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Climatology of inverted troughs over the gulf of Maine
Get PDFInverted troughs (ITs) over the Gulf of Maine are cool season phenomena that are responsible for unexpected high-intensity snowfall over coastal New England. An IT is a north and westward extension of relatively low atmospheric pressure that contains an easterly component of wind and cyclonic relative vorticity. These ITs have the ability to focus moisture into a low-tropospheric convergence zone, lift the air parcel into an unstable atmosphere, and produce high-intensity banded precipitation over a given region. This study creates an inceptive 25-year cool season (September-May) climatology of ITs over the Gulf of Maine from 1989 to 2013. The dynamical characteristics of the high intensity IT-influenced precipitation events are investigated via composite analyses that compare National Weather Service headlined and non-headlined ITs over the Gulf of Maine. This thesis will describe and present the roles of both quasi-geostrophic processes and mesoscale characteristics that influence IT genesis and evolution via composite cross section analyses and a case study. Results suggest that (1) north and westward extensions of quasi-geostrophic forcing for upward vertical motion removed from the sea-level pressure minimum of a parent-low pressure system can result in the genesis of ITs, (2) IT axes contain similar characteristics to frontal boundaries, and (3) the moist air along and upstream of the IT axes has potential to become unstable and produce quasi-stationary convective precipitation bands over a given region. The strong latent and sensible heat fluxes over the Gulf of Maine and cooling temperatures aloft (approaching upper-tropospheric trough) result a conditionally/symmetrically unstable environment that, given low-tropospheric forcing (frontogenesis) and middle-tropospheric forcing for upward-vertical motion, lead to a banded convective response. Operational forecasting techniques based upon the results of this study are presented in order to improve the forecasts of IT-influenced precipitation.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
A program evaluation of a redesigned developmental mathematics program at Manchester Community College
Get PDFA lack of persistence through the developmental mathematics program at Manchester Community College in New Hampshire (MCC-NH) has created a roadblock to degree and certificate completion. This research is a mixed-methods program evaluation of a redesigned developmental mathematics program during its second semester in the spring of 2016. The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the influence this program had on students' persistence by investigating students' academic achievement, mindset, and affect that emerged in the redesigned classrooms. This evaluation illuminates the benefits of positive transformation and support for the MCC-NH developmental mathematics student population. The evaluation also explored the issues that arose in the redesigned classrooms. Findings from this evaluation informed stakeholders on further constructive modifications of the program with respect to meeting the learning needs of students at the college, and will serve to supplement the current knowledge that exists on innovative developmental mathematics programs in higher education.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
Promoting health across the lifespan: sleep topics
No full textThis document contains six lesson plans. The first lesson plan is designed to introduce the importance of sleep habits and the effect of sleep on physical, mental, and emotional health. The second lesson plan is designed to develop a more comprehensive understanding of sleep habits and their relationship to health. The third lesson plan is designed to address sleep health behaviors and to encourage positive behavior change. The fourth lesson plan is designed to introduce the importance of sleep scheduling and healthy sleep habits. The fifth lesson plan is designed to introduce the importance of sleep scheduling for academic success. The sixth lesson plan is designed to introduce sleep tracking and sleep health habits through the use of a Fitbit or other self-tracking device.
The content is intended for college-aged students and health care professionals.
Each lesson plan has a topic overview, time and format information, Healthy People 2020 Objectives, National Health Education Standards information, learning objectives, key concepts and terms, materials needed, and teaching steps.
This material was developed by Plymouth State University students as a part of their coursework for Promoting Health Across the Lifespan, in fall 2016 with Dr. Barbara McCahan.Contents
1. THE BENEFITS OF SLEEP: Ryleigh Stearns (CC BY-NC)
Lesson Plan p. 1
2. CREATING A HEALTHY SLEEP ENVIRONMENT: Sydney Copp (CC BY)
Lesson Plan p. 4
3. SLEEP HEALTH – BUILDING HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS: Makenna Franklin (CC BY-NC-SA)
Lesson Plan p. 8
PowerPoint Slides p. 17
4. #GETMORESLEEPPSU: Jaymie Fitzgerald (CC BY)
Lesson Plan p. 26
5. CREATING A POSITIVE SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT: Taylor Raney (CC BY-NC)
Lesson Plan p. 30
6. HOW DO YOU SLEEP?: Montana Dunstan (CC BY-NC)
Lesson Plan p. 3
Using population and habitat analyses at multiple spatial scales to address New Hampshire statewide Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis) declines
Get PDFThe Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is a Neotropical-Nearctic species of special conservation need currently experiencing declines across its breeding range, especially within New Hampshire according to the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). They are most abundant in forested wetlands and in regenerating early-successional forests from 5 - 20 years post harvest. Aging forests and development in New Hampshire likely contribute to declines observed in the statewide census. BBS surveys occur along roadsides where development and forest fragmentation may bias sampling and overlook populations in more long-term suitable habitat such as extensive forested wetlands. Monitoring Canada warbler populations at various spatial scales may help determine whether statewide BBS trends disproportionately measure fragmentation/development effects. We examined approximately 10 years of population and vegetation data within a contiguous forested landscape across central New Hampshire at three spatial scales: neighborhoods (100 ha), metapopulations (376 ha), and regional National Forest (3160 ha). Data analyses indicate that at these scales populations are not declining significantly. We compared slopes and intercepts of the population analyses among neighborhoods, regional and statewide BBS and found no significant difference among trends. While the metapopulation scale needed to be analyzed differently, results corroborate findings at the other spatial scales. Habitat characteristics at the neighborhoods scale indicate pockets of sustained suitable Canada warbler habitat with stable populations, which may be underrepresented along BBS routes. Thus, population trends exhibit different profiles at varying spatial scales. Larger spatial scales may help identify species of priority, while smaller spatial scales may help determine areas of conservation priority.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
Atmospheric rivers and debris flows in California
Get PDFAtmospheric rivers (ARs) are characterized by long, narrow bands of enhanced integrated water vapor (IWV) and integrated vapor transport (IVT) that are associated with precipitation extremes and high impact events (e.g., floods and flash floods) in California. California also experiences debris flows when extreme rainfall events mobilize debris flow source regions of particles >2 mm. The first part of this thesis illustrates the relationship between landfalling ARs and debris flows in California. A climatology illustrates that days with DFs (e.g., DF days) occurred more frequently in northern California, in the winter months, and with AR conditions. Composite analyses of IWV, IVT, and sea-level pressure on days with debris flow reports indicate that debris flows are likely related to intense precipitation in conjunction with landfalling ARs. The composite analyses also illustrate that along-AR IVT direction is important in fostering orographic processes that lead to the heavy precipitation necessary for debris flows. 48-h, areal averaged precipitation analyses show that DF days that occur on the day of or day after a landfalling AR contain significantly more precipitation in comparison to DF days with non-AR conditions. This result suggests an important role of ARs as the main atmospheric phenomenon that can lead to debris flows. A landfalling AR and its associated heavy precipitation, however, do not guarantee the occurrence of debris flow. xviii The second part of this thesis analyzes the other two necessary ingredients (slope and abundance of debris) and other factors (curvature of land, lack of plant root system, soil characteristics, post-fire locations, etc.) that produce debris flows using a GIS framework. Results indicate that debris flow source regions are most sensitive to slope and planform curvature, moderately sensitive to Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Kw-Factor erodibility indices, and are least sensitive to hydrologic group classifications. The results are limited due to a low sample size in locations and times of debris flow. Additional data is needed in order to train a model for debris flow source region analyses. A future assembly of the two products of this thesis, precipitation thresholds for debris flow formation and debris flow potential source regions, can be mobilized using the Flow-R program and overlaid with a debris flow impact map (in progress) to produce a set of debris flow risk analyses.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
An algorithm for analyzing temporal patterns in streamwater specific conductivity
Get PDFSpecific Conductivity (SC) is a basic, effective indicator of water quality. The recent increase in specific conductivity data collected with high-frequency sensors has created a strong need for algorithms that can aid interpretation of these data. This study presents an algorithm that finds the relationships between SC patterns and the environmental conditions of the time period. During and after precipitation events, three patterns emerge in SC time series of numerous catchments: a solute flush, resulting in an increase in SC, followed by a dilution, followed by the SC's recovery toward pre-rain conditions. We developed an algorithm to extract and quantify these three patterns from a high-frequency, in situ sensor array deployed in a New Hampshire forested catchment. We then compared each pattern to the environmental conditions the catchment was experiencing at the time in order to better understand and explain the mechanisms driving the chemograph variability we observed. The environmental conditions were related to precipitation, antecedent moisture, and seasonality. Our results indicate that the magnitude of the flush (FSC) is driven primarily by the intensity at which precipitation falls, as well as other rain-based variables and antecedent moisture conditions. The magnitude of the dilution (DSC) is driven mainly by the amount of precipitation that falls, and is correlated with other precipitation variables. The rate of SC recovery (RSC) is driven by the amount of rain that falls and is correlated with DSC. Applying our methodology to more catchments in the future will help us efficiently develop functional relationships for individual catchments, which can be used to identify catchments most sensitive to future precipitation changes.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
Promoting health across the lifespan: relationships topics
No full textThis document contains six lesson plans. The first lesson plan is designed to address sex in U.S. culture. The second lesson plan addresses healthy young adult relationships through the lenses of warning signs of unhealthy relationships, dating violence, and through the introduction of methods to improve an unhealthy relationship. The third lesson plan discusses healthy relationships utilizing self-assessment. The fourth lesson plan includes statistics about STIs and is designed to help identify prevention behaviors for safe sex. The fifth lesson plan is designed to address the principle of consent and information about sexual violence. The sixth lesson plan is designed as a simulation game to address the decision making process for individuals affected by an STI or unplanned pregnancy and provides resources for real encounters with these events.
The content is intended for college-aged students and health care professionals.
Each lesson plan has a topic overview, time and format information, Healthy People 2020 Objectives, National Health Education Standards information, learning objectives, key concepts and terms, materials needed, and teaching steps.
This material was developed by Plymouth State University students as a part of their coursework for Promoting Health Across the Lifespan, in fall 2016 with Dr. Barbara McCahan.Contents
1. BODIES OF KNOWLEDGE: Colleen Boland
Lesson Plan p. 1
2. YOUNG ADULTS AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: Emily Licence (CC BY-NC)
Lesson Plan p.5
PowerPoint Slides p. 11
Game Slides p. 22
3. IDENTIFYING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: Radhika Niroula (CC BY)
Lesson Plan p. 47
4. RESPECT AND PROTECT YOURSELF: Amber Lena (CC BY-NC)
Lesson Plan p. 53
5. SAFE SEX BEHAVIOR: Brooke Kirby (CC BY-NC)
Lesson Plan p. 63
6. WHAT TO DO NEXT- STI AND UNLANNED PREGNANCIES: Nick Simeti (CC BY)
Lesson Plan p. 7
The profession of transition specialization: in search of an identity
Get PDFThis qualitative phenomenological dissertation examined the overall profession of transition specialization; in particular the perceptions of transition specialists regarding the sufficiency of their professional preparation and development. Fifteen transition specialists from the six states participated via semi-structured interviews. Major themes identified were: lack of exposure to transition competencies and skills needed during college preparation, reliance on knowledge and skills acquired in previous positions, lack of professional identity and fellowship, and variability in defining post-school success of the students served. Additionally, a transdisciplinary approach between special education, rehabilitation and counseling is highlighted, forming what this researcher refers to as the transition triad. This research also points to the idea that transition specialization is a phantom profession; the work exists, but the profession itself lacks identity, and the role is elusive. Implications for practice, training and policy makers are offered in addition to ideas for future research.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
Technology preparation and K-6 elementary education teachers in University System of New Hampshire post-secondary programs and technology utilization in the New Hampshire K-6 classroom: a study of alignment
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there is alignment between post-secondary institutions' technology training preparation of teachers and the use of technology in K-6 schools in the State of New Hampshire. For the purpose of the study, alignment is defined as the correlation of specific technology preparation for teachers to technology utilization in the classroom in order to determine whether training is consistent. A mixed methods approach was taken to gain a better understanding of whether alignment exists between technology training of teacher candidates in kindergarten through 6th grade (K-6) elementary education teacher certification programs in University System of New Hampshire institutions and technology regularly being used to support instruction in K-6 classrooms. The results of this study indicate that technology training of/for teacher candidates in K-6 elementary education post-secondary teacher preparation programs is occurring at clinical sites during student teaching and field placement and is not embedded in teacher preparation program coursework. The examination of technologies teacher candidates are being trained to use revealed that post-secondary institutions are dependent upon field placement sites and supervising teachers to train teacher candidates in the use of technology. Technology training is ultimately impacted by availability of technology at individual field sites as well as the knowledge, skills, and abilities of supervising teachers. The reliance on field sites places significant expectations on supervising teachers to provide technology training and support. Post-secondary technology training is not based on technology proficiency around devices, but on the use of technology as a supplemental tool to effective teaching. Alignment of philosophy of technology utilization is discussed, and practical implications of the study for post-secondary institutions are considered.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
Extreme weather impacts on human health in New Hampshire
Get PDFIncreasing precipitation and warming temperatures associated with climate change have been documented across the globe, including in the Northeast US. These climate changes threaten human health in many ways. Research is necessary to understand and explain the relationship between climate change and human health. Extreme weather events such as extreme temperatures, convective storms, floods, lightning events, wintry precipitation, and low visibility, are frequently associated with adverse effects on human health. While more media attention is typically given to events that cause the most structural or economic damage (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.), extreme temperatures ultimately account for the greatest loss of life in the US. Extreme weather events can be unpredictable; however, improved knowledge and technology allow meteorologists to accurately forecast many of these events, specifically extreme temperature and precipitation events. Advancing our knowledge of climate variability and trends in extreme weather can inform: public education programs to alert the community of the dangers of extreme heat or cold, emergency response plans to hazardous weather conditions, and current thresholds for emergency alerts. This study evaluates trends in extreme weather events across New Hampshire and links these extreme events to adverse health outcomes. Using data from NCEI Global Historical Climatological Network (GHCN) - Daily dataset (1981-2015), five daily Extreme Weather Metrics (EWMs) were defined: Daily Maximum Temperature 90°F, Daily Maximum Temperature >95°F, Daily Precipitation >1", and Daily Precipitation >2". Relevant human health outcomes were extracted from the New Hampshire Hospital Discharge Dataset for the years 2001-2009. Health cases were defined based on the International Classification of Disease 9th Revision (ICD-9). Outcomes in this analysis include: All-Cause Injury, Vehicle Accidents, Accidental Falls, Accidents Due to Natural and Environmental (including excessive heat, excessive cold, exposure due to weather conditions, lightning, and storms and floods), Accidental Drowning, and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Temporal and spatial trends were assessed, and the associations between all health outcomes and EWMs, daily maximum temperature, and daily precipitation were evaluated via Spearman correlations. Once the four strongest correlations were determined, a quasi- Poisson regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between each exposure-outcome pair. These pairs were modeled to show the relation between maximum temperature and all-cause hospital visits, hospital visits related to vehicle accidents, hospital visits related to accidental falls, and hospital visits related to heat. Future work will incorporate these findings into public health planning and programming. This project is a collaboration with New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) who have a shared interest in understanding the impact of extreme weather events on the citizens of New Hampshire. Furthermore, this work supports an ongoing effort to implement the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework, which focuses on identifying climate and weather-related hazards and estimating the associated disease burden.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio