University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
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Embodied Emotion at Scale: Sport as the Collective Emotion Laboratory for Human Development in the Age of AI
No full textSport represents humanity’s largest-scale emotion laboratory where intense competitive emotions are practiced within safe boundaries through collective participation. As artificial intelligence evolves to systematize virtual and digital experiences, sport\u27s irreplaceable embodied practice of collective participation becomes more apparent, not less. This conceptual paper demonstrates how artificial intelligence can optimize emotional learning from large-scale sport experiences while highlighting, rather than replacing, their unique human development value. Authors propose a four-level framework positioning sport organizations as comprehensive emotional development centers that leverage AI-powered technologies, including video analytics capturing facial expressions, body movements, and collective synchrony, to systematize emotional intelligence development. The framework creates measurable competitive advantages through enhanced fan loyalty, operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and new revenue streams. Sport’s role as a cornerstone of human capital development through embodied participation will strengthen with artificial intelligence, positioning sport management as a leader in leveraging technology to enrich, not replace, authentic human experiences
Exploring Instructional Designers\u27 Role Shifting and Challenges in Higher Education throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textIn recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted and challenged the higher education (HEd) community in a variety of ways. Current research has focused more on finding the impacts of COVID-19 on institutions, faculty, and students, but has placed less emphasis on the challenges of instructional designers (IDers). This study used Street-Level Bureaucracy (SLB) theory and narrative research as its theoretical and methodological framework to explore whether IDers experienced any shifts or changes in their work roles within HEd and encountered any challenges at work before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study aimed to identify the strategies that IDers adopted to address the sudden instructional design (ID) needs arising from the impacts of COVID-19. I used the snowball sampling method and emails sent through listservs to recruit potential participants. Selected participants completed a pre-interview survey and one online interview. I coded and analyzed survey and interview data to report on findings
UTILIZING CELL PHONE MOBILITY DATA TO TRACK VISITOR MOVEMENT ALONG THE LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL
No full textThis thesis evaluates the applicability of anonymized cell phone mobility data in understanding visitor use patterns, tested along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (LECL). By combining on-site visitor surveys with third-party provider location data from six key Missouri and Nebraska sites, the study examines the accuracy, benefits, and limitations of using mobility data in predicting long-distance, multi-site recreational site visitor use. Analysis includes quantifying stops within defined polygons for July 2024, comparing these results to survey data, and identifying discrepancies and consistencies. Results show low consistency in the ability of social mobility data to be used as a practical tool for management. Findings contribute to recreation management by illustrating how emerging data sources can complement traditional visitor monitoring methods, while also discussing representativeness and methodological considerations for the application of cell phone mobility data. This work strives to advance approaches to public land management through data-driven decision-making where managers act. Chapter 1 traces the evolution of visitation monitoring on U.S. public lands and situates the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (LECL) as a resource that challenges site-centric methods. Chapter 2 presents an empirical case study integrating on-site surveys with commercially sourced MDD across six LECL locations in Missouri and Nebraska. Chapter 3 synthesizes methodological lessons and proposes a practical playbook to move MDD from promise to practice
WORK HARDENING EFFECTS ON THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS
No full textAccurate prediction of fastener strength is essential to ensure safe and efficient design. However, current design standards, such as FED-STD-H28/2B and ISO TR/16224, are largely based on data from carbon steel fasteners and do not accurately capture the behavior of stainless steel bolts, which exhibit different behavior due to work hardening during manufacturing. This thesis investigates the mechanical behavior of work-hardened stainless steel fasteners through experimental testing. Twelve lots of stainless steel bolts—spanning three material grades, multiple diameters, and manufacturing methods—were tested in tension, shear, and hardness. The results show that cold-worked stainless steel bolts consistently fail in the shank rather than the threads, confirming that threaded regions experience significant strengthening due to work hardening. Compared to FED-STD predictions, the measured tensile stress areas were on average 35% higher, while external thread shear strength was accurately captured only when using a shear-to-tensile strength ratio of 0.9 rather than the conventional 0.6. Hardness testing further revealed a 10% increase in the threaded region relative to the shank, directly evidencing nonuniform strengthening caused by cold forming. In contrast, bar-stock bolts with minimal work hardening exhibited uniform hardness, lower strength, and premature thread deformation. These findings demonstrate the critical influence of manufacturing-induced work hardening on fastener performance and provide a basis for improved predictive equations and design procedures for stainless steel bolts
Enhancing Sustainability of Pollution Control with Electrochemical Oxidation Optimized by Alternating Polarity
No full textElectrochemical oxidation is promising for pollution control with distinctive advantages in sustainability and effectiveness, particularly in aqueous environments high in salinity and hardness. However, electrode fouling, such as scaling, is shown as a critical limitation in this application. This study investigates the potential of alternating polarity as an in-situ strategy to mitigate electrode fouling while maintaining stable oxidation efficiency. Specifically, the work evaluates the effectiveness of alternating polarity in achieving a balance among fouling control, pollutant degradation, and energy consumption. In the first part, methylene blue was used as a surrogate in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) to optimize parameters including different electrode configurations (anode/cathode: Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD)/ graphite (Gr), Gr/Gr), polarity modes (constant polarity, alternating polarity), and polarity-exchange time (0.5hr, 2hr, 4hr). With constant polarity, electrochemical treatment of methylene blue exhibited an initial removal efficiency of 95%, which, however gradually declined with prolonged treatment beyond 0.5hr due to electrode fouling by scaling. In comparison, the use of alternating polarity resulted in sustained removal of methylene blue with the reduction in scaling by over 87% as well as the increase in the production of free chlorine as the oxidizing agent by 185%. Further testing of alternating polarity indicated that the exchange time of 2hr was optimal for sustained treatment efficiency and mitigation of electrode scaling. Moreover, the use of graphite as electrode material resulted in the reduction in energy consumption by 27% as compared with BDD as the electrode material. In the second part, a hydrophobic n-alkane (n-docosane) typical of petroleum produced water, was used as the target pollutant. Batch experiments were conducted to optimize the applied voltage (2, 4, 5V) and electrode configurations (BDD/BDD, BDD/Gr, Gr/Gr). Effective degradation was achieved at applied voltages above 4 V. Graphite electrodes exhibited strong affinity toward n-docosane, which facilitated the adsorption of the pollutant onto the electrode surface and promoted its subsequent electrochemical oxidation. Adsorption experiments revealed that equilibrium was reached within 6 hours with a capacity of 0.11 g(n-docosane) g(graphite)⁻¹. As a result, graphite-containing configurations achieved higher overall removal efficiency. Semi-CSTR tests were conducted under the optimized conditions determined in the first part. Under constant polarity, the removal efficiency of n-docosane declined from a peak of 86.3% at 48 hours to 58.7% at 120 hours, indicating progressive electrode deactivation and loss of treatment performance. In contrast, alternating polarity using the Gr/Gr configuration improved overall removal efficiency from 72.0% (constant polarity, BDD/Gr) to 85.7% and effectively prevented performance deterioration, although electrode corrosion was observed at high current densities for the Gr/Gr setup. Overall, this study demonstrates that sustainable application of alternating polarity–assisted EO requires an integrated strategy combining electrode material selection, optimized voltage operation, and carefully tailored polarity-exchange time to simultaneously achieve fouling mitigation, high degradation efficiency, and energy efficiency
Quietly
No full textThe composition Quietly is designed to incorporate music, poem, and 3-D animation
VOICES FROM THE FIELD: EDUCATORS\u27 PERSPECTIVES OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES IN RURAL ELEMENTARY SETTINGS
No full textThis qualitative single case study examines how small, rural elementary school educators perceive the influence of professional learning communities (PLCs) on their instructional practices and professional growth. Framed by Socio-Constructivism and Communities of Practice, the study investigates the benefits and challenges of implementing PLCs in settings with limited staff, resources, and collaboration opportunities. Data were gathered from four rural schools through interviews, observations, and documents. Using open and a priori coding, the analysis used a case study framework and incorporated strategies to ensure trustworthiness, including triangulation and member checking. Findings indicate that while educators view PLCs as valuable for collaboration and student-focused planning, their effectiveness depends heavily on leadership support, structured time for collaboration, and access to meaningful data. Participants described gains in instructional alignment, professional confidence, and collective responsibility but also noted barriers such as scheduling difficulties and limited facilitation. This study offers insight into how PLCs function in rural contexts and underscores the importance of adapting professional learning models to meet the unique needs of small schools. The results may inform school leaders and policymakers seeking to strengthen collaboration and continuous improvement in rural education
Spectroscopic Insights into Metal Complexes: Toroidal Properties, Magnetism, and Solvatochromism
No full textCompounds exhibiting quantum magnetic properties are of current interest for their potential use in quantum computing or spintronics. These magnetic properties, and the relaxation of magnetic excitations, are not fully understood and need further exploration for more widespread use in quantum information science applications. To further understand the magnetic relaxation and magnetic structure of these materials we have sought to study them using advanced methods such as magneto couple spectroscopy or neutron scattering experiments. The primary focus of this dissertation is the study of the magnetic structure, relaxation, and synthesis of molecular magnetic compounds such as single-molecule magnets, single-molecule toroids, and spin-1 Haldane topological spin chains. These are studied using a combination of routine and advanced techniques, such as inelastic neutron scattering, far-IR magneto spectroscopy, high-field and -frequency electron spin resonance, or polarized neutron diffraction to directly observe magnetic transitions or magnetic structure
Youth Apprenticeship Pathways to Career: Leveraging Community Social Capital for Workforce Development
No full textThis qualitative single case study investigated how interagency collaboration contributed to the development, implementation, and sustainability of a youth apprenticeship program near the eastern coast of the United States. Informed by Woolcock’s (2001) bonding, bridging and linking social capital and qualitative methods, two research questions were used to guide this study: One, how do stakeholders in education and workforce development collaborate with employers to develop, advance, and sustain YA programs? Two, how can interagency collaboration aid the refinement of policy governing youth apprenticeship implementation? Findings showed that effective implementation depended on three interconnected factors: sustainable intermediary leadership, employer-driven sector partnerships, and sustained relational trust. Bonding capital supported mentor relationships and internal cohesion; bridging capital enabled cross-sector alignment in program design and logistics; and linking capital facilitated engagement with state agencies and policy systems to address structural barriers. Participants emphasized the importance of building institutional capacity within intermediary organizations to manage recruitment, compliance, and stakeholder coordination. This study affirms that interagency collaboration, when driven by trust, guided by intermediaries, and informed by social capital, can transform youth apprenticeships from isolated programs into a sustainable strategy for education-to-career alignment. The findings offer practical implications for youth apprenticeship- expansion and provide a foundation for future research into long-term outcomes and system level transformation.
Youth Apprenticeship, Youth in the Workforce, School to Career Education, Apprenticeship Pathways, Educational Ecosystems that Promote Positive Outcomes for Yout
Neutrino flux measurement at SNS(ORNL) with a heavy-water detector
No full textNeutrinos are approaching their 100th anniversary, and much is yet unknown about this elusive particle. Decades apart, neutrinos went from being hypothetical particles, to experimentally detected, having multiple families, and being closely related to fundamental physics questions. Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS) was predicted in 1974 and was only observed more than 40 years later by the COHERENT Collaboration.
The UTK neutrino group took lead in design construction, commissioning, and data analysis for the heavy-water detector. This detector is part of the overall COHERENT Collaboration strategy to measure the neutrino flux at the Spallation Neutron Source in Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with high precision, by making use of the well-known neutrino-deuteron interaction cross section. This measurement will greatly improve COHERENT data analysis, and sensitivity to physics beyond the standard model, from past, present, and future neutrino experiments at the SNS.
My work, detailed in this dissertation, involved constructing the detector, R&D in what materials to use for construction, testing, data analysis, and Monte Carlo simulations - successfully proving the detector proof of concept. The detector is in stable operation for more than a year, with a blind schematic for data analysis. Results from my simulations for background and neutrino signal predictions will be used in the unblinding procedure