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Evaluating The Role Of Seaweeds In Dairy Production: Impacts On In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation, And In Vivo Mineral Utilization And Metabolic Status, William Mitchell Sims

Doctoral Dissertations

Dietary inclusion of seaweed in ruminant diets has been studied for more than 5 decades. Early research in seaweed focused primarily on potential health benefits, but recent interest has shifted the paradigm for its use as a nutritional tool to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. As new seaweeds are identified for their ability to reduce gas emissions, the pendulum will swing once more to understand the impact seaweeds have on ruminant health and production. The overall objective of this dissertation is to investigate digestibility and fermentation, as well as alterations in metabolic and mineral status in ruminants fed various seaweed species. …

Evolution Of Regulatory Pathways In Vibrio Fischeri Strains Impacts Biofilm Phenotypes And Symbiotic Capacity And Curriculum Interventions Differ In Their Impact On Microbiology Utility Value In Nursing Students, Jennifer Calawa

Doctoral Dissertations

Vibrio fischeri strains vary in their capacity to form mutualisms with animal hosts such as the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes, yet these differences are often not explained by phylogeny. Successful colonization requires biofilm production, which is tightly controlled by a complex network of two-component system regulators including hybrid histidine kinases BinK and RemK, as characterized in the model symbiont strain ES114. Divergence in biofilm network architecture or regulatory logic may lead to strain-specific differences in biofilm formation, limiting symbiotic potential. Part I of this work investigates genetic divergence underlying reduced colonization capacity in strain H905, a planktonic isolate and …

Focal Engine: Filling A Gap Between Game Engines And Big-Data Scientific Visualization Packages, Kindrat Beregovyi

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents Focal Engine, a novel 3D visualization engine designed to bridge the gap between game engines and scientific visualization tools. Game engines offer accessible interfaces and high-performance rendering but struggle with large-scale scientific datasets, while tools like ParaView and VTK handle complex data structures effectively but lack intuitive editing capabilities and modern rendering features. Focal Engine combines the accessibility and rendering performance of game engines with the data handling capabilities and analytical tools of scientific visualization platforms. The engine's capabilities are validated through multiple applications and projects, for example: HabiCAT 3D performs 3D complexity measurements on ocean floor …

Development And Characterization Of Bulk Dsdna-Based Materials Using Biologically Derived Plasmid Dna, Wynter Amythyst Paiva

Doctoral Dissertations

Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) exhibits many unique sequence-independent properties that remain underutilized in materials science. The exceptional length, solubility, biocompatibility, imageability, molecular recognition capabilities, and topological control of DNA makes it an ideal candidate for the creation of bespoke biomaterials and investigation of fundamental relationships in polymer physics. Unfortunately, translation of DNA-based materials from the microscale to macroscale has been hindered by source constraints and limitations in chemical modification of biologically derived DNA. This work seeks to expand the utility of dsDNA from the benchtop to real world applications. Establishing dsDNA as a commodity polymer will aid in the development of …

The Baroclinic Route To Acoustic Streaming: Mechanisms Of Mean-Flow Generation And Heat Transport In Acoustically-Forced Stratified Fluids, Remil Mushthaq

Doctoral Dissertations

Standing acoustic waves in density-stratified fluids confined within horizontal channels generate fluctuating vorticity baroclinically, driving mean streaming flows that are much stronger and qualitatively distinct from classical Rayleigh streaming. Theoretical and numerical studies have shown that these baroclinic acoustic streaming flows can reach speeds comparable to the maximum speed of the oscillatory sound-wave field, enabling fully two-way wave/mean-flow coupling: the streaming flow modifies the background density field, which then alters the structure of the acoustic waves. Extending this framework, Massih (2022) quantified the heat-transfer enhancement arising from baroclinic streaming as a function of the channel aspect ratio (δ). The present …

Investigation Of Cross-Flow Turbines With Varying Structural And Surface Properties, Nicole Marone

Doctoral Dissertations

The oceans are a largely untapped resource with regard to their tidal, wave, and ocean current energy potential and could significantly contribute to clean energy objectives. Cross-flow turbines (CFTs) can be used to extract energy from tidal currents and provide electrical energy to the power grid. However, one of their main barriers to market entry is their levelized cost of energy (LCOE), which at present is still quite high. Three parameters that have not previously been studied together, and that could make CFTs more cost-competitive, include the use of less rigid and less expensive materials, a reduction in the number …

Adrift: The Influence Of Shelf Circulation And Larval Dispersal On Coastal Biogeography At Basin And Global Scales, Will Lush

Doctoral Dissertations

The dispersal of larvae plays an important role in determining the distribution of benthic meroplanktonic organisms in the coastal ocean. The work presented in this defense uses biophysical modeling approaches to examine the interaction of larval dispersal with coastal circulation and the impact of these interactions on contemporary coastal biogeography at global scales.I begin by presenting a novel method for validating numerical dispersal estimates against drifter observations from the Global Drifter Program. We find that median dispersal estimates match observations to within 5 percent, while model estimates underpredict the spread of drifters around this median by between 30 and 50 …

Regional Analysis Changes In The Salt Marsh: How The Past Is Influencing The Present, Elizabeth May Gorrill

Master's Theses and Capstones

Salt marshes are critical coastal wetlands that provide valuable ecosystem services including coastal erosion control, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, fisheries habitats, and recreational and economic opportunities for coastal communities. To better understand salt marshes and the changes occurring within the systems due to environmental and human factors, monitoring of established sites is conducted to look at variables such as vegetation cover, elevation, fauna, and vertical accretion. Methodological differences amongst monitoring efforts can result in data that has differing implications when analyzed and interpreted, so documentation of protocols (and any deviance from them) is imperative when bringing together datasets. The …

Rapid Incorporation But Contrasting Stability Of Fertilizer Versus Litter Nitrogen In Mineral-Associated Organic Matter, Emma Bergh

Master's Theses and Capstones

Nitrogen (N) is abundant in agricultural soils during early spring due to both decomposing plant residues and initial fertilizer applications before peak crop uptake. This N is vulnerable to loss through leaching and denitrification, but a portion of this N can become stabilized in mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM). However, the short-term incorporation and long-term stability of different N sources within MAOM remain poorly understood. This study examined how fertilizer and litter derived N are incorporated and stabilized in MAOM using a three-week incubation experiment with 15N labeled fertilizer, rye root, and rye shoot additions to paired cropland and grassland soils. …

Potential Predictors Of Nonconductive Wood Column Volumes In Five Maple Species, Tanner Ryan Frost

Master's Theses and Capstones

Maple tapping guidelines rely on the understanding of nonconductive wood column (NWC) formation, but this process has only been studied in sugar maple and may be ineffective at advising producers in their tapping activities due to the variation in wounding between sites and the lack of research into alternative species more recently being brought to market. The goal of this study was to investigate sap sugar concentrations and sap yields as predictors of nonconductive wood column (NWC) volumes in five Acer species: sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), and boxelder …

Modular And Combined Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms For Extraterrestrial Resource Prospecting, Gregory Hatfield

Master's Theses and Capstones

The success of future crewed and autonomous space missions hinges on effectively utilizing in-situ resources available in the extraterrestrial environment to sustain missions and habitation. Prior to extraction of resources, such missions will require robust and efficient methods for extraterrestrial resource prospecting. However, traditional global optimization techniques struggle with the complex and non-convex search spaces inherent to mapping and identifying resource deposits on extraterrestrial surfaces.

This research addresses the resource prospecting problem by developing and evaluating novel variants of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Here, four novel algorithms, their variants, and four combined algorithms are rigorously tested and confirmed. The …

Underwater Remote Sensing Of Oil: Validation Testing Of A Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Acoustic Sensor For Emergency Response, Sara Jessica Berg

Master's Theses and Capstones

During an oil spill, emergency responders need to be able to estimate the thickness of oil to determine the type of recovery equipment to use and the environmental impact for natural resource damage assessment, perform a risk assessment, and generate response plans. There is an abundance of remote sensing techniques and devices that have been evaluated for use in oil spill emergency response. One that has repeatedly shown promise is active sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) system that transmits and receives acoustic signals. However, the systems that have been tested are often prototypes, not readily available during an oil spill …

Preliminary Analysis Of A Wave Energy Converter For Remote Power Generation, William Frank Pelger Ii

Master's Theses and Capstones

This thesis presents the design, development, and characterization of a free-floating Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Converter (WEC) created by the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems (CSSS) in collaboration with the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Department. The project aims to advance small-scale WEC technologies for integration into aquaculture systems along with remote military applications.The initial design and construction of the OWC was completed as a USNA senior capstone project, providing the foundation for subsequent development and testing. The OWC was tested in the UNH Jere A. Chase Ocean …

An Inter-Model Comparison Of Snow Water Equivalent In Watershed 3, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, For Winter 2023-2024, Ryan Reed

Master's Theses and Capstones

Estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) are crucial for water availability and flood risk assessment due to the contribution of snow melt to increased surface runoff. However, many regions do not have observations of SWE, thus necessitating a robust method to estimate SWE for streamflow forecasting. Numerical snowpack models provide a potential way to estimate SWE in areas without observations. However, there are a multitude of snowpack models available, and they range greatly in their complexity. Even so, there have been few snowpack model intercomparisons to assess the trade-offs in model performance and complexity, and those that do exist did …

Now You See It: Evaluating A Small Object Detection Model For Uncrewed Surface Vehicle Operations, Jenna Ehnot

Master's Theses and Capstones

As Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) operations scale in size, distance, and complexity, they increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to maintain situational awareness, and operators must understand how algorithm performance may change as camera configuration is adjusted to meet operational needs. This thesis proposes distance-based evaluation strategies that characterize object detection performance in terms directly applicable to USV operations. In this research, a YOLOv5s model was trained to detect small maritime obstacles, focusing on aids to navigation, and the lobster pot floats common in the Gulf of Maine. Three test videos were collected, each capturing a buoy approaching the …

Quantifying Contributions Of Sonar Systems On Marine Soundscapes: A Statistical And Machine Learning Analysis, Reilly Jacob Lessard

Master's Theses and Capstones

A variety of elements are used to characterize marine soundscapes, including natural and anthropogenic sound. One anthropogenic activity that potentially contributes to marine soundscapes, but is not sufficiently understood, is the use of different types of ocean-mapping sonar systems. Sonar systems are used abundantly in marine environments for purposes such as ocean floor mapping and military security purposes [Ryu et al., 2023] [Marszal and Salamon, 2013]. The systems used to conduct this research are the Kongsberg TOPAS PS40 sub-bottom profiler and the RESON SeaBat T51-R multibeam echosounder, along with SoundTrap recorders, which were deployed in the Gulf of Maine. Periods …

The Effects Of Graded Amounts Of Nicotinic Acid On Cow Health, Colostrum Yield And Quality Of Prepartum Multiparous Jersey Cows And Growth In Their Subsequent Calves, Lydia Joy Valentine

Master's Theses and Capstones

This study evaluated the impact of graded amounts of nicotinic acid (NA) with a negative DCAD diet on cow health, colostrum composition and calf growth performance of Jersey cattle. We hypothesized that NA supplementation would increase IgG concentration of colostrum, increase calf intestinal absorption and growth and improve cow metabolic health. Thirty multiparous Jersey cows were blocked by calving date and assigned to either 0, 8 or 16 g/d of NA supplementation on top of the -40 mEq/kg DCAD dry cow diet. Blood samples were collected weekly for ketone analysis. Urine was collected three times weekly for pH, creatinine and …

Punitive Damages In Products Liability Revisited (1991-2024), Michael L. Rustad

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Skepticism Of Critical Legal Studies And The Function Of Moral Discourse, Paul J. Gudel

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents, Editorial Board

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

No abstract provided.

Floodings, Emilio R. Longoria

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

No abstract provided.

2026 Seacoast Seaperch Challenge General Rules, Claes Thelemarck

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Weaponized Deepfakes: A Low-Resourced Attacker Threat Assessment, Joshua David Labelle

Master's Theses and Capstones

The democratization of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) tools, combined with the short-form nature of modern media consumption, has created a ripe landscape for generating and weaponizing synthetic media. The availability of pre-trained, open-source generative models enables would-be attackers, who lack funding and enterprise-grade hardware, to conduct convincing information-based attacks that harm, manipulate, and deceive. This thesis aims to model this threat actor using an open-source deepfake generation pipeline that requires minimal computational resources and is capable of producing deepfakes in the audio, image, and video domains. This model is then used to identify, measure, and evaluate the capabilities …

Pitch Modeling And Control Of Subcarangiform Robotic Fish, Margaret Grace Enderle

Master's Theses and Capstones

The development of biomimetic robotic fish has been an ongoing research topic for the last 30 years. Here, researchers have explored biomimetic propulsion and maneuverability mechanisms, studied energy efficiency in comparison to live fish, and developed autonomous control algorithms for these extremely nonlinear systems. This work studies a multi-linkage, single-actuator propelled biomimetic robotic fish, the Ghost Uncrewed Performance Platform Submersible (GUPPS), developed at the University of New Hampshire. A set of symmetrically driven, static pectoral fins are added to the original platform to enable diving and surfacing capabilities by controlling the vehicle Angle of Attack (AoA) through pitch and yaw …

Characterizing Sei Whale (Balaenoptera Borealis) Movement Patterns In The Gulf Of Maine, Emma Vergow

Master's Theses and Capstones

Sei whales are difficult to visually monitor due to their cryptic presence and lack of breaching. Passive acoustic monitoring has the potential to expand knowledge of sei whale movement ecology. The present study characterizes sei whale movement patterns related to migration dynamics in the Gulf of Maine. Five bottom-mounted Acoustic Long-Term Observatory landers, each equipped with a tetrahedral array of omni-directional hydrophones, were deployed throughout the Gulf of Maine as part of the Acoustic and Environmental Observation Network (AEON) in the Northwest Atlantic project. A combination of manual and automated detections was used to assess sei whale daily and seasonal …

James Hall Ginkgo Tree Sees Latest Leaf Drop On Record, Beth Potier, University Of New Hampshire, Durham

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Fill Your Holiday Gift List With Items Created And Curated By Unh Staff And Students, Robbin Ray

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Tiny Satellite Built By Unh Students Blasts Off To Space, Rebecca Irelan

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary, Part 1: Science, Jamie Carter, Anna Simpson, Chris Gloninger, John Trowbridge, Kirk Bosma, Jayne F. Knott, Mary Lemcke-Stampone, Elizabeth Burakowski, Jennifer Gilbert, Kirsten Howard, Lisa Wise

UNH Cooperative Extension

The New Hampshire Coastal Flood Risk Summary – Part 1: Science provides a synthesis of the state of the science relevant to coastal flood risks in New Hampshire. Specifically, this document provides updated trends projections of sea-level rise, coastal storms, groundwater rise, precipitation, and freshwater flooding for coastal New Hampshire. This 2025 report updates the earlier 2019 report. This information is intended to serve as the scientific foundation for the updated companion resource, Part II: Guidance for Using Best Available Science, which will be published in 2026.

How Human Personality Will Change With The Use Of Artificial Intelligence, John Mayer

UNH Personality Lab

INTRODUCTION: Human personality changes in response to new habits, situations, and maturation, among other causes. As people interact with artificial intelligence (AI), their personalities are likely to change, from their emotional responses to their self-concept.

METHODOLOGY: This theoretical account draws together empirical studies of how personality changed in response to past technological innovations, changes in personal interactions observed in people’s AI usage, changes that arise from the use and disuse of cognitive skills, and works on the self-concept. Research reports in the review were selected according to their relevance and quality.

THEORETICAL STATEMENT: While AI becomes increasingly human-like, humans increasingly …