Structure and Isopach Maps of the Mississippian Big Lime (Newman Limestone/Slade Formation), Eastern Kentucky

The maps included in this publication were made using stratigraphic data collected by us from almost 8,000 wells as part of a regional stratigraphic study of the Mississippian Slade Formation in eastern Kentucky. The data extend from the Mississippian outcrop belt along the northwestern edge of the map area to the state borders on the northeast. The southeastern border of the map area is marked by the Pine Mountain Fault. Formation tops data for these wells were collected from geophysical (electric) logs and drillers\u27 logs, and are available in electronic format from the Kentucky Geological Survey (Harris and Sparks, 1997). In the subsurface this stratigraphic interval is commonly referred to as the Big Lime by drillers. Because this term is widely used in the oil and gas industry, it will be used in this publication. Regional geologic cross sections for the mapped area by Harris and Sparks (2000) were previously published. These structural and stratigraphic cross sections were constructed from geophysical well logs and provide additional data (lithology, porosity) for the Big Lime. These structure and isopach maps illustrate the structural configuration and thickness, respectively, of the Mississippian Slade Formation (Newman Limestone or Big Lime). Data points used to make the maps are shown. The maps include both color shading and labeled contours. The structure map is contoured with a 50-ft interval, and the isopach with a 15-ft interval

Class I Waste-Disposal Wells and Class II Brine-Injection Wells in Kentucky

This map shows locations of disposal wells permitted and regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under parts of their Underground Injection Control program. Only UIC Class I and Class II disposal wells are illustrated and described. EPA defines Class I as industrial and municipal waste-disposal wells and Class II as oil- and gas-related injection wells (EPA, 2012a). Disposal wells are designed to protect underground sources of drinking water. The primary function of this map is to provide general information about type, name, location, geology, and depth of injection zone for these disposal wells on a statewide basis

Regional Subsurface Geologic Cross Sections of the Mississippian System, Appalachian Basin, Eastern Kentucky

This series of 14 regional cross sections illustrates subsurface stratigraphic correlations of Mississippian (upper Carboniferous) rocks in the Appalachian Basin of eastern Kentucky. These cross sections were constructed as part of a regional stratigraphic study of the Mississippian Big Lime, a major oil- and gas-producing formation. The series illustrates 10 dip-oriented and 4 strike-oriented lines, extending from the Slade Formation outcrop belt on the northwest, to the state borders on the east and south. Stratigraphic and structural versions are shown for each section to better illustrate thickness and structural variations. These cross sections served as the regional framework during collection of stratigraphic data for the Big Lime project. Stratigraphic tops were collected for almost 8,000 wells in eastern Kentucky, from the top of the Mississippian to the Devonian black shale. Tops data shown in the cross sections are available in digital form from the Kentucky Geological Survey (Open-File Report OF-97-03)

Discovery of highly insecticidal synthetic spinosyn mimics – CAMD enabled de novo design simplifying a complex natural product

Simplifying complex natural products: Computer modeling‐based design leads to highly insecticidal, chemically simpler synthetic mimics of the spinosyn natural products that are active in the field

Clathrate hydrates as a sink of noble gases in Titan's atmosphere

We use a statistical thermodynamic approach to determine the composition of clathrate hydrates which may form from a multiple compound gas whose composition is similar to that of Titan's atmosphere. Assuming that noble gases are initially present in this gas phase, we calculate the ratios of xenon, krypton and argon to species trapped in clathrate hydrates. We find that these ratios calculated for xenon and krypton are several orders of magnitude higher than in the coexisting gas at temperature and pressure conditions close to those of Titan's present atmosphere at ground level. Furthermore we show that, by contrast, argon is poorly trapped in these ices. This trapping mechanism implies that the gas-phase is progressively depleted in xenon and krypton when the coexisting clathrate hydrates form whereas the initial abundance of argon remains almost constant. Our results are thus compatible with the deficiency of Titan's atmosphere in xenon and krypton measured by the {\it Huygens} probe during its descent on January 14, 2005. However, in order to interpret the subsolar abundance of primordial Ar also revealed by {\it Huygens}, other processes that occurred either during the formation of Titan or during its evolution must be also invoked.Comment: Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters, in pres

Characterization of Surface Geology and Hydrogeology in the Upper Ulua River Basin, Honduras

This research includes a hydrogeologic assessment in and around La Union, Honduras to determine the contribution of groundwater to the surface water system and understand the geological control of groundwater storage and movement. Field methods were employed and focused on spring characterization, geochemical signatures, and structural data. Field data was gathered, and locations determined using cellular-integrated GPS signal and the Fulcrum mapping software mobile application. During the summer of 2017, data on 111 geologic points and 34 water points were collected to understand the hydrogeology of the region. Streams and springs were monitored for pH, flow characteristics and conductance as a measure of total-dissolved-solids (TDS). TDS ranged from 22.6 to 485 mg/L with higher values indicating groundwater influx into the surface system. In comparison, lower TDS values are attributed to runoff. Structural information was collected using a Brunton transit compass for strike and dip of lithologic contacts. Structural trends include strikes around 240 degrees, dip direction and approximate magnitudes at 330 and 40 degrees, respectively. Geologic data indicate significant structural deformation, supportive of tectonic activity in the region. For many of the springs in this area, the data can be used to interpret that water is stored in the Jaitique Formation as a perched aquifer controlled by stratigraphy and structure. The groundwater moves down dip through secondary porosity in the Jaitique Formation until it comes into contact with the Lower Valle de Angeles. This Lower Valle de Angeles unit acts as an aquiclude preventing percolation into the ground and resulting in springs at the surface

Spatially-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of the core of the Centaurus cluster

We present Chandra data from a 31.7 ks observation of the Centaurus cluster, using the ACIS-S detector. Images of the X-ray emission show a plume-like feature at the centre of the cluster, of extent 60 arcsec (20 kpc in projection). The feature has the same metallicity as gas at a similar radius, but is cooler. Using adaptive binning, we generate temperature, abundance and absorption maps of the cluster core. The radial abundance profile shows that the previously known, steep abundance gradient peaks with a metallicity of 1.3-1.8 Zsolar at a radius of about 45 arcsec (15 kpc), before falling back to 0.4 Zsolar at the centre of the cluster. A radial temperature profile shows that the temperature decreases inwards. We determine the spatial distributions of each of two temperature components, where applicable. The radiative cooling time of the cooler component within the inner 10 arcsec (3 kpc) is less than 2x10^7 yr. X-ray holes in the image coincident with the radio lobes are seen, as well as two outer sharp temperature drops, or cold fronts. The origin of the plume is unclear. The existence of the strong abundance gradient is a strong constraint on extensive convection or gas motion driven by a central radio source.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures (3 colour), accepted by MNRAS, high res. version at http://www-xray.ast.cam.ac.uk/papers/cen1_accptd.pdf . Updated version includes a section considering a non-thermal componen

Scavenger removal of bird carcasses at simulated wind turbines: Does carcass type matter?

Wind energy development can negatively impact bird populations due to bird–turbine collisions. To accurately estimate bird mortality at wind farms, the number of dead birds found under turbines is commonly corrected for carcass removal by scavengers, which is quantified by measuring persistence of experimental carcasses through time. These studies often use domestic birds as surrogates because carcasses of wild birds (e.g., raptors) are difficult to obtain. We assessed scavenger removal of carcasses from five bird species at simulated turbines to determine whether domestic surrogates are scavenged at a different rate than raptors, species of interest for wind turbine mortality. The percentage of carcasses scavenged during 14-d rounds ranged from 34.6% for American kestrels (Falco sparverius) to 65.4% for chickens (Gallus gallus), and the percentage of carcasses completely removed ranged from 13.5% for red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) to 67.3% for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Carcass type (i.e., species) was the only predictor included in the best-fit logistic regression model of complete carcass removal, and a survival analysis indicated carcass type influenced elapsed time to scavenging events. Our results suggest the use of surrogate species to quantify carcass removal at wind turbines could lead to inaccurate mortality estimates

Mechanical Testing of 3D Printed Prosthetics

The Rapid Orthotics for CURE Kenya team as a whole aims to empower the orthopedic technicians in the CURE Kenya hospital by creating, optimizing, and testing 3D printed prosthetics and orthotics. Our team started in 2016 by creating a 3D printing process for below the knee prosthetic sockets. Since then, we had adapted to the hospital\u27s needs over the years, expanding the capabilities of the system itself. Presently, a section of our team has worked specifically with these leg sockets to ensure the safety and functionality for patients. They have done testing to make sure the sockets are strong enough and to make sure the silicone liners are safe for use in developing countries. In addition to safety testing, over the years we have created ankle-foot orthotics and prosthetic hands. The design part of our team works to create new 3D printed devices to help our clients reach more patients. By 2024 we hope to fully integrate our expanded system in the orthopedic workshop in Kijabe, Kenya.https://mosaic.messiah.edu/engr2020/1018/thumbnail.jp

De novo formation of an aggregation pheromone precursor by an isoprenyl diphosphate synthase-related terpene synthase in the harlequin bug.

Insects use a diverse array of specialized terpene metabolites as pheromones in intraspecific interactions. In contrast to plants and microbes, which employ enzymes called terpene synthases (TPSs) to synthesize terpene metabolites, limited information from few species is available about the enzymatic mechanisms underlying terpene pheromone biosynthesis in insects. Several stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), among them severe agricultural pests, release 15-carbon sesquiterpenes with a bisabolene skeleton as sex or aggregation pheromones. The harlequin bug, Murgantia histrionica, a specialist pest of crucifers, uses two stereoisomers of 10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol as a male-released aggregation pheromone called murgantiol. We show that MhTPS (MhIDS-1), an enzyme unrelated to plant and microbial TPSs but with similarity to trans-isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDS) of the core terpene biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the formation of (1S,6S,7R)-1,10-bisaboladien-1-ol (sesquipiperitol) as a terpene intermediate in murgantiol biosynthesis. Sesquipiperitol, a so-far-unknown compound in animals, also occurs in plants, indicating convergent evolution in the biosynthesis of this sesquiterpene. RNAi-mediated knockdown of MhTPS mRNA confirmed the role of MhTPS in murgantiol biosynthesis. MhTPS expression is highly specific to tissues lining the cuticle of the abdominal sternites of mature males. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that MhTPS is derived from a trans-IDS progenitor and diverged from bona fide trans-IDS proteins including MhIDS-2, which functions as an (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase. Structure-guided mutagenesis revealed several residues critical to MhTPS and MhFPPS activity. The emergence of an IDS-like protein with TPS activity in M. histrionica demonstrates that de novo terpene biosynthesis evolved in the Hemiptera in an adaptation for intraspecific communication