Sexual Orientation and the Advanced Placement Art History Survey (open access)

Sexual Orientation and the Advanced Placement Art History Survey

This two-part study included a content analysis of an AP art history text and a survey together with interviews with AP art history teachers that embraced both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The first phase of the study examined one of the more popular art history survey texts in the AP art history program, Gardner’s Art through the Ages, in terms of how inclusive it is in addressing issues of sexual orientation and, particularly, same-sex perspectives. In addition, the text was examined for evidence of sexual orientation ignored – particularly same-sex perspectives ignored and for heteronormative hegemonies. The second phase investigated the understandings and opinions of AP art history teachers toward the inclusion of sexual orientation and same-sex perspectives in their curriculums and classrooms. Recent recognition of gay, lesbian, and same-sex perspectives in the study of art history has challenged art educators and art historians to begin to consider opening up their curriculums and writings to include these perspectives. These ignored perspectives produce important understandings that enrich and deepen the discourse of art history. The inclusion of gay and lesbian content and same-sex perspectives to the study of AP art history, not only effectively serves the needs of AP art …
Date: December 2014
Creator: Bond, Richard P.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
In-service Teacher Perception of Feedback From Formative Evaluation Within the Teacher Appraisal Process and Its Relationship to Teacher Self-efficacy (open access)

In-service Teacher Perception of Feedback From Formative Evaluation Within the Teacher Appraisal Process and Its Relationship to Teacher Self-efficacy

The purpose of the study is to describe the current status of and the relationships between teacher self-efficacy and in-service teachers’ perceptions and/or attitudes of (a) the quantity and quality of feedback from formative evaluation, (b) toward feedback from formative evaluation, and (c) the impact of feedback from formative evaluation on teacher self-efficacy. In addition to calculating correlation coefficients, 6 teachers were interviewed – 2 each from high, medium, and low efficacy schools. The quantitative data reported low, positive correlations between all of the factors. Statistically significant correlations were found between 8 of the 12 factors including teacher attitudes toward feedback from formative evaluation and: overall Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (r = .302), student engagement (r = .309), instructional strategies (r = .237) and classroom management (r =.266). Other statistically significant correlations were found between teacher perceptions of the impact of feedback from formative evaluation and its relationship to self-efficacy and: overall Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (r = .295), Student Engagement (r = .300), Instructional Strategies (r = .209), and Classroom Management (r = .282). The face-to-face interviews and online focus group supported the quantitative findings as the participants reported that they value formative evaluation and feedback and …
Date: December 2014
Creator: Curran, Chaney L.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of a Water Conservation Education Program on Water Use in Single-family Homes in Dallas, Texas (open access)

Effects of a Water Conservation Education Program on Water Use in Single-family Homes in Dallas, Texas

The City of Dallas Environmental Education Initiative (EEI) is a hands-on, inquiry-based, K-12 water conservation education program that teaches students concepts about water and specific water conservation behaviors. Few descriptions and evaluations, especially quantitative in nature, of water conservation education programs have previously been conducted in the literature. This research measured the quantitative effects and impacts of the education program on water use in single-family homes in Dallas, Texas. A total of 2,122 students in 104 classrooms at three schools in the Dallas Independent School District received hands-on, inquiry-based water conservation education lessons and the average monthly water use (in gallons) in single-family homes was analyzed to measure whether or not there was a change in water use. The results showed that over a period of one calendar year the water use in the single-family homes within each school zone and throughout the entire research area in this study experienced a statistically significant decrease in water use of approximately 501 gallons per home per month (independent, t-test, p>0.001). Data from this research suggests that EEI is playing a role in decreasing the amount of water used for residential purposes. Additionally, this research demonstrates the use of a quantitative tool by …
Date: December 2014
Creator: Serna, Victoria Faubion
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of Developmental Stress on Cardiovascular Physiology of Two Archosaur Species: American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus) (open access)

The Impact of Developmental Stress on Cardiovascular Physiology of Two Archosaur Species: American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus)

Crocodilians and birds comprise sister taxa of archosaurs, the development of these vertebrates occurs within an egg case that leaves developing embryos susceptible to fluctuations in the nesting environment. Studies suggest that sub-optimal conditions alter morphological growth and cardiovascular physiology. Regulation of the cardiovascular system is immature in the subjects studied, and embryos may rely on humoral rather than neural control of the cardiovascular system. The primary focus of this dissertation was to assess regulatory mechanisms responsible for maintenance of arterial pressure and heart rate. Dehydration stress had marked effects on embryo growth, and altered baseline cardiovascular parameters, while leaving the response to humoral regulator, angiotensin II (Ang II), unaffected. However, dehydrated alligator embryos developed cholinergic tone on heart rate. Hypoxic incubated chicken embryos were reduced in embryo mass, and altered response to humoral regulatory components Ang I and adenosine in addition identifying a novel regulatory component of the cardiovascular response to acute hypoxia. Collectively, these studies add to the existing knowledge of cardiovascular physiology in embryonic archosaurs and suggest that some components of cardiovascular regulation are plastic following developmental stress.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Tate, Kevin B.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Perception and Viability of English Corner on the American Campus (open access)

The Perception and Viability of English Corner on the American Campus

International students are often under considerable pressure from language barriers, culture shock, social isolation and lack of social support in American universities. Those stressors often discourage international students as ESL learners from practicing English with native students on campus. Based on Krashen & Terrell’s subconscious acquisition and conscious learning hypothesis, Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development , Cummins’ Basic Interpersonal Communication System (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP), Horwitz’s language anxiety and Oxford’s indirect learning strategies , this study explores how international students and American students, respectively, perceive English Corner and whether English Corner could be an applicable out-of-class learning environment for international students to practice English and socialize with American students on American campuses. English Corner refers to regular meetings that English learners in Mainland China voluntarily organize in public places to practice spoken English. A survey was conducted on language learning strategies, socialization, acculturation, autonomy and English Corner among international students and native students at the University of North Texas. The questionnaires were adapted from Oxford and Nyikos’ study as to what variables affect choice of language learning strategies, Iheanacho’s study as to how international students use the Morris Library at the University of Delaware and their perception …
Date: December 2014
Creator: Hu, Jiaying
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Guide to the TCEQ (open access)

Guide to the TCEQ

This booklet is a guide to the various offices of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the agencies mission statement, and contact information.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Object Type: Pamphlet
System: The Portal to Texas History
Resource Intensification of Small Game Use at Goodman Point, Southwestern Colorado (open access)

Resource Intensification of Small Game Use at Goodman Point, Southwestern Colorado

This analysis of faunal remains from eleven archaeological sites in the northern San Juan region, extensively occupied by the Ancestral Pueblo people until they leave the region by AD 1300, explores the effects of resource intensification of small wild and domestic resources leading up to this regional depopulation. By examining multiple lines of evidence, in addition to faunal abundance, causal factors are identified to address changes in abundances through time. In particular, age- and sex-based mortality are examined for lagomorphs (jackrabbits and cottontails) and domesticated turkey, respectively, to test hypotheses generated using the prey and patch choice models. Analyses of these resources follow a systematic paleontology which provides explicit identifications made of five sites from a large study area, Goodman Point Pueblo Unit. These data are integrated with those from large village sites from the encompassing central Mesa Verde region. The results of both analyses help clarify why the Ancestral Pueblo people left southwestern Colorado. During the final twenty-year occupation period, the results of this study support a shift from reliance on turkey husbandry to intense exploitation of locally available garden resources (i.e. cottontails).
Date: December 2014
Creator: Ellyson, Laura Jean
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
TMB Bulletin, December 2014 (open access)

TMB Bulletin, December 2014

Newsletter of the Texas Medical Board describing news and events as well as updates about medical licenses, disciplinary actions, and other regulatory information.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Texas Medical Board
Object Type: Journal/Magazine/Newsletter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Safety and Economic Impacts of Texas Travel Information Centers (open access)

Safety and Economic Impacts of Texas Travel Information Centers

This is a research report to develop methodology and gather sufficient data to quantify the impact of Texas Travel Information Center staff and services on the safety of travelers on Texas roadways.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Sharif, Hatim; Weissmann, Jose & Dessouky, Samer
Object Type: Report
System: The Portal to Texas History

Short Call: Snippets from the Smallest Places in Texas, 1935-2000

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
The Texas Folklore Society has been publishing a regular volume of folklore research (our PTFS series) for the past several decades. Most of these books are what we call miscellanies, compilations of the works of multiple folklorists, and they feature articles on many types of lore. We've also published over twenty "Extra Books," which are single-author manuscripts that examine a more focused topic. Short Call: Snippets from the Smallest Places in Texas, 1935-2000 by Joyce Gibson Roach, is TFS Extra Book #24. Joyce Gibson Roach has collected “snippets” of stories, recipes, and traditions of life in Turtle, Texas, which represents many small towns—and the people who inhabit them. Many of the younger generations leave such towns, finding both place and society crumbling. Those who've stayed are finding new and interesting ways to put themselves and their places back together. Both the short and long pieces herein are about the folks who've elected to stay generation after generation, knowing that for them wherever they’ve stayed is still the Home Place. The characters' viewpoints are personal, sometimes agreeing with facts found in history books and sometimes not.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Roach, Joyce Gibson
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Whitewright Sun (Whitewright, Tex.), Vol. 130, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 18, 2014 (open access)

Whitewright Sun (Whitewright, Tex.), Vol. 130, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 18, 2014

Weekly newspaper from Whitewright, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 18, 2014
Creator: Palmer, Kimberly
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
The ECHO, Volume 86, Number 10, December 2014/January 2015 (open access)

The ECHO, Volume 86, Number 10, December 2014/January 2015

Monthly newspaper produced for inmates in the Texas criminal justice system containing news stories, policy updates, opinion pieces, creative works, and other information.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Texas. Department of Criminal Justice.
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Altus Times (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 115, No. 171, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 31, 2014 (open access)

The Altus Times (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 115, No. 171, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Daily newspaper from Altus, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 31, 2014
Creator: Bush, Michael
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History
The Gilmer Mirror (Gilmer, Tex.), Vol. 137, No. 99, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 10, 2014 (open access)

The Gilmer Mirror (Gilmer, Tex.), Vol. 137, No. 99, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Semi-weekly newspaper from Gilmer, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 10, 2014
Creator: Parker, Vic
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
Texas Roadside Parks Study: Historic Context & National Register Requirements (open access)

Texas Roadside Parks Study: Historic Context & National Register Requirements

A historic overview of evolution and development of roadside parks and rest areas in Texas constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation from 1930 to 2015
Date: December 16, 2014
Creator: Gredler, Sara; Rulz, Megan; Goodson, Heather & Mitchell, Rick
Object Type: Book
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Altus Times (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 115, No. 157, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 10, 2014 (open access)

The Altus Times (Altus, Okla.), Vol. 115, No. 157, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Daily newspaper from Altus, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 10, 2014
Creator: Bush, Michael
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History
The University News (Irving, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 13, Ed. 1 Tuesday, December 9, 2014 (open access)

The University News (Irving, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 13, Ed. 1 Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Weekly student newspaper from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas that includes campus news and commentaries along with advertising.
Date: December 9, 2014
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Alvin Sun (Alvin, Tex.), Vol. 124, No. 95, Ed. 1 Monday, December 15, 2014 (open access)

The Alvin Sun (Alvin, Tex.), Vol. 124, No. 95, Ed. 1 Monday, December 15, 2014

Weekly newspaper from Alvin, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 15, 2014
Creator: Schwind, Jim & Money, David
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Light and Champion (Center, Tex.), Vol. 137, No. 104, Ed. 1 Tuesday, December 2, 2014 (open access)

The Light and Champion (Center, Tex.), Vol. 137, No. 104, Ed. 1 Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Semiweekly newspaper from Center, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 2, 2014
Creator: Dolan, Leah
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 233, Ed. 1 Friday, December 19, 2014 (open access)

Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 233, Ed. 1 Friday, December 19, 2014

Daily newspaper from Henderson, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 19, 2014
Creator: Linebarger, Les
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 238, Ed. 1 Friday, December 26, 2014 (open access)

Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 238, Ed. 1 Friday, December 26, 2014

Daily newspaper from Henderson, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 26, 2014
Creator: Linebarger, Les
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 221, Ed. 1 Friday, December 5, 2014 (open access)

Henderson Daily News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 221, Ed. 1 Friday, December 5, 2014

Daily newspaper from Henderson, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 5, 2014
Creator: Linebarger, Les
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Christian Chronicle (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 71, No. 12, Ed. 1 Monday, December 1, 2014 (open access)

The Christian Chronicle (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 71, No. 12, Ed. 1 Monday, December 1, 2014

Monthly newspaper from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that includes news and information about the Churches of Christ along with advertising.
Date: December 1, 2014
Creator: Tryggestad, Erik
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History
Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 126, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 6, 2014 (open access)

Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 111, No. 126, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 6, 2014

Daily newspaper from Denton, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: December 6, 2014
Creator: Parks, Scott K.
Object Type: Newspaper
System: The Portal to Texas History