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CONSERVATION GENETICS OF A RARE ENDEMIC ALPINE FLOWER, POTENTILLA ROBBINSIANA, IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Full text linkABSTRACT
Alpine zones in the White Mountains of New Hampshire are small, isolated ecosystems
that are considered relicts of the widespread tundra following the last ice age. The
diminutive flowering plant Potentilla robbinsiana (dwarf cinquefoil) is endemic to a
hectare of alpine habitat in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and is hundreds of
kilometers from its closest kin, the common circumpolar P. hyparctica. After a century
of unchecked botanical collection and recreational impacts, P. robbinsiana approached
extinction, but habitat closure, transplanting, and hiker education helped make this plant
an Endangered Species Act success story. Odd-number polyploidy, cytological and
pollination studies, and isozymes support the assumption that P. robbinsiana is apomictic
and genetically uniform. We set out to determine how much genetic diversity, if any, is
present among P. robbinsiana plants (both extant and preserved as herbarium specimens)
and to determine whether this species is genetically distinct from P. hyparctica. We
conducted ddRADseq (double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing) on 144
freshly collected P. robbinsiana samples, along with historic herbarium samples of P.
robbinsiana (n=32), P. hyparctica (n=32), and two Potentilla outgroup species, mapping
2.1% of our reads to Fragaria vesca nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes.
We found evidence of diversity in P. robbinsiana with 306 allelic sites across 57 loci.
Observed heterozygosity in the nuclear genome was low suggesting subpopulations have
deviated from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. Nuclear and organellar diversity estimates
show that the largest population and one of the two transplant populations have highest
diversity. This transplant population is most representative of the species’ diversity as a
whole as shown by F-statistics. Some alleles found in historic herbarium plants were not
present in extant plants, but the number of unique alleles found in a transplant population
far exceeded these. Our current data do not support P. robbinsiana and P. hyparctica as
distinct, monophyletic species, but our study species is more genetically diverse than
previously thought and we recommend that future conservation plans should reflect this.
Further phylogenetic work should attempt to refine relationships between P. robbinsiana
and P. hyparctica. Transplantation attempts should use seed sourced from multiple
locations so as to better represent the species’ genetic variation.Diana Jolles
Brigid O’Donnell
Lisa Done
Educator Perception: The Use of Student Voice to Increase Engagement in Social Emotional Learning
Full text linkAN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERATION OF
Paula H. Brault for the degree of Doctor of Education in Learning, Leadership, and Community presented on March 25, 2024
Title: Educator Perception: The use of Student Voice to Increase Engagement in Social Emotional Learning
Abstract Approved:
Scott J. Mantie, PhD
Dissertation Committee Chair
There are decades of examples of the use of student voice to engage a student in curriculum. A sizeable gap in this research is the use of student voice in social emotional learning (SEL) to increase engagement. The purpose of this pragmatic study was to determine if incorporating student voice into the SEL curriculum is effective in changing adolescent student engagement. Online surveys were used to collect data. High school principals provided demographic information and SEL educators answered Likert Scale and open-ended questions regarding their impressions of student engagement with and without student voice. Data was also acquired from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. Principals and educators at Massachusetts high schools with a population of less than 1,000, took part in the study. Qualitative and statistical analyses were used to make comparisons between programs that used student voice and those who did not. Of the 22 schools that participated, 15 school principals allowed SEL educators to participate and 23 educators completed the survey. Findings
showed positive outcomes in attendance and discipline. The researcher also explored potential changes in SEL curriculum and the needs of educators to be comfortable teaching SEL
Housing and Residential Life Staffing: A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Lived Experiences of Residential Life Professional Staff
Full text linkThis phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of entry-level live-in residential life professional staff at two University System of New Hampshire (USNH) institutions. An initial survey was conducted to gain insights into the characteristics of these individuals and perceptions of their lived experiences. Interested participants were then invited for virtual individual interviews to delve more deeply into these perceptions. The verbatim transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed thematically, which included two coding rounds to identify key themes. Participants viewed their experiences positively and identified motivating factors for pursuing roles in housing and residential life programs. Participants described barriers related to work-life balance while also sharing potential improvements related to the functions of their roles. Several sub-themes highlighted the importance of academic and behavioral interventions and student connections through programming and crisis response, underscoring these aspects as vital components of their roles. The participants emphasized that making meaningful impacts on students' lives by balancing enforcement with mentorship, providing resources, and building significant relationships contributes to a sense of fulfillment. The study concluded that the lived experiences of entry-level live-in residential life professional staff are complex and multidimensional. For higher education and housing and residential life leadership, the findings suggest a need to consider these complexities when recruiting, training, retaining, and developing staff in these roles. Understanding residential life staff members’ experiences can enhance the overall effectiveness and satisfaction of people in these positions, ultimately benefiting the students they serve
Special Education Teacher Retention and Attrition in Rural Schools: What Special Educators Report as Impacting Persistence
Full text linkAN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF
Sabrina L. Brown for the degree of Doctor of Education in Learning, Leadership, and Community presented on February 22, 2024
Title: Special Education Teacher Retention and Attrition in Rural Schools: What Special Educators Report as Impacting Persistence
Abstract approved:
Scott J. Mantie, Dissertation Committee Chair
This qualitative phenomenological study explored the factors Vermont rural special educators reported as impacting their persistence and what institutional barriers and supports they identified as needing. The complexities and challenges experienced by all teachers, special educators, rural teachers, and rural special educators informed the conceptual framework that guided this study. A purposeful sampling of Vermont’s rural special educators included an open-ended confidential survey and one-to-one semi-structured interviews conducted between October 2023 and December 2023. Through coding, sorting, and constant comparative analysis, the interview transcriptions and survey data were analyzed to identify themes. The study uncovered insights on what rural special educators identified as enjoyable in their role, the barriers/challenges they faced, and the institutional factors they need from their supervisory unions to persist. Participants identified that work environment, noninstructional tasks, job design, and resources affected their well-being as rural special educators. Strategies for increasing special educator retention in rural communities are discussed
Exploring the Impact of Identity-Based Student Organizations on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Spectrum Minority Students’ Integration, Belonging, and Academic Persistence in Higher Education
Full text linkThis exploratory, mixed-method study examines the role of identity-based student organizations in supporting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) spectrum minority students in higher education. Through convenience sampling, 44 participants were surveyed. Open coding revealed four key themes influencing student engagement: community building, advocacy and leadership, personal and professional growth, and inclusivity and resources. Descriptive analysis showed a significant 1.38-point increase in students’ sense of belonging after joining these organizations, suggesting a positive impact on respondents’ overall post-secondary experience. Notably, 76.9% of respondents intended to continue their involvement, with graduation being the primary reason for discontinuation. Identity-based student organizations were found to be vital pillars for fostering a sense of belonging, advocating for inclusivity, and promoting personal and professional growth for SOGI spectrum minority students.Scott Mantie
Tamara Von George
Carina Self
Nathaniel Bowditc
MRMS Hourly Rainfall Estimates Compared to Dual Polarization Hourly Rainfall Estimates in the Year 2020 in the Greater Puget Sound Region of Washington State
No full textThe purpose of this research is to compare precipitation estimates between radar-only MRMS and dual-polarization WSR-88D for moderate to heavy rainfall in the greater Puget Sound region of Washington State throughout the year of 2020. The dual polarization radar and MRMS radar-only estimates are compared to the rain gauge measurements to see if any product performed better than the other. Rainfall estimates from MRMS, Takoma Washington Doppler Radar (KATX), and Langley Hill Doppler Radar (KLGX) are compared to observations from seven rain gauge locations. Both the MRMS radar-only QPE and the dual polarization estimates underestimated rainfall rates. However the bias was slightly less for the MRMS radar-only QPE. There was no significant correlation between any set of data when not split up by rain gauge location. When split up by rain gauge location, different products performed better and had significantly higher correlations. Also it was found that the MRMS radar-only QPE estimate had a slightly lower RMSE when compared with the dual polarization estimates. Some possible explanations for the under estimating in the area could be potential beam blockage in the region due to the mountainous terrain in the area.Eric Hoffman
Samuel Miller
Ricardo Nogueir
IDENTIFICATION AND PREDICTION OF COLD AIR DAMMING IN THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES: A COMPARISON OF NUMERICAL MODELS
Full text linkCold air damming is a mesoscale phenomenon that occurs when a cold dome is
created along the lee side of mountain ranges. Cold air becomes trapped in part because of low-level synoptic flow towards the lee side of mountains, preventing the cold dome from escaping. When this condition occurs, temperatures are cooler on the inside of the cold dome than those outside of the dome. Despite being a common weather phenomenon, cold air damming has eluded accurate detection and prediction by most numerical models. Common difficulties the models include: the timing of the event, the degree to which the trapped air is colder than the surrounding air, the precise location of the damming, and even failure of the model to detect cold air damming at all. Among the explanations for these model difficulties is that the grid spacing of the model may not be fine enough to resolve the phenomenon. Given the recognized limitations of past models, the goal of this research is to determine if more recent versions of commonly used weather models, such as the Global Forecast System (GFS) and the North American Mesoscale Forecast System (NAM), can more accurately forecast cold air damming. Twelve cold air damming events occurred over the winter of 2022 to 2023. The observations from these events were compared to the associated model runs by looking at the timing at the initiation of the damming, dissipation of the damming, and temperature difference. The NAM was superior at predicting cold air at KCON than the other stations compared to the GFS. On the other hand, the GFS had temperatures closer to the observed temperatures than the NAM. However, just because the models were able to predict cold air does not mean they were able to predict cold air damming occurring. Both models struggled to forecast cold air damming in the Northeast, having the colder air over the mountains or not in the area. In the end, findings indicate that these current models will need more refinement to substantially improve prediction of cold air damming in the Northeast.Samuel T.K. Miller
Eric G. Hoffman
Justin Arnott
Evaluation of the START Plan, a Mental Health Crisis Risk Rating Scale for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Full text linkAN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF
Andrea Caoili for the degree of Doctor of Education, Learning, Leadership, and Community
Presented on May 13, 2024
Title: Evaluation of the START Plan, a Mental Health Crisis Risk Rating Scale for People With
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Abstract approved:
______________________________________________________________________________
Scott Mantie, PhD, Dissertation Committee Chair
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at increased risk of
having mental health conditions compared to the general population. This risk, coupled with
disparities in access to community-based mental health services results in higher crisis service
utilization. There are few assessment instruments that consider the ecological context of mental
health crises experienced by people with IDD. This observational, cross-sectional study takes
place within the START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment)
program, a crisis prevention and intervention service for people with IDD and mental health
conditions (IDD-MH). The study investigates the application of the START Plan, one of the
primary assessment instruments used by START programs nationwide. The START Plan fills a
unique gap by incorporating ecological factors that may contribute to crisis service use among
this population. An existing data set (N = 6,397) from the START Information Reporting System
was used. Chi-squared and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical tests were
utilized to evaluate the relationship between START Plan scores and (a) reported
sociodemographic characteristics (race, ethnicity, age, gender, living situation, and mental health
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diagnosis), (b) START crisis contacts, and (c) scores on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist.
Findings indicate a relationship between mental health instability and age, race, living situation,
and number of psychiatric diagnoses. This study also found the START Plan to have strong
predictive and construct validity, indicating the potential for application of the START Plan
across mental health crisis services designed for people with IDD.Scott Mantie
Joan B. Beasley
Luther Kalb
Nathaniel Bowditc
Sustained Change in Practice: Meeting the Needs of Teachers
Full text linkAN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF
Kathleen M. Riley for the degree of Doctor of Education in Leadership, Learning and Community presented on February 29, 2023.
Title: Sustained Change in Practice: Meeting the Needs of Teachers
Abstract approved:
Scott J. Mantie, Ph.D.
Dissertation Committee Chair
It is estimated that K-12 public school districts spend approximately nine percent of their annual operating budgets on professional development to enhance the practice of teachers, yet research has found that this significant resource for training does not always yield sustained changes in instructional practices. This phenomenological qualitative study examined the factors that influence teachers from two to New Hampshire public school districts to achieve a sustained change in their instructional practice. An open-ended teacher survey and semi-structured interviews provided insight into the lived experiences of the 34 participants. The study captured the rich descriptions of times when the teachers were able to achieve a sustained change in their instructional practice and times when they did not. The principals and assistant principals detailed how they influence teachers to make practice change and the resources they use to motivate those changes. The data analysis revealed eight factors that influence teachers to make and sustain instructional practice change. The implications of this study extend to educators, administrators, and policy makers by offering insights on how curriculum
implementation can be re-designed to address the identified factors and meet the needs of teachers.Scott Mantie
Richard Ayers
Pamela Miller
Nathaniel Bowditc
VERTICALLY INTEGRATED LIQUID AND THUNDERSTORM BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE PLYMOUTH, NH, REGION
Full text linkABSTRACT
VERTICALLY INTEGRATED LIQUID AND THUNDERSTORM BEHAVIOR
WITHIN THE PLYMOUTH, NH, REGION
by
David E. S. Morin
Plymouth State University, May, 2024
This thesis aimed to answer the question, “Can a storm’s cell based vertically
integrated liquid (VIL) value at a certain location in relation to Plymouth, NH, act as a
predictor of its behavior as it approaches town?” Previous work tried to connect storm
cell behavior in the Plymouth region to stability indices, the height of the lifted
condensation level (LCL), and the synoptic setup. VIL was chosen as the stratification
variable for this thesis because of its connection with storm intensity and precipitation,
leading to increased downdraft strength, which has been connected to the storm-splitting
process in some studies. The goal of this thesis was to determine if an approaching
storm’s VIL value can predict 1) whether or not it will hit Plymouth, 2) its behavior
before reaching Plymouth, and 3) if it does hit, its behavior after Plymouth.
Cells moving towards Plymouth within the 48 km radius domain were tracked.
Their cell based VILs were recorded at each range ring within the domain, and the values
were separated and compared (bulk statistics and box plots) for each region around
Plymouth based on their behaviors. Based on the results of the majority of regions, higher
VIL cells were more likely to hit Plymouth, while lower VIL cells generally had opposite
results. In terms of behavior, higher VIL cells were most likely to split. Lower VIL cells
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were most likely to dissipate, and medium VIL cells were most likely not to change
behavior. Two case studies were examined to show the inconsistencies between the Storm
Structure Product (SSP) (used for identifying cells and obtaining VIL) and manual
interpretation of reflectivity.Samuel T. Miller
Eric G. Hoffman
Justin Arnot