The LAIR at East Texas A&M
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Unique Vulnerability: Perceived Risk in Aging Adults
No full textApproximately 73 million Americans are age 65 or older and as this population group is expected to steadily rise, research designed to aid in understanding factors influential in their health-related perceptions becomes ever more necessary. Using a cross-sectional design, the present study investigated the perception of unique vulnerability in aging adults as a function of their proximity of exposure to illness or injury. Proximity of exposure refers to the relationship between an individual and the person experiencing the illness or injury (distant acquaintance, close acquaintance, or self). Likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, data collected returned results varying from those expected. Participants from each age category reported feelings of vulnerability, financial concerns, and proximity to illness, injury, and death. Uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly caused wide-spread vulnerabilities, and while data analysis in several key areas supports the presence of unique vulnerability in aging adults, future research is still needed
A Research Study on the Effects of Differentiated Instruction, Tiered Instruction, and Tracking on First Grade and Second Grade Students Who Perform Lower in Academic Subjects Compared to Their Classmates
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The Effects of Strength, Flexibility, and Aerobic Training on the Management and Improvement of Symptoms of Fibromyalgia in Women: A Systematic Review.
No full textModeling a Decision Support System for Covid-19 Using Systems Dynamics and Fuzzy Inference
No full textCovid-19 has impacted the lives of people across the world with deaths and unprecedented economic damage. Countries have employed various restrictions and lockdowns to slow down the rate of its spread with varying degrees of success. This research aims to propose an optimal strategy for dealing with a pandemic taking the deaths and economy into account. A complete lockdown until vaccination is not suitable as it can destroy the economy, whereas having no restrictions would result in more Covid-19 cases. Therefore, there is a need for a dynamic model which can propose a suitable strategy depending on the economic and health situation. This paper discusses an approach involving a systems dynamics model for evaluating deaths and hospitals and a fuzzy inference system for deciding the strategy for the next time period based on pre-defined rules. We estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a sum of government spending, investment, consumption, and spending. The resulting hybrid framework aims to attain a balance between health and economy during a pandemic. The results from a 30-week simulation indicate that the model has 2.9 million $ in GDP higher than complete lockdown and 21 fewer deaths compared to a scenario with no restrictions. The model can be used for the decision-making of restriction policies by configuring the fuzzy rules and membership functions. The paper also discusses the possibility of introducing virus variants in the model
Decision Making in Poker: Evaluating Optimality After a Bad Beat
No full textThe following manuscript is a research study on decision making in poker. We investigated the effect of a bad beat (unexpected monetary loss) on future optimal risk-taking decisions (as determined by Kelly’s formula) of individuals participating in a computerized poker simulation task (CPST). Additional analysis included assessing for the effects of poker playing experience (as determined by scores on the Poker Experience Scale, PES) and baseline levels of emotional regulation as measured by Carver & White’s (1994) behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS) questionnaire on future optimal risk-taking decisions on the CPST. In this study, two questions were proposed. First, will individuals make optimal or sub optimal risk-taking decisions after experiencing a bad beat? Second, do individual differences in poker playing experience and emotion related traits predict if an individual will make optimal risk-taking decisions
A Study of Resiliency in Academically Successful African American Male High School Graduates from At-risk Situations
No full textThe educational attainment of African American males attending high-poverty secondary schools has long been researched and explored by educators and those seeking to improve the educational outcomes of this particular group which is at the highest risk of being unsuccessful in high school. Despite educational reforms and other educational modifications, the achievement gap of this group has continued to expand; however, a significant number of students have been successful despite unequal opportunities and unsupportive systems.Countless researchers have discussed factors that contribute to the achievement gap between African American and Caucasian students yet few studies have disproved conceptions of failure relative to at-risk African American males. Nonetheless, many African American males succeed despite at-risk conditions, and many successful African American males have overcome adversities and dire circumstances (Morales & Trotman, 2008; Whiting, 2009); thus, one should highlight aspects that support successful academic achievement among African American males from at-risk situations. This qualitative study explored the following research question: What experiences do academically successful African American high school male graduates living in impoverished communities and attending low-performing schools believe contributed to their academic success? Through in-depth interviews, data were collected directly from six academically successful African American high school male graduates about factors contributing to their resilience and academic success. Masten (2001) defined resilience as a phenomenon in which a person could succeed in the face of severe adversity if adaptation structures were protected and functioned well. A basic qualitative design was used to gather detailed descriptions from participants who have lived through this phenomenon. Analysis of interview data revealed four themes: (a) academic goals were achieved through adaptable striving toward a fixed goal, (b) how positive and negative experiences were interpreted helped them accomplish goals, (c) compensatory support assisted in overcoming major risks, and (d) protective factors were continuously refined by incorporating new experiences and resources. These findings may provide insights for educators and parents to develop or implement strategies or interventions for African American male students (see Williams et al., 2017)
Sister Outsider: Lived Experiences of Black Women Early Childhood Educators Who Employ Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
No full textThe lack of current research on the lived experiences of Black women early childhood educators who utilize culturally relevant pedagogy with young children has rendered this group of educators functionally invisible. Using the theoretical frameworks of critical race theory, Black feminist thought, and intersectionality, the purpose of this critical narrative inquiry study was to examine how Black women early childhood educators’ lived experiences inform their use of culturally relevant pedagogies in pre-k to third grade classrooms. This study took place at an elementary public charter school serving students in pre-kindergarten to third grade in the southeast sector of Fort Worth, Texas. The participants were five Black women early childhood educators who teach children in pre-kindergarten to third grade. I used purposeful sampling to select participants who are representative of the population. I employed narrative inquiry methods. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews, sister circle collective gatherings, Photovoice, and researcher produced life notes. Throughout data collection and analysis, I used member checking with participants to ensure the data\u27s accuracy. I also analyzed the data collected using Polkinghorne’s narrative mode of analysis to produce life story narratives. I chose these specific data collection methods because they provide educational researchers a paradigm to examine the pervasiveness of a single story in teacher education. Findings from my co-researchers’ stories demonstrated how they (re)membered their culturally situated work with young children and families, (re)imagined how the authentic lives of BIPOC children are reflected in early learning spaces, and (re)cognized the inherent power of cultivating the genius of BIPOC minds. Each woman navigated the intersections of her identity to build meaningful relationships with young children and families. They also created learning environments that centered reciprocal authenticity with children. Lastly, my co-researchers all held an image of children of as wholly competent and capable beings. Implications for early childhood educators, administrators, educational researchers, and teacher educators are offered along with recommendations for future research
The Effects of Trauma and Serious Illness on Couples Marital Quality: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
No full textThe purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to explore the marital quality of couples experiencing the trauma of a serious illness in their relationship. The researcher examined couples by asking the question “What are the lived experiences of couples who have experienced trauma”? The researcher explored the couples’ experience and defined what trauma means to each couple. The aim of the study was to study the overlooked perspective of both partners in a relationship. It is critical for researchers to be aware of the unique personalities, needs, and personal experiences of these couples. A sample of 18 participants (nine couples), was recruited through e-versions of flyers, posted on the internet (e.g., on social networking sites), paper flyers posted around the university’s campus and at the local courthouse, and word of mouth. The researcher interviewed each couple conjointly to understand their relationship experiences. Findings revealed that couples can successfully maneuver life with its many challenges while building secure attachments and bonds