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Platte River Odyssey, Derek Drost, Toru Fujioka, Kimberly Hansen, Steve Hermann, Art Hovey, Nate Jenkins, Algis J. Laukaitis, Yangyoung Lee, Joyita Mallik, Sarah Mccammon, Andrew Moseman, Kristine Nemec, Olga Pierce, Max Post Van Der Berg, Rachael Seravalli, Jason Wiest

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Contents

4 | Nebraska’s Liquid Labyrinth
UNL and the Lincoln Journal Star join in an in-depth report on drought and the Platte River.
CAROLYN JOHNSEN

6 | Searching for the Source
With below-normal snowpack in the Colorado Rockies, the Platte River suffers from a lack of source waters.
ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS

8 | Product of Connections
No matter where the water comes from, watersheds are the link between land and water. And watersheds collect more than just surface water.
MAX POST VAN DER BURG

10 | Wrestling for Resources
The West finds itself in a battle for water after years …

Faithful Estimation Of Dynamics Parameters From Cpmg Relaxation Dispersion Measurements, Evgenii L. Kovrigin, James G. Kempf, Michael J. Grey, J. Patrick Loria

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

This work examines the robustness of fitting of parameters describing conformational exchange (k_ex, p_a/b, and Δω) processes from CPMG relaxation dispersion data. We have analyzed the equations describing conformational exchange processes for the intrinsic inter-dependence of their parameters that leads to the existence of multiple equivalent solutions, which equally satisfy the experimental data. We have used Monte-Carlo simulations and fitting to the synthetic data sets as well as the direct 3-D mapping of the parameter space of k_ex, p_a/b, and Δω to quantitatively assess …

An Evaluation Of Vibration And Other Effects On The Accuracy Of Grip And Push Force Recall, Thomas W. Mcdowell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Operators of vibratory hand tools can be at risk of developing health problems associated with repeated forceful actions and exposure to intense hand-transmitted vibration. To better assess health risks, comprehensive risk evaluations of these tasks must include quantitative assessments of hand-tool coupling forces. Researchers have used instrumentation for such measurements; but those techniques may be ill-suited for certain field environments. Psychophysical force-recall techniques have been proposed as alternatives to handle instrumentation. This study comprised two experiments that examined the effects of vibration and other factors upon force-recall accuracy and reliability. In each experiment, participants applied specific grip and push forces …

Stress Management Through Art-Making, Karina Schwarz

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Stress is a natural and necessary part of everyday existence; the symptoms related to stress are unavoidable and systemic (Frey, 2001). Acute and chronic stress can adversely affect individuals both physically and emotionally. The literature gives evidence that medical school students are not provided with the adequate tools needed to cope with stress. This study was an art-making intervention designed to decrease stress among medical students. There were 24 participants, 19 women and 5 men enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. The participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure their levels of …

The Healing Potential Of Art: A Psychobiographical Study Of Three Artists, Amy Reahard

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The statement that art in itself is healing may not always be true as demonstrated by the destructive, often short lives of many artists. This may appear to contradict the fundamental belief, held by many art therapists, that art is healing. Studying the fields of creativity and art history could help understand this apparent contradiction.

One way to combine the studies of creativity, the healing power of art, and art history is through the practice of psychobiography. The psychobiographer who studies the life of a prominent artist combines various psychological approaches with the literary records, art history, and visual evidence …

An Economic Valuation Of Improved Water Quality In Opequon Watershed, Matthew C. Benson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Opequon watershed is in northern Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. In both states, Opequon Creek is classified as impaired due to violation of the bacteria standard and the narrative General Standard. Both states are using Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans to improve water quality. As part of the TMDL process, a contingent valuation survey was developed which would measure the benefits of improved water quality in Opequon watershed. Five thousand surveys were mailed to households in West Virginia and Virginia. Median willingness-to-pay (WTP) values were estimated from grouped tobit models. For in-state water quality improvements, …

An Assessment Of Impacts Of Mute Swans (Cygnus Olor) On Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (Sav) In Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, Ketan Shrikant Tatu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) contribute to the localized decline in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) through foraging in the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. I assessed intensity of feeding activity of 868 Mute Swans in non-breeding flocks and breeding pairs through focal sampling during 2003 and 2004. I also assessed SAV reduction due to Mute Swan herbivory by measuring difference in percent cover, shoot density, and canopy height among 2 year controls (n = 54), 2 year exclosures (n = 54), and 1 year exclosures (n = 54) at 18 sites on the eastern shore during the same time period. Analyses of the …

Variability In The Phases Of The Menstrual Cycle, Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider, Kathleen Raviele

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: To determine variability in the phases of the menstrual cycle among healthy, regularly cycling women. Design: A prospective descriptive study of a new data set with biological markers to estimate parameters of the menstrual cycles. Participants: One hundred forty one healthy women (mean age 29 years) who monitored 3 to 13 menstrual cycles with an electronic fertility monitor and produced 1,060 usable cycles of data. Measures and Outcomes: Variability in the length of the menstrual cycle and of the follicular, fertile, and luteal phases, and menses. The estimated day of ovulation and end of the fertile phase was the …

Somatostatin Regulates The Extracellular Regulated Kinase Cascade Of Human Rheumatoid Arthritis Synoviocytes, Frances Mae West

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Somatostatin (SRIF, somatotropin release inhibitory factor) is a ubiquitously expressed neuropeptide, interacting with cells via five SRIF receptor subtypes (sst.-sst.), belonging to the guanine nucleotide binding protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. SRIF receptors have been well documented for their ability to inhibit cell proliferation and secretion in a variety of animal tissues. Over the past l S years, pre-clinical and clinical studies implicate that SRIF and SRIF analog therapy improve symptoms in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we investigate SRIF's effects on intracellular signaling in the synovium, the cellular layer that lines synovial joints, using in vitro …

Menstrual Cycle Phase And Gender Effects On Hippocampally Modulated Sensorimotor Processes: Classical Eyeblink Conditioning And Ppi Of The Acoustic Startle Response, Jacqueline L. Holloway

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Experimental animal research studies have demonstrated that hormones affect neurological physiology and morphology in areas such as the striatum, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. How the specific effects of estrogen and progesterone are manifested behaviorally in humans, however, is not yet understood. The current study tested sensorimotor responding and simple motor learning in three groups of women - follicular/low hormone, luteal/high hormone, oral contraceptive - and men. Using PPI as an operational measure, this study was designed to expand limited findings which report menstrual cycle phase effects on pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response (ASR), a direct measure of sensorimotor …

Leftist Populism And Sustainable Development In Latin America, Carina Kjelstad

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Sustainable development still remains the best option to secure a viable future. Why are some leaders more prone to implement sustainable development policies than others, and does the leaders' political orientation affect such decision-making? Leaders are often faced with constraints that make them choose policies that do not necessarily lead to sustainability from an ecological point of view. This thesis addresses these issues by examining two case studies that involve an analysis of the sustainable development policies implemented by President Lula in Brazil and President Chavez in Venezuela and the constraints that have hindered them in doing so.

Modeling Operating System Crash Behavior Through Multifractal Analysis, Long Range Dependence And Mining Of Memory Usage Patterns, Vijai Gandikota

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Software Aging is a phenomenon where the state of the operating systems degrades over a period of time due to transient errors. These transient errors can result in resource exhaustion and operating system hangups or crashes.;Three different techniques from fractal geometry are studied using the same datasets for operating system crash modeling and prediction. Holder Exponent is an indicator of how chaotic a signal is. M5 Prime is a nominal classification algorithm that allows prediction of a numerical quantity such as time to crash based on current and previous data. Hurst exponent measures the self similarity and long range dependence …

Benefits To Signal Timing Optimization And Its To Corridor Operations, Darian Glitz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Traffic signals are one of the primary constraints on corridor capacity in the highway/arterial network. The amount traffic is impeded is heavily dependent on the quality of the signal timings.;The purpose of this research was to conduct a case study of a congested corridor to demonstrate the benefits of traffic signal retiming/optimization on corridor operations. Tactically, this research involved development and application of a methodology to develop and assess signal timing plan alternatives. The research demonstrated the benefits in terms of delay, travel time, emissions, and fuel consumption. Strategically, this project can be used to provide a concrete example of …

Dewatering Of Fine Coal Slurries By Selective Heating With Microwaves, Aashish Kalra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since water is used extensively in coal preparation and cleaning, dewatering of coals is required prior to shipment to power plants. However, finer fractions of coals are difficult to dewater and consequently these fractions are stored in settling ponds, causing environmental problems and loss of a large fraction of coals. Thermal drying of coals is not an efficient process since hot air heats both coal and water. Mechanical processes for dewatering fine coal slurries have a limit for dewatering coal. Consequently, dewatering using selective heating by conventional microwaves at 2.45 GHz and IR heating at 10 14 Hz was undertaken …

Models For Calculating Confidence Intervals For Neural Networks, Ashutosh R. Nandeshwar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research focused on coding and analyzing existing models to calculate confidence intervals on the results of neural networks. The three techniques for determining confidence intervals determination were the non-linear regression, the bootstrapping estimation, and the maximum likelihood estimation. Confidence intervals for non-linear regression, bootstrap estimation, and maximum likelihood were coded in Visual Basic. The neural network used the backpropagation algorithm with an input layer, one hidden layer and an output layer with one unit. The hidden layer had a logistic or binary sigmoidal activation function and the output layer had a linear activation function. These techniques were tested on …

Engaging Physics Students Using Environmental Lab Modules, John M. Pratte

Faculty Articles

Discusses multi-week activity modules that use civic engagement to increase student interest and learning in physics. Components of the modules; Activities included in the modules; Assessment of student learning and interest using the modules.

Summer Home Range, Habitat Use, Movements, And Activity Patterns Of River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) In The Killbuck Watershed, Northeastern Ohio, David A. Helon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

River otters (Lontra canadensis), one of the most aquatic Mustelids, are important components of riparian systems and are an important fur-bearing species. Several studies evaluating post-release survival and movements have been conducted; however, there have been deficient long-term studies to determine the status of these river otter populations once established. During 2002 and 2003m 16 river otters (7 female, 9 male) were trapped and radio-tagged. Overall, mean female home range size was 802.4 ha and mean male home range size was 1,101.7 ha. Mean home range size was similar between genders in 2002, but was greater for males than females …

Comparison Of Parenting Practices, Acculturation, And The Acceptability Of Behavioral Parent Training Programs Between A Native American And A Non-Native American Sample, Joshua J. Masse

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Behavioral parent training (BPT) has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for children with disruptive behavior disorders. Although a great deal of promising research concerning BPT exists, it is important to recognize that current BPT programs were developed and normed based on European-American ideologies regarding parenting, with the assumption that these programs will apply to parents from cultural minority groups as well. The current study evaluated differences in parenting practices between a sample of Native American parents and non-Native parents. In addition, group differences regarding sensitivity and acceptability of techniques that are commonly used in BPT programs were …

Cerulean Warbler Selection Of Forest Canopy Gaps, Kelly A. Perkins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Forest canopy gaps are through to be an important component in Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) habitat. This study examined the selection of forest canopy gaps within Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) territories and in core areas of territories on the Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area and surrounding properties in Wetzel County, West Virginia in 2004 and 2005. The study objectives were to (1) determine the use and selection of gaps according to type, size, and structure, (2) determine if gap size was related to gap density, total gap area (%), or perimeter amount, and (3) determine if distances of territories to …

Regulation Of Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor By Reovirus In Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Kasturi Pal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Most pathogens invade the human body through mucosal surfaces. Enteric viruses are one such group of pathogens that are of great public health significance because they cause a number of serious diseases including gastroenteritis, hepatitis and poliomyelitis. Gastrointestinal disease is the second most common cause of morbidity worldwide, with diarrhea ranking first among infectious diseases in the categories of frequency and mortality in children. The mucosal epithelium provides the first line of defense against invading pathogens by serving as the first sensors of microbial infection and launching an innate immune response that leads to the development of adaptive immunity. An …

High Frequencies Of Hiv-1 Recombination And The Evolutionary Potential Of A Hybrid Retrovirus, Terence D. Rhodes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Retroviruses have a great capacity to evolve in order to over come selection pressures in the environment. Such evolutional power comes from the high mutation rate and the high viral titers that can ensue during an infection. Mutation generates variation in the viral genome. In addition, previous reports found that retroviruses recombine at a relatively high rate. These sources of variation can then be exploited by the population to ensure the presence of advantageous mutations, which become amplified during virus propagation. Because the adaptability is based on the evolutionary potential of the virus, it is essential to study the mechanisms …

Use Of Natural Antioxidants To Control Oxidative Rancidity In Cooked Meats, Mihir Vasavada

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The research in this dissertation focused on determining antioxidant effects of various natural antioxidants in cooked meat systems. Milk mineral (MM), spices, and raisin paste were used in cooked meat systems to verify their potential antioxidant properties.

The MM study determined the antioxidant activity of 1.5% MM added to uncured cooked beef meatballs, and possible additive effects of MM in combination with 20-ppm or 40-ppm sodium nitrate in cooked beef sausages. There was no additive inhibition of lipid oxidation in samples containing 20-ppm or 40-ppm sodium nitrite plus 1.5% MM. Cooked meat yield was not different between control meatballs and …

The Self-Perceived Leadership Characteristics Of Female Producers, Teresa A. Becker

Masters Theses

Through the implementation of the transformational leadership theory and selfconstructed metaphors this study seeks to understand the self-perceived leadership characteristics of female producers. By means of qualitative analysis, the leadership characteristics of twelve female producers have been subjectively and objectively analyzed. A survey constructed using the transformational leadership characteristics found by Bemard Bass, the characteristics of groundbreaking women found by Barbara Polnick et al., as well as the emotional intelligence leadership characteristics presented by David Goleman et al., was electronically distributed to twelve women from six different television news and entertainment stations in the United States, Canada, and England. The …

Undercover Other, Angela Onwuachi-Willig

Faculty Scholarship

This Essay argues in favor of legally recognizing same-sex marriages by exploring the similarities in passing between members of same-sex marriages/relationships and interracial marriages/relationships. Specifically, this Essay unpacks the claim that the ability of gays and lesbians to pass as heterosexual distinguishes the ban on same-sex marriages from former bans on interracial marriages. Part I of this Essay first describes policy-based critiques of a Loving-based argument for legalizing same-sex marriage, or as one scholar has coined, of playing the Loving card by analogizing the racism that motivated anti-miscegenation statues that the Supreme Court struck down in 1967 to the anti-gay …

Population Trends Of Wintering Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) At The Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, Deanna Morrell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to look at population trends of wintering bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada from 1991 to 2006. Bald eagles were counted on January 5, 2006 along the entire shoreline of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. This study focused on two questions: (1) how has the population changed over time? (2) How has the proportion of juvenile eagles to adult eagles changed over time? Question one was supported with the number of bald eagles significantly increasing (r=0.76, p=0.002). Question two was supported as the proportion of juveniles to adults …

Burnout In Marriage And Family Therapists, Cory A. Eddington

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Among the profession of marriage and family therapy, the goal is to help those individuals, couples, and families that are struggling in life. While working with these clients there is the possibility that the therapists may become stressed themselves and experience burnout. The following is a descriptive study of 30 marriage and family therapists (MFTs) in the state of Utah. The demographic variables of clinical experience, sex, case load, setting of practice, education level, and marital status were studied as to their relation to the experience of burnout. Statistically significant findings demonstrated that the variables of sex and caseload were …

Marital Quality, Context, And Interaction: A Comparison Of Individuals Across Various Income Levels, Victor W. Harris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research compared measures of marital quality between married respondents who were classified as adults currently receiving government assistance (GA) or adults not currently receiving government assistance (NGA). Additional demographic/contextual variables such as gender, age, age at first marriage, religiosity, income, education, cohabitation, mental health, and substance abuse along with four interactional variables - escalating negativity, criticism, negative interpretation, and withdrawal - were measured as potential correlates with marital quality.

Results indicated statistically significant differences between GA and NGA individuals on all of the marital quality measures and on 8 of the 11 demographic/contextual variables. Additionally, the four interactional variables …

Uncovering The Key Of Success In The Utah Medicaid Work Incentive Program: A Grounded Theory Study, Renee H. Nolan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this grounded theory research was to determine what differentiates people with disabilities who leave Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits due to increased income from those who cannot. Fifteen individuals, former and current participants in a Medicaid Buy-In program, were interviewed. Within the context of health and disability, four theoretical propositions were identified: education, opportunity to work, interpersonal support, and secure housing. Higher benefit levels were also found to be an effective barrier for many.

Predicting Child Outcomes From Parenting Styles Of Spanish-Speaking Families, Melissa Renee Donovick

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate observed parenting practices among first-generation Spanish-speaking Latinos living in Utah. Participants included 50 families with a child between the ages of 4 and 9. Parents and their child engaged in a behavioral observational task that was coded for parenting dimensions and styles to determine if they predict child outcomes among Latino families. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist to assess for behavioral problems. Observations were coded using the Parenting Scale, developed specifically for this study. In general, parents received high ratings on warmth and demandingness, and lower ratings on autonomy granting. Parenting …

Identity Development, Identity Disclosure, And Identity Exploration Among Adolescent Sexual Minorities, Jenna A. Glover

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the utility of applying the social constructionist perspective to adolescent sexual minority identity development, disclosure, and identity explorations. Differences between middle and late adolescents and male and females were examined. No differences were found between middle and late adolescents on measures of identity development and identity exploration; however, differences in identity disclosure were found regarding history of accidental discovery of sexual orientation. Biological sex differences were found for identity development, disclosure, and exploration. Relationships between same- and opposite-sex attractions, behaviors, romantic experiences, and self-labels are presented. Trends in intentional disclosure patterns and unintentional discovery identify predicted reaction …