Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
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Stage and discharge prediction from documentary time-lapse imagery
No full textImagery from fixed, ground-based cameras is rich in qualitative and quantitative information that can improve stream discharge monitoring. For instance, time-lapse imagery may be valuable for filling data gaps when sensors fail and/or during lapses in funding for monitoring programs. In this study, we used a large image archive (>40,000 images from 2012 to 2019) from a fixed, ground-based camera that is part of a documentary watershed imaging project (https://plattebasintimelapse.com/). Scalar image features were extracted from daylight images taken at one-hour intervals. The image features were fused with United States Geological Survey stage and discharge data as response variables from the site. Predictions of stage and discharge for simulated year-long data gaps (2015, 2016, and 2017 water years) were generated from Multi-layer Perceptron, Random Forest Regression, and Support Vector Regression models. A Kalman filter was applied to the predictions to remove noise. Error metrics were calculated, including Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and an alternative threshold-based performance metric that accounted for seasonal runoff. NSE for the year-long gap predictions ranged from 0.63 to 0.90 for discharge and 0.47 to 0.90 for stage, with greater errors in 2016 when stream discharge during the gap period greatly exceeded discharge during the training periods. Importantly, and in contrast to gap-filling methods that do not use imagery, the high discharge conditions in 2016 could be visually (qualitatively) verified from the image data. Half-year test sets were created for 2016 to include higher discharges in the training sets, thus improving model performance. While additional machine learning algorithms and tuning parameters for selected models should be tested further, this study demonstrates the potential value of ground-based time-lapse images for filling large gaps in hydrologic time series data. Cameras dedicated for hydrologic sensing, including nighttime imagery, could further improve results.The authors are grateful to the Platte Basin Timelapse project for providing the imagery used in this research. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture—National Institute of Food and Agriculture NEB-21-177 (Hatch Project 1015698 to TG). Additional student support was provided by the University of Nebraska Research Council through a Grant-in-Aid grant funded through a gift from the John C. and Nettie V. David Memorial Trust Fund (to TG). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Exploring the influence of built environment factors on COVID-19 vaccinatation uptake
Full text linkThis study examines the interconnections between the built environment and vaccination uptake in Nueces County, Texas, through the applications of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Spatial Autoregressive (SAR), and Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) regressions. Focusing on an array of built environment factors—such as road density, road diversity, bus stop density, park density, traffic signal density, road connectivity, population density—and the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) as a sociodemographic factor, the study aims to uncover how these elements influence the rates of both full and booster vaccinations. Data from the Nueces County Public Health District and OpenStreetMap were analyzed to identify significant spatial patterns and determinants affecting vaccination coverage.
Key findings indicate that certain built environment attributes, notably road connectivity and park density, play a pivotal role in enhancing the vaccination uptake rates. Furthermore, the incorporation of SVI into the analysis highlights the critical nexus between social vulnerability and health disparity, emphasizing the need for targeted public health strategies. This research contributes to the broader discourse on the significance of integrating urban planning and public health efforts, proposing that well-considered urban design can be instrumental in improving vaccination rates and, by extension, community health outcomes.
By analyzing the complex relationships between spatial factors and vaccination behaviors, this thesis not only enriches the existing literature but also lays the groundwork for future studies to incorporate a wider range of variables and employ more granular spatial analyses. Such advancements could provide insights into individual and community-level determinants of vaccination uptake, offering guidance for the development of more nuanced and effective public health interventions.Computing SciencesCollege of Engineerin
Advanced computer architecture
No full textIntroduction: Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP): ILP refers to the potential to execute multiple instructions concurrently within a processor. Modern processors exploit ILP to achieve higher performance. The Tomasulo Algorithm is a key technique that facilitates dynamic instruction scheduling for maximizing ILP
The effect of particle geometry on squirming in a heterogeneous medium
No full textBiological microorganisms and artificial micro-swimmers often locomote in heterogeneous viscous environments consisting of networks of obstacles embedded into viscous fluid media. In this work, we use the squirmer model and present a numerical investigation of the effects of shape on swimming in a heterogeneous medium. Specifically, we analyse the microorganism’s propulsion speed as well as its energetic cost and swimming efficiency. The analysis allows us to probe the general characteristics of swimming in a heterogeneous viscous environment in comparison with the case of a purely viscous fluid. We found that a spheroidal microorganism always propels faster, expends less energy and is more efficient than a spherical microorganism in either a homogeneous fluid or a heterogeneous medium. Moreover, we determined that above a critical eccentricity, a spheroidal microorganism in a heterogeneous medium can swim faster than a spherical microorganism in a homogeneous fluid. Based on an analysis of the forces acting on the squirmer, we offer an explanation for the decrease in the squirmer’s speed observed in heterogeneous media compared with homogeneous fluids
Female empowerment through children's literature: A content analysis of the 2023 rise feminist book project list
No full textA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction.This dissertation studied the words and illustrations of fictional picture books from the 2023 Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (RISE) for children aged four to eight to confirm the presence of female characters with positive character traits such as strong sense of self, self esteem, and determination. This study used a content analysis of a predetermined selection of books to determine whether there are strong positive female characters that could contribute to the positive development of girls’ self-concept. Much of recent children’s literature has been dominated by male characters. Females are underrepresented in children’s literature. They are found in less significant roles in the story, in illustrations, and titles. A qualitative content analysis was conducted in which the researcher used an updated version of an existing research instrument. The words and illustrations of fictional picture books within the data corpus were analyzed, including character traits, relationships between characters, and the effect problems had on the main character in each literature selection. The study found multiple themes: 1. empowerment themes of positive female role models and a strong sense of self; 2. feminist themes of determination to achieve goals, gender equality and gender norms, and collective action. From the findings, several assertions were created about books from the 2023 Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (RISE): 1. words and illustrations support positive character traits in the female main characters; 2. educators can confidently choose these books for different perspectives and admirable traits.Educational Leadership, Curriculum & InstructionCollege of Education and Human Developmen
Deaf LeadHERship
No full textThis qualitative narrative study aimed to explore the experiences of Deaf women in leadership positions in Deaf centers, clubs, or organizations in the South Texas Region. Due to the lack of literature surrounding Deaf women in leadership, this study aimed to include the voices of Deaf women solely. This study also sought to explore the intersectionality of being a woman with a disability in a leadership role. An additional purpose of this research was to examine how the presence or absence of Deaf women leaders shaped the two participants’ own leadership experience and their identity as leaders. The qualitative methods used to explore these purposes were a semi-structured interview, a demographic profile, and an artistic artifact. The findings of this study were three overarching themes and ten subthemes. The theoretical frameworks that guided this study were feminist disability theory (Garland-Thomson, 2005) and role congruity theory (Eagly & Karau, 2002). The findings from this study supported the importance of the role intersectionality plays in one’s leadership identity. The participants’ leadership identity was equally impacted by their identities of being women of color and Deaf. It was also found that neither participant had the presence of a Deaf woman mentor; instead, they had Deaf or hearing men present as mentors. Due to this lack of Deaf woman mentorship, it was found that various emotions arose from the participants, such as burnout, humility, imposter syndrome, and a greater desire to maintain the ideal reputation. Due to the lack of a Deaf mentor present in the participants’ lives, both participants have taken extra steps to ensure that they can serve as mentors for their Deaf community.Educational Leadership, Curriculum & InstructionCollege of Education and Human Developmen
Global diversity and distribution of rhizosphere and root‑associated fungi in coastal wetlands: A systematic review
No full textCoastal wetlands have been long recognized for their importance to biodiversity and many biogeochemical processes including carbon sequestration; however, our understanding of plant-microbe interactions that govern many processes in these ecosystems remains elusive. Fungal communities are known to play critical roles in coastal wetlands, particularly due to their close relationships with plants, yet, systematic understanding of their distributional patterns and the factors shaping these patterns in natural coastal wetland environments has been rarely assessed. We synthesized existing published literature from fifty-one studies spanning 60 years to examine global fungal distributional patterns in coastal wetlands, draw linkages between fungi, the plant communities, and their environment, and identify gaps in fungal research and suggest future research directions. We focused on studies that reported root-associated fungi and fungi from the plant rhizosphere (i.e., soil surrounding roots) in coastal dunes, intertidal flats, salt marshes, and tidal wetlands. Our synthesis has revealed that (1) 203 fungal species were reported from salt marshes, 59 fungal species from coastal dunes, 32 from tidal wetlands, and ten from intertidal flats; (2) rhizosphere fungal communities were more species-rich and reported more often for all ecosystems except in salt marshes; and (3) nineteen different fungal guilds, which are predominantly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We conclude that more research is needed to better understand root-associated fungal diversity in less studied ecosystems reviewed here. We have identified knowledge gaps in reported data and outlined suggestions to facilitate future plant-fungal research in these declining, but important, coastal ecosystems
A case study of Hispanic South Texas congregational leaders' perspectives towards Hispanics in theological higher education
Full text linkA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.This qualitative case study explored the experiences and perspectives of Hispanic congregational leaders who completed Theological Higher Education programs, focusing on the assets that contributed to their perseverance and the ways they influence their congregational members to pursue Theological Higher Education or higher education in general. Six Hispanic Evangelical Congregational leaders in South Texas were interviewed and revealed five major themes: spiritual motivation, communal backing, drive and resolve, knowledge and skills, and heritage and access. Participants drew upon various forms of Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth, including social, linguistic, aspirational, familial, resistant, and navigational capital; as well as Perez-Huber’s extension the framework that includes Spiritual Capital, to overcome barriers and persist in their academic studies. The study also found that participants’ experiences aligned with Rendon’s (2023) sentipensante pedagogy, which emphasizes the integration of sending (feeling) and thinking in the learning process, fostering a more holistic and transformative educational experience. Participants also utilized their roles as leaders to inspire and support others’ educational aspirations through role modeling, mentoring, and fostering partnerships. The findings underscore the transformative potential of Theological Higher Education and the critical influence of Hispanic congregational leaders in promoting educational equity within their communities. This study contributes to the literature by extending the application of the community cultural wealth framework to Theological Higher Education, highlighting the importance of spiritual capital, and demonstrating the relevance of sentipensante pedagogy in this context.Educational Leadership, Curriculum & InstructionCollege of Education and Human Developmen
Conference Proceedings: 2024 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities
No full textThe 2024 Symposium for Student Innovation, Research, and Creative Activities (SSIRCA) is sponsored by the Division of Research and Innovation, in collaboration with the College of Business, the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the College of Science, the School of Arts, Media and Communication, and the Mary and Jeff Bell Library. SSIRCA is also supported by the Honors Program, the McNair Scholars Program, and Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program. Students from all colleges at TAMU-CC were invited to give presentations, and their faculty members were encouraged to participate by helping to review presentation proposals and evaluate presentations. The keynote speaker was Dr. Valerie Young
Young adults retirement study survey
No full textCollege of Business; Business, Finance; Faculty Mentor: Kevin ConcannonUnderstanding young adults financial behavior can provide financial service companies and advisors with the tools to find suitable marketing communication to specific customers. The purpose of this study is to better understand which type of retirement communication strategy works best for increasing young adults' participation and investment amounts