Digital Commons Network^™

Structure, Stratigraphy, And Tectonics Preserved Of The Northwestern Bays Mountain Synclinorium, Greene And Hawkins Counties, Northeast Tennessee, John G. Bultman

Masters Theses

The Bays Mountain synclinorium and surrounding area provide critical facies data to address Sevier-Bountian basin development. This area preserves the Middle Ordovician post-Knox unconformity, the Sevier-Blountian basin depositional sequence, overlying Bays Formation quartz arenite-redbed sequence, the Bays/Martinsburg unconformity, and the base of the overlying Caradocian Martinsburg clastic wedge. Detailed geologic mapping in the Northwestern half of the Sevier-Blountian basin has divided the Sevier Shale into three members: a lower thin-bedded, dark gray-black, graptolite-bearing shale overlain by dark gray-black micritic limestone; a middle siltysandy limestone interbedded with light gray silty shale and calcareous sandstone; and an upper thick-bedded light gray shale …

From Social Improvement To Scientific Racism: The Effects Of World War I On The Definition Of Racial Hygiene In Germany, Robyn Lee Hendrick

Masters Theses

During the First World War, there was a decisive change in the focus of the racial hygiene movement in Germany. Prior to the war, the terms "racial hygiene" and "eugenics" were synonymous. In contrast, during and after World War I while eugenics continued to be recognized as a "science" in Germany, as well as in other Western European countries and the United States, the racial hygiene movement was becoming increasingly racist. Although, as the term implies, racial hygiene included racial components, the radically racist overtones did not become prevalent until the Nazis' rise to power. Racial hygienists separated themselves from …

Comparison Of Microscopic Modalities For The 3d Model Reconstruction Of Nanodevices, Christopher Robert Kammerud

Masters Theses

As manufacturing capabilities push nanotechnology to smaller and smaller scales, novel inspection schemes must be developed to ensure product quality. The objective of our research was to implement, refine, and compare 3D reconstruction algorithms that could aid manufacturers in their ability to visualize and inspect nanodevices. Data was collected from three different microscopes: the atomic force microscope (AFM), the scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). For each of these microscopes, a specific algorithm was implemented to generate 3D models from the raw microscope data. Scans from the AFM microscope give range information similar to laser …

Human Equivalent Dose Modeling For Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation In C57bl/6j Mice, Laura Louise Jones

Masters Theses

The rodent model is often used to study the impact of dietary n-3 fatty acids on a variety of biological endpoints, and the results of these studies have been used to explain anticipated effects of n-3 fatty acid intake in humans. However, supplemental levels of n-3 fatty acids that are commonly used in rodent studies do not represent reasonable human intake, by comparison. Currently there is no standard method for the addition of n-3 fatty acids to rodent diets. We tested a mathematical model for dosing supplemental levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to rodent diets on …

The Subcellular Targeting And In Vivo Metal Binding Characteristics Of Agnt84 Using Transgenic Tobacco And By-2 Suspension Cell Cultures, Brook Kay Nelson

Masters Theses

AgNt84 is a nodulin protein expressed in Alnus glutinosa, an actinorhizal tree that participates with the actinomycete Frankia in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Expression of AgNt84 mRNA is exclusively found within Zone 2 of the nodules, which is the zone that contains cells in the process of being infected by Frankia. A truncated form of the protein was found to bind Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺ in vitro. AgNt84 was predicted to be targeted extracellularly based on the presence of an N-terminal signal sequence. The purpose …

Architecture For The Lost Place, Jeremy Shipp

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates how architectural production can deal with the history in a place. It describes how the idea of genius loci can define a place’s existence and how architecture can respond to a site that is disconnected from its history by a sudden loss of that which once defined it. I consider a place which has been physically transformed and whose population has been removed. These conditions invite a program to elucidate the site’s past, and architecture to interpret a state of absence. The project responds to the site’s history without pretending to manifest the historical place.

Pedologic Investigations In The Red River Region Of Eastern Kentucky: Relationship Of Soil Properties To Lithology, Slope Aspect, And Soil Quality To Prehistoric Indigenous Food Plot Locations, Jason D. Windingstad

Masters Theses

ABSTRACT

Part I

The Red River Valley of Eastern Kentucky contains cultural remains that point to the independent development of agriculture during the Late Archaic cultural period. The objective of this study is to gather quantitative data through the chemical and physical analysis of soils collected within a valley transect to gain insights into landscape processes and soil quality that may have played a role in the development of plant domestication. National Cooperative Soil Survey standards were used for field descriptions and the chemical and physical analysis of all samples. Soil quality values such as ECEC (ammonium acetate pH 7), …

Tennessee Hay Supply And Demand Response To Prices And Other Factors, Jon Edwin Travis

Masters Theses

The hay industry in Tennessee closely resembles a perfectly competitive market. There are no substantial barriers to market entry and farmers can freely exit if they so choose. A large number of firms and consumers (livestock producers and equine operators) exist. Hay is a fairly homogeneous product; although hay varieties are not identical, in many livestock production situations they are close substitutes. Producers are price takers in the market.

Currently, more information is needed regarding Tennessee hay supply and price response. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the factors that influence Tennessee hay acreage and yield, 2) …

Experimental Aerodynamic Analysis Of A Wing-Flap System With Delta Vortex Generators, Charles Roy Mcconnell

Masters Theses

The principle idea upon which the use of vortex generators (VGs) is based has been to control flow separation. The characteristic of VGs has been used to improve lift and alter the stall characteristics of aircraft and has been a relatively common practice for many years. Due to the seemingly limitless range of VG geometries and arrangements, which are largely dependant upon the desired aerodynamic performance, there has been a broad investigation into VG application.

The purpose of this experimental investigation has been to collect data to be used to establish the effects of various delta shaped vortex generators (delta-VGs) …

Information-Seeking Behavior Of Social Sciences And Humanities Researchers In The Internet Age, Xuemei Ge

Masters Theses

This study focuses on how Internet technology influences and contributes to the information-seeking process in the social sciences and humanities. The study examines the information-seeking behavior of faculty and doctoral students in these fields and observes and extends Ellis’s model of information-seeking behavior for social scientists, which includes six characteristics: starting, chaining, browsing, differentiating, monitoring, and extracting.

The study was conducted at Tennessee State University. Thirty active social sciences and humanities faculty and doctoral students were interviewed about their use of Internet resources, their perception of electronic and print materials, and their opinions concerning the Ellis model and how it …

Obtaining High Precision Results From Low Precision Hardware, Adam Donald Graham

Masters Theses

This document describes an attempt at acheiving high precision matrix multiplication results from the Lenslet EnLight256 Optical Signal Processor (OSP), which on its own can only produce results which are hardware limited to 8-bit signed integers. Due to it’s low precision, it’s has only limited applicability to real world problems, and if higher precision results were possible from the machine it could be used for more applications. A C library is developed for this thesis to allow high-precision results from the EnLight256. The library is described and results are given. Finally an implementation of the Jacobi Method on the EnLight256 …

How Do You Rate Those Instructors? The Validity Of Student Evaluations Of Higher Education Instructors, Kristy Ann Carter Ouallal-Mcriffey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of students’ evaluation of higher education instructors. Many questions and issues arise concerning students’ evaluation of higher education instructors. It is questionable whether a student can provide an unbiased evaluation of a higher education instructor. Because there are varying opinions on what constitutes a good or even an effective instructor, it makes it hard to determine just what student evaluations measure. If factors such as the personal feelings toward the instructor are used to determine the score on an evaluation, then this can’t possibly measure the instructors’ ability to teach. …

A Dynamic Ampacity Model For The Testing Of Advanced Conductors, Matthew Benjamin Sooter

Masters Theses

Advanced Conductors are an intriguing new technology that promises to help the utility industry increase the transmission capacity available in the United States. Manufacturers of advanced conductors promise double the current carrying capacity of normal Aluminum Clad Steel Reinforced conductor through a combination of increased thermal limits and decreased thermal elongation.

This thesis will outline a control developed for the Power Line Conductor Accelerated Test Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This custom facility is designed for the testing and rapid aging of advanced overhead conductors as part of a U.S. Department of Energy initiative to assist the development and …

Reverse Genetics With Tilling In Phytophthora Sojae, Melinda Beth Tierney

Masters Theses

The reverse genetic method TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes) is being applied to the plant pathogen Phytophthora sojae. The objective is to recover gene-specific mutants carrying allelic series and/or knockout induced mutations.

A library of 3000 mutant individuals was generated using the chemical mutagens ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS) or ethylnitrosourea (ENU). Gene-specific induced mutations are detected by screening a mirror library of genomic DNA. PCR is used to amplify and fluorescently label 1kb portions of specific genes from the mutant library and the PCR products are then heated and cooled slowly to form hetero- and homoduplexes.

The PCR fragments …

Optimization Of Dsss Receivers Using Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulations, Balbir Kaur Dhillon

Masters Theses

Over the years, there has been significant interest in defining a hardware abstraction layer to facilitate code reuse in software defined radio (SDR) applications. Designers are looking for a way to enable application software to specify a waveform, configure the platform, and control digital signal processing (DSP) functions in a hardware platform in a way that insulates it from the details of realization.

This thesis presents a tool-based methodolgy for developing and optimizing a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) transceiver deployed in custom hardware like Field Programmble Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The system model consists of a tranmitter which employs a …

Identification Of Terrestrial Alkalic Rocks Using Thermal Emission Spectroscopy: Applications To Martian Remote Sensing, Tasha Laurrelle Dunn

Masters Theses

We present a detailed study examining the use of laboratory thermal emission spectra (5-25 μm at 2 cm^-1 spectral sampling) for identification and classification of alkalic volcanic rocks. Modal mineralogies and derived bulk rock chemistries of a suite of terrestrial alkali basalts, trachyandesites, trachytes, and rhyolites were determined using linear spectral deconvolution. Model-derived mineral modes were compared to modes measured using an electron microprobe mapping technique to access the accuracy of linear deconvolution in determining mineral abundances. Standard deviations of 1σ of absolute differences between measured and modeled mineral abundances range from 0.68 to 15.02 vol %, with …

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’S Children’S Gardening Program: A Survey Of Alumni, Emily Kathleen Smith

Masters Theses

Among public gardens, Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) hosts the oldest children’s gardening program in the United States. Founded in 1914, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Children’s Gardening Program (BBG CGP) has succeeded in involving a steady flow of children year after year, creating an environment where children have the opportunity to interact with nature. Approximately 35,000 children have participated in the BBG CGP since its inception in 1914. A mail survey was conducted of alumni of the BBG CGP in the spring of 2005 to identify how the program has affected their adult lives. A random sample of 700 participants was …

Evaluation Of Engineering Plastic For Rollover Protective Structure Mounting, Robert Stephen Comer

Masters Theses

The agricultural industry has one of the highest fatality rates of any industry in the U. S. This death rate is largely due to deaths caused by roll over accidents while on agricultural vehicles. The addition of a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) has aided in lowering these high fatality rates on full-size tractors. Studies have shown that death rates have been reduced by as much as 98% with the addition of rollover protective structures. However, a large number of older tractors still do not utilize a ROPS. This is due to the difficulty of designing and creating a mounting structure. …

Bio-Derived Fuels For Hybrid Rocket Motors, Joshua David Scholes

Masters Theses

Two bio-derived fuels have been successfully tested in a laboratory scale hybrid rocket combustion chamber located at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Pure lard soaked in an open cell sponge matrix and beeswax were both tested using gaseous oxygen as the oxidizer. Given similar testing conditions, these fuels exhibit higher regression rates than the common hybrid rocket propellant HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene), thus overcoming one of the main shortcomings of hybrid rocket fuels. These fuels also have similar or higher regression rates than paraffin-based fuels recently tested by a Stanford University/NASA Ames team. Measured thrusts ranged from 20-140 Newtons, and calculated …

Virus Transport During Transient Unsaturated And Steady-State Saturated Flow Conditions In Memphis Aquifer Sand, Andrew Boruff Kenst

Masters Theses

The overall goal of this research was to determine the effect of transient unsaturated flow conditions on the transport of a virus in aquifer material. It was hypothesized that viruses would be transported at the same rate and over the same distance as the migration of the wetting front and that virus retention during transient unsaturated flow would be similar to that during steady-state saturated flow. Virus transport during transient unsaturated horizontal flow was experimentally compared with its behavior under steady-state saturated vertical flow. In the transient flow experiment, virus (ΦX174) suspension was introduced into an initially air-dry repacked Memphis …

An Experimental Evaluation Of The Constant Β Relating The Contact Stiffness To The Contact Area In Nanoindentation, Jeremy Harper Strader

Masters Theses

Measurements of mechanical properties by nanoindentation with triangular pyramidal indenters like the Berkovich rely heavily upon the relationship between the contact stiffness, S, the contact area, A, and the reduced elastic modulus, E_r . This relationship is often written in the form: S = 2βEr(A/π)1/2, where βis a constant that depends on the geometry of the indenter. Although the most common values for βused in experimental measurements are 1.000 and 1.034, various theoretical analyses have yielded values as small as 1.00 or as large as 1.2, depending on the assumptions made to model the deformation. Here the most appropriate …

A Numerical Study Of Curved Labyrinth Seals For Steam Turbines, Sricharan Kishore Ayyalasomayajula

Masters Theses

A numerical experiment has been conducted to study and evaluate the structural behavior of newly designed labyrinth seals. Structural analysis was performed to understand, evaluate and compare new seals with a baseline straight seal that is typical of commonly used seals in steam turbines. New configurations of labyrinth seal knives were developed for use in steam turbines [17]. The main objective of this study is to develop a better understanding of selected various labyrinth seals that may be configured to minimize the steam leakage and reduce seal interactions with the shaft. Computational fluid dynamic modeling of the various configurations, from …

A Reliability Case Study On Estimating Extremely Small Percentiles Of Strength Data For The Continuous Improvement Of Medium Density Fiberboard Product Quality, Weiwei Chen

Masters Theses

The objective of this thesis is to better estimate extremely small percentiles of strength distributions for measuring failure process in continuous improvement initiatives. These percentiles are of great interest for companies, oversight organizations, and consumers concerned with product safety and reliability. The thesis investigates the lower percentiles for the quality of medium density fiberboard (MDF). The international industrial standard for measuring quality for MDF is internal bond (IB, a tensile strength test). The results of the thesis indicated that the smaller percentiles are crucial, especially the first percentile and lower ones.

The thesis starts by introducing the background, study objectives, …

Peak Fitting And Peak Attribute Extraction From Capillary Electrophoresis Run Data Of Short Tandem Repeat Dna Samples, Kenneth H. Gilbert

Masters Theses

The Laboratory for Information Technologies at the University of Tennessee is developing an expert system to interpret STR DNA analytic results. An important component of the expert system fits detected peaks with analytical model equations. Information from each fitted peak is subsequently used by expert rules to identify the nature of the peak and determine its allele designation. This report documents the formulation of the peak fitting problem, discusses the various solution approaches, develops the structure of the peak fitter framework, and presents test results used to evaluate its performance.

Using STR DNA data, it was found that most peaks …

Leydig Stem Cell Differentiation In The Prepubertal Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), Michael W. Hance

Masters Theses

Leydig cells in the testis are the primary source of androgens in the adult male mammal. Therefore, the process of Leydig cell differentiation during the prepubertal period is essential to establish the Leydig cell population in the adult. Little has been published regarding the factors that regulate the postnatal Leydig cell differentiation in hamsters. However, it has been observed in adult male hamsters that Leydig cells regress under reduced photoperiods, but recrudesce with re-exposure to normal photoperiods. In the present investigation, the effects of light, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and melatonin treatment on Leydig cell differentiation in the neonatal-prepubertal hamster are investigated. …

A Statistical Based Model To Manage Perishable Goods Within A Cold Supply Chain, Amanda Rhiana Hicks

Masters Theses

"Cold chain" management, the management of a temperature sensitive supply chain, has its own particular set of logistical challenges and issues when compared to a non-temperature sensitive supply chain. Current supply chain management techniques and tools that are utilized today in industry do not take this unique set of challenges into account. This thesis will focus on how using a model that has been built upon the theories of statistical process control techniques that does take the challenges into account, when monitoring and evaluating in-transit shipment of perishable goods throughout the cold supply chain, can assist in continuously improving the …

The Bovine Coronavirus 2'-O-Methyltransferase Binds Cis-Acting Stem-Loop Iv In The 5-Prime Untranslated Region Of The Viral Genome, Tara Beth Tucker

Masters Theses

The positive-stranded coronavirus genome, at 32 kilobases in length, is the largest known viral RNA genome, and internal cis-signaling elements directing its replication have been described only within the last ten years. The bovine coronavirus genome encodes 26 proteins in the region between the 5’-terminal 210-nt untranslated region and the 3’-terminal 298-nt untranslated region. Here, genes for 5 of the 26 proteins were cloned into bacterial expression plasmids for the long-term goals of characterizing enzymatic and RNA binding properties. These genes encode enzymes postulated to interact directly with the cis-acting RNA elements and carry out RNA synthesis, namely, the …

Climate Change And International Justice, Sarah Brigid Kenehan

Masters Theses

The effects that are predicted to occur as a result of global climate change have the potential to be devastating, effecting food and water security, threatening sensitive ecosystems and species, and forcing the relocation of thousands of people. However, little has been done to effectively combat this problem for two primary reasons: there are uncertainties surrounding climate change projections and many countries are unwilling to accept their fair share of the burden. This project will attempt to reframe these problems. Specifically, I will argue that it is rational for policymakers to act on the model-generated predictions of climate change, and …

Competing For Legitimacy: The Development And Evolution Of Forest Certification In Finland, Keith Wellington Mars

Masters Theses

Forest certification in Finland has developed and evolved in favor of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) and not the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The Finnish Forest Certification System (FFCS as endorsed by PEFC) certification of forests in Finland has been achieved at an unprecedented rate and scale. This event, both in process and outcome, was highly contentious and politicized. Finland represents a microcosm of the current issues in forest certification and is ripe for study. However, few attempts have been made to explain why and how forest certification develops and evolves. This thesis sheds light …

Low-Dose Radiation Effects On Variation In Gene Expression, With Potential Application To Network Construction, Adam Tebbe

Masters Theses

The molecular responses to radiation exposure have been an avidly pursued research topic for many years now. Most of this effort has been focused on large doses of radiation, such as those experienced during a nuclear explosion or cancer treatment. Of equal importance though, are the effects of low doses of radiation, which have received much less attention. This study attempts to analyze the effects of low-dose radiation exposure on different inbred mice strains, each of which represents a unique genetic constitution. The genetic background was found to have a dramatic effect on the variability of gene expression of the …