Digital Commons Network^™

The Waiting Game, Dennis Moore

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A study of wait times in the hospitality industry, and the guest satisfaction as related to those waits. When faced with waiting, what are the perceptions of the customer, and what can be done to help shorten the perception to help guest satisfaction. Finally, to look into the technology that is available today and in the near future, and what some industries have done to help alleviate the wait time to satisfy their customers’ needs.

Graduate And Employer Perceptions Regarding Job Preparedness Skills Of Design Technology Graduates, Bonnie Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate graduate and employer perceptions in regard to the job preparedness level of graduates from a design technology program at a single Midwestern university in five skill category areas: (a) general work habits and skills, (b) communication skills, (c) technical skills, (d) graphic communication skills, and (e) project management skills.

This study was conducted as evaluation research and implemented an internal formative evaluation conducted through the administration of surveys to two distinct groups. Fifty-nine (27.4%) program graduates from 2001 -2006 completed and returned the 19-item survey, while twenty-seven (67.5%) employers of program graduates …

Tribal College Culture-Based Education Impacts American Indian Students In North America, Loann Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Life Circle Tribal College (a pseudonym), as other tribal colleges, claims its purpose for existence is to help increase American Indians' access to affordable and culturally relevant vocational and academic postsecondary education. This study sought to answer the following questions: (1) How did students and staff at Life Circle Tribal College perceive Life Circle Tribal College as fulfilling the cultural portion of its mission? (2) What impact did students and staff feel the culture-based education approach used at Life Circle Tribal College had on students' lives in their educational pursuits at the tribal college, in their current and future relationships …

Influence Of Stroke Clinical Pathway On Documentation, Shannon Sternberg

All Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the implementation of a stroke clinical pathway could improve compliance with documentation of specific quality measures for patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or transient ischemic attack. The study used the ten standardized performance measures for stroke identified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and integrated documentation of those measures into a stroke clinical pathway consisting of physician order sets, an interdisciplinary plan of care, and a patient/family education flow sheet. The American Stroke Association's Get with the Guidelines - Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) …

Glycosaminoglycan Stabilization In Bovine Pericardium, Lauren Browne

All Theses

Glutaraldehyde crosslinked bovine pericardium has been used for fabrication of bioprosthetic heart valves as well as cardiac patches for soft tissue repair. However, calcification and limited mechanical stability result in shortened life for the prostheses. Previous research has shown that glutaraldehyde crosslinking does not stabilize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and that GAGs are lost from porcine bioprosthetic heart valves[1]. Bovine pericardial tissue is composed of an amorphous network of collagen and elastin fibers, proteoglycans, and GAGs. The GAGs of bovine pericardium include dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronan [2].
It is hypothesized that Glut does not stabilize GAGs in pericardium and loss …

Load Shedding Algorithm Using Voltage And Frequency Data, Poonam Joshi

All Theses

Under frequency load shedding schemes have been widely used, to restore power system stability post major disturbances. However, the analysis of recent blackouts suggests that voltage collapse and voltage-related problems are also important concerns in maintaining system stability. For this reason, both frequency and voltage need to be taken into account in load shedding schemes. The research undertaken here considers both parameters in designing a load shedding scheme to determine the amount of load to be shed and its appropriate location. An introduction about the need for a load shedding scheme and the purpose of doing research on this particular …

Performance Based Contracting And Improving The Current Contracting Process, Troy Berkland

All Theses

The primary objective of the research described in this report was to suggest improvements to the maintenance contracting process currently utilized by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). A secondary research objective was to examine to what extent SCDOT could migrate more toward performance based, as opposed to method based, highway maintenance specifications.
A comprehensive literature review indicated some states had successfully implemented performance based specifications for a wide range of maintenance activities whereas others had not. Some states have adopted performance based specifications as part of a comprehensive asset management program whereby the contractor typically performs all routine …

Parental Education Levels And Their Effect On First Year Retention And Grade Point Ratio, Jon Christiansen

All Theses

Background/Problem: Education is an important factor in economic success. This research explores how relevant parental education is to their children's education by studying first year college retention as well as first year cumulative grade point ratio. Purpose: By what probability is retention increased on average if a mother or father becomes a high school graduate or a college graduate? Also, by what amount is grade point ratio affected if a mother or father becomes a high school graduate or a college graduate? Design and Methods: A random sample of 844 students who filled out the FAFSA at a southern public …

An Experiment In Joint Product Price Optimization: Price Elasticities And Substitution Decisions Of The Hungry Barfly, Jeffrey Coursen

All Theses

The subject of optimal pricing is consistently on the forefront of debate among firms in all market situations. Optimal pricing is further complicated when there are common resource inputs associated with the production of a multitude of different products. Economic theory has suggestions for pricing optimally in a variety of market conditions, from perfect competition, to perfect monopoly. This paper presents an experiment where a firm is attempting to optimally price multiple products with common cost inputs subject to monopolistic market conditions. The result supports the hypothesis of substitution amongst the product line relative to prices, as well as presents …

An Examination Of Colliding Galaxy Clusters: Recreating 1e 0657-56 With Gadget-2, Joseph Johnson

All Theses

In this thesis I use the publicly available smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code GADGET-2 to investigate and recreate the phenomenon of two merging galaxy clusters, as currently seen in the hot X-ray cluster 1E 0657-56 (the 'bullet cluster'). In this scenario, the stellar and dark matter components of the galaxies pass through the collision without experiencing strong stopping forces, but the intra-cluster gas is significantly slowed by ram pressure. This leads to a spatial separation between the galaxies and the intra-cluster gas, which provides a testing ground for gravitational theories. Weak gravitational lensing in the cluster has been used to …

The Traveling Quilter: An Exploration Of The Influences On Travel Behavior, Christine Drais

All Theses

ABSTRACT


Quilters have been traveling to regional, national, and international symposia since the beginning of the quilt revival in the 1970's (Bonesteel Films, (Producer), 2005, The Great American Quilt Revival, UNC-TV). These events have attracted large crowds, mostly women, yet there is little data about their travel behavior (L. Brodsky, Country Heritage Tours, personal conversation October 29, 2007). In response to the lack of information on quilting travel, this research was undertaken to determine if quilting experience, skill level and level of serious leisure predict quilting travel behavior.
This thesis examines experience use history in quilting (i.e., number of years …

Woody Encroachment In North Dakota Grasslands: Using Predictive Modeling To Examine Key Players And Management Implications, Leigh A. Ciofani

Theses and Dissertations

Woody shrub encroachment is one of the major threats to grasslands, closely connected to other issues such as fire regimes, herbivore grazing patterns, and climate change, and is currently a global trend. Consequences of shrub encroachment can significantly impact many of the ecological characteristics of grasslands, including grassland biogeochemistry and resource availability and biodiversity. Studies conducted on grassland ecosystems have pointed to grassland management, in the form of prescribed burning, grazing, or some combination of the two, as a way to prevent woody encroachment. Prevention of woody encroachment may be particularly important to preserving grasslands, as management may not be …

The Berlin Poplars: A Translation, Lene Johansen

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a translation of a section of Anne Birkeland Ragde's Berlinerpoplene, or The Berlin Poplars, a contemporary Norwegian novel about how' family dynamics shape and haunt following generations. The narrative alternates between three brothers and reflects how each of them experiences and deals (consciously or not) with feelings of belonging, alienation, and isolation. The Berlin Poplars is a strong novel: the character development and the interpersonal dynamics are rich, and Ragde presents her very flawed protagonists in a dark, brutally honest, yet humane manner. Furthermore, the novel strongly reflects Norway and traditional Norwegian culture.

The complexity of the …

Breast Cancer In Pakistan - Awareness And Early Detection, Saba Sohail, Shams Nadeem Alam

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Acts Of Being: Hamlet And The Philosophy Of Soren Kierkegaard, Michael Brandon Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This study is specifically concerned with analyzing the existential elements in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, utilizing as methodology the works of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.

The aims of this study are chiefly to illuminate the usefulness of existentialism as an important, prescient, and timely methodology for criticism, as well as to reveal the applicability of Kierkegaard's works for literary analysis. There have, prior to this study, been other critical examinations of Shakespeare's work, utilizing the philosophy of Kierkegaard - however, unlike those other works of criticism, this project has undertaken comprehensive analysis of the play, making broad use of Kierkegaard's …

Bullet-Induced Synovitis As A Cause Of Secondary Osteoarthritis Of The Hip Joint: A Case Report And Review Of Literature, A Rehman, Masood Umer, Yasir J Sepah, Muhammad A Wajid

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

With increasing prevalence of gunshot injuries we are seeing more patients with retained bullet fragments lodged in their bodies. Embedded lead bullets are usually considered inert after their kinetic energy has dissipated hence these are not removed routinely. However, exposure of any foreign body to synovial fluid may lead to rapid degradation and hence result in systemic absorption, causing local and systemic symptoms. We present the case of a thirty year old man who came to our out patient department with a history of progressive, severe hip pain ten years after a gun shot injury to his right …

Methods Of Season Extension For Market Gardeners, Natalie R. Bumgarner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Season extension methods have been used in many climates and crops for centuries on all scales of vegetable production. Our research compared the effect of six season extension methods on soil and ambient temperatures and yields of warm and cool season vegetables in organic production. The methods under investigation in field plots were row cover, row cover with water tubes, low tunnel, low tunnel with water tubes, and a control for comparison, which were all replicated three times in field plots. The cold frame, and cold frame with water buffer treatments were replicated once in separate structures. Radishes, lettuce, peppers, …

Stream Water Quality And Benthic Macroinvertebrate Ecology In A Coal-Mining, Acid-Sensitive Region, George T. Merovich Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid rain are important sources of impairment to streams in the Tygart Valley and Cheat River basins in north central West Virginia, USA. Due to a network of abandoned mined lands and bond forfeiture sites in this coal-mining region, AMD represents severe, but rather localized impacts to water quality. AMD is a consequence of the chemical oxidation of reduced geological minerals (sulfides) usually associated with coal during mining operations. The reactions produce aqueous solutions high in sulfates and dissolved metals when the minerals are exposed to the oxic environment through land disturbance. In addition, the …

Parsimony-Based Genetic Algorithm For Haplotype Resolution And Block Partitioning, Nadezhda A. Sazonova

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation proposes a new algorithm for performing simultaneous haplotype resolution and block partitioning. The algorithm is based on genetic algorithm approach and the parsimonious principle. The multiloculs LD measure (Normalized Entropy Difference) is used as a block identification criterion. The proposed algorithm incorporates missing data is a part of the model and allows blocks of arbitrary length. In addition, the algorithm provides scores for the block boundaries which represent measures of strength of the boundaries at specific positions. The performance of the proposed algorithm was validated by running it on several publicly available data sets including the HapMap data …

Multivariable Robust Control Of A Simulated Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Plant, Alex Tsai

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work presents a systematic approach to the multivariable robust control of a hybrid fuel cell gas turbine plant. The hybrid configuration under investigation built by the National Energy Technology Laboratory comprises a physical simulation of a 300kW fuel cell coupled to a 120kW auxiliary power unit single spool gas turbine. The public facility provides for the testing and simulation of different fuel cell models that in turn help identify the key difficulties encountered in the transient operation of such systems. An empirical model of the built facility comprising a simulated fuel cell cathode volume and balance of plant components …

Modeling Sediment Movement In Forested Watersheds Using Hill-Slope Attributes, Gregory W. Hamons

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The amount of sediment delivered to stream channels and the determination of the topographical attributes responsible for the origination and transfer of sediment were investigated in a central Appalachian mixed hardwood forest from 2002 through 2005. Two study watersheds were chosen within the Indian Run watershed in north central West Virginia. One remained undisturbed (control) and the other underwent road construction and tree harvesting operations (treatment). Sediment samples were collected from silt fences which were installed along both sides of the stream channels in both watersheds to ensure all sediment material delivered from adjacent hill-slopes was captured and collected. Sediment …

The Implementation Of A Repository For Data Reporting And Analysis, Christopher Haufschild

Masters Theses & Doctoral Dissertations

Data-driven decision making has become increasingly important within the context of the public school system. The benefits of having fast and accurate data available to both teachers and administrators are being touted across the country and the world. There is a need within Moorhead Area Public Schools for a system to facilitate this in a secure and user-friendly manner in order to provide necessary data to users without sacrificing instructional time for students. Within this system it is important to provide only the data that is necessary for decision making in order to keep student privacy at the highest level …

A Nodular Submental Mass, Yeshwant B. Rawal, Carl M. Allen, John R. Kalmar

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

A 26-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of a mildly painful, slow growing, nodular mass of the submental region. Examination revealed a 1.5 x 1.0-cm midline swelling of the submental region. The skin over the mass appeared normal. The mass was firm and slightly tender on palpation and appeared to be positioned within the submental space. Intraoral examination did not reveal any obvious pathologic findings and the nearby teeth showed no caries, periodontal disease, or mobility. The patient’s medical history was unremarkable.

The Tri-Frame Model, Elsje Pienaar, Hendrik J. Viljoen

Hendrik J. Viljoen Publications

The tri-frame model gives mathematical expression to the transcription and translation processes, and considers all three reading frames. RNA polymerases transcribe DNA in single nucleotide increments, but ribosomes translate mRNA in pairings of three (triplets or codons). The set of triplets in the mRNA, starting with the initiation codon (usually AUG) defines the open reading frame (ORF). Since ribosomes do not always translocate three nucleotide positions, two additional reading frames are accessible. The -1RF and the +1RF are triplet pairings of the mRNA which are accessed by shifting one nucleotide position in the 5’ and 3’ directions respectively. Transcription is …

In Vitro Methods For Generating Highly Purified Ebv Associated Tumor Antigen-Specific T Cells By Using Solid Phase T Cell Selection System For Immunotherapy, Jongming Li, Bijoyesh Mookerjee, John Wagner, Neal Flomenberg

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Adoptive cell transfer immunotherapy has been utilized to treat EBV related human malignancies including post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases, Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, there are limited options available for tumor antigen-specific T cell purification. Here we describe a novel solid phase T cell selection system, in which monocytes or EBV transformed B-lymphocytes are immobilized on solid support for antigen-specific T cell purification. We hypothesize and prove that antigen-specific T cells recognize their cognate antigens and bind to them faster than non-antigen specific T cells. Therefore antigen-specific T cells can be concentrated on the surface after removing the non-adherent cells by …

Index To Volume 75

Nebraska Bird Review

Accipiter species 22-23

Ahlering, M. A. 60

Alexander, Irene 19

Allen, Sue 19

Allwine Prairie Preserve 15

American Ornithologists' Union 93

Ames CBC 17-30

Amiotte, Sue 61

Anderson, Chris 19

Anderson, T. R. 120

Ani, Groove-billed 88

Aubushon, Kathy 18

Avocet, American 41, 76, 106, 122

Fall Field Report, August-November 2007, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This was essentially a normal fall season in Nebraska, with no major weather events or significant shifts in breeding or migration ranges, although a possible exception is a first record of Lesser Goldfinch breeding in the state. One observer made the point, though, that the hard freeze in the spring affected seed and fruit crops for fall, most conspicuously resulting in fewer large American Robin flocks. Excellent water conditions in the Rainwater Basin were welcome, but few herons and egrets were present, and no unusual breeding events were reported there.

As winter approached, however, increased numbers of a few finch …

Review Of Exposing Men: The Science And Politics Of Male Reproduction By Cynthia R. Daniels, Rose Holz

Women's and Gender Studies Program: Faculty Publications

To begin with, although Daniels's work could be categorized as political science, part of this book's appeal is that it addresses what we historians might call a massive hole in the historiography--in this case, regarding men's health. In other words, we just do not know very much about this topic, nor do we know much about its history. Ironically, this dearth of knowledge stands in stark contrast to the wealth of information about the history of women's health--something that might seem a bit odd given the feminist argument that history has more often been about men than about women. However, …

A Physiological Basis For Controlling Leafy Spurge On Nebraska Rangeland, Rob B. Mitchell, Corey Moffet, Ron Sosebee

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Applying herbicides at the appropriate physiological stage is an important consideration to effectively control leafy spurge.

Investigation Of Radio Frequency Discharges And Langmuir Probe Diagnostic Methods In A Fast Flowing Electronegative Background Gas, Nathaniel P. Lockwood

Theses and Dissertations

Discharges in a flowing background gas are used to produce charged and excited species for numerous applications including etching semiconductors and pumping gas discharge lasers (Pinhero and others, 1998). The effect of a flowing background gas on the charged and excited neutral species generation by an RF discharge in a flow tube and the diagnostics of the resulting plasma with a Langmuir probe have been investigated for pressures between 0.001 to 1 Torr and flow velocities up to 1000 m/s. This investigation was performed using a fluid method coupled to a chemical kinetic model and a hybrid Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision …