Digital Commons Network^™

Towards The Development Of A Kantian Environmental Ethic, Sally Nelson Wiedmann

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis is a response to Aldo Leopold's 1949 call for a new, wholistic environmental ethic. Leopold's call stemmed from his concern over the increasing degradation of the environment as a result of a utilitarian approach which judges nature as good only insofar as it is good for human economic and recreational benefit. This thesis is aimed at the development of a wholistic, non-utilitarian environmental ethic grounded in the philosophy. of Immanuel Kant. The thesis begins with a brief review of the utilitarian environmental ethic which Leopold opposed and some of the consequences it has wrought in the natural world. …

The Effects Of Oxygen Tension On Nitrate Reduction By Pseudomonas Isolate, Hao-Jan Hsing

Theses

It is a generally accepted concept that nitrate reduction only occurs under anaerobic conditions. Oxygen inhibits denitrification. However many studies of nitrate reduction under low oxygen tension have shown what has been called aerobic denitrification. This project examines the process of aerobic denitrification.

Oxgyen affects cell growth and the amount of nitrate utilized. When oxygen is absent, the cell growth rate is lower and nitrate utlization is higher then when oxygen is present.

Nitrate is reduced to nirite under anaerobic conditions. Nitrite accumulation did not continue increase. But increased then decreased producing a "Z" shaped graph when plotted.

Measurement Of The Removal Of Selected Vocs From A Municipal Treatment Plant, Hong Yu

Theses

Industrial wastewater contains a variety of volatile chemical constituents. The large majority of the volatiles are organics. Many of these volatile or¬ganic compounds (VOCs) end up in the effluent to wastewater treatment plants. It is necessary to estimate the emission of the VOCs from sewerage plants in order to study the fate of these volatile organic compounds.

This study focuses on the estimation and comparison of the emission of 28 volatile organic compounds from the water and air in four operation units of Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority (LRSA) wastewater treatment plant. The removal rates of these target compounds have been …

Experiments In Aerobic And Anaerobic Biodegradation Of Trichloroethylene, Qiong Liao

Theses

The removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) from industrial waste has been intensively studied in recent years, Biodegradation has been determined to be an effective treatment for TCE in the environment. Many researchers have studied the biodegradation of TOE and obtained successful results based on the use of specific isolated bacteria. At the NJIT Biotechnology Laboratory, a new method is being developed in which immobilized activated sludge is used to degrade several toxic chemicals in various reactor configurations. The objective of this research is to determine if these methods can be extended to treat TCE.

Activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant …

Biomass Conversion Of Solid-Waste (Newsprint) Into A Clean Fuel (Ethanol) By Enzymic Hydrolysis And Fermentation, Nimesh V. Gandhi

Theses

A feasibility study has been performed with two bioprocesses for conversion of newsprint waste to an environmentally safe fuel (ethyl alcohol) and carbon dioxide.

The following areas were investigated to accomplish this task: one hour pretreatment of newsprint by attrition, saccharification of paper slurry to glucose by cellulase and cellobiase, effects of pH, temperature and concentration of enzymes on conversion of paper to sugar, fermentation of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide by immobilized yeast, and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of paper to ethanol and carbon dioxide using enzymes and immobilized yeast.

Results indicate that the enzymic hydrolysis of newsprint …

Resolution Of Enantiomeric Hydrocarbon Biomarkers Of Geochemical Importance, Daniel W. Armstrong, Yubing Tang, Janusz Zukowski

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Chlral isoprenoid and hydroaromatic compounds occur in all crude oils, coals, shales, and most sediments. Many of these compounds are referred to as biological markers since they are thought to be derived from biological sources and their presence, relative concentrations, or stereochemistry can provide information as to a geological deposit's age, maturity, diagenetic history, and so forth. Because of the previous lack of effective and efficient analytical methodologies for resolving hydrocarbon enantiomers, the stereochemical information encoded in these molecules is largely untouched. A series of derivatized α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin chiral stationary phases (CSPs) were used for the gas chromatographic …

Visualization Of Four Dimensional Space And Its Applications (Ph.D. Thesis), Jianhua Zhou

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

An Efficient Neural Algorithm For The Multiclass Problem, Rangachari Anand, Kishan Mehrotra, Chilukuri K. Mohan, Sanjay Ranka

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Technical Reports

One connectionist approach to the classification problem, which has gained popularity in recent years, is the use of backpropagation-trained feed-forward neural networks. In practice, however, we find that the rate of convergence of net output error is especially low when training networks for multi-class problems. In this paper, we show that while backpropagation will reduce the Euclidean distance between the actual and desired output vectors, the difference between some of the components of these vectors will actually increase in the first iteration. Furthermore, the magnitudes of subsequent weight changes in each iteration are very small, so that many iterations are …

Remote Estimation Of The Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient In A Moderately Turbid Estuary, Richard P. Stumpf, Jonathan Pennock

School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering

Abstract

The Probe, Issue 117 - December 1991

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE
National Animal Damage Control Association
DECEMBER 1991
Evaluating Performance of the Soft-Catch® Coyote Trap
Calendar of Upcoming Events
President Bush Has Unique Style Of Animal Damage Control
Soft-Catch® Traps...
Animal Damage Control in the News:
It’s the “Gull War” at Kennedy International
Cyanide Baits May Be Allowed on BLM Land
Pocket Gopher Control Evaluation at Rogue River National Forest
“USA” Today Lists Predator Protection Tips
International Resolution Supports Regulated Trapping
Over Forty NADCA Members Attend 5th Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference
USDA Is Helping to Limit Rabies Outbreak In Texas
Wildlife Veterinarians Adopt Position Statement on Oral Rabies …

Recycling: Knowledge, Demographic & Motivational Factors Which Differentiate Behavior, David Ducoff

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study focuses on motivation -Involved in recycling behavior among residents of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Knowledge of recycling and how it was acquired, and the variables of environmental concern, economic incentive and the peer pressure were compared so that behavior could be distinguished that separated recyclers from nonrecyclers. Talcott Parsons' work in action theory and George Homans' work in exchange theory provide the theoretical foundation for my study. The research was approached in a qualitatively based design with interviews of twenty area residents. Demographic factors of age, sex, religious affiliation, church attendance, education and income of respondents were solicited. In …

Water Current, Volume 23, December 1991

Water Current Newsletter

Massengale Presents Challenges at University Water Policy Forum
Governor Nelson Discusses Environmental Concerns at Nebraska Groundwater Foundation Luncheon
Report from the Director: Education and Research High Priorities
Surveys of Water-Related College-Education and Employment in Nebraska
California's Water Problems Explained at NGF Symposium
Cancer and Water Quality, Topic of Seminar
Wetlands Topic for 1992 Nebraska Water Conference
Environmental Cleanup Liabilities Farmers Should Consider
Eight States Evaluated in Groundwater Quality Research
Hungarian Students, Researchers to Collaborate in Environmental Degradation Studies

Surface Structure Of √3x√3r 30 Cl/Ni(111) Determined Using Low-Temperature Angle-Resolved-Photoemission Extended Fine Structure, Li-Qiong Wang, Z. Hussain, Z. Q. Huang, A. E. Schach Von Wittenau, Dennis W. Lindle, D. A. Shirley

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

A surface structural study of the √3 × √3 R30° Cl/Ni(111) adsorbate system was made using low-temperature angle-resolved photoemission extended fine structure. The experiments were performed along two emission directions, [111] and [110], and at two temperatures, 120 and 300 K. The multiple-scattering spherical-wave analysis determined that the Cl atom adsorbs in the fcc threefold hollow site, 1.837(8) Å above the first nickel layer, with a Cl-Ni bond length of 2.332(6) Å, and an approximate 5% contraction between the first and the second nickel layers (the errors in parentheses are statistical standard deviations only).

The Prairie Naturalist Volume 23, No. 4. December 1991

The Prairie Naturalist

Paul B. Kannowski, Editor

Nikki R. Seabloom, Assistant Editor

Douglas H. Johnson, Book Review Editor

CONTENTS

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS RESPONSE TO BURNING: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN FIRE AND SOIL MOISTURE ▪ G. W. Blankespoor and B. S. Bich

FORAGE PRODUCTION AND USE ON BIGHORN SHEEP WINTER RANGE

FOLLOWING SPRING BURNING IN GRASSLAND AND PONDEROSA PINE HABITATS ▪ T. G. Easterly and K. J. Jenkins

SHORT-TERM MORTALITY OF SMALLMOUTH BASS CAUGHT DURING A LIVE-RELEASE TOURNAMENT AT LAKE OAHE, SOUTH DAKOTA ▪ J. J. Jackson and D. W. Willis

CRAYFISH IN SAND LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ▪ C. D. Dieter

PIPING PLOVERS NEST ON DRY …

Consumption Rates, Evacuation Rates And Diets Of Pygmy Killifish, Leptolucania Ommata, And Mosquitofish, Gambusia Affinis In The Okefenokee Swamp, J. Douglas Oliver

Faculty Publications and Presentations

I studied feeding dynamics of Leptolucania ommata and Gambusia affinis in the Okefenokee Swamp. Both fishes mainly ate insect larvae (such as Chironomidae) and Cladocera. Evacuation rates ranged from 0.143 (L. ommala in winter) to 0.279/hour (L. ommala in summer). Daily food consumption (dry weight) ranged from 24.2 (L. ommata in winter) to 148.3 mg/g/day (G. affinis in summer). Maximum consumption by both species was estimated at 26.31 mg/t m2 / day, in summer. These values are consistent with other observations supporting a hypothesis that invertebrate prey production is substantial in these blackwater wetlands.

Environmental Radiocesium In Subarctic And Arctic Alaska Following Chernobyl, M. Baskaran, J. J. Kelley, A. S. Naidu, D. F. Holleman

Environmental Science and Geology Faculty Research Publications

Radiocesium (¹³⁴ Cs and ¹³⁷ Cs) concentrations were measured in soil, plant and wildlife samples from subarctic to arctic Alaska. Concentrations of ¹³⁷ Cs ranged from below detectable or low levels in whale and fish samples to as high as 242 Bq/kg in lichen. For all potential human food items, the radiocesium concentrations measured in this study were below accepted permissible levels for human consumption. Chernobyl-derived radiocesium concentrations ranged from below detectable or low levels in all arctic samples (soil, sediment, lichen, whale, fish and caribou) to 32 Bq/kg in subarctic moss. Therefore the distribution and subsequent deposition of Chernobyl-derived …

Biology And Ecology Of Dioryctria Ponderosae Dyar And Dioryctria Tumicolella Mutuura, Munroe And Ross, Mark A. Brohman

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

No abstract provided.

Biology And Ecology Of Dioryctria Ponderosae Dyar And Dioryctria Tumicolella Mutuura, Munroe And Ross, Mark A. Brohman

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

No abstract provided.

Multi-Layered Feedforward Neural Networks For Image Segmentation, Gregory L. Tarr

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial neural network image segmentation techniques are examined. The biological inspired cortex transform is examined as a means to preprocess images for segmentation and classification. A generalized neural network formalism is presented as a means to produce common pattern recognition processing techniques in a single iterable element. Several feature reduction preprocessing techniques, based on feature saliency, Karhunen-Loeve transformation and identity networks are tested and compared. The generalized architecture is applied to a problem in image segmentation, a tracking of high- value fixed tactical targets. A generalized architecture for neural networks is developed based on the second order terms of the …

Design And Implementation Of A Graphical User Interface And Database Management System For The Saber Wargame, Andrew M. Horton

Theses and Dissertations

Saber is a theater level, multi-sided, airpower employment computerized wargame that can be programmed to simulate any combat scenario. The model simulates theater level combat between air and land forces, and takes into account the effects of logistics, resupply, and both theater nuclear and chemical warfare. The major objective of the Saber model is to provide a suitable educational platform to allow users to apply basic, tactical employment concepts to multiple combat units, each having a specialized mission, and incorporating every branch of the armed services. This thesis documents a graphical user interface and data management system that has been …

Image Segmentation Using Affine Wavelets, Steven E. Smiley

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the use of the multiresolution representation and Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural networks to segment both FLIR and SAR imagery. The multiresolution approximation coefficients are used as features into the RBF network which learns to distinguish between different cultural and natural regions or objects. The wavelets used are Mallat's spline wavelet and Daubechies' compactly supported wavelets. Additionally, this thesis provides an explanation of wavelets in a tutorial manner. It introduces wavelet theory and discusses two different approaches to generating the multiresolution or wavelet representation.

Face Recognition With The Karhunen-Loeve Transform, Pedro F. Suarez

Theses and Dissertations

The major goal of this research was to investigate machine recognition of faces. The approach taken to achieve this goal was to investigate the use of Karhunen-Loe've Transform (KLT) by implementing flexible and practical code. The KLT utilizes the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix as a basis set. Faces were projected onto the eigenvectors, called eigenfaces, and the resulting projection coefficients were used as features. Face recognition accuracies for the KLT coefficients were superior to Fourier based techniques. Additionally, this thesis demonstrated the image compression and reconstruction capabilities of the KLT. This theses also developed the use of the KLT …

Function Prediction Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Randall L. Lindsey

Theses and Dissertations

A fully recurrent neural network was applied to the function prediction problem. The real-time recurrent learning (RTRL) algorithm was modified and tested for use as a viable function predictor. The modification gave the algorithm a variable learning rate and a linear/sigmoidal output selection. Verifying the networks ability to temporally learn both the classic exclusive-OR (XOR) problem and the internal state problem, the network was then used to simulate the frequency response of a second order IIR lowpass Butterworth filter. The recurrent network was then applied to two problems: head position tracking, and voice date reconstruction. The accuracy at which the …

Preliminary Epidemiological Interpretation Of The Intrinsic And Extrinsic Factors Contributing To The Coverage And Participation Rates Of The Vaccination Program In Arssi, Ethiopia, Muchie Kidanu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many immunization programs in developing countries arr now undergoing a period of rapid utilization. Innovative strategies, such as immunization holidays, are being tried. Political commitment and enthusiasm are high. There is a strong desire by health professionals to protect the lives of many children from the untimely death and/or disability resulting from infectious diseases preventable by vaccination.

Evaluation of an immunization program can benefit other elements of the health system, particularly those that are not amenable to objective evaluation as immunization. In this case, immunization can serve as an indicator of the overall performance of the health system. The problems …

State Of The Fisheries Report 1991, Fisheries Department Of Western Australia

Status Reports of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

The State of the Fisheries is published annually by the Fisheries Department as part of the statutory reporting process required under the Fisheries Act. This report covers developments and production in the State's fisheries up to the end of December 1991. Full details of the department's operations for this period are published separately in the department's annual reports for the financial years ending June 1991 and 1992. Figures provided in the tables are derived from catch returns completed by fishermen which are processed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics up to June 1991. Other information provided in the text comes …

Three-Dimensional Medical Image Registration Using A Patient Space Correlation Technique, Patrick J. Rizzuto Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The routine clinical use of three-dimensional data provided by modern medical imaging procedures is often impeded by the difficulty in accurately correlating the resultant volume datasets. These data are frequently obtained at different times using the same modality, or images of the same patient are sometimes produced using more than one imaging modality. In order to analyze the similarities and differences between such images, it is necessary for the medical imaging data to be spatially aligned using a process known as image registration. This research investigated a structure-based image registration technique based upon simple, three-dimensional relationships among user identified landmarks. …

Radar System Classification Using Neural Networks, David M. Cameron

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated methods of improving the accuracy of neural networks in the classification of large numbers of classes. A literature search revealed that neural networks have been successful in the radar classification problem, and that many complex problems have been solved using systems of multiple neural networks. The experiments conducted were based on 32 classes of radar system data. The neural networks were modelled using a program called the Neural Graphics Analysis System. It was found that the accuracy of the individual neural networks could be increased by controlling the number of hidden nodes, the relative numbers of training …

Limnology Of Two New Lakes, Mount St. Helens, Wa, Valerie Jean Kelly

Dissertations and Theses

Coldwater Lake and Castle Lake are two new lakes which were formed in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens, WA in May, 1980. This research describes the limnology of these lakes ten years later, and includes physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The two lakes are compared and contrasted. Previous research on the eruption and its aftermath, as well as earlier studies of the lakes are described.

The Probe, Issue 116 - November 1991

The Probe: Newsletter of the National Animal Damage Control Association

THE PROBE
National Animal Damage Control Association
NOVEMBER 1991
ADC Continues With EIS Process
Calendar of Upcoming Events
NADC Advisory Committee Appointments Announced
Animal Damage Control in the News
Michigan Woman, 62, Fends Off Bear
Recipes Distributed as Remedy for Brown Tree Snake Problem
Caribbean Countries Request Assistance From DWRC
NRA Creates New Wildlife Management Department
WFLA Reports Raid on Wildlife Research Project
Nominations for NADCA For 1992-1993
Where Your NADCA Dues Go...
Co-Editor Schmidt Moves To Utah
Letter to Inside APHIS Draws Fire From Virginia Wildlife Biologist
NADCA Logo Contest Still On!

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 7, Number 8, November 1991, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A ten page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.