Digital Commons Network^™

The Plasma Pressure Contribution From Low-Energy (0.05–2 Kev) Energetic Neutral Atoms In The Heliosheath, André Galli, Peter Wurz, Nathan A. Schwadron, Eberhard Möbius, Stephen A. Fuselier, Justyna M. Sokół, Paweł Swaczyna, Maciej Bzowski, David J. Mccomas

Faculty Publications

Energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) from the heliosphere are a unique means to remotely image the boundary regions of our heliosphere. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) has been very successful in measuring these ENAs since 2008 at energies from tens of eV to 6 keV. The main question raised by one solar cycle of IBEX-Lo observations at 0.05–2 keV is the strong and ubiquitous underestimation of several model predictions compared with actually measured ENA intensities at energies between 100 and 500 eV. This study converts the observed ENA intensities into plasma pressures for different sky directions and considers the implications for …

Mitigation Of Alkali-Induced Ash Aerosol Particles Impacts On Solid Fuel Combustion Systems, Temitope Folusho Bankefa

Theses and Dissertations

Low-rank solid fuels impact heat transfer efficiency and energy conversion in steam generation, with adverse operational and environmental consequences. Despite the attention coal-biomass co-combustion has garnered as a climate-aware power generation alternative, inorganic species in low-rank fuel types can lead to counterproductive outcomes in combustion systems. However, improved combustion technology and fuel quality enhancement can facilitate the safe utilization of these fuels. A review of scientific literature underscores the need for research in fuel quality improvement as a climate change mitigation strategy during the global transition to renewable energy sources. Identifying problematic species in solid fuels and understanding ash formation …

The Interconnectedness Of Indigenous Health: Local, National, And International Influences, Courtney Claussen

Theses and Dissertations

Indigenous Peoples have always understood the interconnectedness of health. There are many Indigenous-specific health determinants that positively or negatively impact prevalent health conditions. Each of the products in this three-part portfolio highlight health determinants that directly or indirectly contribute to the health of Indigenous Peoples. Key topics within each product include Cultural Protocol, culturally safe practices, food security and access, type 2 diabetes, and localized health approaches. The products also highlight the historical and current impacts of colonization on Indigenous health. Each product interconnects to consider the variable ways Indigenous-specific health determinants impact Indigenous populations. In the first product, I …

Activities Eligibility: Building A More Equitable Approach To Support Students, Cory Holten

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the researcher analyzed the impact of traditional cocurricular activityeligibility practices on minoritized students, students with disabilities, and students receiving free and reduced lunches. The researcher issued a survey to staff members at Horizon Middle School in Moorhead, Minnesota to gain an understanding of the perceived impact of participation in cocurricular activities and the impact and observed disparities existing as a result of traditional eligibility practices. As a result of the findings, the researcher proposes an alternative approach focused on identifying lagging skills through the collection of student data related to academic achievement, attendance, and behavior. Instead of …

Encompassing ‘Himdag’ (Indigenous Way Of Life) To Address Cardiometabolic Disease In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities Through Research, Policy And Action, Heather Medicine Bear

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), encompassing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, present a significant health burden within American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This dissertation, through the culmination of three products, including a scoping review, policy brief and strategic planning toolkit, seeks to understand and address CMD in tribal communities through an Indigenous lens. Product #1, Interventions for Cardiometabolic Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Scoping Review, entails a thorough review of implemented CMD interventions targeting AI/AN communities to understand programmatic, clinical, and community-based prevention strategies. By synthesizing available evidence, …

On The Design Of Novel Bioplastics-Based Materials Using Advanced Blend Design And Solvent Casting, Edner Oloo

Theses and Dissertations

The development of bioplastic composites holds significant importance in addressing theescalating environmental concerns associated with conventional plastic materials, also referred to as traditional plastics. Traditional plastics are derived from fossil fuels. The utilization of fossil fuels to produce these plastic materials, and at the alarming rate they are currently being produced, contributes to several issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and plastic wastes accumulation. Therefore, development of bioplastic composites has emerged as a promising solution along with recycling. Bioplastics composites offer a sustainable alternative by utilizing degradable and renewable resources such as bioplastics (plant-based polymers) or agricultural biomass wastes. …

Numerical Investigation And Seismic Performance Evaluation Of Liquefied Natural Gas (Lng) Cylindrical Steel Storage Tanks Under Earthquake Loading, Shafqat Ullah

Theses and Dissertations

Cylindrical steel tanks are an important structural components of various industries, power plants, oil refineries, and other lifeline facilities. These liquid-filled reservoirs are prone to local instability (buckling) when exposed to lateral seismic forces. This thesis aims to study the seismic buckling performance of an empty and partially filled cylindrical steel storage tanks using finite element modeling (FEM) approaches. To validate the accuracy of the FEA ABAQUS software, the cylindrical tanks are considered for both static linear buckling, non-linear, as well as dynamic (seismic non-linear) analysis. A total of 3 cylindrical shells having 1 perfect model without carbon fiber reinforced …

Developing Educational Resources For Clinicians And Caregivers To Increase Use Of Aquatic-Based Therapy In Occupational Therapy, Katherine Childrey

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

Background: Aquatic therapy (AT) is a specialized intervention using the medium of water with therapeutic intent toward rehabilitation of specific physical and functional goals (Güeita-Rodríguez et al., 2019). AT benefits include increased joint mobility and muscle flexibility, improved head and neck control, increased attention and eye contact, improved tolerance of physical contact, and sensorimotor integration in the pediatric population (Kucher et al., 2015; Vonder Hulls et al., 2006). Physical therapists and occupational therapists (PT, OT) integrate AT into treatment plans supplemental to traditional practice. Occupational therapists facilitate performance patterns and directly influence children’s occupations of play, leisure, and social participation …

"Wait, Watch This....What Do You See?": Conceptualizing Mentor Practice In The Context Of A Video Club For Induction Mentors, Victor Vega

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Due to current teacher shortages, there is renewed interest in mentoring beginning teachers for induction. Induction is an intellectually rigorous process of enculturating novice teachers into the professional teaching community (Carver-Thomas et al., 2020). Induction programs build on novice teachers’ experiences in university teacher preparation programs by providing intensive mentor support (Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 2016). Induction programs are required to establish robust mentoring systems, which include training and meaningful support for mentors. This study examined how a video club model (van Es & Sherin, 2004) supported induction mentors in their professional learning. Understanding mentor professional learning in the context …

Assessing Even Flat-Fan Nozzles For Spot Spray Herbicide Applications, Thiago H. Vitti

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbicide efficiency in row-crop agriculture can be improved using precision technologies for controlling weeds and minimize agronomic, economic, and environmental impacts. Site-specific weed management technologies, such as spot-sprayers, allow herbicides to be sprayed only where weeds are present in the field. Understanding application parameters and their influence on weed control for site-specific spot-spray applications is essential. This research involved laboratory and greenhouse studies to investigate the coverage and coefficient of variation (CV) of even flat-fan spray nozzles under different spot-spray application scenarios, as well as the effect of weed size and application method on the control of various weed species …

Understanding And Tuning Magnetism In Van Der Waals-Type Metal Thiophosphates, Rabindra Basnet, Jin Hu

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the past two decades, significant progress in two-dimensional (2D) materials has invigorated research in condensed matter and material physics in low dimensions. While traditionally studied in three-dimensional systems, magnetism has now been extended to the 2D realm. Recent breakthroughs in 2D magnetism have attracted substantial interest from the scientific community, owing to the stable magnetic order achievable in atomically thin layers of the van der Waals (vdW)-type layered magnetic materials. These advances offer an exciting platform for investigating related phenomena in low dimensions and hold promise for spintronic applications. Consequently, vdW magnetic materials with tunable magnetism have attracted significant …

Evaluating Hmgb1 As A Biomarker For Metabolic Dysregulation And Progression Of Diabetes In A Mexican American Cohort, Peter Elvin, Walid Fakhouri, Craig Hanis, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Aim/Hypothesis: This study focuses on HMGB1 to evaluate its association with the development and progression of diabetes within a Mexican American cohort of non-diabetic (ND), pre-diabetic (Pre-D), and diabetic (D) individuals.

Methods: Data from a cohort of 40 individuals, standardized by age (61.76±11.77), BMI (32.52±7.02), and sex (58% male, 42% female) was analyzed. We assessed several immunological markers utilizing ELISA assays from buffy coats. After excluding out of range samples, the remaining 20 individuals displayed statistical significance in HMGB1. Pearson's correlation coefficient examined the relationship between HMGB1 levels and glycemic changes (HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, HOMA-IS², and HbA1c). Statistical significance …

Understanding The Challenges To Robotic-Assisted Surgery Adoption From The Perspectives Of The Human-Robot Interaction, Built Environment, And Training, Patrick A. Fuller

All Theses

Introduction: Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is a form of minimally invasive surgery that is increasing in both its adoption and development due to many perceived advantages such as tremor reduction and motion scaling. However, RAS is still relatively new and there are a variety of novel barriers and challenges to the adoption of these platforms. Objectives: This study aims to understand how the integration of RAS platforms impacts the interactions and outcomes of interactions between surgical team members to explore the barriers from three aspects critical to facilitating Robotic-assisted-surgery (RAS) adoption: the human-robotic interaction, built environment, and RAS training. Future …

How Variations In Health Status Influence Retirement Decisions?, Elham Parvizi Cherri

All Theses

Retirement date decisions are crucial for seniors. It is influenced by financial situation, health status, family conditions, planning for the rest of the life, etc. While some literature emphasizes economic well-being as a critical determinant, recent research suggests that health status is a more significant factor in retirement decisions. This thesis explores how variations in health status influence retirement decisions using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Building on the extensive use of HRS data in previous studies, this research expands their approaches and methodologies. Both subjective and objective health variables are utilized to address the potential …

Trust: The Inertia Taxonomy Of Trust And Learning Outcomes Of Trust Building Exercises, Ann B. Lyons

All Theses

This study investigates United States construction professionals’ view of trust in the workplace. In particular the focus is on building trust through trust building exercises. In order to accomplish this, a literature review was conducted focusing on trust in the worldwide construction industry. This was followed by interviews with US construction professionals who focus on team building. These interviews informed a survey sent to a wide variety of US construction professionals. The survey had two sections of content questions, 1. view of trust indicators and 2. perception of trust building exercises. Finally, experts in the field of construction team building …

Influence Of Row Pattern And Prohexadione Calcium On Peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) Maturity And Profitability, Samantha N. Mehl

All Theses

Many newer peanut cultivars offer yield benefits but have larger canopies and are taking 10 or more days longer to reach desired maturity levels. Prohexadione calcium (PC) and twin row planting pattern have been reported to increase the amount of orange, brown or black pods compared to their respective alternatives. Four cultivars were selected and studied based on frequency of use in South Carolina then paired into an earlier maturing group that reached optimal maturity at 135 to 140 days after planting, and a later maturing group that reached optimal maturity at 150 or more days after planting.

Twin row …

Interactions Between High-Pressure Processing And Natural Antimicrobials In Ground White-Meat Chicken: An Analysis Of Microbial, Textural Charactheristics And Physicochemical Changes, Amalia M. Diaz Alejandro

All Theses

High Pressure processing is an innovative technique for preserving a wide variety of foods, including meat, and this method is increasingly used to satisfy consumer demand for quality food products. High-pressure treatment can impact, negatively or positively, various aspects of meat quality, including color, texture, protein denaturation, and microbial stability, particularly when food products are processed at ambient or low temperatures. By minimizing thermal exposure, appropriate high-pressure ranges help to prevent quality and nutrition degradation, reduce microbial contamination, and enhance tenderness.

The first objective of this research was to examine the influence of high-pressure processing and addition of natural antimicrobials …

Sustainability Across The Food System In The Southeastern United States: Mitigating Restaurant Plate Waste And Exploring Peach Orchard Viability Amidst Armillaria Root Rot, Samuel Francis

All Theses

In 2023, 5.6% ($1.5 trillion dollars) of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product was derived from agriculture, food, and related industries. Despite the sector being efficient, challenges still exists. For example, food waste is a problem in the hospitality industry and farmers face challenges related to disease. To ensure the security and efficiency of the food supply, it is in our best interest to make adjustments in these sectors by taking actions such as reducing waste and mitigating food loss associated with disease. I explore two areas of the food supply that can benefit from changes, seeking to mitigate food …

Regulation Of Serpina1 Mrna Expression By Environmental Conditions In Hepatocyte Cells, Fnu Jiamutai

All Theses

The SERPINA1 gene encodes the critical protease inhibitor α-1-antitrypsin (A1AT). A1AT represses neutrophil elastase activity to protect lung tissue from inflammatory damage. A deficiency in α-1-antitrypsin can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pathogenic genetic variants in SERPINA1 are also associated with A1AT protein misfolding and liver cirrhosis. The regulatory mechanisms of SERPINA1 expression are not well understood, but previous studies suggest that alternative polyadenylation in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) affects A1AT protein expression. In this study, we used the liver cancer cell line HepG2 to determine how environmental conditions influence SERPINA1 mRNA expression and post-transcriptional regulation. We …

A Benchtop Analysis Of Pressure Offloading Associated With Custom Socket Inlays In Transtibial Prostheses, Sarah G. Hill

All Theses

Approximately 78% of people with lower limb amputations are dissatisfied with the comfort of their prostheses (Quintero-Quiroz & Perez 2019). In the case of lower limb amputations, the residual limb tissue bears far more weight than it was before the amputation. The pressure put on the soft tissue of the residual limb causes discomfort (Brown et al. 2021). In previous work, custom inlays were created, which fit inside the prosthesis and offload pressure, with the goal of helping to increase the comfort and satisfaction of the prosthesis user (Brown et al. 2021). In this project, a benchtop prosthetic socket loading …

When Hedge Funds Move In: Socioeconomic Consequences Of Single-Family Rentals, Hannah Misurati

All Theses

In this thesis I explore the effect of increased investment in the single-family rental sector on inequality and housing affordability. I measure the effect of the single family rental (SFR) share on Gini indices and median rental prices across the largest U.S. cities. I construct three non lagged and three lagged models for each of the two dependent variables. In my analysis of the relationship between SFR shares and inequality, I do not find a significant relationship after accounting for potential reverse causality. However, the relationship between SFR shares and rent prices is shown to be negative and significant once …

Impact Of Nitrogen Species On Algal Carbon Capture, Lauren J. Todd

All Theses

Increasing global carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and the resulting detrimental effects of climate change have created a need for atmospheric carbon drawdown. Biological-based carbon capture not only sequesters carbon dioxide (CO₂) but also provides a sustainable source of biomass for biofuels and biomaterials. Thus, the aim of this research was to examine freshwater green algal growth with total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) sources at high pH for improving carbon capture potential. The following objectives were accomplished: nitrogen uptake was identified as simultaneous or sequential, the effect of TAN and NO_{3 …}

Effects Of The Sea Level Rise And Hurricanes In The Coastal Forest Of South Carolina, Siddhartha Regmi

All Theses

Accessing the mortality of the trees following any disturbances is of great interest to researchers in forestry science. This thesis project assessed topographic factors to explain the patterns of tree mortality after Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and investigated continuous tree mortality in relationship to important covariates using long-term data. Aerial photographs were taken one year after Hurricane Hugo, and long-term monitoring plots were set up five years after the hurricane to collect multi-year data. Analysis and visualization showed higher mortality in concave areas near the marsh at approximately 1-2m elevation and 120-180m far from streams after Hurricane Hugo. A model …

I’M A Forest, Not A Saltmarsh, Captain: Carbon And Sap Flow Dynamics In Coastal Forested Wetlands Of The Southeastern United States, Chris Shipway

All Theses

Coastal forested wetlands are identified as some of the highest-priority ecosystems for climate change mitigation. Here, we present two studies conducted in these unique ecosystems.

The first assessed changes in aboveground vegetative C stocks along the estuarine-riverine gradients of the Winyah Bay in South Carolina and the Savannah River in Georgia, using a space-for-time substitution to increase understanding of the impacts to upper estuarine forested wetlands from relative sea level rise. Standing C stocks on the Savannah River averaged 183.6 Mg C ha^-1, while sites on the Winyah system averaged 162.3 Mg C ha^-1. The largest …

Investigations Of Sulfurized Polymers For Their Use In Lithium-Sulfur Cells, Alan M. Rowland

All Theses

With the invention of the Lithium-Ion cell in the latter half of the 20th century, there has been a continued endeavor for innovation in compact energy-storage. Combined with the ever-growing need to move away from fossil fuels, electrochemical energy storage has seen a myriad of research projects in the pursuit of finding the ‘beyond-lithium’ cell. One of these projects that I personally assisted with was lithium-sulfur cells, which allow for a significantly greater energy storage capacity when compared to lithium-ion cells. In investigating a popular cathode in lithium-sulfur cells, sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN), it was hinted that there may be more …

Estimating The Effect Of Nuclear Energy On A Country's Electricity Generation Mix: Fukushima As A Case Study, Sarah Elizabeth Zarrilli

All Theses

In this paper, I attempt to estimate the true effects of removing nuclear energy on a country’s energy portfolio, particularly how the country substitutes to other fuel sources for electricity generation and how it impacts the country’s marginal electricity prices. In 2011, anti-nuclear sentiment that arose in Japan following the meltdown of the Fukushima prefecture’s nuclear power plant resulted in the country decreasing its nuclear electricity generation from over 30% of its total supply to 0% in under two years. I use the dramatic variation across Japan’s electricity supply regions over the denuclearization period to attempt to estimate the true …

Silence In Stem? The Impact Of Experienced Social Identity Threats On Women, Madison Brumbaugh

All Theses

Despite making up a similar proportion of the workforce, women are grossly underrepresented in STEM occupations compared to men (65% vs. 35%). Prior research suggests that women’s underrepresentation in STEM results in negative consequences, such as increased psychological burnout and decreased work engagement (Hall et al., 2015; Hall et al., 2018), through the mechanism of social identity threat. Academics have yet to explore how experiencing social identity threat impacts silence behaviors for underrepresented women in STEM. Building off social identity theory and prior research on social identity threat, the current study sought to compare women working in STEM occupations who …

University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Faculty Handbook, 2024 August 1, University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Office Of Academic Affairs, University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga. Faculty Senate

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Faculty Handbooks

Governance, policies, guidelines, services, and resources managed by and for the faculty at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Investigation Of Study Strategies In Undergraduate Preparation For The Mcat And Optimizing Preparation According To Current Medical Students, Makayla Gordon

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a pivotal assessment for aspiring medical students, serving as a measure of undergraduate readiness in preparation for this huge advancement in their academic careers. Success on the MCAT requires content mastery, but to do that, strategic study approaches that are tailored to the individual, and comprehension of the test’s unique format and demands are essential. It is a common misconception that there are limited ways to study for the MCAT, while also sacrificing a legitimate understanding of the content. This project investigates further into identifying effective study methods for MCAT preparation with promise …

Global Guidance For Just Transition Policy: Policy Brief, Anna Dell'amico, Martin Dietrich Brauch, Lara Wallis, Alexandra A.K. Meisea

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

In 2015, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted Guidelines for a Just Transition Towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All, providing authoritative and valuable international guidance for just transitions. CCSI has conducted a comparative analysis of the application of the ILO Guidelines in South Africa and Germany and examined the extent to which the ILO Guidelines address energy transition challenges facing developing countries.

This CCSI Policy Brief summarizes the comparison between South Africa’s and Germany’s just transition policies and the ILO Guidelines. It also summarizes CCSI’s findings and recommendations to shape further guidance on just energy transition policymaking from …