Digital Commons Network^™

A Christian Mega Church Strives For Relevance: Examining Social Media And Religiosity, Kenthea Albert-Leigh Joan Fogenay

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Facebook and Twitter uses and gratifications and religiosity. Non-denominational Christian mega churches focus their outreach programs on a "come-as-you-are" attitude with the hopes of making people feel comfortable. The interactive technology in our daily lives also infiltrates our experience at church. The congregation now has the ability to worship through technologies endorsed by leadership (Watson & Scalen, 2008; Bogomilova, 2004; Thomas, 2009). In order for churches to engage in effective communication, they must understand how people use social networking. Through survey methodology, the researcher takes an account of how …

Factors Associated With Parental Decision Making And Childhood Vaccination, Zuwen Qiu-Shultz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In order to better understand factors affecting immunization status, logistic regression was used to assess the association of various socio-demographic factors and whether parents would have their child immunized if not a state mandate. Factors included in the study were race, household income, number of children in the household, number of adults in the household, if the child had a primary provider, if the child had a health check-up in the last twelve months, and medical insurance status of the child. The combined Nevada Kindergarten Health Survey Result of 2009-2010 (Year Two) and 2010-2011 (Year Three) conducted by the Nevada …

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Academic Cheating And The Influence Of Achievement Motivation With Online And Face-To-Face Learning Environments, Sherée Christine Royer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There are many components contributing to academically dishonest behaviors and with improvements in technology, methods for cheating have expanded to web-based classrooms. This study focuses on academically dishonest behaviors in online and face-to-face (F2F) course formats in an attempt to better understand the impact of cheating in these two learning environments. Additional factors in this study include the relationship between student and faculty achievement orientation and classroom context through the use of vignettes. Participants were students and faculty from a large Southwestern University and faculty members from a local smaller college in the same area. Respondents completed inventories using a …

Study Of Seat-Belt Usage In Nevada & Driver's Performance, Atul Sancheti

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), motor vehicle incidents has been reported to be the leading cause of the accidental deaths in the United States accounting for more than 42,000 deaths every year. Distracted driving and Driving under influence (DUI) are the major contributors to these roadway crashes. Moreover, drivers fatigue and drowsiness behind the wheel is another important factor contributing to the high fatality rate. These factors results in significant decline in the driver's abilities of perception, recognition and vehicle control.

It has also been reported by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that about 292,471 …

The Role Of Music-Specific Representations When Processing Speech: Using A Musical Illusion To Elucidate Domain-Specific And -General Processes, Christina M. Vanden Bosch Der Nederlanden

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

When listening to music and language sounds, it is unclear whether adults recruit domain-specific or domain-general mechanisms to make sense of incoming sounds. Unique acoustic characteristics such as a greater reliance on rapid temporal transitions in speech relative to song may introduce misleading interpretations concerning shared and overlapping processes in the brain. By using a stimulus that is both ecologically valid and can be perceived as speech or song depending on context, the contribution of low- and high-level mechanisms may be teased apart. The stimuli employed in all experiments are auditory illusions from speech to song reported by Deutsch et …

This Is The Place: Utah's Gaming History And Current Attitude, Jackson Tad Butterfield

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Global gambling is what it is. It is global. Gambling has become an economic force to be reckoned with. It has spread to all corners of the globe, from Europe to North America to Asia. There are regions that have widely supported the introduction of gambling into their economy and society but there are also those that have shunned it, despite the clear economic advantages associated with gambling. The AGA estimated that total gambling revenue in the United States for 2012 was approximately $37.74 billion, with commercial casinos contributing approximately $8.6 billion to local communities via taxes (AGA, 2013c). This …

Time-Dependent Random Effect Poisson Random Field Model For Polymorphism Within And Between Two Related Species, Shilei Zhou

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Molecular evolution is partially driven by mutation, selection, random genetic drift, or combination of the three factors. To quantify the magnitude of these genetic forces, a previously developed time-dependent fixed effect Poisson random field model provides powerful likelihood and Bayesian estimates of mutation rate, selection coefficient, and species divergence time. The assumption of the fixed effect model that selection intensity is constant within a genetic locus but varies across genes is obviously biologically unrealistic, but it serves the original purpose of making statistical inference about selection and divergence between two related species they are individually at mutation-selection-drift inequilibrium. By relaxing …

Business Plan For A Korean Fine-Dining Restaurant In Las Vegas, Jihoon Kim

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Korean food industry is enjoying international attention and growth as the Korean government’s globalization efforts spur the development of Korean restaurants in international markets such as the United States (Korean Food Foundation, 2013). Korean cuisine is being branded as healthy food that harmonizes nutrition and flavor (Jang & Ha, 2009). Now is the time to start new Korean restaurants in the U.S.’s ethnic cuisine market. This paper provides a business plan focusing on a fine-dining Korean restaurant operation in the Las Vegas market, which is currently devoid of such an operation.

Resemblance-Oriented Communication Strategies: Understanding The Role Of Resemblance In Signed And Spoken Languages, Daniel R. Eberle

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this thesis is to propose that resemblance plays an important role in human communication. Saussure proposed a characteristic principle of the linguistic sign: that connections between linguistic codes and the objects they signify are arbitrary; however, I intend to show that resemblance, which I define as the visual or aural similarity between a stimulus, the thought it is intended to activate, and the real world target that utterance is about, is an important part of human communication and should be taken into consideration when defining language and proposing theories of human communication.

I have chosen Relevance Theory …

Numeral Incorporation In American Sign Language, Vanessa L. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Numeral incorporation is a moderately productive process in ASL which combines a numeral and a base to form a compounded fully formed sign. Numeral-incorporated signs involve some sort of simultaneity of the base and the numeral. I interviewed six individuals who use ASL as their primary language in order to gather examples of numeral-incorporated signs in ASL, thus getting a sampling of variation in the American deaf community.

Traditionally, numeral incorporation has been viewed as a process of combining a numeral sign with a noun, which I call a source sign. Instead, I found that the source signs are separate …

A Survey Of Those In The U.S. Deaf Community About Reading And Writing Asl, Jennifer Keogh

Theses and Dissertations

On average, students who are deaf do not develop English literacy skills as well as their hearing peers. The linguistic interdependence principle suggests that literacy in American Sign Language (ASL) may improve literacy in English for students who are deaf. However, the Deaf community in the United States has not widely adopted a written form of ASL. This research surveys individuals in the U.S. Deaf community to better understand the opinions surrounding literacy in ASL.

The survey was presented online, containing both ASL in embedded videos and written English. The survey asked for the participants' demographic information, language and educational …

Effect Ofgarlic(Allium Sativum )Extract And Root Extract Of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)On Growth And Yield Of Chick Plant (Cicer Arietinum), Rahaf W. Mahmood, Wafik Amjad Al-Kaisy, Eman Hussain Al-Hayani

Baghdad Science Journal

An experiment was conducted at botanical garden of Department of Biology ,College of Education (Ibn-AL –Haitham ,University of Baghdad during winter season of 2010 -2011.The aim of prsent study is to investigate the effect of Garlic (Allium sativum) extract and root extract of Ginger(Ziniber officinale)in two concentration of both extracts (20% and 30%)on growth and yield of (Cicer arietinum).The result showed that both extracts increased plant hight ,Chlorophyl content ,relative growth rate (RGR).Absolute growth rate (AGR),seeds yield .seed weight average ,biological yield ,carbohydrate and protein percentages in seeds,in comparsim with control plants .

Anesthetic Considerations For Phantom Limb Pain, Robert B. Kari

Theses and Dissertations

Title: Anesthetic Considerations for Phantom Limb Pain

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a phenomenon where pain develops or is perceived in a body part that has been removed. With the prevalence of peripheral vascular disease secondary to diabetes, amputation rates are expected to increase in the next decade. Chronic pain syndromes such as phantom limb pain are difficult to manage and treat

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to detennine if preemptive analgesia for limb amputation is effective in the prevention of PLP

Process: A comprehensive review of the literature was perfonned using multiple …

The Teaching Legacy Of Iravati M. Sudiarso, Mario S. Santoso

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Iravati Mangunkusumo Sudiarso (born in 1937, in Surabaya) is one of Indonesia's most respected musical figures. Famous throughout Indonesia as a pianist and teacher, Sudiarso has produced successful generations of pianists for more than forty years. With her professionalism and idealism in teaching, combined with endless dedication, Sudiarso has guided many students to achieve high artistry and taste in piano playing. The author had the privilege of studying with Iravati Sudiarso from 1996 through 2000, an experience which brought personal knowledge of her teaching.;Several of Sudiarso's students have composed music dedicated to her, but no one has written a comprehensive …

Skill Finder: Automated Job-Resume Matching System, Thimma Reddy Kalva

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Skill Finder is a tool which ranks the student skills from the resumes to the job requirements from Employers, Department and Faculty looking for student interns, full-time employees and also Research, Graduate and Teaching Assistants. Skill Finder hosts student resumes, Academic history and contact information. Authorized users from the Department can post jobs, view job applicants and the Skill finder automatically sorts the students resumes based on the degree of match with the job. Skill finder also sends e-mail alerts to students about the jobs posted and keeps track of employer’s history by maintaining the complete history of jobs posted …

The Effects Of Artificial Photoperiod On Age At Puberty In Fall-Born Ewe Lambs, Matthew Lewis Deacon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A study, conducted in two replicates, examined the effects of an artificial photoperiod on puberty in fall-born ewe lambs. Replicate I was initiated in December 2011 with prepubertal Dorset ewe lambs (n = 44). Replicate II was initiated beginning in December 2012 and included prepubertal Dorset, Suffolk x Dorset and Texel x Dorset ewe lambs (n = 52). All lambs were weighed at the initiation of each replicate and randomized to one of two treatments, control or treated, based on age, weight, breed and type of birth and rearing. Control ewe lambs were housed in a barn with exposure to …

Estonia's Post-Soviet Agricultural Reforms: Lessons For Cuba, Mario A. Gonzalez-Corzo

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Microfluidic Generated Egf-Gradients Induce Chemokinesis Of Transplantable Retinal Progenitor Cells Via The Jak/Stat And Pi3kinase Signaling Pathways, Uchenna J. Unachukwu, Moira Sauane, Maribel Vazquez, Stephen Redenti

Publications and Research

A growing number of studies are evaluating retinal progenitor cell (RPC) transplantation as an approach to repair retinal degeneration and restore visual function. To advance cell-replacement strategies for a practical retinal therapy, it is important to define the molecular and biochemical mechanisms guiding RPC motility. We have analyzed RPC expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and evaluated whether exposure to epidermal growth factor (EGF) can coordinate motogenic activity in vitro. Using Boyden chamber analysis as an initial highthroughput screen, we determined that RPC motility was optimally stimulated by EGF concentrations in the range of 20-400ng/ml, with decreased stimulation …

Generations Apart: Exploring The Generation Gap In Theatre, Jesus Briones

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis attempts to find relationships among three different ethnic groups (Jewish, Chinese, and Italian) presented in the following plays. First, there is an explanation of four different types of generation gaps that are discovered throughout the first play of examination, Fiddler on the Roof. There is a technology gap, a cultural gap, a religion gap, and an assimilation gap. Each of these gaps is present within Fiddler on the Roof and is varied throughout the remaining plays examined (Flower Drum Song and Over the River and Through the Woods). Each “gap” will be given an explanation and how it …

La Gente De Migración Y Acción: African Americans In Revolutionary Mexico 1880–1929, Alfredo Aguilar

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis argues that Mexico historically presented African Americans with options to pursue freedom through outlets of migration (civil) and counter-violence (violent resistance). In addition, the thesis exhibits Mexico’s historical anti-slavery stance which reflects why Mexico was a viable place of relocation and resistance. Furthermore, it argues Mexico and the United States had roles in African Americans’ relation to Mexico and these endeavors of resistance. By using primary sources such as newspapers and government reports, the extent of propaganda methods and use becomes discernible. The objective is to highlight the international assistance Mexico provided towards African Americans, the U.S. role …

Graduation As A Function Of Attendance And Discipline Of Students In The Student Success Initiative Of Texas In One South Texas Urban School District, Maria Luisa Trevino-Guerra

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examined the trends and patterns across time of grade placement committee students on the dependent variable, graduation. Longitudinal data for independent variables, attendance and discipline was collected for 173 students from 2005 to 2013. The independent variables of attendance and discipline were examined to determine whether or not high school completion is dependent on these two measures.

The Grade 5 students of 2005-2006 in one south Texas large urban school district who were retained in the fifth grade or advanced to the next higher grade by the grade placement committee in accordance with the Student Success Initiative (SSI) …

Estrategias Utilizadas En Aulas Bilingues En La Ensenanza De La Lectura En Espanol, Maria Marquez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Para este estudio se observaron las diferentes estrategias utilizadas en aulas bilingües en la enseñanza de la lectura en español. Asimismo, este estudio cualitativo observó las diferentes estrategias utilizadas por los maestros en los salones de clase bilingües donde se enfocó la lectura en español. La meta de este estudio es que los maestros bilingües del preescolar rebasen todos las expectativas de la enseñanza en la lectura, que estén capacitados para la enseñanza en español y que faciliten las estrategias de la lectura para promover la fluidez lectora. Las estrategias investigadas son aquellas que promueven la fluidez y la comprensión …

Increasing Student Engagement In The Middle School Classroom, Elisa V. Biancalana

Dissertations

There is a need to improve student engagement in the middle school classroom. This change plan seeks to determine the level of student engagement in the classroom using the Instructional Practices Inventory tool. Classroom walkthroughs will be conducted to determine the level of engagement in the classroom. The data collected during the walkthroughs will drive the professional development needed for teachers in order to be able to implement teaching strategies that increase the level of student engagement in the classroom. The effective implementation of this change plan will ensure that teachers will work collaboratively in order to design engaging instruction …

Efficient Privacy-Preserving Range Queries Over Encrypted Data In Cloud Computing, Bharath K. Samanthula, Wei Jiang

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

With the growing popularity of data and service outsourcing, where the data resides on remote servers in encrypted form, there remain open questions about what kind of query operations can be performed on the encrypted data. In this paper, we focus on one such important query operation, namely range query. One of the basic security primitives that can be used to evaluate range queries is secure comparison of encrypted integers. However, the existing secure comparison protocols strongly rely on the encrypted bit-wise representations rather than on pure encrypted integers. Therefore, in this paper, we first propose an efficient method for …

Differences In Internet Usage Patterns With Stress And Anxiety Among College Students, Levi Malott, Sai Preethi Vishwanathan, Sriram Chellappan

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Stress and Anxiety negatively affect mental health and can lead a number of debilitating impacts to overall health and wellbeing. In the recent past, adolescents are becoming increasingly afflicted with Stress and Anxiety. In this paper, we report our findings on a six-week study of 70 students at a college campus on associations between Stress and Anxiety with respect to Internet usage of students. Using Cisco NetFlow records, on-campus Internet usage of students was collected continuously and unobtrusively in a privacy-preserving manner. Using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), students were separated based on normal scores and high scores …

Chc-Tscm: A Trustworthy Service Composition Method Based On An Improved Chc Genetic Algorithm, Cao Buqing, Liu Jianxun, Xiaoqing Frank Liu, Li Bing, Zhou Dong

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Trustworthy service composition is an extremely important task when service composition becomes infeasible or even fails in an environment which is open, autonomic, uncertain and deceptive. This paper presents a trustworthy service composition method based on an improved Cross generation elitist selection, Heterogeneous recombination, Cataclysmic mutation (CHC) Trustworthy Service Composition Method (CHC-TSCM) genetic algorithm. CHC-TSCM firstly obtains the total trust degree of the individual service using a trust degree measurement and evaluation model proposed in previous research. Trust combination and computation then are performed according to the structural relation of the composite service. Finally, the optimal trustworthy service composition is …

Elementary Implantable Force Sensor For Smart Orthopaedic Implants, Rebecca A. Wachs, David Ellstein, John Drazan, Colleen P. Healey, Richard L. Uhl, Kenneth A. Connor, Eric H. Ledet

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Implementing implantable sensors which are robust enough to maintain long term functionality inside the body remains a significant challenge. The ideal implantable sensing system is one which is simple and robust; free from batteries, telemetry, and complex electronics. We have developed an elementary implantable sensor for orthopaedic smart implants. The sensor requires no telemetry and no batteries to communicate wirelessly. It has no on-board signal conditioning electronics. The sensor itself has no electrical connections and thus does not require a hermetic package. The sensor is an elementary L-C resonator which can function as a simple force transducer by using a …

Something To Talk About:Lessons Of Language And Literacy From A Tutorial Pilot Program, Joanna Neel

Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article describes a study conducted to determine evidence of key variables of literacy development and language acquisition, based on tutor’s lessons focusing on books and conversations about books and tutee’s questions. During one semester, university students tutored students from third to fifth grade, creating learning communities incorporating language and literate conversations, discussions about learning, and thinking/ comprehension strategies into each tutorial session, based on the needs of each student, as determined by the homeroom teacher. Conversations about books and topics were determined by student interest. Tutors were prepared with eight preparation sessions. Tutors noted student literacy behaviors in journals, …

Segregation, Inequality, Demographic Change, And School Consolidation, William England, Edmund T. Hamann

Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Sciences (through 2013)

We describe a rural/micropolitan example of the intertwining of school consolidation and demographic change with exacerbated segregation and inequality. To do this we consider Dawson County, Nebraska, which hosts the state's most Latino/a school district (Lexington) and which saw its number of schools decline from 37 to 19 during this century's first decade, and the number of local school districts lessened from 18 to 5. In particular, we call attention to the irony that consolidation was pursued with an explicit call for more equality in schooling in Dawson County (Swidler 2013) and yet population concentrations and variation in expenditures seemed …

Changes On Cran, Kurt Hornik, Achim Zeileis

The R Journal

New CRAN task views

New packages in CRAN task views

New contributed packages

Other changes