bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Farm Biosecurity at backyard poultry of Bangladesh and its role in spread of HPAI
Authors: Asaduzzanab Muhammad
Published: October 2019

Objective: We have conducted this study to characterise the movement and contact patterns of poultry in Bangladesh that could be associated with transmission of newly-introduced subtypes of avian influenza virus in two districts of Bangladesh as well as to summarise the patterns arising from the network analysis in a way that can inform the parameterisation of spatially explicit stochastic models of transmission of newly-introduced subtypes of avian influenza virus in the two types of areas.Introduction: Bangladesh is a South Asian country with large human and poultry populations which is highly affected with frequent outbreaks of both high and low pathogenic avian influenza since 2007. Very few studies have been carried out to reveal the farm biosecurity at backyard poultry that might have contributed to the spread of avian influenza in Bangladesh, specially rural areas. Therefore, we aimed to characterize biosecurity practices of poultry farm including the movement of live birds which is a well-known risk factor for the geographic dissemination of the virus among poultry flocks and personnel hygiene of poultry workers for rapid detection and effective risk management of incursion of HPAI and LPAI viruses.Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out using pretested questionnaire in backyard Poultry holdings of Kalkini Upazila of Madaripur district in Dhaka division which has a relatively low proportion of commercial poultry farms and high proportion of backyard poultry holdings.1-mode and 2-mode social network analysis was also carried out to show the farm to farm movements. From each primarily selected farm, details of the last 2 movements of live poultry along with source/destination details was collected with pre-tested questionnaire. Later, data was stored in Epi-Info, analysed with STATA 14 and UCINET. 315 backyard HH from 2 villages of Kalkini Upazila, Madaripur District were randomly selected.Results: The study revealed that majority backyard farm owners do not maintain the standard biosecurity measures whereas a significant amount of the study included farms rear multiple poultry species. No poultry workers found to use any personal protective equipments (PPEs) while cleaning the litter/mats (Figure 2). The farms with multiple poultry species feed them in same container and keep them in same shed which is a major risk factor for disease transmission.Movement patterns differed in a number of aspects (Table 1) and this information is useful for the establishment of the movement parameter settings in a simulation model of avian influenza incursion.Conclusions: The findings on farm biosecurity practices and movement pattern from this study will support to develop risk-based surveillance and contingency policies as well as to minimize the spread between poultry units and also from poultry to people for novel AI viruses in Bangladesh.
Epizootologic Potential of Certain Natural Foci Infections in Northeastern Armenia
Authors: Manucharyan Arsen
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to analyze the epizootic potential of four areas of Tavush Marz.IntroductionTavush Marz, in northeastern Armenia, occupies 9,1% of its territory. In recent years in this area either no surveys were conducted or they were incomplete. Tavush Marz is a tourism center as well as a border Marz with strategic importance. The presence of tularemia was first confirmed in 1949 in Noyemberyan. Natural foci of tularemia are located in forest zones where Sylvemus uralensis and its flea vectors are the source of infection.MethodsTavush Marz, in northeastern Armenia, occupies 9,1% of its territory. In recent years in this area either no surveys were conducted or they were incomplete. Tavush Marz is a tourism center as well as a border Marz with strategic importance. The presence of tularemia was first confirmed in 1949 in Noyemberyan. Natural foci of tularemia are located in forest zones where Sylvemus uralensis and its flea vectors are the source of infection.ResultsThe first detection of the Aedes albopictus species of Culicoidea subfamily in Armenia was on the border between Noyemberyan and Georgia in 2016; this is a vector of especially dangerous infections and arboviruses. The presence of the mosquito was confirmed in 2017 and it makes up 13.5% of the mosquitoes collected in the northeast. It is capable of transmitting the chikungunya, Dengue, and West Nile viruses. Since the end of 2015, we have recorded a significant increase in carriers and vectors, mainly S. uralensis, Microtus socialis, and ectoparasites specific to them. In October 2016 six cases of infection with tularemia were recorded in the village of Tsakhkavan in Tavush region and in Bagratashen Village of Noyemberyan region in 2017.ConclusionsAnalysis of the density of rodents and vectors, as well as their typical ectoparasites leads us to conclude that there are favorable conditions for the spread of not only tularemia but also other natural foci infections and that a comprehensive and regular epizootological survey is required to control this situation.
Fleas as Vectors of Especially Dangerous Infections in Jermuk Region, 2010-2016
Authors: Markosyan Lusine , Kulakhszyan Vahe
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveThe goal was to determine the impact of flea number variation on the epizootic situation in the Jermuk region.IntroductionThe Jermuk region of the Zangezur mezofocus is part of the transcaucasian highland focus of plague. This enzootic area is polyvectorial. The mezofocus has rich fauna with approximately eight species of fleas: Callopsylla caspia, Ctenophthalmus wladimiri, Frontopsylla elata, Amphipsylla rossica, Leptopsylla taschenbergi, Nosopsyllus consimilis, Palaeopsylla vartanovi, and Doratopsylla dampfi. Ct. wladimiri is the most abundant. However, special attention should be paid to C. caspia and N. consimilis as they are the only vectors specific for Yersinia pestis. In these fleas, the bacteria form a plug that blocks digestion and induces starvation. Afflicted fleas bite frenziedly in an effort to feed and the pressure that results releases bacteria from the plug, infecting a new host. Fleas infected with plague during an epizootic are a serious threat to humans, especially when in contact with synanthropic rodents. A survey was conducted to catalog fleas in the foci.MethodsFrom 2010-2016 different species of fleas were collected in Jermuk region of Vayots Dzor by combing the hair of captured rodents and processing their nests with heat and light. Flea species, and their egg-laying status, were identified by microscopic examination.ResultsFrom 2010-2015 the density of C. caspia averaged 23 per hectare. Fleas that were laying eggs were quantified via microscopy. In 2016 a drastic increase in C. caspia density was recorded; flea numbers averaged 225 per hectare. Half of these were actively reproducing (Table 1). These changes in flea numbers occurred with a stable rodent population of 60 per hectare.ConclusionsBecause of the drastic increase in flea density of 2016 compared to the period of 2010-2015, it is likely that diseases that depend on fleas to spread will increase in the near future in Jermuk. So, it is necessary to monitor the epizootic situation of Jermuk, as it is a popular resort in Armenia.
Qualitative and Quantitative Predictions of Infectious Diseases in Shirak Marz
Authors: Andryan Armine
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to identify the periodicity of seven zooanthroponoses in humans, and set epidemic thresholds for future occurrences.IntroductionThe frequency of disease outbreaks varies as a result of complex biological processes. Analysis of these frequencies can reveal patterns that can serve as a basis for predictions.MethodsA 40 year regression analysis of the following infectious diseases was performed using Arc-GIS10.1—anthrax, brucellosis, erysipeloid, leptospirosis, plague, tularemia and yersiniosis.ResultsThe analyses covered many years and revealed the dynamics of epidemics for infections. Yearly periodicities of (3.1 + 2.8) - (3.8 + 2.2) - 5 - 4.6 - 2.2 - 5.1 - 2.1 - 2.6 were determined for theoretically calculated zooanthroponoses. These coincide with the recorded activity of (6 - 6 - 5 - 5 - 2 - 5 - 3 - 2) that correspond to (1977-1983-1989-1994-1999-2001-2006-2009-2011 (2017-2023-2028). These years had more cases of disease than other years. The predicted years (2017, 2023, 2028) are those of potential risk, when 0.7-0.9% of the total disease burden will consist of epidemiologically associated cases.Disease severity was correlated with natural factors including air temperature, humidity, number of annual heat days, geographical factors, type of landscape, number of carriers, and the contact intensity between disease carrier and transmitter. Partial control indicators (PCIs) were determined to characterize the epidemic situation. These are determined from the perennial average characteristic of the given area from which the mean square deviation is removed. The detection indicator is the normal size of a given disease, with minimal and maximal deviation of the range. It can be compared to the epidemic threshold and helps yield short- and long-term quantitative predictions with high reliability indicators (96.5% p <0.035).ConclusionsA 3-5 year periodicity for zooanthroponoses was identified. Conditions contributing to the occurrence of these epidemics differ by region. In Shirak Marz, the PCIs for the different diseases are: brucellosis-47, anthrax-12, plague-8, tularemia-6, leptospirosis-175, erysipeloid-12, yersiniosis-18. These numbers represent years of positive points as a maximum threshold. The stability index was identified, for instance, for brucellosis S = 1.2, amplitude - 5.2, perennial average - 28.8, orientation month - January, seasonal morbidity ratio - 18-42 cases. Our predictions indicate that 2017 will be a peak year with 95% probability; intensive index: 16.8 (per 100,000 population), seasonal illness cases: 42 ± 3.5 between March and November. The application of numerical thresholds in predictive epidemiological surveillance provide clear triggers that make public health responses more targeted and rational.
Temporal Patterns in Chlamydia Repeat Testing and Positivity Rates in Massachusetts
Authors: Dee Elizabeth C. , Hsu Katherine K. , Kruskal Benjamin A. , Menchaca John T. , Zambarano Bob , Cocoros Noelle , Herrick Brian , Weiss Michelle , Hafer Ellen , Erani Diana , Josephson Mark , Young Jessica , Klompas Michael
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveTo evaluate current rates and temporal trends in adherence with national guidelines recommending chlamydia test-of-cure for pregnant females and test-of-reinfection for all patients.IntroductionSexually transmitted disease treatment guidelines have incrementally added repeat testing recommendations for Chlamydia trachomatis infections over time, including test-of-cure 3 to 4 weeks following completion of treatment for pregnant women and test-of-reinfection for all patients approximately 3 months after infection. However, few studies have investigated adherence to these recommendations and whether the evolution of guidelines have led to changes in repeat testing patterns over time.MethodsThe Electronic medical record Support for Public Health surveillance network (ESPnet) was leveraged to analyze electronic health record data for three independent practice groups serving approximately 20% of the Massachusetts population. We identified all cases with laboratory-confirmed Chlamydia trachomatis infections between 2010 and 2015 and evaluated the frequency, timing, and results of subsequent chlamydia tests in the following year.ResultsBetween 2010 and 2015, 972 pregnant female cases, 10,309 non-pregnant female cases, and 4,973 male cases had a positive C. trachomatis laboratory result. Test-of-cure within 3-5 weeks following an index positive test occurred in 36.8% of pregnant females. Test-of-reinfection within 2-4 months of an index test occurred in 39.2% of pregnant females, 17.9% of non-pregnant females, and 9.0% of males. There were no significant increases in test-of-cure or test-of-reinfection rates over the study period for any groups. Among cases with repeat tests, 15.9% of pregnant females, 14.6% of non-pregnant females, and 16.3% of males had at least one repeat positive result within one year of the index positive result.ConclusionsChlamydia test-of-cure and test-of-reinfection rates are low, with no evidence of improvement over time. There are substantial opportunities to improve adherence to chlamydia repeat testing recommendations.
Why You Should Participate in HHS (Health and Human Services) Regional Epi Groups
Authors: Colettta Michael
Published: October 2019

Objective: Within the BioSense Platform, users have the ability to view HHS Region level data that can provide insight into what may be happening around the country. Epidemiologists can examine this information for changes in trends of subsyndromes or other potential issues of public health concern and compare it to their local data. However, the insight that regional data can provide is limited without better understanding of what is happening in the jurisdictions that make up the region. This round table will discuss the benefits of engaging with other jurisdictions within regions and attempt to define rules of engagement that can be used to facilitate interactions.Introduction: One of the early successes for the National Syndromic Surveillance Program’s (NSSP’s) BioSense Platform was community agreement on what should make up national and regional picture of the data. For NSSP to meet program objectives, National level surveillance and situational awareness had to be made available – not just to CDC, but to the entire community. To make this possible, the community had to agree on a limited dataset that would be sufficient to produce national and regional picture. Currently when NSSP staff at CDC or a particular program review HHS Regional data, they can only see trends at high levels. Although, this information is proving useful, when very unusual data spikes occur there is insufficient information to determine its public health significance. CDC would like to set up HHS Regional Epi groups made up of syndromic surveillance practitioners within regions in order to communicate about potentially unusual findings and discuss implications for local jurisdictions.Description: This round table will use case examples of data spikes for sub-syndromes in HHS Regions and discuss the following:- What observations might warrant communications with local sites and potentially even warrant further investigation- How the information should be communicated- Ideas for ways that jurisdictions could collaborate on an investigation- Any challenges to the current concept of operations.How the Moderator Intends to Engage the Audience in Discussions on the Topic: The moderator will lay out two or three real world examples that might have benefited from having an HHS Regional Epi group to address the issue. Then the audience will be asked to comment on the following questions:- What are the potential pros of such HHS regional epi groups?- What are the potential cons of such HHS regional epi groups?- What are best practices for communicating with HHS Regional epi groups (i.e. through list serve, forum, Event Communications System within ESSENCE, etc.)?- What are the best ways to keep these HHS Regional Epi groups properly engaged and responsive without overwhelming them with requests?- How can these HHS Regional Epi groups be used by other HHS Regions that are looking to collaborate?
Factores que inciden en la calidad de vida del jubilado
Authors: Ramírez Gálvez José Roberto
Published: October 2019

La jubilación supone una importante reestructuración de las funciones que definen el espacio de la vida de una persona y, por consiguiente, requiere flexibilidad y capacidad de adaptación a las nuevas condiciones. “La jubilación puede ser vista como una transición que implica la ampliación, la redefinición y el cambio de papeles, la extensión del tiempo de la jubilación, es un evento que permitirá un proceso temporal y que requiere tomar decisiones, implementar y llevar las consecuencias”. La centralidad del trabajo en relación a otros elementos, como la familia, en la definición de la conciencia de sí mismo es muy diferente de una persona a otra, lo que implica que la transición a la jubilación puede requerir diferentes niveles de la reestructuración de sí mismo.

La etapa de preparación previa a la jubilación coincide con una progresiva clarificación de las actitudes sobre la jubilación y una planificación del tiempo y de la forma de su retiro de la vida laboral. En el momento de la jubilación, los planes son más detallados, pero la actitud tiende a degenerar en ansiedad y desesperación por la pérdida de su actividad laboral. Por supuesto, la fase de preparación para la jubilación tiene un significado personal diferente en función de la historia individual y de la centralidad de la actividad laboral desempeñada. La jubilación supone la pérdida de contactos sociales, pero todavía no está claro el grado de pérdida, tanto en términos de extensión de la red social, como de calidad, de apoyo recibido. Se debe de considerar el apoyo social para distinguir las diferentes fuentes (familia, amigos, etc.) y los diferentes tipos (emocional, instrumental, etc.) de apoyo social que inciden en la calidad de vida del jubilado considerando el aspecto de la actividad física, la salud, la educación, la alimentación, la actividad intelectual, la actividad sicosocial entre otros factores o aspectos importantes en el jubilado.
Clima organizacional y su concordancia con la cultura de paz en las Empresas e Instituciones del departamento de Chontales y Rio San Juan
Authors: Villanueva Jenny del Socorro , Mendoza Castro Concepción
Published: October 2019

El objetivo principal de este artículo es asociar los conflictos como variable del clima organizacional, asociados a la implementación de la cultura de paz, en los colaboradores de las MIPYMES del departamento de Chontales y Rio San Juan. El enfoque que se utilizó es cognoscitivo, histórico y explicativo. La muestra del estudio es intencional, con seis participantes, tres son MIPYMES y tres son Instituciones del estado como servidores públicos, para un total de 203 colaboradores. Los instrumentos que se utilizaron fueron: entrevista semiestructurada y encuesta, aplicados y analizados. Como resultado, se obtiene que los datos reflejan la pertinente relación entre el clima organizacional agradable existente en las empresas e instituciones, a partir del mínimo de conflictos generados y la adecuada implementación de la comunicación, motivación y remuneración extra financiera a los colaboradores. Se concluye que las empresas e instituciones trabajan en la implementación de la cultura de paz desde el ambiente interno permitiendo flexibilidad y adaptabilidad a los ambientes cambiantes del mercado, la comunicación, condiciones de trabajo y políticas de compensación claras y difundidas, que garanticen que los colaboradores se comprometan con la organización, con los objetivos de la misma, que se sientan cómodos con la estructura de mando y con el cargo que desempeñan; de igual manera si la organización es fuente de bienestar hacia los colaboradores, estos serán fuente de alegría, energía y paz hacia sus familias y hacia la empresa. De ahí se deriva la contribución de la cultura de paz, al ambiente externo y a la economía local y nacional
Effectiveness and management of Conservation Units in the west and northwest regions of Paraná (Brazil)
Authors: Camargo Mariele P. , Aranha José Marcelo R. , Menezes Márcia S.
Published: October 2019

The implementation of conservation units is an important strategy to conserve biodiversity, however, their consolidation as an effective mechanism for protecting natural resources faces several challenges. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness and management of nine conservation units in the west and northwest regions of the state of Paraná, Brazil, by application of questionnaires, and interviews with managers in these areas. All evaluated conservation units had insufficient number of employees to meet their demand, and the management plan of 56% of the 89% units that had a management plan were outdated. According to the adopted criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of these conservation units, 67% of them presented satisfactory implementation effectiveness, and management conditions, because they have minimally fulfilled their objectives, despite the several economic, political and social barriers.
Composição florística e estrutural de comunidades arbóreas em floresta ombrófila mista degradada pela mineração de calcário (Rio Branco do Sul, PR, Brasil)
Authors: Dunaiski Antonio , Roderjan Carlos Velloso
Published: October 2019

Composição florística e estrutural de comunidades arbóreas em floresta ombrófila mista degradada pela mineração de calcário (Rio Branco do Sul, PR, Brasil) 
OBITUÁRIO DA PROFESSORA MARIA CHRISTINA DE ALMEIDA
Authors: Laroca Sebastião
Published: October 2019

OBITUÁRIO DA PROFESSORA MARIA CHRISTINA DE ALMEIDA
Dendrophidion atlantica /Freire, Caramaschi e Gonçalves, 2010 — Contribuições sobre reprodução
Authors: Lima e outros Luiz Filipe Lira
Published: October 2019

Dendrophidion atlantica /Freire, Caramaschi e Gonçalves, 2010 — Contribuições sobre reprodução 
What Really Matters for Social Adaptation Among Left-Behind Children in China? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Junhua , Zhang Yu , Xu Fang
Published: October 2019

Compared with non-left-behind children, left-behind children in China have lower social adaptation and theunderlying reasons deserve further study. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 29 studies publishedbetween 2006 and 2019. Protective factors of Left-behind children's social adaptation were resilience (r=0.574),self-efficacy (r=0.538), emotional intelligence (r=0.421), self-esteem (r=0.404), positive coping (r=0.471),attachment (r=0.354) and social support (r=0.338) while risky factors were loneliness (r=- 0.453) and socialanxiety(r=-0.360). Age, birthplace, father/mother migration and the frequency of parent-child communication alsohave a certain impact on their social adaptation, but the effect size is relatively small. This study can provide someenlightenment for intervention programs and policy adjustment. More empirical studies focusing on influencingfactors for social adaptation of left-behind children will be needed in the future.
Changing Attitudes Toward Checkout Charity
Authors: Massetti Brenda , Mohr Iris , Murphy-Holahan Mariellen
Published: October 2019

Retailers in the U.S. are increasingly asking customers to donate to charity at their sales registers. This practice, known as Checkout Charity, is a form of Cause-Related Marketing (CRM) providing many benefits to retailers (Giebelhausen, Lawrence, Chun, & Hsu, 2017) and raising billions of dollars for charities (Coleman & Peasley, 2015). Despite the perceived goodwill of this retail practice, research suggests an imbalance between retailers and consumers, as Checkout Charity offers fewer benefits to customers than traditional CRM (Krishna, 2011; Owens, 2016). Using equity theory’s impact on prosocial behavior (Ross & Kapitan, 2018), this paper explores whether customers perceive an imbalance in the Checkout Charity process. Open-ended survey results show that customers are aware of Checkout Charity’s drawbacks and hold mostly negative sentiments toward the practice. Attitudinal survey results show that most customers prefer donating elsewhere and not being asked to donate at checkout. However, some are happy with the process. A regression analysis of factors known to influence charitable giving found that those who donate frequently have a relatively more positive attitude toward Checkout Charity. Research implications and ways retailers might use the practice to build deeper customer relationships are discussed.
De vroege geschiedenis van de (lokale) bestuurswetenschappen
Authors: Reussing Rik
Published: October 2019

The early history of Dutch (local) administrative sciences: Joris in ’t Veld and the new forms of decentralization

This essay is about the Dutch PhD-thesis New forms of decentralization by Joris in ’t Veld from 1929. He was not only a competent and efficient social-democratic administrator, but he was also an early administrative scientist. Like the other early (local) administrative scientists, he mainly worked from the legal discipline. During this period however, we also see an increasing input from other disciplines, such as urban planning, economic geography, business administration and statistics. The subject of his dissertation does not come out of the blue. Like many, In ’t Veld felt strongly attracted to the problems of urban and regional development, but the various problems were not yet ripe for a final solution. An important part of his book is therefore devoted to the various solutions that have been found abroad for similar problems. In his thesis, In ’t Veld discusses various forms of governance. First of all, he looks at the way in which the arrangement of cooperation between municipalities can be improved. Where this (voluntary and forced) cooperation falls short of its nature, the institutes of the port authority and of the regional plan come into the picture. In both cases it concerns decentralization through target corporations. A solution is also conceivable through further territorial decentralization: the insertion of a new regional corporation between the province and the municipality in the form of the region (the urban region or the rural region). The urban region needs a necessary supplement in the form of a system of tax equalization to adequately do justice to the interests of the whole and of the parts. An alternative to the urban region is the unity municipality with local decentralization. His integral vision on the organization of domestic government in 1929 is also instructive for the present time.
TRANSGRESSIVE-REGRESSIVE CARBONATE FACIES OF THE SMACKOVER FORMATION, ESCAMBIA COUNTY, ALABAMA
Authors: Bradford Cynthia A.
Published: October 2019

The Smackover Formation in Escambia County, Alabama is divided into ten facies. The transgressive facies of the basal Smackover were deposited in a lower supratidal to upper subtidal environment and consist of interbedded algal-laminated mudstone and oncolite-pellet packstone. A coated fossil packstone facies was also deposited in the lower unit of the Smackover, but in more open-marine conditions. During the deposition of the middle Smackover this facies acted as a partial barrier and restricted the energy and salinity in the landward area. These restrictions resulted in the deposition of a fossiliferous mudstone facies, which alternated with a distinctive, black laminated mudstone devoid of preserved fauna or bioturbation. The regressive upper Smackover sequence is dominated by a lagoonal pellet wackestone/mudstone. This lagoonal mudstone was deposited behind an oolite shoal which developed seaward on the slight topographic relief formed by salt movement during middle Smackover time. Landward of the lagoon, a sabkha developed which eventually prograded over the entire facies tract.

Dolomitization of the oolite grainstone and underlying lagoonal mudstone created porosity in the upper Smackover. This porosity, along with the presence of favorable structure and dense anhydrite seal provided by the overlying Buckner Formation, combined to produce an effective trap for hydrocarbon accumulation.
PALEOENVIRONMENT OF AN UPPER COTTON VALLEY (KNOWLES LIMESTONE) PATCH REEF, MILAM COUNTY, TEXAS
Authors: Cregg Allen K. , Ahr Wayne M.
Published: October 2019

The Knowles Limestone is the uppermost unit of the Cotton Valley Group, and in Milam County, Texas it is approximately 350 feet thick and consists of shales, terrigenous dolomitic limestones, grainy limestones, and algal boundstones with stromatoporoids and corals. The boundstones represent an elongate, wave-resistant, encrusted skeletal patch reef which probably developed on a subtle, salt-generated topographic high. The narrowest width of the reef is slightly more than one mile based on facies correlations of three cored wells in the study area.

The principal reef framebuilders included massive and columnar stromatoporoids, solitary and dendroid corals, and encrusting Tubiphytes and Lithocodium algae. Dendroid stromatoporoids, digitate corals, Tubiphytes oncoids, echinoids, and various mollusks were the principal contributors to the detrital infill of the reef.

Increased dip and dip reversal of draping beds suggest that the Knowles reef achieved relief above the sea floor. Dipmeter logs indicate that the beds dip 5° northwest on the updip reef flank and 10° southeast on the downdip reef flank.

Reef-core boundstones and reef talus were consistently present downdip, and lagoonal to tidal-flat facies were common updip throughout Knowles deposition. The reef organisms eventually became overwhelmed with terrigenous sediment transported downdip as the tidal-flat environment prograded over lagoon, reef-talus and reef-core facies at the end of Knowles deposition.

Early dolomitization of tidal-flat and lagoonal facies created local porous zones in some of these rocks. However, the reef, perse, is cemented by sparry calcite and is not a potential reservoir facies.
Upper Jurassic Ammonites from the Subsurface of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Authors: Imlay Ralph W. , Herman George
Published: October 2019

Ammonites ranging in age from late middle Oxfordian to latest Tithonian have been found in cores obtained from nine wells in Louisiana, one well in Mississippi, six wells in eastern Texas, and one well in southern Texas. The ammonites found in the middle and upper parts of the Smackover Formation are of late middle to late Oxfordian age based on the presence of Ochetoceras, Proscaphites, Dichotomosphinctes, Discosphinctes, Ortho-sphinctes, Idoceras, and Euaspidoceras. The lower part is probably also entirely of that age based on the presence of Discosphinctes at the top of the lower fifth of the Smackover Formation in the Carter-Hope Fee No. 1 well. No ammonites have been found in the red beds typical of the Buckner Formation, but the overlying Gilmer Limestone has furnished a few specimens of Idoceras of late Oxfordian, or early Kimmeridgian age. The basal beds of the younger Bossier Formation have yielded the early Kimmeridgian ammonites Nebrodites and Ataxioceras in association with Idoceras. Above these strata are beds characterized by the Kimmeridgian genus Procraspedites and also by Glochiceras and Taramelliceras, which range as high as the basal Tithonian. The upper and middle parts of the Bossier Formation are characterized by a few ammonite genera of Tithonian age including Virgatosphinctes, Salinites, Durangites?, and Substeueroceras.
CARBONATE FACIES OF THE UPPER SMACKOVER FORMATION (JURASSIC), PAUP SPUR-MANDEVILLE FIELDS, MILLER COUNTY, ARKANSAS
Authors: McGraw Maryann M.
Published: October 2019

The Paup Spur-Mandevilie Fields are located in Miller County, Arkansas, about six miles northeast of Texarkana. Of more than 20 wells drilled in this field to date, twelve have produced oil from the Smackover Formation and one has produced gas condensate.

Based on an analysis of cores from nine wells and porosity plugs from a tenth well from these fields the following carbonate facies have been defined: Laminated pelsparite with shaly partings. The sedimentary features of this unit are indicative of a shallow, subtidal environment, and the sedimentary structures in the lowest part of the section show a predominance of gravity-related features. Up-section, wave-generated currents were more prevalent, which indicates that deposition occurred in shallower water.Cross-bedded and burrowed pelsparite-pelmicrite. This unit is heavily burrowed near the center of the field and interfingers laterally with intertidal cross-beds and horizontal laminations. The burrowed zone is probably indicative of slightly deeper water.Laminated to burrowed silty pelsparite with shaly partings. This unit is characterized by cycles which exhibit a decrease in wave energy. Each cycle is cross-bedded or finely laminated and rippled at the base, and shows increasing bioturbation and decreasing silt and shale content upwards.Algal biolithite and intrasparite. The most outstanding features of this unit are the bluegreen algal structures. Stromatolitic structures (largest structure in the cores is 10 cm in height) are best developed in wells to the south; however, oncolites and algal-laminated sediments occur across the field.Cross-bedded oosparite. Sedimentary accumulations in this unit are a high-energy, oolitic sand belt. Bimodal cross-beds and horizontal laminations characterize this unit.

The Smackover sediments of the PS-M Fields were formed near the mouth of a shallow embayment on the ancestral Gulf of Mexico shelf. A depositional model for the area shows ooid shoals forming over pre-Smackover structural highs where maximum wave energy was expended over their southeast flank. Peripheral facies formed in protected areas and where wind-driven tidal variations had greater influence. Bluegreen algal structures modified environemnts to the west.

Early diagenetic features of the Upper Smackover indicate an active, freshwater phreatic environment. During early diagenesis partial to complete dissolution of allochems occurred, which created most of the field’s porosity. Primary cements are finely crystalline calcite occurring as equant to bladed crusts and equant, interlocking mosaics which coarsen toward the pore centers.

Later diagenetic features include solution enhancement of pore space during hydrocarbon migration. Anhydrite and celestite are rare, but ubiquitous - the anhydrite ocecurring as pore filling and replacement and the celestite occurring as pore and fracture fill. Locally, baroque dolomite occupies allochem molds.
SIGNIFICANT FOSSILS OF THE KNOWLES LIMESTONE, LOWER CRETACEOUS, TEXAS
Authors: Scott R.W.
Published: October 2019

Cores of the Knowles Limestone in Robertson and Milam Counties, Texas, East Texas Embayment, have yielded 25 taxa of algae, tintinnids, foraminifers, sponges, corals, stromatoporoids, and Incertae Sedis. Many of these Tethyan taxa are reported for the first time from the Gulf Coast region. The tintinnids demonstrate correlation with upper Berriasian to Valanginian assemblages of the Mediterranean area. The other fossils are longer ranging Upper Jurassic and/or Lower Cretaceous taxa. This Knowles assemblage represents a shelf-to-basin suite of paleocommunities, including coral-algal reefs.
Jurassic Unconformities, Chronostratigraphy and Sea-Level Changes from Seismic Stratigraphy and Biostratigraphy
Authors: Vail P.R. , Hardenbol J. , Todd R.G.
Published: October 2019

Seventeen global unconformities and their correlative conformities (sequence boundaries) subdivide the strata of the Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous into genetic sequences produced by 16 eustatic cycles. These 16 cycles make up the Jurassic supercycle. Eight of the global unformities are both subaerial and submarine (Type 1), and are believed to have been caused by rapid eustatic falls of sea level. Nine of the unconformities are subaerial only (Type 2), and are believed to be related to slow eustatic falls of sea level. In addition, 16 marine condensed sections (starved intervals) have been identified. These condensed sections are interpreted to be related to rapid eustatic rises of sea level. Unconformity recognition is locally or regionally enhanced by periodic truncation of folded and faulted strata during sea-level lowstands and onlap onto topographic highs during sea-level highstands, but we find no evidence that the tectonics caused the global unconformities. The 16 eustatic cycles that make up the Jurassic supercycle correspond to 16 global chronostratigraphic intervals that subdivide Jurassic strata into a series of genetic sequences, which are recognizable from seismic, well and outcrop data.

The Jurassic unconformities and the stratal and facies patterns between them are caused by the interaction of basement subsidence, eustatic changes of sea level, and differing sediment supply. Detailed analyses of the sediments with seismic stratigraphy and well data permit quantification of the subsidence history and reconstruction of paleoenvironment and sea-level changes through time. The intergrated use of seismic stratigraphy and biostratigraphy provides a better geologic age history than could be obtained by either method alone. Paleobathymetry, sediment facies, and relative changes of sea level can be interpreted from seismic data and confirmed or improved on by well control. Geohistory analysis based on geologic time-depth diagrams provides a quantitative analysis of total basin subsidence. When this subsidence is corrected for compaction and sediment loading, the tectonic subsidence and long-term eustatic changes may be determined. Short-term, rapid changes of sea level can be demonstrated from seismic, well and outcrop data. The stratigraphic resolution of these changes rarely allows exact quantification of their magnitude, but a minimum rate of change of sea level often can be determined.
HIGH RESOLUTION THREE-DIMENSIONAL SEISMIC SURVEY OVER THE GEOPRESSURED-GEOTHERMAL RESERVOIR AT PARCPERDUE, LOUISIANA
Authors: KINSLAND GARY L.
Published: October 2019

A three dimensional, 3-D, high resolution seismic survey has been performed over the geopressured-geothermal reservoir of the Dow/DOE depletion experiment at Parcperdue, Louisiana. This survey was performed using the 1024 channel, sign-bit system of Geophysical Systems Corporation (GSC). At the present time, processing by GSC and by the University of Houston Allied Geophysical Laboratories (UHAGL) has yielded unmigrated 2-D reconstruction lines from the data volume. A preliminary interpretation of these data indicates that the reservoir is fault bounded as interpreted and presented by Dow Chemical Corporation in the proposal for the depletion experiment.

A 3-D physical model study has been performed by UHAGL. This study illustrated that the field 3-D survey should be able to resolve the geometry of the geopressured-geothermal reservoir and illustrated the capabilities of the UHAGL facilities to handle 3-D data.

Future processing of the data will attempt to resolve the remaining problems of 3-D time statics and offset dependent stacking velocities and will conclude with a 3-D migrated volume.

Originally, this seismic survey had two goals. The first, characterization of the reservoir geometry as input data for the interpretation of the depletion experiment, will be realized. Secondly, this survey was to be the first of a two-survey experiment to evaluate the ability of a pair of surveys, before and after reservoir depletion, to detect the portion of the reservoir yielding fluids. The performance of a second survey is in doubt because the production well failed prematurely.
MODELING SHELF STORM BEDS: CONTROLS OF BED THICKNESS AND BEDDING SEQUENCE
Authors: NIEDORODA ALAN WILLIAM , SWIFT DONALD J.P. , THORNE JULIANA.
Published: October 2019

Shelf facies are defined by stratification and grain size characteristics. Most shelves are storm-dominated, and their strata are commonly storm beds (event strata). Strata that form on the less extensive tide-dominated shelf sectors are technically periodites rather than event strata. However, they are structurally similar, and can be viewed as being formed by very regular events.

The variables controlling shelf storm bed formation are the time sequence of events and the time-averaged value of fluid power expended by waves and bottom currents, grain size of the available sediment, sedimentation rate, and the rate of biological mixing of the sediment. Within the last decade, our understanding of shelf sediment dynamics has reached a point where it is possible to present a simple numerical model for building storm strata sequences. The model uses extreme event statistics to bridge the gap between the dynamical time scale of strata formation and the stratigraphic time scale of strata accumulation. Our application of the model produces shelf storm beds with scales similar to observed deposits of the same type. Because such agreement is unlikely to be simply fortuitous, it supports, but does not prove, the appropriateness of the underlying marine sediment dynamic theories and the overall analytical methods.

Numerical experiments conducted with the model show that storm beds may form across the continental shelf, with most of the activity in water depth of 50 m and less. Within this region, shelf facies comprise a continuum whose main trend extends from a fragmentary record of coarse, thick-bedded, extreme event deposits on the upper shoreface to a nearly continuous record of fine, thin-bedded deposits on the central or outer shelf. This trend may be a response to decrease in the available fluid power (directly, or as a consequence increasing depth), to increasing grain size or sedimentation rate, or to some combination of these factors. Deposits from relatively common storms (e.g., the annual extreme event) are preserved when there is a moderate to high net accumulation rate. The water depth at the time of deposition has a major influence on the thickness and statistical pattern of storm beds. This effect shows promise of providing a technique for mapping water depths for ancient shelf deposits.
POSSIBLE PRE-JURASSIC ORIGIN FOR SOME JURASSIC-RESERVOIRED OIL, CASS COUNTY, NORTHEAST TEXAS
Authors: Schumacher Dietmar , Parker Rose Mary
Published: October 2019

Discoveries of light oil and gas in Jurassic Norphlet sandstone in northeast Texas in 1983 renewed exploration interest in the petroleum potential of pre-Smackover Jurassic and older formations in the region. The Norphlet oil from Colville field resembles Smackover oils and condensates in gross geochemical characteristics, however, its carbon isotopic composition (-29.7) clearly distinguishes it from Smackover oils (-22 to -26). Furthermore, selected isoprenoid and gasoline-range ratios show a strong terrestrial component in this Norphlet oil relative to Smackover oils, and suggest a pre-Jurassic origin.

What are the possible sources for this pre-Smackover oil? Various authors have speculated that organic-rich lacustrine shales might be present within the Triassic Eagle Mills Formation. Although such deposits are poorly documented in the Gulf Coast, lacustrine petroleum source rocks do occur in Triassic-Jurassic rift sequences in the eastern United States. The carbon isotopic composition of oil stains and bitumens from these rocks (-28 to -31) compares favorably with that of the Norphlet oil from Colville field. Another possible source for this oil maybe Late Paleozoic strata, chiefly Pennsylvanian shales and carbonates, that underlie the Triassic and Jurassic in much of this area. Although there are no reported hydrocarbon shows or documented source rocks in the Pennsylvanian of northeast Texas or adjacent Louisiana and Arkansas, Pennsylvanian oils from productive areas in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama are isotopically indistinguishable (-29 to -31) from Norphlet and Triassic oils.

We have not yet identified the source of this geochemically distinctive Norphlet oil, however, the available data strongly suggest a Triassic or Late Paleozoic origin. Confirmation of this conclusion could have considerable exploration significance in this mature basin and might yet lead to a successful Triassic or Paleozoic play in the region.
CHEMICAL AND ISOTOPIC EVIDENCE OF THE ORIGIN OF HYDROCARBONS AND SOURCE POTENTIAL OF ROCKS FROM THE VICKSBURG AND JACKSON FORMATIONS OF SLICK RANCH AREA, STARR COUNTY, TEXAS
Authors: Tanner Jeffrey A. , Fuex Anthony N.
Published: October 2019

Wet gas-condensate with a minor amount of oil is produced from Frio and Vicksburg Formation sandstones in the Slick Ranch area, Starr County, Texas. Molecular and carbon isotopic analysis of natural gas and crude oil samples from this area indicate the hydrocarbons to be primary (i.e., unaltered), mature to very mature products derived from a mix of marine and terrestrial organic matter. On the basis of carbon isotope ratios of the gases, ethane and propane, the Slick Ranch gases were generated within the oil window in a maturity range up to VR 1.5%. Further, the carbon isotope ratios of these gases appear to be representative of gas generated from source rocks containing a predominance of humic organic matter with a minor amount of sapropelic organic matter. Crude oils and condensates are high gravity (40 API), low sulfur (< 0.20 wt %) samples, containing a great predominance of saturated hydrocarbons. Compositional variations of saturated hydrocarbons and carbon isotope ratios suggest that the liquids were generated from organic matter deposited in an open marine environment which received partially oxidized land-plant detritus.

Visual kerogen analysis of the lower Vicksburg and Jackson Formations shows a predominance of gas-prone vitrinite disseminated within a thermally mature source facies. These data, in addition to oil-rock geochemical correlations, suggest that the Jackson shale is the most likely source for the majority of the hydrocarbons trapped in the study area. Lower Vicksburg shales appear to have generated minor amounts of natural gas.
CRUDE-OIL CHARACTERIZATION AT CAILLOU ISLAND, LOUISIANA BY “GENERIC” HYDROCARBONS
Authors: Price Leigh C.
Published: October 2019

Twenty-three oils from the Caillou Island field, Louisiana, and ten unrelated oils from widely-scattered, North American localities were characterized by gas chromatography. The Caillou Island oils ranged in depth from 2,617-6,060 m (8,398-19,444 ft), in gravity from 0.758-0.889 g/cc (52.8-27.6° API), had widely variable physical characteristics ranging from black oil to straw yellow condensate-like oil, and exhibited no correlation of physical properties versus depth. Oils were compared by measuring relative peak heights of selected aromatic and saturated hydrocarbons (HCs) in the n-C8 to n-C21 range. (The n-paraffins had been removed from the saturated HCs by molecular sieve.) The measured relative peak heights were summed over carbon-number intervals of 2 to 7.5, normalized by percentage to each other, and plotted. In spite of this relatively unsophisticated manual technique, the relatively inefficient gaschromatographic column (1.8 m × 2 mm packed column 3% GC SE-30 on 100-200 mesh Gas Chrom Q) which was employed, and the highly variable physical characteristics of the Caillou Island oils, these oils, by the resultant plots, obviously belonged to one family, and therefore, presumably, had a common source. With one exception (Lake Barre field, 3.2 km (2 mi) north of Caillou Island), the other ten oils, by these plots, exhibited no correlation to the Caillou Island oils, or to each other. These results were confirmed by C4-C7 HC analyses.

Although biomarker-classed C13-C21 isoprenoid HCs were used in some of these plots, in other plots, “generic” iso-cyclic saturated, and aromatic HCs were also used, HCs which are not considered to be biomarker-classed HCs. These “generic” HCs, present in oils in concentrations second only to the n-paraffins and in concentrations much higher than conventional iso-cyclic biomarkers, may, because of their higher concentrations, give a broader-based sampling and characterization of oils than do such biomarkers.
Episodic Nature of Holocene Sea Level Rise and The Evolution of Galveston Bay
Authors: Anderson John B. , Siringan Fernando P. , Smyth Wendy C. , Thomas Mark A.
Published: October 2019

The sediments that now fill the incised Trinity River Valley record the evolution of the Galveston Bay estuary during the last transgression. High resolution seismic data and sediment cores have been used to study this record. The most significant outcome of this study is the observation that dramatic landward shifts in the position of the estuary occurred on several occasions in response to rapid sea-level rises. These shifts caused complete reorganization of the bay environments. If glaciologists are correct in their predictions, mass wasting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will cause another catastrophic change in coastal and estuary evolution within the next millennium.