Digital Commons Network^™

Treatment Of Dioxin/Furan And Pcn Contaminated Sediments With Palladized Magnesium, Linda M. Rauch

Master's Theses and Capstones

Sediments contaminated with dioxins/furans and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) have been the subject of little study although they are equal, if not more significant, contributors than PCBs to toxicity at selected sites. The reaction of a bimetal catalyst, palladized magnesium (Mg/Pd, 0.01% by weight Pd) with these contaminants was studied in solvents and sediments.

The reaction for single congeners in solvent resulted in 69-95% removal in 30 minutes. The detection of dibenzo-p-dioxin for the dioxin reaction and naphthalene/tetralin for the PCN reaction demonstrated dechlorination. A 24 hour sediment reaction with Mg/Pd resulted in 48% and 71% reduction for spiked sediments (500 …

Characteristics And Dynamics Of A Moose Population In Northern New Hampshire, Anthony Richard Musante

Master's Theses and Capstones

Abundance indices suggest that the moose (Alces alces) population in northern New Hampshire has stabilized despite favorable habitat and conservative harvest. Natural mortality of unknown cause is presumed a primary reason although little is known about moose reproduction and survival in New Hampshire. This study (2002-2005) was designed to investigate the dynamics that impact this population.

Analysis of harvest reproductive data (1988-2004) indicated that average field-dressed weight of adult cows increased although corpora lutea count declined from ∼1.4- 1.2/cow in the study area and statewide. Yearling ovulation rate (∼42%) and average weight (<211 kg) declined about 25% and 4%, respectively. Parturition of radio-marked cows ranged from 8 May-13 July (median=19 May) with 78% of births from 13-27 May. Calving rate of yearlings and adults (>2 yr) averaged 30 and 85%, respectively, …

Modeling Of A Soft Sensitive Marine Silty Clay Deposit For A Landfill Expansion Study, John Roche

Master's Theses and Capstones

An in situ testing program and finite element modeling of Presumpscot Formation glaciomarine clays in South Portland, Maine was undertaken as part of a landfill expansion feasibility study. The very soft sensitive silty clay foundation soils have been monitored during the 20 year lifespan of the landfill facility by an array of settlement platforms, inclinometers, piezometer clusters and periodic field shear vane tests. During this time large horizontal displacements have been observed at a discrete elevation corresponding to a zone of reduced undrained shear strength. Proposals call for a vertical expansion at the site above existing landfill cells. While this …

Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium Promotes Apoptosis In Activated Neutrophils, Christopher C. Wrocklage

Master's Theses and Capstones

Apoptosis is an extremely important and highly regulated function in neutrophils. As the most abundant, but shortest-lived white blood cells, they must initiate this process in the absence of pathogens and selectively release their potent cytotoxic components when pathogens are present. Many pathogens are able to modulate this process in neutrophils, either for the host's benefit or for their own. Previous work has shown that transmigration across a T84 intestinal epithelial crypt cell monolayer increases the ability of neutrophils to bind and kill Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium).

The goal of this work was to see how S. Typhimurium …

A Training Model: The Effects Of Mental Rehearsal On The Performance Of Elite Collegiate Nordic Skiers, Jennifer Lynn Conant

Master's Theses and Capstones

In today's competitive athletic world, the one common goal all athletes share is to win. The pressure to carry out this goal is staggering and as a result, athletes are training harder for longer hours and ultimately burning out. While there are numerous books that attempt to teach an athlete how to train physically for their sport, very few training programs teach them how to train mentally for their sport. A training program that does not include both a physical and mental aspect will fail.

This model introduces a training program where interested Nordic ski coaches can implement the training …

An Intervention Tool For Use Against Gender Stereotypes In Children, Sarah N. Muller

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study examines the occurrence of gender stereotyped beliefs and behaviors in young children and methods of intervening against gender stereotypes. Current literature on gender stereotype interventions is reviewed and evaluated. A new model of intervention, based on a coloring book made up of gender counterstereotypic images, is proposed. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Aiding Foster Children In Their Construction Of Self: Clinical Intervention Strategies For Children In Care, Cheryl Regal

Master's Theses and Capstones

This thesis looks at the development of the self within foster children and examines clinical intervention strategies that focus on the internal world of the child. Using architectural metaphors, this thesis aims to change the perspective within which clinicians think about the experience of the foster child and their view of self. Within this framework, the counseling experience works to bring the foster child out from behind their protective walls and journeys with the child through their past and present histories. Throughout this journey, the clinician joins with the child and allows an attachment bond to develop in order for …

Post-Yield Nonlinear Behavior Of Structural Steel Beam-Column Elements, Josif Bicja

Master's Theses and Capstones

The presented method of analysis has the unique feature in its exact inclusion of the coupling between axial force, primary and secondary moments and their conjugate axial and bending strains, and, most importantly, the incorporation of the effect of curvature along the length of the member. Degradation of the material, once yielding has occurred at certain locations is accurately modeled, and the structural behavior for in-plane lateral dynamic loading of 2D shear frame beam-columns is predicted with particular reference to material nonlinearity and taking into consideration any geometrically nonlinear effects. Using detailed incremental procedures, the stress-strain relationship is derived for …

Non-Reactive Gas Dynamics In The Piscataqua Estuary Inlet, Takashi Kalani Brown

Master's Theses and Capstones

For 135 days, from late autumn 2005 to the mid---spring 2006, continuous measurements of dissolved nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in near surface seawater were recorded at the interface between the Great Bay-Piscataqua Estuary and the western Gulf of Maine. These surface measurements were made to investigate air-sea gas fluxes and identify the primary controls over gas dynamics in a macrotidal estuary entryway, the estuary inlet. Wind-parameterized air-sea flux estimations were calculated using published flux models and were evaluated to determine their appropriateness in the estuary inlet. Also, using supporting sea-state measurements from buoys (wind speed and wave height), the …

The Development And Utilization Of Est (Expressed Sequence Tag) Resources In The Diploid Strawberry Model System, Robin Leigh Brese

Master's Theses and Capstones

Enhancement of genomic resources is needed for the cultivated octoploid strawberry Fragaria x ananassa (2n=8x=56). A diploid (2n=2x=14) relative, Fragaria vesca, has been used as a model system for strawberry genomics because of its small (~200 Mb) basic genome size, ancestry to the octoploid strawberries and availability of inbred lines, among other favorable features.

In this study, a cDNA library was constructed from developing flower buds of Fragaria vesca ssp. vesca cv. 'Yellow Wonder'. A cDNA library of 7680 clones was created using the CLONTECH SMART cDNA Library Construction kit. Sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of 3298 clones resulted in 2717 …

Prototype Remote Vehicle Diagnostics For Police Cruisers, Sung Yun Kim

Master's Theses and Capstones

The goal of this thesis was to suggest ways of evaluating the health of police cruisers without bringing these cruisers into a repair facility. The prototype in-car application was developed. The hardware connection was made between the in-car network and the Project54 network. The software was built to collect, process, and send the vehicle information to the server via a telecommunication tool. The prototype in-car application was tested in simulation and on the road. After the development of the prototype in-car application, the radio traffic research gives a few recommended methods for sending the car health information in the New …

Theoretical And Experimental Studies Of Reactive Organic Molecules, Kaleen Marie Konrad

Master's Theses and Capstones

Chapter I. Density functional theory calculations were used to examine the interconversions of C5H6 and C 6H8 isomers. On the C5H6 surface, cyclobutenylcarbene is predicted to rearrange to 1,2-cyclopentadiene. Interconversion of cyclobutylidenecarbene and cyclopentyne has a small barrier. For the C6H8 surface, cyclopentenylcarbene is predicted to rearrange to bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-5-ene and further to 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Cyclopentylidenecarbene can easily interconvert with cyclohexyne. These results are in accord with experimental results, to date.

Carbene precursors via a cyclopropanated phenanthrene, 1,1-dihalo-1a,9b-dihydro-1H-cyclopropa[I]phenanthrene, were studied.

Chapter II. Isodesmic and homodesmic equations at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory have been used to estimate strain for the series of cyclic …

Studies Of Flower Color In Anagallis Monelli L, Andrea Quintana Pinilla

Master's Theses and Capstones

One of the main goals for plant breeders in the floriculture industry is to develop plants with new attributes. Characteristics such as flower size, growth habit, resistance to pests and diseases, flower size, and particularly flower color are among the most important traits to breed and improve. One of the best ways to make a plant popular in the market is to offer a wide variety of flower colors. A. monelli is an ornamental plant used for hanging baskets and as a bedding plant, and until recently, cultivars available were only blue- or orange-flowered. Recent breeding research on this species …

Abiotic Retention Of Nitrogen And Dissolved Organic Matter By Forest Mineral Soils, Naoko Watanabe

Master's Theses and Capstones

The effect of NO3- deposition on NH4 +, DON, and DOC retention as well as abiotic NO3 - retention via the hypothesized "ferrous wheel" mechanism was examined in oxic and anoxic tropical and oxic temperate soils using sorption isotherm experiments. Adsorption of NH4+, DON, and DOC by mineral soils was examined in forest floor extracts with DOC levels of 0-50 mg/L. Experimental treatments included no added NO3-, 4mg/L of added NO3-, or 4 mg/L of NO3 - and 2 mg/L of Fe3+. Ferric iron was added since it would likely increase DOC retention in the context of podzolization, and it …

A User-Friendly System To Measure Electromyographic Activity Of Dancers, Jianhua Zhou

Master's Theses and Capstones

A data acquisition system aided by virtual instrumentation was developed to measure electromyographic activity of the dancers. The system is composed of three main components: (1) Analog front-end with signal conditioning, (2) USB serial interface based A/D conversion, and (3) virtual instrumentation designed in LabView tools. The proposed system is able to accurately collect the magnitude of jump force and displayed the data using virtual instruments with alarm functions. The signal path is well-conditioned and processed, which makes the device suitable for feasibility studies for future research.

Toxin-Producing Microcystis Aeruginosa: A Trade-Off In The Vertical Distribution Of Three Daphnia Species As Predicted By The Ideal Free Distribution With Costs Model, Sonya Claudine Carlson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Daphnia hyalina, D. galeata, and D. ambigua were exposed to the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in 30 cm temperature-stratified columns. Changes in egg ratio, lipid index, length, and growth were recorded over 3 day experiments. Spatial distributions were recorded during 6-hour constant light experiments and 3 day fluctuating light experiments. D. hyalina and D. galeata stayed in the upper half of the column in temperatures of 18--22°C when exposed to M. aeruginosa. D. ambigua remained between 10--19°C regardless of food type. For across all experiments, depth and temperature ranges were narrowest in treatments with M. aeruginosa. D. ambigua incurred costs to …

Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases In Physcomitrella Patens, Kathryn Chervincky

Master's Theses and Capstones

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are a group of plant serine-threonine kinases that are stimulated in response to increases in intracellular calcium concentrations. Physcomitrella patens is a moss and a member of the bryophyte family. Physcomitrella has gained popularity as a model research organism due to the simple morphology of the plant as well as many other desirable characteristics. My research utilized Physcomitrella to accomplish four goals. The first goal was to identify and obtain sequence for as many CDPKs as possible in Physcomitrella. The second goal was to confirm the calcium-activated protein kinase activity of the identified CDPKs. The third …

An Experimental Approach To Understanding The Impact Of Vernal Pool Buffer Size On Wood Frogs (Rana Sylvatica), Nicole Alexis Freidenfelds

Master's Theses and Capstones

Strategies to conserve vernal pool-dependent amphibians emphasize the maintenance of adequate areas (buffers) of terrestrial habitat surrounding the pool. I conducted a large-scale field study that specifically examined the effects of buffer width manipulation on adult and metamorph wood frogs at eleven vernal pools in a managed forest in central Maine. Buffer width treatments were 30 m or 100 m forest buffer surrounded by a 100 m clearcut, or no cut (reference). I encircled pools with drift fences and monitored wood frogs from April--November, 2004 and 2005 using pitfall traps and radio-telemetry. Buffer width had no effect on the number …

Improving The Policy Making Process In Municipal Solid Waster Management: Learning From Minamata-City, Japan, Rika Ikemoto

Master's Theses and Capstones

Many countries, especially industrialized countries, are facing a crisis in municipal solid waste (MSW) problems due to its ever increasing amount and related problems such as limited dumping space, transboundary waste movement, financial pressures, and dioxin problems. In Japan, one of those industrialized countries, while national MSW policies have not appeared effective, some municipalities have established remarkable policies to reduce MSW Minamata-city, which has a unique experience of environmental pollution, known as Minamta-disease, has reduced waste with the two major MSW policies: a Recycling Program; and the Food-containers Abolition Project of the Women's Committee on Waste Reduction, based on the …

Teacher Concerns About Service-Learning, Michael Kern

Master's Theses and Capstones

Service-learning is a rapidly growing teaching innovation. Despite the proliferation of service-learning research, little has focused on the teacher, particularly the personal dimension involved in implementing such an innovation. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers' concerns regarding service-learning using the seven developmental Stages of Concern proposed by Hall, George, and Rutherford (1977) as a framework. Eleven teachers who were engaged in service-learning were interviewed and completed the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ). Together, the profiles generated by the SoCQ and the interview analyses, provide a rich description of teachers' concerns. Since at the outset of this study, …

The Effect Of Air Pollution And Time Spent Outdoors On Pulmonary Function In A Diverse New England Population, Thomas Daniel Lambert

Master's Theses and Capstones

Outdoor air pollution has been associated with declines in pulmonary function. We collected daily pulmonary function measures from 165 participants in New England during July and August, 2004 and compared these measures to outdoor air pollution using single and multiple pollutant models. Increases of 10mug/m3 PM2.5, 10 ppb O3, and 1 ppb NO2 were associated with -1.29%, -0.54%, and -0.151 % changes in FEV1 of asthmatic participants spending more than 5 hours outdoors, respectively. Effects for non-asthmatic and all participants spending less than 5 hours outdoors were near zero and not significant. There was also evidence indicating that the largest …

"My Parents Made Me Do It!" Parental Influences On Self-Handicapping: Athletes' Perceptions And Goal Orientation, Kristina L. Moore

Master's Theses and Capstones

As socializers, parents provide and interpret experiences which ultimately influence achievement beliefs and behaviors in their children. Eccles' Expectancy-Value model (Eccles & Harold, 1991), the model of parental influences on motivation and achievement (Eccles et. al., 1998) and Achievement Goal Theory (Nicholls, 1989) provide the theoretical framework for this study. The investigation explored the relationships between athlete goal orientations, perceptions of parental self-handicapping, perceptions of parental goal orientations and athlete tendency to employ self-handicapping. Adolescent soccer athletes (N=134) completed the 14-item Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS) and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), as well as adapted versions of …

What Really Is The Difference Between Occupational Therapy And Physical Therapy In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Lauryn Morell

Master's Theses and Capstones

Insurance reimbursement guidelines have changed the way allied health services are delivered. The onset of the Prospective Payment System (PPS) reorganized financing for therapy services. Instead of basing reimbursement on each individual case, finances are based on diagnostic and case mix groupings and regulate expected service needs. This has forced both occupational and physical therapy to vie for the same reimbursement monies.

Cross training occupational and physical therapists was suggested as a means of cost containment. Downsizing rehabilitation departments was actually performed to minimize costs. These drastic responses to reimbursement changes in the health care field were also coupled with …

Assessing The Suitability Of The Eelgrass (Zostera Marina L) Deep Edge As An Indicator Of Water Clarity In Estuarine Systems, David Omer Rivers

Master's Theses and Capstones

The suitability of the seagrass deep edge as an indicator of water clarity was assessed by examining the sensitivity and specificity of this indicator to changes in light. Indicator specificity was assessed by examining the extent to which seasonal variation in environmental parameters affected the location of the deep edge at five eelgrass meadows in the Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire. The mean location of the eelgrass deep edge was seasonally stable at three sites, confirming its suitability as an indicator. At two sites, the deep edge responded to long-term light reduction and changes in deep edge location of 1.3 …

Cape Wind: Public Values And Perceptions Application Of Contingent Valuation Method, Eric Steltzer

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Cape Wind proposal to build 130 turbines in Nantucket sound has been a central figure in development of renewable energy in New England. The aim of this study was two fold. First, the contingent valuation method was used to estimate an economic value the public has on policy for the preservation of Nantucket sound, within the scopes of the project. The second goal was to identify lessons that could be learned from the Cape Wind proposal and applied to future renewable energy projects in New England.

Results revealed that the public has a positive economic value for a policy …

The Role Of The Schmutzdecke In Escherichia Coli Removal In Slow Sand And Riverbank Filtration, Michael C. Unger

Master's Theses and Capstones

A series of studies was conducted on laboratory scale sand columns under varying operational and design conditions with spiked concentrations of E. coli to investigate the role of the schmutzdecke, a biologically active layer that develops at the interface of the water and filter in slow sand filtration (SSF) and riverbank filtration (RBF). Results confirmed that E. coli removals in slow-rate biological filters occur primarily at the interface and are related to schmutzdecke ripening state, empty bed contact time, biological activity, temperature, and protistan abundance. Using a suite of analyses characterizing the biofilm growing on the schmutzdecke, no connection was …

Retinal Tracking System Design For Smart Flashblindness Non Lethal Weapon, Gregory T. Wolff

Master's Theses and Capstones

Development of a non lethal method of providing incapacitation of human subjects is of primary importance in both law enforcement and military fields. The proposed Smart White Light Dazzler is such a device that induces flashblindness in the subject using a flash of white light. It is intended to automatically track the retina of a human subject, and then make adjustments to the power of the flash based on factors that affect the susceptibility of the eye. Temporary blindness is induced in the subject without risking permanent tissue damage.

The primary contribution of this research is the design of a …

Fabrication And Tribological Properties Of Hard Thin Films With Solid Lubricant Microreservoirs, John H. Zimmerman

Master's Theses and Capstones

Hard coatings containing micron-sized reservoirs have been fabricated and investigated to evaluate their tribological properties. These composite coatings have the potential to reduce friction and extend the life of wear surfaces through the use of a structural matrix embedded with microreservoirs containing solid lubricants. In this thesis, methods of using polymer or silica microspheres as templates for reservoirs in wear resistant coatings were examined. Magnetron rf-sputtered TiN and TiCN films and magnetron rf reactively sputtered TiN films were investigated for use as hard films containing these microreservoirs. The reservoir size as a function of microsphere size and film thickness was …

Rural Low-Income Mothers' Experiences With Foster Care, Talia Jennie Glesner

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study explores the grief experiences, parental views, supports, and barriers of 22 rural low-income mothers with children in foster care. The family ecology perspective framed the research. T-tests were utilized in a quantitative analysis comparing depression and parental support and confidence between mothers with children in placement and children not in placement.

Results indicated that the differences in mean depression scores were statistically significant between the participants and the control group. Depressive symptoms were found to be much more prevalent in mothers with children in placement than mothers with children not in placement.

The differences in mean scores between …

Performance Evaluation Of Tcp Over Ieee 80211 Wlans, Sachin Goel

Master's Theses and Capstones

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a communication protocol that is used to provide reliable data delivery between hosts. As TCP is the most highly used transport-layer protocol, many have worked on addressing the issue of performance. Performance issues have been studied in various environments, especially when using 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Wireless networks are prone to a higher number of packets loss and corruption. 802.11 WLANs have an equivalently fast acknowledgement mechanism as TCP to ensure reliability of traffic over it. This duplication of functionality between TCP and 802.11 WLAN creates unexpected behaviors that can result in high …