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2007

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Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Inhibits Synergistic Interleukin-6 Release But Not Transcriptional Activation In Astrocytoma Cells, Joseph D. Roach Jan 2007

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Inhibits Synergistic Interleukin-6 Release But Not Transcriptional Activation In Astrocytoma Cells, Joseph D. Roach

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

A decline in the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may enhance cytokine release in Alzheimer's disease (AD) resulting in neuroinflammation. We investigated the GABA-mediated suppression of the synergistic release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) due to interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) synergy. Our results indicate that p38 and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB are essential for the synergistic release of IL-6 by IL-1beta and TNFalpha. Both IL-1beta and TNF-alpha stimulate p38 phosphorylation and each are able to enhance the degradation of the NF-kappaB inhibitor, IkappaB-alpha, with no change in IkappaB-beta. Interestingly, co-treatments IL-1beta and TNF-alpha induce a greater increase in …

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Access To Dental Care For Victims Of Domestic Violence, Carolynn J Taylor Jan 2007

Access To Dental Care For Victims Of Domestic Violence, Carolynn J Taylor

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents an ethnographic description of women living in Safe Nest, a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of this research is to investigate why dental care is rarely utilized by women residing in the Las Vegas shelters, even when dental conditions may be impeding an individual's level of self-confidence and opportunities for employment. This study presents evidence that access to dental care is hindered by social and economic factors and a lack of communication between residents in the shelter and the service providers in the community; Since utilization of health care services …

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Detecting Microcalcification Clusters In Digital Mammograms: Study For Inclusion Into Computer Aided Diagnostic Prompting System, Gopalkrishna Veni Jan 2007

Detecting Microcalcification Clusters In Digital Mammograms: Study For Inclusion Into Computer Aided Diagnostic Prompting System, Gopalkrishna Veni

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Among signs of breast cancer encountered in digital mammograms radiologists point to microcalcification clusters (MCCs). Their detection is a challenging problem from both medical and image processing point of views. This work presents two concurrent methods for MCC detection, and studies their possible inclusion to a computer aided diagnostic prompting system. One considers Wavelet Domain Hidden Markov Tree (WHMT) for modeling microcalcification edges. The model is used for differentiation between MC and non-MC edges based on the weighted maximum likelihood (WML) values. The classification of objects is carried out using spatial filters. The second method employs SUSAN edge detector in …

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Self-* Distributed Query Region Covering In Sensor Networks, Ai Yamazaki Jan 2007

Self-* Distributed Query Region Covering In Sensor Networks, Ai Yamazaki

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Wireless distributed sensor networks are used to monitor a multitude of environments for both civil and military applications. Sensors may be deployed to unreachable or inhospitable areas. Thus, they cannot be replaced easily. However, due to various factors, sensors' internal memory, or the sensors themselves, can become corrupted. Hence, there is a need for more robust sensor networks. Sensors are most commonly densely deployed, but keeping all sensors continually active is not energy efficient. Our aim is to select the minimum number of sensors which can entirely cover a particular monitored area, while remaining strongly connected. This concept is called …

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Preschool Physical Activity Behaviors During Outdoor Time, Jenelle L Young Jan 2007

Preschool Physical Activity Behaviors During Outdoor Time, Jenelle L Young

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Obesity is increasing for preschool children and a better understanding of preschool physical activity (PA) may help combat obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine preschool PA behaviors during outdoor time. Girls (n = 9) and boys (n = 12) from the UNLV preschool (M age = 59.6 months) wore a pedometer and were observed once during morning outdoor time and once during afternoon outdoor time using the modified OSRAC-P. Focus groups were conducted with 6 girls and 6 boys who drew pictures, talked about outdoor time favorites, and identified their favorite place to play using photographs. Steps …

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An Evaluation Of X-Ray Fluorescence Lead Detection Methods For Candy Wrappers, Louis J Abacherli Jan 2007

An Evaluation Of X-Ray Fluorescence Lead Detection Methods For Candy Wrappers, Louis J Abacherli

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Currently, it is expensive and time consuming for public health entities to test candy (and other consumer products) that has entered the consumer market in the United States. The XRF, on the other hand, provides a quick, economical, and easy method to test lead levels. It has been demonstrated in a variety of studies that x-ray fluorescence (XRF) can be used for testing lead levels in paint, soil, and testing in-vivo for bone. What has not been studied is the XRF's ability to test for lead in certain consumer items such as candy. This research was designed to identify XRF …

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Acculturation Effects On Culture And Conflict Style, Mae-Li Amick Allison Jan 2007

Acculturation Effects On Culture And Conflict Style, Mae-Li Amick Allison

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In light of globalization, it is ever more valuable to understand how culture influences the way people manage conflict. Opportunities for individuals from varied cultural backgrounds to interact, and therefore conflict, are inherently greater because the technologies, economies, and livelihoods of people of many countries are increasingly interdependent. The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing people's individualistic-collectivistic culture tendencies and conflict styles, and investigate acculturation as a moderating factor between individualism-collectivism and conflict style among foreign nationals living within the United States. In addition to acculturation, variables that could affect acculturation were also measured, including media use, …

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Numerical Simulation Of Thermal Comfort And Contaminant Transport In Rooms With Ufad System, Rama Haritha Bandarupalli Jan 2007

Numerical Simulation Of Thermal Comfort And Contaminant Transport In Rooms With Ufad System, Rama Haritha Bandarupalli

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This thesis deals with the numerical simulation of the thermal comfort and contaminant transport of an under floor air distribution (UFAD) system. Within the last few years, UFAD systems have become popular design alternative to conventional distribution (CAD) such as overhead distribution systems for thermal and ventilation control. Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computer power make it possible to accurately predict some features of airflow within ventilated spaces. The CFD method has been successfully applied for airflow analysis in relatively complicated conditions, such as non-isothermal, three-dimensional and with furniture inside the room. The goal of this research …

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The Effect Of Erosion Control Structures On The Distribution Of Selected Nutrients And Metals In The Sediments Of The Las Vegas Wash, Tracy Marie Boettcher Jan 2007

The Effect Of Erosion Control Structures On The Distribution Of Selected Nutrients And Metals In The Sediments Of The Las Vegas Wash, Tracy Marie Boettcher

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The Las Vegas Wash (Wash) channels the Las Vegas Valley's (Valley) treated wastewater, shallow groundwater, urban runoff, and stormwater runoff before terminating in Lake Mead at Las Vegas Bay. The population increase in the Valley has caused a dramatic increase in the flow of the Wash due to urbanization and increased wastewater effluent. Erosion control structures have been constructed to reduce erosion. These structures affect the flow of sediment through the Wash and might affect the distribution of potential contaminants in a way that can negatively impact plant and animal life; The chemical constituents examined in this study are arsenic, …

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Changes In Soil Physical And Hydrological Properties Due To Bromus Tectorum (Cheatgrass) Invasion, Joshua J Boxell Jan 2007

Changes In Soil Physical And Hydrological Properties Due To Bromus Tectorum (Cheatgrass) Invasion, Joshua J Boxell

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Introduction of Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) into western rangelands has had a profound effect on the diversity and health of native ecosystems. Introduced in the late 19th century, B. tectorum has rapidly out-competed native species and colonized large areas of the Great Basin region (Mack, 1981). The objective of this research is to assess changes in soil physical and hydrologic properties on former A. tridentata sites now invaded by B. tectorum and to quantify the scope of the alterations through time. Study site selection was based upon a range of A. tridentata stand replacing fire histories spanning approximately 20 years and …

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Creating And Testing The Higher Education Leadership Competencies (Helc) Model: A Study Of Athletics Directors, Senior Student Affairs Officers, And Chief Academic Officers, Zachary A Smith Jan 2007

Creating And Testing The Higher Education Leadership Competencies (Helc) Model: A Study Of Athletics Directors, Senior Student Affairs Officers, And Chief Academic Officers, Zachary A Smith

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was threefold: to extend existing knowledge of McDaniel's (2002) qualitative inquiry of higher education leadership competencies by testing her theory using quantitative methods; to either affirm or create a new, more refined model of higher education leadership competencies based on the results of the data analysis; and finally, to compare the similarities and differences of important competencies necessary for effective leadership between and within three groups of leaders in higher education: athletics directors (ADs), senior student affairs officers (SSAOs), and chief academic officers (CAOs); Goodness of fit results indicated McDaniel's 4-category model of higher education …

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Soil Moisture And Hydrological Drought In The Colorado River Basin, Chunling Tang Jan 2007

Soil Moisture And Hydrological Drought In The Colorado River Basin, Chunling Tang

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the interannual variability of soil moisture as related to large-scale climate variability, and oceanic-atmospheric patterns. Firstly, a three-layer hydrological model VIC-3L (Variable Infiltration Capacity Model - 3 layers) was used in the Upper Colorado River basin at a daily time step and a 1/8 spatial resolution over a 50-year (1950 to 2000) period. Using wavelet analysis, deep soil moisture was compared to the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), precipitation, and streamflow to determine whether deep soil moisture is an indicator of climate extremes; Secondly, this research evaluates the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture by using …

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Perceptions Of The Training Needs Of Law Enforcement Officers, Nicholas Allen Walling Jan 2007

Perceptions Of The Training Needs Of Law Enforcement Officers, Nicholas Allen Walling

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The rules of law enforcement are constantly evolving and the criminal community persists in developing new and innovative ways to circumvent the efforts of the police. Revolutionary advances in police equipment design and a sociological awakening has created an intense scrutiny of the way police officers conduct their affairs. Law enforcement officers require continuing training to meet these social demands and to keep up with technological advances, the ever-changing laws, and critical developments in the criminal world; Because high profile civil rights cases have involved devastating monetary judgments against the agencies involved, police administrators across the country have established training …

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Determining The Competitive Nature Of Physical Therapy Education: A Multi Case Study Design, Peter Andrew Altenburger Jan 2007

Determining The Competitive Nature Of Physical Therapy Education: A Multi Case Study Design, Peter Andrew Altenburger

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Higher education is becoming more competitive as for-profit and non-profit institutions continue to expand. Healthcare educational programs, such as physical therapy, find themselves competing for quality applicants. Understanding this competitive environment and how to thrive within is critical for program survival. The purpose of this study was to determine the competitive strategies being used by entry-level doctorate programs in physical therapy; Eight physical therapy programs, ranked in the top 15% of schools, were purposively selected for the study. Four of the programs were private institutions represented by the University of Southern California (USC), University of Miami, Northwestern University, and Creighton …

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Date Rape Prevention In Women: A Controlled Outcome Study, Shera Deanne Bradley Jan 2007

Date Rape Prevention In Women: A Controlled Outcome Study, Shera Deanne Bradley

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Date rape is a widespread problem, especially among college-aged women. Date rape prevention programs have appeared on college campuses nationwide. However, the effectiveness of these programs to prevent date rape remains questionable. Studies addressing this issue have usually focused on changing students' thoughts about rape. A minority of studies have investigated the success of programs designed to change behaviors associated with rape. Even fewer studies have used the actual incidence of date rape as an outcome variable; The present study examined a date rape prevention program designed to improve women's sexual assertiveness skills and decrease their involvement in behaviors associated …

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Business, Community And Education Perceptions Regarding Education Needs In Nevada, Charlotte Curtis Jan 2007

Business, Community And Education Perceptions Regarding Education Needs In Nevada, Charlotte Curtis

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The study ascertained the perceptions of business, community and education representatives on the education needs in Nevada. The research followed up a Statewide Needs Assessment Process conducted in 2004 involving 60 people with interviews conducted with selected representatives in 2007. The Nevada needs assessment was the first recorded example of a formal process designed to determine stakeholder perceptions about education. The research conducted in 2007 provided an update on what was learned from the Statewide Needs Assessment Process in 2004. The major themes that surfaced in the 2004 needs assessment were: (1) Ready to Learn, (2) Successful Transitions, (3) Equity …

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Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Manualized Treatment For Inmates With Dual Diagnoses, Jennee Evans Dickens Jan 2007

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Manualized Treatment 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 empirically supported prison-based treatment programs are designed to meet the special needs of these inmates. Existing prison-based programs are generally limited to one treatment approach despite the heterogeneity among offenders with DD. Thus, it has been recommended that a range of services should be developed and offered in prisons to meet the varying needs of inmates with …

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Scott's Fiction And The Union Of 1707, Dale K Griffith Jan 2007

Scott's Fiction And The Union Of 1707, Dale K Griffith

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on several of Sir Walter Scott's historical novels that deal with the question of the 1707 Act of Union that united Scotland with England. The following novels were studied: Old Mortality, The Bride of Lammermoor, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Waverley, Redgauntlet, and The Antiquarian. The novels were considered for this dissertation in their chronological order within historical timelines and not according to their publication dates; In all of the novels it is evident that Scott was a strong supporter of the Union and the commercial empowerment that it offered to Scotland; for him the Union represented moderation …

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Examining Women Faculty Experiences Using The Model Of Human Occupation Perspective: A Qualitative Approach In One Community College, Christine R Privott Jan 2007

Examining Women Faculty Experiences Using The Model Of Human Occupation Perspective: A Qualitative Approach In One Community College, Christine R Privott

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Occupations for women in the academy have been changing over the last century. Contemporary studies that have looked at women faculty work have been mixed in their findings about the relationship between gender and job satisfaction. Few studies have focused on two-year-college models of women's experiences as faculty; Set in the context of occupational science theories, this qualitative study explored the daily work of women faculty in one community college. The concept of faculty work was viewed through Kielhofner's Model of Human Occupation, which suggests that occupations are made up of three subsystems of human action or doing: volition, habituation, …

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Human And Pet Interaction: Companion Animals And The Formation Of Identity, Lisa Louise Sarmicanic Jan 2007

Human And Pet Interaction: Companion Animals And The Formation Of Identity, Lisa Louise Sarmicanic

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Keeping companion animals is commonplace. Each year Americans spend over 34.3 billion dollars on pet food, pet toys, and veterinary care, and within households, the person with primary responsibility for the care of a pet is usually female (American Pet Product Manufacturers Association 24(34). Although literature on the human/animal bond is becoming more extensive, relatively little has been written about the dynamics of the daily social interaction between humans---specifically women---and pets. In response to this lack of literature, this study asks: What is the nature of the social interplay between women and their companion animals? And how do women integrate …

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Effects Of Possible Selves Instruction On Self -Determination Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Jennifer L Stringfellow Jan 2007

Effects Of Possible Selves Instruction On Self -Determination Of Students With Learning Disabilities, Jennifer L Stringfellow

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Students with disabilities face a difficult transition from high school to adult life. In the areas of employment and post secondary education students with disabilities have difficulty being successful (National Council on Disability, 2004; U.S. Census Bureau, 2004). The need for students with disabilities to be adequately prepared for the transition from school to adult life has been stated in government reports and research (Raskind, Goldberg, Higgins, & Herman, 1999; Wehmeyer, 1999; Field, Sarver, & Shaw, 2003, National Council on Disability, 2004; Reiff, 2004); The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Possible Selves program (Hock, …

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Handheld Computers: Do They Support Or Constrain Nursing Students At The Point -Of -Care?, Deborah I Carr-Warner Jan 2007

Handheld Computers: Do They Support Or Constrain Nursing Students At The Point -Of -Care?, Deborah I Carr-Warner

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Technology has made a significant impact within the healthcare system over recent years. As technology continues to evolve and becomes a major driving force within the healthcare system, so will the need for preparing technologically competent healthcare professionals. Also within the healthcare system, changes such as a decrease in the length of hospital stay, the aging population, and the multi-disease processes of the aging population, presents a challenge to nursing faculty to adequately prepare tomorrows' nurse. One of the most promising technological devices being used by healthcare professionals is the handheld computer or personal digital assistant (PDA). Although the current …

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Inner Experience During Golf Performance, Yani L Dickens Jan 2007

Inner Experience During Golf Performance, Yani L Dickens

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Sport performance is widely believed to depend on internal processes that occur during performance. Studies examining these processes have relied on retrospective self-reports obtained long after performance, a method limited by athletes' abilities to compete and recall. Our study circumvented these problems by obtaining contemporaneous non-retrospective reports of inner experience using Descriptive Experience Sampling (DES). DES uses a device that emits a random beep via an earpiece. Participants record ongoing inner experience immediately after the beep in a notebook. Within 24 hours participants are interviewed about these momentary experiences. Five highly-skilled (handicaps of between 2 and 7) and five moderately-skilled …

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A Study Of Voltage Regulation And Islanding Associated With Distributed Generation, Chensong Dai Jan 2007

A Study Of Voltage Regulation And Islanding Associated With Distributed Generation, Chensong Dai

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Distributed generation (DG) is increasingly spreading in the form of solar power, wind power, and fuel cell power. These DGs are connected to the power grid in order to benefit the investors for their economical efficiency and reliability. However, the introduction of DGs, especially at a high level of penetration, brings hidden problems to the conventional power distribution system. The conventional power distribution system has only one direction for the power flow, i.e., from the substation to the end user. This situation may not hold with the introduction of DGs because the power flow may reverse direction in some parts …

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Presidential Transitions During Capital Campaigns: Perspectives Of Chief Development Officers, Kimberly Kay Nehls Jan 2007

Presidential Transitions During Capital Campaigns: Perspectives Of Chief Development Officers, Kimberly Kay Nehls

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In the past few decades, capital campaigns at institutions of higher education have increased in duration, while collegiate presidential tenures have been doing just the opposite. Turnover in the top post was frequent, even during major fundraising campaigns. Prior to this study, presidential transitions during campaigns had not been previously analyzed. Therefore, the objective of this exploratory study was to better understand presidential transitions during capital campaigns from the perspective of the chief development officer (CDO) who maintained continuity. Nine CDOs who experienced presidential transitions during campaigns were interviewed to better understand their experience. The institutions represented were Florida State …

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Why Does Passion Wane? A Qualitative Study Of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Married Women, Karen E Sims Jan 2007

Why Does Passion Wane? A Qualitative Study Of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Married Women, Karen E Sims

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a prevalent and disabling condition for women and their partners. With one in three women experiencing a significant lack of interest in sexual activity, it is the most common female sexual dysfunction. It is also the most treatment resistant. Despite increased awareness of the problem, we have seen an increase in cases of low sexual desire over the past two decades. There is currently no standard treatment modality recommended for HSDD because of difficulties (1) defining the vague concept and (2) establishing what is "normal." Recently, clinicians have favored a treatment relational approach because …

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The Lived Experiences Of Four Overweight Hispanic Adolescent Females, Wanda Lee Rhodes Jan 2007

The Lived Experiences Of Four Overweight Hispanic Adolescent Females, Wanda Lee Rhodes

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of four overweight/obese Hispanic adolescents as individuals by utilizing Social Cognitive Theory's (SCT) (Bandura, 1977, 1986, & 1989) reciprocal interaction of the environment, personal factors and behaviors of the participants in order to investigate the health risk behaviors of the participants as they related to overweight and obesity. Additionally, the commonalities and differences across participants were examined; Four female Hispanic adolescents whose BMI measured at the 99th percentiles for age and gender were randomly chosen from students enrolled in a junior high school physical education intervention class. Experiences of …

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Crackdown, Heather Winterer Jan 2007

Crackdown, Heather Winterer

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The poems of Crackdown follow the progress of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola written in the 16th century. Like the Exercises, the poems are divided into sections which correspond to the week on sin and reform ("Translations/Valley of the Shadow'), the week on the life of Christ ("Translations/The Call of the Temporal King"), the week on the Passion ("Translations/Crackdown"), and the week on the Resurrection ("Translations/Apparition"). The work is framed by "Translations/An Approach" which acknowledges the Anima Christi prayer at the beginning of the Exercises as an embedded acrostic; Each section begins with a prayer and several preludes …

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A Model Of The Interplay Of Culture And Immigration Stress In The Development And Maintenance Of Alcohol-Related Disorders In Hispanic/Latino Immigrants, Marilyn J Strada Jan 2007

A Model Of The Interplay Of Culture And Immigration Stress In The Development And Maintenance Of Alcohol-Related Disorders In Hispanic/Latino Immigrants, Marilyn J Strada

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The Hispanic/Latino population represents the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, with immigrants comprising a substantial portion of this population. For both U.S.-born and immigrant Hispanic/Latinos, alcohol abuse and dependence is of particular concern given their reported high prevalence rates, the severe alcohol-related consequences that they experience, and the various barriers to obtain treatment that they encounter. In comparison to members of other ethnic groups, Hispanics/Latinos have the lowest rates of perceived need for treatment, the lowest past and current rates of participation in treatment and the highest dropout rates after attending just one counseling session. Although there …

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Finding The Other In Mother: Queering Social Scripts For Mothers And Teachers, Laura A Bower Jan 2007

Finding The Other In Mother: Queering Social Scripts For Mothers And Teachers, Laura A Bower

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative study examined social scripts for mothers and teachers through the lens of queer theory. It employed the constructs of normal and deviant as a method for destabilizing these scripts as part of a larger project of promoting social justice around sexual difference. Participants consisted of eight lesbian mothers with school aged children; five women whose roles included mother, educator, and lesbian; and ten public school teachers. Data sources included one focus group interview with lesbian mothers and two focus group interviews with teachers, follow-up interviews with seven teachers and seven mothers, and two individual interviews with each mother/educator/lesbian. …

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