The River\u27s for Everybody : The River Chronotope and Trauma Healing in Melvin Dixon\u27s Trouble the Water

This thesis broadly explores river imagery, which undergirds narrative, plot, and character trajectory in Melvin Dixon’s Trouble the Water. In the novel, the Pee Dee River, with its multi-directional flow, reflects the personal journey of the protagonist, Jordan Henry, and figures as a spatialized metaphor by which time and space are organized and articulated. Additionally, this thesis identifies correlations between river imagery and articulations of trauma and trauma recovery in the novel. Ultimately, this thesis argues that via Jordan’s simultaneous geographical and psychological, literal and symbolic journey, the novel offers an African-centered spiritual framework for moving through and healing from trauma

Water-Nymphs of the Platte

Little known, but hauntingly beautiful and valuable to the environment as well, clams and mussels inhabit many Nebraska lakes and rivers. In the first survey of the entire Platte River, the authors found 11 species. We surveyed mollusks (clams and snails) of the Platte River during the summers of 1990 and 1991. With the exception of the Big Bend reach of the river in Dawson, Buffalo, and Hall counties, no mussels were found in the river\u27s main channel. But in backwaters, lakes and sand-pits along the river, we found 11 species of mussels at 49 different sites from east to west across the state. Among them we found the Asiatic clam, a non-native, pest species, for the first time in the state, placing it several hundred miles west of the present eastern population of eastern Iowa and Missour

Current status of the Northern Long-eared Myotis (\u3ci\u3eMyotis septentrionalis\u3c/i\u3e) in northwestern Nebraska

The Northern Long-eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis; Order: Chiroptera) occurs in eastern, southern, and northern Nebraska, but its current distribution in northwestern parts of the state is unclear due to its recent arrival to the region. We investigated the status of this species in the Pine Ridge via mist net (2011-2014) and acoustic surveys (2014). We documented nine species of bats in the region, including M. septentrionalis. Of 423 total bats, M. septentrionalis was represented by four individuals, the fewest of all species during our four-year survey. We only documented M. septentrionalis in Sheridan County; this county is where the species was first reported in the Pine Ridge. Possibly acoustic calls of M. septentrionalis were recorded along the White River in Dawes County, but they likely represented variant calls from other Myotis species, such as the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus). Until more conclusive evidence is obtained from Dawes County, we do not consider M. septentrionalis as part of the bat fauna from the county. Captures of three lactating M. septentrionalis are the best evidence of a reproducing population in the Pine Ridge. We conclude that the Northern Long-eared Myotis currently is not widely distributed in northwestern Nebraska, especially during summer when females bear and raise young. During migratory periods, however, limited evidence suggests individuals occur across a broader area using more habitats while in route to and from hibernacula. Periodic surveys are warranted to monitor the status of this species in the region. Additional research to determine summer and winter roosts would promote and help to conserve habitats for this species in Nebraska as M. septentrionalis recently was listed as federally threatened in the United States

Some hydrolytic reactions of beta-lactams

This thesis describes the synthesis and alkaline ring fission of some β-lactams. Three series of β-lactams were studied: those of type (A) bearing a substituent on the ring nitrogen; 1,3,4-trisubstituted 3-lactams (B); and the spiro-3-lactams of type (C). [See diagrams within thesis - Abstract.] Three synthetic routes were used for the synthesis of the p-lactams, namely (a) the Reformatsky Reaction using an imine and a bromoacetate ester, (b) the cyclization of a 3-bromopropionamide, and (c) the addition of an acid chloride across an imino group. In the acid chloride-imine reaction it was shown that, contrary to previous reports, the reaction will proceed successfully with an U-benzyloxycarbonylaminoacyl chloride, and that conditions of high-dilution are not necessary in order to obtain high yields. The results of hydrolytic studies indicate that intramolecular assistance by an amido-group alpha to the β-lactam carbonyl is not of significance in the hydrolysis of these β-lactams in the conditions employed (0.1-1.0 M sodium hydroxide). Hydrolyses were also conducted in the presence of micelle forming agents and the results obtained show that the effect of these upon the rate of hydrolytic fission is dependent upon the nature of the substituenis present on the β-lactam ring

The COMBS survey I : Chemical Origins of Metal-Poor Stars in the Galactic Bulge

19 pages, 5 tables, accepted to MNRASChemistry and kinematic studies can determine the origins of stellar population across the Milky Way. The metallicity distribution function of the bulge indicates that it comprises multiple populations, the more metal-poor end of which is particularly poorly understood. It is currently unknown if metal-poor bulge stars ([Fe/H] <−1 dex) are part of the stellar halo in the inner most region, or a distinct bulge population or a combination of these. Cosmological simulations also indicate that the metal-poor bulge stars may be the oldest stars in the Galaxy. In this study, we successfully target metal-poor bulge stars selected using SkyMapper photometry. We determine the stellar parameters of 26 stars and their elemental abundances for 22 elements using R∼ 47 000 VLT/UVES spectra and contrast their elemental properties with that of other Galactic stellar populations. We find that the elemental abundances we derive for our metal-poor bulge stars have lower overall scatter than typically found in the halo. This indicates that these stars may be a distinct population confined to the bulge. If these stars are, alternatively, part of the innermost distribution of the halo, this indicates that the halo is more chemically homogeneous at small Galactic radii than at large radii. We also find two stars whose chemistry is consistent with second-generation globular cluster stars. This paper is the first part of the Chemical Origins of Metal-poor Bulge Stars (COMBS) survey that will chemodynamically characterize the metal-poor bulge population.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

The use of intraoperative nitrous oxide leads to postoperative increases in plasma homocysteine

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease, but its significance in the perioperative period is unknown. Nitrous oxide inhibits methionine synthase, which aids in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. In this prospective, controlled, randomized study, we determined the effect of intraoperative nitrous oxide exposure on postoperative plasma homocysteine concentrations. Twenty ASA physical status I-III patients, aged \u3e18 yr, presenting for elective craniotomy, were randomized to receive general anesthesia with or without nitrous oxide (inspired nitrous oxide \u3e50%). Plasma was sampled before the induction of anesthesia, on arrival in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after discontinuation of nitrous oxide, and 24 h after induction. There was a significant increase (22.6 ± 11.4 vs 13.0 ± 4.7 μmol/L; P = 0.0038 for postoperative versus preinduction values) in plasma homocysteine concentrations in the nitrous oxide group on arrival in the PACU and for 24 h. In the nonnitrous oxide group, mean plasma homocysteine concentrations did not change (9.5 ± 1.9 vs 9.8 ± 1.6 μmol/L; P = 0.86 for postoperative versus preinduction values). The change in plasma homocysteine concentrations in the nitrous oxide group was significantly different from that in the nonnitrous group (P = 0.0031). We conclude that the use of intraoperative nitrous oxide leads to significant increases in perioperative plasma homocysteine concentrations. Implications: Short-term exposure to nitrous oxide led to significant increases in plasma homocysteine. Further investigations are required to determine the clinical significance of this change

From filters to features:Scale-space analysis of edge and blur coding in human vision

To make vision possible, the visual nervous system must represent the most informative features in the light pattern captured by the eye. Here we use Gaussian scale-space theory to derive a multiscale model for edge analysis and we test it in perceptual experiments. At all scales there are two stages of spatial filtering. An odd-symmetric, Gaussian first derivative filter provides the input to a Gaussian second derivative filter. Crucially, the output at each stage is half-wave rectified before feeding forward to the next. This creates nonlinear channels selectively responsive to one edge polarity while suppressing spurious or "phantom" edges. The two stages have properties analogous to simple and complex cells in the visual cortex. Edges are found as peaks in a scale-space response map that is the output of the second stage. The position and scale of the peak response identify the location and blur of the edge. The model predicts remarkably accurately our results on human perception of edge location and blur for a wide range of luminance profiles, including the surprising finding that blurred edges look sharper when their length is made shorter. The model enhances our understanding of early vision by integrating computational, physiological, and psychophysical approaches. © ARVO

UC-508 Memories: Echoes of Resilience

Memories: Echoes of Resilience is a first-person narrative experience that takes players through different experiences of a boy with autism. The game aims to show how everyday interactions can be different to someone with autism. Experiences such as making friends in school, being in overstimulating environments, or managing adult life are experiences we want to simulate for the player. The player will be able to interact with the world around them but will also have to be aware of how their environment impacts them, so they don’t become overstimulated