6834 research outputs found
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Cadential analogies and formal metaphors : an analysis of Nikolai Kapustin’s Piano Sonata No. 18, Op. 135 according to sonata theory.
No full textThe work of Nikolaî Kapustin, twenty-first-century Russian-Ukrainian composer, while cited by the composer as using classical forms along with jazz "colouring," has yet to be studied with emphasis on the influence of classical form. This thesis explores the potential influence of classical sonata forms on Kapustin’s 18th Piano Sonata, Op. 135, using concepts and terminology codified in James Hepokoski and Warren Darcy’s Elements of Sonata Theory. This thesis highlights Type 2 and 3 sonata forms within the first and third movements of Op. 135, identifying and applying modifications to cadences while illuminating the challenges of applying tonal concepts to post-tonal music
Demographics of the lower Columbian Mammoth assemblage at Waco Mammoth National Monument.
No full textEpiphyseal fusion on limb bones has been used to define demographics of fossil assemblages. In particular Mammuthus sp., fossil assemblages have been evaluated using limb ages in conjunction with dental ages. Mammoths are useful for classifying demographics because the length and diameter of the diaphysis is sexually dimorphic and the rat3e of epiphyseal fusion is correlated to a molar age. Prior research has focused on just using dental ages for determining age of individuals, but newer methods can reliably show that limbs provide the same information. This project, using the methods mentioned, reevaluates the lower fossil layer 65,000 years old at Waco Mammoth National Monument (WMNM), using 166 limb bones from collections at the Mayborn Museum Baylor University and insitu at WMNM. Previous site literature on the lower fossil layer classified the Mammuthus columbi assemblage as a nursery herd with no males present with 6 prime adult females and 10 subadult/ juveniles from 2 to 50 African Elephant Years (AEY). The results confirmed the age range, but there was confirmed to have all age ranges (juvenile, prime adult, old adult) and sexes (male, female, juveniles) present. The use of multiple methods was useful in reevaluating the lower fossil layer, where limb and dental ages were positively correlated. There were six demographic scenarios possible because not all specimens provided a constrained age. Ultimately, there is evidence for the argument of an attritional depositional environment because of multiple designated mammoths in the lower fossil layer having multiple ages and sexes, in addition to being intermixed with other individuals. There are also all levels of abrasion present, which has implications for the burial of the mammoths. But the mortality profiles do correlate with a catastrophic (L- shaped) profile and may represent a living population, where prime adults were the majority. The age distribution of the assemblage was compared to Friesenhahn Cave in San Antonio, TX, The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD, Ellie Mae in Dallas, TX, and the upper fossil layer at WMNM. The lower fossil layer assemblage closely matched with The Mammoth Site attritional assemblage, but the WMNM assemblage is a majority of females, not males. More work needs to be done to better understand why the mortality profiles and taphonomic evidence do not correlate, along with how the assemblage formed
Teacher morale affecting the teacher evaluation process : the improvement science for the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS).
No full textDoes the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) impact teacher morale? Teacher Morale is a subject that has become increasingly prominent in Texas over the past ten years. Teacher Morale is a strong indicator of teacher turnover and teacher attrition. Besides salaries, student discipline, administration support, parental support, and teacher evaluation also affect teacher morale. The improvement science will specifically address teacher morale in the teacher evaluation system with T-TESS. This study proposes that teachers who participate in a Mock T-TESS evaluation process will have better awareness and preparation for their T-TESS evaluation. The idea is that the Mock T-TESS evaluation will have a positive impact on teacher morale during the experience. This factor of teacher morale can significantly impact a teacher’s overall morale as an educator and contribute to positive student learning experiences. Through a qualitative study, teacher perspectives will be used to interpret the impact of the Mock T-TESS on teacher morale and the results of their T-TESS evaluation. Teachers’ perspectives will be used to determine how T-TESS affected their morale, either positively or negatively
Lean in to lean empowerment : a convergent mixed methods study on the relationship between lean implementation and workplace empowerment for women lean practitioners.
No full textWorkplace empowerment remains a persistent challenge for women, particularly in male-dominated industries where structural and cultural barriers often restrict participation in decision-making and advancement. Low empowerment is associated with burnout, disengagement, and turnover, whereas supportive practices foster inclusion, problem-solving, and sustained improvements. Although Lean emphasizes respect for people alongside continuous improvement, limited scholarship has examined how Lean practices interact with women’s empowerment in the workplace.
This convergent mixed methods study explored the relationship between Lean implementation and workplace empowerment for women Lean practitioners. Quantitatively, I measured perceptions of Lean implementation using Kaltenbrunner et al.’s (2019) Lean in Healthcare Questionnaire (LiHCQ) and two factors in Matthews et al.’s (2003) Organizational Empowerment Scale (OES). I analyzed data (n = 104) using simple linear regression to examine whether Lean Sum predicted workplace empowerment. Qualitatively, I conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 6) leveraging Liker’s (2021) 4P model and empowerment constructs, using multiple rounds of coding. In integrating the quantitative and qualitative threads, I developed two meta-themes.
My quantitative results indicated that Lean Sum significantly predicted both dynamic structural framework (DSF) and control of workplace decisions (CWD). Qualitatively, I developed two thematic statements. First, each woman Lean practitioner in this study emphasized that structural frameworks—including strategic collaboration, continuous improvement systems, and empowering leadership—were essential to fostering a workplace where they felt empowered to contribute and drive improvement, although their own empowerment experiences were not always consistent. Second, women Lean practitioners in this study described how their ability to participate in workplace decisions was shaped by the extent to which their environment empowered them to influence work processes and shape their role.
In integrating the quantitative results and qualitative findings, I developed two meta-themes. First, qualitatively, women Lean practitioners described structural supports of strategic collaboration, continuous improvement systems, and empowering leadership as a foundation for empowerment, converging with the quantitative result that Lean Sum significantly predicted DSF. Second, qualitatively, women Lean practitioners described empowerment as rooted in their ability to influence work processes and shape their roles through participation in workplace decisions, converging with the quantitative result that Lean Sum significantly predicted CWD
Human-centered, AI-assisted : a qualitative multiple-case study on human resources leaders’ uses of generative AI analyzed through transformational leadership.
No full textAs generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) rapidly integrates into global organizations, human resources leaders (HRLs) face growing pressure to harness GenAI’s potential while navigating the challenges it can bring. Although some research has explored the technical adoption of AI in human resource management (HRM), little is known about how HRLs use GenAI within the scope of their leadership practices. This gap is critical to address, as HRLs are increasingly tasked with leading the human side of successful AI adoption. This study explored how multinational HRLs with experience in GenAI describe their uses of GenAI in their current leadership practices.
This qualitative multiple-case study examined the described uses of GenAI among HRLs working in multinational corporations (MNCs) with experience using GenAI in their leadership roles. Using transformational leadership theory (Bass, 1985; Burns, 1978) as an analytical lens, the study illuminated how participants used GenAI to support their leadership tasks as they related to the framework’s four I’s: intellectual stimulation, idealized influence, individualized consideration, and inspirational motivation. Six HRLs from different countries and companies made up the cases. Each participant completed a pre-interview questionnaire and participated in a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes: (a) Most HRLs use GenAI as a critical thinking partner and support in decision-making; (b) Most HRLs role modeled GenAI use, while grounding trust-building primarily in human-led effort; (c) Most HRLs use GenAI to personalize their guidance, learning, and growth suggestions for their teams; and (d) HRLs use GenAI to support enhanced communication and vision creation.
These findings suggest HRLs use GenAI to support, but not replace, human-led leadership tasks. Participants used GenAI in ways that supported all four I’s of the transformational leadership framework by way of its tangential support for decision-making, trust-building, personalization, and communication. Consequently, recommendations for organizational leaders, HR practitioners, and researchers center around AI infrastructure, training, ethical guidelines, and future research considerations
Power and deception in the sharing economy.
No full textInformation is a powerful resource that shapes outcomes in peer-to-peer interactions, guiding decisions and influencing relationships. This research investigates how information-based power influences deceptive behavioral intentions in peer-to-peer transactions within the sharing economy, with a specific focus on ridesharing platforms. Drawing on theories of information asymmetry, signaling, and principal-agent dynamics, the study examines whether individuals intend to exploit informational advantages to withhold crucial information from their peers. To explore this, a role-playing survey experiment was conducted in which participants took on the role of riders in a simulated rideshare scenario. Information cues from both the driver (peer cues) and the platform (platform cues) were systematically manipulated to create varying levels of perceived information-based power. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study found that higher levels of information-based power significantly increased participants’ intentions to deceive by omission. Notably, platform cues had a stronger influence on perceived power than peer cues, highlighting the critical role of platform design in shaping user behavior. Further analysis revealed that demographic factors such as gender, income, education, and rideshare frequency moderate these relationships. The findings contribute to the literature on digital ethics, platform governance, and behavioral responses to information asymmetry, providing practical implications for platform designers and policymakers seeking to promote transparency and trust in the sharing economy
Beyond the numbers : a qualitative holistic case study examining special education teacher attrition from voices who left the classroom in Greater Houston.
No full textThe ongoing exodus of special education teachers (SETs) presents significant challenges that ripple throughout educational systems. High attrition among SETs remains an alarming trend that threatens to destabilize the field of special education (Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond, 2019) and jeopardizes the essential educational and behavioral supports that neurodivergent students rely upon for their academic and developmental growth (Billingsley & Bettini, 2019). To address high attrition rates among SETs, it is imperative to analyze how contextual factors influence their decisions to leave the classroom. In this study, I used a qualitative holistic single case study design to explore how social-ecological factors contribute to special education teachers’ (SETs) decision to leave the classroom in the Houston area. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory provided the guiding framework, offering a holistic and comprehensive lens for examining the interconnectedness between SETs and how ecological systems influence attrition among SETs. Using criterion and purposeful sampling, four former SETs who met the eligibility criteria participated in the study. Data sources included individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups. I analyzed data through systematic coding aligned within the five a priori framework categories.
The findings of this qualitative holistic single case study highlighted the complex interplay of unique factors within and across the five ecological systems of the Ecological Systems Theory that shaped these former SETs decisions to leave the classroom. The first thematic statement highlighted the overlap between the microsystem and mesosystem: Former special education teachers (SETs) in this study highlighted how the presence or absence of support shaped their ability to navigate the demands of their role. The second thematic statement focused on the exosystem: Former special education teachers (SETs) described how varying degrees of institutional support influenced their level of job satisfaction. The third thematic statement illustrated the interconnectedness between the macrosystem and chronosystem: Overall, the lived experiences of four former SETs offer valuable insight into the importance of a holistic understanding of the multiple ecological influences that contribute to SET attrition
Investigation of adhesion in multi-material, multi-process additive manufacturing : a hybrid manufacturing study.
No full textThis research develops a hybrid additive manufacturing (AM) process combining multiple AM processes, namely Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) of aluminum with robotic fused filament fabrication (FFF) of PLA to create a metal-polymer structure. This study investigates interfacial adhesion, a major limitation in multi-material manufacturing, by comparing as-manufactured substrates to those with surface modifications. A custom UR5 robotic FFF printer enabled deposition of polymer on to the uneven topology of the aluminum component, after which a peel test quantified adhesion strength. Results showed surface modified substrates having increased adhesion strength as well as a higher max peel force over the as-manufactured samples. The work demonstrates the potential of a hybrid manufacturing approach for creating lightweight, multi-functional components by depositing polymer features onto existing metal components
Last harvest : the impacts of myth public and discourse on small farmers.
No full textThis thesis examines how rhetoric—especially myth and public discourse—affects the lives and quotidian practices of farmers. I first investigate how agrarian myths were incorporated into the public psyche of the early United States as well as how those myths informed public perception and the accompanying discourse surrounding agriculture. Next, I analyze two State of Texas policy documents to demonstrate the rhetorical choices made within them and the ways those choices and subsequent interpretations shape the daily practices of farmers. Finally, I provide a deep investigation into the implications of how such public talk and policy affect the lives of farmers by detailing the mental and physical health repercussions that farmers face
Forward march : a qualitative single case study exploring enlistment motivations for Generation Z women in the United States Army.
No full textWomen remain underrepresented in the United States Army despite comprising nearly half of the available workforce who meet age and eligibility requirements for enlistment. This gap presents a missed opportunity for the U.S. Army as it seeks to build a modern and capable force that can meet the demands of future conflicts. The U.S. Army did not meet its recruiting goals for two consecutive years (2022–2023). The organization subsequently lowered its enlistment target in 2024 and achieved its recruiting goal, yet women made up a minority of new active-duty enlistees. The inability to recruit enough soldiers to serve in the U.S. Army directly impacts national security.
Guided by the expectancy-value theory (Eccles, 1984), this qualitative single case study with embedded units of analysis explored the enlistment motivations of Generation Z (Gen Z) women soldiers. I analyzed data from five enlisted women stationed at a military installation in the western region of the United States using a questionnaire, photo-elicitation interview, and semi-structured interview. In analyzing their responses, I developed four findings. First, participants noted that their expectation of success in becoming a soldier stemmed from both internal and external factors. Second, participants described that performing well on assigned tasks (e.g., initial training, special assignments, leadership training) was related to their transformation from civilians to soldiers. Third, participants described service in the U.S. Army as a way to benefit themselves and others. Finally, participants weighed their decision to become a soldier against personal trade-offs (e.g., sacrificing time, energy, opportunities, other aspirations, autonomy).
The findings from this study present opportunities for recruiting strategies, program reforms, and policy changes. I detailed these implications and provided recommendations to the U.S Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), administrators of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course (FSPC), and Department of Defense policy leaders to address solutions for the recruitment of Gen Z women. This study contributes to the growing discourse on military recruiting by addressing the issue of women’s underrepresentation in the U.S. Army from a motivational viewpoint