The LAIR at East Texas A&M
Not a member yet
7179 research outputs found
Sort by
Low Complexity DOA Estimation of Multiple Coherent Sources Using a Single Direct Data Snapshot
No full textThe direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of multiple radio frequency (RF) coherent signals using conventional algorithms such as Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC), Estimation of the Signal Parameters via the Rotational Invariance Technique (ESPRIT), and their variants is computationally complex and usually requires a large number of data snapshots for accurate estimation. As the number of antenna elements grows, particularly in massive MIMO systems, the complexity of real-time DOA estimation algorithms significantly rises, placing higher demands on computational power and memory resources. In this paper, we present an efficient approach that operates effectively with just a single snapshot for DOA estimation of multiple coherent and non-coherent signals. The proposed method has the following advantages over existing methods: 1) constructs a Toeplitz structure data matrix from a single data snapshot; 2) applies forward-backward averaging operation to the data matrix instead of the covariance matrix constructed using hundreds of snapshots; 3) resolves the differences in the noise elements of the data matrix, preserving the conjugate symmetry property of the Toeplitz matrix; 4) converts the complex Toeplitz data matrix to a real-valued matrix in an efficient way without unitary transformations; and 5) employs QR decomposition to extract the signal and noise subspaces, eliminating the need for computationally complex eigenvalue (EVD) or singular value decomposition (SVD). Finally, we establish the effectiveness of our proposed method through both MATLAB simulations and real-time experiments. Compared to existing methods like Unitary root-MUSIC, the proposed approach demonstrates significantly reduced complexity and faster estimation times
Embracing Book Diversity in The Early Childhood Classroom: A Qualitative Case Study of Educators Reading Aloud
No full textThis qualitative case study explored the perceptions of early childhood educators who read diverse books aloud to their students. Framed by the Theory of Social Representations, an explanatory case study method was used to analyze the data, including a survey, interviews, and participant lesson plans. Data was analyzed using a combination of coding methods. Validity and credibility were established through triangulation, explanation building, and participant feedback. The findings show that early childhood teachers believe representation is essential for all students, that diverse books and class discussions are developmentally appropriate, and that challenges are faced when choosing to read diverse books aloud. These challenges include accessibility, authenticity, and parents contesting book selections
Exploration of Practices in Pennsylvania Public Schools to Support Over-Age, Under-Credited Students
No full textIn four years of high school education some students do not achieve the appropriate number of credits to receive a diploma. To support over-age, under-credited students, each high school has to intervene. Schools need to find ways to help students receive the credits needed, allow students to go beyond four years to graduate, or drop out of high school. In many cases, students become under-credited after the first year of high school. While schools may easily determine who the under-credited students are, how, or even whether the issue is addressed before the second or third year of high school many times is arbitrary. Many under-credited students are at the mercy of a haphazard system dependent on a competent, caring school counselor. Processes, like regular transcript reviews, are only effective when specific school employees, including school counselors, building-level administrators, or district-level administration see it as a problem. This research will focus on rural, suburban, and urban public high schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the ways and extent to which their students are on track to achieve the correct number of credits to graduate. This qualitative descriptive research will include an Executive Summary including best practices for supporting over-age, under-credited students available to the Commonwealth’s Intermediate Units
The Control of The Pyrimidine Biosynthesis Pathways in Pseudomonas Aureofaciens
No full textThe control of the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway by pyrimidines was investigated in the biological control agent Pseudomonas aureofaciens ATCC 17418. The de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic enzymes displayed higher activity in the P. aureofaciens glucose-grown cells compared to succinate-grown cells. In the pyrimidine (uracil or orotic acid) supplementation experiment, orotic acid had more effect on aspartate transcarbamoylase, dihydroorotase and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase when P. aureofaciens cells were grown on glucose. Two pyrimidine auxotrophic mutants from P. aureofaciens were isolated via conventional mutagenesis and resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid in order to ascertain whether pyrimidine limitation triggers pathway enzyme overproduction due to repressor scarcity. Strain GW-1 was orotate phosphoribosyltransferase deficient while the second mutant strain GW-2 was defective for orotidine 5’- monophosphate decarboxylase. The pyrimidine limitation experiment of both mutants showed an important derepression of some pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme activities, especially aspartate transcarbamoylase, dihydroorotase. The regulation of the first enzyme of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway was examined. In P. aureofaciens, aspartate transcarbamoylase was inhibited by PPi, ATP, UTP and ADP. It was observed that pyrimidine formation was controlled by at the transcriptional level and at the level of aspartate transcarbamoylase activity
African American Females’ Perceptions of Barriers Related to the Utilization of University Mental Health Services
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore, document, and share mental health issues, concerns, stigmas, and views of African American female university students. Exploring their lived experiences, mental health assumptions, proximity to mental health resources and support, as an effort to increase awareness and direction of directive approaches in treatment and support of the AAFUS population. Utilizing empirical research-based knowledge, a Likert-scale survey questionnaire. With one single event of data collection to gather information from respondents’ who represented the African American female university student population shared their views, beliefs, perceptions, and assumptions of mental health and campus counseling facilities. This quantitative data collection was followed by content data collection and analysis. Our findings and results reflect a mixture of both support of previous literature and differences from previous literature. The participants of this study indicate positive outlooks and less stigmas toward the field of counseling. However, there was hesitancy in participant confidence of the individual therapist or mental health professional pertaining to cultural competency
Heat Equation Simulation of Disease Propagation in Human Organs with 2D and 3D Modeling
No full textThis thesis presents heat distribution simulations within 2D and 3D domains to model disease propagation, correlating to disease spread in human organs. A 2D simulation sets the groundwork, which starts the simulation from heat source temperatures linked to their sizes, reflecting the varying intensity of disease spread from different-sized spots. Advancing to 3D, the model more accurately portrays disease dynamics, useful for understanding organ-specific pathologies, particularly within the lungs. Incorporating image function into the 2D heat equation allows for the simulation of color changes in the organ, pertinent to disease detection. This integration facilitates the modeling of disease spread over time, offering a tool for improved diagnostics and aiding clinical research. The thesis contributes to medical simulation advancements, enhancing comprehension of disease progression and provides a number of experimental results to validate the theoretical concepts
Mapping Success: Map as an Indicator of Reading Performance on STAAR and TELPAS for English Learners in Grades 8 and 9
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) reading Rasch unIT (RIT) score and State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) reading achievement among English learners in Grades 8 and 9. The study also investigated whether MAP assessment data can be utilized to anticipate future achievement on STAAR and TELPAS reading assessments for English learners in Grades 8 and 9. The data for this study were gathered from the archival records of a total of 1,642 students, including 987 eighth-grade English learners from eight different schools and 655 ninth-grade English learners from seven different schools. All schools were located within a single suburban school district in North Texas. The study utilized a quantitative design that included the collection of archival quantitative data consisting of student demographic information and numerical data in the form of assessment results. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, a Pearson product-moment correlation analysis, regression analysis, and ANOVA. A Pearson product-moment correlation analysis indicated MAP Growth Reading RIT scores had a strong correlation with both eighth- and ninth-grade STAAR and TELPAS reading scores. The results of regression analysis revealed MAP RIT scores were a significant predictor for STAAR and TELPAS exam results in scale score format and differed significantly across the levels of STAAR reading and TELPAS reading proficiency. Regression models were utilized to determine the MAP Growth Reading RIT cut scores that are most reliably associated with success at each STAAR reading and TELPAS reading proficiency level. These cut scores directly align with STAAR and TELPAS scale scores and can be utilized to make predictions about future English learners’ reading achievement on STAAR and TELPAS reading assessments. The results of this study were all found to be statistically significant, confirming strong correlations between MAP Growth Reading RIT scores and STAAR and TELPAS reading scores. MAP RIT data was affirmed as a robust indicator for anticipating English learners’ reading achievement on STAAR and TELPAS reading assessments. Results from this study should be utilized to encourage ongoing student identification for progress monitoring, goal setting, and targeted intervention
Central Office Administrator Perceptions of Teacher Professional Learning in The Aftermath of Covid-19: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
No full textThis descriptive qualitative study explored the perceptions of central office administrators regarding the benefits and challenges experienced supporting teacher professional learning since the COVID-19 pandemic. Through semi-structured interviews with eight administrators, the study uncovered two themes regarding benefits and three themes regarding the challenges of these changes. The findings highlight the benefits of format options and technology in professional learning post-pandemic. Virtual formats offer convenience, flexibility, and enhanced collaboration, while technology integration has improved training efficiency and effectiveness. Three themes emerged regarding challenges—meeting the needs of teachers, helping teachers meet the needs of students, and changing attitudes toward and expectations of teacher professional learning. These insights underscore the importance of quality professional development in teacher recruitment and retention
Pyrimidine Ribonucleoside Salvage Metabolism in Pseudomonas Putida ATCC 17536
No full textThe study aimed to investigate the pyrimidine ribonucleoside salvage metabolism in Pseudomonas putida ATCC 17536. Specifically, the goal was to assess the enzyme activities involved in the pyrimidine salvage pathway in ATCC 17536 cells cultured in minimal media containing 0.4% succinate or glucose, supplemented with 0.2% pyrimidine bases and ribonucleosides as potential nitrogen sources. The objective was to measure the activities of cytosine deaminase, uridine phosphorylase, and nucleoside hydrolase in extracts from ATCC 17536 cells grown under specific carbon and nitrogen conditions. The bacterial cells were cultured in minimal media containing 0.4% glucose or sodium succinate as the carbon source, with various 0.2% pyrimidine bases as nitrogen sources. ATCC 17536 Cells in the late exponential phase were collected, disrupted using ultrasound, and the cell extract was centrifuged which was followed by overnight dialysis at 4°C. Results indicated that the carbon source influenced the pyrimidine ribonucleoside salvage pathway in P. putida ATCC 17536, with higher activities being observed in the succinate medium compared to the glucose medium. Additionally, the impact of adding pyrimidine bases to the culture medium was investigated, which revealed differential effects on salvage enzymes depending on the carbon source. In summary, this investigation sheds light on the regulation of pyrimidine base and ribonucleoside salvage metabolism in P. putida ATCC 17536 demonstrating the influence of carbon and nitrogen sources on enzyme synthesis, which fills a void in the pyrimidine biochemistry of P. putida cells
Face Recognition Ability and Eyewitness Identification
No full textEyewitness identification (ID) is a crucial factor in our justice system. There has been a copious amount of research done to improve the ID process. The Innocence Project (2023) lists hundreds of exonerated individuals who were wrongfully convicted due largely to misidentification. I used the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT) for this thesis to determine if general facial recognition ability could be a predictor of eyewitness ID accuracy. I also manipulated encoding time to determine whether or not it interacts with this relationship. There is very little research applying tests of face recognition ability to eyewitness ID performance. Further, I investigated eyewitness ID performance from three different ID procedures: showups, biased lineups, and fair lineups. The overall goal of this study was to determine if the CFMT could be used as a predictive tool for eyewitness ID performance. If so, the CFMT is a simple test law enforcement can use to determine if a potential eyewitness would be reliable or not. If someone is generally a weak facial recognizer, they would most likely be a weak eyewitness. Eliminating weak eyewitnesses can be crucial in reducing the number of wrongful convictions that happen every year