Concerto Competition Finals, March 6, 2012

This is the concert program of the Concerto Competition Finals performance on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 6:30 p.m., at the Boston University Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts. Works performed were Concerto no. 3 in d minor, op. 30 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Concert Piece for Four Horns and Orchestra by Robert Schumann, Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, Violin Concert, op. 14 by Samuel Barber, Concerto in A major, K. 622 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Incantation, Threne, et Danse by Alfred Desenclos, Concerto no. 1 in b-flat minor, op. 23 by Peter Tchaikovsky, Knoxville: Summer of 1915 by Samuel Barber, Concerto in D major, op. 19 by Sergei Prokofiev, Concerto no. 3 in c minor, op. 31 by Ludwig van Beethoven, and Concerto in a minor, op. 22 by Samuel Barber. Digitization for Boston University Concert Programs was supported by the Boston University Humanities Library Endowed Fund

Why have asset price properties changed so little in 200 years

We first review empirical evidence that asset prices have had episodes of large fluctuations and been inefficient for at least 200 years. We briefly review recent theoretical results as well as the neurological basis of trend following and finally argue that these asset price properties can be attributed to two fundamental mechanisms that have not changed for many centuries: an innate preference for trend following and the collective tendency to exploit as much as possible detectable price arbitrage, which leads to destabilizing feedback loops.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Alumni Notes

Schedule of upcoming events, brief articles about alumni activities, and a column by the alumni directo

One-step isolation and biochemical characterization of a highlyactive plant PSII monomeric core

We describe a one-step detergent solubilization protocol for isolating a highly active form of Photosystem II (PSII) from Pisum sativum L. Detailed characterization of the preparation showed that the complex was a monomer having no light harvesting proteins attached. This core reaction centre complex had, however, a range of low molecular mass intrinsic proteins as well as the chlorophyll binding proteins CP43 and CP47 and the reaction centre proteins D1 and D2. Of particular note was the presence of a stoichiometric level of PsbW, a low molecular weight protein not present in PSII of cyanobacteria. Despite the high oxygen evolution rate, the core complex did not retain the PsbQ extrinsic protein although there was close to a full complement of PsbO and PsbR and partial level of PsbP. However, reconstitution of PsbP and PsbPQ was possible. The presence of PsbP in absence of LHCII and other chlorophyll a/b binding proteins confirms that LHCII proteins are not a strict requirement for the assembly of this extrinsic polypeptide to the PSII core in contrast with the conclusion of Caffarri et al. (2009)

Early recovery profiles of language and executive function in bilingual persons during the first twelve weeks post brain injury

Background: The nature, rate and pattern of recovery in bilingual persons following brain damage has been investigated over many years but several controversies remain. Recent evidence suggests that the relationship between executive function (EF) processes and language recovery may be distinct in bilinguals. An improved understanding of such underlying linguistic and cognitive processes may enhance assessment and treatment particularly in the acute phase. There is limited knowledge regarding how these processes interact in the acute phase and there remains little guidance as to the choice of an appropriate assessment battery for bilinguals. In the South African context, bilingual persons with a brain injury are often treated as monolinguals due to the language challenges and the lack of standardised assessments. Thus there is a need to develop a simple, effective battery which is able to differentiate aetiologies, is sensitive to recovery processes, and in a multicultural and multilingual context is able to distinguish normal from pathological profiles. Aims: The research study aimed to identify an assessment battery for language and EF that is sensitive to etiology and the recovery process for South African bilingual persons who have had a neuronal insult. It also aimed to evaluate the linguistic and executive function skills of bilingual patients with acquired neurological communication disorders (ANCD) at two time periods within the first 12 weeks post injury. A further aim was to profile the recovery of bilingual persons with ANCD in the acute recovery phase according to etiology (Right CVA, left CVA and TBI). Method: A multivalent comparison study with a longitudinal component was conducted at two acute rehabilitation centres. A convenience sample of 29 bilingual, second language English speaking participants (19 with a cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and 10 with a traumatic brain injury (TBI)) were assessed at two time periods within the first 12 weeks post injury. They were assessed using the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT) and a nonverbal EF battery. The nonverbal battery comprised tasks to assess updating (n-back task), mental shifting (number-letter task; Wisconsin Card Sorting test), and inhibition (Victoria Stroop; Tower of Hanoi). A control group of 19 neurologically intact bilingual, second language English speakers who were matched according to age and education level were assessed employing the same battery. The control group completed an initial assessment and then were reassessed six weeks later. Results: The CAT was found to be a suitable assessment measure when assessing bilingual, second language English speakers in the South African context. A between- group analysis identified statistically significant differences between etiologies (including the control group) for language assessment as well as the EF assessment, indicating the battery was able to differentiate normal from pathological individuals. While most of the test battery was found to be suitable for the participants, the Tower of Hanoi and the number-letter task were deemed inappropriate for the population and the cultural context. Overall the battery of tests distinguished between aetiologies, testing period (first and second) and pathological from normal individuals. It was found that this battery was appropriate for a variety of cultural groups. A within- group analysis determined that there were unique profiles of language and EF skills according to etiologic and that different profiles of change emerged according to each etiology for both language and EF subtests. Discussion: The streamlined battery that was found to be beneficial and sensitive to the multicultural and multilingual nature of South Africa comprised the CAT as the language assessment and the n-back task (updating), Victoria Stroop (inhibition) and WCST (shifting) comprised the EF assessment battery in the acute phase. This study confirms prior research on recovery processes in language across the three aetiologies but also highlights changes in executive functioning which may offer some explanations for differential recovery profiles. The results highlighted that inhibition may be a preserved bilingual advantage in participants with a right CVA or TBI. However, it was a deficit in participants with a left CVA. The role of inhibition may support the decision making process with regards to the language for therapy. Thus the EF profiles may also assist a clincian to determine whether to undertake monolingual or bilingual therapy There were also distinct relationships between language skills and EF skills for each etiology according to time frame. This provided insight into the interactions between language and EF during the acute phase of recovery. Knowledge of the specific EFs that interact with language recovery per etiology can assist a clinician in providing effective therapy in the acute phase that complies with neuroplasticity principles. Conclusion: Language assessment and treatment in the acute phase needs to be provided in combination with an understanding of recovery patterns, what is driving that pattern, and which cognitive deficits are contributing to the language behaviour. In addition clinicians need to be aware of the impact of updating, shifting and inhibition in a bilingual person as well as the role bilingual advantage may have in decision making for therapy, the recovery process and as a possible tool to support the therapeutic process

Hemostatic function and progressing ischemic stroke: D-dimer predicts early clinical progression

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> Early clinical progression of ischemic stroke is common and is associated with increased risk of death and dependency. We hypothesized that activation of the coagulation system is an important contributor in some cases of deterioration. We aimed to characterize alterations in circulating hemostatic markers in patients with progressing stroke.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Consecutive acute ischemic stroke admissions were recruited. Progressing stroke was defined by deterioration in components of the Scandinavian Stroke Scale. Hemostatic markers (coagulation factors VIIc, VIIIc, and IXc, prothrombin fragments 1+2 [F1+2], thrombin-antithrombin complexes [TAT], D- dimer, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor [vWF] and tissue plasminogen activator) were measured within 24 hours of symptom recognition.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Fifty-four (25%) of the 219 patients met criteria for progressing stroke. F1+2 (median 1.28 versus 1.06 nmol/L, P=0.01), TAT (5.28 versus 4.07 mug/L, P lt 0.01), D-dimer ( 443 versus 194 ng/mL, P lt 0.001) and vWF (216 versus 198 IU/dL, P lt 0.05) levels were higher in these patients than in stable/improving patients. In logistic regression analysis, with all important clinical and laboratory variables included, only natural log D-dimer (odds ratio [OR]: 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38 to 2.54; P=0.0001) and mean arterial blood pressure (OR: 1.26 per 10 mm Hg change; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.51; P=0.01) remained independent predictors of progressing stroke.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> There is evidence of excess thrombin generation and fibrin turnover in patients with progressing ischemic stroke. Measurement of D-dimer levels can identify patients at high risk for stroke progression. Further research is required to determine whether such patients benefit from acute interventions aimed at modifying hemostatic function.</p&gt

News from Academy Bay

Planning. A Galapagos marine park. The feral animals on Santiago Island. Can the Hawaiian Petrel be saved? Education and training programmes. Visitors and events at the Charles Darwin Station (May - October 1982)

Patients' unvoiced agendas in general practice consultations.

Objective: To investigate patients' agendas before consultation and to assess which aspects of agendas are voiced in the consultation and the effects of unvoiced agendas on outcomes. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: 20 general practices in south east England and the West Midlands. Participants: 35 patients consulting 20 general practitioners in appointment and emergency surgeries. Results: Patients' agendas are complex and multifarious. Only four of 35 patients voiced all their agendas in consultation. Agenda items most commonly voiced were symptoms and requests for diagnoses and prescriptions. The most common unvoiced agenda items were: worries about possible diagnosis and what the future holds; patients' ideas about what is wrong; side effects; not wanting a prescription; and information relating to social context. Agenda items that were not raised in the consultation often led to specific problem outcomes (for example, major misunderstandings), unwanted prescriptions, non-use of prescriptions, and non-adherence to treatment. In all of the 14 consultations with problem outcomes at least one of the problems was related to an unvoiced agenda item. Conclusion: Patients have many needs and when these are not voiced they can not be addressed. Some of the poor outcomes in the case studies were related to unvoiced agenda items. This suggests that when patients and their needs are more fully articulated in the consultation better health care may be effected. Steps should be taken in both daily clinical practice and research to encourage the voicing of patients' agenda

Identification of oxidized amino acid residues in the vicinity of the Mn \u3csub\u3e4\u3c/sub\u3eCaO \u3csub\u3e5\u3c/sub\u3e cluster of photosystem II: Implications for the identification of oxygen channels within the photosystem

As a light-driven water-plastoquinone oxidoreductase, Photosystem II produces molecular oxygen as an enzymatic product. Additionally, under a variety of stress conditions, reactive oxygen species are produced at or near the active site for oxygen evolution. In this study, Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was used to identify oxidized amino acid residues located in several core Photosystem II proteins (D1, D2, CP43, and CP47) isolated from spinach Photosystem II membranes. While the majority of these oxidized residues (81%) are located on the oxygenated solvent-exposed surface of the complex, several residues on the CP43 protein ( 354E, 355T, 356M, and 357R) which are in close proximity (\u3c15 \u3eÅ) to the Mn 4CaO 5 active site are also modified. These residues appear to be associated with putative oxygen/reactive oxygen species exit channel(s) in the photosystem. These results are discussed within the context of a number of computational studies which have identified putative oxygen channels within the photosystem. © 2012 American Chemical Society