17179 research outputs found
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Oral history interview: Cecil Goffnett
No full textEdited and unedited transcript files (.pdf) and edited and unedited video files available with closed captioning.Oral history interview with Jacob, Janelle, and Lawrence Goffnett about their family member, Cecil Goffnett. They discuss their loved ones life, service, and the lessons he left them with
Oral history interview: Marisol Heredia
No full textEdited and unedited transcript files (.pdf) and edited and unedited video files available with closed captioning.Oral history interview with Claudio Heredia Billiot about her sister, Marisol
More Than a Quick Google: How Dramaturgy Breathes Life Into Theatre
No full textMy first introduction to dramaturgy was in college, almost 8 years after I had begun my theatre journey. Though I had briefly participated in some assignments that required me to research topics pertaining to the plays we were reading or performing in class, the term “Dramaturgy” was never once mentioned. It wasn’t until arriving at Texas State and hearing peers of mine discuss their work in dramaturgy classes or the research for shows they were working on, that I started to understand exactly what dramaturgy is, and the impact it can have on the production of theatrical works.
In a time where the arts and history are being attacked by those who hold the most power in our country, this paper examines how different works of theatre explore societal constructs, criticizes bigoted institutions, and portrays historical events. In this capstone paper, you will find a collection of dramaturgical packets from three different shows, all of which shine a light on systemic issues that affect the day to day lives of marginalized communities, both in the present day and historically. At the end of each packet, I have written a short paragraph on how I would direct the play based on what I have uncovered from my research and my interpretation of the script. Though my research has no data, no graphs and very few statistics, my hope is that the work that I have done encourages others to take the time and energy to invest in a dramaturg while producing their own theatrical work.Theatre and Danc
Efforts to Improve Back Contact of CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells with Advanced Characterization
No full textCadmium Telluride (CdTe) has been one of the most promising II-VI materials in thin-film solar cells for decades. The CdTe bandgap, 1.5 eV at room temperature, is near the optimum for single junction solar cell efficiency to the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit (32%) under AM 1.5 illumination condition. Recent studies have reported that CdTe solar cell efficiency has reached 22.6% and that module efficiency has reached 19.9% by First Solar. The efficiency is still lagging behind the SQ limit, but the short circuit current (Isc) of the CdTe solar cell has nearly reached its theoretical limit, so strategies to improve cell efficiency mostly focus on increasing the open-circuit voltage (Voc). Raising Voc depends on increasing the minority carrier lifetime, increasing the carrier concentration, and reducing bulk and/or interface recombination. A high minority carrier lifetime will decrease the non-radiative recombination of the charge carriers in different solar cell regions and lower reverse saturation current density, improving the Voc. Also, a high carrier concentration will strengthen the built-in potential of the depletion region, which will increase the Voc. Reasonable high acceptor concentration on the p-side of the junction (absorber) of the p-type CdTe solar cell will create enhanced built-in potential or a stronger electric field in the depletion region, facilitating a more efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Consequently, a larger splitting of the quasi-Fermi levels of the photogenerated carriers under illumination will occur which ultimately results in a higher open-circuit voltage for the CdTe solar cell. The achievement of an ohmic back contact has been critical in CdTe-based solar cells. Flattening the back-surface roughness of the CdTe absorber of polycrystalline CdTe thin film solar cells is important to passivate the back surface with large, uniform grains and for ease of fabrication of different back interface layers. Modification of the CdTe absorber back surface by applying different roughness planarization procedures was one of the main goals of this portion of the research. A reasonable process has been evaluated with the comparative roughness and electro-optical characterization and analysis. To achieve the reduced back contact barrier and suppress the recombination of the charge carriers, another key motivation of this research was to survey several less explored back surface layers (heavily p-doped, high work function, high bandgap, and hole transport layer) on the planarized CdTe absorber which can play an important role on the device performance. The performance was evaluated via room temperature current density – voltage (JV) and capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics with reference to the generic superstrate CdTe (planarized absorber) device (glass/SnO2:F/SnO2/n-CdS/p-CdTe/Au). The other electronic qualities, the interface properties, back-contact barrier height, and recombination-mediated via defects study were inspected using temperature and intensitydependent JV measurements corroborated with admittance spectroscopy (AS). Also, the temperature and intensity dependence of open circuit voltage and photoluminescence analysis evaluated the band offsets and shunt resistance in CdTe solar cells. Therefore, combined electrical and optical analysis has given insights and correlated device physics valuable for further CdTe solar cell development.Physic
Snapping into Success: Analyzing Snapchat's User Base and Strategic Recommendations
No full textThis project focuses on the customer profile breakdown of Snapchat users and non-users, delving into the psychology behind their decisions. In my Strategic Management and Business Policy course, we emphasize the "big picture" view of organizations and how top managers can implement company-wide strategies for success. This topic aligns closely with the course's instruction and is of great interest to me.
The project will cover several subtopics, including:
- An analysis of customer motivations
- The demographics that make up the customer profile
- Reasons certain demographics do not embrace Snapchat
- Previous customers' reasons for loss of interest
To conduct this research, I will utilize MRI Simmons Catalyst, which meticulously breaks down consumer demographics, providing quantitative data for the initial stages of my study. Additionally, I will conduct small surveys to gather qualitative data, helping to conceptualize the "why" factor behind some of my proposed questions. After thorough research, I will use this data to develop a marketing strategy aimed at increasing Snapchat's user base while reducing turnover rates. I will also propose targeted advertising ideas. The entire project will be presented as a "pitch" to Snapchat, showcasing my findings and strategic recommendations.Managemen
The Mortal Tragedy: Analyzing Body Disposal Patterns in Homicide Cases
No full textNo abstract prepared.Criminal Justice and Criminolog
Oral history interview: Gary Olson
No full textEdited and unedited transcript files (.pdf) and edited and unedited video files available with closed captioning.Interview with Gary Olson's daughter, Faith Olson. Faith shares about her fathers brief stint in Vietnam and his relationship with his family
Phage Interactions with Antibiotic-Resistant Biofilms
Get PDFAntibiotic-resistant biofilms pose a significant challenge in modern medicine, as their protective extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) limits antibiotic penetration, making infections more difficult to treat. These bacterial communities require higher doses and prolonged antibiotic exposure, further driving resistance. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that specifically target bacteria, offer a promising alternative. Lytic phages destroy bacteria by hijacking their replication machinery and causing cell lysis, while lysogenic phages integrate into the bacterial genome and remain dormant until triggered into the lytic cycle. Although phage therapy was largely abandoned in the West following the discovery of antibiotics, renewed interest has emerged, particularly in the use of phage cocktails—combinations of different phages designed to enhance effectiveness against various bacterial strains. Phages have shown potential in disrupting biofilms by degrading the EPS and lysing embedded bacteria. However, challenges such as bacterial resistance to phages, immune system interactions, and regulatory hurdles remain. This review examines biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, phage-biofilm interactions, and the advantages and limitations of phage therapy as a viable alternative to traditional antibiotics.Biolog
Performance Evaluation of Guss Asphalt Binder: A Comprehensive Study on Properties and Applications
No full textThis dissertation presents a thorough investigation into the performance characteristics, optimization, and practical applications of Guss Asphalt Binder modified with an array of additives, including Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA), Crumb Rubber Modifier (CRM), Leadcap (LC), Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene (SIS), and Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymers. The research aims to address the complex demands of modern pavement engineering by enhancing the durability, flexibility, and sustainability of asphalt binders under diverse environmental and loading conditions. The study begins with an in-depth analysis of the rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of TLA-modified binders, emphasizing its significant contributions to viscosity, stiffness, and rutting resistance. TLA’s high asphaltene content proved instrumental in increasing binder rigidity and resistance to permanent deformation. However, these enhancements came at the cost of reduced fatigue resistance and flexibility, particularly at elevated dosages. To mitigate these drawbacks, CRM and SBS were integrated into the binder matrix. CRM demonstrated exceptional elasticity and low-temperature flexibility, effectively counterbalancing the stiffness induced by TLA. Similarly, SBS improved elastic recovery and resistance to oxidative aging, meeting critical Superpave performance criteria. The addition of LC as a warm mix additive was explored to address energy consumption challenges during production. LC significantly reduced binder viscosity, enabling easier mixing and paving at lower temperatures, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the research highlighted the synergistic effects of combined modifications, such as formulations with 20% TLA and 10% CRM or 10% SBS, which achieved optimal balances between durability and workability. Advanced testing methods, including Multiple Stress Creep Recovery (MSCR), Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR), and Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) analyses, were employed to characterize binder performance under varying stress levels and temperature conditions. Results demonstrated superior resistance to permanent deformation, enhanced thermal flexibility, and prolonged pavement life. An innovative aspect of this study involved the exploration of SIS as a performance enhancer. While SIS improved deformation resistance and oxidative aging properties, its integration posed challenges in terms of excessive rigidity at higher dosages. To address this, optimal proportions were determined to ensure compatibility with TLA and other additives. The dissertation also highlights the importance of tailoring additive combinations to specific climatic and traffic conditions, as well as the need for field validation to corroborate laboratory findings. Overall, this research contributes significantly to the field of pavement materials science by establishing a robust framework for designing high-performance, sustainable asphalt binders. The findings underscore the potential of additive-modified binders to meet the stringent demands of modern infrastructure while promoting environmental stewardship. Future work will focus on field performance monitoring, long-term aging studies, and exploring innovative additives to further refine binder formulations for global applications.Engineering Technolog
Ready, Set, Relaunch: The Transitions and Learning of Women Engineers Returning to the Workforce after a Career Break
No full textThe literature on women in engineering highlights the many challenges they face working in the profession. While women have increased their representation in other historically male-dominated fields, such as medicine and law, they make up only 16% of the engineering population (Diekman et al., 2010; Hatmaker, 2013; Herman & Kirkup, 2008; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Existing research often focuses on increasing the number of women in engineering, but little work has been done on strategies to retain them or attract them back to the profession. Literature on women’s career development and career patterns shows that women are much more likely than men to face career interruptions and leave or switch careers, highlighting the importance of focusing on retention and reentry strategies for women in engineering (Hayter, 2014; Shafer, 2011). This study examined the experiences of women who successfully returned to the field of engineering after a career break and identified key aspects of the reentry process. Specifically, the study explored: (1) the factors that influence women engineers’ decisions to exit and reenter the workforce after a career break, (2) the ways they described the challenges they faced during their reentry into the workforce, (3) the ways they coped during the career reentry transition, and (4) the learning outcomes they described from their reentry experiences. This phenomenological study used Schlossberg’s (Anderson et al., 2012) transition theory as a lens to examine the participants' experiences.Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psycholog