The LAIR at East Texas A&M
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Environmental Impact on the Behavior of CFRP Sheet Attached to Concrete
No full textCarbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) has many advantages as a construction/structural strengthening material. However, there are still concerns regarding the long-term performance of these materials when used with reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Environmental conditions have an adverse effect on the behavior of CFRP and the bond between these sheets and concrete. Therefore, the durability of CFRP used for strengthening RC beams was evaluated under different environmental scenarios, including subjection to immersion in deicing agents, tap water, and saltwater, freeze-and thaw cycles, and outdoor environmental changes. Laboratory tests were performed to examine the influence of these environmental scenarios on the bonding behavior between CFRP sheets and concrete in terms of deformations and modes of failure. Two types of test setups were performed in this study, namely pull-off shearing and three-point bending. Forty-two concrete prisms with CFRP were prepared and tested by using the pull-off shearing setup. It was observed that as the period of exposure increased, noticeable effects on the CFRP sheet as well as the bond stiffness were observed. Exposure to tap water had a greater impact than saltwater on the CFRP–concrete bond strength as well as the CFRP. In addition, eighteen notched concrete beams strengthened with an external CFRP were tested under three-point bending. The tap water exposure showed a 3.6% increase in the bond strength compared to the control specimen. However, the saltwater exposure showed a 10% increase
Lenora Coffee, Reverse
No full textThe reverse side of a black and white portrait. [inscription, bottom center] Lenora Coffee Sophomore.https://lair.etamu.edu/scua-hcgs-people/1048/thumbnail.jp
Effects of Self-Reported Sleep Measures on Eyewitness Recall and Identification
No full textDNA exonerations have revealed eyewitness misidentification to be one of the leading factors of innocent incarcerations (www.innocenceproject.org). Research has supported the crucial role of sleep in memory formation and retention, but sparce research has investigated how sleep may impact eyewitness memory (e.g., Morgan et al., 2019; Stepan et al., 2017; Thorley, 2013). This thesis seeks to investigate the role of self-reported pre-encoding sleep quality, duration, and current sleepiness on eyewitness central and peripheral recall, and facial recognition memory. If these self-reported measures are predictive of eyewitness accuracy, law enforcement may be able to differentiate between high and low quality eyewitnesses by askingwitnesses simple questions about their sleep the night before a crime. Across two experiments investigating either lineups or showups, participants viewed a mock-crime video, provided recent sleep data, answered recall questions regarding the crime, and made an identification decision
Teachers’ Perspectives on a Constructivist Paradigm and Their Use of Constructivist Strategies in the Classroom
No full textConstructivism is the foundation of the teacher evaluation systems in Arkansas and Texas. This research conducted via zoom interviews providing transcripts for analysis, indicated the majority of teachers utilize constructivist strategies. The purpose of this study was to replicate the study done by S. D. Oliver (2017) determining whether the number, or percentage, of teachers who subscribed to a constructivist paradigm, as well as the number or percentage who employed constructivist teaching strategies for teaching and learning has increased since the states of Arkansas and Texas implemented their constructivist-based teacher evaluation systems in response to the ESEA Flexibility Act. This qualitative analysis study was significant in that teachers’ paradigms impacted the strategies they employed in the classroom. It is significant that educational leaders have knowledge of teachers’ paradigms about teaching and learning, and to be aware if the use of a constructivist-based evaluation system has changed the number of teachers who held this teaching paradigm and utilize strategies based in constructivism. This knowledge was used to guide implementation of professional development on the national, state, and local levels
Evaluating Herbaceous Perennials for Landscape Performance and Pollinator Behavior in North-Central Texas
No full textUrban areas are increasing with the growing human population, which in turn decreases the resources available for pollinators. Perennial plants can be used in urban settings for visual appeal while also providing for various pollinator species. However, some species of perennials have neither been evaluated for landscape performance in north-central Texas, nor how they may provide forage for pollinators. In this study, 20 species of perennial plants were evaluated based on physical and physiological measures of plant performance, along with documentation of pollinator visits. Weekly, each plant was counted for bloom number, scored based on visual appeal, and observed for 60s to count and identify pollinator visits. Monthly, two species, Salvia guaranatica ‘Black and Blue’ and Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii \u27Pam Puryear\u27, were evaluated for stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, leaf temperature and relative humidity. These two species were also evaluated once using a light response curve, comparing net photosynthesis rates at irradiance levels between 0 and 1500 W·m-2. The top 3 plants, based upon average highest overall score, were Salvia farinacea ‘Henry Duelberg’, Salvia farinacea ‘Augusta Duelberg’, and Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’. Each species supported a specific type of pollinator. Perovskia atriplicifolia supported the broadest range of pollinators, visited regularly by more than 8 different species. Foeniculum vulgare had the highest number of pollinator visits. To support bumblebee populations, it is recommended to plant Salvias and lantanas. To support other various Hymenopteran, Foeniculum vulgare and Pycnanthemum muticum should be planted. Conoclinum coelistinum and Pycnanthemum muticum are recommended to support Lepidopterans and dipterans. Echinacea purpurea, Phlox paniculata ‘John Fanick’, and Echinacea angustifolia had the highest SPAD readings and are recommended for north-central Texas. Comparing the two light response curves, Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii \u27Pam Puryear\u27 had higher net photosynthesis, suggesting it can perform better in high levels of light and should be planted in full sun for maximum performance The species that can be used in urban environments for ornamental purposes while also supporting pollinator populations in north-central Texas are Salvia farinacea \u27Augusta Duelberg\u27, Salvia farinacea \u27Henry Duelberg\u27, Conoclinum coelistinum, Persovskia atriplicifolia, and Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’
Understanding Au Pairs’ Perceptions of English Language Proficiency and American Acculturation: A Phenomenological Study
No full textThis phenomenological study examined factors that prompt women whose first language is not English to seek work in the U.S. as an au pair, as well as the various challenges and benefits of that service, as well as the relationship between building proficiency and fluency in English and the experience of living with a host family and attending community college classes as related to their views of how doing so integrated them into the culture and society of America. I sought to uncover the factors that motivate the au pairs to improve their skills in the English language, while also adjusting to culture In the United States and how this aligns with the experience of living with an American host family and taking ESL coursework at a community college. I employed qualitative research methods to explore the characteristics, motivating factors, advantages and challenges of au pairs working toward improving English language proficiency and integrating into American society and culture while living and working in the U.S. Specifically, a multiple case study method of qualitative research was used to explore how au pairs acquire English language proficiency and integrate into American society and culture. I selected participants using purposeful sampling of au pairs, between the ages of 18 and 26 and who speak Spanish as their first languag
The Role of Assistant Superintendents in Principal Transformation: A Narrative Inquiry of Principals in One Urban School District
No full textThe purpose of this narrative inquiry is to hear stories from principals in relation to their assistant superintendent supervision and coaching and professional development through principal professional learning communities and resulting efficacy, particularly during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature from the field has been reviewed including research into current statistics on student performance, teacher coaching, principal development, and both assistant superintendent and central administration as well as the effects of the entire system in provoking and growing principals thus increasing student growth. Seven campus leaders consisting of elementary and secondary principals from school districts in Texas were chosen and interviewed. This inquiry will give insight into principal views of supervisory coaching, determine whether it resulted in principal efficacy, particularly during a crisis
Impact of Academic Advising on Grit and Retention Among Students of Color in Community College
No full textThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationships of academic advising, and grit’s impact on retention among students of color in the community college. Additionally, the study examined differences in the length of time spent receiving academic advising and level of grit with the retention in students of color. A total of 32 community college students of color were sampled amongst a 2-year community college campus located in the Southeast Region of Dallas, Texas. This study yielded a small sample size due in part to the data collection being performed during the 2020–2021 academic school year at the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Race/ethnicity the study sample consisted of 65.60% Black or African Americans college students, 28.10% Hispanic/Latino college students, and 6.3% Asian college. The study applied a multiple regression correlational research design approach, and the data was collected using the Short Grit-S Scale (Duckworth & Quinn, 2009), the Student Advising Scale (Lance et al., 2006), the Turnover Intention Scale (Mitchell et al., 2001), and a demographics questionnaire were used to collect the data. A multiple linear regression correlation coefficient approach was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed no significant difference in the grit and retention levels in community color students of color. Thus, academic advising was nonsignificant in explaining higher level of grit or retention among students of color in community college. Although there was no significance difference, grit levels were higher in female participants than male participants, Black/African Americans than Hispanic/Latino and Asians. The higher grit levels among these groups could have been a result of having more access to the academic advising center and other student services at the community college. Age group 55+ I found grit levels higher than the other age range groups of this study Maturity levels and lengthy study times as well as more access to the academic advising center group. Conversely, I found the 35–44 years age range group grit level was significantly lower than the others. This could have been due to personal commitments limiting them from frequenting campus advising center service
Inferring the Symmetry Energy from Measurements of Isovector Nuclear Properties: The Effects of Skyrme Parameter Fitting
No full textHistorically, when Skyrme model parameters fit to nuclear data have been adjusted, usually the parameters that determine the symmetry energy were changed and the rest were left alone. Since all Skyrme parameters are fit to nuclear data, the quality of the symmetry energy inference decreases when not all parameters are refit after adjustment. We show the result of inferring the magnitude J, slope L, and curvature Ksym of the symmetry energy from electric dipole polarizability αD, neutron skin thickness rn, charge radius rch, binding energy BE, and PNM constraints and how using different sets of the aforementioned data affects the symmetry energy parameter inference. We demonstrate that the posterior distributions produced after incorporating modeling errors (without refitting) into data sets are qualitatively similar to posterior distributions using refit data, saving time at the cost of tighter constraints. We also demonstrate the effectiveness of the simulated annealing method from which one can expect an order of magnitude reduction in χ2
The Academic and Social Lived Experiences of Latino Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Students at Community Colleges
No full textThe purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the academic and interpersonal lived experiences of Latino Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students by analyzing their individual stories and personal accounts as community college students. This study focused on students who were undocumented but were able to attend community colleges because of the DACA provision and thus persisted on their journey to obtain a college degree. The findings from this research inquiry can provide higher educational leadership insight into the lived experiences of Latino DACA students and the factors that contribute to their persistence and retention in college. These personal stories can help higher educational leaders recognize the unique perspectives and challenges of undocumented students and thereby implement policies and practices that encourage faculty and staff to be inclusive to all races, ethnicities, and other groups who traditionally may be excluded or marginalized in higher education