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 …

Relational Aggression In Adolescent Girls: Developing Self-Esteem For The Target Girl, Lisa Suzanne Gulch

Masters Theses

Relational aggression (RA) is rampant in our schools, especially in middle schools across America. The name-calling, rumors, exclusion, eye-rolling, and whispers work to undermine relationships between and amongst girls. Because RA is covert in nature, the behavior goes mostly unnoticed by the adults in these girl’s lives. Society conditions girls, from a very young age, to respond to aggressive behaviors by not being aggressive back; girls are supposed to be nice. The target of relational aggression is especially hurt by this behavior. She generally suffers from low self esteem and poor social skills, and when put up against a clique, …

Cloning, Overexpression, Purification And Characterization On N-Terminal Metal Binding Domains 5 And 6 Of Wilsons Disease Protein, David Achila

Masters Theses

Wilsons disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism which results from mutations in the gene encoding for Wilson disease protein (WDP). The cytosolic N-terminus of WDP comprises six metal binding domains each containing a conserved metal binding motif, GMXCXXC. The contribution of these metal binding domains to copper homeostasis is poorly understood. We have cloned, expressed and purified residues 485 to 633 corresponding to N-terminal metal-binding domains 5 and 6 of WDP (WD5-6). Two of the 3 disease causing mutations in the N-terminal metal binding domains of WDP occur one in each of these domains and the two …

Detecting And Mapping The Michigan Vegetation Tension Zone Using Ecological Indicators, Janice Marie Fulford

Masters Theses

Ecotones are areas of transition between adjacent ecosystems that exist at various geographic scales, and are useful in measuring climatic changes. Ecotones are defined by their length and breadth and the ability to detect and map an ecotone from a specific period in time would be useful in measuring current and future change.

The study focused on a 1880's vegetation ecotone in the center of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This was achieved by deriving ecological variables from the U.S. public land survey's tree species data. These variables were then used to ascertain the length of the ecotone by finding the boundary …

Hispanic Political Power: A Case Study Of Southwest Michigan, Jason Glatz

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the relationship between rising Hispanic immigration and its influence on voting patterns. It examines thirteen Southwestern Michigan counties and compares averaged Republican voting percentages from past elections for the U.S. House of Representatives with the 2000 election. Previous research has established that Hispanics, with the exception of Cubans, predominantly vote for Democratic candidates. If this relationship is true for Southwest Michigan, areas with increasing Hispanic populations should display diminishing Republican voting percentages.

A normal Republican vote was computed for 284 minor civil divisions from the period immediately preceding significant Hispanic immigration and was compared to the 2000 …

The Development Of Computational Tools For Halo Analysis And Study Of Halo Growth In The Spallation Neutron Source Linear Accelerator, Dirk A. Bartkoski

Masters Theses

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), being built at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, utilizes a high intensity particle accelerator for neutron production. One of the challenges in SNS, as with all high intensity accelerators, is to minimize the amount of beam lost. High beam losses can cause costly damage and lead to residual activation of accelerator components, which complicates routine maintenance.

One of the key components in beam loss at SNS is the development and propagation of beam halo. Halo particles are those driven to large amplitudes by space charge forces between the beam particles or by mismatch between the …

Cloning And Characterization Of Three Alleles Of The Mouse Furloss (Frl) Gene, Heather Marie Dech

Masters Theses

Single-gene mutations in the mouse serve as useful models for understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of human diseases. Three dominant autosomal mutations affecting skin, hair and eye development in the mouse were recovered in mutagenesis experiments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Previous work demonstrated that these mutations constitute an allelic series at the mouse Furloss (Frl) locus, and they were given the symbols Frl^a, Frlb and Frlc. The heterozygous phenotypes of all three mutants are similar; the mice appear normal at birth but gradually lose their hair until the hair follicles and sebaceous …

Effect Of Surface Morphology On Adsorption-Induced Bending Of Microcantilevers, Ramya Desikan

Masters Theses

Microcantilevers undergo bending due to molecular adsorption when adsorption is confined to a single surface. The origin of the adsorption-induced force is assumed to be surface stress variation due to molecular adsorption. Single crystal silicon cantilevers were etched for a series of different time periods using two different types of Potassium Hydroxide solutions in order to obtain a rough and a smooth finish on the cantilever surface. Cantilevers that approximately had the same resonance frequency in the rough and smooth etched categories were chosen for comparison in the experiment. Liquid phase adsorption of 1-Do-decan-thiol on the cantilevers having a thin …

Effect Of Chitosan And Water Soluble Chitosan Coatings On Quality Of Small Fruits, Jason Ki-Myung Noh

Masters Theses

Edible coating has been applied on the surface of fresh produce to extend shelf-life by suppressing respiration, transpiration, and microbial growth. The coatings, thus, can help decrease moisture and weight loss, and may offer a protective barrier against bacterial contamination and spoilage. Recent studies have indicated chitosan as an effective coating that extends shelf-life and improves a storability of fruits. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of natural biodegradable chitosan coatings in extending shelf-life and quality of fresh small fruits, such as blueberries and grapes. Fruits were dipped for 30 seconds in 1% chitosan in 1% …

Effect Of Long Term Resistance Training On A Senior Population With Trained Peer Leadership, Richard John Burke Iii

Masters Theses

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the physical effects of a two-year peer-led resistance training and aerobic program in a group of community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Nine community-dwelling older adults (Age = 81.2 ± 7.1 yrs; Males = 1, Females = 8) were trained for six weeks, monitored and corrected for one year, and then completed two years of peer-led weight training three days/week. Pre and post training physical function assessments included 6-minute walk distance (endurance, functional mobility and gait speed), 8 foot timed up-and-go (balance and agility), back scratch (shoulder flexibility), sit-and-reach (flexibility), number of …

An Experimental Study Of Axisymmetric Cavity Oscillations In Low Speed Incompressible Flow, Jeremy David Brice Smith

Masters Theses

This study is the latest increment of an ongoing research effort at the University of Tennessee Space Institute with the goal of accomplishing a greater understanding of cavity instabilities and or making use of the instabilities to amplify their effects on the flows. An experimental procedure was designed to examine the unsteady pressure pulses that occur when an incompressible fluid (water) flows through an axisymmetric cavity. The length to depth ratios (L/D) examined ranged from about 0.69 to about 6.2, and the average flow Reynolds numbers ranged from 0 to 1.2 million.

Results show that large amplitude oscillations are generated …

Comparative Properties Of Polymers Guiding The Development Of An Abdominal Aorta Model, Benjamin Michael Lamie

Masters Theses

Hemodynamics, the study of the forces involved in the circulation of blood, is an area that researchers have approached in various manners for many years. The study of how blood flows through arteries and veins as well as the effect of the composition of the blood has been defined and thoroughly characterized in past studies. Although in-depth studies have been performed on the flow characteristics of blood, most often the observations are made as the fluid flows through tubes composed of some rigid material. It is well known that the arteries and veins have a layered histology that show varying …

Enhancing System-On-Chip Verification Using Embedded Test Structures, Wei Jiang

Masters Theses

In this project, we designed and implemented a System-on-Chip platform with embedded test structures. The baseline platform consists of a Leon2 CPU, AMBA on-chip bus, and an Advanced Encryption Standard decryption module. Reconfigurable test logic blocks were embedded to form the test structure that can be used in post-silicon debug and verification.

The System-on-Chip platform was designed at the register transistor level and implemented in an 180nm CMOS process. Test logic instrumentation was done with DAFCA, Inc. (Design Automation for Flexible Chip Architecture) pre-silicon tools. The design was then synthesized using the Synopsys Design Compiler and placed and routed using …

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 …

Human Resources Management: An Exploration Of Strategic Human Resources Management In Michigan Police Organizations, Jason L. Hunt

Masters Theses

There exists in the law enforcement community an antiquated notion that reactive management policies and practices are sufficient for the day-to-day operations of police organizations (Tafoya 1986,1990; Manning, 1997; Anderson, 2000). The law enforcement community remains highly resistant to change and unfortunately maintaining the ‘status quo’ inhibits the ability of police organizations to prepare for the uncertainties of an ever-changing environment (Tafoya, 1990; Manning, 1997; Anderson 2000).

The research presented here demonstrates the need for the law enforcement community to evaluate management strategies and move toward proactive management practices that are promoted from within the organization rather than from outside …

Paper Substrates For Electronic Printing, Laura K. Wood

Masters Theses

Printed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) labels utilize conductive inks to provide the means for wireless flow of electronic signals. An RFID label is an identification label with an integrated circuit and antenna that transmits data via radio waves to a reader, which sends the data to a computer for processing. RFID labels allow manufacturers and retailers to accurately track their inventory more efficiently than previously possible with bar codes. However, etched metal RFID labels are too expensive for widespread implementation. The key to reducing the cost of RFID technology is replacing etched metal tags with tags printed with conducting ink. …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise Of Plasma Volume Expansion In Men – Variations Of The Intensity/Duration Relationship, Christopher Matthew Gregory

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the exercise variables of intensity and duration in relation to PV expansion during an acute bout of exercise, when the total amount of work performed was kept constant. Six male subjects completed a maximal graded exercise test and three two-day experimental trials. During the experimental trials, each subject performed one of three exercise protocols on a cycle ergometer: 50% VO_2peak (60 minutes), 65% VO_2peak (45 minutes), and 80% VO_2peak (30 minutes). Measurements of hematocrit, hemoglobin, and serum albumin and total protein concentrations were obtained before exercise (BASE), immediately post-exercise …

A Model Of The Natural Spread Of The Invasive Insect Species Emerald Ash Borer In The Lower Peninsula Of Michigan, Jennifer L. Weller

Masters Theses

More than 8 million ash trees in southeast Michigan have been killed by an infestation of the invasive insect species emerald ash borer (EAB). Since its identification in July 2002, EAB has been found in Ontario (Canada), Ohio, Indiana, and across Michigan. To date, EAB research has concentrated on the entomological classification and no systematic prediction of the pest's diffusion has been made.

This research presents a predictive model for the spread of EAB across the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Limited data on ash tree population distribution, ·. infestation distribution, and the dispersal rate of the emerald ash borer required …

Development Of A Web-Based Gis For Groundwater Exploration In Arid Lands, Nakul Manocha

Masters Theses

A three-fold exercise was conducted to assess the groundwater potentiality in the Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt. First, a database was generated to host all relevant data sets in a GIS environment for a better understanding of the spatial relationships between these data sets. Co-registered digital mosaics were generated from relevant data sets including remote sensing (e.g., Landsat TM, SIR-C, SRTM, TRMM), geochemical (solute concentrations, O and H stable isotope composition), geological (geologic maps), and hydrological (lithology, depth to water table) data sets. Second, a web-based GIS interface (ArcIMS) was developed to provide a vehicle for data analysis, visualization, and …

Simulating Discriminatory Profiling, Oscar Neal

Masters Theses

There is a concern that racial profiling is being used to invoke searches and stops in spite of its violation of the fourth amendment. Simulation methods are used to study the correlation test of stops, searches and citations with race, age, and gender. The design uses sensitivity analysis of inputs to determine their relationship to outputs statistics of a police department's citations and stops. Experimental results are than used to verify and predict departmental bias. A simulation program written in Visual Basic is used as a tool to explore simulation techniques. A formulation of simulation uses in studying discriminatory profiling …

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 …

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Sajjad Ali Khan

Masters Theses

The maintenance and repair work in the civil engineering infrastructures develops the production of huge wastes which causes the growth of waste piles, additional costs in construction projects and some environmental problems. If this waste is recycled and used again in construction projects, it will help to overcome the problems discussed earlier. Moreover, if natural aggregates are supplemented by recycled aggregate, it will preserve the natural resources and also put a pause in the deterioration of natural landscape.

This thesis addresses the importance of using recycled aggregate in concrete structures. Its practical feasibility in construction projects is studied in light …

Mixing Flow Structures Of Scalloped, Forced Lobed Mixers Using Piv And Plif Measuring Techniques, Nathan J. Cooper

Masters Theses

An Experimental study of internal forced lobed mixers similar to those used in jet aircraft engines is performed using whole field species concentration and velocity measuring techniques. Planar temperature and velocity measurements using Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) and 2D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) are performed for lobed, lobed scalloped and splitter mixers in aqueous solution. Specific emphasis is given to study scallops or notches cut into the mixer trailing edge and their role in mixing enhancement. Mixing is compared through velocity and species concentration measurements on axial and streamwise planes for the three dimensional, forced mixers in a confined …

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties Of Self-Consolidating Concrete, Bhusan Basnet

Masters Theses

The concept of Self-Consolidating Concrete is a fresh and rapidly ramping technology in USA, but in some other continents such as Japan and Europe it is in fully fledged stage. The development of this technology has a high potential to economize construction minimizing labor, scheduled time and equipment eliminating consolidation process. In USA, construction professionals are reluctant to its in-effect application because of lack of deliberate and methodological steps for production and applications. The lack of study of its durability characteristics and confusion in design and production process are seems to be vital factors hindering full scale production and application …

Ductile Regime Nano-Machining Of Silicon Carbide, Biswarup Bhattacharya

Masters Theses

This thesis describes experimental work carried out to study the ability to ductile . single point diamond turn both polycrystal Silicon Carbide (SiC) and chemically vapor deposited (CVD) SiC. A Precitech diamond turning machine was used for ductile regime machining of polycrystal SiC at depths of 10 and 25 nm. The possibility of machining SiC in the ductile mode was substantiated by post process analysis of the chips collected during machining and the surface profiles. The force data obtained during machining was recorded and compared later with the different depth of cuts. An investigation into the ability to single point …

Determination Of Stiffness Matrix Of Tapered Roller Bearings For Vibration Models, Jeeva Kumar

Masters Theses

The stiffness matrix of tapered roller bearings under radial and axial load conditions was evaluated using an analytical model and an experimental approach. An experimental test system was designed and manufactured to determine the radial stiffness of the bearing under combined axial and radial load conditions. A second fixture was designed to measure the stiffness of the bearing under pure axial load conditions. The stiffness coefficients determined have been compared with those obtained from the analytical model, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) data and ABAQUS model (finite element analysis software).

The Effects Of Feedback On Hourly Pay And Individual Monetary Incentives, Douglas A. Johnson

Masters Theses

The effects of performance feedback when individuals received fixed or individual incentive pay were examined. A 2 X 2 factorial design was used with approximately 30 college students in each group. Participants attended six experimental sessions. They entered the cash value of simulated bank checks presented on a computer screen. Monetary incentives increased the number of correctly completed checks (p = .000); however feedback had no effect (p = .825). Time spent working and rate of performance correlated strongly with the number of checks completed correctly, suggesting that both influenced the checks completed correctly. The results suggest that incentives increase …

The Journey Of A Social Movement: A Glimpse Into Hizb 'Allah And Its Integration Into The Lebanese Landscape, Lisa L. Peters

Masters Theses

Historically, research in Social Movement Theories has been limited to only certain aspects of a social movement, whether it was the impetus of the movement, explaining the reasons for its mobilization, how they recruit members and money, how social movements are able to function as an organization, or why groups suffer demise after flourishing for a period of time. This research attempts to build a framework of a particular social movement, Hizb'allah, a Shi'a Islamic movement based in Lebanon. This framework is built by extracting various elements from several social movement theories to explain and illustrate this movement's life course …

Systems For Predicting Pitzer’S Ion-Interaction Model Parameters, Theresa Balderas Obias

Masters Theses

Pitzer's Ion-interaction Model had been widely used in predicting the non-ideal behavior of solution over a wide range of conditions for natural water systems. The model is successful only when there are sufficient parameters available. However, generating these needed parameters requires a great quantity of work and it would be advantageous to be able to predict the Pitzer's parameters for salt systems when there is no data available.

This research entailed the development of ionic radii dependent equations for Pitzer's binary ion-interaction parameters β_MX⁽⁰⁾, β_MX⁽¹⁾, β_MX⁽²⁾, and C^ϕ_MX . …

Gambling On A Simulated Slot Machine Under Conditions Of Repeated Play, Andrew Ellis Brandt

Masters Theses

Three experiments using a parametric, single-subject design investigated gambling behavior in eight adult humans on a slot-machine simulation. Participants were staked with credits exchangeable for money prior to each session. Experiment 1 a was a systematic replication of Weatherly and Brandt (2004), which investigated the effects of percentage payback (the amount of money gained as a proportion of the amount of money bet) on gambling. Percentage payback was varied from 50% to 110% across conditions. Consistent with Weatherly and Brandt, gambling did not vary systematically across percentage-payback conditions. Experiment 1 b replicated Experiment 1 a but also included forced-exposure sessions …