Digital Commons Network^™

Animals In The Food Supply Chain, Jennifer L. Buntin

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Peeking Out: A Textual Analysis Of Heteronormative Images In Prime-Time Television, D. Renee Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation traces lesbian portrayals on network television from the 1960s through the 1990s. A focus on episodic dramas and situation comedies reveals a concise representation of the mediated lesbian image. Building on existing research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender images on television, this work focuses exclusively on the lesbian image broadcast free of charge over the air during prime-time on commercial networks in the United States. Using a postmodern feminist framework, this textual analysis examines the images and texts portraying lesbian characters in episodic dramas and situation comedies. Furthermore, applying a semiotic lens to the analysis dissects the …

Open Heavy Flavor Measurement At Forward Angles For Cu+Cu Collisions At Center Of Mass Nn Collision Energy 200 Gev, Irakli Garishvili

Doctoral Dissertations

The main purpose of Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) program is to study the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), a deconfined state of matter believed to be created in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. Heavy quarks, expected to be produced during the earlier stages of heavy ion collisions, serve as an important probe of the QGP.‎

‎The following dissertation presents measurements of single muons resulting from the semileptonic decay of heavy flavor quarks in the rapidity range of $1.4 < \vert\eta\vert < 1.9$ for Cu+Cu nuclei collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV measured by the PHENIX experiment. Single muon spectra were measured for three different centrality classes (0 - 20 \% , 20 - 40 \%, 40 - 94 \%) within the $p_{T}$ range of 1.0 - 4.0 GeV/c.‎

‎To calculate single muon spectra, a full background estimate was statistically subtracted from inclusive spectra of muon candidate tracks reconstructed in the PHENIX muon …

Beta-Decay, Beta-Delayed Neutron Emission And Isomer Studies Around 78Ni, Mustafa Moiz Rajabali

Doctoral Dissertations

A study of nuclei with few nucleons outside the closed shell provides benchmarks for the nuclear shell model especially in this modern era of physics where exotic doubly magic nuclei can be tested. The subject of this thesis is to experimentally investigate the properties of nuclei near ⁷⁸Ni and to confront them with the predictions of modern large scale shell model calculations. In this regard, an experiment was performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) to measure excited states in ^71-73Ni populated via the beta-decay of ^71-73Co. Data collected from this experiment lead to partial level …

Controlled Self-Organization And Tunable Collective Phenomena In Surface-Based Nanostructures, Eun Ju Moon

Doctoral Dissertations

Nanostructure systems possessing certain desirable features can arise from the self-organization of fundamental building blocks. In this thesis we explore two types of controlled self-assembly mechanisms in hetero-epitaxy: (a) classical assembly of atom vacancies into quasi one-dimensional line structures and (b) quantum-driven assembly of atoms into atomically-smooth two-dimensional thin films. In the classical assembly phenomenon, adatom vacancies, created via elastic strain-relaxation in compressively strained atom chains on a silicon substrate, self-organize into meandering vacancy lines. The average spacing between these line defects can be varied by adjusting the chemical potential μ of the adsorbed atoms. We implemented a lattice model …

Targeted Proteomics For The Characterization Of Enriched Microbial Protein Isolates And Protein Complexes, William Judson Hervey

Doctoral Dissertations

The field of proteomics encompasses the study of identities, interactions, and dynamics of all proteins expressed by a living system. Research in this dissertation blends biochemical and quantitative proteomics techniques to increase the latitude of biological applications for the bottom-up mass spectrometry proteomics approach. Together, isolation of selected protein “targets,” such as multiprotein complexes, and quantitative characterization yields information essential for more detailed understanding of microbial cell function.

Often, a challenging aspect of characterizing a variety of biochemically enriched samples is limited protein yield. This dissertation describes an enzymatic proteolysis protocol employing an organic/aqueous solvent that alleviates excessive handling steps …

Reaching Resilience: A Multiple Case Study Of The Experience Of Resilience And Protective Factors In Adult Children Of Divorce, Denis' A. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the experiences of resilience following parental divorce for university freshmen. Five participants were interviewed using a multiple case study methodology and Richardson’s (2002) resilience model as the theoretical framework. It examined how the three needs of Self-Determination theory (autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and the three categories of protective factors (individual, family, and community) contributed to resilience. Data were collected through demographic surveys, divorce artwork, resilience artwork, and interview transcriptions. General themes, typological self-determination need themes, and typological protective factor themes were developed for each individual and across cases. The findings …

A Study Of Nonlinear Combustion Instability, Eric J. Jacob

Doctoral Dissertations

Combustion instability (CI) has been persistent in all forms of propulsion since their inception. CI is characterized by pressure oscillations within the propulsion system. If even a small fraction of the dense energy within the system is converted to acoustic oscillations the system vibrations can be devastating. The coupling of combustion and fluid dynamic phenomena in a nonlinear system poses CI as a significant engineering challenge.

Drawing from previous analysis, second order acoustic energy models are taken to third order. Second order analysis predicts exponential growth. The addition of the third order terms capture the nonlinear acoustic phenomena (such as …

Biological Simulations And Biologically Inspired Adaptive Systems, Edgar Alfredo Duenez-Guzman

Doctoral Dissertations

Many of the most challenging problems in modern science lie at the interface of several fields. To study these problems, there is a pressing need for trans-disciplinary research incorporating computational and mathematical models. This dissertation presents a selection of new computational and mathematical techniques applied to biological simulations and problem solving: (i) The dynamics of alliance formation in primates are studied using a continuous time individual-based model. It is observed that increasing the cognitive abilities of individuals stabilizes alliances in a phase transition-like manner. Moreover, with strong cultural transmission an egalitarian regime is established in a few generations. (ii) A …

Physical Adsorption Of Ethylene On Mgo(100): Effects Of Substrate Ionicity And Symmetry On Wetting, Andi Barbour

Doctoral Dissertations

The wetting behavior of ethylene adsorbed on MgO(100) was investigated from 83{ 135 K using high resolution volumetric adsorption isotherms. Layering transitions for ethylene on MgO(100) are observed below the bulk triple point at 79.2 K and 98.4 K, respectively. From these isotherms, thermodynamic quantities associated with physical adsorption are determined. It was found that the average area occupied by ethylene on MgO(100) is around 22.6 squared angstroms per molecule. Using the two dimensional isothermal compressibility, the location of two potential phase transitions are identified at 108.6 K and 116.5 K for the first and second layer, respectively. The potential …

Data Mining With Multivariate Kernel Regression Using Information Complexity And The Genetic Algorithm, Dennis Jack Beal

Doctoral Dissertations

Kernel density estimation is a data smoothing technique that depends heavily on the bandwidth selection. The current literature has focused on optimal selectors for the univariate case that are primarily data driven. Plug-in and cross validation selectors have recently been extended to the general multivariate case.

This dissertation will introduce and develop new and novel techniques for data mining with multivariate kernel density regression using information complexity and the genetic algorithm as a heuristic optimizer to choose the optimal bandwidth and the best predictors in kernel regression models. Simulated and real data will be used to cross validate the optimal …

Why Foreign Counterinsurgency Campaigns Fail, Donald Frederick Butler

Doctoral Dissertations

Why have foreign counterinsurgency operations had such low success rates since 1945? While operations of this type succeeded at the rate of 85.71% during the period of 1816-1945, they declined by 56.30 percentage points to just 29.49% during period of 1945-1997 (Sarkees, 2000: 123-144). This occurred even though foreign powers were often fighting in the same territories where they had previously been overwhelmingly victorious.

I argue that military defeats suffered by European states during the Second World War convinced the peoples of the developing world that colonial control could be successfully challenged. As guerrilla struggles emerged in post-war Asia and …

Congestion And Price Prediction In Locational Marginal Pricing Markets Considering Load Variation And Uncertainty, Rui Bo

Doctoral Dissertations

This work investigates the prediction of electricity price and power transmission network congestions under load variation and uncertainty in deregulated power systems. The study is carried out in three stages.

In the first stage, the mathematical programming models, which produce the generation dispatch solution, the Locational Marginal Price (LMP), and the system statuses such as transmission congestions, are reviewed. These models are often referred to as Optimal Power Flow (OPF) models, and can be categorized into two major groups: Alternating Current OPF (ACOPF) and Direct Current OPF (DCOPF). Due to the convergence issue with the ACOPF model and the concern …

“The Youngest Of The Great American Family”: The Creation Of A Franco-American Culture In Early Louisiana, Cinnamon Brown

Doctoral Dissertations

On April 30, 1803, the Jefferson administration purchased French Louisiana. Initially American lawmakers rejoiced at the prospect of American domination of the Mississippi River. Yet within a few short months this optimism was replaced with uncertainty and alarm as lawmakers faced the task of incorporating Lower Louisiana into the Union. As Americans tackled the many unintended consequences of the Louisiana Purchase, Louisianans also had to confront the ramifications of the landmark acquisition and the encroachment of a new American government in their lives. From 1803 to 1815, American lawmakers and Louisianans embarked on a parallel journey to incorporate Lower Louisiana …

A Study Of Presidential Derailment In Public Research Universities, Keith Shaw Carver

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this interpretive, multiple case qualitative study was to explore factors associated with presidential derailments in public research universities. The case studies involved interviews, document analysis, and observation. The population consisted of four public research universities in the United States. These varied and diverse sources of information produced the data for the investigation.

The findings revealed five derailment themes among the four cases. These were: problems with interpersonal relationships, poor selection of advisors, flawed search processes, unethical behavior, and the failure of the president to change or adapt to the new organization upon assuming the presidency. Three of …

Functional Connectivity Of Eeg Loreta In Cortical Core Components Of The Self And The Default Network (Dnt) Of The Brain, Rex Lee Cannon

Doctoral Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Recent research exploring cortical functional connectivity defines a default network (DNt) of brain function and activation of a core midline network (CMS) in the processing of self. The electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in these components of the human DNt and CMS is not well understood. METHODS: This study was conducted with 63 participants. Individuals were recorded during eyes-closed (ECB) and eyes-opened (EOB) baselines and active task (AT) conditions (e.g., self-referential, self-image, self-concept, recent symptomology, other face and object processing). We estimated EEG source localization with standardized low resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA). Subjective experience was obtained for baselines and photographic conditions. …

Sequence-Based Specification Of Embedded Systems, Jason Martin Carter

Doctoral Dissertations

Software has become integral to the control mechanism of modern devices. From transportation and medicine to entertainment and recreation, embedded systems integrate fundamentally with time and the physical world to impact our lives; therefore, product dependability and safety are of paramount importance.

Model-based design has evolved as an effective way to prototype systems and to analyze system function through simulation. This process mitigates the problems and risks associated with embedding software into consumer and industrial products. However, the most difficult tasks remain: Getting the requirements right and reducing them to precise specifications for development, and providing compelling evidence that the …

Small Windows Of Hope: Understanding The Meaning Of Fatigue Experienced By Cancer Patients, Lois Starnes Doane

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to describe the experience of early stage breast cancer women who were living with cancer-related fatigue. Using a phenomenological approach based on the work of Merleau-Ponty, the researcher completed six interviews in which women described the experience of being tired each day.

Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a hermeneutical approach developed by Pollio and applied to nursing research by Thomas. Each interview was examined within the context of all the interviews to identify themes noted in all transcriptions. Dealing with the prevailing and profound fatigue that entrenched these women‟s lives was overwhelming. …

Automated Correction And Optimized Contrast Enhancement Of Multi-Line Ccd Images, Zhiyu Chen

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation addresses automated correction and optimized contrast enhancement of multi-line CCD images for inspection and surveillance applications, focusing on three topics: multi-line CCD imaging systems setup, automated correction of multi-line CCD images, and automatic optimized image contrast enhancement.

generation, low cost, etc. However, due to the physical separation of line CCD sensors for the red (R), green (G), blue (B) color channel, the color images acquired by multi-line CCD cameras intrinsically exhibit a color misalignment defect, which is expressed as that the edges of objects in the scene are separated by a certain number of pixels in the R, …

Sociality, Cognition And Social Learning In Turtles (Emydidae), Karen Marie Davis

Doctoral Dissertations

Turtles are little studied with respect to learning, cognition and social behavior in spite of being phylogenetically a central group. Populations of many species of these long-lived animals are declining due to commercial activities (pet trade and food), pollution, and habitat destruction. This integrative study of freshwater turtle (Emydidae) behavior investigated their sociality, individual learning and memory capabilities, and the ability of turtles to learn from others.

First, I studied turtle underwater social behavior which involved naturalistic observations and ethogram development of the underwater social behavior of (Family Emydidae) at the Chattanooga Aquarium. Turtle social behavioral repertoire and interaction sequencing …

Morphological And Molecular Systematics Of Psychodidae (Diptera), Gregory Russel Curler

Doctoral Dissertations

A general overview of family Psychodidae is given. Genus Eurygarka Quate is revised to include three species. Genus Gondwanoscurus Jezek is revised to include seven species. The status of genus Stupkaiella Vaillant is revised. Eight new Nearctic species: Eurygarka cyphostylus sp. nov., E. nelderi sp. nov., Stupkaiella lasiostyla sp. nov., S. robinsoni sp. nov., S. capricorna sp. nov., Trichomyia rostrata sp. nov., Australopericoma delta sp. nov., and Threticus thelyceratus sp. nov., and two new Oriental species: Gondwanoscurus cruciferus sp. nov. and G. ornithostylus sp. nov. are described. Two Nearctic species: Eurygarka helicis (Dyar) and Stupkaiella bipunctata (Kincaid), and four Oriental …

Studies Of Tungsten Alkyl Alkylidyne Compounds And Iron Porphyrin Derivatives, Brenda Ann Dougan

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on two research projects. The first project examines the reactions of tungsten(VI) alkyl alkylidyne and bis-alkylidene complexes with phosphines and water and the studies of thermodynamics and kinetics of the reactions. These studies have been conducted in part to determine the mechanistic pathway in the formation of novel tungsten(VI) species. The second portion of this dissertation focuses on the spin density and structures of biomimetic Fe(III) porphyrin derivatives using neutron and X-ray diffraction techniques. The spin density and magnetic properties of an Fe(III) porphyrin derivative has been determined by polarized neutron diffraction.

In the first portion of …

Child Parent Relationship Therapy: Hope For Disrupted Attachment, Carolyn Carlisle Hacker

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) was an effective method of treatment for reducing behaviors associated with attachment difficulties experienced by foster children who have been removed from their family of origin. This study also sought to determine if the age of the foster child, the gender of the foster child, or the number of foster placements would also influence behaviors associated with attachment difficulties. This study was conducted with a pre-test, post-test, quasi-experimental group, control group design format using the Randolph Attachment Disorder Questionnaire (RADQ) assessment instrument. The quasi-experimental group received …

The Design And Synthesis Of Biotinylated Tylophorine Analogues For Use As Affinity Probes In The Elucidation Of The Cellular Targets Of Dcb-3503, Samson Francis

Doctoral Dissertations

The tylophorine analogue, DCB-3503 (1-62b, NSC-716802), has been found to exhibit broad spectrum activity in vitro in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) panel of 60 human-derived cell lines. Recent studies involving HepG2, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, and two pancreatic ductal carcinoma cell lines (PANC-1 and HPAC), have suggested that DCB-3503 (1-62b) exerts its unique growth inhibition properties by modulating nuclear factor kappa B activity as well as through the inhibition of nuclear protein synthesis. However, the physiologically relevant protein binding partner(s) of DCB-3503 (1-62b) have not been identified. Herein, the design and …

A Pure Test Of Backward Induction, Kelly Padden Hall

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a simple computerized game to serve as a pure test of backward induction and then tests the game in the laboratory. One of the fundamental assumptions of neoclassical economic theory is that human beings function as fully rational agents who maximize their utility over multidimensional alternatives under economic constraints. However, numerous studies have shown systematic deviation from rational decision making in a laboratory setting. While no single explanation is obvious for this suboptimal behavior, the literature suggests other motivations (besides maximizing utility) may be at play, including reciprocity, trust, reputation, and welfare. The "Race to 21" game …

The Impact Of Met-Expectation Of Organizational Justice On Attitudinal And Behavioral Outcomes Of Intercollegiate Athletics Coaches, Seungmo Kim

Doctoral Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to examine coaches’ perceptions of distributive, procedural, and interactional justice regarding current resource distribution systems in intercollegiate athletics in terms of sport types (high profile sports vs. low profile sports) and gender of players (male participant sports vs. female participant sports) and the impacts of direct or indirect organizational justice on coaches’ attitudinal (job satisfaction and affective organizational commitment toward organization and supervisor) and behavioral (organizational citizenship behavior for organization and supervisor) outcomes through the mediating effects of met expectations, outcome satisfaction, and social exchange relationships (perceived organizational support and leader-member exchange) via a …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Branched Polyelectrolytes: Star-Branched Napss, Daniel W. Holley

Doctoral Dissertations

In this thesis, we examined the effect of branching on the solution characteristics of polyelectrolytes using a set of star-branched NaPSS. The polystyrene precursors to these polyelectrolytes were synthesized using anionic polymerization allowing for the production of three distinct groups of star-branched polystyrenes with varying functionality and arm length.

Following sulfonation, several methods commonly employed in the literature for evaluation of sulfonation degree we established that sulfonation was quantitative. TGA was also demonstrated to reveal important characteristics of the sample.

We used aqueous SEC coupled with a multiple angle light scattering detector to determine several molecular characteristics of the star-branched …

Effects Of Overload And Underload On Internal Strains/Stresses And Crack Closure During Fatigue-Crack Propagation, Soo Yeol Lee

Doctoral Dissertations

The overload and/or underload occurring during constant-amplitude fatiguecrack growth result in the retardation and/or acceleration in the crack-growth rate, making it difficult to predict the crack-propagation behavior and fatigue lifetime. Although there have been numerous investigations to account for these transient crackgrowth behavior, the phenomena are still not completely understood.

Neutron and X-ray diffraction, and electric-potential measurements were employed to investigate these transient crack-growth micromechanisms; gain a thorough understanding of the crack-tip deformation and fracture behaviors under applied loads; and establish a quantitative relationship between the crack-tip-driving force and crack-growth behavior. Five different fatigue-crack-growth experiments (i.e., fatigued, tensile overloaded, compressive …

An Automated Diagnostic Tool For Predicting Anatomical Response To Radiation Therapy, Carley Elizabeth Harris

Doctoral Dissertations

A "Clinical Decision Support System" (CDSS) is a concept which has advanced rapidly in health care over the last few decades, and it is defined as "an interactive computer program that is designed to assist physicians and other health professionals with decision-making tasks." Radiation therapy oncologists are required to make decisions that do not involve making a disease diagnosis. Therefore this work focuses on developing a modified CDSS which can be used to aid oncology staff in identifying cancer patients who will require adaptive radiation therapy (ART).

An image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) tool was developed that consists of both diagnostic …

Design And Synthesis Of Novel Tylophorine Analogs And Their Biological Activity, Julio Gutierrez

Doctoral Dissertations

Alkaloids containing the nitrogen atom in the bridgehead position of two rings, such as indolizidine, pyrrolizidine, and quinolizidine alkaloids, have a wide and varied distribution in nature. Some of these alkaloids demonstrate a broad range of pharmacological activities and have generated substantial synthetic interest. This thesis covers the total synthesis of novel tylophorine analogs called DCB 3503, DCB 3506, DCB 3507, DCB 3508, DCB 3509, and a derivative with a biotinylated chain attached to DCB 3506 for use as a biological probe. This thesis discusses the biological activity of these compounds as well.