The Impact of Contract Operations on Safety in Underground Coal Mines

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test for differences in injury rates for contractor-operated underground coal mines relative to owner-operated mines in Kentucky, controlling for other covariates. METHODS: We used disparities between MSHA contractor data and surface reclamation permit data to identify mines operated by contractors. We then used negative binomial regression to estimate injury rates from 1999 to 2013, controlling for mine and controller characteristics available from MSHA and the Energy Information Administration (EIA). RESULTS: Contractor-operated mines with 15 or fewer full-time equivalent workers (FTEs) had a statistically significant 57% higher covariate-adjusted reported traumatic injury rate than similar mines without contract operators. Larger contractor-operated mines did not have a statistically significant elevated rate. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a significant elevation of traumatic injury rates only among the smallest contractor-operated mines. This increase appears substantial enough to warrant attention

GENETIC POPULATION STRUCTURE AND CONSERVATION OF BULL TROUT IN THE EAST FORK BITTERROOT RIVER DRAINAGE, MONTANA

Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus are a species of conservation interest and are currently listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Understanding and conserving the genetic and life history diversity of bull trout populations across their range is critical as conservation, management, and recovery plans are developed. Numerous studies in different regions have shown that local bull trout populations in close geographic proximity are typically very genetically different and evidence for dispersal among neighboring tributary populations is weak. In addition to genetic diversity, maintenance of life history diversity may increase resilience of bull trout populations. The larger migratory forms have been linked to high reproductive potential and increased population persistence in unstable environments as the distribution of adults across multiple habitats may buffer them against stochastic events. Ensuring the persistence of both genetic and life history diversity are important conservation priorities. I evaluated the genetic population structure of bull trout in the East Fork Bitterroot River, Montana and identified which tributaries produced the majority of fluvial fish using genetic assignment. My data showed that populations in tributaries are genetically distinct from each other and fish in the main stem East Fork; however, dispersal of individuals among populations was apparent suggesting a metapopulation structure. My results indicate that the scale of management for bull trout in the East Fork is the basin and that migratory fish may be important for maintaining gene flow among small populations and genetic variation within them. Given the importance of migratory fish, I examined how well we are tracking migratory bull trout populations and threats to their existence. The evaluation of the current monitoring protocol revealed that redd count surveys are not useful. Even though mark-recapture surveys are common, there are few locations where population estimates are obtained. Improving the protocols and combining approaches may improve our inference, specifically, conducting redd counts and electrofishing population estimates in areas identified as supporting migratory fish. In general, threats such as roads, grazing allotments, and wildfire have been well tracked, although future threats to river habitat conditions (e.g., temperature and degradation) and invasions of brown trout are yet to be fully evaluated

Carbonation of brine impacted fractionated coal fly ash: Implications for CO2 sequestration

Coal combustion by-products such as fly ash (FA), brine and CO2 from coal fired power plants have the potential to impact negatively on the environment. FA and brine can contaminate the soil, surface and ground water through leaching of toxic elements present in their matrices while CO2 has been identified as a green house gas that contributes significantly towards the global warming effect. Reaction of CO2 with FA/brine slurry can potentially provide a viable route for CO2 sequestration via formation of mineral carbonates. Fractionated FA has varying amounts of CaO which not only increases the brine pH but can also be converted into an environmentally benign calcite. Carbonation efficiency of fractionated and brine impacted FA was investigated in this study. Controlled carbonation reactions were carried out in a reactor set-up to evaluate the effect of fractionation on the carbonation efficiency of FA. Chemical and mineralogical characteristics of fresh and carbonated ash were evaluated using XRF, SEM, and XRD. Brine effluents were characterized using ICP-MS and IC. A factorial experimental approach was employed in testing the variables. The 20–150 μm size fraction was observed to have the highest CO2 sequestration potential of 71.84 kg of CO2 per ton of FA while the >150 μm particles had the lowest potential of 36.47 kg of CO2 per ton of FA. Carbonation using brine resulted in higher degree of calcite formation compared to the ultra-pure water carbonated residues.Web of Scienc

The Ursinus Weekly, November 10, 1930

Bears drop close game to Muhlenberg 14-13 for season\u27s second loss • Debating league holds annual meeting here • Dr. Gruskin speaker at Biology Club meeting • Ursinus places in meet at Gettysburg • Blythe and Maxwell to address joint Y meeting • M. de Lannux addresses students on disarmament • Sorority news • Wrestling team candidates out for practice • Hunsinger speaks at YMCA pep smoker • New award announced for excellence in French • English Club meets • YWCA holds annual candle light service • Chem-Bi group meeting • Victory dance celebrates Gettysburg\u27s downfall • Red Cross program meets need of popular athleticshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2099/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, January 12, 1931

Jack McAvoy elected head football coach • Cyrus H. K. Curtis makes $100,000 gift to college • Grizzly courtmen win two games, lose five • Shakespearean actors to give Macbeth here • George Leh\u27s band to play return engagement • Christmas banquet climax to activities • Athalie to be given by large mixed chorus • Outlook promising for girls\u27 basketball team • Girls\u27 hockey team holds annual banquet • Wrestlers win match from Germantown Y • English Club meeting • Massey succeeds Covert • College girls enjoy Mrs. Omwake\u27s party • Sorority notes • Annual Xmas service proves a success • Christmas Communion service very impressive • Grizzly matmen to meet Lafayettehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2105/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, March 2, 1931

Girls\u27 basketball team wins two more contests • Tryouts held tonight for Curtain Club play • Ursinus wrestlers defeat Gettysburg • Mr. Paisley to address Alumni Association • Grizzly passers bow to Temple courtmen, 53-24 • Allentown preppers down freshmen 33-22 • F. & M. grapplers shut out grizzlies • Rho Delta Rho leads interfraternity league • Wrestlers to meet Haverford, Friday • Young to go south • Frosh girls elect Blew • Shreiner leads vespers • Pageantry contest rules • Inter-sorority news • Women debaters break even with Cedar Crest • Reverend Kennedy speaker for week of prayer • Men\u27s Debating Club at Lion\u27s Club meeting • Student critic class recital • Philosophy Club meetshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2110/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, June 2, 1930

Commencement week-end plans now complete • Track season holds post season banquet • Tennis team closes successful season • New and old councils hold annual banquet • Professor Stock, Miss Funk to study in Europe • Six men to compete in oratorical contest • New York alumni to lunch monthly • Committee appointed to complete dorm fund • Stabat mater to be oratorio presentation • Miss Errett guest of women\u27s Varsity Club • Alpha Chi Lambda elections • Ball-players wanted! • Sorority council elects • Commencement rules • Senior banquet tonight • International Relations Club holds elections • Women\u27s tennis team has successful season • Senior women honor guests at dean\u27s tea • Final debating meeting • Dr. McClure Y speaker • Glenwood Association holds annual reunion • Public speaking class enjoys novel exam • Responsibility is final vesper topic • English Club reviews works of William J. Lockehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2154/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, September 29, 1930

Final arrangements made for old timers\u27 return • Bears bow to Lehigh 12-0 in grid opener • Student councils to sponsor old timers\u27 hop • Voice pupils successful in Atwater Kent contests • Council asks cooperation of student body • Booster committees have comprehensive program • Hockey season opens Old Timers\u27 Day • Coaching staff speaks at first pep meeting • Sheeder and Carleton to teach Bible classes • Chapel speaker Thursday • Athletic councilors chosen by classes • Dramatic Club plans reorganization • Frosh-soph tug-of-war • Foreign Relations Club meets • Cross-country team trains under new coach • YWCA sing • Freshman football • History of woman\u27s building campaign • Many places of historic note near Collegevillehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/2093/thumbnail.jp