Digital Commons Network^™

Perceptions Of A Generation Gap By Contact And Perceptions Of Intergenerational Responsibility, Michelle L. Stransky

Master's Theses and Capstones

As the Baby Boomers begin to retire in 2011 and federal monies become more strained, it will be useful to determine whether there are actual divisions or points of agreement between grandparents and grandchildren in regards to value differences. Cross-sectional data from the Longitudinal Study of Generations are used to examine the differences in perceptions of intergenerational responsibility and a generation gap between grandparents and grandchildren. Variations in these potential differences as a function of grandparent-grandchild contact and caregiving are also examined. Findings indicate grandparents perceived more responsibility toward younger generations while grandchildren perceive more responsibility toward older generations; grandparents …

Characterization Of The Activation And Allosteric Regulation Of Photoreceptor Phosphodiesterase (Pde6), Yu-Ting Liu

Master's Theses and Capstones

Photoreceptor phosphodiesterase (PDE6) amplifies visual signals in rod and cone photoreceptors. We developed an assay to quantify binding of radiolabeled PDE inhibitors to the catalytic sites of PDE6 to explore the activation and regulation of PDE6. We determined that both catalytic domains on the PDE6 heterodimer are catalytically active and equivalent. Only one catalytic subunit on PDE6 readily binds to and becomes activated by the G-protein, transducin. The other PDE6 catalytic site requires a large excess of activated transducin to fully activate PDE6. We conclude that transducin activates the two catalytic subunits of rod PDE6 differently. We also demonstrate direct …

Structural Modeling Of Full Depth Concrete Deck Panels, Rebekah Joelle Briggs

Master's Theses and Capstones

As technology for finite element software improves, the ability to create accurate models of existing systems becomes feasible. Structural modeling is used to predict response to various loading conditions, and if used with structural parameter estimation, could be a successful tool for structural health monitoring.

In June 2006, laboratory testing was completed at the University of New Hampshire on two sets of pre-cast, post-tensioned concrete deck slabs. This work was sponsored by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for future use in rapid bridge construction. Models of these slabs were created using the finite element software package GTSTRUDLRTM.

This research …

Ecological Resources Within Advaita Vedanta, Michael Scaife

Master's Theses and Capstones

The world, in which we live, stands at a precipice. Ecological disasters now threaten the very existence of human civilization. The so called "shallow' environmental initiatives that continue to dominate the political and social landscape have proved ineffective in dealing with this problem. It is crucial that all of humanity actively embrace radical change in regards to how we go about our lives. No where is this more apparent than in the Indian subcontinent. Two radical ecologies that have emerged from the West, Deep Ecology and Social Ecology, offer a vision as to the nature of that change.

This document …

Impacts Of Palustrine Wetlands On Surface Water Quality In The Lamprey River Watershed, New Hampshire, Shelby A. Flint

Master's Theses and Capstones

Surface water chemistry was measured monthly at ten wetlands in New Hampshire from January, 2005 through October, 2006. An additional wetland was sampled intensively and only during summer-autumn, 2005, and summer, 2006. Nitrate, ammonium, dissolved organic nitrogen, total dissolved nitrogen, nitrous oxide, and dissolved organic carbon concentrations in surface waters immediately up- and downstream of the wetlands were compared and changes in concentration were modeled. Nitrate, total nitrogen, organic nitrogen, and organic carbon concentrations differed significantly between upstream and downstream sampling stations. Ammonium and nitrous oxide did not show strong differences between upstream and downstream during much of the sampling …

An Analysis Of Accelerated Atherosclerosis In The Hyperglycemic Hyperlipidemic Syrian F(1)B Hamster, Adele Jeanne Marone

Master's Theses and Capstones

Humans with diabetes mellitus are two to five times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and do so at a much younger age than non-diabetics. This study utilized the Syrian F1B hamster, a model of human atherosclerosis, to: (1) determine whether one intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) could induce a diabetic-like hyperglycemic state, (2) compare the development of atherosclerotic lesions between non-treated (N), hyperglycemic (G), hyperlipidemic (L) and combined hyperlipidemic/hyperglycemic (L+G) hamsters, and (3) determine whether lesion development was accelerated due to plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, non-HDL-C, HDL-C, or lipid hydroperoxides, or by the TC/HDL-C or TG/HDL-C …

Blending Techniques For Underwater Photomosaics, Fan Gu

Master's Theses and Capstones

The creation of consistent underwater photomosaics is typically hampered by local misalignments and inhomogeneous illumination of the image frames, which introduce visible seams that complicate post processing of the mosaics for object recognition and shape extraction. In this thesis, methods are proposed to improve blending techniques for underwater photomosaics and the results are compared with traditional methods. Five specific techniques drawn from various areas of image processing, computer vision, and computer graphics have been tested: illumination correction based on the median mosaic, thin plate spline warping, perspective warping, graph-cut applied in the gradient domain and in the wavelet domain. A …

Denitrification Drives Total Nitrate Uptake In Small Puerto Rican Streams, Jody D. Potter

Master's Theses and Capstones

An intensive study that was part of the Lotic Intersite Nitrogen eXperiment II (LINX II) project was conducted to determine nitrogen transformations in nine low-order streams with contrasting land use. Short term (24-hour) additions of K15NO3 and NaBr were performed on a gradient of anthropogenically impacted streams in Puerto Rico. Nitrate uptake was determined from longitudinal decline in 15NO3 and denitrification rates were determined from the longitudinal pattern of 15N 2 and 15N2O. Several physical, chemical, and biological variables were also measured to determine controlling factors. I performed these experiments to investigate: (1) the mechanisms for NO3 uptake and denitrification …

Structural Analysis Of A Small Volume Offshore Aquaculture Cage System Utilizing Numerical Modeling And Scaled Physical Testing, Ashley M. Risso

Master's Theses and Capstones

The global demand for fish products has surpassed the supply available from wild harvest. As this demand continues to increase, the need for ample aquaculture facilities is causing many protective coastal areas, common for fish growing sites, to become highly overloaded creating both environmental and space concerns. Progressive solutions are enabling the development of new sites in the offshore environment. This study evaluated the structural performance of the American Soybean Association International Marketing and U.S. Soybean Export Council's open ocean aquaculture fish cage and mooring design proposed for use in developing countries.

The analysis included numerical modeling and physical testing. …

The Effect Of Involvement On Collegiate Binge Drinking: An Examination Of Competing Social Theories, Lauren Rinaldi Magrath

Master's Theses and Capstones

The perils of collegiate binge drinking are well documented in popular media, frequently in light of athletic or Greek participation. This study was designed to better understand relationships between an expanded list of involvements and the frequency of binging by applying competing theories. Social bond theory predicts all conventional involvements will serve to prevent deviant behavior. In contrast, subcultural theory suggests some involvements will serve to support deviance. Using the College Alcohol Study and OLS regression, this study examined the relationship between involvements and binging, and if the processes operate by gender. The study found some results in alignment with …

The Male Perspective: The Psychological Experience Of A Male Whose Wife Is Diagnosed With Breast Cancer, Heather Roy

Master's Theses and Capstones

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in the United States. Breast cancer does not only affect the individual diagnosed, but also her family. Research has shown that spouses are the most commonly reported support people for married women with the diagnosis. The impact of the diagnosis of breast cancer and treatment for women is well studied and documented, but the psychological effects on spouses have received less attention. This phenomenological study was designed to enhance understanding of the psychological experiences of a male whose wife is diagnosed with breast cancer Participants in this study were six Caucasian males …

The Use Of John Adams As A Historical Character 1789--1874, Heather Baures

Master's Theses and Capstones

John Adams was central to the founding of the United States and has held enduring interest among many generations including his own. The foundation of Adams as a historical character was constructed both by people he interacted with personally and by the turmoil of politics, casting him in roles with conflicting results. After his death, Adams was placed in a variety of roles as a historical character as people struggled to make sense of the contentious decades leading up and including the Civil War. After the Civil War, a more sophisticated "warts and all" portrayal of John Adams as a …

Hospice Nurses, Spiritual Development And A Changing Health Care Paradigm, Amy L. Barr

Master's Theses and Capstones

Recently researchers have become increasingly interested in how we are going to care for our growing elderly population. Little, however, has been done to examine the personal attitudes toward death, dying and spirituality of the professionals who care for the terminally ill. The purpose of this study is to examine spiritual development among hospice nurses who work in palliative care. Data were obtained using qualitative, in-depth interviews with 20 hospice nurses (4 males, 16 females) from ages 36 to 61. The interviews were conducted at three different hospice organizations located in the northwest, northeast and New England regions of the …

Simple Authentication And Security Layer Incorporating Extensible Authentication Protocol, Myung-Sun Kim

Master's Theses and Capstones

There are many methods that support user authentication and access control, important roles in the establishment of secure communication. Particularly, we examine Simple Authentication and Security Layer (SASL) and Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) and propose EAP-Advanced Encryption Standard-Pre-Shared-Key (EAP-AES-PSK). SASL is an authentication framework in connection-oriented protocols. EAP is an authentication framework providing multiple authentication methods. SASL is vulnerable to the dictionary attack, replay attack, and Man-In-The-Middle attack as well as the re-keying issue. We propose to incorporate EAP into SASL to enhance the security of SASL and to provide a pathway for easy incorporation of future EAP enhancements into …

Nest Guarding And Aggression In The Red-Backed Salamander, Plethodon Cinereus, Jan Tornick

Master's Theses and Capstones

Several environmental factors and endocrine mechanisms were examined which may affect the intensity of aggression displayed by female red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) during nest guarding. In a set of behavioral experiments, female were challenged by conspecific intruders during egg guarding and intensity of aggression was scored. Four variables were examined: (1) clutch age, (2) clutch size, (3) sex of intruder, and (4) body size of the attendant. In a second set of experiments, tissue samples were taken from challenged and unchallenged brooding females to compare testosterone (T) titers. A novel non-lethal technique was developed for extraction and assay of T …

Non-Invasive Keyboard Fatigue Monitoring System For Improving User Performance And Reducing Incidences Of Repetitive Strain Injuries, Satheesh Jayakumar

Master's Theses and Capstones

Computers are ubiquitous in their application and deployment all over the world. Along with their universal appeal and versatility they also pose dangers to their various users in the form of ailments such as Repetitive Strain Injuries, Carpals Tunnel Syndrome, etc. which are all specifically related to keyboard use. The objective of this thesis was to explore the possibility of developing a deterministic and non-invasive method of detecting keyboard fatigue. A software application was developed which allowed us to reliably monitor this as a function of the latency between keyboard key-press and key-release events recorded by the resident operating system. …

Statistical Characterization Of Correlation-Based Time/Frequency Synchronizers For Ofdm, Anupama Sankaran

Master's Theses and Capstones

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) has been widely adopted as a modulation format for reliable digital communication over multipath fading channels, e.g. IEEE 802.11g "WiFi" networks, as well as broadband wireline channels, e.g. DSL modems. However, its robustness to channel impairments comes at the cost of increased sensitivity to symbol timing and carrier frequency offset errors, and thus requires more complex synchronization methods than conventional single-carrier modulation formats.

In this thesis, a class of synchronization methods based upon the intrinsic autocorrelation structure of the OFDM signal is studied from a statistical perspective. In particular, the reasons for the existence of …

Performance Of Rigid Pavements Containing Recycled Concrete Aggregates, Jeffrey R. Sturtevant

Master's Theses and Capstones

With the rising cost and dwindling supply of conventional concrete aggregates, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is becoming a viable alternative. A performance study of RCA pavements was done in 1994 on nine different RCA pavement sections with ages ranging from six to fourteen years old. A second study was performed in 2006. In addition to the nine sections studied in 1994, two new RCA pavement sections were analyzed. The purpose of the 2006 study was to revaluate the performance of these aging and highly traveled RCA pavements.

Such factors as ASR, maximum aggregate size, RCA mortar content and load transfer …

Completing The Circle: The Mindset And Therapeutic Implications Of The Wilderness Solo, Fritz P. Wenzler

Master's Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this research was to examine the background of the wilderness solo and consider the factors that most affect the outcome of this experience. After completing a literature review of this subject area, I went on my own solo and compared my mindset during this experience to my previous experience and knowledge of the solo. The conclusions that I have made are purely subjective and should not be taken as anything else. I believe, however, that since the solo is a subjective activity based upon the participant's inner reflections, it should be researched in a qualitative, subjective manner. …

The Disneyization Of Service Work In Financial Organizations, Karen Schreiner

Master's Theses and Capstones

In recent years, financial companies have adopted "the Disney Way" in their approaches to customer service. Along with other organizations, financial companies place emphasis on the service they provide and are training associates to stage a "show" for their customers. Financial organizations increasingly look toward Disney as a model for customer "delight", and use Disney's methods of training to mold associates who are constantly smiling and friendly, use a company-written script, and "perform" as part of their job duties.

My study investigates the nature of performance-based customer service through a content analysis of bank teller employment advertisements and banking advertisements …

Microbial Functional Capacity Among Natural And Created Wetlands In Ohio, Usa, Eric J. Saas

Master's Theses and Capstones

Natural depressional wetlands carry out important functions related to C and N cycling, yet the ability of created wetlands to functionally replace natural wetlands in this capacity is not well understood. My objective was to apply the catabolic response profile (CRP) method to evaluate the functional capacity of the soil microbial community in a series of 15 freshwater depressional wetlands: five naturally-occurring wetlands and 10 created wetlands from 1 to 39 years old. I amended sediment samples with 20 labile carbon sources, and samples were analyzed for CO2 and CH4 efflux following a 4-hr incubation under either aerobic or anaerobic …

Utilization Of Evidence Based Practice Principles To Implement Organizational Values, Catherine Z. Curtis

Master's Theses and Capstones

Nursing job satisfaction is related to nursing retention. During this current nursing shortage, nursing leaders need to investigate ways to improve work environments to increase nurse satisfaction. Research has shown nurse job satisfaction greatly impacts the quality of patient care and nurse retention. This research project implemented a nursing model of practice that included organizational values that could be linked to improved job satisfaction. A nursing model derived from The Whole-Person Caring Model (Thornton) and using principles of Shared Governance, Empowerment and Crucial Communication was the independent variable used to measure changes in nurses' perceptions of work environment and job …

Nanoparticle Mediated Oral Delivery Of Insulin, Etienne Cabane

Master's Theses and Capstones

The oral delivery of therapeutic compounds, from small molecules to proteins, is one of the most desirable routes of administration. Its advantages reside in low cost, patient compliance and ease of use. The major challenge associated to such a delivery route is the transport through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In the case of complex and fragile molecules such as proteins, this particular step is the source of multiple challenges. Among the approaches developed to protect the therapeutic compound, the use of polymeric carriers is the most promising. We developed biocompatible and biodegradable polymersomes formed by the self assembly of amphiphilic …

Nitrogen Loading In Coastal Watersheds Of New Hampshire: An Application Of The Sparrow Model, Kathleen A. Legere

Master's Theses and Capstones

In coastal New Hampshire as well as throughout the world there has been an increase in Nitrogen (N) loading to coastal areas. N is considered the limiting nutrient in coastal waters and can lead to eutrophication. Understanding the sources of coastal inputs is difficult because of the many possible sources of N are found in the watershed and few are adequately sampled. Modeling is an important tool in understanding the sources of N in a watershed. In this research, the New England SPARROW (Spatially Referenced Regression on Watershed Attributes) will be applied to predict nitrogen loading in the Exeter, Oyster, …

The Coordination Chemistry Of A Chelating Tricyclic Bisamidine And A New Synthetic Route To A C(2)-Symmetric Tricyclic Bisamidine, Jingwei Li

Master's Theses and Capstones

This thesis presents the synthesis of a novel tricyclic bisamidine, 3,2,3-BisAm 9 (2,3,4,6,7,9,10,11-octahydro-pyrazino[1,2-a:4,3-a'] dipyrimidine) and its coordination chemistry with transition metals. By comparison with its analogue 2,2,2-BisAm, which has diverse coordination modes including both symmetrical and unsymmetrical chelating as well as metal-bridging coordination modes, 3,2,3-BisAm, with a substantially larger ideal bite angle, only exhibits the chelating mode. The preparation and characterization of its complexes with W(0), Cu(II), Pd(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Ag(I), and Eu(III) will be discussed in detail.

This thesis also describes the completion of a novel multi-step synthesis from S-valine of a C2 symmetric chiral 2,2,2-BisAm 71 (2,9-diisopropyl-2,3,5,6,8,9-hexa …

Development Of A Numerical Model To Predict Impact Forces On A North Atlantic Right Whale During Collision With A Vessel, Jason J. Raymond

Master's Theses and Capstones

The North Atlantic right whale is under a great deal of public and private concern due to their endangered status and shrinking numbers. Of the 40 animals examined post-mortem (1970-2006), 21 deaths (52.5%) were caused by vessel-whale collision injuries, such as skull fractures. Several methods have been proposed to help reduce the number of fatalities. One such method is to place restrictions on ship speed within right whale critical habitats. However, no quantitative data exist regarding the effect of reduced vessel speed on the likelihood of fatality. The objective of this study is to develop a numerical model of the …

Arendt And Foucault: Perspectives On Modernity And Citizenship, Martin F. Rowley Jr.

Master's Theses and Capstones

This thesis examines the dangers posed by totalitarianism in the modern age by bringing the philosophies of Hannah Arendt and Michel Foucault together in dialogue. It aims to compare and contrast their respective philosophies as a way of responding to the challenges posed by totalitarianism to democratic culture. While there are clear resonances in their analyses Arendt and Foucault are rarely brought together, much to the detriment of political theory. The thesis is based on a textual analysis of Arendt and Foucault's major works and is organized into three chapters and an introduction. Chapter one gives an overview of Arendt's …

Impacts Of Changing Water Temperatures On The Life Histories Of Two Invasive Ascidians In The Gulf Of Maine: Botryllus Schlosseri And Botrylloides Violaceus, Erica Westerman

Master's Theses and Capstones

The impact of temperature on organism life cycles has received great attention due to heightened awareness of global warming. Relative growth and reproductive development were monitored in two dominant ascidians from the Gulf of Maine to compare effects of rising temperatures on established ( Botryllus schlosseri) versus recently arrived (Botrylloides violaceus) species. Settlement panels were deployed at three sites with different temperature regimes (Damariscotta, ME, Newcastle, NH, and Salem, MA) during two growing seasons June 2005 to December 2006, and a recruitment study conducted May to December 2006. Both species had elongated breeding seasons in Salem, MA relative to the …

A Software Based Apco Project 25 Data Transmission Base Station For Local Police Headquarters, Eric Rene Ramsey

Master's Theses and Capstones

Project54 is a research and development effort to integrate embedded and wireless technologies into both NH State Police and local police cruisers. One of the features of the Project54 system, is the ability to query motor vehicle data. This is done through a Motorola APCO Project 25 digital voice/data radio in the cruiser and a digital voice/data base station at headquarters. An APCO Project 25 base station is a central hub for the transmission and reception of digital voice/data packets. The local police departments have the requisite radio infrastructure, but do not have the budget to purchase and support a …

Transesterification Of Waste Olive Oil By Candida Lipase, Xiangping Shen

Master's Theses and Capstones

Biodiesel was produced by transesterification of waste olive oil with methanol and NovozymRTM435.

Studies were also performed to evaluate the effect at different acyl acceptors and/or solvents on biodiesel yield. Among the selections, tert-butanol with methanol as the solvent and acyl acceptor gave relatively high yield, while tert-butanol without methanol gave a very low yield. Hexane as the solvent and methanol as the acyl acceptor also gave good yield. While using methyl acetate as both the solvent and the acyl acceptor, the yield was a little low, but still much higher than in tert-butanol without methanol. However, compared to the …