UTSA Runner Research Press (Univ. of Texas at San Antonio)
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A Study of Measurement Using Open Quantum Systems
No full textOpen quantum systems are quantum systems that are exposed to the environment. As a consequence, these systems do not obey the Schrödinger equation; and this gives rise to a
phenomenon known as decoherence. My Thesis Proposal will be on using the formalism of open quantum systems to shed light on some foundational questions of quantum theory, specifically,
the measurement problem. I model the measuring apparatus as an external environment, characterized by a set of Lindblad operators, acting on a quantum system of interest through via
the Lindblad equation. I derive the general solution for the Lindblad equation with a general two level Hamiltonian and one Hermitian Lindblad operator. I then investigate which conditions the
Lindblad operator and the Hamiltonian must satisfy in order to represent a measurement. This analytical solution could be useful in describing real-life experiments described by two-level
systems, and it sets the stage for a more general calculation using a non-Hermitian Lindblad operator.Physics and Astronom
Exploring Identity and Experiences: Similarities and Differences Among Multiracial Young Adults
No full textThe multiracial population in the United States is experiencing significant growth, and its recent identifiability in data presents new opportunities for research. This qualitative study interviewed multiracial young adults from various racial backgrounds to explore the similarities and differences within the multiracial category, focusing on their racial identities and experiences. Twenty multiracial young adults from San Antonio, Texas or from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. shared their experiences in interviews. The respondents expressed their sentiments regarding how they prefer to identify, what influences how they identify, and some thoughts about how they feel about being multiracial. For analysis, Telles and Sue?s symbolic-consequential ethnicity continuum (2019), Johnston and Nadal?s multiracial microaggression taxonomy (2010), and Bonilla Silva?s tri-racial hierarchy (2004) will be applied to capture the differences within the multiracial population. The similarities and differences found will help create distinguishing categories within the multiracial population. The results of this study point to some shared experiences across the self-identified multiracial category. One similarity is the use of reflective race when determining how to racially identify. The respondents also expressed discomfort with being exoticized but enjoyed identifying and being multiracial overall. The findings also showed various experiences within the multiracial population. The White-Passing multiracial individuals experienced more symbolic forms of race, Multiracial Presenting individuals encountered a more intermediate experience, while those who were Part-Black faced more consequential aspects of race. Additionally, the distinguishing experiences of the Multiracial Presenting category suggest a reality of a tri-racial hierarchy in the United States that is based in part on skin color grading.Health, Community and Polic
Adaptive Complexity: Examining Texas Public Postsecondary Institutions' Provision of Student Basic Needs Programs
No full textThis study reveals that the likelihood and diversity of postsecondary institutions providing basic needs programs are significantly influenced by institutional factors such as the institutions' organization and size. This study also indicates that Hispanic-Serving Institutions tend to provide emergency housing, which highlights a targeted response to specific community needs. In addition, the analysis indicates that the presence of students with financial needs is linked to the availability of food pantry services, suggesting a strategic approach to address student welfare. The findings from this study provide critical insights into how institutional characteristics influence the provision and variety of basic needs services. These conclusions not only underscore the pivotal role of such services in supporting the overall well-being and academic success of students but also indicate institutional factors that support the formal implementation of a variety of basic needs programs to meet diverse student needs.Sociology and Demograph
On the Generalized (p,q)-ϕ-Calculus with Respect to Another Function
No full textIn the present paper, we generalized some of the operators defined in (p, q)-calculus with respect to another function. More precisely, the generalized (p, q)-ϕ-derivatives and (p, q)-ϕ-integrals were introduced with respect to the strictly increasing function ϕ with the help of different orders of the q-shifting, p-shifting, and (q/p)-shifting operators. Then, after proving some related properties, and as an application, we considered a generalized (p, q)-ϕ-difference problem and studied the existence property for its unique solutions with the help of the Banach contraction mapping principle.Mathematic
Two Essays on the Accounting and Auditing Implications of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
No full textThis dissertation consists of a pair of essays about the implications on sexual harassment in the workplace on financial reporting quality and audit pricing. Sexual harassment has been a topic of great concern in the workplace and in societies at large (Hardies 2019; McDonald 2012). Prior research suggests that both men and women in the U.S. have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, and studies show these egregious acts are associated with outcomes that adversely affect the entire organization (Willness et al. 2007). In 2017, the #MeToo movement brought an unprecedented level of attention about sexual harassment and the related human consequences. Since this time, shareholders and those in charge of governance have been more conscientious about sexual harassment in the workplace because of how these reported allegations can negatively impact how a company can meet its objectives. The increased attention on gender equality in the workplace has become apparent through popular press coverage, documenting both new corporate governance measures as well as shareholder criticisms after the allegations become public. In the first essay, I investigate the association between the disclosure sexual harassment allegations and financial reporting quality. Allegations of sexual harassment highlight weaknesses in a company’s corporate culture because often these incidents reflect deficiencies within the informal social norms and values of the company. It is possible that there may be a spillover from these allegations to the financial reporting process. Using a novel dataset of publicly reported sexual harassment allegations from years 2000 to 2022, I find that firms with publicly disclosed sexual harassment allegations are more likely to misreport financial information. In addition, I develop a prediction model to assess sexual harassment risk and determine firms with a high predicted sexual harassment risk are also more likely to misreport financial information. This study contributes to the growing literature on corporate culture and its impact on financial information. This study also highlights implications for ESG, particularly how social issues embodying corporate culture in the workplace can influence financial reporting. In the second essay, I explore the association between the disclosure of sexual harassment allegations and audit pricing. The existing literature documents that reports of sexual harassment are associated with decreased firm market value and negative abnormal returns yet ignore whether the same impacts the external auditors’ audit pricing or the audit process. Auditing standards note that non-accounting related lawsuits could impact the auditor’s risk assessment process and require auditors to understand the client’s overall operating environment and corporate culture. Using a novel dataset of publicly reported sexual harassment, I examine the association between disclosed sexual harassment allegations and audit pricing and find clients that have reported sexual harassment are charged significantly higher audit fees. This study has implications for ESG, especially how social issues in a client’s workplace can impact audit business risk.Accountin
Predictive Utility of the Multi-Process Action Control Framework for Self-Reported and Device-Measured Physical Activity Behavior of Adolescents
No full textUnderstanding the correlates of physical activity behavior is imperative for informing the development of interventions to address the low rates of physical activity guideline adherence among adolescents living in the United States. This cross-sectional study examined the predictive utility of the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework for explaining self-reported and device-measured physical activity behavior among a Hispanic-majority sample of adolescents. A total of 1849 high school students (mean age = 16.0 &plusmn; 1.22 SD years; 52.3% women; 87.8% Hispanic) enrolled in one school district in south-central Texas completed a survey including instruments to assess M-PAC framework constructs (instrumental and affective attitudes, perceived capability and opportunity, behavioral regulation, habit, identity) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) behavior. A subsample (<i>n</i> = 435) wore accelerometers for seven days. The results from robust linear regression models revealed role identity and habit were significant predictors of self-reported MVPA. Role identity was a significant predictor of accelerometer-derived daily MVPA and raw acceleration in the most active hour but not daily raw acceleration. The findings indicated reflexive processes are robust predictors of adolescent physical activity and should be the focus of interventions designed to promote adoption and maintenance of physical activity during this developmental life stage.Psycholog
Development and Evaluation of an Immunoinformatics-Based Multi-Peptide Vaccine against Acinetobacter baumannii Infection
No full textMulti-drug-resistant (MDR) <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> is an opportunistic pathogen associated with hospital-acquired infections. Due to its environmental persistence, virulence, and limited treatment options, this organism causes both increased patient mortality and incurred healthcare costs. Thus, prophylactic vaccination could be ideal for intervention against MDR <i>Acinetobacter</i> infection in susceptible populations. In this study, we employed immunoinformatics to identify peptides containing both putative B- and T-cell epitopes from proteins associated with <i>A. baumannii</i> pathogenesis. A novel <i>Acinetobacter</i> Multi-Epitope Vaccine (AMEV2) was constructed using an <i>A. baumannii</i> thioredoxin A (TrxA) leading protein sequence followed by five identified peptide antigens. Antisera from <i>A. baumannii</i> infected mice demonstrated reactivity to rAMEV2, and subcutaneous immunization of mice with rAMEV2 produced high antibody titer against the construct as well as peptide components. Immunization results in increased frequency of IL-4-secreting splenocytes indicative of a Th2 response. AMEV2-immunized mice were protected against intranasal challenge with a hypervirulent strain of <i>A. baumannii</i> and demonstrated reduced bacterial burden at 48 h. In contrast, all mock vaccinated mice succumbed to infection within 3 days. Results presented here provide insight into the effectiveness of immunoinformatic-based vaccine design and its potential as an effective strategy to combat the rise of MDR pathogens.Molecular Microbiology and Immunolog
Bridges Consumption Analysis for Oversize and Overweight Vehicles on Texas Roads
No full textTransportation infrastructure in Texas, U.S., particularly its extensive bridge network, plays a vital role in supporting economic growth and ensuring safe and efficient mobility. With over 57,000 bridges, including more than 22,000 culverts, Texas faces the challenge of maintaining its infrastructure while dealing with limited funding resources. This paper presents the findings of a study conducted for the Texas Department of Transportation that focused on assessing the costs associated with bridge consumption by oversize and overweight (OS/OW) vehicles. The study aimed to calculate bridge consumption costs per mile for different OS/OW categories, considering factors such as axle load, spacing, bridge design life, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). These consumption costs were calculated by analyzing traffic data and bridge inventory ratings. The results showed that, although OS/OW vehicles are responsible for the majority of the bridge consumption costs per mile, their lower VMT, relative to regular commercial vehicles, mitigates their influence on total bridge consumption costs to less than 15% of the total. The findings of this study can contribute to the ongoing efforts of transportation engineers and policymakers in addressing funding deficits and developing strategies to sustain the state’s bridge infrastructure.This work was supported by an Interagency Contract with the Texas Department of Transportation.Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Construction Managemen
Surface Chemical Effects on Fischer–Tropsch Iron Oxide Catalysts Caused by Alkali Ion (Li, Na, K, Cs) Doping
No full textAmong the alkali metals, potassium is known to significantly shift selectivity toward value-added, heavier alkanes and olefins in iron-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts. The aim of the present contribution is to shed light on the mechanism of action of alkaline promoters through a systematic study of the structure–reactivity relationships of a series of Fe oxide FTS catalysts promoted with Group I (Li, Na, K, Cs) alkali elements. Reactivity data are compared to structural data based on in situ, synchrotron-based XRD and XPS, as well as temperature-programmed studies (TPR-H<sub>2</sub>, TPC-CO, TPD-CO<sub>2</sub>, and TPD-H). It has been observed that the alkali elements induced higher carburization rates, higher basicities, and lower adsorbed hydrogen coverages. Catalyst stability followed the trend Na-Fe > unpromoted > Li-Fe > K-Fe > Cs-Fe, being consistent with the ability of the alkali (Na) to prevent active site loss by catalyst reoxidation. Potassium was the most active in promoting high &alpha; hydrocarbon formation. It is active enough to promote CO dissociative adsorption (and the formation of FeCx active phases) and decrease the surface coverage of H-adsorbed species, but it is not so active as to cause premature catalyst deactivation by the formation of a carbon layer resulting in the blocking active sites.Biomedical Engineering and Chemical EngineeringMechanical Engineerin
Navigating Culture and Language: Using a Culturally Relevant Lens to Examine High School Spanish II Classrooms
No full textThe aim of this study was the exploration of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP), culturally responsive teaching (CRT), culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP), and critical race pedagogy for world language teaching (CRPWLT) in high school Spanish II classes. The purpose was to determine how and why teachers integrate cultural competence in their curricula and how their teaching styles impact student engagement and learning. The research study took place in South Texas, across an eight-week timeframe, and consisted of classroom observations of two Spanish high school teachers from two different school districts, the collection of curricular artifacts, one-on-one interviews with each of the teachers, and two student focus group interviews. Data was analyzed and coded through thematic analysis to identify key findings. Furthermore, this study concluded that incorporating culturally relevant-based methods leveraged students? appreciation for diverse cultures, enhanced their engagement, and promoted more profound connections to the Spanish language.Bicultural-Bilingual Studie