UTSA Runner Research Press (Univ. of Texas at San Antonio)
Not a member yet
6846 research outputs found
Sort by
Characterization of phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs) in Francisella novicida and Francisella hispaniensis
No full textThe full text of this item is not available at this time because the author has placed this item under an embargo until June 11, 2026.Despite the impending bioterrorism threat, there is no approved vaccine against Francisella tularensis, underscoring the urgent need to explore alternative treatment strategies. One promising avenue is phage therapy, however, no known phages or other natural bactericides that efficiently kill pathogenic strains of F. tularensis have been identified. Phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs) are mobile genetic elements that upon bacteriophage infection, excise from the bacterial chromosome and hijack phage machinery for their own dissemination. Here, we identify two PICIs in F. novicida, named fnPICI-I and fnPICI-II, and characterize their interaction with each other and the prophage vB_FhiM_KIRK (KIRK) in F. hispaniensis. Like other Gram-negative PICIs, both induce upon the expression of AlpA. fnPICI-I potentially has a mutualistic relationship with the KIRK phage, while fnPICI-II exhibits an antagonistic relationship. The antagonism between fnPICI-II and KIRK is likely mediated by the redirecting phage packaging (Rpp) protein. Finally, we have shown that fnPICI-I, if transformed via electroporation, can integrate into the F. tularensis Live Vaccine Strain (LVS), suggesting that one or both fnPICIs are likely to be able to integrate into the virulent F. tularensis Schu4 strain. This lays the groundwork for potential PICI-based therapeutics against tularemia.Integrative Biolog
Teaching Listening in Organizational Communication Courses
Get PDFInstructors in organizational communication courses often acknowledge the critical importance of listening and cover various listening practices such as receiving information, hearing feedback, inviting input, and considering others’ views. However, our textbooks, and likely our courses, lack detailed attention to the processes, systems, and practices of quality listening. In this essay, we present a rationale for developing and enhacing teaching about listening in organizational leadership, team communication, and external organizational communication. Each section includes examples of activities that instructors can use to enhance listening pedagogy in organizational-related communication courses.Communicatio
DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH-CAPACITY, ENERGY-EFFICIENT ELASTIC OPTICAL NETWORKS USING INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC PREDICTION
No full textThe full text of this item is not available at this time because the author has placed this item under an embargo until May 15, 2026.This work addresses critical advancements in next-generation optical networks, focusing on scalable architectures, efficient resource utilization, and predictive traffic management. A new high-degree cluster node with add-drop flexibility was introduced, leveraging existing chassis to enable cost-effective scalability. Utilizing a three-stage Clos network design with under 30% dilation and a dedicated order-based connection management algorithm, the system maintained low blocking probability—even with full load rates up to 76,800 connections.
The study further proposed an Elastic Optical Network (EON) Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) featuring multi-flow optical transponders and onboard intelligence for proactive capacity management. This design utilizes elastic transponder technology for per-channel customization, improving performance while reducing cost. The approach yielded a 3.4% increase in average fiber utilization through spectrally efficient optical networking.
Additionally, a collaborative strategy linking the ROADM with a bypass algorithm in software-defined networks (SDN) was introduced to minimize slot utilization and energy consumption, thereby enhancing both efficiency and sustainability in dynamically evolving optical networks. This synergy aims to maximize resource usage while supporting energy-saving goals.
In the context of traffic prediction, traditional RNNs and Transformer models face limitations due to computational inefficiencies or challenges in long-term forecasting. In response, the Ret-TS model was introduced, offering high-precision, low-complexity predictions with O(L) time complexity, suitable for real-time, high-speed environments. Ret-TS significantly reduces blocking probabilities and enhances operational efficiency in EONs. Future developments will include multiscale Ret-TS models tailored to European networks, emphasizing long-term accuracy and model interpretability for sustainable and scalable optical networking.Electrical and Computer Engineerin
Distinct response to IL-1β blockade in liver- and lung-specific metastasis mouse models of pancreatic cancer with heterogeneous tumor microenvironments
No full textBackground
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME). The mechanism by which this heterogeneity confers resistance against immunotherapy remains unclear. Interleukin- 1β (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine that regulates heterogeneous cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype and promotes an immunosuppressive TME. Anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody significantly enhanced the anti-tumor activity of anti-PD-1 in a preclinical model of PDAC. However, clinical trials have shown limited activity of the anti-IL-1β and anti-PD-1 combination. Therefore, we hypothesize that anti-tumor immune response to the combination of anti-IL-1β and anti-PD-1 antibodies is context-dependent and would be affected by the TME heterogeneity in PDAC.
Methods
Liver- and lung-specific metastasis mouse models of PDAC were used to investigate the antitumor activity of anti-IL-1β and anti-PD-1 antibodies alone or in combination by ultrasound examination and survival analysis. Their effects on the TME heterogeneity were assessed by flow cytometry and single nuclear RNA sequencing.
Results
The combination of anti-IL-1β and anti-PD-1 antibodies does not slow primary tumor growth but prolongs overall survival and reduces lung metastasis rates in a PDAC orthotopic murine model with lung metastasis tropism. In contrast, combination therapy slows primary tumor growth and prolongs survival, but does not reduce liver metastasis rates in a PDAC murine orthotopic model with liver metastasis tropism. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the combination of anti-IL-1β and anti-PD-1 antibodies restores T cell activation negated by the monotherapies. Mechanistically, in the PDAC model with lung metastasis tropism, but not in the model with liver metastasis tropism, combination treatment reverses an increased trend of immunosuppressive myeloid cells as a result of monotherapy. Single-nuclear RNA sequencing analysis of both organ-specific tumor models demonstrated that anti-IL-1β treatment altered infiltration and function of CAF and immune cells differently. Furthermore, anti-IL-1β treatment modulated cytokine/chemokine ligand-receptor-receptor interactions in the models with different organ-specific metastasis distinctly.
Conclusion
This study reveals the differential responses of organ-specific metastasis mouse models of PDAC with distinct TMEs to anti-IL-1β and anti-PD-1 treatments, suggesting that treatment response is context-dependent and affected by TME heterogeneity.medicin
Pray the ADHD Away? An Analysis of the Intergenerational Nexus of Religion, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
No full textThis thesis examines the novel intersection of religion and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although previous studies have framed religiosity as an outcome of ADHD, the effects of religiosity on ADHD have been theoretically and empirically understudied in the ADHD literature and the formal study of religion and mental health. I employ data from five waves of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n=4156) to explore the direct effects of religiosity and theological conservatism on the symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD and the moderation effects of religiosity and theological conservatism on the pathogenesis and intergenerational transmission of ADHD. Analyses find that while higher levels of religiosity are associated with lower levels of ADHD symptoms, religiosity is unrelated to ADHD diagnosis. Theological conservatism is associated with higher levels of symptoms and increased odds of diagnosis. I found no evidence that religiosity and theological conservatism could moderate the intraindividual pathogenesis or the intergenerational transmission of ADHD diagnosis. The findings suggest that while religion may have some direct effects on ADHD symptoms and diagnosis, it is unlikely to play a significant role in the progression from symptoms to diagnosis, or in the intergenerational transmission of ADHD into offspring diagnosis. This thesis underscores the complexity of the relationship between ADHD and religion and contributes to our understanding of the social epidemiology of ADHD and the literature on religion and mental health by examining religiosity and theological conservatism as predictors of ADHD symptoms and moderators of the intraindividual pathogenesis and intergenerational transmission of ADHD.Sociolog
Exploring the Relationship between Multimorbidity and Childbirth Parity among Women in the USA
No full textMultimorbidity, the simultaneous occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, has many potential negative consequences. While there are multiple life course stressors that could lead to multi-system dysregulation and multimorbidity, the demands associated with childbearing and childrearing –particularly when structural conditions produce more biosocial stressors related to these tasks, as it occurs with inequality “racialization†processes likely producing race/ethnic health disparities– are likely an important precursor to the development of multimorbidity. Previous research has explored the relationship between parity and various individual chronic diseases, including racial and ethnic disparities, but there has been limited focus on examining multimorbidity specifically. In this paper, we use the data for U.S. women ages 51-65 at baseline from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine race/ethnic differences in the association between parity and multimorbidity. Net of various confounders, preliminary results suggest a negative relationship, but mainly for women who have four or more children. These relationships are explained almost fully by race/ethnic differences in socioeconomic status and seem to be similar across race/ethnic groups.Applied Demograph
Functional communication training for toddlers at-risk for autism with tangibly maintained early problem behavior
No full textProblem behavior tends to manifest in early childhood as a natural part of human development. In the case of children who are at risk for autism, there may be a necessity to intervene during this early phase to prevent the exacerbation of problematic behavior and encourage effective communication. Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a well-supported intervention strategy that involves identifying the function of problem behavior and then teaching the child a functional communication response (FCR) that serves the same purpose as the problematic behavior. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of FCT in teaching toddlers at risk of autism to appropriately request for access to tangibles instead of resorting to early problem behavior (EPB) when access is restricted or removed. Methods Six children participated in this study. Researchers used a non-concurrent multiple baseline design to evaluate the effects of FCT on participants. Results EPB decreased for all participants from baseline to intervention. Functional communication increased in all participants from baseline to intervention. EBP was observed to increase in the reversal phases. Conclusion This study builds upon prior FCT research to include younger children who exhibit characteristics that classify them as being at risk for autism.School Psycholog
Relational Ties and Their Effects on Sharing Personal News
No full textThis study explores how Generation Z young adults (aged 18-27) share personal news online, focusing on the interplay between strong and weak social ties and the media affordances of different digital platforms. It examines how these affordances (e.g., visibility and privacy settings) influence their choice of communication channels and the emotional impact of sharing. The theoretical foundations for this study are tie strength (Granovetter, 1973), self-expansion theory (Aron & Aron, 1986), media multiplicity theory (Haythornthwaite, 2001), and media affordances (Gibson, 1977; Norman, 1988). This research investigates how the characteristics of strong and weak social ties, in conjunction with the media affordances of digital platforms, shape the nature and extent of personal news sharing. The thematic analysis of the data revealed four key themes that illuminated the nuances of personal news sharing among Generation Z: privacy and audience control, valence, intensity, and relevance of news, platform and accessibility, and relationship context. Participants strategically navigated personal news sharing decisions based on who could access their information, the nature of the news, platform features, and interpersonal dynamics. The findings highlighted a thoughtful and context-dependent approach to personal disclosure, prioritizing privacy and meaningful connections while leveraging media affordances. This research aims to provide insight into how Generation Z connects and shares personal information in the digital age, highlighting the significance of social ties in relation to perceived levels of closeness and media affordances in these processes.Communicatio
The Micro World of Stan Twitter: An Exploration of Pop Music Fandoms' User Practices, Identity Expression, and Membership Placement
No full textThe following thesis explores music fandoms via “Stan Twitter,” a subsection of the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Breaking down the fandoms of artists Mariah Carey (Lambily), Beyoncé (BeyHive), and Taylor Swift (Swifties), this research aims to create a narrative around the importance of music fans’ positions within their fandoms. It explores how music fandoms shape the identities of their members, the user practices music fandoms implement to align with the participatory culture of Stan Twitter, and whether membership placement of fans affects their credibility and interpersonal connections among their fandoms. The methodology of this research implements qualitative thematic analysis techniques drawn from participant interviews, using social identity theory as the theoretical framework. The results revealed that members of Stan Twitter utilize their respective fandom’s group identity to form their own, as well as the positive and negative user practices they implement to participate in the Stan Twitter community. Findings also show a connection between membership placement and ingroup participation and how it plays into their role as “stans.”Communicatio
The Influence of Relationship-Based Content on Relational Entitlement
No full textThis study examines the effects that relationship-based content on social media, specifically TikTok, has on relational entitlement, as well as its relation to relationship satisfaction. The theoretical foundations of this study are grounded in Gerbner's Cultivation Theory, which argues that people’s views of the world are influenced by the messaging they get from media, such as television (Gerbner, 1998). Prior research highlights how media consumption plays a significant role in shaping relationship perceptions (Yacoub et al. 2018). Utilizing a controlled experimental design, participants (N = 75) were randomly divided into one of two groups, the experimental or control. The experimental group was exposed to TikTok content including relationship-based content, while the control group consumed TikTok content that did not include any relationship-based content. Utilizing independent-samples t tests and bivariate correlations, the study found that there are no significant differences between the relational entitlement levels of the two groups. Bivariate correlations revealed that there is no significant relationship between assertive and restricted relational entitlement and relationship satisfaction. However, excessive entitlement did have a strong negative correlation to relationship entitlement. This study contributes to the ongoing conversation about social media influence on relationships, as well as providing insight on relational entitlement’s susceptibility to change.Communicatio