Wendy Zhang

In situ monitoring (field screening) and assessment of lead and arsenic contaminants in the greater New Orleans area using a portable X-ray fluorescence analyser

This paper reports environmental assessment and identification of environmental contaminants caused by exposure to toxic metals such as Pb and As after Hurricane Katrina using an onsite analysis method. Concentrations of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) detected in many soil samples after Hurricane Katrina were reported to exceed EPA allowable value. Toxic metals mentioned above were measured by a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer (XRF) in the greater New Orleans area. The portable XRF analyzer provides rapid data collection in the field. Distribution of Pb in New Orleans is displayed in a regional map using geographic information system (GIS). The map provides an updated image of environmental exposure to Pb contamination in the greater New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina and also shows Pb contaminated areas where Pb concentrations exceed the EPA allowable level. The portable XRF provides a rapid analysis method for toxic metals and can be used for the field screening of soils at any place and for identifying contamination areas rapidly.

Geographic information systems: real world applications for computer science

This paper discusses the development and delivery of an upper level computer science elective course in geographic information systems (GIS). GIS applications span numerous and diverse fields, but it is computer science that holds the key to the understanding and development of the underlying spatial database and programming for custom applications. Here the authors discuss the benefits and challenges of a GIS course for students, faculty, and researchers.

Building content dictionaries for geometric algebra in OMDoc format

This paper describes why and how to build Content Dictionaries for Geometric Algebra implemented in OMDoc format, an XML-based markup language. Geometric Algebra is a powerful and general language available for the development of mathematical physics. Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) enables one to write XML-based language to display mathematical formulae on web browsers and OpenMath makes the text semantics available by creating a series of Content Dictionaries, but no markup languages have been previously created for Geometric Algebra to interpret semantics of documentations. Open Mathematical Documentation (OMDoc) extends OpenMath by providing more features such as axiom, theorem, and proof structures. The working Content Dictionary implemented in OMDoc format for Geometric Algebra has been established. It is able to be transformed and then displayed in the Firefox web browser for instance. This research will lead to the study and design of many more various scientific fields interested in accessibilities and capabilities through the internet.

The Effects of the Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana'S Gulf Coast

In wake of Hurricane Katrina, devastation was eminent. As on the new and television the people, business and industries were greatly affected by this catastrophe; however, no one is mentioning the effects of the hurricane on Louisianas coastal land. It is true that the people and businesses are returning to southeastern Louisiana, but some effects experienced by the coastline are irreversible and permanent. In addition to the major impact during the considerably short time period of the storm, Louisiana was already on pace of losing its wetlands. Tracking the loss of land will help prevent future loss of Louisianas coastline.

Using GIS to analyze real estate with flood zones

This paper demonstrates the application of a Geographic Information System (GIS) research project. This project aids in the learning and application of GIS through Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) software, specifically ArcGIS. The project utilized GIS by creating maps with the ESRI ArcGIS software. These maps aimed to help potential real estate consumers evaluate the estimated flood risk and related flood insurance costs based on current efforts to reclassify flood zones for the Gulf Coast; using St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana as an example. This paper will detail the criteria and basis for the research project, and exemplify the benefits and contributions in the results.

Using OpenMath to present semantics of Geometric Algebra

This research aids in developing of a Physics Markup Language (PML) for the representation of Physical models. By providing a standard way of documenting the physical and mathematical semantics of these physics based models, a Physics Markup Language (PML) will improve communication of models semantics to support interoperability between physics-based models, such as multi-physics simulation and interoperability with other non-physics based models. Geometric Algebra (GA) is a powerful and practical framework for the representation and solution of geometrical problems. GA is the fundamental underlying mathematics for most physical models. OpenMath is a XML-based markup language for representing and communicating mathematics that tries to combine natural and formal language. This research utilized OpenMath by creating Content Dictionaries, to implement the mathematical semantics for the underlying mathematics, Geometric Algebra.