Digital Commons @ Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Not a member yet
3365 research outputs found
Sort by
Agent-Based Modeling to Assess Optimal Conditions for Reducing Pathogenic Air Transmission
Get PDFSARS-CoV-2 is a virus that is spread through aerosol transmission, meaning the viral particles can stay suspended in the air when in an aerosol. To study how viral particles disperse through aerosol we used the bacteriophage Phi6 as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2. We released an aerosolized bacteriophage into the air using a nebulizer and placed plates containing a host organism at different distances and durations of exposure that the phage would kill when encountering. This allowed us to calculate rates of transmission, which were then used to create an agent-based model in Netlogo. This model can then be used to further analyze how the virus spreads and make inferences about how safe different settings would be. If we can experimentally determine to what extent airflow and air change rates in a room affect aerosol transmission, we can optimize HVAC settings to decrease transmission
Exploring the Association Between Humility and Self-Compassion
Get PDFHumility is virtue that allows one to pursue life with limited pride or arrogance. Humble people tend to view themselves accurately, and tend to be aware and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses. We wondered whether humble people would be more self-compassionate. Self-compassionate people are more likely to treat themselves with kindness, and mindfulness, especially when faced with adverse events. As such, it would make sense that humble people, who have the ability to assess their own faults and gifts, can extend themselves grace and kindness in the face of adversity. To test this association, we asked participants to complete an online study where they provided responses to measure humility and self-compassion. We are currently in the process of analyzing the data, and expectto find that humility is positively correlated with self-compassion. This research has the potential to inform how people achieve growth in the spirit of positive psychology
Water Resources Science and Technology Fall Seminar Series: Dr. Gizelle Luevano (Edwards Aquifer Authority)
No full textDr. Gizelle Luevano, Lead Hydrologic Data Coordinator for the Edwards Aquifer Authority, introduces the basics of the Edwards Aquifer\u27s geohydrology and its vulnerability, the history of regulation to protect the sustainability of the aquifer, and her experience with using GIS to manage data
The Relationship between Balance Confidence and Center of Pressure in Lower-Limb Prosthesis Users
Get PDFBackground: Agreement between the activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) and center of pressure (CoP) in prosthesis users is still very much unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the agreement between ABC and CoP in lower-limb prosthesis users. Methods: Twenty-one individuals with lower-limb prostheses were recruited. Participants were provided with the ABC scale and performed static balance tasks during eyes opened (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions whilst standing on a force platform. Pearson product moment coefficients between CoP displacements and ABC scores were performed. Participants were also stratified by those who had better (≥80 on ABC scale) and less (\u3c80 on ABC scale) perceived balance confidence. Displacement was compared using an independent t-test with Cohen’s d to estimate effect size with alpha set at 0.05 for these tests. Results: There was a significant inverse moderate relationship between eyes opened displacement (EOD) (18.3 ± 12.5 cm) and ABC (75.1 ± 18.3%), r = (19)−0.58, p = 0.006, as well as eyes closed displacement (ECD) (37.7 ± 22.1 cm) and ABC, r = (19)−0.56, p = 0.008. No significant difference in EOD (t(19) = 1.36, p = 0.189, d = 0.61) and ECD (t(19) = 1.47, p = 0.156, d = 0.66) was seen between those with greater and less balance confidence. Conclusions: Self-report and performance-based balance outcome measures are recommended when assessing lower-limb prostheses users
Decolonizing the English Literary Curriculum
No full textAn international team of leading scholars illustrate the necessity and advantages of reforming the English Literary Curriculum from specific decolonial perspectives in this book, using evidence-based arguments from classroom contexts, as well as establishing new critical agendas.https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/engl_books/1006/thumbnail.jp
Risk Assessment of Urban Development in the Recharge Zone of the Karstic Edwards Aquifer: A Literature Survey and Analysis
Get PDFThe Edwards Aquifer is a unique groundwater system and provides drinking water for millions of people in Central Texas. Central Texas has seen an increase in urban development across this region and poses a threat to its water supply and water quality. A literature review and an analysis of existing risk assessment frameworks was conducted to gather information about the Edwards Aquifer and other karst aquifers around the world. The information gathered from the literature review and analysis assisted in the development of the Edwards Aquifer Vulnerability Interface. This tool identifies vulnerable areas in the Edwards Aquifer and can strengthen existing laws and protocols for urban development in this region. The Edwards Aquifer Vulnerability can ultimately prevent further degradation caused by anthropogenic activities and can play a crucial role in protecting the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer
Conversational Agents for Mental Health and Well-being: Discovering Design Recommendations Using Text Mining
Get PDFConversational agents are increasingly being used by the general population due to shortages in healthcare providers and specialists, and limited access to treatments. They are also used by people to deal with loneliness and lack of companionship. As these apps are increasingly replacing real humans, there is a need to explore their design features and limitations for better design of conversational apps. Using text mining and topic modeling, this study analyzed a total of 126,610 reviews about Replika, a popular and well-established conversational agent mobile app. Our results emphasized current practices for designing conversational apps while at the same time sheds the light on limitations associated with these apps. Such limitations are related to the need for better conversations and intelligent responses, the need for advanced AI chatbots, the need to avoid questionable and inappropriate content, the need for inclusive design, and the need to address some technical limitations
One Size Does NOT Fit All: Understanding Differences in Perceived Organizational Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 crisis forced organizations to radically rethink how to lead their workforce. Facing an unprecedented drop in consumer demand, business leaders struggled to balance staying financially solvent with the responsibility of supporting their employees during the crisis. Early surveys found many employees did not perceive their organizations communicated a clear plan of action; others questioned whether their employers cared about workers\u27 health and safety. While researchers have examined perceived organizational support, studies are only now starting to examine workers\u27 perceived support during a pandemic. The study used a mixed method design to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 949 workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Results revealed employees working outside the home and furloughed workers perceived lower quality support than employees working remotely. While some employees recommended changes to create a safer work environment, others suggested more frequent communication and/or reassurance about job security/pay. The findings suggest leaders should recognize the nature of support workers need varies. Leaders should customize support to meet the needs of specific groups, especially essential employees working outside the home and furloughed workers. Beyond the pandemic, the results suggest organizational leaders should reexamine their approach to employee support to better prepare for future crises
Water Resources Science and Technology Fall Seminar Series: Purshotam Juriasingani (Tetra Tech)
No full textMr. Juriasingani is a Program Director for Research and Development of innovative PFAS treatment technologies (and other emerging contaminants). He shared some of the updated regulation and mitigation methods as well as the challenges to removing these contaminants from water and soil
Water Resources Science and Technology Fall Seminar Series: Gregg Eckhardt (San Antonio Water System)
No full textMr. Eckhardt is a true veteran of the San Antonio Water System. A native of San Antonio, he has a passion for the history of the Edwards Aquifer and the role it plays in the water management framework for San Antonio as the area developed over the years