Digital Commons Network^™

Leveraging Genome Evolution To Address Questions Of Biological Function, Hannah Pare

Doctoral Dissertations

Advances in sequencing technology have facilitated a surge in the production of genome data for diverse animal species. Researchers are presented with the opportunity to create comprehensive phylogenomic datasets, which have previously not been feasible. Unfortunately, extracting biologically relevant information from such a large amount of data is time consuming and computationally expensive, often limiting the scope and possibility of such analyses. My Ph.D. research aims to establish a methodological framework for investigating questions of biological function using comparative genomic and phylogenetic methods. Using two different metazoan genomic datasets we demonstrate the wide-ranging applicability of this framework by addressing research …

Evaluating The Role Of Dissolved Organic Phosphorus Uptake By Phytoplankton, Caroline Anderson

Master's Theses and Capstones

Phytoplankton form the basis of the marine ecosystem and require phosphorus (P) for growth. Typically, phytoplankton utilize inorganic phosphate (PO43-) as it is the more biologically available form of P. Many regions across the global ocean have been found to exhibit vanishingly low concentrations of PO43- including the subtropical North Atlantic and North Pacific. Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) has been shown to serve as an alternative P source when PO43- concentrations are low. However, the concentration of PO43- which leads to significant phytoplankton DOP uptake has not been widely established. In this work, both experimental and field DOP data were …

Downtowns & Trails 5 Year Evaluation Report, Shannon H. Rogers Ph.D., Michael Polizzotti, Jada Lindblom, Patricia Prescott

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Annual And Seasonal Variability In Tundra Vole (Microtus Oeconomus) Diet, Mary Kathleen Lisi

Master's Theses and Capstones

Within arctic ecosystems, small mammals (voles and lemmings) influence plantcommunity composition, soil nutrient availability, and carbon cycling through foraging and the deposition of waste. Yet, little is known about rodent diet specifically and how it may vary annually and seasonally. Here, we characterize the composition and stability in tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus) diet in northern Alaska using stable isotope analysis of fecal and hair samples collected over a seven-year period. Results from Bayesian stable isotope mixing models from both fecal and hair sample data show that tundra voles in northern Alaska predominately feed on rhizomatous sedges, Eriophorum vaginatum and Carex …

Exploring The Role Of Recreation In Rural Nh Youth's Engagement With Master Narratives, Katelyn A. Moscouver

Master's Theses and Capstones

Rural youth often feel compelled to leave their home communities to seek new opportunities, especially at the secondary-postsecondary educational transition. These decisions are driven in part by perceived developmental imperatives to leave rural hometowns given messages that success is best achieved elsewhere. The present study used the framework of identity master narratives to explore recreation's role in facilitating youth postsecondary planning in rural northeastern state of New Hampshire. The study extends and deepens prior research seeking to understand some of the structural-psychological factors connecting recreation involvement in adolescence, postsecondary decision making, and broader demographic patterns among the 15-19 and 20-24 …

Investigating The Relationship Between Sediment Methane Production And Ebullition In Sub-Arctic Lakes, Josibel Pardo

Master's Theses and Capstones

Arctic and subarctic ecosystems are experiencing accelerated warming compared to other regions. Increasing arctic lake sediment and water temperatures stimulate the formation and emission of methane (CH4). Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can contribute to a global warming feedback loop, in which temperatures rise due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, which in return further increases those emissions. Methane emitted from lakes is primarily emitted through ebullition (bubbling). Various environmental characteristics have an impact on CH4 cycling in aquatic environments, such as temperature, water depth, organic matter, and nutrient availability. Sediment CH4 production is also an important driver of …

Assembly Of A Supramolecular Host Guest System For The Production Of Solar Fuels, Dylan J. Stolba

Master's Theses and Capstones

Anthropogenic warming of the globe is an issue that has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. This is mainly due to burning fossil fuels which releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Because of our society’s high dependence on this energy source, it’s estimated that over 5 million metric tons of CO2 are released into the atmosphere each year. This makes it clear that we must find a clean and renewable way to generate power. Photocatalysis offers a unique solution to this problem. Photocatalytic systems use light to excite an electron which is then used …

Reconstructing Paleo-Sulfate Methane Transition Zones In The Japan Trench, Camille Rachel Sullivan

Master's Theses and Capstones

In deep marine subduction zone settings, the movement of sediment pore fluids, as well as sediment transport and deposition, are likely to occur during earthquake ruptures and leave evidence in the sedimentary record. This seismic activity could influence the depth of the sulfate methane transition zone (SMTZ), a moving diagenetic front that produces sulfide and carbonate minerals through time. One method for the reconstruction of paleo-SMTZ positions in marine sediments is the measurement of downcore bulk sulfur isotopic compositions. Sulfide produced by organoclastic sulfate reduction (OSR) is less enriched in δ34S while sulfide produced by anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) …

Representation And The Achievement Gap: A Case For Prioritizing Cultural Sameness In The Classroom, Taryn J. Fears

M.S. in Leadership

Abstract

This study examined the impact of cultural representation on achievement for minority students academically and socially across diverse contexts. Recognizing the importance of cultural diversity in educational and youth mentoring settings, this research explores how the representation of various cultural identities, including race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, influences student achievement outcomes. Coming from a background in community based nonprofit organizations, I have seen how black and brown students respond in classroom and out-of-school time settings when having come in contact with teachers and mentors of similar culture. Having a teacher and/or mentor of a similar culture creates pathways …

Suspended Ion Exchange For Extensive, Low-Energy And N2o-Emission-Free Removal Of Nitrogen In Municipal Purification, Bailey Jones

Master's Theses and Capstones

In recent years, high concentrations of anthropogenic ammonia have been measured in surface and groundwaters in Europe which can devastate ecosystems due to eutrophication. Sources of this excess ammonia are fertilizers used in the agricultural industry and municipal wastewater discharge. Stricter regulations limiting the amount of ammonia a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) can discharge may be enacted soon to prevent ammonia’s negative effects. A major issue facing WWTPs in the Netherlands is that conventional biological treatment processes used by these facilities are not able to meet the proposed ammonia discharge regulations. These facilities must soon turn to chemical solutions and …

Tracking The Efficiency Of Ibex-Lo Over The Course Of The Ibex Mission, Ryan J. Murphy

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) launched in 2008 and has been active for over 15 years. In this thesis, we track the instrument efficiency by taking the ratios of double and triple type events for dozens of orbits spanning those 15 years. Doing this lets us diagnose the instrument response in a way that is irrespective of incoming particle rates and properly shows any potential degradation that could have occurred during IBEX-Lo's lifetime. Ensuring that IBEX-Lo is operating nominally is especially crucial as we move into the era of its successor, IMAP-Lo.

Through our efficiency analysis, we have found that …

Relating Acoustic And Optical Measurements Through Models Of A Synthetic Bubbly Seagrass Bed In A Stationary And Wave-Induced Laboratory Environment, Langdon Tarbell

Master's Theses and Capstones

Seagrass meadows are an essential part of littoral ecosystems, which provide many ecosystems service. They sequester carbon, filter seawater, protect coastlines from erosion, and serve as important nursery habitats. When seagrasses photosynthesize, they remove carbon dioxide from the environment and supersaturate the surrounding water with oxygen, at which time, bubbles form on the seagrass leaves and eventually rise to the atmosphere. Acoustic waves are highly sensitive to the presence of these bubbles, impacting naval sonar applications, such as mine hunting and underwater navigation, and therefore are also of importance to the Navy. Recently, seagrass have experienced a consistent decline in …

Marker Discovery To Support Genetic Improvement Of Kiwiberry, Reecha Acharya

Master's Theses and Capstones

Kiwiberry (A. arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. Ex Miq.) is a functionally rich, grape-sized aromatic fruit crop that can tolerate cold temperatures up to -30 °C. It is a lesser-known species within the Actinidia genus that has the potential for commercialization especially in cold regions like New England owing to its smooth skin, and aromatic and intense tropical flavor. Kiwiberry is a vine crop that takes about 3-5 years to reach reproductive maturity, indicating a long breeding cycle. In addition, it is a dioecious crop that requires identification and maintenance of male and female vines in the vineyard. In this …

Using Tensile And Compressive Stress Superposition During Incremental Forming To Manipulate Martensitic Transformation In Ss304, E M. Mamros, F Maab, A E. Tekkaya, Brad L. Kinsey, J Ha

Faculty Publications

Single point incremental forming (SPIF) is a flexible manufacturing process that has applications in industries ranging from biomedical to automotive. In addition to rapid prototyping, which requires easy adaptations in geometry or material for design changes, control of the final part properties is desired. One strategy that can be implemented is stress superposition, which is the application of additional stresses during an existing manufacturing process. Tensile and compressive stresses applied during SPIF showed significant effects on the resulting microstructure in stainless steel 304 truncated square pyramids. Specifically, the amount of martensitic transformation was increased through stress superposed incremental forming. Finite …

Filling The Bathymetric Gaps: Toward Quantifying And Characterizing Uncertainty In Interpolated Bathymetry, Elias Opeyemi Adediran

Master's Theses and Capstones

The oceans remain one of Earth's most enigmatic frontiers, with approximately 75% of the world's oceans still unmapped to modern standards. To overcome this, interpolation serves as the primary method for creating seamless coverage from incomplete coverage hydrographic data sets and is essential for creating a seamless digital bathymetric model (DBM) compiled from sparse bathymetric datasets and set-line spacing surveys. While methods for quantifying the uncertainty in depth measurements are well-researched, interpolation introduces unqualified depth uncertainties. This study aims to estimate and characterize these uncertainties which are essential to nautical charting, and navigational safety, and important in many other fields.Organized …

Yoga And Advaita Vedanta: A Study Comparing The Ontological And Epistemological Foundations Of Two Astika Schools Of Indian Philosophy, Devkamal Dutta

Master's Theses and Capstones

The central aim of this thesis was to examine the ontological and epistemological foundations of two schools of Indian philosophy – the Yoga School and the Advaita Vedanta School, in order to understand their points of convergence as well as divergence. I engaged in this inquiry by studying sutras from one foundational text of each school: Patanjali’s Yogasutras and Adi Shankaracharya’s Atmabodha, and by subjecting the sutras to scrutiny, to understand each school’s ontological and epistemological foundations. To do so, I chose the Triputi Framework, which is an ontological-epistemological framework from a third school of Indian philosophy, the Mimansa School. …

The Design And Characterization Of An Enhanced Reference Termination Board For Mipi, Matthew Corso

Master's Theses and Capstones

The Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) is a collection of protocols primarily used for connecting cameras and displays to processors in mobile devices. These links are asymmetrical in nature. Large amounts of data are sent in one direction and smaller amounts in the other. The speeds at which these protocols operate are continually increasing with each new revision of the specifications. The design of Automated Test Equipment (ATE) used to qualify new transceivers is rapidly falling behind in capability compared to that of the transceivers being currently developed. This thesis explores the design process for a passive M-PHY termination board …

Feminism In The Anti-Nuclear Movement: Three Women's Quest To Re-Make Society, Sarah Doenmez

Master's Theses and Capstones

In the 40 years between 1974 and 2014, the anti-nuclear movement arose in New England, shook the dominant political forces, changed the culture, and achieved significant victories. Although they are usually not recognized as the power behind anti-nuclear and environmental activism, in fact, I contend that a certain group of women motivated by a second wave ecofeminist vision of peace were and have remained the core of this work in New England. Their fight against patriarchal systems shaping their individual lives extended to a larger commitment to build communities and imbue institutions with a new value system that would nurture …

Fate Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In A Wastewater Treatment Facility Using A Novel Membrane Bioreactor, Lindsay Ann Guertin

Master's Theses and Capstones

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of chemicals known for their environmental persistence and unique thermal and chemical stability which has led them to be used in a variety of products including paper, carpets, clothes, cosmetics, food packaging, kitchen ware, chrome plating, and aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs). Their resistance to biochemical degradation has led regulators to be interested in reducing PFAS loads to the environment and sources that humans are exposed to (e.g. drinking water). Recent studies have shown that concentrations of some terminal PFAS increase after secondary (biological) wastewater treatment indicating that precursor compounds are …

Microplastic Trends In Estuarine Surface Waters, Hanna Mogensen

Master's Theses and Capstones

With an estimated 8.75 million metric tons of plastic entering the world’s oceans each year, marine plastic litter has become a fast-growing concern. Plastics have been found to have severe impacts on aquatic environments and marine organisms in which both physical and chemical effects have been described. Once plastics enter the oceans, the qualities that make them so desirable- their persistent and durable nature- also make them a substantial and persistent threat. Through natural processes (solar degradation, mixing, and biofouling) larger plastic pieces break apart, but never fully degrade, existing as smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics.

Microplastics, defined as …

Investigating The Role Of Bias In Sustained Attention And Inhibition In Individuals With Concussion, Kaitlyn Lane O'Connor

Master's Theses and Capstones

It is estimated that approximately 15% of individuals who suffer a concussion experience cognitive impairments that can persist and cause long-term consequences (Post-Concussion Syndrome, 2023). This study builds on previous research on concussion, sustained attention, and inhibitory control to further characterize the mechanisms at work in post-concussion cognitive dysfunction (Moore et al., 2014; Ramage & Robin, 2019; Robin et al., 1999). Sustained attention was measured with a psychomotor vigilance task (Starry Night); inhibitory control was measured with the Flanker and Dimensional Change Card Sort tasks. The current study aims were developed to fill a gap in understanding regarding the potential …

The Microbial Diversity In The Spruce Hole Aquifer Associated With Artificial Recharge Practices, Rafaela Paes De Souza Barbosa

Master's Theses and Capstones

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Systems are utilized globally for underground water storage and subsequent retrieval, serving as a key water management strategy. In Durham, NH, an ASR system was established in the Spruce Hole formation to address various water supply needs, including meeting future demand, reducing treatment costs, and providing backup supply options. This system replenishes the aquifer using water from the Lamprey River. Given the importance of microbial communities in groundwater quality, understanding their composition is crucial. This study explores the microbial diversity in the Spruce Hole aquifer, comparing it to the surface water used for recharge and …

Assessing The Resistance And Resilience Of Recreationally Important Fish Species To Extreme Events In Coastal Texas, Ana Cecilia Silverio

Master's Theses and Capstones

Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. In turn, these extreme events may affect coastal resources such as fisheries. Extreme events not only have ecological effects but also economic and cultural impacts as human communities throughout the world depend on coastal resources for their livelihoods. In this thesis, I used long-term fisheries independent data to discern how different coastal Texas recreational fish species (Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, and Southern Flounder) were affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a freeze event in 2021. I found variation in the post-storm response (percent …

Influence Of Bottom Substrates On Sunken No. 6 Heavy Fuel Oil And Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil Transport, Tori Sweet

Master's Theses and Capstones

Oil spilled into marine or freshwater environments can become submerged in the water column or sink to the bottom if its density is greater than that of water. Meso-scale experiments were conducted in the Coastal Response Research Center’s (CRRC) MacFarlane Flume at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to better understand sunken oil transport in a river environment. Flume water temperatures reflected the annual range of the Mississippi River’s temperatures near Baton Rouge, LA (41 °F to 86 °F), a location where a spill is likely to occur because of shipping traffic. Flat and scaled sand dune substrates were secured …

The Influence Of Lake Productivity On Methane Production And Ebullition From Temperate And Arctic Lake Sediments, Megan Wimsatt

Master's Theses and Capstones

Northern freshwater lakes (> 40°N) are an increasingly recognized major contributor of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere. Climate warming and eutrophication acceleration threaten to increase CH4 emissions from these lake ecosystems, particularly in littoral (shallow lake edge) zones where ebullition (bubbling) is often a dominant flux pathway. Few studies have investigated the impacts of lake productivity on limnological CH4 cycling for a range of trophic classes and provided a comparison between different latitudes. Here, we analyzed chlorophyll α (chlα; proxy for lake productivity), other water quality parameters, sediment CH4 production rates, and ebullition rates at nine …

Unh Nursing Students Bridge Healthcare And Entrepreneurship, Aaron Sanborn

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Harnessing Eye And Face Movements: Bridging Technology And Human Interaction, Daniel Rubin

Master's Theses and Capstones

AbstractThe profound impact of non-verbal communication in the realms of psychology, virtual reality (VR), and automated systems; underscores, a critical inquiry: How can we effectively interpret and utilize non-verbal cues; for example, eye and head movements, to address current limitations in technology and ethics across various applications? This thesis explores the potential of eye and head movement techniques, as a transformative tool in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, user interaction, and ethical compliance in these fields. One significant contribution of my research is the identification and implementation methods of non-invasive diagnostic tools, in healthcare. Through, the advanced analysis of eye and head …

Development Of Prepare For Autistic Adults: An Adult Autism Training For Resident Physicians Designed With Autistic Adults And Family Members, Brittany N. Hand, Prepare For Autistic Adults Advisory Board, Daniel Gilmore, Holden Devassie, Anne Longo, Lisa Juckett, Christopher Hanks, Susan M. Havercamp, Daniel Coury

Institute on Disability

One barrier to meeting autistic adults' health care needs is the dearth of physicians with autism training. We developed an adult autism training for residents, who are postdoctoral physicians training to become specialists, in internal medicine or family medicine. We used formative evaluation to design the training with autistic adults and family members of autistic adults, who were paid consultants. The training includes six prerecorded presentations, six case studies, and two standardized patient scenarios. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 23 residents and 14 faculty who educate residents. We described the curriculum, reviewed the content in one module, and …

Direct Precipitation Of Siderite In Ferruginous Environments, A Grengs, G Ledesma, Y Xiong, S Katsev, S W. Poulton, E D. Swanner, C Wittkop

Faculty Publications

Siderite (FeCO 3 ) is often assumed to precipitate from dissimilatory reduction of Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides, but geochemical and mineralogical analyses from ferruginous (anoxic, Fe-rich) Canyon Lake, USA, suggest Fe-carbonate represents a direct early precipitate unrelated to substantial oxide burial.X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy of sediment trap materials and an anoxic sediment core indicated a mixture of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in water column particulates and ferruginous surface sediments, while all Mn phases were reduced.About 60 cm below the sediment-water interface, Fe-Mn carbonates were detected by X-ray diffraction and XANES, while Fe extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra were best …

Direct Precipitation Of Siderite In Ferruginous Environments, A Grengs, G Ledesma, Y Xiong, S Katsev, S W. Poulton, E D. Swanner, C Wittkop

Faculty Publications

Siderite (FeCO 3 ) is often assumed to precipitate from dissimilatory reduction of Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides, but geochemical and mineralogical analyses from ferruginous (anoxic, Fe-rich) Canyon Lake, USA, suggest Fe-carbonate represents a direct early precipitate unrelated to substantial oxide burial.X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy of sediment trap materials and an anoxic sediment core indicated a mixture of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in water column particulates and ferruginous surface sediments, while all Mn phases were reduced.About 60 cm below the sediment-water interface, Fe-Mn carbonates were detected by X-ray diffraction and XANES, while Fe extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra were best …