Digital Commons Network^™

Habitat Restoration Along The U.S.-Mexican Border Examining Collaborative Governance For The Bahia Grande, Mya Jude Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The Bahia Grande, a 6,500-acre tidal basin in southeastern Cameron County, Texas, once provided habitat for numerous species. Construction projects, such as the Brownsville Ship Channel, altered ecosystem functions and separated it from its water source, reducing it to a dried wetland. In 2005, restoration initiatives reconnected the Bahia Grande to a water source through the Carl Joe Gayman channel, and additional restoration efforts continued. Despite this progress, this area had notable deficiencies in management efforts due to resource scarcity, limited research, and a lack of public awareness. This research investigates the presence and effects of management strategies on the …

Viewing Ir Through A Unicolonial Lens: A Case Study On The Effects Of Cultural Recognition On State Behavior, Andrew Viera

Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis utilizes the concept of unicoloniality, a process found within several ant species, to analyze the aggressive behavior and alliance-forming behavior of states. Through the unique lens of ant colony behavior, this study creates a new variable for quantifying culture that measures whether two states can recognize each other based on their cultural identity. Utilizing this noble variable, a logistic regression model was run to test the impact of cultural recognition on state behavior. The results indicated that cultural recognition had no effect on the decision of a state to join an alliance or engage in a militarized …

Interleukin 24 Induces Apoptosis Through Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Beta Inactivation In Prostate Cancer Cells, Sual J. Lopez, Moira Sauane

Theses and Dissertations

Interleukin 24 (IL-24) is a tumor-suppressing protein currently in clinical trials. IL-24 induces cancer-specific apoptosis by activating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondria dysfunction. We have previously demonstrated that IL-24 leads to apoptosis in cancer cells by protein kinase A (PKA) activation in human breast cancer cells. To further understand the mechanism by which IL-24 induces apoptosis, I analyzed the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), a highly conserved and normally active serine/threonine kinase in cancer cells and downstream target of PKA. The work reported here provides direct evidence that GSK3 was inhibited following IL-24 treatment in human prostate cancer …

Beta Lactams Anticancer Effect On Human Breast Cancer, Mcf-7 Cell Line, Ailis A. Abalos

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells replicate uncontrollably in that same region and/or other parts of the body. One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer, thus making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Chemotherapy, is the utilization of medicinal compounds (drugs) to treat cancer. While most are nonspecific and target both cancer and healthy cells, more emphasis is on developing drugs with specificity (only target tumor cells) and low toxicity. Interestingly, Beta Lactams (β-lactams) have emerged as a class of compounds that are effective in the treatment of various cancers. The benefits …

Development And Characterization Of Β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes With Enzalutamide For Easing Administration And Efficacy Of The Drug In Crpc, Meghana Kolli

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer (PC) is prevalent among men in the US, often leading to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with therapy. This is marked by androgen receptor (AR) overexpression, resistance, mutations, and splice variants. Enzalutamide (ENZ), a nonsteroidal antiandrogen, surpasses first-gen AR inhibitors like Bicalutamide. It's the go-to drug for CRPC. We explore ENZ for self-assembly complex formation, crucial for CRPC treatment. Using the solvent evaporation method, we developed β-cyclodextrin and ENZ self-assembly complexes (β-CD-ENZ). β-CD acts as both agent and solubilizer, FDA-approved and safe. Efficacy was tested on PC cell lines (C4-2B) and (22Rv1), including 3D cultures for cytotoxicity and a …

Modulating Covalency In A Ni-H-Al Subunit: Synthesis And Characterization Of A Series Of Electronically Differentiating Ni-Al Heterometallics, Aleida Guadalupe Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

Metal hydrides are moieties that are present in a variety of applications as intermediates in catalysis. Despite the vast utilization of metal hydrides, monometallic metal hydride complexes bear limitations in inert-bond activation and functionalization. A strategy to overcome these limitations and access more challenging reactivity is utilizing metal-metal cooperativity on a single platform to further activate hydride moieties. Although incorporating multiple metal centers on a single ligand scaffold has been realized, access to heterometallic hydride-bearing complexes is a greater synthetic challenge. Given the limitations in accessing such systems, the reactivity and electronic structure of heterometallic hydrides are seldom studied. Recently, …

A Deep Dive Into The Conformations Of Fluorine-Substituted Benzoic Acids And Ethanesulfonic Acid And Spectroscopic Characterizations Of Their Hydrogen-Bonded Complexes, Alitza Gianina Gracia

Theses and Dissertations

Microwave spectroscopy is a technique used to study the molecular structures of a wide range of systems. The first part of the thesis focuses on fluorinated benzoic acids and complexes they form through hydrogen bonding to explore the fluorination effect, while the last part shifts to ethanesulfonic acid and its interaction with water. The study of 3,4,5-triflurorbenzoic acid with formic acid offers insight on the proton tunneling process, which is a process that occurs in many chemical and biological processes. Microwave spectroscopy can help provide dynamic information for the better understanding of this fundamental process. Solvation is another topic that …

Unquiet Quitting: The Lived Experiences Of Latinx Teacher Attrition In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Dolores Araujo Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher attrition, a critical issue in education, has significant implications for the quality of instruction and student success. The Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, known for its substantial Latinx population, faces a concerning trend of high teacher turnover particularly among Latinx educators who leave teaching within their novice years. This inquiry provides a comprehensive examination of the factors contributing to teacher attrition in the region, with a specific focus on the experiences of Latinx teachers. Findings are organized into four thematic categories: "Traversing Organizational Terrain," elucidating the institutional dynamics shaping teachers' experiences; "Interweaving Bonds," highlighting the relational aspects within …

The Lipan Apache (Ndé) Tribe Of Texas Powwow: A Curriculum Of Culture(S) And Pedagogy Of Place, Ashley S. Leal

Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic study examines the Lipan Apache (Ndé) Tribe of Texas powwow as a curriculum of culture(s) and a pedagogy of place through which culture is preserved, performed, transmitted, and transformed. Integrating both emic (insider) and etic (outsider) perspectives, I combine personal experiences as a Lipan Apache tribal member and dancer with academic research. Kovach (2009) suggests that incorporating such experiences can unveil educational concepts and theories that might otherwise be overlooked. The theoretical framework combines Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP) and Place-Based Education (PBE), emphasizing the strengths of cultural heritage and deeply embedded learning in the local community. Methodologies include …

The Effects Of Using Dynamic Geometry Software While Exploring The Properties Of Quadrilaterals, Jose J. Jaramillo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of my study was to determine the effectiveness of using dynamic geometry software while exploring the properties of quadrilaterals. Dynamic geometry software can be effective if used properly in the exploration process as students construct their own knowledge through constructivism. Students were given the Van Hiele Test as a pretest to determine their van Hiele level prior to taking a high school geometry course. The results determined that the majority of the students were not at the level needed for the course, which is typically taught at a van Hiele level 3. Students in the treatment group used …

Fight, Eduardo Daniel Guerra

Theses and Dissertations

FIGHT, is a story of a boxers mental health and his struggles before and after every fight. The protagonist, Eddy, is an anxious fighter who experiences a panic attack before his fight and in his panicked state, his mind runs wild as he imagines every possible scenario that can happen. Thus, when the scenarios come true, Eddy, becomes unsure of what is and isn’t true. Which begs the question, is Eddy brain damaged from the fight and stuck living in the traumatic memory that is replaying in his head or is he still in the restroom before the fight, paralyzed …

Too American For The Mexicans And Too Mexican For The Americans: Autohistorias Of A Tejana Educator, Roberta Zamilpa

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores how my personal and professional experiences have influenced my identity and pedagogy as a tejana in the Rio Grande Valley. Spoken word diaries and the concept of autohistoria were used as a method of self-reflection. The research was guided using a Gloria Anzaldúa framework that consists of mestizaje/neplanta, coyolxauhqui, and the seven stages of conocimiento. The three major themes that emerged during my research are the backbone of my study: personal entanglements, things I learned from my students, and things I learned from teaching. Each theme was deeply broken down, creating subsections that further analyzed my experiences. …

They See Themselves In The Lesson: Leveraging Students’ Scientific And Cultural Insights Through The Cultural Biohealth Synergy Science Curriculum [Se Ven A Sí Mismos En La Lección: Aprovechando Los Conocimientos Científicos Y Culturales De Los Estudiantes A Través Del Currículo De Ciencias De Sinergia De Bio Salud Cultural], Miriam M. Ortiz

Theses and Dissertations

In response to the global crisis of type 2 diabetes prevalence, this dissertation investigated the impact of a culturally sustaining, health-centric science curriculum contextualized in type 2 diabetes. Using a case study methodology, it explored how the curriculum shaped math and science preservice teachers’ (PSTs) perceptions of science and how it can be taught and how prepared they felt to design and implement culturally sustaining, health-centric lessons. Four themes that emerged across both cases included: 1) connecting health, nutrition, everyday science, and culturally sustaining pedagogy through the CBSS curriculum, 2) connecting science to health and wellness concepts through the CBSS …

Actions Taken At Firm-Level To Mitigate The Adverse Impacts Of Climate Risk, Deepak G. More

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation comprises of two essays on actions taken at firm-level to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate risk. Our first essay documents a positive relation between firm-level climate change exposure (CCE) and long-term tax avoidance. Our results suggest that firms use tax avoidance to mitigate the adverse impacts of CCE. The positive effect of CCE on tax avoidance is stronger post the release of Stern Review and weaker after the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 2017. Our study is the first to show that firms with high CCE use tax avoidance to increase cash holdings as …

Two Essays On Corporate Finance. The Impact Of Ceo Cultural Heritage And Corporate Decision Making, Md Showaib Rahman Sarker

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two essays that investigate the effect of CEOs’ cultural heritage on corporate decision-making. In the first essay, I examine the impact of CEOs’ cultural heritage on corporate social responsibility (CSR). I present empirical evidence that CEOs originating from countries with high power distance, more uncertainty avoidance and long-term orientation have high CSR scores, while those from individualistic and indulgent cultures have low CSR scores. This effect lasts up to three generations before it disappears due to acculturation. These results are robust to using propensity score matching, entropy balancing, and Oster’s test to address endogeneity and selection …

The Effect Of Advertising On Consumer Self-Improvement Motivation: When And How Advertising Motivates Consumers, Suwakitti Amornpan

Theses and Dissertations

In today's modern world, advertising permeates nearly every facet of consumers’ daily lives, from billboards over city streets to posts seamlessly integrated into social media feeds. The current research identifies a positive unintended consequence of advertising on consumer behavior: increased consumer self-improvement motivation. Across four studies, I find that exposure to mass (vs. luxury) advertising increases consumer motivation to engage in self-improvement. Specifically, I argue that because advertisements for mass (vs. luxury) products prime attainable (vs. unattainable) consumption goals, they increase consumer confidence in their ability to achieve their consumption goals (i.e., they enhance self-efficacy perceptions). This, in turn, puts …

From Motivation To Hinderance: Unveiling Resigned Employees’ Entrepreneurial Intentions And Actions, Shuaijun Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

The phenomenon known as the 'Great Resignation' witnessed a record number of employee resignations since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports indicate that approximately 32% of those who resigned during this period transitioned to entrepreneurship. This thesis explores the relationship between resignation and entrepreneurial actions through the lens of creativity. It expands the typology of resignation beyond a simple dichotomy of voluntary and involuntary into four categories: Genius group (voluntarily resigns with high creativity), Traditional group (voluntarily resigns with low creativity), Forced group (involuntarily resigns with high creativity), and Trapped group (involuntarily resigns with low creativity). Previous research suggests …

Conditional Optimal Sets And The Quantization Coefficients For Some Uniform Distributions, Evans Nyanney

Theses and Dissertations

Bucklew and Wise (1982) established that the quantization dimension of an absolutely continuous probability measure on a Euclidean space equals the Euclidean dimension of the space, and that the quantization coefficient is finite and positive. This thesis explores the variability of quantization coefficients for uniform distributions on various geometric structures, including line segments, circles, and regular polygons. We derive the conditional optimal sets of n-points and calculate the n-th conditional quantization errors for uniform distributions under different conditions. On line segments, we identify optimal point distributions as either equally spaced or geometrically spaced towards fixed end-points. For circles, we analyze …

Application And Analysis Of Machine Learning And Deep Learning Algorithms In Detection Of Ddos Cyberattacks, Dipok Deb

Theses and Dissertations

A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack involves overwhelming a target system's data bandwidth or computational resources, often using multiple attack systems, aiming to slow down or disable the targeted system. Detecting and mitigating DDoS attacks effectively remains challenging due to their varying characteristics. One of the promising approaches involves developing an AI based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) against cyberattacks. In this study, we aim to develop an AI based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for DDoS threat detection using Machine Learning, Deep Learning, or hybrid techniques. Different Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms like Random Forest (RF), Naïve Bayes (NB), …

On The Development Of A Software Pipeline For Automatic Detection Of Transients With The Transient Optical Robotic Observatory Of The South, Alejandro Reyes

Theses and Dissertations

The Transient Optical Robotic Observatory of the South (TOROS) telescope has the mission to follow up transient events in the southern hemisphere by surveying the visible sky and responding to detection alerts from space and ground based observatories, such as the Fermi Gamma-Ray Telescope, the Swift X-ray Telescope, and the LIGO VIRGO Kagra gravitational wave detectors. In this work we study the automation of various data analysis pipelines and instrumentation control under development for implementation at the TOROS observatory. I present the design of libraries and routines for data organization, archival, and data reduction, as well as a tool to …

Development Of A Mechanical Boot For Prevention Of Deep Vein Thrombosis In Outpatients, Julian David Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

This work presents the development of a mechanical boot designed to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in high-risk individuals such as those who have just had major procedures. DVT is a serious condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the deep veins, particularly of the lower limbs, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not adequately addressed. The mechanical boot utilizes the principle of Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) to facilitate blood flow in the lower extremities, thereby mitigating the risk of clot formation. Through a combination of mechanical engineering, biomedical research, and user centered design, the project outlines …

Ecological Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Vegetated Estuarine Soils Of The Lower Laguna Madre, David R. De La Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems that provide numerous ecosystem services including erosion control, habitat for fauna, and carbon sequestration. Notably, coastal wetlands are producers of greenhouse gases (GHGs) but are able to store significant amounts of carbon relative to their surface area. Mangrove forests are amongst the most effective ecosystems for carbon sequestration. Soil emits (GHGs) containing carbon (such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)), which are produced by organic matter decomposition and soil organic carbon mineralization, and both are an important component of the global carbon cycle. Soil emissions may be affected by a variety of factors including …

Psychosocial Impact Of Assistive Technology On Veterans With Disabilities In Higher Education, Maricela Rosales

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation study was to examine the psychosocial impact of assistive technology (AT) on veterans with disabilities in higher education. A current problem is that there is a research and knowledge gap in the AT needs of student veterans with disabilities living in South Texas, as well as in the psychosocial impact that AT for everyday life activities has on the quality of life of student veterans with disabilities who live with functional limitations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the psychosocial impact variables with participants from higher education institutions via online and in-person surveys. …

Licensed Professional Counselors In Texas: The Role Of Stigma In Seeking Counseling Services, Raquel C. Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

The literature on stigma has revealed this attribute as a deterrent to seeking mental health services. This study encompassed an investigation of the impact of self-stigma and public stigma on the intentions to seek mental health services of Texas Licensed Professional Counselors. A survey was sent via email, social media platforms associated with Licensed Professional Counselors, and snowball sampling to recruit participants. The participants (N = 99) completed self-report measures about self-stigma, public stigma, social desirability characteristics, and attitudes towards seeking mental health help. The results indicated that neither self-stigma nor public stigma was a deterrent to seeking mental health …

An Examination Of Self-Identity In Relation To Smoking And Vaping In South Carolina, Jaron Hoani King

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND

This dissertation examines self-identity in the context of smoking and vaping among adults in South Carolina (SC) using data from the 2023 SC Adult Tobacco Survey (n=1370). The conceptual model created to guide this dissertation is called the “Smoker and Vaper Behavior-Identity Model” and draws constructs from theoretical frameworks in health behavior and social identity theories. Behavior was defined as lifetime and past 30 day cigarette or e-cigarette use. Self-identity was defined by asking respondents with a history of cigarette or e-cigarette use “Do you consider yourself a smoker/vaper”, respectively.

METHODS

First, this study assesses the prevalence of mismatching …

Examining Risk Factors For Early-Onset Breast Cancer, Jennifer Grace Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: There have been great advancements in screening and in the identifying of risk factors associated with breast cancer, however, there is a lack of information of these factors in women with breast cancer occurring under the age of 45, known as early-onset breast cancer (EOBC). EOBC is often found at later stages, negatively impacting young women’s careers, family planning, and mental health. Additionally, because of the health disparities that exist within the U.S. health care system, women belonging to racial and ethnic groups, specifically young Black women, tend to have poorer outcomes and higher mortality rates of EOBC …

Faith, Trust, And Pixie Dust: Understanding The Visions And Responsibilities Of The Varsity Esports Program Director, William Alan Fisackerly

Theses and Dissertations

The budding esports scene has drawn attention from higher education institutions in North America, who are growing community, competitive, and pedagogical esports initiatives. Varsity Esports Programs (VEPs) have proliferated since Robert Morris launched the first varsity program in 2014, with over 12,800 players from 650 institutions competing in the Spring 2023 National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Starleague season alone (Butler University Set To Host NACE Starleague’s Spring 2023 Grand Finals, 2023). Despite this growth, little is known about the Varsity Esports Program (VEP), specifically from the perspective of the directors that oversee their operations. Previous work exploring the creation …

Centralized Finance And Decentralized Finance, Leili Pour Rostami

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores different facets of financial markets, focusing on the interplay between decentralized finance, traditional banking systems, and private market relationship lending. By examining these diverse areas, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how emerging financial instruments and market behaviors interact with traditional financial systems. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) offers an escape from the challenges of centralized finance (CeFi). The first essay explores whether and how returns on DeFi instruments, particularly cryptocurrencies, manage to evade the traditional “rules” in response to exogenous central bank monetary policy shocks. The findings reveal that crypto abnormal returns decline significantly with shocks, …

Collegiate Student-Athlete Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Alexa Jenny Chandler

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Exercise imposes a physiological stressor on the body which is amplified as training intensifies. Collegiate fall-sport student-athletes return after summer break (off-season) and have approximately two weeks of training (preseason) with coaching staff before competition begins. The 2020 fall season was preceded by a five-month period away from campus due to the timing of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This also meant all commercial gyms and training facilities were closed, and student-athletes were forced to train with the resources they had at home. Upon return to campus, significant changes were made to practice and competition structures in attempt to …

Assessing Role Of Social Media Labels In Countering Misinformation Using Information Processing Perspective: Findings From University Of South Carolina, Ali Zain

Theses and Dissertations

In the context of online misinformation, this study integrates Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM), Elaboration-Likelihood Model (ELM), and Motivation, Opportunity, and Ability (MOA) to investigate the impact of three social media labels on information processing and verification. It adopts experimental design with single manipulation involving undergraduate students. Psychophysiological measures (i.e., dwell time, peaks per minute, and frontal alpha asymmetry) are used along with self-report methods. Findings reveal significant effects of social media label 1 which explicitly flagged misinformation on perceived message credibility, intentions to adopt counter behaviors and information verification, and actual behaviors. The findings were also endorsed by regression analyses using …