Digital Commons Network^™

A Swat Model For A Cocoa Growing Region In Ghana, Russell Thomas Bair

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

For agricultural outputs to rise with population, more sustainable and productive methods must be identified. Watershed modeling is a way to relatively quickly compare possible impacts of large scale agricultural practice changes. The goal of this project was to develop a watershed model for the Pra River basin in southern Ghana, a cocoa growing region, that could be used for future impact studies of land management practice options. The model was developed using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and calibrated using the best daily stream flow data that could be readily located. With an R2 value of 0.57 and …

Genetically Modified Foods: To Label Or Not To Label, Leslie Anne Barham

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Terminal Sedation: A Legal And Necessary Solace, Peter Aaron Chacanias

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Growing Obesity In America: New York City’S Plan To Curb Obesity, Kimberly M. Gilhooly

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Finding A Path For Children In United States Lmmigration Law, Ryan D. Russell

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Inconsistencies In The Treatment Of Physician-Assisted Suicide & Passive Euthanasia, Arielle T. Simkins

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, Slurp No Evil: How The Recent N.Y. C. Ban On Sugary Drinks Will Stifle First Amendment Rights If Un-Fizzled, Jason Lawrence Stern

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Newborn Screening Saves Lives: A Comparative Analysis Of New Jersey And New York State Law And Why Early-Onset Alzheimer’S Disease Should Be Included On The Recommended Newborn Screening Panel, Christina Velazquez

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Organizational Accountability In The W.A.S.H. Sector: Integrating Sustainability Factors Into The Definition Of Success, Kaitlyn Jeanis

HIM 1990-2015

The world's poorest people, most of whom reside in under-developed nations, lack access to clean water and sanitation facilities, nutritious food, and education (UMP, 2005). These conditions are linked to malnutrition, disease, and low life expectancies (WHO). In an effort to reduce global poverty, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Under Goal 7c the UN denotes that by 2015 the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation as compared to the proportion who do should be halved. As a response to this objective the international development (ID) sector has implemented projects aimed …

Comparison Of Sweat Rates And Sweat Electrolyte Concentrations In Collegiate Male And Female Athletes With And Without A History Of Cramping, Brittany Cherie Willard

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the two main theories of muscle cramping by comparing sweat rate and sweat-electrolyte concentrations of athletes with a reported history of exercise associated muscle cramping (EAMC) to those with minimal cramping history to provide a potential link between sodium deficiency/sweat rate and EAMCs. The methodological consistency of analyses between two separate processes was also evaluated.

Validity Of The Zephyr Bioharness For Vertical Power Output And Ground Reaction Forces, Fuad Haydar

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Overtraining has become a major problem in college sports today and there is an increasing need for devices to track or measure the amount of stress is being put on the bodies of athletes. One such device is the ZephyrTM BioHarness, which is a puck-like device worn on the chest and is the centerpiece of this study. Researchers wanted to answer the question of whether the ZephyrTM was an effective and valid tool to measure the amount of force placed on the body during a single vertical jump. There were 20 male participants used in this study, 10 Division I …

An Investigation Of Involvement In University-Affiliated Alumni Sport Fan Clubs, Craig Damon Schmitt

Dissertations

Numerous motivations for spectating sport have been studied, with higher levels of motivations found to be consistent with higher fan involvement levels. In addition, many people are connected to a community through their identification with a sports team. University-affiliated alumni sport fan clubs are one community that sport consumers may join. These clubs provide the opportunity to maintain and potentially strengthen their connection to the university’s athletic teams. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sport spectator motivations, as well as team identification, and involvement in a university-affiliated alumni sport fan club. Then, the relationship …

Towards International Criminalization Of Transboundry Environmental Crimes, Hamdan Qudah

Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation puts forward the argument that violations of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights should be penalized under a criminal body of international law. The theories brought forth under this proposal stems from the field of green criminology, which explores the criminal application of law in the context of environmental protection. The concept of crimes against future generations can be the crux of new law that can be used to criminalize conduct against the interest of future populations. In an effort to maintain sustainable development which centers on environmental protection, economic protection and social development, the …

Missed Opportunity: Excluding Carbon Emissions Markets From Comprehensive Oversight, Leo Mensah

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of A Comprehensive Weight Management Program, Including Nutrition Education, Physical Activity, & Behavior Change Techniques On Weight Loss And Health-Related Behaviors, Christina M. Vergara Aleshire

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, postmenopausal breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and all-cause mortality due to the physiological and morphological stresses placed on the body (Britten, Cleveland, Koegel, Kuczynski, Nickols-Richardson, S. 2012; Wu, Gao, Chen, van Dam, 2009). The latest CDC survey reports the US population is at 35.8 percent overweight and 28.1 percent obese, with the State of Nevada following closely at 36.3 percent overweight and 26.2 percent obese. The condition of obesity is characterized by an overall excessive storage of adipose tissue and diseased metabolic …

Conceptual Framework Of A Novel Intervention To Improve Mobility In Children With Cerebral Palsy: The Successes And Challenges Of Implementing A Large Amplitude Movement Protocol, Tania Goodwill, Erin Jarrett, Beren Shah, Alanna Stockford

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

While cerebral palsy remains one of the most common childhood disabilities, clinicians continue to face significant challenges developing effective treatment strategies for the widely variable presentation of motor function impairments associated with cerebral palsy. A large gap exists between current research based evidence and feasible clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel intervention protocol, explore the theoretical framework behind the protocol and provide insight to clinicians about the successes and challenges faced while pilot testing the intervention. The novel intervention was adapted and implemented by researchers combining a large amplitude movement protocol with the well-researched …

Dramatic Play Affordances Of Natural And Manufactured Outdoor Settings For Preschool-Aged Children, Kimberly K. Cloward Drown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Concern for child wellness has led play professionals to explore natural playscapes as a means to enhance free play and consequently child development. For preschool children, dramatic or make-believe play is particularly beneficial for enhancing cognitive, social, and emotional skill. Dramatic play in collaboration with other children (sociodramatic play) and, surpassing that, complex socio-dramatic play (group make-believe with a sustained theme that uses sophisticated symbolism) are most valuable for development.

This study compared natural and manufactured outdoor play settings to determine which provided the most opportunity for quality dramatic play. Twenty-four 3- to 5- year olds were observed during daily …

Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Mid-Life And Older African Americans: A Church-Based Longitudinal Intervention Project At Baseline, Penny A. Ralston, Jennifer L. Lemacks, Kandauda (.K.A.S.). Wickrama, Iris Young-Clark, Catherine Coccia, Jasminka Z. Ilich, Cynthia M. Harris, Celeste B. Hart, Arrie M. Battle, Catherine Walker O'Neal

Faculty Publications

Introduction: African Americans (AAs) experience higher age-adjusted morbidity and mortality than Whites for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Church-based health programs can reduce risk factors for CVD, including elevated blood pressure [BP], excess body weight, sedentary lifestyle and diet. Yet few studies have incorporated older adults and longitudinal designs.

Purposes: The aims of this study are to: a) describe a theory-driven longitudinal intervention study to reduce CVD risk in mid-life and older AAs; b) compare selected dietary (fruit and vegetable servings/day, fat consumption), physical activity (PA) and clinical variables (BMI, girth circumferences, systolic and diastolic BP, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol …

I Bake, He Grills: Relationships In The Kitchen, Megan Boatman

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Food and communication are equally vital to the human experience. They are essential to nourishment and growth. Both can be complex and rich, or rudimentary and straightforward. Food and food preparation as a lens for study has recently expanded within the communication field. This study attempts to add to the existing body of research and specifically focuses on a complex interpersonal setting: meal preparation. The author posits that a greater understanding of roles and expectations in developing romantic relationships can be gained by examining the ways in which partners communicate while working together to prepare a meal. The author employs …

Awful/Awful: An Archive Of Light Embarrassments, Teysha Vinson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The difficulty of representing intangible religious ideas is at the core of Awful/Awful: An Archive of Light Embarrassments. Through an interest in how light is discussed in the Bible as a symbol for God and his fellowship, I make imagery that both repulses me and intrigues me but never do I get to the point where I feel the work encapsulates any answers. Instead, the photographs are questions, archived, unable to represent this light of God on their own without being trite or obtuse. The arranged work on the walls consists of these photographs plus a few ephemera from my …

Salivary Alpha-Amylase As An Indicator Of Body Stress Following An Acute Session Of Repetitive Jumping, Shaelee Allen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Determining body stress levels is important when developing training programs for athletes and rehab facilities. Stress levels during exercise are commonly measured using heart rate, oxygen consumption (VO₂), and blood biomarkers. These collection measures involve training on the part of the data collector and the participant, are invasive, and themselves elicit some stress. The purpose of this study is to test whether a 10-min repetitive jumping session will cause a significant increase in salivary alpha-amylase, a potential stress biomarker. This study also looks to determine if a 20-min recovery is enough time for amylase levels to return to …

Factors Which Predict The Use Of Active Transportation To School Among Children In Clark County, Nv, Sheila G. J. Clark

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Active transportation to school (ATS) shows promise for increasing activity levels in children, but prevalence and correlates vary widely in cities and regions with different barriers and supports for active travel. Classification of ATS users is a current issue in the field. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ATS use and develop a predictive model of ATS for the novel population of children enrolled in grades K-8 in Clark County School District, a large metropolitan school district in Southern Nevada. Methods: This study used a secondary data from the National Center for Safe Routes …

The Reduction Of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections In Intensive Care Units Through The Implementation Of The Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program, Michael Andrew Basinger

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are one of the most significant healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting resulting in increased lengths of stay, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality rates (Institute of Healthcare Improvement [IHI], 2012). Evidence that CLABSIs are largely preventable has created opportunities for healthcare organizations to implement evidence-based bloodstream infection prevention practices to reduce or eliminate these infections (Lissauer, Leekisa, Prease, Thom, & Johnson, 2012). Other efforts to reduce CLABSIs include implementation of safety programs to improve the safety culture in ICUs (Lissauer et al., 2012). One program, the comprehensive unit-based safety program …

Prymnesium Parvum And Fish Kills In A Southern Nevada Man-~Made Reservoir, Tara Gregg

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The water chemistry of Lake Las Vegas (LLV), a Southern Nevada man-made reservoir, is influenced by both anthropogenic and natural sources. These sources affect the reservoir's water chemistry, which may promote harmful algal blooms (HABs) leading to massive fish kill events. Fish kills, caused by the golden algaePrymnesium parvum (P. parvum), continue to pose a threat in the reservoir. However, no effective treatments to controlP. parvumin large reservoirs such as LLV have been determined. This cross-sectional study evaluated important variables that may affectP. parvumHABs in LLV, including non-P. parvumbiomass (mg/m3), total zooplankton abundance (#/m3), temperature, TDS (salinity), mineral concentration (Ca, …

The Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes, Pugio: Hypoxic Influences On Embryonic Development, Christensen C. Javier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Grass shrimp,Palaemonetes pugio, can survive in brackish waters and estuarine ecosystems despite the frequent oscillations and fluctuations in salinity, temperature and oxygen. AdultP. pugiohave the ability to osmoregulate (Romney and Reiber 2011), change cardiac parameters to tolerate temperatures (not yet published, Mika and Reiber) and oxyregulate (Guadagnoli and Reiber 2013). Manipulation of cardiac parameters allows for these methods of regulation. However, cardiac contraction and internal convection of oxygen do not occur until later stages of embryonic development. Studies focused on these morphological and physiological advantages may provide further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms within grass shrimp embryos, larvae and adults. …

Pronghorn (Antilocapra Americana) Offspring Recruitment On The Carrizo Plain National Monument: Evaluating The Effects Of Low Population Density And Marginal Habitat Quality., Diego Ramirez Johnson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Demographic fluctuation among ungulate populations is strongly linked to variability in recruitment. Rates of recruitment are subject to various forms of density-dependent and density-independent regulation. For species which benefit from the presence of conspecifics, reduced population density can decrease rates of recruitment and trigger a decline in per capita growth. Termed the Allee effect, this scenario can cause demographic collapse and population extinction. For many ungulate species, predation on juveniles is reduced when the timing and distribution of births is synchronized within a local population. Because birth synchrony is density-dependent, it may act as a mechanism for the Allee effect …

The Impact Of Participation In The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Program On Dietary Habits In Fourth And Fifth Grade Students In Cache County Utah After One Year, Amanda B. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescents are not meeting the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables (FV). The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Program (FD), developed by researchers in the UK, has previously been shown to increase lunch time and overall FV intake in elementary school aged children. The aim of this study was to test if participation in the FD program during late elementary school could prevent decreases in FV intake and increases in junk food intake during the transition from elementary school into middle school.

A decrease in average lunchtime FV intake was seen at the beginning of the transition into middle school. …

Minimizing The Cost Of Competition In The Black-Crested Titmouse: Status Signaling, Dominance, And Foraging Behavior, Philip Queller

Biology Honors Theses

Status signals allow senders and receivers to minimize the costs of competition by minimizing the need for costly physical fights. While much research has focused on demonstrating that individuals respond to status signals in both breeding and non-breeding contexts, less is known about how the function of status signals may change as resource availability changes seasonally. In this thesis, I provide a basic review of status signaling in birds and report the results of an investigation on status signaling in the black-crested titmouse during different environmental conditions. The black-crested titmouse is a socially monogamous passerine that defends territories throughout the …

Measuring The Effects Of Ctrp3 And Metformin On H4iie Hepatocyte Metabolism Using Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer, Forrest J. Longway

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from an unequal uptake/storage and export/oxidation of lipids within the liver and is often a secondary disease to type II diabetes (22). NAFLD causes this imbalance of lipids by altering glucose and lipid metabolism, which corresponds to a decrease in mitochondrial function leading to failure of the liver. One established treatment for type II diabetes and NAFLD is the drug metformin, which has similar properties to the newly discovered CTRP 3 protein which is part of a group of bioactive molecules secreted by adipose tissue, collectively termed adipokines (2-4). Both have similar effects on …

Moving Towards Sustainable Coastal Development In South Asia By Linking Coastal Climate Change Adaptation With Integrated Coastal Zone Management Through The Instrumentality Of Law, Tony George Puthucherril

PhD Dissertations

For long, coastal management focused on the sustainable utilization of coastal resources and avoidance and management of conflict, as well as the promotion of complementarities between users. However, with rising sea levels and other climate change impacts, coastal management has become increasingly complex. This thesis investigates the legal instruments underpinning the management of coastal zones, exploring the concept of sustainable coastal development (SCD) and the relevance of the integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) process. Specifically, the discourse analyzes how law and legal regimes play a backbone role in strengthening and supporting ICZM implementation by facilitating the linkage between ICZM and …