A study of the subsurface stratigraphy of the upper Cambrian in Western Missouri

Megascopic examination of diamond-drill cores supplemented by insoluble residue data provides a usable means of studying the lithologic characteristic of Upper Cambrian strata in the subsurface of western Missouri. The stratigraphic relationships within each Cambrian formation and the relationships of each Cambrian unit to formations above and below are discussed. The relationship of Upper Cambrian strata to the Precambrian surface in western Missouri and easternmost Kansas is illustrated. The Lamotte Sandstone is overlapped by the Reagan Sandstone against Precambrian topographic highs and the Bonneterre and lower Davis are replaced by sandstones similar to the Reagan in southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas. Northward, in western Missouri, from Jasper County to Bates County the Bonneterre and lower Davis (?) is absent and in easternmost Kansas the Lamotte, Bonneterre, and Davis Formations have been overlapped by the Derby-Doerun Dolomite. All Upper Cambrian formations thin westward, away from the St. Francois Mountains, across the study area. However, pre-Derby-Doerun units thin more rapidly than do the Derby-Doerun, Potosi, or Eminence Formations. The areal extent of the Sullivan Siltstone and the Whetstone Creek Members of the Bonneterre Formation in the central and western portions of southern Missouri has been determined and the westward extent of the Whetstone Creek Member is believed to represent an erosional surface on the top of the Bonneterre. The green clay residue facies and the spongy chert residue facies occur by facies substitution with more typical, chert-bearing Potosi and Eminence Dolomites. Although the reasons for these residue facies in the Potosi and Eminence are not fully known at this time, the areal distribution of these units in the study area have been determined --Abstract, pages ii-iii

Managing Stress in a Time of Increased Pressure: Perspectives from University Presidents

The modern university presidency continues to become more complex, resulting in numerous personal and professional stresses placed on a president. This study explores the sources, impacts, and successful prevention and management of stress in the position. Data for the study comes from qualitative phenomenological interviews with five sitting presidents of public and private universities in the United States. Using a theoretical lens derived from executive stress theory, the authors examine the degree to which a need for personal control and stability play a role in producing stress and motivating certain stress responses. Meaningful relationships, positive mindsets, and repeatable practices of self-care and reflection are found to have a positive impact on presidents’ ability to manage stress. Greater awareness of stress management through education and training will benefit presidents and prospective presidents in navigating the position

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

Is classical reality completely deterministic?

The concept of determinism for a classical system is interpreted as the requirement that the solution to the Cauchy problem for the equations of motion governing this system be unique. This requirement is generally assumed to hold for all autonomous classical systems. We give counterexamples of this view. Our analysis of classical electrodynamics in a world with one temporal and one spatial dimension shows that the solution to the Cauchy problem with the initial conditions of a particular type is not unique. Therefore, random behavior of closed classical systems is indeed possible. This finding provides a qualitative explanation of how classical strings can split. We propose a modified path integral formulation of classical mechanics to include indeterministic systems.Comment: Replace the paper with a revised versio

Koopman-von Neumann Formulation of Classical Yang-Mills Theories: I

In this paper we present the Koopman-von Neumann (KvN) formulation of classical non-Abelian gauge field theories. In particular we shall explore the functional (or classical path integral) counterpart of the KvN method. In the quantum path integral quantization of Yang-Mills theories concepts like gauge-fixing and Faddeev-Popov determinant appear in a quite natural way. We will prove that these same objects are needed also in this classical path integral formulation for Yang-Mills theories. We shall also explore the classical path integral counterpart of the BFV formalism and build all the associated universal and gauge charges. These last are quite different from the analog quantum ones and we shall show the relation between the two. This paper lays the foundation of this formalism which, due to the many auxiliary fields present, is rather heavy. Applications to specific topics outlined in the paper will appear in later publications.Comment: 46 pages, Late

Recoupling fire and grazing reduces wildland fuel loads on rangelands

Fire suppression and exclusion, the historically dominant paradigm of fire management, has resulted in major modifications of fire-dependent ecosystems worldwide. These changes are partially credited with a recent increase in wildfire number and extent, as well as more extreme fire behavior. Fire and herbivory historically interacted, and research has shown that the interaction creates a unique mosaic of vegetation heterogeneity that each disturbance alone does not create. Because fire and grazing have largely been decoupled in modern times, the degree to which the interaction affects fuels and fire regimes has not yet been quantified. We evaluated effects of fire-only and pyric herbivory on rangeland fuels and fire behavior simulated using BehavePlus at four sites across the southern Great Plains.We predicted patches managed via pyric herbivory would maintain lower fuel loads, and less intense simulated fire behavior than fire alone. We found that time since fire was a significant predictor of fuel loads and simulated fire behavior characteristics at all sites. Fuel loads and simulated fire behavior characteristics (flame length and rate of spread) increased with increasing time since fire in all simulated weather scenarios. Pyric herbivory mediated fuel accumulation at all sites. Mean fuel loads in fire-only treatments exceeded 5000 kg/ha within 24 months, but pyric herbivory treatments remained below 5000 kg/ha for approximately 36 months. Simulated flame lengths in fire-only treatments were consistently higher (up to 3 9 ) than in pyric herbivory treatments. Similarly, fire spread rates were higher in fire-only than in pyric herbivory treatments in all simulated weather conditions. Although all sites had potential to burn in the most extreme weather conditions, pyric herbivory reduced fuel accumulations, flame lengths, and rates of spread across all weather patterns simulated. These reductions extended the amount of time standard wildland firefighting techniques remain effective. Therefore, incorporating pyric herbivory into fuel management practices, in areas of high herbaceous productivity, increases the effectiveness of fuel treatments

Predictors of Circuit Health in Neonatal Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Background: Clot formation is the most common mechanical complication of ECMO and can lead to oxygenator failure and the need for subsequent circuit changes. The goals of this study were to identify early indicators of circuit failure to alert providers of ECMO circuit health. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patient-specific circuit parameters can predict circuit health to identify risk of early circuit failure in neonate ECMO patients. Using a retrospective chart analysis ECMO flow parameters and clotting factors were identified during the 48 hours prior to ECMO circuit change through the 24 hours post circuit change. Statistical analysis included non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: There was a significant increase in maximum and mean delta-p prior to need for circuit changes compared to those without (p=0.011 and p=0.0128 respectively) and a significant increase in the maximum RPM and mean RPM (p=0.0043 and p=0.0057 respectively). There was a significant increase in mean plasma free hemoglobin (hgb) (p=0.0209); however, the maximum plasma free hgb was not significant (p=0.0569). No differences were notable for sweep and venous pressure in those with circuit changes. Furthermore, clotting parameters were not found to be significant, including ACT, heparin, platelet count, fibrinogen, PT, PTT, INR, AT III (%), anti-Xa. Conclusion: Changes in Delta-p, RPM, and flow may be valuable predictors of early circuit impairment in neonates on ECMO. Sweep, venous pressure and clotting parameters may not reliable predictors of circuit health.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1167/thumbnail.jp

Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics Analysis of the Orbiter's LH2 Feedline Flowliner

Work performed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) as part of an Independent Technical Assessment (ITA) for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) is summarized. The ITA goal was to establish a flight rationale in light of a history of fatigue cracking due to flow induced vibrations in the feedline flowliners that supply liquid hydrogen to the space shuttle main engines. Prior deterministic analyses using worst-case assumptions predicted failure in a single flight. The current work formulated statistical models for dynamic loading and cryogenic fatigue crack growth properties, instead of using worst-case assumptions. Weight function solutions for bivariant stressing were developed to determine accurate crack "driving-forces". Monte Carlo simulations showed that low flowliner probabilities of failure (POF = 0.001 to 0.0001) are achievable, provided pre-flight inspections for cracks are performed with adequate probability of detection (POD)-specifically, 20/75 mils with 50%/99% POD. Measurements to confirm assumed POD curves are recommended. Since the computed POFs are very sensitive to the cyclic loads/stresses and the analysis of strain gage data revealed inconsistencies with the previous assumption of a single dominant vibrant mode, further work to reconcile this difference is recommended. It is possible that the unaccounted vibrational modes in the flight spectra could increase the computed POFs