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Real Estate: Investing In Your Future
Get PDFPURPOSE OF RESEARCH: Examine the benefits, processes and risks of residential real estate investments, and communicate to new graduates
Detection, Occupancy, Abundance, and Mercury Accumulation of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Texas
Get PDFLand use practices and physical alterations of ecosystems result in habitat loss and fragmentation, while chemical alterations, such as pollutant input, reduce habitat quality and health of exposed organisms. Here, I investigated the effects of watershed- and local-scale environmental variables on the occupancy, abundance, and mercury accumulation of a threatened aquatic species (Macrochelys temminckii, i.e., alligator snapping turtle) within the southwestern periphery of its distribution. Hierarchical modeling suggested the distribution of the species is more affected by watershed-scale land-cover than local habitat, and provided a baseline estimate of average species abundance across its range in eastern Texas. Abundance and occupancy were predicted by geographic location, and occupancy associated positively with forest cover. Mercury concentrations were predicted by environmental features at multiple scales, whereas body size had little effect. This research corroborates evidence that land use impacts aquatic species, as well as the susceptibility of aquatic systems to mercury accumulation
The Rapid Transition from Face-To-Face to Online Education Due to COVID-19: Observations of Higher Education Faculty in Texas
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact on education on a global scale. Disruptions and changes in modalities in the delivery of education, both in higher education and pk12 environments, have potentially forever changed the expectations of education systems. This study discusses the rapid transition to online education due to the pandemic from the lenses of higher education faculty in Texas
Economic Analysis of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Spacing in East Texas
Get PDFTwo experiments were conducted on spacing of Helianthus annuus in East Texas to determine the spacing treatment that produces the greatest revenue per m2. The experiments had four spacing treatments of 8 × 15 cm, 15 × 15 cm, 23 × 23 cm, and 30 × 30 cm. Three different cultivars were used in each experiment to determine if there was an interaction between spacing and cultivars. In both experiments, the stem height, stem diameter, flower diameter, and disk diameter increased as spacing increased. Also, as spacing increased, the days-to-harvest decreased. The 8 × 15 cm spacing produced the largest percentage of unmarketable and smaller size flowers while the 30 × 30 cm spacing produced the fewest unmarketable flowers. The net revenue declined substantially with increased spacing. Analysis of these two experiments concluded the most profitable spacing of specialty cut sunflowers grown in East Texas is 8 × 15 cm. East Texas growers should consider the quality and quantity of desired crop to determine the proper spacing of specialty cut sunflowers
Evaluation and analysis of perlite and municipal wastewater sludge (biosolids) from three wastewater treatment plants in East Texas, USA
No full textMunicipal wastewater sludge (also known as biosolids) is produced in large quantities from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Traditionally, analyses of biosolids revealed the presence of inorganic (including metals) and organic contaminants which pose health concerns to man and the environment. This study investigated physical-chemical parameters and comparative element concentrations (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Zn, V, Na, S, and P) in biosolids and composted wastewater sludge (CWS) from Nacogdoches Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWTP), Lufkin Wastewater Treatment Plant (LWWTP), and Angelina-Neches Compost Facility (NCF) in East Texas (USA). In addition, concentrations in perlite, a hydroponic material, were determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (SEM/EDX), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray diffraction (XRD)), and thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis. Via ICP-OES analysis, metal concentrations in biosolid samples were similar. Macroelement amounts followed the order: NWWS ≈ LWWS \u3e NCS \u3e perlite. Notably, concentrations in biosolids, CWS, and perlite are below recommended USEPA and WHO maximum ceiling levels. The pH of biosolid samples was determined between 5.33 and 6.74. The weight loses of 6-19% wt at ~ 300-700 ℃ are attributed to volatile compounds and inorganic metal oxides. From environmental and circular economy perspectives, this study shows biosolids to be safe, and potential recycling can be encouraged for use in soil amendments. This finding could find impetus to design of much better WWTPs which improve removal efficiencies and encourage recycling of biosolids
Understanding across the senses: cross-modal studies of cognition in cetaceans
Get PDFCross-modal approaches to the study of sensory perception, social recognition, cognition, and mental representation have proved fruitful in humans as well as in a variety of other species including toothed whales in revealing equivalencies that suggest that different sensory stimuli associated with objects or individuals may effectively evoke mental representations that are, respectively, object based or individual based. Building on established findings of structural equivalence in the form of spontaneous recognition of complex shapes across the modalities of echolocation and vision and behavior favoring identity echoic–visual cross-modal relationships over associative echoic–visual cross-modal relationships, examinations of transitive inference equivalencies from initially learned associations of visual and acoustic stimuli, and recent work exam- ining spontaneous cross-modal social recognition of individual identity across acoustic and gustatory chemical modalities (i.e., the equivalence relationships among an individual’s characteristics), we examine the history, utility and implications for cross-modal research in cetacean cognition. Drawing from research findings on bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales as well as other species we suggest future directions for cetacean cross-modal research to further illuminate understanding how structural and individual sensory equivalencies lead to object-centered and individual-centered mental representations, as well as to explore the potential for practical applications related to cetacean conservation
“Living in Trauma 24/7”: A qualitative exploration of factors contributing to secondary traumatic stress and burnout among student services professionals working with marginalized student populations
Get PDFHigher education professionals are at risk of secondary traumatic stress (STS) as a result of supporting students experiencing trauma, while overwhelming workload, inadequate resources, and unclear role responsibilities may lead to burnout. This study explored contributing factors to STS and burnout and coping efforts among faculty, students, and staff working in a capacity in which they provide non-instructional support to programs or centers focusing on marginalized student populations. Participants (N=56) represented twenty-two U.S. regional universities, and were a subset of respondents to a larger mixed-methods study (n=559). Qualitative responses to three open-ended questions on challenges and coping efforts were analyzed using the Sort and Sift, Think and Sift method. Emerging themes were organized into three categories: 1) role challenges, 2) efforts to cope, 3) desired institutional resources. While personal self-care and social support were cited as beneficial coping mechanisms, participants emphasized these are reactive, rather than proactive, and are insufficient to overcome workload, trauma exposure, and other role challenges, thus contributing to turnover intentions and adverse mental health outcomes. Findings from this study will inform and provide guidance for proactive steps institutions can take to prevent and manage STS and burnout, and allocate resources to empower staff to fulfill role expectations and promote their well-being
Challenges and opportunities: book discussions of gender non-conformity in two preschool classrooms
No full textThis qualitative case study investigated how two White female preschool teachers, who were familiar with anti-bias pedagogy, discussed gender non-conformity using a book in their classrooms. The book discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Teachers challenged some of the children’s gender stereotypes about gender non-conformity; however, teachers did not counter other stereotypes and kept discussions about gender non-conformity at the surface level. Children drew on their normative understandings of gender as a binary concept to make sense of gender non-conformity. Children were aware of gender-stereotyped clothing that would be deemed gender appropriate by their peers or family. Some children had difficulty understanding why a boy would wear a dress, while others challenged gender stereotypes. Teachers did not engage in in-depth discussions around gender non-conformity or around the gendered nature of bullying of a ‘girly’ boy in the book. Implications are discussed for teacher professional development and for gender-affirming early childhood pedagogy