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The impact of need-based financial aid on degree completion for community college transfer students at a southern university
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the impact of need-based financial aid on degree completion and time to degree completion among community college transfer students. Transfer students often face barriers that influence persistence and graduation outcomes. This study addressed a gap in the literature by focusing on community college new transfer students at a southern university and assessing whether need-based financial aid influences both the likelihood of graduating and time to degree completion. Institutional data for the fall 2018 cohort (N = 2,074) were obtained from the university’s Information Technology Department and tracked through spring 2024. The analytic dataset included demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity), academic measures (credits transferred, degree completion status, degree completion years), and financial characteristics (dependency status, receipt of need-based aid). Logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the effect of need-based aid on degree completion, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine time to degree among students who graduated (n = 1,410). Findings revealed that receipt of need-based financial aid significantly increased the odds of degree completion, with students who received aid being over 57 times more likely to graduate compared to non-recipients, after controlling for covariates. Additional predictors of completion included credits transferred, age at entry, dependency status, and race/ethnicity, while gender was not significant. Results for time to degree completion showed no significant differences between aid recipients and non-recipients. Instead, time to degree was most strongly influenced by transfer credits, dependency status, gender, and ethnicity. Students who transferred more credits, were dependent, and belonged to certain demographic groups graduated more quickly, while older and independent students tended to take longer to complete. These findings suggest that while need-based aid plays an important role in ensuring degree completion, it does not shorten completion timelines. Policy and practice implications include expanding funding for need-based aid, strengthening credit transfer pathways, financial aid counseling in transfer services, and providing targeted advising for older, independent, and underrepresented students. Future research should extend these findings through qualitative perspectives on transfer student experiences and deeper analysis of how financial and academic policies interact to shape persistence and pace
Examining elementary teachers’ perceptions of differentiated mathematics instruction: A diffusion of innovation perspective
No full textThis study examined elementary teachers’ perceptions and adoption of Differentiated Mathematics Instruction (DMI) using Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovations theory as the guiding framework. The research aimed to (1) develop and validate the Differentiated Mathematics Instruction (DEMI) Adoption Scale, (2) investigate how teachers’ perceptions of DMI characteristics predict the frequency of its classroom use, and (3) explore the relationship between those perceptions and teachers’ adoption decision stages. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed with 118 elementary teachers from four U.S. states (California, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Florida). The DEMI Adoption Scale included five constructs (i.e., Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Complexity, Trialability, and Observability) adapted from Rogers’ innovation attributes. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) established a five-factor structure with ordinal alpha coefficients ranging from .58 to .97, demonstrating satisfactory internal consistency. Findings from ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed that Compatibility was the most consistent and significant predictor of both DMI use frequency and adoption decision stage, while Trialability predicted teachers’ progression through adoption stages. Complexity showed a marginal effect, becoming significant when overlapping predictors were removed, suggesting suppressor relationships among innovation characteristics. Group comparisons indicated differences by race, teaching experience, and education level, emphasizing the need for culturally responsive and differentiated professional development. This study contributes theoretically by refining the Diffusion of Innovations framework for pedagogical (non-technological) innovations and methodologically by validating the DEMI Adoption Scale as a reliable measure of teachers’ perceptions of DMI. Practically, it provides insights for designing professional development that emphasizes compatibility with teacher practice, hands-on trial opportunities, and supports for reducing perceived complexity. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal validation of the DEMI Scale, exploration of subgroup equity patterns, and mixed-methods studies connecting teacher perceptions with observed classroom practice
Examining relationships among teachers’ perceptions of school climate and culture and their sense of school belonging
No full textThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among teachers’ views of school climate and culture and their sense of belonging within a Mississippi school district. Using a quantitative survey research design, data were collected from 99 teachers during the 2024–2025 school year through the School Climate Survey and the School Belonging Scale Survey. The researcher sought to determine whether differences in the teachers\u27 perceptions of their schools’ climate and culture and their sense of belonging existed by gender and grade span, as well as whether significant relationships existed among the constructs of their schools’ climate and culture and the teachers’ sense of belonging. The findings revealed teachers who reported positive perceptions of their schools’ climate and culture also expressed a stronger sense of belonging. The additional analyses further showed differences across grade spans, with elementary teachers generally reporting more favorable perceptions than their secondary peers, and female teachers indicating slightly higher levels of connectedness and belonging than male teachers. The positive correlations among perceptions of school climate, culture, and belonging suggest as teachers feel safer, more supported, and respected, their sense of belonging increases as well. The results further identified specific dimensions, particularly staff connections and the physical environment, as critical factors influencing teachers’ sense of belonging. Schools characterized by strong collegial relationships, shared decision-making, and well-maintained facilities demonstrated high levels of teacher belonging. The findings emphasize the continued need to cultivate supportive and inclusive school environments in which teachers feel valued, respected, and connected. Such conditions foster greater professional engagement, collaboration, and commitment, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of the school
Electrospun nanofiber creation with varying polymer-solvent combinations for air filtration
No full textThis study aims to analyze various polymer-solvent combinations for electrospun creation of nanofiber media and to determine the best-suited solution for lab-grade electrospinning. Suitable solutions allow for controlled morphology of fiber diameters and for efficiency of media creation. The principal variables are solvent, concentration, and voltage. Humidity and temperature play a secondary variable role. The solution must withstand an electric field of ≤30 kV and be insoluble in water to maintain desired morphology and structure. Manipulation of the solutions and variables allow for fiber diameter optimization and beading minimization. High temperature filter applications require efficiency in intense heat and preservation of media structure. Fiber diameters must be within the nanometer to micrometer range for filtration of small particles. Nanofiber beading causes inefficient filtration and must be avoided. These developments improve efficiency of filtration media within the electrospinning industry and potentially allow for optimization of air filtration within a nuclear setting
Optimization of metal organic frameworks design for CO2 capture through machine learning and molecular dynamic simulation
No full textThe efficiency of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture is strongly governed by the physical and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent, which determine its adsorption uptake, selectivity, and regeneration performance. As a performance benchmark, desorption kinetics were experimentally evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for activated carbon and zeolite, revealing desorption activation energies of 141.14 and 28.11 kJ mol−1, and CO2 uptakes of 5.79 and 2.90 mg g−1, respectively, at 0.04% CO2 concentration. These results motivate the exploration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for their tunability in pore structures and surface functionality for CO2 adsorption. In this work, machine learning and molecular simulations were integrated to model and predict carbon dioxide/nitrogen (CO2/N2) selectivity in MOFs. A neural network trained on 400 ideal MOFs from the Topologically Based Crystal Constructor (ToBaCCo) dataset, using categorical descriptors of topology, node and edge building blocks, and functional groups, was developed to predict CO2 selectivity. The model was subsequently applied to an external dataset of 9,146 computation-ready experimental (CoRE) MOFs described by geometric descriptors, yielding an ��2 score of 0.999 for predicted selectivity. SHAP analysis identified chemical functionalization and network connectivity as the influential contributors to adsorption behavior. Monte Carlo perturbation and Bayesian calibration produced mean selectivity values of 6.25 and 6.33, confirming the model’s robustness, stability and interpretability. GCMC simulations under flue-gas conditions demonstrated that charged Cu-BTC and Zr-DMBD MOFs achieved CO2 uptakes of 1.499 and 2.985 mmol g−1, respectively, outperforming their neutral counterparts. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further demonstrated that the charged frameworks possessed enhanced electrostatic cohesion and structural stability, indicating that framework polarization strengthens CO2 binding without compromising rigidity. Together, these findings establish a unified computational framework for predicting adsorption behavior and guiding the design of next-generation MOFs for both Direct Air Capture (DAC) and post-combustion CO2 separation
Improvement of spot spraying treatments using precision application technologies
No full textChemical plant protection is widely adopted in agriculture and plays a crucial role in maximizing plant production. Several developments for site-specific applications have been implemented in chemical plant protection, driven by economic, social, and environmental considerations. Spot spraying technology, which utilizes single nozzles or a limited number of nozzles to treat specific areas, is now available and gaining market penetration. However, its performance depends on carefully optimized application parameters to ensure consistent coverage and efficacy, thereby mitigating both under- and overdosing. To address concerns including reduced efficacy, resistance evolution, and environmental impacts, this work researches the effects of nozzle selection on lateral distribution quality under laboratory conditions. In 2021, the Pesticide Application Technology Lab at the University of Nebraska Lincoln was used to evaluate the effects of boom height, nozzle spacing, fan angle, and nozzle orientation in combination with different nozzle types. A new evaluation standard was developed to assess the distribution patterns in spot spray applications. The effects of varying nozzle types on spot spray herbicide application and subsequent savings were investigated in field trials with a Fendt Rogator Smart Sprayer prototype. Randomized strip trials with four replicates were set up on eight agricultural fields in corn and grain stubble between 2021 and 2023. Results indicate that nozzle type influences savings, and that boom height, nozzle spacing, fan angle, and nozzle type impact lateral distribution for single nozzle applications. This study also introduced a novel method, the In-Spot Out-Spot (ISOS) standard, which has proven to quantify spraying quality in single nozzle applications. Therefore, application equipment is a crucial factor in evaluating site specific pesticide applications, and the findings from this study should be considered when calibrating spot sprayers
Preparing Preservice Teachers for Rural Teaching Through Professional Learning During Teaching Practice
Get PDFResource deficit in rural schools has been reported to affect recruitment and retention of teachers. However, many researchers focus on external factors that can attract teachers to teach in rural schools. This study explores teacher educators’ and preservice teachers’ perspectives on strategies that may equip preservice teachers with professional learning during their teaching practice to attract them to teaching and staying in rural schools. The study was conducted at the University of Dar es Salaam (Dar es Salaam University College of Education-DUCE). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions conducted with 5 teacher educators and 33 preservice teachers. The findings indicate that rural schools in Tanzania are characterized by geographical isolation, unreliable access to social services, poverty, and teaching resource deficits, which result in poor teaching and living conditions and attrition of teachers. To improve the quality of teaching and education at large, preservice teachers have to be equipped with professional learning to enable them to adapt to and transact with rural environments. These professional learning strategies include implementing a rural-integrated curriculum, reflective practices, and collaborative problem-solving projects. Also, preservice teachers should be empowered to use resources available in rural areas by being engaged in rural communities. It has been established that, for professional learning to be effective, teacher educators should be competent enough to supervise preservice teachers effectively. Implications for policy, practice, and further research are provided
Studying the effects of inbreeding on a small, isolated population of the endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carinata) on Little Water Cay.
No full textCyclura carinata, the Turks and Caicos rock iguana, is a critically endangered species endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The remaining populations of this iguana are restricted to small cays and islets. Inbreeding is largely unavoidable in small, isolated populations. As a result, inbreeding depression, reduced fitness observed in the offspring of relatives, is likely and may elevate extinction risks in small populations. Heterozygosity should correlate with inbreeding and can hence be used to infer the degree to which an individual’s parents are related. This study tested the hypothesis that inbreeding depression influences the population genetic dynamics of small populations by assessing levels of heterozygosity at 26 microsatellite loci in hatchlings, juveniles, and adults of C. carinata on Little Water Cay. Results revealed that homozygosity was greatest in hatchlings, lower in juveniles, and lowest in adults. This finding is consistent with inbreeding depression reducing the viability of hatchlings and juveniles, and suggests that outbred individuals are more likely to survive to adulthood
Storytelling or Telling Stories: An Analysis of Disnarration in Music Videos
No full textMusic videos have grown in popularity in recent years and have begun to augment the stories being told by the lyrics of their songs. This is done by using narrative techniques, such as disnarration, to develop complex narratives that can conflict with the lyrical content. Through analysis of the videos Willow (2020 dir. Taylor Swift) by Taylor Swift, The One That Got Away (2012 dir. Floria Sigismoni) by Katy Perry, and One Beer (2020 dir. Justin Clough) by HARDY, the distinction between the plots of the videos and the lyrics can be brought into focus. This distinction in the stories being told by both forms of media allows for songs to present larger narratives and invite the audience to ask larger questions as to the truth of what they are being told. This demonstrates the need to analyze songs not only on a lyrical basis but also on the visuals presented alongside them to gain a full understanding of what the song means
The Antagonistic Triad and Interpersonal Problems: The Role of Rejection Sensitivity
No full textThe antagonistic triad includes three antagonistic personality constructs: psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. Past research indicates that individuals with inflated antagonistic traits often face significant challenges in their romantic relationships. One of the reasons they might have such impairments in interpersonal connection is how they perceive rejection. Rejection sensitivity is the heightened emotional response to any sense of potential rejection which culminates into a “self-fulfilling prophecy”, where the maladaptive behaviors exhibited after the perceived rejection results in actual rejection. Few studies have directly assessed rejection sensitivity for individuals elevated on the antagonistic triad personality constructs. Therefore, the intention of this study was to examine the connection between the antagonistic triad traits, rejection sensitivity, and interpersonal difficulties. This study tested five hypotheses via correlation and moderation analyses. The findings indicated that narcissism was positively correlated with both rejection sensitivity and interpersonal problems, psychopathy was positively correlated with interpersonal problems, and Machiavellianism was negatively correlated with both rejection sensitivity and interpersonal problems. Additionally, rejection sensitivity did not significantly moderate the relationship between narcissism and interpersonal problems, but did moderate the relationship between psychopathy and interpersonal problems. Future research should examine these relationships using various personality conceptualizations across different cultural backgrounds and consider possible gender differences