Digital Commons Network^™

Parameter Estimation For The Lognormal Distribution, Brenda Faith Ginos

Theses and Dissertations

The lognormal distribution is useful in modeling continuous random variables which are greater than or equal to zero. Example scenarios in which the lognormal distribution is used include, among many others: in medicine, latent periods of infectious diseases; in environmental science, the distribution of particles, chemicals, and organisms in the environment; in linguistics, the number of letters per word and the number of words per sentence; and in economics, age of marriage, farm size, and income. The lognormal distribution is also useful in modeling data which would be considered normally distributed except for the fact that it may be more …

On Some Discrete Distributions And Their Applications With Real Life Data, Shipra Banik, B. M. Golam Kibria

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

This article reviews some useful discrete models and compares their performance in terms of the high frequency of zeroes, which is observed in many discrete data (e.g., motor crash, earthquake, strike data, etc.). A simulation study is conducted to determine how commonly used discrete models (such as the binomial, Poisson, negative binomial, zero-inflated and zero-truncated models) behave if excess zeroes are present in the data. Results indicate that the negative binomial model and the ZIP model are better able to capture the effect of excess zeroes. Some real-life environmental data are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed models.

The Scher Report On Non-Human Primate Research — Biased And Deeply Flawed, Jarrod Bailey, Katy Taylor

Experimentation Collection

The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) recently issued an Opinion on the need for non-human primate (NHP) use in biomedical research, and the possibilities of replacing NHP use with alternatives, as part of the Directive 86/609/EEC revision process. Here, we summarise our recent complaint to the European Ombudsman about SCHER’s Opinion and the entire consultation process. It is our opinion that the Working Group almost entirely failed to address its remit, and that the Group was unbalanced and contained insufficient expertise. The Opinion presumed the validity of NHP research with inadequate supporting evidence, and ignored …

A Sensitivity Matrix Methodology For Inverse Problem Formulation, Ariel Cintron-Arias, H. T. Banks, Alex Capaldi, Alun L. Lloyd

Mathematics and Computer Science Faculty Publications

We propose an algorithm to select parameter subset combinations that can be estimated using an ordinary least-squares (OLS) inverse problem formulation with a given data set. First, the algorithm selects the parameter combinations that correspond to sensitivity matrices with full rank. Second, the algorithm involves uncertainty quantification by using the inverse of the Fisher Information Matrix. Nominal values of parameters are used to construct synthetic data sets, and explore the effects of removing certain parameters from those to be estimated using OLS procedures. We quantify these effects in a score for a vector parameter defined using the norm of the …

Indiana Wildlife Disease News, Vol 4, Issue 3 -- August 2009, Joe N. Caudill, Dean Zimmerman

Indiana Wildlife Disease News

White-nose syndrome in bats
Indiana DNR Protocol for Dead Bats
ProMED-mail - the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases
14th International Congress on Infectious Diseases
Bird Banders are Invited to Participate in a Research Study
Meetings Planned to Discuss Bovine TB
Mark Reiter to Lead DNR Fish and Wildlife Division
Midwest Wildlife Disease Update: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Wide Spread In 2007; Rate of Chronic Wasting Disease Up in Wisconsin Deer; Anaplasmosis- A New Tick Disease Surfaces In WI; Susceptibilities of Nonhuman Primates to Chronic Wasting Disease;

Detection Of Protease-Resistant Cervid Prion Protein In Water From A Cwd-Endemic Area, T. A. Nichols, Bruce Pulford, A. Christy Wyckoff, Crystal Meyerett, Brady Michel, Kevin Gertig, Edward A. Hoover, Jean E. Jewell, Glenn C. Telling, Mark D. Zabel

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the only known transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting free-ranging wildlife. Although the exact mode of natural transmission remains unknown, substantial evidence suggests that prions can persist in the environment, implicating components thereof as potential prion reservoirs and transmission vehicles. CWD-positive animals may contribute to environmental prion load via decomposing carcasses and biological materials including saliva, blood, urine and feces. Sensitivity limitations of conventional assays hamper evaluation of environmental prion loads in soil and water. Here we show the ability of serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) to amplify a 1.3 x 10^-7 dilution of CWD-infected …

Tactics And Economics Of Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination, Canada And The United States, Ray T. Sterner, Martin I. Meltzer, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Dennis Slate

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Progressive elimination of rabies in wildlife has been a general strategy in Canada and the United States; common campaign tactics are trap–vaccinate–release (TVR), point infection control (PIC), and oral rabies vaccination (ORV). TVR and PIC are labor intensive and the most expensive tactics per unit area (≈$616/km² [in 2008 Can$, converted from the reported $450/km² in 1991 Can$] and ≈$612/km² [$500/km² in 1999 Can$], respectively), but these tactics have proven crucial to elimination of raccoon rabies in Canada and to maintenance of ORV zones for preventing the spread of raccoon rabies in the United States. Economic …

T-Plausibility: Semantic Preserving Text Sanitization, Wei Jiang, Mummoorthy Murugesan, Chris Clifton, Luo Si

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Text documents play significant roles in decision making and scientific research. Under federal regulations, documents (e.g., pathology records) containing personally identifiable information cannot be shared freely, unless properly sanitized. Generally speaking, document sanitization consists of finding and hiding personally identifiable information. The first task has received much attention from the research community, but the main strategy for the second task has been to simply remove personal identifiers and very sensitive information (e.g., diseases and treatment). It is not hard to see that if important information (e.g., diagnoses and personal medical histories) is completely removed from pathology records, these records are …

Fall 2009 Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Student Catalog, Nova Southeastern University

Undergraduate Programs Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Scwds Briefs: Volume 25, Number 2 (July 2009), Gary L. Doster , Editor, Scwds Briefs, Michael J. Yabsley

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study: Publications

Table of Contents:

Piroplasmosis Hits Missouri Horses

Cytauxzoon felis in Wild Felids

SCIF & Mossy Oak Fund HD Research

Hardware Disease in a Key Deer

Wildlife Poisoning in Kansas

Swine Brucellosis Infects Hog Hunters

SCWDS Personnel Changes

NWHC Has New Director

New USDI Publication on Bats Recent SCWDS Publications Available

The Burden Of Fetching Water: Using Caloric Expenditure As An Indicator Of Access To Safe Drinking Water—A Case Study From Xieng Khouang Province, Lao Pdr, Jeff La Frenierre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Millennium Development Goals measure ‘access to improved drinking water’ using an indicator that defines access as the presence of an improved water source within 1 kilometer of a person’s dwelling. This purely linear measurement has significant shortcomings, including a lack of consideration for the difficulty of the terrain being traversed and the weight of the loads being carried. This paper examines in detail the human energy costs associated with fetching water, first using two Lao villages as case studies, then applying a predictive energy expenditure model to measure the potential caloric effect of variations in the age and gender …

Finfish Aquaculture In Western Australia. Final Esd Management Report For Marine Finfish Aquaculture., Department Of Fisheries Western Australia.

Fisheries Management Papers

It has been recognized that there are a number of potential impediments to achieving continued growth of this industry. These include the need for increased investment, an expansion in markets and ensuring environmental sustainability. One of the most important however, is meeting the growing expectations of the community that all aquaculture sectors can clearly demonstrate that they are operating within the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). Western Australia’s Department of Fisheries is responsible for the management of aquaculture in the State and is committed to implementing ESD. These principles are contained within the objectives of the Fish Resources Management …

Worldwide Review Of Pygmy Killer Whales, Feresa Attenuate, Mass Strandings Reveals Taiwan Hot Spot, Robert L. Brownell Jr., C.-J. Yao, Chia-Shan Lee, Ming-Chih Wang

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Pygmy killer whales, Feresa attentuata, are known worldwide from tropical to warm-temperate waters. The first recorded mass stranding event (MSE) of this species occurred in January 1968 in South Africa. We documented 16 MSEs to April 2006 in Bali, Indonesia. The number of animals involved in these MSEs ranged from 3 to 28, but most MSEs were less than eight animals. Taiwan was identified as a major hot spot for these MSEs with 25% of the events occurring since 1995 in a relatively small section of coastline in the south-west. Three additional near MSEs were documented from Taiwan between …

Modeling And Analysis Of The Spread Of Japanese Encephalitis With Environmental Effects, Ram Naresh, Surabhi Pandey

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

A nonlinear mathematical model for the spread of Japanese Encephalitis, caused by infected mosquito feeding on susceptible human population incorporating demographic and environmental factors is proposed and analyzed. In the modeling process, it is assumed that the growth rates of reservoir animal population and vector mosquito population are enhanced due to environmental discharges caused by human population related factors. The model is analyzed by stability theory of differential equations and computer simulation. Both the disease-free and the endemic equilibria are found and their stability is investigated. It is found that whenever the disease-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable, the endemic …

A Network-Aware Distributed Membership Protocol For Collaborative Defense, David Zage, Carl Livadas, Eve M. Schooler

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Stimulatory Properties Of Glycolipids For Natural Killer T Cells, Xiangtian Long

Theses and Dissertations

Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are a subset of T cells. They regulate a wide range of diseases including infection, tumor growth, and autoimmune diseases, through recognizing glycolipid antigens in the context of CD1d. An understanding of the scope of glycolipid antigens would facilitate use of this cell type in controlling immune responses. Till today, a lysosomal glycolipid, isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3), is the only natural glycolipid that has been found to be recognized by both human and mouse NKT cells. To elucidate the molecular basis of this specific recognition, iGb3 variants were designed and prepared: i) replacement of the C26 …

Fisheries Research Report No. 191 - Maximising Survival Of Released Undersize West Coast Reef Fish, Rodney C J Lenanton, Jill St John, Brent S. Wise, Ian S. Keay, D J. Gaughan

Fisheries Research Reports

Final FRDC Report – Project 2000/194

In Australia, most fishery managers regulate the catch of recreational fishes using size and bag limits. The effectiveness of these regulations depends on the fish surviving capture and then release back into the water. Effective management of fishing using size or bag limits therefore requires an understanding of the rates of mortality of released fish and what factors are causing mortality so that these might be alleviated. The rates and likely causes of mortality of released WA dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum) and snapper (Pagrus auratus), breaksea cod (Epinephelides armatus) and baldchin groper (Choerodon rubescens) off …

Patch Models And Applications On The Spread Of Avian Influenza, Kimberly Rude

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The avian influenza virus (AIV) is an infectious disease that predominantly affects birds. Economic losses due to large-scale deaths of domestic poultry as a result of past outbreaks have been devastating. Additionally, there is major concern about the spread of the virus to humans. The virus has spread to humans in the past, but has not yet been known to spread beyond one human. Since influenza viruses are known to mutate easily, there is serious concern that the virus could mutate into a strain that can be transmitted easily to and among humans.

There has been much speculation that migratory …

Synthetic Studies Of Laulimalide Analogues, Ian Addison Mcalexander

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Chapter 1 provides some background information on the disease area of cancer and current modes of treatment. Chemotherapy treatment is discussed with a focus on the major cellular targets for these drugs: DNA and microtubules. For each target, classes of active compounds are described along with their mode of action. The microtubule stabilizing agent laulimalide is introduced and a case is made for analogue synthesis.

Chapter 2 describes our first generation efforts toward synthesis of des-methyl laulimalide. The target compound is divided into a northern and southern fragment with the synthesis of each fragment described. The preparation of landmark intermediates …

Carbohydrate Derivatives In Antibiotics Research, Yi Liang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In this study, we investigated the potential applications of carbohydrates in the development of new antibiotics. To tackle the problem of multidrug-resistant variants of M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB), we investigated the biosynthesis pathways of trehalose, which has contributed to significant drug resistance. Some new methods were developed for the synthesis of potential inhibitors (6-azido-trehalose and 6,6'-diazido-trehalose) that have been designed to imitate the intermediate molecule (trehalose 6-phosphate, TPP) of OtsA-OtsB pathway. At the same time, some new antibacterial agents based on trehalose have been synthesized. Members of the 1,2,3-triazole family have shown interesting biological properties. Steroid derivatives have been developed in …

Spatial Ecology Of Raccoons Related To Cattle And Bovine Tuberculosis In Northeastern Michigan, Todd C. Atwood, Thomas J. Deliberto, Holly J. Smith, Justin S. Stevenson, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In 1995, Mycobacterium bovis, the causative bacterium of bovine tuberculosis (bTB), was detected in 5 beef cattle operations in Alcona County, Michigan, USA. In accordance with Federal law, the operations were depopulated to prevent the spread of bTB. Subsequent wildlife surveillance programs identified high prevalence of M. bovis in mesocarnivores, including raccoons (Procyon lotor), which suggested that raccoons may be complicit in vectoring the pathogen among livestock operations. Our goal was to develop an empirical basis for generating hypotheses about the likelihood for raccoons to mediate the transmission of bTB to livestock. We found intersexual differences in scale-dependent …

A Mathematical Model For Anti-Malarial Drug Resistance, Amanda Matthews

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the array of medical advances of our modern day society, infectious diseases still plague millions of people worldwide. Malaria, in particular, causes substantial suffering and death throughout both developed and developing countries. Aside from the socioeconomic challenges presented by the disease's prevalence in impoverished nations, one of the major difficulties scientists have encountered while attempting to eradicate the disease is the parasite's ability to become resistant to new drugs and methods of treatment. In an effort to better understand the dynamics of malaria, we analyze a mathematical model that accounts for both the treatment aspect as well as the …

Sustainability And Civil Engineering, Jeremy D. Rodgers

Ohio Valley Regional Student Conference

No abstract provided.

The Equation, Spring 2009, College Of Science And Mathematics, Wright State University

College of Science and Mathematics Newsletters

This 8 page newsletter discusses various happenings within the College of Science and Mathematics. It begins with a letter from the dean, and continues on with news, events, alumni news, and other community news.

Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2008, R. P. Angliss, B. M. Allen

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

This report provides information on the marine mammal stocks of Alaska under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Each stock assessment includes, when available, a description of the stock’s geographic range, a minimum population estimate, current population trends, current and maximum net productivity rates, optimum sustainable population levels and allowable removal levels, and estimates of annual human-caused mortality and serious injury through interactions with commercial fisheries and subsistence hunters. These data will be used to evaluate the progress of each fishery towards achieving the MMPA’s goal of zero fishery-related mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. The Stock …

Scwds Briefs: Volume 25, Number 1 (April 2009), Gary L. Doster , Editor, Scwds Briefs, Michael J. Yabsley

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study: Publications

Table of Contents:

USDA Seeks Comments on New CWD Rule

Some of the Intricacies of CWD

3rd International CWD Symposium

White Nose Syndrome Update

Wildlife Poisoning in Kansas

Salmonellosis in Your Backyard

Trichomonosis in Songbirds

Dr. Al Franzmann

Staff & Student Recognition

Smoking Enhances Risk For New External Genital Warts In Men, Dorothy J. Wiley, David Elashoff, Emmanuel V. Masongsong, Diane M. Harper

Dartmouth Scholarship

Repeat episodes of HPV-related external genital warts reflect recurring or new infections. No study before has been sufficiently powered to delineate how tobacco use, prior history of EGWs and HIV infection affect the risk for new EGWs. Behavioral, laboratory and examination data for 2,835 Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study participants examined at 21,519 semi-annual visits were evaluated. Fourteen percent (391/2835) of men reported or were diagnosed with EGWs at 3% (675/21,519) of study visits. Multivariate analyses showed smoking, prior episodes of EGWs, HIV infection and CD4+ T-lymphocyte count among the infected, each differentially influenced the risk for new EGWs.

Thermal Inactivation Of Bacillus Anthracis Using Laser Irradiation Of Micro-Etched Platforms, Jeffrey B. Bacon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the probability of kill for a thermal inactivation strategy for use against biological agents; specifically the resilient endospore of Bacillus anthracis (Ba). The effort focused on short durations (milliseconds to several seconds) and temperatures (300 to 1300 K) simulating the periphery effects after an explosion generated by conventional munitions. For an improved statistical counting, applied microlithography techniques were used to produce micro-etched glass platforms consisting of 532 circular sample wells, evenly spaced. Small carbon black radiators, which provide fast heating/cooling rate and confined temperature distribution, were produced by populating the etched wells …

Assessment Of Methylthioadenosine/S-Adenosylhomocysteine Nucleosidases Of Borrelia Burgdorferi As Targets For Novel Antimicrobials Using A Novel High-Throughput Method, Kenneth Cornell, Shekerah Primus, Jorge A. Martinez, Nikhat Parveen

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the USA with the highest number of cases (27444 patients) reported by CDC in the year 2007, representing an unprecedented 37% increase from the previous year. The haematogenous spread of Borrelia burgdorferi to various tissues results in multisystemic disease affecting the heart, joints, skin, musculoskeletal and nervous system of the patients.

Objectives: Although Lyme disease can be effectively treated with doxycycline, amoxicillin and cefuroxime axetil, discovery of novel drugs will benefit the patients intolerant to these drugs and potentially those suffering from chronic Lyme disease that is refractory to these …

Multiple Imputation Methods For Treatment Noncompliance And Nonresponse In Randomized Clinical Trials, Leslie Taylor, Xiao-Hua (Andrew) Zhou

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Summary: Randomized clinical trials are a powerful tool for investigating causal treatment effects, but in human trials there are oftentimes problems of noncompliance which standard analyses, such as the intention-to-treat or as-treated analysis, either ignore or incorporate in such a way that the resulting estimand is no longer a causal effect. One alternative to these analyses is the complier average causal effect (CACE) which estimates the average causal treatment effect among a subpopulation that would comply under any treatment assigned. We focus on the setting of a randomized clinical trial with crossover treatment noncompliance (e.g., control subjects could receive the …