University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
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SACSCOC Response - New Program Notification - Public Policy Changes Undergraduate Certificate
Get PDFThe Jacksons\u27 Debate
Get PDFThe Jacksons’ Debate” explores ethical dilemmas through an alien civilization considering human consumption. This philosophical sci-fi story examines sentience, moral responsibility, and societal progress from a unique perspective. Blending dark humor with social commentary, it challenges readers to reflect on human behavior and ethical decision-making in the face of necessity and scientific advancement
Hidden Players in Marine Pollution: Investigating Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Co-metabolism in Marine Bacteria
Get PDFPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic, carcinogenic pollutants that are found in nearly every environment. The recalcitrance of these pollutants makes their removal difficult, but microbial degradation has been investigated as a remediation technique. Marine environments are the final destinations for many PAHs, thus investigating marine microbes able to degrade these compounds is crucial to the mitigation of PAH pollution. While investigation into microbial PAH degraders has been conducted, most studies only focus on sole-metabolism, or the degradation of PAHs not dependent the presence of a labile carbon source. The following work investigates another PAH transformation strategy: co-metabolism. Co-metabolism, as defined in this dissertation, is the degradation of PAHs only in the presence of a labile carbon source. Despite coastal PAH pollution co-occurring with high DOC concentrations, little research has investigated co-metabolism, and even less has focused on co-metabolism within marine environments. Here, I show that PAH co-metabolism appears to be a widespread metabolic strategy among marine bacteria, with evidence from both culture collection isolates and environmental isolates. In addition, this co-metabolism appears to proceed by a different mechanism than sole-metabolism due to the lack of PAH degradation genetic biomarkers in strains capable of co-metabolism. The lack of biomarkers may explain the underrepresentation of co-metabolism PAH degraders in literature as many studies only experimentally investigate sole-metabolism and heavily rely on biomarkers to determine PAH degradation activity. Using a model marine bacterium, Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3, we found that the mechanism of co-metabolism appears to be carbon source dependent and is likely mediated by non-specific dioxygenases, one of which appears to be common in Roseobacteraceae PAH co-metabolizers. Furthermore, evidence in this dissertation suggests that co-metabolism degraders play an important role in natural attenuation of PAHs within non-chronically polluted environments. This dissertation provides a foundation for future research into PAH co-metabolism by establishing methods and contributing to the known diversity and ecology of marine bacterial PAH co-metabolizers
Peer Mentorship in R.O.T.C.
Get PDFThis study is a qualitative exploration of how cadets experience mentorship in an R.O.T.C. program at a public, R1, land-grant university in the South. This study investigates the relationship between these experiences and Kram’s (1985) conceptual model of mentorship in the workplace. The research design involves conducting semi-formal interviews with 12 cadets over a school semester. These interviews aim to understand the cadets\u27 perceptions of their mentorship relationships and the aspects they find most valuable. The findings contribute to the literature on military mentorship and provide insights into best practices for officials
Consumer Returns in Electronic Commerce
Get PDFThis dissertation has two empirical essays that explore consumer returns in electronic commerce. The goal of this work is to help online retailers to improve customer satisfaction, enhance customer loyalty, and eventually increase profitability by optimizing consumer returns management strategies.
The first essay explores the effects of customer procrastination and reverse logistics time on customer loyalty from the customer co-production perspective. We construct econometric models for the entire online return process. Using a proprietary dataset from one reverse logistics management firm, we apply logistic regression and the Cox proportional hazards regression models to verify our hypotheses. We find that both customer procrastination and reverse logistics time negatively affect customer loyalty. Our results suggest that reducing customer procrastination or shortening reverse logistics time can decrease consumer return rates and enhance customer retention. Further analysis using consumer psychology theories indicates that customer procrastination is associated with demographic factors like gender and ethnicity. These results suggest that online retailers should reconsider consumer returns not merely as an unavoidable cost of doing business but as a strategic opportunity for fostering positive customer engagement. By leveraging returns as a touch-point for enhancing customer experience, retailers can drive future sales and achieve long-term profitability.
Motivated by differences in customer procrastination across gender and ethnicity, the second essay examines how gender and ethnic diversities impact consumer returns in the luxury fashion industry. Although both gender and ethnicity are well studied in consumer behavior and retail operations, the academic literature lacks insights into how a consumer’s gender and ethnicity drive their return behaviors. We address this gap by analyzing 1.8 million online transactions across the US, using algorithms to predict customers\u27 gender and ethnicity from their names and neighborhood demographics. Through logistic regression and mediation analysis, we identify distinct return patterns across different demographic groups. These findings enable targeted operational strategies to reduce returns and increase retention, allowing firms to tailor marketing approaches to accommodate varying return tendencies among consumer groups, ultimately improving operational efficiency and supporting localized marketing strategies
FROM CELEBRITY TO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: SOCIAL APPROVAL ASSETS AND NASCENT FIRMS’ STRATEGIC BEHAVIORS
No full textMy dissertation consists of two essays on the co-construction of individual and organizational celebrity and the impact on stakeholder evaluations, ultimately influencing the competitive advantage of these celebrity types in the context of startup firms. Emotional capability is crucial for organizations when they lack rational track records to communicate with stakeholders. Celebrity is an intangible asset that enables organizations and individuals to elicits positive evaluations through emotional resonance with a broad audience, potentially serving as a competitive advantage. The first essay explores the co-evolution of startup firms and their founders’ celebrity by developing celebrity archetypes and examining the interactions and configurations determining audience’s evaluations and startup firms’ value. The second essay examines the impact of founder-CEO celebrity at initial public offering (IPO) on stakeholders’ evaluations and startup firm performance. I analyze how a founder-CEO celebrity’s presence affects stakeholders’ evaluations of startup firms regarding market valuation and operational performance. My dissertation’s objectives are (a) to showcase the archetypes of startup celebrities as communication mediums between an organization and its stakeholders and (b) to examine celebrities’ influence on startup stakeholders’ evaluation of the firm, affecting the organization\u27s competitive advantage
MOI Decomposition Techniques Applied to VQAs and TSCOTS Optimization for Microgrid MHDEV-Charging Network Design and Vehicle Scheduling
Get PDFWe consider different approaches in mathematical optimization to solve mixed integer programs for fields related in quantum computing and network infrastructure planning and scheduling for electric vehicle charging microgrid. The intersection of mathematical optimization within these two fields is discussed in Chapter 1. This work uses tools in this field in novel methods. The approaches are separated by chapters.
In Chapter 2, we propose a classical decomposition algorithm applied on combinatorial optimization problems with variational quantum algorithms. Using a particular structure seen in a class of graphs, we can exploit it and reduce the number of qubits needed to solve for the optimal objective value for a graph.
To ensure energy independence, electrification of vehicles is impertinent. Utilizing renewables and a MW-scale microgrid, we propose a mixed integer linear programming method in Chapter 3 for the planning of a MW-scale microgrid electric vehicle charging station for medium and heavy duty vehicles. Utilizing a optimal power flow and optimal transmission switching framework, a microgrid can be designed for the optimal layout of lines while maintaining some reliability critera.
Once a medium and heavy duty electric vehicle charging station with a microgrid architecture is built. It is important to schedules these vehicles in a manner to balance fulfilling the needs of the truckers to get them in and out to abide by their schedule while minimizing the effects this microgrid on the public grid. In Chapter 4, we propose two scheduling approaches, a day-ahead formulation and a heuristic model
INTERSECTIONALITY IN THE COLLEGE ATHLETE TRANSFER PROCESS: THE EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL
Get PDFIn 2018 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted the Transfer Portal (NCAA. 2021b). The online database was designed to help the compliance process as athletes were transferring from one institution to another. As the literature review demonstrates the modernity of the transfer portal impacts the quantity of available scholarship.
This dissertation explores the experiences of women of color who have navigated the NCAA transfer portal. Through 10 semi-structured interviews with athletes meeting the study’s inclusion criteria, the research was able to identify emerging themes which followed the phases of Turner’s theory of Liminality (1969). During the preliminal phases athletes encounter various obstacles that discourage retention and negatively impact their emotional well-being. These feeling prompted their decision to enter the transfer portal and the liminal state.
After leaving their initial institution, the existing in the transfer portal and liminal phase introduced an additional set of challenges for the women of color in the sample. These included an overall lack of transfer portal knowledge, negative feelings, and juxtaposition to recruitment. The identified challenges could be combated by the athlete having a positive external support system. These positive external sports allowed for a smoother transfer process for the athletes in the sample.
As the athletes exited the portal they enter the post-liminal phase. This period of incorporation was riddled with barriers to positive transitions as well as facilitators to reaggregation: some of which are directly rooted in intersectionality.
The study emphasizes the need for cultural competency among athletic staffs and the broader social structure. Women of color face unique challenges related to their ethnic and racial identities as well as across gender lines. The findings from this study allow for a richer understanding of how they navigate those challenges. The recommendations and implications provide guidance for addressing the intersectionality that shapes their academic and athletic transfer experience. Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of creating inclusive and equitable environments in college athletics
Polynorbornenes: Synthesis and Application as Gas Transport Membranes
No full textDense polymeric gas separation membranes offer a passive and energy-efficient alternative to current industrial separation methods such as carbon capture, hydrogen recovery, and natural gas purification. Polynorbornenes (PNBs) are particularly interesting as membrane materials due to the modular nature of the monomeric feedstock and the variety of appropriate polymerization techniques. For example, norbornene derivatives polymerized via vinyl addition (VA) polymerization yield polymers that maintain the bicyclic norbornane moiety within the polymeric backbone, giving rise to materials with high glass transition temperatures (Tg) and decomposition temperatures (Td). Conversely, norbornene derivatives polymerized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) yield polymers with double bonds in the backbone that exhibit rubbery properties. The tunable nature of polynorbornenes (PNBs) makes these polymers attractive materials for studying the structure-property relationships that govern gas transport properties.
However, there is a significant drawback in the polymerization of norbornene monomers. Namely, they are typically synthesized via a Diels-Alder reaction that yields a mixture of endo- and exo-substituted isomers. It has been widely reported that the endo-substituted monomers are less reactive in both VA and ROMP than their exo-substituted counterparts. Additionally, the catalysts typically employed for VA have poor functional group tolerance; notably, polar-functionalized norbornenes give rise to low molar mass polymers in low yields.
Herein, I present my contributions to the scientific community’s understanding of the polymerization of polar-functionalized norbornenes and expound upon the application of VA and ROMP PNBs as dense polymeric gas separation membranes. My first project (Chapter II) explores the coordination environment of polar vs. nonpolar norbornene monomers with neutral, single-site Ni-based catalysts used for VP. In Chapter III, I investigate monomer stereochemistry effects on the gas transport properties of VA PNBs. My final project (Chapter IV) explores the incorporation of PNB synthesized via ROMP into the backbone of highly rigid polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) as segmented block copolymers and their resulting gas transport properties