Current Scholars

2012-2013 McNair Scholars

Title:

Illustrating the Spread of Christianity Through the Use of Mathematics

Abstract:

During early Christianity from 30 to 378 AD, a paradox phenomenon was perceived: As the Roman Empire tried to confine Christianity the more it spread an act that is contrary to what would be expected from a movement that was being attacked. Thus, there appears to be a correlation between the cost of being Christian and the motivation prompting the decisions. Also, the acts of faith professed by highly motivated Christians played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity. Thus, the project s goal is to illustrate the interaction between this paradox through the use of a discrete, probabilistic mathematical model called a Markov chain. As a result to the absence of numerical data on the population of the Greco-Roman world, arbitrary percentage values will be used to illustrate the transitions of the entire population. Dividing the population into three distinct yet overlapping classing highly motivated Christians, poorly motivated Christians and non-Christians will contribute to the illustration of the two states of Christianity: one before, during and after persecution and two before, during and after non-persecution. Furthermore, the probabilities required for the model will be supported through pertinent historical literature.

Title:

Factors Related to Contact During Social Interactions

Abstract:

Cetaceans are highly social animals found in small and/or large groupings. Many cetaceans develop social relationships or selective associations with each other between same sex adults , mixed sex adults, mothers and their calves, and calves with other calves. Within these associations, contact seems to influence the behavior and social interactions displayed. Much of what is known about contact and social relationships comes from the Delphinidae family while little is known about the Monodontidae family, or belugas (Delphinapterus leucas). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between social interactions and contact displayed by four mother-calf pairs located at Sea World San Antonio, with the primary focus on the first two years of each calf. Two videos per month for the first two years of each calf s life were randomly selected from the 1,000 available videos, representing 15-min focal-follows for each mother-calf pair. A total of 178 videos were coded for the following variables: time of day (AM/PM), initiator of contact, receiver of contact, body parts used to make contact, body part that received contact, type of contact (rub/touch), duration of contact, number of companions in pool, frequency and duration for the type of social interaction (affiliative pair swim, affiliative interaction, aggressive interaction, or sexual interaction) that occurred, and animal combination for each social interaction. The results of several regression analyses indicated that several different variables significantly influenced the average length of a social interaction and the average length of a contact event. These results suggest that while contact may play an important role in the development and maintenance of relationships, particularly mother-calf relationships, frequent contact is necessary to sustain contact events while other factors are important to sustain a social interaction, namely preferred partners.

Title:

Investigating Diet, Exercise, and Sleep in School-Aged Children: An Exploratory Study to Assess Methodologies

Abstract:

The current study looked into diet, sleep, and physical activity in children 8 to 13 years of age over the span of three days. Parents and participants were given a series of surveys at baseline, and followed up each day of the experiment through phone interviews and diaries. An accelerometer was given to each child to wear for the duration of the study. The research looked into the effects of sleep and peer and parental influences on a child s diet and health beliefs in order to prevent health problems in children, such as obesity and diabetes. The hypotheses stated that parental health practices influence a child s own, especially on younger participants, as well as that sleep schedules would be a major contributor to a child s physical activity and food intake.

Title:

A Conversation with the Glass Ceiling: Hispanic Female Speech Pattern and its Impact on Career Advancement

Abstract:

Gender pay disparity continues to devastate professionals in the United States, especially females in the professoriate, academic medicine, and law (Alexander v. Seton Hall University) (Jagsi et al., 2012) (Angel et al., 2010). Additionally, males who are members of racial minority groups earn less than equally qualified white men in entry-level jobs (Skinner, 2002). One possible explanation is that women and minorities are perceived to be less credible in the workplace and are thusly paid less. The present study is designed to help identify the optimal level of four voice qualities that demonstrate employee credibility for Hispanic women. Hispanic females at St. Mary s University were invited to participate in mock interviews. Six of the interviews were chosen on the basis of vocal diversity and abridged to two minutes. The abridged interviews will be sent to 50 national personnel recruiters and other hiring managers. The evaluators will listen to each of the six interview recordings and rate each applicant s credibility and hireability. Hierarchical analysis will determine the relationship of the levels of the four voice qualities and the evaluator s scores to attempt to identify an optimal level of voice qualities to convey credibility in the workplace. Further analysis will explore the relationship between the evaluators scores for each voice and the evaluator s demographic characteristics to determine if certain voice qualities are perceived as more credible across gender, age, and race. The research will aid Hispanic females in conveying credibility in the workplace.

Title:

When Newspapers Tweet: The Approaches Four Newspapers Take in Using Twitter

Abstract:

Newspapers emerged in the 17th century as a way to report the news, promote discussion and reach audiences. Four centuries later, newspaper organizations face heavy online competition and are wrestling with what do about it. While many continue publishing daily, many also use social media, like Twitter, "tweeting" differently to stake out audiences and experimenting online to see how best to do it. This research compared four newspapers and the main Twitter account of each to determine the approaches each takes as to what goes into print, what gets "tweeting" and what gets referenced. The results indicate variation in how the organizations approach Twitter and share news, and to what effect. While each organization has its own style, The New York Times appears to be acting more as a legacy medium than do The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the San Antonio Express-News, which seem to be experimenting more with the different tools available online to reach and serve their audiences.

Title:

Beliefs about Causation of Autism in a Hispanic and Anglo Cohort

Abstract:

In 2012, 1 in 88 children in the United States were diagnosed with autism which is a developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication and by behavior patterns that are repetitive and restrictive. Although the cause(s) of autism is unknown, parental surveys have been conducted to assess beliefs about causation of autism as it hypothesized that these beliefs influence decisions about health care. These surveys have been conducted on largely Anglo populations which is interesting as epidemiological studies show that Hispanic children are diagnosed with autism at lower rates than Anglo children. Reasons for lower diagnostic rates for Hispanic children may be due to language barriers, lowered utilization of health services, and/or lack of awareness about symptoms and causes of autism within Hispanic populations. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the causal beliefs of autism within the general population and to investigate whether beliefs differed between Hispanic and Anglo groups. Participants responded to an online survey and reported their degree of agreement to nine different proposed causes of autism which ranged from biological causes to environmental causes. Results showed that both Hispanics and Anglos were similar in their causal beliefs about autism and that both groups agreed more with biologically-based causes than environmentally-based causes.

Title:

A Smile for a Favor, A Compliment for your Self-Esteem: A comparison of inauthentic affection in children s and adults television programming

Abstract:

Although, much attention has been paid to aggressive behaviors in the media, little to no attention has been paid to other forms of antisocial behaviors. Furthermore, even less attention has been paid to inauthentic forms of pro-social behaviors, e.g., inauthentic affection. We defined inauthentic affection as a behavior that in appearance seems similar to affectionate behavior, but while authenticity would come from a desire to express genuine liking for a recipient of the act, the inauthentic act aims at some alternative goal. This study aimed to examine inauthentic affection in television programming. Specifically, we aimed to find the frequency of inauthentic affectionate acts in both children s and adult s television programming, and we compared the two. We recorded two hours of live television content for two weeks to serve as the sample; one week of each genre. This sample was coded for acts of inauthentic affection, and this data was analyzed for the frequency in each genre. Collectively, we found 246 acts of inauthentic affection in the sample, with 160 acts in children s programming and 86 in adults . Implications and limitations are discussed.

Title:

Vicarious Social Undermining and Negative Workplace Outcomes: An Exploration of the Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support

Abstract:

Social undermining is a covert and chronic type of workplace aggression that deliberately hinders a person s positive reputation and/or relationships in the workplace. Targets of social undermining experienced negative outcomes such as decreased job satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being. Victims of social undermining are also more likely to retaliate and engage in counterproductive workplace behaviors than employees who have not been victimized. Vicarious social undermining occurs when one observes social undermining but is not the direct target of the aggression. Employees who experience vicarious social undermining report increased job withdrawal, greater intention to quit and decreased supervisor satisfaction, compared to employees who do not experience vicarious social undermining. The present research investigates the possibility that perceived organizational support moderates the relationship between vicarious social undermining and these negative outcomes. Full-time and part-time employees (n=164) from a diverse set of industries completed an online questionnaire assessing their experience of vicarious social undermining, employee job withdrawal, intention to quit, supervisor satisfaction, organizational commitment and perceived organizational support. The results indicate that although vicarious social undermining is clearly related to harmful outcomes for the employee and the organization, these relationships do not appear to be moderated by perceived organizational support.

Title:

Product Placement in Spanish Language Telenovelas Broadcasted in the United States

Abstract:

Product placement has been present in American, English-language films and television since the early 1900s. Over the past ten years, product placement has steadily strengthened its presence in Spanish language programming, including the popular telenovelas, broadcasted in the United States. It has evolved from separated features in programs to a more sophisticated integration into storylines as demonstrated in the recent production of "Eva Luna" by Univision and Venevision in 2010. This paper reviewed the evolution of product placement in the Spanish language programming broadcasted in the United States and compared the frequency and types of product placement in Spanish language telenovelas broadcasted in Primetime over the course of a week. Noting the mass exportation of telenovelas from various countries of production, the paper explored the international implications of product placement on a brand.

Title:

Non-pharmaceutical interventions for individuals with ADHD: A prospectus paper examining neurofeedback therapy s effectiveness

Abstract:

Research on neurotherapy has existed for over a century, (Swingle, 2008), but the use of neurofeedback therapy to treat disorders is relatively new. One of the disorders for which neurofeedback therapy shows promising results is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Swingle, 2008; ADHD). The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy in Hispanic children and adolescents with ADHD. The study will also compare the efficacy of neurofeedback therapy for children and adults and Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Participants will be recruited at the St. Mary's University Family Life Center (FLC) in San Antonio, Texas. Participants will be at least 6 years old; previously diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM-IV-R; seeking non-pharmaceutical treatment for ADHD-related symptoms; and not taken any prescription drugs for ADHD in the last week. For the current proposal, researchers will examine symptoms of ADHD as measured pre- and post-therapy by the Tests of Variables of Analysis ("Introducing The Test", 2009). Based on previous literature (Mayer, Wyckoff, Schulz, & Strehl, 2012; White, Hutchens, & Lubar, 2005; Koehler, Lauer, Schreppel, Jacob, Heine, Boreatti-Hummer, & … Herrmann, 2009; Tinius & Tinius, 2000; Drechsler, Straub, Doehnert, Heinrich, Steinhausen, & Brandeis, 2007; Ahmadlou, Rostami, & Sadeghi, 2012, Strehl, Leins, Goth, Klinger, Hinterberger, & Birbaumer, 2006; Arns, de Ridder, Strehl, Breteler, & Coenen, 2009; Gevensleben, Holl, Albrecht, Vogel, Schlamp, Kratz, Studer, Rothenberger, Moll, & Heinrich, 2009), results are expected to indicate that participants had less ADHD-related behavior at post-assessment.

Title:

Reducing Rape in Refugee Camps

Abstract:

Rape in war has received increased attention over the years, first given its proclivity, and second because of variation in its occurrence across conflicts. We observe one particular context of rape in conflict zones - that which takes place in and around refugee camps. Although much of the existing literature has focused on the perpetrators of rape for explaining its variation, we shift the focus to refugee camp characteristics and their effects on rape proclivity. IGOs and NGOs contend that camp characteristics, including the provision of fuel resources, gender-sensitive camp design, the provision of police patrols, and use of community patrols, may reduce the incidence of rape, although these factors have received little attention in the scholarly literature. In order to assess and compare the effectiveness of these four camp characteristics for reducing the incidence of rape, we conduct a qualitative analysis of reports provided by the United Nations High Committee on Refugees (UNHCR), noting rape frequency and particular camp characteristics, for four Dadaab camps in Kenya. Ultimately, we find that the most effective means of protecting women from rape in refugee camps are camp design and the use of a local patrol unit, while the provision of resources is found to have little to no effect in reducing the incidence of rape overall. We hope this study will prompt further research of this phenomenon, as well as prescribe policies for developing safer living conditions for refugee camp residents.

Title:

Economic Viability of Photovoltaic Systems in Northern Illinois

Abstract:

A Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to calculate a Levelized Cost of Energy for a residential photovoltaic system in Illinois. The program used was the National Renewable Energy Laboratory-based System Advisor Model in order to take into account engineering and economic factors for analysis. Preliminary results were compiled for the cases including subsidies and not including subsidies. As expected, the utilization of subsidies warrants the investment in such systems whereas no subsidies render the implementation of photovoltaics beyond the means of the average consumer.

Title:

How do Latinas Compare? A Comparative study of Latinas in State Legislatures

Abstract:

This study compares and analyzes Latina state legislators currently serving in two states, Texas and Arizona. In addition, the Latina public officials were selected based on when they were first elected during the 1990s or from 2000 to the present. Secondary sources and phone interviews are utilized in this study. This study contributes to the increasing literature on Latina politics by investigating the differences and similarities between the Latinas with regard to their backgrounds and election to public office. In addition, their views on leadership and advocacy positions on immigration and specifically the DREAM Act are explored.

Title:

Being Human: The Legacy of Language and Healing

Abstract:

Language reflects medicine; it replenishes the withered essence of life with the enchanting words of the writer. Physician-writers, William Carlos Williams and Robert Coles represent an alliance of raw analytical medicine and the delicate patois of the writer. Conversations with practicing physicians, published interviews with Dr. Coles, and correspondence from Dr. Williams obtained from the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center unearth the restoration of the physician-writer by focusing on the human. The healing powers of language parallel those of the physician. If proper healing is to take place within the confinements of the ivory hospital, the eyes of a physician must see a human not a disease.

Title:

Solution Approaches for Facility Location Problems

Abstract:

In this article, we considered the solution approaches for the uncapacitated facility location problem where we located facility location sites to service the demand of retailers. Our goal was to minimize the run-time for the computational results in order to obtain an optimal solution. Using the Mixed-Integer Linear Program and the Explicit Enumeration Approaches, we evaluated the computational results: variables, constraints, optimal location sites, run-time, and optimal cost solutions and compared which method was more efficient in obtaining a solution. Both approaches gave us the same optimal solution and location sites, but the Mixed-Integer Linear Program performed at a faster run-time in obtaining an optimal solution. In addition, the Explicit Enumeration Approach had a longer run-time when more retailers were being evaluated, whereas the run-time Mixed-Integer Linear Program was less noticeably affected.

Title:

Cinco de Mayo: Political Propaganda, Conflict, Treason, Alliance and Victory from 1861-1867

Abstract:

Border interactions between the United States and Mexico are a political and policy practice that has recently made international headlines. However, conflict, commerce, military and diplomatic alliances between both nations are something that has been part of the borderland since the inception of New Spain, present day Mexico. On May 5, 1862 the Mexican people and government were tested against their will and democratic values when the French, led by Emperor Napoleon III, launched a military attack on the City of Puebla. The Mexican forces, seen as the underdogs, undermined the odds and defeated the French Imperial military. The conflict gave birth to what we know now as the celebration of El Cinco de Mayo. The battle gave birth to a conflict that lasted most of the 1860 s. The United States aided the liberal government, which was the recognized governing body, led by Benito Juarez. Juarez sent special agents to the United States to collect combat materials, men and financial support from the residents of the United States. The Mexican people suffered treason from their military, filibustering attempts from American and Mexican nationals, along with secret societies whose main target was to exploit the Mexican people during French rule.

Title:

Understanding a Revolution: Complexity Economics

Abstract:

Complexity Economics is a recent field, constantly discussed and debated about. Many economists don t agree with the application of complexity to the study and modeling of economic systems because of the broadness the ideas complexity comprehend and some develop and observe complexity models at a global level. The paper explores the historical background, ideas and development of complexity and complex systems and the applications to the economy. In order to prove the functionality of Complexity Economics, this paper examines the San Antonio economy and through research, develops a dynamic model that visually displays the interconnections between different industries at a local level. The software Gephi creates a "map" of the economy of San Antonio, linking industries in relation to how much they trade with one another, making it possible to visually study the different relations and clusters of industries that have the biggest effect in the economy. An industry that has many links to other industries can affect the patterns of behavior within the economy in comparison to those industries that have less links. This model supports the idea that economics functions as a complex system and should be modeled using the theory of complexity.

Title:

Regulation of Cx43 Hemichannels Through AKT Kinase in Bone Osteocytes

Abstract:

Connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannels in osteocytic cells are believed to play an important role for the release of bone modulators in response to mechanical loading, an important process in bone formation and remodeling. However, regulation of the opening of these hemichannels upon mechanical stimulation is fairly unknown. Through previous research, this lab showed that Cx43 interacts with integrin α5β1, which is a critical step in hemichannel opening. Mechanical stimulation in the form of fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) strengthened the interaction between Cx43 and integrin α5β1. Here, we showed that FFSS activated AKT, which was required to maintain the interaction between the two proteins. Inhibition of active AKT disrupted the interaction between Cx43 and integrin α5β1 and significantly reduced Cx43 hemichannel opening. Both integrin α5β1 and Cx43 are substrates of AKT and continuous fluid flow increased the phosphorylation of both the proteins by AKT. Therefore, AKT, activated by FFSS, directly phosphorylates Cx43 and integrin α5β1, which is a vital mediator of anabolic function of mechanical loading in the bone.

Title:

Towards Synthetic DNA-delivery Vehicles with Redox-triggered Release Properties

Abstract:

The discovery of new molecular materials that condense and deliver large DNA segments into mammalian cells is an important goal in genetic medicine such as the delivery of DNA vaccines and siRNA therapies. We will report a new type of Cu(II) vesicles developed with the ability to bind DNA strands and release them upon redox reactions with intracellular reducing agents such as gluthathione (GSH). The design, synthesis and characterization of the compound will be presented as well as its self-organizing properties and interactions with DNA strands. We will demonstrate that this new molecular design based on Cu(II) ions is redox-active and readily reacts with GSH to produce Cu(I) and disulfide GSSG that trigger the release of DNA from the condensates. The potential for this new molecular design to allow for the delivery of medicinal oligonucleotides via aerosol into the lungs will be discussed.

Title:

An Empirical Investigation of the link between Financial Performance and Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility: Information Technology Industry

Abstract:

The present study investigates the relationship between environmental aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial measures in the technology hardware industry. The study used regression analysis to examine the relationship by merging data from the CRSP and Socrates KLD databases and an extensive literature review on electronic waste and it s impact on the environment. Three models were developed. The dependent variables used where return on assets, return on sales, and Tobin s Q which measures market performance. The two dependent variables to represent corporate social responsibility were environmental strengths and environmental concerns from the KLD database. The results and implications from the analysis are presented.

Title:

Spatial Modeling of Resource Competition and Allelopathy

Abstract:

The research project presents a model of species competition and allelopathy that used a computational approach. Our work expanded on previous research which considered a nutrient competition with the added ability of one competitor to produce a toxin which kills an opposing competitor. Some species of algae, such as P. parvum, are known to create toxins when the amount of nutrients in its surrounding environment is low. Such poison production has had a negative impact on the Texas fishing industry. The method used for creating this model involved a system of partial differential equations that took into account the various nutrients and toxins that affected algae population growth. A basic model of nutrient diffusion across a single dimension was created and then expanded to include two nutrient competitors, one which was a poison-producer and the other which was a poison-susceptible. To simulate this environment we applied numerical methods, developed in the C++ programming language to solve the governing systems of partial differential equations quickly and efficiently. To visualize the data, we used the software package MathGL, which provided the appropriate C++ functions needed for plotting our data.

Title:

Gesture Based Nurse Call/Alert System

Abstract:

The demand for doctors and nurses as well as the amount of patients are increasing per year. This means that nurses have to take care of more patients at one time, and assisting each patient can become difficult when multiple patients require help at the same time. Patients call nurses for various reasons such as experiencing pain, bathroom assistance, or general patient comfort. Knowing what a call is for can allow nurses to react and help the patients quicker. To distinguish different alerts, a system that can differentiate between gestures can be implemented. A Microsoft Kinect sensor has the ability to detect a patient s body position in a room with its depth and infrared sensors. Using the Kinect, the system can track the position of the arms over time, and be able to detect a gesture such as raising either arm or swiping an arm across the body. Based on the different gestures, the system will alert the nurse central station with patient room number and type of alert. Knowing the type of alert a patient is calling for can be used to not only prioritize the alerts as they are received, but also reduce the time it takes a nurse to process an alert.

Title:

From Sovereignty to Dependence: A Cherokee Tale

Abstract:

The Cherokee people were once a proud and independent people who exercised sovereign command over an area that was roughly twenty-five million acres in what is currently the Southeastern United States. This project conducted a socio-political examination of the events leading up to Cherokee s removal from the lands east of the Mississippi River. It examined the legislative and executive actions geared towards stripping the Cherokee Nation of its sovereignty and forcing them to leave their ancestral lands. It also examined the actions the Cherokees took, specifically petitions before the United States Supreme Court, in an effort to maintain their lands. The ultimate aim was to explain, through historical narrative, the inevitability of the Cherokee s change in status.

Title:

Paying to Proliferate? Examining the Effects of Latent Nuclear Capabilities on U.S. Aid Distribution

Abstract:

Nuclear hedging refers to the political bargaining process in which state leaders threaten to further develop nuclear weapons, or allow for the perception that they may further develop nuclear weapons, in order to receive benefits from another state actor or international organization. In this study, we provide a theoretical explanation for why state leaders engage in nuclear hedging, utilizing a rational-choice approach which emphasizes the expected utility of such a policy. In order to test this assertion, we assess U.S. aid allocation from the perspective of a rising power to determine whether it pays to pose a potential nuclear threat. Using country-years as the unit of analysis, we conduct regression analysis, the results of which reveal that latent nuclear technology is a statistically significant determinant of U.S. aid, even when controlling for the effects of trade relations, formal military alliances, and target state regime type.

Title:

The Role of Capacity Building in the Success or Failure of Non-Profits

Abstract:

This study researched characteristics of effective capacity building initiatives in nonprofit organizations. Using case studies of very diverse nonprofits in San Antonio, Texas, this study illustrated that the meaning and goal of capacity building varied among nonprofits. The roles of the Directors of MERCED Housing of Texas, The Community Leadership Institute of Texas, and The Socially Responsible Investment Coalition were compared and contrasted focusing on organizational capacity building. Also, a board member of ACCION Texas was interviewed to ascertain the role the board of directors played in organizational capacity building. The study begins with an overview of scholarly research on the meaning of, significance of and effectiveness of organizational capacity building. Case studies of the four nonprofits and key points made by the four interviewees follow to analyze capacity building efforts in the four nonprofits.