Daytime Amphibian Surveys in Three Protected Areas in the Western Great Lakes

We performed pilot monitoring of amphibian populations at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) in 2006, Pictured Rocks NationalLakeshore (PIRO) in 2007, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SLBE ) in both 2006 and 2007. We performed daytime surveys (using multiple methods) at numerous sites in each of the three parks. We detected 10 amphibian and two reptilian species at APIS, nine amphibian and four reptilian species at SLBE , and nine amphibian and one reptilian species at PIRO. No one daytime survey technique appeared to be superior to any other. Our work resulted in two new species records (Gray Treefrog and Green Frog) for Basswood Island at APIS

Daytime Amphibian Surveys in Three Protected Areas in the Western Great Lakes

We performed pilot monitoring of amphibian populations at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) in 2006, Pictured Rocks NationalLakeshore (PIRO) in 2007, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SLBE ) in both 2006 and 2007. We performed daytime surveys (using multiple methods) at numerous sites in each of the three parks. We detected 10 amphibian and two reptilian species at APIS, nine amphibian and four reptilian species at SLBE , and nine amphibian and one reptilian species at PIRO. No one daytime survey technique appeared to be superior to any other. Our work resulted in two new species records (Gray Treefrog and Green Frog) for Basswood Island at APIS

The Design and Implementation of a High-Speed Incremental Portable Prolog Compiler

The design and implementation of a relatively portable Prolog compiler achieving 12K LIPS on the standard benchmark is described. The compiler is incremental and uses decompilation to implement retract, clause, and listing, as well as support the needs of its four-port debugger. The system supports modules, garbage collection, database pointers, and a full range of built-ins

A Meta-Level Extension of Prolog

Prolog has many attractive features as a programming tool for artificial intelligence. These include code that is easy to understand, programs that are easy to modify, and a clear relation between its logical and procedural semantics. Moreover, it has proved possible to create clear and efficient implementations. Nonetheless, we perceive several shortcomings. Chief among these is difficulty representing dynamic databases (databases which change in time) and an apparent restriction to backward chaining, backtracking, and depth-first search. Our intent in this paper is to present an extension to Prolog, called metaProlog, which preserves the virtues of Prolog while introducing powerful constructions to attack these problems. This work is a direct continuation of the investigation into meta-level programming in logic begun by Bowen and Kowalski [1982]

Difference in Rate of Perceived Exertion between Cluster- and Traditional-set Lower Body Resistance Training

Training variation is an integral part of strength and conditioning programming as it stimulates recovery, various adaptations, enhances athletic performance outcomes, while avoiding overtraining. The structure of set and repetition prescription is often varied to achieve desired adaptive outcomes. Cluster-set (CL), or rest-pause set, training is a method utilized to change the traditional-set (TS) and repetition structure by interrupting the repetitions with a 10-30s rest interval. Results from previous reports describe CL training as optimal for increasing training volume, lift quality, and achieves similar hormonal responses when compared to TS training. However, no studies have examined differences in perceived exertion levels between CL and TS training. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate rate of perceived exertion (RPE) differences between CL and TS training when performing lower body exercises. METHODS: Twenty-two (10 male, 12 female) resistance-trained athletes were divided into control (TS; n = 8) and experimental (CL; n = 13) groups and participated in a 4-weeks lower body resistance training program. Prior to the first training session, participants completed 1-repetition maximum tests for squat (SQ) and deadlift (DL). Participants completed 2 workout (SQ and DL) routines each week, 48-hours of rest was required between routines. The TS training group completed: 4 x 5 (sets x reps) at 75% intensity during week 1; 4 x 4 at 75% during week 2; 5 x 6 at 80% during week 3, 3 x 4 at 77% intensity during week 4. Between-set rest for TS training was set at 120s for each routine and across all weeks. The CL training prescribed volume and rest matching that of TS. Cluster-set routines were as follows: 4 x (1 x 3; 1 x 2) (sets [sets x reps, sets x reps]) at 75% intensity during week 1; 4 x (2 x 2) at 75% intensity during week 2; 5 x (2 x 3) at 80% intensity during week 3; 3 x (2 x 2) at 77% intensity during week 4. Intra-set rest was set at 30s, inter-set rest was set at 90s, totaling 120s rest per set. Each group was asked to report an RPE score, according to Borgs Scale of Rate of Perceived Exertion, upon the completion of each workout session. The average RPE of all sessions was calculated for each group and differences between CL and TS were analyzed using an Independent Sample T-Test (α \u3c .05). RESULTS: The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between DL TS RPE scores (4.1 ± 0.57) and DL CL RPE scores (5.7 ± 0.85), t(16)=-4.531, p \u3c 0.001. However, no RPE difference (p = .52) was expressed between TS (5.3 ± 0.77) and CL (5.7 ± 1.52) for SQ. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the use of CL training increases the perceived exertion level of participants when completing DL. While no statistically significant difference was yielded, RPE scores were lower for TS during SQ routines. These elevated levels of RPE during CL training assist in explaining previous findings of improved outcomes from CL training in comparison to TS training

Vδ2+ T cell response to malaria correlates with protection from infection but is attenuated with repeated exposure.

Vδ2+ γδ T cells are semi-innate T cells that expand markedly following P. falciparum (Pf) infection in naïve adults, but are lost and become dysfunctional among children repeatedly exposed to malaria. The role of these cells in mediating clinical immunity (i.e. protection against symptoms) to malaria remains unclear. We measured Vδ2+ T cell absolute counts at acute and convalescent malaria timepoints (n = 43), and Vδ2+ counts, cellular phenotype, and cytokine production following in vitro stimulation at asymptomatic visits (n = 377), among children aged 6 months to 10 years living in Uganda. Increasing age was associated with diminished in vivo expansion following malaria, and lower Vδ2 absolute counts overall, among children living in a high transmission setting. Microscopic parasitemia and expression of the immunoregulatory markers Tim-3 and CD57 were associated with diminished Vδ2+ T cell pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Higher Vδ2 pro-inflammatory cytokine production was associated with protection from subsequent Pf infection, but also with an increased odds of symptoms once infected. Vδ2+ T cells may play a role in preventing malaria infection in children living in endemic settings; progressive loss and dysfunction of these cells may represent a disease tolerance mechanism that contributes to the development of clinical immunity to malaria

Lipid anti-lipid antibody responses correlate with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by broad clinical manifestations including cardiovascular and renal complications with periodic disease flares and significant morbidity and mortality. One of the main contributing factors to the pathology of SLE is the accumulation and impaired clearance of immune complexes of which the principle components are host auto-antigens and antibodies. The contribution of host lipids to the formation of these autoimmune complexes remains poorly defined. The aim of the present study was to identify and analyze candidate lipid autoantigens and their corresponding anti-lipid antibody responses in a well-defined SLE patient cohort using a combination of immunological and biophysical techniques. Disease monitoring in the SLE cohort was undertaken with serial British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) scoring. Correlations between specific lipid/anti-lipid responses were investigated as disease activity developed from active flares to quiescent during a follow up period. We report a significant negative correlation between anti-lipid antibodies for 24S-hydroxycholesterol, cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine with SLE disease activity. Taken together, these data suggest that lipid autoantigens represent a new family of biomarkers that can be employed to monitor disease activity plus the efficacy of therapeutic intervention in SLE