently using parallel programs on a network of processors. One of the most widely used software platforms for such cluster computing is LAM-MPI. To aid develop robust parallel programs using LAM-MPI we need efficient debugging tools. The challenges in debugging parallel programs are unique and different from those of sequential programs. Unfortunately available parallel debuggers do not address these challenges adequately; This thesis introduces IDLI, a parallel message debugger for LAM-MPI, designed on the concepts of multi-level debugging. IDLI provides a new paradigm for distributed debugging while avoiding many of the …

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Exploration Of Caregiver Satisfaction In Child Maltreatment, Alisha Marie Carpenter Jan 2005

Exploration Of Caregiver Satisfaction In Child Maltreatment, Alisha Marie Carpenter

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The importance of, and need for, a psychometrically validated instrument measuring caregiver satisfaction is delineated. More specifically, the need to assess caregiver satisfaction in a specific caregiver-child relationship within child maltreatment populations is addressed. The current study demonstrates the psychometric properties of the Caregiver Satisfaction with Maltreated Child Scale (CSMCS) within a child maltreating population. The role of caregiver-child relationship satisfaction within child maltreatment is also explored and the need to examine caregiver satisfaction with a child maltreatment population is supported. Caregiver satisfaction, as measured by the CSMCS, along with other variables evidenced to contribute to maltreatment (e.g., depression and …

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Essential Management Competencies In The Timeshare Industry, Yun-Kyung Choi Jan 2005

Essential Management Competencies In The Timeshare Industry, Yun-Kyung Choi

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the essential competencies for general managers in the timeshare/vacation ownership industry. Competencies were seen as knowledge, skill, ability that is needed by the timeshare/vacation ownership general managers to successfully accomplish his/her daily work; The competencies were identified, verified, and validated by a group of general managers in the timeshare/vacation ownership industry who participated in a one-round modified Delphi study and a feedback loop. Through this process, the investigator managed to approach consensus among the participants and generate adequate information on the required competencies for general managers in the timeshare/vacation ownership industry; The …

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International Fixed-Income Investing 1985 To 1999, Brad W Davies Jan 2005

International Fixed-Income Investing 1985 To 1999, Brad W Davies

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

International bonds as an asset class constitute the single largest component of the total investable capital market portfolio valued at over {dollar}15.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 1999. Investing in international bonds provides certain benefits as compared to investing solely in U.S. bonds. This thesis demonstrates how international bonds interact with U.S. bonds and how their inclusion affects the risk/return characteristics of diversified fixed-income portfolio. As such, I will examine the returns, volatility, currency movements, correlation, and portfolio effects between the United States and international bond markets during the period 1985 to 1999.

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Criminogenic Needs And Treatment Considerations For Inmates With Dual Diagnoses, Jennee Evans Dickens Jan 2005

Criminogenic Needs And Treatment Considerations For Inmates With Dual Diagnoses, Jennee Evans Dickens

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Individuals with both a mental illness and substance use disorder (i.e., dual diagnoses) are over represented and underserved in state prisons. Without treatment, inmates with dual diagnoses (DD) are at an increased risk for a variety of negative outcomes, including re-incarceration. Unfortunately, few prison-based treatment programs are designed to meet the special needs of these inmates, and none are empirically supported. Various researchers have stressed the importance of incorporating criminogenic needs into treatment programs to reduce recidivism. The criminogenic needs of inmates with DD have gone largely unstudied. Utilizing a bottom-up approach, the present study offered a first look at …

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Experimental And Finite Element Studies Of Shock Transmission Through Jointed Hat Sections, Karthik Doppala Jan 2005

Experimental And Finite Element Studies Of Shock Transmission Through Jointed Hat Sections, Karthik Doppala

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Shock transfer performance of joints has substantial influence on the dynamics of assembled structures as they induce a large amount of damping into the structure. Study of shock transmission through the various jointed (both mechanical and adhesive) components of the combat vehicle is of particular interest to the army. The principal objective of this work is to develop solutions that enable ARL to generate improved physics-based shock models for lightweight combat vehicles focusing mainly on shock transmission across structural joints. Shock transmission through two identical simple hat sections joined together with different joint configurations like adhesive bonding and bolted joints …

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The Effects Of L1 Literacy And Education On Point-Gain In An Adult Esl Course, Heidi Ekstrom Elhalta Jan 2005

The Effects Of L1 Literacy And Education On Point-Gain In An Adult Esl Course, Heidi Ekstrom Elhalta

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study examined factors affecting learners' progress as measured by positive point gains between pre- and posttest reading proficiency scores for an intermediate/advanced adult ESL course. Background and self-assessment information, gathered through individual student interviews, was analyzed with reference to point gains to determine the influence of individual factors on students' progress. Due to limitations of the study, no correlation was found between education and L1 literacy and student's progress. However, the statistical results indicate slight positive correlations between students' point gains and their length of residence in the U.S. as well as the total number of instructional hours attended. …

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Enhancing Collaborative Argumentation In An Online Environment, Jennifer Dawn Golanics Jan 2005

Enhancing Collaborative Argumentation In An Online Environment, Jennifer Dawn Golanics

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Studies indicate that collaborative argumentation can aid students' understanding and improve their problem-solving skills. This study used the online environment WebCT to explore the improvement of argumentation through goal instruction. In previous studies of collaborative argumentation using WebCT, small groups of students discussed controversial questions. Some groups were given a general goal to persuade, but others were given an elaborated goal to generate reasons and evidence. The effect that the elaborated goal had compared to the general goal was analyzed. This study replicated those previous studies, with some alterations. The goal was to evaluate two interventions designed to increase argument …

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Nested Calderas Of The Northern Kawich Range, Central Nevada, Denise Kelly Honn Jan 2005

Nested Calderas Of The Northern Kawich Range, Central Nevada, Denise Kelly Honn

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Five calderas were discovered in the northern Kawich Range, central Nevada. These calderas are filled with intracaldera rhyolite tuffs and caldera collapse breccias. Based on 40Ar/39Ar dating of sanidine and crosscutting relations, the calderas erupted in the following order from oldest to youngest: Clifford Spring (23.67 +/- 0.09 Ma), Tobe Spring (22.77 +/- 0.07 Ma), Cow Canyon (22.78 +/- 0.07 Ma), Bellehelen (22.87 +/- 0.16 Ma), and Warm Springs. Welded tuff lithologies of collapse breccia blocks show that these calderas represent separate events and not a single caldera with piecemeal collapse. Geochemistry shows that the five intracaldera tuffs are chemically …

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A Problem-Definition Approach To Stakeholder Interests: A Case Study Of The Zion Lodge Landscape, Zion National Park, Utah, Susan Bahnick Jones Jan 2005

A Problem-Definition Approach To Stakeholder Interests: A Case Study Of The Zion Lodge Landscape, Zion National Park, Utah, Susan Bahnick Jones

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Environmental decision making seems predisposed to conflict and impasses because it involves complex technical issues and attracts multiple stakeholders. Overcoming an impasse requires a look beyond entrenched positions to identify, clarify, and communicate stakeholders' underlying interests. Problem-definition theory offers one way to clarify those interests. It integrates stakeholder perspectives on problem causes, evidence, harms to affected populations, and solutions; This study proposed an analytic framework for clarifying stakeholders' interests and tested it at Zion National Park. Stakeholders participated in semi-structured research interviews about their ideas for creating a sustainable landscape for the Zion Lodge area. The proposed framework helped stakeholders' …

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Characterization Of Structural Materials For Applications In Hi(X) Decomposition, Ancila V Kaiparambil Jan 2005

Characterization Of Structural Materials For Applications In Hi(X) Decomposition, Ancila V Kaiparambil

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Zr705 and Nb7.5Ta have been tested for evaluation of their metallurgical and corrosion properties for applications in nuclear hydrogen generation using an S-I cycle based on the HIx decomposition process. The results of tensile testing involving both alloys indicate that the tensile strength was gradually reduced with increasing temperature, as expected. Further, the ductility for both alloys was reduced at some critical temperatures, possibly due to the dynamic strain-aging effect. Zr705 did not exhibit cracking in acidic aqueous solutions, both under constant-load and self-loaded conditions. The stress-corrosion-cracking (SCC) tests of Zr705 in an acidic solution showed reduced true failure stress …

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Metallurgical And Corrosion Characterization Of A Martensitic Stainless Steel As A Function Of Silicon Content, Harish Krishnamurthy Jan 2005

Metallurgical And Corrosion Characterization Of A Martensitic Stainless Steel As A Function Of Silicon Content, Harish Krishnamurthy

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

T91 grade steels containing 1 and 2 weight percent (wt %) silicon (Si), custom-melted by vacuum-induction melting practice, were tested for evaluation of their metallurgical and corrosion properties. The results of tensile testing indicate that both the yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength were gradually reduced with increasing temperature (ambient to 550°C). For material containing 2 wt % Si, the failure strain was significantly enhanced at 550°C, indicating enhanced ductility. No failures were observed in an acidic solution at constant-load irrespective of their Si content. The magnitude of all parameters obtained from the slow-strain-rate testing was gradually reduced with …

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Evaluation Of Building Energy Simulation Software Using Residential Homes, Robert Michael Madeja Jan 2005

Evaluation Of Building Energy Simulation Software Using Residential Homes, Robert Michael Madeja

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Energy simulation software has been widely used by engineers and architects to predict the energy consumption of buildings during the design phase of new construction or remodel. Many of these programs are derived from cooling methodologies developed by ASHRAE. For this study, a widely used software package, Trace 700 was used to see how accurate it can be in predicting the energy consumption of the HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system of two residential homes. One home is classified as a Zero Energy Home (ZEH) because it employs advanced construction features which allow it to consume significantly less energy …

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Estimation Of Pedestrian Trip Generation Rates In Urban Areas, Pankaj Maheshwari Jan 2005

Estimation Of Pedestrian Trip Generation Rates In Urban Areas, Pankaj Maheshwari

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates factors that can be used to quantify average hourly pedestrian trips in urban areas and hence help in estimating pedestrian trips. Various models are developed for morning period, early and late evening periods, and an overall average hourly model was also developed depending on the type of the facilities near the high pedestrian activity locations. General linear regression modeling and other statistical methods are used to identify the significant factors. The best subset regression is used to model four different hourly pedestrian volumes and the F-test is used to support the analysis. The model is validated and …

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Adaptive And Variable Structure Control Of A Smart Projectile Fin By Piezoelectric Actuation, Smitha Mani Jan 2005

Adaptive And Variable Structure Control Of A Smart Projectile Fin By Piezoelectric Actuation, Smitha Mani

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to develop efficient control algorithms for the control of a smart projectile fin in the presence of parameter uncertainties and aerodynamic disturbance inputs. The fin can be used to maneuver small aerial vehicles by controlling its rotation angle. The smart fin considered in this thesis consists of a hollow rigid body (or canard) within which a flexible cantilever beam with a piezoelectric active layer is mounted. The beam deforms when voltage is applied to the piezoelectric layer. The rotation angle of the fin is controlled by deforming the flexible beam which is hinged at …

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Evaluation Of Pedestrian Countdown Signals In The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, Kondala Rao Mantri Jan 2005

Evaluation Of Pedestrian Countdown Signals In The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, Kondala Rao Mantri

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

An evaluation of the effectiveness of pedestrian countdown signals is presented in this thesis. This is based on an evaluation of the behavior of pedestrians and motorists at selected intersections in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. A series of surveys and pedestrian interviews were used to evaluate the behavior of pedestrians and motorists. Statistical analyses of the data indicated that the countdown signals are able to provide pedestrians valuable information that enhances the safety of the crossing maneuver. The study also indicates that the presence of a countdown timer helps the pedestrians to better understand the meaning of the "Flashing …

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A Seismological Study Of The Las Vegas Basin, Nevada: Investigating Basin Depth And Shear Velocity Structure, Darlene J Mcewan Jan 2005

A Seismological Study Of The Las Vegas Basin, Nevada: Investigating Basin Depth And Shear Velocity Structure, Darlene J Mcewan

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the earthquake data recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada by the Las Vegas Valley Broadband array. Teleseismic P-wave arrivals were used to calculate travel time delays at basin sites relative to a hard-rock site. Delays up to 0.45 s were observed within the basin and correspond to thicknesses up to 1.52 km based on an average P-wave velocity of 4.37 km/s. Basin depths are shallower than expected and attributed to the upper unconsolidated basin fill. Regional earthquakes were used to calculate Rayleigh wave interstation group velocities along basin paths. Interstation group velocities range from 0.25 km/s to 2.14 …

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An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Net-Migration To Clark County, Scott Charles Mitchell Jan 2005

An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Net-Migration To Clark County, Scott Charles Mitchell

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Clark County has experienced rapid population growth during the 1990s. The reasons for this rapid growth are a combination of proximity to other population centers, economics, quality of life, and demographic factors. Using OLS and GLS regression methods on pooled time-series county-level data between the years 1990 and 1997, several factors proved to be significantly correlated with the net-migration to Clark County. The most important factors affecting net-migration to Clark County are climate and demographics.

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Non-Lithographic Fabrication Of Nickel Based Antidot System For Potential Gmr Device Applications, Saurabh Amitabha Mookerjea Jan 2005

Non-Lithographic Fabrication Of Nickel Based Antidot System For Potential Gmr Device Applications, Saurabh Amitabha Mookerjea

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The antidot system is an interesting material for applications in GMR (Giant Magnetoresistance) device technology. Such devices have been the subject of investigation for its physics during the past fifteen years; however there has not been any focus towards application in GMR technology. The objective of this thesis is to develop a optimum device configuration as well as process technology for GMR applications of antidot structures. This thesis describes two different non-lithographic techniques for the fabrication of nickel based antidot systems. The first technique uses an alumina template as a mask to etch holes on the underneath nickel. Preliminary data …

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The Punctuated Equilibrium Model Of Policy Evolution: An Explanation For United States Federal Fire Policy Change, Tricia Mynster Jan 2005

The Punctuated Equilibrium Model Of Policy Evolution: An Explanation For United States Federal Fire Policy Change, Tricia Mynster

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The organizational structure of federal land management agencies is designed to function in a static state for long periods of time. Policies in these bureaucracies tend to follow a punctuated equilibrium pattern of evolution. These policies are accompanied by reinforcing institutional arrangements and networks that resist changes. In order for change to occur, a catalyst is needed to cause a drastic change in policy. Following this change, new institutional arrangements will be created to support the new policy. A catalyst is needed at the lower levels of the bureaucracy to follow a policy through to implementation. Using the National Park …

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A Gis Based Tool To Determine Optimal Routes, Rajeev Naroor Jan 2005

A Gis Based Tool To Determine Optimal Routes, Rajeev Naroor

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Travel in urban and suburban areas is an important activity in an individual's daily time budget. Each trip is preceded by a planning process for selecting a "desirable" or an optimal route from the origin to destination. "Optimal" can take many forms, such as shortest time, shortest distance, least total cost, or safest/most reliable path. Reliable paths are of interest because of the impacts of congestion on travel tomes, and the resultant variability in travel times. A model to help identify optimal travel paths based on travel time variability is developed in this research; Congestion on streets is one of …

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Joint Design For Shock Mitigation In Vehicles, Jagannadha Rao Naraparaju Jan 2005

Joint Design For Shock Mitigation In Vehicles, Jagannadha Rao Naraparaju

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Propagation of ballistic shock from the region of impact to the locations of critical components can result in human injury and component failure in a combat vehicle, leading to reduced effectiveness of the vehicle and its crew. The armor joints of the ground vehicle can be designed to reduce these possibilities of failure. The objective of the design is to mitigate (absorb/reflect/disrupt, etc.) the incident shock loading and to reduce the acceleration transmitted to specific locations within the vehicle using redesigned joint between structural components that can absorb energy. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal types …

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Achieving Compliance: Cultural Resources Management At Red Rock Canyon Nca, Linda Lee Nations Jan 2005

Achieving Compliance: Cultural Resources Management At Red Rock Canyon Nca, Linda Lee Nations

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates the policy context of U.S. cultural resource management legislation and the ethical values that underlie it. The actions taken by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to preserve and protect cultural resources within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA), Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1964 to 2004, are studied to identify the values embodied within the laws and policies. The BLM's actions are taken as representative of these values and of the barriers and limitations existing within the policy context that challenge their achievement; U.S. law requires cultural resources to be preserved and protected on public lands, …

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The Last Quiet Place: Pipe Spring And The Latter-Day Saints, 1870--1923, Stephen E Nepa Jan 2005

The Last Quiet Place: Pipe Spring And The Latter-Day Saints, 1870--1923, Stephen E Nepa

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

"The Last Quiet Place: Pipe Spring and the Latter-day Saints, 1870-1923" was the telling of the role of the Mormons in the settling and development of the Arizona Strip. Pipe Spring, before its acquisition by the National Park Service in 1923, was used by the LDS church as a cattle ranch, defensive installation, polygamous refuge, and telegraph station. Between the years of 1870, when construction of the fort began, and 1923, when the fort became a national monument, there existed a fascinating convergence of cultures and ideals that defined as a whole the dynamics of the American West; The body …

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Handwritten Character Recognition By Combining Multiple Recognizers Using Conditional Probabilities, Mageshkumar Padmanaban Jan 2005

Handwritten Character Recognition By Combining Multiple Recognizers Using Conditional Probabilities, Mageshkumar Padmanaban

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This research mainly focuses on recognizing the handwritten characters on a form in order to automate the Medical Form processing. Several efficient algorithms have been developed by us so far, to separate the handwritten characters from printed text character; to separate the lines, words and each character. In this thesis, we concentrate on the recognition of the segmented handwritten characters. Different feature recognition algorithms are employed and their performance on a given training set is analyzed. We find a way to combine all these individual feature recognition algorithms by incorporating their interdependence. The reliability of these algorithms is determined in …

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Analysis Of Fatty Acids In Soil And Sediments, Deepika P Panawennage Jan 2005

Analysis Of Fatty Acids In Soil And Sediments, Deepika P Panawennage

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Fatty acids are one of the most important classes of naturally occurring organic compounds. Various organisms have distinctive fatty acid profiles. Therefore analyzing fatty acids present in soil and sediments can provide important information on sources of origin of the organic matter; Analysis of fatty acids by gas chromatography requires derivatization to produce a derivative volatile enough for gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis. In this work conventional acid catalyzed derivatization methods and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) chemopyrolysis methods were examined and compared. Results obtained for Lake Mead sediments show the variation of fatty acids profile with depth, which …

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Positioning Analysis Of Second-Tier Convention Destinations As Perceived By Association Meeting Planners In The United States Of America, Min Sun Park Jan 2005

Positioning Analysis Of Second-Tier Convention Destinations As Perceived By Association Meeting Planners In The United States Of America, Min Sun Park

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This research examines and compares the association meeting planners' perceptions (cognitive, affective, and overall) and behavioral intentions of four selected second-tier convention destinations: Indianapolis, Nashville, Charlotte, and San Jose. The study measures both quantitative (structured) and qualitative (unstructured) perceptions to uncover perceived strengths and weaknesses of each convention city; This study can confirm that there are significant differences in the perceptions and the behavioral intentions for the four convention destinations. The findings of the study will be beneficial to both second-tier cities and association meeting planners. The second-tier cities will better understand planners' site selection criteria and perceptions, which will …

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