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Uncovering The Plant-Microbe-Permafrost Paradigm As It Relates To Soil Priming And Arctic Carbon Cycles, Sean Robert Schaefer

Doctoral Dissertations

Permafrost, or perennially frozen soil, covers approximately 25% of the northern hemisphere and contains over half of the world’s soil organic carbon stocks. Permafrost-affected regions are rapidly warming, resulting in ecosystem changes including permafrost thaw and a shift from sedge-dominated to shrub-dominated plant communities. As permafrost thaws, it releases previously unavailable compounds to plants and microorganisms. Plant root inputs can then stimulate the decomposition of thawed permafrost, increasing greenhouse gas emissions in a process called priming. Permafrost thaw increases the decomposition of previously frozen soil organic matter (SOM); however, the extent of decomposition is highly dependent on plants and their …

Temporal Variability In The Bulk Nutritional Quality Of Estuarine Plankton, Marley Gonsalves

Master's Theses and Capstones

The temporal variability of plankton is well documented, particularly in constantly changing tidal systems such as estuaries, but the extent to which this variability applies to plankton nutritional quality is less well known. As the base of the aquatic food web, variation in phytoplankton nutritional quality stands to constrain fishery production, particularly of filter-feeders. Here, community and nutritional data was collected from Great Bay, NH, a model estuary, over seasonal, tidal, and daily time scales to identify the range and variability of nutritional quality in plankton. Bulk spectrophotometric neutral lipid and protein measurements were compared to plankton community composition data …

Differentiated Learning In An Upper-Level Undergraduate Physics Theory Course, Christina Gurney

Master's Theses and Capstones

‘One-size-fits-all’ education aims to cater to the ‘average’ student, but the ‘average’ student does not exist. Students are individuals, each with a set of needs, abilities, preferences, and interests unique to them. A variety of instructional approaches should thus be used to differentiate students’ learning. This differentiation has been studied mostly for K-12. My study extends this research into an upper-level undergraduate physics theory course. For this phenomenographic pilot study, I interviewed ten students about the differentiated homework assignments in their upper-level undergraduate classical mechanics course at the University of New Hampshire. I performed an issue-focused analysis of the data, …

Effects Of Gibberellic Acid (Ga3) And Cluster Thinning On Fruit Quality, Cluster Quality And Yield In Seedless Table Grape Cultivars, Radhika Rani

Master's Theses and Capstones

Seedless table grape production in cool-climate regions like the Northeastern U.S. is limited by cold temperatures, short growing season, and relatively few adapted cultivars. American species (Vitis labrusca) or interspecific hybrids offer more disease and cold resistance as compared to European species (V. vinifera), however, small berry size, lower yields, and low fruit quality have been some of the limitations for these cultivars. This study evaluated the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and cluster thinning under different training systems to improve cluster and berry quality in seedless table grape cultivars. The first experiment focused on ‘Concord Seedless’, examining the effects …

Sensor-Driven Machine Learning Framework For Rock Climbing Skill Assessment Using Climbing Core Ability And Contact Force Metrics, Blaise Xavier O'Mara

Master's Theses and Capstones

Rock climbers lack tools for skill assessment. Climbers ascend routes, each with varying difficulty (grade); as such, climber skill level is typically described as the highest grade recently climbed. But the subjectivity of rock climbing route difficulty grading presents complications with standardized skill assessment. Measures of climbing core abilities (power, strength, endurance, speed, control, and stability) through non-specific sport exercises and contact forces metrics present more objectivity in climber skill assessment. Presented in this study is a custom force sensor network instrumented in a bouldering route for recording contact force metrics. Twenty-four climbers, split into IRCRA Intermediate and Advanced skill …

Analysis Of Nutrient Accumulation Within A Bioretention System, Amina Halim Nefic

Master's Theses and Capstones

Bioretention systems are widely used in stormwater management to mitigate nutrient pollution, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. Over time, these systems undergo changes in nutrient retention efficiency due to organic matter accumulation and biogeochemical transformations. This study examines the distribution and long-term retention of total nitrogen (TN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate (NO3-), total phosphorus (TP), and orthophosphate (PO43-) within a 16-year-old bioretention system. A combination of k-means clustering and non-parametric statistical tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests) were employed to analyze nutrient concentrations across different soil depths and media types. Results indicate that TN and TKN are concentrated in the …

Beech Bark Disease Agent Responses To Exogenous Application Of Tree Defense Inducing Phytohormones, Erin Reilly

Master's Theses and Capstones

Pathogens and insects face several barriers to successful infection and colonization of a host plant, including a range of physical and chemical defenses, some of which are inducible (modified or initiated by attack or infection). These interactions can be complex and are influenced by environmental conditions, tree physiological status, host age, and timing of attack. Non-native pathogens and insects can have an advantage against a plant’s evolved chemical defenses, but they are also subject to abiotic stressors and conditions. In North America, beech bark disease (BBD) is a disease complex where the beech (Fagus grandifolia) host is subject to concurrent …

A Mixed-Methods Approach To Describe Typologies And Fiber Consumption Patterns Of Hispanic/Latino Adults Grouped Using Cluster Analysis, Nicholas Clarke

Master's Theses and Capstones

AbstractBackground: Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States experience disproportionate rates of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases yet remain underrepresented in obesity research. Traditional “one-size-fits-all” nutrition interventions have demonstrated limited effectiveness in this population, largely due to substantial heterogeneity in cultural, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors that influence dietary patterns. Objectives: The overarching goal of this project was to further characterize previously identified subgroups within the Hispanic/Latino population to provide a foundation for future tailored interventions that address the specific needs and preferences of these subpopulations. Specific aims were to: 1. Describe cluster typologies using a virtual nominal group technique (vNGT) with …

Wildlife Connectivity And Its Relationship With Vehicle Collision Hotspots Across New Hampshire, Clara Dawson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Chp. 1: Road networks fragment wildlife habitat and impede wildlife connectivity, which leads to elevated wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) risk and increased danger to humans and wildlife. Habitat connectivity has been linked to WVC hotspot location and intensity, but this relationship likely depends on landscape context and road characteristics, which may be nonlinear due to varying habitat availability. Our objective was to evaluate factors affecting WVC location and intensity across New Hampshire, USA, with a focus on habitat connectivity. We assessed the relationship between WVCs and five connectivity models using generalized additive models and compared connectivity effects to road and land …

Toxin-Producing Cyanobacteria In Green Manure Microbiomes, Alyssa Nicole Daigle

Master's Theses and Capstones

The increasing reliance on inefficient synthetic fertilizers, which readily leach from soils and contribute to downstream pollution, underscores the urgent need for more sustainable nutrient sources, such as green manures (GMs). Floating aquatic plants like duckweeds are particularly promising candidates due to their natural abundance, rapid growth rates, and ability to efficiently uptake nutrients. However, the presence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria in duckweed microbiomes raises concerns about the potential for toxin accumulation, like microcystins (MCs), both in the GM biomass and in the edible crops to which it is applied. To evaluate the suitability and safety of duckweed-based GMs, we conducted …

Host Evolutionary History As A Predictor Of Microbiome Breeding Success, Ciana Lazu

Master's Theses and Capstones

Microbial inoculants present a potential alternative to artificial fertilizers and other chemical products in agriculture, yet microbial products derived from non-native microbes may pose ecological risks or fail to thrive. On the other hand, creating microbial inoculants from local microbes via “microbiome breeding” can be unpredictable. Here, the aquatic plant Lemna minor (duckweed), microbes isolated from duckweed, and microbes isolated from other, co-occurring aquatic plants was used to evaluate if the evolutionary distance between hosts from which microbes are sourced is a predictor of the success in “breeding” locally derived microbiomes to promote duckweed growth. “Microbiome breeding” was performed on …

Increasing The Knowledge Base Of A Novel Fruit Crop, Actinidia Arguta, To Promote Adoption In The Northeastern United States, Zoe Rose Robinson

Master's Theses and Capstones

The unique attributes of kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta (Siebold et Zucc.) Planch ex. Miq) make it a promising high-value fruit crop for the Northeastern United States, although not widely grown in the region. As discussed in Chapter 1, it is likely that some of the barriers to kiwiberry diffusion in the Northeast include basic research gaps (e.g. crop physiology, management, and enterprise analysis), and a lack of farmer-to-farmer communication channels. To address some of these barriers, this thesis reports the results of a Northeast commercial kiwiberry growers survey to provide a portrait of current regional kiwiberry production, and experiments to determine …

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Detections Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Elongate Hemlock Scale Detections Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Photophysical Properties Of Sustainably Derived Carbon Dots, Katherine Facteau

Master's Theses and Capstones

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation poses risks to human health while also damaging materials.Materials like plastics and wood experience degradation and discoloration when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while humans can experience premature aging and wrinkling, skin cancer, and eye damage.1–4 Unfortunately, current UV protective materials in use today have several drawbacks including rapid degradation, toxicity and oxidative damage. These issues have made the development of non-toxic alternative UV filters highly sought after. Carbon dots are a group of carbon-based nanoparticles, first discovered in 2004 by Scrivens and coworkers while purifying single-walled nanotubes, then officially named in 2006. 5,6 Carbon dots …

Pre-Production Plastic Pellets (Pppp) Virtual Webinar, Coastal Response Research Center

Coastal Response Research Center

The Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) organized and facilitated a virtual webinar on “Pre-Production Plastic Pellets (PPPP)”. The webinar was held in collaboration with NOAA’s Office of Response & Restoration (OR&R) and a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal agencies and other stakeholders. It was held on June 3 & 4, 2025. This was the second program CRRC and OR&R conducted on PPPP. The first was an in-person workshop in 2023.

Specific Objectives:

1. Improve and enhance collaboration among responders and researchers for PPPP incidents;
2. Evaluate recent (since 2023 workshop) PPPP case studies for challenges and lessons learned;
3. Explore operational …

Emerald Ash Borer Detection Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Red Pine Scale Infestation Map, Cooperative Extension, Steven S. Roberge

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Most Granite Staters Expect Prices Of Everyday Goods To Increase; Tariffs Cited As Cause 8/25/2025, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Granite Staters' assessment of their current household finances and predictions for their financial future remain mixed. Most believe prices on everyday goods have increased over the past twelve months and two-thirds expect them to rise further in the coming twelve months. A majority expect higher prices due to tariffs. New Hampshire residents are divided in their outlook for the state and national economies while just over half feel that the economy overall is getting worse.

Walkable Communities Lowered Mental Health Stressors During Covid-19 Pandemic, Robbin Ray

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Unh Study Finds Walkable Neighborhoods Eased Pandemic Mental Health Declines, Aaron Sanborn

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach Update, August 20, 2025, Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Ayotte's Approval Slips In Nh; Granite Staters Divided On Budget Provisions 8/20/2025, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

New Hampshire residents are divided in their assessment of first-term Governor Kelly Ayotte's performance, with both supporters and detractors citing her handling of education as a major influence on their opinion. Granite Staters support a provision in the recently passed state budget to bar cell phone use by students during school hours, but they oppose reduced funding for the state's health and human services and the state's university system, USNH. Most residents believe USNH benefits the state's economy and majorities would be angry or dissatisfied if any of the three USNH institutions were to close. On other issues, Granite Staters …

Ocean And Coastal Acidification Monitoring Priorities For The Northeast Us And Eastern Canada, Christopher Hunt, Austin Pugh, Jake Kritzer, Samantha Siedlecki, Kumiko Azetsu-Scott, Parker Gassett, Diane Lavoie, Adam Pimenta, Amy Trice, Elizabeth Turner

Faculty Publications

The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification Monitoring Prioritization Plan 2024 calls for Coastal Acidification Networks to identify the ocean and coastal acidification (OCA) monitoring needs most important for their regions. The Northeast Coastal Acidification Network (NECAN) organized a webinar series to study regional needs, which culminated with a workshop in November 2023. This workshop led to the identification of six priority new Monitoring Needs in addition to the maintenance of current monitoring efforts:

• Improve spatial and temporal scale of monitoring co-located OCA variables and biological measurements to better resolve variability of acidification dynamics in concert with biological processes …

A Meta-Analysis Of Historic Drinking Water Emergency Events Reported In News Articles, Victor Yu, Haiying Wang, Weiwei Mo

Faculty Publications

This study seeks to investigate historical drinking water contamination events that reported by news media to find the key determinants of their outcomes, including the duration and economic cost, and to quantitatively describe the characteristics of past contamination events. ProQuest Global Newsstream and Regional Business News were used to identify an initial list of events and supplemented by additional search on specific information including the response actions, economic cost, and more. These events were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modeling. Smaller community water systems were found to be more frequently impacted by contamination events. Use restrictions, except …

The Patent Landscape Of Chagas Disease Vaccines Indicates Major Underinvestment In An Emerging Global Health Threat, Stanley Kowalski, Lily Widdup, Bradley Johnson

Law Faculty Scholarship

Considering the enormous human and economic toll Chagas disease inflicts, investment in R&D of medical innovations such as diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and vaccines remains disproportionately low.  The patent landscape of Chagas’ disease vaccine innovation corroborates this unfortunate trend: an alarming paucity of investment which confirms this disease as among the most neglected of the neglected diseases.  However, the article then articulates how patent information can also be viewed as a starting point, and indeed springboard, for international collaboration to accelerate vaccine development via a dynamic opening-innovation strategy.

Can The Government Control Hurricanes? New Survey Results On Conspiracies And Science, Lawrence C. Hamilton

Carsey Publications

In this brief, author Lawrence Hamilton explores the results of a nationwide 2025 survey that asked over 1,000 people whether they agreed with conspiratorial claims such as government control of hurricanes, flat Earth, or faked Moon landings. Mixed in with the conspiracy questions were others asking about agreement with basic scientific facts such as Earth orbiting the Sun. Nine to 38 percent agreed with the conspiracies whereas 40 to 75 percent agreed with the science; many others were unsure.

Generation and political identity both correlate with conspiracism. Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z respondents more often agreed with conspiratorial statements; …

Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach Update, August 6, 2025, Office Of Research, Economic Engagement And Outreach

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

6th Annual Noaa Hurricane Preparedness Summit 2025, Coastal Response Research Center

Coastal Response Research Center

NOAA’s Office of Response & Restoration’s Disaster Preparedness Program partnered with CRRC to facilitate a webinar entitled “NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Summit 2025” on two consecutive days: April 23 and 24, 2025. The purpose was to improve NOAA’s posture for the upcoming hurricane season by identifying best practices and lessons learned from the 2024 season, recognizing challenges related to these major weather events, and learning about plans, kits, tools and other resources for improving personal preparedness. The Summit also included plenary presentations outlining other topics such as NWS Products and Services, operational spotlights, and technological innovations, and tools.

Coding Manual: Analyzing Semistructured Interview Data For Master Narratives, Jayson Seaman, Cindy Hartman, Andrew D. Coppens

Faculty Publications

This coding manual accompanies a methodological reorientation in narrative identity research, one that challenges the field’s prevailing “protagonist bias” — the assumption that first-person autobiographical accounts are the primary or most valid source for identifying cultural master narratives as psychological resources. While much psychological research has centered on how individuals narrate their own lives, this approach can obscure the ways that broader cultural narratives are circulated, reinforced, and contested through discourse beyond the self. This method provides researchers with a systematic approach for identifying how master narratives operate across multiple narrative levels, often outside of biographical storytelling.