cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome following liver transplantation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Metabolic syndrome is a major clinical disorder involving metabolic dysregulation characterized clinically with features of central obesity, insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with the rising prevalence nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a leading indication for orthotopic liver transplantation in the Western world. The presence or recurrence of metabolic syndrome following liver transplantation can contribute to the development and recurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the liver allograft. In this review, we discuss the endogenous and exogenous drivers of post-transplant metabolic syndrome, role of chronic immunosuppression, and the prevalence and clinical significant of post-transplant metabolic syndrome on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Latitudinal variation in behaviors linked to risk tolerance is driven by nest-site competition and spatial distribution in the ant Temnothorax rugatulus

Geographic range has long been noted to be associated with many organismic and ecological traits such as body size and species richness. However, much less is known about whether and how ecological variation across latitudinal gradients reflects behavioral variation. Ant colonies may also show behavioral variation, and Temnothorax rugatulus show a colony-level behavioral syndrome that seems to reflect risk tolerance across their North American range. While it is presumed that this pattern is the result of adaptation to local environmental conditions, which ecological factors are driving this variation are unknown. Here, we test if colony risk tolerance is affected by competition, predation, resource availability, or environmental stress at each site. Our results show that increased competition, specifically for nest sites, as well as increased spatial clustering of colonies predicts higher risk tolerance. Additionally, the spatial clustering of colonies influences the structure of the risk-taking syndrome, i.e., which colony-level behaviors are correlated and how strongly. This emphasizes the need for understanding large-scale geographic variation in behavior, as it may explain how ecological factors drive the evolution and maintenance of intraspecific behavioral variation across populations.
SSRgenotyper: A simple sequence repeat genotyping application for whole‐genome resequencing and reduced representational sequencing projects

Premise Many programs can identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs in genomic data. SSRgenotyper extends SSR identification to en masse genotyping from resequencing data for diversity panels and linkage mapping populations. Methods and results SSRgenotyper will find and genotype SSRs from SAM files and an SSR reference FASTA. Several outputs are possible, including a simple table with the SSR marker name, position, and SSR alleles, defined by the repeat number of the repeat motif. Specific output files include a GENEPOP-formatted file for downstream genetic diversity analyses and a traditional A, H, B mapping file output that is phased to the parents of the population for biparental linkage map construction. Linkage maps produced using SSRgenotyper genotypes were highly collinear with physical maps and correctly inferred known phylogenies. Conclusions SSRgenotyper provides an easy-to-use, accurate, and scalable SSR genotyping platform for whole-genome resequencing data. SSRgenotyper is freely available at https://github.com/dlewis27/SSRgenotyper.
Evaluating endogenous loss and standard ileal digestibility of amino acids in response to the graded severity levels of E. maxima infection.

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of graded levels of Eimeria maxima challenge on endogenous loss, apparent ileal digestibility (AID), and standard ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids. A total of 768 fourteen-day-old male Cobb 500 broiler chickens were randomly allocated into 64 battery cages. Apart from the regular corn-soybean based diet, the nitrogen-free diet (NFD) was formulated to determine the endogenous loss of amino acids. One-half of the birds (32 cages) were fed the NFD, and another half fed the regular diet from d 14 to 20. Both groups were further assigned to 4 treatments (nonchallenged control or three levels of challenge doses) with 8 replicate cages. The challenge doses were: the low challenge dose (Low) with E. maxima 12,500 oocysts, the medium challenge dose (Medium) with 25,000 E. maxima oocysts, and the high challenge dose (High) with 50,000 E. maxima oocysts. At 6 d postinfection, ileal digesta samples were collected and the intestinal lesion score were recorded. The results indicated a significant linear increase of endogenous amino acid flow in response to the graded E. maxima challenge. Moreover, the AID and SID of amino acids were linearly reduced due to the increasing challenge dose. The study demonstrated that NFD significantly reduced lesion scores, underestimating the true endogenous losses of birds fed regular diets. Even though the endogenous loss of amino acids was underestimated, they were linearly increased in response to the graded E. maxima challenge. In conclusion, the higher Eimeria dose birds were challenged with, the more endogenous amino acids were released into the intestine and the lower dietary nutrients were digested and absorbed by broiler chickens.
Grasp Analysis and Manipulation Kinematics for Isoperimetric Truss Robots

Soft isoperimetric truss robots have demonstrated an ability to grasp and manipulate objects using the members of their structure. The compliance of the members affords large contact areas with even force distribution, allowing for successful grasping even with imprecise open-loop control. In this work we present methods of analyzing and controlling isoperimetric truss robots in the context of grasping and manipulating objects. We use a direct stiffness model to characterize the structural properties of the robot and its interactions with external objects. With this approach we can estimate grasp forces and stiffnesses with limited computation compared to higher fidelity finite elements methods, which, given the many degrees-of-freedom of truss robots, are prohibitively expensive to run on-board. In conjunction with the structural model, we build upon a literature of differential kinematics for truss robots and apply it to the task of manipulating an object within the robot’s workspace.
Impurity Atom Effects in Metallic Crystals

This paper is concerned with compound defects in metals which consist of impurity atoms and crystal lattice defects. These compound defects are often referred to as complexes.1 First, the paper deals with complexes of metalloid interstitial impurity atoms with monovacancies, divacancies, split-interstitials, and free surfaces. Initial results on how a metalloid interstitial impurity atom affects the production of a Frenkel pair are discussed briefly. Second, the paper takes up the migration of large and small substitutional impurity atoms for which the principal interest is the role of impurity atoms as traps for crystal lattice defects in displacement spike annealing.
Scheduling of hydrothermal power systems using the augmented Lagrangian decomposition and coordination technique

When the standard Lagrangian relaxation method is used to solve hydrothermal scheduling problems, many subproblems have linear or piecewise linear cost functions. A well recognized difficulty is that the solutions to these subproblems may oscillate between maximum and minimum generations with slight changes of the multipliers. This may result in large differences between subproblem solutions and the optimal primal schedule. In this paper, the augmented Lagrangian decomposition and coordination technique (AL) is applied to the scheduling of a hydrothermal power system. By appending the quadratic penalty term to the Lagrangian, the AL method reduces the subproblem solution oscillations and results in a smoother dual function. Numerical results based on Northeast Utilities Service Company data show that the AL method speeds up algorithm convergence and requires less computation time.
Hopfield neural network and genetic algorithm, a comparison in the case of hierarchical graph visualization

We present the design of a Hopfield neural network and a genetic algorithm to solve the hierarchical graph visualization problem. Both are single phase algorithms and were developed to simultaneously minimize the number of crossings and the total path length. Results comparing the neural network and genetic algorithm are presented as well as a comparison to a traditional heuristic approach. Both the neural network and genetic algorithm were shown to provide high quality solutions in term of the readability criteria.
A Multi-Target Track Initiation Algorithm

An algorithm for track initiation and continuation is described in this paper. The algorithm is capable of initiating maneuvering and non-maneuvering targets in the presence of environmental clutter. This approach accounts for missing target detections, and resolves conflicts such as crossing target trajectories. This is accomplished by splitting the target trajectory when more than one measurement is found inside the the tracking gate. False target trajectories are eliminated using an m out of n detector, and redundant target tracks are reduced by combining tracks with similar state estimates. In addition, a track termination logic is included. Various tracking filters are proposed for state estimation, and prediction.
High voltage, monolithically interconnected GaAs thin film solar submodules

The successful monolithic interconnection of four thin-film single-crystal GaAs cells, demonstrating one of the key advantages of thin-film cells made by the cleavage of lateral epitaxy for transfer (CLEFT) process, is reported. Monolithically series-interconnected 16 cm/sup 2/ thin-film four-cell strings exhibiting a V/sub oc/ of 4.04 V and a total-area submodule efficiency of 21.0% under AM 1.5 global illumination at 26 degrees C was successfully fabricated. An eight-cell string which had a V/sub oc/ of 7.96 V, an AM 1.5 efficiency of 21.2%, and a total submodule area of 2 cm/sup 2/ was produced. Details of the cell fabrication process and the cell performance are presented. >
APOE ε4 and lipid levels affect risk of recurrent nonlobar intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective: Genetic variants e2/e4 within the APOE gene are established risk factors for lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Published preliminary data suggest a potential role for APOE e4 in risk of nonlobar ICH. We therefore investigated the role of APOE in recurrent nonlobar ICH, and sought to clarify whether effects of APOE on circulating lipids mediate this association. Methods: Three hundred sixty-three survivors of nonlobar ICH were followed prospectively for ICH recurrence, with APOE genotype determined at enrollment. All participants had clinical, demographic, and laboratory data captured at time of index ICH and during follow-up. Using a multivariate model, we performed association and interaction analyses of the relationships among APOE genotype, lipid levels, and recurrent nonlobar ICH. Results: We observed 29 nonlobar ICH recurrences among 363 survivors. APOE e4 was associated with recurrent nonlobar ICH (hazard ratio = 1.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.02–2.69; p = 0.038) after adjustment for age/sex/ethnicity and cardiovascular risk factors. Increasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were associated with decreased risk of recurrent nonlobar ICH ( p = 0.027), as were decreasing HDL levels ( p = 0.046). LDL levels modified the association of APOE e4 with recurrent nonlobar ICH (mediation p APOE e2 and recurrent nonlobar ICH. Conclusion: APOE e4 is associated with recurrent ICH in nonlobar brain regions, providing further evidence for its causal role in ICH unrelated to cerebral amyloid angiopathy. LDL levels modulated this effect, suggesting that circulating lipid levels may mediate a portion of the role of APOE e4 in nonlobar ICH.
Partial Resistance to gD-Mediated Interference Conferred by Mutations Affecting Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 gC and gK

Cells expressing herpes simplex virus (HSV) gD can be resistant to HSV entry as a result of gD-mediated interference. HSV strains differ in sensitivity to this interference, which blocks viral penetration but not binding. Previous studies have shown that mutations or variations in virion-associated gD can confer resistance to gD-mediated interference. Here we show that HSV-1 mutants selected for enhanced ability to bind and penetrate in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of heparin were partially resistant to gD-mediated interference. The resistance was largely due to the presence of two mutations: one in gC (the major heparin-binding glycoprotein) resulting in the absence of gC expression and the other in gK resulting in a syncytial phenotype. The results imply that heparin selected for mutants with altered postbinding requirements for entry. Resistance to gD-mediated interference conferred by mutations affecting gC and gK has not been previously described.
A framework for device capability on demand and virtual device user experience

The proliferation of mobile devices is gradually making it possible to access information anywhere at any time. However, the physical capabilities of the mobile device still greatly limit the experience of users because functionality has usually been traded off for ubiquity. Nonetheless, the enormous growth rate of new information appliances heralds the dawning of a device-rich era. In this paper, we propose a framework for augmenting mobile device capabilities with surrounding devices. We then discuss a possible approach to represent an augmented device as one single virtual device.
The Effect of an Antiserum to Luteinizing Hormone- Releasing Hormone on the Progesterone-Induced Luteinizing Hormone Surge in Ovariectomized, Estrogen- Primed Rats*

A rabbit antiserum to synthetic LHRH was shown to be specific to rat hypothalamic LHRH, as revealed by binding studies (RIA). The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of this antiserum (LHRH-AS) on the progesterone-induced LH surge in ovariectomized rats primed with estrogen and on the proestrous LH surge in cycling females. An ip injection of 0.2 ml LHRH-AS at 1200 h on proestrus completely inhibited the preovulatory rise in serum LH from 1700–1800 h. In long term ovariectomized rats, a sc injection of estradiol benzoate reduced serum LH levels by 50% at 1200 h on the third day. Subsequent administration of progesterone elicited a LH surge, with peak LH values 4–6 h after progesterone. However, concurrent administration of LHRH-AS effectively prevented the increase in LH release by progesterone, and an iv injection of LHRH-AS was shown to be more effective than ip administration in inhibiting the progesterone stimulation of LH release. Although estrogen and progesterone may induce a chan...
Assessment of differences in sonar biparietal diameter values regarding fetal age and weight

Various investigators have reported different mean BPD measurements to represent the attainment of a specific gestational week or of a predicted mean weight. These differences are too large to be attributed solely to inherent population variabilities. Nonuniformity in methodology and in standardization of equipment are additional factors contributing to this observed variance. Furthermore in ascertaining the accuracy of sonar BPD measuring methods, comparison of in utero results can only be made with postnatal caliper readings obtained from fetuses delivered by repeat cesarean section. This study demonstrates that the closest correlation between prenatal sonar and postnatal caliper BPD values is obtained when nonpersistent image scanning (NPIS) and electronic calipers are integrated into the procedure of ultrasonic cephalometry. However since the calibration of electronic markers is dependent upon the speed of ultrasound through the skull and brain tissue per unit of time, it is mandatory that a universally agreed upon velocity be used by all manufacturers of ultrasonic equipment. Biparietal diameter differences resulting from inherent population variabilities alone, can only be assessed after uniform methodology is adopted. Until such time, each center utilizing diagnostic sonography must establish and depend on its own intrauterine BPD scale, for the clinical management of patients.
Estimating the Fraction of Winter Orographic Precipitation Produced under Conditions Meeting the Seeding Criteria for the Wyoming Weather Modification Pilot Project

AbstractAnnual precipitation increases of 10% or more are often quoted for the impact of winter orographic cloud seeding; however, establishing the basis for such values is problematic for two reasons. First, the impact of glaciogenic seeding of candidate orographic storms has not been firmly established. Second, not all winter precipitation is produced by candidate “seedable” storms. Addressing the first question motivated the Wyoming state legislature to fund a multiyear, crossover, randomized cloud-seeding experiment in southeastern Wyoming to quantify the impact of glaciogenic seeding of wintertime orographic clouds. The crossover design requires two barriers, one randomly selected for seeding, for comparisons of seeded and nonseeded precipitation under relatively homogeneous atmospheric conditions. Addressing the second question motivated the work here. The seeding criteria—700-hPa temperatures ≤−8°C, 700-hPa winds between 210° and 315°, and the presence of supercooled liquid water—were applied to ei...
Acidic amino acid antagonists of lateral perforant path synaptic transmission: agonist—antagonist interactions in the dentate gyrus☆

Abstract Acidic amino acid antagonists were tested for their ability to block depolarizations produced by excitatory amino acids in the outer molecular layer of the dentate gyrus in hippocampal slices. 2-Amino-4-phosphonobutyraic (APB) and serine-O-phosphate (SOP), potent synaptic blockers of the lateral perforant path input to this system, are moderately selective antagonists of kainate and N-methyl- dl -aspartate depolarizations, but not depolarization produced by l -glutamate, quisqualate, or serine-O-sulfate, N-Methyl- dl -aspartate responses were potently blocked by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate, but this antagonist is less potent than APE or SOP against the synaptic response.
A New Animal Model of Reversible Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract Numerous animal models of acute pancreatitis are utilized to assess pathophysiologic events and to evaluate therapeutic options. However, none of the small animal models simulates reversible biliary pancreatitis with long-term follow-up (weeks). The present study was designed to create a reversible model of acute biliary pancreatitis in small experimental animals. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to laparotomy, and the common bile duct was dissected free at its junction to the duodenum. Experimental animals had a polypropylene tie occluder passed around the common bile duct and brought out through a separate stab wound in the abdominal wall. The duct was occluded for 24 hr; the blockage was then relieved and the tie withdrawn from the animal. Sham-operative animals had similar surgical procedures but without the occluder. Serum amylase values on Days 1 and 2 following surgery were significantly increased in the experimental group, but were not different from those of control animals on Day 3 or 4, suggesting reversibility of this biliary pancreatitis model. Likewise, serum bilirubin levels were increased in the experimental group on Days 1 and 2. Histologic analysis revealed edema, zymogen degranulation, inflammatory infiltration, vacuolization of acinar cells, and focal areas of fat and parenchymal necrosis in the experimental group. Only mild edema was observed in the sham-operative controls due to surgical manipulation. Pancreatic tissues obtained at 1 week postinduction of pancreatitis showed near total destruction of the architecture and dissolution of zymogen granules; in contrast, histology at the 3rd week showed almost normal-appearing pancreas with return of zymogen granules, suggesting recovery from the acute pancreatitis. This reproducible and reversible model of acute pancreatitis in the rat will provide for further studies in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and its therapeutic interventions.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nonlinear Nanopores in Alumina Films

Controlled and convenient synthetic approaches for more complex-shaped nanotubes and nanowires of different materials are needed to further advance the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of nonlinear nanopores (such as curved and dendritic nanopores) containing alumina films. We show that control over the orientation of nanopores can be accomplished by controlling the geometric shape of aluminum substrates on which nanoporous alumina is grown. The anodically grown alumina on square and rectangular aluminum substrates showed cracks at the sharp edges of the substrates but no cracks were observed in nanoporous alumina films grown on cylindrical substrates. Our electrostatic calculations suggest that the electric field intensity at sharp edges of the rectangular/square substrates is significantly larger than that at the flat faces of the substrates. This leads to a faster alumina growth rate and hence increased stresses at these edges. We also...
Supported N-heterocyclic carbene complexes in catalysis

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been known to be outstanding ligands for a variety of organometallic complexes that are key components in catalysis. For the past 10 years, interest has grown towards tethered versions of this type of ligands onto a variety of supports including polymers and silica. In this report, we review current approaches to supported NHC-based complexes and catalysts. In particular, supported versions of olefin metathesis catalysts and palladium catalysts for coupling chemistries are described. While the first supported NHC catalysts have been reported less than 10 years ago, this blossoming area has increased exponentially since then and offers interesting perspectives for the future of supported catalysts.
Supercolor Coding Methods for Large-Scale Multiplexing of Biochemical Assays

We present a novel method for the encoding and decoding of multiplexed biochemical assays. The method enables a theoretically unlimited number of independent targets to be detected and uniquely identified in any combination in the same sample. For example, the method offers easy access to 12-plex and larger PCR assays, as contrasted to the current 4-plex assays. This advancement would allow for large panels of tests to be run simultaneously in the same sample, saving reagents, time, consumables, and manual labor, while also avoiding the traditional loss of sensitivity due to sample aliquoting. Thus, the presented method is a major technological breakthrough with far-reaching impact on biotechnology, biomedical science, and clinical diagnostics. Herein, we present the mathematical theory behind the method as well as its experimental proof of principle using Taqman PCR on sequences specific to infectious diseases.
Natural Convection Adjacent to Horizontal Surface of Various Planforms

Natural convection adjacent to horizontal surfaces of circular, square, rectangular, and right triangular planforms has been studied experimentally. Electrochemical techniques were employed involving a fluid with a Schmidt number of about 2200. The results encompass a wide range of Rayleigh numbers thus providing information on both the laminar and the turbulent regimes. The data for all planforms are reduced to a single correlation in the laminar and turbulent regimes using the characteristic length, as recommended by Goldstein, Sparrow, and Jones. L* = A/p, where A is the surface area and p is the surface perimeter. The laminar data for all planforms are correlated by the expression Sh = 0.54 Ra1/4 (2.2 × 104 ≤ Ra ≤ 8 × 106) and the data for the turbulent regime are correlated by the expression Sh = 0.15 Ra1/3 (8 × 106 ≤ 1.6 × 109) Transition is found to occur at about Ra = 8 × 106 . The present work thus significantly extends the Rayleigh number range of validity for the use of L* through the 1/4 power laminar regime into the turbulent 1/3 power regime. It also demonstrates the validity of the use of L* to correlate natural convection transfer coefficients for highly unsymmetrical planforms, which heretofore had not been demonstrated. Comparisons to analytical solutions and other experimental heat and mass transfer data are presented.
Historic preservation: A statutory vehicle for disparate agendas

Abstract During the past 100 years historic preservation has gravitated between portrayals as protector of the nation's cultural heritage, to an impediment of necessary development. Shifting coalitions, most often bent upon pursuing agendas having little to do with the essence of historic preservation, banded together securing statutory provisions largely incremental or symbolic in substance. Of significance was the decades long absence of an issue monopoly, an absence that is not fully explored in the existing policy literature. This study provides insights into the shifts in coalition stability and statutory outputs absent an issue monopoly.
Tract Tales, Literary Aesthetics, and American Fiction

Howard's essay argues for the significance of antebellum evangelical tract tales both as precedents for later best-selling works such as Uncle Tom's Cabin and as provocations to consider our critical understandings of literariness. Tract tales belonged to a moment in which discourses of literary aesthetics were bound to a set of questions about whether meaning derived from God, language, or man. The literary was not a mark of the secular, understood as the absence of spiritual concerns, but part of a process of thinking about the relationship of individual will to moral law, biblical precepts, and history. Howard follows the development of ideas about literariness in the antebellum evangelical context by first tracing their roots in a Puritan tradition of representing divine things in language and a Scottish aesthetic tradition that deemed such representations useful. Both of these traditions allowed for a gap between the practical use of language and theories about its significance. It was in this gap that the tract tales emerged-within a cultural context still suspicious of fiction-as representations of what divine truths looked like when lived in the modern world. The essay demonstrates how tales used the developing forms of plot and dialogue to argue for biblical precepts by reading several shorter works as well as Helen Cross Knight's 1846 tract tale Robert Dawson; or, The Brave Spirit. In closing, Howard considers the formal analogies between this work and the century's best-selling novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Cyanide enhancement of dopamine-induced apoptosis in mesencephalic cells involves mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Abstract Dopamine (DA)-induced neurotoxicity is potentiated when cellular metabolism is compromised. Since cyanide is a neurotoxin that produces mitochondrial dysfunction and stimulates intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), KCN was used to study DA-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mesencephalon cells. Treatment of neurons with DA (300 μM) for 24 h produced apoptosis as determined by TUNEL staining, DNA fragmentation and increased caspase activity. Pretreatment with KCN (100 μM) 30 min prior to DA increased the number of cells undergoing apoptosis. When added to the cells alone, this concentration of KCN did not induce apoptosis. DA stimulated intracellular generation of ROS, and treatment with KCN enhanced ROS generation. Treatment of cells with glutathione or uric acid (antioxidants/scavengers) attenuated both the increase in ROS generation and the apoptosis, demonstrating that ROS are initiators of the cytotoxicity. Studies on the sequence of events mediating the response showed that DA-induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane was dependent on ROS generation and KCN enhanced this action of DA. Following changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c was released from mitochondria, leading to caspase activation and eventually cell death. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are initiators of DA-induced apoptosis. Subsequent cytochrome c release activates the caspase effector component of apoptosis. Cyanide potentiates the neurotoxicity of DA by enhancing the generation of ROS and impairing mitochondrial function.
Stratigraphic correlation of oligocene marginal marine and fluvial deposits across the middle and lower coastal plain, South Carolina

Abstract The age and stratigraphic relationship of the Upland Unit, which crops out at the Savannah River Site near Barnwell, South Carolina has been the focus of many recent investigations. The geological interpretation of the Upland Unit is particularly significant since it serves as the upper confining unit used in the storage of lowlevel radioactive wastes at the Savannah River Site. The age and regional extent of the unit is also important in providing an accurate geological map of the upper coastal plain. The age of the Upland Unit has been in dispute because it lacks datable material. Extensive coring and seismic studies have been conducted to investigate the occurrence and regional distribution of this stratigraphic unit. Lithologically, the Upland Unit consists of poorly sorted, clayey to silty, medium- to coarse-grained sands and gravels of fluvial origin. Similar quartz gravel deposits have been reported from the Chandler Bridge Formation near Charleston, South Carolina. These ‘Upland-like’ gravels are the oldest gravels of Tertiary age reported in the lower coastal plain. The Chandler Bridge Formation is interpreted as a downdip marginal marine facies of an extensive fluvial drainage system which once extended from the upper to the lower coastal plain of South Carolina. Where present, the Chandler Bridge Formation is overlain by nodular phosphate deposits of the Edisto Formation (late Oligocene to early Miocene), and underlain by the Ashley Formation of late Oligocene age. Pollen and dinoflagellate analyses conducted on sediment samples also confirm a late Chattian age for the Chandler Bridge Formation. Consequently, if quartz clasts in the Chandler Bridge Formation represent fluvial transport of Upland Unit gravels from the upper coastal plain which seems likely, then the age of the Upland Unit can be no younger than late Oligocene. Lithologic and stratigraphic analyses suggest that the Upland Unit and the Chandler Bridge Formation are correlative and represent a sequence of fluvial and marginal marine deposits of late Oligocene age. The depositional history of these formational units provides additional information concerning the geological evolution of the middle and lower coastal plain of South Carolina.
Retaining customer satisfaction in turbulent times

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an insight into the actions required by trust officers to improve customer satisfaction during a time of difficult economic and regulatory conditions.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 96 bank trust officers located in the USA were surveyed using a mail questionnaire.Findings – Increased compliance regulation and financial industry problems during 2008 and 2009 have had only a minor negative impact on customer satisfaction. Success in maintaining satisfaction levels has come from customer‐focused corrective actions including more frequent customer meetings, improved electronic/print mail communications and the provision of more friendly financial information.Practical implications – The paper makes three recommendations to senior managers to help them maintain customer satisfaction: 1, continue to focus on the basics of customer focus; 2, use existing and emergent technology to provide customer friendly support; and 3, constantly review and update the financial v...
Unique patterns of surface receptors, cytokine secretion, and immune functions distinguish T cells in the bone marrow from those in the periphery: impact on allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

The “conventional” NK1.1− T cells from mouse blood and marrow were compared with regard to surface receptors, cytokine secretion, and function. Most blood NK1.1−CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressed the naive CD44int/loCD62LhiCD45RBhiT-cell phenotype typical of those in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. In contrast, most marrow NK1.1−CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressed an unusual CD44hiCD62LhiCD45RBhiphenotype. The blood NK1.1− CD4+ T cells had a naive T-helper cytokine profile and a potent capacity to induce lethal graft versus host (GVH) disease in a C57BL/6 donor to a BALB/c host bone marrow transplantation model. In contrast, the marrow NK1.1− CD4+ T cells had a Th0 cytokine profile and failed to induce lethal GVH disease, even at 20-fold higher numbers than those from the blood. NK1.1− CD8+ T cells from the blood but not the marrow induced lethal GVH disease. Nevertheless, the marrow NK1.1− CD8+ T cells induced potent antitumor activity that was augmented by marrow NK1.1− CD4+ T cells and facilitated hematopoietic progenitor engraftment. The inability of marrow CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to induce GVH disease was associated with their inability to expand in the blood and gut of allogeneic recipients. Because neither the purified marrow CD4+ or CD8+ T cells induced GVH disease, their unique features are desirable for inclusion in allogeneic bone marrow or hematopoietic progenitor transplants.
Absorption and Coherent Interference Effects in Multiply Resonant Four-Wave Mixing Spectroscopy

The effects of coherent interference between resonant and nonresonant signals and the effects of absorption on multiresonant four-wave mixing spectra are investigated both theoretically and experimentally in azulene-doped naphthalene crystals at 2 K. Both effects can strongly alter line shapes and intensities. Line splittings and negative spectral features are demonstrated. Coherent interference, although measurable in this system, is weak. Absorption, however, plays an important role, and its effects on phase matching, peak shapes, and peak intensities are predicted theoretically and are confirmed by the experimental measurements. A new expression for the four-wave mixing is derived in terms of sample absorption coefficients and absorption cross sections, and general conditions for maximum efficiency are determined.
An electronic geriatric specialist workforce: is it a viable option?

In 2008, the Institute of Medicine report Retooling for an Aging America noted the chasm between the growing number of older Americans and the quantity of clinicians with sufficient geriatric expertise to care for them. In response to this provider shortfall, several initiatives were created to encourage the education of more geriatric specialists and to incorporate geriatric clinical competencies within the basic and continuing education of all nongeriatric disciplines. Although it is too early to tell the degree to which these efforts will have an impact, there is evidence that much of the information needed to develop gero-competent providers is either too vast to assimilate or too slow to reach implementation. Although education (including clinical guidelines) is useful, the fact is that there is a widening gap between the science of geriatrics and its translation into clinical practice. This unevenness in what is known and what trickles down to patient care leaves many of us feeling well informed about some practice issues but lacking in others. Part of the problem may be in the actual information delivery system and how that information is packaged and processed to those who need it most. For example, the use of risk assessment tools is meant to quantify potential clinical problems in a systematic and effective (depending on the instrument’s sensitivity and specificity) way to trigger provider use of appropriate interventions with older adults, including referral to other clinicians. Most assessments, however, target a particular body system or clinical issue, such as skin integrity or fall risk, and thus provide only information pertaining to that particular area of focus,
Comparison of pyridoxal phosphate and 0.4 m KCl-extracted nuclear glucocorticoid receptors in HeLa S3 cells

A comparison of the physicochemical properties between pyridoxal 5'-phosphate- and 0.4 M KCl-extracted nuclear glucocorticoid receptors has been made utilizing HeLa S3 cells as a source of receptor. Both pyridoxal 5'-phosphate/NaBH4-reduced and 0.4 M KCl-extracted receptors sedimented as approximately 3.5-4.5 S species in 5-20% sucrose gradients containing 0, 0.15, and 0.4 M KCl. Under low-ionic-strength buffer conditions, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-extracted receptor elutes close to the void volume of a Sephacryl S-300 gel-exclusion column. Increasing the [KCl] of the column to 0.4 M resulted in the elution of receptor with a Stokes radius of 58 A and calculated Mr = 96,000. Nuclear receptors extracted with 0.4 M KCl also formed a large-molecular-weight complex which eluted close to the void volume of the gel-exclusion column. Increasing the [KCl] to 0.4 M had the effect of shifting this receptor form to a species which had a Stokes radius of 62 A and calculated Mr = 89,700. Ion-exchange analysis of nuclear-extracted receptors revealed that 0.4 M KCl-extracted receptors exhibited considerable charge heterogeneity, whereas pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-extracted receptors did not. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-extracted receptors (approximately 86%) eluted from DEAE-cellulose at a [KCl] greater than 0.15 M; approximately 14% of the receptors had little affinity for DEAE-cellulose. Pyridoxal phosphate-treated receptors had little affinity for hydroxylapatite, phosphocellulose, and DNA-cellulose. The predominant form of 0.4 M KCl-extracted nuclear receptors (approximately 78%) eluted from DEAE-cellulose between 0.05 and 0.15 M KCl, a position coincident with "activated" glucocorticoid receptors. The remaining receptor fraction (approximately 22%) eluted from DEAE-cellulose at a [KCl] greater than 0.15 M, a position coincident with "unactivated" glucocorticoid receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Dynamic Optical Deformations Of A Chopping Secondary Mirror

The finite element method was used to analyze the optical performance of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) fused-silica secondary mirror as it is subjected to a dynamic chopping motion. The chopping motion was assumed to be of quasi-square wave form with the mirror stationary during a dwell period following the actual chop rotation. The primary optical deformation was "ringing" during the dwell period; damping during the dwell time (20 ms) was not effective. For a given chopping motion, the magnitude of the optical deflections could be reduced by proper choice of the support points, by increasing the stiffness of the mirror, reducing the magnitude of the chop angle, and/or increasing the chop period. Prescribed acceleration versus time during the chop motion affects the optical deformations as well. There are optimum support-point locations for each type of motion. Tapering the back of the secondary mirror does not significantly affect optical deformation provided that supports are located at the optimum points. For the best trade of mass moment of inertia against deformation, lightweight mirror geometries should be used.
The Carboxyl-Terminal Tripeptide of the Manganese-Stabilizing Protein Is Required for Quantitative Assembly into Photosystem II and for High Rates of Oxygen Evolution Activity †

The extrinsic manganese stabilizing protein of photosystem II is required for Mn retention by the O2-evolving complex, accelerates the rate of O2 evolution, and protects photosytem II against photoinhibition. We report results from studies of the in vitro reconstitution of spinach photosytem II with recombinant manganese stabilizing protein with C-terminal deletions of two, three, and four amino acids. The deletions were the result of amber mutations introduced by site-directed mutagenesis. Removal of the C-terminal dipeptide (Glu-Gln) did not diminish the ability of the manganese stabilizing protein either to rebind to or to restore high rates of O2 evolution to photosystem II preparations depleted of the native protein. Deletion of the C-terminal tripeptide (Leu-Glu-Gln) resulted in weakened but specific binding of manganese stabilizing protein to photosystem II and minimal recovery of O2 evolution activity. Removal of the C-terminal tetrapeptide (Gln-Leu-Glu-Gln) eliminated the ability of the subunit to interact stably with all of its available binding sites on photosystem II, as evidenced by the fact that this mutant was totally inactive in restoring O2 evolution activity. Evidence is presented to indicate that these mutational effects on the binding and function of the manganese stabilizing protein may be due to major changes in tertiary structure. The truncation mutations lacking either the C-terminal tri- or tetrapeptide exhibit apparent size increases of 25 and 40%, respectively, when compared either to a mutant lacking the C-terminal dipeptide or to the wild-type protein.
Tritium permeation through clean incoloy 800 and sanicro 31 alloys and through steam oxidized incoloy 800

The tritium permeabilities,DK, of Incoloy 800 and Sanicro 31 have been determined for tube samples that were protected from surface oxidation by electroplated nickel. The permeabilities of these analogous alloys over the 400 to 750°C range were essentially equal;DK = 0.566 exp (-16120/RT) and 0.367 exp (-15610/RT cm3 (T2 · STP) · mm/(cmsu2 · min · torr1/2), respectively. The effects ofin-situ steam oxidation of Incoloy 800 were observed to reduce tritium permeabilities by factors up to 400 at 150 days. Permeation rates through oxide-coated Incoloy 800 were observed to be 0.5 rather than 1.0 power dependent on the tritium pressure. Permeabilities of the oxides formed at 520, 660 and 725°C were determined to be 5.4 E-11, 4.9 E-10 and 2.4 E-9 cc (T2,STP) · mm/(cm2 · min · torr1/2), respectively. Severe thermal shock was observed to essentially destroy the permeation barrier characteristics of the oxide coatings while mild temperature cycling had no observable effects on permeation rates through the oxide coated material.
Toward the Development of a Performance-Related Specification for Concrete Shrinkage

Although the opportunity to replace prescriptive codes and specifications with those based on performance has been widely discussed, currently only limited tools are capable of providing performance-based description of concrete behavior. This paper introduces a stochastic approach to relate the free shrinkage of concrete with anticipated cracking performance. This method proposes that shrinkage performance grades could be established to allow the designer to limit the probability of cracking based on free shrinkage as a first step. The probabilistic assessment of concrete cracking performance is further obtained from Monte Carlo simulations in which material properties (e.g., shrinkage, modulus, and strength) are treated as random variables with assigned predefined distributions. As a result of these simulations, user-friendly diagrams are obtained that can be further used by transportation agencies and contractors to predict field performance of concrete.
Promoting Climate Science in K–12 Education: An Interview With Eugenie Scott

Over the course of 26 years at the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), Eugenie Scott has worked to defend the teaching of evolution and climate science in public schools by providing resources to teachers, schools, and citizens and by working on legal aspects of these issues at the local, state, and national levels. Scott, who was appointed as executive director of NCSE in 1987, recently announced her intention to retire from that position.
J. chain disease: a novel form of plasma cell dyscrasia.

Immunohistochemical staining of cells from the bone marrow of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias such as multiple myeloma usually reveals a variable proportion of cells that stain with both anti-heavy and anti-light chain reagents of one immunoglobulin isotype and one light chain type (e.g., IgG-K). In approximately 1% of patients, more than one immunoglobulin isotype may be found, usually in different cells. In other cases the bone marrow cells may produce only light or heavy chains (light or heavy chain diseases) or may not stain with either anti-heavy or -light chain reagents despite their plasma cell morphology and clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma. In contrast to cells from normal bone marrow, cells from patients with various gammopathies may contain J chain in addition to heavy and light chains, irrespective of the immunoglobulin isotype or light chain type produced [l-5]. The presence of J chain in immunoglobulin-producing cells from the bone marrow has been considered a useful marker to distinguish multiple myeloma from benign gammopathy; in the latter disorder the immunoglobulin-producing cells express J chain in a lower frequency than cells from patients with multiple myeloma [5]. In normal individuals, bone marrow cells are usually devoid of intracytoplasmic J chain [6]. The presence of J chain has also been revealed by immunohistochemical techniques in various B-cell lymphomas [7-lo] and is considered a possible marker of malignancy [7]. Furthermore, the Jchain-positive but immunoglobulin-negative cells were detected in three of 90 patients with high-grade lymphoma [9] and in Reed-Sternberg and Hodgkin cells in some [lo] but not other patients with Hodgkin’s disease [7,8]. In tissue samples from normal individuals, J chain is easily detectable in cells that produce polymeric IgM or IgA; secretory glands and mucosa-associated tissues such as mammary, salivary, and lacrimal glands, intestines, and nasal mucosa are particularly rich in J chain- and IgA- or IgM-producing cells [6,11,12]. While examining bone marrow specimens from 88 patients suspected of having a plasma cell dyscrasia or other immunoproliferative diseases by immunofluorescence technique, we observed that cells from four patients displayed unusual staining patterns: in one patient, numerous cells stained for IgG-K or J chain, with a few containing both IgG-K and J chain; in two patients, a few of the IgA- or IgG-containing cells stained for J chain, although most of the J chain-containing cells were negative with either heavy or light
Contrast enhanced MRI of stunned myocardium using Mn-based MRI contrast media.

Manganese ions are taken up by myocytes through voltage operated calcium channels (1). Once inside myocytes, manganese ions are retained for several days (2). Previous magnetic resonance studies showed that myocardial uptake of manganese in normal rat heart is attenuated by calcium channel blockers (3). Furthermore, infarcted myocardium is delineated on MR images following addition of either manganese ions (4) or MnDPDP (5), because manganese ion is not retained in the infarcted region. These studies did not evaluate manganese distribution in ischemically injured but viable myocardium. The current study was conducted to determine whether stunned myocardium can be delineated as a contrast defect by differential uptake of manganese ions. Since calcium channels are intimately associated with intracellular calcium release and thereby with contractile response, an abnormal manganese uptake is plausible. There is currently no published method whereby dysfunctional myocardium is defined as a contrast enhanced zone, instead contractile dysfunction is evaluated from differences in ventricular wall thickness at systole and diastole, or by MRI tagging.