UTSA Runner Research Press (Univ. of Texas at San Antonio)
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Evaluating Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia for Solid-State Metal-Oxygen Batteries: Interfacial and Evaluation Challenges
Get PDFThis study evaluates yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as a solid-state electrolyte for metal-oxygen batteries, focusing on Zn-O systems with Al-O and Cu-O as comparators, addressing a knowledge gap regarding YSZ's compatibility with earth-abundant metal anodes (Zn, Al, Cu) in solid-state battery configurations. YSZ's oxygen-ion conductivity, traditionally leveraged in high-temperature SOFC’s, was tested at room temperature. YSZ films (46-311 μm) were fabricated via drop casting on Zn, Al, and Cu anodes using a direct ink writing (DIW) printer paired with MnO₂-coated carbon cloth cathodes, with optimal substrate temperatures of 100°C minimizing coffee-ring effects. Hansen solubility analysis confirmed YSZ's stability in water but poor dispersion in other solvents, verifying dispersibility of the nanoparticle ink formulation. Adhesion issues, from thermal expansion mismatches, were mitigated through substrate pre-treatments. Electrochemical characterization revealed significant performance limitations. Open-circuit voltages (0.03-0.15 V) fell far below theoretical values (0.74-2.78 V), indicating high interfacial resistance. Films dried at 100°C exhibited moderate ionic conductivity (10⁻³ S/cm), while higher temperatures resulted in insulating behavior. Aluminum cells showed highest performance among tested configurations. Critical stability issues emerged during cyclic voltammetry in aqueous electrolytes (NaOH, KCl), where YSZ films experienced rapid degradation through chemical dissolution or mechanical delamination—a distinction that could not be definitively determined. These findings suggest that nanoparticulate YSZ faces fundamental challenges for room-temperature SSB applications. While YSZ's limitations at room temperature are evident, the results provide valuable guidance for future solid-state battery development and appropriate evaluation methodologies. Future work should explore alternative testing protocols and electrolyte materials.Electrical and Computer Engineerin
A Longitudinal Evaluation of Healthy Relationship Education: How Self-Efficacy Influences Adolescent Dating Violence Among Youth With Foster Care Experience
Get PDFViolence in adolescent relationships is associated with a myriad of negative physical, mental, and psychological health outcomes as well as an increased risk of experiencing violence in adult relationships. Adverse childhood experiences have been identified as risk factors for dating violence and may explain why youth with complex trauma histories, such as youth with foster care experience, are at an increased risk of victimization from and perpetration of adolescent dating violence. A protective factor against dating violence is relationship self-efficacy, or the confidence a person has in navigating a romantic relationship. The aims of this study were to understand how traumatic experiences in childhood influence adolescent dating violence in a population of youth with foster care experience, explore the role of relationship self-efficacy, and determine if healthy relationship education is effective in increasing relationship self-efficacy. This study utilized secondary data from a randomized clinical trial evaluating Love Notes programming. A series of cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted targeting the three aims of the study. It was found that adverse childhood experiences were not a risk factor for dating violence, relationship self-efficacy could be a protective factor against dating violence, and Love Notes did not impact relationship self-efficacy over time but did result in a change in attitudes about dating violence.Psycholog
Probing the Structure-Activity Relationship of CIDD-0149897, A Novel Estrogen-Receptor β Agonist for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
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 February 26, 2026.Glioblastoma is a rare form of brain cancer which has a five-year survival of only 6.8%. It lacks efficacious treatment, as the current standard of care of tumor resection and concurrent and adjuvant chemotherapy only extends patient life expectancy to about 12-14 months. It is suspected that estrogen plays a role in the incidence of glioblastoma, as women are less likely to develop this specific cancer. The estrogen receptors, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) play a role in cancer development. Specifically, upregulation of ERβ inhibits tumor progression, while upregulation of ERα promotes tumor progression. ERβ is the target of this project, in which the SAR studies of a novel potent and efficacious ERβ agonist, CIDD-0149897, are explored. CIDD-0149897 is 40-fold selective for ERβ over ERα and has an IC50 value of 7.4µM in patient-derived glioblastoma stem cell lines, however, its high plasma protein binding and inhibition of two key CYP450 isozymes indicate the necessity of further development on this project. The 3-point SAR study developed around CIDD-0149897 incorporated a multitude of functional groups, substitutions, and chemotypes, all in the pursuit of the eventual development of an efficacious treatment for glioblastoma.Chemistr
Mapping Habitat Suitability for Three Primate Species in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica
No full textThis project investigates the effect of different environmental variables on the distribution of three sympatric primate species living in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica. The ACG is a biologically diverse region that spans multiple forests types and includes a wide range of species, including three primate species. While white-faced capuchins, mantled howler monkeys, and black-handed spider monkeys may have overlapping ranges, they have different dietary preferences, different social systems, and different environmental tolerances. This study aims to identify the shared and species-specific responses to environmental factors and to highlight areas of loss and gain under future environmental conditions. We used presence-only data from multi-year primate censuses and remotely sensed environmental variables-including climate, elevation, and human disturbance-to develop habitat suitability models in MaxEnt. These models highlight the environmental variables most influential for each species and map current, and future, suitable environment. Future models were created using CHELSA climate projections under moderate (SSP370) and severe (SSP585) scenarios for the years 2041-2070. Our findings indicate all three primate species are influenced by temperature, precipitation, elevation, and tree height and cover; though their habitat needs differ. Sectors comprising of dry tropical forest showed the highest habitat suitability for all three species under current climate conditions. Future projections suggest that spider monkeys will lose more habitat due to climate change, primarily in dry forest areas. These findings can inform long-term conservation strategies.Anthropolog
With Domingo Leal in San Antonio
No full textGrade Band/Level: Elementary/Grades 3-5This unique learning experience allows students to participate, imagine, compare, contrast and immerse themselves in a traditional adobe house while following a day in the life of Domingo Leal, a ten-year-old boy living in San Antonio during the 18th century. There are several lessons, including a suggested optional field trip to visit the “Back Forty” at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. Lessons can be used in order or as the teacher/facilitator sees fit in order to best meet their learner's needs
Bidirectional Associations Between Movement Behaviors and Internalizing Symptoms in Adolescence: A Cross-Lagged Panel Model With Compositional Data Analysis
No full textAdolescence is a critical period for the emergence of internalizing symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Movement behaviors – such as physical activity, sedentary time, and sleep – are modifiable and accessible targets that may support adolescent mental health. However, most research has examined these behaviors independently, relied on self-reported measures, or assumed unidirectional associations. This study is the first to use device-based data within a longitudinal, bidirectional framework applying compositional data analysis to investigate how 24-hour movement behavior patterns and internalizing symptoms shape one another across time. Data were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 6,945), with movement behaviors assessed via a wrist-worn Fitbit Charge at Year 2 and Year 4, and internalizing symptoms measured using the adolescent-reported Brief Problem Monitor. Four primary cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) were used to examine bidirectional associations between each behavior (relative to others) and internalizing symptoms. Multigroup CLPMs were conducted to test for sex differences. Greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at Year 2 was associated with lower internalizing symptoms at Year 4, while more time spent in sedentary behavior, light intensity physical activity, and sleep were each associated with greater future internalizing symptoms. Internalizing symptoms was not associated with future movement behaviors, and no significant sex differences were detected. These findings suggest a unidirectional association in early adolescence, where movement behaviors are more strongly linked with subsequent internalizing symptoms than vice versa. Future work using higher-resolution, within-person designs is warranted to capture shorter-term reciprocal dynamics.Psycholog
Investigating the Role of the Extracellular Matrix Stiffness on the Adipogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
No full textThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional network of proteins that supports and contributes to the fundamental behavior of cells. Properties of the ECM, such as stiffness and composition, vary depending on a variety of factors, including age, pathology, and tissue type. These mechanical properties of the ECM are known to play a role in cell differentiation and function. In the adipose tissue of obese individuals, ECM stiffness is increased; however, understanding how these changes affect adipogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells (ASCs) is still unclear. Consequently, this study optimized the characteristics of polyacrylamide (PA) gels to create an in vitro model of controlled stiffness to study adipocyte function. Bis-acrylamide concentrations were varied to prepare hydrogels with stiffnesses ranging from 1 to 10 kPa. The Young’s Modulus of the gels was measured using compression testing. Mouse ASCs were seeded on the PA gels and differentiated into both white and beige adipocytes. Biomarkers of adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and inflammation were assessed using qPCR. Results showed that beige adipocytes exhibited higher expression of PPARγ, Adiponectin, and PAI-1 at 10 kPa, with significant differences at 1 vs. 3 kPa and 7 vs. 10 kPa. In contrast, white adipocytes showed higher expression of PPARγ and Adiponectin at 1 kPa, with 7 kPa consistently showing the lowest expression across conditions. Combined with visible lipid accumulation, these findings suggest that ECM stiffness modulates ASC differentiation in a subtype-specific manner, and that intermediate stiffnesses may represent a “gray zone” where differentiation cues are less effective.Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineerin
Antifungal Efficacy of Luliconazole-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid-Carrier Gel in an Animal Model of Dermatophytosis
No full text<b>Background:</b>&nbsp;<i>Trichophyton indotineae</i> terbinafine-resistant infections are emerging in healthy individuals. Luliconazole, an imidazole antifungal that is effective against skin infections, faces challenges due to low water solubility and poor skin penetration. This study aimed to formulate a luliconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid-carrier (NLC) gel in a Carbopol-based system to enhance drug absorption and efficacy in a guinea pig model of dermatophytosis. <b>Methods</b>: Luliconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were prepared using a solvent evaporation method and gel formulation. Skin absorption and retention were assessed via Franz diffusion cells. The antifungal efficacy was tested against <i>T. indotineae</i> in thirty guinea pigs with induced tinea corporis, divided into five treatment groups. Mycological, clinical, and histopathological evaluations were conducted, along with skin irritation studies for safety. <b>Results</b>: LCZ-NLC demonstrated significantly better skin penetration than simple luliconazole gel, with cumulative drug penetration of 71.8 &plusmn; 3.7 &mu;g/cm<sup>2</sup> versus 50.9 &plusmn; 4.2 &mu;g/cm<sup>2</sup> after 24 h. Both formulations achieved complete infection resolution after 21 and 28 days, with reduced inflammation and no local irritations. On day 21, the LCZ-NLC 1% gel significantly reduced lesion scores and mycological evidence of infection compared to the terbinafine-treated groups, untreated controls, and NLC-gel-treated group (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Histopathological analysis indicated a reduction in both epidermal thickening and fungal burden in the models that received treatment with the LCZ-NLC 1% gel. <b>Conclusions</b>: Luliconazole-loaded lipid carriers enhance drug absorption and efficacy, suggesting shorter treatment durations and improved patient outcomes for resistant fungal infections. However, further studies are warranted to correlate these findings with clinical outcomes.Molecular Microbiology & Immunolog
Sweet Revenge: Reimagining the Damsel in the Gothic
No full textSweet Revenge: Reimagining The Damsel in the Gothic is a collection of short stories that illustrates the violence women go through in the Gothic genre. The collection shifts the power dynamic in which the male characters are terrorized or killed by the hands of the female characters in an act of revenge. Sweet Revenge depicts the female characters as not needing a man to save them. This gives the female characters more agency and demonstrates a more feminist perspective on the damsel in distress trope in which the trope portrays the female characters as lacking agency and needing to be saved by a man. The critical preface discusses in further detail the Gothic genre and how it has evolved, the tropes within Gothic literature, as well as the gender roles found in Gothic Literature and the power shifts found in the short stories of Sweet Revenge.Englis
Evaluate the Transfer Length and End Region Cracking of Prestressed Girders using 300ksi Strands
No full textThe primary goal of the project is to introduce 300ksi strands to TxDOT bridge design standards for I-girder design. The benefits of transitioning to 300ksi strands include material and labor cost savings, and increased design flexibility. Additionally, increased strength can allow for shallower girder depths while achieving equivalent or greater span lengths compared to girders utilizing 270ksi strands.TxDOT-0-7154Civil Engineerin