Early financial history of Missouri

M.A. University of Missouri 1904"Submitted to the Department of Economics in partial fulfillment [sic] of the requirments [sic] for the degree of master of arts in the University of Missouri. 1904."Typescript.The financial history of Missouri properly begins with the history of the territory of which Missouri was, in the earliest time, a part. That territory, however, the field of attempted French colonization and of Spanish dominion, affords matter rather for an interesting chapter of French or Spanish financial history than for a financial history of Missouri. It may almost be said that only geographical reasons justify including in this paper a chapter on the Spanish period. Certain it is that there is no continuous development, and we shall see that there is little influence to be traced from the former period to the development under the jurisdiction of the United States. But on account of what little there may be I shall notice briefly the period of Spanish domination. I pass over with slight notice the French period because there was not even the geographical reason for its consideration, there having been no settlement in the territory that is now Missouri until after the transfer of the country to Spain. Only so far as the French period affected Spanish policy will be noticed

Empirical observations and numerical modelling of tides, channel morphology, and vegetative effects on accretion in a restored tidal marsh

Tidal marshes form at the confluence between estuarine and marine environments where tidal movement regulates their developmental processes. Here, we investigate how the interplay between tides, channel morphology, and vegetation affect sediment dynamics in a low energy tidal marsh at the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island. Poplar Island is an active restoration site where fine‐grained material dredged from navigation channels in the upper Chesapeake Bay are being used to restore remote tidal marsh habitat toward the middle bay (Maryland, USA). Tidal currents were measured over multiple tidal cycles in the inlets and tidal creeks of one marsh at Poplar Island, Cell 1B, using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) to estimate water fluxes throughout the marsh complex. Sediment fluxes were estimated using acoustic backscatter recorded by ADCPs and validated against total suspended solid measurements taken on site. A high‐resolution geomorphic survey was conducted to capture channel cross sections and tidal marsh morphology. We integrated simple numerical models built in Delft3d with empirical observations to identify which eco‐geomorphological factors influence sediment distribution in various channel configurations with differing vegetative characteristics. Channel morphology influences flood‐ebb dominance in marshes, where deep, narrow channels promote high tidal velocities and incision, increasing sediment suspension and reducing resilience in marshes at Poplar Island. Our numerical models suggest that accurately modelling plant phenology is vital for estimating sediment accretion rates. In‐situ observations indicate that Poplar Island marshes are experiencing erosion typical for many Chesapeake Bay islands. Peak periods of sediment suspension frequently coincide with the largest outflows of water during ebb tides resulting in large sediment deficits. Ebb dominance (net sediment export) in tidal marshes is likely amplified by sea‐level rise and may lower marsh resilience. We couple field observations with numerical models to understand how tidal marsh morphodynamics contribute to marsh resilience

Nonlinear computations in spiking neural networks through multiplicative synapses

The brain efficiently performs nonlinear computations through its intricate networks of spiking neurons, but how this is done remains elusive. While nonlinear computations can be implemented successfully in spiking neural networks, this requires supervised training and the resulting connectivity can be hard to interpret. In contrast, the required connectivity for any computation in the form of a linear dynamical system can be directly derived and understood with the spike coding network (SCN) framework. These networks also have biologically realistic activity patterns and are highly robust to cell death. Here we extend the SCN framework to directly implement any polynomial dynamical system, without the need for training. This results in networks requiring a mix of synapse types (fast, slow, and multiplicative), which we term multiplicative spike coding networks (mSCNs). Using mSCNs, we demonstrate how to directly derive the required connectivity for several nonlinear dynamical systems. We also show how to carry out higher-order polynomials with coupled networks that use only pair-wise multiplicative synapses, and provide expected numbers of connections for each synapse type. Overall, our work demonstrates a novel method for implementing nonlinear computations in spiking neural networks, while keeping the attractive features of standard SCNs (robustness, realistic activity patterns, and interpretable connectivity). Finally, we discuss the biological plausibility of our approach, and how the high accuracy and robustness of the approach may be of interest for neuromorphic computing.Comment: This article has been peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Neuroscienc

Nonlinear computations in spiking neural networks through multiplicative synapses

The brain efficiently performs nonlinear computations through its intricate networks of spiking neurons, but how this is done remains elusive. While nonlinear computations can be implemented successfully in spiking neural networks, this requires supervised training and the resulting connectivity can be hard to interpret. In contrast, the required connectivity for any computation in the form of a linear dynamical system can be directly derived and understood with the spike coding network (SCN) framework. These networks also have biologically realistic activity patterns and are highly robust to cell death. Here we extend the SCN framework to directly implement any polynomial dynamical system, without the need for training. This results in networks requiring a mix of synapse types (fast, slow, and multiplicative), which we term multiplicative spike coding networks (mSCNs). Using mSCNs, we demonstrate how to directly derive the required connectivity for several nonlinear dynamical systems. We also show how to carry out higher-order polynomials with coupled networks that use only pair-wise multiplicative synapses, and provide expected numbers of connections for each synapse type. Overall, our work demonstrates a novel method for implementing nonlinear computations in spiking neural networks, while keeping the attractive features of standard SCNs (robustness, realistic activity patterns, and interpretable connectivity). Finally, we discuss the biological plausibility of our approach, and how the high accuracy and robustness of the approach may be of interest for neuromorphic computing

Alongshore sediment bypassing as a control on river mouth morphodynamics

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2016. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 121 (2016): 664–683, doi:10.1002/2015JF003780.River mouths, shoreline locations where fluvial and coastal sediments are partitioned via erosion, trapping, and redistribution, are responsible for the ultimate sedimentary architecture of deltas and, because of their dynamic nature, also pose great management and engineering challenges. To investigate the interaction between fluvial and littoral processes at wave-dominated river mouths, we modeled their morphologic evolution using the coupled hydrodynamic and morphodynamic model Delft3D-SWAN. Model experiments replicate alongshore migration of river mouths, river mouth spit development, and eventual spit breaching, suggesting that these are emergent phenomena that can develop even under constant fluvial and wave conditions. Furthermore, we find that sediment bypassing of a river mouth develops though feedbacks between waves and river mouth morphology, resulting in either continuous bypassing pathways or episodic bar bypassing pathways. Model results demonstrate that waves refracting into the river mouth bar create a zone of low alongshore sediment transport updrift of the river mouth, which reduces sediment bypassing. Sediment bypassing, in turn, controls the river mouth migration rate and the size of the river mouth spit. As a result, an intermediate amount of river discharge maximizes river mouth migration. The fraction of alongshore sediment bypassing can be predicted from the balance between the jet and the wave momentum flux. Quantitative comparisons show a match between our modeled predictions of river mouth bypassing and migration rates observed in natural settings.NSF Grant Number: EAR-09521462016-10-2

Buried Alive or Washed Away The Challenging Life of Mangroves in the Mekong Delta

Mangroves colonize tropical shorelines, protecting coastal communities and providing valuable ecosystem services. Mangroves associated with deltas cope with a very dynamic environment characterized by strong gradients in salinity, deposition triggered by sediment inputs, and erosion caused by waves and currents. Mangroves are adapted to this ever-changing landscape, with different species colonizing different elevations in response to inundation frequency. A series of feedbacks between hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and mangroves was observed in a fringe forest of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Sonneratia spp. rapidly encroach upon sandy areas because the stable substrate favors seedling establishment. In contrast, fewer seedlings are present in muddy locations where currents and waves frequently rework the bottom. Along muddy shorelines that are eroding, turbulence increases local scour near roots and trunks, undercutting the trees. Enhanced sediment accumulation due to delta progradation can smother the mangrove roots and lead to forest dieback. We find clear evidence that mangroves affect both hydrodynamics and sediment transport, thus engineering the landscape and enhancing sediment trapping and delta progradation. Sonneratia spp. are replaced by Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, and Nypa fruticans when the seabed becomes high enough, indicating that ecological succession is present in a fast prograding deltaic environment. Thus, it is imperative to determine the small-scale feedbacks between mangroves, hydrodynamics, and sediment transport in order to build quantitative ecogeomorphic models of deltaic sedimentation that can be used to explain the distribution of mangrove species, the forest structure, and large-scale dynamics in a tropical deltaic setting

Dynamics of River Mouth Deposits

Bars and subaqueous levees often form at river mouths due to high sediment availability. Once these deposits emerge and develop into islands, they become important elements of the coastal landscape, hosting rich ecosystems. Sea level rise and sediment starvation are jeopardizing these landforms, motivating a thorough analysis of the mechanisms responsible for their formation and evolution. Here we present recent studies on the dynamics of mouth bars and subaqueous levees. The review encompasses both hydrodynamic and morphological results. We first analyze the hydrodynamics of the water jet exiting a river mouth. We then show how this dynamics coupled to sediment transport leads to the formation of mouth bars and levees. Specifically, we discuss the role of sediment eddy diffusivity and potential vorticity on sediment redistribution and related deposits. The effect of waves, tides, sediment characteristics, and vegetation on river mouth deposits is included in our analysis, thus accounting for the inherent complexity of the coastal environment where these landforms are common. Based on the results presented herein, we discuss in detail how river mouth deposits can be used to build new land or restore deltaic shorelines threatened by erosion

Experimental and computational study of the vertial shear behaviour of partially encased perforated steel beams

A comprehensive study has been undertaken by the authors to conduct advanced analysis and enable design tools for innovative Ultra Shallow Floor Beams (USFB) in buildings. In the USFB, the concrete slab lies within the steel flanges and is connected to the slab through the web opening, providing enhanced longitudinal and vertical shear resistance. There are additional benefits in providing increased fire and buckling resistance to the steel beam. In this study four specimens of symmetric steel-concrete composite beams with large circular web openings in the steel section and low concrete grade were tested under static monotonic loading. One of the specimens was from a lower quality of concrete and was tested in order to further investigate the failure mechanism and the actual behaviour of the concrete confinement. The load carrying capacity of the perforated bare steel beam is also presented for direct comparison. For the computational approach to the problem, a three-dimensional (3D) Finite Element (FE) model was created, employing solid elements with material, geometrical and interfacial non-linearity. Two-dimensional (2D) FE contact models using shell elements were established to examine the steel-concrete interface condition. The results show that the FE models are able to satisfactorily predict the load carrying capacities and the crack patterns of these new composite beams against the Vierendeel failure mechanism. A sensitivity study of material models and contact strengths using various constitutive models from the literature and the dominant parameters which affect the structural behaviour of the USFBs, are presented and discussed. Furthermore, the FE models provide detailed information on the structural behaviour of the confined concrete between the flanges and the section of concrete that passes through the web openings, as this is of paramount importance for the load carrying capacity and the failure mode of the USFBs. The comparison between the experimental and computational results leads to useful conclusions. The results for the composite beams show a significant increase in vertical shear resistance, even though mechanical shear connectors were not used. A previous design method is presented and modified to be able to be used for the load carrying capacity prediction of this new composite structural system. The results compare very well and the shear enhancement demonstrated in this study is now used in design practice