Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Authority And Agendas In The Management Of Public Authorities: Studying The Relationship Between Public Transportation Authority Boards And Executives, Robert August Schneider

Doctoral Dissertations

Public authorities are a popular form of quasi-governmental institutions and have been extensively chronicled in regards to effective public service delivery. Authorities are exceptionally popular within the public transportation industry but have slowly lost their fiscal power due to the strengthening of parent governments. This dissertation examines the authority structure in public transportation to understand the linkage between this loss of fiscal power and executive management of public authorities by studying the governing board-executive manager relationship. In particular, this dissertation examines the structure and relationship by studying factors impacting relationships and connections between deceased fiscal power and the members recruited …

Multiple Approaches To The Separation Of Amino Acids And Biologically-Relevant Compounds, Lance Andrew Riddle

Doctoral Dissertations

The branch of analytical chemistry known as separations has continued to grow and expand ever since its beginnings a century ago. With all the technological advances occurring to make separations a more powerful technique, the main goal continues to be the desired separation of the compounds of interest in a mixture. Although a desired separation may be achieved, there can always be room for improvement with regards to the time necessary for the separation as well as better resolution of closely-related species as well as enantiomers of the same analyte.

In this work, a variety of separation methods and variations …

Benefits, Corporate Motives, And Communication Patterns In Strategic Philanthropic Relationships As Perceived By Nonprofit Partners, Gregory Grant Rumsey

Doctoral Dissertations

Businesses are increasingly held accountable both to their owners and to the larger society in which they operate. Accordingly, many companies are extending their resources to meet community needs through philanthropic partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Such ventures, however, have drawn close scrutiny of motives and benefits. For example, some consumers register skepticism when evaluating the sincerity of corporate intent in cause-related marketing arrangements. Attribution theory suggests that altruistic reasons for corporate good deeds may be discounted in the context of apparent self-interest. Likewise, a debate between shareholder and stakeholder theorists introduces questions about possibly conflicting obligations facing corporate managers. Some …

Understanding The Role Of The School Resource Officer (Sro): Perceptions From Middle School Administrators And Sros, Teresa Renee Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations

The safety of school children is on the forefront of American’s minds. Recent sporadic shooting of innocent children while they were in the care of school officials is once again raising concerns about the level of safety and security on school campuses. It is apparent that it is increasingly difficult to protect these children while they are at school and it is almost impossible for school administrators to do this alone. It is essential that community leaders, school officials, and school communities acknowledge the necessity of intervention programs to ensure that school campuses are safe and secure. One such intervention …

Implementation Of A Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: A Mixed Methods Investigation Into The Members’ Experience Of Parental Involvement With The School System, Jeffrey Brian Romanczuk

Doctoral Dissertations

This research was intended as a mixed methods case study of the initial effectiveness of one school system’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). It was not until well into the study that it became clear the phenomenon at the root of the this research was actually the broader one of special education parental involvement in the schools, with the Rush County (a pseudonym) School System’s Department of Special Education as the case study. Although phenomenological inquiry is primary, the mixed methods research design employed included both thematic development and verification based on data obtained by both qualitative and quantitative …

Synthesis And Radiolabeling Of Potassium Trifluoroborate Benzylidene Anabaseine Derivatives, Aaron Landon Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

Anabaseine has demonstrated a high, non-selective, affinity for the α7- bungarotoxin sensitive neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding site found in small cell lung carcinoma. The benzylidene anabaseine derivatives of anabaseine have shown a selective affinity for these binding sites. These studies suggest that radiolabeled benzylidene anabaseine derivatives could act as potential imaging agents to aid in the early detection of lung cancer.

This dissertation outlines the strategy and methods employed in the synthesis of a family of potassium trifluoroborate derivatives of benzylidene anabaseine and their subsequent halogenation. Two of the trifluoroborate salts were converted to their radiolabeled analogues for potential …

Scheduling Tasks With Precedence Constraints On Heterogeneous Distributed Computing Systems, Zhiao Shi

Doctoral Dissertations

Efficient scheduling is essential to exploit the tremendous potential of high performance computing systems. Scheduling tasks with precedence constraints is a well studied problem and a number of heuristics have been proposed.

In this thesis, we first consider the problem of scheduling task graphs in heterogeneous distributed computing systems (HDCS) where the processors have different capabilities. A novel, list scheduling-based algorithm to deal with this particular situation is proposed. The algorithm takes into account the resource scarcity when assigning the task node weights. It incorporates the average communication cost between the scheduling node and its node when computing the Earliest …

Design Criteria For Aerobic Treatment Of Grease Waste By Filamentous Microorganisms In Activated Sludge, Christian Edward Seal Mery

Doctoral Dissertations

The focus of this investigation was the determination of design and operational criteria for the aerobic biological treatment of grease waste. The aerobic biological treatment is intended promote filamentous organisms, which are capable of degrading oil and grease. Significant amounts of grease waste are generated by different industries. These wastes are recovered in grease traps, oil/water separators and flotation systems. Current practice consists of the recollection of the waste and disposal in a landfill or by incineration. The collected waste has to be disposed of either placing it in a landfill or by incineration. Additionally a change in landfill legislation …

Stochastic Optimization Models For Contingency Allocation In Project Management, Barbara Maria Thibadeau

Doctoral Dissertations

In many cases, risks that threaten successful project completion can be mitigated (or eliminated) with a proper contingency allocation strategy and exacerbated by an improper one. Yet, despite this importance, there is a dearth of research on the cost contingency allocation problem in academic literature. This thesis looks at the cost contingency allocation problem from two different perspectives and two distinct solutions are introduced: a stochastic linear programming model that addresses a short term strategy and convex-concave utility model that provides a long-term planning solution.

The project manager’s ability to approve random requests for contingency is dependent on several constraints, …

Physicochemical Characterization And Antibacterial Potential Of Naturally-Occurring Antimicrobial Polypeptide-Bearing Phospholipid Liposomes Against The Foodborne Pathogens Listeria Monocytogenes And Escherichia Coli O157:H7, Thomas Matthew Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations

Liposomes are spherical bilayer vesicles formed from dispersion of polar lipids in aqueous solvents and have been studied for their ability to act as drug delivery vehicles by shielding reactive or sensitive compounds prior to release. In the food industry, liposomes have been used to deliver food flavors and nutrients; more recently they have been investigated for their ability to incorporate food antimicrobials.

Thermal stability of liposomes, in the presence and absence of nisin, was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and low-intensity ultrasonic spectroscopy (US). Observed phase transition temperatures for liposomes measured via DSC and US were in close …

The Effects Of Consumer Perceived Value And Subjective Norm On The Adoption Of Mobile Data Services: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Of American And Korean Consumers, Kiseol Yang

Doctoral Dissertations

Despite the explosive growth of mobile phone subscribers and rapid adoption of mobile data services worldwide, the usage of mobile data services is highly variable across countries. This study attempted to reveal the differences in mobile data service adoption behavior between American and Korean consumers since it has been reported that the national culture and usage of mobile data services between the two countries is different, but mobile penetration rate is similar between the two countries. This study attempted to explain the differences in mobile data service adoption behavior between American and Korean consumers in regarding the effects of consumer …

Effects Of Temperature And Grain Size On The Transformation And The Deformation Behaviors Of The Trip (Transformation Induced Plasticity) Steels, Kaixiang Tao

Doctoral Dissertations

Two types of TRIP steels, a commercial 304L stainless steel and an Fe-10%Cr-5%Ni-8%Mn steel, have been used to investigate the effects of temperature and grain size on the transformation and mechanical behaviors. 304L SS was used to investigate the effects of temperature ranging from 300K to 77K, while the Fe-10%Cr-5%Ni-8%Mn steel was used for the investigation of the effects of the grain size at 300K.

At 203K, the fcc grains of the 304L SS with {200} plane normal parallel to the loading direction are preferred for the fcc to bcc transformation and the {200} plane normals of the newly-formed bcc …

A Lifetime-Prediction Approach To Understanding Corrosion: The Corrosion-Fatigue And The Corrosion Behavior Of A Nickel-Based Superalloy And A Nanocrystalline Alloy, Rejanah Vernice Steward

Doctoral Dissertations

Lifetime-prediction models are useful for simulating a material’s in-service behavior or outcome. Perhaps the greatest advantage of these models is the ability to use the predicted results to help optimize engineering designs and reduce costs. The Hastelloy^® C-2000^® superalloy is a single-phase material and face-centered cubic in structure at all temperatures. The C-2000^® alloy is a commercially designed alloy manufactured to function in both reducing and oxidizing solutions. C-2000^® is used as a fabrication material for heat exchangers, piping for chemical refineries, and storage repositories. The corrosion properties of C-2000^® are excellent, and the ductility …

Ex-Situ Epitaxial Yba2Cu3O7-Δ Films: Precursor Conversion And Film Characterization, Yifei Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

BaF₂-based precursors were deposited on various substrates by electron beam co- evaporation and trifluoroactates-involved metal organic deposition (TFA-MOD) for fabricating biaxially-textured YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ (YBCO) films. A low-pressure processing system was established for the conversion of the precursors. High critical current densities near 4 MA/cm² (77 K, self field) were obtained for the first time through the ex-situ conversion under the total pressures as low as 10 mTorr. The viability of the low- pressure conversion may enable a large-scale, cost-effective batch production of YBCO- based high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires.

The effects of the …

Exploring The Relationship Between Time-Series Data Collection And Duration Of Treatment In A University Clinic: A Survival Analysis, Justin D. Winkel

Doctoral Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in time-series research and the duration of psychotherapy. In previous research, 50 patients were accepted into the Time-Series Study at the University of Tennessee Psychological Clinic. Study participation included a significant degree of patient involvement, including repeated assessment of process and outcome variables totaling 120 items which patients were asked to complete twice a week. It was hypothesized that participation in this type of research may have resulted in shorter treatment duration due to increased subject burden, or may have motivated patients to stay in treatment, thus increasing …

An Investigation Of Sense Of Identity Among College Students, Christine Susie Wu

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study the construct, Sense of Identity was examined. Specifically, variables conceptually related to Sense of Identity will be described, and the nature of any relationships with personality traits including the Big Five personality traits of agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, extraversion, and openness were explored. Additionally, the study examined the nature of the relationships between narrow personality traits and Sense of Identity. Lastly, the relationships between Sense of Identity and extracurricular activities were investigated. Sense of Identity was positively related to the Big Five personality traits with a range of r=.32 to r=.46 with p<.01. Additionally, the selected …

Gender Differences In The Preferred Methods Of Training, Needs And Interests, And Hindrances And Motivators For Sexual Harassment Training, Heather Monique Whaley

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess employees’ preferences regarding sexual harassment prevention training (SHPT), compared by gender. A convenience sample of city/county governmental employees from a mid-size metropolitan city in the southeast representing multiple occupational groups consisted of 1387 employees. A response rate of 12% represented 169 respondents.

A modified Sexual Experiences Questionnaire - Department of Defense (SEQ- DoD) and the SHPT Preferences Climate Survey were completed. Frequency counts, descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, factor analysis, MANOVA tests, ANOVA tests, and a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) test allowed for hypotheses testing.

No statistical differences between genders exist in SHPT …

Female School Superintendents In Tennessee: Overcoming Barriers, Vicki Cameron Violette

Doctoral Dissertations

The school superintendency is the most gender stratified executive position in the United States, with men 20 times more likely than women to advance from the level of teacher to the top leadership role in a school district (Skrla, 1999). Although the majority of teachers in public schools are women, the majority of superintendents are men (Bell & Chase, 1993; Blount, 1998; Brunner, 1999; Grogan, 1996; Mertz, 1991; Shakeshaft, 1989; Skrla, 1999; Young, 1999). Though women have made slight progress in moving into superintendent positions during the past few years, there is still a disproportionate under representation of females nationwide …

Studying The Fatigue Behavior Of Zr-Based Bulk-Metallic Glasses And Composites, Gongyao Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

As excellent candidates for structural materials, the mechanical behavior of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) is being widely studied. Although their fatigue behavior is very important for engineering applications, there are few studies on their fatigue behavior. Moreover, the understanding of the fatigue behavior is pretty limited.

High-cycle fatigue experiments were conducted on notched Zr-based BMGs under tension-tension loading in air and vacuum at room temperature. A sparking phenomenon was found by infrared camera at the final fracture moment of Zr₅₀Al₁₀Cu₃₀Ni₁₀ in air. The fatigue-endurance limit (983 MPa) of Zr₅₀Cu₃₇Al …

Adsorption Of Small Molecules On Mgo And Graphite, Peter Nikolaivich Yaron

Doctoral Dissertations

The physical adsorption of molecules on metal oxide surfaces has direct implications in a number of industrial applications such as; catalysis, electronics, and fuel cells to name a few. Despite the large number of adsorption studies to date, only a small number of systems can be explained with the most advanced ab initio calculations currently available.

One of the simplest metal oxide systems to study is magnesium oxide due to its simple cubic rock-salt structure. Using a patented method, nearly defect-free MgO cubes can be synthesized with a narrow size distribution exposing exclusively the (100) equilibrium crystal face. The use …

Stimulus, Fall/Winter 2006, Ut College Of Social Work

Stimulus Alumni Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Networker 2006 December Issue, Commission For Women

The Networker

No abstract provided.

Computer Modeling Of Tennessee Valley Authority’S Coal Based Power Plant At Kingston To Predict The Effluent To Emory River, Bratendu Bagchi

Doctoral Dissertations

In the wake of stringent environmental regulations, this research studies ash pond discharge to the river by Kingston Power plant. Currently 1296 MGD of fresh water from the Emory river via plant intake is used in condenser cooling. 40 MGD of ash sluice water containing ammonium compounds, mercury compounds, phosphates, Arsenic, Selenium, etc, is discharged to the plant intake via the ash pond for recycle back as sluice water into the plant. Ammonia slip from SCR unit is responsible for the ammonia and mercury comes from the coal. The research addresses the methodology to predict pollutants in the ash pond …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Complex Polymer Architectures, Brandon Scott Farmer

Doctoral Dissertations

Anionic polymerization based upon high vacuum technique has been used to synthesize different star polymers using varying linking techniques. In particular chlorosilanes, divinylbenzene, and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) chlorosilane derivatives were used in the synthesis of star polymers. These polymers, along with polymers synthesized by others, have been characterized by a range of methods in this work.

A series of polyisoprene (PI) stars were synthesized from dimethylaminopropyllithium (DMAPLi) and subsequently hydrogenated to form poly (ethylene-co-propylene) (PEP) these were characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with online two angle laser light scattering (TALLS). These polymers were synthesized in an attempt …

The Thematic Meaning Of Face-To-Face Conflict Experiences: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Investigation, Thomas Rhett Graves

Doctoral Dissertations

Face-to-face interactions are the experiential basis for our reflected understandings of the social world. Face-to-face conflict (as a form of social transaction) is present across different forms of social conflict (e.g., international or intergroup conflicts). Understanding the phenomenology of face-to-face conflict thus provides insight concerning experiences of social conflict and our evaluations of it. In this investigation, a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to describe the thematic meanings of face-to-face conflict experiences.

Eleven dialogical interviews were conducted concerning situations in which participants “experienced a conflict between themselves and another person(s)” and comprise 17 hours of recorded dialogue between the participants …

Severe Plastic Deformation Using Friction Stir Processing, And The Characterization Of Microstructure And Mechanical Behavior Using Neutron Diffraction, Wanchuck Woo

Doctoral Dissertations

Friction-stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state joining process, which utilizes a cylindrical rotating tool consisting of a concentric threaded tool pin and tool shoulder. The strong metallurgical bonding during the FSW is accomplished through: (1) the severe plastic deformation caused by the rotation of the tool pin that plunges into the material and travels along the joining line; and (2) the frictional heat generated mainly from the pressing tool shoulder. Recently, a number of variations of the FSW have been applied to modify the microstructure, for example, grain refinements and homogenization of precipitate particles, namely friction-stir processing (FSP). Applications of …

A Content Analysis By Political Cultures And Values Of State Compliance Documents For The Federal Legislation, No Child Left Behind, Constance Didlake Cole

Doctoral Dissertations

Education policy designed at reforming the public schools in the United States has been a central concern in the policy arena for several decades. Most of the school reform policies have not provided the desired results. The federal mandate called No Child Left Behind, signed into law in 2002, promised school reform for all fifty states in terms of accountability for the achievement of all students, improvement of teacher quality, empowerment of parents, and promotion of school safety.

The intent of this study was to analyze state educational documents that have been developed to comply with the No Child …

Scripted Vs. Real: An Analysis Of Parent-Child Interactions In African American Sitcom Families And Real Life Families, Syrenthia Johnson Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations

This is an exploratory study of the parent-child interactions in African American families as they are portrayed on television and as they are experienced in real life. The research methods- frame analyses, focus groups, and a parent-child relationship questionnaire- facilitated the exploration of common interactions between parents and their children, such as their verbal communication styles (conversation orientation, conformity orientation), conflict management styles (avoiding, accommodating, confronting, compromising, collaborating) and level of closeness (disengaged, separated, connected, enmeshed).

To examine the parent-child relationships depicted in African American television families, four television shows were included in the analysis: My Wife & Kids, Family …

Surface Composition And Interaction Of Thermally Treated White Oak With White Sprits, Roy Douglas Wilcox

Doctoral Dissertations

The surface composition and energy of two thermally treated white oak stave sources and the acidic composition of their white spirit extracts were studied to determine whether composition of the maturing extract could be attributed to variability in surface composition due to degradation of lignin, cellulose, and extractives with thermal treatment and extraction. The sources were from the Ozarks and Appalachia. Surface composition was determined by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface energy was obtained from the wicking method of contact angle determination with probe liquids and application of the van Oss geometric mean equation. Acid-base properties and composition of the …

Perceptions Of Library Value, Carol Tenopir

School of Information Sciences -- Faculty Publications and Other Works

Some recent studies show that the perception held by the general public about electronic library collections and digital services may differ from that held by faculty and university students. The predominant perception of libraries is as a place to borrow printed books, even as libraries' electronic budgets begin to outpace print budgets.