University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
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FALLOUT: GALVANIZING ATTENTION TOWARD SLOW VIOLENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE
No full textIn this thesis, I examine how documentary film may serve as an effective tool for galvanizing attention to environmental harm. Here, I focus on the documentary Fallout (2023), produced by Alyssa Carpenter, which highlights three individuals experiencing illnesses potentially linked to toxic exposures from open burning at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Southwest Virginia. Using slow violence as my primary theoretical framework, and literature on the use of social cinema and eco-documentaries, I explore how environmental documentaries can make visible the often-invisible impacts of environmental contamination and galvanize attention toward slow violence.
For this study, I employed mixed qualitative methods, including a content analysis of Fallout and focus group discussions with nine participants who viewed the film. Coding and analysis of the focus group responses revealed two complementary dimensions through which the documentary effectively communicates environmental harm. First, the film depicts how toxic exposure disrupts deep connections to place and creates profound experiences of loss, providing emotional entry points for viewers. Second, the documentary employs specific sensory techniques —including strategic sound design, visual imagery, and temporal manipulation— that make slow violence tangible and immediate.
Responses from focus group participants suggest these documentary approaches can help translate slow violence into visceral, relatable experiences. Participants consistently connected the film’s content to environmental threats in their communities and expressed both emotional engagement and increased concern about environmental issues. By examining both the documentary’s content and techniques alongside audience responses, this study revealed how documentary films such as Fallout can help make slow violence visible and meaningful to audiences who might otherwise remain disconnected and unaware of lesser-known environmental harms
THE WHITESBURG BRIDGE SITE, MONUMENTALITY, AND POPULATION MAINTENANCE IN THE MIDDLE TENNESSEE RIVER VALLEY, USA
No full textWithin the Middle Tennessee River Valley and throughout the Southeast the Late Archaic period (ca. 5,800 to 3,000 cal yr B.P.) was a time of change in resource procurement and cultural patterns. Horticulture was practiced in the region (Anderson and Sassaman 2012; Carmody 2014; Chapman and Watson 1993; Fritz 1997; Gremillion 1998, 2004; Hollenbach and Carmody 2019; Sassaman 1993; Scarry 2003; Yarnell 1993; Yarnell and Black 1985) and large accretional middens/shell mounds were formed from the remains of processed gastropods. These middens have been interpreted as both spoil piles (Marquardt and Watson 2005; May 2005; Milner and Jeffries 1998; Webb 1939, Webb and DeJarnette 1942, 1948a, 1948b, 1948c; 1948d; Webb and Wilder 1951) and as possible monumental architecture (Claassen 1996a, 1996b, 2010; Randall and Sassaman 2017; Russo 1994, 2004; Sassaman 2004). Some have interpreted the occupation of these sites as having been the result of long term semi-sedentary occupations (Lewis and Kneberg 1959; Milner 2004) while others suggest these sites are the result of cyclical occupations as part of a system of seasonal rounds (Dye 1980; Futato 1983a:417, 422). I propose that while being part of the latter, these sites are not simply seasonal occupations, but regional aggregation sites which provide a necessary point of interaction for exchange and mating networks, among other reasons. Their importance to communities transcends utilitarian function and reflects the importance of long-term tradition and corporate cohesion separate from, but likely influenced by, changing subsistence and technology.
By examining the diagnostic lithic artifacts and the chronology of the Late Archaic occupation of the Whitesburg Bridge site, contemporaneous site distribution in the surrounding area, and estimations of population density, I consider the development and evolution of monumentality in the Middle Tennessee River Valley. The goal of this effort is to understand the material culture left behind by the Late Archaic inhabitants, look to their efforts at extracurricular activities, consider their specific hunter-gatherer social dynamics, scrutinize their essentials for existence, and provide regional context and plausible explanations as to how the archaeological record they left came to be
THE BIOTRANSFORMATION OF DECANES WITH POLY- OR PERFLUORINATED CARBONS AND THE DESTRUCTION OF PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES IN ALKALINE CONDITIONS
No full textDuring growth with terminally monofluorinated decanes, the soil isolate Pseudomonas sp. strain 273 releases inorganic fluoride and channels metabolites into the phospholipid pool resulting in the formation of fluoromembranes. We explore the ability of this bacterium to metabolize terminally mono-, di-, tri-, and pentafluorinated decanes. Strain 273 grew with 7 mM (nominal) 1-fluorodecane (1-FD), 1,10-difluorodecane (1,10-DFD), 1,1-difluorodecane (1,1-DFD), 1,1,1-trifluorodecane (TFD), and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluorodecane (PFD) under oxic conditions. Fluorine-nuclear magnetic resonance (19F NMR) [proton number] detected inorganic fluoride release (1-FD, 1,10-DFD, 1,1-DFD, and PFD-grown cultures) and terminally mono-, di-, tri-, and pentafluorinated metabolites (1-FD, 1,10-DFD, 1,1-DFD, TFD, and PFD-grown cultures). Global lipidomic profiling supported our hypothesis of the biosynthesis of mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and decafluorinated glycerophospholipids during growth, highlighting the ability of this bacterium to incorporate organofluorines into glycerophospholipid in the presence of fluorinated decanes. Data from 19F NMR [proton number] combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) suggests organofluorines to be at the terminal position of glycerophospholipid (GP) sn1/-sn2 acyl chains using a reversed phase method. Gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) analysis identified terminally polyfluorinated short chain fatty acids as major catabolites during growth with the polyfluorinated decanes. These findings advance our understanding of microbial degradation of and dehalogenation of terminally poly- and perfluorinated decanes and highlight the formation of fluoromembranes as a sink for organofluorine. An additional study also demonstrated the destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) under hydrothermal alkaline reaction conditions using lower temperatures and pressures as a promising chemical approach for PFASs destruction
Quantum Magnetism in the Shastry Sutherland Lattice Family R2Be2SiO7
No full textGeometrically frustrated magnetism arises when competing exchange interactions are incompatible with the geometrical arrangement of magnetic ions in the lattice. This leads to a large ground state degeneracy and the system typically has difficulty establishing a unique ground state often resulting in unusual magnetic ground states characterized by quantum entanglement and complex field dependent phase diagrams. The rare earth compound family R2Be2SiO7 garnered our attention when we realized that the R3+ ions formed a structure equivalent to the geometrically frustrated Shastry-Sutherland lattice. The competing interactions and unique geometry of this lattice produces interesting magnetic phases both in zero field, in the form of unique ground states lacking long range order, and in field, where an out of plane field induces magnetization plateau in several members. An investigation into three members of the R2Be2SiO7 family, Er2Be2SiO7, Dy2Be2SiO7, and Yb2Be2SiO7 is presented in this thesis. Both Er2Be2SiO7 and Dy2Be2SiO7 compounds order into non-collinear antiferromagnetic states at 0.85 K and 1.1 K respectively. While Yb2Be2SiO7 shows no signs of long range order and instead appears to realize a unique entangled dimer ground state. For Er2Be2SiO7 field applied perpendicular to the plane produces two successive magnetic transitions but nor magnetization plateau. The behavior of Er2Be2SiO7 is broadly consistent with classical anisotropic moments. In Dy2Be2SiO7 a field applied perpendicular to the plane produces several magnetization plateau at: 1/7,4/9, and 2/3 fractions of
the saturation magnetization. Both Er2Be2SiO7 and Dy2Be2SiO7 have different zero- field spin structures with the same magnetic propagation vector of (0,0,1/2) and with moments primarily oriented in the ab-plane. The spin structure of the plateau phases in Dy2Be2SiO7 remains to be determined. For all three compounds inelastic neutron scattering experiments were done to gain insight into the CEF spectrum of the compound. The ground state doublet is found to be well isolated in Dy2Be2SiO7 and Yb2Be2SiO7 with the first excited level at 7.9 meV and 11 meV respectively. For Er2Be2SiO7 the first excited level is at only 1.7 meV indicating an Sef f = 1/2 model is not appropriate. In Yb2Be2SiO7 inelastic measurements with cold neutrons reveal several excitations related to gaps in the spin excitation spectrum at energy transfers of 0.11 meV and 0.19 meV. Subsequent analysis determines that these gaps are due to excitations from the novel entangled dimer unit ground state: (↑↑ − ↓↓)/√2
Feasibility of Using Triton for an Aerogravity Assist
No full textAnalysis of using Triton as a viable target for aerogravity assist maneuvers has not previosuly been thoroughly explored. The current research provides detailed analysis to determine vehicle configurations and atmospheric entry conditions that could allow for successful aerogravity assist at Triton to capture into orbit about Neptune. Simulated trajectories of inflatable decelerators capable of producing lift were used to estimate vehicle conditions departing Triton. Typical high-thrust, interplanetary trajectories yield Triton atmospheric entry velocities in the range of 3 km/s to 13 km/s. Using these entry velocities numerical simulations were conducted for a vehicle simliar to the aeroshell in the LOFTID test. Results from the simulations include parameter sweeps of entry conditions for a number of atmospheric flight scenarios including ballistic, lifting, maneuvering, and jettisoning. Although tenuous, Triton’s atmosphere does provide enough energy dissipation and aerodynamic control for selected scenarios to perform an aerogravity maneuver without violating the overall heating constraints on the vehicle or penetrating too deeply into the atmosphere. However, the calculated peak corridor widths are only about 0.48° , requiring further investigation to widen the corridor and confirm feasibility
WHITENESS, IMPERIALISM, AND CULTURAL REPRODUCTION: UNVEILING U.S INFLUENCE IN POST-DICTATORIAL CHILEAN SOCIETY
No full textThis dissertation examines the transnational influence of U.S.-centered cultural, religious, and educational ideals on post-dictatorship Chile, focusing on how these forces shape constructions of whiteness, governance, and resistance. Grounded in Global Critical Race Theory, it analyzes how global white supremacy and neoliberalism are reproduced and contested in Chile’s IX Region, a conservative area referred to as part of the “Chilean Bible Belt.” Through thematic analysis of fifty interviews with educational and religious leaders and institutional texts, this study reveals how symbolic whiteness operates as a key axis of social aspiration and political legitimacy. I introduce two conceptual figures: the Chileno Permitido, the ideal neoliberal racial citizen aligned with Anglo-Saxon values, evangelical conservatism, and elite bilingual education; and the Chileno Subversivo, a counter-subject resisting racial hierarchies through indigenous epistemologies, collective solidarity, and activist resistance. These figures illustrate how whiteness is constructed and contested through institutions that naturalize inequality under the guise of meritocracy. The role of neoliberal multiculturalism in managing diversity without redistributing power, thereby sustaining racialized governance, is also explored. A major takeaway of the research is the persistence of ongoing reproductions of whiteness and the critical potential of subversive subjectivities in challenging dominant racial orders. The findings contribute to sociological theories of race and neoliberalism and open avenues for future research on gender, digital media, and racialized minorities in Latin America
Power System Frequency and Transient Stability Analysis and Control for High Renewable Power Grids
No full textThe shift to high renewable power grids has significantly challenged grid reliability and stability due to the replacement of traditional generators with inverter-based resources (IBRs), which lack inherent inertia and rely on hard-to-quantify virtual inertia contributions. This reduction in system inertia heightens the risks of frequency deviations and inter-area oscillations, necessitating real-time inertia estimation software and Wide Area Oscillation Damping Controllers (WADCs). Furthermore, the enormous increase in the amount of large voltage-sensitive-load in modern grids, such as AI data centers, exacerbate these challenges through rapid load swings, oscillation risks, and instability during faults or reconnections. Addressing these issues requires advanced real-time stability analysis tools and improved data center load modeling to mitigate their impact on modern, low-inertia grids.
This doctoral dissertation proposes several contributions: (a) Developed a probing-based real-time system inertia estimation tool and validated its estimation performance through both power-hardware-in-loop (PHIL) test and Kauai Island field demonstration. (b). Developed an adaptive wide-area damping controller (WADC) for large-scale power grids with capability to handle different communication uncertainties. Validated its damping performance through both hardware-in-loop (HIL) test and Italy power grid field demonstration. (c). Developed machine learning (ML) based power system stability assessment tool. Implemented two machine learning models for frequency nadir prediction and critical clearing time (CCT) prediction that can handle grid topology changes. (d). Conducted data center load modeling study in EI grid. Use CMLD composite load model to model general data centers and conduct CMLD parameter study to better parameterize data centers loads. Applied data center loads to MMWG EI grid model and study data center load’s fault responses. (e). Conducted a forced oscillation frequency sensitivity analysis with a specific focus on the resonance condition. Used a frequency scanning approach to analyze forced oscillation sensitivity across three power systems: Kundur, real utility based ERCOT, and MMWG EI models
Statistical Learning for Polymer Chemistry and Microbiology Modeling
No full textThis dissertation explores the application of statistical learning frameworks to various challenges in the polymer chemistry and microbiology modeling domains. The underlying techniques of these frameworks are Bayesian methods, rigorous mathematical techniques, advanced Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) practices, and continuous integration of domain knowledge to achieve results. Specifically, we develop a Gillespie algorithm-based statistical learning polymerization tracking scheme to produce processable polyester networks. To aid understanding of the individual monomer contributions of acid and alcohol monomers in the formation of complex polyester structure-property relations, we implement a Bayesian learning framework. We then extend this framework by leveraging matrix operation simplifications to bring our modeling schemes up to speed with the modern cheminformatics computational requirements. For each of these applications in polymer modeling, we demonstrate the ability of our methods to make accurate predictions pertinent to real experimental data, while offering insights that extend beyond traditional learning methods. We implement statistical learning innovations for microbiology modeling tailored to address the challenges of initial value problem (IVP) parameter estimation, which are exacerbated by data aggregation conditions. Here, the sampling process of the statistical learning framework is heavily modified to address complex constraints and data structures that regular MCMC methods encounter. This method is demonstrated on real experimental batch-culture data and provides valuable information on the IVP parameter posterior distributions
Evaluating the effects of temperature variability on a lepidopteran agricultural pest: from life history traits to host-pathogen interactions
No full textTemperature variability associated with climate change is expected to impact insect performance and alter the impacts of pest species and the efficacy of biocontrol strategies. However, our understanding of insect thermal biology is mostly based on measurements of insect performance under constant temperatures, which may not reflect the fluctuating temperatures insects experience over their lifespans in their natural environments. Moreover, thermal performance curves vary for different organismal traits and life stages; thus, understanding the impacts of temperature fluctuations requires measures of multiple traits across the life cycle. Here, I explored the impacts of temperature variability on the life history and demography of Spodoptera frugiperda, a widespread insect pest, and its susceptibility to a pathogen commonly used in biocontrol. Using a full factorial experiment with a wide range of temperature treatments, I systematically investigated the effects of temperature mean and fluctuation magnitude on fitness-related traits in each life stage. I then used these data to parametrize stage-structured matrix population models to understand the overall effect of temperature means and fluctuations on expected population growth rates. I found interactive effects of mean temperature and the magnitude of daily fluctuations on survival to maturity, development rates, pupal mass, reproductive output, numbers of viable offspring and population growth rates. Larger fluctuations significantly reduced larval and pupal survival but not adult survival relative to constant temperatures. Effects of variability on individual traits and population growth rates were generally larger and more negative at the highest mean temperature. Changes in expected population growth with increasing variability are primarily driven by differences in reproductive parameters and egg hatch rates. Lastly, I investigated the effects of temperature fluctuations at intermediate and elevated mean temperatures on outcomes in S. frugiperda larvae exposed to sublethal doses of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. Mean temperature largely predicted survivorship following infection. However, temperature fluctuations modified delays in larval development in those surviving Bt infection, including at the intermediate mean temperature. Together, these results demonstrate the potential consequences of temperature fluctuations for multiple organismal traits and in the context of biotic stressors, which may become more salient under climate warming