17179 research outputs found
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A Phenomenological Investigation of Student Veterans Mentoring Student Veterans
No full textNo abstract prepared.Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psycholog
Bat-tling Big Threats: Conservation of Imperiled Bat Species in Texas Amid White-Noise Syndrome and Wind Energy Impacts
No full textNorth American bats face mounting threats from habitat loss, climate change, white-nose syndrome (WNS), and, more recently, wind energy development. Migratory species such as the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), and red bats (notably Lasiurus borealis) comprise most wind-energy related fatalities, whereas hibernating species including cave myotis (Myotis velifer) and tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) are vulnerable to WNS. Texas is home to the greatest diversity of bat species in the United States, including these five at-risk species; however, it is also the leading state in wind energy production and is at the forefront of WNS expansion into the west. In light of these threats, this thesis integrates a statewide winter acoustic database with a pilot deterrent experiment to address knowledge gaps in winter bat ecology and evaluate a potential mitigation strategy for reducing bat-turbine collisions. I analyzed nightly echolocation data for the five at-risk species from 48 NABat grids across Texas over three winters (December – March, 2020 – 2023) to assess survival strategy- and species-specific activity and detection patterns in relation to temporal, environmental, and spatial factors. Results revealed that both migratory and hibernating species remained active through winter, though at varying magnitudes, exhibiting distinct patterns in activity, landcover associations, and regional distributions, with some detections in previously uncommon areas. Additionally, I tested a passive ultrasonic deterrent at ponds in central Texas during fall 2024, using thermal cameras and acoustic recorders to assess its effectiveness in reducing overall bat activity. While thermal video analyses showed no apparent reduction in bat activity, acoustic analyses revealed a decrease in recorded bat passes, suggesting potential methodological bias. Together, these studies reveal that winter is an active and ecologically significant period for bats in Texas and underscore the importance of testing new, applied conservation strategies to reduce threats and support population persistence. Findings highlight the need for species- and region-specific management strategies, such as informed turbine siting, operational curtailment, and disease treatment, to support long-term bat conservation in Texas and across North America.Biolog
Psychological and Physiological Factors Associated with Academic Self-Efficacy in First-Year Nursing Students
No full textNo abstract prepared.Psycholog
The Pitfalls and Promises of Sports Participation and Prescription Drug Misuse Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth
No full textThough previous studies have demonstrated the protective benefits of sports participation against illicit drug use for a general population, how these findings apply to LGBTQ youth remains unknown. This study specifically looks at the relationship between sports participation and prescription drug misuse among sexual and gender minority youth. Using secondary data from the 2019 YRBS, we analyze associations among sports participation, sexual orientation, gender identity, and prescription drug misuse among a representative sample of U.S. high school students in Florida. Our results show that sexual and gender minority youth are at increased risk for prescription drug misuse compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Moreover, sports participation is associated with higher rates of prescription drug misuse among all students, and the nuances of these trends are discussed with particular attention paid to sexual and gender minority youth. These results challenge conventional wisdom about sports participation. Without the addition of new demographic survey questions and LGBTQ youth participation in the YRBS, common myths about sports might have persisted. Our findings point to the meaningful presence of LGBTQ youth in sports, call for research and programming on LGBTQ athletes’ unique needs regarding substance misuse risk, and encourage LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices within schools and sports programs in particular.Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psycholog
Oral history interview: Velton Locklear III
No full textEdited and unedited transcript files (.pdf) and edited and unedited video files available with closed captioning.Oral history interview with the Locklear family about Velton Locklear, III
Mutualist Matters: Effects of Inocula Provenance on Texas Red Oak Seedling Performance under Drought
No full textNo abstract prepared.Biolog
The Influence of Organizational Learning Practices on the Reasonable Accommodations Process for People with Disabilities
No full textThis qualitative transcendental phenomenological study explored how engagement with organizational learning by people with disabilities (PWD) affects their experiences with and perceptions of the reasonable accommodations process at their place of employment. The research questions that guided the study are: 1) What shared experiences with learning about accommodations do participants describe? 2) In what ways do study participants describe their experiences with learning about the culture and practice of workplace accommodations? and 3) How do participants perceive the accommodations process within their present organization? Using critical disability theory (Rocco, 2005) and Senge’s (2006) learning organization model as interpretive lenses, this study collected data through semi-structured interviews with 12 knowledge workers with disabilities (KWWD) employed in various industries and used phenomenological reductions and imaginative variation to analyze data and generate findings. Findings reveal that KWWD experience significant cognitive and emotional labor as they navigate workplace inclusion and accommodation to identify supports that are both personally effective and organizationally acceptable, often before or in lieu of making formal requests. Using Senge’s (2006) framework, the study highlights how organizational learning disciplines—such as systems thinking, personal mastery, and shared vision—shape KWWD’s experiences and cognitive load. When organizations reduce unnecessary strain through clarity, trust, and inclusive practices, disability becomes a source of organizational intelligence. These insights suggest a need for more proactive, universally accessible accommodation policies and leadership practices that recognize employees with disabilities as vital contributors to organizational learning and innovation.Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psycholog
Emotional Intelligence as a Safeguard: Exploring Sex Differences in Adolescent Cyberbullying Victimization
No full textCyberbullying is a severe issue in society for adolescents. Cyberbullying is the act of bullying online and facilitated by digital technology. Though affecting everyone it could be examined that it affects females differently from males. This research identifies emotional intelligence (EI) as the means to perceive one’s own emotions, and the social emotions of others. Additionally, it examines whether having higher emotional intelligence protects adolescents from being victims of cyberbullying. This paper aims to explore whether sex plays a role in emotional intelligence, specifically whether females with high emotional intelligence differ from males. This study will source recent literature review studies from the fields of education and psychology. The paper focuses on how EI relates to managing cyberbullying, building resistance, and handling social interactions online. This project uses a qualitative literature review approach. It highlights how females and males express and mitigate emotions separately; this could explain why sex is essential in this context. This paper proposes that Emotional Intelligence could reduce the psychological distress caused by cyberbullying, specifically among females. This study recognizes that adolescents with low EI are more likely to be victims of bullying and exhibit aggression. This research aims to enhance comprehension of how emotional skills affect susceptibility to online bullying and why sex has an influence when creating prevention strategies.Psycholog
Investigation into Application of AI and Telemedicine in Rural Communities: A Systematic Literature Review
No full textRecent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine are transforming healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Background/Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the use of AI-driven diagnostic tools and telemedicine platforms to identify underlying themes (constructs) in the literature across multiple research studies. Method: The research team conducted an extensive review of studies and articles using multiple research databases that aimed to identify consistent themes and patterns across the literature. Results: Five underlying constructs were identified with regard to the utilization of AI and telemedicine on patient diagnosis in rural communities: (1) Challenges/benefits of AI and telemedicine in rural communities, (2) Integration of telemedicine and AI in diagnosis and patient monitoring, (3) Future considerations of AI and telemedicine in rural communities, (4) Application of AI for accurate and early diagnosis of diseases through various digital tools, and (5) Insights into the future directions and potential innovations in AI and telemedicine specifically geared towards enhancing healthcare delivery in rural communities. Conclusions: While AI technologies offer enhanced diagnostic capabilities by processing vast datasets of medical records, imaging, and patient histories, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, telemedicine acts as a bridge between patients in remote areas and specialized healthcare providers, offering timely access to consultations, follow-up care, and chronic disease management. Therefore, the integration of AI with telemedicine allows for real-time decision support, improving clinical outcomes by providing data-driven insights during virtual consultations. However, challenges remain, including ensuring equitable access to these technologies, addressing digital literacy gaps, and managing the ethical implications of AI-driven decisions. Despite these hurdles, AI and telemedicine hold significant promise in reducing healthcare disparities and advancing the quality of care in rural settings, potentially leading to improved long-term health outcomes for underserved populations.Health Administratio
Assessing Abrasion Resistance in Concrete Pavements: A Review
No full textAbrasion resistance is a crucial factor in pavement concrete durability, influenced by compressive strength, surface finishing and curing techniques, aggregate characteristics, and testing conditions. Research shows that improving concrete’s abrasion resistance through proper mix design, additives like fibers and silica fume, and optimal curing practices can extend its service life by reducing wear from traffic and environmental forces, but concrete remains vulnerable to abrasion over time. This is a comprehensive review investigating the abrasion resistance in concrete pavements. It explores the mechanisms of abrasion resistance and standard testing methods. It then delves into the numerous factors affecting abrasion resistance, focusing on material properties (aggregates, cement type, admixtures, and water–cement ratio), pavement design (surface texture and reinforcement), and environmental conditions. Finally, the review examines advancements in enhancing abrasion resistance, including new materials and technologies, and concludes by highlighting current limitations in understanding the phenomenon and suggesting avenues for future research. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of materials, techniques, and predictive models to enhance abrasion resistance, which is crucial for enhancing the durability and longevity of concrete pavements.Materials Science, Engineering, and CommercializationEngineering Technolog