Digital Commons Network^™

Attachment Theory As A Predictor Of Communicative Responses To Infidelity, Sandra Donovan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study set out to determine one’s communicative responses to infidelity as predicted by attachment style. Three hundred and ninety-two participants responded to a measure of attachment and were then randomly assigned to one of three scenarios: imagining a partner’s sexual infidelity, imagining a partner’s emotional infidelity and imagining a partner’s combined sexual and emotional infidelity. Participants then responded to a communicative response scale in reaction to the scenario. Results showed moderate support for attachment theory. Additional analysis revealed responses differed by infidelity type. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Study Of Stemming Algorithms, Savitha Kodimala

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Automated stemming is the process of reducing words to their roots. The stemmed words are typically used to overcome the mismatch problems associated with text searching.

In this thesis, we report on the various methods developed for stemming. In particular, we show the effectiveness of n-gram stemming methods on a collection of documents.

Structural Model Of Effects Of Cultural Factors On Escalation Of Commitment Through Antecedents, Agency, And Negative Framing Effects, Woo-Sik Danny Choi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to identify and measure the effects of Hofstede‟s cultural factors on escalation of commitment for hospitality managers among American and Chinese managers. Typical cultural factors include power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism and collectivism, masculinity and femininity, and orientation. Escalation of commitment refers to making decisions in risky circumstances. First, the effect of cultural factors on escalation of commitment was measured through antecedents (mediator variables). Second, the first effect of antecedents on escalation of commitment was measured through agency and negative framing effects. Structural equation modeling (SEM) found significant relationships between cultural factors and mediator …

Variability Of Pacing In Marathon Distance Running, Thomas A. Haney Jr.

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purposes of this study were to describe variability of pacing during a marathon and to determine if there is a relationship between variability of pacing and marathon performance. A total of 301 race profiles that contained personal global positioning system (GPS) from the Rock „n‟ Roll Las Vegas (Race 1) and San Diego (Race 2) marathons were downloaded (http://connect.garmin.com) and analyzed. Each marathon finish time was placed into one of three finish time bins: Bin 1: 2.5 – 3.9 hrs, Bin 2: 4.0 – 4.6 hrs, Bin 3: 4.7 – 7.2. The coefficient of variation of velocity (Velcov) was …

Altering Explicit And Implicit Racial Prejudice Towards African American Males, Veronica A. Glover

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Researchers tested 281 undergraduates to determine if positive behavior messages about African American males presented during a learning task affected scores on explicit and implicit racial prejudice measures. During the learning task, we manipulated how many positive messages the participant viewed (100 vs. 150 or none) and the amount of African American males these messages applied to (1 vs. 3). Participants who viewed 150 positive messages about one African American male displayed more explicit prejudice than participants in control groups or participants learning 100 messages about one person. Results for the implicit measure indicated that participants who learned about three …

After Getting The Mail, Howard Schaap

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Original Sin, Jake Van Wyk

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

Pauline Viardot's Russian Compositions, Amy Jo Hunsaker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Pauline Viardot-Garcia (1821-1910), an internationally famed opera singer well known for her vocal dexterity and range, was an intelligent and sophisticated woman who circulated easily among the brightest stars of the nineteenth century. Viardot, who was fluent in five languages, composed over 100 songs and was one of the first Western Europeans to set Russian words to music. Many of her French, German, Spanish, and Italian songs were translated into Russian and published in St. Petersburg. Viardot’s interest in Russian music began early in her career, when she performed with the Imperial Opera in St. Petersburg from 1843 to 1846. …

An Investigation Of Process Parameters To Optimize The Fiber Diameter Of Electrospun Vascular Scaffolds Through Experimental Design, Steffi Wong

Biomedical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Analysis Techniques Of A Dynamic In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model, Ryan Everett Woodhouse

Biomedical Engineering

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is responsible for maintaining the sensitive environment required by the brain. Although the BBB is necessary for proper functioning of the brain, it acts as an obstacle for doctors attempting to treat neurological disease. For a drug to act upon the brain, it must first pass through the discriminating BBB. For this reason, much research has been performed in recent years in order to create an in vitro model of the BBB on which drugs targeted for the central nervous system may be tested. The main goal of this project is to create an in vitro …

Neural Coding Of Temporal Information And Its Topography In The Auditory Cortex, Thomas A. Terleph, Raphael Pinaud

Biology Faculty Publications

The article discusses a study that focused on neural coding of temporal information and topography in the auditory cortex. The quest for a thorough understanding how highly complex stimuli are encoded poses a significant challenge for auditory neurosciences, such as human speech and animal vocal signals. The characteristics of cortical neurons have been attributed to the coding of temporal stimulus which features precise spike timing in the coding and firing rate of repetition sounds.

Factors Contributing To Student Athlete Selection Of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Benjamin M. Santo

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain insight into which factors of recruitment were important to a student-athletes decision regarding their choice of college. It is vital for recruiters to recognize factors that potential student-athletes consider important in the recruiting process, because a successful recruiter is one who can build a strong relationship with the student-athlete. The researcher selected Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) football student-athletes to conduct the study for the research.

Seniors, juniors, and sophomores were selected to participate in the study. Participants completed a 12 question survey instrument that was designed to assess important recruiting …

Factors Affecting Undergraduate Female Transfer Student Degree Completion Rates, Kristi A. Robey

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to explore what factors affect the degree completion rates of undergraduate female transfer students, ages 19 and older, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Five sub-research questions explored the areas of (a) common factors among the issues faced by the participants; (b) monetary issues’ affect on degree completion; (c) the affect of family responsibilities on persistence; (d) age as a possible factor in degree completion rates; and (e) the number of hours worked and the affect it has on degree completion rates. The study explored the reasons undergraduate female transfer students had for transferring …

Faculty Creativity In Distance Learning: A Phenomenological Study To Understand How The Online Learning Environment Impacts Faculty Creativity, Annaleah Demetra Morrow

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

What is the experience of expressing creativity for creative faculty teaching in the online environment? The literature regarding online learning covers topics relating to faculty and student satisfaction with distance learning, and faculty frustrations with the increased time required of online classes versus on-ground classes. Although the impact to creativity could be inferred in some cases, there is a void in studies focused specifically on understanding the experience of creative faculty expressing their creativity in the online environment. This study is intended to gain a deeper understanding of how teaching in the online environment affects the expression of faculty creativity …

Hydraulic Conductivity, Infiltration, And Runoff From No-Till And Tilled Cropland, Jessica H. Deck

Department of Environmental Engineering: Theses and Other Student Research

Infiltration and runoff are important processes that affect the efficiency of center pivot irrigation systems. No-till planting systems potentially influence the hydraulic properties of soils and the soil surface conditions. The result of long-term use of no-till could be higher infiltration and lower runoff from rainfall and irrigation.

This potential was investigated in Nebraska on two center pivot irrigated sites; Fillmore County and Phelps County, one furrow irrigated site; South Central Agriculture Laboratory (SCAL), and one dryland site; Rogers Farm. Paired treatments were used at each location, one that was no-till planted and one that used two to three operations …

Policy And Science Of Geothermal Heat Use At Mcmurdo Station, Antarctica, Joe Alvine

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

My thesis research project deals with the use of geothermal heat in Antarctica. Currently it is not allowed due to article 7 of the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection that placed a 50 moratorium on the exploitation of mineral resources. The US main base in Antarctica, McMurdo Station is currently powered by diesel generators that are inefficient, cause environmental damage, and is expensive to run. By exploring alternative energy options, McMurdo Station can reduce its dependence on non-renewable energy sources. By determining the geothermal potential of McMurdo Station, this project explores the possibilities and benefits that would occur with the …

Estimation Of Mechanical Properties Of Soft Tissue Subjected To Dynamic Impact, Mohamed R. S. Amar

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study attempted to estimate the damping properties of human tissue by using spring and damper system as a model. Data of impacting human tissue at the deltoid area was used to obtain a continuous, second order system to represent the mass-spring-damper system. A discrete ARMA(2,1) model was fitted using the data obtained from experiments in which the deceleration of a pendulum impacting human shoulders in the area of the deltoid muscle was measured. The data of the deceleration was integrated twice to obtain estimates of displacement. The integration was done until the maximum displacement occurred at zero velocity.

An …

Using A Quality Based Analytic Hierarchy Process To Do Decision-Making Analysis In Transportation, Dejing Kong

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The automated identification technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), provides the potential to reduce costs in the transportation operations. Local Department of Transportation (DOT) offices have to carefully consider technologies such as RFID when considering their use for operation such as Right of Way (ROW) property control. ROW operations require strategic planning in that inventory and access rights can be contestable in a myriad of situations. This research investigates the comprehensive impacts of using RFID systems for ROW inventory tracking. We utilize the House of Quality as a means to integrating strategic shareholders needs and their impact on the measurement of …

Improved Mobile Wireless In Vivo Surgical Robots: Modular Design, Experimental Results, And Analysis, Jeff Hawks

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Laparoscopic surgery results in superior patient outcomes as measured by less painful recovery and an earlier return to functional health compared to conventional open surgery. However, the difficulty of manipulating laparoscopic tools from outside the patient’s body generally limits these benefits to patients undergoing relatively simple procedures. The use of miniature in vivo robots that fit entirely inside the peritoneal cavity represents a novel approach to laparoscopic surgery. These robots enable more complex laparoscopic procedures, increasing the number of patients that benefit from laparoscopic surgery.

This thesis describes recent work focused on developing a modular wireless mobile platform that can …

Spirit Of The Law: A Case Study In The Application Of Nagpra To Collections From Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, A Unit Of The National Park Service, Keely A. Rennie-Tucker

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This thesis offers a case study in applying the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to collections maintained at the National Park Service’s Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (HOCU) from the perspective of a museum curator. Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, a complex of various burial mound and earthwork sites dating primarily to the Middle Woodland (2,200 BP - AD 400), is located near Chillicothe, Ohio. The collections here have many culturally unidentifiable Native American human remains and funerary objects eligible for repatriation under the provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The archaeological …

The Effects Of Action, Normality, And Decision Carefulness On Anticipated Regret: Evidence For A Broad Mediating Role Of Decision Justifiability., Jochen Reb, Terry Connolly

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Two distinct theoretical views explain the effects of action/inaction and social normality on anticipated regret. Norm theory (Kahneman & Miller, 1986) emphasises the role of decision mutability, the ease with which one can imagine having made a different choice. Decision justification theory (Connolly & Zeelenberg, 2002) highlights the role of decision justifiability, the perception that the choice was made on a defensible basis, supported by convincing arguments or using a thoughtful, comprehensive decision process. The present paper tests several contrasting predictions from the two theoretical approaches in a series of four studies. Study 1 replicated earlier findings showing greater anticipated …

Systematics And Molecular Phylogeny Of Two African Stem Borer Genera, Sciomesa Tams & Bowden And Carelis Bowden (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), P. Moyal, B. Le Ru, D. Conlong, D. Cugala, B. Defabachew, T. Matama-Kauma, B. Pallangyo, J. Van Den Berg

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Currently, the systematics of the African noctuid stem borers of the subtribe Sesamiina, which include major pests of cereals, is confused. In addition, their ecology is poorly known, as are the factors influencing their evolution. In this paper, we address these shortcomings for two genera of the Sesamiina, Sciomesa Tams & Bowden and Carelis Bowden. Mixed Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, which included their host plants and two mitochondrial genes, showed the genus Sciomesa to be polyphyletic. Two new genera were created, Pirateolea and Feraxinia. The genus Carelis proved to be paraphyletic and was subdivided into two sub-genera. The genera Sciomesa, Carelis …

Measuring Aberrations In Lithographic Projection Systems With Phase Wheel Targets, Lena Zavyalova

Theses

A significant factor in the degradation of nanolithographic image fidelity is optical wavefront aberration. Aerial image sensitivity to aberrations is currently much greater than in earlier lithographic technologies, a consequence of increased resolution requirements. Optical wavefront tolerances are dictated by the dimensional tolerances of features printed, which require lens designs with a high degree of aberration correction. In order to increase lithographic resolution, lens numerical aperture (NA) must continue to increase and imaging wavelength must decrease. Not only do aberration magnitudes scale inversely with wavelength, but high-order aberrations increase at a rate proportional to NA2 or greater, as do aberrations …

Approaches To Identify Surface Proteins Of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Dense-Cored Organisms As Adhesins To Human P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1, Matthew Troese

Theses and Dissertations

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligatory intracellular bacterium that infects neutrophils to cause human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Sialyl Lewis x (sLex)-modified P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is the confirmed receptor utilized by A. phagocytophilum to bind and invade human neutrophils and myeloid cell lines. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, the binding of A. phagocytophilum to a host cell receptor is a prerequisite step for entry and replication, and thus its survival. However, the bacterial adhesins mediating this process have yet to be identified. In this study, we sought to identify surface proteins of A. phagocytophilum as putative adhesins. A. phagocytophilum undergoes a biphasic …

Characterization Of Anti-Proteolytic And Anti-Proliferative Activities Of Pentagalloylglucose; Its Potential Application As A Therapeutic Agent In Vascular Diseases, Chaitra Cheluvaraju

All Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality in the United States and will cost around $500 billion this year alone. Elevated proteolytic activity, increased proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells are hallmarks of atherosclerosis, stenosis and aortic aneurysms. These diseases often manifest the transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells into osteoblast-like cells followed by deposition of hydroxyapatite–like mineral in the arterial walls.
Currently, there are no standard treatments available for vascular calcification or aneurysms. Atherosclerosis treatment options are limited to statins while balloon angioplasty and stenting – surgical procedures for stenosis, often end in restenosis. Therefore, we …

A Reasoning Framework For Dependability In Software Architectures, Tacksoo Im

All Dissertations

The degree to which a software system possesses specified levels of software quality attributes, such as performance and modifiability, often have more influence on the success and failure of those systems than the functional requirements. One method of improving the level of a software quality that a product possesses is to reason about the structure of the software architecture in terms of how well the structure supports the quality. This is accomplished by reasoning through software quality attribute scenarios while designing the software architecture of the system.
As society relies more heavily on software systems, the dependability of those systems …

Understanding Gafp, A Plant Lectin With Broad Spectrum Inhibitory Activity, Alexis Nagel

All Dissertations

South Carolina and Georgia are the largest peach producing regions in the Southeastern United States, generating about $60 million worth (~90,000 tons) of fruit per year on average. Peaches and other stone-fruits (Prunus sp.) can be afflicted by a variety of root-associated diseases which negatively impact annual yield and long-term tree mortality. An engineered Prunus rootstock with enhanced resistance to soil-borne pathogens would therefore be of great benefit to the Southeastern peach industry. The Gastrodia anti-fungal protein (GAFP) is a monocot mannose-binding lectin which is able to inhibit the growth of multiple species of plant pathogenic fungi. Previous findings from …

The Genetics Of Metal Uptake In Caulobacter Crescentus: Characterization Of Regulators And Identification Of Receptors, Leah Howell

All Dissertations

Caulobacter crescentus is an oligotrophic, Gram negative bacterium with a dimorphic lifecycle. It is a model system for cell cycle regulation and cellular development. Since C. crescentus resides primarily in freshwater, this microorganism can also serve as a model system for nutrient uptake by oligotrophic freshwater species. This study focused on TonB-dependent receptors and metal-dependent regulators in C. crescentus.
To maintain appropriate levels of iron within the cell, bacteria have evolved mechanisms to control iron uptake, storage, and use. In microbes, there are two protein families possessing members that accomplish this: Fur and Rrf2. In the C. crescentus genome, there …

Molecular Physics Of Electrical Double Layers In Electrochemical Capacitors, Guang Feng

All Dissertations

At present, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) are emerging as a novel type of energy storage devices and have attracted remarkable attention, due to their key characteristics, such as high power density and excellent durability. However, the moderate energy density of ECs restricts their widespread deployment in everyday technology. To surmount this limitation, four strategies are adopted: (1) to reduce the total system mass, (2) to increase the specific surface area of electrodes, (3) to enhance normalized capacitance, and (4) to expand the range of potentials applied on electrodes. The implementation of these approaches critically relies on the fundamental understanding of physical …

Breaking The Ice: Prospects For Canadian-American Institutional Change In The Governance Of The Northwest Passage, Jeffrey Parkey

All Dissertations

This study assesses four institutional approaches to governing the use of the Northwest Passage, including the current rules in use. The assessment is conducted through the use of expert interviews, a review of the theoretical literature, and an examination of comparative cases. Because of significant environmental changes underway in the Arctic region, institutional change for Northwest Passage management is receiving increased attention. Due to the potential environmental and security impacts of regularized ship transits through the Northwest Passage, a number of informed observers have discussed the need for considering alternative means of governing the waterway. The advantages and disadvantages of …