Digital Commons Network^™

Nepantla – Examining The Sacred Middle Ground Of Syncretism, Jose Luis Garcia Iii

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of historical traumas caused by the Spanish invasion of Mexico, the autonomy of its Indigenous peoples has been replaced by a Eurocentric identifier based on a colonial language and theologies. Because of the vastness surrounding the Nahua pantheon, Spanish and Church officials relied on guided syncretism as means of correcting their methodologies in converting Mexico’s Indigenous population. This thesis examines syncretism as a process of religious mixing and its residual cultural changes that affected Mexico’s Indigenous populations. This ethnographic research argues that syncretism as an overarching, universalized term is insufficient to describe this process in the Chalma …

The Processing Of /Ɪ/-/I/ And /Ɑ/-/Æ/ Contrasts In Spanish-English Bilingualism, Elizabeth M. Garza

Theses and Dissertations

The following study utilizes an experimental paradigm known as the Sequence Recall Task (Dupoux et al., 2001) to examine the processing of the English vowel contrasts /ɪ/-/i/ and /ɑ/-/æ/ among Spanish-English bilinguals. Using dominance scores calculated from the Bilingual Language Profile (Birdsong et al., 2011), this study examines the processing of these contrasts relative to a control contrast /u/-/ɛ/ as well as how the processing of these contrasts is modulated by participants’ English dominance. A total of 24 Spanish-English bilingual speakers participated in a Sequence Recall Task that targeted the processing of these three contrasts. The results indicate that participants …

Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Individuals With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome And Intellectual Disability, Sandra Garza Ochoa

Theses and Dissertations

Caregiving for a person with 22q11.2 chromosome deletion syndrome (22q) often entails dealing with medically life-threatening complications and is significantly compounded when the care recipient has comorbid 22q and intellectual disability (ID). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of support, spirituality, and resiliency on the quality of life (QOL) of caregivers of individuals with comorbid 22q/ID to ascertain if these protective factors would reduce their caregiving burden. Study participants consisted of 469 caregivers of persons with 22q/ID who were recruited through 22q social advocacy groups. Correlational analyses, analyses of variance, and multiple regression analysis were used …

Understanding The Developmental Regulation Of Opa1 Processing In C2c12 Myoblasts, Harpreet Kaur

Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondria is an energy-producing organelle in the cell that accept electrons from the Krebs cycle to generate energy in the form of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. Two mitochondrial aspects, bioenergetics and dynamics are critical for energy balance and cellular stress responses. Mitochondrial dynamics refers to the balance between mitochondrial fusion (mitochondrial biogenesis) and mitochondrial fission (mitochondrial fragmentation). Cellular stress conditions that lead to dissipation of transmembrane potential (Δψm) trigger the activation of an IMM protein, OMA1, a metalloprotease that leads to processing of another IMM protein, optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) that mediates IMM fusion. Persistent stress primes the mitochondria to mitophagy …

An Examination Of Factors Impacting Student Decisions To Engage In Physical Activity At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Glenn R. Gray

Theses and Dissertations

College students at a large south Texas university have proven consistently that they have a higher-than-average Body Mass Index (BMI), spend less time per week engaged in physical activity, and in general feel that they are less healthy than students in a national cross-sectional survey of college students by the American College Health Association (ACHA, 2021). This project investigates the barriers to activity and the motivators to engage in activity. In this cross-sectional study, the Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 and the Barriers to Being Active instruments along with a demographic survey have identified motivators and barriers. The collection of basic demographic …

Attitudes And Compassion Of Student Counselors-In-Training Toward Individuals Who Are Homeless, Kristine R. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

With the increased numbers of homeless individuals over the past several years, it is important to consider factors that contribute to chronic homelessness, including barriers to service delivery that impede one’s ability to exit homelessness. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the attitudes and compassion among student counselors-in-training (SCITs) toward individuals experiencing homelessness as these students represent future mental health providers who will be serving the homeless, a highly marginalized population. A total of 162 graduate students from two southwestern Hispanic-serving institutions were recruited for the study. A correlational analysis, independent t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs were conducted …

Microwave-Assisted Depolymerization Of Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Via Ethanolysis, Mayra Alejandra Gomez Cortez

Theses and Dissertations

In the search of providing an alternative form of combating the complex environmental concerns rising from the rapid growth of poly (ethylene terephthalate) waste in the world, this research focused on investigating the chemical recycling of PET via ethanolysis. Parameters such as temperature, reaction time, catalyst usage and concentration were investigated to promote depolymerization.

In this work, ethanolysis of waste PET under microwave irradiation was investigated using organocatalysts 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo [4.4.0] dec5-ene (TBD) and 1,8-Diazabicyclo [5.4.0] underc-7-ene (DBU). We evaluated the effectiveness of reaction conditions through a series of experiments and determined the optimum conditions as follows: 0.5 g of PET, …

Study Of Population Dynamics Of Sugarcane Aphid (Melanaphis Sacchari) In Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Neetu Khanal

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 1: This chapter incorporates detailed information about the biotype concept, aphids, their types and their biotypes, importance of studying insect biotypes and their role in mediating host plant defenses.

Chapter 2: This chapter explains in detail about the biology, biotypes, feeding behavior, damage, and economic loss caused due to sugarcane aphid infestation. This chapter further elaborates on the need for studying population level differences and justifies the objectives and significance of this research study.

Chapter 3: This chapter provides information about the comprehensive work done on three different populations of sugarcane aphid collected from three different locations in Rio …

Developing Executable Digital Models With Model-Based Systems Engineering – An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Surveillance Scenario Example, Viviana Guadalupe Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

There is an increase in complexity in modern systems that causes inconsistencies in the iterative exchange loops of the system design process and in turn, demands greater quality of system organization and optimization techniques. A recent transition from document-centric systems engineering to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is being documented in literature from various industries to address these issues. This study aims to investigate how MBSE can be used as a starting point in developing digital twins (DT). Specifically, the adoption of MBSE for realizing DT has been investigated, resulting in various literature reviews that indicate the most prevalent methodologies and …

Data Science For Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship, Saikou Jawla

Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial infections, but their misuse leads to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today. Antibiotic resistance leads to higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. Antimicrobial stewardship is an approach to measure and improve the appropriate use of antibiotics in healthcare settings. Data science has the potential to support these programs by providing insights into antibiotic prescribing patterns, identifying areas for improvement, and predicting patient outcomes. We explored the role of data science in hospital antibiotic stewardship programs, including statistical methods …

An Analysis Of Antichimeral Ramanujan Type Congruences For Quotients Of The Rogers-Ramanujan Functions, Ryan A. Mowers

Theses and Dissertations

This paper proves the existence of antichimeral Ramanujan type congruences for certain modular forms These modular forms can be represented in terms of Klein forms and the Dedekind eta function. The main focus of this thesis is to introduce the necessary theory to characterize these specific Ramanujan type congruences and prove their antichimerality.

Monitoring Of Ac Motors Parameters Using Industrial Internet Of Things, Mohammad Muheisen

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the industrial internet of things has been introduced, as a very newborn research field. The suggested prototype has been assembled at the university laboratory to simulate the system conditions. Two three-phase induction motors have been utilized to perform this study, to monitor and gather data, regarding vibration and temperature. As a very newborn field, the data collected from the two motors can be analyzed to achieve a couple of goals, in energy consumption, to reduce the financial burden of the remedy works. A fast Fourier transformer has been applied to measure the motor's vibrations, and the current …

An Investigation Into Optimal Descent Trajectories For Multipurpose Long Range Space Vehicles Under Advanced Conditions, John M. Levis

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, we investigate the problem of fuel-optimal control of space vehicle descent trajectories. The main tool we use to establish optimality is Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle. We present a variety of scenarios with increasing complexities, including drag, wind, and moving landing platforms in the context of differing atmospheric and gravitational conditions. Throughout the paper, we use a balance of analytical and numerical techniques. Finally, observations and conclusions drawn from the investigation form the basis for suggestions into additional areas of analysis.

Flow Monitoring And Tidal Exchange Ratio Estimation For The Bahia Grande After Widening Of The Carl Joe Gayman Pilot Channel: Bahia Grande, Cameron County, Tx, Sabas Lopez Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The Bahia Grande (BG) is an 8,500-acre set of coastal bays and wetlands located between Brownsville and Port Isabel, Tx, near the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) coastline. In 2005, the Carl Joe Gayman Pilot Channel was constructed to address hypersalinity concerns that resulted from natural and anthropogenically-caused tidal isolation since the early 1940’s. In 2022, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) increased the channel’s width and depth in anticipation of increasing tidal exchange ratios by a factor of two to three. Once the channel widening was complete, two SL-1500-3G side-looking acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs) were periodically deployed beneath the …

Wave Excited Mass-Spring-Damper System For A Self-Recharging Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Mahmodul Hasan Maheen

Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous underwater vehicles' (AUVs) endurance is constrained by the lifetime of their batteries and the distance that tether wires can traverse. Solving the endurance problem of AUV using the enormous potential of ocean wave energy is the motivation behind this thesis. The objective of this research is to model a mass-spring-damper system to emulate the permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG) of a self-recharging AUV and identify its energy absorption capability through numerical simulation and experimental testing. The research activities started with modeling and fabricating a 1:5 scale model. The scaling was done by comparing the most common AUV size of …

Effects Of Missing Data Imputation Methods On Univariate Time Series Forecasting With Arima And Lstm, Nicholas Niako

Theses and Dissertations

Missing data are common in real-life studies and missing observations within the univariate time series cause analytical problems in the flow of the analysis. Imputation of missing values is an inevitable step in the analysis of every incomplete univariate time series data. The reviewed literature has shown that the focus of existing studies is on comparing the distribution of imputed data. There is a gap of knowledge on how different imputation methods for univariate time series data affect the fit and prediction performance of time series models. In this work, we evaluated the predictive performance of autoregressive integrated moving average …

Long-Term Spatial And Temporal Assessment Of Criteria Air Pollutants Concentration Trends In The Lower Rio Grande Valley Region Of Texas, Usa, Md Salahuddin Majumder

Theses and Dissertations

Air pollution is a substantial environmental challenge all over the world. This study investigated the long-term air pollution levels in the Lower Rio Grande Valley region, by utilizing data collected from five continuous ambient monitoring stations in two counties over 23 years, from January 2000 to December 2022, to analyze daily, monthly, and seasonal variations of different pollutants, including ground-level ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. This study also identified distinct daily and seasonal patterns for O3, PM2.5, PM10, and CO at each monitoring site, influenced by factors such as traffic emissions, temperature, solar radiation, indoor heating, and weather conditions. …

Perspectives Of Esl Teachers On Translanguaging Pedagogy In Supporting The Literacy Engagement Of Emergent Bilingual Students In A Texas Charter School, Gemma Olson

Theses and Dissertations

The interconnectedness of the world today through advanced technology and travel allows students exposure to a diverse cultural landscape. Combined with a fast-changing computer technology-driven education, and culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms, there cannot be just one way to teach and learn. This study explored the perspective of ESL teachers on translanguaging pedagogy in supporting the literacy engagement of emergent bilingual (EB) students in an urban elementary charter school in Texas. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR), data was collected from three ESL teacher participants using the spiral-action cycle. Findings that emerged included (a) intrinsic motivation that translanguaging pedagogy support emergent …

A Thin Line Or Intimations Of Violence, Saul A. Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is meant to be an honest discussion about the state of literature from the perspective of a student. Each chapter deals with a different aspect of writing, whether it be putting pen to paper, garnering sufficient experience to achieve verisimilitude, or dealing with critique. Interspersed between the essays are fiction vignettes.

The nonfiction aspects of this body of work are inspired by the voices of philosophers and traditional essayists alike: people such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, T.S. Eliot, Aristotle, D.H. Lawrence, Henry Adams, and Ralph Ellison. The topic of liminality regarding culture and migration is also addressed, mainly through …

Fifth Grade Teachers Use Of Cooperative Learning In Science, Liza Ramos

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore Cooperative Learning theories and practice by examining the relationships among three aspects: Experience, Practice and Perceptions. The data were from interview records from eight science teachers.

As a student-centered active pedagogical trend, cooperative learning has become part of one of the most effective and efficient educational trends that has illuminated constructivist science classrooms in South Texas. This method is conducive in the field of education. Students, in general, are encouraged to cooperatively get involved and to collaboratively participate in problem solving, discussions, and/or productions in group sessions to build a sense of community with the …

Disaster Risk Perception, Climate Change Awareness, And Disaster Preparedness Among University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley Students, Anandita Roy

Theses and Dissertations

University students are usually young and have low-income resources, live in dormitories or low-rent housing near the university, and have little to no disaster experience. Therefore, they are vulnerable to disasters due to a lack of resources for preparation. To better understand the vulnerability of students to disasters, the study aims to assess the perceptions of disaster risk, climate change awareness, and the level of disaster preparedness of students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). In this study, we collected data from 320 students who participated in an online survey. The study’s findings provide an understanding of …

Biological Optimization Of Polymer-Based Antiretroviral Drug Towards The Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (Galt), Arkajyoti Paul

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has significantly decreased the disease mortality associated with HIV-1 but does not efficiently reach the HIV reservoir organs such as GALT. In this regard, the present study determined the efficacy of the polymer-based nanoformulations using F127 alone and in combination with L61 to encapsulate three clinically available cART drugs such as Emtricitabine (FTC), Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF), and Dolutegravir (DTG) in in vitro and in vivo system. Methods: The selected formulations were studied for their biological and chemical characterization towards human cell line viz. Caco-2 and Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in vivo …

The Witch In The Woods: An Exploration Of Female Representation In Mexican American And Japanese Folklore, Sydni D. Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

An exploration of female archetypes that examines their display and representation in Mexican American and Japanese folklore. The study ties the two cultures together for the purpose of juxtaposing an older and younger culture utilizing folklore in similar ways of control over women’s narratives. It examines how a patriarchal culture’s folklore provides punishments through the medium of storytelling for transgressive or deviant women. When women act outside of their preferred archetypes or behavior in folklore, they are met with severe narrative consequences. The archetypes discussed in this thesis, “La Virgen Armada and the Final Girl,” “The Bride,” “The Sacrilegious …

The Effect Of Cybersecurity Training On Government Employee’S Knowledge Of Cybersecurity Issues And Practices, Juan Jaime Saldana Ii

Theses and Dissertations

There is an ever-pressing need for cybersecurity awareness and implementation of learning strategies in the workplace to mitigate the increased threat posed by cyber-attacks and exacerbated by an untrained workforce. The lack of cybersecurity knowledge amongst government employees has increased to critical levels due to the amount of sensitive information their agencies are responsible for. The digital compromise of a government entity often leads to a compromise of constituent data along with the disruption of public services (Axelrod, 2019; Yazdanpanahi, 2021). The need for awareness is further complicated by agencies looking to cater to a digital culture looking for a …

Problems In Algorithmic Self-Assembly And A Genetic Approach To Patterns, Andrew Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

As it becomes increasingly harder to make transistors smaller, replacements for traditional silicon computers become sought after. To study the computing power of these potential computers, various theoretical models have been proposed, such as the abstract Tile Assembly Model (aTAM) and chemical reaction networks (CRNs). This thesis compiles research in various models such as the aTAM, Tile Automata, and CRNs. This work shows an investigation of covert computation in the aTAM and an evolutionary algorithm to approximate solutions to the pattern self-assembly tile set synthesis (PATS) problem. Next, optimal state complexity for building squares in Tile Automata is shown along …

Road Mitigation Structure And Road Effect Zone Impacts On Rodent Community Composition, Activity, And Predator-Prey Dynamics In South Texas, Adam F. Sanjar

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of road mortality mitigation structures on rodent activity and rodent community composition are not fully understood, both on the regional scale of south Texas and in the broader field of road ecology. This is primarily due to the low conservation priority of most rodent species and the difficulty of noninvasively surveying for rodents effectively. This thesis focused on characterizing how rodents were impacted by both roads and mitigation structures in south Texas, and if rodents are a significant factor to consider when studying the road ecology of rodent predators in south Texas, particularly ocelots, bobcats (Lynx rufus …

Polyamory - The Multiple Complexities Of Multiple Partners, Vianna Isbister

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is an exploration of the relationship between polyamory and how polyamorous people communicate about their relationship dynamics. Drawing from six individual interviews and one focus group, the author compares key language that appears in previous research to the language created by the study participants. Utilizing grounded theory for the analysis, results indicate that the language choices of sexual identity, sexual orientation, and/or relationship model are not sufficient for singularly encompassing a poly experience. Findings indicate that individuals who identify under the umbrella of consensual non-monogamy (CNM) may use the term "polyamory" to describe their own relationship dynamic or …

Cultural Lag Does Not Exist: An Exposition And Critical Evaluation Of W.F. Ogburn’S Hypothesis, Heather L. Osborne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite a century of scholarly critique, William Fielding Ogburn’s cultural lag hypothesis (CLH) endures. The inclusion of Ogburn’s hypothesis in introductory sociology textbooks, reference books, and histories of technology lends an unwarranted authority to its scientific credibility. I critically assess Ogburn’s CLH and find that it is neither scientifically nor theoretically sound. Specifically, I discover presumptions of cultural integration and normative progressivism, the fallacy of ambiguity, problems of causal explanation, operationalization, and selective bias, which renders the CLH unmeasurable, unfalsifiable, and non-replicable. Finally, I briefly discuss the implications and make suggestions for future research.

Assessing The Applicability Of A Three-Minute All-Out Swimming Test In Collegiate Swimmers, Luis Rodriguez-Castellano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Performance tests are used to gauge swimmer fitness and guide training prescription. While some traditional protocols, such as, best average swimming (Bavg) lack scientific support, the three-minute all-out test (3MT) is validated to measure critical speed (CS) and distance capacity above CS (D’) from a single maximal swimming bout. In collegiate swimming, a 3MT could be convenient and time efficient. Yet, issues arise with calculating 3MT parameters. Moreover, anthropometry, resistance training, and stroke technique may influence swimming performance and physiological thresholds including 3MT parameters. Hence, this dissertation focused on evaluating the 3MT parameter calculation methods using the interval and lap …

Cardiovascular Disease In Central Appalachia, An Exploratory Study Of Behavioral, Community, And Patient-Centered Care Influences, Kristy Gagnon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Central Appalachian region of the United States disproportionately experiences higher rates of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and associated risk factors. Primary risk factors for CVD include hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and tobacco use, all of which have the potential to be mitigated through lifestyle behavior changes. Dietary and physical activity practices are the two main driving forces for the development of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, while tobacco use is a behavioral choice on its own. Subsequentially, shifting lifestyle choices to emphasize healthier living has the potential to reduce CVDs within the Central Appalachian region. Considering behavioral choices are not made in isolation and …