UTSA Runner Research Press (Univ. of Texas at San Antonio)
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Effects of Mobile Music Streaming User Control and User Experience Design Complexity on User Satisfaction and Use Intention in the Artificial Intelligence Era
No full textIn the era of artificial intelligence (AI), mobile music streaming platforms increasingly rely on recommender systems (RS) to personalize listening experiences. However, this convenience often comes at the cost of autonomy and usability. This study investigates how user control and user experience (UX) design complexity influence user satisfaction and use intention in mobile music streaming services. Drawing on self-determination theory and self-efficacy theory, two online experiments were conducted using a 2 (user control: high vs. low) × 2 (UX design complexity: high vs. low) between-subjects factorial design. Participants were shown mock mobile music streaming app interfaces reflecting different levels of user control and UX design complexity, followed by surveys assessing user satisfaction and use intention.
Experiment 1 served as a preliminary test that revealed manipulation issues, which were addressed in experiment 2 with improved stimuli, manipulation, and clearer condition differentiation. In Experiment 2 (N = 165), results showed a significant main effect of user control on user satisfaction, supporting the notion that customizable features enhance the music listening experience on mobile music streaming apps. While user control had a near-significant effect on use intention, UX design complexity alone did not significantly impact either dependent variable. However, no significant interaction effects were found. Findings suggest that emphasizing user control, such as through personalized recommendation settings, can meaningfully enhance user satisfaction and potentially boost continued app use.Communicatio
With Domingo Leal in San Antonio 1734: Educator Guide
No full textBased on Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills, Grade FourThis unique learning experience allows students to follow a day in the life of Domingo Leal, a ten-year-old boy living in San Antonio during the 18th century. To use this lesson in your classroom, be sure to download a free copy of With Domingo Leal in San Antonio, 1734 by Marian L. Martinello and Samuel P. Nesmith and other related materials
Urban Expansion and Land Use Transformations in Midnapore City (2003–2024): Implications for Sustainable Development
No full textAmidst global shifts in land use patterns due to urbanization, this study focuses on the rapid land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Midnapore City during the periods 2003–2014 and 2014–2024. The study employs Landsat 5 and 8 imagery with 30 m spatial resolution which were processed through Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) algorithms. The results were attained through ArcGIS 10.2.2 and ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 software, with ground-truth validation using data from 117, 111, and 116 points for 2024, 2014, and 2003, respectively. For the validation, the kappa coefficient was calculated and achieved 87.3%, 88.1%, and 81.7% for 2024, 2014, and 2003, indicating substantial accuracy. Using statistical measures such as change matrix union, binary logistic regression, and correlation matrix analysis applied to classified LULC outputs and spatial drivers, the research highlights significant transformations in the region. The study reveals significant transformations, notably the conversion of 77% of forest areas and 5% of fallow land to built-up land. The increased rate of agricultural land conversion to built-up areas is evident after 2014, indicating rapid urban growth. These factors led to the reduction of LULC classes possessing substantial ecological value like forests and scrub lands which are becoming more accessible due to the increasing population. The results point out the drastic alteration of these developments and recommend a planning approach responsive to environmental needs for safeguarded ecological impacts. The research highlights the importance of reforestation, preservation of water bodies, and socio-economic surveillance in fostering urban management and sustainable development in Midnapore City.Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction ManagementCollege of Engineering and Integrated Desig
Understanding Titanium Electrochemistry in the Context of Biomedical Implants and Energy Storage Systems
No full textThis study investigates the electrochemical behavior of titanium (Ti) in bone implants and energy storage, aiming to improve public health by enhancing implant longevity and reducing air pollution from conventional energy sources. It examines Ti electrochemistry at neutral pH to assess the impact of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on implant corrosion, uncovering its mechanistic pathway of passivation to improve implant durability. At low pH, the study explores Ti’s viability in redox flow batteries (RFBs) as a sustainable energy storage alternative.
Electrochemical methods serve as the primary approach for analyzing Ti’s performance in both bone implants and energy storage applications. In the context of bone implants, this research evaluates how gram-negative bacterial byproducts, particularly LPS, influence Ti corrosion and self-healing process. While LPS initially inhibits corrosion, it later promotes passivation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirms that the self-healed oxide layer, regardless of LPS presence, is thinner and more porous than the pristine TiO2 layer. This compromised protective nature of self-healed layer raises concerns about the long-term stability of titanium implants and highlights the need for improved materials or surface modifications to enhance durability.
In sustainable energy storage system, this study assesses Ti as a cost-effective alternative to vanadium in RFBs. It examines the Ti3+/Ti4+ redox couple in sulfuric acid, identifying an optimal electrolyte composition of 2.5 M TiOSO4 in 4 M H2SO4, achieving an energy density of 68 Wh/L. The findings suggest that catalysts have minimal impact on Ti4+ reduction, emphasizing the importance of electrode surface modifications to mitigate hydrogen evolution.
Overall, this research emphasizes Ti’s potential in bone implants and energy storage, addressing key challenges to optimize its performance for improved human health and environmental sustainability.Biomedical Engineerin
Engaging Latino/a/x Students in STEM: Implementing the Design Squad Latinx Curriculum Through the Lens of Funds of Knowledge
No full textThis qualitative study explored the implementation of an engineering design curriculum in middle school, particularly focusing on how students drew from their linguistic practices and funds of knowledge (FoK) to engage in engineering activities. The curriculum was implemented at two bilingual middle schools in the U.S. Southwest and one monolingual middle school in the U.S. Northeast, with the objective of analyzing the effectiveness of the curriculum in integrating students’ cultural and familial experiences into their learning. Data was collected through classroom observations and focus groups with students. Findings indicate that students were highly engaged and effectively drew from cultural and linguistic practices for sense- and meaning-making during the engineering activities. The study demonstrates the potential of leveraging students' FoK to make STEM education more relevant and effective, providing valuable insights for future curriculum development and implementation.Culture, Literacy, and Languag
Retro-Futuristic Visions
No full textThis poster was created with the knowledge and skills I have learned in the Learning, Design, and Technology graduate program at UTSA. With a fascination for technology, film, and sci-fi, I wanted to blend all three to create a movie-like poster for this competition. Furthermore, I wanted to give it an 80's feel by incorporating colors and textures which I thought were consistent of the time. For the process and editing, I used a combination of Microsoft Image Creator and Adobe Photoshop to achieve this composition.Learning, Design, and Technolog
Enhancing Energy and Infrastructure Resilience in South Texas: Strategies for Mitigating Winter Storm Impacts
No full textTexas ranks first in the U.S. for the frequency and cost of severe weather events, with South Texas facing increasing vulnerabilities due to extreme climate conditions. While research has primarily focused on heat-related challenges, recent extreme winter events, such as Winter Storm Uri in 2021, have exposed significant weaknesses in the state's energy grid and infrastructure. This study investigates the cascading effects of winter storms in Texas, with a particular focus on energy resilience and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. Key research areas include the winterization of power plants, transmission lines, and substations, the feasibility of microgrids for critical facilities, and the integration of on-site renewable energy and battery storage for greater energy independence. The study also examines retrofitting strategies to improve the thermal resilience of buildings, reducing reliance on centralized energy systems during extreme weather events. Utilizing quantitative methods, including historical climate analysis, energy system assessments, and structural resilience studies, this research aims to develop data-driven strategies for improving South Texas's preparedness for winter storms. By addressing gaps in current literature and proposing solutions for decentralized energy, improved building resilience, and adaptive policy changes, this study contributes to the development of sustainable and climate-resilient communities. Strengthening the energy grid and built environment will be crucial in mitigating future climate-induced disruptions and ensuring reliable energy access for vulnerable populations.Architectur
"Gone to Texas": Texas Pioneers, 1830-1860
No full textBased on Fourth Grade Texas Essential Knowledge & SkillsIncludes materials for a primary-source based lesson about pioneers and pioneer culture in Texas
Teaching with Stories: World War II
No full textBased on 11th Grade Social Studies Essential Knowledge & Skills with Additional Standards in Secondary Geography, English Language Arts, and TechnologyUsing a personal account of a U.S. Air Force pilot in World War II, along with other primary and secondary sources, this unique learning experience allows students to participate, imagine, analyze, compare, contrast and think critically, while gaining and applying knowledge and skills in history, geography and English language arts
Uncertainty Quantification of Knockdown Factors using HYPercomplex Automatic Differentiation
No full textWe present a computational framework to quantify uncertainty in critical buckling loads and knockdown factors for nonlinear structures with stochastic imperfections. Traditional methods, such as Monte Carlo (MC)-based simulations, require significant computational resources to evaluate knockdown factors across various geometric configurations. This poses a challenge for structures that are highly sensitive to imperfections, as small changes in geometry or material properties can result in large deviations in the buckling response, necessitating extensive sampling to accurately capture lowest critical loads. To overcome this technical problem, we propose combining Hypercomplex Automatic Differentiation (HYPAD) with the Finite Element Method (FEM) to generate reduced order models (ROMs) through Taylor Series Expansion. These ROMs are then applied to predict the critical buckling load and the statistics of the knockdown factors, significantly reducing the computational requirements. We verify this approach on a clamped-hinged circular arch, showing that HYPAD-FEM achieves agreement with MC while using only one simulation, resulting in a speed-up of over 2500x. Furthermore, we use this method to design structures by considering imperfection-induced uncertainty (e.g., reliability-based design). In this case, HYPAD-FEM allows us to evaluate critical buckling load across a range of geometrical configurations, with errors consistently below 3% compared to MC. This framework offers a robust and computationally efficient approach for accurately predicting knockdown factors and critical buckling loads, enabling reliability-based design of imperfection-sensitive structures. By addressing the computational challenges of traditional methods, this work provides a practical pathway for incorporating imperfection-induced uncertainty into the design process, with direct applications in fields such as aerospace, structural, and mechanical engineering.Mechanical Engineerin