Solitary freedom: music for solo horn

Music for solo horn forms an important, albeit small, part of the twentieth-century horn repertoire. While solos written for horn and piano or horn and orchestra are more common, performers regularly program the unaccompanied works as part of an engaging program. In addition, repertoire lists for horn solo competitions regularly feature these works, as they are an excellent test of the performer’s creativity and musicianship. This recording and accompanying manuscript focus on some of the most important and popular works for solo horn. Many of them appear regularly on competition repertoire lists and can be heard on recitals by students and professionals alike. Even the most recently composed piece, The Confessions of St. Augustine by Erika Raum, is growing in popularity in the horn community. While there are many other pieces for solo horn, these six works represent the core of this body of works. This CD will serve as model for a musical and expressive approach to these works. While playing without accompaniment can be intimidating to younger players, this CD will demonstrate the freedom afforded to the performer of this music. In addition, the performances on this CD will show these pieces to each be a unified musical whole, not a rough collection of ideas and extended techniques, as they are sometimes performed. The accompanying manuscript will provide biographical information on the composers and performer, as well as musical information that aids in the performance of these works. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Differential response mechanisms to acute and long-term simulations of global warming for two closely related species of unionid freshwater mussel, villosa lienosa and villosa nebulosa

Freshwater mussels are keystone species in aquatic environments, providing ecological services that protect aquatic resources. Their global decline resulting from habitat alterations such as global warming is thus alarming. Since agencies such as the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center are expending great effort in restoring imperiled species it would be beneficial to understand how thermally tolerant and thermally sensitive species (Villosa lienosa and Villosa nebulosa, (respectively) respond to environmentally relevant thermal stress. This dissertation presents the findings from a series of experiments aimed at developing resources and response models capable of answering questions related to thermal stress in freshwater mussels. We created a high quality transcriptomics database for both species that includes both ambient and heat stressed expressed transcripts. Using this publicly available database we assessed the acute heat shock response of both species and found that regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptomic level differ between the two species. We then conducted two chronic thermal simulations, 4 months and 11 months, respectively, in natural conditions at environmentally relevant temperatures predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the year 2100. Along with molecular biomarkers, these studies also included physiological biomarkers (condition index and growth rates) and biochemical markers (glycogen and triglyceride content, and lipid peroxidation levels as determined by MDA concentrations). During the summer months, V. nebulosa responded to warming at lower temperatures than V. lienosa and experienced significant mortality. Further, V. nebulosa appeared to undergo metabolic depression after a period of higher metabolic rates that could not be maintained with available resources. Villosa lienosa, on the other hand was able to cope with the thermal stress via upregulation of molecular chaperones and did not display symptoms of increased metabolic demand. As a whole, this dissertation supports the need for natural field experiments on longer temporal scales using environmentally relevant temperatures. It is clear that predicted global warming will impact imperiled populations of freshwater mussels. Future research needs to further validate sensitive biomarkers of mussel physiological response for use in conservation and management strategies. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Vibration suppression of rotating beams through piezoelectric shunt circuits

This thesis analytically investigates the feasibility of passive vibration damping of a rotating beam-like structure, such as a helicopter rotor, through the use of piezoelectric materials. Piezoelectric materials are unique, in that, they produce an electrical charge under the presence of mechanical stresses. Conversely, they generate mechanical stresses under applied electrical loads. When mounted to a structure undergoing bending stresses, such as a cantilever beam, there is an exchange of mechanical and electrical energy between the beam and the piezoelectric material. This electrical energy can be used to power small electronics such as onboard data transmitters. This energy can also be dissipated through electrical shunt circuits rather than being harvested for external use. Electrical components in a shunt circuit (resistors, capacitors, and inductors) release energy from the system as Joule heat. Energy dissipation corresponds to a vibration damping effect in the electromechanical system. Numerous configurations of electrical components and mechanical structures are explored. First, the Rayleigh-Ritz method of assumed modes is adopted for a rotating uniform single degree-of-freedom cantilever beam. Both in-plane (lag) and out-of-plane (flap) bending directions are considered. The beam model is modified to include piezoelectric elements and electrical shunt circuits. Two types of shunt circuits are considered: one with a single resistive element and one with a resistor and inductor in series. Various resistances are used in finding the frequency and impulse responses of the rotating beam with a shunt circuit. The change in damping potential between resistors is evaluated for each electromechanical system. The effects of the number of modes assumed when modeling the beam are also highlighted. Single-mode approximations are found to be helpful in understanding the foundations of the physics in the beam/piezo systems. It is also determined that multiple-mode approximations account for important electromechanical behavior that is neglected by the single-mode formulations. The settling times of the impulse responses are used as the figure of merit to assess energy dissipation in the systems. Successful vibration damping of rotating cantilever beams is predicted through the piezoelectric shunt circuits. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Social cognitive framework for advertising

Drawing from Bandura’s social cognitive theory, a social cognitive framework for advertising, integrating the major tenets of the advertising discipline, is articulated. Unlike the widely-used, and outmoded, behavioral models that frequently appear in advertising scholarship, the social cognitive perspective emphasizes the role of personal agency with regard to thought, affect, and behavior. Social cognitive framework for advertising contends that advertisements influence individuals as determinants that operate within triadic reciprocal structures composed of other personal, environmental, and behavioral factors. Subsequent to formulating the framework, it was used to structure and test the interaction between extraversion and arousal potential of the ad on attitude toward the ad, purchase intention, and memory of the ad. The investigation failed to find any statistically significant results. Despite a lack of findings, implications of shifting to a social cognitive perspective to study advertising effects are discussed and directions for future scholarship are presented. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Predicting student departure: academic integration and other factors that predict departure among nontraditional students at a commuter university

The purpose of this study was to test a predictive model that identified variables that predict departure among nontraditional students at a commuter institution. This study explored Braxton et al. (2004) theory of student departure in commuter colleges and universities, particularly proposition 13 which states that student entry characteristics affect the level of initial commitment to the institution. In addition, this study focused on student entry characteristics, initial commitment and academic integration among nontraditional students in an effort to understand the declining enrollment and problematic retention rates associated with the study institution. The study institution is a regional, comprehensive university with approximately half of the student body considered nontraditional. Roughly 20% of the students live on campus, meeting the Carnegie classification for a commuter institution. Data from the study institution's student information system and National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) was used to gather the data necessary for the study design. NSSE provided the "initial commitment" and "academic integration" variables. The "departure" variable was collected from the beginning of the student’s entry through Spring 2016. This means for every student, at least three years of post-entry data was collected to determine either current enrollment or graduation. If neither was evident, the student departed prior to graduation. Major findings of the study showed that: (1) age, academic performance (ACT) and the entry year of the students effected initial commitment among first-year students and (2) age and two academic integration variables ("best work" and "writing clearly") effected departure among nontraditional students. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

An investigation of the association between cognition and depression with sleep quality as a mediator among older adults

Persons aged 65 and over account for an estimated 13% of the U.S. population, and, by 2030, they are predicted to account for almost 20% of the population. It is important to focus on the mental health of this segment of the population, because mental health issues frequently affect older adults. In addition, older adults commonly have co-morbid psychological disorders. In particular, older adults often experience issues with cognition, depression, and sleep, and the co- occurrence of these disorders results in greater negative outcomes for older adults. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive performance with sleep quality as a mediating variable among older adults aged 65 and above. A secondary data analysis was performed using data from the Midlife in the United States Study II (MIDUS II). Specifically, wave two data from the Cognitive and Biomarkers Projects was analyzed using the Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone measures. Results suggest that being older and having more depressive symptoms was associated with worse cognitive performance, R2 = 0.12, F(4, 242) = 8.70, p .05). Future research is needed to further investigate the role of sleep in the association between depression and cognitive performance in older adults. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Control surface hinge moment prediction using computational fluid dynamics

The following research determines the feasibility of predicting control surface hinge mo- ments using various computational methods. A detailed analysis is conducted using a 2D GA(W)-1 airfoil with a 20% plain flap. Simple hinge moment prediction methods are tested, including empirical Datcom relations and XFOIL. Steady-state and time-accurate turbulent, viscous, Navier-Stokes solutions are computed using Fun3D. Hinge moment coefficients are computed. Mesh construction techniques are discussed. An adjoint-based mesh adaptation case is also evaluated. An NACA 0012 45-degree swept horizontal stabilizer with a 25% ele- vator is also evaluated using Fun3D. Results are compared with experimental wind-tunnel data obtained from references. Finally, the costs of various solution methods are estimated. Results indicate that while a steady-state Navier-Stokes solution can accurately predict control surface hinge moments for small angles of attack and deflection angles, a time- accurate solution is necessary to accurately predict hinge moments in the presence of flow separation. The ability to capture the unsteady vortex shedding behavior present in mod- erate to large control surface deflections is found to be critical to hinge moment prediction accuracy. Adjoint-based mesh adaptation is shown to give hinge moment predictions similar to a globally-refined mesh for a steady-state 2D simulation. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Parent and guardian criminal liability for compulsory school attendance

Schools across the country are experiencing growing concerns about student attendance, particularly as state and national policies are holding schools more accountable for the attendance of their students. The challenges to compulsory school attendance, as well as the issues that present themselves as a result of student absences, may never be completely recognized or resolved. However, it is important to be aware of the laws and subsequent legal rulings that affect students and their families, particularly as they relate to litigation implications for parents and guardians of school-age children. Compulsory attendance laws require that parents or legal guardians ensure their children’s school attendance. While compulsory statutes may vary state to state, the parents and legal guardians are granted a certain degree of rights in directing the educational decisions for their children. It is imperative that both educators and parents understand how those rights may be balanced with those given to the local school systems and the State to mitigate further challenges to compulsory attendance laws. The purpose of this research was to study issues, outcomes, and trends in cases involving liability of parents and guardians in relation to the truancy of their children. The researcher endeavored to reveal information that would prove helpful to educational leaders at all administrative levels of education in terms of general compulsory school attendance knowledge, as well as mitigate future litigation related to compulsory school attendance and parent liability. Furthermore, findings from this study could help inform future compulsory school attendance legal and policy actions. The West Law Digest System was used to obtain data and information on the topic of parent and guardian liability for compulsory school attendance. The study encompassed 101 cases involving parent and guardian liability for compulsory school attendance between the years of 1918-2014. Each case was analyzed using the framework of Statsky and Wernet (1995). The analysis of the cases in this study included a review of the instructional settings, school levels, states, case issues, prosecuting claims, cases citing Yoder, Pierce, and Meyer, and defensive claims. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

The failure of all mothers or the mother of all failures?: mock juror perceptions of failure to protect laws

Failure to protect laws have been a hot topic amongst legal scholars, child and domestic violence advocates, and the social work and psychology fields with varying focuses on the societal underpinnings of the laws themselves and their application. Despite the pervasive legal literature on “mother blaming” and the revictimization of battered women that these laws engender, few studies have empirically examined if “mother blaming” occurs in these cases, or if battered women are treated more harshly. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of defendant sex and presence of domestic violence on mock juror decision making in a failure to protect case. Juror attitudes towards gender roles and the influence of these beliefs on decision making were also examined. Mock jurors read a summary of a case in which the defendant was charged with failing to protect their child from a third party abuser. Participants then rendered a verdict, provided sentencing recommendations and responded to attitudinal questions about the defendant and perpetrator. Mock jurors were more likely to find the defendant guilty and view the defendant more negatively when the defendant had been the victim of domestic violence. Neither defendant gender nor gender role attitudes impacted outcome measures. Results are discussed in terms of “victim blaming” and labeling theory of intimate partner violence. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

A case study of teaching digital citizenship in fifth grade

ii ABSTRACT The purpose of this case study was to explore the teaching of digital citizenship concepts and standards by fifth grade teachers in the Sunshine School System in Alabama. Digital Citizenship is the understanding of human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology, and the practice of legal and ethical behavior. A case study was chosen in order to explore the teaching of digital citizenship concepts and standards in-depth and discover how the participating fifth grade teachers in this district are educating their students about digital citizenship. The theoretical framework used for this study is the C3 Framework developed by Davina Pruitt Mentle, Ph.D., education and technology expert. There are three dimensions to the model, Cyberethics, Cybersafety, and Cybersecurity that overlap, but also have differences that must be discussed separately. These differences include subject matter and psychological differences. Qualitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews in the teachers’ classrooms, follow-up interviews, classroom observations, and lesson plans. The researcher utilized a cycle of three types of data coding to analyze the data: Holistic Coding (Dey, 1993), InVivo Coding (Charmaz, 2006), and Values Coding (Gable & Wolf, 1993). Themes resulting from the data analysis included technology standards, iPad orientation, student collaboration, real life situations, home connection, teacher control, dependence on computer teacher, false sense of security, digital footprint, social media, AUP/iPad agreements, physical use, plagiarism, citations, and inappropriate behavior. The participants were found to be unaware of the importance of teaching digital citizenship to their students. Although some participants included a small portion of digital citizenship in their discussions with students, none of the participants iii honed in on digital citizenship as an ongoing process. It is important for teachers and administrators to stay abreast of emerging 21st century skills and technology, but not lose sight of the need for teaching students to be responsible digital citizens. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries