Office of Undergraduate Research

Kristen Bowman

Assessing the Role of the Nurse Pracitioner First Assistant and Registered Nurse First Assistant in the Care of the Surgical Patient

This project will focus on the importance of the Nurse Pracitioner First Assistant (NPFA) and Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) as part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Integratinig the Advanced Practtioner Nurse (APN) position into the perspective and model of care into a primarily medical model dominated field. This research will show how using a multidisciplinary healthteam, including a Nurse Practitioner or Registered Nurse FIrst Assistant, will improve patient outcomes perioperatively.

Jennifer Brassil

Universal Grammar and Invented Languages: Restrictions on Imagination

This research project is intended to extend the linguistic applications of Universal Grammar to invented languages. I plan to use Noam Chomsky's works detailing the parameters of Universal Grammar and the grammars of invented languages to determine if these invented languages support or contradict the theory of innate principles of grammar and to determine to what extent invented languages differ from natural languages.

Jordan Butler

Are Issues the Main Factor Driving Swing Voter Behavior in American Presidential Elections

Campaigns in United States presidential elections work to appeal to the swingvoter, the bloc of voters registered as Independents or non-partisan. By winning a majority of the swing vote, candidates are virtually assured of winning the presidency. However, swing voters are an interesting demographic since they have neither political party affiliations nor predictable, solid ideologies. This research analyzes U.S. presidential elections from 1984-2004 to observe what influences swing voters when they enter the voting booths. The research will also note trends in these influences to predict how swing voters may act in the 2008 presidential election.

Nicholas Clark

Dating Violence and Differences Between Genders Regarding Responsibility, Acceptance and Self Reporting

This correlational study will assess a variety of differences in dating violence between men and women. Gender plays a piviotal role in how a person responds to violence, how they take responsibility for a violent act, how openly they will speak about their experiences and how acceptable different forms of violence are towards males and females. The perception of how violence is viewed by each gender will be analyed to find where differences occur.

Rhonna Clary

A Nursing Focus within the UNR Sanford Center for Aging's Medication Therapy Management Program

The study will examine the integration of a nursing case management within the Medication Therapy Management Project (MTMP) of the University of Nevada Reno Sanford Center for Aging (UNR SCA). The nursing case management will focus on holistic care. Two aims are: 1) to improve patient compliance and 2) to educate this vulnerable population, the elderly. The medication management issues that face the elderly and the nursing case
management that can address these issues will be investigated through a literature review. Further, an education pamphlet will be provided to the elderly Northern Nevada residents

Hilary Cummings

The role of P24 Proteins in HSN Neuronal Migration in Caenorhabitits elegans

The nematode Caenorhabitis elegans will be used to investigate genes involved in neuronal migration. The Hermaphrodite Specific Neurons (HSNs) migrate during C.elegans development. My previous studies show that mutations in p24 proteins cause abnormal positioning of the HSNs. Mutations in sdn-1 (syndecan) and hst-2 (heparan 2-O-sulfotransferase) exhibit similar HSN defects. To determine the relationship between p24 proteins, sdn-1 and hst- 2, we will construct double mutant strains and score their HSN positions. These studies should reveal whether the p24 proteins are involved in the same pathway as sdn-1 or hst-2.

Erin Edgington

The Semiotics of Costume in Madame Bovary and Nana

My senior thesis will explore the links between reality, history, the imaginary and art. More specifically, the project will examine the semiotics of costume in two ninetheenth century French novels. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert and Nana by Emile Zola. I hypothesize that descriptions of costume in these works is related to the morality of the eponymous characters. In order to investigate the nature of this relationship, I will first show how the numerous references to costume in the novels help me to situate the two characters within specific social classes. I will then evaluate the charcters' actions relative to a norm implied by their style of dress; and finally, I will suggest how the code of costume lends itself to Falubert and Zola's overarchaing purposes in these novels.

Alexandra Fernandez

Interpersonal and Avoidance Behaviors in College Students with Social Phobia: Examining Characteristics beyond Diagnostic Criteria

Social phobia is a pervasive anxiety disorder that affects a significant portion of the adult population. This study is designed to identify differences in behavior patterns and interpersonal behaviors of college students with social phobia and non-anxious controls. Thirty participants meeting criteria for social phobia and 30 control participants will be compared using standardized measures in the form of self-report questionnaires. Differences between these groups will help indentify the clinically significant features associated with social phobia that impact an individual's life in ways not thoroughly explored in previous research.

Jordi Goldstein-Fuchs

Evaluation and Impact of RN Attitudes on the Nursing Care of Psychiatric Patients

Relatively few Registered Nurses (RNs) work in mental health settings. Insufficient numbers of RNs in psychiatric nursing are related to both the nursing shortage and the stigma of mental illness (WHO, 2007). Attitudes of nurses towards clients have a role in the provision of competent nursing care (Lethoba, Netswera & Rankhumise, 2006). This study will survey RNs to identify attitudes towards patients with mental illness and/or substance abuse (i.e. dual diagnosis). Inquiry regarding the impact of attitudes on patient care will be completed by evaluating RN perceptions influencing the utilization of an alcohol withdrawal screening too.

Trevor Hartzell

Comparison of Metalinguistic Knowledge between Spanish-English Simultaneous and Successive Bilingual Pre-School Children

According to Second Language Acquisition in Childhood: Volume 1 (McLaughlin, 1984), simultaneous second language acquisition (exposure to both
languages before age three) and successive second language acquisition (exposure to a second language after age three, but before age fourteen) are equally strong methods for the attainment of overall bilingual expertise. McLaughlin also makes reference to a distinct lack of “systematic concern of specific topics” (McLaughlin, 1984) within paired language sets; the specific syntactical and semantic differences between two specific languages. The difference between Tense and Aspect will serve as the specific topic of variation between the two acquisition types for this work.

Jenna Hayes

The Acquisition of Literacy Concepts in Kindergarten Programs with Different Philosophies

The underlying educational philosophy in early childhood centers, such as Reggio Emilia, is the model directing the classroom curriculum, environment, and other related aspects. It has the potential to have a profound impact on the students’ acquisition of concrete literacy concepts, such as rhyme awareness, beginning sound awareness, alphabet knowledge, letter sounds, spelling, and concept of word. Using the assessment tool, Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening for Kindergarteners (PALS-K), I will assess children at the Child and Family Research Center, Truckee Meadows Community College, and a third site. With the results, as well as samples of the children’s work, I will provide a more definite answer as to the effects and potential literacy benefits of the philosophies implemented at these centers.

Garrett Hylton

Differences in Description: A Comparative Study of the Portrayal of Victims of the Virginia Tech Massacre and Soldiers Killed in Iraq of the Same Age in Newspaper Editorials

In the week following the Virginia Tech massacre, several newspaper editorials and news television shows made comparisons between the victims at Virginia Tech and the many soldiers of the same age demographic who have died in Iraq. I will study and analyze newspaper editorials from the week following the Virginia Tech massacre to build a comparative analysis between the portrayal of the victims at Virginia Tech and soldiers of similar age in Iraq.

Claire Johnson

Eskimo Craniofacial Morphology: An Analysis of the Hard-Chewing Hypothesis

Eskimo craniofacial morphology is a subject of interest due to the many unique traits exhibited in the prototypical Eskimo cranium. The cause of these traits, whether genetic, environmental, or a combination, has not been elucidated. Through statistical analysis of previously collected craniofacial measurements, this study will attempt to address a long-held theory that a robust Eskimo skull is caused by mastication of rozen foods and the use of the teeth as tools. Grant dollars will be used primarly for travel to Washington D.C. to collect data on a Smithsonian collection of Aleut skulls for oppulation comparison.

Mary-Ann LeBrun

A Comparative Analysis of the Political and Social Situations Surrounding Genocide

My project is to travel to the U.S Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. to use the museum’s extensive archive and library resources as a medium for an intense study on the varying views on Nazi Germany’s extermination of the Jews. My thesis will be a comparative analysis of the political and social conditions that give rise to genocide. It will compare the genocide of the Holocaust under Hitler’s regime with genocides in Africa, including
that of Rwanda and Darfur and will analyze if similar political circumstances that lead to genocide. Therefore, conducting research at the Holocaust Museum is an integral part of the entire project.

Sean McDonald

Open Meetings Laws: An Analysis of Effects of the Legislative Process

Most governmental entities within the United States are required to follow laws requiring open meetings. A common complaint among members of these governments is that the laws place an undue restriction and constraints on the deliberative process and, in some instances, unfairly tie the hands of the decision makers involved. An analysis of these laws with a critical eye to the conventional wisdom that openness in government is presumptively preferred to secrecy and restricted access will attempt to hold these laws up to a rigorous academic study.

Ainsley McPherson

Open Meetings Laws: An Analysis of Effects of the Legislative Process

The proposed research is designed to examine the effects of a self-monitoring procedure on the problem behaviors of a young child with autism. A multiple-baseline across behaviors design will be used for this prupose. The aim is to reduce problem behavior that interferes with everyday communication and social interactions by enhancing the child's ability to correctly identify instances in which his or her behaior is problematic and to identifiy instances in which his or her behavior is not problematic but is instead appropriate to the occasion.

Meghann Morrill

Volatility and Stock Option Pricing

The variation in volatility indices used to record warrant and option pricing in start-up companies’ financial statements will be examined. Problems and issues with the Financial Accounting Board’s Standard 123 will be identified through researching the Standard’s appropriate treatment, articles, and professional discussions of problematic areas. Possibilities for improvement to the current accounting standard will be evaluated to benefit the accounting community’s understanding of this new and complex standard.

Joseph Neiman

Growing Up and my Misfit Parent Group

The individual stories explore issues of gender and sexuality, the process of self-identification for a person of bi-racial origins, and the migration from the contiguous exurbs of the east coast to the rural isolation of Nevada's capital city. The project will not only include the completion of the stories, but will also incorporate primary research into the contemporary literary marketplace.

Chanay Pointer

Museum Collections: Issues in Collections Care

My thesis examines issues of museum collections care. I will examine a number of topics such as: why museums choose the pieces they acquire, how they handle an over-abundance of collections, as well as the authenticity and ethical nature of displaying ethnographic materials in their non-natural settings/countries. These issues will be discussed using the methods employed by museum curators to address these problems. I will be conducting curator interviews and using library research. Some museums that I will include in my thesis are the Nevada State Museum, the Ethnography Museum in Bordeaux, France, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Tiffanny Sharp

Characterization of Antibodies to Mycoplasma agassizii in the Desert

Population declines of the threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) may be linked to an upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) associated with a microorganism (Mycoplasma agassizii). However, very little is known about the immune system of the desert tortoise and chelonians in general. The purpose of this study is to use reagents and methods developed in the Hunter Lab to assess specific immune responses and to develop a better understanding of the natural history of M. agassizii infections in the desert tortoise.

Janine Stone

Institutional Constraints on Interbasis Water Transfers in Nevada

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, resource policy experts and economists, faced with rapid population growth in the western United States, proposed the idea that water rights could be traded in markets. However, numerous attempts at instituting such water markets have met institutional barriers that prevented their implementation. This paper will examine these failures and construct a basic framework for understanding the problems encountered in attempts to conduct market-based interbasin water transfers. This framework will be used to predict problems that may be encountered when, for example, irrigation districts and urban municipalities attempt to make agreements to transfer water from one geographic basin to another in Nevada.

Sarah Swatzburg

China and Congo: A New Era of Colonialism?

China recently pledged five million dollars in aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rumors abound that, in return, the DR Congo shall provide Chinese nationals with unlimited visas and the Chinese government intends to encourage 200,000,000 Chinese nationals to immigrate to the DR Congo. My thesis aims to explore the validity of the aforementioned speculations, the consequences of these actions in both China and the DR congo, and the overall effect of this relationship in the international community.

William Taylor

Determining the Convergence of Divergence of p-adic Sequences

In the analysis of real numbers, there are many well-known rules and processes for determining whether or not a sequence or series converges, such as the Comparison Test, the Integral Test, L’Hôpital’s Rule, and the Bolzano-Weierstrass Theorem. In the analysis of p-adic numbers, however, the same rules cannot be applied directly because the concept of absolute value is different than it is in the real numbers. Therefore, it would be useful to compile a set of theorems with proofs that could be used to determine the convergence or divergence of these sequences and series.

Anjali Webster

The Validity of the Frye and Daubert Standards and their Implications of Science's Role in Laws

The current legal system enables judges, rather than scientists, to set the criteria for allowing expert testimony by following the Daubert and the Frye standards. My honors thesis will provide a historical background behind these standards and examine the legitimacy of their current use. Through interviews, attending relevant conferences, and analysis, I will determine the implications of keeping the current system in place.

University of Nevada, Reno
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