(Table 1) Age control points of ODP Site 160-968

The astronomical timescale of the Eastern Mediterranean Plio-Pleistocene builds on tuning of sapropel layers to Northern Hemisphere summer insolation maxima. A 3000-year precession lag has become instrumental in the tuning procedure as radiocarbon dating revealed that the midpoint of the youngest sapropel, S1, in the early Holocene occurred approximately 3000 years after the insolation maximum. The origin of the time lag remains elusive, however, because sapropels are generally linked to maximum African monsoon intensities and transient climate modeling results indicate an in-phase behavior of the African monsoon relative to precession forcing. Here we present new high-resolution records of bulk sediment geochemistry and benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotopes from ODP Site 968 in the Eastern Mediterranean. We show that the 3000-year precession time lag of the sapropel midpoints is consistent with (1) the global marine isotope chronology, (2) maximum (monsoonal) precipitation conditions in the Mediterranean region and China derived from radiometrically dated speleothem records, and (3) maximum atmospheric methane concentrations in Antarctica ice cores. We show that the time lag relates to the occurrence of precession-paced North Atlantic cold events, which systematically delayed the onset of strong boreal summer monsoon intensity. Our findings may also explain a non-stationary behavior of the African monsoon over the past 3 million years due to more frequent and intensive cold events in the Late Pleistocene.

Impact of a Potassium-enriched, Chloride-depleted 5% Glucose Solution on Gastrointestinal Function after Major Abdominopelvic Surgery: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal (GI) complications often delay recovery after radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. The authors investigated if perioperative administration of a potassium-enriched, chloride-depleted 5% glucose solution (G5K) accelerates recovery of GI function. METHODS This randomized, parallel-group, single-center double-blind trial included 44 consecutive patients undergoing radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection with urinary diversion. Patients were randomized to receive either a G5K (G5K group) solution or a Ringer's maleate solution (control group). Fluid management aimed for a zero fluid balance. Primary endpoint was time to first defecation. Secondary endpoints were time to normal GI function, need for electrolyte substitution, and renal dysfunction. RESULTS Time to first defecation was not significantly different between groups (G5K group, 93 h [19 to 168 h] and control group, 120 h [43 to 241 h]); estimator of the group difference, -16 (95% CI, -38 to 6); P = 0.173. Return of normal GI function occurred faster in the G5K group than in the control group (median, 138 h [range, 54 to 262 h] vs. 169 h [108 to 318 h]); estimator of the group difference, -38 (95% CI, -74 to -12); P = 0.004. Potassium and magnesium were less frequently substituted in the G5K group (13.6 vs. 54.5% [P = 0.010] and 18.2 vs. 77.3% [P < 0.001]), respectively. The incidence of renal dysfunction (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End-stage kidney disease stage "risk") at discharge was 9.1% in the G5K group and 4.5% in the control group; P = 1.000. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative administration of a G5K did not enhance first defecation, but may accelerate recovery of normal GI function, and reduces potassium and magnesium substitution after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.

An intensive survey of Bear Creek in West-Central Illinois, August-September, 1992 /

"December, 1994."

An intensive survey of the Mackinaw River Basin, 1987 /

"September 1988."--Cover.

An intensive survey of Shawnee National Forest region streams of southern Illinois, 1986-1987 /

"IEPA/WPC/90-171."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Henderson Creek Basin, 1994 /

"February, 1996."

An intensive survey of the Indian Creek Basin, 1992 /

"IEPA/WPC/95-2."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Eagle Creek Basin, Saline and Gallatin Counties, Illinois : 1986-1987 /

"March 1988."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Elkhorn Creek Basin, 1985.

"IEPA/WPC/88-017."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Pecatonica River Basin, 1984-1985.

"February 1988."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Sugar Creek Basin, Crawford County, Illinois, 1986 /

"IEPA/WPC/88-030."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Big Muddy main stem from Rend Lake to the Mississippi River Summer 1988 /

"IEPA/WPC/91-56."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Embarras River Basin, 1987 /

"IEPA/WPC/89-212."--Cover.

An intensive survey of the Bay Creek Watershed, July 1992 /

"IEPA/WPC/95-020"--Cover.

An intensive survey of Otter Creek, Jersey County, Illinois, July, 1992 /

"July, 1993."