Search Results

open access

Exploring Caffeyl-Lignin Biosynthesis in Cleome hassleriana and Polymerization of Caffeyl Alcohol in Arabidopsis thaliana

Description: C-lignin (caffeyl-lignin) is a novel linear lignin polymer found in the seed coats of several non-crop plants, notably Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla), Jatropha Curcas (Jatropha), and Cleome hassleriana (Cleome). C-lignin has several advantages over normal G/S-lignin, found in the majority of lignocellulosic biomass, for valorization in the context of bioprocessing: less cross-linking to cell wall polysaccharides (less recalcitrant biomass), ordered linkages between monomers (homogeneous polymer),… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Harkleroad, Aaron Djuanell
open access

Exploring Predictors of Self-Forgiveness

Description: Self-forgiveness is a growing sub-field of the broader study of forgiveness, and initial research has linked self-forgiveness to positive mental and physical health outcomes. However, the extant literature on self-forgiveness is in its infancy, and there is a need for further research to understand the predictors of self-forgiveness and the clinical implications that might follow. The current study aimed to build on the extant literature by exploring two sets of predictors of self-forgiveness: … more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Coomes, Steven P.
open access

Exploring Psychosocial Correlates of Disordered Eating among Male Collegiate Athletes

Description: In research on disordered eating in female collegiate athletes, psychosocial correlates including elevated scores on measures of body image concerns, weight pressures, sociocultural internalization, and mood state were found significantly more often in either the eating disorder or symptomatic group as opposed to the asymptomatic group. Unique or nuanced pressures exist for male athletes as well, specifically a different ideal for body image, often described by a drive for muscularity. I examin… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Mack, Dalton L.
open access

Fabrication and Testing of Biomimetic Microstructures for Walkway Tribometers

Description: The main objective of this work is to give contribution in both additive manufacturing (AM) and tribometry derived from the application and study of materials available with the use of biomimetic designs. Additional contributions are determining what effects treatments for flooring surfaces may have on the dynamic coefficient of friction and the effects of these products on common surfaces. The validity of the proposed methodology for a proof of concept was demonstrated by comparing measured dy… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Haney, Christopher Willard
open access

Famine Fighters: American Veterans, the American Relief Administration, and the 1921 Russian Famine

Description: This study argues that the American Relief Administration (ARA) operationally and culturally was defined by the character and experiences of First World War American military veterans. The historiography of the American Relief Administration in the last half-century has painted the ARA as a purely civilian organization greatly detached from the military sphere. By examining the military veterans of the ARA scholars can more accurately assess the image of the ARA, including what motivated their … more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Huebner, Andrew Brooks
open access

Fatigue and Inhibitory Control: A Test of Key Implications of an Emerging Analysis of Behavioral Restraint Intensity

Description: Agtarap, Wright, Mlynski, Hammad, and Blackledge took an initial step in providing support for the predictive validity of a new conceptual analysis concerned with behavioral restraint - defined as active resistance against a behavioral impulse or urge. The current study was designed to partially replicate and extend findings from their study, employing a common film clip protocol and a procedure for inducing low- and high levels of fatigue. Analyses indicated that key cardiovascular (CV) resp… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Mlynski, Christopher
open access

A Feasibility Study of Cellular Communication and Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Description: Consumer drones have used both standards such as Wi-Fi as well as proprietary communication protocols, such as DJI's OcuSync. While these methods are well suited to certain flying scenarios, they are limited in range to around 4.3 miles. Government and military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) controlled through satellites allow for a global reach in a low-latency environment. To address the range issue of commercial UAVs, this thesis investigates using standardized cellular technologies for com… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Gardner, Michael Alan
open access

Finding a Data-Driven Definition of Binge-Watching

Description: Binge-watching, the act of watching large amounts of television at a time, has become a popular phenomenon internationally; however, it has yet to be sufficiently defined. In order to define binge-watching, data was collected on specific watching instances from 216 undergraduate students at a large research university. Hierarchical and k-means cluster analyses were conducted in Phase I to empirically determine how binge-watching should be defined. In Phase II, that definition was tested by c… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Kelly, Megan Erin
open access

Flexibility in Emergency Management: Exploring the Roles of Spontaneous Planning and Improvisation in Disaster Response

Description: One of the long-standing debates in disaster science and practice is the tension between planning and structure on the one hand and flexibility and adaptation on the other in maximizing the effectiveness of response operations. This research aims to reconcile the divide that currently exists among scholars and practitioners and present a continuum that bridges the above models and ties planning, improvisation, and spontaneous planning together. The main questions that were examined with this r… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Gutierrez, Miguel
open access

High School Teachers and Support Staff's Attitudes toward Students with Disabilities in the Inclusive General Education Classroom

Description: Research has shown teachers' attitudes toward students with disabilities directly affect the students' performance in the general education classroom; however, more research is needed to determine what variables influence high school teacher and support staff attitudes. The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of high school general education teachers, special education teachers, and support staff toward students with disabilities in the general education classroom. The study ex… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Yoakum, Carrie Mae
open access

Highly Motivated, High-Achieving, Economically Disadvantaged Middle School Students: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

Description: To conduct this qualitative dissertation study, a phenomenological approach was utilized. The purpose of the study was to examine the perspectives of highly motivated, economically disadvantaged, middle school students to discover the factors that they identified as integral to their overall development and their intrinsic motivation, over time, to learn. A key component of this study was to give voice to the students who participated in this study and utilize their perspectives as a primary da… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Minyard, Michael
open access

A Holy Night: 10 Arrangements of Timeless Carols: Preparing Early Advanced Piano Students for Standard Repertoire

Description: It is often challenging for early advanced piano students to move from intermediate level repertoire to standard repertoire because the techniques and difficulties present in the new repertoire are simply too overwhelming for them. "A Holy Night: 10 Arrangements of Timeless Carols" can help bridge the gap between the two repertoire categories by introducing several advanced techniques and combinations of techniques to early advanced students in a non-overwhelming way. Several standard technique… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Nahkur, Hando
open access

"Homage to Nancarrow" from "Estudios de Frontera for 5 Percussion Players" by Alejandro Viñao: A Rhythmic Analysis and Performance Practice Guide

Description: The Peabody Conservatory commissioned Estudios De Frontera by Alejandro Viñao in 2004. Percussionist Robert Van Sice initiated the commissioning process. Estudios De Frontera is the first composition for percussion ensemble by Viñao. Viñao's Estudios is written in two movements. The first is titled Homage to Nancarrow. As the title implies the compositional processes are directly influenced by Conlon Nancarrow. The composer states: "Homage to Nancarrow is concerned with the perceptual i… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Kilgore, Matthew Ryan
open access

Horn Concerto in E-flat Major (C41) by Antonio Rosetti: A Critical Edition

Description: This project delivers to the scholar and performer a critical edition of a little-known horn concerto by Antonio Rosetti. Standing in contrast to performance or practical editions, critical editions demand that the editor exerts a non-trivial measure of authority over the state of the text. Performers often find this fact to be uncomfortable given the normal tendency to revere the perceived intent of the composers based upon the text that they set down. When engaging with sources, it is rarely … more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Stewart, Brandon (Brandon Gregory)
open access

The Impact of an Inquiry-Based Learning Curriculum upon Digital Awareness and Well-Being among Adolescents with Learning and Attentional Disabilities

Description: This study investigates the effectiveness of an inquiry-based learning curriculum for middle school students with learning and/or attentional disabilities (LD and/or ADHD). The main questions asked were: To what extent can an inquiry-based learning curriculum focused on digital responsibility impact: (1) well-being; (2) smartphone usage; and (3) smartphone awareness among adolescents with LD and/or ADHD? Fifty middle school participants with LD and/or ADHD were divided into two groups, an exper… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Cockerham, Deborah Pyle
open access

The Impact of Early Childhood Education on Academic Achievement

Description: Two groups of students were compared to determine the impact of early intervention at the Early Childhood School on academic outcomes in later elementary school years for both math and reading. Students who were determined to be disadvantaged in some way, either by income, limited English proficiency, or having been identified as needing specialized instruction and who attended an early intervention program, prior to kindergarten, were compared to a similar group who did not attend the interve… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Davis, Jodi
open access

Impact of Market State on Momentum Portfolio Risk and Performance: A Risk-Based Explanation

Description: The momentum puzzle, i.e., stocks that have performed better in the past tend to perform better in the future, has been a constant challenge to classic finance theory. Prior research has failed to provide valid risk-based explanations because winner portfolios do not exhibit higher risk characteristics. Without a convincing risk explanation, the persistence of momentum profit is a violation of the efficient market hypothesis. Today, the momentum puzzle remains one of the very few major anomalie… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Ren, He
open access

Improving College Readiness: An Analysis of School-Level Factors

Description: While much of the literature regarding college readiness focuses on student-specific factors, such as the individual's academic achievement; scores on college readiness assessments; and high school GPA, more research is needed to understand which school-level factors have the most influence on the percentage of college-ready graduates. The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of various school-level factors (i.e., student demographics, college entrance exam facts, course off… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Norton, Shonna Christine
open access

Improving Instruction through Teacher Evaluation: Principal and Teacher Perceptions of Leadership Practices and Policy Tools within the Evaluation Process

Description: In recent decades, changes to federal and state accountability policy and related teacher evaluation systems occurred in the United States with minimal input from two of the largest groups of stakeholders impacted: principals and teachers. For this case study, I explored principals' and teachers' perceptions of their experiences with the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS), specifically the role of leadership practices and use of the evaluation rubric as a policy tool within an… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Clark, Christopher
open access

The Influence of Emergency Department Wait Times on Inpatient Satisfaction

Description: Patient satisfaction dimensions have a wide ranging and significant impact on organizational performance in the healthcare industry. In addition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Value Based Purchasing (HVBP) Program links patient satisfaction to Medicare reimbursement, putting millions of dollars at risk for health systems. A gap in the literature exists in the exploration of how a patient's experience in the emergency department affects their satisfaction with inpatient… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Wood, John, III

Investigations of the Fresnel Lens Based Solar Concentrator System through a Unique Statistical-Algorithmic Approach

Description: This work investigates the Fresnel-lens-based solar concentrator-receiver system in a multi-perspective manner to design, test and fabricate this concentrator with high-efficiency photon and heat outputs and a minimized effect of chromatic aberrations. First, a MATLAB®-incorporated algorithm optimizes both the flat-spot and the curved lens designs via a statistical ray-tracing methodology of the incident light, considering all of its incidence parameters. The target is to maximize the solar ray… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: December 2019
Creator: Qandil, Hassan Darwish Hassan
open access

Irrigation Methods and Their Effects on Irrigation Water Efficiency in High Tunnels

Description: Improving water efficiency is and will continue to be a top concern to meet the world food production demands for a growing population. By having a clear understanding of water efficiencies, communities will be able to address these concerns from an economic standpoint and use more productive methods to grow food and limit water consumption. This study examines the water efficiencies of three irrigation methods over a single growing season in southeastern Oklahoma. Two crops, tomatoes and cucum… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Young, Lauren

Is it Really a Different World? Colorism Then and Now in Black Sitcoms

Description: This study focuses on dark-skinned, Black women's representation in Black sitcoms. Through a mixed-methods use of a comparative textual analysis and focus group, the content and context of episodes from A Different World and Dear White People are explored to illustrate portrayals of dark-skinned, Black women and how these portrayals affect dark-skinned, Black women's self-esteem. Its findings contribute to colorism research by exploring colorism in Black sitcoms. Because this topic is largely u… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: December 2019
Creator: Johnson, Jasmine Cherese
open access

The Keyboard Toccatas of Michelangelo Rossi (ca. 1602-1656): Performance Perspectives for Organists

Description: This dissertation provides comprehensive performance perspectives for the interpretation of the published keyboard toccatas by Michelangelo Rossi (ca.1602-1656) in his collection, Toccate e Correnti d'Intavolatura d'Organo e Cimbalo (c. 1634). This document consults the following sources on keyboard practice in the early-Baroque period: Girolamo Diruta's Il Transilvano Dialogo Sopra Il Vero Modo Di Sonar Organi, & Istromenti da penna (1593); Adriano Banchieri's Conclusioni nel Suono dell'Organo… more
Date: December 2019
Creator: Van Rooyen, Hentus
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