Check Your Expectations: Testing Self Check in a Consortium Environment

In the spring of 2016, the California State University (CSU) System began the process of creating formalized self-check testing procedures for campuses utilizing self-check in anticipation of our switch to Alma in June of 2017. Ten of 23 CSU campuses have self-check machines in service. Each campus presented its own unique challenges for migrating to a new system including various self-check vendors, options on self-check machines, authentication procedures, and usage of automated materials handling systems. Our group of five was tasked with creating standardized goals and procedures for linking our self-check systems to Alma despite myriad configurations. Our goal for this presentation will be to share experiences and provide ideas on how to create formalized testing procedures in a consortial environment. We will discuss how we communicated during the project, documented progress, as well as provide insight into troubleshooting problems that arose during the testing process

The utility of alternate theoretical conceptualizations of urban environment in explaining variation in attitudes and behaviors

The debate over what factors actually influence behaviors and attitudes of urban residents is the impetus which generated the idea behind this study. Urban literature suggests several explanations for attitudes including for example, alienation and anemia. These same explanations are assumed to influence behaviors such as: 1) smaller number of children, 2) involvement in voluntary organizations, 3) specialized voting behavior and 4) less kinship contact

Using the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) as a Mechanism for Invasive Aquatic Plant Management in Florida

West-Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus L.) are opportunistic, herbivorous aquatic mammals that occupy the warm, shallow coastal waters throughout the southeastern United States. Manatees are known to feed on large quantities of diverse plant types. Presently within the state of Florida, manatees are an endangered species facing environmental and anthropogenic threats. Several different organizations work to rescue and rehabilitate these animals for an eventual return to the wild. Also within Florida, invasive aquatic plants are becoming increasingly problematic, creating both negative economic and environmental impacts. Each year, efforts are made to control these exotic plant species through several different methods. However, physical, mechanical, chemical and biological means to contain nonindigenous plants each have their drawbacks. There is a need for a natural, integrated approach to invasive aquatic plant management. The opportunity for manatees to control exotic plant species within the Florida ecosystem exists, but is improbable because of inadequate population densities. This study builds on this potential examining the use of manatees held in captivity as a tool for management by utilizing the physical collection of targeted nonindigenous plants to supplement the diet of rehabilitated manatees. Provisions are augmented with nutrients that manatees may not obtain from other sources typically found in captive diets. Early introduction of natural plants may allow for an easier transition to normal feeding patterns upon release and may condition animals to continue consumption of exotic plants in the wild. Each step has the potential to contribute to the reduction of invasive aquatic plants in Florida, and presents a cost-effective feeding alternative for manatee rehabilitation facilities. This method promotes a native Florida species as a natural solution to the problem

UNLV New Horizons Band & Red Rock Saxophone Quartet & UNLV Symphonic Winds

Program listing performers and works performed

Mathematically Predicting the Aleut Tribe Population Using Archaeological Data

Sanak Island, located off the southern Alaska Peninsula, was home to the native Aleut peoples for thousands of years. Their hunter-gatherer society depended heavily on the arctic and marine ecosystem for food resources. In 2015, a team of archaeologists from Idaho State and Utah State universities went to the island and collected data about the Aleut population size and their diet. This study constructed a dynamical model to mathematically predict the Aleut population over time in order to gain insights into how food resources affected the Aleut people’s ability to survive

Diet of the Antillean Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Belize, Central America

Belize has been identified as an important location for Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus), harboring the highest known population density of this subspecies. Information about their dietary habit is important in determining habitat requirements and aiding in conservation efforts. The main objective of this study was to identify the key plant species consumed by manatees in Belize and to establish differences in diet based on location, sex, size classification, and season. Samples were collected from two different locations within Belize where manatees are known to aggregate: Southern Lagoon and the Drowned Cayes off of Belize City. The contents of thirteen mouth, six digestive tract (stomach, duodenum and colon), and 124 fecal samples were analyzed. Five species of seagrasses (Halodule wrightii, Thalassia testudinum, Ruppia maritima, Syringodium filiforme, and Halophila sp.) made up the highest percentage of plants consumed; undigested rhizome was most prevalent. A vascular plant, the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), was identified as an important food item of manatees in Belize. Algae (Chara sp., Lyngbia sp., and Ulvasp.) and invertebrates (diatoms and sponges) were represented as well. These items are comparable to other reports of manatee diets in areas near Belize and areas with similar habitat. Variation in the percentage of seagrass, mangrove, and algae consumption was analyzed as a 4-factor factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with main effects and interactions for locality (Southern Lagoon and the Drowned Cayes), sex, size classification (\u3e245 cm & ˂245 cm), and season (December – May and June – November). Sex and season did not influence diet composition; differences for locality and size classification were observed. Seagrass was more often consumed in Southern Lagoon (P = 0.03), whereas mangroves and algae were more prevalent in the Drowned Cayes (P = 0.03). No differences among size classifications in consumption of seagrasses or mangroves were observed. A significantly higher number of samples from adults (\u3e245 cm) than juveniles (˂245 cm) contained algae (P = 0.04). This is most likely attributed to inexperience in foraging. Findings from these results suggest that diet composition analysis can be used to interpret Antillean manatee habitat and resource utilization and can aid in the conservation of this endangered species