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“KNOW WHAT I’M SAYIN’?”: ADVOCATING HIP-HOP AS A PRIMARY SOURCE FOR HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP
Full text linkRap, hip-hop’s most characteristic element, evolved from cultural practices combining in New York and spread across the United States in the latter half of the twentieth century. This thesis argues in favor of the use of rap as primary source material in future historical research. Authenticity has always surrounded hip-hop, making rap a window into artists’ perspectives. Storytelling traditions in rap’s roots allow for fiction’s use as a tool to discuss reality in lyrics. To demonstrate rap’s strengths as a primary source, the thesis examines Let’s Get Free, dead prez’s 2000 debut album. The song “They Schools” is dissected section-by-section to exemplify rap’s potential for lyrical depth to discuss complex topics. Finally, the album’s overarching themes of race, revolution, and identity reinforce that potential, displaying dead prez’s worldview and complicating our understanding of history
Catfish Dinner & Other Malicious Morsels
Full text linkCatfish Dinner & Other Malicious Morsels is a collection of short stories utilizing the combined elements of Fantasy, Southern, and Gothic Literature. The collection demonstrates the feasibility of combining the three different literary genres, each with its own strong identity and literary history, in a work that appeals to readers reaching the age of young adulthood. Named for the titular story, the collection features seven short stories of varying lengths depicting the cultural influence of food, community morals, storytelling, and nature in East Texas communities. Each story is told through third-person point of view of a different character. The stories told throughout the collection are meant to create a sense of unease within the reader throughout the progression of the collection before culminating in nontraditional endings that will hopefully leave the reader confused, unsettled, fascinated, or horrified
Depositional Facies and Petrophysical Characterization of the Leonardian Carbonate (Lower Clear Fork), Tex-Mex, S.E. Field, Central Basin Platform, West Texas
Full text linkThe Lower Clear Fork from Tex-Mex, S.E. Field on the Central Basin Platform is a typical complex reservoir that displays high heterogeneity in lithological and petrophysical properties. The unit represents a producing reservoir succession of Leonardian platform carbonates deposited in shallow marine water during the Early Permian. The sediment of the Lower Clear Fork is composed of a mixed succession of dolomite interbedded with anhydrite, minor clay minerals, and siliciclastics. The high heterolithic nature of the reservoir makes efficient recovery of hydrocarbons difficult. This situation requires an understanding of the variability in depositional facies in terms of mineralogy, depositional textures and structures, and an assessment of its petrophysical properties. As of December 2023, cumulative production of hydrocarbon from the Tex-Mex, S.E. Field reached about 88,308 barrels of oil equivalent.
The study at Tex-Mex, S.E. Field utilized 338.9 ft (103.3 m) of Lower Clear Fork cored sample, core data, and wireline data from a key well. Key data utilized included core descriptions, wireline logs, routine core analysis data, petrographic thin sections, and whole rock mineralogical data from X-ray Diffraction. These data helped to (1) determine the paleoenvironments under which the Lower Clear Fork sediments were deposited, (2) build a core-calibrated petrophysical mineral model of the Lower Clear Fork from wireline logs and XRD mineralogy, and (3) assess the petrophysical properties of the Lower Clear Fork reservoir.
The integration of core/log analysis, XRD data, routine core data, and petrographic observations revealed seven (7) facies regrouped into four (4) major facies associations each representing the mineralogy, sedimentary textures, pore characteristics, and paleodepositional environment. The Lower Clear Fork, a second-order Leonardian sequence represents facies transitioning from dolomitized inner to ramp crest facies (skeletal/peloidal wackestone to grain-dominated packstone) in the lower part, to dolomitized restricted lagoon and tidal flats/sabkha facies (dolomudstone/anhydrite) in the upper part. The petrophysical characteristics of the Lower Clear Fork reservoir were dominantly controlled by post-depositional processes that altered the primary carbonate mineralogy and pore development. The principal diagenetic processes included reflux dolomitization, gypsum precipitation (later transformed into anhydrite), and dissolution of anhydrite and dolomite cement.
Mineralogical results revealed the dominance of dolomite, anhydrite with minor amounts of clay, and siliciclastics. Calibrated porosity values within the interval vary from 0.5% to 10%, while Klinkenberg permeability was in the range of 10-4 mD to 17.6 mD. The Lower Clear Fork facies showed dominance of high water saturation values, reaching up to 95.4%, and comparatively low oil saturation levels, peaking at a value of 14.4% in the dolopackstone facies. Overall, the Lower Clear Fork reservoir is of low quality, however, the grain-rich dolopackstone facies offered the most favorable reservoir properties when compared with other facies in the interval
CONSEQUENCES OF ALTERED BURN REGIMES ON PLANT COMMUNITY DIVERSITY IN THE PINEYWOODS OF EAST TEXAS
Full text linkThe re-establishment of historic fire return intervals is vital to restoring forest health, species diversity, natural succession regimes, and reduction of some invasive species. Studies on the effect of fire frequencies on southern pine understory plant communities have revealed increased plant diversity and richness in response to fire, particularly in longleaf pine. The National Forests and Grasslands of Texas (NFGT), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the privately-owned Winston 8 Ranch are intensively managed using prescribed burns at different frequencies for a variety of management objectives.
In this study we aimed to further investigate the effect of fire frequency, stand characteristics, and site management on understory plant community compositions in East Texas. Using 20 years of burn history data, each plot was assigned a high/low group, plots were also grouped and analyzed using site and cover type as grouping factors. Fuel load, litter depth, hardwood basal area, softwood basal area, total basal area, and canopy cover were recorded. Understory species occurrence was recorded to genus level and separated into grass, forb, and woody growth form groups.
Our results indicated that grass and forb richness increased in response to greater fire frequencies. The number of burns was positively correlated with total, forb, and grass richness. This effect was observed across multiple sites, with high fire frequency groups containing nearly twice as many grass species and over three times as many forb species. Softwood basal area, hardwood basal area, and litter depth were negatively correlated with forb, grass, and total richness. These results affirm previous research conducted in the region which showed increased understory plant richness of frequently burned upland pine communities
College Students\u27 Perceptions of the Student-Teacher Relationship
Full text linkHumans, as social creatures, pursue relationships with others to fulfill various needs. As such, when we enter school, we naturally seek to establish relationships with teachers, who act as significant individuals in our lives. In general, research has shown that students with close, warm relationships with their teachers tend to experience more favorable outcomes related to academic achievement, behavior, and social-emotional factors. Students with more negative relationships with their teachers conversely tend to experience poorer outcomes. Though decades of research have consistently shown this correlation, few studies have examined the relationships between college students and their professors. The current study aimed to fill this gap in the literature by evaluating the student-teacher relationship in college students, as well as the factors that contribute to differences in this relationship. College students reported on their relationships with their professors using the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory, Other-to-Self form. It was expected that students who reported higher self-esteem, self-efficacy, academic commitment, and internal locus of control would also report having better quality STRs with their professors. Academic commitment was the single best predictor of STR quality for college students, though it was negatively correlated with STR quality. This indicated that students who were more academically committed were less likely to have close relationships with their professors
AVIAN COMMUNITIES MONITORED ALONG A SUCCESSIONAL CHRONOSEQUENCE IN BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD FORESTS IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI ALLUVIAL VALLEY
No full textBottomland hardwood forests in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley have been extensively reduced due to agriculture conversion and altered hydrology. Remnant forests have undergone further degradation from sources such as a lack of forest management, invasive species, and reduced regeneration of oaks (Quercus spp.). Recent restoration efforts of bottomland hardwood forests have focused on implementing wildlife forestry practices that prioritize restoring wildlife habitat while retaining profitable timber harvests. In this study I surveyed bird communities in bottomland hardwood forests in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley along a successional chronosequence. Birds were sampled using automated recording units over 10 days across 149 sites for the breeding bird seasons of 2021 and 2022. Sites were categorized into one of eight forest classes based on age and time since silviculture treatment. Additionally, single-species occupancy models were developed for these four species of concern: northern parula (Setophaga americana), prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), and Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens).
Species richness and diversity were not significantly different among forest classes. Bird communities in the grass/shrub forest class were significantly distinct from any other bird community, due to an absence of an overstory stratum. We were able to
successfully use forest class to compare bird communities. We found that, due to inconsistency in intensity of management practices and site conditions, forest structure was highly variable in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley making it difficult to categorize sites into distinct forest classes. Rather, forest structure variables provided more insight into bird community composition. Hardwood basal area (from 0 to 26.6 m2/ha) was found to be positively correlated with occupancy for all four species of concern identified by Partners in Flight. The larger bird community was unaffected by forest management, but since occupancy of species of concern was influenced by increasing hardwood basal area managers should take efforts to maintain some forests with a higher basal area to serve as a sanctuary for these species
The Impact of H. L. Hunt\u27s Contribution to the East Texas Oil Boom: Exhibit Planning and Fabrication
Full text linkThe East Texas Oil Boom was a major event in Texas history that elevated the oil industry in Texas to new levels. It brought new jobs, and a new style of work and living to the state. The boom attracted businessmen such as H. L. Hunt and Clint Murchison. H. L. Hunt was a prominent figure in the East Texas Oil Boom, who established a multifaceted corporation and influenced statewide legislation for hot oil and proration. Hunt, who chose to make money at any cost, was often viewed as untrustworthy and deceptive but his business practices were lucrative, and he brought in millions in his lifetime. Although Hunt fought for legislation to regulate hot oil production, he also became one of the highest producers of hot oil in East Texas. Hunt was a businessman who sought money and power in any way he could find it. While he was a prominent figure in the East Texas oil boom he has many secrets and stories that will show the public eye that he was a deceptive and manipulative person. This thesis capstone project exhibit produced for the East Texas Oil Museum, provides an opportunity as a public historian to interpret Hunt’s role in the East Texas oil boom while demonstrating the best practices of exhibit research, development, and design
Early Survival and Growth of Introduced Western Coast and Mexican Pine Species in East Texas
No full textChanging climates across the United States has prompted concern as droughts are becoming more severe and frequent in the last 100 years. The southeastern portion of the United States produces almost a quarter of the world’s timber. With this region being vital to timber industry, a potential for a shift in growing conditions could be detrimental to the current species in the southeastern United States. In anticipation of the shifting climate in the East Texas region non-native pine species nay need to be considered as a possibility to be used by the timber industry in the future. Containerized seedlings of two United States western pine species (ponderosa, Pinus ponderosa and Jeffrey pine P. jeffreyi) were planted in 2021 and three Mexican pine species (Caribbean, P. caribaea, Durango, P. durangensis, and Mexican weeping P. patula) planted in 2023 were evaluated for survival and growth compared to native loblolly (P. taeda) and shortleaf (P. enchinata) pines planted at the same time. Seedlings were evaluated at four sites in Houston and Cherokee Counties, seedling growth and survival was recorded in December-January of 2022, December-January of 2023, and January of 2024. Survival was also recorded in June-July of 2022, and July of 2023. After two years, of the seedlings planted in 2021, loblolly pine had the greatest survival. Mexican pine seedlings planted in 2023 had low survival rates, with shortleaf having the greatest survival. Loblolly pine heights were greater ponderosa or Jeffery pines after two years; diameters were greater for ponderosa pine in the first year, but not in the second year. As expected, the native loblolly pine and shortleaf pine had the greatest diameter and height growth. Of the other species, ponderosa pine had the greater survival and growth of the 2021 species and the Mexican Weeping pine of the 2023 species.
Contributing factors could have influenced the survival and growth of the seedlings. The occurrence of drought and extreme weather conditions during the summers of 2022 and 2023 and below average growing season precipitation that limited available soil moisture. Influences from understory vegetation and the ecological differences of the forest stand structure could have lessen chances for species establishment compared to their native ecosystem. Differences such as soils at the study sites compared to native range soils and the presence of competing vegetation not observed in other species ecosystem and seedling uprooted from feral hogs. Management decisions that are not practiced with the non-native species such as, time of planting compared to recommended timing in native regions, and/ or poor planting technique while planting could have impacted seedling success. Future research should be conducted to further explore potential species for the anticipated climates with more tests to provide further explanation of species survival and growth
Panopto Video Platform: Product Review
Full text linkEducational videos enhance the learning experience for students regardless of the delivery mode. A video platform can enhance the instructor’s social, cognitive, and teaching presence in the online classroom. It is an effective way to connect with students, deliver content, and improve the educational experience. Panopto is a tool for on-demand video sharing that is successful in online education. Panopto can transform how students learn and study, making the educational experience more engaging, effective, and accessible
Designing Student-Created Podcast Projects: Tips for Busy Instructors
Full text linkStudent-created podcasts have become popular assignments across higher education, yet many instructors need support to design projects that truly engage learners. This paper provides tips for developing student-created podcasts, both as formative and summative assessments