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Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a relatively common condition affecting patients with advanced malignancy. Therapeutic interventions should be aimed at maintaining quality of life. Given the lack of prospective controlled studies in this patient population, patient management is often based on local practice patterns and anecdotal experience. To foster a collaborative approach among the members of the patient care team involving internal medicine, oncology, palliative care, clinical nutrition, surgery, gastroenterology, and interventional radiology physicians, it is important to improve our understanding of MBO. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, as well as medical, surgical, and nonsurgical palliative options available to patients with MBO for purposes of decompression and nutrition.

This article presents a novel theory of noncombatant immunity that can serve as a practical guide for soldiers in the field. It improves on existing theories by justifying why and when an innocent ...

To evaluate the safety and primary technical success rate of gastric decompression via percutaneous transabdominal gastrostomy (PTAG) or percutaneous transesophageal gastric (PTEG) catheter placement for management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). A secondary purpose was to evaluate the safety and success rate for PTAG catheter placement in patients with both MBO and ascites. A single-institution retrospective review of 385 patients who underwent attempted decompression gastric catheter placement from March 2013 to August 2018 was performed. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed. A subgroup of patients with concomitant MBO and ascites were identified. The primary outcome measures were procedural technical success and procedural complications. 394 decompression gastrostomy catheters were attempted from 2013 to 2018, n = 353 PTAG and n = 41 PTEG. The success rate was 95.5% (n = 337 of 353) for PTAG and 97.6% (n = 40 of 41) for PTEG. There were 63 total complications involving 47 (13.9%) patients following PTAG and 13 total complications involving 9 (22.5%) patients following PTEG, P = 0.16. For the subgroup of patients with MBO and ascites, the success rate was 94.8% (n = 182 of 192 patients), and there were 20 complications involving 17 (12.9%) of 132 patients. Gastric decompression for patients with MBO via PTAG or PTEG catheter placement is associated with high success rates and low complications.

To evaluate the safety and primary technical success rate of gastric decompression via percutaneous transabdominal gastrostomy (PTAG) or percutaneous transesophageal gastric (PTEG) catheter placement for management of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO). A secondary purpose was to evaluate the safety and success rate for PTAG catheter placement in patients with both MBO and ascites.A single-institution retrospective review of 385 patients who underwent attempted decompression gastric catheter placement from March 2013 to August 2018 was performed. Medical records and imaging studies were reviewed. A subgroup of patients with concomitant MBO and ascites were identified. The primary outcome measures were procedural technical success and procedural complications.394 decompression gastrostomy catheters were attempted from 2013 to 2018, n = 353 PTAG and n = 41 PTEG. The success rate was 95.5% (n = 337 of 353) for PTAG and 97.6% (n = 40 of 41) for PTEG. There were 63 total complications involving 47 (13.9%) patients following PTAG and 13 total complications involving 9 (22.5%) patients following PTEG, P = 0.16. For the subgroup of patients with MBO and ascites, the success rate was 94.8% (n = 182 of 192 patients), and there were 20 complications involving 17 (12.9%) of 132 patients.Gastric decompression for patients with MBO via PTAG or PTEG catheter placement is associated with high success rates and low complications.

Late-middle and late Pleistocene, and Holocene, inland aeolian sand and loess blanket >90,000 km2 of the unglaciated eastern United States of America (USA). Deposits are most extensive in the Lower Mississippi Valley (LMV) and Atlantic Coastal Plain (ACP), areas presently lacking significant aeolian activity. They provide evidence of paleoclimate intervals when wind erosion and deposition were dominant land-altering processes. This study synthesizes available data for aeolian sand deposits in the LMV, the Eastern Gulf Coastal Plain (EGCP) and the ACP, and loess deposits in the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (MACP). Data indicate: (a) the most recent major aeolian activity occurred in response to and coincident with growth and decay of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS); (b) by ∼40 ka, aeolian processes greatly influenced landscape evolution in all three regions; (c) aeolian activity peaked in OIS2; (d) OIS3 and OIS2 aeolian records are in regional agreement with paleoecological records; and (e) limited aeolian activity occurred in the Holocene (EGCP and ACP). Paleoclimate and atmospheric-circulation models (PCMs/ACMs) for the last glacial maximum (LGM) show westerly winter winds for the unglaciated eastern USA, but do not resolve documented W and SW winds in the SEACP and WNW and N winds in the MACP. The minimum areal extent of aeolian deposits in the EGCP and ACP is ∼10,000 km2. For the LMV, it is >80,000 km2. Based on these estimates, published PCMs/ACMs likely underrepresent the areal extent of LGM aeolian activity, as well as the extent and complexity of climatic changes during this interval.

Dyke Marsh, a distal tidal marsh along the Potomac River estuary, is diminishing rapidly in areal extent. This study documents Dyke Marsh erosion rates from the early-1860s to the present during pre-mining, mining, and post-mining phases. From the late-1930s to the mid-1970s, Dyke Marsh and the adjacent shallow riverbottom were mined for gravel, resulting in a ~55 % initial loss of area. Marsh loss continued during the post-mining phase (1976–2012). Causes of post-mining loss were unknown, but were thought to include Potomac River flooding. Post-mining areal-erosion rates increased from 0.138 ha yr−1 (~0.37 ac yr−1) to 0.516 ha yr−1 (~1.67 ac yr−1), and shoreline-erosion rates increased from 0.76 m yr−1 (~2.5 ft yr−1) to 2.60 m yr−1 (~8.5 ft yr−1). Results suggest the accelerating post-mining erosion reflects a process-driven feedback loop, enabled by the marsh's severely-altered geomorphic and hydrologic baseline system; the primary post-mining degradation process is wave-induced erosion from northbound cyclonic storms. Dyke Marsh erosion rates are now comparable to, or exceed, rates for proximal coastal marshes in the same region. Persistent and accelerated erosion of marshland long after cessation of mining illustrates the long-term, and potentially devastating, effects that temporally-restricted, anthropogenic destabilization can have on estuarine marsh systems.

We document frequent, rapid, strong, millennial-scale paleovegetation shifts throughout the late Pleistocene, within a 100,000+ yr interval (~ 115–15 ka) of terrestrial sediments from the mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) of North America. High-resolution analyses of fossil pollen from one core locality revealed a continuously shifting sequence of thermally dependent forest assemblages, ranging between two endmembers: subtropical oak-tupelo-bald cypress-gum forest and high boreal spruce-pine forest. Sedimentary textural evidence indicates fluvial, paludal, and loess deposition, and paleosol formation, representing sequential freshwater to subaerial environments in which this record was deposited. Its total age"depth model, based on radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence ages, ranges from terrestrial oxygen isotope stages (OIS) 6 to 1. The particular core sub-interval presented here is correlative in trend and timing to that portion of the oxygen isotope sequence common among several Greenland ice cores: interstades GI2 to GI24 (≈ OIS2–5 d). This site thus provides the first evidence for an essentially complete series of "Dansgaard"Oeschger" climate events in the MAR. These data reveal that the ~ 100,000 yr preceding the Late Glacial and Holocene in the MAR of North America were characterized by frequently and dynamically changing climate states, and by vegetation shifts that closely tracked the Greenland paleoclimate sequence.

Our primary purpose was to assess the impact of an inferior vena cava filter retrieval algorithm in a cancer population. Because cancer patients are at persistently elevated risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE), our secondary purpose was to assess the incidence of recurrent VTE in patients who underwent filter retrieval.Patients with malignant disease who had retrievable filters placed at a tertiary care cancer hospital from August 2010 to July 2014 were retrospectively studied. A filter retrieval algorithm was established in August 2012. Patients and referring physicians were contacted in the postintervention period when review of the medical record indicated that filter retrieval was clinically appropriate. Patients were classified into preintervention (August 2010-July 2012) and postintervention (August 2012-July 2014) study cohorts. Retrieval rates and clinical pathologic records were reviewed.Filter retrieval was attempted in 34 (17.4%) of 195 patients in the preintervention cohort and 66 (32.8%) of 201 patients in the postintervention cohort (P .01). The median time to filter retrieval in the preintervention and postintervention cohorts was 60 days (range, 20-428 days) and 107 days (range, 9-600 days), respectively (P = .16). In the preintervention cohort, 49 of 195 (25.1%) patients were lost to follow-up compared with 24 of 201 (11.9%) patients in the postintervention cohort (P .01). Survival was calculated from the date of filter placement to death, when available. The overall survival for patients whose filters were retrieved was longer compared with the overall survival for patients whose filters were not retrieved (P .0001). Of the 80 patients who underwent successful filter retrieval, two patients (2.5%) suffered from recurrent VTE (n = 1 nonfatal pulmonary embolism; n = 1 deep venous thrombosis). Both patients were treated with anticoagulation without filter replacement.Inferior vena cava filter retrieval rates can be significantly increased in patients with malignant disease with a low rate (2.5%) of recurrent VTE after filter retrieval.

When a metal matrix composite undergoes centrifugal casting, the velocity, deceleration, displacement, and segregation of its particles are modeled according to changes in the centrifugal radius, as well as by variations in the molten metal viscosity as the temperature decreases during the cooling process. A cast aluminum alloy A356 reinforced by 10 V% of silicon carbide particles (SiC), with a median diameter of 12 μm, was used to conduct the experiments, and a mathematical modeling showed that the particles’ volume fraction on the outer casting face varied according to whether the viscosity of the liquid metal used was constant or variable. If variations in viscosity during the cooling process are taken into account, then the volume fraction of the particles for a given time of centrifugation changes on the outer casting face, while it increases if the viscosity was constant. Modeling the particle segregation with variable viscosity produces results that are closer to those obtained with experiments than is the case when a constant viscosity is used. In fact, the higher the initial pouring and mold temperatures, the higher the effect of the viscosity variation on particle segregation.

Human embryonic diploid lung fibroblasts were exposed to various fractions of cigarette smoke condensate over their in vitro life-time. Most fractions were toxic at a concentration of 50 microgram/ml, with the exception of the strong acid and one water soluble basic fraction, which stimulated growth and increased longevity significantly at this concentration. Most fractions produced no effect on cell growth at 10 microgram/ml, with the exception of another basic fraction which inhibited growth at 1 microgram/ml. Nicotine had no apparent effect on growth and longevity at 50 microgram/ml. The neutral fraction containing the polynuclear hydrocarbon carcinogens produced normal growth and longevity at 10 microgram/ml. No cell transformations were observed.

Inactive parabolic dunes are present in southeastern Maryland, USA, along the east bank of the Potomac River. More elongate and finer-grained eolian deposits and paha-like ridges characterize the Potomac River–Patuxent River upland and the west side of Chesapeake Bay. These ridges are streamlined erosional features, veneered with eolian sediment and interspersed with dunes in the low-relief headwaters of Potomac- and Patuxent-river tributaries. Axis data for the dunes and ridges indicate formation by WNW–NW winds. Optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon age data suggest dune formation from ∼ 33–15 ka, agreeing with the 30–13 ka ages Denny, C.S., Owens, J.P., Sirkin, L., Rubin, M., 1979. The Parsonburg Sand in the central Delmarva Peninsula, Maryland and Delaware. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 1067-B, 16 pp. suggested for eolian deposits east of Chesapeake Bay. Age range and paleowind direction(s) for eolian features in the Bay region approximate those for late Wisconsin loess in the North American midcontinent. Formation of midcontinent loess and Bay-region eolian features was coeval with rapid growth of the Laurentide Ice Sheet and strong cooling episodes (δ18O minima) evident in Greenland ice cores. Age and paleowind-direction coincidence, for eolian features in the midcontinent and Bay region, indicates strong mid-latitude WNW–NW winds for several hundred kilometers south of the Laurentide glacial terminus that were oblique to previously simulated anticyclonic winds for the last glacial maximum.

Homicide clearance rates in the United States have been steadily declining from the 1960s through the 1990s. Our study asks: (1) Are the factors commonly identified in homicide clearance research as being related to clearances consistent across time? (2) Can these factors shed light on the decline in homicide clearance rates during the past three decades? (3) How are community area characteristics related to clearances across time? Using Chicago data from 1966 to 1995, we find that the factors vary across time and space in terms of statistical significance and magnitude of their relationships. Specifically, the increasing significance of victim's race and firearm usage may account for some of the decrease in homicide clearance rates. Community area characteristics enhance our understanding of homicide clearances, although to a lesser extent than the victim and situational characteristics of a homicide case.

There exist two competing perspectives regarding the factors affecting homicide clearances. Black’s theory of law (1976) argues that police may use some discretion in clearing homicide cases based on the social characteristics of victims and the areas in which the crime occurs. Conversely, Marvin Wolfgang (1958), Gottfredson and Hindelang (1979), and David Klinger (1997) argue that homicide is the most serious crime and all police work equally diligently to clear every case, regardless of who the victim is or where the crime occurs. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM) of multilevel Chicago data from 1989 to 1991 are used to test the competing hypotheses. Consistent with previous research, results indicate a lack of support for Black’s theory of law in the context of homicide clearances, with a few noticeable exceptions. Cases with Latino victims are less likely to be cleared by arrest than those with White victims and cases are more likely to be cleared in communities with higher homeowner rates. However, these results may be more indicative of the extent of useful witness information provided to police than it is of police discretion.

In 1872, a magnitude 7.5–7.7 earthquake vertically offset the Owens Valley fault by more than a meter. An eyewitness reported a large wave on the surface of Owens Lake, presumably initiated by the earthquake. Physical evidence of this event is found in cores and trenches from Owens Lake, including soft-sediment deformation and fault offsets. A graded pebbly sand truncates these features, possibly over most of the lake floor, reflecting the “tsunami” wave. Confirmation of the timing of the event is provided by abnormally high lead concentrations in the sediment immediately above and below these proposed earthquake deposits derived from lead-smelting plants that operated near the eastern lake margin from 1869–1876. The bottom velocity in the deepest part of the lake needed to transport the coarsest grain sizes in the graded pebbly sand provides an estimate of the minimum initial “tsunami” wave height at 37 cm. This is less than the wave height calculated from long-wave numerical models (about 55 cm) using average fault displacement during the earthquake. Two other graded sand deposits associated with soft-sediment deformation in the Owens Lake record are less than 3000 years old, and are interpreted as evidence of older earthquake and tsunami events. Offsets of the Owens Valley fault elsewhere in the valley indicate that at least two additional large earthquakes occurred during the Holocene, which is consistent with our observations in this lacustrine record.

We constructed a radiometrically calibrated proxy record of Late Pleistocene and Holocene climate change exceeding 230,000 yr duration, using pollen profiles from two cores taken through age-equivalent dry lakes—one core having greater age control (via 230Th alpha mass-spectrometry) and the other having greater stratigraphic completeness. The better dated of these two serial pollen records (Searles Lake) served as a reference section for improving the effective radiometric age control in a nearby and more complete pollen record (Owens Lake) because they: (1) are situated ∼90 km apart in the same drainage system (on, and immediately leeward of, the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada), and (2) preserved strikingly similar pollen profiles and concordant sequences of sedimentological changes. Pollen assemblages from both lakes are well preserved and diverse, and document serial changes in Late Pleistocene and Holocene plant zone distribution and composition in the westernmost Great Basin; they consist of taxa now inhabiting montane forest, woodland, steppe, and desert-scrub environments. The studied core intervals are interpreted here to be the terrestrial equivalent of marine δ18O stages 1 through 9; these pollen profiles now appear to be among the best radiometrically dated Late Pleistocene records of terrestrial climate change known.

Summary The use of a laser beam upsets the thermal and therefore the energy balance of the cutting mechanism, which leads to reduced cutting force and tool wear. However, the most important aspect is the ability to control residual stresses. These are usually unfavourable in conventional machining but become favourable in laser machining. The ultimate is to carry out surface hardening in machining real-time.

Basal Cretaceous deposits in the northernmost part of the Mississippi Embayment in southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois have been correlated previously with the Tuscaloosa Formation of Alabama. New palynological data indicate that these clastic deposits comprise non-marine and marine sections of middle to late Campanian age. They consist of a lower non-marine deposit, the herein newly proposed Post Creek Formation, and an upper marine deposit that we correlate in part with the Coffee Sand of Tennessee. These Campanian deposits overlie a diachronous Mesozoic paleosol, Little Bear Formation, and are progressively overlain by the McNairy Sand of early to middle Maastrichtian age, the Owl Creek Formation of middle to late Maastrichtian age, and the Porters Creek Clay of late Paleocene age. Outcrops and subsurface occurrences of the Post Creek Formation are widespread around the northern margin of the Mississippi Embayment. In contrast, the Coffee Sand is more restricted in distribution, and is present in southeast Missouri only as an outlier. Extensive occurrences of the Coffee Sand are found in Tennessee and further south in the embayment. This study shows that (1) the basal Cretaceous deposits in the northern Mississippi Embayment are not equivalent to the Tuscaloosa Formation, but are entirely separate stratigraphic units, (2) the shallow Cretaceous Interior Seaway occupied the northernmost part of the present Mississippi Embayment by the late Campanian, and (3) a large part of the northern embayment may have experienced an episode of uplift and erosion during the latest Campanian or earliest Maastrichtian, prior to deposition of McNairy Sand.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from the anterior pituitary is predominantly regulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) synthesized in neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Secretion of ACTH occurs in pulsatile bursts. To explore the relationship between hypothalamic control and the pulsatile pattern of ACTH secretion, we measured ACTH in 2 min blood samples over 4 h in rats with intact and lesioned PVN during hypovolemic-stress or control conditions and also measured median eminence (ME) levels of CRH, AVP, and oxytocin (OT). Mean plasma ACTH was highest in the sham lesioned-hypovolemic group, lowest in the sham lesioned-control group and intermediate in the two PVN-lesioned groups. CRH in the ME was negligible in the lesioned animals and correlated with OT and AVP. Pulsatile secretion was observed despite PVN ablation. Visual inspection of composite time series suggested different temporal patterns of ACTH secretion. Principal components analysis of the individual ACTH time series revealed three significant eigenvectors which correlated differentially with the three treatment groups. Neither lesioned group had the steep rise over 10 min seen in plasma ACTH in the non-lesioned groups. Delayed ACTH rise after 30–60 min occurred in all but the sham control group. Our data suggest that CRH is responsible for immediate secretion of ACTH in response to hypovolemic stress and that regulators from non-PVN sites may be responsible for more delayed secretion of ACTH in this setting. The persistence of ME AVP and OT levels in the face of >90% reduction in ME CRH levels leaves open the question of a role for one or both of these peptides in the delayed ACTH response following stress onset and in the generation of pulsatile ACTH secretory bursts. Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 153, 159–167

The specimens assigned to the genus Dryopterites Berry were reexamined and details of the reproductive characters including the spores are described for the first time. Based upon this new information about the ferns, two species have remained in the genus Dryopterites with one designated as the type species ( D. virginica ) and a lectotype for this species is chosen: one species ( D. dentata ) has previously been reassigned to the family Schizaeaceae, and the remaining species ( D. macrocarpa, D. elliptica, D. cystopteroides ) have been assigned to the genus Delosorus in the family Matoniaceae. This new information and comparisons with Sporae Dispersae suggest a later Cretaceous occurrence of ferns related to the modern dryopterids.

Palynological analysis of a newly recognized stratigraphic unit, situated between the top of the Magothy Formation and the bottom of the Merchantville Formation in northern New Jersey, has revealed that this newly recognized marine interval is biostratigraphically within the overlap of two previously established pollen zonations, which together focused on the Upper Cretaceous interval from the Raritan Formation (Cenomanian) to the Red Bank Sand (Maestrichtian). The outcrop section at Morristown Road, Cheesequake, New Jersey, contains a more complete upper Santonian to lower Campanian interval than previously has been known from eastern North America. Reex‐amination of selected samples from the original two studies also has resulted in the recognition of additional taxa in each of the two older datasets. Our expanded dataset indicates that the Morristown Road section may form a suitable palynological “bridge”; between these two previous zonations. Present evidence now indicates that the Santonian‐...

Experimental results of the turning of Inconel 600 show that it is possible to change the tool wear mechanism and to increase tool life substantially by a proper variation of the cutting feed rate ...

Paleontological evidence from the Upper Triassic Chatham Group in the three subbasins of the Deep River basin (North Carolina, USA) supports a significant revision of the ages assigned to most of this non-marine continental sedimentary sequence. This study confirms an early(?) or mid-Carnian age in the Sanford subbasin for the base of the Pekin Formation, the lowest unit of the Chatham Group. However, diagnostic late Carnian palynomorphs have been recovered from coals in the lower part of the Cumnock Formation in the Sanford subbasin, and from a sample of the Cumnock Formation equivalent in the Wadesboro subbasin. Plant megafossils and fossil verebrates from rocks in the Sanford subbasin also support a late Carnian age for the Cumnock Formation and its equivalents. The overlying Sanford Formation, which has not yet been dated paleontologically, probably includes beds of Norian age, as over 1000 m of strata may be present between the Cumnock Formation coals (dated here as late Carnian) and the top of the Sanford Formation. This chronostratigraphic interval appears similar to, but slightly longer than, that preserved in the Dan River-Danville and Davie County basins 100 km to the northwest. Our evidence, therefore, indicates that the Chatham Group was deposited over a much longer time interval [early(?) to mid-Carnian through early Norian] than previously was believed.

Heavy Mud Weight (MW) to control HP gas and Loss Circulation zones at the same time is not something operators look forward to. COP's Red Rock field in South Wapiti, Alberta had been a victim of this combination which resulted in high operational costs primarily due to additional casing string, high MW and severe mud losses. On average, AFE's came at a minimum of 20% higher as anticipated bringing the drilling program of the area to being uneconomic. A review of MPD technology with the team created a spark to look at improving performance in the area. A number of objectives were identified for this project which were later categorized as Primary Objectives. Drill to TD with reduced mud weights (MW) in a safe manner Set the intermediate casing on top of HP gas zones utilizing wellbore strengthening Drill ahead into HP zones without any massive mud losses Bring the cost of the wells down in order to save the drilling program of the area Eliminate the Intermediate Casing for a significant cost reduction in future wells Secondary Objectives. Conduct Real Time Formation Evaluation in some formations to verify their potential Increase ROP Cement the Intermediate Casing using a single stage method Assess and evaluate the benefits of a new technology Rig crew training and changes in HSE concepts for an MPD operation A dedicated Engineering team was formed who worked on data collection, research of the area, drilling practices and well engineering. This team was supported by COP's experienced Operations team. A great deal of up front discussion and work was done in planning this project to ensure success. Several well design scenarios were looked at the very initial phase of project, out of which the best design in terms of well engineering, well control, area's known risks and HSE was chosen. During this process COP's engineering team introduced "Fountain Chart Method" which uniquely identifies operating envelope of an MPD operation using optimum mud weights From the initial design the specifications of the MPD equipment were decided upon. A meticulous work was conducted on Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) of which Well Control was of pivotal importance. Special training was assigned to the rig crew detailing goals of the project, working of MPD equipment and communication skills in the presence of another vendor on site. The HSE alert level was heightened due to the sensitivity of the project and extra emphasis was given on safety meetings highlighting high pressure lines, communication skills and drilling with wellhead pressure on surface. Promising results were seen in a four well campaign which not only brought the cost of the wells down but also made the wells more economic. The lower cost of the wells were a result of an improved ROP in some sections and the replacement of a full intermediate string coupled with a liner with only a single production casing string from surface to TD. An added benefit is the technology helped in studying the formations at low MW which were previously masked due to heavy MWs. Utilizing Wellbore Strengthening (WBS) was also a key in establishing integrity of weaker zones up hole. This in turn, gave a better window of applying surface choke pressures using MPD auto choke system. The success of these wells has led to further implementation in the Canadian BU. As a result, a screening tool was developed for internal review of candidates/fields that may benefit from MPD, UBD or any other unconventional style of drilling (such as Air, Aerated Mud or Foam etc). A process is underway in assessing the benefits of these technologies in COP's drilling portfolio and ways are being looked at in making an effective process for implementing these sorts of high profile projects in the future

The genus Camerosporites Leschik 1956 is here emended and the seven species attributed to it are reduced to four. Assemblages of Camerosporites isolated from Upper Triassic strata from sites in the eastern U.S. (the Newark, Culpeper, Richmond, Taylorsville, and Danville basins) and the western U.S. (Chinle Formation) consistently segregate into three recognizable species: C. secatus, C. verrucosus, and C. pseudoverrucatus. Of these, C. secatus and C. verrucosus are more common and more easily recognized. Examination of the morphologic characteristics and regional stratigraphic occurrence of these taxa demonstrates that they can be differentiated by light and electron microscopy, that the enigmatic host plant probably was either a primitive pteridophyte or a primitive gymnosperm, and that C. secatus and C. verrucosus are biostratigraphically useful for differentiating Carnian and Norian (Upper Triassic) continental deposits, especially within the eastern Mesozoic basins. The status of the only rep...

Three informal palynological assemblage zones can be distinguished in samples from Chinle Formation outcrops in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. The oldest zone (zone I) is in the Temple Mountain Member in southeastern Utah; the middle zone (zone II) is in the Shinarump, Moss Back, Monitor Butte and (lower part of the) Petrified Forest Members (Utah, Arizona and New Mexico); the youngest zone (zone III) is in the upper Petrified Forest Member and silstone member in Arizona and Utah and the silstone member in northcentral New Mexico. Present palynological evidence suggests that Chinle deposition on the Colorado Plateau began locally in late Carnian time and continued at least into the early part of Norian time of the Late Triassic period. Because the upper boundary of the Chinle Formation is an unconformity and the overlying formations are palynologically barren, the length of time represented by this stratigraphic hiatus is not known with certainty. Current palynological evidence suggests, however, that the unconformity at the top of the Chinle cannot be older than early Norian nor younger than Hettangian. Zones I, II and III can now be recognized in the palynomorph assemblage sequences from the Eastern Mesozoic basins, which modifies earlier palynological zonations for the lower portions of the Newark Supergroup. This is based on our identification of palynomorphs not previously known from portions of the Newark Supergroup and the discovery that specific biomarker taxa combinations are the same for both the western and eastern palynomorph sequences. At present palynomorph assemblages from the Chinle Formation and Newark Supergroup compare more closely for zones II and III than they do for zone I, but research is still in progress.

Hybridomas lend themselves particularly well to large scale cultivation techniques since they grow as single cells in suspension without requiring attachment to a substrate. Furthermore, many cell strains have been adapted to grow in serum-free (SF) media to a similar cell density and antibody production as in serum containing media. This review will concern itself mainly with the cultivation of hybridomas in SF-media in bioreactors of various types with the ultimate goal of producing large quantities of monoclonal antibodies (mAb).

Age control in Owens Lake sediments is effectively limited at present to the analytical limit of 14C analyses (

This paper presents a complex oblique cutting model for the case of varying chip formation conditions and its practical application in relation to the results of degree of final plastic deformation in the primary shear zone is considered. A computer procedure for prediction of the shear angle is given and the place of the oblique cutting process among the results obtained previously is established.

The first case of canine ehrlichiosis in Connecticut is reported. A female Brittany spaniel from Milford presented with lethargy, anorexia, fever, petechiae, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, lymphopenia, and hypoalbuminemia. Serologic analysis revealed antibodies to Ehrlichia canis (titer, 1:2,560). This documents a more northern geographic distribution in the United States for this infectious agent than had previously been suspected.

Pollen, ostracode, and benthic foraminifer assemblages deposited during sea-level high-stands in subtropical Florida record a climate change during the period 4.5-1.0 Ma. Before 3.5 Ma, open-shelf marine faunas and pollen assemblages with abundant Pinus , Quercus , Fagus , Carya , and nonarboreal pollen were present, indicating cooler conditions than today. From ∼3.5 to 1.0 Ma, marine and terrestrial records indicate warmer conditions, similar to those existing in south Florida today. Combined with evidence for much warmer than modern conditions at high latitudes, these data suggest that increased poleward oceanic heat transport, possibly related to the emergence of the Central American isthmus between ∼3.5 and 2.5 Ma, was a major influence on mid-Pliocene warmth.