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open access

"The Gordita's Guide to Body Positivity"

Description: "The Gordita's Guide to Body Positivity" is an autobiographical documentary reflecting on society's expectations of the female body image and how it affects Latinx women. Through personal recollections, media content, and archival material, the film explores beauty expectations, body discrimination, and body positivity. The document analyzes the documentary styles such as autoethnography and narration incorporated into the film and provides historical and theoretical context to body image in th… more
Date: December 2023
Creator: Calderon, Jessica Andrea
Partner: UNT Libraries

The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Attachment Security and Psychological Well-Being

Description: Socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to reliably predict parenting practices, family well-being, and psychological outcomes throughout the lifespan. The current study employed a cross-sectional, quantitative design in which adult participants (N = 336) completed an online survey measuring demographic variables, financial stress, attachment security, and psychological well-being. The study results suggest that (a) both current and family history of financial stress negatively predicted atta… more
This item is restricted from view until July 1, 2024.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Zuniga, Sabrina Graciela
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Increasing Caregiver Reliability on Anecdotal Assessments

Description: Functional analyses are the gold standard of confirming maintaining variables of problem behavior. Despite widespread support, many clinical settings instead use anecdotal assessments. These have been shown to have poor reliability when used by non-experts but can be useful for confirming maintaining variables of problem behavior when agreement has reached a certain level. We used behavior skills training to teach new staff member pairs behavior function to increase their reliability on these a… more
Date: December 2023
Creator: Drummond, Cody McPhail
Partner: UNT Libraries

Investigating the Molecular Framesworks of Phloem-Cap Fiber Development in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Description: The current study focuses on the vascular cambium and the reiterative formation of phloem fiber bundles in cotton stems. The role of the TDIF-PXY-WOX pathway was examined in regulating cambial activity and the differentiation of phloem fibers. A study was conducted to identify and characterize the cotton WOX family genes, focusing on WOX4 and WOX14, aiming to identify and analyze their phylogenetic relationships, tissue-specific expression profiles, functional roles, and metabolic consequences… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2026.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Kaur, Harmanpreet
Partner: UNT Libraries

Magnetoresponsive Layer-by-Layer (LBL) Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules Exposed to Low Frequency Alternating Magnetic Field for Drug Delivery to Breast Cancer Cells

Description: Layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte capsules can be modified to incorporate stimuli such as superparamagnetic nanoparticles which respond to a magnetic field only when it is turned on. Thus, they can act as a switch to load or unload their drug cargo on demand. Specifically, magnetite is incorporated into bilayer capsules made of alternating poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(sodium-p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) which surrounds calcium carbonate core. The core is then dissolved using… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2025.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Powell, Robert Darrel
Partner: UNT Libraries

Memories of Troy in Middle English Verse: A Study of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," "Troilus and Criseyde," and the "Troy Book"

Description: This thesis explores the influence of the legend of Troy on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, and Lydgate's Troy Book. This study seeks to understand why medieval English Christians held the pagan myth of Troy in such high regard beyond the common postcolonial critique of Trojan ancestry as a justification for political power. I begin by demonstrating how Vergil's Aeneid presents a new heroic ideal much closer to Christian virtue than Homeric values, Aeneas submit… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2029.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Johnson, Frazier Alexander
Partner: UNT Libraries

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Encapsulated and Aligned in Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels

Description: This study presents a viable strategy using fmoc-protected peptides hydrogels, to encapsulate and stretch mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). To explore the peptide hydrogel potential, a custom mechanical stretching device with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chambers were used to stretch MSCs encapsulated in Fmoc hydrogels. We investigated the impact of fmoc- FF prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP) and deionizied water in the self-assembly, and mechanical proper… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2025.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Kasani, Yashesh Varun
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Neural Network Classifiers for Object Detection in Optical and Infrared Images

Description: This thesis presents a series of neural network classifiers for object detection in both optical and infrared images. The focus of this work is on efficient and accurate solutions. The thesis discusses the evolution of the highly efficient and tiny network Binary Classification Vision Transformer (BC-ViT) and how through thoughtful modifications and improvements, the BC-ViT can be utilized for tasks of increasing complexity. Chapter 2 discusses the creation of BC-ViT and its initial use case fo… more
Date: December 2023
Creator: Adams, Ethan Richard
Partner: UNT Libraries

Protective Factors for Eating, Shape, and Weight Concerns across Diverse Gender Identities

Description: We ran three MANOVAs in a sample of 422 young adults to examine differences in eating, shape, and weight concerns (i.e., ESW concerns) between gender diverse individuals, ciswomen, and cismen. Additionally, we examined the effects of self-esteem and sense of belonging on ESW concerns. We also tested for interaction (moderation) effects between gender and self-esteem and gender and sense of belonging. Findings indicated that gender diverse individuals experience ESW concerns at a significantly h… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2025.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Watson, McKenzie Kimberly
Partner: UNT Libraries

Proteomic-Based Assessment of Estrogenic Endocrine Disruption in Hyalella azteca

Description: In our studies, we used the environmentally important crustacean Hyalella azteca (H. azteca) as an invertebrate model and 17β-estradiol (E2) as a representative of environmental estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) for proteomics-based investigations of endocrine disruptions in an aquatic ecosystem. Using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, our investigation focused for the first time on the recognition of biological and molecular events affected by E2 expos… more
This item is restricted from view until January 1, 2029.
Date: December 2023
Creator: Prokai, Marcel Laszlo
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Returning to Our Roots: An Anthropological Evaluation of the Farm to Keiki Program

Description: Farm to school programs are becoming a popular intervention to address childhood obesity. The hope is to prevent later chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease that can result from eating high-fat/high-calorie diets that are low in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. This study explores the impacts of one such program, Farm to Keiki, on students, their families, and teachers at two Native Hawaiian preschools on the island of Kauaʽi, Hawaiʽi. This program combined le… more
Date: December 2023
Creator: Migdol, Steven Jeffrey
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

"Thank You" Parts I and II

Description: "Thank You" Parts I and II is an experiment that attempts to break new ground in the field of anthropological cinema through the reflexive methodology and experience of myself. My establishment of a new theoretical film approach called meta-anthrochaomediacy and its evolution into radical autoethnographic mediation is explored throughout this thesis. I exercised my theory by producing and documenting a reflexive experience built on fostering emotional bonds and social relationships that provide… more
Date: December 2023
Creator: Hensley, Dylan
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Using GIFs and Matrix Training to Teach Noun-Verb Tacts to Children with Autism

Description: Verbal behavior is a critical repertoire for children with autism spectrum disorder to acquire. Tacts—verbal behavior evoked by nonverbal stimuli—are important for communicating about the world around oneself. Noun-verb tacts are part of a robust tact repertoire and may be addressed during applied behavior analytic intervention. When acquiring noun-verb tacts, it is important that the speaker learn to respond to many variations of stimuli like novel combinations of learned nouns and verbs, whic… more
Date: December 2023
Creator: White, Alexandria Blayce
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

3D Printed Self-Activated Carbon Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications

Description: This study investigated a new approach to achieving high energy density supercapacitors (SCs) by using high surface area self-activated carbon from waste coffee grounds (WCGs) and modifying 3D printed electrodes' porous structure by varying infill density. The derived activated carbons' surface area, pore size, and pore volume were controlled by thermally treating the WCGs at different temperatures (1000˚C, 1100˚C, and 1200˚C) and post-treating with HCL to remove water-soluble ashes and contami… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Disi, Onome Aghogho
Partner: UNT Libraries

Adult Attachment, Racial-Ethnic Identity, Racial-Ethnic Socialization, and Subjective Wellbeing

Description: The current study aimed to explore the direct effect of insecure adult attachment on subjective wellbeing and its indirect effect via racial-ethnic identity. Additionally, the present study examined the extent to which racial-ethnic socialization practices may moderate adult attachment and racial-ethnic identity link. The final sample included 213 emerging adults (M = 20.94; SD = 2.96) with diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. PROCESS Model 4 and 1 were used to examine the direct and indirect eff… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Toyama, Shiho
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Air Breathing Fish: Development of Air Breathing in Bristlenose Plecos (Ancistrus cirrhosus)

Description: The bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus) is a species of armored catfish in the Loricariidae family that breathes air facultatively when the aquatic environment becomes hypoxic. The bristlenose pleco uses its highly vascularized stomach as an air breathing organ. The two main goals of this developmental study were to determine the size of onset of air breathing and to determine the frequency of air breathing behavior in bristlenose plecos from juveniles to adults. Developing juveniles reach … more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Crowder, Lauren Whitney
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Can In-vivo Self-Monitoring Improve Discrete Trial Instruction Implementation?

Description: Beneficial consumer outcomes are most likely when behavior-analytic interventions are implemented with high procedural fidelity (i.e., degree to which the procedure is implemented as intended). Video self-monitoring, which involves teaching staff members to monitor their own procedural fidelity when watching recordings of themselves, can be used to improve and maintain high procedural fidelity, but video self-monitoring requires additional staff time and resources. In-vivo self-monitoring, whic… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Lai, Rachel Nicole
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Comparison of Neighborhood Demographics and Post-Buyout Land Use Development in Harris County, Texas, USA

Description: Recent research suggests that race and ethnicity influence post-buyout land management in Harris County, Texas, yet lacked systematic empirical evidence to fully understand the relationship between management and demographics. To address this gap, this study analyzes post-buyout land use management practices and compares them with the socio-economic characteristics of the adjacent neighborhood at the block level in Harris County, Texas, an area with a long buyout history. I first identified pos… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Niazi, Sumaira
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Cultural Elements in Disaster: A Case Study on the Sewol Ferry Tragedy in South Korea

Description: On April 16, 2014 the Sewol Ferry became one of the worst maritime disasters in South Korea with the loss of 304 passenger, the majority being high school students. South Korea is a collectivist culture, structured as a hierarchical system that teaches their students and children to always respect, listen, and trust authority figures especially in dangerous situations. This study explores how collectivist cultural elements impacted the response of the Sewol Ferry. By examining the timeline of t… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Vu, Julia PhuongNguyen H.
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Deep Learning Approaches to Radio Map Estimation

Description: Radio map estimation (RME) is the task of predicting radio power at all locations in a two-dimensional area and at all frequencies in a given band. This thesis explores four deep learning approaches to RME: dual path autoencoders, skip connection autoencoders, diffusion, and joint learning with transmitter localization.
Date: July 2023
Creator: Locke IV, William Alexander
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

Devotio Moderna and Erasmus: Transforming Piety

Description: The relationship between Erasmus of Rotterdam and the religious movement called the Devotio Moderna, especially the latter's relevance to Erasmian piety, has been a somewhat contentious historiographical issue. This thesis examines that relationship, and asserts that the Devotio Moderna was a crucial formative aspect of Erasmus' religiosity. However, its relevance ought not be overstated, due to the humanist's significant developments away from his spiritual forerunners.
Date: July 2023
Creator: Kuplack, Ian
Partner: UNT Libraries
open access

A Different Kind of Political Party: The Relationship between Tabletop Role Playing Games and Political Efficacy

Description: Tabletop role-playing games (TRPGs) present a unique opportunity to study political behavior. In educational settings, role-playing games (RPGs) of all kinds have proven to be valuable educational tools, and even when played for fun, participating in role playing games has been shown to increase one's level of confidence. Knowing this, I designed an experiment to attempt to increase internal political efficacy through the use of a politically-themed TRPG. I took inspiration from the original TR… more
Date: July 2023
Creator: Plaxco, Sarah Ellen
Partner: UNT Libraries

Differentiating Cardiac Organoids with Chamber Formations

Description: Considering that both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and congenital heart diseases (CHD) are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, there is a need for a robust and reliable cardiac model. Cardiac organoids are complex, three-dimensional cellular constructs that recapitulate the processes of the human embryonic heart. However, certain vital morphological features within the fetus are not yet replicable with cardiac organoids. Here we report our investigation to generate car… more
This item is restricted from view until August 1, 2024.
Date: July 2023
Creator: Seddoh, Percyval Prince-Danny
Partner: UNT Libraries
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