University Of Texas At Arlington Research Articles

Management of Information Security

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsJoseph S. MollickJoseph S. Mollick is an assistant professor of management information systems at the College of Business at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC). He earned the PhD degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). His major field of study was information systems and minor fields were organization theory, business strategy and statistics. In addition to the PhD, he has two master’s degrees and two bachelor’s degrees. He earned a master of sciences degree in information systems from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). For the master of business administration (MBA) and the bachelor of business administration (BBA) degrees he studied at Saint Edward’s University, Austin, Texas. His bachelor of arts (BA) degree from Notre Dame College (NDC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, was in the humanities--economics, social welfare, language and literature. His research interest is in the intersection of strategy, law and ethics of managing information and knowledge resources. Before coming to TAMU-CC, he taught at SIUC, UTA and Notre Dame College. His research articles have been published in journals such as the Journal of International Technology and Information Management, Journal of Information Privacy and Security, The Journal of Academic Administration in Higher Education, and Issues in Information Systems.

Neural Network Feedback Control: Work at UTA’s Automation and Robotics Research Institute

This is an outline of research in neural networks for feedback control done since the mid 1990s at the Automation and Robotics Research Institute (ARRI) of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). It shows how the developments of Intelligent Control Systems based on neural networks have followed three main generations. This statement provides a short, broad-brush perspective on the development of intelligent neural feedback controllers.

Evaluation of a Modified Soluble Sulfate Determination Method for Fine-Grained Cohesive Soils

Abstract Soluble sulfate measurement in subgrade soils is an integral part of geotechnical investigations due primarily to sulfate-induced heave distress problems experienced by certain chemically treated sulfate soils. Sulfate measurements will assist engineers in the selection of appropriate soil stabilization methods in construction projects. There are no ASTM test methods that provide sulfate measurements in soils. Current methods including the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) method, which are based on gravimetric procedures, often provide test results with high standard deviations. A modified UTA method, which was developed by addressing the limitations of the earlier methods, is presented in this paper. This procedure is evaluated for reproducible and reliable sulfate measurements in three artificial soils and one natural soil. The modified procedure provided reproducible sulfate measurements for all soils with coefficients of variations (COV) less than 10%. These results matched with ion chromatography measurements, which indicate that the modified method provided reliable measurements.

A Redescription of Atheris squamigera (Serpentes: Viperidae) with Comments on the Validity of Atheris anisolepis

-We provide a redescription of the holotype of Atheris squamigera (Hallowell), which previously was reported as lost We show that characters used to differentiate A. anisolepis Mocquard are either present in the holotype of A. squamigera (a male), or are sexually dimorphic traits found in female A. squamigera. We consider A. anisolepis to be a junior synonym of A. squamigera. e etology, Vol. 34, No. 3, p . 386-389, 20 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles i i of theris squamigera (Serpentes: Viperidae) with t e alidity of Atheris anisolepis Atheris squamigera of Central Africa is a widespread species renowned for its variability (Spawls and Branch 1995). Since its description by Hallowell (1856), A. squamigera has had a tangled taxonomic history, incorporating numerous variously recognized synonyms and subspecies (reviewed in McDiarmid et al., 1999). Of particular contention has been the recognition of Atheris anisolepis Mocquard (1887). Recent treatments have recognized this taxon as distinct from A. squamigera (Broadley, 1996, 1998; McDiarmid et al., 1999), or as a subspecies (Golay et al., 1993). Trape and Roux-Esteve (1995) also supported the validity of A. anisolepis, but recognized the taxon as A. laeviceps Boettger (1887). Appearing at the end of 1887, Boettger's A. laeviceps is considered a junior synonym of A. anisolepis (reviewed in Broadley, 1998; McDiarmid 3 Present Address: Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave., S.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30315-1440, USA. t al., 1999). However, both McDiarmid et al. (1999) and Broadley (1996, 1998) have commented on the uncertainty that persists over the validity of A. anisolepis. Adding to the confusion surrounding Atheris squamigera and A. anisolepis, Hughes and Barry (1969) reported the holotype of A. squamigera (ANSP 6949) as lost. Apparently, no authority has re-examined and reported on the type of A. squamigera since its original description, leading to the tentative recognition of A. anisolepis by McDiarmid et al. (1999) and Broadley (1996, 1998). To address the status of Atheris anisolepis Mocquard, we examined 31 specimens of A. squamigera, including the holotype re-discovered in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and topotypic A. anisolepis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Characters in the description and systematic account follow those used in recent treatments 386 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.146 on Tue, 23 Aug 2016 05:04:13 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms REDESCRIPTION OF ATHERIS SQUAMIGERA of the genus by Broadley (1998) and Lawson (1999). Features of scalation were examined by holding preserved specimens under a dissecting microscope. Scale terminology generally is that of Klauber (1956), except for the terms suprarostrals, interoculabials, and interorbitals in keeping with Broadley (1998). Interrictal counts were made by counting scales across the back of the head between the posterior supralabials. Dorsal scale rows were counted approximately one head-length posterior to the head, at midbody, and approximately one head-length anterior to the vent. Color descriptions in preservative are based on the standard of Smithe (1975). Snout-vent length (SVL) and tail length were measured to the nearest mm using a meter stick. Other standard measurements were taken to the nearest 0.1 mm using a dial caliper held under a dissecting microscope. Museum abbreviations refer to Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP), American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), and The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). A list of specimens examined is given in Appendix 1. To clarify confusion surrounding the highly variable Atheris squamigera and the variously recognized A. anisolepis, we provide the following redescription and diagnosis of A. squamigera.

A New Species of Phrynopus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Elfin Forest in the Bolivian Andes

-A new species of Phrynopus is described from elfin forest (3450 m) in the Yungas of La Paz, Bolivia. The new species is most readily differentiated from its congeners by its distinctive coloration, smooth skin, basal webbing, and first finger much shorter than second. RESUMEN.-Se describe una nueva especie de Phrynopus procedente de ceja de montafia (3450) en los Yungas de La Paz, Bolivia. La nueva especie se distingue de los demis miembros del genero por su color distintivo, piel lisa, membrana basal en las patas, y primer dedo de la mano mas corto que el segundo. The leptodactylid frogs of the genus Phrynopus occur in paramo, subparamo, and cloud forests along the eastern slopes of the Andes in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. They were reviewed by Lynch (1975) who recognized 14 species. Since that review, Syrrhophus juninensis Shreve was shown to be a species of Phrynopus (Cannatella, 1985) rather than Telmatobius as originally thought (Lynch, 1978), and six new species have been described (Cannatella, 1984; Lynch, 1986; Hedges, 1990; De la Riva, 1992). In Bolivia, three species have been reported previously. Phrynopus laplacai occurs from paramo to cloud forest in the Yungas of La Paz (Cei, 1968; Ergueta, 1993). The newly described species P. kempffi is known only from cloud forest along the crests of mountains in the Serrania de Siberia (De la Riva, 1992). De la Riva (1990) predicted the occurrence of Phrynopus peruvianus in Bolivia, and this species's presence in the country was later confirmed for the department of La Paz (Kohler, 1995). While exploring the headwaters of the Rio Miguillas, La Paz, Fernando Guerra and Eduardo Foro discovered a fourth species of Phrynopus from Bolivia. We propose that this new species be called Phrynopus pinguis sp. nov. Fig. 1 Holotype.-CBF (Colecci6n Boliviana de Fauna) 1906, an adult female collected at Choquetanga Chico, Provincia Inquisivi, Departamento La Paz, Bolivia by J. Fernando Guerra S. and Eduardo Forno G on 18 August 1994. Paratypes (two males, five females).-CBF 190708, CBF 1911-12, and UTA (University of Texas at Arlington) 48731-33 collected with the holotype. Diagnosis.-A small species of Phrynopus (SVL to 20.1 mm) possessing the following characteristics: (1) dentigerous process and teeth absent; (2) tympanum visible under skin; (3) first finger much shorter than second; (4) tips of digits slightly swollen, not expanded laterally; (5) webbing of toes basal, lateral fringes absent; (6) two metatarsal tubercles, no tarsal fold; (7) skin of dorsum and venter smooth; (8) adults rotund with legs short relative to SVL; (9) dorsum charcoal-gray; (10) venter immaculate yellow or charcoal-gray. Phrynopus pinguis is most likely to be confused with the possibly sympatric species P. peruvianus. The new species differs from P. peruvianus (characteristics in parenthesis) by having the first finger much shorter than the second (slightly longer or equal to second), basal webbing (basal webbing absent on toes), and short legs (long legs) relative to its SVL. Phrynopus laplacai occurs in similar habitats as P. pinguis (Ergueta, 1993) and in adjacent valleys to the type locality of the new species. However, the new species is much smaller (P. laplacai reaches SVL of 33.4 mm fide Ergueta, 1993), has smooth skin (areolate), has the first finger shorter than the second (longer), and has basal webbing (no basal webbing). Phrynopus pinguis is distantly allopatric from the remaining species of Bolivian Phrynopus, P. kempffi, and differs by having the dorsum charcoal-gray (reddish brown) and venter immaculate yellow or charcoal-gray (venter cream with white and/or black spots). Description.-Body rotund; head not distinct from neck, 24% of snout-vent length; head about three-fourths as long as wide (Fig. 2); interorbital region flat; cranial crests absent; eyelid width about three-fourths of interorbital distance; snout round in dorsal view and in profile; This content downloaded from 157.55.39.139 on Sat, 26 Nov 2016 04:07:13 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms NEW BOLIVIAN PHRYNOPUS FIG. 1. Holotype on left (dorsal aspect, SVL = 20.1 aspect, CBF 1910) of Phrynopus pinguis sp. nov. lips not flared; nostrils not protuberant; snout short; eye-nostril distance about equal to distance from nostril to tip of snout; interarial region not depressed; canthus slightly concave, rounded in cross section; loreal region sloping and only weakly concave; tympanum visible under skin; dorsal and caudal edges of tympanic annulus concealed by low supratympanic fold; diameter of tympanum about half of eye diameter; tongue oval, lacking posterior notch; choanae oval at anterolateral edge of palate, widely spaced, and dorsal to palatal shelf; dentigerous processes of vomer absent. Skin of venter and dorsum smooth but with numerous round, cream-colored glands under its surface; folds and tubercles entirely lacking from dorsal and ventral surfaces other than on

An engineering practices course

A so-called capstone design course at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) that maximizes engineering practices is described. The central design project is essentially used as a vehicle for the presentation and experience of engineering practices. To the extent possible, the students are afforded a real-life industry experience. They work in teams, select and propose their systems/projects, specify their systems, plan their projects in depth, design and test their systems, document and orally present their project, and demonstrate their systems. Where appropriate, practices lecture topics are synchronized with the project requirement, providing student preparation and reinforcement. Although the course is part of the Computer Science Engineering program (continuously ABET accredited since 1983), the format and most of the specifics can be applied to any engineering discipline.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

PROJECT INVESTMENT ANALYSIS AND ANTICIPATED GOVERNMENT MANDATED EXPENDITURES

Dr. Trivoli is Associate Professor of Finance and Director of the Center for Business Services, University of Texas atArlington. This study was supported by a grantfrom the Organized Research Fund administered by the Graduate School, University of Texas at Arlington. Many valuable contributions were made by Paul W. Allen, General Dynamics Corp., and Jack P. Friedman, University of Texas at Arlington.

Project Investment Analysis and Anticipated Government Mandated Expenditures

Dr. Trivoli is Associate Professor of Finance and Director of the Center for Business Services, University of Texas atArlington. This study was supported by a grantfrom the Organized Research Fund administered by the Graduate School, University of Texas at Arlington. Many valuable contributions were made by Paul W. Allen, General Dynamics Corp., and Jack P. Friedman, University of Texas at Arlington.

A New Striped Treefrog from Central Colombia

Hyla wandae is described from the western edge of the Colombian Ilanos. It seems most closely related to Hyla staufferi, H. parkeri, and H. squalirostris, from which it differs in structural features and color pattern. The mating call of H. wandae is a distinctive series of loud, harsh, regularly repeated notes. Mr. Jerry Glidewell and the senior author collected ten specimens of an apparently unnamed hylid frog in June, July, and August 1969, in Central Colombia. The collecting locality, near Villavicencio, lies at the base of the eastern Andes in what once may have been piedmont forest (Bates, 1948), but is now cleared pasture-land. The frogs were calling from grass clumps and low shrubs around temporary pasture pools. Specimens are deposited in the U. S. National Museum (USNM), The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Arizona State University (ASU), University of Kansas Museum of Natural History (KU), and American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Hyla wandae, sp. nov. (Fig. 1) Holotype. USNM 192305; 12 km NNE of Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia; elevation about 580 m; 30 July 1969; Jerry R. Glidewell and William F. Pyburn, collectors. Paratypes. USNM 192306-192310 (5 specimens), same data as holotype; UTA 2819, ASU 13129, 13 August 1969, same locality; UTA 2821, 21 June 1969, same locality; KU 131717, 18 km NNE of Villavicencio, 620 m. Diagnosis. Small hylids (males to 26.9 mm snout-vent) of the rubra complex, with 4 dark, dorsolateral stripes; indistinct transverse bars on shanks. Snout pointed; head about as long as wide or slightly longer; tympanum about half of eye diameter; no ulnar or tarsal folds. Digital discs subtruncate, those of finger 3 and 4 and toe 4 about as wide as tympanum; finger webbing virtually lacking; toes about two-thirds webbed, reduced to vestige between toes 1 and 2. Mating call a sequence of short, harsh, regularly repeated buzzes; note duration somewhat greater than interval between notes. Description of Holotype. Adult male, snout-vent length 23.4mm. Head flat, about as wide (7.5mm) as long (7.7mm); dorsal aspect of snout pointed, lateral aspect of snout acutely rounded and projecting beyond lower jaw; snout rather elongate (3.5mm, anterior corner of eye to tip of snout); canthus rounded; loreal region nearly flat (barely concave); nostrils somewhat protuberant, the internarial distance (1.6mm) less than width of upper eyelid (1.9mm); eyes somewhat protuberant, length (2.5mm) almost equal to interorbital distance (2.6mm) and greater than eye (anterior corner) to nostril (posterior edge) (2.2mm); tympanum distinct, small (1.3mm), its diameter about half of eye length; a weak supratympanic fold covers the dorsal edge of the