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Improving Physical And Biochemical Properties Of Gelatin Microgels For Tissue Engineering, Ziqiang Guan

Doctoral Dissertations

Gelatin-based microgels are modular biomaterial building blocks that can be injected and assembled into three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering. Their performance, however, is limited by the transport properties of individual particles, the difficulty of directly encapsulating cells while preserving viability and secondary crosslinking capacity, and the limited ability of passive scaffolds to provide externally controlled physical stimulation. This dissertation investigated three complementary strategies to expand the structural and functional capabilities of gelatin-based microgel systems. First, thermally stable porous gelatin/alginate microgels were produced using calcium-mediated ionic crosslinking and subsequently annealed with microbial transglutaminase. The resulting assemblies maintained internal porosity at physiological …

Baseline Studies To Quantify Microplastic Pollution In Living And Non-Living Estuarine Resources In Selected U.S. Atlantic Coast Estauries, Taja Sims-Harper

Doctoral Dissertations

Global plastic pollution is increasing in part because more than 90% of plastic is discarded and not recycled. Plastic travels from rivers, shorelines, coastal soils, and estuaries, ultimately reaching the open ocean, where it now represents the most abundant form of marine debris. Degradation of plastic polymers has resulted in smaller particles <5mm in size termed microplastics (MP). Attempts to quantify the amount of MP, especially in the oceans, are stymied by the variable interpretations of MP in samples. Their ability to remain suspended in the water column for long periods, means marine species are likely to accumulate MP over time in their muscles and organs and thus, marine MP have been reported to have multiple lasting effects in marine organisms around the world. The aim of this dissertation was to build a baseline of microplastic (MP) concentrations for Great Bay Estuary (GBE) and evaluate MP distribution patterns in the GBE water column and living resources.Surface water samples were collected May to November, 2018-2022 at multiple sites. The body burden of MP in three ecologically important taxa of Great Bay Estuary, NH (GBE) was determined from 310 specimens of each collected through the months of May through October in 2021 and 2022. and oysters were collected throughout the months of June and August of 2022 from two regions, Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, and Casco Bay, Maine. Microplastic burdens were quantified in gut content from European green crabs, Carcinus maenas, whole body preparations of Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, and gut, gill, and muscle tissues from Atlantic silverside fish, Menidia menidia. Oysters collected throughout the months of June-August 2022 from two regions, Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, and Casco Bay, Maine, were analyzed for MP content to 1 determine if there were consistent predictable differences between farmed and wild. All three studies used standardized methods of separation, chemical digestion of biogenic matter, and filtration of MP, after which MP were quantified and analyzed using laser direct infrared (LDIR) spectrometry on all samples and specimens. Across 389 water samples, MP were detected in GBE waters at an average of 248±23 particles m-3. Particle quantity and morphology varied significantly across sites on any particular sampling day. On average, MP shapes were nearly circular. The most commonly identified particles were polyvinyl chloride (the third most common synthetic plastic used for packaging and construction), polypropylene (the most used thermoplastic polymer in food containers, automotive parts, and packaging), and polyamide (mostly known as nylon and used for automotive and machinery parts). Simulations using velocity fields obtained from hydrodynamic modeling and offline particle tracking algorithms showed significant spatial variation of MP particles sampled high and low tide, and particle distributions changed rapidly at all sites and at most sampling stations, usually by day two of a simulation. Most MP extracted from tissues were approximately 10-50 μm in diameter and had aspect ratios close to 1-1.5, indicative of rounder shapes. Most polymers detected (88±2%) were biogenic as opposed to anthropogenic, and 40±5% of biogenic particles were rubber. In living resources, the predominant anthropogenic MP among 14 total MP polymer types detected across all 40 specimens were polyurethane and polypropylene. European green crabs, C. maenas (n=20), had a gut MP range from 0-3 ́104 MP. Eastern oysters, C. virginica (n=10), had a whole-body range of 257-8 ́103 MP. Tissues from Atlantic silverside fish, M. menidia (n=10), had MP ranging from 725 to 11 ́104 in their guts, MP ranging from 11 ́104 to 32 ́104 in their gills, and MP in muscle tissue ranging from 2 ́103 to 3 ́103 MP. 2

Microplastics were found in 100% of farmed and wild oysters collected from Rehoboth and Casco Bays. The MP were predominantly circular, £ 50 μm in size, round (very few fibers), and consisted of many types of polymers. Numbers of MP g-1 wet tissue in Casco Bay oysters ranged …

Assessing The Evolution Of Large Gene Families Through Phylogenetic Focusing, Christopher John Gonzalez

Doctoral Dissertations

Our understanding of gene and gene family evolution has advanced rapidly in recent decades thanks to the prolific expansion of available sequence and genomic data for non-model species. While these resources enable deeper and more complex phylogenies of gene evolution, maintaining good input sequence alignment quality and computational efficiency requires us to select which genomic sequences are most relevant. Instead of using subjective criteria, this dissertation emphasizes a novel, phylogeny-first method for selecting input sequences called Phylogenetic Focusing. Chapter One introduces this program and explains how its six major steps enable sequence selection in a phylogeny-based manner, helping ensure subsequent …

Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Mental Health Impacts As Co-Benefits Of Flood Risk Mitigation, Sebastian Rowan

Doctoral Dissertations

Flooding is the most perilous natural hazard in the United States. Flood risk has historically been mitigated by constructing flood defenses such as sea walls or levees that are designed to prevent flood waters from reaching developed areas. However, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of flood events beyond the magnitude for which many flood defenses were designed, and the presence of flood defenses has incentivized development within floodplains significantly increasing the consequences of flooding when these systems fail. Total annual flood risk in the U.S. has been estimated in the tens of billions of dollars; however such …

Enhancing Implementation Of Balanced Mix Design For Asphalt Mixtures Through Improved Material Selection, Cracking Characterization, And Performance Prediction, Shubham Harishbhai Modi

Doctoral Dissertations

Balanced Mix Design (BMD) has emerged as a promising approach for improving asphalt mixture performance by balancing rutting and cracking resistance through performance tests rather than relying solely on volumetric criteria. Therefore, its application is increasingly being explored by transportation agencies for both highway and airfield domains. Despite its advantages, several challenges still limit the widespread implementation of BMD. These challenges include uncertainties associated with the compatibility of asphalt mixture components, the limited practicality of existing cracking performance tests, and the lack of performance prediction tools suitable for process control during mixture production. This dissertation addresses these critical challenges by …

Cultural Food Security And Alternative Food Network Participation: Participatory Research With Sub-Saharan African Immigrants In The Northeastern United States, Luyue Zheng

Doctoral Dissertations

Sub-Saharan African (SSA) immigrants are a growing population in the U.S. and experience a high prevalence of food insecurity. As many report challenges accessing healthy and culturally appropriate foods after migration, cultural food security is a growing concern. Alternative food networks (AFNs), such as farmers markets and community gardens, provide opportunities for immigrant communities to produce and access culturally important foods to support their cultural food security. Beyond improving food access, AFNs may also enhance the agency and sustainability dimensions of food security by creating opportunities for immigrants to produce, distribute, and access culturally appropriate foods through local food systems, …

A Systematic Study Of Solar Wind Tangential Discontinuity Inclination And Their Impact On Dayside Magnetospheric Dynamics Using Global Mhd Simulations, Neha Srivastava

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents a systematic investigation of how the inclination of solar wind tangential discontinuities controls the dayside magnetospheric response using global MHD simulations conducted with the OpenGGCM model. This study is motivated by the need to understand how TD orientation controls dayside magnetospheric response, and adopts the view that the bow shock (BS) and magnetopause (MP) can be treated as large-scale discontinuities, such that their interaction with an interplanetary TD may be interpreted as a nonlinear discontinuity–discontinuity interaction. Within this framework, the role of TD orientation in governing the coupled evolution of disturbances across the dayside magnetospheric system is …

Approval Of Mckee Remains Low, Foulkes Opens Wide Lead In Democratic Rhode Island Gubernatorial Primary 8/27/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Helena Foulkes has increased her lead over incumbent Dan McKee in the race for the Democratic nomination for Rhode Island Governor. Foulkes leads in general election scenarios against prospective Republican challengers Elaine Pelino and Aaron Guckian as well as Independent Ken Block, while McKee is statistically tied with Block in general election matchups. Four in five Rhode Island residents disapprove of McKee's handling of his job as governor, an all-time high, with particularly poor marks for his handling of the cost of living, roads & bridges, and housing. There are no clear leaders in the Democratic primaries for Lieutenant Governor …

Massachusetts Governor Healey: So-So Approval Ratings, Still Favored For Re-Election 8/27/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Half of Massachusetts residents approve of incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey's overall job performance, but majorities disapprove of her handling of housing and the cost of living, the two most important problems cited by Massachusetts residents. However, Healey holds wide leads over both Michael Minogue, the frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and Brian Shortsleeve in the November general election.

Ayotte's Approval Improves, Lead Over Warmington Grows In New Hampshire Gubernatorial Race 8/27/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Governor Kelly Ayotte has increased her lead in the 2026 New Hampshire gubernatorial election over presumptive Democratic nominee Cinde Warmington. Nearly all Republicans and a plurality of Independents plan to vote for Ayotte while four in five Democrats plan to vote for Warmington. Approval of Ayotte's job performance has also increased since July. Housing remains the most important problem facing New Hampshire, but the proportion of state residents who say taxes are the most important problem is at its highest point in more than two decades.

Governor Lamont's Job Approval Slides In Ct But Maintains Lead Over Fazio In Bid For Re-Election 8/27/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Incumbent Democratic Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, fresh off a victory in the Democratic primary, leads Republican nominee Ryan Fazio in the general election. However, approval of Lamont’s performance in office has fallen to its lowest level in the past year and a half. Lamont receives low marks on his handling of the cost of living, taxes, and housing, the three most important problems facing the state. Many state residents have heard about the debate surrounding automated traffic cameras in Connecticut and a majority support a moratorium on the installation of new cameras. Most state residents support several aspects of a …

Reed Retains Leads In Primary, General Election Matchups In Race For U.S. Senate From Rhode Island 8/26/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Incumbent Democratic Senator Jack Reed continues to lead challenger Connor Burbridge in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, fueled by higher support from the center-left and older voters. Reed supporters most often cite his past experience as the reason for their support, while Burbridge supporters most often mention his policies. Reed continues to hold a comfortable lead over presumptive Republican nominee Raymond McKay, who is largely unknown in the state. A majority of Rhode Islanders believe Reed is mentally and physically capable of serving another term at the current age of seventy-six.

Pappas Support Slides, Cd1 Primaries Down To The Wire 8/26/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

First District Congressman Chris Pappas remains ahead in the race for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, but Karishma Manzur continues to close the gap, fueled by strong support from socialist and younger voters. Former Senator John E. Sununu continues to lead former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown on the Republican side and is statistically tied with Pappas in a general election matchup. In the Democratic primary in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, Maura Sullivan and Stefany Shaheen are statistically tied, followed by Carleigh Beriont. Hollie Noveletsky and Anthony DiLorenzo are also statistically tied on the Republican side. In the Second …

Markey Pulls Away From Moulton In Massachusetts Senate Democratic Primary 8/26/2026, Unh Survey Center

All UNH Survey Center Polls

Senator Ed Markey has opened a large lead over Congressman Seth Moulton in the final days of their primary campaign for U.S. Senate. Markey has consolidated his position among socialist and progressive likely Democratic primary voters, and is even with Moulton among moderates. More than half of Moulton voters cite age as the main reason for their support of Moulton, and less than half of Bay Staters overall believe Markey can serve another term at eighty years of age. Markey leads presumptive Republican nominee John Deaton in a general election matchup, while Moulton fares far worse if he were the …

North Country Career Expo Student Brochure, Cooperative Extension, Coos County, Ray Berthiaume

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Merrimack County Sponsor A Tub Of Ice Cream, Alison Coleman

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Research And Innovation Update, July 22, 2026, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Innovation

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Retaining Residents Is Important To New Hampshire’S Future: Why Do People Leave?, Kristine Bundschuh, Kenneth M. Johnson

Carsey Publications

Migration is critical to New Hampshire’s future. Between 2020 and 2025, the state’s entire population gain was due to migration, since more people died than were born in the state. In part, this migration gain is because fewer New Hampshire residents leave the state than residents of nearby states. While much attention focuses on attracting migrants to New Hampshire, another important piece of the state’s migration puzzle is understanding why people consider leaving.

In this brief, authors Kristine Bundschuh and Kenneth Johnson examine New Hampshire residents’ likelihood of leaving the state and explore why residents consider leaving the state. Their …

Unh Receives $10m For Statewide Expansion Of Stem And Literacy Learning Project, Beth Potier

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Research And Innovation Update, August 5, 2026, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Innovation

Office of Research, Economic Engagement and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Storms On Great Bay Water Quality And Estimating Discharge In Great Bay Tributaries, Jody D. Potter, William H. Mcdowell, Michelle Daley Shattuck, Kalle Matso

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Unh Researchers Receive National Science Foundation Funding To Study Shoals Seabirds, Beth Potier

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Connecting Communities To The Outdoors, Adam Drapcho

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Market Rate Survey & Narrow Cost Analysis: 2026 Worksheet, Nh Department Of Health And Human Services

New Hampshire Early Care and Education Research Consortium

Child care providers in New Hampshire can use this worksheet to gather the information they will need to complete the 2026 Market Rate Survey and Narrow Cost Analysis. Not all questions may be relevant to each program. All questions should be answered with information current as of September 15, 2026.

Carroll County Extension Update August 2026, Mikayla Cerney

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Nh Dfl - 25 Years Of Hwa - Peterborough_2026_Aug_11, Ryan Crandall

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2026 Deerfield Fair 4-H Animal Premium Book, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Electric Or Gas Powered Backpack Sprayer Calibration Worksheet - 128th Method, Amy Papineau

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Air-Assist Or Mist Backpack Sprayer Calibration Worksheet, Amy Papineau

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2026 Deerfield Fair 4-H Exhibit Building Premium Book, Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.