Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Permalink for this collection. Use this when sharing or citing this source:https://hdl.handle.net/11310/2

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 383

Estimation of Final Carcass Composition Using Ultrasound, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force and Ether Extract Testing on Beefmaster Steers.
(2024-05) Fuqua, Ainslea Elaine 2001-; Perkins, Tommy; Perkins, Tommy; Lawrence, Ty E.; Lust, David
The objective of this study was to determine if ultrasound estimates of carcass quality traits could predict the final quality factors that influence consumers’ purchases. Beefmaster steers (n = 86) from two experiments representing two different sires were ultrasounded 48d and 73d before harvest using an Aloka 500 ultrasound unit, equipped with a 17.2 cm probe to collect 12th rib fat thickness (FTU), 12th rib longissimus muscle area (REAU), intramuscular fat (IMFU) and rump fat (RFU). International Livestock Image Analysis (I.L.I.A) software (Harrison, Arkansas) was used to process images to determine FTU, REAU, IMFU and RFU using chute side captured ultrasound images on all steers. An Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC) field and lab certified technician captured all ultrasound images. Carcass data collection included 12th rib fat thickness (FTC), 12th rib longissimus muscle area (REAC) and marbling score (MARBNum). Additionally, Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and Ether extract (EE) were determined on 12-13th longissimus muscle samples. All carcass data was collected by the Beef Carcass Research Center (BCRC) at West Texas A&M University. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4. Overall simple descriptive statistics were 1.03 ± 0.26 cm, 88.79 ± 8.61 cm2, 5.02 ± 0.93 %, 1.26 ± 0.36 cm for FTU, REAU, IMFU, and RFU, respectively. Simple descriptive statistics were 1.72 ± 0.41 cm, 90.06 ± 7.24 cm2, 50.5 ± 6.88, 6.08 ± 1.92, and 3.34 ± 0.79 kg for FTC, REAC and MARBNum, EE and WBSF, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients for experiment 1 were 0.73 (P < 0.01) between FTU and FTC, 0.52 (P < 0.01) between REAU and REAC, 0.45 (P < 0.01) between IMFU and MARBNum, and 0.44 (P < 0.01) between EE and IMFU. Pearson correlation coefficients for experiment 2 were 0.73 (P < 0.01) between FTU and FTC, 0.32 (P < 0.01) between REAU and REAC, 0.31 (P < 0.01) between IMFU and MARBNum, and 0.33 (P < 0.01) between EE and IMFU. These results suggest that ultrasound measures of final body composition should be taken closer to the final harvest date to better estimate endpoints of fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and intramuscular fat in harvest ready beef cattle.
EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE PREGNANCY SUCCESS OF FRESH EMBRYO TRANSFERS IN COMMERCIAL BEEF CATTLE
(2024-05) Cowey, Garrett; Perkins, Tommy; Perkins, Tommy; Posey, R. Dan; Marcillo, Guillermo
This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of certain factors and their relationship with estrus expression, recipient suitability, and pregnancy success of fresh in vitro fertilized embryo transfers in commercial beef cows. Embryos were produced using IVF procedures by Trans Ova Genetics, Inc. (Sioux Center, IA). Sex-sorted heifer semen from a registered Charolais bull (WR Foreman D602; AICA 883344) was used in the IVF procedures to fertilize Angus-type oocytes collected in a packing plant. Prior to embryo transfer, 157 commercial beef recipients ranging from three to ten years of age were estrus synchronized using a progesterone-based protocol. Visual heat detection was performed three times daily, six to eight days prior to embryo transfer to determine whether or not heat expression had occurred. Embryos were transferred (n = 143) by a licensed veterinarian at the Texas A&M University McGregor Research Station in McGregor, TX, on June 22nd, 2023. Fourteen recipients were deemed unsuitable for an embryo because they did not have a viable corpus luteum (CL) on either their left or right ovary and, therefore, did not receive an embryo. Pregnancy success from embryo transfer was determined by both rectal ultrasonography and evaluation of calves born. Factors evaluated in this study included heat expression prior to ET (Heat or No Heat), recipient age [Group 1 (2 and 3 years old), Group 2 (4 and 5 years old), Group 3 (6 and 7 years iii old), and Group 4 (9 and 10 years old)], embryo quality grade (Grade 1 vs. Grade 2), and uterine horn transfer side (left uterine horn; LUH vs. right uterine horn; RUH). All statistical analysis was done using R-studio version 4.3.1. Statistical tests run included Pearson’s Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was determined at a 95% confidence level. Overall: i) there was an estrus expression rate of 60.5% (95/157), ii) the rate of recipient suitability for embryo transfer was 91.1% (143/157), and iii) the pregnancy success rate to ET was 52.4% (75/143). There were no significant differences in pregnancy rates observed between Heat and No Heat cows (p = .14), uterine horn transfer sides (LUH vs. RUH; p = .54), or embryo quality grades (Grade 1 vs. Grade 2; p = .24). Similarly, there were no significant differences detected between recipient age and rates of recipient suitability (p = .14). However, a significant interaction was detected at the 95% confidence level between recipient age and ET pregnancy success. Group 4 exhibited significantly higher pregnancy rates than Group 1 (67.6% vs. 43.9%, respectively; p = .02). Additionally, Group 4 also exhibited higher rates of heat expression prior to ET when compared to Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 (82.4% vs. 60.0%, 41.9%, and 44.4%, respectively; p < .05). When comparing the effects of heat expression on recipient suitability, Heat cows received an embryo at a significantly higher rate than No Heat cows (96.9% vs. 81.3%, respectively; p < .01). Overall, Group 4 cows exhibited the highest overall rates of heat expression, recipient suitability, and pregnancy success. Further research is encouraged to further evaluate the relationship between age and rates of external heat expression, pregnancy success, and embryo recipient suitability
EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING PREGNANCY RATES OF EMBRYO TRANSFER IN DAIRY CATTLE
(2024-05) Hill, Brittanie; Perkins, Tommy; Perkins, Tommy; Posey, R. Dan; Arnold, Chelsea
This study evaluated factors such as the parity of recipients, recipient breed, embryo grade, and semen type and their potential impact on embryo transfer success in dairy cows. Embryos were produced through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) by Trans Ova Genetics, Inc., located in Dumas, TX. Heifer sex-sorted semen, as well as conventional (non-sex-sorted semen) collected from a registered Charolais bull, was used in the fertilization process of Angus-type oocytes. Oocytes were aspirated from ovaries collected from a packing plant. A total of 253 embryos were transferred into recipient dairy females ranging from 2 (nulliparous) to 7 (multiparous) years of age. Four recipients were sold after the initial 253 transfers, and three died, leaving the total observable recipients at (n = 246). Of the 246 transfers, 131 consisted of the heifer sex-sorted semen mating while the other 115 were the conventional (non-sex-sorted semen) fertilization of the same packing plant Angus-type female mating. Either quality grade 1 or grade 2 frozen-thawed embryos were transferred into Holstein, Jersey, or Holstein/Jersey (HOJO) natural crossbred recipients on several different transfer dates based on recipients who showed signs of natural estrus. 107 recipients receiving embryos were considered “nulliparous,” and the remaining 139 were labeled “primiparous/multiparous.” Statistical analysis included descriptive measures and the Pearson Chi-square test using R Studio. Overall pregnancy rates by breed are as follows: Holstein/Jersey crossbred (HOJO) recipients (35.9%), Jersey recipients (30.6%), and Holstein recipients (25.9%). The pregnancy rates between Holstein recipients and HOJO recipients were insignificant (P = 0.13). Pregnancy rates between Holsteins/Jerseys and Jerseys/HOJOs were also insignificant (P = 0.54 and P = 0.53), respectively. The parity of recipients (nulliparous vs. primiparous/multiparous) was also insignificant (P = 0.13). Sexed semen had a higher numerical conception rate compared to conventional (non-sexed semen), (31.3% and 29.6%, respectively). However, semen type was non-significant (P = 0.77) in this research project. In total, 214 grade 1 embryos were transferred and consisted of 65 pregnancies (30.4%), whereas only 32 grade 2 embryos were transferred, resulting in 10 pregnancies (31.3%). Again, the analysis determined there was a non-significant effect of the grade of an embryo on the conception rate (P= 0.92). Following the analysis of Pearson Chi-square, a probit regression was run to estimate probability significance between breeds as well as parity of recipients. The coefficient estimates for “Jersey” and “HOJO” were run against the “Holstein” group as the reference. The coefficient estimate for “Jersey” was (0.1388) while the “HOJO” estimated coefficient was (0.2860). The “Holstein” group was dropped to provide a base and avoid multicollinearity issues. These coefficients suggest that compared to the Holstein group, the odds of achieving pregnancy were higher. Despite the increased probability, these values were not significantly different from the reference group (P= 0.544 and P= 0.129 respectively). A probit regression was also used to evaluate the likelihood of pregnancy between nulliparous recipients and primiparous/multiparous recipients. “Nulliparous” was run against the reference group “Primiparous/multiparous” and a coefficient of 0.2529 was reported. This suggests that nulliparous animals have a positive effect on the likelihood of pregnancy success compared to primiparous and multiparous animals in this regression model. Despite the increase in likelihood, this coefficient was non-significant in this study (P=.133). Further research should be conducted to evaluate the effect of parity of recipient, embryo type, semen type, and breed of recipient dam on embryo transfer success in dairy cows.
The Teaching of Practice in Music Education
(2024-05) Parker, Breanna Laine 1983-; Hieb, Kimberly; Brooks, B. J.; Bartley, Mark A.
This thesis explores the integration of practice curriculum within music education to assist students in shaping healthy practice habits. Drawing from previous research in music and psychology, this paper demonstrates how a music educator can integrate the practice curriculum into their daily music rehearsals. The thesis proposes a comprehensive approach that encompasses both the physical and mental dimensions of practice. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical strategies, teachers can equip students with the necessary tools to optimize their practice sessions. Central to the argument is the idea of dual aspects of practice: physical and mental. Combining the mental and physical part of practice is a unique part of the curriculum because this incorporates the psychological side of practice as well as the physical side which is activities to help make practice more productive. The curriculum in my thesis allows the educator to incorporate the lessons into their own lesson plans. After teaching the unit myself a survey was given to students who participated in the unit on practice. Data was collected from my students using three questions that offered valuable insights into the efficacy of the proposed teaching methods and the impact on their musical development In conclusion, the implementation of a practice curriculum in music education has the potential to significantly enhance student learning outcomes. These projected outcomes of my research are in the hopes that students would stop viewing in-class rehearsal as practice and start to understand what a professional rehearsal is. A knowledge of practice will benefit the teacher and the student’s rehearsal time. In the end, the integration of this curriculum into music education can cultivate a generation of skilled musicians. Furthermore, my students will not only be skilled, but will have a solid understanding of healthy practice for their mind and for their body. The tools learned in my curriculum can be principals they apply in areas outside of music as well.
CONCURRENT VALIDITY EVIDENCE OF THE ImPACT AS AN ASSESSMENT OF PROCESSING SPEED IN UNIVERSITY SOCCER ATHLETES
(2024-05) Kanani, Mohsen 1999-; Farren, Gene L.; mbartlett.wtamu.edu
Executive Function (EF) is a crucial element in athletes' performance. It involves many different subcomponents, including Processing Speed (PS). The study underlines the vital role of sport and physical activity on cognition and indicates the imperative role of cognition in athletes' performance. Due to the lack of investigation in sport cognition in college athletes, the aim of the study is to validate a feasible and accessible assessment (i.e., Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing; [ImPACT]) of EF and PS in collegiate soccer athletes. Participants were 18 male collegiate soccer student athletes (Mage = 21; range = 19-24). Two EF assessments were completed: Trail Making Test (TMT) and Tower Test. Correlation analysis was conducted between the scores of the two EF assessments and ImPACT scores. Results indicated a strong correlation between TMT composite and the ImPACT visual motor speed composite (r = .76, p < .01). However, a significant correlation between the Tower Test and the ImPACT test was not evident. The results can function as a door opener to further investigate sport cognition among collegiate athletes. Moreover, the results allow use of the ImPACT test as a valid PS assessment in collegiate soccer athletes.
A MIXED-METHOD AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION INTO THE HOMESCHOOL ATHLETE CULTURE: SPORT HISTORY AND PARTICIPATION
(2024-05) Doss, Melissa 1984-; Farren, Gene L.; Fiaud, Vanessa; Dr. Trisha Brown; Dr. Lorna Strong
Sports have been exemplified across cultures and time for their plethora of positive benefits. Homeschool athletes are a unique subset of youth competitor in the sporting world that has been largely overlooked in the literature despite rapid growth. Barriers to a positive sport experience for homeschool athletes include injuries, transportation, funds, proper preparation, qualified coaches, and lack of equipment and facilities. These issues are highly interrelated and can be tied back to lack of information and support for the homeschool educator/coach. Through quantitative and qualitative methods, a snapshot of the typical homeschool athlete from a West Texas homeschool track and field team was developed to identify parental and athlete goals for sport participation, detect barriers to a positive sport experience, compare this experience to typical youth sport involvement, and propose solutions and suggestions for further research. Qualitative results showed that parents value athletics for developing fitness, friendships, character, and team work abilities in their homeschool children. Further, 39% percent of homeschool athletes commute more than 30 minutes for practices, games, and events. This highlighted that transportation and/or lack of local access to sport opportunities are significant barriers to sport participation for the typical homeschooler in this sample. Ten percent of athletes started sports for the first time after age 11, and this was correlated with a higher incidence of injury in the last 12 months. Overuse injury rates and amount of active time spent outside of sports were similar to those of youth athletes in general (Brenner, 2007; National Physical Activity Plan vi Alliance, 2018). Further research is warranted to produce a more robust picture of the homeschool youth athlete experience.
Factors Contributing to Quality of Life in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults
(2024-05) Robertson, Abby; Fredman, Traci; Fredman, Traci; Cross, Brenda; Garrison, Mark
This research aimed to assess quality of life in deaf and hard of hearing adults and examine the impact severity of hearing loss, community involvement, community preference, cultural competence, and language competence have on quality of life. Forty-nine deaf and hard of hearing participants completed a survey regarding their cultural identity and quality of life. The survey was composed of portions of the Deaf Acculturation Scale (DAS) and a modified version of the WHOQOL-BREF. Observation oriented modeling was used to identify patterns in the data to answer the research questions. The first research hypothesis was that persons who identified as bicultural would have increased quality of life over persons who identified as deaf and hearing. Results supported increased social and physical quality of life in the bicultural group (social PCC = 72.73, c-value = 0.90; physical PCC = 75.76; c-value = 0.04). The second research hypothesis was that persons with a moderate to severe hearing loss who were highly involved in the deaf culture would have a higher quality of life than persons with moderate to severe hearing loss who were highly involved in the hearing culture. Results supported increased psychological quality of life in the moderate to severe hearing loss and deaf group (PCC = 68.75; c-value = 0.12). The third research aim explored factors that impact quality of life. Results indicated there were no remarkable patterns. These results indicate that additional factors, which were not measured in this survey, may substantially impact the quality of life in persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.
College Readiness in the Early College High School Model
(2024-05) Payne, Kimberly Kesler 1965-; Bigham, Gary; jnix@wtamu.edu
As local, state, and federal educational leaders concentrate on enhancing academic and college preparedness, Early College High Schools (ECHS) are recognized as an innovative educational model. The purpose of this intensive research study at a central Texas community college district was to examine the college readiness of ECHS students from the perspective of the college's teaching faculty. While there is ample outcome-based research on the college readiness of ECHS students, there is limited research on college faculty dual credit teaching experiences. Grounded in the CCCRM, this qualitative content analysis (QCA) study employed semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews to examine faculty perceptions of the essential academic skills and behaviors required for ECHS students to succeed in college-level courses. The analysis revealed that faculty regard ECHS students as enthusiastic and collaborative, but have academic and skill deficits in time management, reading, writing, research, and academic and behavioral maturity that influence success in college courses. The findings of this study are supported by current literature regarding college readiness and may provide insights that could influence educational strategies and policy decisions aimed at improving college readiness initiatives.
Evaluating Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Maturity Patterns in the Northern Texas High Plains
(2024-05) Brorman, Emily T.; Bednarz, Craig; Marcillo, Guillermo; Bell, Jourdan M.
The Texas High Plains Region contributes to the majority of Texas cotton production, the leading state in United States production. Over the last two decades, cotton has migrated north of the well-known cotton region of the Southern High Plains, providing a unique opportunity for farmers to produce a drought tolerant crop as irrigation capacities from the Ogallala Aquifer dwindle. Compared to the Southern High Plains, the Texas Northern High Plains (NHP) is regarded as a more stressful production area in terms of reduced thermal units. Advancements over the last century such as boll weevil eradication, development of transgenic Bt traits, herbicide tolerance, and early maturing cotton varieties have made production in the area possible. The industry standard for monitoring cotton growth to maturity was developed in the early 1990’s in traditional cotton production regions prior to these advancements. Developmental target values for the timing of the appearance of the first square, the first flower, and physiological cutout were presented in the COTMAN manual developed by the University of Arkansas (Oosterhuis & Kerby, 2008). While these benchmarks have remained the standard for many years, the accuracy of such target values for current production systems in the Texas Panhandle is questionable. This study monitored modern, commercially available cotton cultivars commonly grown in the Texas Panhandle and presents cultivar specific developmental stage benchmarks that are representative of the region. The primary objectives of this study were to investigate (1) early season vegetative growth from planting to first square, (2) vertical flowering interval, (3) timing of physiological cutout and (4) yield contribution of the last effective boll population. Production has been proven to be successful in the area (Gowda et al., 2007 & Leng et al., 2018), certifying the need to investigate whether developmental target values differ from the industry standard, and if so, to present optimized values. Results from two trial in 2022 and 2023 growing seasons indicated a stark contrast in development when compared to the industry standard Target Development Curve (TDC). Specific developmental curves were generated by segmented regression for each trial from main-stem nodal development measurements and corresponding nodes above white flower (NAWF) values recovered from tagged white flowers. Main-stem node lint contributions were analyzed from lint weights captured after box picking and ginning. Nonlinear regression was used to recover parameters for the estimated maximum yield, mid-node where accumulation changed slope, and rate of accumulation. These parameters were then used to calculate accumulated lint yields by main-stem node which were then used to determine the percentage of the total yield to identify the effective fruiting zone (Kerby & Hake, 1996). Compared to the industry standard TDC, data from both trials illustrate decreased vegetative growth from emergence to first flower, as well as a delay in timing to first square, first flower, and physiological cutout. The trial at Bushland, Texas in 2023 was the exception to observed developmental delays, presumably due to a late planting date. Heat unit accumulations were inconsistent with published values. However, it should be noted that the appropriate heat unit targets are not well defined in the literature. The data suggests current methods of assessing cotton maturity are not optimized for production in the Texas Panhandle.
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE ARCTIC GLACIER RECESSION ON OUR CLIMATE
(2024-05) OKO, EMMANUEL M 1988-; Hiranuma, Naruki; Bithi, Swastika; Bhattacharia, Sanjoy K.; Gourihar Kulkarni
The Arctic is warming three times faster than the rest of the world in part due to the phenomenon called Arctic amplification. The increase in de-glaciated land regions predictably leads to greater aerosol emissions and accelerates Arctic amplification by a reduced reflection of solar radiation, changing albedo. However, the role of aerosol-cloud interactions and cloud feedback is overlooked and not well understood in the Arctic. In particular, the role of clouds containing ice particles remains highly uncertain. To better understand the climate impact associated with aerosol particles emitted from de-glaciated soils, we characterized the immersion freezing efficiency of surface soil samples collected in 2019 from Southern Spitsbergen. A total of 8 samples were collected along a latitudinal transect from the top of the catchment of the Ariebreen glacier (ARB; approx. 500 m a.s.l.) to the sea shore (approx. 5 m a.s.l.), Hornsund area. Half of the samples were from the inner ARB (more recent; in the north), and another half was sampled in the outer ARB (older; in the south) de-glaciated spots. For our immersion freezing experiment, we used 0.1 wt% powder from each ARB sample, as well as heat-treated samples, to estimate the concentration of ice-nucleating particles (INPs) in a unit mass of each sample, nm (g-1), as a function of temperature (0 °C to -25 °C). Our immersion freezing results of the ARB samples indicate a gradual decrease in freezing efficiency (nm) from old/south ARB (highest) to new/north ARB (lowest). From the heat treatment analysis, we see the inclusion of heat-sensitive biogenic INPs in most samples. Besides the immersion freezing, the results of trace element analysis and ICP-MS data, full next- generation sequencing data describing microbial communities along the sequence, for the ARB samples will be presented. Knowing the type of microorganisms for de-glaciated areas, as well as those beneath glaciers, will enable us to relate the freezing results to the chemical and biological properties of the samples.
TEXAS EQUINE VETERINARY ASSOCIATION MEMBERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON VACCINATION OF ADULT NON-BREEDING EQUINE IN 2023
(2024-05) Vogler, Jadin; Pipkin, John; Pipkin, John; Robert Jose Valeris Chacin; Baker, Lance A.; Kelli Beavers
In safeguarding the health and well-being of equine populations, vaccination practices stand as a cornerstone of preventive veterinary care. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify the recommended vaccination protocols for core antigens (Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, Rabies, Tetanus, and West Nile virus), Equine Influenza virus (EIV), and Equine Herpes virus (EHV) by equine or mixed-practice Texas Equine Veterinary Association (TEVA) members in 2023, and 2) examine the demographics of veterinarians and compare vaccination recommendations based on demographics, and 3) explore and analyze the factors that influence a veterinarian’s decisions around vaccine usage. The West Texas A&M University Institutional Review Board reviewed and approved the survey (#2023.08.005, Vaccination Recommendations by Veterinarians in Texas to Determine Vaccine Effectiveness on Adult Non-breeding Equine). This study was conducted in partnership with the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Education, Research, and Outreach (VERO) campus in Canyon, TX. Five hundred TEVA members were surveyed between November 1 to 14, 2023. A total of 39 respondents filled out the survey, achieving a response rate of 7.8%. All respondents filled out both sections of the provided survey. All responses were exported into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and imported into RStudio version 4.3.2 to conduct statistical analyses. A Chi-square test was conducted to test whether the distribution of responses for a particular question was even or not. A Fisher's Exact test was run to determine whether there was a significant association between the vaccination perspectives and demographics. The findings regarding core vaccination recommendations indicated that 92.3% of respondents advocated for administering an initial dose of vaccine for all core antigens to horses lacking a vaccination history, followed by a vaccination booster dose within 3 to 4 wk. Additionally, 95% of respondents agreed on an annual vaccination for horses with a history of core vaccination. Findings regarding EHV vaccination recommendations indicated that 82% of respondents advocated administering an initial dose of the EHV vaccine to horses without a vaccination history of EHV. Findings regarding EIV vaccination recommendation indicated that 76.9% of respondents advocated for administering an initial dose of EIV vaccine to horses without a vaccination history of EIV. Findings regarding the preferred type of vaccine for EIV resulted in 59.0% expressing a preference for the inactivated form (IM) of EIV. Findings regarding the preferred type of vaccine for EHV resulted in 79.5% expressing a preference for the inactivated form (IM) of EHV. Overall, this study suggests that horses in Texas are receiving the AAEP vaccine protocols for both core and risk-based vaccines due to TEVA respondents adhering to the AAEP guidelines.
Chasing American Originality: Literary Continuity and Artistic Survival in Moby-Dick
(2024-05) Wells, Stephanie 1994-; Tyrer, Pat; Tyrer, Pat; Dr. Alex Hunt; Dr. Marty Kuhlman
Herman Melville wrote Moby-Dick, or, The Whale during the nineteenth century American Renaissance when America sought a distinct, identifiable culture for the new west apart from European tradition in the East. In 1839, eleven years before the publication of Moby-Dick, John L. O’Sullivan published an article in the Democratic Review prophesizing America as “The Great Nation of Futurity.” O’Sullivan’s vision for America stretched beyond political destiny into the realm of culture. To further demonstrate America’s superiority as a nation, O’Sullivan argued the nation’s literature must reflect America’s democracy and nation while also rejecting any imitation of foreign cultural tradition. Melville’s fifth novel serves as an allegorical response to O’Sullivan’s political rhetoric. Often called the great American novel, Moby-Dick ironically represents the inherent danger in nationalizing art for the sake of profit or pride, and through Ishmael, Melville affirms artistic survival requires separation from extreme American individualism. Through Melville’s creative allegory, he demonstrates literary continuity to the past must be upheld for the culture to survive. However, O’Sullivan’s desire for American originality neglects the natural continuity in creativity. As an author reads, sparks of inspiration provoke thought, and with those thoughts, the author writes. In summation, Moby-Dick reveals artistic survival within a democracy requires an author willing to establish boundaries to national belonging. Furthermore, the author must resist the lure of success and fame by writing the truth, rather than chasing a mythic, political ideal.
The Halophilic Microbial Community of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
(2024-05) Cuthbert, Robyn 2000-; Mukherjee, Maitreyee; Mukherjee, Maitreyee; Crosman, Erik T.; Diaz, Fernando
Background and study goals: Established in 1937, Bitter Lakes Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico is an important oasis in a seemingly barren desert filled with essential wetland and desert species. The Bitter Lakes serve as an essential water source for the local wildlife. The lakes themselves are hypersaline, resulting in a unique biodiverse ecosystem. The salt lakes are home to microorganisms adapted to saline environments. Studying these microorganisms can help gain important insights into the biogeochemical processes of hypersaline lakes, which are important to understanding the ecology of these lake systems, as well as the evolutionary adaptations associated with saline tolerance. Thus far, no studies have been performed on the halophilic microbial communities found at the Bitter Lakes. This thesis investigates the microbial community of this hypersaline environment by utilizing a combination of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods in microbiology. Microbial community structure was analyzed using 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis from environmental DNA (eDNA) to reveal how the community structure is influenced by seasonal variations and physicochemical/ environmental parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity levels. A total of 32 unique strains were isolated, characterized, and identified using microscopy, molecular methods, and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, the complete genomes of six of these selected isolates were sequenced and analyzed. Results: Culture-independent 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis shows that Bacteria dominates across all sampling events and sites, primarily belonging to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria. These findings are inconsistent with previous studies in other hypersaline environments, which have mostly observed a dominance of archaea. For those studies that did find bacteria to be dominant over archaea, Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum, which is consistent with this study’s findings. Redundancy analysis (RDA) reveals that the microbiome composition at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is largely dependent upon salinity, temperature, and seasonal differences across samplings. Salinity differences between sites showed different levels of biodiversity, and temperature across samplings (seasonal differences) showed differences between biodiversity between samplings. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strains reveals identity with the halophile groups of Salimicrobium, Marinococcus, Salinicoccus, Alkalibacillus, Pontibacillus, and Halobacillus. Isolates were found to display orange to off-white coloration on media, consistent with findings in previous studies of halophilic bacteria. However, most isolates were coccus-shaped, whereas most bacteria found in other studies were bacillus-shaped. Whole-genome sequencing analysis identified six unique species of halophiles.
Implementing Instructional Coaching: A Focus Group Study
(2024-05) Bashara, Micah Marie 1988-; Harper, Irma; Harper, Irma; Hooper, H.H. (Buddy), Jr.
Purpose: This study explored the perceptions and instructional coaching experiences of teachers, emphasizing the role of instructional leaders. It also observed the influence of instructional leaders and their impact on student achievement and school climate. Research Method: This study used a qualitative design. It conducted focus group discussions to explore how instructional coaching is implemented through instructional leaders. This study provides an in-depth examination of how high-quality instructional coaching is perceived and utilized by educators to improve their instructional practices. Findings: The findings for this study resulted in four themes: (a) leadership, (b) professional development, (c) instructional best practices, and (d) positive perceptions. These themes were demonstrated throughout the data obtained from the focus group discussions. The findings supported the literature, indicating that instructional coaching is an imperative aspect of effective instructional leadership. Conclusion: Instructional coaching was demonstrated throughout this study to be a crucial component of instructional leadership. The findings and data from this study help further support the effective implementation of instructional coaching by school leaders. The main premise of this is to improve teachers’ instructional practices to provide students with high-quality instruction so that they can achieve academic success.
The Effectiveness of Inductive Teaching in Mathematics
(2024-05) Purnawasi, Muniram 1981-; Meador, Audrey; Meador, Audrey; Lockwood, Pamela R.; Wu, Quingquan
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of inductive teaching in mathematics based on ninth-grade students' performance and the retention of learning regarding rules of exponents content. In this study, a quasi-experimental design with pretest, posttest, and retest was employed. This study was conducted with 92 ninth-grade students from an urban high school in Connecticut (experimental group, n = 46; control group, n = 46). While inductive teaching was carried out in the experimental group, traditional lecture-based instruction continued in the control group. Data was collected through a knowledge test, which consisted of 15 objective-type questions. The knowledge test was administered to the experimental and control groups as a pretest at the beginning of instruction, and as a posttest at the end of instruction to both groups. Seven weeks after instruction, the knowledge test was administered to both groups as a retention test of the rules of exponents topic information. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANCOVA with the pretest as the covariate. The results from this study indicated that inductive teaching significantly improved both students’ performance and retention of learning in mathematics when compared to the traditional lecture-based methods regarding rules of exponents.
When the Faculty Feels Like Family: The Role of the Principal-Teacher Relationship in Rural School Improvement
(December 2023) Wheeler, Danella Kay 1974-; Bigham, Gary; Bigham, Gary; Hindman, Janet; Nix, Jerry V.
The research focus of the scholarly delivery is the principal-teacher relationship in rural schools during times of mandated school improvement. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study that can be used for teaching doctoral or master’s candidates in the field of educational leadership. The title of this article is “When a Teacher Chooses Non-Compliance: Harnessing the Power of the Principal-Teacher Relationship”. This case study uses the story of a new rural school principal’s conflict with one of her teachers to highlight the importance of building trust and using effective communication to strengthen the principal-teacher relationship. The final scholarly deliverable is an empirical article titled “When Faculty Feels Like Family: The Role of the Principal-Teacher Relationship in Rural School Improvement”. This article details how two rural Texas principals used positive relationships to garner academic growth on their campuses.
Reaching Adult Learners Located in Rural and Remote Areas through Community College Branch Campuses in Texas
(December 2023) Walton, Ilene J. 1964-; Hindman, Janet; Hindman, Janet; Johnson, Brad; Nix, Jerry V.
Due to the need for more qualified and credentialed employees, Texas introduced a new funding model that encourages community colleges to seek new ways to provide the local workforce with credentials of value (McGee, 2022, McGee, 2023). Community colleges are being asked to expand their educational focus to include all working-age adults, often called nontraditional students or adult learners. Through a strategic plan, community colleges may use their branch campuses in rural and remote areas to meet the challenge of educating adult learners proposed in the new funding model. This qualitative research used narrative inquiry described by Connelly and Clandinin (2006) and thematic analysis methodologies and approaches recommended by Braun and Clarke (2023) to identify ways community college branch campuses might recruit, educate, and provide credentials of value to adult learners in rural and remote areas, to meet the growing needs of the expanding Texas workforce outlined in the 2023 higher education funding model. This study identified barriers and aligned various ways by which branch campuses might effectively serve adult and nontraditional students in rural areas.
What Really Works? How Successful School Leaders Retain Teachers
(December 2023) Stephens, Amy 1975-; Harper, Irma; Harper, Irma; Dr. Ray Barbosa; Dr. Minseok Yang
This final composite explores the challenges and strategies campus-level leaders at high-poverty schools use to retain teachers. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study article that could be used to teach and grow aspiring principals through their master’s or doctoral work in educational leadership. The title of this article is “We Turned Around a Struggling School, Now What?” This case explores the sustainability of school improvement work through the lens of retaining quality teachers after turnaround funding and initiatives end. The final scholarly deliverable is an empirical article titled “What Really Works, How Successful School Leaders Retain Teachers.” This empirical article focuses on examining the unique challenges high-poverty campuses face when it comes to recruiting and retaining quality teachers.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MERIT-PAY ON TEACHER RETENTION AND STUDETNT ACHEIVMENT IN A RURAL SCHOOL IN TEXAS
(December 2023) Sizemore, Patrick; Harper, Irma; Bigham, Gary; Garrison, Mark
The final composite explores the challenges faced by rural schools in the retention of high-quality teachers. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study article that could be used to teach masters or doctoral candidates in the field of educational leadership. The title of this article is “Teacher Incentive Allotment: Attempts at Teachers Recruitment and Retention.” This case reviews a teacher’s experience with the teacher incentive allotment as she attempts to earn an additional $20,000 a year and the impact it has had on her retention. The final scholarly deliverable is an empirical article titled “The Relationship Between Merit-Pay on Teacher Retention and Student Achievement in a Rural School in Texas.” This empirical article explores a rural school district’s first 3 years of participating in the Teacher Incentive Allotment program in Texas and its relationship to retention and student achievement
THE EFFECT OF HARVEST CUTTING HEIGHT AND HYBRID MATURITY CLASS ON FORAGE NUTRITIVE VALUES AND RATOON REGROWTH POTENTIAL OF SORGHUM SUDANGRASS IN THE TEXAS HIGH PLAINS
(December 2023) Sirmon, Preston; Bell, Jourdan M.; Blaser, Brock C.; Bell, Jourdan M.; Blaser, Brock C.; Tim Steffens
Sorghum Sudangrass (Sorghum x drummondi), a crop that is drought tolerant and readily regrows, is an option that producers in the Texas High Plains are turning to as water limitations become more prevalent. The objective of this study was to i) investigate the effect of clipping height on yield and ratoon production, and ii) evaluate the forage nutritive values of a single harvest versus ratoon harvest system of sorghum sudangrass varieties under limited irrigation in the Texas High Plain. Seven different sorghum sudangrass hybrids were cut to leave 10 and 20 cm of stubble and allowed to regrow. Cutting height did not affect yields, with cumulative yields in 2019 ranging from 8.99 to 16.23 Mg ha-1 and 7.59 to 13.09 Mg ha-1 for the 10 and 20 cm cutting height, respectively; and cumulative yields in 2020, ranging from 4.61 to 7.84 Mg ha-1 and from 3.95 to 8.15 Mg ha-1 for the 10 and 20 cm cutting height, respectively. A ratoon crop was only achieved with the early maturing hybrids in this study. Forage Nutritive values were greatest with the early maturing hybrids and their ratoon crops; however, overall yield was greater for the longer maturing hybrids.

Browse

Recent Submissions