Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Marshall University

Theses/Dissertations

2007

Discipline
Keyword

Articles 1 - 7 of 7

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Acquiring Three-Dimensional Data From Small Mammalian Teeth : Laser Scanning Eocene Marsupials, Nicholas E. Smith Jan 2007

Acquiring Three-Dimensional Data From Small Mammalian Teeth : Laser Scanning Eocene Marsupials, Nicholas E. Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Three-dimensional laser scanning is an effective method of digitization in paleontology, but has traditionally been restricted to larger specimens. The goal of this study was to develop a laser scanning technique applicable to small mammalian (< 5 mm) dentition. Modeling protocols were developed, and a morphometric error study showed the system highly accurate (percent error = 1D- 0.4%, 2D- 0.05%, 3D- 1.74%). Automation and standardization were accomplished by implementation of a multiscan platform and autosurfacing macro reducing modeling time by 60%. To highlight one morphometric application, 3D models (n=61) of three sympatric Eocene marsupials were digitized, and traditionally qualitative diagnostic characters were quantified and assessed. All but two of the 19 characters examined proved diagnostic (p < 0.05), and exploratory canonical discriminant analysis confirmed three distinct species. Incorporating type specimens revealed a familial overlap, therefore, this novel modeling technique can be employed in a full revision of early Eocene marsupials.

Go to article

Population Modeling By Differential Equations, Hui Luo Jan 2007

Population Modeling By Differential Equations, Hui Luo

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A general model for the population of Tibetan antelope is constructed. The present model shows that the given data is reasonably logistic. From this model the extinction of antelopes in China is predicted if we don’t consider the effects of humans on the population. Moreover, this model shows that the population is limited. A projected limiting number is given by this model. Some typical mathematical models are introduced such as exponential model and logistic model. The solutions of those models are analyzed.

Go to article

Atmospheric Smog Modeling, Using Eos Satellite Aster Image Sensor, With Feature Extraction For Pattern Recognition Techniques And Its Correlation With In-Situ Ground Sensor Data, Parthasarathi Roy Jan 2007

Atmospheric Smog Modeling, Using Eos Satellite Aster Image Sensor, With Feature Extraction For Pattern Recognition Techniques And Its Correlation With In-Situ Ground Sensor Data, Parthasarathi Roy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Atmospheric pollution was previously considered as a 'Brown Cloud’ phenomenon restricted to industrialized urban regions. Studies in field stations and satellite observations made since the last decade revealed that it now spans continents and ocean basins world wide. The objective of this research investigation is to assess atmospheric pollutants in the troposphere and their spectral characteristic signatures by using highspectral and spatial resolution Earth Observation System (EOS) satellite imaging sensor Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data and to find correlations with ground sensor observations. Ground sensor data are imported into a geodatabase for spatial reference. Raw ASTER …

Go to article

Environmental Disturbance And The Distribution Of Rhinichthys Bowersi In West Virginia, Brooke Elizabeth Schlenker Jan 2007

Environmental Disturbance And The Distribution Of Rhinichthys Bowersi In West Virginia, Brooke Elizabeth Schlenker

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Cheat minnow, Rhinichthys bowersi, has been designated a species of concern by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Mitochondrial DNA analysis (Gladwell 2002) supports the origin of R. bowersi from hybridization between cyprinids R. cataractae and Nocomis micropogon. Previous investigators have hypothesized a relationship between fish hybridization and environmental disturbance. The habitat of R. bowersi has experienced severe environmental degradation from mineral and timber extraction. In this study, environmental quality was compared between stream systems in which parental species of R. bowersi were found with and without resulting hybridization. Environmental quality indicators included biotic diversity and stream structure …

Go to article

Impact Of The 25th Street Combined Sewer Overflow On The Ohio River, Travis M. Bailey Jan 2007

Impact Of The 25th Street Combined Sewer Overflow On The Ohio River, Travis M. Bailey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The 25th Street Combined Sewer Overflow was analyzed for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, antibiotic-resistant coliforms and E. coli, and routine water chemistry. The objectives of this study were to enumerate antibiotic resistant bacteria near a CSO, determine the impact of a small quantity CSO on Ohio River water quality during a storm event, and to correlate antibiotic resistance with conventional water quality measurements. The data indicate that resistant bacteria exist in both river water and wastewater, and that this CSO can not be identified as a source of resistant strains. Rain events do cause a detectable and transient change in …

Go to article

Satellite Image Processing For Biodiversity Conservation And Environmental Modeling In Kyrgyz Republic National Park, Galina N. Fet Jan 2007

Satellite Image Processing For Biodiversity Conservation And Environmental Modeling In Kyrgyz Republic National Park, Galina N. Fet

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

There is a need for extensive surveys of living organisms at a global scale; digital data exchange and storage is an essential part of such studies. Biodiversity inventory of fungi, which play an essential role in the health of the mountainous conifer forests of a developing country – Kyrgyz Republic, was linked to the vegetation classification produced from the high-resolution satellite imagery. Terra ASTER and SRTM90 imagery was used as a base map for the ecosystem modeling of the species and habitat distribution and for the three-dimensional representation, especially valuable for the mountainous landscapes of the Ala Archa National Park. …

Go to article

Arsenic Toxicity In Plhc-1 Cell Line And The Distribution Of Arsenic In Central Appalachia, Yeong Nam Jeong Jan 2007

Arsenic Toxicity In Plhc-1 Cell Line And The Distribution Of Arsenic In Central Appalachia, Yeong Nam Jeong

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Our ecosystem has geobiophysical relationships. Environmental pollution can lead to immediate consequences like organism death or lack of reproduction. It can also lead to long-range consequences through mutations and DNA damage. Fish can be affected very directly by environmental contamination in water but the study of fish is not performed well. We are developing a quantitative assay to assess DNA damage in vitro due to heavy metal contamination using a tissue culture line of Poeciliopsis lucida, the desert pupfish, which is used for other toxicology assays. To detect DNA damage, Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet Assay) is very useful. …

Go to article