Coal Resources of the Springfield Coal Bed in Western Kentucky

Historically, the Springfield (Western Kentucky No. 9) coal bed has been the leading source of production in the Western Kentucky Coal Field. The Springfield coal is known for its lateral continuity in terms of both thickness and coal quality. It is estimated to have the largest original and remaining resource in the Western Kentucky Coal Field (Greb and others, 1992)

Coal Availability in Western Kentucky

Fourteen quadrangles in five separate areas of the Western Kentucky Coal Field were studied to determine what factors affect the availability of coal for mining. Each study area consisted of at least two adjacent 7.5-minute quadrangles in order to account for the geologic variability across broad distances in western Kentucky, and determine how this variability affects availability. Areas both north and south of the Rough Creek Fault System were selected to measure the effect of different geologic, structural, and overburden settings on coal availability. The study emphasized the coals occurring stratigraphically between the Springfield and the Baker. About 90 percent of western Kentucky coal resources is associated with only six beds, and one bed, the Springfield (W. Ky. No. 9), constitutes 25 percent of the entire estimate. Seventy percent of the resource is greater than 56 in. thick. Most mining in the Western Kentucky Coal Field is currently by underground methods; only 25 percent is by surface mining. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to estimate tonnages. Point data were obtained from over 5,000 drill-hole and geophysical-log descriptions, and included coal thickness, parting thickness, elevation, and stratigraphic position. Outcrops were digitized from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute geologic quadrangle maps, and land-use restrictions from USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps. Mined-out areas were obtained from the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, and locations of oil and gas wells from the Kentucky Geological Survey. A digital elevation model was obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey. Land-use restrictions can apply to both surface and deep mining. Technological restrictions in this study generally apply only to deep mining, and include barriers around existing mines, mining within 40 vertical feet of a seam, active oil and gas wells, coal too thin for current underground mining methods (less than 28 in.), and small mine blocks. Many technological restrictions in western Kentucky could be overcome if the relatively low profit margins in the region increased. Tonnage estimates for each bed are reported by categories of coal thickness, overburden thickness, and reliability of the estimate. Thickness categories used in this study are 14 to 28 in., 28 to 42 in., and greater than 42. in. Overburden categories are surface-mineable, deep-mineable, and too deep to mine with current technology. Reliability categories, based on distance from coal-thickness measurements, are measured (within % mi of a data point), indicated (between % and % mi), inferred (between % and 3 mi), and hypothetical (beyond 3 mi). Total original resources for the assessed coals in the 14 studied quadrangles are estimated at 5.55 billion tons (BT). Almost half this total is accounted for by the Springfield coal, and nearly a quarter by the Baker. About 77 percent of the coal is considered deep-mineable. A total of 1.084 BT, or 20 percent of he original resource, has been mined out or lost to mining. Thus, 4 BT, or 80 percent of original resources, remain. The average amount of restricted coal is 26 percent of original resources, and 88 percent of this restricted amount is by technological factors. The most important technological restriction was coal too thin to mine. Small interburden thickness between two mineable seams is a key factor in some areas; other locally important factors are mine barriers and small mine blocks. The average availability of coal in the 14 studied quadrangles is 54 percent. The results by quadrangle range from 9 to 91 percent, which confirms the necessity of studying larger areas. Deep-mineable coal between 28 and 42 in. thick and surface-mineable coal between 14 and 28 in. thick is considered available, but uneconomic. The uneconomic resources account for 14 percent of the original resource, leaving 40 percent of the coal that is both available and economic

Total Coal Thickness of the Lower Elkhorn Coal in Eastern Kentucky

This map is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Lower Elkhorn coal. The maps were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Surveys National Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Lower Elkhorn coal is one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky and has, in some areas, a reputation as an excellent metallurgical-grade coal. It is known locally as the Pond Creek, Imboden, Path Fork, Blue Gem, Straight Creek, Bruin, or Vires coal bed. This map represents the total coal thickness, minus partings, of the bed for the eastern Kentucky region. It is not a traditional isopach map, because the mineable bed is not composed of the same benches in all areas (Fig. 1). Discontinuities, delineated by facies boundaries on the map, indicate abrupt changes in thickness caused by splitting; discontinuities also occur between areas where entirely different beds in the Lower Elkhorn zone are favored for mining

Coal Resources of the Lower Elkhorn Coal Bed in Eastern Kentucky

This chart is one of a series that shows the regional characteristics of the Lower Elkhorn coal. The maps were prepared as part of the U.S. Geological Survey\u27s Natural Coal Assessment Program, which compiles regional maps and databases that provide a comprehensive assessment of the most important coal beds in the nation. The Lower Elkhorn coal is one of the leading producers in the state of Kentucky and has, in some areas, a reputation as an excellent metallurgical-grade coal. It is known locally as the Pond Creek, Imboden, Path Fork, Blue Gem, Straight Creek, Bruin or Vires coal bed. This chart describes the distribution of data used for the coal assessment, generalized mined-out areas in relation to coal thickness, geologic structure of the bed, and coal-resource estimates

Radon Potential, Geologic Formations, and Lung Cancer Risk

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to radon is associated with approximately 10% of U.S. lung cancer cases. Geologic rock units have varying concentrations of uranium, producing fluctuating amounts of radon. This exploratory study examined the spatial and statistical associations between radon values and geological formations to illustrate potential population-level lung cancer risk from radon exposure. METHOD: This was a secondary data analysis of observed radon values collected in 1987 from homes (N = 309) in Kentucky and geologic rock formation data from the Kentucky Geological Survey. Radon value locations were plotted on digital geologic maps using ArcGIS and linked to specific geologic map units. Each map unit represented a package of different types of rock (e.g., limestone and/or shale). Log-transformed radon values and geologic formation categories were compared using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Observed radon levels varied significantly by geologic formation category. Of the 14 geologic formation categories in north central Kentucky, four were associated with median radon levels, ranging from 8.10 to 2.75 pCi/L. CONCLUSION: Radon potential maps that account for geologic factors and observed radon values may be superior to using observed radon values only. Knowing radon-prone areas could help target population-based lung cancer prevention interventions given the inequities that exist related to radon

Explorations, Vol. 6, No. 2

Cover: Untitled #13, Series 2, chalk on paper, by Ronald Ghiz, Associate Professor of Art at the University of Maine. Articles include: Editorial Overview: in this issue, by Carole J. Bombard Save the Planet . . . please, by Nick Houtman Research and Public Service Recognizing Leadership, Pioneering, and Productivity, Herb Hidu and Stephen Norton Private Assistance for Maine’s Hungry, by William H. Whitaker and Jean M. Andrews The Ugly Faces of Hunger Explaining the Iranian Revolution, by Henry Munson, Jr. Biological Clocks: timing is everything—and everywhere, by Jamie Watler Love of Glory and the Common Good: Periclean Democracy and Athenian Tyranny in Thucydides, by Michael Palmer Tools of the Trade: Technology Usage and Financial Performance in Small Business, by Diane J. Garsombke and Thomas W. Garsombk

Fluoromycobacteriophages for rapid, specific, and sensitive antibiotic susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is of paramount importance as multiple- and extensively- drug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis emerge and spread. We describe here a virus-based assay in which fluoromycobacteriophages are used to deliver a GFP or ZsYellow fluorescent marker gene to M. tuberculosis, which can then be monitored by fluorescent detection approaches including fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. Pre-clinical evaluations show that addition of either Rifampicin or Streptomycin at the time of phage addition obliterates fluorescence in susceptible cells but not in isogenic resistant bacteria enabling drug sensitivity determination in less than 24 hours. Detection requires no substrate addition, fewer than 100 cells can be identified, and resistant bacteria can be detected within mixed populations. Fluorescence withstands fixation by paraformaldehyde providing enhanced biosafety for testing MDR-TB and XDR-TB infections. © 2009 Piuri et al

Randomised trial of glutamine and selenium supplemented parenteral nutrition for critically ill patients

Background: Mortality rates in the Intensive Care Unit and subsequent hospital mortality rates in the UK remain high. Infections in Intensive Care are associated with a 2–3 times increased risk of death. It is thought that under conditions of severe metabolic stress glutamine becomes "conditionally essential". Selenium is an essential trace element that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Approximately 23% of patients in Intensive Care require parenteral nutrition and glutamine and selenium are either absent or present in low amounts. Both glutamine and selenium have the potential to influence the immune system through independent biochemical pathways. Systematic reviews suggest that supplementing parenteral nutrition in critical illness with glutamine or selenium may reduce infections and mortality. Pilot data has shown that more than 50% of participants developed infections, typically resistant organisms. We are powered to show definitively whether supplementation of PN with either glutamine or selenium is effective at reducing new infections in critically ill patients. Methods/design: 2 × 2 factorial, pragmatic, multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. The trial has an enrolment target of 500 patients. Inclusion criteria include: expected to be in critical care for at least 48 hours, aged 16 years or over, patients who require parenteral nutrition and are expected to have at least half their daily nutritional requirements given by that route. Allocation is to one of four iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous groups: glutamine, selenium, both glutamine & selenium or no additional glutamine or selenium. Trial supplementation is given for up to seven days on the Intensive Care Unit and subsequent wards if practicable. The primary outcomes are episodes of infection in the 14 days after starting trial nutrition and mortality. Secondary outcomes include antibiotic usage, length of hospital stay, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Discussion: To date more than 285 patients have been recruited to the trial from 10 sites in Scotland. Recruitment is due to finish in August 2008 with a further six months follow up. We expect to report the results of the trial in summer 2009. Trial registration: This trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number system. ISRCTN87144826Not peer reviewedPublisher PD

Elbow medial collateral ligament injuries

Elbow medial collateral ligament sprain occurs when the elbow is subjected to a valgus force exceeding the tensile properties of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). This is an injury seen more often in throwing athletes. Understanding the differential diagnosis of medial elbow pain is paramount to diagnose MCL injury as well as addressing other medial elbow pathology. A natural evolution regarding MCL injury has occurred over the past 20 years, with modifications of the original surgical procedure, specificity and sensitivity analysis of imaging modalities, and physical exam maneuvers to diagnose MCL pathology. In order for the MCL literature to advance further, more biomechanical and long-term clinical outcome data for the respective surgical modifications are needed. This review describes MCL injury pathophysiology, patient evaluation, reconstruction indications/contraindications, and current and evolving surgical techniques