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Teacher Preparation Programs: A Critical View
Individuals who desire to pursue the teaching profession have two primary paths for preparation: either completing a traditional college-based program or an alternative program. A generic qualitative inquiry methodology was used to explore the perspective of novice teacher participants on how prepared they felt based on the preparation program they participated in. Data gathering was accomplished through a novice teacher survey and seven one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The data from the novice teacher survey revealed that college-based preparation participants felt sufficiently prepared 33% of the time, while the alternative preparation participants felt adequately prepared 59% of the time. College-based preparation participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that observing veteran teachers was invaluable in preparing for the first year of teaching. The alternative certification program participants revealed that teaching was significantly more demanding and that teachers face challenges beyond delivering effective lessons. The alternative preparation program offered an extensive library of lessons and learning modules; however, there was little to no guidance on selecting which lessons and learning modules to review. Participants indicated that improvement in the support provided to the novice teacher during the first year is vital when transitioning from theory to practice. Continued examination of teacher preparation programs is …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Bragg, Ronald Dewayne
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Testing the Perceived Efficacy and Value of a Solar-Powered MoodleBox to Provide Sustainable Educational Support to Underdeveloped Areas
The dissertation aims to expand access through a low-cost technological innovation system S-MLS to learners in underdeveloped areas with difficulties in accessing education. Technology is advancing rapidly. However, many parts of the world need access to educational advances, which are hindered due to war, political situations, and low literacy and income. A qualitative phenomenological approach explores the lived experience using the solar-powered computing and learning management system (LMS) to support the development of educational access in underrepresented societies, developing countries, and rural areas where access to proper classroom education is non-existent. Proof of concept is used with a group of students in a rural area, a developing country, and within an underrepresented population to check the feasibility of using the equipment in a real-world setting. A technology acceptance model would be used to identify the user's perceived interest and user acceptance. The community of inquiry theory would find the first-hand experience and point of view of the learner. The student group interviews would be through semi-structured interviews. Observations, surveys, video/audio recordings, and artifacts would be gathered for further analysis. The data collected would be analyzed using interpretative phenomenology analysis (IPA), close examination, and management of development themes through thoughts, observations, …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Samaranayake, Pradeepika Nelumdini
System:
The UNT Digital Library
"Thank You" Parts I and II
"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 provided interactivity and choice within an environment as a process of mediation for anthropological study. Part I features a physical installation I designed that exercised the transmission of memories shared with my familial table. Twelve individuals voluntarily experienced this process across 4 sessions in a single day where they interacted with the table, each other, and the memories of places that the table has lived in. The installation was primarily recorded with a 360 camera and subsequently established as qualitative data, as per my theoretical process, to be edited into a film object. Part II is a 58-minute multi-split-screen film that features my theoretical process in action as it expresses the crafting of emerging-in-real-time short term cultures through layers of reflexivity. I edited this film to test my theory …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Hensley, Dylan
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Mechanical Behavior of Model Metallic Glasses
The thermophysical properties and deformation behavior of a systematic series of model metallic glasses was investigated. For Zr-based metallic glasses with all metallic constituents, the activation energy of glass transition was determined to be in the range of 74-173 kJ/mol while the activation energy of crystallization was in the range of 155-170 kJ/mol. The reduced glass transition temperature was roughly the same for all the alloys (~ 0.6) while the supercooled liquid region was in the range of 100-150 K, indicating varying degree of thermal stability. In contrast, the metal-metalloid systems (such as Ni-Pd-P-B) showed relatively higher activation energy of crystallization from short range ordering in the form of triagonal prism clusters with strongly bonded metal-metalloid atomic pairs. Deformation mechanisms of all the alloys were investigated by uniaxial compression tests, strain rate sensitivity (SRS) measurements, and detailed characterization of the fracture surface morphology. For the metal-metal systems, plasticity was found to be directly correlated with shear transformation zone (STZ) size, with systems of larger STZ size showing better plasticity. In metal-metalloid amorphous alloys, plasticity was limited by the distribution of STZ units, with lower activation energy leading to more STZ units and better plasticity. The alloys with relatively higher plasticity …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Akhtar, Mst Alpona
System:
The UNT Digital Library
"To Swim In Air Forever Tooloud Laughcrying"
This thesis' focal presentable object – to swim in air – is a mythosystem comprising six iteratively malleable experiential systems of intermedial musical and visual performance works composed by myself between the years 2018 and 2023. Conceived through the lens of Jennifer Walshe's New Discipline, created within my practice cycle's nodal context, and connected by a sub/conscious structure of perceptual timbre, the mythosystem and its parts form the centerpiece of this discussion of context, process, and method. As described in this document, the creative practice of nodal context and the adaptive intermedial methods used in the conceptualization and composition of to swim in air were developed through a personal and pragmatic application of feminist writer and independent scholar Sarah Ahmed's Queer Phenomenology: Orientations, Objects, Others, and composer, musicologist and trombonist George Lewis' curatorial decolonization guidelines as outlined in his "8 Difficult Steps to Decolonizing Music" towards the creation of presentable cultural objects which invite variable and continuous interaction from their participants through the exploration of the reciprocity of community, multi-practice creative strategy and malleable forms. Throughout this document I discuss how through the exploration of the reciprocity of community, multi-practice creative strategy and malleable forms I have addressed concerns of …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Fristensky, Louise Anne
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Transport of Proton, Hydrogen and Alpha Particles through Atomic Hydrogen Environment
Using multiple theoretical methods, comprehensive calculations are performed to create a new and more comprehensive data set for elastic scattering and related transport cross sections for collisions of (H$^+$ + H), (H + H) and (He$^{2+}$ + H) in the center-of-mass energy frame. In proton-atomic hydrogen collisions, we have significantly updated and extended previous work of elastic scattering, charge transfer and related transport integral and differential cross sections in the center-of-mass energy range $10^{-4} - 10^4$ eV where the multi-channel molecular orbital approach (MO3) is used. For atomic hydrogen-hydrogen collisions, similar updates have been made of elastic scattering and spin exchange differential and integral cross sections, also for the H + H collision the ionization and negative ion formation cross sections are provided in energy range (1-20 KeV) by use of the 'hidden crossing' theoretical framework. For collisions of alpha particles with atomic hydrogen we have computed the elastic scattering cross section in the center-of-mass energy range $10^{-4} - 10^8$ eV. In this case, at the lowest energies where elastic scattering greatly dominates other reaction channels, a single-channel quasi-molecular-orbital approach (MO1) is used. With the opening of inelastic channels at higher energies the multi-channel atomic-orbital, close-coupling method is applied, and …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Zaman, Tamanna
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Understanding the Significance of Patient Empowerment in Health Care Services and Delivery
To address emerging challenges in empowering patients through telehealth, this dissertation has the following objectives: (a) find the key characteristics that enable patient empowerment [PE], (b) determining when will PE work as a solution, (c) find the optimal telehealth care method that enables PE, and (d) evaluate the impact of telehealth on health care outcomes (such as, patient satisfaction, patient trust with primary care providers, etc.) that ultimately enhances PE. These objectives are addressed in three studies presented here as three essays. Collectively, these essays contribute to the knowledge on PE, patient trust, and telehealth by providing insights on leveraging PE towards better health care services and delivery systems. Essay 1 aims to systemically map the concept of PE using principles of systems thinking with the Boardman soft systems methodology that enables a graphical visualization (i.e., systemigrams). Essay 2 investigates the practical and theoretical implications of connecting patients to empowerment care plans and minimizing wait times in healthcare service delivery using electronic prescriptions (s-scripts), phone calls, and video calls. In Essay 3, the mediating role of telehealth services between patient empowerment and patient satisfaction was analyzed, along with patient trust was assessed as a moderator between telehealth usability and patient …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Bani Hani, Saad Mohammed Fahed
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Use of Videoconference Technology in the Social Engagement of Older Adults by Aging-in-Place Organizations
This dissertation investigates videoconference technology adoption by aging-in-place organizations to facilitate the social engagement of older adults. It comprises three studies that examine the initiation and coordination of technology adoption by aging-in-place organizations and addresses the factors associated with successful adoption of relational videoconference technology by older adults. The first study is a systematic literature review exploring the role of aging-in-place organizations in social engagement of older adults through videoconference technology. The second study is a survey of adult relatives and friends of older adults regarding videoconference technology adoption by older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and their experience with facilitating resources. It applies technology adoption theory and a structural equation model to characterize the role of aging-in-place organizations. The third study is a pilot test of a new online platform called Circular that is designed to support social engagement of older adults. Through these studies, this research extends the existing body of knowledge regarding modes to facilitate adoption of relational technology by older adults and to empower senior centers and other aging-in-place organizations as they seek to socially engage the aging members of their communities.
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Alagood, John
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Using Blockchain to Ensure Reputation Credibility in Decentralized Review Management
In recent years, there have been incidents which decreased people's trust in some organizations and authorities responsible for ratings and accreditation. For a few prominent examples, there was a security breach at Equifax (2017), misconduct was found in the Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (2015), and the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (2022) validated some of the low-performing schools as delivering higher standards than they actually were. A natural solution to these types of issues is to decentralize the relevant trust management processes using blockchain technologies. The research problems which are tackled in this thesis consider the issue of trust in reputation for assessment and review credibility at different angles, in the context of blockchain applications. We first explored the following questions. How can we trust courses in one college to provide students with the type and level of knowledge which is needed in a specific workplace? Micro-accreditation on a blockchain was our solution, including using a peer-review system to determine the rigor of a course (through a consensus). Rigor is the level of difficulty in regard to a student's expected level of knowledge. Currently, we make assumptions about the quality and rigor of what is learned, but …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Zaccagni, Zachary James
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Using GIFs and Matrix Training to Teach Noun-Verb Tacts to Children with Autism
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, which is called recombinative generalization. One strategy to teach multi-component targets, such as the noun-verb tact, and lead to recombinative generalization is matrix training. Matrix training is a framework utilized to arrange targets that can be combined in order to facilitate recombinative generalization by teaching a subset of combinations and then probing others. With three children with ASD, we used matrix training and evaluated the acquisition of trained and novel combinations of noun-verb tacts with GIFs as stimuli arranged in three matrices. We used a concurrent multiple probe design across sets, and our results indicated that all participants acquired trained noun-verb tact targets in the presence of the GIFs. The degree of recombinative generalization varied across participants, but each participant demonstrated recombinative generalization with some stimuli. We analyzed …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
White, Alexandria Blayce
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Utility Trombone Playing: A Practical Method for Students to Achieve Mastery of Alto, Tenor and Bass Trombone
With the importance of versatility in freelance work in the world of trombone performance, along with increased competition for that work, the need for players to play alto, tenor, and bass trombones to a high level of proficiency has become more and more crucial. This, coupled with the growing number of orchestras looking to hire musicians who are highly competent on all three instruments means that university professors need to be able to teach all three instruments. This evolution of the job market is driving a need for pedagogical material that is specifically designed to address the unique challenges of practicing and performing at a professional level on the main three instruments in the trombone family. As of the time of writing, this material simply does not exist. This project aims to fill that instructional gap. It gives students and teachers a resource that outlines an approach for a four-year undergraduate course of study that allows for the development of the playing of each of the trombones individually and collectively, utilizing the strengths of one instrument to develop the other two. It will also allow for the exploration of the technical challenges that arise when playing and changing between instruments. …
Date:
December 2023
Creator:
Owner, Timothy Michael
System:
The UNT Digital Library
3D Printed Self-Activated Carbon Electrodes for Supercapacitor Applications
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 contaminants that block activated carbon pores. Surface area characterization revealed that the carbon activated at 1000˚C had the highest surface of 1173.48 m2 g-1, and with the addition of HCL, the surface area increased to 1209.35 m2 g-1. This activated carbon was used for fabricating the electrodes based on the surface area and having both micropores and macropores, which are beneficial for charge storage. Direct ink writing (DIW) method was utilized for 3D printing SC electrodes and changing the electrode structure by increasing the infill densities at 30%, 50%, and 100%. Upon increasing the infill densities, the electrodes' mass increased linearly, porosity decreased, and the total surface area increased for the 30% and 50% infill electrodes but decreased for the 100% infill electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) test on the assembled …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Disi, Onome Aghogho
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Accessibility and Pedagogical Value in Virtuosic American Trombone Solo Literature: A Performance Guide to "Divertimento for Trombone and Band" (2012) by Jack Stamp
This dissertation is an examination of Divertimento for Solo Trombone and Wind Band by renowned wind band composer and conductor Jack Stamp. The result of this study is the illumination of a 21st-century composition for solo trombone and band that is made accessible for future performers, accomplished by constructing original musical exercises that are influenced by current trombone pedagogical materials that have either been edited, annotated or created by current performers and pedagogues such as Joseph Alessi, Brad Edwards and Michael Mulcahy. The piece also incorporates 20th -century American wind band influences. The careful selection of pedagogical materials serves the purpose of making this challenging solo accessible for the advanced academic trombonist and can serve as a template for surveying advanced literature of the present and future. Additionally, the pedagogical materials selected for use in this dissertation were considered based on their value in the present academic trombone repertory. Thus, this performance guide reflects on the validity of the modern trombone pedagogical literature to guide a performer's study, interpretation, and performance of a 21st-century work for solo trombone.
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Umholtz, Jeremiah L.
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Adoption of Innovation in a Community College Environment: User Perceptions of Virtual Reality (VR) Technology among Students Studying Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
This research study examined the implementation of an extended reality (XR) lab on a community college campus to facilitate student and faculty access to immersive learning resources. The study, conducted during one skills day, involved 46 students and was designed to understand if integrating immersive VR into emergency medical technician (EMT) education could enhance learner confidence and motivation, develop problem-solving and analytical thinking skills, and thus connecting the classroom learning with real-world application. The majority of participants reported increased motivation and engagement, alongside improvements in learning outcomes like knowledge retention and skill development. Applying the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model revealed performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions as key determinants of VR adoption in EMT education. While no significant overall performance enhancement was observed, VR training showed potential to boost motivation, confidence, and specific performance aspects. Furthermore, student perceptions towards VR in EMT education were largely positive, thereby suggesting its utility in immersive scenario training, skill acquisition in a risk-free environment, enhancing learner engagement, and real-world situational preparedness. VR demonstrated promise as a transformative tool in EMT education, necessitating further research to fully exploit its potential in diverse learning environments.
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Das, Anila
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Adult Attachment, Racial-Ethnic Identity, Racial-Ethnic Socialization, and Subjective Wellbeing
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 effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing via racial-ethnic identity variables and the interaction effect between insecure attachment and racial-ethnic socialization on racial-ethnic identity variables. Results indicated the direct effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing but did not support hypotheses for the indirect effect of insecure attachment on subjective wellbeing via the racial-ethnic identity variables. Additionally, results indicated that overt socialization buffered the negative impact of attachment avoidance on racial-ethnic identity exploration. Furthermore, racial-ethnic identity variables and subjective wellbeing significantly differed across racial-ethnic groups and socioeconomic statuses. Findings provide insight on the distinct concepts of attachment and racial-ethnic identity as they highlight inter- and intra-personal components, respectively. Mental health professionals may utilize overt socialization to help clients develop a sense of purpose and meaning related to …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Toyama, Shiho
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Air Breathing Fish: Development of Air Breathing in Bristlenose Plecos (Ancistrus cirrhosus)
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 functional maturity within four to six months of hatching and grow to an adult size of eight to ten cm in length. To examine the developmental timing for the onset of air breathing, we tested different sized juveniles beginning at one cm up until 8 cm in length. The developmental timing for the onset of air breathing was measured by exposing each fish to a slowly decreasing aquatic oxygen content from 100% air saturation down to 8% air saturation. Fish were first able to breathe air at just over 2 cm and 1 gram in mass. There was a weak negative correlation between fish length and % air saturation at which air breathing began. When exposed to 15% air saturation, frequency of air breathing was …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Crowder, Lauren Whitney
System:
The UNT Digital Library
All for the Greater Good: A Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Level Analysis of Supply Chain Goal and Incentive Alignment
Goal and incentive alignment are a means of establishing collaborative behavior in supply chains. Essay 1 examines goal and incentive alignment at the strategic level in the purchasing process. It employs survey research in conjunction with structural equation modelling to examine the source selection strategy as a means of aligning the goals of the offeror with those of the buyer. Essay 2 examines goal and incentive alignment at the tactical level. It uses discrete event simulation to explore how the pursuit of localized profit objectives affects the global profitability of a supply chain. Lastly, Essay 3 examines goal and incentive alignment at the operational level. By employing a hybrid simulation approach to model a complex product refurbishment process, this research demonstrates that evaluating subprocesses based solely on their throughput does not equate to greater cost savings for the company at the focal point of this case study. These essays contribute to the body of knowledge in several ways. To the best of the author's knowledge, Essay 1 demonstrates the first empirical linkage, in the realm of public procurement, between the fear of a bid protest and the appropriateness of the sourcing strategy. Similarly, Essay 2 represents the first adaptation of …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
McConville, Sean Cask
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Ambient Darkness and Consumer Behavior
Ambient lighting has emerged as a key atmospheric factor influencing how consumers process environmental cues and their behaviors. However, surprisingly little research has examined how people think and feel in the dark (lower than 15 lux). This is particularly relevant given that consumers routinely work, pay bills, relax, consume and make purchases in settings with little or no light. My dissertation addresses this gap by examining how consumers regulate their goals and process information when the light is off, and how that impacts their decision making in three substantive domains: risk-taking behavior, decision quality, and persuasion. In Essay 1, I propose darkness enables risk-taking behavior, and this effect happens through the calmness and relaxation induced in the dark. One caveat is that the decisions have to be made in a familiar setting. The effect was reflected in participants' decisions to invest in riskier yet lucrative stocks, to gamble with the riskier choice, to eat at a foreign restaurant, and to choose a supplement that has potential side effects in a field experiment and three lab experiments (pre-registered). In Essay 2, I propose that when the light is off, consumers are indeed induced to adopt an effortful processing mode. Across four …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Vo, Khue Ho Thuc
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Anti-S2 Peptides and Antibodies Binding Effect on Myosin S2 and Anti-S2 Peptide's Ability to Reach the Cardiomyocytes in vivo and Interfere in Muscle Contraction
The anti-S2 peptides, the stabilizer and destabilizer, were designed to target myosin sub-fragment 2 (S2) in muscle. When the peptides are coupled to a heart-targeting molecule, they can reach the cardiomyocytes and interfere with cardiac muscle contraction. Monoclonal antibodies, MF20 and MF30, are also known to interact with light meromyosin and S2 respectively. The MF30 antibody compared to anti-S2 peptides and the MF20 antibody is used as a control to test the central hypothesis that: Both the anti-S2 peptides and antibodies bind to myosin S2 with high affinity, compete with MyBPC, and possibly interact with titin, in which case the anti-S2 peptides have further impact on myosin helicity and reach the heart with the aid of tannic acid to modulate cardiomyocytes' contraction in live mice. In this research, the effects of anti-S2 peptides and antibodies on myosin S2 were studied at the molecular and tissue levels. The anti-myosin binding mechanism to whole myosin was determined based on total internal reflectance fluorescence spectroscopy (TIRFS), and a modified cuvette was utilized to accommodate this experiment. The binding graphs indicated the cooperative binding of the peptides and antibodies with high affinity to myosin. Anti-myosin peptides and antibodies competition with Myosin Binding Protein C …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Quedan, Duaa Mohamad Alhaj Mahmoud
System:
The UNT Digital Library
An Assessment and Intervention Model for Establishing Observational Learning During Tact Trials
Observational learning (OL) allows an individual to acquire novel responses by observing others' behavior and the corresponding consequences. The complexity of skills involved with OL may vary with the learning context. A learner may observe modeled responses to both trained (known) and untrained (unknown) stimuli or they may observe both reinforced (correct) and nonreinforced (incorrect) responses. The purpose of this study was to develop assessment and training procedures for OL component skills when the learner observes a combination of learning contexts: reinforced and nonreinforced responses to both trained and untrained stimuli. Two children with autism, Tom and David, participated. We assessed the following component skills in the context of tact trials: (1) Discriminating trained and untrained stimuli, (2) attending to the modeled performance, (3) discriminating consequences, and (4) conditionally responding based upon a name call. Next, we trained the component skill(s) for which the learner's performance did not meet criterion and then reassessed for OL. For both participants, immediate increases in OL were observed; however, modifications to the post-assessment (differential observing response for consequences and/or differential reinforcement) were required to produce (Tom) or maintain (David) criterion levels of responding. Interpretations of these outcomes, as well as limitations and directions for …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Sansing, Elizabeth McKay
System:
The UNT Digital Library
An Assessment of Digital Stimulus Prompts to Teach Conditional Discriminations to Children with Autism
Effective and efficient skill-acquisition procedures must be identified to support individualized behavioral programming for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To do this, practitioners and researchers may use assessment-based instruction. Prompts are a common teaching strategy to promote skill acquisition. The purpose of this applied study was to use assessment-based instruction to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of within- and extra-stimulus prompts to teach conditional discriminations to two children with ASD. We identified stimulus prompts using a survey of popular children's games and conducted a tablet-based instruction readiness assessment. Stimulus prompts involved motion (within-stimulus) and pointing (extra-stimulus) to evoke correct responses in the presence of a discriminative stimulus. We used an adapted alternating treatments design with a no-treatment control condition to evaluate the effects of both prompt types across multiple sets of stimuli. Both stimulus prompt types were efficacious in facilitating skill acquisition for two of three participants. Little difference was observed in the time to mastery with either prompt. Neither stimulus prompt was efficacious for the third participant. Assessment results will be used to inform clinical programming to teach conditional discriminations to participants and contribute to research on designing and implementing assessments of skill-acquisition procedures.
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Niland, Haven Sierra
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Behavioral Transportation: The Role of Psychological, Cognitive, and Social Factors in Distracted Driving Behavior
Logistics 4.0 suggests that increased automation can enhance performance, while Logistics 5.0 emphasizes the advantages of a modern workforce that combines humans and emerging technologies. However, the logistics industry needs a deeper understanding of human factors, an area that has been overlooked so far. To bridge this research gap, this dissertation investigated distracted driving behavior among individuals involved in transportation and logistics-based applications. This investigation employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Essay 1 focuses on a systematic literature review (SLR) that comprehensively analyzes published research on self-response studies regarding distracted driving behavior. The study identifies five overarching categories of distractions: (a) cell phone-related, (b) technology-related, (c) nontechnology-related, (d) psychological, and (e) personality. The findings underscore the substantial research conducted on self-reported distractions associated with cell phones and technology. Essay 2 employs the protection motivation theory (PMT) to develop hypotheses that predict the engagement of young drivers in texting while driving (TWD). In addition to TWD, the survey also included cognitive failure to examine the indirect effects of PMT on TWD within a mediation framework. The results, obtained through structural equation modeling with 674 respondents aged 18-25, indicate that several factors including response cost, threat vulnerability, cognitive failure, self-efficacy, and …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Gabaldon, Janeth
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Blockchain for AI: Smarter Contracts to Secure Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
In this dissertation, I investigate the existing smart contract problems that limit cognitive abilities. I use Taylor's serious expansion, polynomial equation, and fraction-based computations to overcome the limitations of calculations in smart contracts. To prove the hypothesis, I use these mathematical models to compute complex operations of naive Bayes, linear regression, decision trees, and neural network algorithms on Ethereum public test networks. The smart contracts achieve 95\% prediction accuracy compared to traditional programming language models, proving the soundness of the numerical derivations. Many non-real-time applications can use our solution for trusted and secure prediction services.
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Badruddoja, Syed
System:
The UNT Digital Library
Burnout and Psychological Wellbeing among Taiwanese and American Graduate Students in Mental Health Services: Role of Adult Attachment, Emotion Regulation, and Self-Compassion
Graduate students in mental health service training programs are at risk of experiencing burnout. Using adult attachment theory as the guiding framework, this study examined a conceptual model which depicted the direct and indirect effect of attachment insecurity on burnout and the subsequent psychological distress via low self-compassion and emotion regulation difficulty with two cultural samples recruited from the U.S. and Taiwan, respectively. The final sample included 216 U.S. mental health graduate trainees and 201 Taiwanese trainees. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings from the final models best supported by the data revealed that in both cultural groups, attachment anxiety contributed to lower self-compassion which subsequently resulted in greater burnout and that emotion regulation did not play a mediational role in the models. Results also demonstrated cultural differences in several paths of the research model. For the U.S. sample, only higher attachment anxiety indirectly contributed to more psychological distress through low self-compassion and burnout was best positioned as an outcome variable similar to psychological distress, instead of being a mediator. For the Taiwanese sample, on the other hand, both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance demonstrated significant indirect effects on higher psychological distress through lower self-compassion and …
Date:
July 2023
Creator:
Chao, Wan-Ju
System:
The UNT Digital Library