Digital Commons Network^™

Physically Motivated Internal State Variable Form Of A Higher Order Damage Model For Engineering Materials With Uncertainty, Kiran N. Solanki

Theses and Dissertations

any experiments demonstrate that isotropic ductile materials used in engineering applications develop anisotropic damage and shows significant variation in elongation to failure. This anisotropic damage is manifest by material microstructural heterogeneities and morphological changes during deformation. The variation in elongation to the failure could be attributed to the uncertainties in the material microstructure and loading conditions. To study this deformation induced anisotropy arising from the initial material heterogeneities, we first performed uncertainty analysis using current form on an internal state variable plasticity and isotropic damage model (Bammann, 1984; Horstemeyer, 2001) to quantify the effect due to variations in material microstructure …

Quantifying Cognitive Workload And Defining Training Time Requirements Using Thermography, Jihun Kang

Theses and Dissertations

Effective mental workload measurement is critical because mental workload significantly affects human performance. A non-invasive and objective workload measurement tool is needed to overcome limitations of current mental workload measures. Further, training/learning increases mental workload during skill or knowledge acquisition, followed by a decreased mental workload, though sufficient training times are unknown. The objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate the efficacy of using thermography as a non-contact physiological measure to quantify mental workload, (2) quantify and describe the relationship between mental workload and learning/training, and, (3) introduce a method to determine a sufficient training time and an optimal …

Low-Temperature Halo-Carbon Homoepitaxial Growth Of 4h-Sic, Huang-De Hennessy Lin

Theses and Dissertations

New halo-carbon precursor, CH3Cl, is used in this work to replace the traditional C3H8 gas as a carbon precursor for the homoepitaxial growth of 4H-SiC. The traditional SiH4-C3H8-H2 systems require high growth temperatures to enable the desirable steplow growth for high-quality epilayers. A well known problem of the regular-temperature growth is the homogeneous gas-phase nucleation caused by SiH4 decomposition. However, the degree of Si cluster formation in the gas phase and its influence on our low-temperature epitaxial growth was unknown prior to this work. Growth at temperatures below 1400°C was demonstrated previously only for a limited range of substrate surface …

Business Constraints And Growth Potential Of Micro And Small Manufacturing Enterprises In Uganda, Esther Ishengoma, Robert Kappel

Business Management Review

Ugandan micro and small enterprises (MSEs) still perform poorly. Studies associating poor performance of manufacturers with lack of finance and low investment ignore micro enterprises. Those focusing on MSEs are either exploratory in nature or employ a descriptive analysis, which cannot show the extent to which business constraints explain the performance of MSEs. Thus, this paper tries to examine the extent to which the growth of MSEs is associated with business constraints while controlling for owners ' attributes and firms ' characteristics. The results reveal that MSEs ' growth potential is negatively associated with limited access to productive resources (finance …

Examination Of How Attraction Dimensions Predict Collaborative Mentoring Relationships In College Students., Ashlee Lorraine Poppo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has identified that one limitation of traditional mentoring occurs when there is a mismatch between the mentor and the protégé in work styles and personalities. Further, most of the literature on mentoring has not examined the informal mentoring that occurs between college students. Recent research has identified this type of peer mentoring as collaborative mentoring. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of interpersonal attraction in the development and success of collaborative mentoring relationships and to further examine which attraction dimension was the best predictor of the success of the relationship. Multiple regression analysis showed task …

The Relationship Between The Freshman Academy And Student Academic Success At Morristown-Hamblen High School East., Patricia Ann Sigler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a significant relationship exists between the implementation of the Morristown-Hamblen High School East (MHHSE) Freshman Academy, student academic achievement, and the high school graduation rate at MHHSE.

The testing variables included GPA, attendance, number of core course failures, number of discipline referrals, English I End-of-Course test scores, and graduation rate. Grouping variables included 8^th grade (pretreatment) and 9^th grade (posttreatment) groups, preacademy and postacademy groups, socioeconomic status, and gender. Ten faculty members of the MHHSE Freshman Academy were interviewed to ascertain their perceptions about the smaller learning …

Relationship Between Nurse Educators' Cultural Competence And Ethnic Minority Nursing Students' Recruitment And Graduation., Pearl Ngozika Ume-Nwagbo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to measure the cultural competence of nurse educators in accredited baccalaureate (BSN) nursing programs in Tennessee (TN) and investigate the relationship, if any, between nurse educators' cultural competence and the percentage of minority nursing students recruited into and graduated from these schools in the previous 5 years.

With the rapid rise of the minority population in the United States, more minority healthcare providers, including nurses, are needed to provide culturally congruent care in underserved communities. Literature has implied that nurse educators' lack of cultural competence and sensitivity regarding minority nursing students' educational needs …

A Study Of Nontraditional Undergraduate Students At The University Of Memphis., Linda G. Wood-Wyatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined nontraditional student engagement into the collegiate environment on the University of Memphis (U of M) campus, specifically services and programs in the University College. The sample surveyed included 4 nontraditional undergraduate students, 1 from each grade level, aged 25 years or older. The 4 nontraditional undergraduate study participants were admitted and enrolled at the U of M. Additionally, there was 1 alumnae member included in the study.

The study employed the use of multiple forms of data collection including interviews, personal and focus group, journaling, life stories, and an online campus climate survey. In order to analyze …

The Wood Supply System Of The Eastern United States: An Analysis Of The Socioeconomic Impacts On Local And Regional Value Chains, Clayton Bruce Altizer

Theses and Dissertations

The wood supply system is a dynamic and complex structure. Traditionally, key components of the system have been treated as stand-alone entities with very little regard to the performance of the overall system. The central component, the logging contractor, is usually viewed as a service provider and largely ignored. A value chain approach is an excellent tool to examine the primary stakeholders’ contributions to the wood supply system. The value chain for forestry usually extends completely across the physical and political landscape, reaching into the most geographically and economically remote locations. A conceptual model was developed depicting the wood supply …

Studies Of Surfactants Effect On Riboflavin Fluorescence And Its Determination In Commercial Food Products And Vitamin Tablets., William Emmanuel Ghann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A simple and economical fluorometer using blue LEDs excitation sources and simple PMT detection had been built, assembled, optimized, and employed for measurement of fluorescence from riboflavin (vitamin B₂). Surfactants have been known to enhance the intensity of fluorescence of fluorescent compounds. Fluorescence analysis of riboflavin in the presence of various anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants was also conducted to determine if they could improve analysis. However, the surfactants employed did not seem to have any meaningful enhancement; in fact, some actually diminished the fluorescence intensity of riboflavin. The procedure was linear for riboflavin from 0.01 to 2.5 …

Restrained And Other Domination Parameters In Complementary Prisms., Wyatt Jules Desormeaux

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we will study several domination parameters of a family of graphs known as complementary prisms. We will first present the basic terminology and definitions necessary to understand the topic. Then, we will examine the known results addressing the domination number and the total domination number of complementary prisms. After this, we will present our main results, namely, results on the restrained domination number of complementary prisms. Subsequently results on the distance - k domination number, 2-step domination number and stratification of complementary prisms will be presented. Then, we will characterize when a complementary prism is Eulerian or …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Perceived Parental Attachment And Coping Styles., Leslie C. Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Of all relational bonds, perhaps the strongest and most complex is the one between parent and child. The dynamics of this relationship potentially hold the key to understanding the future psychological adjustment of the child. The current study was conducted to assess the relationship between perceived parental attachment and coping styles. Undergraduate psychology students (n=300) were administered a survey to examine perceived parental attachment, coping style, and gender. In conflict with previous studies, results indicated that neither respondents' gender nor level of perceived parental attachment was significantly related to participants' reported coping style. Increased knowledge and understanding of parental attachment …

Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein D/Host Cell Surface Interaction Stimulates Chlamydia Trachomatis Persistence Via A Novel Pathway., Jennifer Vanover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When presented with certain unfavorable environmental conditions, C. trachomatis reticulate bodies (RBs) enter into a viable, yet noncultivable state called persistence. Two hallmarks of persistent chlamydiae are swollen, aberrantly shaped RBs, as viewed by transmission electron microscopy and a decrease in infectious progeny. Several models of chlamydial persistence have been described, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IFN-α, IFN-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α-exposure and nutrient deprivation. Previously, we established an in vitro co-infection model of two of the most common sexually transmitted pathogens in the United States, C. trachomatis and Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV). Data from this tissue culture model indicate that: i) …

Faculty Perceptions About Instructional Technology In Eight Community Colleges In The Tennessee Board Of Regents Higher Education System., Nicole Cardwell-Hampton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty members' perception of the status of technology support and services, their attitudes towards the incorporation of technology in general and with specific applications, and the barriers they perceive to technology use. Additionally, the study focused on the association among the predictor variables of faculty members' gender, age, professional status, years of higher education teaching experience, and tenure versus nontenure status with their degree of technology use.

An online survey was designed to collect data to address the research questions in the study. The survey consisted of 44 questions, including areas for …

Study On Methods Of Simultaneous Multi-Component Analysis., Jennifer Bernice Ashie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many new instrumentation and different instrumental techniques have been developed to deal with increasing complexity of samples encountered. Many researchers also have coupled these instrumental techniques with chemometric algorithms to assist in the quantitative analysis of multi-component samples in the hope of alleviating the need of tedious separation and cleanup procedures. These newer chemometric procedures tend to be complex and difficult to understand and implement and are successful under different circumstances and conditions. In this study, we start from the very simple beginning and examine the factors that can present difficulties with obtaining the correct results and observe how the …

Adult Texting In Context : Exploring Norms For Mature Users Of Text-Messaging Technologies., Angela M. Barlow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An online survey exploring the patterns of adult text-message use was completed by 150 traditional college age young adults ages 18-24 and 171 adults ages 25-68. Because youth traditionally are among the first group to adopt new communication technologies, much research has been conducted among the adolescent and young adult population regarding the prevalence and importance of text-messaging; however, a research deficit exists regarding adult textmessage use. Data gathered from this survey were categorized and analyzed for emergent content regarding the use of text-messaging, what roll texting plays in adult's communication patterns, the sociological impact of text-messaging on survey respondents, …

Vernacular Whimsy., Aleta Nadine Chandler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled Vernacular Whimsy at Johnson City Area Arts Council, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 1-13, 2008. The exhibition is comprised of thirty ceramic sculptures presented on pedestals. The exhibition presents the artist's investigation and reinterpretation of regional architectural elements. Practical consideration of structure, technique, and influence is discussed. Included are detailed images as well as a complete catalog of the thesis exhibit.

Tea And Sympathy: The United States And The Sudan Civil War, 1985-2005., Peter William Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The specters of violence and economic insecurity have haunted the Sudan since its independence in 1956. The United States Congress has held numerous hearings on the Sudan's civil war and U.S. television news outlets have reported on the conflict since 1983. While attempting to engage the Sudan in a viable peace process, the U.S. Congress has been beset by ineffectual Cold War paradigms and an inability to understand the complexities of the Sudan civil war. U.S. television news programs, on the other hand, engaged in a process of oversimplification, using false dichotomies to reduce the conflict into easily digestible pieces. …

An Examination Of Volunteerism: Teacher Expectations And Parent Involvement., Kenneth Carleton Lyon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this qualitative research was to learn from teachers and parents: to hear from teachers what they truly needed in the school with regard to parent involvement and to hear from parents the ways in which schools could extend a more effective welcome and the types of activities in which they were most willing to participate.

This qualitative study was conducted using interviews of parents and teachers from Title I elementary schools. The parents were interviewed to gain their perceptions of parent involvement and how effectively the school communicates parent involvement needs. Teachers were interviewed to determine their …

Geochemical Impacts From Permanganate Oxidation Based On Field Scale Assessments., Kelly Ann Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) using permanganate is a technology for treatment of organic hazardous wastes. This research is a review of 30 permanganate (MnO₄^-) ISCO sites to determine whether there are long term impacts on groundwater quality due to the introduction of the oxidant into the subsurface. A second objective is to determine if manganese concentration can be predicted by trends in specific pre and postoxidation monitored parameters (i.e., pH and oxidation reduction potential (ORP)). The final objective is to identify the effects of site and design conditions on groundwater conditions postoxidation. Results indicate that (1) …

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Forty-Ninth Annual Commencement, December 13, 2009, Illinois State University

Commencement Programs

Normal, Illinois
Illinois State University
One Hundred and Forty-Ninth Annual Commencement
December 13, 2008

The Effect Of Policy And Land Use Change On Water Quality In A Coastal Watershed City: An Analysis Of Covington, Louisiana, Kenneth Tyler Langley

Theses and Dissertations

There is currently a great need to expand the understanding of land use policy’s impact on water quality. The purpose of this thesis is to examine local policy in place in Covington, Louisiana in order to find out if it is having an impact on land use, which then has an impact on water quality. Methods used included reclassification of land use categories within a Geographical Information System and analysis of changes in the city over a four year period. Policy was assessed using a pre-existing evaluation method from The Center for Watershed Protection as well as by a more …

The Effects Of Low Atmosphere Stunning And Deboning Time On Broiler Breast Meat Quality, Vamsidhar Battula

Theses and Dissertations

A randomized complete block design with three replications (n=432, 72 broilers per treatment) was utilized to evaluate the effects of electrical (ES) and low atmosphere pressure stunning (LAPS) on the quality of broiler breast meat deboned at 0.75, 2, and 4h postmortem. The L* values were lower (P<0.05) for LAPS than ES at 4 h and 2 h deboning times. Shear force did not differ (P>0.05) between stun methods but decreased (P<0.05) as deboning time increased. Consumers were clustered into 8 groups based on preference and liking of samples. Sixtyive percent of consumers (3 clusters) liked all broiler breast treatments. Within these three clusters, some consumers preferred (P<0.05) 4 h deboned samples over those deboned at 2 h (Cluster 7), and other consumers preferred (P<0.05) those deboned at 2 h over 4 h samples (Cluster 6). Data reveals that both stunning methods provide high quality breast meat with minimal product differences.

The Perceptions Of Teachers And School Administrators Of School Effectiveness In 11 Schools In A Southern Mississippi School District, Bradford Lee Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify perceptions of teachers and school administrators in a southern Mississippi school district that could predict the overall effectiveness of a school district. The 7 correlates of effective schools were used in the study and represented the dependent variables while teacher and school administrator demographic variables represented the predictor variables. The study addressed three research questions: (a) what are the descriptive perceptions of teachers and school administrators of school effectiveness of 11 schools in a south Mississippi school district as measured by the School Effectiveness Characteristics and Indicators Questionnaire (SECIQ) (b) which correlates …

Molecular And Biochemical Analysis Of Water Stress Induced Responses In Grape, Ramesh Katam

Theses and Dissertations

Water stress affects vine productivity, disease tolerance, and enological characteristics of grape. Florida Hybrid Bunch grape are developed through hybridization of local grape spp with Vitis vinifera. These cultivars are mostly grown in southeast region of United States. Water deficit conditions resulted due to failure of rains in the region has developed concern among Florida grape growers to increase water use efficiency of grape. The goal of this research is to identify genes and proteins differentially expressed in response to water stress and to correlate these changes with enological characteristics. Investigating transcripts and proteins will allow us to correlate them …

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Metals, Bohumir Jelinek

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the development and testing of modified embedded atom method (MEAM) interatomic potentials for Al, Si, Mg, Cu, Fe, and their alloys, with primary concentration on Mg-Al system. We performed the density functional theory (DFT) based ab initio calculations to determine the structural and elastic properties of element pairs that are impractical to obtain from experimental measurements. Specifically, we estimated the cohesive energy, equilibrium atomic volume, bulk modulus, and elastic moduli of every element pair in the NaCl reference structure. Based on the results of DFT calculations, MEAM parameters for each element pair were constructed. We extensively tested …

Guest Intercalation Into Metal Halide Inorganic-Organic Layered Perovskite Hybrid Solids And Hydrothermal Synthesis Of Tin Oxide Spheres, Nilantha Bandara

Theses and Dissertations

The work presented in this thesis is divided into two research areas. In part I, the synthesis and guest intercalation of inorganic-organic metal halide ammonium layered perovskites is discussed. Comparisons are made between the solid matrix before and after the intercalations, and all solids are characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). In part II, “templateree” hydrothermal synthesis of tin oxide spheres in the presence of different ortho-substituted anilines is discussed. The aim is to determine whether there are differences in the structures, shapes and surface morphology of the tin oxide spheres that correspond to the identity/shape …

Implementation And Evaluation Of A Health Promotion Program On University Campuses, Michelle Lanphere Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is a national epidemic with approximately 66% of American adults overweight or obese, and more than 30% of Mississippians having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Only 23% of adults eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables and 75% have sedentary lifestyles. Diet and exercise play pivotal roles in preventing chronic diseases. Mississippi In Motion (MIM) is a research based, peer-reviewed curriculum for a 12-week community program designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity, encourage social support, and build self-efficacy. Program objectives are for participants to consume 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables, …

Exploration Of The Genomes Of Two Diverse Conifers, Supaphan Thummasuwan

Theses and Dissertations

My research is focused on advancing understanding of the genomes of two important distantly related conifer species, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. var. distichum). Loblolly pine is the most commercially important tree crop in the United States, the major source of pulpwood for paper manufacturing, a source of quality lumber, a prime bioenergy feedstock, and an important part of the ecosystem of the southeastern U.S. Bald cypress is the dominant tree species in the aptly named ¡°cypress swamps¡± of the South.Its ecological importance to the wetlands of the southern U.S. is immeasurable. Moreover, …

Fabrication Of Aluminum Matrix Particulate Composites By Compaction And Sintering, Wei Li

Theses and Dissertations

With the possession of extremely broad unique properties, particulate reinforced aluminum composites are very attractive in diverse applications. Aluminum matrix particulate composites are challenging to work with. A single pressing and sintering process was used to fabricate the reinforced aluminum composites in this study. The key advantage of this method is its comparative low expense. However, abrasive reinforcement powders can lead to shorter tool life. To study the fundamental wear mechanisms during the die compaction process, a new method was developed and combined with experiments to quantify tool wear. Automatic die compaction experiments and tribological experiments are employed in this …