Contractual Agreements to Aribtrate Disputes: Whose Intent Controls - Skewes v. Shearson Lehman Bros.

With the enactment of the Federal Arbitration Act [hereinafter F.A.A.]2 in 1925, Congress attempted to place arbitration agreements upon the same footing as other contracts. 3 This Act, later described as a liberal federal policy favoring arbitration, \u27 creates a presumption in favor of arbitration where ambiguities arise as to the scope of an agreement.5 Under this interpretation, it appears that the intent of the parties can be overlooked in favor of the federal policy favoring arbitration. This is contrary to general principles of contract interpretation and would appear to be a trap for those unfamiliar with this area of the law

Impacts of Soil PH on Winter Canola Cultivars in the Southern Great Plains

Winter canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important rotational crop for wheat systems in the Southern Great Plains, which possess a wide range of acidic soils. However, unlike many other crops, most winter canola cultivars have not been evaluated for pH and Al3+ tolerance. Four field trials were established over two growing seasons to evaluate four winter canola cultivars on pre-adjusted pH gradients. Generally, canola yields were positively influenced by increasing soil pH, with high yields coming from more neutral pH. However, response of canola yields to pH differed by location and cultivar. Critical soil pH was only found at one site year, with critical pH values much lower than previous evaluations (pH 3.90). Environmental conditions at planting paired with fewer data points above could have contributed to this variable response. At the Chickasha location, soil pH and extractable Al had a limited relationship, with low levels of Al3+ found, indifferent of soil pH (r2= 0.03). Variation in yields at Chickasha were potentially better explained by other production factors, not changing pH. In addition, a greenhouse study was established to analyze the potential of poultry litter biochar to alleviate extractable Al3+ in soil systems. Four biochar treatments were analyzed: 2.24 Mg ha-1, 5.6 Mg ha-1, and 11.21 Mg ha-1 as well as a control. In the greenhouse evaluation, 2.24 Mg ha-1 biochar application had a positive effect on alleviating extractable Al3+ from the soil. Higher application rates of biochar on soil also alleviated Al3+ concentration, but not at a significant amount to justify the necessity of higher application rates. Applications of 2.24 Mg ha-1 reduced Al3+ concentration by 28.23 mg kg-1 while at an application of 5.6 Mg ha-1 concentrations were only further reduced by 10.07 mg kg-1. Results from these studies indicated canola grain yields were impacted by the factors associated with soil acidity. These results highlight the continual evaluation of currently and newly available winter canola cultivars for their tolerance of soil acidity. Furthermore, growers should be knowledgeable of canola cultivar, soil pH and exchangeable Al3+ when determining the feasibility of winter canola in their production systems.Plant and Soil Science

Ketone Production from the Thermal Decomposition of Carboxylate Salts

The MixAlco process uses an anaerobic, mixed-culture fermentation to convert lignocellulosic biomass to carboxylate salts. The fermentation broth must be clarified so that only carboxylate salts, water, and minimal impurities remain. Carboxylate salts are concentrated by evaporation and thermally decomposed into ketones. The ketones can then be chemically converted to a wide variety of chemicals and fuels. The presence of excess lime in the thermal decomposition step reduced product yield. Mixtures of calcium carboxylate salts were thermally decomposed at 450 degrees C. Low lime-to-salt ratios (g Ca(OH)2/g salt) of 0.00134 and less had a negligible effect on ketone yield. In contrast, salts with higher lime-to-salt ratios of 0.00461, 0.0190, and 0.272 showed 3.5, 4.6, and 9.4% loss in ketone yield, respectively. These losses were caused primarily by increases in tars and heavy oils; however, a three-fold increase in hydrocarbon production occurred as well. To predict ketone product distribution, a random-pairing and a Gibbs free energy minimization model were applied to thermal decompositions of mixed calcium and sodium carboxylate salts. Random pairing appears to better predict ketone product composition. For sodium and calcium acetate, two types of mixed sodium carboxylate salts, and two types of mixed calcium carboxylate salts, activation energy (EA) was determined using three isoconversional methods. For each salt type, EA varied significantly with conversion. The average EA for sodium and calcium acetate was 226.65 and 556.75 kJ/mol, respectively. The average EA for the two mixed sodium carboxylate salts were 195.61, and 218.18 kJ/mol. The average EA for the two mixed calcium carboxylate salts were 232.78, and 176.55 kJ/mol. In addition, three functions of conversion were employed to see which one best modeled the experimental data. The Sestak-Berggren model was the best overall. Possible reactor designs and configurations that address the challenges associated with the continuous thermal decomposition of carboxylate salts are also presented and discussed. Methods of fermentation broth clarification were tested. Flocculation showed little improvement in broth purity. Coagulation yielded broth of 93.23% purity. Filtration using pore sizes from 1 micrometer to 240 Daltons increased broth purity (90.79 to 98.33%) with decreasing pore size

Evaluación geomecánica para el diseño de sostenimiento en la rampa Zamirha Nv. 2255 de la empresa Franday – Compañía Minera Poderosa, Pataz

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene por objetivo realizar la evaluación geomecánica para el diseño de sostenimiento en la rampa Zamirha Nv. 2255 de la Empresa Franday. Ya que en la presente rampa no existe estudio y control geomecánico para determinar el diseño de sostenimiento y se desconoce la calidad del macizo rocoso. Esta investigación es de tipo aplicada – descriptiva de diseño Cuasi – experimental con enfoque cuantitativo. Como técnicas de recolección de datos se hizo el análisis estructural usando el software RocData y Unwedge, tablas de las clasificaciones geomecánicas RMR, Q de Barton y GSI de Hoek, obteniendo como resultado para las 5 estaciones un RMR89 promedio de 60, Q de 6 y un GSI de 52(MF/R) clasificando como una roca de calidad regular tipo III - A. Se comparo las pautas de sostenimiento por cada clasificación, concluyendo que el tipo de sostenimiento adecuado para la Rp. Zamirha debido a las condiciones y características que esta presenta, es de pernos sistemáticos espaciados a 1.0m, con malla electrosoldada. Finalmente, con shotcrete como fortificación con un espesor de 80mm el cual evitara el deslizamiento de cuñas y desprendimiento de roca por efecto de vibraciones producto de la voladura y/o factores influyentes

Security risk assessment and protection in the chemical and process industry

This article describes a security risk assessment and protection methodology that was developed for use in the chemical- and process industry in Belgium. The approach of the method follows a risk-based approach that follows desing principles for chemical safety. That approach is beneficial for workers in the chemical industry because they recognize the steps in this model from familiar safety models .The model combines the rings-of-protection approach with generic security practices including: management and procedures, security technology (e.g. CCTV, fences, and access control), and human interactions (pro-active as well as re-active). The method is illustrated in a case-study where a practical protection plan was developed for an existing chemical company. This chapter demonstrates that the method is useful for similar chemical- and process industrial activities far beyond the Belgian borders, as well as for cross-industrial security protection. This chapter offers an insight into how the chemical sector protects itself on the one hand, and an insight into how security risk management can be practiced on the other hand

Influence of pH on winter canola production in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Managing double-crop soybean inputs

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Breaking Down Grit: Persistency and Flexibility in the Career Plans of Military Medical Students.

INTRODUCTION: The field of medicine is experiencing a crisis as high levels of physician and trainee burnout threaten the pipeline of future physicians. Grit, or passion and perseverance for long-term goals, has been studied in high-performing and elite military units and found to be predictive of successful completion of training in adverse conditions. The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) graduates military medical leaders who make up a significant portion of the Military Health System physician workforce. Taken together, an improved understanding of the relationships between burnout, well-being, grit, and retention among USU graduates is critical to the success of the Military Health System. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at USU and explored these relations among 519 medical students across three graduating classes. These students participated in two surveys approximately one year apart from October 2018 until November 2019. Participants completed measures on grit, burnout, and likelihood of leaving the military. These data were then merged with demographic and academic data (e.g., Medical College Admission Test scores) from the USU Long Term Career Outcome Study. These variables were then analyzed simultaneously using structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among variables in a single model. RESULTS: Results reaffirmed the 2-factor model of grit as both passion and perseverance (or interest consistency). No significant relationships emerged between burnout and other study variables. Sustained and focused interest was predictive of less likelihood of staying in the military. CONCLUSION: This study offers important insights into the relationship among well-being factors, grit, and long-term career planning in the military. The limitations of using a single-item measure of burnout and measuring behavioral intentions in a short time frame during undergraduate medical education highlight the importance of future longitudinal studies that can examine actual behaviors across a career lifespan. However, this study offers some key insights into potential impacts on the retention of military physicians. The findings suggest that military physicians who are most likely to stay in the military tend to embrace a more fluid and flexible medical specialty path. This is critical in expectation setting for the military to train and retain military physicians across a wide range of critical wartime specialties

Well-being at a Military Medical School and Implications for Military Retention.

INTRODUCTION: Physical and psychological well-being play a critical role in the academic and professional development of medical students and can alter the trajectory of a student\u27s quality of personal and professional life. Military medical students, given their dual role as officer and student, experience unique stressors and issues that may play a role in their future intentions to continue military service, as well as practice medicine. As such, this study explores well-being across the 4 years of medical school at Uniformed Services University (USU) and how well-being relates to a student\u27s likelihood to continue serving in the military and practicing medicine. METHODS: In September 2019, 678 USU medical students were invited to complete a survey consisting of three sections-the Medical Student Well-being Index (MSWBI), a single-item burnout measure, and six questions regarding their likelihood of staying in the military and medical practice. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and contingency table analysis. Additionally, thematic analysis was conducted on open-ended responses included as part of the likelihood questions. RESULTS: Our MSWBI and burnout scores suggest that the overall state of well-being among medical students at USU is comparable to other studies of the medical student population. ANOVA revealed class differences among the four cohorts, highlighted by improved well-being scores as students transitioned from clerkships to their fourth-year curriculum. Fewer clinical students (MS3s and MS4s), compared to pre-clerkship students, indicated a desire to stay in the military. In contrast, a higher percentage of clinical students seemed to reconsider their medical career choice compared to their pre-clerkship student counterparts. Medicine-oriented likelihood questions were associated with four unique MSWBI items, whereas military-oriented likelihood questions were associated with one unique MSWBI item. CONCLUSION: The present study found that the overall state of well-being in USU medical students is satisfactory, but opportunities for improvement exist. Medical student well-being seemed to have a stronger association with medicine-oriented likelihood items than with military-oriented likelihood items. To obtain and refine best practices for strengthening engagement and commitment, future research should examine if and how military and medical contexts converge and diverge throughout training. This may enhance the medical school and training experience and, ultimately, reinforce, or strengthen, the desire and commitment to practice and serve in military medicine

40Ar/39Ar ages of the sill complex of the Karoo large igneous province: implications for the Pliensbachian-Toarcian climate change.

Reliable geochronological results gathered so far (n = 76) have considerably constrained the timing of the emplacement of the Karoo large igneous province (LIP). Yet strikingly missing from this dating effortis the huge southern sill complex cropping out in the >0.6 x 10(6) km2 Main Karoo sedimentary basin. We present 16 new 40Ar/39Ar analyses carried out on fresh plagioclase and biotite separates from 15 sill samples collected along a N-S trend in the eastern part of the basin. The results show a large range of plateau and miniplateau ages (176.2 +- 1.3 to 183.8 +- 2.4 Ma), with most dates suggesting a -3 Ma (181-184 Ma) duration for the main sill events. The available age database allows correlation of the Karoo LIP emplacement with the Pliensbachian-Toarcian second-order biotic extinction, the global warming, and the Toarcian anoxic event (provided that adequate calibration between the 40K and 238U decay constant ismade). The mass extinction and the isotopic excursions recorded at the base of the Toarcian appear to be synchronous with both the increase of magma emission of the Karoo LIP and the emplacement of the sills.The CO2 and SO2 derived from both volcanic emissions as well as carbon-rich sedimentary layers intrudedby sills might be the main culprits of the Pliensbachian-Toarcian climate perturbations. We propose that the relatively low eruption rate of the Karoo LIP is one of the main reasons explaining why its impact on thebiosphere is relatively low contrary to, e.g., the CAMP (Triassic-Jurassic) and Siberia (Permo-Triassic) LIPs