Texas A&M International University: Research Information Online (RIO)
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Brain Drain: A Study on the Life and Career Choices of Texas A&M International University Students Post-Graduation
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influence(d) the life and career choices of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students post-graduation – in particular whether and why they decided to stay in Laredo, TX or leave after graduation. The investigation focused on TAMIU alumni who graduated within the last five (5) academic years (2015-2016 thru 2019-2020). To determine which factors were most influential in TAMIU alumni’s decision-making, this study used qualitative data, specifically, online in-depth interviews. By measuring place attachment, social capital, and human capital of TAMIU alumni, this study contributes to our understanding of how brain drain occurs in the Laredo community.
Place attachment, social capital and human capital are all interconnected factors that influenced the decision-making process of TAMIU alumni post-graduation. However, the results of this study specifically indicated that place attachment was the main factor that contributed to a person’s decision about staying or leaving Laredo after graduation. Moreover, the data showed that family relationships were the primary reason that respondents felt highly attached to the city. Although brain drain did not seem to be occurring at the level expected, this study suggests that it could be a growing issue in the future. Most respondents currently living in Laredo stated that they are or have considered moving out of the city in search of better employment and entertainment options elsewhere
Eugene O\u27Neill and Overcoming the Problem of Nihilism: Reading The Iceman Cometh as Nietzschean Comedy
No full textThis thesis examines The Iceman Cometh (1946) by Eugene O’Neill in light of the epistemology, aesthetics, and ethics of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, as well as the political theory of Karl Marx and the anarchist Errico Malatesta. Nietzsche has long been considered a major influence on O’Neill’s drama. However, the present study demonstrates the ways in which the Ideology of the School, defined by Louis Althusser as the presentation of a purported objectivity which effaces the role played by educational apparatuses in the reproduction of capitalist ideology, has led O’Neill scholars to avoid considering Nietzsche’s critical influence on The Iceman Cometh. As a result of this systemic resistance, the political themes in O’Neill’s play have been underdeveloped and even inverted so as to suggest that O’Neill was not critical of capitalism in any way. Moreover, O’Neill’s tragicomedy has been almost exclusively interpreted as a tragedy, resulting in a general neglect of its comic aspects. Through a consideration of the way in which O’Neill integrates elements of Nietzsche’s philosophy into the play, the present study shows how the play can be read as a comedy. The resulting interpretation of The Iceman Cometh is that it is both a critique of capitalism and a model for overcoming ethical nihilism
Trabajar por amor al arte: precariedad laboral como forma de violencia contra los periodistas en México
Full text linkLas agresiones contra la prensa no se limitan a los asesinatos, golpizas o secuestros. Por el contrario, en países como México, los informadores enfrentan cada vez mayores riesgos, tales como amenazas, campañas de difamación o espionaje digital. A pesar de la diversidad de ataques, el tema de la precariedad laboral como una forma de violencia no ha sido estudiado en profundidad. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar la percepción que los trabajadores de medios mexicanos tienen respecto a las condiciones con las que realizan sus tareas cotidianamente. A partir de una serie de entrevistas semiestructuradas con periodistas en activo ubicados en los 23 estados más peligrosos del país, los resultados indican que las circunstancias laborales adversas obstaculizan el cumplimiento de su función, la cual es fomentar la rendición de cuentas de la clase en el poder y, como resultado, mantener informada a la sociedad. Asimismo, el origen de esta situación se encuentra en las propias organizaciones mediáticas, cuyos dueños anteponen los intereses económicos a los estrictamente periodísticos
Thomas Dixon and Southern Identity in The Leopard\u27s Spots
Full text linkFollowing the American Civil War, the United States witnessed a shift in its racial and social being. This shift, of course, was not without national anxieties. With the freeing of black slaves, came an attempt to integrate the former enslaved population into society. With this attempt at integration, came various political and social arguments on the shift of the American social and cultural bedrock. Writing during this period, Thomas Dixon Jr. became one of the nation’s most energetic voices on the topic of race in America. While popular during his time, Dixon is still publicly remembered, if slightly, for his novel that influenced D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation. Dixon’s views and arguments on race and white supremacy, however, have continued to be discussed by critics and thinkers, with topics ranging from studies in whiteness, imperialism, and gender. Yet, there is a danger in dismissing Dixon entirely simply because he embraces white supremacy and racist ideology. Dixon’s works allow us to understand the complexities and anxieties on race in postbellum America, particularly at the turn of the twentieth-century. The purpose of this paper, is to examine Thomas Dixon’s novel, The Leopard’s Spots, and argue that Dixon established his vision of Southern whiteness, by adopting three racial identities for American society. These racial identities can be categorized into three themes: black identity, white Northern identity, and a new Southern identity
El testimonio literario traducido: Retos y Desafíos.
No full textTranslation is one of the oldest professions in the history of humanity. Without it, it would be impossible to access other civilizations historical, social, and cultural records. The most translated text worldwide is the Bible. One of the literary genres that has not received much attention is the testimony. This literary genre is important because it provides a voice to those who do not have it. In this thesis, four testimonies from Puentes, a Mexican-Chicano journal of literature, culture, and art, are translated into Spanish. Besides the translations, this thesis addresses the history of translation and the testimony as a literary genre. A translation oriented analysis for each of the testimonies studies the methods and procedures applied. Likewise, the challenges and obstacles faced by the translator are explained
Small Mammal Community Ecology and Ectoparasite Dynamics in a Tamaulipan Thornscrub Habitat
Full text linkSmall mammals play many roles in ecosystems and are known as great indicators of overall ecosystem function and health, but they are also highly competent hosts for ticks and tick-borne disease. In this study, I gathered data on small mammal community ecology and species diversity, abundance, and overall ectoparasite (i.e., ticks) dynamics in a south Texas Tamaulipan thornscrub habitat. I also assessed differences in these parameters in edge versus interior habitats across a gradient of habitat fragmentation and species assemblage. Lastly, I assessed which host and environmental factors can be utilized for predicting parasitization of small mammals in this habitat. Results of this study included a total of nine small mammal species collected with Sigmodon hispidus (n=581) and Peromyscus leucopus (n=443) being the most abundant. Sigmodon hispidus contained the highest species richness of ticks and P. leucopus contributed 79% of all ticks collected. A total of seven tick species were collected, with Dermacentor variabilis (n=982; 66%) being most abundant. There was no statistical difference found between edge and interior habitats for diversity of small mammals (F=1.56; P=0.24), diversity of ticks (F=0.14; P=0.72), or tick loads of any species including Chaetodipus hispidus (F=1.82; P=0.18), Neotoma micropus (F=1.67; P=0.237), Onychomys leucogaster (F=0.99; P=0.322), Peromyscus leucopus (F=1.65; P=0.199), Perognathus merriami (F=1.22; P=0.271),
Reithrodontomys fulvescens (F=1; P=0.334) and Sigmodon hispidus (F=0.72; P=0.397). However, distance from trail and diversity of vegetation were important factors in predicting tick parasitization of small mammals. Other factors which resulted in increased tick loads on small mammals were sex (F=9.09; P=0.003) and the interaction between sex and reproductive status (F=4.5; P=0.03) for Sigmodon hispidus, as well as sex (F=4.09; P=0.04) and reproductive status (F= 5.74; P=0.02) for Peromyscus leucopus. The AICc modeling results for all small mammals indicated that the model that included season, year, vegetative diversity, litter depth, canopy cover, small mammal species, sex, and reproductive status was the most informative model in predicting parasitization of small mammals (AICc= 950.45; wi = 0.14). These parameters along with others presented in each of the models can be utilized in lowering disease risk in arid habitats such as South Texas
Laredo Veterans And Their Recollections of the Early Years of the War in Vietnam, 1960-1965
Full text linkThe Vietnam War remains one of the most unpopular wars in United States History. Unfortunately, veterans from this time period are beginning to fade into history without telling their stories. Although abundant stories are available on the experiences of Vietnam veterans, there are few works on Hispanic veterans from the Vietnam War Era. Why is that? The contributions made by the Hispanic community in the armed services continue to strengthen our military. This research focuses on the stories of four Laredo veterans who served during the Vietnam War Era. Three men served overseas in the Vietnam conflict prior to 1965 while one veteran remained in the continental United States. The stories of these four men, representing the Army, Marines, and Air Force, will help to fill the gap of missing recollections of Hispanic veterans from Laredo, Texas. Little is known as to the role and duties of Hispanics in the armed forces during Vietnam. One might speculate that Hispanics served low-level entry positions such as cooks or cleaners and never aspired to officers. That is simply not true. A member of the Army handled classified documents, earned the title of Master Jumper and earned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer in his career. One of the Marines in this study was a combat engineer who advances to first lieutenant while serving in Vietnam in 1965. Another Marine served a tour in Vietnam and then became a drill instructor. Although not at the same rank as an officer, drill instructors serve a vital role in the armed forces. As for the Air Force veteran, he became a jet engine mechanic. All of the men featured in this study did a lot more than cook and clean. Their stories will open a door to future studies on the Laredo veterans and their recollection of the Vietnam War
Elucidating Metabolic and Drug Resistance Adaptations of Morganella morganii with Possible Links to Virulence
Full text linkThe human gut microbiome has recently gained more attention due to its possible links to metabolic disorders such as obesity, autoimmune disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety. In addition, the gut microbiome is often a cause of nosocomial infections due to the fact that they can be opportunistic pathogens. Therefore, many studies are now focusing on the bacteria that belong to the human gut microbiota. One such bacterium is named Morganella morganii. M. morganii is a gram-negative rod shaped bacterium that belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a highly adaptive species of bacteria that has clinically been shown to cause infections ranging from septic arthritis to brain abscesses to the most common type being urinary tract infections. However, most studies focus on the clinical aspect of this organism. Therefore, although we have a broad picture at the types of infections that this organism causes, we do not know how it is able to become pathogenic. In order to begin understanding M. morganii’s pathogenicity, it is vital that we begin to study this organism at the molecular level. Therefore, this study will focus on creating a basic metabolic and drug resistance profile for an organism that is relatively unknown at the molecular level
Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Vangueria Volkensii Bark, Fruit, Leaf, and Stem Extracts
Full text linkEthnopharmacological relevance: Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and continues to have a critical role in the healthcare system worldwide, and it is estimated that 80% of all pharmaceutical drugs are plant based in origin. Plants from the Rubiaceae family have gained the attention of scientist because they exhibit great medicinal potential and value. However, Vangueria volkensii has no published research on its pharmacological activity and properties. Materials and Methods: In the present study, Vangueria volkensii bark, fruits, leaves, and stems were sequentially extracted via Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether (PE), acetone (ACE), and ethanol (ETOH) solvents. Utilizing the diffusion method, the antimicrobial activity of each extract at concentrations 5, 15, 25, 50 mg/ml against six bacteria was determined via the size of the zones of inhibition. Gram-negative [Escherichia coli B strain, Salmonella enterica Subsp. enteritidis, Shigella flexneri] and gram-positive [Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus] bacteria were selected based on availability. Results: Salmonella enterica Subsp. enteritidis, S. flexneri, E. faecalis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were sensitive to all extracts prepared. E. coli B strain was resistant to bark ETOH and stem ACE extracts, while S. aureus was resistant to bark, leaf and stem ACE and PE extracts and the fruit ETOH extract. Comparing the extract zones of inhibition means for each microorganism revealed that the fruit extracts prepared from ACE had the most inhibitory activity for all microorganisms, except E. faecalis. For E. faecalis, the leaf extracts prepared from ETOH exhibited the most inhibitory activity. Conclusions: This study shows that V. volkensii contains antimicrobial properties as indicated by inhibiting the growth of several microorganisms. The fruit and leaves of V. volkensii may be the most promising to explore for potential use as an antimicrobial drug. However, to determine which active compound(s) are responsible the antimicrobial activity, further analysis and biomolecule isolation would prove beneficial in concluding the results of this study
As Vigilant as Argus : A Military History of the Irish and Tejano Tories of the Texas Revolution
Full text linkThis thesis analyzes the Irish and Tejano Tories of the Texas Revolution from a military perspective. Emphasizing ideas of historical tradition and heritage, this work examines the Tories as continuations of the Wild Geese, soldados de cuera, and compañías volantes. This is done through an examination of Irish and Tejano Tory motivation in supporting Mexico and military participation in the Texas Revolution. This work also examines ideas of economic opportunity, social acceptance, personal conservatism, distrust of foreign settlement, and fear of invasion or reprisal as factors in Toryism or loyalism. Militarily, this thesis examines Tory military roles alongside Mexican forces as continuations of their historical predecessors. This work contributes to Texas and borderlands history through its focus on the conduct of the Texas Revolution and ideas of negotiable loyalty within a borderland