Digital Commons Network^™

Properties Of Asphalt Mixtures Containing Rap, Aaron Marc Lachance

Master's Theses and Capstones

As the space available in landfills and the amount of high quality virgin aggregate has declined, the use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in new asphaltic concrete mixtures has become common. This research examines how RAP affects virgin mixtures. A Superpave 19 mm mixture containing 0% RAP is used as the control for evaluating properties of mixes containing 15%, 25%, and 40% RAP. Volumetric analyses identified increases in both voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) and voids filled with asphalt (VFA) at the 25% and 40% RAP levels, and that the amount of pre-heating of RAP prior to mixing influenced …

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 …

Synthetic Approaches To Cis,Cis-1,3,5-Triaminocyclohexane (Tach) And Tach-Based Ligands, Allison Lisa Lindell

Master's Theses and Capstones

Cis, cis-1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) has been synthesized according to various routes, and the methods were evaluated on the basis of product yield, number of steps, and expense of reagents. The conversion of cis, cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid to the desired product by the Curtius rearrangement, as previously described in the literature, was found to be the most suitable procedure based on yield and number of steps. From the standpoint of cost, the reagents of the Curtius rearrangement were derived from inexpensive, commercially available starting materials. The yields of the synthesis are variable, and preliminary studies of yield optimization are described.

Three ligands based …

"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 …

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, …

Investigation Of A Submerged Four-Bay Mooring System For Aquaculture, Glen Rice

Master's Theses and Capstones

The August 2003 deployment of a second generation mooring system for fish cages at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) open ocean aquaculture site, south of the Isles of Shoals, NH, is described and evaluated. The new system, a submerged four bay grid similar to those used in inshore aquaculture, uses submerged flotation to maintain its depth and tension. The system's depth and line tensions are sensitive to the deployed anchor locations. Anchors that are not positioned correctly can have reduced holding power or result in problem snap loads.

The mooring system deployment process and its resulting geometry was examined …

Degradation Of Methyl Tert Butyl Ether, Priya Saripalli

Master's Theses and Capstones

Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is the most common oxygenated fuel additive used in gasoline to improve combustion and reduce air emissions. MTBE is commonly found in natural water as contaminate from gasoline spills. Remediation of the contaminated water is difficult by traditional treatments. In this thesis, degradation of MTBE using Fenton's reaction was studied. The effect of pH, concentration of ferric ammonium sulfate and hydrogen peroxide on the removal efficiency of MTBE was studied and optimum conditions were determined experimentally. A maximum conversion of 90% was achieved when 0.14 M MTBE was reacted with 1.1 g/L ferric ammonium sulfate …

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 …

Volume Visualization Of Time-Varying Data Using Parallel, Multiresolution And Adaptive-Resolution Techniques, Sadaf Shams

Master's Theses and Capstones

This paper presents a parallel rendering approach that allows high-quality visualization of large time-varying volume datasets. Multiresolution and adaptive-resolution techniques are also incorporated to improve the efficiency of the rendering. Three basic steps are needed to implement this kind of an application. First we divide the task through decomposition of data. This decomposition can be either temporal or spatial or a mix of both. After data has been divided, each of the data portions is rendered by a separate processor to create sub-images or frames. Finally these sub-images or frames are assembled together into a final image or animation. After …

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 …

Analysis Of Adc2 And Samdc1 Expression And The Effects Of Transgenic Manipulation Of Polyamine Biosynthesis On Flower Development In Arabidopsis, Vasavi Rani Challa

Master's Theses and Capstones

Polyamines are low molecular weight, aliphatic cationic molecules playing a vital role in all cellular and physiological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, abiotic stress, and somatic embryogenesis. The present study is aimed at unraveling their role during floral development in Arabidopsis thaliana by studying the temporal and spatial expression of ADC2 and SAMDC1 genes by promoter-reporter fusion analysis, and by the transgenic expression of mouse ODC and carrot SAMDC under tissue specific promoters AP1 and AP3, respectively. The expression of SAMDC1 was found to be prominent during different stages of development and in different whorls of flowers whereas ADC2 …

Native Gastropods And Introduced Crabs: Shell Morphology And Resistance To Predation In The New England Rocky Intertidal Zone, Sarah Joanne Teck

Master's Theses and Capstones

The impact of non-native species is one of the most critical issues facing management and conservation today. When these invaders are generalist predators, their impacts on native communities can be a major restructuring force for ecosystems. A new voracious predator the Asian crab, Hemigrapsus sanguineus , joins another non-native established species, Carcinus maenas, along the majority of the New England coastline. What remains poorly understood is how the two introduced predators may modify local communities, especially considering their impact on native prey, such as the rough periwinkle snail, Littorina saxatilis. The goal of this research is to investigate the vulnerability …

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 …

Mhc (B) Complex Recombinant Immune Response, Nicole Gay Wilkinson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Recombination between chicken major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I B-F and class IV B-G genes has enabled more precise identification of genes controlling immune responses. Congenic lines, each containing a unique MHC recombinant, were developed with 99.9% genetic uniformity to inbred Line UCD 003 (B17B17). A new recombinant, R13 (BF17-BG23), originated in the tenth backcross generation for R1 (BF24-BG23). Two experiments tested the R13 immune response to bovine red blood .cells (BRBC) and Rous sarcoma virus (RSV).

A single R13B17 sire mated to five R131317 dams produced progeny segregating for R13R13, R13B17, and B17B17 genotypes. These progeny were injected with …

Stormwater Management Measures And Fecal Indicator Bacteria, Robert A. Wildey

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study was undertaken to address concerns that current stormwater management practices could be degrading water quality by inadvertently providing habitat, nutrients, and transport mechanisms for fecal indicator bacteria. Concentrations of Escherichia coli (EC) and Enterococcus (ENT) were evaluated in the influent, effluent, and retained water of 11 stormwater management devices. All devices received equal portions of influent from a single stormwater outfall that handled runoff from a 3.55-hectare asphalt parking lot. During storm events, influent and effluent water samples were obtained from flow-weighted composite samples, thereby representing the microbial event mean concentration. Retained water samples were obtained from grab …