21884 research outputs found
Sort by
Optimal Intervention Strategies in Age-Structured SIRVD Model: Epidemiological and Economic Analysis of COVID-19 in Korea
No full textThis study employed an age-structured Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Vaccinated-Deceased (SIRVD) model to design optimal COVID‑19 intervention strategies by integrating epidemiological dynamics with economic costs. Using empirical data from South Korea, we estimated transmission parameters and analyzed quarantine-based non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) alongside targeted vaccination scenarios. Our results indicated that a stronger form of mild NPI (upper range of Level I), when combined with targeted vaccination that prioritized seniors, achieved substantial reductions in infection peaks and overall economic burden. These findings underscore the effectiveness of age-specific strategies in epidemic management and offer critical insights for policymakers seeking balanced, resource-efficient approaches
Addressing the Void of AI Policies in Education for Students With Specific Learning Disabilities
No full textThe purpose of this study was to identify the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) policies in U.S. education and propose actionable recommendations through large language model–based topic modeling and Delphi surveys. Out of 12 policy documents released between 2015 and 2025, only two documents (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2024; W.A. v. Clarksville/Montgomery County School System, 2024) specifically addressed learning disabilities. Policy documents addressing topics such as AI-driven risk assessment, data protection, legal risk management, and ethical guidelines covering other disabilities and general AI in education policy were provided as baselines that could be discussed and validated through the following Delphi surveys involving 17 experts from diverse stakeholder groups. A total of 36 policy items across five thematic categories of inclusive and personalized learning (11 items), ethics, equity, and inclusion (nine items), student empowerment and AI literacy (six items), assessment and research (six items), and educator preparation (four items) were proposed. Based on experts’ ranking of the top 10 policy items important for students, the most essential policy suggestions include student empowerment and AI literacy
“I Know How to Identify and Communicate My Needs”: A Qualitative Study of the Self-Perceived Strengths of People in Polyamorous Relationships
No full textLittle empirical research has adopted a strength-based approach to examine strategies that help offset challenges (e.g., discrimination, internalized stigma) faced by people in polyamorous relationships. The current qualitative study assessed the self-perceived strengths of 63 US-based, adult participants who reported present or former engagement in at least one polyamorous relationship. Participants\u27 responded to the open-ended question, “What particular characteristics do you have that help you navigate the challenges of polyamory?” A thematic analysis identified strengths across eight broad themes: personality traits, a willingness to challenge mononormative socialization, ability to manage difficult emotions, experiencing compersion and/or low levels of/well-managed jealousy, strong communication skills, lessons learned from prior relationships, seeking out self-help and professional resources, and financial privilege. Results provide a roadmap for self-help and therapeutic approaches to cultivate resilience in individuals who engage in a relationship style that remains heavily stigmatized and can present unique challenges
Sharp Polynomial Decay for Polynomially Singular Damping on the Torus
No full textWe study energy decay rates for the damped wave equation with unbounded damping, without the geometric control condition. Our main decay result is sharp polynomial energy decay for polynomially controlled singular damping on the torus. We also prove that for normally Lp-damping on compact manifolds, the Schrödinger observability gives p-dependent polynomial decay, and finite time extinction cannot occur. We show that polynomially controlled singular damping on the circle gives exponential decay
Image Repair Differences Between Human and AI-Generated Messaging: The Case of the Chicago White Sox
No full textWith 121 losses in 2024, the Chicago White Sox set an unwanted record for the most losses in a single Major League Baseball season. Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf wrote a letter apologizing to fans following the season, including additional attempts at image repair. The increasing availability of artificial intelligence (AI) raises unique questions concerning how apology messages ought to be generated and how effective such messages are with disgruntled fans. To determine if the real message from Reinsdorf was effective, we generated a similar apology using AI. Fans were randomly assigned to read the real message from Reinsdorf, one generated by AI, or a no message/control condition. Results of this experiment did not reveal significant differences across the three conditions – in fan perceptions of organizational reputation, intention to purchase season tickets, or intentions to subscribe to cable and streaming services carrying the games. Follow-up social media analysis indicated strong negative sentiment directed specifically at Reinsdorf, which abets the claim that a tainted communicator may not be effective regardless of how well the message is crafted, making the lack of significant differences an important finding. Discussion of the results, given the purpose of Reinsdorf’s letter, applies image restoration theory to explain the case, and we offer a new method for resolving social media sentiment analysis ambiguity
Teaching Through Disruption: Trauma-Informed, Community-Engaged Learning in a Graduate CSD Course
No full textThis article explores how a graduate course in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) was rapidly redesigned in response to a natural disaster to integrate trauma-informed and community-engaged learning. Following Hurricane Helene’s impact on Appalachian communities, a standard literature review assignment was transformed into a collaborative project where students created low-cost, developmentally appropriate language-learning kits for young children affected by the storm. Grounded in adult learning theory, trauma-responsive pedagogy, and high-impact educational practices, the revised course structure enabled students to apply clinical knowledge in real time while supporting families in crisis. Outcomes included increased student engagement, empathy, and professional competency. The project offers a replicable model for educators seeking to align academic learning with emergent community needs in CSD and related health disciplines
“I’m So Hungry”: Assessing STEM Sensemaking Through Data-Informed Writing
No full textTo engage elementary learners in the complex task of STEM sensemaking, teachers must entice and inspire learners to ask questions, explore, and communicate their findings. This article shares a 5E/3D lesson designed and taught in our elementary science methods courses to model how preservice teachers can integrate literacy and mathematics into a science investigation for STEM sensemaking. We modified a traditional lesson on bird beak adaptations to have a differentiated, interdisciplinary writing component justified by data. We discuss why data-supported literacy is a non-negotiable in science education reforms and how teachers can differentiate tasks to make scientific writing more approachable and elicit student motivation. In addition, we provide insights into how our preservice teachers used data-informed writing to communicate their understanding of how structure affects the function of bird beaks and other such adaptations. We also report on ways our preservice teachers actively engaged in the lesson, shared how they envisioned using interdisciplinary lessons in their future classrooms, and refined their thinking on animal adaptations. To conclude, we reflect on our learning and suggest ways to integrate differentiated, data-informed writing tasks to provide authentic opportunities for all learners to engage in STEM sensemaking
Culturally Responsive STEM Teaching with Artificial Intelligence
No full textThis study examines how integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, specifically ChatGPT, into teacher education can enhance culturally responsive teaching (CRT) in STEM education. AI\u27s potential to support lesson planning, streamline administrative tasks, and offer personalized learning paths is explored alongside its challenges, such as ethical concerns and contextual adaptation. The study involved pre-service elementary teachers who used AI modules to design CRT-aligned STEM lessons, reflecting on their experiences through surveys and journals. The findings reveal that AI enhances efficiency, generates creative ideas, and fosters inclusivity by providing culturally relevant materials. However, the study emphasizes that AI cannot replace human expertise and cultural awareness, underscoring the importance of critically evaluating AI-generated content. Teacher candidates acknowledged AI\u27s potential to improve lesson planning while highlighting the need for customization to ensure cultural responsiveness. The study concludes that AI can be a valuable tool in teacher education, but its limitations require educators to remain vigilant in maintaining ethical and context-sensitive practices
Predicting the Peak Bloom of Yoshino Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC with Random Forest Regression
No full textSpringtime ushers in a bouquet of flowering arrangements that create ripe economic and social opportunities. Since the Japanese ambassador\u27s gift of 3020 Yoshino cherry trees to the National Mall in Washington, DC, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has occurred annually beginning in 1935. This festival is unique in that over one million visitors parade the Capitol area each year, drawing inspiration from the peak blooming date of the characteristic cherry trees. The NPS provided data on the several stages of Yoshino cherry trees leading to peak bloom from 2004–2024, while local climate data exists for temperature, rainfall, and other factors influencing the date of peak bloom. Yet, the EPA and various studies understand that an earlier blooming date may be caused by climate change. Festival organizers maintain that predicting peak bloom from more than 10 days out is an extreme challenge, which we aim to resolve using random forest regression
Social Exclusion, Social Support, and Trauma
No full textHumans have an inherent need to forge stable and quality social connections. One key benefit of having social connections is obtaining social support for navigating traumatic or otherwise stressful events. Ostracism (i.e. being both ignored and excluded, Williams, 2009) and other forms of social exclusion rob individuals of the opportunity to receive social support and likely contribute to stress-related mental health concerns. My colleagues and I tested this premise in different stress-related contexts, ranging from college students struggling with potentially stigmatizing secrets to community members who have experienced various types of traumatic incidents (e.g., miscarriage, military combat). We examined the connections among perceived ostracism, social support, and traumatic stress. We also examined the complex dynamics of how social support can be both beneficial and harmful depending upon how it is expressed and received. Future research could examine chronic ostracism as a form of psychological trauma