Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-197).

The Jurassic J-2 surface is one of the more extensive unconformities of the Western Interior (U.S.A.). Stratigraphic relationships show that this is an angular unconformity, which developed first in the north and progressively moved south. An examination of features associated with the J-2 surface reveals detrital and diagenetic chert grains, ventifacts, polygonal fracture patterns, oscillation ripples, and paleotopographic relief. Some of these features indicate that the J-2 unconformity was a hot, dry, deflationary surface, and that the level of deflation on this surface was controlled, at times, by the height of the water table. The ventifacts are a lag deposit of the overlying Gypsum Spring Formation. Three possible variables involved in the formation of the J-2 surface are fluctuations in water table, disruption of sediment supply, and tectonic activity. For the Early-Middle Jurassic, these variables can be associated with increased rifting rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The increase in rifting rate raised eustatic sea level, which resulted in a larger area for deposition of marine sediments and a rise in continental water table. A higher water table would have trapped sediment that was previously available for sand sea (erg) formation. Furthermore, a higher sea level might have changed sediment supply and transportation routes. As the increase in rifting continued, tectonic movement and tilting of the North American plate occurred. This tilting caused the uplift and erosion of some deposits, and influenced the sites available for sediment preservation. / text

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This survey investigates the origin and growth of the mosque in pre-colonial West Africa emphasizing both the traditional and Islamic context. Initially the traditional West African society is observed with special emphasis on those features which were to affect the mosque. The origin of Muslim places of worship is examined, indicating the types of people and places involved. The various activities performed in the mosque and the role of the mosque personnel are seen to cover every aspect of Muslim life and to be similar to what obtained in other Muslim lands. It is discovered that because the mosque is an institution introduced from without, conflict took place between Muslims and traditional worshippers with regard to the use of places of worship. Nevertheless, the interaction between the old and the new faiths is still a remarkable feature of West African Islam.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of diet, physical activity, and lifestyle characteristics on body weight of incoming freshmen at a Midwestern university. Research shows that many college students gain weight during their first year at college due to a change in dietary habits, lack of physical activity, and other lifestyle characteristics, such as drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.A systematic sample of incoming freshmen completed an online pre- and post-questionnaire regarding diet, physical activity, and lifestyle characteristics. In addition, students had their height and weight measurements taken to determine body mass index at the beginning and end of their first semester in college.Of the 69 incoming freshmen who participated in this study, 66.7% (n=46) gained an average of 2.6 ± 2.1 pounds and increased their BMI from 24.7 to 25.0 kg/m2 in one semester; 24.6% (n=17) lost an average of 1.5 ± 1.0 pounds. More than half of the students reported they usually tried to make healthy eating choices; however, 58% of the students reported having on average 2 meals per day and the majority did not meet the recommended number of servings for all five food groups. Less than 50% of the students exercised 3 or more days per week and less than one-third strength trained. The majority of incoming freshmen neither smoked nor consumed alcohol. Interestingly, there was an association of weight gain in college students who decreased the average number of meals they had each day or increased the average number of servings of fruits each week. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Architectural discourses related to portable buildings are largely positivistic and focused on structure, materials, and modern technology. Scholars profile small, prefabricated constructions as relocatable, adaptable, and reusable according to the user's contradictions. While romanticizing a unique lifestyle, portable house prototypes open the way for industrial mass production and low-cost housing. Intentionally designed as place-independent units, they can, and often do, remain in one place for a long time. This scenario impacts significantly the social and spatial contexts of a particular locality, as it confronts the territorial claims of special interest groups. What is the role of portable buildings in such a setting? Who are the decision-makers and decision-making agencies'? This thesis focuses on the difference between the declared design intention described in current architectural literature regarding portable houses and the political and social practice of placing them in one of the world's most contested territories — the West Bank.Methodologically, a discourse survey, developed with experimental, self-made portable and temporary dwellings in 2002, gives an overview of relevant categories of portable houses: prototypes, parasites, and developers. A fourth category, transformers, interprets portable buildings within the context of the West Bank. This is followed by a material culture study conducted on site in December 2004/January 2005. Finally, several interviews provide subjective perspectives of portable houses in the West Bank. In addition, the works of the scholars Kronenberg, Kozlovsky, Weizman/Segal, Rotbart, and Foucault provide the basis for much of this analysis.In the extreme case of the West Bank, it was determined that designed as site-independent, portable houses in the West Bank carry significant local and regional meaning. As they are industrially fabricated and quickly deployed in large numbers at various, elevated locations, they become instruments of spatial control (observation, psychological demonstration of Israeli power and intimidation, territorial gain, and presence). Furthermore, portable houses here are appointed a political role by various agencies: defining and extending the national boundaries in a state of political indefiniteness and negotiations. The particular construction technology of `portable house' is used by a culture within a well-considered strategy of war.The reality of transportable buildings outside the architectural discourses is based on mass production, clustered distribution at difficult places with the intention for territorial claim, while maintaining strategic flexibility. Ultimately, portable houses need to be redefined as active instruments--rather than neutral products—that create subjective place attachment and identity, actively influence a territorial conflict, and impact spatial order and control. Thus, it can be argued that portable buildings make a territorial claim permanent. / Department of Architecture