Texas A&M International University: Research Information Online (RIO)
Not a member yet
951 research outputs found
Sort by
Los Científicos “Modernos”: La Serie De Televisión The Big Bang Theory
No full textMuchas de las series televisivas son pequeñas muestras de cómo los productores de tales series construyen personajes cuya presentación continua puede llegar a influir en la formación de opiniones y creencias acerca de ese personaje, o de un evento. Existe una vasta cantidad de investigaciones que dan cuenta de cómo las imágenes de los científicos que se muestran en algunos de los programas televisivos contribuyen en la percepción de cómo son éstos. El objetivo principal de este trabajo consistió en analizar cómo se representan socialmente a los científicos que se muestran en las primeras 6 temporadas de la serie de televisión estadounidense The Big Bang Theory, a través tulos de las primeras 6 temporadas zaron varios capde un análisis de contenido crítico. Varios aspectos resaltan: con respecto a la “apariencia” se observó la incorporación del científico joven y moderno, más los “atributos” son los mismos: inteligentes, obsesivos y tímidos. Se conservan las creencias con relación a las disciplinas científicas, es decir, las “verdaderas” ciencias son las naturales, en detrimento de otras disciplinas científicas. Quizá la imagen ha cambiado, pero en el fondo, se fomentan los errores de antaño: la representación de la práctica de la ciencia como homogénea, estática, sin provocación a cambios críticos
Is There Balance? Mexican Medical Practitioners’ Work- Life Experiences And Emotion Management On The U.S.- Mexico Border
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to analyze medical doctors’ work-life experiences and emotional management while practicing on the U.S.-Mexico. They have varying experiences and there is a constant shift of doctors attempting to manage work and personal lives; they must learn how to cope with the emotions that derive from their profession and the added pressures of practicing medicine with precaution due to the ongoing drug war in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Additionally, doctors on the border treat patients from both Mexico and the U.S. There are significant pressures and tensions involved in practicing medicine, and this is even more relevant when working on the border region. This is why this study is relevant and important.Through qualitative methodology, I acquired the experiences of Mexican doctors on the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo border. Through a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews, doctors described the difficulties they encountered when dealing with emotions at work, which gave deeper meaning to their statements. Kidnappings, muggings, and extortions put significant constraints on doctors’ occupational lives. Doctors modify their work practices, work schedules, and other daily routines, which intersect with their work and personal lives. Doctors also displayed resilience to continue practicing on the border regardless of the violence. Doctors in my study experience Clark’s (2000) border theory, developed to fill in the gaps causing criticism of other work and family theories and work-life mechanisms (Clark, 2000). In addition to the border theory (Clark, 2000) the role theory (Kahn et al. 1964) also describes my participants’ multiple role amalgamation. This theory proposes workers, in this case, doctors, are involved in varying life roles such as employee or family member amongst other roles that sometimes are incompatible (Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985)
Isolation of Microsatellites for an Endemic Species of Freshwater Mussel Using Next-Generation Sequencing Technology
Get PDFTexas is home to 53 species of freshwater mussels. Unfortunately, factors associated with an increase in urbanization, such as decreasing water levels in lakes and rivers, have greatly affected the populations of many species. Currently, 15 species are classified as threatened by the state. Of these species, 11 have been petitioned to be enlisted under The Endangered Species Act (ESA), and one is currently a candidate for future protection. In this project, we have used next generation sequencing technology to develop a suite of species-specific genetic markers, known as microsatellites, to assess the genetic diversity of the populations of Popenaias popeii, the candidate for future listing under the ESA. Microsatellites are regions of DNA distributed across a species genome that are comprised of 1-6 nucleotides repeated in tandem. To date, we have tested the utility of 20 microsatellite markers and have optimized the PCR conditions for 4 of these. These markers will provide genetic data on population structure, gene flow, and existing levels of genetic diversity for this critically threatened species endemic to Southwest Texas and the lower portion of Pecos River in New Mexico
Conservtion Status and Habitat Assessment of the Mexican Fawnsfoot (Truncilla cognata) in the Rio Grande: Laredo, Texas
Get PDFOverharvesting, environmental degradation, pollution, and the rapid spread of exotic mussel species have been instrumental in 15 native freshwater mussels being placed on the threatened/endangered species list by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Nine species of freshwater mussels currently listed at a state level are being petitioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be placed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Truncilla cognata, commonly known as the Mexican Fawnsfoot, is considered to be endangered at both the federal and state level. Little is known regarding habitat preference, larval stage, fish host, and spawning seasons of T. cognata. The focus of this study was to examine various hydrological environments in order to assess current distribution, locate and evaluate existing populations, and determine the habitat requirements of T. cognata. Several sites were selected along an 88 kilometer stretch of the Rio Grande in Webb County near Laredo, TX. The riverbed for each site was searched for live T. cognata at multiple random points either by hand, the combination of 51 m2 plots (see Randklev et al., 2010), and/or single 1 m2 random plots. Exposed river banks were also searched for deceased specimens. Measurements of the length, width and height (thickness) of each specimen were recorded (Warren, 1958). Data collected during this research established the largest known population of T. congata with 35 live and 206 very recently dead found at a single site. Although T. cognata is not as uncommon as it was initially thought to be, optimal habitats are scarce and populations limited to substrates with a mixture of medium sand (0.25-0.5 mm) and medium (8-16 mm) to coarse (16-32 mm) gravel in continuously running shallow (\u3c 1.0 m) waters
Border Culture, Mexican Identity, Class, And Media Consumption: A Look Into “Fresa” High School Students
Get PDFThe border strip between the south of the United States and the north of Mexico provide an excellent opportunity to study the effects of the flow of media productions from the United States to Mexico. Many communication theories have attempted to explain the reception of transnational media flows to Latin American countries. Scholars from the cultural imperialism camp argue that the flow of culture is unidirectional from capitalist or First World countries (mainly the United States) to developing countries (also know as the Global South); other theories claim there is an asymmetrical dependence between developed and underdeveloped countries (Fejes, 1981). However, recent arguments claim audiences tend to prefer content closely related to their own cultural values (Straubhaar, 1991). Audience research has concluded there is no evidence to support the loss of cultural identity in some Latin American countries and regions according to their media preference (Straubhaar, 1991 Lozano, 1992). Nonetheless, those studies have also found that regardless of the geographical or cultural proximity to the United States or Europe, upper and middle class audiences tend to prefer to a certain degree US media content or international programming over domestic programming. Combining those two theoretical propositions, the purpose of this study is to look at the media consumption preferences of high school students in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas and find a relation between the cultural products they consume, their sense of Mexican identity, and nationalism. Using both methodological approaches, quantitative and qualitative, a survey was conducted with students from three different private high schools in Nuevo Laredo and a total of 22 participants were interviewed in separate focus groups. One of the most important findings of this study is that upper-middle and upper class students from Nuevo Laredo are not worried about losing their Mexican identity as a consequence of continuous exposure to American media. It could be argued that they are more afraid of not being able to attain the best from what their privileged geographical location has to offer in terms of cultural capital. They recognize that one of the biggest advantages of living in the border with the United States is the ability to practice while learning English and to have access to American products
Fenómenos naturales y desastres humanos en la prensa impresa de México. De la información a la representación social.
No full textThis essay argues that the practice of reading others’ discussions, comments, posts or tweets - which I call online listening - is meaningful for the listener as a standalone activity, and as part of the interaction between speakers and listeners. Thus, Internet and social media’s democratic value is not limited to the opportunity for self and collective expression, but also derives from the possibilities they provide for online listening, both for our communication with political elites, and in our mutual interactions as members of society. Political communication would benefit from doing research using this concept to have a better discernment of how digital communication processes have altered how humans acquire information, consolidate their opinions, can be exposed to other perspectives, and can enhance their tolerance toward others
Multi-decadal analysis of root-zone soil moisture applying the exponential filter across CONUS
No full textThis study applied the exponential filter to produce an estimate of root-zone soil moisture (RZSM). Four types of microwave-based, surface satellite soil moisture were used. The core remotely sensed data for this study came from NASA\u27s long-lasting AMSR-E mission. Additionally, three other products were obtained from the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative (CCI). These datasets were blended based on all available satellite observations (CCI-active, CCI-passive, and CCI-combined). All of these products were 0.25° and taken daily. We applied the filter to produce a soil moisture index (SWI) that others have successfully used to estimate RZSM. The only unknown in this approach was the characteristic time of soil moisture variation (T ). We examined five different eras (1997-2002; 2002-2005; 2005-2008; 2008-2011; 2011-2014) that represented periods with different satellite data sensors. SWI values were compared with in situ soil moisture data from the International Soil Moisture Network at a depth ranging from 20 to 25g cm. Selected networks included the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program (25g cm), Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN; 20.32g cm), SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL; 20.32g cm), and the US Climate Reference Network (USCRN; 20g cm). We selected in situ stations that had reasonable completeness. These datasets were used to filter out periods with freezing temperatures and rainfall using data from the Parameter elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM). Additionally, we only examined sites where surface and root-zone soil moisture had a reasonably high lagged r value (r \u3e 0. 5). The unknown T value was constrained based on two approaches: optimization of root mean square error (RMSE) and calculation based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) value. Both approaches yielded comparable results; although, as to be expected, the optimization approach generally outperformed NDVI-based estimates. The best results were noted at stations that had an absolute bias within 10g %. SWI estimates were more impacted by the in situ network than the surface satellite product used to drive the exponential filter. The average Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients (NSs) for ARM ranged from g\u270. 1 to 0.3 and were similar to the results obtained from the USCRN network (0.2-0.3). NS values from the SCAN and SNOTEL networks were slightly higher (0.1-0.5). These results indicated that this approach had some skill in providing an estimate of RZSM. In terms of RMSE (in volumetric soil moisture), ARM values actually outperformed those from other networks (0.02-0.04). SCAN and USCRN RMSE average values ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 and SNOTEL average RMSE values were higher (0.05-0.07). These values were close to 0.04, which is the baseline value for accuracy designated for many satellite soil moisture missions
Using integer partitioning to determine unique configurations for the information age combat model
No full textThis paper addresses the number partitioning problem as it relates to the modelling of distributed network operations, as envisioned in the information age combat model (IACM). The approach proposed in this paper is an automated integer partitioning framework implemented using Mathematica and visual basic. This methodology allows the formation of unique configurations by implementing a matrix-based approach proposed by Fidanci (2010). Finding the unique combination is extremely helpful because it aids IACM simulation attempts by eliminating the significant redundancy associated with combat configurations, and therefore, making simulations much more computationally efficient. The results of the integer partitioning and the formation of unique combinations are subsequently used in a combat simulation model of the IACM. Most importantly, the methodology proposed is generalisable and can be adapted to partition any number of distributed networks, symmetric or asymmetric, for systems applications, within the boundaries of current computing technology and time constraints
Differential toxicity and venom gland gene expression in Centruroides vittatus
No full textVariation in venom toxicity and composition exists in many species. In this study, venom potency and venom gland gene expression was evaluated in Centruroides vittatus, size class I-II (immature) and size class IV (adults/penultimate instars) size classes. Venom toxicity was evaluated by probit analysis and returned ED50 values of 50.1 μg/g for class IV compared to 134.2 μg/g for class I-II 24 hours post injection, suggesting size class IV was 2.7 fold more potent. Next generation sequencing (NGS and qPCR were used to characterize venom gland gene expression. NGS data was assembled into 36,795 contigs, and annotated using BLASTx with UNIPROT. EdgeR analysis of the sequences showed statistically significant differential expression in transcripts associated with sodium and potassium channel modulation. Sodium channel modulator expression generally favored size class IV; in contrast, potassium channel modulators were favored in size class I-II expression. Real-time quantitative PCR of 14 venom toxin transcripts detected relative expression ratios that paralleled NGS data and identified potential family members or splice variants for several sodium channel modulators. Our data suggests ontogenetic differences in venom potency and venom related genes expression exist between size classes I-II and IV
Micro/Nanorobotics: Propulsion and biosensors
No full textSelf-propelled and externally influenced micro/nanorobotic devices reported represent promising results for environmental, security and biomedical applications. Recent research focuses on novel fabrication methods to improve the mobility and sensing capabilities for micro/nanorobots. The ability to detect, capture, transport and treat specific targets such as cancer cells, nucleic acids and proteins prove these devices are useful in the emerging interdisciplinary area of nanomedicine. Surface functionalization is a crucial factor in the development of micro/nanorobotic biosensors, along with it the ability to propel in various aqueous media. In this article, we reviewed various propulsion, surface functionalization and biosensor methods reported in literature for targeted applications in nanomedicine