Maryland Shared Open Access Repository
MD-SOAR is a shared digital repository platform for twelve colleges and universities in Maryland. It is currently funded by the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) Library Consortium (usmai.org) and other participating partner institutions. MD-SOAR is jointly governed by all participating libraries, who have agreed to share policies and practices that are necessary and appropriate for the shared platform. Within this broad framework, each library provides customized repository services and collections that meet local institutional needs. Please follow the links below to learn more about each library's repository services and collections.
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Recent Submissions
Stewarding the Suburbs: Preserving the Landscape of the Ordinary
(2024) Jenna Gaskill; Lauren Schiszik; Tim Frye; Dr. Rachel Donaldson; MA in Historic Preservation
This thesis argues that although many inner-ring working-class suburbs may fall outside the current historic designation eligibility standards due to determinations of lack of integrity, significance or architectural merit those places still deserve recognition and stewardship. These places are becoming targeted for redevelopment or retrofitting which could bring change that may potentially threaten the character-defining features of these places. This thesis will propose and examine alternatives to historic designation that will allow communities to maintain their identity and character while allowing for change and redevelopment. I will use the neighborhood of Baltimore Highlands in Maryland as a study area to explore different alternatives to designation and approaches to flexible management styles by examining their strengths/weaknesses opportunities/threats. The complexity of each suburban typology and the needs of each place will require Historic Preservation professionals to think outside our typical approaches and look toward ones that are more people-centered and offer the flexibility of significance and management that would encompass a variety of places and give community members a more active role in the future of the places they value. Of the approaches offered in this study, there are no definitive answers on what is the best or preferred approach. The goal of this study is not to prescribe a particular approach but to offer a menu of options that can be tailored to the specific needs of a place.
TREE SPECIES-RICHNESS AND TOPOGRAPHIC COMPLEXITY ALONG THE RIPARIAN EDGE OF THE POTOMAC RIVER
(1996-10) Everson, Daniel A.; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
I studied the riparian forest edge of a central portion of the Potomac River in order to test
whether there is a relationship between small-scale topographic complexity of the
riverbank profile and tree species-richness. A total of 153 transects and 2568 trees were
measured along 60 miles of the Maryland side of the Potomac River corridor between
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Hancock, Maryland. Five-meter-wide strip quadrats
(transects) perpendicular to the river were established systematically at 1/3-mile intervals.
Three tree species, silver maple (Acer saccharinum), boxelder (Acer negundo), and
sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), dominated the species composition of the riparian
edge. Silver maple dominated in terms of overall basal area with over 43 percent, while
boxelder dominated in terms of individuals, with over 38 percent of the stems.
Standardization of species-richness for differing sample sizes was accomplished utilizing
the rarefaction technique, which standardizes on the number of individuals rather than on
unit area. Small-scale topographic complexity was measured by calculating the standard
deviation of 2.5m slope measurements taken along the length of each transect. A
significant positive relationship was observed between tree species-richness and
topographic complexity. However, the low r2 value suggested that change in topography
at a small scale explained only a small part of the variation in species-richness. An
analysis of covariance using adjacent land use designations and underlying geology as
categorical variables, with the standard-deviation-of-slopes as the covariate, indicated that
adjacent land use and bedrock geology had no statistically significant impact on species-richness,
and that the simple linear regression model was adequate to estimate the effect
of topographic complexity on species-richness. Observations made during field work, as
well as a one-way analysis of variance between the different land use/geology groups,
and a rarefaction species-richness analysis of pooled transect data in the Conococheague
Limestone indicated that there were greater concentrations of tree species near cliffs. A
negative relationship was observed between tree species-richness and the width of the
riparian zone, and this relationship was consistent across geology. Tree species
summaries and the location of narrow riparian edges on the outside of meander bends,
suggest that this is an edge effect, due to a greater number of tree species able to take
advantage of an increased light gradient and the presence of a stable, well-drained
substrate not subjected to repeated additions of sediment.
A Study of the Effects of Stream Improvement Procedures on Benthic Macroinvertebrates
(1977-05) Evans, William Kirk; Hood College Biology; Human Sciences
The effects of stream flow alteration on benthic macroinvertebrates
and water quality were studied in two regions of Hunting Creek, a
cold water stream originating in Catoctin Mountains in northern Frederick
County, Maryland.
The study involved two sections of stream, both located in the
headwaters of Hunting Creek. One stream section was modified for the
purpose of this study by building stream improvement devices in the
stream channel; the other section of stream was maintained in its natural
condition.
Permanent collecting stations were established along each
stream segment and benthic fauna and water quality were sampled on a
regular basis. Monthly, benthic samples were collected for eight months
by means of a Surber square foot bottom sampler. Drift net samples also
were collected on three occasions during the study. Chemical and physical
features of water collected from the two study areas were measured
using standard methods for water analysis. Water samples for chemical
analysis were collected on three occasions while physical parameters were
measured each time benthic samples were collected. Random stream sampling
for benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality also was done
above and below the study areas to obtain additional data for use in
characterizing the two stream sections being studied.
The benthic faunas of the study areas were compared on the
basis of diversity, density of organisms, species composition, frequency
and dominance. The physical features used in evaluating water quality
included depth, velocity, volume and temperature. The chemical characteristics
measured were dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate, ammonia, total
phosphate, turbidity, total hardness, conductivity, carbon dioxide and
hydrogen sulfide. Analysis of chemical and physical data failed to show
a statistically significant difference in water quality of the two stream
areas. The benthic composition of the two study areas, was found to differ
significantly with respect to diversity, density, frequency, dominance,
species composition and drift. Data from the improved stream
section showed lower values for all biological features evaluated for
benthic macroinvertebrates, regardless of stream improvement efforts.
The unimproved stream area and random stream sites located above and
below Hunting Creek Lake showed similar values that were consistently
higher than the improved stream section for all biological characteristics
evaluated for the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A NOVEL cGMP REFRESHER TRAINING PROGRAM ON THE AWARENESS OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS IMPACTING BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
(2011-01) Evans, Carter; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) require that "each person
engaged in the manufacture, processing, packing, or holding of a drug product shall
have education, training and experience to enable that person to perform the assigned
functions (21 Code of Federal Regulations 211.25(a))." This project seeks to develop
an effective training program for the GMPs. Common issues regarding cGMP
guidelines were investigated and compiled into a database. A novel computer-based
training program in a game show format was developed linking to the question
database. This software was tested at Lonza in Walkersville, Maryland and Hood
College. Matched pair t-test analysis shows that survey matching scores improved by
almost two points on average for all participants and each trainee's self-evaluation of
his or her cGMP knowledge increased by almost one point on a ten-point scale. This
training delivered an effective and unique way of improving training compliance.
ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED BY THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER (CEHRC) IN THIRTEEN HIGH-RISK INNER CITY COMMUNITIES
(2007-05) Etheridge, Connie; Hood College Biology; Biomedical and Environmental Science