Digital Commons Network^™

A Naturalistic Inquiry Of The Restructuring Of A Middle School: An Nclb Mandate, Susan Ann Moulden

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As the 2013-2014 school year approaches, more and more schools across the United States are finding it problematic to meet the annual measurable objective of 100 percent of the school's population meeting its adequate yearly progress (AYP) target, as prescribed by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation of 2002. Pursuant to NCLB, schools are required to meet the (defined) academic needs of all demographic populations within the school, and to ensure that all students are on grade level.

The purpose of this study was to explore first-hand the perceptions, insights and strategies comprising the implementation of a major …

Democracy And The Environment In Latin America, Javier Albert Escamilla

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examines the ability of democratic and non-democratic states alike to protect the environment. Democracy has long been an important concept in the study of politics and environmental protection is an increasingly important issue in world politics. Advocates of democracy claim democratic states are better able to protect the environment than non-democracies. In contrast there are those that argue democracy's emphasis on individual rights leads to excessive resource consumption. This thesis employs a mixed methods approach to determine if democratic countries protect the environment more than their non-democratic counterparts. In short democracies do protect the environment better than non-democracies …

Agricultural And Grazing Leases Of South Dakota School And Public Lands, Burton Pflueger

SDSU Extension Extra Archives

Each year the South Dakota Cooperative Exten¬sion Service receives many questions concerning the legality of land lease agreements. South Dakota law addresses many aspects of land rental arrangements. The material in this publication is presented only as a guideline or reference. This material is presented with the understanding and intent that the authors are not providing legal services. South Dakota codified law has specific sections and language that pertain to agricultural and grazing leases. This material was obtained from the South Dakota Legislative Research Council Web page found at http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/index.aspx. The information in this publica¬tion is believed to be current …

South Dakota Fence Law, Burton Pflueger

SDSU Extension Extra Archives

Each year the South Dakota Cooperative Exten¬sion Service receives many questions about who is responsible for fixing fence between neighbors. South Dakota law addresses who is responsible and what type of fence should be constructed. The material in this publication is presented only as a guideline or ref¬erence; the authors of this publication are not provid¬ing legal services. South Dakota codified law has specific sections and language that pertain to what constitutes a legal fence between neighbors. The following information is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of all provi¬sions of South Dakota law governing fences, but is provided …

Manganese Oxide Mineral Phases Produced At Room Temperature Under Acidic Conditions Investigated With Xrd, Tem, Sem, Eds, And Bet, Nancy R. Birkner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis concerns characterization of synthetic manganese oxides belonging to mineral phases known as Birnessite and Cryptomelane. Presented here are the results of an experiment designed to examine the influence of sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfate ions on the reduction of potassium permanganate under acidic conditions at room temperature to produce Birnessite and Cryptomelane. The experiments used KMnO4 as the source of Mn and the resulting Birnessite and Cryptomelane precipitates were washed with 18 Mn/cm NANOpure water at the end of syntheses. Several state-of-the-art solid state techniques were used to characterize the Mn-based oxide mineral phases. Based on the literature …

The Breath We Walk On, Sean Matthew Tribe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

"The Breath We Walk On" is a collection of poems written during my time at UNLV, instructed by the poetic works of George Oppen, DH Lawrence, William Blake, Alice Notley, Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg and John Donne, as well as, The Greek Anthology, The Bible, and The Gnostic Gospels. The major ideas forming this collection detail issues of self in relation to the world. The poems that were most instructive from these books explore this idea in the best of their works. Other questions addressed are how can human beings live in a way that inflicts minimal harm to the …

Will Retail Travel Agencies In Singapore Survive: Comparison Between Retail Travel Agencies And Online Reservation Services, Yan Xin Low

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Over the last two decades, the tourism industry has grown rapidly. But its evolution has been influenced by various factors such as culture and environmental changes including economic status and competition. Some of these factors, culture for instance, act as constants, providing some form of predictability to the evolution of the tourism industry within a specific society. While other factors, such as economic status and competition, act as variables that drive the industry to reach its potential. Hofstede defined “culture” as a collective programming of the human mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from …

Cost-Effective Training And Development Programs In The Hotel Industry During A Recessionary Period, Fiona Clementine King

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Training and development are essential in providing employees with the right skills for their present and future jobs. The world today is constantly evolving, with customers demanding more, which in turn adds pressure to companies and their employees. Therefore, in times of recessions, decreasing the budgets of training programs is a way for companies in all industries to manage and minimize their financial losses. The purpose of this paper is to identify the different techniques that the hotel industry could use to maintain the training and development of their employees during an economic recession. This paper will also look at …

Bone Rattlers Bar & Grill Business Plan, Lovedy Ann Zie Carroll

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Independent restaurants are important in communities. Not only can restaurants provide the basic need of an enjoyable meal but restaurants also serve as gathering places for social and recreational purposes. People can celebrate special occasions, spend time with family or friends, and/or enjoy the atmosphere at restaurants. A restaurateur must have a solid business plan and understanding of what it means to run a restaurant business in both strong and weak economies. Lack of job security has many Americans leaving the corporate world to start their own businesses and make their own future (Cohn, 2009). According to the U.S. Small …

An Entry Level Managerial Training Program For Hourly Hospitality Employees, Cynthia Mejia

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to develop an entry-level managerial training program for line-level hospitality employees. An analysis of the current literature regarding training and motivation will be used as the foundation for the proposed training program. In addition, two central issues will be addressed to ensure the success of the participants in the managerial training program: a) The identification and resolution of perceived obstacles employees face when contemplating advancement, and b) the practice of developing internal employees to increase retention, and thereby reduce the high costs associated with middle management turnover.

Heterologous Expression Studies Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Reveal Two Distinct Trypanosomatid Caax Protease Activities And Identify Their Potential Targets, David Z. Mokry, Surya P. Manandhar, Kristen A. Chicola, George M. Santangelo, Walter K. Schmidt

Faculty Publications

The CaaX tetrapeptide motif typically directs three sequential posttranslational modifications, namely, isoprenylation, proteolysis, and carboxyl methylation. In all eukaryotic systems evaluated to date, two CaaX proteases (Rce1 and Ste24/Afc1) have been identified. Although the Trypanosoma brucei genome also encodes two putative CaaX proteases, the lack of detectable T. brucei Ste24 activity in trypanosome cell extracts has suggested that CaaX proteolytic activity within this organism is solely attributed to T. brucei Rce1 (J. R. Gillespie et al., Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 153: 115-124. 2007). In this study, we demonstrate that both T. brucei Rce1 and T. brucei Ste24 are enzymatically active when …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Of Atmospheric Flow Applied To Wind Energy Research, Alan Russell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

High resolution atmospheric flow modeling using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has many applications in the wind energy industry. A well designed model can accurately calculate wind speed, direction, and turbulence at any point in a wind farm using data from a fixed location source. The model can extend point source data over an area of several square kilometers, or map terrain influenced microclimates using remote wind data. A local flow model is critical for wind resource site assessment, and for optimizing wind farm turbine layout for maximum power production. A CFD simulation of an operating wind farm, coupled with a …

An Evaluation Of A Sexual Assault Education Program, Angela P. Hatcher

Dissertations

Sexually aggressive behavior, especially on college campuses, is an issue of major concern. Previous research has found that 54% of college women report being sexually victimized (Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987). Given the scope of this problem, effective prevention strategies are necessary. Sexual assault prevention programs have included those targeting a mixed gender audience as well as gender specific programs. Research examining the effectiveness of these programs, at both post-intervention and follow-up, have provided mixed results.

The goal of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of a video-based sexual assault education program in decreasing rape myths, increasing victim …

Kendall's Tau And Spearman's Rho For Zero-Inflated Data, Ronald Silva Pimentel

Dissertations

Zero-inflated continuous distributions have positive probability mass at zero in addition to a continuous distribution. Such type of data can be encountered, for example, in medical, environmental and financial research. The main focus of this research is to study the association of nonnegative random variables, both having a positive probability mass at zero. New estimators of the classical measures of association, Kendall's tau and Spearman's rho, appropriate for the zero-inflated distributions, are proposed and their asymptotic distributions are derived. Performance of the estimators is assessed by a Monte Carlo simulation study. New ideas are illustrated by a real data example.

Adoption And Integration Of Best Practice Methods In Secondary English Teaching, Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil

Dissertations

Commencing with a critical examination of the history and rhetorical force of the term "best practice," this dissertation undertakes a qualitative study of three secondary English teachers, considering their adoption and integration of best practice methods. The subjects, represented by urban, suburban and rural secondary schools, were National Writing Project participants identified as "exemplary teachers" by a NWP site director. "Best practice" methods analyzed included the process model for the teaching of writing and literature, student decision-making, and a low-risk writing environment. Factors that were found to influence the adoption of best practice methods included undergraduate and preservice experiences, intern …

Singlemode-Multimode-Singlemode Optical Fibre Structures For Optical Sensing, Agus Muhamad Hatta

Doctoral

This thesis describes theoretical and experimental investigations on all-fibre multimode interference (MMI) devices using a singlemode-multimode-singlemode (SMS) fibre structure for use as a new type of edge filter for a ratiometric wavelength measurement system and as novel stand alone sensors. The use of two edge filters, so called X-type edge filters based on SMS fibre structures in a ratiometric wavelength measurement system is proposed and demonstrated. The use of X-type edge filters can improve the resolution and accuracy of wavelength measurement compared to the use of one edge filter in a conventional ratiometric system. Several aspects of the SMS edge …

Immunomodulatory Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particles, Ashley Kay Masterson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) represent a key component of particulate matter pollution and a serious cardiopulmonary health risk, as these particles have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality following exposure. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory properties of DEP on helper T cells by measuring changes in activation, cytokine production, and viability. The expression of CD40L, a key regulatory protein, was increased by DEP in the absence of physiologic stimuli without parallel increases in the expression of CD25 and CD69 activation markers. Additional studies utilizing a variety of T cell stimuli, including T cell receptor signaling and CD28 …

Wide I/O Dram Architecture Utilizing Proximity Communication, Qawi Ibnzayd Harvard

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The bandwidth and power consumption of dynamic random access memory, used as the main memory of a computer system, impacts the computer’s execution rate even with the existence of a memory hierarchy. DRAM manufacturers focus on density increases due to the innate price per bit decline of main memory while processor manufacturers continually focus on boosting performance by increasing the number of instructions completed per second. This leads to a performance gap between the microprocessor and DRAM.

Proximity communication promises to increase the I/O density of DRAM products while reducing the power consumption of the main memory system. This thesis …

Dependence Of Bone Microarchitecture Upon Collagen Α1(Xi) Expression During Embryonic Development, Nathan James Hoskins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Skeletogenesis occurs through both intramembranous ossification, and endochondral ossification, the latter of which features a cartilage intermediate. The cartilage intermediate is comprised of heterotypic molecules formed from collagens type II, IX, and XI. Recently, a number of cell culture and transgenic model studies have posited a function for the alpha 1 chain of collagen XI beyond contributing to cartilage formation. Further, collagen α1(XI) mutations in humans generate a series of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasias, including Stickler syndrome and Marshall syndrome. These disorders present clinical skeletal symptoms, including abnormal epiphyseal development, irregularity of the margins of the vertebral bodies, thick calvaria, short stature, …

Capstone Portfolio, Rita Giménez

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

No abstract provided.

A Thousand Crowns, Brent Schnee

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

No abstract provided.

Exploring Masculinities In The United States And Japan, Susan Sims Cochran

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

This paper explores the differences and similarities between American and Japanese masculinities (and their underlying values). The paper contrasts the findings regarding American and Japanese masculinities detailed in books and articles read by the author, and discusses the portrayal of masculinities in the films "The Last Samurai," "Shall We Dance?" and "Shall We Dansu?" The paper begins with a discussion of masculinities in general, including brief historical contexts, followed by an overview of masculinities studies in America and Japan, concluding with an exploration of the similarities and differences of masculinities in America and Japan, as portrayed in the above-referenced films.

On The High, Jarmea L. Boone

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

No abstract provided.

Technical Writing For Software Documentation Writers: A Textbook On Process And Product, Elizabeth Warnke

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

No abstract provided.

Life: The Work Of A Hospice Chaplain, Matthew Alexander

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

No abstract provided.

Doing It Write: Professionalizing The Write Room, Joellen Kubiak-Woodall

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

No abstract provided.

There Are Other Worlds Than These, Jessica L. Nettles

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Short stories.

Section 8 Tenant-Based Housing Assistance Program: A Case Study Of The Negative Effects Of The Program On Participating Communities, Tara M. Rolle

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

After the Great Depression there was a need for federal housing assistance programs to help alleviate some of the distress that many Americans were experiencing during the United States housing crisis. The Section 8 Tenant Based Program, which is federally funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), helps to provide thousands of Americans each year with safe, decent and sanitary housing; something they might not have otherwise been able to obtain without an intervention.

The Section 8 Program is viewed by many to be a success, however, as the program has grown over the years …

The Politics Of The Budgetary Process: The Case Study Of Georgia Perimeter College, Kimberley Robinson

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Given that numbers alone do not tell much of a story, this research project investigates Georgia Perimeter College’s budget process and the politics that is associated with it. This case study is an exploratory analysis. This type of methodology is ideal when a holistic, in‐depth investigation is needed. Also the method seeks to identify influences on performance. This exploratory analysis examines the comprehensive budgeting process of Georgia Perimeter College. It begins by compiling and organizing all data, and details where the budget process actually starts, who the players are in the budgeting process, and how funds are allocated. The analysis …

State-Funded Lobbyists In Georgia: Wise Or Wasteful?, Lynn M. Durham

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Most Georgia state agencies have full-time employees whose duties include lobbying General Assembly members on behalf of the agency. These employees act as liaisons between the agencies and the state elected officials and perform duties such as constituent services, providing information to legislators, and advice and expertise on issues affecting their agency. Periodically, the media has written articles questioning whether taxpayers’ funds should be used to pay the salaries of these “lobbyists.” This practice has come under fire as being a questionable or wasteful use of taxpayers’ monies. This study examines the primary duties of agency lobbyists and asks legislators, …