Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Literacy On Obesity And Hypertension: A Quality Improvement Project, Stephanie Penney

DNP Scholarly Projects

Social determinants of health (SDoH) are defined as factors, including things such as food security, housing, literacy, finances, and work and school environments, that affect health risks and outcomes (About Social, 2021). Healthcare disparities are often affected by one’s social determinants. National data shows low-income populations present with considerable unmet needs, including food, housing, clothing, and quality health care. Closing the health disparities gap has long been the focus of healthcare organizations across the board. The care coordination model (CCM) enables organizations to improve care through collaboration. CCM looks at care coordination from the perspective of a patient-centered medical home. …

Feeding Different Iodine Sources To Dairy Cows: Effects On Colostrum Production And Growth And Health Of Their Calves, Kayla Renee Johnston

Master's Theses and Capstones

Limited research exists on supplementing seaweeds to prepartum cows and its effects on colostrum production and development of their calves in-utero and after birth. The high iodine (I) concentration of seaweeds is concerning, and previous research have shown that excess I supplementation to ewes inhibits immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption in their lambs. The objectives of this study were: (1) evaluate the effects of incremental amounts of Ascophyllum nodosum (ASCO) meal supplementation (0, 57, and 113 g/d) to prepartum cows on colostrum production and subsequent growth, health, and blood concentrations of glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and thyroid hormones (TH) of their …

Seasonal Assessments Of Bioregeneration In Slow Sand Filters Amended With Granular Activated Carbon, Katherine R. Morsefield

Master's Theses and Capstones

The application of slow sand filtration (SSF) has conventionally proven to be a reliable and relatively inexpensive means of producing potable drinking water for decades. As technologies in drinking water treatment continue to advance, innovations to the design and operation of slow sand filtration have the ability to transform its contribution in municipal and industrial settings. SSF amended with granular activated carbon (GAC) has been on the rise in recent decades due to its ability to improve the removal of organic material, while allowing SSF to maintain its innate treatment simplicity.

A slow sand filter amended with granular activated carbon …

Supplementing Sodium Butyrate To Limit-Fed Heifers: Effects On Growth, Health, And Nutrient Digestibility & Effect Of Sodium Butyrate On Viability Of Eimeria Bovis Sporozoites And Ldh Release From Mdbk Cells In The Presence Of Sporozoites, Katrina Klobucher

Master's Theses and Capstones

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation in heifer diets. The objectives of experiment 1 was to evaluate the growth, apparent total tract digestibility, and coccidia levels of post-weaned limit-fed heifers supplemented with SB. A 12 week randomized complete block experiment was conducted using 24 Holstein heifers. Treatments were 100g soybean meal (control; CON) and 0.75 g of SB/kg of body weight + 100g soybean meal (SB). Diets were formulated to contain 16.4 % crude protein (CP), 2.27 Mcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME), and fed at a rate of 2.15% of body weight on a …

Enhanced Late Miocene Organic Carbon Preservation And Sulfur Sequestration Beneath The Oxygen Deficient Zone In The Eastern Arabian Sea, Sophie Lee Alpert

Master's Theses and Capstones

The ocean represents the largest sulfur pool on Earth, with 1.3 x 109 Tg of sulfur present in seawater. Marine sediment sulfur sequestration is the primary sink for seawater sulfate, responsible for the burial and storage of 100 Tg of sulfur per year. The sequestration of sulfur in marine sediments is largely driven by the formation of iron monosulfides, metastable iron sulfide minerals, and pyrite, however the different paths driving the degree of pyritization within marine sediments require different environmental conditions and carbon sources. In this thesis research, the possible diagenetic pathways resulting in sulfur sequestration are investigated in a …

The Biochemistry Of Ursolic Acid: A Potential Therapeutic For Neuro-Inflammation, Emma Jane Arsenault

Master's Theses and Capstones

Ursolic acid (UA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid found in a variety of plants and berries. This molecule has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with the potential to treat a wide variety of conditions, including neuro-inflammatory disorders. However, the exact mechanism of action for UA is unknown. In this thesis, the fundamental biochemistry of UA was investigated by studying two potential targets: lipid rafts and protein phosphatases. Lipid rafts are an important platform for a wide variety of signal transduction pathways and are a docking point for the assembly of the pro-inflammatory NADPH oxidase 2. The impact of UA on …

Investigation Of Multiple Cyanotoxins In Toxic Lake Aerosols, Hailey Carter

Master's Theses and Capstones

Aerosols from freshwater lakes with toxigenic cyanobacteria pose a potentially serious threat to humans and wildlife. The most studied route of exposure to cyanotoxins is direct consumption (i.e., drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food). However, a less studied but a potentially important route of exposure is inhalation of aerosolized cyanotoxins. Three toxins, produced by cyanobacteria, examined in this study were hepatoxicmicrocystins (MC),and the neurotoxins?-Methylamino-?-alanine (BMAA), and anatoxin-a (ATX). Using a compact lake aerosol monitor(CLAM), this study measured levels of aerosolized cyanotoxins(MC, BMAA, and ATX) at two shallow and inter-connected lakes, Walkers Pond and Lower Mill Pond (Brewster, MA, USA),biweekly …

Water-Soluble Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (Raft) Agents And Their Bioconjugation To Dsdna, Dylan F. Finneran

Master's Theses and Capstones

Understanding the properties of bioconjugates and biomaterials has increasingly become the focus of pharmaceutical companies, material scientists, and academia due to their growing list of applications. Bioconjugates have found broad use in therapeutics, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing. Historically, interest in specific bioconjugates has depended on the cost-availability of the biomacromolecule, making proteins the most well studied, given their relatively low cost and ease of production. However, recent technological advances in plasmid DNA (pDNA) production from E. Coli allow for greater cost-efficiency, changing the landscape of biomaterial research. Employing alkylating agents with known chemo-selectivity to nucleophilic sites on DNA, …

A Rising Tide? The Role Of Alternative Networks For Women Oyster Farmers In Maine And New Hampshire, Natalie Lord

Master's Theses and Capstones

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing forms of food production globally. In the United States, there has been a renewed interest in aquaculture development in domestic waters. With widespread expansion of shellfish aquaculture started by local entrepreneurs and fishermen, the states of Maine and New Hampshire have experienced aquaculture driven economic development in coastal communities impacted by the decline in wild capture fisheries. Additionally, aquaculture farming practices can provide ecosystem services such as water quality improvement, nutrient removal, and habitat availability. When implemented carefully, marine food products from aquaculture can be among some of the most environmentally responsible choices …

Anisotropy And Its Effects On Stormwater Subsurface Gravel Trench Design, David Joseph Tarushka

Master's Theses and Capstones

Currently, one of the fastest growing fields in infrastructure is stormwater. Stormwater systems are the first line of defense in protecting cities from flooding and overburdening wastewater treatment facilities. Since stormwater infrastructure will continue to grow for the foreseeable future, any reduction in construction requirements may result in a considerable reduction in spending. The most immediate way to reduce construction costs would be to reduce the size of the system itself.The focus of this thesis will be infiltration characteristics of stormwater systems, using the ongoing research of parking lot A at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. The …

Elucidating The Role Of Gli3 In Inflammatory Pain, Laura Grace Trachtenberg

Master's Theses and Capstones

The glioma-oncogenic proteins, or GLI proteins play a vital role in the body during development and in diseases. However, not much is known about GLI protein’s additional roles in the body, specifically GLI3. Through previous works in the Elsawa laboratory findings showed a novel role of GLI3 impacting the inflammatory response. Inflammation has potential to affect many pathways in the body including nociception and nociceptive pain. Therefore, the goal of this study was to elucidate the role of GLI3 in inflammatory pain. C57BL/6J adult mice were tested to observe putative knockout of GLI3 (cre-induced mice) in comparison to mice with …

Feeding Biology Of The Aeolid Nudibranch Flabellina Verrucosa, Rebecca Ann Romano

Master's Theses and Capstones

The aeolid nudibranch Flabellina verrucosa is a generalist predator found in the Gulf of Maine. There have been many field and lab observations documenting its association with a number of hydroids, ascidians, and schyphomedusans, but little else is known about their prey preferences or feeding biology. This study investigated the prey preferences of F. verrucosa as well as the potential for ingestive conditioning in this species. Histology of the digestive system of F. verrucosa was also examined and described. Results of both short and long-term preference trials indicated that Flabellina verrucosa has a preference for Ectopleura larynx but this preference …

Before And After: Investigating The Effect Of Thaw On The Permafrost Microbiome, Joy M. O'Brien

Master's Theses and Capstones

Arctic systems are experiencing warming at more than twice the rate of the global average, causing permafrost—permanently frozen soil—to thaw. Permafrost thaw exposes previously unavailable soil carbon and nutrients to decomposition—a process mediated by microbes—which releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Permafrost is thawing at an accelerated rate, and while there is evidence that the composition and function of the permafrost microbiome changes with thaw, there is still much unknown about the taxa that increase with thaw, particularly among different types of permafrost. Here, I address how permafrost thaw impacts the microbiome, particularly the …

Exploring Educators’ Perceptions Of Legislation About Discrimination, Archer Brooke Miller

Honors Theses and Capstones

Across the nation, there have been efforts in “36 states to restrict education on racism, bias, the contributions of specific racial or ethnic groups to U.S. history, or related topics” (Stout). These laws essentially banned the teaching of critical race theory and systemic racism in all public K-12 classrooms. This study is pertinent because teaching about systemic racism is important. It was critical to shed light on this topic and show people why Sections 297 and 298 of House Bill 2 were salient and what impact it was having.

Literary Fiction And Sympathy: How Reading Makes You A Better Person, Emma Rose Wick

Honors Theses and Capstones

I argue in this thesis that literary fiction enhances our ability to sympathize with others as a result of observing—and thereby coming to feel for—the perspectives of the characters by engaging in mental perspective-taking. As a result, we become able to sympathize with an array of individuals whose experiences are unlike our own, and which we may never understand otherwise. I argue that the ability to sympathize with others is valuable for the sake of being a morally good person, and for having an overall good character. This has value in and of itself, particularly from an Aristotelian perspective. I …

Distributed Partial Differential Equation Solving With Julia Fast Fourier Transform Library, Christopher E. Mottola

Honors Theses and Capstones

Scientific computing relies on advanced computational and mathematical techniques to solve complex problems in scientific domains. For the numerical rendering of spectral, nonlinear, and dynamic phenomena, there is a growing need for greater availability of a broad class of Fourier-based algorithms to perform large scale operations on multidimensional data in distributed and optimized ways. To this effect, the Julia programming language is new and has significant advantages compared to other common languages used in scientific computing. The research presented here formulates a basis for further development in high-performance scientific computing of periodic partial differential equations through the application of distributed …

Associations Of Short And Medium Chain Saturated Fatty Acids And Dairy With Cognitive Functioning In The Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, Sophie M. Kenny

Master's Theses and Capstones

Cognitive decline is a major public health concern. Evidence suggests that Hispanic/Latino adults, specifically Puerto Rican adults, in the US are at a higher risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline due to the high prevalence of risk factors, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests that specific dietary fatty acids, short and medium-chain-length saturated fatty acids, that are found in dairy may be beneficial for cognitive function. However, there are limited observational studies examining the effects of SMCSFA and dairy on cognitive function in Hispanic/Latino adults. We examined the cross-sectional and prospective associations between SMCSFA and dairy consumption …

Estimation And Consequences Of Asymmetric Dispersal On The Genetics Of Coastal Marine Organisms In 1-D Habitats, Kyle Teller

Doctoral Dissertations

Estimation and Consequences of Asymmetric Dispersal on the Genetics of Coastal Marine Organisms in 1-D Habitats

Many natural populations have a dispersal that is biased in one direction (asymmetric dispersal), due to physical factors in the environment such as currents in the ocean that transport larvae or winds that carry seeds. These physical factors create a preferred direction for offspring to be carried (the “downstream” direction). When there is asymmetric dispersal there are two parameters that define the dispersal distance, the mean downstream distance, and the standard deviation of dispersal distances. This present research analyzes the effects of the mean …

Combating Climate Change: Saving American Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure, Seamus Quinn

Honors Theses and Capstones

Climate change is a significant issue currently facing the United States’ wastewater treatment sector. It is becoming increasingly clear that its effects have the potential to damage and disrupt the operations of both treatment facilities and associated systems. This study aims to determine which effects of climate change contribute to this risk based on feedback from a combination of academic researchers and industry professionals. A case study of the city of Warwick, Rhode Island’s wastewater treatment facility was used to supplement this information based on an evaluation of how this particular system has been impacted by the effects of climate …

Investigating The Main Protease (Mpro) Of Sars-Cov-2 As A Potential Drug Target, Valerie Giovina Pascetta

Honors Theses and Capstones

The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed the lives of roughly 6.2 million people worldwide as of May 2022. The virus’s main protease (M^pro ) has been identified as an attractive drug target due to the critical role it plays in the viral life cycle. The roughly 34 kDa M^pro cleaves functional viral polypeptides out of two long polyproteins at conserved cut sites, allowing them to fulfill their role in processes like transcription and replication. Here, we have studied the enzymatic activity …

Controls On Carbon Gas Fluxes From A Temperate Forest Soil, Natalie A. White, Ruth K. Varner, Clarice R. Perryman

Honors Theses and Capstones

Forest soils consume atmospheric methane (CH₄), serving as a major global CH₄ sink that uptake an estimated 22 ± 12 Tg of CH₄ per year. Temperature and soil moisture have been identified as key controls of the microbial consumption of CH₄ in forest soils. Climate-driven warming and changing moisture regimes may impact forest soils’ role in the carbon cycle, and recent works suggests that forests could become weaker CH₄ sinks. Long-term monitoring sites can capture these changes, leading to better predictions of CH₄ exchange between the atmosphere and soils under climate change. This study …

The Role Of Gli2 In B Cell Biology, Laura Kehoe

Master's Theses and Capstones

B cells are an important part of the host defense against pathogens by secreting immunoglobulins (Igs)/antibodies (Abs). Igs are highly specialized molecules due to a DNA recombination process that occurs to generate the variable region. An Ab molecule also undergoes class switch recombination (CSR) after encountering an antigen. Our lab has shown that the transcription factor GLI2 can regulate IgM secretion in immortalized malignant B cells derived from Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) patients and can modulate several cytokines. However, if GLI2 plays a role in B cell biology and class switch recombination is unknown. In mice with a B cell-specific Gli2-deficiency …

Economic Valuation Of Pfas Remediation In New Hampshire Municipal Drinking Water Systems: A Contingent Valuation Approach, Tristan Colby Price

Master's Theses and Capstones

In the past two decades there has been an increase in detection and awareness of PFAS (Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals in groundwater and drinking water in the United States. In stark contrast to other known harmful chemical pollutants, little is known yet about the specific epidemiological and toxicological effects of prolonged intake and consumption of PFAS chemicals in environmentally occurring levels. New Hampshire in particular has encountered two high-profile episodes of PFAS contamination with hotspots in Merrimack, NH due to factory pollution and Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, NH due to military activity. These instances have brought increased attention …

The Mediating Role Of Parental Context And Social Support On The Relationship Between Polyvictimization And Juvenile Delinquency: A Longitudinal Study, Kristen Graham

Master's Theses and Capstones

Polyvictimization and non-victimization adversity in adolescence is a prevalent and evolving issue that poses many implications for families, teachers, policymakers, and others. This study sought to examine whether polyvictimization and adversity longitudinally predict later delinquency, and the possible mediating role of parental context and social support on this relationship. Data was collected as part of the THV survey and the NatSCEV II and yielded a final sample of 791 youths ages 10-20. Poisson regression analyses and structural equation modeling were conducted. Results demonstrated that over and above the impact of demographics, delinquency at Time 1, and community disorder, experiencing composite …

New Hampshire Statewide Oak Wilt Response Plan, Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Host-Mediated Feedbacks In Beech Bark Disease Aftermath Dynamics, Kenneth Z. Windstein

Master's Theses and Capstones

This work explores the present-day interactions of a long-ago established tree disease complex known as beech bark disease (BBD) that afflicts the American beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) in northeastern North America. Disease development initiates when an exotic scale insect known as the beech scale (Cryptoccocus fagisuga) infest susceptible American beech and feed on live parenchyma cells in the outer bark. The interactions that occur between the beech scale and living bark predispose the host to infection by two independently vectored species of pathogenic fungi: Neonectria faginata and Neonectria ditissima. Infection by these fungi causes necrosis of bark and meristematic tissue …

A Guide To Trauma Informed Pediatric Primary Care, Felicity Bernard, Corina Chao, Holly Tutko

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Globe And Natural Inquirer Crosswalk Ms/Hs: Photosynthesis, Margaret Gregory, Globe U.S. Coordination Office

Teacher Resources

No abstract provided.

2021 U.S. Globe Partner Yearbook, Globe U.S. Coordination Office

Partner Yearbooks

No abstract provided.

Water Quality And The Landscape: Long-Term Monitoring Of Rapidly Developing Suburban Watersheds, William H. Mcdowell

NH Water Resources Research Center Scholarship

No abstract provided.