Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Resistance And Resilience Of Recreationally Important Fish Species To Extreme Events In Coastal Texas, Ana Cecilia Silverio

Master's Theses and Capstones

Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. In turn, these extreme events may affect coastal resources such as fisheries. Extreme events not only have ecological effects but also economic and cultural impacts as human communities throughout the world depend on coastal resources for their livelihoods. In this thesis, I used long-term fisheries independent data to discern how different coastal Texas recreational fish species (Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, and Southern Flounder) were affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a freeze event in 2021. I found variation in the post-storm response (percent …

A Novel ‘Adjacent Mycorrhizal Symbiosis’ In Invasive Garlic Mustard, Joshua A. Trombley

Master's Theses and Capstones

Invasion of temperate forests by Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) may be affected by interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Although AMF are generally mutualists of land plants, they suppress the growth of close relatives of garlic mustard1–3. Garlic mustard produces indolic glucosinolates, a class of organic compounds known to suppress AMF4,5 and which may protect the plant from AMF antagonism. We would therefore expect a negative interaction between these organisms. Contrary to this expectation, we show that AMF inoculation promotes garlic mustard growth, and this effect is influenced by investments in plant defense. AMF inoculation and subsequent colonization increased plant …

Uncovering Fragmented Information About Pfas Contamination In Private Wells And Its Role In Housing Market Response, Catherine Taylor

Master's Theses and Capstones

PFAS are emerging contaminants that continue to rise in their public and political saliency. Although causal health outcomes are still unclear, there is evidence that the widespread and widely used family of chemicals has been correlated with negative human health impacts. The state of New Hampshire was one of the first in the country to regulate PFAS, establishing a lower maximum contaminant limit (MCL) than the EPA at the federal level. As PFAS policy continues to develop at the federal and state levels, it is important to consider how New Hampshire residents perceive this issue. In particular, residents in Hillsborough, …

The Influence Of Lake Productivity On Methane Production And Ebullition From Temperate And Arctic Lake Sediments, Megan Wimsatt

Master's Theses and Capstones

Northern freshwater lakes (> 40°N) are an increasingly recognized major contributor of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere. Climate warming and eutrophication acceleration threaten to increase CH4 emissions from these lake ecosystems, particularly in littoral (shallow lake edge) zones where ebullition (bubbling) is often a dominant flux pathway. Few studies have investigated the impacts of lake productivity on limnological CH4 cycling for a range of trophic classes and provided a comparison between different latitudes. Here, we analyzed chlorophyll α (chlα; proxy for lake productivity), other water quality parameters, sediment CH4 production rates, and ebullition rates at nine …

Magnetic Properties Of Manganese-Bismuth (Mnbi) Using Dft Calculations, James Wirth

Master's Theses and Capstones

Permanent magnets are in electronic or other systems that are necessary in daily life. Rare earth metals are the common base elements for permanent magnets, but their availability on the global stage is unstable. MnBi is one material being considered to replace rare earth materials due to its high electron mobility and strong conductivity. A literature review on the topic revealed that MnBi has a large energy product, high Curie temperature, promising band structure, and other beneficial features. This review was based on experimental data and theoretical calculations that used a variety of approximations. It was determined that MnBi could …

Harnessing Eye And Face Movements: Bridging Technology And Human Interaction, Daniel Rubin

Master's Theses and Capstones

AbstractThe profound impact of non-verbal communication in the realms of psychology, virtual reality (VR), and automated systems; underscores, a critical inquiry: How can we effectively interpret and utilize non-verbal cues; for example, eye and head movements, to address current limitations in technology and ethics across various applications? This thesis explores the potential of eye and head movement techniques, as a transformative tool in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, user interaction, and ethical compliance in these fields. One significant contribution of my research is the identification and implementation methods of non-invasive diagnostic tools, in healthcare. Through, the advanced analysis of eye and head …

Representation And The Achievement Gap: A Case For Prioritizing Cultural Sameness In The Classroom, Taryn J. Fears

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study examined the impact of cultural representation on achievement for minority students academically and socially across diverse contexts. Recognizing the importance of cultural diversity in educational and youth mentoring settings, this research explores how the representation of various cultural identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, influences student achievement outcomes. Coming from a background in community based nonprofit organizations, I have seen how black and brown students respond in classroom and out-of-school time settings when having come in contact with teachers and mentors of similar culture. Having a teacher and/or mentor of a similar culture creates pathways …

What Stories Do Rural Youth Tell About Future Orientation In Their Communities? Implications For Rural Positive Youth Development, Hannah Joy Falcone

Master's Theses and Capstones

It is a tale as old as time; rural youth have a well-developed pattern of outmigration from their hometowns, largely driven by aspirations of achieving education or specialized career opportunities available elsewhere. This qualitative study explores the positive youth development (PYD) experiences of youth living in rural, northern New England communities, including how interactions with rural school, community and work engagement, and experiences out in nature are described as important in future orientation in rural spaces. Virtual interviews were conducted with 18 youth (ages 14-19). Qualitative themes were developed through an inductive coding strategy, alongside a deductive structured coding strategy …

Fate Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In A Wastewater Treatment Facility Using A Novel Membrane Bioreactor, Lindsay Ann Guertin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of chemicals known for their environmental persistence and unique thermal and chemical stability which has led them to be used in a variety of products including paper, carpets, clothes, cosmetics, food packaging, kitchen ware, chrome plating, and aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs). Their resistance to biochemical degradation has led regulators to be interested in reducing PFAS loads to the environment and sources that humans are exposed to (e.g. drinking water). Recent studies have shown that concentrations of some terminal PFAS increase after secondary (biological) wastewater treatment indicating that precursor compounds are …

Relating Acoustic And Optical Measurements Through Models Of A Synthetic Bubbly Seagrass Bed In A Stationary And Wave-Induced Laboratory Environment, Langdon Tarbell

Master's Theses and Capstones

Seagrass meadows are an essential part of littoral ecosystems, which provide many ecosystems service. They sequester carbon, filter seawater, protect coastlines from erosion, and serve as important nursery habitats. When seagrasses photosynthesize, they remove carbon dioxide from the environment and supersaturate the surrounding water with oxygen, at which time, bubbles form on the seagrass leaves and eventually rise to the atmosphere. Acoustic waves are highly sensitive to the presence of these bubbles, impacting naval sonar applications, such as mine hunting and underwater navigation, and therefore are also of importance to the Navy. Recently, seagrass have experienced a consistent decline in …

Assessing Visitor Preferences For Reservation Systems In Parks And Protected Areas: Insights From The Green Mountain National Forest, Ridgley Jordan Ward

Master's Theses and Capstones

The use of reservation systems in parks and protected areas has recently increased across the United States, influenced by factors such as carrying capacity and social distancing measures during COVID-19. This study employs stated choice modeling to examine visitor preferences for reservation systems at the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, USA, using a combined mail-back and online survey approach (n=629) during the summer of 2023. Our analysis focused on several key factors: ecological integrity, permit acquisition, crowding, parking wait times, and price. Findings reveal that ecological impacts, such as visible signs of litter or vegetative damage, significantly influenced visitor …

Marker Discovery To Support Genetic Improvement Of Kiwiberry, Reecha Acharya

Master's Theses and Capstones

Kiwiberry (A. arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. Ex Miq.) is a functionally rich, grape-sized aromatic fruit crop that can tolerate cold temperatures up to -30 °C. It is a lesser-known species within the Actinidia genus that has the potential for commercialization especially in cold regions like New England owing to its smooth skin, and aromatic and intense tropical flavor. Kiwiberry is a vine crop that takes about 3-5 years to reach reproductive maturity, indicating a long breeding cycle. In addition, it is a dioecious crop that requires identification and maintenance of male and female vines in the vineyard. In this …

Investigating The Role Of Bias In Sustained Attention And Inhibition In Individuals With Concussion, Kaitlyn Lane O'Connor

Master's Theses and Capstones

It is estimated that approximately 15% of individuals who suffer a concussion experience cognitive impairments that can persist and cause long-term consequences (Post-Concussion Syndrome, 2023). This study builds on previous research on concussion, sustained attention, and inhibitory control to further characterize the mechanisms at work in post-concussion cognitive dysfunction (Moore et al., 2014; Ramage & Robin, 2019; Robin et al., 1999). Sustained attention was measured with a psychomotor vigilance task (Starry Night); inhibitory control was measured with the Flanker and Dimensional Change Card Sort tasks. The current study aims were developed to fill a gap in understanding regarding the potential …

The Evolution Of Aces As A Mitigating Factor In Criminal Cases, Tamara Olson

Master's Theses and Capstones

The present study looked into how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect childhood development and lead to potential criminal behavior. It also looked into how this psychological theory can be used as a legal defense. By examining previous research on the topic and studying criminal cases in which ACEs were used as a mitigating factor in the criminal act, the study attempted to investigate the connection between this psychological theory and its being used as a mitigating factor in criminal defense. The research questions for this study are: (1) to what degree are ACEs successful, (2) what are the qualities of …

Unh Nursing Students Bridge Healthcare And Entrepreneurship, Aaron Sanborn

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Short Analysis Of Emma Watson's 'He For She' Speech, Emma Darocha

Comm-entary

This case study examines power imbalances within organizations. Like many freshmen, a college student in a new state found himself yearning for a sense of belonging. He made the decision to join a fraternity on campus, but this group did not provide him with this sense of community. Instead, he was hazed and left paralyzed from the pledging process. I decided to conduct my case study on a story that involves hazing on a college campus since, regrettably, it still happens frequently in our nation. Having discussions about these situations can help raise awareness and provide information so that no …

Bringing The History Of Unh's President’S House To Life, Keith Testa

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

U.S. Births Hit A 43-Year Low, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

In this brief, Carsey Senior Demographer Kenneth Johnson reports that there were only 3,591,000 births in the United States in 2023, according to new data from National Center for Health Statistics. This is the fewest U.S. births since 1979, when the U.S. population was 225.1 million compared to 340 million in 2023. Births diminished because fertility rates declined significantly among women in their teens and twenties.

The long-term impact of the fertility decline has been substantial. Had 2007 fertility patterns been sustained through 2023, there would have been 10.6 million more births in the last 16 years.

A critical long-term …

Development Of Prepare For Autistic Adults: An Adult Autism Training For Resident Physicians Designed With Autistic Adults And Family Members, Brittany N. Hand, Prepare For Autistic Adults Advisory Board, Daniel Gilmore, Holden Devassie, Anne Longo, Lisa Juckett, Christopher Hanks, Susan M. Havercamp, Daniel Coury

Institute on Disability

One barrier to meeting autistic adults' health care needs is the dearth of physicians with autism training. We developed an adult autism training for residents, who are postdoctoral physicians training to become specialists, in internal medicine or family medicine. We used formative evaluation to design the training with autistic adults and family members of autistic adults, who were paid consultants. The training includes six prerecorded presentations, six case studies, and two standardized patient scenarios. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 23 residents and 14 faculty who educate residents. We described the curriculum, reviewed the content in one module, and …

Unh Announces Granite State Awardees For 2024, Tania Deluzuriaga

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Memory And Memoir Writing, Caroline Hanna

The Hugemanities Project Big Contest

My project Memory and Memoir Writing is a 2-3 week unit about students using their media literacy skills to enhance their memoir writing skills. This is a subject that I am passionate about because high school students do not get to write about themselves in the classroom, but will be something that they do in their future. Students will be analyzing a variety of texts, such as, a traditional memoir, a cookbook, and photo essays. Students will be bringing in images and documents from home to supplement and inspire their writing. They will create a finished product that will tell …

Research Finds Pronoun Use Not Only Shaped By Language But Also Beliefs, Robbin Ray

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Five Graduate Students, Alumni Receive Nsf Graduate Research Fellowships, Sarah Schaier, Hayley Barnhard, Beth Potier

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Simple Guide To Starting A Research Group, Patricia Condon, Julie Simpson, Jessica A. Bolker, William C. Clyde, Summer B. Cook, Eleanor M. Jaffee, Jennifer Miksis-Olds, Cari A. Moorhead, Christopher Neefus, Cesar J. Rebellon, Nathan A. Schwadron, Michael J. Simmons, R. Scott Smith, John E. Sparrow, Sharon Tarleton, May-Win Thein, Anita R. Tucker, Karen T. Van Gundy, James Wible

Integrity in Research and Scholarship

Conducting cutting-edge research and scholarship becomes more complicated with each passing year; forming a collaborative research group offers a way to navigate this increasing complexity. Yet many individuals whose work might benefit from the formation of a collaborative team may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of attempting to build and maintain a research group. We propose this simple guide for starting and maintaining such an enterprise.

This version (V2, 2024) updates the original version (V1, 2019) with two new topics, expanded content, and additional resources.

Wetland Restoration Falls Short Of Fixing Gulf Of Mexico Dead Zone, Robbin Ray

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Researchers Crowdsource Public Videos To Identify Distinct Moose Sounds In Natural Environments, Robbin Ray

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Earth Day 2024: Experts Comment On Climate Change, Plastics And Environmental Challenges, Robbin Ray

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Research Finds Existing Wetland Conservation Falls Short Fixing Gulf Of Mexico Dead Zone, Robbin Ray

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

The Full Cycle, Gwendolyn Goguelet

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Improving Outcomes For Nh Youth In Residential Treatment Facilities, Cat Jones

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.