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Communication Skills for the 21st Century (open access)

Communication Skills for the 21st Century

Coursebook developed for pre-intermediate to intermediate English language learners. The course focuses on improving students' reading, listening and speaking skills. There is a focus on teaching discreet skills such as main idea, supporting details, making inferences, identifying referents and using context clues while reading. Specific speaking strategies are taught to improve fluency. Academic vocabulary is taught explicitly and implicitly. Book A topics: sleep, fashion, historical figures Ruby Bridges and Harriet Tubman Book B topics: Distractions, family, and the World Cup
Date: 2022
Creator: Geary, Shannon
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Digital Communication Analytics Academic Program Review (open access)

Digital Communication Analytics Academic Program Review

This report summarizes an evaluation of the UNT Libraries' Digital Communication Analytics-related resources and materials to determine if the collection is adequately serving patron needs. It was generated as part of the UNT Libraries’ contributions to the university’s Academic Program Reviews, which are conducted by the Accreditation office in the Division of Planning. The UNT Libraries’ Collection Assessment Department evaluated collections’ ability to meet the curricular and research needs of the academic programs being reviewed. They assessed current needs based on course descriptions and research outputs, defined the scope of information needed based on this needs assessment, and evaluated the Libraries’ holdings in these subject areas against the usage, qualitative listings, and requests for materials from other libraries. Specific recommendations for collection development are provided based on the results of these analyses.
Date: October 14, 2022
Creator: Harker, Karen
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library

Advanced Distributed Optimization and Control Algorithms: Theory and Applications

Networked multi-agent systems have attracted lots of researchers to develop algorithms, techniques, and applications.A multi-agent networked system consists of more than one subsystem (agent) to cooperately solve a global problem with only local computations and communications in a fully distributed manner. These networked systems have been investigated in various different areas including signal processing, control system, and machine learning. We can see massive applications using networked systems in reality, for example, persistent surveillance, healthcare, factory manufacturing, data mining, machine learning, power system, transportation system, and many other areas. Considering the nature of those mentioned applications, traditional centralized control and optimization algorithms which require both higher communication and computational capacities are not suitable. Additionally, compared to distributed control and optimization approaches, centralized control, and optimization algorithms cannot be scaled into systems with a large number of agents, or guarantee performance and security. All of the limitations of centralized control and optimization algorithms motivate us to investigate and develop new distributed control and optimization algorithms in networked systems. Moreover, convergence rate and analysis are crucial in control and optimization literature, which motivates us to investigate how to analyze and accerlate the convergence of distributed optimization algorithms.
Date: May 2022
Creator: Zhang, Shengjun
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Reliability and Throughput Improvement in Vehicular Communication by Using 5G Technologies (open access)

Reliability and Throughput Improvement in Vehicular Communication by Using 5G Technologies

The vehicular community is moving towards a whole new paradigm with the advancement of new technology. Vehicular communication not only supports safety services but also provides non-safety services like navigation support, toll collection, web browsing, media streaming, etc. The existing communication frameworks like Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) and Cellular V2X (C-V2X) might not meet the required capacity in the coming days. So, the vehicular community needs to adopt new technologies and upgrade the existing communication frameworks so that it can fulfill the desired expectations. Therefore, an increment in reliability and data rate is required. Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), 5G New Radio, Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Code, and Massive MIMO signal detection and equalization algorithms are the latest addition to the 5G wireless communication domain. These technologies have the potential to make the existing V2X communication framework more robust. As a result, more reliability and throughput can be achieved. This work demonstrates these technologies' compatibility and positive impact on existing V2X communication standard.
Date: December 2022
Creator: Dey, Utpal-Kumar
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Spatial Analysis and visual Communication of Emergency Information through Augmented Reality (open access)

Spatial Analysis and visual Communication of Emergency Information through Augmented Reality

Article describes how during emergencies like fire and smoke or active shooter events, there is a need to address the vulnerability and assess plans for evacuation. This paper presents the development and evaluation of the mobile augmented reality application designed specifically for acquiring spatial analysis, situational awareness, and visual communication.
Date: November 2023
Creator: Sharma, Sharad & Pesaladinne, Rishitha R.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library

Exploring the Circularity of Fast Fashion Using Goal Framing Theory

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged fast fashion to circular products to prevent excessive overstock in responding to consumers' shift toward less consumption. These shifts are worth studying as consumers are willing to partake in pro-environmental behaviors, leading to a circular business model for fast fashion. This study explores how sustainable knowledge and consumer goals toward circularity can influence behavior toward circular consumption based on the goal framing theory. An online survey employing the Prolific survey platform was conducted with 300 fast-fashion consumer panels. The quantitative approach (ANOVA, cluster, factor, multiple regressions analyses) supported that consumers' framed-goals toward circularity significantly influence their intention to purchase fast fashion products. Fast-fashion consumers have prioritized reliable communication and pro-environmental goals to respectfully purchase circular products and 5Rs behaviors. They perceived circular economy and environmental knowledge as deciding factors in their pursuits of circularity. It corresponds to the benefits of lucrative circular business applications for fast fashion.
Date: August 2022
Creator: Wilbourne, Kathy
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Substrate-Independence Theory: Advancing Constructor Theory to Scaffold Substrate Attributes for the Recursive Interaction between Knowledge and Information (open access)

The Substrate-Independence Theory: Advancing Constructor Theory to Scaffold Substrate Attributes for the Recursive Interaction between Knowledge and Information

Article exploring how information and knowledge are absorbed by utilizing Constructor Theory and the Substrate-Independence Theory.
Date: November 30, 2021
Creator: Turner, John R.; Snowden, Dave & Thurlow, Nigel
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library

Third-Party Perception: Implications for Governance and Communication of Health Risks during the Umrah in Saudi Arabia

The current study projects the third-person perception phenomenon into the area of emergency management, specifically regarding risk communication in the context of religious gatherings. This study utilized the Umrah religious gathering in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during summer 2019 as a case study (N = 257). This study aimed to investigate whether pilgrims perceive there was a greater effect of health information on others than on themselves. Survey results were translated and then coded and analyzed statistically using SPSS software. The findings indicated that third-person perception existed among pilgrims. Specifically, the perception of pilgrims that the influence of news about MERS-CoV, believed to be undesirable in its effect on themselves, was greater on others than on themselves was found statistically significant. Further, the findings indicated that the more pilgrims watched, listened to, or read news about MERS-CoV, the larger the effect of the news they perceived on themselves and others was. Thus, exposure to MERS-CoV news did not increase, but rather decreased the perception of difference between self and others. Also, the empirical findings indicated that pilgrims who were knowledgeable about MERS-CoV could relate to the coverage. Moreover, if pilgrims believed they were affected by MERS-CoV news, they believed that the …
Date: May 2020
Creator: Alkhurayyif, Saad A.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library

Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 on Hotel Booking Intentions: An Application of the Protection Motivation Theory

After the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel industry's efforts need to focus on recovering travelers' confidence by introducing new safe and clean programs or seals. However, there is a lack of guidelines regarding which hotel safety/cleaning programs and what communication strategies are more effective when approaching guests. This study aims to address this gap by using a 2 (COVID-19 Message Type: Fear Appeals vs. Hope Appeals) × 2 (Hotel Safety/Cleaning Program Type: Internal vs. Third-Party) between-subject experiment design. Specifically, it applies the protection motivation theory in investigating the effects of different messages (hope vs. fear) along with different types of hotel safety/cleaning programs (internal vs. third-party) on guests' booking intentions. The moderating role of risk propensity was also explored. The data were collected in a public university located south of the U.S. Different ANOVA and MANOVA tests were conducted. The results suggest that hope appeal messages and hotel internal cleaning programs arouse higher booking intentions. When presenting COVID-19 related information provided by hotels, hope appeals represent a better communication strategy. In addition, the coping and threat appraisals showed to be correlated with hotel guests' booking intentions. Moreover, response efficacy was the strongest predictor with a positive correlation, whereas …
Date: May 2021
Creator: Calderon, Araceli Hernandez
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library

Information Communication Technology Efficacy in Reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Community Living Older Adults

This study will extend the current body of knowledge about how accessible and affordable information communication technologies (ICT; smartphones, tablets, and computers) can foster social interaction and reduce social isolation and loneliness in older adults aged 55 plus. The first study is a systematic literature review of existing studies on ICT and the willingness of older adults to use technology. The second study is quantitative research that investigates the trust and reasoning of older adults using ICT, like smartphones, tablets, and computers that foster social interaction and the level of technological ownership. The second study is conducted using research data through surveys conducted by Pew Research Center on behalf of Princeton University. Finally, the third study explores the level of ownership of technology and methods to reduce social isolation using ICT. The effectiveness of smartphones, tablets, and computers that foster social interaction were reviewed to create a sense of community to reduce social isolation.
Date: May 2022
Creator: Harllee, Heath D
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Crucial Development: Criticality Is Important to Cell-to-Cell Communication and Information Transfer in Living Systems (open access)

Crucial Development: Criticality Is Important to Cell-to-Cell Communication and Information Transfer in Living Systems

This article is the fourth paper of the Special Issue Memory and Criticality. It bridges the the theoretical debate on the role of memory and criticality discussed in the three earlier manuscripts, with a review of key concepts in biology and focus on cell-to-cell communication in organismal development. The authors suggest that in conjunction with morphogenetic gradients, there exist gradients of information transfer creating cybernetic loops of stability and disorder, setting the stage for adaptive capability. Criticality, therefore, appears to be an important factor in the transmission, transfer and coding of information for complex adaptive system development.
Date: August 31, 2021
Creator: Hunt von Herbing, Ione; Tonello, Lucio; Benfatto, Maurizio; Pease, April & Grigolini, Paolo
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Nonprofit Governance through the Lens of Stewardship Theory (open access)

A Study of Nonprofit Governance through the Lens of Stewardship Theory

This dissertation examines the association between independent governance structure and various measures of good governance. The evaluation draws on observations of a dataset of 101 Texas public charities, in particular the organization's self-disclosed governance-related activities as reflected in the transparency, monitoring, and strategic tools available to the public. The study reveals that two measures of good governance are associated with an identified independent governance structure at the organizational level. In managing the governance of the organization, the study finds evidence that less emphasis is placed on the constituted strategic direction clauses listed in the articles of incorporation of the organization. The research suggests that each of the fiduciary stewardship concerns need to be addressed by the legal governing body in order to fulfill good governance as an outcome quality measure.
Date: May 2020
Creator: Humphrey, Duchess Deidre
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Executive Functioning Processes in Simple and Complex Theory of Mind Tasks (open access)

Executive Functioning Processes in Simple and Complex Theory of Mind Tasks

Using a multimethod-multimodal approach, this study compared the contributions of executive function (EF) abilities (Go No-Go, Visual Search, 2-Back task, and Task Switching) to narrative comprehension tasks (False Belief, Strange Stories, Self-Reported Theory of Mind Inventory [TOMI-SR]) and a narrative production task (interpersonal decentering) in a sample of young adults. Separate regression models were conducted for each theory of mind (ToM) measure with EF measures as predictor variables and empirically selected demographic variables controlled. As expected, in this college student sample (N = 110), False Belief demonstrated a ceiling effect and was not associated with any EF ability. Task Switching and 2-Back accounted for significant variance in Strange Stories. No EF task significantly predicted performance on TOMI-SR or interpersonal decentering. Both story comprehension tasks (False Belief and Strange Stories) were significantly associated, but these tasks were not correlated with either self-reported ToM or interpersonal decentering. Several unanticipated demographic associations were found; having more siblings and English proficiency accounted for significant variability in Strange Stories; education, presence or absence of self-disclosed autism diagnosis and mental health diagnosis explained a large portion of variance in TOMI-SR; interpersonal decentering maturity differed significantly between cisgender men and cisgender women. Lastly, interpersonal decentering number of …
Date: August 2022
Creator: Shamji, Jabeen Fatima
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Putting the Panic Back in Moral Panic Theory: A Case for Disproportionality (open access)

Putting the Panic Back in Moral Panic Theory: A Case for Disproportionality

The appeal of moral panic studies, a once very popular sociological subfield, dropped precipitously around the turn of the century due in large part to debates about disproportionality, the notion a panicked group's concern about a perceived threat exceeds that warranted by its objective harmfulness. Classic theorists claim disproportionality is a panic's essential criterion and that it can be demonstrated by comparing a group's concerned reaction to the available facts. Critics argue it is a value-laden, ideologically tainted construct and often claim it cannot be demonstrated because there are no authoritative facts. These debates were and still are fraught with confusion. Perplexingly, both sides assume a shared definition despite clearly assessing the proportionality of different aspects of the relevant reaction. A typology differentiating the potential types of disproportionality either does not exist in the moral panic literature or remains shrouded in obscurity. In this paper, I review the classic theories, their critiques, and a new postmodern moral panic theory. By juxtaposing the different foci of the orthodox and contemporary theories, I derive a much-needed disproportionality typology. I also develop a new framework through which to assess moral panics predicated on this typology. My hope is these developments will stimulate a …
Date: December 2020
Creator: McCready, Marshall
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Band Theory and Beyond: Applications of Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Chemistry (open access)

Band Theory and Beyond: Applications of Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Chemistry

In the past two decades, myriad algorithms to elucidate the characteristics and dynamics of molecular systems have been developed for quantum computers. In this dissertation, we explore how these algorithms can be adapted to other fields, both to closely related subjects such as materials science, and more surprising subjects such as information theory. Special emphasis is placed on the Variational Quantum Eigensolver algorithm adapted to solve band structures of a periodic system; three distinct implementations are developed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We also see how unitary quantum circuits designed to model individual electron excitations within a molecule can be modified to prepare a quantum states strictly orthogonal to a space of known states, an important component to solve problems in thermodynamics and spectroscopy. Finally, we see how the core behavior in several quantum algorithms originally developed for quantum chemistry can be adapted to implement compressive sensing, a protocol in information theory for extrapolating large amounts of information from relatively few measurements. This body of work demonstrates that quantum algorithms developed to study molecules have immense interdisciplinary uses in fields as varied as materials science and information theory.
Date: May 2022
Creator: Sherbert, Kyle Matthew
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Theory-Based Failure Modes and Effect Analysis for Medication Errors (open access)

Theory-Based Failure Modes and Effect Analysis for Medication Errors

This article presents a hybrid decision-making approach to assigning different weights to risk factors and considering the uncertainty in the ranking process in the Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA) technique. Findings highlight improper medication administration as the main failure mode, which can result in a fatality or patient injury and the utilization of multiple-criteria decision-making methods in combination with Z-number as a useful tool in the healthcare management field.
Date: April 1, 2021
Creator: Ghoushchi, Saeid Jafarzadeh; Dorosti, Shadi; Ab Rahman, Mohd Nizam; Khakifirooz, Marzieh & Fathi, Mahdi
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Achievement Motivation Theory as a Model for Explaining College Athletes' Grit (open access)

Achievement Motivation Theory as a Model for Explaining College Athletes' Grit

This study examined the direct and indirect associations of the perceived coach-created motivational climate, athletes' implicit theory, and athletes' achievement goal orientation in relation to their levels of grit. Five hundred twenty-three Division I and II collegiate student-athletes (male = 246, female = 277) from five institutions across the south-central and southeast areas of the United States completed self-report measures assessing the previously described constructs. The measurement model fit the data well (SRMR = .055; CFI = .938; RMSEA = .067) and demonstrated invariance across the male and female athletes. The structural model demonstrated adequate fit (SRMR = .088; CFI = .918; RMSEA = .068). All direct and indirect paths in the model were significant in the expected direction, with the exception of the direct path from entity theory to ego goal orientation and the indirect path from ego-involving climate to ego goal orientation through entity theory, which were both non-significant. The mastery-incremental constructs accounted for 65% of the variance in grit. Results indicate that achievement motivation theory is an appropriate framework through which to examine grit, and achievement motivation constructs may be significant antecedents of grit's development. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Date: August 2020
Creator: Albert, Erin
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Examination of Communication Patterns, Relationship Satisfaction, and Mental Health Symptoms in IPV-Exposed Women With and Without a History of Child Abuse (open access)

An Examination of Communication Patterns, Relationship Satisfaction, and Mental Health Symptoms in IPV-Exposed Women With and Without a History of Child Abuse

Extant research suggests communication styles (CS) such as constructive communication (CC) to be associated positively with relationship satisfaction (RS) and negatively with mental health (MH) whereas self-demand / partner withdraw (SD/PW) communication is associated negatively with RS and positively with MH. Research also suggests child abuse (CA) to be associated with poorer CS, lower RS, and poorer MH. Further, RS has been differentially associated with MH and CS in adult intimate relationships. However, no study has examined these associations simultaneously. The current study aimed to (1) assess these associations in IPV-exposed women and (2) assess differences between those with and without a history of CA. Data (n = 412; Mage = 36.77, SD = 12.54) come from a larger data collection project (N = 676). I hypothesized that: (1) higher CC and RS would be associated with lower severity of MH symptoms; (2) higher SD/PW and lower RS would be associated with higher severity of MH symptoms; (3) women with a history of CA will report less CC, lower RS, and higher severity of MH symptoms; and (4) women with a history of CA will report more SD/PW, lower RS, and higher severity of MH symptoms. Results did not support …
Date: July 2023
Creator: Griffith, Elizabeth L.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Pilot Study on Supported Planning Using a Toolkit (open access)

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Individuals Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Pilot Study on Supported Planning Using a Toolkit

Article describes how when emergencies or disasters arise, individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication are particularly vulnerable. This study highlights the need for preparedness activities that are person-centered and account for the communication support needs of individuals who use AAC if faced with an emergency/disaster.
Date: January 3, 2024
Creator: Barton-Hulsey, Andrea; Boesch, Miriam C.; Chung, Yoosun; Caswell, Tina; Sonntag, Amy M. & Quach, Wendy
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Creating a Campus Culture of Academic Integrity in the Community College: Exploring the Relationship between Faculty Perception of Institutional Communication and the Perception of a Culture of Academic Integrity (open access)

Creating a Campus Culture of Academic Integrity in the Community College: Exploring the Relationship between Faculty Perception of Institutional Communication and the Perception of a Culture of Academic Integrity

The purpose of this research was to determine what preferences exist for full- and part-time community college faculty for institutional communication and if institutional communication predicts faculty perception of an academic integrity culture. The sample is nationally representative, consisting of institutional representation from five of the six accreditation regions nationally, a relativity equal distribution of three Carnegie Classifications (higher career & technical, high transfer, and mixed transfer/career & technical) and three Census Bureau defined population areas (urbanized area, urban cluster, and rural area). The survey, completed by 328 faculty from eight community colleges, was a modified version of three widely used instruments: the International Center for Academic Integrity Academic Integrity Faculty Survey, the International Communication Association Audit, and the Organizational Communication Development Audit Questionnaire. Chi-square, independent samples t-test, and hierarchical regression analysis were each used to explore the relationship between the perception of communication, channels of communication, and perceived culture of academic integrity. The results suggest that face-to-face and electronic communication channels are both preferred channels of communication among full- and part-time faculty and that the communication through these two channels is predictive and interactional. In collaboration with a positive perception of communication, both worked to predict a perceived culture …
Date: August 2020
Creator: Haduch, Brett Thomas
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
The perils of untested assumptions in theory testing: A reply to Patrick et al. (2020) (open access)

The perils of untested assumptions in theory testing: A reply to Patrick et al. (2020)

This article is a comment responding to a critique by Patrick et. al (2020) of the authors' recent study that raised questions regarding the three-factor model of the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM). The reply demonstrates additional problems with the three-factor TriPM model and shows that the seven-factor model out-performs the three-factor model in predicting correlates of psychopathy.
Date: September 7, 2020
Creator: Roy, Sandeep; Vize, Colin; Uzieblo, Kasia; Van Dongen, Josanne D. M.; Miller, Joshua D.; Lynam, Donald R. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Question Concerning Endocrinology: Judith Butler's Gender Theory and Transgender Hormone Therapy (open access)

The Question Concerning Endocrinology: Judith Butler's Gender Theory and Transgender Hormone Therapy

For such a vexing topic as gender identity, this dissertation asks a rather straightforward question: If gender identity is—as Judith Butler has asserted—socially constructed and discursively mediated, then why does transgender hormone therapy (THT) work? This is the question concerning endocrinology that I ask Butler, and their answer is, if requiring of delicate assessment and interpretation, clear: it doesn't. Butler's work reveals an admonishing view that the efficacity of THT is due to placebo effect, in turn brought on by the bewitchment of the trans* who seeks medical transition. In a logic similar to sin and salvation, if only the trans* had not believed in gender dysphoria, then there would be no (putative) efficacity to THT whatsoever. With our answer, we begin a perilous adventure of discovering just why such a preeminent gender theorist (and trans* themselves) with no experience of gender dysphoria, and no desire to medically transition, would say this. We examine Butler's gender theory, their concept of desire, their views on the self, on transsexuality, their rarely discussed philosophies of science and nature, and their dearth of citations of transsexual voices. Due to this lack, I lend my own, relying upon my experience with gender dysphoria, THT, …
Date: July 2023
Creator: Toole, Violet Ann
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library

A Grounded Theory of Resilience among Elite Musicians Who Survived Childhood Maltreatment

While experiencing childhood maltreatment (CM) increases the risk for negative lifetime outcomes, protective factors can lessen the harmful impact of stressful experiences and contribute to one's overall resilience. Musical engagement may operate as a protective factor by facilitating creative expression, increasing feelings of mastery, and providing a sense of belonging. It may also present stressors due to the unique demands of music performance (e.g., time constraints, competitiveness, scarce career opportunities). Due to the limited current research looking at musicians that have experienced trauma, we used a constructivist grounded theory approach to understand how the experience of engaging in music education and performance as children influenced resilience among adult survivors of CM. We invited thirteen students from prestigious music performance programs to participate based on their demonstrated resilience to perform at elite levels, despite reports of severe CM. Participants reflected on their experiences with CM, music education and performance, their identities as musicians, and the concept of resilience. Our analysis of interview transcripts supported the positive influence of social support, self-efficacy, and time and space away from their primary perpetrators of CM. Participants also consistently noted challenges present within organized music education, including ineffective instructors, pressure to perform well, and music …
Date: July 2023
Creator: Knizek, Olivia A.
Object Type: Thesis or Dissertation
System: The UNT Digital Library
Theoria, Volume 26, 2020 (open access)

Theoria, Volume 26, 2020

Annual journal containing essays, studies, book reviews, and other articles related to the history of Western Music Theory, methods of analysis, and analytical discussions of musical compositions. The appendix includes information about contributors to the current volume, and an index of content in previously-issued volumes.
Date: 2020
Creator: Heidlberger, Frank
Object Type: Journal/Magazine/Newsletter
System: The UNT Digital Library