Texas A&M International University: Research Information Online (RIO)
Not a member yet
951 research outputs found
Sort by
The Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) as a bio-monitor for determining the distribution of antimony, arsenic and thallium in the water column and sediments of Manadas Creek, Laredo, Texas
Get PDFManadas Creek is an urban tributary of the Rio Grande that flows past a decommissioned antimony smelter. This smelter is associated with the heavy metal contamination in the creek and still poses a threat to the surrounding aquatic environment. With concerns on the rise of metal pollution, the biomonitor, the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) was used to determine bioaccumulation from the water column and sediments in Manadas Creek. The metals arsenic (As), antimony (Sb) and thallium (Tl) were analyzed in the water, sediments, gills, mantle, foot, digestive (DI) tract, gonads and shell of clams collected from sites between March to August 2013. Metal analysis of arsenic, antimony and thallium was performed by ICP-OES. High levels of antimony, arsenic and thallium in the water (13.45±6.65; 10.33±3.4; 7.47±1.73) and sediments (75.77±1.59; 6.41±1.19) at the site downstream from the smelter were observed. Additionally, tissue samples from this site had the highest concentrations, however there was no direct correlation between the metal concentrations in the water column and sediments with the tissues. There were no detectable concentrations of arsenic, antimony and thallium in shell samples. Site 3 had the highest thallium concentration in the sediments (3.00±0.68). No detectable thallium concentrations were detected in the tissues. Based on the results, the organotropism for arsenic is DI tract \u3e gills \u3e gonads \u3e foot \u3e mantle \u3e shell and the organotropism for antimony is gills \u3e DI tract \u3e gonads \u3e mantle \u3e foot \u3e shell. The Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) is a useful biomonitor to provide data on the status of metal pollution in Manadas Creek, Laredo, Texas
Atanasio D. Vázquez, el estridentismo y el cine en Veracruz, 1925-1927
No full textEn 1925, en el estado mexicano de Veracruz, el movimiento de vanguardia conocido como el estridentismo, liderado por el poeta y abogado Manuel Maples Arce, llegó como insólito colaborador del nuevo gobernador revolucionario, el general Heriberto Jara Corona. La alianza entre Maples Arce y Jara permitió el renacimiento del movimiento estridentista —nacido unos años después en la ciudad de México— como fenómeno regional: una vanguardia literaria cultural, con fuertes lazos con las políticas públicas y a la vez con movimientos sociales activos en la región durante esta turbulenta época. Por otra parte, el gobierno de Jara fomentó la fotografía y la cinematografía documental, contratando en particular al ex ferrocarrilero Atanasio D. Vázquez como el camarógrafo oficial para numerosos eventos públicos tanto en la capital como fuera de ella. Los caminos de Vázquez y los estridentistas cruzaron en torno al cine, que ambos promovieron como medio moderno por excelencia, estrechamente vinculado con el programa gubernamental de modernización. Este artículo explora las relaciones entre Vázquez, los estridentistas, el régimen jarista y el cine en la sociedad veracruzana durante este corto pero fructífero periodo de la década de 1920
Exhibición y diversidad cinematográfica en la década de los cuarenta. El caso de Salamanca, España
No full textEste artículo está inspirado en la perspectiva teórica de la Nueva Historia del Cine (New Cinema History) y sobre todo en el trabajo coordinado por Lozano en la ciudad de Monterrey México. En esta ocasión el estudio de caso se realiza en la ciudad española de Salamanca, con un análisis del sector de la exhibición cinematográfica en la década de los cuarenta del siglo XX. La evolución y las características de las infraestructuras cinematográficas así como el estudio de la programación en dichas salas según criterios de diversidad dan cuenta de la importancia económica y cultural que en el desarrollo de una sociedad tiene esta industria cultural. La investigación se asienta en un trabajo documental en los archivos de la ciudad y en los diarios locales durante los diez años analizados con una muestra de 120 periódicos consultados. El incremento del número de salas según avanza el periodo de estudio tiene como consecuencia un incremento del volumen de películas proyectadas, triplicándose del inicio al final del periodo analizado. Se confirma el predominio de los filmes estadounidenses (60% de las proyecciones) así como la tenue presencia de coproducciones. La actualidad de las películas se ha determinado baja al no llegar a la mitad las estrenadas en su año de producción.AbstractThis article is inspired by the theoretical perspective on the New Cinema History and especially by the coordinated work of Lozano in the city of Monterrey in Mexico. In this instance the case study is undertaken in the Spanish city of Salamanca through an analysis of the cinematographic sector in the fourth decade of the 20th century. The evolution and characteristics of cinematographic infrastructure, as well as the study of listings in said venues according to diversity criteria show the economic and cultural importance that this industry has in shaping of an entire society. The research is based on a documentary work in the archives of the city and local newspapers analyzed using a sample of 120 newspapers. The increase in the number of cinema venues in the study period shows a threefold increase in the volume of screened films. The dominance of American films is evident (60% of all screenings), as well as the tenuous presence of co-productions. Recency of the films was determined as low, as only half of the films were screened within a year of their release
Hypothesis testing with confidence intervals and P values in PLS-SEM
No full textE-collaboration researchers usually employ P values for hypothesis testing, a common practice in a variety of other fields. This is also customary in many methodological contexts, such as analyses of path models with or without latent variables, as well as simpler tests that can be seen as special cases of these (e.g., comparisons of means). The author discusses here how a researcher can use another major approach for hypothesis testing, the one building on confidence intervals, in analyses of path models with latent variables employing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLSSEM). The author contrasts this approach with the one employing P values through the analysis of a simulated dataset, created based on a model grounded on past theory and empirical research. The model refers to social networking site use at work and its impact on job performance. The results of the analyses suggest that tests employing confidence intervals and P values are likely to lead to very similar outcomes in terms of acceptance or rejection of hypotheses
Controlling shareholders\u27 ownership structure, foreign investors\u27 monitoring, and investment efficiency
No full textThis study examines the effect of control-ownership wedge (the difference between control rights and cash flow rights) on investment efficiency. Subsequently, the authors analyze how the level of foreign investor monitoring influences the association between control-ownership wedge and investment efficiency. The results of the analyses show that investment efficiency deteriorates as control-ownership wedge increases. This, in turn, suggests that when this wedge increases, agency problems and information asymmetry between controlling and minority shareholders become more severe. The authors also perform an analysis by dividing the samples into four groups based on foreign investor ratio from the least to the greatest. The result shows that control-ownership wedge deteriorates investment efficiency in the group with the least foreign investor ratio. The result reveals that foreign investor monitoring is effective corporate governance mechanism to monitor the controlling shareholders\u27 investment decisions. We also find that higher control-ownership wedge with over-investment tendency negatively affects firm performance, which implies an inefficient investment behavior. This result suggests that as controlling shareholders\u27 ownership increases, controlling shareholders becomes more and more reluctant to assume a loss of firm value as a result of reduced investment efficiency. This study provides additional evidence that the greater control-ownership wedge decreases investment efficiency, while recent studies on the relation between control-ownership wedge and investment efficiency suggest mixed evidence. In addition, the results show that foreign investors play an effective monitoring role when controlling shareholders are in position of exercising exclusive power. The results indicate the importance of external investors1 monitoring over investment decisions
Depression Among Mexican Women: The Impact of Nonviolent Coercive Control, Intimate Partner Violence and Employment Status
No full textThere is significant empirical evidence documenting the link between intimate partner violence (IPV) and incidence of depression symptoms. This study explores the impact of intimate partner violence, nonviolent spousal coercive control, and women’s employment status on the incidence of depression symptoms in a sample of Mexican women. Results from regression models suggest different types of abusive relationships have differential impacts on incidence of depression. Specifically, a woman’s employment status contributed to the risk of depression in the context of prevalent nonviolent spousal controlling behaviors. On the other hand, employment status did not contribute to the risk of developing depression symptoms when women were in relationships where physical violence was not coupled with controlling behaviors. Results of the study are discussed in the context of the Mexican culture, as well as implications for the treatment of IPV among Mexican women
Forecasting Sunspot Number Time Series with Autoregressive Models
Get PDFResearchers in many fields share a deep interest in the sunspot activity of the Sun. This kind of solar activity has many consequences for human interests, and thus, it is important to study the Sun’s behavior and be able to predict future sunspot appearances. This task is a problem of time series forecasting. Some of the most popular methods used to forecast time series data are autoregressive models that predict future data points using a linear combination of previous values. Then, there are neural networks, a popular new tool for regression that can perform with outstanding results. These machine learning models have been shown to forecast time series successfully. In this thesis we use a variety of neural network architectures based on the classic AR models to predict future values of sunspot activity
Cybercrime and Facebook: An Examination of Lifestyle Routine Activity Theory
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to determine if Facebook® utilization impacts online victimization experience, and if prevention measures moderate such impact. This study primarily focuses on Facebook® users due to this social media outlet being considered the most prominent online networking site today (Milanovic, 2015). It will focus on an understudied population—Hispanic college students. Additionally, this study argues that lifestyle-routine activity theory is appropriate in the attempt of explaining cybercrime. Overall, this study will explain and define: online victimization, types of cybercrimes, prevention measures, Facebook® utilization, Hispanic and college student statistics, and studies on the application of lifestyle-routine activity theory in the explanation of cybercrime victimization
The Impact of Implied Volatility Index (VIX) and Disposable Income on Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS)
Get PDFThis dissertation expands on the literature on investor sentiment and REITs returns by correlating an alternative measure of investor sentiment, the Implied Volatility Index (VIX), published by the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, and REITs returns. The empirical results show that changes in VIX are negatively correlated to REITs returns. This indicates that an increase in the VIX leads to greater fear among investors thus reducing the REITs returns. Equally or more significantly, this study adds to the REITs returns literature by examining the impact of changes in the ratio of labor income to consumption on REITs returns. The empirical results show that changes in the ratio of labor income to consumption are negatively correlated to REITs returns. This research is important for individuals and financial institutions seeking to invest in REITs. Individuals’ income plays an important role in determining their ability to invest in REITs and REITs are an important source of diversification today due to the reduction of regulations in the REITs industry and their level of income. Institutions seeking to invest in REITs require the participation of individuals and the ability of the individuals to participate in the REITs market depends on their income
El modo de comunicación capitalista
No full textEl documento discute el capitalismo como un modo de relaciones sociales donde prevalecen intereses y prácticas que incluyen pero no se limitan a la economía y la política. Estas relaciones son examinadas como formas de comunicación social vinculadas al ejercicio del poder. En ellas se distingue un modo histórico de apropiación y una formación lógica simbólica. El análisis se centra en los sistemas de comunicación, especialmente medios masivos y redes sociales técnica y culturalmente disponibilizados. Propone como modelos principales el vertical y el horizontal. Afirma que la existencia de esta dualidad en choque constituye el rasgo fundamental en que se materializa el modo de comunicación capitalista actual. Posteriormente describe un par de procesos centrales: los flujos de comunicación y la cultura wiki.Palabras clave: Comunicación, apropiación, capitalismo, flujos de comunicación, cultura wiki. AbstractThe paper discusses capitalism as a mode of social relations dominated by interests and practices that include but are not limited to economics and politics. These relationships are examined as forms of social communication linked to the exercise of power. They unfold in a historical mode of appropriation and a symbolic logical formation. The analysis focuses on communication systems, especially mass media and social networks that have become technically and culturally available. It proposes as main models the vertical and the horizontal. The existence of this clashing duality constitutes the fundamental feature in which the present capitalist mode of communication materializes. Finally, a couple of central processes are described: communication flows and the wiki culture.Keywords: Communication, appropriation, capitalism, communication flows, wiki cultur