University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Institutional Repository
Welcome to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Institutional Repository.
Bienvenidos al Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez.
Recent Submissions
Publication Restricted Modelando decisiones de desalojo en respuesta a alertas de inundación(2026-06-11)Esta investigación desarrolló un modelo para estimar el comportamiento de evacuación de residentes en zonas inundables de Puerto Rico ante la recepción de alertas de inundación basadas en aplicaciones móviles. Para ello, se diseñó una encuesta de preferencias declaradas, en la que 189 participantes respondieron ocho escenarios hipotéticos de alerta, definidos según tres atributos: canal de comunicación, confiabilidad de la alerta y tiempo de anticipación. Las alternativas de respuesta fueron evacuar inmediatamente, evacuar más tarde o no evacuar. A partir de estas respuestas, se estimó un modelo logit multinomial, consistente con el marco del modelado de elección discreta. Los resultados mostraron que la confiabilidad de la alerta es el factor con mayor influencia sobre la decisión de evacuación, ya que aumenta significativamente la probabilidad de evacuar inmediatamente y reduce la probabilidad de no evacuar. También se observó que tiempos de anticipación mayores tienden a disminuir la urgencia percibida, mientras que el canal de difusión presentó un efecto menor y menos estable. En conjunto, los hallazgos evidencian que la efectividad de una alerta móvil depende más de la credibilidad del mensaje y de cómo comunica la inmediatez del riesgo que del medio específico por el cual se transmite. La investigación aporta evidencia aplicada al contexto puertorriqueño y ofrece una base útil para el diseño de sistemas de alerta temprana más efectivos y adaptados a comunidades vulnerables ante inundaciones.Publication Restricted Microbiome dynamics in healthy and SCTLD-diseased colonies of foundational coral species in La Parguera, Puerto Rico(2026-06-10)Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) is a rapidly spreading and highly virulent coral disease that has caused significant mortality throughout the northern Caribbean since 2014. Despite its impact, the pathogenic mechanisms and microbiome dynamics associated with the disease remain poorly understood. In this study, bacterial communities were characterized before and during infection in five coral species: Montastraea cavernosa, Colpophyllia natans, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Diploria labyrinthiformis, and Orbicella faveolata from La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR), southwestern Puerto Rico. Tissue and mucus samples were collected from at least 10 tagged, healthy colonies of each species prior to the arrival of SCTLD in LPNR. Following infection, samples were collected from lesion margins and apparently healthy tissues of the same diseased colonies (collection permit ##2020-IC-017 – O-VS-PVS15-SJ-01097-05112019), as well as from nearby visually healthy control colonies. Microbial communities were characterized using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results revealed significant changes in bacterial community composition and abundance, with Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Bacteroidia dominating across species and health conditions. PERMANOVA detected significant differences in microbial composition between diseased and healthy tissues (R² = 0.09-0.34, p < 0.05), with stronger separation observed in M. cavernosa and P. strigosa than in other species. Differential abundance analyses showed enrichment of opportunistic and anaerobic taxa in diseased tissues, including members of Clostridia (e.g., Tepidibacter) and sulfate-reducing bacteria, suggesting disease-associated microbiome disruption. These findings are consistent with previous studies and demonstrate that microbial responses to SCTLD vary among host species, supporting a model of microbial dysbiosis rather than the involvement of a single potentially pathogenic bacterial taxon.Publication Restricted Examining the integration of social and educational justice initiatives in a STEM-focused project at a minority serving institution(2026-06-10)One of the objectives of the Center for Advanced Radio Sciences and Engineering (CARSE), is to provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines so they can enrich their educational training and acquire research experiences. Moreover, CARSE, which was founded in 2022 with support from the National Science Foundation, includes an outreach component through a collaboration with the Center for University Access (CUA), an educational justice program established in 2007 at UPRM to provide opportunities to bridge inequality gaps for underserved youth enrolled in public schools in Mayagüez. This investigation focuses on documenting the overall impact of the integration of social and educational justice content into CARSE’s STEM endeavors. The research methods employed in the investigation include individual interviews, focus groups, observations, and surveys used to collect data from CARSE staff, students, and faculty. This research project explored how outreach components focusing on issues of social and educational justice impact the research and work conducted by CARSE participants. The findings show that inclusion of subjects pertaining to social and educational justice in the training of CARSE participants positively affected their work in the program. The participants incorporate these topics while conducting their training and research and showcase greater communication skills in their fields of interest.Publication Restricted Evaluación química y funcional de la harina de okara para su incorporación en productos de panificación(2026-06-10)Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a protein-rich legume used in the production of tofu and soy milk. Its processing generates okara, a by-product rich in protein and fiber. In Puerto Rico, the Hinson and PR cultivars have been developed. However, the okara obtained from these cultivars has not been previously studied. This research evaluated the chemical and functional properties of okara flour subjected to different drying treatments, with the purpose of producing cookies using the flour with the greatest functionality. The selected sample was freeze-dried Hinson, which presented 40.86% protein, 16.39% fat, 4.94% ash, 33.93% carbohydrates, 3.88% moisture, and 0.19 water activity, demonstrating potential as a raw material for baked products. In addition, it presented a lightness value of 83.18, saturation of 20.79, whiteness index of 72.77, water absorption capacity of 2.69 g/g, and oil absorption capacity of 3.47 g/g. Microbiological analyses showed acceptable values for Hinson flour. Subsequently, cookies were prepared with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% okara. As the okara concentration increased, pH, color, diameter, thickness, and spread ratio increased, while texture decreased, except in the 10% formulation. Finally, a sensory panel was conducted with the control cookies and those formulated with 20%, 30%, and 40% okara to determine the best formulation based on flavor. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using okara in cookie production as a nutritious alternative and a strategy for agroindustrial valorization.Publication Restricted Efectos del pastoreo de ovinos en la escorrentía superficial y la salud del suelo utilizando monitoreo en el borde del campo(2026-06-08)Grazing of small ruminants on sloping terrain can intensify surface runoff and erosive processes, particularly in humid tropical regions. This study evaluated the effect of two grazing densities on surface runoff and soil health using automated edge-of-field monitoring in western Puerto Rico. Two fields with Ultisol and Oxisol soils, slopes ranging from 20 to 40%, and naturalized grass cover were evaluated under a controlled grazing system with low and high animal density. Surface runoff quantity and composition were quantified, and physical, chemical, and biological soil indicators were analyzed. During the monitoring period, 195 rainfall events were recorded with a total accumulated precipitation of 2299.8 mm, of which 62 generated measurable surface runoff. Grazing density did not significantly modify total annual runoff; however, high animal density slightly increased runoff during moderate rainfall events. High animal density presented lower soil pH values (5.49), higher exchangeable aluminum concentrations (0.618 cmolc/kg), and lower organic matter contents (5.50%) compared to the low animal density treatment (5.96, 0.013 cmolc/kg, and 6.05%, respectively).
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