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Using Sensemaking to Examine One Female Television Journalist’s Experiences with Using Social Media Platforms
Get PDFUsing the lens of sensemaking and the theory of parasocial relationships, this
autoethnography examines the social media harassment faced by one female television
broadcast journalist who has worked in local television news for more than 15 years.
Female journalists are harassed more often and face higher rates of violence on and
offline than their male colleagues (Chen et al., 2020). These hazards make their critical
work more difficult and dangerous. When leaving the news industry appears to be the
only way for female journalists to protect themselves, society risks a nocuous void of
voice. Many female journalists are failed by their employers’ social media policies which
protect the news organization rather than the employee. Based on previous literature and
the lived experience of the author, broadcast journalists are more likely to be protected by
news directors who acknowledge and mitigate female journalists’ unique risks and
prepare a safety plan to utilize when a threat arises
Comparison of reproductive and early growth performance of an F1 USDA Prime yield grade one carcass clone sire and an industry-leading purebred sire in the Beef x Dairy production system
No full textThis project was based on observational and experimental data collected by the researchers and employees of the commercial dairy where the study was conducted.The objectives of this research were to determine if an F1 USDA Prime, yield grade 1 sire produced from the WTAMU PrimeOne Project (AxG1) was a competitive sire for producing dairy composites when compared to a purebred Angus sire (Foundation), and to evaluate any subsequent reproductive impact of sire on dam. Dairy cows (n = 1,930) were artificially inseminated resulting in 764 pregnancies with 567 births and 539 live calves. Data was collected at a large commercial dairy and analyzed using SAS 9.4 with sire as fixed effect; lactation, breeding technician and services per conception were random effects. Individual animal was experimental unit (n = 539). Conception rates were 39% for AxG1 and 30% for Foundation (P ≤ 0.01). Average gestation length (GL) was 284-d and 280-d for AxG1 and Foundation, respectively (P ≤ 0.01). Calves by Foundation reported lower average birth weight (BW) than those by AxG1 (P ≤ 0.01) with no difference in calving ease score (CE) (P = 0.24). Calves sired by Foundation were lighter than those sired by AxG1 at 60-d (P ≤ 0.01) but not 120-d (P = 0.97). Calves by Foundation also reported higher average daily gains (ADG) at 60-d than calves by AxG1 (0.61 and 0.58 kg; P ≤ 0.01), and ADG tended to differ by sire from 0-120-d (0.70 and 0.67 kg; P = 0.09). Sire had no effect on morbidity (P = 0.25) or mortality (P = 0.15). Post-partum interval (PPI), time from first estrus to conception, and number of services to conception were not different between sires (P = 0.35; P = 0.32; P = 0.37). Data from this trial indicates the cloned progeny sire increased conception rates, but the purebred Angus sire was more favorable for GL, BW and progeny growth performance. Neither sire negatively impacted subsequent reproductive performance of the dam
Equitable Policies in Higher Education: Campus Climate and Retention
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the connection between campus
climate and retention among diverse student populations within a collegiate environment.
Research Method: This study utilized a qualitative descriptive survey approach with a
convenience sample of 93 post-baccalaureate and graduate level students and four
academic administrators. Nominal and ordinal survey responses were submitted
anonymously through the use of an online platform. Descriptive statistics were utilized to
concentrate on the distribution and frequencies of participant responses. IRB approval
was obtained through West Texas A&M University. Findings: When asked to evaluate
the priority level of concern regarding campus climate from collegiate administrators,
student participants perceived the priority level as moderate to high for Latino/Hispanic
population (68%), moderate to high for African American (63%), and moderate to high
for all students of diversity (67%). In assessing whether or not the campus climate can
directly impact the decision-making process of diverse students to continue with their
collegiate studies, 77% of student participants responded that it was a contributing factor.
In evaluating administrator participant responses, 100% of respondents strongly agreed
that campus climate can be impactful in the decision process for students in terms of
retention. Conclusion: It is essential for collegiate administrators to consider policies
which explicitly address the campus climate for diverse student populations. Campus
climate directly impacts retention for diverse student populations. If the campus climate
is perceived to be negative or unwelcoming, diverse student populations are more likely
to leave campus prematurely. Broad-minded, social justice policies in academia will
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increase retention, alleviate impediments for success, and increase the graduation rate for
diverse student populations
Testing and Calibration of an in-house built Fatigue Testing Machine-Part 2
Get PDFCollege of Engineering owns an in-house built fatigue testing machine, designed and built by Advanced Mechanics and Design (MENG 4350) students. For the testing machine to be used for experimentation in class and research, it needs to be tested using different materials and be calibrated according to relevant standards. After effective calibration of this machine, faculty at the college could use the machine for research and experimental activities. The patterns of current results agreed with published plots but the observed fatigue property values don't exactly match with published values of the tested materials. Further adjustment will be conducted on the machine and more tests will be done to validate and verify results in the future
Increase in Aeroallergen, Allergy cases in the Texas Panhandle with a special reference to PM2.5 and Respiratory Ailments
Get PDFWe conducted laboratory-controlled experiments using a fiberglass chamber and various air quality monitors to assess and evaluate PM2.5 concentrations. The exposed tapes from Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap were stained and mounted with Safranin-Gelvatol mixture and were observed using an Olympus BX40 microscope equipped with FITC, TRITC filters, a mercury lamp source, a DP-74 digital camera. Aeroallergens were viewed, recorded and analyzed with CellSens software. Particulates in the air are categorized by source, size, and chemical composition. These airborne substances have various detrimental health effects. The particulate profile of the air fluctuates daily, can be distinct from one area to another, and can have synergistic impacts. It is important to understand how the environment can influence the emission and distribution of these ambient particulates and how subsequent changes in concentrations can affect human health.The study of air quality and aerobiology is an important field and contributes to advancing the scientific body of knowledge and understanding the world around us. Capturing, identifying, and quantifying airborne particles are important to understanding air quality. Our research encompasses the High-Plains area in the Texas Panhandle and focuses on specific particulates including pollen, fungal spores and PM2.5. We conducted laboratory-controlled experiments using a fiberglass chamber and various air quality monitors to assess and evaluate PM2.5 concentrations. The exposed tapes from Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap were stained and mounted with Safranin-Gelvatol mixture and were observed using an Olympus BX40 microscope equipped with FITC, TRITC filters, a mercury lamp source, a DP-74 digital camera. Aeroallergens were viewed, recorded and analyzed with CellSens software. Particulates in the air are categorized by source, size, and chemical composition. These airborne substances have various detrimental health effects. The particulate profile of the air fluctuates daily, can be distinct from one area to another, and can have synergistic impacts. It is important to understand how the environment can influence the emission and distribution of these ambient particulates and how subsequent changes in concentrations can affect human health. The Texas Panhandle-High Plains region is unique in topography, climate, ecology, and combination of various anthropogenic activities. Evaluating relationships between factors that influence air quality in the region will provide a better understanding of how it can affect residents, making way to develop predictive models to mitigate respiratory ailments for the betterment of human health and scientific advancement. We observed seasonal fluctuations of aeroallergens, such as pollen and mold spores, and fluctuations in patients' clinical visits for treatment to respiratory ailments throughout the year. We used the Burkard High Volumetric Spore Trap and RadNet ambient radionuclide-assessing unit to evaluate the levels of airborne particulates and emitted gamma radiation. We also used publicly available information systems and data sets to supplement and correlate the research findings
Profession Perceptions: Effects of Immersive and In-class Experiences on Knowledge and Perceptions of Agricultural Careers
Get PDFThe need for agricultural career seekers is growing each year, yet there remains a gap between open agricultural employment opportunities and graduates of post-secondary agricultural programs. In order to meet this growing need, post-secondary institutions should focus on exposing its students to the variety of agricultural employment opportunities, so that their graduates can make more informed career decisions. This study examined the role experiential learning plays in participants agricultural career perceptions by comparing and contrasting immersive experience participants’ experiences in this study to students who participated in an in-class lecture. The researcher chose Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model and multiple career decision theories to serve as theoretical frameworks for the study. Both groups of participants received positive experiences with the career exposure they had, and called for more similar experiences be a part of their undergraduate coursework. Participants described a variety of learned skills and knowledge of new careers that they had not recognized as potential pathways for their future. The participants in the immersive experience held especially positive perceptions of their futures, and received an impactful experience through this study. Implications from this study suggest that students in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at West Texas A&M University need more exposure to careers through intentional undergraduate programming. Further research should be conducted to determine the needs for career education in other post-secondary institutions in the U. S
PERCEPTION OF DECISION-MAKING ON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS’ STRESS LEVELS
No full textAbstract
Purpose: The principal and assistant principals (APs) roles are high-profile positions
with high expectations from the community they serve. Increasingly placed under scrutiny, principals and APs are under extreme pressure. The purpose of this study is to explore how decision-making can affect an administrators’ stress level. Research Method: This study used a qualitative design. The phenomena this study addressed was to explore the decision-making process of principals and APs and the effect this process has on stress levels. Findings: Several themes emerged from these research questions. The first theme identified was communication. Principals and APs voiced the importance of continuous communication. Collaboration was another theme that surfaced throughout the research. It was an important theme that allowed for all stakeholders to be involved with the purpose of allowing/hearing their input. Problem-solving was the third theme that appeared during the second research question. Stress relief was the fourth theme identified in this study. Conclusion: Decision-making can result in conflict, and that conflict can create high levels of stress for the administrators. Principals and APs should have decision-making processes or systems in place to help minimize conflict. Accepting that conflict and stress are inevitable, no matter how structured the decision-making process is, it is important for school administrators to find ways to release their stress
Objective Structured Clinical Examination: Five Years and Counting
Get PDFThe data collection methodology use was qualitative observations and review of evaluations.Objective Structured Clinical Examination: Five Years and Counting Abstract Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a simulation assessment method based on a student's performance that measures clinical competence and skill set. The use of OSCE learning is well established within nursing education. OSCE can achieve needed practice and assess knowledge and understanding in a safe environment. OSCEs may be formative or summative, according to their role and purpose in the curriculum. At West Texas A&M University, in the Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, OSCEs began to be used in 2017. A formative OSCE is used as a learning tool and does not contribute as an academic requirement. A summative OSCE is used as an assessment method to formally evaluate clinical skills and knowledge and contributes to academic success within a program. FNP students complete a summative OSCE in their final semester of the program. In 2022, OSCE cases began to be conducted on campus to promote the university fulfillment of becoming an accredited simulation center. Data continues to be collected to analyze student learning outcomes as patient cases and scenarios are developed and expanded. Deliberate practice based scenarios provide significant benefits in providing care to a patient. The goal of this poster is to report ongoing use of OSCE at WTAMU
UNDER LENSES AND WITHIN A LABYRINTH: DAIRY FARMING WOMEN IN THE U.S.
No full textAcross all U.S. agricultural industries, women represented 14% of primary-operators in 2019. Women in the dairy industry are underrepresented with a 4.1% share of primary-operators compared to their male counterparts. The Journal of Dairy Science has approximately one published article in relation to decision-making systems or human management that includes gender demographics. Past research on agricultural decision-makers provides evidence that a productivity gap exists in male-dominated industries. A survey was conducted to investigate what factors influence a woman to become a primary decision-maker in the dairy industry. Participants were divided into two groups, a high and a low, based on the mean of total respondents’ (n=30) A-WEAI score. A Probit regression model was ran on variables to find correlation between the high group. Results demonstrate that a higher level of education was statistically significant (p>0.039) for respondents within the high A-WEAI score group. Previous research confirms that a higher level of formal education is a central theme shared by women who become decision-makers in the agricultural industries. Industry trends show that the future dairy industry will have more representation of women. As the percentage of women increases in the dairy sector, it may lower the wage for both women and men in the industry. Applicable implications for the dairy industry include bringing awareness to the barriers that women may face, restructuring of intrinsic values, monitoring the pay outlook, and working to make dairy industry employment competitive and progressive