The LAIR at East Texas A&M
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Two- And Three- Photon Fusion into Charmonium and Dimuonium in Ultraperipheral Nuclear Collisions
No full textIn this thesis, our exploration delves into the generation of charmonium and dimuonium states through the fusion of two and three photons that occurs during the ultra-peripheral collisions (UPCs) of two nuclei. We shall be working at beam energies comparable to the energies that are accessible at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Our results should describe to us that the experimental verification of the bound states we seek is possible and we can use the QED formalism that uses the projection operator to constrain the theoretical decay widths of charmonium and dimuonium bound states. It will also give information on the non components of the charmonium states. Moreover, we will also explore the phase space constraints and the reaction mechanisms in our formalism for the dimuonium. We aim towards improving predictions that have been made in previous studies
Bat Species of Northeast Texas: A Bioacoustics Assessment
No full textBats are significant to our ecosystem, but little is known about the species of bats that reside in Northeast Texas. Bioacoustics methods will be performed using Echo Meter Touch 2 to determine what species are present in Northeast Texas. Recordings will be taken at multiple areas in Northeast Texas between the dates of March 25, 2023, through October 1, 2023, at least twice. Eleven species of bats from the Vespertilionidae family are hypothesized to be detected: the Seminole bat (Lasiurus seminolus), the Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), the Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), the Tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), the Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), the Western red bat (Lasiurus blossevillii), the Southeastern Myotis (Myotis austroriparius), the Northern Long-eared Myotis bat (Myotis septentrionalis), Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Rafinesque\u27s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii), and the Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) (TPWD, 2016). as these are forest-dwelling species. With these positive detections, a habitat and statistical analysis will be created for each area where a positive detection was made. This study will be the first step to discovering and conserving bat species in Northeast Texas
Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment and Teacher Retention: A Phenomenological Study at a Large Urban School District
No full textHigh teacher turnover and a pervasive teacher shortage has the education industry investigating new ways to attract and retain talent. Texas, specifically, has invested in compensating teachers for performance in hopes of retaining top teachers in the classroom through the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), which was established and authorized by the 86th Texas Legislature (Texas Education Agency [TEA], 2022c). The intent behind TIA is to recognize and reward teachers for the work already being done and at the same time encourage them to work in schools that need them most (Lee et al., 2021; TEA, 2022c). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the perceived influence of the TIA on teacher retention through the lived experiences of designated teachers and their principals. Semi-structured interviews were utilized as a hermeneutic phenomenological method that allowed participants to vividly describe their experiences (Peoples, 2021). The interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis using NVivo 14. Data analysis revealed emergent themes and nodes about teacher and principal retention. The findings about the influence of incentive pay on teacher retention were mixed and inconclusive, but emergent themes revealed other influential factors in teacher retention, namely the following: connectedness, administrative support, competitive compensation, and school culture. Principals in the study also described from their leadership point of view their experiences regarding the implementation of the TIA and the influence it has on principal retention. The results of this study provide district and campus leaders with insight into the experience of designated teachers and their principals and into the perceived impact of the incentivization on retention. The results also reveal how incentive pay can be used in conjunction with the emergent themes for improved retention
Exploring the Influence of Campus Principals on Assistant Principals: A Basic Qualitative Study
No full textThe principal of a school is the driving force for instructional success and academic propelling of students. Research shows that other than instruction in the classroom, leadership is the critical factor within the school’s control that influences student learning. Much attention has been paid to how school leadership directly influences students; relatively little attention has been paid to how leadership indirectly influences student learning through their relationships with faculty and staff members. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher explored the influence of a principal on aspiring administrators with whom they work. Given the growing shortage of principal candidates in American schools, the field of K–12 education needs infrastructure to develop and encourage currently qualified faculty members to pursue leadership positions. The researcher interviewed assistant principals about their experiences with their principal and how their principal influenced their desire to aspire to the position. Results from this in-depth study highlight the specific areas that draw leaders to higher pursuits of professional growth. Conversely, the results elucidate the role current leadership plays in situations where assistant principals who hold principal certification choose not to pursue the principalship. Understanding the role of leadership in these situations can facilitate healthy relationships between leadership and their staff members as well as identify opportunities for improvement regarding how to support and encourage potential educational leaders as they advance to administrative positions
Refining A Model for the Inner Crust of Neutron Stars Using Calculations of Semi-Infinite Nuclear Matter
No full textThe generation of a model for the inner crust of a neutron star is a process that, as of now, relies on two separate sets of analysis. The first process involves the creation of a Skyrme model from the expansion parameters of the symmetry energy. Detached from that process is the computation of nuclear surface properties of semi-infinite nuclear matter. Once each part is formed these analyses are ’stitched’ together to complete a functional model of the inner crust. The aim of our work is to construct and implement a mechanism that will systematically include the values of J, L, and Ksym into all parameters of the CLDM which would then be suitable for use in Bayesian analyses
Leadership Beliefs and Practices Used by Five Black Female Superintendents to Promote Student Performance Outcomes: An Interpretive Qualitative Study
No full textWhile most teachers in America are women, women are underrepresented in administrative leadership roles, such as the superintendency. This underrepresentation is even worse for women of color. Given the importance of on-the-job mentorship for new and aspiring superintendence, the lack of female superintendents of color means those who do reach the superintendency do not have mentors available with the same or similar backgrounds to guide them to success. Thus, the primary aim of this interpretive qualitative research study was to understand the lived experiences of Black female superintendents as change agents who lead Texas school districts with majority populations of historically marginalized student groups. The dual purposes of this interpretive qualitative research study was to explore the (a) leadership beliefs and (b) leadership practices that successful Black female superintendents’ use to promote student performance outcomes. Using semi-structured interviews, 5 Black female superintendents serving in Texas shared how they make sense of their experiences using their beliefs and leadership practices to promote student performance outcomes. In exploring the leadership beliefs and practices used by five Black females to promote student performance outcomes, the following themes emerged from the study: (a) Together we achieve: Relationships driving collective success; (b) Excellence amplified: Giving voice to learning and performance; (c) Perseverance as a path to engagement; (d) Leading under pressure: The unseen weight of excellence
Understanding the Complexities of Student Learning Progress in Texas: A Study of COVID-19 and Rural vs. Non-Rural Districts
No full textIn this study, we investigate the impact of COVID-19 on academic achievement in Texas public schools. Demographic and Grade 5 STAAR test data were collected from 1155 public school districts for 2018–2019 and 2020–2021. Multiple regression was adopted to analyze the differences between rural and non-rural districts, as well as the impact of demographic characteristics on students’ achievement. The results reveal significant differences in demographic characteristics between the two academic years, with non-rural districts exhibiting a greater decline in academic achievement than rural districts. Additionally, the findings suggest that higher teacher salaries correlate with better academic performance across various subjects and that English learners require additional support to acquire content knowledge and skills. We further confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the academic learning experience of Texas students, with rural districts displaying more resilience than non-rural districts
Experimental and FE Investigations of Backfill Cover on Large-Diameter GRP Pipes
No full textThis paper presents experimental investigations on buried Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) pipes with a diameter of 1400 mm. The tested pipes were buried in dense, gravelly sand and subjected to traffic loads to study the effects of backfill cover on pipe deflection. The experimental program included tests on three GRP pipes with backfill covers of 100 cm, 75 cm, and 50 cm. The maximum traffic loads applied to the pipe–soil system corresponded to Iraqi Truck Type 3 (AASHTO Htype). Vertical deflections of the pipes were monitored during the application of these loads. The experimental results showed that, as the backfill cover increased, the maximum vertical deflection of the pipe decreased. Deflection reductions were 38.0% and 33.3% when the backfill increased from 50 cm to 100 cm and from 50 cm to 75 cm, respectively. A 500 mm compacted backfill cover was found to be sufficient to resist traffic loads, with the vertical deflection percentage remaining below the allowable limit. Additionally, the behavior of the GRP pipes under different traffic load configurations was analyzed using finite element (FE) analysis with Plaxis 3D. The model was validated using field data. The study investigated numerous variables impacting the behavior of embedded pipes, including pipe material, pipe thickness, backfill properties, backfill depth, and the properties of the soil beneath the GRP pipe. The deflections of the steel pipe were lower than those of the GRP pipe when using different thicknesses
Investigating the Practices of Principals at High-Performing Low-Socioeconomic High Schools
No full textFor this study, the researcher investigated the practices of principals at low-socioeconomic, high-performing high schools. This general qualitative study included investigative interviews to discover the leadership practices of 5 principals from high schools considered by the Texas Education Agency to be both academically high-performing and low-socioeconomic. The researcher reviewed past research to identify gaps in the field, which informed the research questions and design. Using self-efficacy, collective teacher efficacy, and leadership behaviors as the theoretical frameworks, the researcher examined principal practices connected to high-performing, low-socioeconomic high schools and categorized them into 3 main groups: instruction, culture, and high expectations. The researcher critically analyzed the methods, results, strengths, and weaknesses of previous research to inform design decisions. Previous research showed varied results that researchers often link to a specific school or demographic makeup. While high-performing schools require a leader who is effective and impactful, many principals have gaps in their training or lack full knowledge of the high-performing leader requirements. This study may help principals improve performance on their campus by illuminating some best practices that impact student success. The overarching purpose of this study is to identify principal practices that are effective in low-socioeconomic high schools. The researcher determined that culture, communication, and high standards are three practices commonly used by high-performing principals in low socioeconomic-status high schools
Experiences and Outcomes Associated with Students Who Self-Select into Living-Learning Communities at a R3 University
No full textThis concurrent mixed methods study examined the individual experiences and outcomes among students who self-selected into the different living-learning communities (LLCs) offered at a Carnegie-classified R3 university. The study was designed to provide a better understanding of the perceived relationship between LLC participation and student experiences and outcomes. The LLC Survey was utilized to measure student perception of the influence and impact of LLC participation. The survey was administered to all 220 students who participated in the LLCs during the 2021–2022 academic year, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously over a period of 21 weeks. The response rate for completed surveys was 15%. Descriptive statistics were used to provide the mean, median, standard deviation, and confidence intervals for each survey item. Data analysis revealed that participation in a LLC positively influenced student perceived experiences and outcomes, supporting the research hypothesis for the eight research questions. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to determine if there was any correlation between the participants’ responses on 15 measures with length of LLC membership, and only one statistically significant correlation (strong and positive) was observed between length of time in a LLC and continued enrollment due to LLC collaboration between student affairs personnel and faculty. Finally, data collected from the two open-ended questions were thematically analyzed resulting in a total of nine themes. The most cited themes were belong/community and involvement, accounting for 65.5% of the participants’ responses