Digital Commons Network^™

Climate Change In Northern New Hampshire: Past, Present And Future, Cameron P. Wake, C. Keeley, Elizabeth A. Burakowski, Peter Wilkinson, Katharine Hayhoe, Anne Stoner, Julie Labrance

The Sustainability Institute Publications

EARTH’S CLIMATE CHANGES. It always has and always will. However, an extensive and growing body of scientific evidence indicates that human activities—including the burning of fossil fuel (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, clearing of forested lands for agriculture, and raising livestock—are now the primary force driving change in the Earth’s climate system. This report describes how the climate of northern New Hampshire has changed over the past century and how the future climate of the region will be affected by a warmer planet due to human activities.

Climate Change In Southern New Hampshire: Past, Present And Future, Cameron P. Wake, Elizabeth A. Burakowski, Peter Wilkinson, Katharine Hayhoe, Anne Stoner, C. Keeley, Julie Labranche

The Sustainability Institute Publications

EARTH’S CLIMATE CHANGES. It always has and always will. However, an extensive and growing body of scientific evidence indicates that human activities—including the burning of fossil fuel (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, clearing of forested lands for agriculture, and raising livestock—are now the primary force driving change in the Earth’s climate system. This report describes how the climate of southern New Hampshire has changed over the past century and how the future climate of the region will be affected by a warmer planet due to human activities.

Quantifying The Radiation Belt Seed Population In The 17 March 2013 Electron Acceleration Event, A. J. Boyd, Harlan E. Spence, S. Claudepierre, Joseph F. Fennell, J. B. Blake, D. N. Baker, Geoffrey Reeves, D. L. Turner

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We present phase space density (PSD) observations using data from the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer instrument on the Van Allen Probes for the 17 March 2013 electron acceleration event. We confirm previous results and quantify how PSD gradients depend on the first adiabatic invariant. We find a systematic difference between the lower-energy electrons (1-MeV with a source region within the radiation belts. Our observations show that the source process begins with enhancements to the 10s-100s-keV energy seed population, followed by enhancements to the >1-MeV population and eventually leading to enhancements in the multi-MeV electron population these observations provide the …

Simulations Of Inner Magnetosphere Dynamics With An Expanded Ram-Scb Model And Comparisons With Van Allen Probes Observations, Vania K. Jordanova, Y. Yu, J. T. Niehof, R. M. Skoug, Geoffrey Reeves, C A. Kletzing, Joseph F. Fennell, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

Simulations from our newly expanded ring current-atmosphere interactions model with self-consistent magnetic field (RAM-SCB), now valid out to 9 R _E, are compared for the first time with Van Allen Probes observations. The expanded model reproduces the storm time ring current buildup due to the increased convection and inflow of plasma from the magnetotail. It matches Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) observations of the trapped high-energy (>50 keV) ion flux; however, it underestimates the low-energy (<10 keV) Helium, Oxygen, Proton, and Electron (HOPE) observations. The dispersed injections of ring current ions observed with the Energetic particle, Composition, and Thermal plasma (ECT) suite at high (>20 keV) energy are better reproduced using a high-resolution convection model. In agreement with Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and …

Pose Detection And Control Of Multiple Unmanned Underwater Vehicles Using Optical Feedback, Firat Eren, Shachak Pe'eri, Yuri Rzhanov, May-Win Thein, Barbaros Celikkol

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

This paper proposes pose detection and control algorithms in order to control the relative pose between two Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) using optical feedback. The leader UUV is configured to have a light source at its crest which acts as a guiding beacon for the follower UUV which has a detector array at its bow. Pose detection algorithms are developed based on a classifier, such as the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), and chosen image parameters. An archive look-up table is constructed for varying combinations of 5-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion (i.e., translation along all three coordinate axes as well as pitch and …

Mercury Speciation At A Coastal Site In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico: Results From The Grand Bay Intensive Studies In Summer 2010 And Spring 2011, Xinrong Ren, Winston T. Luke, Paul Kelley, Mark Cohen, Fong Ngan, Richard Artz, Jake Walker, Steve Brooks, Christopher Moore, Phil Swartzendruber, Dieter Bauer, James Remeika, Anthony Hynes, Jack E. Dibb, John Rolison, Nishanth Krishnamurthy, William M. Landing, Arsineh Hecobian, Jeffery Shook, L Gregory Huey

Earth Sciences

During two intensive studies in summer 2010 and spring 2011, measurements of mercury species including gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and particulate-bound mercury (PBM), trace chemical species including O₃, SO₂, CO, NO, NO_Y, and black carbon, and meteorological parameters were made at an Atmospheric Mercury Network (AMNet) site at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Moss Point, Mississippi. Surface measurements indicate that the mean mercury concentrations were 1.42 ± 0.12 ng∙m⁻³ for GEM, 5.4 ± 10.2 pg∙m⁻³ for GOM, and 3.1 ± 1.9 pg∙m⁻³ for …

Application And Testing Of The L Neural Network With The Self-Consistent Magnetic Field Model Of Ram-Scb, Yiqun Yu, Josef Koller, Vania K. Jordanova, Sorin G. Zaharia, R. Friedel, S. K. Morley, Yue Chen, D. N. Baker, Geoffrey Reeves, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We expanded our previous work on L neural networks that used empirical magnetic field models as the underlying models by applying and extending our technique to drift shells calculated from a physics-based magnetic field model. While empirical magnetic field models represent an average, statistical magnetospheric state, the RAM-SCB model, a first-principles magnetically self-consistent code, computes magnetic fields based on fundamental equations of plasma physics. Unlike the previous L neural networks that include McIlwain L and mirror point magnetic field as part of the inputs, the new L neural network only requires solar wind conditions and the Dst index, allowing …

Resonant Scattering Of Energetic Electrons By Unusual Low-Frequency Hiss, Binbin Ni, Wen Li, R. M. Thorne, J. Bortnik, Qianli Ma, Lunjin Chen, C A. Kletzing, W. S. Kurth, G. B. Hospodarsky, Geoffrey Reeves, Harlan E. Spence, J. B. Blake, Joseph F. Fennell, S. Claudepierre

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We quantify the resonant scattering effects of the unusual low-frequency dawnside plasmaspheric hiss observed on 30 September 2012 by the Van Allen Probes. In contrast to normal (∼100-2000 Hz) hiss emissions, this unusual hiss event contained most of its wave power at ∼20-200 Hz. Compared to the scattering by normal hiss, the unusual hiss scattering speeds up the loss of ∼50-200 keV electrons and produces more pronounced pancake distributions of ∼50-100 keV electrons. It is demonstrated that such unusual low-frequency hiss, even with a duration of a couple of hours, plays a particularly important role in the decay and …

On The Cause And Extent Of Outer Radiation Belt Losses During The 30 September 2012 Dropout Event, D. L. Turner, V. Angelopoulos, S. K. Morley, M. G. Henderson, Geoffrey Reeves, W. Li, D. N. Baker, Chia-Lin L. Huang, A. J. Boyd, Harlan E. Spence, S. Claudepierre, J. B. Blake, J. V. Rodriguez

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

On 30 September 2012, a flux "dropout" occurred throughout Earth's outer electron radiation belt during the main phase of a strong geomagnetic storm. Using eight spacecraft from NASA's Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) and Van Allen Probes missions and NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites constellation, we examined the full extent and timescales of the dropout based on particle energy, equatorial pitch angle, radial distance, and species. We calculated phase space densities of relativistic electrons, in adiabatic invariant coordinates, which revealed that loss processes during the dropout were > 90% effective throughout the majority of the …

Competing Source And Loss Mechanisms Due To Wave-Particle Interactions In Earth’S Outer Radiation Belt During The 30 September To 3 October 2012 Geomagnetic Storm, D. L. Turner, V. Angelopoulos, W. Li, J. Bortnik, B. Ni, Q. Ma, R. M. Thorne, S. K. Morley, M. G. Henderson, Geoffrey Reeves, M. Usanova, I. R. Mann, S. Claudepierre, J. B. Blake, D. N. Baker, Chia-Lin L. Huang, Harlan E. Spence, W. S. Kurth, C A. Kletzing, J. V. Rodriguez

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract Drastic variations of Earth’s outer radiation belt electrons ultimately result from various competing source, loss, and transport processes, to which wave-particle interactions are critically important. Using 15 spacecraft including NASA’s Van Allen Probes, THEMIS, and SAMPEX missions and NOAA’s GOES and POES constellations, we investigated the evolution of the outer belt during the strong geomagnetic storm of 30 September to 3 October 2012. This storm’s main phase dropout exhibited enhanced losses to the atmosphere at L*< 4, where the phase space density (PSD) of multi-MeV electrons dropped by over an order of magnitude in1 MeV electrons and energetic protons, SAMPEX >1 MeV electrons, and ground observations of band-limited Pc1-2 wave activity, we show that this sudden loss was consistent with pitch angle scattering …

Repad: An Empirical Model Of Pitch Angle Distributions For Energetic Electrons In The Earth's Outer Radiation Belt, Yue Chen, R. Friedel, M. G. Henderson, S. Claudepierre, S. K. Morley, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We have recently conducted a statistical survey on pitch angle distributions of energetic electrons trapped in the Earth's outer radiation belt, and a new empirical model was developed based upon survey results. This model - relativistic electron pitch angle distribution (REPAD) - aims to present statistical pictures of electron equatorial pitch angle distributions, instead of the absolute flux levels, as a function of energy, L shell, magnetic local time, and magnetic activity. To quantify and facilitate this statistical survey, we use Legendre polynomials to fit long-term in situ directional fluxes observed near the magnetic equator from three missions: CRRES, …

Event-Specific Chorus Wave And Electron Seed Population Models In Dream3d Using The Van Allen Probes, Weichao Tu, G. S. Cunningham, Y. Chen, S. K. Morley, Geoffrey Reeves, J. B. Blake, D. N. Baker, Harlan E. Spence

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

The DREAM3D diffusion model is applied to Van Allen Probes observations of the fast dropout and strong enhancement of MeV electrons during the October 2012 "double-dip" storm. We show that in order to explain the very different behavior in the two "dips," diffusion in all three dimensions (energy, pitch angle, and L^o) coupled with data-driven, event-specific inputs, and boundary conditions is required. Specifically, we find that outward radial diffusion to the solar wind-driven magnetopause, an event-specific chorus wave model, and a dynamic lower-energy seed population are critical for modeling the dynamics. In contrast, models that include only …

Gradual Diffusion And Punctuated Phase Space Density Enhancements Of Highly Relativistic Electrons: Van Allen Probes Observations, D. N. Baker, A. Jaynes, X. Li, M. G. Henderson, S. G. Kanekal, Geoffrey Reeves, Harlan E. Spence, S. Claudepierre, Joseph F. Fennell, M. K. Hudson, R. M. Thorne, J. C. Foster, P. J. Erickson, D. M. Malaspina, J. R. Wygant, A. J. Boyd, C A. Kletzing, A. Drozdov, Y. Y. Shprits

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

The dual-spacecraft Van Allen Probes mission has provided a new window into mega electron volt (MeV) particle dynamics in the Earth's radiation belts. Observations (up to E ~10 MeV) show clearly the behavior of the outer electron radiation belt at different timescales: months-long periods of gradual inward radial diffusive transport and weak loss being punctuated by dramatic flux changes driven by strong solar wind transient events. We present analysis of multi-MeV electron flux and phase space density (PSD) changes during March 2013 in the context of the first year of Van Allen Probes operation. This March period demonstrates the …

Evolution Of The Cooper Pair Insulator Phase In A-Bi Films Grown On Nanohoneycomb Substrates With Varying Surface Topography, J C. Joy, X Zhang, C Zhao, Shawna M. Hollen, J M. Valles Jr., G. E. Fernandes, J M. Xu

Physics & Astronomy

No abstract provided.

Van Allen Probes Observations Of Direct Wave-Particle Interactions, Joseph F. Fennell, J. Roeder, W. S. Kurth, M. G. Henderson, B. A. Larsen, G. B. Hospodarsky, J. R. Wygant, S. Claudepierre, J. B. Blake, Harlan E. Spence, J. H. Clemmons, H. O. Funsten, C A. Kletzing, Geoffrey Reeves

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

Quasiperiodic increases, or "bursts," of 17-26 keV electron fluxes in conjunction with chorus wave bursts were observed following a plasma injection on 13 January 2013. The pitch angle distributions changed during the burst events, evolving from sin^N(α) to distributions that formed maxima at α = 75-80°, while fluxes at 90° and <60° remained nearly unchanged. The observations occurred outside of the plasmasphere in the postmidnight region and were observed by both Van Allen Probes. Density, cyclotron frequency, and pitch angle of the peak flux were used to estimate resonant electron energy. The result of ∼15-35 keV is consistent with the energies of the electrons showing the flux enhancements and corresponds to electrons in and above the steep flux gradient that signals the presence of an Alfvén boundary in the plasma. The cause of the quasiperiodic nature (on the order of a few minutes) of the bursts is not understood at this time.

Effect Of Emic Waves On Relativistic And Ultrarelativistic Electron Populations: Ground-Based And Van Allen Probes Observations, M. Usanova, A. Drozdov, K. Orlova, I. R. Mann, Y. Y. Shprits, M. T. Robertson, D. L. Turner, D. K. Milling, A. Kale, D. N. Baker, S. A. Thaller, Geoffrey Reeves, Harlan E. Spence, C A. Kletzing, J. R. Wygant

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We study the effect of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves on the loss and pitch angle scattering of relativistic and ultrarelativistic electrons during the recovery phase of a moderate geomagnetic storm on 11 October 2012. The EMIC wave activity was observed in situ on the Van Allen Probes and conjugately on the ground across the Canadian Array for Real-time Investigations of Magnetic Activity throughout an extended 18 h interval. However, neither enhanced precipitation of >0.7 MeV electrons nor reductions in Van Allen Probe 90° pitch angle ultrarelativistic electron flux were observed. Computed radiation belt electron pitch angle diffusion rates …

Mechanisms Of Soil Carbon Accrual And Storage In Bioenergy Cropping Systems, Lisa K. Tiemann, A. Stuart Grandy

Faculty Publications

Annual row cropping systems converted to perennial bioenergy crops tend to accrue soil C, likely a function of increased root production and decreased frequency of tillage; however, very little is known about the mechanisms governing the accrual and stability of this additional soil C. To address this uncertainty, we assessed the formation and stability of aggregates and soil organic C (SOC) pools under switchgrass, giant miscanthus, a native perennial grass mix and continuous corn treatments in Michigan and Wisconsin soils differing in both texture and mineralogy. We isolated different aggregate size fractions, >2 mm, 0.5–2 mm, and <0.5 mm, using a procedure intended to minimize alterations to aggregate biological and chemical properties. We determined SOC, permanganate oxidizable C (POXC), and microbial activities (i.e. enzyme activities and soil respiration rates) associated with these aggregates. Soil type strongly influenced the trajectory of aggregate formation and stabilization with differences between sites in mean aggregate size, stability, SOC and microbial activity under perennial vs. corn cropping systems. At the Michigan site, soil microbial activities were highest in the >2 mm aggregates, …

2013-14 Faculty Senate - February 24, 2014 Minutes Summary, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Agendas & Minutes

No abstract provided.

The New Hampshire, Vol. 103 [104], No. 31 (Feb. 21, 2014), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 103, but it is the 104th volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

Research Profile: David Kaye, Unh Communications And Public Affairs

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Research Profile: David Kaye, Unh Communications And Public Affairs

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

The New Hampshire, Vol. 103 [104], No. 30 (Feb. 18, 2014), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 103, but it is the 104th volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

A Noninvasive Method For In Situ Determination Of Mating Success In Female American Lobsters (Homarus Americanus), Winsor H. Watson Iii, Tracy L. Pugh, Jason S. Goldstein, Elizabeth A. Dubofsky

Jackson Estuarine Laboratory

Despite being one of the most productive fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic, much remains unknown about the natural reproductive dynamics of American lobsters. Recent work in exploited crustacean populations (crabs and lobsters) suggests that there are circumstances where mature females are unable to achieve their full reproductive potential due to sperm limitation. To examine this possibility in different regions of the American lobster fishery, a reliable and noninvasive method was developed for sampling large numbers of female lobsters at sea. This method involves inserting a blunt-tipped needle into the female's seminal receptacle to determine the presence or absence of a …

The New Hampshire, Vol. 103 [104], No. 27 (Feb. 7, 2014), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 103, but it is the 104th volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

The New Hampshire, Vol. 103 [104], No. 26 (Feb. 4, 2014), The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Print Edition

An independent student produced newspaper from the University of New Hampshire. This volume was printed as 103, but it is the 104th volume in the series. This was corrected in pencil.

Radiation Modeling In The Earth And Mars Atmospheres Using Lro/Crater With The Emmrem Module, Colin J. Joyce, Nathan A. Schwadron, Jody K. Wilson, Harlan E. Spence, Justin Kasper, Michael J. Golightly, J. B. Blake, Lawrence W. Townsend, Anthony Case, E. Semones, Sonya S. Smith, Cary Zeitlin

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We expand upon the efforts of Joyce et al. (2013), who computed the modulation potential at the Moon using measurements from the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER) instrument on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft along with data products from the Earth-Moon-Mars Radiation Environment Module (EMMREM). Using the computed modulation potential, we calculate galactic cosmic ray (GCR) dose and dose equivalent rates in the Earth and Mars atmospheres for various altitudes over the course of the LRO mission. While we cannot validate these predictions by directly comparable measurement, we find that our results conform to …

Quantifying Hiss-Driven Energetic Electron Precipitation: A Detailed Conjunction Event Analysis, W. Li, B. Ni, R. M. Thorne, J. Bortnik, Y. Nishimura, J. C. Green, C A. Kletzing, W. S. Kurth, G. B. Hospodarsky, Harlan E. Spence, Geoffrey Reeves, J. B. Blake, Joseph F. Fennell, S. Claudepierre, X. Gu

Physics & Astronomy

Abstract

We analyze a conjunction event between the Van Allen Probes and the low-altitude Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES) to quantify hiss-driven energetic electron precipitation. A physics-based technique based on quasi-linear diffusion theory is used to estimate the ratio of precipitated and trapped electron fluxes (R), which could be measured by the two-directional POES particle detectors, using wave and plasma parameters observed by the Van Allen Probes. The remarkable agreement between modeling and observations suggests that this technique is applicable for quantifying hiss-driven electron scattering near the bounce loss cone. More importantly, R in the 100-300 keV energy channel measured …

Macrosystems Ecology: Understanding Ecological Patterns And Processes At Continental Scales, James B. Heffernan, Patricia A. Soranno, Michael J. Angilletta Jr., Lauren B. Buckley, Daniel S. Gruner, Tim H. Keitt, James R. Kellner, John S. Kominoski, Adrian V. Rocha, Jingfeng Xiao, Tamara K. Harms, Simon J. Goring, Lauren E. Koenig, William H. Mcdowell, Heather Powell, Andrew D. Richardson, Craig A. Stow, Rodrigo Vargas, Kathleen C. Weathers

All Materials

Macrosystems ecology is the study of diverse ecological phenomena at the scale of regions to continents and their interactions with phenomena at other scales. This emerging subdiscipline addresses ecological questions and environmental problems at these broad scales. Here, we describe this new field, show how it relates to modern ecological study, and highlight opportunities that stem from taking a macrosystems perspective. We present a hierarchical framework for investigating macrosystems at any level of ecological organization and in relation to broader and finer scales. Building on well-established theory and concepts from other subdisciplines of ecology, we identify feedbacks, linkages among distant …

Imls Place Grant: Press Release Abstract 3, Place Project Group

PLACE Project

Press release describing the PLACE (Position-based Location Archive Coordinate Explorer) project that is funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) library partnered with the UNH Earth Systems Research Center to develop a geospatial interface that is searchable by geospatial coordinates.

Includes IMLS Logo and Statement.

Town Of Ellsworth, New Hampshire Annual Report For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2013., Ellsworth Town Representatives

Ellsworth, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.