Adolf von Henselt (1814–1889) was one of the most renowned German pianists and composers of his day. The majority of his compositions are for the piano, one of his most successful being the set of Piano Études, Op. 2. It consists of twelve etudes, each of which is designed for developing a particular technique. Henselt's etudes are as demanding as Chopin's and Liszt's, so this pedagogical guide is designed for advanced-level students. Henselt uses many finger extensions and stretches larger than an octave, which may be difficult for smaller hands to play, but proper flexibility and relaxation should enable all students to play them. This dissertation describes the specific technique for six selected etudes and provides exercises to help students learn each technique effectively. The selected etudes—Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 11—were chosen to cover all three technical levels of less-advanced, advanced, and very advanced as well as a variety of musical styles and technical challenges.

Video recording of the session, "Federal Initiatives Supporting Open Science and Equitable Access," for the UNT Open Access Symposium held virtually on April 14, 2023. This session focuses on recent federal initiatives supporting Open Science and public access to federally-funded research, including those outlined in the 2022 Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) memo, Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research.

Video recording of the session, "OER and Open Textbook Projects at UNT," for the UNT Open Access Symposium held virtually on April 14, 2023. This session is a panel of UNT faculty that discuss their university-sponsored OER and open textbook projects. They consider how these projects were conceived, created, and implemented in the classroom and what the outcomes, benefits, and drawbacks might be.

Video recording of the session, "Open Pedagogy and OER Workshop," for the UNT Open Access Symposium held virtually on April 14, 2023. This workshop offers some practical tools and advice for developing OER and open pedagogy practices.

Video recording of the opening remarks for the UNT Open Access Symposium held virtually on April 14, 2023.

Video recording of the session, "Recent Texas Legislation Affecting Course Materials and OER," for the UNT Open Access Symposium held virtually on April 14, 2023. This session looks at two recent pieces of legislation-- Texas SB 810 (OER course markings) and HB 1027 (disclosure of course material information)--and their implications for Texas institutions of higher education.

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 …

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.

Presentation sharing the project workflows for digitizing back issues of The Chronicles of Oklahoma. It has been published since 1921, and in 2020, the Oklahoma Historical Society partnered with the UNT Digital Library to make the back issues freely available through The Gateway to Oklahoma History. It was presented at the 2023 NASIG Conference held May 22-25, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A series of acene-fused porphyrins and 1,10-phenanthroline-fused porphyrins were synthesized and characterized via NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The acene-fused porphyrins exhibit unique optoelectronic properties, most notably they exhibit highly red-shifted absorption bands. The 1,10-phenanthroline-fused porphyrins are of interest for their ability to bond to as variety of metals to form chelation complexes.

We investigated the modifying effects of ultraviolet (UV) light and chemical dispersant (Corexit 9500A) on crude oil toxicity in juvenile mysids (≤ 24 h) (Americamysis bahia) and larval red drum (24-72 hpf) (Sciaenops ocellatus). These results demonstrate that crude oil toxicity significantly increases with co-exposure to environmentally relevant UV levels in both species, indicating photo-induced toxicity. This toxicity was further exacerbated by the application of chemical dispersants which increased the dissolution and concentration of oil-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in test solutions. To better understand the mechanisms and initiating events of this observed photo-induced toxicity, the incidence of apoptotic cell death and global transcriptomic changes were assessed in larval red drum (24-72 hpf) following co-exposure to crude oil and UV. These results showed that co-exposure to UV and low concentrations of crude oil (<1 µg/L ∑PAH50) induced apoptotic cell death in skin and eye tissue and altered transcriptomic pathways related to visual processing and dermatological disease. To link these cellular and molecular impacts of photo-induced toxicity to apical endpoints of ecological performance, sublethal impacts to growth, metabolic rate, and visually mediated behaviors were explored in larval red drum at 2 developmental stages. These results suggested that earlier life stages may …

Additive friction stir deposition (AFSD) is a solid-state additive manufacturing (AM) technique that breaks down large constituent particles into more refined and uniformly disturbed microstructure. AFSD was used to print Al-Ce alloys. Current commercial Al-alloys upon elevated temperatures go through dissolution and coarsening of strengthening precipitates causing mechanical degradation of these alloys. Al-Ce alloys do not have this issue as cerium's low solubility restricts dissolution into the aluminum matrix at elevated temperatures, thus giving great thermal stability to the microstructure. Al-Ce alloys lack solid solubility that affects the solid solution strengthening and precipitation strengthening. Al-Ce alloys have limitation at room temperature as they can only reach a maximum of ~65 MPa yield strength. Elements like magnesium have been added to alloy to enable solid solution strengthening, and scandium to enable precipitation strengthening to improve strength before going through the AFSD process. By adding new elements to the Al-Ce alloys, an increase in the yield strength from ~60 MPa to ~200 MPa was achieved before AFSD. The casted alloys form coarse particles that reach 300 µm in size; resulting in stress concentration that causes material fracture before necking, giving >10% ductility. AFSD breaks down these coarse particles to increase strength and …

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.

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 …

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

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 …

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 …

Poster exploring the need for all-gender restrooms and the processing for implementing them in the University of North Texas Libraries' Annex building. It was presented at the University of North Texas Equity & Diversity 2023 Conference held in Denton, Texas.

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 …

Although behavioral science, due to its emphasis on the use of single-subject research design, appears to focus solely on individual behaviors, behavioral scientists have a long history of lamenting the trajectory of humans, societies, and the discipline itself. Some scholars, for instance, called for our attention to expand our focus beyond individual behaviors to generate solutions for societal issues that we face. When we attempt to develop solutions for issues that require multi-level analysis, we must be cognizant of how institutional contingencies operate at the individual level. The current study analyzed triadic interactions using an exchange task in six triads. The result of this study showed that one common pattern of interactions among participants across triads was direct reciprocation between two participants. The implications of such findings, how they inform social behavior and metacontingency experiments, and future directions are discussed.

In this paper, I analyze the musical content in Federico Alvarez del Toro's marimba concerto El Espiritu de la Tierra. This dissertation represents my analysis of features I hear in the composition, and does not reflect the composer's original compositional process. Commissioned by the governor of Chiapas, the piece was composed in collaboration with internationally renowned marimba virtuoso Zeferino Nandayapa and premiered in 1984 with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico City at Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato. The work has not been published and has been mentioned only briefly in scholarship. Particular attention in the analysis is given to indigenous and folk idioms from the southern region of Mexico combined with post-modern compositional techniques. My primary argument within the dissertation is that I believe the piece demonstrates a respect for tradition and heritage while concurrently utilizing non-traditional and contemporary compositional techniques. Analytically, I argue that two basic shapes are used throughout the piece, and I argue that the many cultural references within the piece solidify a preoccupation with the lineage of southern Mexico.

This dissertation discussed the impact of the North Carolina Tort Claims Act and the history of governmental immunity that has protected school districts and school employees in North Carolina. The research question addressed was: how have North Carolina state courts interpreted the North Carolina Tort Claims Act in litigation against North Carolina school districts and their employees? The North Carolina Tort Claims Act provided citizens with a vehicle to sue local governmental agencies and their employees, such as school employees. The act also provided immunity for schools, especially for excessive damages in the case of negligence by an employee. The study examined how state courts have responded to different plaintiffs since the passage of the North Carolina Tort Claims Act in 1951. The decisions in the cases analyzed have been mostly favorable to schools, which has strengthened immunity for school employees. There were four legal aspects addressed by the courts after the passage of the North Carolina Tort Claims Act either most frequently or were unique to the case law of North Carolina. Those legal aspects were tests of school districts' governmental immunity; contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff; the official capacity of school employees in lawsuits; and …

Sensory integration techniques are a common treatment procedure among occupational therapists. The goal is to "apply" input that competes with input from problem behavior. Although this is a commonly recommended intervention, there is limited empirical evaluation with adults with intellectual disabilities. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of occupational therapist-suggested sensory stimuli on the automatically maintained problem behavior of adults. Specifically, we compared the effects of non-contingent access to sensory stimuli and non-contingent access to highly preferred stimuli on the rate of problem behavior. Results suggested that, relative to highly preferred stimuli, sensory stimuli had either a limited effect on problem behavior, or in some cases, were correlated with increases in problem behavior. This suggests that sensory stimuli may not produce the same automatic stimulation as problem behavior. We will discuss implications for treatment, including methods for better identifying stimuli for use in the treatment of automatically maintained problem behavior.

The Suite for Violin and Piano, Op. 6 is one of the least-known compositions by Benjamin Britten. It has been considered unfavorably by critics and scholars due to its puzzling mixture of tonal and post-tonal elements. However, this dissertation argues that the suite is composed with a clear tonal framework, and its unique mixed tonal-post-tonal language justifies an in-depth analysis. This analytical study utilizes a linear progression technique - the voice leading produced by passing tones and neighbor notes around focal pitches - to identify tonal areas of the suite.