Digital Commons Network^™

Land Development In Massachusetts: Its Effect On The Environment Within Essex And Middlesex Counties From 1990 To 2007, Peter Sean Tardie

Doctoral Dissertations

Since the 1970's urban centers in and surrounding Essex and Middlesex Counties in Massachusetts have expanded and proliferated into adjacent communities. This expansion has led to the conversion of land for housing, businesses, schools, recreation, and parks, placing significant strain on existing land cover, land use, and available natural resources. Mounting growth pressures and a reduction of undeveloped land have raised serious concerns as cropland and forest fragmentation, wetland destruction, protected open-space infringement, pollution, and systematic losses of rural conditions have become obvious. To monitor development, the post-classification change detection method was applied to Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite data …

Parent And Teacher Perceptions Of School Partnerships In New Hampshire Schools, Brenda J. Zarnowski

Doctoral Dissertations

This quantitative, descriptive study assessed parent and teacher perceptions of the extent to which exemplary school-family-community partnership practices were being implemented at elementary and secondary schools within the state of New Hampshire. The teacher and parent participants were organized into four paired groups and were asked to indicate the frequency with which activities, that exemplify Epstein's six types of school-family-community partnership practices, were utilized at their respective schools to determine whether significant differences exist among teachers' and parent's perceptions of partnership program implementation.

The sample for this study was drawn from forty two elementary and secondary public schools across the …

University Of New Hampshire R+30 Headcounts Of Majors By College And Gender Unh - Durham Degree Candidates Only Fall 2009, University Of New Hampshire. Institutional Research And Assessment

UNH Factbooks

University of New Hampshire factbook data from the 2009-2010 academic year

University Of New Hampshire Graduate School Catalog, 2010-2011, University Of New Hampshire

Graduate Catalog

No abstract provided.

University Of New Hampshire R+30 Headcounts Of Majors By College And Gender Unh - Durham Degree Candidates Only Spring 2010, University Of New Hampshire. Institutional Research And Assessment

UNH Factbooks

University of New Hampshire factbook data from the 2009-2010 academic year

Bachelor Degree Completions By College, 2000-2009, University Of New Hampshire. Institutional Research And Assessment

UNH Factbooks

University of New Hampshire factbook data from the 2009-2010 academic year

Characterization Of A Low-Speed Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel, Zachary Hauptman

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Low-Speed Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel at the University of New Hampshire is to be used for fundamental boundary layer research. To that end, a characterization of the Wind Tunnel is necessary.

Before characterization could begin, the Wind Tunnel had to be rebuilt. A test section was shipped from the University of Maryland. The rebuilding process required improving the material quality of this test section, building a new inlet and turbulence management section, and purchasing a diffuser and fan.

The characterization process consisted of a number of tests. These tests focused not only on the boundary layer but also on …

The Relationship Between Learning Styles And Nursing Students' Satisfaction With Online Education, Jamie L. Meyers

Master's Theses and Capstones

A descriptive correlation study was conducted to investigate the relationship between nursing students' satisfaction with online education and their preferred learning style. Eighty-nine nursing students from a Northeast university completed the Visual (V), Auditory (A), Read/Write (R), and Kinesthetic (K), (VARK) learning style inventory tool, Online Course Satisfaction Survey (OCSS) and demographic questionnaire. Findings revealed an overall 67% satisfaction rate with online education but dissatisfaction in the areas of communication and interaction. The study showed the majority of nursing students possess the combination of all four learning preferences, VARK. No statistical significant relationship between a student's learning style and satisfaction …

Blue Carbon: The Role Of Healthy Oceans In Binding Carbon, Christian Nellemann, Emily Corcoran, Carlos M. Duarte, Cassandra De Young, Luciano E. Fonseca, Gabriel Grimsdith

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

No abstract provided.

Meaningful Measurement: Is Fluency A Valid And Reliable Measure Of Reading Progress For Struggling Adolescent Readers? Examining The Efficacy Of Pearson's Aimsweb For Struggling Adolescent Readers, Elizabeth A. York

Master's Theses and Capstones

A growing body of research draws into question the validity and reliability of measurements of fluency as indicators of literacy growth for older, struggling readers (Paris, Carpenter, Paris and Hamilton, 2005; Scammacca, Roberts, Vaughn, Edwards & Torgesen, 2007; Yovanoff, Duesbery, Alonzo & Tindal, 2005). Nevertheless, many high schools utilize such measures. This study examines the validity and reliability of Pearson's AIMSweb as a tool for assessing the literacy development of 17 9th grade students with special education identifications. Evidence from this study draws into question the reliability and validity of AIMSweb measures for this population. Additional research with a larger …

A Vortex Pair Near A Density-Gradient Interface, Nicholas S. Jenkins

Master's Theses and Capstones

The dynamics of a vortex pair in a stratified atmosphere near a density gradient interface is considered here using direct numerical simulations. The vortex pair is released below the interface and allowed to propagate vertically toward the interface. The results show that strong vortices propagate through the interface without much change in dynamics. Weaker vortices will dissipate energy when they reach the interface and although a remnant of the vortex pair transits the interface, it does not achieve the same altitude that it would have without the interface. Overall, the interface is not a barrier to vortex pairs, but would …

Development And Validation Of A Robust Model To Predict The Response Of Wave Energy Conversion Devices, James Wright

Master's Theses and Capstones

In this study, a computer model of the dynamics and generator output of a point-absorber-type wave energy converter (WEC) was developed and evaluated against a 1:25 scale prototype in wave tank tests. The WEC consists of a circular wave follower buoy with a central hole which fits over a slender spar buoy that extends up through the follower buoy opening. The wave follower buoy slides axially on the spar, providing relative motion for the power take-off unit consisting of a rack-and-pinion configuration connected through gears to a permanent magnet generator. Linear wave theory is applied to determine the response of …

Impact Of Advanced Pretreatment On The Feasibility Of Uv/Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment For Degradation Of Organic Micropollutants, Ashlee L. Fuller

Master's Theses and Capstones

Research was performed to show the impact of several types of pretreatment at Water Treatment Plant, Andijk, on the Advanced Oxidation Process. The objective was to compare the effect of Ion Exchange with Ultra Filtration (IX-UF) pretreatment to the existing Coagulation, Sedimentation, Filtration (CSF) pretreatment on the effectiveness of the UV/H2O2 process. The micro-pollutants chosen for this study are NDMA, atrazine, 1,4-dioxane and bromacil.

Characterization of the water matrixes for the pretreated waters was completed to determine the impact of background absorption (DOC and nitrate) on micro pollutant degradation and OH· radical production. Collimated beam studies (MP UV) were performed …

Mobile Undersea Routing Protocol, Michael J. Karell

Master's Theses and Capstones

The myriad barriers to underwater communication provide a new set of challenges for network protocols. Routing protocols which operate in underwater ad hoc networks must react quickly to changing conditions without significant increase in packet overhead or congestion. Dynamic Source Routing Protocol provides a framework for accomplishing these goals. In this paper we present the Mobile Undersea Routing Protocol, which implements this framework and enhances upon it. It uses a limited propagating route request which we call a Route Recovery to quickly and inexpensively recover from routing errors. A Java based network simulator was constructed in order to test and …

Sophisticated Credulity: Are Old Beliefs Disguised By New Terminology And Selective Learning?, Matthew A. Ramsey

Doctoral Dissertations

The present research attempted to distinguish between traditional anomalistic belief (TAP) and pseudoscientific anomalistic belief (PSAP). In Study 1, I constructed the PSAP scale and then, to establish construct validity, examined its correlation to other measures related to TAP. In Studies 2 and 3, I examined how high and low TAP and PSAP believers differed in recalling information that either did, or did not support the existence of anomalistic phenomena. Participants read 12 abstracts on paranormal phenomena and were given T/F recall questions either immediately (Study 2) or following a four day delay period (Study 3). As expected, high and …

Compiling An Array Language To A Graphics Processor, Bradford Larsen

Master's Theses and Capstones

Graphics processors are significantly faster than traditional processors, particularly for numerical code, and in recent years have become flexible enough to permit general-purpose use, rather than just graphics use. NVIDIA's CUDA makes general-purpose graphics processor computing feasible, but it still requires significant programmer effort.

My thesis is that array programming can be an effective way to program graphics processors, and that a restricted, functionally pure array language coupled with simple optimizations can have performance competitive with handwritten GPU programs. I support this thesis through the research language Barracuda, an array language embedded within Haskell that generates optimized CUDA code.

The Instrumentation, Testing, And Structural Modeling Of A Steel Girder Bridge For Long-Term Structural Health Monitoring, Paul J. Lefebvre

Master's Theses and Capstones

The currently accepted bridge design practice is individual element design through approximate "worst-case" loading scenarios and distribution with appropriate safety factors. The resulting design is not necessarily representative of the true behavior of a bridge. Computer structural modeling advancements have made it practical to improve the design process by capturing the design intelligence in the bridge model for use in bridge management and condition assessment. Nearly 1/3 of U.S. bridges are nearing the end of their design life and the design of the next generation of highway bridges has begun. The time is optimum to consider advancements in bridge design …

Urban To Urban-Green Development: An Experimental And Modeling Study In Vegetated Roofs For Stormwater Reduction, James A. Sherrard Jr.

Master's Theses and Capstones

The incorporation of vegetated roofs into a region's stormwater management plan may be an efficient method of managing flooding issues and combined sewer outflow system maximum loads. Currently, vegetated roofs are not widely used within New England as a common stormwater Best Management Practice. My research explores vegetated roof stormwater retention performance in the Seacoast New Hampshire region. This research experimentally quantified the complete water balance of a vegetated roof system in an outdoor, rooftop setting, developed a predictive vegetated roof stormwater retention model and modeled retention for an eight year period from 2002 to 2009. This eight year model …

Determination Of Hydraulic Conductivity Using The Permeafor, Amy C. Larrabee

Master's Theses and Capstones

Hydraulic conductivity is a soil characteristic that describes the flow of water through soil due to the presence of interconnected voids. This property is difficult to accurately and rapidly evaluate in the laboratory and in the field. A device known as the Permeafor has been developed in Strasbourg, France aimed at evaluating hydraulic conductivity in situ. The tool is approximately 80 centimeters in length, and is specially designed to test lateral hydraulic conductivity. A half-scale of the Permeafor was constructed at the University of New Hampshire in order to test soils at shallow depth using a portable penetration system. The …

Langmuir Circulation In The Presence Of Lateral Density Gradients, Ke Li

Master's Theses and Capstones

Comparably little is known about the impact of lateral density gradients associated with, e.g., submesoscale fronts on Langmuir circulation in the ocean surface mixed layer. In this investigation, two-dimensional pseudospectral numerical simulations of the laterally stratified Craik--Leibovich (CL) equations are performed to elucidate the effect of an imposed horizontal density gradient on Langmuir cells. The dominant instability mode is found to consist of counter-rotating cells with up- and downwelling jets inclined to the vertical. Linear stability analysis confirms that, although no instability occurs in the absence of the CL vortex torque, the dominant instability mode exhibits growth rates exceeding those …

Deep Ocean Delivery System, Carin Campbell

Master's Theses and Capstones

The goal of this project was to explore the design and deployment of a deep ocean delivery system to the seafloor. The overall system configuration included a cylindrical shell, a hemisphere nose cone, pressure tolerant batteries, and a pressure vessel to the house the electronics. As part of the design specifications, the system was to land within a 100 meter target radius directly below the location where the system entered the water. An approach was developed to determine the horizontal displacement for a given current profile and the system's interactions with the seafloor. The horizontal displacement was investigated for a …

2010 Piscataqua Region Comprehensive Conservation And Management Plan (Ccmp), Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership

PREP Reports & Publications

In the fall of 2010, the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) completed an 18-month effort to understand current and future environmental issues affecting the Region’s estuaries, to establish realistic goals and objectives for the next 10 years, and to create effective action plans to systematically achieve the shared environmental goals of a broad base of Regional stakeholders.

With input from more than 150 individuals, representing 82 organizations, PREP compiled the 2010 Piscataqua Region Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) that lays the foundation for work over the next decade to protect and restore the Region’s estuaries and associated watersheds

2010 Piscataqua Region Comprehensive : Executive Summary, Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership

PREP Reports & Publications

In the fall of 2010, the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) completed an 18-month effort to understand current and future environmental issues affecting the Region’s estuaries, to establish realistic goals and objectives for the next 10 years, and to create effective action plans to systematically achieve the shared environmental goals of a broad base of Regional stakeholders.

With input from more than 150 individuals, representing 82 organizations, PREP compiled the 2010 Piscataqua Region Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) that lays the foundation for work over the next decade to protect and restore the Region’s estuaries and associated watersheds.

The Granite, 2010, University Of New Hampshire

The Granite – Yearbook

The yearbook of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, 1909-1922, the University of New Hampshire, 1923-

Bio-Inspired Log-Polar Based Color Image Pattern Analysis In Multiple Frequency Channels, Xiaolu Li

Master's Theses and Capstones

The main topic addressed in this thesis is to implement color image pattern recognition based on the lateral inhibition subtraction phenomenon combined with a complex log-polar mapping in multiple spatial frequency channels. It is shown that the individual red, green and blue channels have different recognition performances when put in the context of former work done by Dragan Vidacic. It is observed that the green channel performs better than the other two channels, with the blue channel having the poorest performance. Following the application of a contrast stretching function the object recognition performance is improved in all channels. Multiple spatial …

Using Pentaploids As Tools For Studying Genomic Composition And Allele Transmission Patterns In Octoploid Fragaria, Elizabeth Poulsen

Master's Theses and Capstones

A unique pentaploid population of Fragaria (strawberry) was developed to gain insight into octoploid genome composition and allele transmission patterns. This population was produced by crossing representatives of two divergent subspecies of octoploid F. virginiana and then by crossing an octoploid hybrid plant with diploid F. vesca. To enable examination of allele transmission patterns, the intergenic region of the gRGA1-Subtilase gene pair locus was amplified, and PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and compared to define the allele composition of the hybrid octoploid. The sequencing data revealed three distinct major haplotypes and additional subtypes. The pentaploids were genotyped utilizing the FEL-CAPS …

Marine Benthic Habitat Mapping Of Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park And Preserve, Alaska With An Evaluation Of The Coastal And Marine Ecological Classification Standard Iii, Luke D. Mitchell, Guy R. Cochrane, Lisa Etherington, Ross D. Powell, Larry A. Mayer

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

Seafloor geology and potential benthic habitats were mapped in Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, using multibeam sonar, ground-truth information, and geological interpretations. Muir Inlet is a recently deglaciated fjord that is under the influence of glacial and paraglacial marine processes. High glacially derived sediment and meltwater fluxes, slope instabilities, and variable bathymetry result in a highly dynamic estuarine environment and benthic ecosystem. We characterize the fjord seafloor and potential benthic habitats using the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) recently developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NatureServe. Substrates within Muir Inlet …

Carsey: Rural Students Lack Access To Advanced Math Courses, Beth Potier

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

Students In Rural Schools Have Limited Access To Advanced Mathematics Courses, Suzanne E. Graham

Carsey Publications

This Carsey brief reveals that students in rural areas and small towns have less access to higher-level mathematics courses than students in urban settings, which results in serious educational consequences, including lower scores on assessment tests and fewer qualified students entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) job pipelines.

2,5-Dichlorothiophene 1,1-Dioxide, Jonathan B. Briggs, Wenling Jia, Mikael D. Jazdzyk, Glen P. Miller

Chemistry

The complete molecule of the title compound, C(4)H(2)Cl(2)O(2)S, is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry, with the S atom lying on the rotation axis. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds..