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Thermal Exchange Processes Within Shallow Fractured Bedrock: Applications For Standing Column Wells, Sarah B. Mckone

Master's Theses and Capstones

This research investigates thermal properties of fractured bedrock for the purpose of better understanding the sustainability of standing column well (SCW) geothermal heating systems. The three objectives are to quantify effective thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the fracture network; measure heat exchange between the fluid and the fractured surfaces; and estimate time of thermal breakthrough into a pumping well. Single and dipole well tests are performed to meet these objectives. Single well data is compared with an analytical heat flow model to estimate thermal conductivity and heat capacity. Dipole well data is compared to a model of the Kolditz …

Chronic Pain As The Result Of Traumatic Injury: A Group Counseling Model For Survivors, Corianne S. Woodard

Master's Theses and Capstones

Millions of Americans live with chronic pain as the result of traumatic injury. These individuals face countless challenges as they attempt to cope with daily pain and grieve the many losses caused by their injuries. The physical and emotional stresses associated with chronic pain and traumatic injury place these survivors at significant psychological risk and contribute to the perpetuation of their chronic pain. Group counseling with a grief model emphasis is a cost effective way to meet the specific needs of survivors living with chronic pain. These needs include: the establishment of a social support system, an opportunity to grieve …

Development Of Microwave-Assisted Methods To Aid In Carbohydrate Analysis, Stephanie Maniatis

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study involved development of three high-throughput chemical techniques to assist in carbohydrate analysis. The methods utilized both microwave radiation and a volatile organic base to achieve short reaction times and high product yield. Two methods, one reductive and one non-reductive, released intact O-glycans for structural analysis, and one method aided in determination of the site of O-glycosylation on the peptide.

Optimal reaction conditions for each method were determined on standard glycoproteins. In comparison to common release methods, microwave-assisted reductive O-glycan release provided higher yields of O-glycans in every case. O-glycans were released rapidly and were able to be subsequently …

Tracking Bacterial Pollution In The Cains Brook/Mill Creek Watershed: Implications For Policy And Management, Aaron Kornbluth

Master's Theses and Capstones

Pathogenic fecal bacteria present a management challenge when they contaminate surface waters used by humans. This study examined the extent to which the ongoing Cains Brook/Mill Creek watershed restoration in Seabrook, NH has successfully characterized the problem of bacterial pollution and implemented mitigation practices. Guided by the policy sciences analytical framework, this study employed a policy implementation audit reviewing relevant bacteria source tracking data, interviews and online surveys as a means to triangulate multiple data sources. Results indicate that bacteria arise from multiple sources and impairments still exist, although bacteria levels were not generally high. Management activities have likely reduced …

Morphological Variation In Codium Fragile In The Northwest Atlantic, Lucy Elizabeth Pleticha

Master's Theses and Capstones

Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot, an invasive Asiatic green alga, has colonized areas of the NW Atlantic within the past fifty years. The plant has a dichotomously branched cylindrical thallus made of tangled filaments surrounded by a dense covering of swollen filament tips, or utricles, terminating in pointed mucrons. This study's goal was to investigate morphological differences in NW Atlantic C. fragile populations to determine which subspecies are present. In the summer of 2008, I surveyed 24 sites from the Canadian Maritimes to Long Island Sound and evaluated size variation in utricles. Morphological investigations revealed a two-fold difference in utricle and …

Karyotyping And Localization Of Genes On The Chromosomes Of The Sea Urchins, Strongylocentrotus Drobachiensis And Strongylocentrotus Purpuratus, Celeste Chloe Eno

Master's Theses and Capstones

The purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus , is an important model for probing gene interactions during animal development and is the only non-chordate deuterostome for which a complete genome sequence is available. None of the genes cloned in this project have been localized on chromosomes, and maps of gene loci for S. purpuratus and for all sea urchin species do not exist. Here I provide a description of the first successful methods for karyotyping and localizing of specific gene loci on chromosomes of the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and also of the related green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis.

Both …

Temporal Expression Of Progesterone And Proteins Associated With Prostaglandin F2alpha-Induced Luteolysis In The Sheep, Darren E. Ferguson

Master's Theses and Capstones

To better understand the events associated with the functional and structural regression of the corpus luteum (CL), the temporal expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, progesterone (P4), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 was determined following three systemic infusions of PGF2alpha, in sheep. Luteectomies were performed at 0 hour (controls) or at -1, 1, 8, 16, and 24 hours relative to the third infusion of PGF2alpha. Plasma samples were also collected. StAR decreased 60 and 45% at the 16 and 24 hour time points, respectively, while P4 reached a …

Elemental And Strontium Isotope Constraints On Coupled High- And Low-Temperature Hydothermal Fluids Throughout An Eruptive Cycle At 9 Deg 50'N East Pacific Rise, Jill Marie Mcdermott

Master's Theses and Capstones

Low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, long considered to be simple binary mixtures of high-temperature fluids and seawater (Edmond et al, 1979ab), impact ocean chemistry while providing energy to thriving ecosystems at mid-ocean ridges (MORs). This thesis investigates whether processes other than simple mixing may influence the evolution of low temperature hydrothermal fluids. In particular, the role of anhydrite dissolution is addressed.

9°50'N EPR contains high-temperature vents (Ty and lo) that have been associated with low-temperature venting (BM82) for over a decade and remained active following an eruption in 2005-2006. The Sr isotope systematics of adjacent high- and low-temperature fluids will support either …

Amino Acid Paleothermometry In The Summer Lake Basin, Oregon, Using Fossil Ostracodes From The Middle To Late Pleistocene, Krista L. Reichert

Master's Theses and Capstones

Developing quantitative records that uniquely resolve past temperatures is important for interpreting regional paleoclimate changes. Here I analyze the extent of amino acid racemization in fossil ostracodes, and use a previously published expression to calculate effective diagenetic temperatures (EDTs) in the Summer Lake basin of south-central Oregon for time intervals bracketed between 208 ka, 180 ka, 74 ka, and present day. Geochronological control is provided by a published age-depth model for the Ana River section in the Summer Lake basin. Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the enantiomeric composition of aspartic and glutamic acids in Candona …

A Nutrition Education Program To Increase The Consumption Of Whole Grains Among College Students At The University Of New Hampshire Dining Halls, Katharine Rocheford

Master's Theses and Capstones

The relationship between whole grain consumption and a reduced risk of some chronic disease is prominent in the literature. Yet consumers and college students fail to meet the current recommendations. This study investigated the impact of whole grain education materials and whole grain labels placed in the UNH dining halls to improve students' knowledge and whole grain consumption. Survey responses from 504 students were analyzed for whole grain knowledge scores and consumption levels from before and after this program. While overall knowledge score and whole grain consumption did not increase due to this program, a significant positive relationship was seen …

Mathematical And Experimental Analysis Of The Steady States In A Simple Microvascular Network System, Ekta Suman

Master's Theses and Capstones

In this paper, a three node network topology with one inlet and two outlets is studied for the existence of the steady state solutions. Both mathematical stimulation and in-vitro experimental methods are studied. The solution for the steady state is found numerically using MATLAB software. The experimental data are studied to verify the stimulation results.

In-vitro experiments are performed on two different diameter (35 micrometers and 50 micrometers) dimension microchannel devices using red blood cells flow. Closing material balance on the feed hematocrit is successfully attained. The results follow the trend of the results obtained from the numerical stimulation. However, …

Effects Of Forested Buffers And Wetland Characteristics On Vernal Pool Macroinvertebrate Assemblages, Joanne Evelyn Theriault

Master's Theses and Capstones

From 2005-2007, I sampled macroinvertebrates at 10 vernal pools to determine the effects of forested buffer treatments (30-m or 100-m). I grouped taxa into three subgroups: taxa enumerated and identified to genus (Trichopterans, Anisopterans, Coleopterans, and Hemipterans); taxa identified to family and documented as present or absent; and predatory taxa (enumerated and identified to genus). I measured hydroperiod, surface area, pH, conductivity, substrate cover, canopy cover, and annual and seasonal variability and used Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) to examine effects on composition. Finally, I analyzed NMS scores using Linear Mixed Models. Buffer treatments explained a significant amount of variation in …

An Assessment Of Stress In Acer Saccharum As A Possible Response To Climate Change, Martha Carlson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Climate change is projected to extirpate Acer saccharum throughout its range in the United States. The current investigation evaluates the potential of spectral indices of foliar reflectance, measures of leaf area and bud quality, and historic trends in sap sugar and wood increments for detecting stress in sugar maple.

Thirty trees were examined in 10 plots on 5 sugar bushes in or near the Bearcamp Valley, New Hampshire, over the course of the 2008 growing season. The study found water stress in 100% of trees; reduced chlorophyll content in 60%; early abscission of leaves in 80%; reduced growing season in …

Tandem Zinc-Carbenoid Mediated Chain Extension-Aldol Chemistry Of Beta-Carbonyl Imides, Timothy J. Henderson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Synthetic sequences to prepare gamma-methoxy beta-keto imides and malonyl diimides were investigated in an effort to expand the scope of the tandem zinc-mediated chain extension aldol reaction. The chain extension-aldol reaction of the gamma-methoxy beta-keto imide proceded smoothly, although low stereoselectivity of the reaction was observed. The chain extension of malonyl diimides were slow when compared to traditional substrates. The chain extension-aldol reaction of malonyl diimides provided gamma-lactones with moderate yield and selectivity in a one-pot reaction sequence.

Due to the extended chain extension reaction times, reduction of aldehydes was observed during attempted aldol reactions. A chain extension aldol protocol, …

Extrapolating Hyperspectral Anthocyanin Indices To Multispectral Satellite Sensors---Applications To Fall Foliage In New England, Erica Lindgren

Master's Theses and Capstones

Anthocyanin, thought to be a universal indicator of plant stress, is a red pigment found in many plant species and can seen in New England autumns. Detecting its presence is useful for ecosystem analysis and monitoring changes during autumn senescence. Currently fall foliage is subjectively measured; creation of a satellite-based anthocyanin index will provide an objective measurement and enhance understanding of the distribution of plant stress and senescence over large areas. Anthocyanin indices were tested hyperspectrally in a laboratory setting, then indices were simulated for Hyperion, MERIS, MODIS, and Landsat TM/ETM+ to see which most accurately represents changes in anthocyanin …

Temporal And Spatial Variations In Hydrothermal Fluid Abundances Of Degassing Metals Across An Eruptive Cycle At 9 Degrees 50 Minutes N East Pacific Rise, M Florencia Meana-Prado

Master's Theses and Capstones

The influence of eruptive activity on hydrothermal fluid trace metal abundances, especially those inferred to degas from shallow mid ocean ridge (MOR) magma bodies, remains poorly understood. These data and their variations in time and space are critical to improving our understanding of the quantitative links between mantle, crust, and MOR biological communities. Frequent sampling of hydrothermal vents at the 9°50'N East Pacific Rise provides an ideal suite for evaluating the evolution of vent fluid chemistry during eruption cycles. Fluid metal abundances are presented for metals with high degassing potential (210Pb, Pb and Cd) for a subset of these time-series …

Temperature Moderation In A Coastal Coldwater Stream A Study Of Surface Water, Groundwater And Hyporheic Zone Interaction, Danna Butler Truslow

Master's Theses and Capstones

A fiber-optic distributed temperature sensor (FODTS) survey was conducted along a 520 m reach of Wednesday Hill Brook (WHB) in Lee, NH, a first order tributary to the Lamprey River. These data were supplemented by stream and streambed temperature and vertical hydraulic gradient data collection at 35 piezometers, and continuous and periodic measurement of tributary, stream, and groundwater temperatures and streamflow. An under-canopy weather station provided on-site meteorologic data, and a LiDAR survey provided high definition land surface topographic data for interpretation of geomorphology. A heat budget model was developed and used to estimate the advective components of heat flow …

Contributions Of Groundwater Seepage To The Water And Nutrient Budget Of Mendums Pond Barrington, New Hampshire, Susan E. Wilderman

Master's Theses and Capstones

An understanding of the rates of groundwater seepage into and out of a pond or lake is important in assessing the flux of contaminants in a given system. Many studies have assessed the contribution of overland runoff and precipitation to freshwater pollution, but few have focused on direct measurement of groundwater inputs of nutrients and water to lakes. Spatial variation and natural heterogeneity of groundwater seepage around a large pond or lake can vary and make it an ambiguous and challenging parameter to quantify. The amount of groundwater seepage is thought to be related to the physical characteristics of a …

Laver (Porphyra Spp) And Soy Protein Concentrate As Alternative Proteins In Diets For Juvenile Atlantic Cod, Gadus Morhua, Abigail B. Walker

Master's Theses and Capstones

Fishmeal is the main ingredient in formulated fish feeds, and the cost of this commodity is the largest and most volatile recurrent expenditure by the finfish aquaculture industry. Additionally, the reliance on wild-harvested forage species raises concerns about the industry's ecological impacts. Marine macroalgae and soy-derived feed ingredients both have merits as alternative proteins for piscivorous marine fish. Atlantic cod, in particular, have a highly adaptable digestive system and perform well with alternative protein diets.

Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, juveniles (initial body weights: 15.6 g, 87.9 g, and 15.92 g) were fed iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric diets to evaluate two alternative proteins. …

Design And Implementation Of A Statistical Analysis Tool For Two Biological States, Gang Lu

Master's Theses and Capstones

The major goal of research in this thesis is to design and implement a software tool (Q5+) that can easily, quickly and reliably search biomarkers by statistically analyzing mass spectrometry data from two different biological states. Q5+ implements most of the Q5 algorithm, a very good algorithm that is used for classifying mass spectrometry data (Lilien et al). Compared Q5 Q5+ improves the usability of Q5 by incorporating a Graphic User interface and Matrix Library. Results show that by running the same data, Q5+ and Q5 showed the equivalent classification ability. Q5+ also implements the Peak Screening feature, which can …

Are The World's Oceans Optically Different?, Mimi Szeto

Master's Theses and Capstones

With satellite technology, the dynamics of oceanic photosynthesis can be analyzed on a global scale using remotely sensed estimates of chlorophyll concentration. Such work is dependent on the performance of empirical ocean color algorithms that produce the chlorophyll estimates. In hopes to understand the sources of algorithm uncertainty, the NASA bio-Optical Marine Algorithm Data set (NOMAD) was analyzed. The OC4v.4 algorithm estimates were compared to NOMAD's in situ measurements, and a bias was apparent when the data were sorted by ocean (Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern). Several instrumental artifacts were found to be insignificant to the oceanic algorithm bias. Using a …

Separation Of River Network Scale Nitrogen Removal Among Main Channel And Two Transient Storage Compartments, Robert James Stewart

Master's Theses and Capstones

Reach scale experiments have shown that transient storage (TS) could be an important control on dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export to coastal waters. Here, the relative roles the main channel (MC), surface TS (STS) and hyporheic TS (HTS) have in DIN removal at the network scale are investigated using a model applied to the Ipswich River in Massachusetts. Collaborative field investigations in 1st through 5th order reaches of the Ipswich River provided the mean and range for the hydraulic parameters controlling TS connectivity and residence time. DIN removal was simulated in the MC, STS and HTS compartments for every river …

Assessing Spatial Distributions Of Cyanobacteria And Microcystins In Nh Lakes With Implications For Lake Monitoring, Amanda Lee Murby

Master's Theses and Capstones

Cyanobacteria pose a threat to the health of humans and wildlife when concentrations are high and the species present are toxic. However, routine monitoring of toxic cyanobacteria in lakes is not typical in the United States and, currently, there are no standards on the allowable limit of cyanotoxins in N.H. water bodies. Phycocyanin (PC) fluorescence was evaluated as an indicator for cyanobacteria densities, with implications for monitoring cyanobacteria and microcystins in lakes. PC fluorescence predicted cultured cyanobacteria, ranging from 0--900,000 cells ml-1 (Adj R 2 0.99, p<0.001). PC fluorescence was also useful for estimating microcystin (MC) concentrations among lakes of varying trophic status (p<0.001) and was more significant than net cyanobacteria counts were for predicting microcystin concentrations (p=0.049). Synoptic, horizontal sampling revealed the significant variability in the spatial distributions of cyanobacteria and microcystins in N.H. lakes.

Insect Responses To Invasive Shrubs In Early-Successional Habitats, Johanna L. Fickenscher

Master's Theses and Capstones

Early-successional habitats are valuable to wildlife species and susceptible to invasive shrubs, possibly negatively affecting biodiversity of whole communities. Insects provide energy links between plants and wildlife, thus, change in insect communities due to invasive shrubs may have detrimental impacts on wildlife---especially nesting songbirds. I gauged how invasive shrubs affect insect abundance, richness, and phenology using flight-intercept trapping and beat/sweeping methods. Lepidopteran larvae were provided a choice to consume native or invasive shrub foliage. Invasive shrubs negatively affected communities with reduced insect abundance and richness on individual shrubs as well as the entire habitat. Lepidopteran larvae preferred native shrub foliage …

Evaluation Of In Vitro Methods To Determine The Digestibility Of Amino Acids In Rumen Undegraded Corn Silage, Shane Michael Fredin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Intestinal and total tract digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids in rumen undegraded protein (RUP-AA) in 5 corn silage hybrids were measured using the mobile bag technique (MBT). Two in vitro methods, the modified three-step procedure (TSP) and an in vitro procedure (IVP) developed by Sapienza Analytica, LLC (Slater, IA), were further evaluated to determine digestibility of RUP-AA in corn silage. Intestinal digestibility of RUP-AA in corn silage varied from 24 to 59%, indicating differences in intestinal digestibility among AA. The TSP and IVP tended to under predict RUP-AA digestibility compared with the MBT. Consequently relationships between the …

Biofilm Genetics Of Burkholderia Cenocepacia, Laura C. Benton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Burkholderia cenocepacia is a soil bacterium and opportunistic human pathogen found to infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. One factor that may allow B. cenocepacia to persist in the CF lung and continue to cause a decline in lung function is its ability to form biofilms. Little is known about the genetic mechanisms allowing this bacterium to transition from an acute to a chronic (biofilm) lifestyle. I used both transposon mutagenesis and positive laboratory selection to identify mutations that increase biofilm production. Mutations affecting capsule polysaccharide synthesis were identified, among others, by random mutagenesis to confer an increased …

Conflict Resolution And Community Support For Conservation In The Northern Forest: A Comparative Case Study From Maine, Morgan A. Cottle

Master's Theses and Capstones

Rapid land ownership changes in the Northern Forest have spurred development as well as conservation. Local people have experienced differing degrees of participation in land use decisions. I compared two conservation projects from Maine to assess the policy processes, and local attitudes about the conservation project and land use. One was a top-down approach, the second a grassroots, private effort by local citizens to conserve forest land. I gathered my data via in person interviews, mail surveys, and analysis of legislative testimony.

My findings indicate that early local involvement leads to less conflict and greater acceptance of the project. Important …

Regulation Of Polyamine Metabolism In Transgenic Poplar Cell Cultures, Smita Cherry

Master's Theses and Capstones

Polyamines (PA) are naturally occurring low molecular weight aliphatic amines found in all living organisms and essential for their growth and development. The present study uses the tool of transgenic manipulation to elucidate the regulation of PA pathway in poplar cells. This study was divided into two segments; the first segment provides insight into biochemistry of a putrescine overproducing cell line (HP) that overexpresses a mouse ornithine decarboxylase (mODC) under 35S-CaMV promoter, with respect to different treatments. The second segment focused on creation and biochemical characterization of a cell line (SOS1) that overexpresses ODC/SAMDC from Plasmodium falciparum controlled by the …

Effect Of Cholinergic Deafferentation Of Prefrontal Cortex On Working Memory For Familiar And Novel Odors, Emily Carter

Master's Theses and Capstones

The role of acetylcholine in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in working memory was investigated in aged rats. Subjects with cholinergic lesions of the prelimbic portion of the mPFC (pACh-lx) or a sham lesion of the same region were trained on an odor delayed non-match to sample paradigm. The effects of prefrontal cholinergic depletion and aging were assessed in task variations that manipulated mnemonic demand and stimulus novelty.

pACh-lx animals were impaired relative to sham-lx animals at memory for familiar stimuli over delays. This global impairment was not dependent on the length of the delay, suggesting that aged pACh-lx animals …

Neo-Conservatism And Foreign Policy, Ted Boettner

Master's Theses and Capstones

Since the 1960s, neo-conservatives advanced their agenda through journals, think tanks, coalitions, and by serving as high-level government officials. While scholars have noted this influence, there's little written on how neo-conservative ideas have evolved and influenced foreign policy under these changing historical circumstances. Moreover, very little scholarship foils neo-conservatism against the two dominant approaches to foreign policy in the 20th century---realism and liberalism---to discover how they are held together as a group. This thesis finds that neo-conservatism is a political ideology of American foreign policy that has developed several common tendencies over the last forty years. These include an ardent …