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Although impairment of daytime functioning is a symptom of many sleep disorders, there are limited data on their nature for some patient groups. The role of the circadian system on impaired functioning, specifically the wake maintenance zone (WMZ)—a ∼3-h window of reduced sleep propensity that occurs shortly before the onset of melatonin synthesis—has received little attention. The study examined the influence of the WMZ on neurobehavioral performance under normal conditions and following sleep deprivation.
Thirty-one adults (8 F; 18-29 y) completed an in-patient protocol including a baseline day (8-h sleep:16-h wake) and a ∼50-h constant routine (CR), including regular assessment of plasma melatonin and neurobehavioral performance (i.e., auditory and visual psychomotor vigilance tests [aPVT, vPVT], Digit Symbol Substitution Test [DSST], and subjective sleepiness).
Performance in the 3 hours before the onset of melatonin secretion (i.e., the expected WMZ) was significantly improved compared to performance during a 3-hour block earlier in the biological day, despite a longer time awake. The improvement during WMZ was most prominent after extended wakefulness (i.e., day 2 of the CR).
These results suggest that alignment of circa-dian phase with respect to sleep-wake timing may affect cognitive performance, particularly when homeostatic sleep pressure is high, and especially when performance is assessed in the evening, near the predicted WMZ. The potential contribution of the WMZ to sleep-onset insomnia complaints should be assessed further, using objective neurobehavioral testing and simultaneous circadian phase measurement.
Shekleton JA; Rajaratnam SMW; Gooley JJ; Van Reen E; Czeisler CA; Lockley SW. Improved neurobehavioral performance during the wake maintenance zone. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(4):353-362.
The assessment of daytime neurobehavioral impairments in sleep disordered patients has produced inconsistent results, particularly in patients with insomnia.1 In other sleep disorder populations, such as circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs), there is a paucity of investigations into the daytime impairments associated with the disorders.2 Yet, reports of daytime impairment are a core symptom in the diagnosis of many sleep disorders. The circadian system is known to modulate alertness and performance patterns, and is known to be dysregulated in CRSD. One mechanism by which the circadian system may manifest in the daytime impairments in these patients is via altered timing or amplitude of the wake maintenance zone (WMZ).
The WMZ has previously been described as a 2- to 3-h window of reduced sleep propensity that occurs immediately prior to the evening onset of melatonin secretion and under normal conditions, occurs several hours prior to bedtime.3,4 This window is characterized by low sleep propensity and prolonged sleep latency and is usually only observed during conditions in which the circadian and homeostatic sleep-wake regulation process are desynchronized, such as during jet lag, shift work, and forced or spontaneous desynchronization studies.3–6
The two-process model of sleep-wake regulation accounts for the WMZ.7 The homeostatic process (Process S) predicts increasing sleep propensity with increasing time awake, and therefore peaks towards the end of the waking day.8,9 Process C is the endogenous circadian rhythm in sleep propensity, which reaches its peak at ∼3-6 am in normally entrained individuals. The maximal circadian drive for alertness occurs in the early evening around 6-10 pm, and opposes the rising homeostatic sleep pressure. In this manner, Process C and S work in opposition to maintain consolidated bouts of sleep and wakefulness; the homeostatic drive for sleepiness that increases during the daytime is opposed by the increasing circadian drive for wakefulness, permitting consolidated wakefulness across the daytime.7,10 The onset of melatonin secretion marks the start of the biological night and is closely associated with a decreasing circadian wake-promoting signal, ending the WMZ and opening the "sleep gate."11
Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: While the role of the circadian system in the regulation of neurobehavioural performance is widely recognized, the impact of the wake maintenance zone (WMZ; a ∼3 hour window of reduced sleep propensity that occurs shortly before the onset of melatonin synthesis) on daytime performance has received little attention. This study investigated whether neurobehavioural performance improved during the WMZ under normal conditions and under increasing durations of sleep deprivation.
Study Impact: The wake maintenance zone is readily apparent, particularly during sleep deprivation. The findings suggest that misalignment of circadian phase with respect to sleep-wake timing may affect cognitive performance, and may impact the daytime functioning of those with abnormal sleep-wake timing, for example in patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorders or insomnia.
The daily pattern of neurobehavioral performance is also under circadian and homeostatic regulation, and both subjective and objective measures of alertness and cognition are explained by the two-process model (for overview see Dijk and von Schantz12). It is hypothesized that cognitive performance is improved during the WMZ, compared to earlier in the biological day, due to the circadian drive for alertness overriding the increase in homeo-static sleep pressure at this time. Consistent with this hypothesis, forced desynchrony protocols have demonstrated that alertness and neurobehavioral performance (e.g., digit symbol substitution task, psychomotor vigilance task) are highest at the equivalent to 9 pm under normally entrained conditions.5,13 Similarly, visual inspection of neurobehavioral performance data collected across 30 to 72 hours of extended wakefulness also suggests that performance can improve in the hours immediately prior to habitual bedtime, corresponding to the WMZ.14–16
The wake-promoting role of the circadian system appears to be crucial for optimal cognitive functioning, particularly in the latter part of the day when elevated homeostatic sleep pressure may otherwise compromise waking function.6,17 Given the close temporal relationship between the WMZ and circadian phase, particularly the onset of melatonin secretion, it is important to measure a robust marker of circadian phase when attempting to define the WMZ. Anchoring performance trials relative to habitual bedtime may not provide optimal accuracy to identify the WMZ, given that even with strict adherence to regular sleep-wake schedules there is often a 5- to 6-hour range in the phase relationship between dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and bedtime.18,19
The aim of this study was to determine whether the WMZ can be observed from neurobehavioral performance measures taken under normal conditions and under conditions of increasing homeostatic sleep pressure but without circadian misalignment. This research was proposed to increase our understanding of the time course of neurobehavioral performance in healthy individuals relative to circadian phase and as a reference for future comparisons to those with abnormal sleep-wake timing, for example, night shift workers or patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorders or insomnia.
Thirty-one healthy individuals (23 M, 8 F), 21.84 ± 2.56 (M ± SD) years of age were studied. The study was approved by the Partners Human Research Committee and Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee; all participants gave written informed consent. Participants were included if they met the following conditions: no night work in the previous 3 years, no transmeridian travel (across > 2 time zones) in the previous 3 months; and no history of psychiatric illness or sleep disorders, no other serious or chronic medical disorders or conditions. All participants were healthy upon psychological or psychiatric examination, physical examination, routine laboratory tests, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Participants also had scores within the normal range on validated questionnaires Symptom Checklist 90R, Beck Depression Inventory, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index, State Anxiety Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Horne-Östberg Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire. All participants who successfully completed relevant inpatient protocols at the Intensive Physiological Monitoring (IPM) Unit of the Center for Clinical Investigation at Brigham and Women's Hospital from 2007 until mid-2010 were available for analysis. From this cohort of 34 participants, 31 were included in the current analysis; 3 participants were excluded for missing or incomplete melatonin data.
Participants were required to maintain a regular (8-h time in bed), self-determined sleep-wake schedule for ≥ 7 days prior to the inpatient study; adherence was verified by wrist activity (Actiwatch-L, Mini-Mitter Inc., Bend. OR), twice-daily calls to a time-stamped voicemail service, and sleep diaries. Participants were instructed to refrain from using any prescription or non-prescription medications, supplements, recreational drugs, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine for ≥ 3 weeks before admission. Compliance with these instructions was verified by urine toxicology during screening and upon admission to the laboratory.
Participants were studied for 9 days as part of a longer protocol, the details of which are published elsewhere.20 Only the data from Days 3-5 are included here, which consisted of a baseline day (Day 3) followed by a ∼50-h Constant Routine (CR) protocol (Day 4 to 5, see Figure 1). Participants remained in individual light- and sound-attenuated suites (with bathroom) throughout the study. A strict time-free environment was maintained. Days 1 to 3 were baseline days, during which participants followed an 8-h: 16-h sleep-wake cycle based on their average bed and wake times for the 7 days prior to admission. They were free to engage in sedentary activities when not occupied with study requirements. On Days 1 to 3, ambient light levels were < 190 lux (0.48 W/m2 measured in the horizontal plane at 183 cm), generated by ceiling mounted 4100K fluorescent lamps (Philips Lighting, The Netherlands). Midway through Day 3, 8 h prior to habitual bedtime, and during the CR on days 4 and 5, light levels were maintained at < 3 lux maximum when measured as above and at 0 lux during sleep episodes. From awakening on Day 4 and throughout Day 5, a ∼50-h CR procedure was imposed. Participants were required to remain awake (enforced by trained technicians) in semi-recumbent bed rest, with daily nutritional intake divided into hourly equicaloric portions.21 The first "day" of the CR procedure was, therefore, essentially a repeat of the Baseline Day, except that ambient light levels and posture remained constant. The second "day" of the Constant Routine imposed substantial sleep deprivation but was otherwise identical to the first Constant Routine day.
Admission on Day 1 (AD) is shown, followed by study events on Days 3 through 6. Study events were scheduled according to each person's habitual pre-study sleep-wake times: areas filled with white represent wake (< 190 lux); areas filled with black represent sleep (0 lux); areas filled with gray represent dim lighting (< 3 lux); the arrows show the start of constant routine day 1 and constant routine day 2, respectively; aPVT, KSS, and plasma melatonin sample; aPVT, vPVT, DSST, KSS, and plasma melatonin sample.
Study protocolAdmission on Day 1 (AD) is shown, followed by study events on Days 3 through 6. Study events were scheduled according to each person's habitual pre-study sleep-wake times: areas filled with white represent wake (
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Plasma or salivary melatonin was sampled every 30-60 minutes. Blood samples were collected through an indwelling intravenous catheter placed in a forearm vein to allow for continuous collection of blood during sleep and wake episodes. Melatonin assays were carried out by the Core Laboratory of the Clinical Research Centre at the Brigham and Women's Hospital using established radioimmunoassay techniques.20 The plasma melatonin intraassay coefficient of variation (CV) was 10.0% at 1.9 pg/mL and 7.2% at 21.9 pg/mL, and the interassay CV was 12.65% at 3.06 pg/mL and 12.12% at 22.36 pg/mL. The saliva melatonin intraassay CV was 4.1% at 3.56 pg/mL and 4.8% at 24.2 pg/mL, and the interassay CV was 12.15% at 2.37 pg/mL and 10.20% at 19.58 pg/mL.
Participants completed a comprehensive neurobehavioral test battery that included a visual psychomotor vigilance task (vPVT), an auditory PVT (aPVT), and a Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). These tasks were chosen because they have been shown to be sensitive to sleep loss and circadian phase.13–15 The aPVT and vPVT are both 10-min sustained attention tasks and have an interstimulus interval randomly varying between 1 and 9 seconds. For the aPVT, participants were required to respond as quickly as possible to an auditory tone by pressing a button box. On the vPVT, participants responded as fast as possible to the appearance of a millisecond counter in the center of the computer screen. For both tasks, mean reaction time (RT) was averaged across the 10-min trial, and the number of lapses (RTs > 500 msec) occurring during the 10-min trial was recorded.
The DSST is test of processing speed (with an accuracy tradeoff) and working memory, in which 9 symbol-number pairs appear at the top of a computer screen and a symbol appears in the middle of the screen. Participants were required to respond as quickly as possible by entering the corresponding number. The symbol-number pairs were fixed and the target symbol changed with each trial. Performance was measured by the number of correct responses within the tasks' 2-min time limit.
To measure subjective sleepiness, participants completed the Karolinksa Sleepiness Scale, a 9-point scale requiring participants to rate how sleepy they have felt in the preceding 5 minutes. Higher scores indicate higher levels of sleepiness.
Every 120 min while awake, the participants completed a full battery (KSS, aPVT, vPVT, DSST), and every 60 min the participants completed a shortened battery (KSS, aPVT).
Dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) times were calculated for each participant according to the 25% threshold method; the amplitude (mesor to peak or trough) of the melatonin rhythm during the constant routine was estimated by fitting a 3-harmonic model to the melatonin data,22 and DLMO was defined as the clock time at which the plasma melatonin rhythm exceeded a 50% threshold of the amplitude (25% of the peak-to-trough amplitude).23 The biological night was defined as the duration from DLMO to dim light melatonin offset (DLMOff), defined as the clock time at which the melatonin level dropped below the 50% threshold.24,32
For each individual participant, each trial of the aPVT, vPVT, DSST, and KSS was assigned to the Baseline Day (BD), Constant Routine day 1 (CRD1), or Constant Routine day 2 (CRD2) as follows: all performance trials occurring from 8 h prior to habitual bedtime (when the protocol on BD commenced) until DLMOff on BD were labelled as BD; all trials from the start of CRD1 until DLMOff on CRD1 were labelled as CRD1; and all performance trials occurring after DLMOff on CRD1 until DLMOff on CRD2 were labelled as CRD2 trials. In Figures 2–4, only time points where more than 50% of participants recorded a performance trial were plotted.
Performance on the auditory psychomotor vigilance task (aPVT) at each time point relative to circadian phase plotted across Baseline Day and Constant Routine Days 1 and 2. (A) mean reaction time (RT) on aPVT in milliseconds; (B) Number of lapses on aPVT. Testing was carried out every 15°/∼60 minutes. DAY or biological daytime period, corresponds to 255.00-299.99°, left most line. WMZ, the expected WMZ corresponds to 315.00 to 359.99°, right most line. Symbols are mean and error bars are SEMs. Vertical line corresponds to DLMO or 0°/360° circadian degrees. Sleep episode bar is indicative only, sleep time occurred at different circadian phases across individuals. *Post hoc analysis of Study day × Block interaction for aPVT mean RT. Baseline Day: p = 0.033, partial h2 = 0.15. Constant Routine Day 2: p = 0.001, Partial h2 = 0.32. **Post hoc analysis of Study day × Block interaction for aPVT # lapses. Constant Routine Day 2: p < 0.0001, Partial h2 = 0.39.
Performance on the APVT across three study daysPerformance on the auditory psychomotor vigilance task (aPVT) at each time point relative to circadian phase plotted across Baseline Day and Constant Routine Days 1 and 2. (A) mean reaction time (RT) on aPVT in milliseconds; (B) Number of lapses on aPVT. Testing...
Performance on the visual psychomotor vigilance task (vPVT) at each time point relative to circadian phase plotted across baseline day and constant routine days 1 and 2. (A) vPVT mean reaction time (RT) in milliseconds; (B) Number of lapses on vPVT. Testing was carried out every 30°/∼120 minutes. For statistical analysis, data were assigned to 15° "bins" and the mean of all available trials occurring within each 45°/∼3-h WMZ or DAY block was then included. See legend of Figure 2 for additional information. *Post hoc analysis of Study day × Block interaction for vPVT mean RT. Constant Routine Day 1: p = 0.008, Partial h2 = 0.23. Constant Routine Day 2: p = 0.005, Partial h2 = 0.26. +Main effect of Block comparison, without interaction effect, p < 0.0001, Partial h2 = 0.49.
Visual Psychomotor Vigilance Task (VPVT) performance across three study daysPerformance on the visual psychomotor vigilance task (vPVT) at each time point relative to circadian phase plotted across baseline day and constant routine days 1 and 2. (A) vPVT mean reaction time (RT) in milliseconds; (B) Number of lapses on vPVT....
Performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST) (A) and scores on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) (B) at each time point relative to circadian phase plotted across baseline day and constant routine days 1 and 2. DSST/A: Testing was carried out every 30°/∼120 minutes. KSS/B: Testing was carried out every 15°/∼60 minutes. See legend of Figure 3 for additional information. *Post hoc analysis of Study day × Block interaction, p = 0.007, Partial h2 = 0.22. **Post hoc analysis of Study day × Block interaction, p = 0.006, Partial h2 = 0.24.
Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST) performance and subjective sleepiness scores (KSS) across three study days.Performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST) (A) and scores on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) (B) at each time point relative to circadian phase plotted across baseline day and constant routine days 1 and...
Each DLMO on each study day (BD, CRD1, and CRD2) was assigned a circadian phase of 0°/360°, and each performance trial was labelled relative to the number of degrees it occurred prior to DLMO on that day. For ease of analysis, each participant's trials occurring over a 45° range from 255.00 to 299.99° (≅3 h when 24 h = 360°) were averaged, and this mean value was labelled DAY, corresponding to the block during the biological day. This range was chosen to minimize the potential effects from sleep inertia or mid-afternoon dip.25 Based on previous research,3,4 the WMZ was expected to occur over the 3 h prior to DLMO; therefore, trials occurring from 315.00 to 359.99° were averaged together and this mean value was labelled WMZ. Trials occurring from 300.00 to 314.99° were not included in either block to provide a clear distinction between blocks. Performance trials of the aPVT and KSS were carried out approximately every 15° (60 min) and approximately every 30° (120 min) for the vPVT and DSST.
Neurobehavioral performance measures were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA, with factors study day (BD, CRD1, CRD2) and block (DAY, WMZ). Post hoc analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. Multiple comparisons were not corrected for, but exact p values are reported. Huhyn-Feldt corrections were applied to counteract violations of sphericity, and adjusted df and F values are reported where appropriate. Unless otherwise specified, data are reported as mean ± SD (range). SPSS Statistics Version 19.0 (SPSS Inc.) was used for all data analysis.
The timing of melatonin onset, hours of wakefulness at DLMO, and phase angle (habitual bedtime – DLMO) were comparable across the 3 study days (see Table 1).
Dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), hours of wakefulness at DLMO, and phase angle between habitual bedtime and DLMO on each study day
Overall average performance was worse after 24 h of wakefulness (CRD2) for all indices of performance as compared to both CRD1 and BD (main effect of study day, p < 0.0001; post hoc testing p < 0.0001 for both days for all performance variables; data not shown). Differences in performance were less consistent between CRD1 and BD; aPVT mean reaction times were faster on CRD1 than on BD (p = 0.034), whereas vPVT mean reaction times were faster (p = 0.003) and subjective sleepiness was higher (p = 0.038) on BD than CRD1. There was no difference in overall performance between BD and CRD1 for aPVT lapses, vPVT lapses, or DSST correct responses (p > 0.05; see Table 2 and Figures 2–4).
Neurobehavioral performance and sleepiness measures
When performance during the 3-h WMZ was compared with performance during the 3-h block earlier in the day (DAY), mean reaction time and number of lapses significantly improved during the WMZ for the aPVT and vPVT (main effect of Block, p < 0.01; Table 2). There was a significant Study Day × Block interaction for all these variables, however (p < 0.05), except vPVT lapses (Table 2). Post hoc analysis showed that vPVT mean reaction times were significantly faster during the WMZ on CRD2 (p = 0.008) and on CRD1 (p = 0.005) than earlier in the day (Figure 3A). For aPVT reaction time and lapses, there was a significant improvement in performance during the WMZ on CRD2 (Figure 2). Only aPVT reaction time was better during the WMZ on BD than earlier in each of those days (p = 0.033; Figure 2A).
A significant Study Day × Block interaction on the DSST number of correct responses (p < 0.05; Table 2), followed by post hoc testing revealed a significant improvement in performance during the WMZ on CRD2 (p = 0.007; Figure 4A). In addition, a significant Study Day × Block interaction on the KSS (p < 0.05; Table 2), followed by post hoc testing revealed a significant increase in subjective sleepiness during the WMZ on BD (p = 0.006; Figure 4B).
There was a greater relative improvement in reaction time (vPVT, aPVT), number of lapses (aPVT), and number of DSST correct responses during the WMZ on CRD2 when compared to either CRD1 or BD, although absolute performance during WMZ on CRD2 was never restored to that of the corresponding times on CRD1 or BD (Figure 5).
Only significant Study day × Block interaction effects are represented. A: aPVT mean reaction time; B: aPVT number of lapses; C: vPVT mean reaction time; D: DSST, number of correct responses. *p < 0.05.
Improvement in performance during the wake maintenance zone (WMZ) on Constant Routine Day 2 (CRD2) compared to Constant Routine Day 1 (CRD1) and Baseline Day (BD)Only significant Study day × Block interaction effects are represented. A: aPVT mean reaction time; B: aPVT number of lapses; C: vPVT mean reaction time;...
This study demonstrated a robust effect of the wake maintenance zone (WMZ) on neurobehavioral performance. While the WMZ has previously been observed in spontaneous internal desynchrony studies3 and using specialized forced desynchrony and ultrashort sleep-wake studies (a type of forced desynchrony),4,5 the current study shows that the WMZ can be observed for neurobehavioral performance during the usual waking day following either a full night of sleep or a sleepless night. Our study demonstrated that there was robust evidence of a WMZ on neurobehavioral performance following extended sleep deprivation, but that it was much more difficult to detect after only ∼10 hours of wakefulness. The findings of this study add to our understanding of why daytime performance patterns may be altered in patients who demonstrate a disrupted circadian rhythm, and suggest that the inter-individual variability in symptoms may be due, in part, to the circadian system.
Our protocol permitted examination of the WMZ across three days and under two different levels of sleep pressure. On all three days, circadian phase remained relatively stable with only minimal drifts due to intrinsic circadian period,20 and, because circadian phase was measured directly from the melatonin rhythm, the WMZ could be defined relative to onset of melatonin production. Following extended wakefulness, on Constant Routine Day 2, performance on all measures was relatively improved in the three hours prior to melatonin onset as compared to a 3-hour window earlier in the day, despite a longer duration awake, illustrating a robust alerting response during that time. Weaker and more inconsistent alerting responses were observed under the baseline day and the first "day" of the Constant Routine, when there was minimal prior sleep deprivation.
Following extended sleep deprivation, performance was not restored to baseline levels during the WMZ. Although the relative improvement in performance during the WMZ was greatest during Constant Routine Day 2, this effect was measurable because of the poor performance levels earlier in the day, following ∼30 hours of sleep deprivation. It appears that the WMZ is best observed when performance is substantially degraded by high homeostatic sleep pressure that builds during extended wakefulness. We could only reliably observe the WMZ when homeostatic sleep pressure was high enough to permit an "unmasking" of the circadian alerting signal. When assessed after only ∼10 hours of wakefulness on the baseline day of CR, homeostatic sleep pressure had not yet degraded performance to a low enough level for the circadian alerting signal to exert a robust improvement.
Self-ratings of sleepiness did not show the same response as the objective performance measures. Other studies have also reported a mismatch between subjective reports of sleepiness and objective performance measures.26,27 Self-reported sleepiness continued to rise prior to melatonin onset on the baseline day, and sleepiness ratings did not show a significant improvement during the WMZ on either of the Constant Routine days, although the shape of the KSS profiles during CR approaches that of other outcomes. The question of statistical power is therefore raised. With 31 participants, we had sufficient power to detect a robust response for performance measures after extended wakefulness (i.e., when effect sizes were large). We might have observed similar responses on performance measures on the other days with a much larger sample size; we estimated that we would need 146 individuals participants in order to detect a difference (medium effect size) on any given day.28
The present findings are generally in agreement with other studies that report that circadian modulation of neurobehavioral performance increases at times of increasing homeostatic sleep pressure.5,6,15,17,29,30 The pattern of increased circadian modulation of performance with increasing hours awake, however, is not consistently found across all neurobehavioral performance measures,5 which may be due to differences in protocol (e.g., short prior wake episodes and therefore low homeostatic sleep pressure), task characteristics (i.e., higher attentional load), or low statistical power.5
It is noted that the current study included only healthy, young adult participants. The extent to which these findings would generalize to other populations, specifically sleep disorder patients and older individuals, remains to be determined. The neurobehavioral tests used in this study assessed a limited range of cognitive functions, namely sustained attention and processing speed/working memory. Future studies should investigate the impact of the WMZ on higher-level cognitive functions, such as decision making and learning.
On any given day in the current study, the clock time corresponding to the start of the estimated WMZ (based on an individual's DLMO) ranged from 4 pm until almost 9:30 pm. Likewise, the phase angle between the start of the WMZ and habitual bedtime ranged from 2.67 to 6.42 hours, with an average of 4.87 hours. The range in phase angles indicates that if the WMZ had been estimated from habitual bedtime31 or without a biological marker,14,15 the WMZ may be missed completely in some participants or with a large error (> 1 h) on average. Some studies report that optimal performance occurs earlier than the expected WMZ when referenced to core body temperature minimum under entrained conditions (e.g., 180 to 210°, ∼5-8 pm),14,32 although data binning methods and infrequent performance trials may affect the ability to detect accurately the effect of the WMZ on neurobehavioral performance.14,32 It is therefore suggested that even if an individual has a regular sleep-wake schedule, a strongly endogenous phase marker, ideally DLMO, is required to define the WMZ accurately and performance changes in relation to it.
While the mechanisms by which the circadian system mediates the alerting signal during the WMZ is unknown, it has been proposed that the evening increase in hypocretin/orexin, identified as a key neurotransmitter underlying the circadian wake promoting signal,33 may contribute to the WMZ phenomenon. While there is some uncertainty as to whether humans show a wake promoting pattern of hypocretin release,34 and the role of orexin as a circadian wake promoting signal is not supported by studies of orexin knockout mice,35 others have proposed that the hypocretin/orexin system contributes to the circadian-dependent changes in waking EEG during the WMZ.29
The present data illustrate the pivotal role of the circadian system in the regulation of neurobehavioral performance and in particular of improved performance during the WMZ. This finding suggests that small misalignments of circadian phase may alter the time course of alertness and performance,36 particularly when performance is assessed during or immediately after the WMZ or under conditions of high homeostatic sleep pressure. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs), which are characterized by a mismatch between the internal biological clock and external clock time, are likely to be associated with significant neurobehavioral performance deficits that are not only a consequence of short duration or poor quality sleep but are a product of individuals attempting to undertake cognitive tasks at an adverse circadian phase.36
Those with extreme eveningness preference (delayed sleep phase disorder), who tend to sleep at an earlier circadian phase than normal,37 may be at particular risk of sleep disruption if attempting to sleep during the WMZ. Similarly, given that a subset of traditional insomnia diagnoses may also be due to altered circadian phase,3,38 the misalignment of the WMZ may not only contribute to the underlying sleep pathology but may also contribute to the variability seen in the daytime performance of such patients,1 particularly among individuals whose insomnia is associated with elevated homeostatic sleep pressure. The current results emphasize that the WMZ should be taken into account when investigating the potential neurobehavioral deficits associated with CRSDs and insomnia, particularly sleep onset insomnia, as a failure to detect symptoms of impaired cognitive functioning may reflect measurements taken during the WMZ.
It may also be possible to capitalize on the WMZ as a time of relatively better neurobehavioral performance for those working non-standard or extended work hours. For example, during evening or night shift work, it would be beneficial to align periods of the most demanding work or to schedule shift end time (and hence the commute home) during the WMZ prior to the onset of melatonin secretion. In order to optimize work schedules in such a way that they reflect the underlying circadian process, however, the development of simple methods for the detection of circadian phase or the onset or timing of melatonin secretion in a field setting is needed.
This was not an industry supported study. Dr. Rajaratnam has served as a consultant to Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Philips Respironics, and EdanSafe, and has received research grants and/or unrestricted educational grants from Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Philips Lighting, Philips Respironics, Cephalon, and ResMed Foundation, and reimbursements for conference travel expenses from Vanda Pharmaceuticals. He has received equipment donations or other support from Optalert, Compumedics, and Tyco Healthcare. He has also served as an expert witness, consultant or advisor to shift work organizations and regulatory agencies. Dr. Czeisler has received consulting fees from or served as a paid member of scientific advisory boards for: Actelion, Ltd., Bombardier, Inc., Boston Celtics, Cephalon, Inc., Delta Airlines, Eli Lilly and Co., Garda Siochana Inspectorate, Gerson Lehrman Group, Global Ground Support, Johnson & Johnson, Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.Y., Minnesota Timberwolves, Norfolk Southern, Novartis, Portland Trail Blazers, Respironics, Inc., Sepracor, Inc., Sleep Multimedia, Inc., Somnus Therapeutics, Inc.; Yanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Zeo Inc. Dr. Czeisler owns an equity interest in Lifetrac, Inc., Somnus Therapeutics, Inc., Yanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Zeo Inc. and received royalties from the Massachusetts Medical Society/New England Journal of Medicine, McGraw Hill, the New York Times Penguin Press and Philips Respironics, Inc. Dr. Czeisler has received lecture fees from Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education, Alliance for Epilepsy Research, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Cephalon, Inc., Duke University School of Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKINIH), National Sleep Foundation, New England College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (NECOEM), North East Sleep Society, Office of Rare Diseases Research (NIH), Rockpointe, Sleep Research Society, Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP), St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, University of Chicago, University of Colorado, the University of Virginia Medical Center, the University of Washington Medical Center, and the University of Wisconsin Medical School. Dr. Czeisler has also received research prizes with monetary awards from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, clinical trial research contracts from Cephalon, Inc., an investigator-initiated research grant from Cephalon, Inc., and his research laboratory at the Brigham and Women's Hospital has received unrestricted research and education funds and/or support for research expenses from Cephalon, Inc., Koninklijke Philips Electronics, NY, ResMed, ResMed Foundation; Committee for Interns and Residents, the CIR Policy and Education Initiative and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. The Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine (HMS/DSM) which Dr. Czeisler directs, has received unrestricted research and educational gifts and endowment funds from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cephalon, Inc., George H. Kidder, Esq., Gerald McGinnis, GlaxoSmithKline, Herbert Lee, Hypnion, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Jordan's Furniture, Merck & Co., Inc., Peter C. Farrell, Ph.D., Pfizer, ResMed, Respironics, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Inc., Sealy, Inc., Sepracor, Inc., Simmons, Sleep Health Centers LLC, Spring Aire, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Tempur-Pedic. The HMS/ DSM has received gifts from many outside organizations and individuals including: Brigham and Women's Hospital (Development Office), Catalyst Group, Cephalon, Inc., Committee for Interns and Residents, Eisai, Inc., Farrell Family Foundation, Jordan's Furniture, Lilly USA, LLC, Neurocare Center for Sleep, Philips-Respironics, Inc., Praxair US Homecare, Sanofi-Aventis, Inc., Select Comfort Corporation, Sepracor, Inc., Sleep HealthCenters LLC, Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Synchrony Healthcare Communications, Yanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wake Up Narcolepsy, Inc., Water-mark Medical and Zeo, Inc. The HMS/DSM Sleep and Health Education Program has received Educational Grant funding from Cephalon, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi-Aventis, Inc. and Sepracor, Inc. Dr. Czeisler is the incumbent of an endowed professorship provided to Harvard University by Cephalon, Inc. and holds a number of process patents in the field of sleep/circadian rhythms (e.g., photic resetting of the human circadian pacemaker). Since 1985, Dr. Czeisler has also served as an expert witness on various legal cases related to sleep and/or circadian rhythms. Dr. Lockley has received consulting fees from Apollo Lighting and Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering (NASA) and holds current consulting contracts with Naturebright, Sound Oasis and Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering (NASA). He is/was a consultant on federally-funded projects at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University and Warwick Medical School. He has received lecture fees from Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, I Slept Great/Euforma, LLC and Emergency Social Services Association Conference, UK and unrestricted equipment gifts from ResMed Inc, Philips Lighting and Bionetics Corporation. He received an unrestricted monetary gift to support research from Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, and a fellowship gift from Optalert, Pty Melbourne, Australia. Further he has received advance author payment and royalties from Oxford University Press, and honoraria from Servier Inc. for writing an article for Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience and from AMO Inc., for writing an educational monograph, neither of which refer to the companies' products*. He has received honoraria and/or travel and accommodation support for invited seminars, conference presentations or teaching from 2nd International Symposium on the Design of Artificial Environments, 8th International Conference on Managing Fatigue, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Society for Photobiology, Apollo Lighting, Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Bassett Research Institute, Canadian Sleep Society, Committee of Interns and Residents, Coney Island Hospital, FASEB, Harvard University, Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Japan National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Lightfair, National Research Council Canada, New York Academy of Sciences, North East Sleep Society, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, Philips Lighting, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Montreal, University of Tsukuba, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Utica College, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Velux, Warwick Medical School, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering (NASA), investigator-initiated research grants from Respironics Inc., Philips Lighting, Apollo Lighting and Alcon Inc., service agreement with Vanda Pharmaceuticals, sponsor-initiated research contract with Vanda Pharmaceuticals, two investigator-initiated research grants from the ResMed Foundation. Dr. Lockley holds a process patent for the use of short-wavelength light for resetting the human circadian pacemaker and improving alertness and performance which is assigned to the Brigham and Women's Hospital per Hospital policy. He has also received revenue from a patent on the use of short-wavelength light which is assigned to the University of Surrey. Dr. Lockley has also served as a paid expert witness on behalf of two public bodies on arbitration panels related to sleep, circadian rhythms and work hours. The other authors have indicated no financial conflicts of interest.
Shekleton JA, Rogers NL, Rajaratnam SM, authors. Searching for the daytime impairments of primary insomnia. Sleep Med Rev. 2010;14:47–60. [PubMed]
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Lavie P, author. Melatonin: role in gating nocturnal rise in sleep propensity. J Biol Rhythms. 1997;12:657–65. [PubMed]
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Gooley JJ, Chamberlain K, Smith KA, et al., authors. Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96:E463–72. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Gronfier C, Wright KP Jr.; Kronauer RE, Czeisler CA, authors. Entrainment of the human circadian pacemaker to longer-than-24-h days. Proc Nat Acad Sci U S A. 2007;104:9081–6
Gooley JJ, Rajaratnam SM, Brainard GC, Kronauer RE, Czeisler CA, Lockley SW, authors. Spectral responses of the human circadian system depend on the irradiance and duration of exposure to light. Sci Transl Med. 2010;2:31–3
Duffy JF, Dijk DJ, authors. Getting through to circadian oscillators: why use constant routines? J Biol Rhythms. 2002;17:4–13. [PubMed]
Shanahan TL, Kronauer RE, Duffy JF, Williams GH, Czeisler CA, authors. Melatonin rhythm observed throughout a three-cycle bright-light stimulus designed to reset the human circadian pacemaker. J Biol Rhythms. 1999;14:237–53. [PubMed]
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Hughes RJ, Sack RL, Lewy AJ, authors. The role of melatonin and circadian phase in age-related sleep-maintenance insomnia: assessment in a clinical trial of melatonin replacement. Sleep. 1998;21:52–68. [PubMed]
Van Dongen HP, Dinges DF, authors. Sleep, circadian rhythms, and psychomotor vigilance. Clin Sports Med. 2005;24:237–49. vii–viii. [PubMed]
Van Dongen HP, Dinges DF, authors. Investigating the interaction between the homeo-static and circadian processes of sleep-wake regulation for the prediction of waking neurobehavioural performance. J Sleep Res. 2003;12:181–7. [PubMed]
Frey DJ, Badia P, Wright KP Jr, authors. Inter- and intra-individual variability in performance near the circadian nadir during sleep deprivation. J Sleep Res. 2004;13:305–15. [PubMed]
Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A, authors. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007;39:175–91. [PubMed]
Cajochen C, Wyatt JK, Czeisler CA, Dijk DJ, authors. Separation of circadian and wake duration-dependent modulation of EEG activation during wakefulness. Neuro-science. 2002;114:1047–60
Jewett ME, Wyatt JK, Ritz-De Cecco A, Khalsa SB, Dijk DJ, Czeisler CA, authors. Time course of sleep inertia dissipation in human performance and alertness. J Sleep Res. 1999;8:1–8
Graw P, Krauchi K, Knoblauch V, Wirz-Justice A, Cajochen C, authors. Circadian and wake-dependent modulation of fastest and slowest reaction times during the psychomotor vigilance task. Physiol Behav. 2004;80:695–701. [PubMed]
Kline CE, Durstine JL, Davis JM, Moore TA, Devlin TM, Youngstedt SD, authors. Circa-dian rhythms of psychomotor vigilance, mood, and sleepiness in the ultra-short sleep/wake protocol. Chronobiol Int. 2010;27:161–80. [PubMed Central][PubMed]
Zeitzer JM, Buckmaster CL, Parker KJ, Hauck CM, Lyons DM, Mignot E, authors. Circa-dian and homeostatic regulation of hypocretin in a primate model: implications for the consolidation of wakefulness. J Neurosci. 2003;23:3555–60. [PubMed]
Grady SP, Nishino S, Czeisler CA, Hepner D, Scammell TE, authors. Diurnal variation in CSF orexin-A in healthy male subjects. Sleep. 2006;29:295–7. [PubMed]
Mochizuki T, Crocker A, McCormack S, Yanagisawa M, Sakurai T, Scammell TE, authors. Behavioral state instability in orexin knock-out mice. J Neurosci. 2004;24:6291–300. [PubMed]
Lockley SW, Dijk DJ, Kosti O, Skene DJ, Arendt J, authors. Alertness, mood and performance rhythm disturbances associated with circadian sleep disorders in the blind. J Sleep Res. 2008;17:207–16. [PubMed]
Dijk DJ, Lockley SW, authors. Integration of human sleep-wake regulation and circadian rhythmicity. J Appl Physiol. 2002;92:852–62. [PubMed]
Morris M, Lack L, Dawson D, authors. Sleep-onset insomniacs have delayed temperature rhythms. Sleep. 1990;13:1–14. [PubMed]


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Interested in helping those around you who are struggling with their family finances? Sharpen Your Financial Coaching Skills is a 5-week in-person and online course designed to help you assist clients with their financial management concerns.
You will learn to:
Click here to download a brochure with more information. Classes start Tuesday, April 10.

subset: commoncrawl


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Enter Our Photo Contest »
It's time to show off your garden filled with American Meadows products!
Show meShowing plants & seeds that grow in my area:
We are here to help with bulk bags of our most popular spring bulbs. Find all of our bulk quantities, with bulk prices to match, below.
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jdmicro needed a new t-shirt design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 144 designs submitted by 39 freelance designers.
Travelling Hitmen
We are a start up t-shirt company that is looking for a fresh new design for a new t-shirt and hoodie. We have been selling T's for several months now.
Our audience is young adults. Our main audience is males aged 16 - 32. They are UFC (MMA) fans and like that genre of clothing style.
We may expand into female designs later.
This design could lead to a personal relationship with designer to work on all future designs (if payment can be arranged via paypal personally).
The t-shirt logo must be in the genre similar to the UFC (MMA) style of clothing and design. We are aiming for t-shirt styles similar to Silver Star and Affliction (you might want to search those companies to see their style of t-shirts). It will portray a hard core, powerful, fighting type of image.
The design must contain our name: "Travelling Hitmen." Looking for a unique font style, like celtic, old school type of font. I love this type of font:
also love these styles:
Want to see a skull in the design and a gun (possibly integrated into the text - upside down glock, etc. - like in Sopranos). Black and white will be suitable for printing on t-shirts. Will consider elements of colour (max 3 colour). Will be printed on black and white t-shirts only.
Please see our current designs attached. New design must match style.
Love the look of this:
Other possibilities that may be integrated into the design:
-Cross, other religious icons (ie. Mary - example: http://abagond.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/mary/)
-Scottish Lion
-Other similar types of imagery
Design must be print ready and in AI format (black and white shirt styles).


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How to Get Anne Hathaway's Oscars Show Hairstyles 2011-02-28 15:40:00
Learn How to Get All 7 of Anne Hathaway's Chic Oscars Hairstyles
Learn How to Get All 7 of Anne Hathaway's Chic Oscars Hairstyles
While Anne Hathaway's Oscars hosting gig was undoubtedly entertaining, we couldn't help but be mesmerized by her many beauty looks. For every glamorous costume change, Frédéric Fekkai celebrity stylist Adir Abergel gave Anne a new, quickly-styled coif that complemented each outfit beautifully. Be sure to click through to get the how-to for all seven of Anne's covetable looks, all of which feature products from the Fekkai line.
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Virus: worm - autorun.FJ -...
24th May 2010, 08:33
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
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Avg.Rate: ZAR 275.00 - 650.00
Rating: 0 stars
Berg Backpackers offers good value rustic farm accommodation, 25 km from the Central Drakensberg within a private game farm. It is located 11 km from Winterton and offers free outdoor parking on site. Berg Backpackers offers views of the majestic drakensberg mountains in the distance. Rooms at at the Berg Backpackers offer views of the garden. Each room has private bathroom facilities featuring a shower connected to a gas geyser. Rooms have a desk and mirror, heating as well as a fan. Rooms have outdoor seating and a fire pit is available on site. Berg Backpackers has shared kitchen facilities and a communal lounge with satellite TV and pool table. Free Wifi is available, usage limited. There are no restaurants on site. Mer


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Michael Jackson, iPod sales fuel earnings
Yahoo, Apple exceed quarterly expectationsMichael Jackson drove humongous traffic to Yahoo, and Apple said its own products are cannibalizing sales of many of its iPod models.
Those were a couple of the takeaways from separate quarterly earnings reports Tuesday in which Yahoo and Apple each reported numbers exceeding the expectations of Wall Street analysts.
Yahoo said net income rose 8% to $143 million, despite a 13% drop in revenue to $1.57 billion in the second quarter.
Apple said net income improved 13% to $1.23 billion, on revenue that climbed 12% to $8.34 billion in its fiscal third quarter.
Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz bemoaned a dropoff in ads from entertainment companies while also calling the category one of Yahoo's fastest-growing. Bartz called the Yahoo home page "an essential ad buy" for big summer movies.
She also said news that the King of Pop had been rushed to the hospital caused 800,000 Internet surfers to click a link to the story over a span of just 10 minutes. And when it was learned he died, Yahoo News set a record with 16 million unique visitors in a day. The Jackson memorial was a record-setting event for Yahoo, too, she said, with the video being streamed 5 million times.
Bartz boasted that Yahoo drove 9 million users to a New York Times article about housing.
"We work with publishers, not against them," she said.
The Yahoo chief also promised that there will be "less irritating" ads that "cheapen" the Yahoo brand in the future.
Yahoo reported its earnings the same day it launched its revamped homepage that makes it easier for users to customize certain features and to figure out what's popular to the rest of the online population.
Meantime, Apple said it shipped 10.2 million iPods, down 7% from the same frame a year ago.
"We expect our traditional MP3 players to decline over time as we cannibalize ourselves with the iPod Touch and the iPhone," CFO Peter Oppenheimer said.
Oppenheimer called the quarter's results the "highest non-holiday earnings in Apple's history."
CEO Steve Jobs, who recently returned to Apple after a medical leave, did not participate in an earnings conference call with press and analysts.


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Legislative breakfast set for Friday
The final legislative breakfast of the session is scheduled for tomorrow at 7 a.m. in the Saline Memorial Hospital cafeteria.
The community will be given a chance to weigh in as legislators recap the last two weeks at the Capitol.
Breakfast will be available to be purchased.


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Scholarly Resources on Children's Literature is a collection of critical works on the nature and history of literature and illustration for children.
The Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature in the Department of Special Collections at the
Funding for digitization of this collection was provided in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature is a contributor to the International Children's Digital Library and a founding partner of The Center for Children's Literature and Culture at the University of Florida.


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Give yourself Worms with these 12 Gamer Pictures brought to you lovingly by Team17. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.
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Seven Deaths Confirmed in Arkansas
Authorities have now confirmed seven deaths in Arkansas after a severe storm
< Senate Likely To Pass Immigration Overhaul
Jun 28, 2013 06:48
Category: General News
Category: General News
Oregon House Passes Criminal Sentencing Bill
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon House has passed a package of pared-down criminal sentencing changes that is projected to curb state prison population growth over the next five years. The House advanced the bill 40-18 on Thursday. It now goes to the Senate. Among other changes, the bill would reduce sentences established in 2008 for certain drug and property crimes.


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Eugene Travis Boyer
Eugene Travis Boyer of Muskogee (formerlyof Poteau) died Saturday, Aug. 27,2011, in Muskogee.Gene was born Oct. 14 in Parma, Mo.,to Otto Chester and Stella Pearl (Carylile)Boyer. He spent his career as a retail managerfor Walmart and C.R. Anthony's andwas a partner in D&D Pharmacy in Poteauand Fort Smith, Ark. He was preceded in death by hiswife, Betty. Gene was a 57-year member of the PoteauMasonic Lodge. Gene was a veteran of the U.S. Army andattended First Baptist Church in Poteau. His passion wasbowling.Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Judy andEd Logwood of Harrisonville, Mo., Sherrie and MichaelJones of Poteau; son and daughter-in-law, Steven andMarianna Boyer of Chesapeake, Va.; eight grandchildren;brother, Floyd "Cotton" Boyer of Belton, Mo., and scoresof friends.Services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 30, at EvansChapel of Memories, Poteau, with The Rev. Jim Cookofficiating. Interment will be in White Chapel MemorialGardens, Springfield, Mo.Online messages may be left at evansandmillerfuneralhomes.comArrangements are under the direction of Evans andMiller Funeral Home, Poteau.


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Celebrity Profiles - D
Olympia Dukakis
Born: 21-Jun-1931
Place of Birth: Lowell, MA
Gender: F
Father: (not available)
Mother: (not available)
Career: Actress
Family Tree
Do you have information about this family tree? You may report errors and omissions on this page to the Famous Roots staff, who will review them for possible inclusion in future updates.
No printed materials referenced.
(last revision to this profile: 22-Sep-1999)
Copyright © 2004-2009 by Genealogy Today LLC


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Accenture and SAP are collaborating on a number of innovative industry-specific solutions to help our clients get the most out of their enterprise solutions investments and create greater enterprise value. These include solutions for the following industries:
Building Materials
Consumer Packaged Goods
Electronics and High Tech
Financial Services
Forest Products
Industrial Equipment
Oil and Gas
Public Service
Transportation and Travel Services
Our solutions improve aftermarket business performance and keep pace with rapidly-growing demand for in-vehicle technology.
Through our Service Management Solution, we deliver greater inventory transparency and lower freight costs. For example, PROTON, Malaysia's largest auto manufacturer, chose us to upgrade its SAP system, enabling faster decision-making and increased responsiveness to customers.
This complex business presents challenges for enterprise resource planning (ERP). Some of the world's leading chemical makers turned to us to help sort everything out.
Our Enterprise Services for Chemicals includes a robust portfolio for a range of needs, from core business transformation for new ERP customers to advanced capabilities for existing ERP-enabled companies.
Building Materials
We offer a comprehensive set of options aligned with specific needs, including implementations, supply chain management, application outsourcing and mergers and acquisitions integration.
Our Advanced Enterprise Solution for Building Materials, combined with our enterprise resource planning, frees up clients to focus on the complex issues that affect the bottom line.
In a wired world, cellular and broadband providers must maintain sharp focus on winning and maintaining the loyalty of the digital consumer.
Our revenue and procurement solutions generate robust back-office functions, enabling optimized sub-ledger accounting that equips providers with an accurate credit management process and an integrated view of the customer.
Consumer Packaged Goods
We cover the entire application life cycle to help clients tap the predictive power of customer data. We focus on three key technology categories: advanced analytics, business intelligence and cloud computing.
Our Innovation Centers provide a forum for exploring how SAP technology can enhance data insights. The SAP HANA® platform delivers data up to 100 times faster than standard methods.
Our Advanced Enterprise Solution for Energy funnels leading processes into a preconfigured ERP solution tailored to unique needs of oil and gas producers and others.
We package this solution with complete process documentation, a range of tools and "live" systems to speed up implementation. Royal Dutch Shell, one of the top energy producers, turned to us to help establish a single IT platform based on SAP R/3.
Electronics and High Tech
We provide SAP expertise to a number of sectors, including semiconductors, communications equipment, computers and consumer electronics.
For example, our semiconductor solution offers a live reference SAP implementation, allowing clients to focus on core capabilities in order fulfillment, inventory management, logistics, and finance.
Financial Services
Focusing on three groups – banking, insurance and capital markets – we help reduce costs, implement new technology, retain and add customers and navigate complex issues in risk management, regulatory compliance and finance.
We work with 40 of the world's top 50 banks, seven of the top 10 life insurers and 18 of the top 20 money managers.
Forest Products
We've applied more than 30 years' experience to help paper makers and related businesses streamline supply chains, cut delivery times by as much as 50 percent and realize full benefits of outsourcing and technology.
Our Forest Products Solution can be quickly aligned with a client's needs, including new implementations, upgrades, advanced capabilities mergers and acquisitions integration and application outsourcing.
Industrial Equipment
Our Industrial Manufacturing for SAP Solution is supported by an end-to-end delivery model, leveraging the best of our knowledge and broad client experience.
Amid intensifying concerns over rising costs, faltering innovation and quality of care, healthcare providers recognize the need to improve. This means improving budgeting, inventory management and other key functions.
We're helping pharmaceutical companies, hospital organizations and others cut through the complexities and thrive in an increasingly patient- and consumer-centric environment.
We have a lengthy history providing SAP solutions across a number of areas, including systems integration, application design, process design and maintenance. It's all aimed at building operating capability and improving business intelligence.
Our Advanced Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) helps manufacturers extract maximum value from SAP investments and improve efficiency.
Some of the world's top steel producers and distributors reaped rewards from our ERP solutions. They've benefitted from reduced delivery times, industry-leading processes, cost-effectiveness and low-risk implementation.
Our Enterprise Services for Metals includes an end-to-end portfolio for a range of needs. We've helped metals companies in 25 countries, including ArcelorMittal Poland and ThyssenKrupp, run more efficiently.
Oil and Gas
Constantly shifting market forces dictate that those who produce the fuel to power the global economy must cut through operational complexity and grow with greater speed, efficiency and accuracy.
Our Advanced Enterprise Performance Management Solution provides a holistic, proactive view, turning finance organizations into a value-creation machine to reduce costs and boost competitiveness.
Miners face unique challenges: consolidation and pricing power, declining reserves, volatile supply and demand dynamics and negative public perceptions. These factors pose difficulties for ERP projects.
Many top global players turned to our Enterprise Services for answers. We've helped them manage supply chains better, integrate acquisitions and curb costs. We count Anglo American, Freeport McMoRan and Xstrata among our clients.
Public Service
We're not just focused on the private sector. We developed a Rapid Revenue Solution to deliver Web-based integrated workplaces for auditors, revenue agents, tax collectors and taxpayers.
In another example, we helped establish the Defense Logistics Agency, which provides acquisition, logistics and technical services (not to mention food and fuel) for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Our High Performance Retailing strategy covers five crucial areas: customer centricity and talent management, demand generation, demand fulfillment, innovation and collaboration and efficient enterprise.
We focus on developing highly responsive and efficient systems and the innovations to vastly improve the sourcing, moving and selling of the product. SAP Retail can be a powerful enabler of high performance.
We're SAP's primary development partner for utilities, having been involved in 95 SAP Customer Information System engagements globally since 1998. We have a full-time team working alongside SAP's utilities team in Walldorf, Germany, the only integration partner to do so.
Among the top 10 global utilities by sales, seven have Accenture-implemented SAP solutions. Our ERP solutions package a variety of processes for rapid deployment, providing faster, more predictable results with less cost and risk.
Transportation and Travel Services
We work with some of the world's leading airlines, travel service companies, public transport organizations and freight and logistics companies. We provide a suite of technology solutions that leverage our SAP relationship.
Canadian National Railway, for example, turned to us to help mobilize business processes. We led an SAP integration project for Madrid's public transportation agency that upgraded vehicle maintenance processes in a system that services 500 million riders a year.
Pirkka Penttinen
CIO of Metso Mining and Construction Technology


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The ideal here would be to have everything be settable by the player. I have no idea if I can pull that off well enough to keep it stable... That said, I'm a big fan of left-mouse-only play being possible, right click is really only optional fast-cancels and the like. It's a lot easier to add a button into combat than it is to come up with some magical number on delay protection that works for everyone.
Funny story: Initial testing of a delayed click system meant people were more likely to kill themselves. They got frustrated with the delay meaning they couldn't attack faster (obviously this was done on fully working hardware that wasn't double-clicking, so their problem perception was different) and would just spam clicks, which meant that they'd often be spamming after they should have already stopped clicking altogether. I think you can still see the echoes of this test in the old DD alpha thread on the Game.Dev forums


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Find Hotels in La Massana
La Massana Hotels & Accommodation
Browse through the list of La Massana hotels to find the right hotel at a great price. Each hotel in La Massana has many photos, reviews and a map of its location in La Massana to make sure you get the most out of your stay. Booking your hotel in La Massana couldn't be simpler. Just find a hotel, check the rates and proceed to the checkout. We'll have you enjoying your La Massana hotel in no time. Quick, easy and secure.


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pondering expansions
Yes, I know, "I thought you were done?" Yes, i don't play. But I still read a few of the blogs because THEY are fun – they write well, they are thought provoking, things like that.
BBB had a post today about his guild doing an Onyxia run – well, actually, finishing the attunement and then doing Ony. And it got me to thinking about the problems with Blizzard's expansions. Actually, the problems with several games' expansions. Warning, longwinded ramble ahead. (Like that's a surprise.)
Currently, all the expansions tend to be vertical. It's somewhat necessary given the way the whole thing progresses – your reward for experience is more power, not more skill. (I think I'll chase that digression in a different post.) The problem existed even in the original though it was ignored – a level 60 rarely bothered to do Mor'Ladim series (to name but one). The consequence is that these great stories – and they are great, and required extraordinary effort and cooperation and time both to design and to accomplish – are completely ignored. I saw – still see – much bemoaning of this. And I've been wondering what could be done to "fix" this particular problem. I'd like to propose, just for a bit of thought, some options. Not so I can play, but so later designers of other games might consider alternatives when stuck in a vertical integration system.
The first option that comes to mind is integration. Let's run a simple example. Let's assume, just for a moment, that there's a quest or such involving the blue dragons, and part of what they need is something that drops in Onyxia's lair. If your group is attuned, this is a 15-20 minute battle for 15 level 70s, so I'd guess about the same for a ten-man raid of level 75 or so – and if you're pushing level 80, it's probably going to be a 5-man exercise. If you're not attuned, it's back to BRD and (U/L)BRS. We can do the same thing with a LOT of the old Epic Runs and Instances and Stories – a handful of Lava Cores from Molten Core, bear a Master Dragonslayer's Orb/Medallion/Ring (Head of Nefarian), perhaps have to have won the Battle of Darrowshire, … For what it's worth, this is the easiest solution. It forces the players back through one of the old series, but doesn't particularly change anything.
Another route is scaling. This is trickier. On the other hand, it's in line with changes already announced for WotLK. Basically, instead of a +number or +range, you get a +percent (+/- a bit) of the appropriate base skill for certain rewards. Let's take for example Anathema/Benediction – the priest's 'Proof of Skill'. Let's modify it so that instead of Benediction increasing Int by 31 and Spi by 12, it increased them by a percentage. Two sub-avenues here: either a rate that would apply to the base stat such that level 60 would (recognizing racial variances) give I+31/Sp+12; or a lower percentage using nominally expected gearing which would do the same after other + flat number gear. As a balance, the toughness of various opponents would shift with percentage as well, based (if part of a group) on the highest level participating. There are two difficulties here, of course. The lesser is that difficulty of opposition is somewhat synergistic, and making them hit harder isn't the only factor. The greater is that if most gear were adjusted to reflect percentages, it'd encourage a lot more retention of lower level gear. (+1 spi at level 10 is HOW MUCH at level 70? My ballpark says +5.) In the long run, this would be better. Its difficulty, however, means the integration method is more likely.
Now in the long run, I think a game that thinks and so expands horizontally is more likely to have endurance – provided it can cross the necessary beginning threshhold of fun and engagement. It requires so significantly different a mindset than what you'd find in WoW, however, that it won't be found in this game. It's… ok, for the old-time game players, it's Traveller vs D&D (first or second ed, both games.) Your core numbers never increase, you just increase skill/profession levels – which have diminishing returns, themselves. Of course, horizontal expansions tend to increase story instead of epeen. Early D&D was, well, like WoW. At a certain point you could just walk into low-level mobs naked and leave without a scratch – not much in the way of reward, either, but if you're helping a buddy get ready for the tough times what matter is that? Yeah. In balance there are major problems with horizontal as well – I've got some ideas and if I were a programmer I'd try to write them as a game, but… shrug.
I have noticed, reading a bunch of WoW-blogs, that many longer-term players are running into many of the blahs that caused me to leave. I think WotLK will fix some of those, but only for a little while. And in the process it'll make the death of the old story more obvious. New content won't be as extensive as the old content, but nobody does the old because it's Level 30 clearing a kobold cave – er, I mean Level 70 visiting the other faction's starting area. (hmmm, that might have some fun opportunities.)
Have fun.
5 Responses to "pondering expansions"
Try Eve, it has that very wide horizontal expansion of skills.
Hey Kirk, i think blizzard is thinking something like % increase of weapons as well. just today the new beta patch introduced something called "bind to account" items. with a level requirement of 1-80. Something like this: http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/september/upgradeitem_5.jpg
i think this would make the game very much more interesting.


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The cork with wood trim fly rod grip is the perfect match to any of the wood
insert reel seats, featuring AAAA grade cork and impregnated stabilized wood
that matches the reel seat. The overall length is 7" with a 0.36" I.D.
This combination offers a truly custom option for your next fly rod


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Angry Hamilton blasts not so incredible Hulk
Lewis Hamilton blasted Nico Hulkenberg on Sunday after the Force India driver sent the former world champion crashing out of the Brazilian Grand Prix on his final day behind the wheel of a McLaren.
The 25-year-old German lost control as he attempted to squeeze into the lead on lap 55 of the 71-lap race and rammed into Hamilton's McLaren.
Hamilton's car was damaged beyond immediate repair and, after returning to the garage, he was greeted with a standing ovation by the team, mindful that he had given his all in his final race with them before joining Mercedes in 2013.
Hamilton said he was not impressed that Hulkenberg had not apologised in the aftermath of a tumultuous contest won by Jenson Button in the second McLaren as Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull finished sixth to become the youngest triple champion in the sport's history.
"The dude did not even come and say sorry," fumed Hamilton, who had started on pole. "That is what happens when you are racing with the less experienced."
Hulkenberg, who had led the incident-packed race at one stage, managed to continue and finished fifth.
Looking at the race overall, Hamilton added: "Big congratulations to Jenson and Sebastian. They both did a fantastic job."
"I am happy for the team that we got a win and feeling good for the future. I feel numb, it is mixed emotions at the moment.
"Sad that we were leading and I didn't get to see through the race and also that I am leaving. But I am excited for the future and hopefully I will have a little bit of luck at some stage."
Hulkenburg shrugged off the clash.
"I felt comfortable but eventually I made a small mistake and Lewis got ahead of me. I managed to stay with him and was fighting to get the lead back when we touched," he said.
"It's hard to say what happened but I was making a move going into turn one and had a slightly loose rear. I was about to turn in and suddenly there was contact.
"It's a shame for both of us because we were having a great battle. I managed to keep going but I had lost a lot of time. Fifth place is still a super result to end the season and I think the team did an excellent job this weekend.
"It's a nice leaving present in my last race."


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You have no items in your shopping cart.
Wildcraft has a number of accessories and gear that help you travel and adventure extensively. These accessories and gear help carry every travel essential easily, without any hassle. Carry all you need while hiking,trekking,trail running and camping with the travel accessories and gear, which come with quick access zippered pockets to use while you're on the go. Designed with adjustable, detachable and padded waist bands, these pouches from Wildcraft can be carried as a sling bag or a duffle bag, according to your convenience. They make for the perfect travel companion, be it a long journey or a short day trip. Available online, the Holster range comes with a dual compartment so you can stay organised while on the road, keeping all your essentials safe and in place. The rain shield from Wildcraft enables you to cover up your bags while on an excursion in the rain. Available at the Wildcraft online store, these essential accessories make every adventure easier.


text: Found a funeral memory book from my grandmother's funeral. Not all pages were scanned–there were a few pages for "sermon notes" and a few with just scripture passages. I simply scanned those pages that had relevant genealogical information–names of those who called during visitation, sent flowers, offered masses, etc. Download booklet here.


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10 March 2014|
The Old Union Bank in downtown Los Angeles played house to the annual Pioneer DJ Art Mix event this passed October. Against the backdrop of the Los Angeles Art Walk, which draws 10 to 15 thousand people annually, custom-designed art pieces using Pioneer's CDJ-2000nexus multi player as the canvas were auctioned off to support the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. All proceeds went toward improving music education and programs in public schools across the U.S. Bids started at only $500, and considering the Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus Professional Multi Player retails for more than two-grand, many brought in much more than a sale price.
Each artist put their unique spin on their respective projects. Some pieces had tongues and fingers such as Dada Life's submission, while others had signatures from the likes of Crystal Hefner and Kaskade. Others were tricked out with lights, wood, splash paint, movie themes, water guns, neon colors, cartoon characters and much more. Many of the pieces were still functional, however others were so over the top that the artistic outcome meant they could no longer function.
The crowd favorite seemed to be the Scorpion project created by Five Axis. It was built in a Steampunk style using only recycled car parts; gauges, springs, wires, air filters, center caps and more. The Scorpion also features LED backlighting as well as a linear cable drive to actuate the up and down motion of the body in relation to the legs. One crew member stated, "This is what we do," claiming it wasn't too difficult to put together once the idea had been set.
Every piece of the Five Axis Scorpion is hand cut and painted with a perfect patina. The guys at Five Axis used their 15-minute breaks throughout the day to make progress on the art piece, working around their busy schedules until it was done. The Scorpion was created so that regardless of the viewing angle, there is always something interesting to look at. Each section has something unique.
It was a great opportunity for people to see a new take on DJ culture by incorporating art on the music equipment that creates art itself. Highlighting live performances, Pioneer's turn table progression, and memorabilia from many of the world's most renowned DJs (not to mention all the proceeds to the Save the Music Foundation), PASMAG can safely say the Pioneer DJ Art Mix event was a huge success! We can hardly wait for next year's event!


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Style # 196166
The perfect bridesmaid uniform! Comfortable velour cotton, rhinestone embellished logo and bridesmaid label at lower back make this the ultimate run-around-all-day-on-your-best-friend's-day outfit. Part of the bebe bridal collection. Items with a bridal tag may be returned online only, please visit our return section for details.
- 80% cotton, 20% polyester.
- Center back to hem: 21" (53 cm).
- Machine wash.
- Made in USA.
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a size S.
Rated 5 out of 5�by 1 reviewer.
Rated 5 out of 5�by erinna I love everything about it! "Ordered online without trying it. As I always wear XS for all my BeBe clothes, it fits me perfectly again. My height is 5'1, and my weight is 103 lb. the color is true. I am sure nott only the HOT color catches eyes, but also the HOT style. It is a great combined style of sporty, casual and classic..., so it is very easy to match. Although this hoodie is not cheap, I think the quality talks. I do recommand it, and I must buy another white one if it's on sale." June 4, 2012
1-1 of 1


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Car Deals
Convertible Deals: January 2014
Sure, it's cold -- and in some places, it's even snowing. But that only means now is an excellent time to buy a new convertible, as many automakers offer their best convertible deals of the year in winter.
BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series is a sporty, compact luxury convertible that boasts rear-wheel drive and four seats. In January, it offers two incentives: one for shoppers looking to lease and the other for those who would prefer to finance. Lease shoppers get the best deal, as BMW is touting a 36-month term on its 2013 128i with payments from $439 per month. However, that deal requires putting down more than $4,000 upfront. For those who would rather finance, BMW is offering all 1 Series models with 3.19 percent interest for up to 36 months.
FIAT 500c
The tiny FIAT 500c isn't a convertible in the truest sense, as its roof pillars don't fold down with its cloth top. But it still offers the convertible experience, and it does so this month with some especially good deals. The best offer is for shoppers looking to finance a 500c, as they can get 0 percent interest for up to 60 months on a 2013 model or the same rate for up to 36 months on a 2014. Drivers who would rather lease can also get a good deal this month, as FIAT is touting payments from $339 per month for 39 months on its 500c POP -- a deal that requires just $1,499 down at lease signing. Finally, shoppers looking to pay with cash can get up to $1,000 back in January on the 2014 500c.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is a rear-wheel-drive, 4-seat sports car offered in coupe or soft-top convertible body styles. This month, shoppers interested in a 2014 Mustang can take advantage of two good incentives as Ford starts clearing dealer lots to make room for the all-new 2015 model. The best deal is a low-interest offer. Through the end of the month, qualified shoppers can get 0 percent interest for 48 months on all 2014 Mustang models -- a deal that extends to 0.9 percent for 60 months or 1.9 percent for 72 months. Drivers looking to pay in full, meanwhile, can take up to $2,000 cash back.
Jeep Wrangler
Think of the tough-as-nails Jeep Wrangler as a fun-in-the-sun convertible that can go anywhere. While incentives on the Wrangler are hard to come by, the SUV is offered this month with two lease deals. One is for the 2014 Wrangler Unlimited, the model's 4-door version, which touts payments from $359 per month for 39 months after $2,499 down at lease signing. The same terms are available on the 2-door Wrangler Sport, though choosing the smaller model drops the SUV's payment to just $319 per month.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a sporty 2-seat convertible known for its precise handling and light weight. In January, Mazda is offering two special lease deals on the 2014 MX-5 Miata. For drivers interested in the lowest possible payment, the MX-5 Sport is available for 36 months with payments from $269 per month after $2,999 down at lease signing. Those who prefer a more all-weather-friendly retractable hardtop can get the MX-5 Miata PRHT model with payments from $359 per month for 36 months after $2,999 down at lease signing. Unfortunately, the MX-5 Miata isn't available this month with any cash-back or low-interest deals.
Find a Mazda MX-5 Miata for sale
What it means to you: It may be cold now, but we promise you'll have fun this summer if you take advantage of one of our listed convertible deals.


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I was talking with Dan the other day about a place on Cyburbia where anyone can list AICP CM Credit opportunities and he thought this was the bestest place.
Now regardless of your opinion of APA, AICP, & CM, if you belong, you need CM Credits. One of the hardest things I've seen with this requirement is finding classes. Our state chapter does a pretty good job of sending information out and I wanted to keep getting the word out - So this is the place to go and look.
(Please keep your comments about APA & AICPs worthiness, assistance, and cost/benefit away from this thread)
Moderator note:
Completed program deleted.


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DIXON – Registration is under way for the Summer Reading Program, "Visit Book Island," at Dixon Public Library, 221 S. Hennepin Ave.
To register, stop by the library's youth department with a library card. Children who live outside the city limits may purchase a Summer Reading Program card for $10. It will serve as a library card through Aug. 31.
The program will run from June 3 to July 13.
Volunteers are needed to help out. Adults and children ages 11 to 14 may sign up for craft volunteer slots at any time.
For more information, call 815-284-7261.


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That Didn't Take Long: Spotify Sued For Patent Infringement Just Weeks After Entering US Market
from the welcome-to-america! dept
Now, you might claim that perhaps PacketVideo has a legitimate patent claim here. After all, the company has been around for well over a decade and was an early pioneer in streaming efforts. But... the details suggest not so much. The actual patent in question, 5,636,276, is for a "Device for the distribution of music information in digital form." Sound broad? Of course, as the patent attorneys in the audience will tell you, it's not the title of the patent that matters, but the claims. So go read through the claims and try not to gag. What's described is the very generic idea of streaming music. Here's the key claim:
a central memory device which is connected to a communications network and has a databank of digitized music information and, a terminal which is connected to the central memory device via the communications network, the central memory device being equipped with a retrieval module and the said modules having the capability to interact via the communications network in order to order and transmit selectively chosen music information, wherein the selectively chosen music information is organized with a defined format for transmission in a digital music information object, the format including a core and a number of additional layers, the core including at least one object identification code, object structure information, a consumer code and an encryption table and the one or more additional layers including the actual music information, wherein the central memory device has an encryption module for encryption of the music information object before transmission using the encryption table, and wherein the terminal has a decryption module for decryption of the music information object before its reproduction using the encryption table, an interpretation module for interpretation and reproduction conditioning of the music information object as well as an authorization device having identification information for identification of the terminal and of the consumer which is retrievable by the interpretation module and by the decryption module for authorization checking.Now here's the thing. When this patent was filed in 1995, this was not a unique idea. You could have asked any semi-competent engineer how would you build a digital music streaming service, and you would have received a similar general explanation. The problem was never in understanding the various pieces you need to put together. The difficulty at the time was getting enough bandwidth to do this reasonably... and getting any sort of licensing in an era before most label execs even knew what the internet was.
Oh, and let's get to the important part: PacketVideo had nothing to do with this patent. The company just bought it a few years back. There's nothing in this patent that was some amazing breakthrough or key innovation. Spotify is an amazing product, not because of this patent, but because of how it actually executed and built a working product.
Once again, we see patents being used as a tool to shakedown companies who were actually innovative in how they executed, with a ridiculously broad patent that contributed zippo to the actual state of the art.


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Plan and share activities for IYC 2011
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Join the IYC Network
In this section, your ideas for IYC2011 can start to become reality. Here, you can submit activities for consideration and, after a short review, they will be listed below and any related events will populate the IYC calendar. Activities listed here have a clearly defined theme and describe how, when, and where they will take place.
If you are not quite ready to submit a plan, keep working at it and come back soon. And remember, you can always browse and search this forum to find out what others are planning and even add your own comments to the discussion.
Currently viewing all activities tagged with competition - See all activities
Contributions of Madam Curie Damodar Prabhu | added on Oct 30, 2011 | India A Workshop on "Contributions of Madam Curie " will be organised at Jagdam College and Jaglal College, Chapra, Bihar, India on November 5, 2011 to commemorate the centenery of the award of Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Madam Marie Curie.
Can you find Chemistry in your Life? Fernando Jimenez | added on Oct 26, 2011 | Spain Photo Contest online for Secondary and Hig school students in Spain
|celebrating chemistry, chemistry education, competition, website
|chemistry, students, education, highschool students, secondary schools
Poster making Competition Anjaneyulu P | added on Oct 17, 2011 | India A POSTER MAKING COMPETETION WAS CONDUCTED ON 15 OCT.2011 ON THE TOPIC ' ROLE OF chemistry one day DAY OF MY LIFE"
|celebrating chemistry, competition
|students, secondary school students, school children, secondary schools
Chemistry in the service of humankind Bhagyabati Nayak | added on Oct 15, 2011 | India exhibition on wonders of chemistry,seminar on solving energy crisis,posters on usefulness of chemistry,career fair ,quiz on chemistry,visit to industrial estste etc.
Fastest Recitation of Periodic Table by the Youngest Girl Mahendra pratap Choudhary | added on Oct 12, 2011 | India Fastest Recitation and Writing of Periodic Table by the Youngest Girl. A 10 year old Girl recites periodic table in 9.38 sec, writes all the symbols in Periodic Table and also recites all symbols H, He, Li........Uuo in 10.24 sec.


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Posted on February 22, 2010 at 3:55pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
For decades in American households the most dreaded morning sound was that of an alarm clock. Sometime between 6 and 7am a beep or radio music signaled that it was time to get up and head to work. But in the early 21st century two things have begun to change. First, the alarm clock is going off a little bit later. And second, instead of putting on suits and driving to work, people are heading to the basement in their pajamas and turning on their personal computers. These are the early days…Continue


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Follow me on Instagram (jrdemboski) and Twitter (@jrdemboski).
I regularly post images and content about what's going on behind the scenes in the Zoology vertebrate collections and in my scientific world.
I have an article in Catalyst this month about my trip to Churchill, Manitoba to see polar bears and the neat renovations we are undertaking in our Bears and Sea Mammals diorama hall. Check it out here
The USGS issued a press release around our new shrew paper
published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
Here's the link to the release: "Shrews in
the News - Rapid Evolution of Shrews in Response to Climate
and here:
"Shrews Rapidly Evolving in Response to Climate Change"
The paper was published in
Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution (MPE) on North American
shrew systematics, biogeography, and diversification.
Hopefully out this year, the on-line version most certainly so.
Hope, AG, KA Speer, JR Demboski, SL Talbot, and JA Cook (in press).
A climate for speciation: rapid spatial diversification within
the Sorex cinereus complex of shrews. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution.
The gist of the paper is that late Pleistocene glacial and
interglacial cycles were the catalyst for speciation and
diversification events within a group of shrews consisting of about
13 recognized species and probably some cryptic species waiting to
be described.
The lead author, Andrew Hope (who I spent quality time with in
Mongolia), followed up on some work I had done in the 90's. Andrew
and Kelly expanded the sampling of species, specimens, and genetic
loci that were examined. This is a much more comprehensive
look at this species complex which appears to have responded
dramatically to climatic and geological cycles over the last
350,000 years, including recolonizing Asia.
Shrews are interesting mammals that belong to the order
Soricomorpha and are found across most of the Northern Hemisphere.
They are among the smallest mammals on the planet and in some
regions, the most abundant and diverse species. They have a farily
simple body plan which makes it difficult to ID them, much less
figure out their evolutionary history. Molecular approaches have
really shed light on these enigmatic beasts.


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So I just faced this on PvP Battles:
Xu-Fu, Cub of Xuen
Unborn Val'kyr
Spring Rabbit
I found this setup so OP I thought it was worth sharing, btw let's get a PvP Comb thread going? I will update this post with all the good setups you guys reply!
Users browsing this forum: Gráinne and 12 guests


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Art Freaks: Famous Artists as Nude Models in Body Paint [NSFW]
For his latest visual trick, Switzerland-born, New York- and Zurich-based artist Olaf Breuning has transformed a group of nude gals and fellas into crude and alluring representations of seminal 20th-century artists using body paint, DIY props, and humor. The Art Freaks include all-stars like Andy Warhol slathered with chrome-colored paint and adorned with bananas and Takashi Murakami's character Kiki, wearing nothing but pink and a cardboard psychedelic anime headdress. A few paint jobs mimic the style of these artists — we imagine that Ms. Jackson Pollock was splattered in much the same way the painter himself had splattered his canvases. Others channel and simplify complex internal themes, like the grand Maman spider sculpture series as a paint-doodle on the bare chest of Louise Bourgeois. Presented as a series of "larger than life-size" photographs at NYC's Metro Pictures Gallery starting September 23, the images "conflate the tropes of so-called high and low artistic techniques as they discuss notions of kitsch, cliché, and reproduction." Also, they're just damn fun! Enjoy.


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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College softball team and head coach Jamie Madewell-Grodecki recently spent time volunteering to ring the Salvation Army bell this holiday season, helping the organization collect donations.
Members of the 2010 team spent Nov. 29 and 30 located outside the Walmart on North Columbia Street in Milledgeville.
"We are honored to have the opportunity to raise money to help those whom are less fortunate during the holiday season," said Madewell-Grodecki. "This time of year is about sharing and giving, and hopefully this small effort will make a difference for those who really need it."
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, back-to-back winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/GCSUBobcats andwww.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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Neoseeker : Videos : Walkthroughs : ement Killing
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
- By IO Interactive for PC, PS2, Xbox, GC
ement Killing
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Playlist
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|From: FSLAR
|Jan 17, 2009
|Category: Walkthroughs