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Beta Decay and Nucleosynthesis
Full text linkWe investigate the finite temperature and density effects on beta decay rate due to the change in electron mass through its interaction with the medium. The propagation of electrons and their interaction with the medium modifies the properties of electrons and affects the beta decay rate significantly. The modification in beta decay rate in various statistical conditions is related to the rate of nucleosynthesis in that background. The properties of other heavier leptons are also modified at higher temperatures, but they are not relevant for nucleosynthesis in the early universe. The detailed investigation of the chemical potential effect on the properties of leptons is also included in this thesis. We incorporate the chemical potential effects along with temperature on properties of leptons to compute precisely the beta decay and nucleosynthesis in stellar cores. Upon interpreting the data, it was found that the self-mass of a lepton in finite temperature and density affects the beta decay rate, which also affects the change in Helium abundance. High chemical potentials in a neutron star environment result in a higher self-mass. High temperatures in the early universe, give rise to a higher self-mass as well
Reinventing the Library's Digital Footprint: Creating Interactive Learning Tools in Canvas
No full textPoster presentation - TILC 2024In 2023, University of Houston-Clear Lake librarians created and embedded new information literacy resources in the campus Learning Management System. This included an interactive introduction to the library module which received 2,101 views in the first month of the Fall semester. Our efforts have allowed us to integrate and embed ourselves into the campus’ online learning environment, supplement class instruction with information literacy modules, and provide a more seamless accessible contact experience for our students
"Your Poor and Humble Petitioner": Political Agency in the Petitions of the Essex County Witchcraft Crisis, 1692-1712
No full textThis thesis contextualizes the witchcraft crisis of 1692 within the realm of late seventeenth-century popular politics by examining how residents of Essex County utilized petitions to navigate a period of societal turmoil and, ultimately, bring an end to the witch trials. Although the civic dimensions of witch-hunting in New England certainly have not been ignored, historians have yet to connect colonists' response to the witchcraft crisis with the growth of the public sphere. Similarly, both personal and collective petitioning in Massachusetts Bay Colony has received minimal scholarly attention. Putting this essential political process in conversation with witchcraft brings a trend of local political activism to light. Drawing upon petitions issued by ordinary people from 1692 through 1712, this thesis identifies the social, economic, and legal arguments that petitioners used to attack the validity of the witch trials and the far-reaching consequences of unchecked witch-hunting on Essex County towns. It contends that the extraordinary circumstances of the witchcraft crisis afforded such individuals an unprecedented opportunity to assert their political agency, and that petitioning allowed local communities to hold their colony government responsible for their role in perpetuating the negative side effects of the witch trials. Petitioners' efforts to overturn the witch trials, seek exoneration for the falsely accused, and demand accountability from colonial administrators demonstrate that residents of Essex County were agents of political change and that the witchcraft crisis is an integral example of how witch-hunting intersected with regional politics
Post-Pandemic Theatre: The Transformation of the Literary Form Through the Digital Landscape
No full textThe digital landscape has had a significant impact on literature and the way in which it is consumed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift towards digital operations has enabled the rise of digital literary forms, such as audiobooks and electronic literature, which have opened up new possibilities for interpretation and pedagogy. At the same time, this literary transition to technology has enabled the revival of oral traditions in literature, bringing a new level of immersion and engagement to the reading experience. This thesis explores the impact of the digitized productions on the performance of various Western writers, such as Shakespeare, Euripides, and Strindberg as well as the production considerations of Houston’s own Alley Theatre . Through the use of digital media and multimodal compositions, the digital landscape has enabled the creation of new and innovative aural and visual modes of experiencing Shakespeare's works and has forever altered the production considerations of the local theatre and other similar institutions. As we move further into the digital age, it is important to consider the ways in which these changes are shaping our experiences and interactions with literature, theatre, and the world around us
Without a paddle: Utilizing oars within an online problem-solving communication program to improve the parent-child relationship
No full textAlthough parent-child conflict is a normative feature in adolescence, it may result in negative outcomes when it occurs frequently and at high intensity. Parental support behaviors (e.g., warmth, communication, reinforcement) are important during adolescent development to shape appropriate behaviors, while providing opportunities to reinforce the adolescent’s autonomy. While behavioral parent training interventions are effective for helping parents manage parent-child conflict that emerges during this developmental period, engagement and retention for face-to-face therapy are problematic. These concerns become more apparent for underserved populations. Efforts to increase accessibility of parenting interventions (e.g., I-PCIT, Triple-P Parenting Program) through online platforms have generated support for internet interventions with younger children. Far fewer studies have investigated online behavioral interventions for parents of adolescents. The aims of this study are to pilot the feasibility and acceptability of an online parenting intervention for parent-adolescent conflict, as well as assess program outcomes for both caregivers and their adolescents (ages 11 to 14). The self-directed program was adapted from components of Problem-Solving/Communication Training (PSCT), an evidence-based parent management intervention for parents of adolescents. Didactic skills, modeling, and practice assignments translated core PSCT components, and specific communication strategies were added to the model (OARS: Open Questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries). Feasibility data indicate participants perceived the intervention to be accessible and acceptable. Preliminary treatment outcome findings indicate improvements in multiple domains (i.e., relationship quality, involvement, communication, and conflict) following program completion
Examining Principal Perceptions of Self-efficacy and Emergent Bilingual Student’s Achievement in K-12 Public Schools
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative inquiry study examined principal perceptions of self-efficacy and EB’s student achievement. This study collected interview data from a purposeful sample of six elementary, six middle school, and six high school principals from the Region 4 Education Service Center, Harris County area, in the state of Texas utilizing an interview protocol. An inductive coding process was implemented to discover emergent themes that arose from semi-structured interviews. The findings are based on principal perceptions regarding the impact of their self-efficacy on EB student achievement, facilitation of EB student learning, shared vision for EB students, and motivating teachers with EB students. The data analysis revealed 10 themes and 13 subthemes, which were deeply rooted within the vast literature on principal leadership constructs. The findings illustrated the expansive skills and competencies necessary for principals to lead teacher teams and focus on student achievement. Considering principal perceptions regarding the impact of their self-efficacy on EB student achievement, 100% (n = 18) agreed principal’s confidence influences EB achievement. The data revealed that the principal’s leadership can either improve or decrease student achievement based on the decisions that are made. When examining the perceptions of principals concerning the impact of their self-efficacy in the facilitation of EB student learning, four emerging themes developed. These themes are: (a) Ensuring Teacher Quality (b) Promoting High-Quality Instruction (c) Understanding the Unique Needs of EB Students (d) Navigating Accountability. Based on the summary of findings, implications are warranted for principals, district leaders, teacher preparation programs, and state leaders. It is recommended principals build collaborative teams with different experts to help set goals and participate in the planning sessions to support students. District leaders could benefit from the findings by ensuring staffing support is available at each campus since EB enrollment numbers are increasing, and districts need to consider varying levels of staffing support for campuses with different English proficiency levels such as new arrivals or long-term EBs. Also, district leaders could benefit from the findings by providing and designing professional development opportunities that target the needs of EL students in instructional leadership and coaching
Effectiveness of Drones for Freshwater Turtle Surveys Aimed Toward Detecting the Cryptic Western Chicken Turtle. (Deirochelys Reticularia Miaria).
Full text linkThe rise in the use of drones in wildlife research has shown promising results for conservation practices. Few studies have focused on drone surveys for aquatic freshwater turtles. This study evaluated the effectiveness of drones for detecting freshwater turtles with the primary target species being the Western Chicken Turtle (WCT; Deirochelys reticularia miaria). Two drones were employed to investigate their effectiveness for detecting freshwater turtles. 1) Videos and thermal imagery were utilized using a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise (M2) and 2) static multispectral imagery using a DJI Phantom 4 (P4MS). Binocular aided visual surveys (BAVS) were conducted simultaneously with M2 surveys to compare and contrast methodologies. A total of 20.7 hours of video footage yielded 1916 freshwater turtle detections and 57090 photos with 1915 detections. BAVS had a cumulative time of 58.1 hours with 1096 turtle detections. Six turtle groups were detected with the M2, five with the P4MS and four with BAVS. Groups that were identified by all methods were Slider Turtles (Trachemys sp.), North American Softshell Turtles (Apalone sp.), and Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina). A majority of all detected freshwater turtles displayed no reaction to the drones presence. The M2 had a statistically significant (p = 0.015) higher monthly catch per unit effort (CPUE) for freshwater turtles when compared to BAVS. Six WCT were detected using drone surveys (M2 = 5 and P4MS =1) while BAVS failed to detect WCT. Drone surveys were successful at detecting and identifying freshwater turtles such as the WCT when compared to BAVS, but quality data collection relies upon many internal and external factors such as camera resolution and essential habitat features. Drones are powerful tools when surveying freshwater turtles and other wildlife collecting vast amounts of data. Their implementation in future research studies concerning wildlife conservation with freshwater turtles have evident benefits in overall site accessibility, field team safety, and non-invasive rapid data collection
Exploring Novice Principal Perception of Whether Alignment exist Between Their Principal Development Program and Their Evaluation Rubric
Full text linkThis qualitative study explored whether novice principals believed their principal development program had adequately prepared them for high-performance ratings on the principal evaluation rubric. Over the past two decades, legislation has stressed that student achievement is an essential component of leadership effectiveness (Pannell & McBrayer, 2022). However, defining and clarifying the principal’s impact on campus performance continues to remain challenging (Hutton, 2019). Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of novice principals from 10 school districts in a Southeast Region of Texas. Typically, principal supervisors are responsible for the novice principals' evaluation and growth. Interview responses indicated that most principal supervisors performed these tasks in isolation. Participants agreed that their principal development program did not adequately prepare them for the principal role. The findings of this study and the parallels to the literature review indicate the significance of developing Principal Development Programs (PDPs) aligned with the evaluation criteria in their rubrics. When developing high-performing principals, the educational community might benefit from exploring the curriculum design for PDPs in school districts and educator preparation programs. Novice principals did not perceive that their PDPs prepared them for a high-performance rating based on their principal evaluation rubrics. Participants’ responses indicated their PDPs had limited overall value due to lack of comprehensive content to adequately prepare them for the principal role. The results from interview responses concluded that the role of the principal supervisor on the novice principal was more impactful on their development. A consensus surfaced in the interview responses when participants attributed their success to the support they received from their principal supervisor. Participants believed that mentoring and coaching had the most significant influence on their development. In addition, principal supervisors who understood how to perform their roles were equipped to align support and training opportunities geared to enhance principal performance. Therefore, school districts must develop principal supervisors who are knowledgeable about the principal role and capable of creating and modifying PDPs in ways that will produce high-performing principals
Finding Aid for the Reuben E. Taylor Papers (HSF-73)
Full text linkThe Reuben E. Taylor Papers is composed of memorandums, operating manuals, publications, technical drawings, technical manuals, technical reports, presentation slides, and miscellaneous materials, used and kept by Reuben E. Taylor during his time working at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The majority of the materials within the Reuben E. Taylor Papers were used by Taylor during his time working in the Space Shuttle Program Management Operations Effectiveness office. The bulk of the materials are memorandums, technical manuals, and operating manuals used by Taylor between 1981 and 1984 in regards to the planning for the Space Shuttle Program’s launching of the Orbiter. Also within the Reuben E. Taylor Papers are the plans for the Vandenberg Project, and documents from NASA’s partnership with Ariane Space. Similarly, technical drawings, technical reports, publications, and presentation slides from NASA general management are kept within the Reuben E. Taylor Papers collection
Finding Aid for the John M. Eggleston Papers (HSF-5)
No full textThe John M. Eggleston Papers is composed of books, NASA manuals, reports, book chapters, original and photocopied papers, flight plans, photographs, memorandums, and miscellaneous records, created, used, or collected by John M. Eggleston during his career with National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics at Langley Research Center and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Johnson Space Space. He worked for the orginazations from 1949 to 1980. Eggleston had many roles at NASA JSC, including the following: Assistant Chief of the Space Environment Division; Deputy Chief of the Lunar and Earth Sciences Division; and Staff Assistant to the Director of the Manned Spacecraft Center. The bulk of the collection consists of a variety of materials created, used, or collected by John Eggleston during his work on several different NASA programs, including Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. The most important items in this collection are the Apollo 11 Final Flight Plan from July 1, 1969; and the Apollo 11 Early EVA Alternate Flight Plan from July 20, 1969. There are also period copies of research papers authored or co-authored by Eggleston on various human space flight and aerospace engineering aspects