Digital Commons Network^™

Legacy Rule Insights And Challenges, Arica Ditullio, Leigh Rounce

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Legacy Rule Insights and Challenges Authors Mrs. Arica DiTullio - United States - GAI Consultants, Inc. Ms. Leigh Rounce - United States - GAI Consultants, Inc. Abstract This presentation will provide a summary of the proposed Legacy Impoundment Rule, which includes regulations for inactive impoundments and inactive landfill at inactive facilities. The discussion will include a review of the timeline for the Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Rule and prudent definitions of terminology, such as Facility, Inactive Facility, Inactive Impoundment, Legacy Impoundment, Inactive Landfill, CCR Unit and CCR Management Unit. Summary and examples of Legacy CCR Surface Impoundment Applicability Documentation will …

Paper_Wicking Wells, A New Novel Method To Remediate Dissolved Solids In Groundwater, Shane Mcdonald

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

A newly patented method for removing total dissolved solids (TDS) from groundwater has been developed at HDR. This method, called ‘wicking wells’, uses capillary media positioned to be just touching the water table in a purpose-designed well. The well taps the most contaminated groundwater, focusing on the highest TDS. The capillary media wicks the water to above the water table where heated dry air is passed across the media to evaporate the water. The newly-moistened air is exhausted to the atmosphere and any dissolved solids will precipitate and be captured on the capillary media. In this way, the most onerous …

Kentucky Utilities Ghent Atb 2 Ccr Pond Closure, Steven Turner, Jeffrey Heun

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The Closure and Capping of Ash Treatment Basin 2 at Kentucky Utilities Ghent Generating Station Authors Mr. Steven Turner - United States - Tetra Tech, Inc. Mr. Jeffrey Heun - United States - Louisville Gas and Electric/Kentucky Utilities Abstract Ash Treatment Basin 2 (ATB2) is a 150-acre coal ash pond located in Ghent, Kentucky. It served as a depository for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) resulting from electrical generation activities at the Kentucky Utilities Ghent Generating Station. Closure activities began in 2017, liner installation finished in 2023, and overall site work ended in 2024. Closure activities began with the installation of …

Implementing The Final Ccr Legacy Rule, Robert Glazier, Martha Thomsen, John Seymour, Victor Modeer

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Implementing the Final CCR Legacy Rule Authors Mr. Robert Glazier - United States - Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. Mrs. Martha Thomsen - United States - Baker Botts LLP Mr. John Seymour - United States - Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. Mr. Victor Modeer - United States - Vistra Abstract Inactive surface impoundments at inactive power stations (legacy units) were exempt from the 2015 Federal Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule. In August 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. District vacated and remanded that exemption back to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). On October 14, 2020, USEPA published an Advance Notice …

Impoundment Closure Using Discrete In-Situ Solidification Site Update, Tim Silar, John Magee

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Impoundment Closure Using Discrete In-situ Solidification – Site Update Authors Mr. Tim Silar - United States - Silar Services Mr. John Magee - United States - Silar Services Abstract In accordance with USEPA guidance, the protection of groundwater and/or surface water is driving CCP impoundment closures. This presentation will describe an impoundment closure where discrete in-situ solidification is being implemented to achieve USEPA’s requirement of controlling the vertical and horizontal movement of groundwater. The technology, which has gained regulatory approval, will hydraulically isolate the ash from the groundwater by constructing a hydraulic barrier at the bottom of the impoundment using …

Paper_Coal Combustion Residuals – Productive, Reliable, And Sustainable Approaches To Remediation, Dave Donahue, Faizan Chowdhury, Max Swoboda

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Coal combustion residuals (CCRs) are the second-largest waste material in the U.S., behind household garbage. As such, it is vital that CCRs are correctly managed to prevent environmental damage and safeguard human and animal health. With almost 5 billion tons of coal ash stored by utilities at more than 1,000 sites across the U.S. – whether in ponds as a wet slurry or in landfills as dry powder – preventing leaks into waterways or the air is an industry priority. Every day, Xylem’s experts help power plant operators safely manage CCRs by combining decades of on-the-ground expertise with cutting-edge technology …

Best Practices In Implementing, Mark Rokoff

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

CASE STUDY: BEST PRACTICES IN IMPLEMENTING THE FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (PER THE LEGACY CCR SI RULE) Authors Mr. Mark Rokoff - United States - Burns & McDonnell Abstract Corresponding to the proposed Legacy CCR Surface Impoundment Rules (Legacy Rule) published on May 18, 2023, Owner/Operators must initiate the efforts for compliance by first understanding the areas where CCR has accumulated within a plant’s facility outside of a regulated CCR unit. More specifically, one of the first, new tasks to comply with the proposed rule is to develop a Facility Evaluation Report (FER) in which the presence/absence of a CCR management …

Back To Basics, Paul Schmall

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

CCR Dewatering – Back to the Basics Authors Dr. Paul Schmall - United States - Keller Abstract The increase in CCR pond closure activity spurred by the EPA’s 2015 rule publication has created a tremendous opportunity to innovate with respect to traditional methods of safely working around and on saturated CCR material. The volume of work and the speed at which it must be completed requires that the industry adapt in order to meet regulatory timelines. One technique that has been successfully implemented is the use of conventional construction dewatering technology to stabilize CCR by reducing and controlling pore pressures. …

The Legacy Ash Rule- ​ Can Beneficial Reuse Be A Solution, Tom Kierspe

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

THE LEGACY ASH RULE: CAN BENEFICIAL REUSE BE A SOLUTION? Authors Mr. Tom Kierspe - United States - The SEFA Group, LLC Abstract Tom Kierspe, P.E.1 1The SEFA Group, 219 Cedar Road, Lexington, SC 29073 KEYWORDS: Coal Ash Beneficiation, Beneficial Reuse, Encapsulated Reuse, Coal Ash Recycling, Thermal Beneficiation, Pond Reclamation, STAR Process, Stakeholders, CCP Impoundments, Characterization ABSTRACT On May 18, 2023, EPA proposed changes to the CCR regulations for inactive surface impoundments at inactive electric utilities, referred to as “legacy CCR surface impoundments”. With the final rule currently proposed to be issued April 2024, utilities are reevaluating these sites. Much …

Understanding The Challenges To Establishing Suitable Groundwater Monitoring Systems, Wayne Weber, James Feild, Rob Heimbach, Chris Hoglund

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Understanding the Challenges of Establishing Suitable Groundwater Monitoring Systems for Compliance with the Legacy Rule Revisions to CCR Regulations. Authors Mr. Wayne Weber - United States - Burns & McDonnell Dr. James Feild - United States - Burns & McDonnell Mr. Rob Heimbach - United States - Burns & McDonnell Mr. Chris hoglund - United States - Burns & McDonnell Abstract The “Legacy Rule” revisions of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) regulations for surface impoundments and CCR management units at inactive and active plants, as appropriate, includes requirements to establish a groundwater monitoring system consisting of a network of groundwater wells, …

Applying Ccr Lessons Learned To Legacy Rule Implementation, Sarah Holmstrom, Greg Tieman

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Applying CCR Lessons Learned to Legacy Rule Implementation Authors Mrs. Sarah Holmstrom - United States - TRC Mr. Greg Tieman - United States - TRC Abstract Since the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule first went into effect in 2015, compliance monitoring programs, closure plans and remedy selection strategies have been established and implemented to expeditiously comply with the self-implementing rule on a site-by-site basis. Over that timeframe, USEPA has released numerous decisions and opinions (e.g., Part A, Part B) regarding the achievement and demonstration of compliance with the CCR Rule, including but not limited to comments regarding adequacy of detection …

Dewatering Optimization Strategies In Support Of Closure By Removal (Cbr) To Accelerate Groundwater Cleanup At Coal Combustion Residual Sites (Ccr) With Case Study, Sean Larkin, Jacob Chu

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Dewatering Optimization Strategies in Support of Closure by Removal (CBR) to Accelerate Groundwater Cleanup at CCR Sites with Case Study Authors Mr. Sean Larkin - United States - Haley & Aldrich Inc. Dr. Jacob Chu - United States - Haley & Aldrich Inc. Abstract This presentation is focused on coal combustion residual (CCR) sites in corrective action that are performing closure-by-removal (CBR) in support of an overall groundwater remedy. CBR is often coupled with a variety of groundwater treatment options, including (but not limited to), monitored natural attenuation and/or contingent active or passive treatment of areas within the plume where …

Navigating Challenges Presented By State Ccr Regulations, Brian Hennings, Eric Tlachac, Victor Modeer

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Navigating Challenges Presented by State CCR Regulations Authors Mr. Brian Hennings - United States - Ramboll Mr. Eric Tlachac - United States - Ramboll Mr. Victor Modeer - United States - Luminant Abstract State regulation of coal combustion residuals (CCRs) continues to evolve following the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) 2015 final rule, Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities (CCR Rule). The 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act amended Section 4005 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to provide a framework for the establishment of state CCR permit programs with review and …

Chemically Induced Cone Degeneration In The 13-Lined Ground Squirrel, Hannah M. Follett, Emma Warr, Jenna Grieshop, Ching Tzu Yu, Mina Gaffney, Owen R. Bowie, Jong Won Lee, Sergey Tarima, Dana K. Merriman, Joseph Carroll

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Animal models of retinal degeneration are critical for understanding disease and testing potential therapies. Inducing degeneration commonly involves the administration of chemicals that kill photoreceptors by disrupting metabolic pathways, signaling pathways, or protein synthesis. While chemically induced degeneration has been demonstrated in a variety of animals (mice, rats, rabbits, felines, 13-lined ground squirrels (13-LGS), pigs, chicks), few studies have used noninvasive high-resolution retinal imaging to monitor the in vivo cellular effects. Here, we used longitudinal scanning light ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography, and adaptive optics SLO imaging in the euthermic, cone-dominant 13-LGS (46 animals, 52 eyes) to examine retinal structure …

A Mind-Body Intervention To Improve Physical Activity For Patients With Chronic Hip-Related Pain: Protocol For A Mixed Methods Study., Kate N Jochimsen, Kristin R Archer, Robin A Pollini, Robert A Parker, Nomin Enkhtsetseg, Cale A Jacobs, Ana Maria Vranceanu

Psychiatry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Pain and dysfunction persist for most patients following hip-related pain treatment. Additionally, individuals with hip-related pain are typically less physically active than individuals without hip pain, despite evidence that regular physical activity reduces chronic musculoskeletal pain. Poor psychological health is common in patients with hip-related pain and further reinforces low physical activity. Mind-body interventions can improve psychological health and activity levels but have yet to be integrated to provide comprehensive, psychologically informed care for patients with hip-related pain. Thus, we are using the NCCIH intervention development framework to develop Helping Improve PSychological Health (HIPS), a novel, multimodal mind-body intervention …

Predicting The Pathway Involvement Of Metabolites Based On Combined Metabolite And Pathway Features, Erik D. Huckvale, Hunter N. B. Moseley

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

A major limitation of most metabolomics datasets is the sparsity of pathway annotations for detected metabolites. It is common for less than half of the identified metabolites in these datasets to have a known metabolic pathway involvement. Trying to address this limitation, machine learning models have been developed to predict the association of a metabolite with a “pathway category”, as defined by a metabolic knowledge base like KEGG. Past models were implemented as a single binary classifier specific to a single pathway category, requiring a set of binary classifiers for generating the predictions for multiple pathway categories. This past approach …

Using Description To Unify School Of Music Recordings And Programs, Treshani Perera, Ruth E. Bryan

Library Presentations

Acknowledging that existing collection management practices and policies are no longer adequate takes courage. Acting on this takes time and patience. This can be especially true when tradition and inertia maintain a status quo that does not serve the interests of the collections or users. The presenters discuss their approach to unifying University of Kentucky School of Music concert recordings and programs housed in the University Archives and the Fine Arts Library. They will cover collection acquisition and description decisions, including their decision to create an archival collection guide in ArchivesSpace and a collection-level MARC record providing two access pathways …

Optimization, Characterization, And Comparison Of Two Luciferase-Expressing Mouse Glioblastoma Models, Louis Rodgers, Julia A. Schulz Pauly, Bryan J. Maloney, Anika M. S. Hartz, Bjoern Bauer

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain cancer. To model GBM in research, orthotopic brain tumor models, including syngeneic models like GL261 and genetically engineered mouse models like TRP, are used. In longitudinal studies, tumor growth and the treatment response are typically tracked with in vivo imaging, including bioluminescence imaging (BLI), which is quick, cost-effective, and easily quantifiable. However, BLI requires luciferase-tagged cells, and recent studies indicate that the luciferase gene can elicit an immune response, leading to tumor rejection and experimental variation. We sought to optimize the engraftment of two luciferase-expressing GBM models, GL261 Red-FLuc and TRP-mCherry-FLuc, showing differences …

Balancing Environmental Clearances With Construction Work Zone Needs, Chris Van Dyke, Steve Waddle, Ying Li

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

On small, single-span bridge projects (< 100 feet), the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) during project development works to establish an environmentally clear area (ECA) large enough to accommodate contractor operations. An adequately sized ECA gives contractors sufficient room to have materials delivered, park vehicles, store materials, and maneuver equipment around the project site (e.g., cranes, drill rig). If a contractor finds an ECA is too small to support their operations, they are responsible for obtaining additional environmental clearances. Clearing additional areas following the project award can slow down project delivery. To reduce the likelihood of contractors needing to enlarge an ECA, this report includes four documents KYTC can implement immediately to streamline and clarify the environmental clearances process. They include a checklist that project managers can use to coordinate the work of project team members and verify environmental clearances are on track, a combined environmental clearances workflow and best practices document for use by environmental subject-matter experts (SMEs), proposed language that can be inserted into project proposals that describes the environmental clearance process and specifies materials the Cabinet will hand off to contractors showing the location of the ECA, and a one-page explainer for contractors describing the environmental clearances process. Taken together, these deliverables emphasize the importance of early and ongoing coordination among project team members, clearing as much area as practical in and around bridges, and being transparent with contractors about their responsibilities.

Are “10 Grams Of Protein” Better Than “Ten Grams Of Protein”? How Digits Versus Number Words Influence Consumer Judgments, Marisabel Romero, Adam W. Craig, Milica Mormann, Anand Kumar

Marketing & Supply Chain Faculty Publications

Numerical information can be communicated using different number formats, such as digits (“5”) or number words (“five”). For example, a battery product may claim to last for “5 hours” or “five hours.” And while these two formats are used interchangeably in the marketplace, it is not clear how they influence consumer judgments and behavior. Via six experimental studies, two online ad campaigns, and one large secondary dataset analysis, we find that digits, compared to number words, positively affect consumer behavior. We refer to this phenomenon as the number format effect. We further show that the number format effect occurs because …

Quantifying Image Quality In Aoslo Images Of Photoreceptors, Brea D. Brennan, Heather Heitkotter, Joseph Carroll, Sergey Tarima, Robert F. Cooper

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

The use of “quality” to describe the usefulness of an image is ubiquitous but is often subject to domain specific constraints. Despite its continued use as an imaging modality, adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) lacks a dedicated metric for quantifying the quality of an image of photoreceptors. Here, we present an approach to evaluating image quality that extracts an estimate of the signal to noise ratio. We evaluated its performance in 528 images of photoreceptors from two AOSLOs, two modalities, and healthy or diseased retinas. The algorithm was compared to expert graders’ ratings of the images and previously published …

A Mechanical Model For Stress Relaxation Of Polylactic Acid/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends, Yi-Sheng Jhao, Hao Ouyang, Chien-Chao Huang, Fuqian Yang, Sanboh Lee

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Polylactic acid (PLA) is considered a promising biodegradable polymer alternative. Due to its high brittleness, composite materials made by melt blending thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with PLA can enhance the toughness of PLA. To understand the forced aging caused by stress relaxation in polymer materials, this study explains the stress relaxation experiments of PLA/TPU blends with different mass ratios under applied strain through mechanical model simulations. The Kelvin representation of the standard linear solid model (SLSM) is used to analyze the stress relaxation data of TPU/PLA blends, successfully explaining that the Young’s moduli (E1 and E2) of springs decrease with increasing …

Identification Of Rnai-Related Genes And Transcriptome Assembly Of Loblolly Pine (Pinus Taeda, L.) Seedlings Exposed To Insect-Specific Dsrna, Zachary Bragg, Lynne K. Rieske

Entomology Faculty Publications

Considerable research has focused on gene silencing in tree-feeding insects, but how trees recognize and process double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) engineered to target plant pests is unknown. We performed transcriptomic assembly, preliminary differential expression analysis, and in silico annotation on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda, L.) seedlings exposed to southern pine beetle-specific dsRNA. This pilot study sought to elucidate the baseline response of seedlings challenged with insect-specific dsRNA. Treated and untreated seedlings were sequenced and following transcriptome assembly 20 RNAi-related proteins (RRPs) were annotated. Differential gene expression analysis conducted using DESeq2 followed by pathway enrichment revealed 7131 differentially expressed transcripts, of which …

Conscientious Objection: Understanding When And Why Primary Care Physicians Object To Providing Health Care To Transgender And Gender-Diverse Patients In An Appalachian Medical Center, Mili S. Patel, Kelley A. Jones, Laura Davisson, Elizabeth Miller, Nicole Kahn, Pamela J. Murray, Kacie M. Kidd

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals face barriers to accessing primary and gender-affirming care, especially in rural regions where a national shortage of medical providers with skills in caring for TGD people is further magnified. This care may also be impacted by individual providers’ strongly held personal or faith beliefs and associated conscientious objection to care.

Purpose: This study assesses the prevalence of conscientious objection to providing care and gender-affirming hormone (GAH) therapy to TGD individuals among physicians in an Appalachian academic medical center.

Methods: An anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey of physicians was distributed to resident and faculty physicians in …

Decistifying Trans And Gender Diverse Inclusion In Library Work: A Literature Review, Stephen G. Krueger, Keahi Adolpho

Library Faculty and Staff Publications

This comprehensive review illuminates the current state of scholarly literature on trans and gender diverse inclusion in libraries, with the intention to provide a foundation and identify gaps for further research. Covering 50 works published between 2002 and 2023 in the areas of general inclusion, public libraries, academic libraries, experiences of library workers, archives, information behavior, and cataloging, we found that, with the exception of works on archives and cataloging, little scholarly literature goes beyond introductory talking points on basic information about trans and gender diverse people. We conclude with a call for much more in-depth research on this essential …

Will Our Future Selves Thank Us? An Examination Of Born-Digital Curation Practices At The University Of Kentucky Libraries, Megan M. Mummey, Andrew Mcdonnell, Emily B. Collier, Sarah Dorpinghaus, Ruth E. Bryan

Library Presentations

Cultural heritage resources are increasingly being produced and distributed digitally yet the world of physical materials has not declined. Can you realign current resources to meet future collection needs while at the same time continuing with existing collection needs? Analog-based archival theory and practice is still relevant, but born-digital formats make acquisition, appraisal, resource allocation, collection management, and external relationships much more challenging. These challenges range from monetary and environmental costs to resource allocation to social media technology woes to campus-wide IT relationships.

In this presentation, University of Kentucky archivists share practical tips, tools, and mental frameworks to identify gaps, …

The Influence Of Intensity Of Tree Thinning On The Redistribution Of Soil Water In Southern African Mopani Veld, G N. Smit, N F.G. Rethman, A Moore, A Le Roux, J S. Swart

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The investigation was conducted on a densely wooded area in the Mopani veld of South Africa. Six plots were subjected to different intensities of tree thinning, ranging from a totally cleared plot (0 %) to plots thinned to the equivalent of 10%, 20%, 35%, 50% and 75% of the leaf biomass of a control plot (100%). Soil water measurements were taken at six different depths to a depth of 825 mm. The infiltration of rain water and redistribution within the soil profile exhibited marked differences between experimental plots. The soil water was predominantly held at a very shallow depth ( …

The Analysis Of Dynamic Interaction In Legume Binary Mixture Under Controlled Conditions Of Irrigation And Clipping, M S. Vrahnakis, B Noitsakis, Z Koukoura

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to analyse the type of interference that occurred between the annual legume species, purple clover (Trifolium purpureum L.) and narrow leaved crimson clover (Trifolium angustifolium Loisel. ), growing in mixed conditions under two different watering regimes and two different clipping treatments. A replacement series experiment was conducted in pots placed in the field. The above ground biomass (gr/plant) were measured. The recently proposed Inverse Linear Model was implied in order to analyse the competitive interaction between the above species. The results suggest that Tr. purpureum was the superior competitor to Tr. angustifolium …

Increased Perceived Confidence In Professional Role Skills Among Undergraduate Dietetic Students Following Simulation-Based Learning Experiences, Makenzie Barr-Porter, Elizabeth Combs, Lauren Batey, Dawn Brewer, Aaron Kyle Schwartz, Tammy Stephenson

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Simulation-based learning experiences (SBLEs) are effective for teaching healthcare students clinical and communication skills. The current study assessed self-perceived clinical and communication confidence among dietetics students completing a series of four SBLEs (3 group, 1 individual) across nine months. Dietetics students were recruited in February 2023 prior to their first SBLE. Simultaneously through the academic year, students completed clinical and communication courses. Students were invited to complete an online, anonymous self-reported survey regarding confidence with nutrition care and communication prior to their first SBLE (Time 1), prior to their third SBLE (Time 2), and following their final SBLE (Time 3). …

Neurotensin Modulates Ovarian Vascular Permeability Via Adherens Junctions, Andrew Pearson, Ketan Shrestha, Thomas E. Curry, Diane M. Duffy

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Neurotensin (NTS) is a 13-amino acid peptide which is highly expressed in the mammalian ovary in response to the luteinizing hormone surge. Antibody neutralization of NTS in the ovulatory follicle of the cynomolgus macaque impairs ovulation and induces follicular vascular dysregulation, with excessive pooling of red blood cells in the follicle antrum. We hypothesize that NTS is an essential intrafollicular regulator of vascular permeability. In the present study, follicle injection of the NTS receptor antagonist SR142948 also resulted in vascular dysregulation. To measure vascular permeability changes in vitro, primary macaque ovarian microvascular endothelial cells (mOMECs) were enriched from follicle aspirates …