Digital Commons Network^™

Age And Roles On The Family Farm, Cassie Chambers

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

Age is a factor that has been analyzed in the workforce for quite some time now. The aging process is universal and found in daily lives throughout the work force or labor market, but some factors of age are different in the agriculture industry. This paper aims to acknowledge and explore the aging process specifically found in the agriculture industry. The key concepts of this paper have been broken into four different topics. These topics include youth roles on the farm, mid-adult roles on the farm, older adult roles on the farm, and public policy implications dealing with the agriculture …

A Novel Simulation-Based Multidisciplinary Verbal De-Escalation Training., Gary Duncan, Megan Schabbing, Brad D Gable

Trauma and Acute Care Articles

Background Agitated or aggressive patients pose a high risk of emotional and physical harm to hospital staff. Healthcare associates have the highest rate of workplace violence among studied fields. Learning to effectively de-escalate a patient who is a danger to self or others is key to reducing these incidents. This course was designed to improve education and communication among staff on a hospital surgical floor when verbal de-escalation is needed. Methods A ninety-minute simulation-based multidisciplinary curriculum was developed. This included a 30-minute didactic discussion, 10-minute simulation, and 50-minute debrief. Learners included nurses, patient service associates, and protective services officers from …

Axon Initial Segment Morphology Across Typical Cortical Development And In Mouse Models Of Neurodevelopmental Disorders With A High Incidence Of Epilepsy, Rachel Ali Rodriguez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are commonly associated with a high incidence of epileptic seizures which result from excessive firing of neurons. The axon initial segment (AIS) is a neuronal compartment essential for the control of activity patterns of neurons. The AIS undergoes important modifications during development, but the molecular mechanisms that affect the development, morphology, and protein composition of the AIS are still not well understood. We examined AIS morphology of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) pyramidal neurons in wildtype mice across development and in two mouse models of NDDs. Results indicate restructurings at the AIS during typical development, some of which …

The Archetypal Female Image In Chinese National Opera: A Study Of Xi Shi, Xin Guo

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In contrast to traditional Chinese operas, the history of Chinese National Opera1 is only a few decades long. Some scholars believe that many Chinese operas are feminist and female-centered. However, from the aesthetic standard of women’s voice to the female character’s inner world, it is hard to say that one can describe these operas as feminist simply because women play leading roles or the female arias are more than male. This document will explain the observation by analyzing the portrayal of female archetypes in Chinese national opera and discussing how opera Xi Shi complies with or subverts the portrayal. The …

How Covid-19 Has Impacted Romantic Relationship Dynamics, Alexandria Jayci Lake

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to provide an exploration of impacts to romantic relationship dynamics attributed the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many attributes of COVID-19 classify it as a distinct, unique event in its own right, a literature review of past global health events and economic crises provided a foundational reference point from which to compare it to. Twelve participants who were in relationships with another person for at least four years at the time were interviewed, six of which who were parented individuals and six of which who had no children, to discover how COVID-19-related changes developed over the …

Social Support Of Mexican Immigrant Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, Angela Sojobi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of social support among Mexican immigrant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) within the context of their culture and discern the process through which social support can influence their adherence to the GDM management protocols. The incidence of GDM is highest in low-income, ethnic minority communities such as the Mexican immigrant community. Adhering to the GDM management protocols may prove challenging for some women, especially if social support is lacking. If uncontrolled, GDM can result in adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Among Mexican immigrant women, the incidence of poor glycemic control and …

Hybridity, Ecocriticism, And Feminist Perspectives In She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power, Sarah Warso

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Children’s cartoons are growing increasingly nuanced in the twenty-first century. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) is an animated television series targeted towards young girls that includes themes of ecocriticism and feminism. The show does this by introducing cyborg, or hybrid, characters. My research explores how cyborg identities in children’s media and their feminist, ecocritical meanings in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. The cyborg, as a feminist mythic hero, breaks down binaries and recodes communication between opposing forces. The She-Ra is filled with characters that inhabit multiple identities. The main character, Adora, identifies as both a former Evil …

Factors Influencing Service Robot Adoption: A Comparative Analysis Of Hotel-Specific Service Robot Acceptance Models, Ying Dong

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The market for service robots is expected to expand significantly owing to the increasing relevance of service automation under the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the growing managerial interest in robotic applications in the hotel industry, current robotic research has been mostly conceptual with limited robot data on hand. In light of this issue, this paper will conduct a comparative analysis of hotel-specific service robot acceptance models between the Service Robot Acceptance Model (sRAM) and the Service Robot Integration Willingness (SRIW) framework. By identifying key elements of each service robot acceptance model, this paper puts an emphasis on investigating …

Utilizing Gamification To Enhance Customer Engagement And Loytalty In The Hospitality Industry, Xiaoting He

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Gamification involves the engagement of game elements and designs in non-game contexts. There is a need to increase the effectiveness of the conventional loyalty program, and implementing gamification has become a popular concept. Gamified hotel loyalty programs differentiate hotels from their rivals by increasing customer engagement and, ultimately, customer loyalty. Despite prior research on the effectiveness and functions of gamification, under what conditions gamification can enhance enagement lacks further investigation. This study draws on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to develop a framework linking gamification elements with users' psychological needs, where customer engagement is enhanced when the game elements successfully satisfy …

Verification Of A Mobile Psychoacoustic Test System, Jordana C. Soares, Sangamanatha Veeranna, Vijay Parsa, Chris Allan, Winnie Ly, Minh Duong, Paula Folkeard, Sheila Moodie, Prudence Allen

Faculty Publications

Many hearing difficulties can be explained as a loss of audibility, a problem easily detected and treated using standard audiological procedures. Yet, hearing can be much poorer (or more impaired) than audibility predicts because of deficits in the suprathreshold mechanisms that encode the rapidly changing, spectral, temporal, and binaural aspects of the sound. The ability to evaluate these mechanisms requires well-defined stimuli and strict adherence to rigorous psychometric principles. This project reports on the comparison between a laboratory-based and a mobile system’s results for psychoacoustic assessment in adult listeners with normal hearing. A description of both systems employed is provided. …

Osmr Signaling Induces Tamp-Specific Bbb Dysfunction Following Autoimmune-Mediated Neutrophil Recruitment, Travis Scott Wertz

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Integrity of the brain microvessels that form the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is maintained through fine-tuned regulation of endothelial tight junction proteins, chiefly represented by claudin 5 and the tight junction-associated MARVEL protein (TAMP) occludin. Under proinflammatory conditions in autoimmune-mediated multiple sclerosis (MS), autoreactive effector T cells are activated in white matter regions of the brain and spinal cord and release cytokines to recruit circulating neutrophils that, in turn, release neurotoxic substances. Lack of tight junctions in peripheral blood vessels allows neutrophils to exit blood vessels unhindered, but BBB tight junctions must first be downregulated before neutrophils can transmigrate into the …

Liposomes: Production And Applications For Controlled Drug Delivery, Gamid Abatchev

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation recognizes the enormous potential presented by the ever-evolving development of liposomes as drug carriers and seeks to offer further investigation into their useful production and utilization. The first chapter presents the basic principles governing their formation by self-assembly in water solutions, briefly describes the most common production methods, and points out essential past advances that led to their use as drug carriers. Chapter two exemplifies production of liposomes by the traditional methods of extrusion and sonication, detailing passive and active loading, as well as physical characterization by Dynamic Light Scattering, microscopy imaging, and fluorescence spectroscopy. In the next …

Training Wheels For Web Search: Multi-Perspective Learning To Rank To Support Children's Information Seeking In The Classroom, Garrett Allen

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bicycle design has not changed for a long time, as they are well-crafted for those that possess the skills to ride, i.e., adults. Those learning to ride, however, often need additional support in the form of training wheels. Searching for information on the Web is much like riding a bicycle, where modern search engines (the bicycle) are optimized for general use and adult users, but lack the functionality to support non-traditional audiences and environments. In this thesis, we introduce a set of training wheels in the form of a learning to rank model as augmentation for standard search engines to …

From Microbes To Management: Spatial And Temporal Variations In Available Vegetation Affect The Gut Microbiota In A Population Of Free-Ranging Generalist Herbivores, Olivia K. Rodríguez

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The effects of extrinsic environmental factors that shape ecological systems are not only seen at the macroscopic level, but additionally influence and govern the host-associated microbial communities of their mammalian hosts. These microbial communities are susceptible to the fluctuation of abiotic and biotic factors which affect their host organisms. The surge in the research of microbiota–communities of archaea, bacteria, fungi, and viruses residing in various environmental systems–has shown that these communities can profoundly influence animal health. As such, monitoring microbiota has allowed for a new approach to study animal health and physiology. This is of particular benefit in the conservation …

Rapid Method For Consistency And Concentration Reporting Of Cannabidiol Using 1H-Nmr And Computer-Assisted Chemical Software, Michael A. Fernando

University Honors Theses

An integrated computational method was demonstrated with hemp-derived Cannabidiol for an assessment of its purity and concentration. The sample was structurally verified, high purity, and 2.98 mmol/L in dissolved DMSO. The method presented is a general approach to assessing purity and concentration for any small organic molecule in CMC-Assist.

Full Issue, The Editors

PALARA: Publication of the Afro-Latin/American Research Association

No abstract provided.

La Piel De Kim Shou, Carlos Wynter Melo

PALARA: Publication of the Afro-Latin/American Research Association

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Natural Dyes In Ancient Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Lc/Ms/Ms, Shailah Mathews, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the natural dyes used on cloth from Peruvian mummies.

Coilreef™ Wave Energy Dissipation Project, Cole Ramsdale, Josh Sparrow, Kyle Archibald, Fernando Romero

Mechanical Engineering

Within this Final Design Review (FDR) report, the COILReef™ Senior Project concludes with all updates reflecting results after testing. The COILReef™ is a device ideated by Cal Poly Professor Roger Benham. It aims to provide a removeable, low-cost solution to dissipating ocean wave energy, thereby reducing coastal erosion in sensitive areas. Current permanent solutions cost millions of dollars, take years to construct, and sometimes produce undesirable and unintended effects. The work presented in this document provides the foundational research, testing, and steps taken by the team to evaluate the feasibility of the COILReef™ design as a viable solution to reducing …

Break The Ice Challenge, Peter Karkos, Alex Lewis, Eva Kouyate, Vy Han

Mechanical Engineering

The report documents and justifies team LEGION’s senior design project, from research and ideation to prototype manufacturing and testing. It begins by providing some background on the project and outlining the mission scenario given by NASA. This is followed by related literature on excavation of icy regolith on the moon, water transportation, lunar environment, and space law. Next, research is performed into existing products, such as patents and various designs from previous related NASA competitions.

After providing the relevant background information, focused objectives are outlined, with a problem statement, boundary sketch, and engineering specifications. The wants & needs of NASA …

Torts, Pamela A. Wilkins

Mercer Law Review

The Georgia Supreme Court’s torts decisions of the June 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021, survey period ran the gamut. Dog bite liability? Check. Proximate cause? Check. Negligent misrepresentation by a sperm bank? Alas, check. And apportionment of fault? Check, check, check. Two themes emerge from the cases of the past term. First, in the apportionment setting, one sees the court’s commitment to textualism and its readiness to interpret Georgia’s apportionment statutes as abrogating longstanding common-law doctrines. Second—and, not surprisingly, this is most apparent in the court’s business torts jurisprudence—one sees a deference to business interests: this is a business-friendly …

Wills, Trusts, Guardianships, And Fiduciary Administration, Mary F. Radford

Mercer Law Review

This Article discusses significant cases decided by the Georgia Court of Appeals during the period of June 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021, pertaining to Georgia fiduciary law, guardianship, and estate planning. This Article also describes the highlights of legislation contained in a comprehensive bill that revised and clarified the laws relating to wills, trusts, and the administration of estates and that became effective January 1, 2021.

Electronic Wills: Why Would Georgia Choose To Delay The Inevitable?, Jacob C. Wilson

Mercer Law Review

This Comment assesses the changes in Georgia’s laws regarding the formalities of wills and analyzes how acceptance of an electronic will in Georgia would be an acceptable response to the changing times. Part I analyzes how Georgia’s wills statutes have changed and discusses how the wills law came into fruition today. Part II analyzes the Electronic Wills Act, states that have passed statutes considering the Act, and a review of Georgia’s legislative approach to the Act. Part III reviews an in-depth analysis of (a state) that has passed the Electronic Wills Act that operates in a strict compliance jurisdiction. Part …

Enzymatic Degradation Of Microcystin-Lr By Microcystinase (Mlra), Faisal Alqhtani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is affecting the water supply worldwide. Hence, a way to eliminate this toxin is an essential target. In this study, successful cloning of the mlrA gene and producing MlrA enzyme that can degrade the cyclic MC-LR to linearized MC-LR was done. MlrA protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL-21 (E. coli). Also, enhancing the MlrA yield by adding nickel to LB media was a success in producing more MlrA enzyme from the same volume. Even though the enzyme showed no activity after adding Ni, the enzyme was expressed at a higher yield. Furthermore, it was to investigate adding …

Best Practice Recommendation On Anesthesia Involvement In Preoperative Interdisciplinary Rounding On Surgical Inpatients, Elizabeth Davis

Doctoral Projects

Healthcare professionals are always seeking methods to improve patient care and patient outcomes and increase efficiency while reducing errors. By improving communication through the implementation of interdisciplinary communication, improved care quality, fewer variations in care, and enhanced collaboration among the healthcare team may be an outcome (Hoke & Falk, 2012). While anesthesia is involved in patient care throughout the perioperative period, their expertise may impact the patient’s outcome and quality of surgical care. With the involvement of anesthesia in interdisciplinary rounding, the patient may be optimized, and the plan of care may be more appropriate and individualized.

The potential for …

7 Steps For Surviving In The Wilderness By Billy Burkins, Noah Rigby

Gandy Dancer Archives

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Prediction-Driven Dynamics Simulation To Mitigate Frame Time Variation, Mackinnon A. Buck

Master's Theses

Real-time physics engines have seen recent performance improvements through techniques like hardware acceleration and artificial intelligence. However, state of the art physics simulation technology fails to account for the variation in simulation complexity over time. Sudden increases in contact frequency between simulated bodies can momentarily increase the processing time per frame. To solve this, we present a prediction-driven real-time dynamics method that uses a memory-efficient graph-based state buffer to minimize the cost of mispredictions. This buffer, which is generated by a separate thread running the physics pipeline, allows physics computation to temporarily run slower than real-time without affecting the frame …

Cattle Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2020/2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

In June 2010 the Cattle Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) was introduced to address biosecurity threats relevant to the Western Australian (WA) cattle industry. The Scheme was established under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable cattle producers to identify the pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and to raise funds for activities to address these priorities.

There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Cattle IFS, there is a Sheep and Goat IFS and a Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS. The three IFSs operate in a similar manner.

The purpose of …

Effects Of Aging On Mouse Rotator Cuff Tendon Biomechanics, Chinmay Sagar Patwardhan

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Rotator cuff tendon injuries and tear are caused by overuse, falling, or other accidents, and are often associated with old age. The severe injuries and tear can be debilitating and require nonsurgical treatment for partial tear and arthroscopic surgery for complete tear. The frequent location of injuries and tear are at the enthesis region, the interface where the tendon tissue gradually hardens and merges into the bone. Although aging has been identified as an important factor for rotator cuff tendon injuries and tear, how the mechanical properties of the bone-tendon complex evolve along with age is still a knowledge gap. …

Addressing Food Insecurity In Nigeria: Lessons From Jurisdictional Experiences, Biodun Adedipe

Economic and Financial Review

The challenge of food security transcends national or regional boundaries, and indeed became a global concern in 2015 when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were set. Goal 2 targets zero hunger by 2030, and that is, to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. While the entire world is not in shortage of food, there are wide disparities in food sufficiency and food security across nations, regions and continents. The SDG No. 2 is a 5x1 matrix of five targets and three actions as summarised in Table 1. The targets are five critical elements of …