Digital Commons Network^™

Notes From The Past Show How Local Variability Can Stymie Urchins And The Rise Of The Reds In The Gulf Of Maine, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Andrea Brown, Kate Sheridan, Tianna Peller, Jake Lawlor, Julien Beaulieu, Jenny Munoz

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

The impacts of global change—from shifts in climate to overfishing to land use change—can depend heavily on local abiotic context. Building an understanding of how to downscale global change scenarios to local impacts is often difficult, however, and requires historical data across large gradients of variability. Such data are often not available—particularly in peer reviewed or gray literature. However, these data can sometimes be gleaned from casual records of natural history—field notebooks, data sheet marginalia, course notes, and more. Here, we provide an example of one such approach for the Gulf of Maine, as we seek to understand how environmental …

Nicholls ’25 Earns Goldwater Scholarship, Keith Testa, Alexandra Hatch

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Navigating The Post-Pandemic Educator Crisis: Evaluating Effective Educational Leadership Styles For Improved Retention And Job Satisfaction (Capstone Project)., Charlotte R. Holt

M.S. in Leadership

This mixed-methods study sought to identify the best practices for educational leaders to promote job satisfaction and retention in the post-pandemic educational landscape. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methodologies using data from a unique survey and an

in-depth literature review on effective leadership skills. The analysis of survey data, combined with insights from the literature review, offered a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between teacher retention and educational leadership. The study concluded that there is a correlation between effective leadership skills and job satisfaction and found that Democratic-Transformational and Autocratic-Transformational leadership styles are preferred of the six styles …

Spring 2024 Inquiry Journal: Abstracts, Brigid C. Casellini

Inquiry Journal Spring 2024

No abstract provided.

Spring 2024 Inquiry Journal: Editorial Staff And Table Of Contents, Brigid C. Casellini

Inquiry Journal Spring 2024

No abstract provided.

Universal Design For Learning (Udl)- Strategies For Engaging Rural Youth Co-Researchers With Informal Stem Learning, Amanda Bastoni, Jayson Seaman, Andrew D. Coppens, Cindy Hartman, Kate Moscouver, Courtnie Lachaine

Faculty Publications

This article describes methods and findings from a study focused on youth living in rural communities in northern New Hampshire who struggle with accessing STEM learning opportunities for reasons including economic underinvestment and geographical isolation. These challenges also negatively impact researchers hoping to learn how rural youth benefit from informal STEM learning experiences, which contribute to low-project participation and retention rates. As in other amenity-rich rural areas, the communities in this study are promoting outdoor recreation as a vehicle for economic development. We wanted to understand if outdoor recreation activities tied to economic growth initiatives — activities which youth have …

Soil Incubation Methods Lead To Large Differences In Inferred Methane Production Temperature Sensitivity, Zhen Li, Robert F. Grant, Kuang-Yu Chang, Suzanne B. Hodgkins, Jinyun Tang, Alexandra Cory, Zelalem A. Mekonnen, Scott R. Saleska, Eoin L. Brodie, Ruth K. Varner, Virginia I. Rich, Rachel M. Wilson, Jeff P. Chanton, Patrick Crill, William J. Riley

Faculty Publications

Quantifying the temperature sensitivity of methane (CH4) production is crucial for predicting how wetland ecosystems will respond to climate warming. Typically, the temperature sensitivity (often quantified as a Q10 value) is derived from laboratory incubation studies and then used in biogeochemical models. However, studies report wide variation in incubation-inferred Q10 values, with a large portion of this variation remaining unexplained. Here we applied observations in a thawing permafrost peatland (Stordalen Mire) and a well-tested process-rich model (ecosys) to interpret incubation observations and investigate controls on inferred CH4 production temperature sensitivity. We developed a field-storage-incubation modeling approach to mimic the full …

Reliable Identification Of Binary Supermassive Black Holes From Rubin Observatory Time-Domain Monitoring, Megan C. Davis, Kaylee E. Grace, Jonathan R. Trump, Jessie C. Runnoe, Amelia Henkel, Laura Blecha, W N. Brandt, J Andrew Casey-Clyde, Maria Charisi, Caitlin A. Witt

Faculty Publications

Periodic signatures in time-domain observations of quasars have been used to search for binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs). These searches, across existing time-domain surveys, have produced several hundred candidates. The general stochastic variability of quasars, however, can masquerade as a false-positive periodic signal, especially when monitoring cadence and duration are limited. In this work, we predict the detectability of binary SMBHs in the upcoming Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). We apply computationally inexpensive sinusoidal curve fits to millions of simulated LSST Deep Drilling Field light curves of both single, isolated quasars and binary quasars. The period …

Soil Incubation Methods Lead To Large Differences In Inferred Methane Production Temperature Sensitivity, Zhen Li, Robert F. Grant, Kuang-Yu Chang, Suzanne B. Hodgkins, Jinyun Tang, Alexandra Cory, Zelalem A. Mekonnen, Scott R. Saleska, Eoin L. Brodie, Ruth K. Varner, Virginia I. Rich, Rachel M. Wilson, Jeff P. Chanton, Patrick Crill, William J. Riley

Faculty Publications

Quantifying the temperature sensitivity of methane (CH4) production is crucial for predicting how wetland ecosystems will respond to climate warming. Typically, the temperature sensitivity (often quantified as a Q10 value) is derived from laboratory incubation studies and then used in biogeochemical models. However, studies report wide variation in incubation-inferred Q10 values, with a large portion of this variation remaining unexplained. Here we applied observations in a thawing permafrost peatland (Stordalen Mire) and a well-tested process-rich model (ecosys) to interpret incubation observations and investigate controls on inferred CH4 production temperature sensitivity. We developed a field-storage-incubation modeling approach to mimic the full …

Cell-Ebrity Drama: Foxn2, Hedgehog Signaling, And The Primary Cilia In Pancreatic Cancer, Nadine Emil

Inquiry Journal Spring 2024

Pancreatic cancer poses a significant healthcare challenge due to its aggressive nature and dismal prognosis, marked by a five-year survival rate of merely 11.5%. Early stages often lack specific symptoms, resulting in late-stage diagnosis, which hampers effective treatment. Recent studies have revealed a notable depletion of primary cilia, essential organelles for cellular signaling, in advanced pancreatic cancer. Primary cilia are crucial for receiving and interpreting external signals, particularly in the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which governs tissue development and organization.

My research in Dr. Johnson’s lab focused on FOXN2, a protein that we hypothesize negatively regulates ciliogenesis, or the formation …

Is It Hot Here? How Increased Water Temperature Impacts Tunicates On A Physiological Level, Melanie Burley

Inquiry Journal Spring 2024

When you think of marine species that live in the Gulf of Maine, a tiny invertebrate attached to the side of a dock may not be the first one that comes to mind. However, tunicates have a powerful influence on other species within their environment. This is especially true in the Gulf of Maine, where they have been found on the side of boat docks, tangled up on lobster traps, and attached to oyster and mussel beds.

Increasing amounts of certain invasive species of tunicates can negatively impact the organisms around them. Tunicates can have a drastic impact on local …

Maple Tales Curriculum Competencies Overview, Sarah Grosvenor

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

4-H Wildside Spring Wildflower Challenge, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Hydrogels And Injectable Therapeutics: How “Jell-O” May Become A Tissue Engineering Marvel, Jack Reynolds

Inquiry Journal Spring 2024

Jack Reynolds shares the secrets of tissue engineering.

Jeffrey Halpern: Professor Of Chemical Engineering And Bioengineering, Valerie Moyer

Inquiry Journal Spring 2024

Jeffrey Halpern is an associate professor of chemical engineering and bioengineering at the University of New Hampshire.

Factors Affecting Iodine Content Of Cow Milk-A Review, Mmh Khandakar, Ma Islam

Faculty Publications

This review discusses the importance of iodine as an essential nutrient for human health and the factors that can influence the concentration of iodine in cow milk. For an adult, the daily recommended requirement of iodine is 150 µg/day and the maximum tolerable limit ranges from 600 to 1100 µg/day. Cow milk is a significant source of iodine in many countries, particularly in areas where iodine-rich foods are not readily available. Therefore, evaluating the variables that affect the iodine content of cow milk is important. The iodine concentration of cow milk can vary depending on several factors such as genetics, …

Natural Warming Differentiates Communities And Increases Diversity In Deep-Sea Ridge Flank Hydrothermal Systems, Anne M. Hartwell, Anna E. Wheat, Jennifer A. Dijkstra

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

Ridge Flank Hydrothermal Systems have discrete pockets of fluid discharge that mimic climate-induced ocean warming. Unlike traditional hydrothermal fluids, those discharged by Ridge Flank Hydrothermal Systems have a chemical composition indistinguishable from background water, enabling evaluation of the effect of warming temperature. Here we link temperature and terrain variables to community composition and biodiversity by combining remotely operated vehicle images of vent and non-vent zone communities with associated environmental variables. We show overall differences in composition, family richness, and biodiversity between zones, though richness and diversity were only significantly greater in vent zones at one location. Temperature was a contributing …

Assessing Beef Producers' Interest In Cooperative Business Models In New Hampshire, Maine, And Vermont, E M. Enzien, Peter S. Erickson, Analena B. Bruce, C W. Knight, Andrew B. Conroy

Faculty Publications

This study assessed the characteristics of northern New England producers and their willingness to participate in cooperative marketing (CM) or cooperative processing (CoP) of beef cattle. A survey was conducted with producers in the region. Pearson correlation coeffi- cients were used to evaluate whether producers were will- ing to participate in CM or CoP. Two multiple regression models were created using variance inflation procedures and backward elimination to predict whether producers were likely to participate in CM and CoP. A total of 174 surveys were returned and 161 were usable for analysis. Producers in- terested in CoP were likely also …

Influence Of Climate Zone Shifts On Forest Ecosystems In Northeastern United States And Maritime Canada, Samuel Roy, Xinyuan Wei, Aaron Weiskittel, Daniel J. Hayes, Peter Nelson, Alexandra R. Contosta

Faculty Publications

Climate zones play a significant role in shaping the forest ecosystems located within them by influencing multiple ecological processes, including growth, disturbances, and species interactions. Therefore, delineation of current and future climate zones is essential to establish a framework for understanding and predicting shifts in forest ecosystems. In this study, we developed and applied an efficient approach to delineate regional climate zones in the northeastern United States and maritime Canada, aiming to characterize potential shifts in climate zones and discuss associated changes in forest ecosystems. The approach comprised five steps: climate data dimensionality reduction, sampling scenario design, cluster generation, climate …

Examining The Utility Of The Early Childhood Development Index (Ecdi) Among Children In The Nigeria Context, Ngozi V. Enelamah, Smitha Rao, Margaret Lombe, Mansoo Yu, Chrisann Newransky, Chrisann Newransky, Melissa L. Villodas, Andrew Foell, Von Nebbitt

Faculty Publications

An estimated 6 million children under the age of five in Nigeria (out of nearly 31 million) risk not reaching their full developmental potential. The dearth of context-relevant measures poses a challenge to the planning and implementation of effective interventions. This study assesses the utility of the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) in Nigeria. We used the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys to track progress among 3- to 4-year-old children (n = 11,073); 3-year-old, 51%; female, 49%. Using random calibration samples, the results from psychometric tests indicate that while over half of the children were on track in their development based …

Escalating Uncertainties Require Institutional Transformation To Support Epistemological Pluralism, Jennifer F. Brewer, Holly M. Hapke

Faculty Publications

As marine conservation challenges intensify with accelerating anthropogenic change, informing public deliberation about difficult trade-offs requires commitment to epistemological pluralism. Robust integration of social sciences can improve the realism of policy debates by explicating a range of potential social-ecological outcomes. Funders have long incentivized interdisciplinarity, yet progress is insufficient and embedded in a political economy of knowledge production. Failure to substantively address inequities can stymie collaboration. Institutional expectations for promotion and tenure rarely recognize the extent to which deep engagement transforms epistemological norms and scholarly outputs. Several organizations and programs offer relevant experience and resources. Senior scholars can use their …

Escalating Uncertainties Require Institutional Transformation To Support Epistemological Pluralism, Jennifer F. Brewer, Holly M. Hapke

Faculty Publications

As marine conservation challenges intensify with accelerating anthropogenic change, informing public deliberation about difficult trade-offs requires commitment to epistemological pluralism. Robust integration of social sciences can improve the realism of policy debates by explicating a range of potential social-ecological outcomes. Funders have long incentivized interdisciplinarity, yet progress is insufficient and embedded in a political economy of knowledge production. Failure to substantively address inequities can stymie collaboration. Institutional expectations for promotion and tenure rarely recognize the extent to which deep engagement transforms epistemological norms and scholarly outputs. Several organizations and programs offer relevant experience and resources. Senior scholars can use their …

Examining The Impact Of Stream Permanence On Headwater Stream Carbon Emissions, Hannah D. Conroy, Erin R. Hotchkiss, Kaelin M. Cawley, Keli Goodman, Jeremy B. Jones, Wilfred M. Wollheim, David Butman

Faculty Publications

Quantifying headwater stream carbon emissions is important for our understanding of the global carbon cycle because these emissions (an estimated 0.93-1.15 Pg C year) can be substantial compared to the terrestrial flux. Headwater stream networks can have high emissions due to their coupling with the terrestrial environment and high turbulence with some estimates predicting headwater stream networks can contribute 70% of the global riverine stream emissions. These carbon emissions are challenging to predict, especially with regards to headwater stream network spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The majority of headwater streams exhibit changes in stream network area on a seasonal basis, and these locations …

Interactions Between Soil Mineral Composition And Particulate Organic Matter Mediate Bioavailable Nitrogen, Andrea Jilling, Marian Carrell, A Stuart Grandy, Rachel Hestrin, Marco Keiluweit, Erik Knatvold, Andrew Whitaker

Faculty Publications

Soil organic matter (SOM) can supply critical quantities of nitrogen (N) to plants, but fundamental questions remain regarding from what pools and by which processes plants and microbes obtain N. The source of bioavailable N is generally assigned to polymeric or particulate organic matter (POM), but in mineral soils, POM is often a minor pool of N and can be a poor predictor of bioavailable N or plant N uptake. Mounting evidence suggests mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is significantly more dynamic than previously assumed and may serve as an important source of N for plants and microbes. The abundance and …

Interactions Between Soil Mineral Composition And Particulate Organic Matter Mediate Bioavailable Nitrogen, Andrea Jilling, Marian Carrell, A Stuart Grandy, Rachel Hestrin, Marco Keiluweit, Erik Knatvold, Andrew Whitaker

Faculty Publications

Soil organic matter (SOM) can supply critical quantities of nitrogen (N) to plants, but fundamental questions remain regarding from what pools and by which processes plants and microbes obtain N. The source of bioavailable N is generally assigned to polymeric or particulate organic matter (POM), but in mineral soils, POM is often a minor pool of N and can be a poor predictor of bioavailable N or plant N uptake. Mounting evidence suggests mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is significantly more dynamic than previously assumed and may serve as an important source of N for plants and microbes. The abundance and …

Assessing Forage Research And Education Needs Of Organic Dairy Farms In The United States, Eric Hatungimana, Heather M. Darby, Kathy J. Soder, Sara E. Ziegler, Andre F. Brito, Lisa Kissing Kucek, Heathcliffe Riday, E Charles Brummer

Faculty Publications

The viability of organic dairy operations in the United States (US) relies on forage production. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess producer and farm information regarding current forage production practices and producer knowledge gaps and (2) identify forage research and educational needs of organic dairy producers across the US. A survey was distributed to 643 organic dairy producers across the US, with 165 respondents (26% response rate). A focus group consisting of extension professionals, university researchers and staff, consultants, dairy industry representatives and organic dairy producers was also consulted for forage research needs. Results showed that approximately …

Assessing Forage Research And Education Needs Of Organic Dairy Farms In The United States, Eric Hatungimana, Heather M. Darby, Kathy J. Soder, Sara E. Ziegler, Andre F. Brito, Lisa Kissing Kucek, Heathcliffe Riday, E Charles Brummer

Faculty Publications

The viability of organic dairy operations in the United States (US) relies on forage production. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess producer and farm information regarding current forage production practices and producer knowledge gaps and (2) identify forage research and educational needs of organic dairy producers across the US. A survey was distributed to 643 organic dairy producers across the US, with 165 respondents (26% response rate). A focus group consisting of extension professionals, university researchers and staff, consultants, dairy industry representatives and organic dairy producers was also consulted for forage research needs. Results showed that approximately …

Testing Hypotheses Of Invasion Pathways Of The Ladybird Harmonia Axyridis Into And Across South Africa, Amy Collop, John S. Terblanche, Susana Clusella-Trullas, Jeff R. Garnas, Pius Bradicich, Minette Karsten

Faculty Publications

Harmonia axyridis is an invasive beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), native to Asia, that has established on four continents beyond its native range and was first observed in South Africa in 2001. Using microsatellite data and a comprehensive geographic coverage of international (17 locations) and South African (14 locations) beetle samples, we inferred the source of colonists invading South Africa and the beetle’s movement within the country. Genetic structure analyses suggest that this species’ populations in South Africa are derived from admixture between beetles originating from eastern North America (which acted as a bridgehead population) and another population not directly sampled in …

Great Bay Estuary Water Quality Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan 2024 – 2028, Lara Martin, Trevor Mattera

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Modeling Archaic Land Use And Mobility In North-Central Belize, Marieka Brouwer Burg, Eleanor Harrison-Buck

Faculty Publications

The Archaic period has not been as widely studied in Mesoamerica as it has been in other parts of the Americas. This problem stems from intractable issues such as low archaeological visibility and high post-depositional disturbance. And, while existing Archaic data from northern Belize indicates that foraging groups practiced diverse adaptations, little theoretical effort has been dedicated toward developing frames of reference for understanding the coupled human-landscape interactions ongoing during this period. Here, we outline a multi-method approach for situating hunter-gatherer-fisher-emergent horticultural land use behaviors, including comparative ethnographic data, extant archaeological information, and geospatial modeling. We set out a series …