Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Recital Hall in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Lecture recital presented at the UNT College of Music Choir Room in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Voertman Hall in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Voertman Hall in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Lecture presented at the UNT College of Music M232 in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Lecture presented at the UNT College of Music M287 in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Lecture presented at the UNT College of Music M321 in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Lecture recital presented at Room 317, Music Building, Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Recital Hall in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

This project delivers to the scholar and performer a critical edition of a little-known horn concerto by Antonio Rosetti. Standing in contrast to performance or practical editions, critical editions demand that the editor exerts a non-trivial measure of authority over the state of the text. Performers often find this fact to be uncomfortable given the normal tendency to revere the perceived intent of the composers based upon the text that they set down. When engaging with sources, it is rarely clear what that intent is, or which of the available sources most closely represents that intent. Those available sources often disagree with one another, even those in the composer's own hand. It is vital for the editor to know, as precisely as is possible, who created the source material, when they created these sources, and why they created these sources. At that point the editor must decide which sources will best fit his or her framework for the creation of the critical edition. At that point the editor will grapple with numerous inconsistencies and ambiguities within those sources, and then use his or her own authority to fix the text of the composer's work into a single version for today's …

The role of the principal has become increasingly complex and challenging. Recent emphasis has been placed on the role of principals as leaders who can build a culture of learning in schools to close the student achievement gap. Outside factors such as fast-growth in Texas have caused schools to change and grow quickly, which increases the learning demands placed on principals as they seek to develop the knowledge and skills needed for effective leadership. Developing and sustaining a professional learning community is a powerful strategy that has been found to improve teaching and learning, however developing professional learning communities requires skilled leadership. Limited research exists regarding how principals learn to implement and sustain professional learning communities within fast-growth districts, therefore, with this phenomenological qualitative research, I explored the lived experiences of seven principals within one fast-growth district in Texas to explore how they learned to develop and sustain a professional learning community.

In rural, low socioeconomic public schools, the diversity of the student population challenges teachers beyond their means to meet the wide-ranging needs of students, and therefore creating opportunity gaps. The purpose of this study was to explore one district's leadership support of teachers to create an equitable learning environment for all students. The present study built on existing literature by discovering leadership practices and perceived necessary supports for closing achievement gaps in K-12 classrooms. Through interviews with district and school administrators, classroom teachers, and observations of leadership meetings, the research for this case study included data collection and analysis. From the interview questions and observations, six themes emerged. The themes revealed from the data collected and analysis for this qualitative study aligned with the components of the conceptual framework, a sequence of initiative requirements for equitable learning environments. Developing a sequence of initiatives among all levels of educators could benefit sustainment of an equitable learning environment in Rural ISD. Recommended for further research is professional development to both leadership and teachers about professional learning communities (PLCs). In addition, study of parent education programs and how relationships achieve more parental involvement requires further research. A final recommendation for collegiate education preparation …

Play therapy and animal-assisted therapy are two specialized modalities within the field of counseling. Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is a specific theoretical approach to play therapy that regards the therapeutic relationship as the primary healing factor. With much empirical support, CCPT is considered an effective mental health treatment option for working with children. Animal-assisted therapy in counseling (AAT-C) is acknowledged in the literature as a supplemental treatment modality to an existing counseling practice. Although past researchers have shown support for AAT-C as well as CCPT, there is a current dearth of literature examining the integration of these approaches. The present study sought to understand the approach of incorporating a therapy dog into child-centered play therapy while maintaining theoretical consistency. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, I facilitated child-centered canine-assisted play therapy (C3APT) services for four children and reviewed the sessions with expert supervisors in AAT-C and CCPT. Three major themes emerged from the data: (a) principles of C3APT, (b) procedures of C3APT, and (c) relational dynamics. Implications for clinical practice and training of both therapy dogs and C3APT practitioners are also discussed.

Research has shown teachers' attitudes toward students with disabilities directly affect the students' performance in the general education classroom; however, more research is needed to determine what variables influence high school teacher and support staff attitudes. The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of high school general education teachers, special education teachers, and support staff toward students with disabilities in the general education classroom. The study examined multiple variables such as gender, race/ethnicity, teaching experience, educators' role, and school size; and the impact of professional development on their attitudes toward inclusion. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Data collection included the Inclusion Attitude Scale for High School Teachers (IASHST), developed by Ernst and Roger, and then focus groups for general education teachers, special education teachers, and support staff in order to triangulate the findings. The results of this study found that general education teachers may have a more negative attitude than special education teachers and support staff. However, it is important to note that members of each focus group described what they considered to be appropriate exceptions to including students with disabilities in the general education classroom.

This work investigates the Fresnel-lens-based solar concentrator-receiver system in a multi-perspective manner to design, test and fabricate this concentrator with high-efficiency photon and heat outputs and a minimized effect of chromatic aberrations. First, a MATLAB®-incorporated algorithm optimizes both the flat-spot and the curved lens designs via a statistical ray-tracing methodology of the incident light, considering all of its incidence parameters. The target is to maximize the solar ray intensity on the receiver's aperture, and therefore, achieve the highest possible focal flux. The algorithm outputs prismatic and dimensional geometries of the Fresnel-lens concentrator, which are simulated by COMSOL® Multiphysics to validate the design. For the second part, a novel genetically-themed hierarchical algorithm (GTHA) has been investigated to design Fresnel-lens solar concentrators that match with the distinct energy input and spatial geometry of various thermal applications. Basic heat transfer analysis of each application decides its solar energy requirement. The GTHA incorporated in MATLAB® optimizes the concentrator characteristics to secure this energy demand, balancing a minimized geometry and a maximized efficiency. Two experimental applications were selected from literature to validate the optimization process, a solar welding system for H13 steel plates and a solar Stirling engine with an aluminum-cavity receiver attached to the …

As social interactions increasingly become exclusively online, there is a need for research on the role of identity and social identity in online platforms. Drawing on Symbolic Interactionist approaches to identity, namely Social Identity Theory and Identity Theory, as well as Signaling Theory, this study argues that actors will selectively use religious language to signal their credentials to an audience for the purpose of garnering prosocial behavior in the form of donations to their fundraising campaign. Using latent semantic analysis topic models to analyze the self-presentations of crowdsourcing campaigners on GoFundMe.com, this study found evidence for the presence of signaling to a religious identity online as well as a significant difference in the presentation of need for campaigns originating in areas with high reported religiosity compared to campaigns from areas of low religiosity. In comparison to other campaigns, campaigners engaging in religious signaling were significantly increasing their donations. I suggest that strategically chosen religious topics in online crowdfunding is an example of low-cost identity signaling and provides insight into how signaling happens online and the potential outcomes resulting from this cultural work.

Photophysical properties of an array of various polyaromatic hydrocarbons were benchmarked with B3LYP, M06 and B97D methods coupled with Pople and CEP-31G(d) basis sets. Results from the benchmark show the importance of diffuse basis sets when modeling the electronic properties of highly conjugated systems and provide qualitative reliable accuracy with certain levels of theory. B97D and M06 are applied to modeling pyrene adducts governed by non-covalent interactions in both gaseous and condensed states to reproduce experimental spectra. DFT calculations with both B97D and M06 functionals show qualitatively and quantitatively that pyrene dimer is a stronger π–base as compared to its monomer. Binding energies coupled with MEP, PCA and Qzz results show that the difference in π-basicity of the monomer and dimer impacts the supramolecular chemistry involved in adducts formed with super π-acidic silver cyclometallic trimer (CTC). Non-covalent interactions between coinage metal CTCs and ammonia/phosphine substrates is reported. Interactions between these substrates and the facial plane of the π-rich gold CTC reveal a novel interaction, where the typical Lewis acid/base roles are reversed for the substrates. Adducts formed through this type of interaction define typical Lewis bases like ammonia and phosphine as Lewis acids, wherein the partially positive hydrogens coordinate to …

Agtarap, Wright, Mlynski, Hammad, and Blackledge took an initial step in providing support for the predictive validity of a new conceptual analysis concerned with behavioral restraint - defined as active resistance against a behavioral impulse or urge. The current study was designed to partially replicate and extend findings from their study, employing a common film clip protocol and a procedure for inducing low- and high levels of fatigue. Analyses indicated that key cardiovascular (CV) responses rose with the evocativeness of the film clip among low fatigue participants but fell with the evocativeness of the film clip among high fatigue participants. This is consistent with the prediction that high fatigue participants would put forth more restrain intensity than low fatigue participants when confronted with the less evocative clip, but less restraint intensity than low fatigue participants when confronted with the more evocative clip. Behavioral restraint performance - quantified as duration of facial non-neutrality - was also consistent with predictions, being impaired by fatigue under high- but not low evocativeness conditions. Findings support the broad theoretical suggestion that fatigue influence on behavioral restraint is multifaceted, dependent on the perceived magnitude of the impulse or urge experienced and the importance of resisting it.

Emma Lou Diemer (b. 1927) is a leading American composer, pianist, and educator. Although she composed many outstanding advanced-level piano works, she also believes that composing for other levels is a good discipline for composers. Her two collections Reaching Out and Travels Through Sound contain various contemporary techniques that are highly approachable for intermediate-level students. The purpose of this study is to provide a pedagogical guide to contemporary elements present in these collections, which are ideal for developing skills that can prepare intermediate-level students for more complex modern music. Diemer incorporates such contemporary features as complex rhythms and meters, non-traditional notations, and extended piano techniques, as well as non-traditional textures and forms. These techniques are presented in a compact and informative but not too complicated manner, so that intermediate-level students can master them.

American composer David Kechley was profoundly impacted by a 1990 trip to the Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. The composer describes the finely raked, small white stones in the midst of fifteen large rocks in the Japanese Zen garden as "planned randomness." Kechley's inaugural composition for saxophone-guitar duo, In the Dragon's Garden, reflects his experience at the Ryoan-ji Temple. The use of minimalistic compositional techniques without literal repetition in the work represents a departure from the first generation of Minimalist composers, such as LaMonte Young, Steve Reich, Phillip Glass, and John Adams. An analysis of minimalistic compositional elements, combined with an interview with the commissioning ensemble, the Ryoanji Duo, provides insights into the interpretation and preparation of this complex work. Furthermore, this document contains helpful information pertinent to the saxophone-guitar duo. Details on balance and amplification, orchestration, and collaboration with the composer will supply performers and composers with essential knowledge needed to participate in this growing musical medium.

The momentum puzzle, i.e., stocks that have performed better in the past tend to perform better in the future, has been a constant challenge to classic finance theory. Prior research has failed to provide valid risk-based explanations because winner portfolios do not exhibit higher risk characteristics. Without a convincing risk explanation, the persistence of momentum profit is a violation of the efficient market hypothesis. Today, the momentum puzzle remains one of the very few major anomalies that cannot be explained by Fama-French factor models. I find prior empirical efforts to measure momentum profits and its sources are contaminated by the state of the market during both formation and holding periods. By looking into different market states, classified by both traditional and non-traditional bull and bear market definition, I find the key to at least partially solve the momentum mystery. Momentum stocks are riskier when formed in bull market, and momentum profit is much higher in continuation of market than reverses of market condition, lending empirical support to a risk-based explanation. My definition of market states is essentially based on the risk premium of major risk factors. When market risk is considered a risk factor, if realized market risk premium is …

The relatively new utilization of learning management system (LMS) facilitated blended learning in secondary public schools has grown in popularity, but there is a void in research at this level. Teachers learned how to use the LMS features and honed their blended learning design skills through their own experiences, and in observation of their students' experiences. In this study, the knowledge teachers built and the decisions they made while designing blended learning were explored. In this mixed-methods study, the quantitative and qualitative results aligned, indicating that teachers design courses using a variety of components, often in different ways. Six themes emerged. The relationships between themes were used to create a theoretical visual of the factors impacting secondary teachers' decisions in the design of LMS-facilitated blended learning. Teacher design decisions were focused on the impact their choices would have on students. Variation in course design was purposely used by teachers to differentiate for students individually; however, variation was also the result of design challenges blocking teachers from a specific design choice. The implications for practice primarily focus on removing the design challenges. The results of this study add to other foundational studies to begin to fill the research gap in the …

To conduct this qualitative dissertation study, a phenomenological approach was utilized. The purpose of the study was to examine the perspectives of highly motivated, economically disadvantaged, middle school students to discover the factors that they identified as integral to their overall development and their intrinsic motivation, over time, to learn. A key component of this study was to give voice to the students who participated in this study and utilize their perspectives as a primary data source. Participants in this study included six middle school students, identified as economically disadvantaged, two from fifth grade and four from the seventh grade. Self-determination theory was used as a theoretical framework to guide and inform the analysis of students' perspectives, obtained through individual, semi-structured interviews with each student and classroom observations. Six themes, related to students' intrinsic motivation to learn and succeed in school, were identified. Extrinsic factors were also prominent. Although students expressed a true love of learning, they also acknowledged that external factors such as grades and testing influenced their motivation to learn. Autonomy, competence, and relatedness were major factors at play in the school, classrooms, and homes of these students. Recommendation for practice suggest that teachers, administrators, and parents shift …

William Gillock, a 20th-century American composer and pedagogue, composed numerous works in the styles of different periods for early intermediate-level piano students. The purpose of this dissertation is to introduce Gillock's pieces to teachers of early intermediate students and illustrate how they can be used as a bridge to the study of similar music from Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. Gillock's Little Suite in Baroque Style is compared with Handel's Suite in E Major, HWV 430; his Accent on Analytical Sonatinas (Classical) is compared with Clementi's Piano Sonatinas, Op. 36, No. 3, 5, 6; and his Lyric Preludes in Romantic Style (Romantic) is compared with Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op. 28, No. 3, 6, 9, 16, 18, and 24. Each work is examined to reveal its compositional and technical elements along with pedagogical concepts.