Digital Commons Network^™

Geotechnical Test Embankment On Soft Marine Clay In Newington-Dover, New Hampshire, Amy Getchell

Master's Theses and Capstones

During the fall of 2012, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation built a test embankment for the new alignment segment of the proposed Exit 6 Southbound On-Ramp site off Route 4 in Newington-Dover, New Hampshire. The purpose of the test embankment is to determine effective and efficient treatment for the long-term ground settlement of the local soft marine clay native to the site. In addition to the test embankment, prefabricated vertical drains were installed to allow pore water from the soil to seep out and accelerate time-rate consolidation. Various in situ field testing methods were performed including: piezocone penetration, flat …

Synthesis Of Adjacent-Bridged Benzo-Annelated Cyclam And Studies Of Mono- And Di-Benzo-Annelated Cyclam Derivatives, Amanuel B. Ghidey

Master's Theses and Capstones

A new synthetic methodology for the preparation of a novel adjacent-bridged benzoannelated cyclam is presented. This methodology utilizes reductive ring expansion followed by deallylation to give the desired adjacent-bridged benzo-annelated cyclam. This novel ligand is designed to complex metal cations with a trans coordination geometry. Derivatives of this ligand can be prepared by attaching pendant arms on the nitrogens which can aid as coordinating arms and linkers for potential use of this ligand as bifunctional chelator (BFC).

Coupling chemistry studies have been carried out in an attempt to increase the lipophilicity of a dibenzo-annelated tetracyclic bisaminal and to functionalize at …

Experimental Investigation Of The Turbulent Axisymmetric Wake With Rotation Generated By A Wind Turbine, Nathaniel P. Dufresne

Master's Theses and Capstones

An experimental investigation of the axial and azimuthal (swirl) velocity field in the wake of a single 3-bladed wind turbine with rotor diameter of 0.91m was conducted, up to 20 diameters downstream. The turbine was positioned in the free stream, near the entrance of the 6m x 2.7m cross section of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Flow Physics Facility. Velocity measurements were conducted at different rotor loading conditions with blade tip-speed ratios from 2.0 to 2.8. A Pitot-static tube and constant temperature hot-wire anemometer with a multi-wire sensor were used to measure velocity fields. An equilibrium similarity theory for …

Viability Of Butternut (Juglans Cinerea L) In The Northeastern United States: An Assessment Of The Genetic Diversity, Health, And Hybridization And Recruitment Of Butternut In The Northeast, Andre A W Boraks

Master's Theses and Capstones

Butternut (Juglans cinerea) trees are being extirpated from their natural range by means of an epidemic caused by a fungal pathogen. Widespread mortality is reminiscent of past epidemics on American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and American elm (Ulmus americana ). Understanding the course of contemporary decline of this tree species will provide greater insight on processes of potential extinction and the results of management to prevent it.

This thesis applies an interdisciplinary approach to characterize butternut of the northeastern Unites States. While there is evidence of weak genetic structuring, butternut appears to have maintained sufficient dispersal to prevent isolation and inbreeding …

Characterizing Winter Flounder (Pseudopleuronectes Americanus) Nursery Areas Using Otolith Microstructure And Microchemical Techniques, David Bailey

Master's Theses and Capstones

A preliminary study, using young-of-the-year winter flounder from 12 nursery areas from New Jersey to New Hampshire, evaluated indirect and direct measurements of nursery quality. Growth and condition indices (length d --1, weight d--1, Fulton's K and relative weight) were calculated from otolith microstructure to indirectly evaluate nursery quality. Boston Harbor, MA and Great Bay, NH were found to be the healthiest nurseries and the Niantic River, CT was found to be the least healthy nursery. In addition to these indirect indices, we conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of otolith microchemistry as a direct measurement of nursery habitat. …

Patterns Of Intron Loss And Gain In Caenorhabditis, Gabrielle Giese

Master's Theses and Capstones

Introns, segments of genes that get spliced from the transcript before translation, are prevalent parts of many genomes and yet remain largely mysterious. Although their presence in the genome has been known for over thirty years, we still cannot answer the most fundamental questions about introns, such as where did they originate and, how are they gained and lost? In our most stringent dataset, we compared 137,453 intron positions in 6,257 pan-orthologs among four species of Caenorhabditis using a bioinformatics approach. While 82% of intron positions were conserved, we found a remarkable amount of intron variation. We also found evidence …

Understanding Spawning Behavior And Habitat Use By Anadromous Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus Mordax) Using Passive Integrated Transponder Systems And Telemetry, Claire L. Enterline

Master's Theses and Capstones

Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) are anadromous fish that spawn in coastal streams and rivers and provide an important prey base to many marine predators. Populations range-wide have experienced severe decline possibly due to habitat degradation and loss of spawning habitat. This study quantified within-season repeat spawning behavior by rainbow smelt at two spawning sites in the Gulf of Maine, and described movements and habitat use during and following the spawning season in the Great Bay and Piscataqua River estuary complex in New Hampshire. Repeat spawning behavior was found to be a predominantly male behavior, consistent with past studies. …

The Failed Introduction Of The Sea Anemone Sagartia Elegans In Salem Harbor, Massachusetts, Christopher David Wells

Master's Theses and Capstones

Many studies have reported the arrival and subsequent range expansion of foreign species within the marine ecosystems, but few studies have documented species that arrive and fail to establish. In 2000, the sea anemone Sagartia elegans (Dalyell, 1848) was first found in Salem, MA and persisted seasonally until the winter of 2010-2011 after which it has not been found. In both laboratory and field based temperature growth studies, S. elegans began regressing in size at 11 °C, stopped asexually reproducing at 9 °C, and died by 4 °C; these temperatures are far above the average winter sea surface temperature in …

Energy Resolution Analysis Of A Domestic Neutron Imager, Marissa Louise Rousseau

Master's Theses and Capstones

The calibration and correction of the Neutron Spectroscope (NSPECT) time-of-flight (ToF) system are presented. This instrument is a double-scatter telescope designed to detect neutrons and gamma rays for the identification and location of radioactive materials. The ToF resolution is 0.72 ns FWHM. Results are reported for the ToF characterization using data obtained in the laboratory. An anomalous feature in the gamma-ray energy spectra measured with NSPECT neutron detectors is examined.

A design based on NSPECT is proposed for the assay of spent nuclear fuel, where portability is increased in exchange for source location capabilities. The proposed modular device is modifiable …

Two Axis Dilatometer Design And Preliminary Study Of Epoxy Microcracking In 3d Carbon Fiber Woven Composites, Jordan Mathew Kusch

Master's Theses and Capstones

Microcracking is an issue which plagues many types of composites today and is more prevalent in the advanced woven composites such as three dimensional woven carbon fiber composites. Understanding and avoiding microcracking is a process which requires special instrumentation to study the formation of microcracks and is capable of measuring stresses inside epoxy during curing. This research develops a test instrument capable of measuring deformations in samples of curing epoxy which can related to triaxial stresses up to and after failure. Our instrument can be used to study the epoxy curing process in a new light and to experiment with …

Leveling Device Settings And Transverse Joint Material Testing For Full Depth Precast Panel Bridge Deck Assembly, Rowen E. Prescott

Master's Theses and Capstones

Across the United States there are many deteriorating highway bridges that are in need of replacement. In 2013, the Federal Highway Administration estimated that one-fourth of the Nation's bridges are in need of rehabilitation, repair, or complete replacement. (FHWA, 2013) To address these needs, innovative techniques must be developed to reduce both lifecycle costs and construction times while increasing both the quality and safety of bridge rehabilitation projects.

This research aims to further develop a method of integrating structural analysis software, during the modular construction process, to predict the leveling device settings for precast prestressed panels to ensure the desired …

The Role Of Parental Self-Efficacy: The Voices Of Mothers With Low-Income Navigating Supports, Services, And Obstacles, Sarah M. Bond

Master's Theses and Capstones

Through semi-structured interviews, the current study examined the role of parental self-efficacy as mothers with low-income navigated challenging contexts and experiences while receiving formal and informal supports. Mothers shared their unique experiences, which provided insight into their lives and how contextual variables influenced parental self-efficacy. As a result of this study, four themes emerged: 1) the function of mental health, 2) sense of community, 3) stability, and 4) the perceptions of child development and growth. Findings indicated that a sense of stability mediated contextual challenges and increased parental self-efficacy, identified that informal and formal supports contribute to both high and …

Stacker Crane Problem State Space Reduction, Frank Kreimendahl

Master's Theses and Capstones

Many resource delivery problems, from delivery vehicle routing to circuit board assembly, can be expressed as stacker-crane problems (SCPs). In SCPs, a single agent must transfer resources from their starting locations to goal locations by traversing a graph. These problems have been split into many categories based on their graph structure and other problem properties. This thesis examines preemptive stacker-crane problems on four-connected grids, which are common graphs in motion planning domains. A wealth of research has already been done on motion planning on graphs, both for optimal and suboptimal solutions. This thesis focuses on reducing the number of vertices …

The Individual Tree And Forest Stand Level Impacts Of Winter Moth Defoliation In Eastern Massachusetts, Usa, Michael J. Simmons

Master's Theses and Capstones

Winter moth is a non-native invasive defoliator in New England. This thesis related host tree radial growth of individual trees in eastern Massachusetts to winter moth defoliation intensity using tree core analysis. Further, tree core analysis was used to identify winter moth defoliation events in several forest stands in eastern Massachusetts and these events were used to relate winter moth to stand level tree mortality and understory woody plant density. Quercus radial growth from 2005-2010 was negatively related to winter moth defoliation. In addition, Quercus mortality in mixed -- Quercus and Quercus - P. strobus forests in eastern Massachusetts was …

Production Of Bio-Jet Fuel From Microalgae, Marian Elmoraghy

Master's Theses and Capstones

The increase in petroleum-based aviation fuel consumption, the decrease in petroleum resources, the fluctuation of the crude oil price, the increase in greenhouse gas emission and the need for energy security are motivating the development of an alternate jet fuel. Bio-jet fuel has to be a drop in fuel, technically and economically feasible, environmentally friendly, greener than jet fuel, produced locally and low gallon per Btu. Bic jet fuel has been produced by blending petro-based jet fuel with microalgae biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, or simply FAME). Indoor microalgae growth, lipids extraction and transetrification to biodiesel are energy and fresh …

Interfacing With A Capacitance Based Strain Sensor For Use In Cnc Milling Applications, Christopher George Dean

Master's Theses and Capstones

"Smart machining" provides feedback to the machine in an attempt to avoid pushing the cutting tool beyond its capability or lifetime, potentially ruining the tool or workpiece. This thesis details the process of designing a circuit board for communication with a capacitance-based wireless strain sensor to achieve a target strain resolution of 10muepsilon, at a target measurement rate of 100 kHz. The sensor resonates at a particular frequency, which varies as a function of strain on the tool. The strain is calculated as a function of the change in the resonant frequency. The results of this research are presented in …

Modeling Long-Term Carbon Accumulation Of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest Ecosystems, Sofyan Kurnianto

Master's Theses and Capstones

Peatlands play an important role in the global climate system and carbon cycle; their large carbon stocks could be released to the atmosphere due to climate change or disturbance, resulting in increased climate forcing. I modified the Holocene Peat Model (HPM), a process-based model coupling water and carbon balance for simulating carbon dynamic over millennia, to be applicable for tropical peatlands.

HPMTrop outputs are generally consistent with the field observations from Indonesia. The simulated long-term carbon accumulation rate for coastal and inland peatlands were 0.63 and 0.26 Mg C ha-1 y -1, and the resulting peat carbon stocks at the …

Rapid Bridge Deck Replacement Using Finite Element Modeling As A Construction Aid, Justin Pelletier

Master's Theses and Capstones

Many bridges in the nation are listed as structurally deficient. This calls for new and innovative ways to repair these bridges that cause as little impediment to traffic flow as possible. A modular deck replacement system using full-depth precast prestressed concrete panels has been tried and proven in the field as a time efficient and cost effective deck replacement option.

The goal of this research project was to improve upon this modular system of deck replacement by investigating the viability of using finite element analysis software to aid in the construction process. The purpose of using a finite element model …

Observations Of Pockmark Flow Structure In Belfast Bay, Maine, Christina L. Fandel

Master's Theses and Capstones

Vertical current and CTD profiles were acquired over a small, spherical pockmark and a larger, more elongated pockmark in Belfast Bay, Maine in July 2011. These observations showed evidence for mixing within the pockmarks, a rotational pattern that resembles open cavity flow, and incipient motion along the rims. Over the center of each pockmark, observations of uniform temperature properties below 12 m are indicative of mixing within the pockmark. The observed complex rotational structure over each pockmark shows significant rotation with depth and a greater degree of rotation during ebbing tide. These observations are qualitatively consistent with circulation patterns predicted …

Theoretical Analysis Of The Reaction Of Peroxymethyl Radical With Atomic Hydrogen And Of Dibenzofuran With Atomic Chlorine, Mikhail Zhukovskiy

Master's Theses and Capstones

Experimental determination of rate constants for gas phase radical reactions is challenging. When rate constants necessary for modeling complex processes in atmospheric and combustion science are unknown, theoretical predictions are useful. We used Variational Transition State Theory with Multidimensional Tunneling (VTST/MT) with Density Functional Theory (DFT) to calculate the rate constant and isotope effects for reaction between the peroxymethyl radical and the hydrogen atom.

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are a group of extremely toxic compounds formed during waste incineration. Currently, their chemical degradation in the atmosphere is poorly understood. While some experimental and theoretical results regarding the reaction of PCDFs with …

Evaluation And Optimization Of Bioretention Design For Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal, Robin M. Stone

Master's Theses and Capstones

Laboratory and field investigations were conducted into the performance of modified bioretention system designs to reduce nutrient loads from stormwater runoff. Bioretention design characteristics of particular interest were filter media composition and structural configuration. A filter media admixture of raw aluminum-based water treatment residuals (WTR) in bioretention soil mix effectively adsorbed orthophosphate in laboratory tests (90-99% median removal efficiencies). WTR dewatered to 33% solids demonstrated consistently higher removal efficiencies (>99%). A bioretention system constructed in Durham, NH in 2011 includes a bioretention soil mix with raw WTR admixture (9% solids) and a structural design modeled after the UNHSC subsurface …

Investigation Of Sex Change, Sex Differentiation And Stress Responses In Black Seabass (Centropristis Striata), Danielle C. Duquette

Master's Theses and Capstones

Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) have been the focus of research as an aquaculture species for several years due to their high consumer demand and limited seasonable availability. As protogynous hermaphrodites, black sea bass initially develop as females in the wild, and undergo sex reversal between 2 and 6 years of age. Previous studies demonstrated that in captivity, however, a significant number of fish differentiate initially as males, and sex reversal is hastened in females. Full control of reproduction is required for successful commercial culture. Since captive environments pose several sources of stress upon the cultured species, this research investigates …

Population Structure Of Euonymus Alatus (Burning Bush) In Forests Of Southeastern New Hampshire And Potential For Further Spread, Rachel D M Johnson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is an exotic ornamental shrub invasive in forests of the northeastern United States. I sampled burning bush populations in four mid-successional forests and related burning bush success or "status" (based on presence and height in 4m2 plots) to environmental factors, including photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), soil nutrients, and abundance of other plants. All populations were multi-aged, with a greater number of younger than older stems, and with taller, older plants producing fruit. Burning bush status was significantly and positively related to percent total transmitted PAR, negatively to the basal area of shade tolerant trees 4-10 em …

Seismic Collapse Assessment Of A 20-Story Steel Moment Resisting Frame Structure, Annika C. Mathiasson

Master's Theses and Capstones

The 2010 edition of ASCE-7 (ASCE 7-10, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures) introduces risk-targeted spectral acceleration values for the estimation of seismic design loads. In this study, a 20-story steel moment resisting frame structure located in Century City, CA is designed based on ASCE 7-10 and a probabilistic seismic collapse assessment is conducted. The main goals are to: (a) evaluate whether the design of a typical steel moment-frame structure based on risk-targeted spectral accelerations fulfills the target design collapse level of one percent probability of collapse in 50 years, and (b) quantify and understand the collapse potential …

An Examination Of The Reduction Of Effective Impervious Cover And Ecosystem And Watershed Response, Viktor Hlas

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study examined the reduction of effective impervious cover (EIC) and watershed response by Low Impact Development (LID) and stream restoration efforts. The Berry Brook Watershed Renewal Project consisted of day lighting approximately 1,100 feet of stream and installation of 13 LID systems for a combined impervious area treatment of 20.7 acres on a 185 acre watershed. Watershed response was measured and modeled by hydrologic and water quality parameters.

Hydrologic daily flow analysis revealed that there was a significant decrease in average, maximum and minimum flows between preuo and postuo LID implementation and stream restoration improvements periods in the direction …

Socioeconomic Status, Mastery, And Goal-Striving Stress Among Rural Youth, Michael S. Staunton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Although a growing body of research documents the links between goal-striving stress and emotional disorder, less research examines the psychosocial antecedents of goal-striving stress. Drawing on longitudinal survey data from a panel study of rural youth, this thesis examines the effects of socioeconomic status and mastery on educational goal-striving stress, occupational goal-striving stress, and combined goal-striving stress. Results indicate that each measure of goal-striving stress is not equally well predicted by socioeconomic status and mastery. Notably, the effects of socioeconomic status on occupational goal-striving stress and combined goal-striving stress are conditioned by mastery, while neither socioeconomic status nor mastery is …

Adaptive Network On Chip Routing Using The Turn Model, Jonathan W. Brown

Master's Theses and Capstones

To create a viable network on chip, many technical challenges need to be solved. One of the aspects of solutions is the routing algorithm: how to route packets from one component (e.g., core CPU) to another without deadlock or livelock while avoiding congestion or faulty routers. Routing algorithms must deal with these problems while remaining simple enough to keep the hardware cost low.

We have created a simple to implement, deadlock free, and livelock free routing algorithm that addresses these challenges. This routing algorithm, Weighted Non-Minimal OddEven (WeNMOE), gathers information on the state of the network (congestion/faults) from surrounding routers. …

Investigation Of Thermal And Mechanical Effects During Electrically-Assisted Microforming, Adam Jordan

Master's Theses and Capstones

The goal of this research was to investigate Electrically-Assisted Forming (EAF) at the microscale. Past research has suggested that EAF has the potential to overcome microforming difficulties (i.e., increased data scatter caused by the individual grains affecting the global material properties). In this thesis, three point bending results are presented for both classical (non-EA) and EA processes with CuZn30 specimens containing different grain sizes. A more uniform strain distribution was achieved with the EA processes. Although the application of current did not result in the expected forming force reduction, a decrease was observed where a temperature spike occurred (believed to …

The Effect Of A Speech-Generating Ipad Application On The Communication Outcomes Of Students Who Have Complex Communication Needs In Educational Settings: Three Case Studies, Amber Szilagyi

Master's Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the efficacy of the use of a speech-generating application on the Apple iPad as a speech-generating device (SGD) by measuring three students' progress towards individual communication goals using the Speak for Yourself! (SFY) speech-generating app. The proposed speech-generating device was implemented into regularly scheduled speech-language therapy sessions with 3 students with complex communication needs (CCNs) over a 12-week period. Data measured at three different points were collected by students' speech-language pathologists using Goal Attainment Scaling. Results were positive. All student participants made progress towards, reached, or exceeded communication goals during the …

The Effect Of Specific Professional Development On Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions Of Their Knowledge, Skill, And Confidence In Using The Ipad As A Speech-Generating Device With Students Who Have Complex Communication Needs, Kelsey S. Hall

Master's Theses and Capstones

Despite increasing popularity surrounding the implementation of the iPad in therapy by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with students who have complex communication needs (CCNs), no research to date has explored professional development (PD) training and its outcome on SLPs knowledge, skill, and confidence in using the iPad as a speech-generating device (SGD). The present research explores the effect of PD and practice on the knowledge, skills, and confidence of three school-based SLPs, ages 43 to 59, implementing the Speak for Yourself! application on the iPad in therapy with students who have CCNs over 12 weeks.

Changes in the SLP's perceived knowledge, …