Theses and Dissertations from UMD
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2
New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM
More information is available at Theses and Dissertations at University of Maryland Libraries.
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Item TOOL DEVELOPMENT TO CONSTRAIN AND OPTIMIZE SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE GEAR PERFORMANCE(2022) Campbell, Brendan; Gray, Matthew W; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)To produce virginica cultured Crassostrea more efficiently, current grow out techniques require better understanding to allow for more consistent growth and quality. While the basic physical conditions that influence shellfish growth have been well researched, there are limited studies that consider how physical conditions (i.e. water flow and wave motion) influence shellfish growth within the context of an off-bottom aquaculture farm. Since oysters are suspension feeders, they require food to be delivered to their siphons through ambient processes. Changes in water flow can influence the overall survival, growth rate, and quality of oysters. Additionally, the motion, or jostling, of cages are thought to cause chipping on the outer portion of oyster shells, influencing the overall shape and growth of oysters. There are many techniques and equipment that have the potential to influence the water delivery and movement of oysters in containerized culture; however, little research has addressed how culture practices influence physical forcing surrounding cultured oysters and what impact those changes have on oyster performance. The biophysical relationship occurring in shellfish aquaculture is not being properly characterized partially due to a lack of affordable tools capable of monitoring physical forces in constrained spaces. This dissertation summarizes the current understanding of how culture practices influence oyster aquaculture production and demonstrates the novel use of affordable and commonly available tools that can be utilized in shellfish aquaculture research across multiple operational scales. The development of a novel clod card method and predictive model was attempted for use in characterizing mass transfer rate of water. The clod card, along with accelerometer loggers were utilized to understand the effects of physical forcing on the production of off-bottom cultured oysters when exposed to a range of biofouling mitigation treatments, grown using different culture methods, and spatially across an active shellfish aquaculture lease. These experiments validated the value in characterizing physical forcing in shellfish aquaculture and identified trade-offs between oyster shell growth and market quality that are linked to changes in the physical environment, which were produced by changing culture practices. Additionally, these validation experiments determined that variability in oyster growth and performance can change over small spatial scales, smaller than the typical grow-out shellfish aquaculture lease, which can influence water movement inside cages, water quality, and the efficiency of a commercial shellfish operation. By considering the local physical environment, growers can strategically employ culture practices that optimize the water flow through and movement of oysters to enhance farm profitability.Item EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENTS ON WELL-BEING MEASURES IN COLONY-CAGED JAPANESE QUAIL (COTURNIX JAPONICA)(2022) Mathkari, Chirantana Vikas; Dennis, Rachel L; Animal Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Breeding purpose Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are often maintained in barren cages with little environmental complexity. These conditions can lead to unwanted social interactions and stress-related behaviors that can cause serious injury, mortality, and reduce productivity. Use of environmental enrichments has shown to improve poultry well-being; however, the optimal enrichments for quail have not been widely studied. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of various enrichments on the well-being and productivity of breeding quail colonies (1 male, 2 females/cage). The enrichments studied were designed to reduce unwanted interactions and stress-related behaviors by either providing a shelter (protective enrichments) or by providing mental stimulation (stimulatory enrichments). In Experiment 1, using an incomplete Latin square design, each cage received one protective enrichment (Hut, Plastic leaves, or Grass), or one stimulatory enrichment (Mirror, Feeder toy, or Mat), or no enrichment (control) (average n=17/treatment). In Experiment 2, using an incomplete Latin square design, each cage received one of the following enrichment combinations: Hut + Mirror, Hut + Feeder toy, Hut + Mat, or only Hut (average n=14/treatment). Parameters measured included behaviors, body weight, Hen Day Egg Production (HDEP), egg weight, physical scores, and fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) levels. Measures were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA or Chi-square test on SAS 9.4. The results indicate that exposure to a single enrichment reduced stress-related damaging behaviors and increased resting; while exposure to a combination of enrichments reduced a larger variety of stress-related damaging behaviors more efficiently. Two of the three protective enrichments (Hut, Grass) exerted a notable impact on production, while combinations of protective and stimulatory enrichments were more efficient in decreasing physical scores as compared to a single enrichment. The Hut + Mat combination notably reduced the FCM levels as compared to only Hut. Our study identified enrichments which are optimal for improving breeding quail well-being, and exhibit the potential to improve the economics of the quail industry.Item The Cunning Little Vixen: A Scenic Design(2020) Guarniere, Grace Limbach; Conway, Daniel; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The purpose of this thesis is to provide research, supporting paperwork, production photographs, and other materials that document the scenic design process for The Cunning Little Vixen by the University of Maryland – College Park, Maryland Opera Studio. This thesis contains the following: scenic research images that express the play, and location, and inspiration that helped develop a common emotional vocabulary with the production team; preliminary sketches; photographs of the ¼” scale model; a full set of drafting plates and paint elevations used to communicate the design to the technical director and the paint charge; a prop list with research supporting, in detail, what is needed for hand props, set dressing, and consumable pieces for the prop master; and an epilogue of the continuing transformation of this production due to the unforeseen circumstance of COVID-19.Item The Wild Party: A Lighting Design(2017) Siler, Robert Gilmer; MacDevitt, Brian; Theatre; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The purpose of this thesis is to provide research, supporting paperwork, and production photographs that document the lighting design for the University of Maryland - College Park, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies’ production of The Wild Party; book, lyrics, and music by Andrew Lippa. This thesis contains the following: research images collected to develop and visually communicate ideas about color, texture, intensity, form, composition, and mood to the production team; preliminary and final organization of desired equipment to execute the lighting design; a full set of drafting plates and supplementary paperwork used to communicate to the master electrician; and magic sheets and cue lists used as organizational tools for the lighting designer during the tech process. Archival production photographs are included as documentation of the completed design.