Digital Commons Network^™

Decomposition Techniques For Large Scale Stochastic Linear Programs, Earl Ike Patterson

Doctoral Dissertations

Stochastic linear programming is an effective and often used technique for incorporating uncertainties about future events into decision making processes. Stochastic linear programs tend to be significantly larger than other types of linear programs and generally require sophisticated decomposition solution procedures. Detailed algorithms based uponDantzig-Wolfe and L-Shaped decomposition are developed and implemented. These algorithms allow for solutions to within an arbitrary tolerance on the gap between the lower and upper bounds on a problem's objective function value. Special procedures and implementation strategies are presented that enable many multi-period stochastic linear programs to be solved with two-stage, instead of nested, decomposition …

Organizational Citizenship Behavior As A Predictor Of Work Team Performance, Tjai M. Nielsen

Doctoral Dissertations

This study assesses the relationships among organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), task interdependence, and performance at the team level. A longitudinal, correlational field study was conducted with 52 work teams from 6 organizations located in the Eastern United States. At the individual level of analysis it was hypothesized that OCB is positively related to individual performance. At the team level of analysis it was hypothesized that OCB is positively related to concurrent team performance, subsequent team performance, and customer-rated performance. It was also predicted that customer-rated OCB is related to concurrent and subsequent team performance. Task interdependence was expected to moderate …

An Improved Gas Nozzle For Laser Surface Alloying, Terri Lynn Brock Tramel

Doctoral Dissertations

An experimental research project was undertaken to characterize the flow field surrounding the molten metal during laser alloying. In addition, an objective of this project was to design a protective gas nozzle system for laser alloying that would control the entrainment of the outside gas, provide a gentle pressure to the molten metal and not adversely effect the alloying process. Existing nozzle geometries were selected for evaluation in a water tunnel simulation. The water tunnel simulation visualized a complex, three-dimensional oblique flow field, which was created by the Nd:YAG's optics/gas delivery package being configured 15 degrees from normal to the …

An Improved Gas Nozzle For Laser Surface Alloying, Terri Lynn Brock Tramel

Doctoral Dissertations

An experimental research project was undertaken to characterize the flow field surrounding the molten metal during laser alloying. In addition, an objective of this project was to design a protective gas nozzle system for laser alloying that would control the entrainment of the outside gas, provide a gentle pressure to the molten metal and not adversely effect the alloying process. Existing nozzle geometries were selected for evaluation in a water tunnel simulation. The water tunnel simulation visualized a complex, three-dimensional oblique flow field, which was created by the Nd:YAG's optics/gas delivery package being configured 15 degrees from normal to the …

Computer-Modified Rorschach Inkblots : A New Method For Studying Projectives, Justin Randall Padawer

Doctoral Dissertations

A new method for systematically investigating Rorschach scoring determinants Shading, Texture, and Color is described. Each determinant in the original ten blots is isolated and accentuated using photo-manipulation computer techniques in order to produce an original hyperscripted software program, the "RorschachImage Presenter" (RIP), which allows subjects to interactively modify each of the inkblots along these dimensions. Pre-computer alterations, including the seminal 1950s work of Earl Baughman, are reviewed inorder to contextualize the present work. 110 subject sat for Rorschach's test, the Fundamental InterpersonalRelations Orientation for Behavior (FIRO-B), and a RIPprogram session. The hypothesis that subjects would demonstrate with the RIP …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Community-Based Project Witnessing In Tennessee To Increase Breast Cancer Screening And Awareness Among African American Women, Precilla Lorene Belin

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of the Witnessing In Tennessee Project to increase Breast-Self Examination (BSE), Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), and mammography among African American women in the East Tennessee Region. Breast cancer and early detection of the disease is a significant issue for all women. However, this is especially true for minority and older women living in underserved communities. According to Healthy People 2010, one of the major priorities highlights the need for strong, cohesive, and integrated educational and community-based programs for racial and ethnic minorities. There is a need to use interventions specifically …

Pathogenic Mechanisms Involved In The Ocular Immunoinflammatory Lesions : Herpetic Stromal Keratitis, Shilpa Deshpande

Doctoral Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus infection of the ocular tissue induces a blinding immunoinflammatory lesion, Herpetic Stromal Keratitis (HSK). In mice of susceptible strains, a similar lesion can be induced following a primary infection mode. Virus infection induces an acute short lived epithelial keratitis. At this time, an immune cell infiltration of polymorpho nuclear leukocytes, mainly neutrophils are seen in the underlying stroma. The virus is usually cleared by days 5-6 post infection and the cornea assumes a state of normalcy. The chronic phase of the immunoinflammatory process begins around day 7 post infection in the absence of replicating virus. The primary …

Development Of A Simulation Backplane With Dynamic Configurability, Lloyd Gabriel Clonts

Doctoral Dissertations

The subject of this thesis was the development a simulation backplane for coupling an electrical simulator with a mechanical finite-element simulator although the backplane is applicable to any simulator with the proper architecture. To tradeoff performance and accuracy during the analysis, a dynamic configuration option was included, where different simulators and models in a simulator can be switched in and out during the analysis. This option provided the designer with the flexibility to analyze all details of simulations from different modeling representations to optimizing the simulation performance within the same analysis. This backplane was able to transverse multiple coupling architectures …

The Role Of Dispositional Aggressiveness And Organizational Injustice On Deviant Workplace Behavior, Susan M. Burroughs

Doctoral Dissertations

A field study of 262 hospital employees examined the relationship between dispositional aggressiveness, three types of organizational injustice perceptions, (distributive, procedural, interactional), and two forms of workplace deviance (interpersonal, organizational). Dispositional aggressiveness was assessed with the conditional reasoning measurement system and organizational injustices were measured via self-report instruments. Deviant workplace behaviors were evaluated with 985 ratings provided by supervisors, coworkers, subordinates, and customers. Theoretical and methodological concerns related to past research are addressed. Findings indicated, as hypothesized, that perceptions of distributive, procedural, and interactional injustice were positively related to workplace deviance. Furthermore, dispositional aggressiveness was positively related to all forms …

Effect Of Body Composition On Growth Hormone Response To Exercise In Postmenopausal Women, George Austin King

Doctoral Dissertations

Growth hormone (GH) is one of several hormones known to decrease with age. Low GH levels may be linked with various disease conditions because of its stimulatory role in muscle and bone maintenance, and lipolysis. Growth hormone is associated with insulin, glucose, and estrogen levels, and GH is greatly reduced following menopause. It has been established that obesity is inversely related to low GH levels and positively associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Exercise is a potent stimulator of GH secretion and the GH response to exercise is attenuated with obesity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the …

Forecasting Dose-Time Profiles Of Solar Particle Events Using A Dosimetry-Based Bayesian Forecasting Methodology, John S. Neal

Doctoral Dissertations

A dosimetery-based Bayesian methodology for forecasting astronaut radiation doses in deep space due to radiologically significant solar particle event proton fluences is developed. Three non-linear sigmoidal growth curves (Gompertz, Weibull, logistic) are used with hierarchical, non-linear, regression models to forecast solar particle event dose-time profiles from doses obtained early in the development of the event. Since there are no detailed measurements of dose versus time for actual events, surrogate dose data are provided by calculational methods. Proton fluence data are used as input to the deterministic, coupled neutron-proton space radiation computer code, BRYNTRN, for transporting protons and their reaction products …

Continuous Morphological Data In Phylogenetic Analyses : An Example From The Otters (Carnivora: Lutrinae), Charles Gregory Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study, otter (Carnivora: Lutrinae) postcranial osteological measurements were used in a phylogenetic analysis. Previous systematic analyses of the otters (based primarily on discrete cranial characters) yield conflicting results leading to uncertainty regarding the evolutionary history of this group. Continuous postcranial trait data were analyzed using several approaches and techniques. In Chapter 2, continuous data from postcranial morphological measurements were converted into discretely coded characters using several methods. Two types of gap coding (Gap A and Gap B) and two segment coding approaches (12 and 6 segments) were applied and analyzed using a maximum parsimony reconstruction program. The resulting …

Dimensions Of Addictive Experience And 12-Step Program Participation, Paul Busby

Doctoral Dissertations

Three empirical studies investigated the relationships between 12-step participation, addictive modes of experiencing, and recovery from chemical addictions. Study one and two developed an addictive experience survey to be used in this paper's main study. The main study validates the addictive experience survey and tests relationships of interest. The first study sought to validate a four-factor model of addictive experience based on clinical research. These four factors are experiential dimensions, assumed universal, that emerged from clinical interviews with persons addicted to chemical substances: 1) Temporal Flow (temporal flow vs. temporal arrest), 2) Language Adequacy (emotional articulation vs. impoverished emotional language), …

Color Image-Based Shape Reconstruction Of Multi-Color Objects Under General Illumination Conditions, Ambrose E. Ejiofor Ononye

Doctoral Dissertations

Humans have the ability to infer the surface reflectance properties and three-dimensional shape of objects from two-dimensional photographs under simple and complex illumination fields. Unfortunately, the reported algorithms in the area of shape reconstruction require a number of simplifying assumptions that result in poor performance in uncontrolled imaging environments. Of all these simplifications, the assumptions of non-constant surface reflectance, globally consistent illumination, and multiple surface views are the most likely to be contradicted in typical environments. In this dissertation, three automatic algorithms for the recovery of surface shape given non-constant reflectance using a single-color image acquired are presented. In addition, …

Employees' Perceptions Of Deterrents To Participation In An Employer-Provided Educational Assistance Program, Frances Jeannine Fogerson

Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated and identified perceived factors that deter eligible staff from participating in the educational assistance program provided by The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)The population consisted of 2,970 eligible staffFrom this, a sample of 338 persons was randomly selected. Each was mailed a questionnaire consisting of a modified version of the Deterrents to Participation Scale - General (DPS- G) and a demographics section. With 196 returns, the response rate was 60.1%. Demographic data revealed that 55.1% of the respondents were participants.

The first research question sought to determine the perceived deterrents that prevented eligible staff from participating in …

The Logistics And Transportation Problems Of Latin American Integration Efforts : The Andean Pact : A Case Of Study, María Fernanda Meléndez

Doctoral Dissertations

Logistics and transportation infrastructures are recognized as having a significant impact on making a regional integration scheme work as intended. The success of the European Community in bringing countries together is thought to have been achievable due to their integrated logistics and transportation infrastructures. Unfortunately, this is not the case for Latin American countries. Although many regional agreements have been in place for many years, their limited success in accomplishing the goals of integration is attributed in part to the lack of a regional logistics and transportationnetwork.To understand to what extent the logistics and transportation infrastructure has affected the integration …

Analysis Of Finite Element Based Numerical Methods For Acoustic Waves, Elastic Waves, And Fluid-Solid Interactions In The Frequency Domain, Peter Cummings

Doctoral Dissertations

The following thesis studies the acoustic wave equation, the elastic wave equa-tions, a fluid-solid interaction problem, and their finite element approximations in the frequency domain. The focus is on how the solutions depend on the frequency uj, how the error bounds for the finite element approximations depend on the frequency u, and how the mesh size h is constrained by the frequency ω in the finite element approximations. Particular emphasis is on results for high frequency waves. A Rellich identity technique is used to derive an elliptic regularity estimate for the acoustic Helmholtz equation with a first order absorbing boundary …

A Case Study Of The Performance Improvement Program At An Acute Care Facility, Patricia Cagley Jenkins

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how implementation of the plan for performance improvement, the performance improvement program as required in the performance improvement standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, affected a particular acute care setting as perceived through multiple data sources. The purpose of this study was further explicated through the following four initial research questions: (1) Who are the participants in the performance improvement program? (2) How do members of the health care team at this particular acute care facility perceive the effect of the performance improvement program? (3) How does the …

Race, Criminal Embeddedness, And The American Dream, Kent Ryan Kerley

Doctoral Dissertations

The most dominant cultural theme in the United States, one that impacts political, social, and personal aspects of individual lives, is the American Dream. In the race toward the American Dream, individuals' starting positions significantly influence where they finish. Stratification researchers have consistently found that race, social class, and family background have an impact on the economic, educational, and social statuses that individuals reach in adulthood. In addition to background factors, many major life events that individuals experience serve to limit or enhance their ability to achieve various economic and social goals.

One major life event that is infrequently studied …

Bridges And Barriers To Ecosystem-Based Approaches : The Case Of Tennessee Valley Authority's Adoption Of The Watershed Approach, Brent K. Marshall

Doctoral Dissertations

Natural resource agencies are advocating a form of citizen participation in which citizens mobilize proactively in a long-term, collective effort to protect the local environment and prevent the emergence of environmental problems. Research is needed that rigorously examines the complex process through which natural resource agencies build bridges and break down barriers to adopt a participatory model that encourages grassroots, proactive citizen participation. This dissertation fills the gap in the policy literature by examining the efforts of the Tennessee Valley Authority to adopt the watershed approach and encourage the creation of a citizen-led watershed coalition. More specifically, this dissertation is …

The Impact Of Structural Context On Local Crime Control Strategies And Media Attentiveness To Crime, Dani Allred Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

A neo-Marxist approach has been utilized to explain variation in local crime control strategies and media attentiveness to crime. The present study has argued that increased crime control and media attentiveness to crime result from perceived threats to the economic and social order by subordinate classes rather than from increases in the crime rate. The entire analysis has required two seperate methodologies. First, a panel design and residual change regression analysis were used to examine 396 cities from 1950 to 1970. This analysis was used to determine the effect of changes in social and economic variables on changes in police …

The Impact Of Structural Context On Local Crime Control Strategies And Media Attentiveness To Crime, Dani Allred Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

A neo-Marxist approach has been utilized to explain variation in local crime control strategies and media attentiveness to crime. The present study has argued that increased crime control and media attentiveness to crime result from perceived threats to the economic and social order by subordinate classes rather than from increases in the crime rate. The entire analysis has required two seperate methodologies. First, a panel design and residual change regression analysis were used to examine 396 cities from 1950 to 1970. This analysis was used to determine the effect of changes in social and economic variables on changes in police …

Generalizations Of The Zero-Divisor Graph Of A Ring, Shane Patrick Redmond

Doctoral Dissertations

Let R be a commutative ring with 1, and let Z(R) denote the set of zero­divisors of R. We define an undirected graph Γ(R) with vertices Z(R)* = Z(R) - {0}, where distinct vertices x and y of R are connected if and only if xy = 0. This graph is called the zero-divisor graph of R. We extend the definition of the zero-divisor graph to a noncommutative ring in several ways. Next, given a commutative ring R and ideal Ι of R, we introduce the notion of an …

Relationships Among Registered Nurses' Moral Judgment And Their Perception And Judgment Of Pain And Selected Nurse Factors, David S. Gerstle

Doctoral Dissertations

Under-treatment of pain by nurses continues to be a prevalent problem today. Many times pain management situations prove to be ethical in nature for nurses. Nurses are ethically obligated to alleviate pain as part of the profession's responsibilities to patients. The American Nurses' Association Code for Nurses, Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations pain management standards, the American Pain Society, and other pain management standards express this commitment. Therefore, nurses must possess adequate moral judgment to effectively deal with moral dilemmas and provide adequate pain management. To date, no studies have been conducted to examine the relationship of nurses' …