The LAIR at East Texas A&M
Not a member yet
7179 research outputs found
Sort by
Mining Open Government Data for Business Intelligence Using Data Visualization: A Two-Industry Case Study
No full textThe business intelligence (BI) market has grown at a tremendous rate in the past decade due to technological advancements, big data and the availability of open source content. Despite this growth, the use of open government data (OGD) as a source of information is very limited among the private sector due to a lack of knowledge as to its benefits. Scant evidence on the use of OGD by private organizations suggests that it can lead to the creation of innovative ideas as well as assist in making better informed decisions. Given the benefits but lack of use of OGD to generate business intelligence, we extend research in this area by exploring how OGD can be used to generate business intelligence for the identification of market opportunities and strategy formulation; an area of research that is still in its infancy. Using a two-industry case study approach (footwear and lumber), we use latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling to extract emerging topics in these two industries from OGD, and a data visualization tool (pyLDAVis) to visualize the topics in order to interpret and transform the data into business intelligence. Additionally, we perform an environmental scanning of the environment for the two industries to validate the usability of the information obtained. The results provide evidence that OGD can be a valuable source of information for generating business intelligence and demonstrate how topic modeling and visualization tools can assist organizations in extracting and analyzing information for the identification of market opportunities
Santa Claus Rally and the Indian Stock Market: A Comprehensive Analysis
No full textThe study examines the leading Indian stock market indices all of which reflect the “Santa Claus rally” effect where significantly higher daily returns accrue to investors in the last five trading days of December and the first two trading days of the following January. The study also reveals that the BSE SENSEX started exhibiting this effect only during the post-1991 period. Additionally, the results indicate that there is a size effect associated with the Santa Claus rally effect wherein small-cap companies outperform mid-cap and large-cap companies. The evidence also suggests that the effect is prominent in eight industry-specific sub-sectors
Simulation Modeling of a Photovoltaic-Green Roof System for Energy Cost Reduction of a Building: Texas Case Study
No full textThis study aims at introducing a modeling and simulation approach for a green roof system which can reduce energy cost of a building exposed to high temperatures throughout the summer season. First, to understand thermal impact of a green roof system on a building surface, a field-based study has been conducted in Commerce, Texas, U.S., where the average maximum temperature in summer is 104 F (40 C). Two types of analyses were conducted: (1) comparison of temperature between different plant type via Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and (2) polynomial regression analysis to develop thermal impact estimation model based on air temperature and presence of a green roof. In addition, an agent-based simulation (ABS) model was developed via Any Logic® University 8.6.0 simulation software, Chicago, IL, U.S., in order to accurately estimate energy cost and benefits of a building with a photovoltaic-green roof system. The proposed approach was applied to estimate energy reduction cost of the Keith D. McFarland Science Building at Texas A&M University, Commerce, Texas (33.2410 N, 95.9104 W). As a result, the proposed approach was able to save $740,325.44 in energy cost of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HAVC) system in the subject building. The proposed approach will contribute to the implementation of a sustainable building and urban agriculture
Automated Drone Detection Using YOLOv4
No full textDrones are increasing in popularity and are reaching the public faster than ever before. Consequently, the chances of a drone being misused are multiplying. Automated drone detection is necessary to prevent unauthorized and unwanted drone interventions. In this research, we designed an automated drone detection system using YOLOv4. The model was trained using drone and bird datasets. We then evaluated the trained YOLOv4 model on the testing dataset, using mean average precision (mAP), frames per second (FPS), precision, recall, and F1-score as evaluation parameters. We next collected our own two types of drone videos, performed drone detections, and calculated the FPS to identify the speed of detection at three altitudes. Our methodology showed better performance than what has been found in previous similar studies, achieving a mAP of 74.36%, precision of 0.95, recall of 0.68, and F1-score of 0.79. For video detection, we achieved an FPS of 20.5 on the DJI Phantom III and an FPS of 19.0 on the DJI Mavic Pro
The Impact of Creative Online Group Supervision on Counselors-in-Training: A Single-Case Research Study
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the impact of creative online group supervision on the counseling self-efficacy of counselors-in-training (CITs), utilizing a multiple baseline single-case research design (SCRD). Eight participants elected to participate in a weekly hour-long creative online supervision group. CITs completed the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory (COSE; Larson et al., 1992) during the baseline (A) phase and the nine-week treatment (B) phase to self-assess for counseling self-efficacy. The researcher conducted visual analysis, as well as calculating descriptive statistics (i.e., mean and standard deviation for each phase) and an effect size using nonoverlap of all pairs (NAP; Parker & Vannest, 2009) for each participant’s data. Four participants experienced a statistically significant large effect improvement in self-efficacy, one participant experienced a non-statistically significant large effect improvement, one participant experienced a non-statistically significant medium effect improvement, one participant experienced a non-statistically significant small effect improvement, and the final participant experienced a slight decline in self-efficacy. All participants reflected positively on their experiences in the creative online supervision group. Self-identified professional growth areas included perspective-taking, new techniques for working with clients for whom talk-only therapy does not fit well, improved professional identity, and enhanced use of questioning and prompting. Self-identified personal growth areas included increased openness and vulnerability, opportunity for self-reflection and introspection, accessing deep emotions, and improved self-awareness. The author discusses implications for these findings in the arenas of counselor education and supervision
An Analysis of Weight Loss and Stress Physiology of Captive-Reared and Translocated California Valley Quail
No full textAvian translocations can result in weight loss and physiological stress, likely contributing to the low survival rate of translocated birds. Since quail translocations are becoming increasingly popular due to rapidly declining populations in the U.S., there is a growing need for a non-invasive assessment of stress. The objectives of this study were (1) determine an efficient travel ration to mitigate weight loss during a 48-hr simulated translocation (2) biologically validate the use of fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) as a non-invasive measurement of stress in valley quail, and (3) evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplements vitamin C and E to mitigate weight loss and stress during translocations. Northern bobwhites were brought into a laboratory setting for a 48-hr simulated translocation, and individually sorted into treatment groups (Control 1, ¼ cucumber, ½ cucumber, control 2, seed patty, and millet spray). Although we did not mitigate weight loss during simulated translocation with any of the tested travel rations, we did determine an efficient ration in millet, since it weighed less, had low moisture content, and was easier to handle and obtain. Captive-reared valley quail were housed in an outdoor aviary for 3 wks. to acclimate quail and reference FCM concentrations were obtained. Captive-reared valley quail were sorted into four treatment groups (vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin C + E, and control), and individually housed in a laboratory settling to simulate a 48-hr translocation. Fecal samples were collected every 4 hr and processed using an enzyme immunoassay. Mean FCM concentration during the simulated translocation was (41.50 ±16.13 ng/g), while reference FCM concentrations were (24.07 ±10.4 ng/g). These results verify the stressful nature of quail translocations and validate using FCM concentrations as a non-invasive method to assess stress hormone levels in California valley quail. Dietary supplements vitamin C and E did not mitigate weight loss during the simulated translocation. This methodology can be used in future studies to investigate stress mitigation during the translocation process. Future translocations would benefit from the addition of millet as a travel ration, monitoring FCM during the translocation process, reducing handling time during processing, and adding stress mitigating enrichmen
Teachers\u27 Perceptions of Sustainable Agriculture
No full textThe objective of this research was to assess the perceptions held by secondary agriculture teachers from Texas FFA Area V and VI. This population was selected due to the regional affiliations with Texas A&M University-Commerce. The research aims to provide an in-depth assessment of how they perceive sustainable agriculture, level of integration into instruction, importance of specific topics and exploration of interest in professional development. The study utilized a descriptive study design and a statistics approach with a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected using an online survey sent to 500 Texas FFA Area V and VI agriculture instructors and 49 questionnaire participants’ responses were analyzed. Results of this study indicated that a majority of educators agreed with and promoted the local marketing of agriculture production. In addition, three teaching methods were identified as very high extent and those methods are student centered. These results implied that secondary instructors preferred teaching in a manner that is learner centered as opposed to teacher directed. Another objective of this study focused on specific topics related to sustainable agriculture. Teachers perceived that instruction in sustainable agriculture should include topics that are more traditional and less conventional. The entire sample of participants indicated that they would attend professional development regarding the topic of sustainable agriculture. Participants indicated presentations at a teacher’s conference and face-to-face workshops is their preferred practice of participation. Educators ranked graduate courses as the least preferred source of professional development related to sustainable agriculture. Borsari (2001) suggested that the new generation of agricultural educators must increase their understanding of agriculture and environmental concerns from the sustainable perspective. In addition, Borsari (2001) reported that many agricultural instructors have become conscious of the complex dilemma that is presently affecting their field In conclusion; it is recommended that professional development at teachers’ conference should include current teaching methods, relevant concepts and specific content related to sustainable agriculture
A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Study Examining Teachers’ Perspectives on the Changing Face of Play in Kindergarten
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the phenomena of play by exploring kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of play, specifically investigating teachers’ perspectives on the importance of play, the role of the educator in play, and the changing face of play in response to evolving academic standards. This study utilized the qualitative approach of hermeneutic phenomenology to both analyze and interpret the perception of teachers. The researcher conducted two interviews with each of the 10 kindergarten teachers to gather information on the lived experiences and perceptions of each participant regarding the phenomena of play. A thorough analysis was conducted to identify themes related to each of the research questions that were the basis of this study. This study helps bridge the gap between research and practice by gaining insight into the perceptions of kindergarten teachers regarding the phenomena of play through their lived experiences. The shared perceptions in this story align with the historical viewpoints of important philosophers regarding the importance of play in early childhood classrooms. The study demonstrates the profound beliefs that teachers share regarding the importance of play as a mechanism for learning
Factors Which Predict Reading Achievement for Hispanic Emerging Bilingual Students: A Sociocultural Perspective
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine whether motivation to read, Spanish reading proficiency or English reading proficiency could predict the reading achievement scores of Hispanic emerging bilingual students. In addition, the researcher explored how the sociocultural context of the bilingual classroom influences students’ reading motivation and reading proficiency in both languages. There were 171 fourth and fifth grade bilingual students who participated in this study. While it was determined that Spanish reading proficiency (I-Station Lectura Avanzada) predicted reading achievement on the Spanish State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading assessment scores and English reading proficiency (I-Station Advanced Reading) predicted English STAAR reading assessment scores, reading motivation as measured by the MRQ did not predict reading achievement scores on either STAAR test. Furthermore, one-on-one interviews with three fourth grade bilingual students and their respective Language Arts teachers revealed that there were several external factors which influenced the sociocultural context of the bilingual classroom. Based on Guthrie and Klauda’s engagement model, it was inferred that these factors could either negatively or positively influence the development of students’ reading motivation and proficiency in both languages. The following conclusions were drawn from triangulation of the data: bilingual teachers and their students valued reading in general and bilingual students valued reading in the language their teachers valued. In their role as Mamá Gallina, bilingual teachers believed they were acting in the best interests of their students, but their instructional decisions were heavily influenced by their personal experiences. In addition, bilingual teachers showed varying degrees of nepantlera in their role as Mamá Gallina. Additional studies are needed to examine bilingual classrooms which represent culturally responsive environments and how bilingual teachers develop their bilingual students’ reading motivation and reading proficiency in both languages. The results from this study can contribute to literacy implications and future research recommendations
Influential School Leadership: A Descriptive-Embedded Multi-Case Study of Two Principals’ Effort to Promote Academic Resilience in Early College High School
No full textThe purpose of this descriptive-embedded multi-case study was to examine the perceived influence of principal leadership styles on the school environment factors that promote academic resilience. The sites for the study are 2 early-college high schools located in a large, urban school district in Texas. The theoretical frameworks used by the researcher, academic resilience and full-range leadership, helped to shape the research questions and data collection procedures; consequently, these propositions guided data analysis. The researcher used an individual-level logic model to analyze each principal (i.e., each case) separately. The researcher completed cross-case synthesis after the case was reported independently (Yin, 2018). The researcher determined if any within-case patterns existed across the 2 cases and identified whether literal replicative relationships were evident based on data. Based on evidence from the methodological triangulation of interviews, surveys, and direct observations, the researcher determined that characteristics of transformational leadership were exhibited by both cases. However, the degree of transformational leadership exhibited by the principals differed in each case. The researcher also found that the small learning community was a comingled rival explanation for the development of school environment factors that foster resilience of at-risk students