South Texas College

About: South Texas College is a education organization based out in McAllen, Texas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cluster analysis & Higher education. The organization has 66 authors who have published 91 publications receiving 1104 citations. The organization is also known as: South Texas Community College.

Standard methods for American foulbrood research.

Abstract: Summary American foulbrood is one of the most devastating diseases of the honey bee. It is caused by the spore-forming, Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. The recent updated genome assembly and annotation for this pathogen now permits in-depth molecular studies. In this paper, selected techniques and protocols for American foulbrood research are provided, mostly in a recipe-like format that permits easy implementation in the laboratory. Topics covered include: working with Paenibacillus larvae, basic microbiological techniques, experimental infection, and “’omics” and other sophisticated techniques. Further, this chapter covers other technical information including biosafety measures to guarantee the safe handling of this pathogen.

Preliminary insight into cloud computing adoption in a developing country

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of cloud computing adoption (CCA) in a developing country context through the lens of the technology, organisation and environment (TOE) framework. Design/methodology/approach – The study was carried out using the quantitative research methodology based on a survey of 305 organisations from different industries in Ghana. Based on the TOE framework, a conceptual model consisting of ten hypotheses were proposed and tested through a confirmatory factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. Findings – The findings indicate that relative advantage, security concern, top management support, technology readiness, competitive pressure and trading partners’ pressure were the TOE factors found to be significant in CCA in a developing country context. Conversely, firm size, scope, compatibility and regulatory support were found to be insignificant. Originality/value – This study provides insights into CCA across different industries in a dev...

Adaptive deployable entry and placement technology (ADEPT): A feasibility study for human missions to mars

Abstract: The present paper describes an innovative, semi-rigid, mechanically deployable hypersonic decelerator system for human missions to Mars. The approach taken in the present work builds upon previous architecture studies performed at NASA, and uses those findings as the foundation to perform analysis and trade studies. The broad objectives of the present work are: (i) to assess the viability of the concept for a heavy mass (landed mass ≈40 mT) Mars mission through system architecture studies; (ii) to contrast it with system studies previously performed by NASA; and (iii) to make the case for a Transformable Entry System Technology. The mechanically deployable concept at the heart of the proposed transformable architecture is akin to an umbrella, which in a stowed configuration meets launch requirements by conforming to the payload envelope in the launch shroud, and when deployed in earth orbit forms a large aerosurface designed to provide the necessary aerodynamic forces upon entry into the Martian atmosphere. The aerosurface is a thin skin draped over high-strength ribs; the thin skin or fabric with flexible material serves as the thermal protection system, and the ribs serve as the structure. A four-bar linkage mechanism allows for a reorientation of the aerosurface during aerocapture or during the entry and descent phases of atmospheric flight, thus providing a capability to navigate and control the vehicle and make possible precision landing. The actuators and mechanisms that are used to deploy the aerosurface are multi-functional in that they also allow for reorienting the

Automated Essay Scoring Versus Human Scoring: A Comparative Study

Abstract: The current research was conducted to investigate the validity of automated essay scoring (AES) by comparing group mean scores assigned by AES and human raters. Data collection included two standardized writing tests – WritePlacer Plus and the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) writing test. The research sample of 107 participants was drawn from a Hispanic serving institution in South Texas. The One-Way Repeated-Measures ANOVA and the follow-up Paired Samples t test were conducted to examine the group mean differences. Results of the tests indicated that the mean score assigned by IntelliMetric™ was significantly higher than faculty human raters’ mean score on WriterPlacer Plus test, and IntelliMetric™ mean score was also significantly higher than THEA mean score assigned by human raters from National Evaluation Systems. A statistically significant difference also existed between the human raters’ mean score on WritePlacer Plus and human raters’ mean score on THEA. These findings did not corroborate previous studies that reported non-significant mean score differences between AES and human scoring.