The Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies in X-Ray Selected Clusters

We present the K-band Hubble diagram for 162 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in X-ray selected clusters, 0.01<z<0.83. The sample incorporates that of Burke, Collins, & Mann (2000) and includes additional infrared data from the 2MASS extended source catalogue. We show that below z=0.1 the BCGs show no correlation with their environment, however, above z=0.1 BCGs in more X-ray luminous clusters are more uniform in their photometric properties. This suggests that there may be two populations of BCGs which have different evolutionary histories.Comment: 2 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the Sesto 2001 conference on tracing cosmic evolution with galaxy cluster

Evaluation of the Impacts of Radio-Marking Devices on Feral Horses and Burros in a Captive Setting

Radio-collars and other radio-marking devices have been invaluable tools for wildlife managers for \u3e40 years. These marking devices have improved our understanding of wildlife spatial ecology and demographic parameters and provided new data facilitating model development for species conservation and management. Although these tools have been used on virtually all North American ungulates, their deployment on feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) or burros (E. asinus) has been limited. To determine if radio-collars and radio-tags could be safely deployed on feral equids, we conducted a 1-year observational study in 2015 to investigate fit and wear of radio-collars on feral horses and burros kept in pastures/pens at the Bureau of Land Management contracted adoption facility in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, USA. We assessed the impact of radio-collars and transmitter tags on individual behavior, body condition, and evaluated neck surface for effects. We tested 2 radio-collar shapes (teardrop and oval) and a radio-tag (i.e., avian backpack) braided into the mane and tail of horses. Behavior of mares did not differ between radio-collared (n = 12) and control (uncollared; n = 12) individuals. Despite the small sample size, collared burro jennies (n = 4) spent more time standing than controls (n = 4). Stallions wearing radio-collars (n = 9) fed less, moved less, and stood more than controls (n = 8). During the study, we did not detect injuries to the necks of mares or burro jennies, but stallions developed small sores (that healed while still wearing radio-collars and re-haired within 3 months). Two radio-collars occasionally flipped forward over the ears onto the foreheads of stallions. Although our study confirmed that radio-collars could be safely deployed on captive mares and jennies, stallions proved challenging for a variety of reasons. While our conclusions were optimistic, longer studies will be required to ensure radio-collar safety on free-ranging feral horses and burros

Pesquisa dos Modelos de Valor Adicionado (MVA) para as políticas de educação: Delimitação da discussão

In this manuscript, the guest editors of the EPAA Special Issue on “Value-Added Model (VAM) Research for Educational Policy” (1) introduce the background and policy context surrounding the increased use of VAMs for teacher evaluation and accountability purposes across the United States; (2) summarize the five research papers and one research-based commentary that were peer-reviewed and selected for inclusion in this special issue; and (3) discuss the relevance of the papers both individually and collectively. Their importance is discussed in terms of each paper’s contribution to the general research on this topic and each paper’s potential to inform educational policy. In addition, the papers reflect our shared thinking about VAMs, VAM output, and the inference-based decisions for which VAMs are increasingly being used.En este artículo, los editores invitados de este número especial de EPAA/AAPE sobre la investigación  de los Modelos de Valor Agregado (MVA) para las políticas educativas: (1) presentan los antecedentes y el contexto político que rodean la utilización de MVA en la evaluación de los docentes y rendición de cuentas en los Estados Unidos, (2) un resumen de los cinco trabajos de investigación y el  comentarios que fueron seleccionados para su inclusión en este número especial, y (3) analizamos la pertinencia de los documentos, tanto individual como colectivamente. Su importancia se discuten en términos de la contribución de cada documento para la investigación general sobre este tema y el potencial de cada artículo para informar la política educativa. Además, los documentos reflejan nuestro pensamiento sobre la producción de MVA y las decisiones basadas en MVA son cada vez más utilizados.Neste artigo, os editores convidados desta edição especial da EPAA/AAPE sobre a Pesquisa dos Modelos de Valor Adicionado (MVA) para as políticas de educação: (1) Apresentam  o contexto político em torno do uso dos MVA na avaliação de professores e de responsabilização nos Estados Unidos, (2) um resumo dos cinco trabalhos de pesquisa e o comentário que foram selecionados para inclusão nesta edição especial, e (3) analisar a relevância dos trabalhos selecionados tanto individualmente como coletivamente. Sua importância é discutida em termos da contribuição de cada artigo para a pesquisa geral sobre este tema e as potencialidades de cada artigo para informar a política educacional. Além disso, os artigos refletem o nosso pensamento sobre a produção de decisões e MVA, e como são cada vez mais utilizados

Decay of high-energy electron bound states in crystals

High-energy electrons that are used as a probe of specimens in transmission electron microscopy exhibit a complex and rich behavior due to multiple scattering. Among other things, understanding the dynamical effects is needed for a quantitative analysis of atomic-resolution images and spectroscopic data. In this study, state-correlation functions are computed within the multislice approach that allow to elucidate behaviors of transversely bound states in crystals. These states play an important role as a large fraction of current density can be coupled into them via focused electron probes. We show that bound states are generically unstable and decay monoexponentially with crystal depth. Their attenuation is accompanied by a resonant intensity transfer to Bessel-like wavefunctions that appear as Laue rings in the far-field diffraction patterns. Behaviors of bound states are also quantified when thermal effects are included, as well as point defects. This approach helps to bridge the Bloch wave and multisliced electron propagation pictures of dynamical scattering providing new insights into fundamental solutions of the wave equation, and may assist in developing quantitative STEM/TEM imaging techniques

Epigenetic activation and silencing of the gene that encodes IFN-γ

Transcriptional activation and repression of genes that are developmentally regulated or exhibit cell-type specific expression patterns is largely achieved by modifying the chromatin template at a gene locus. Complex formation of stable epigenetic histone marks, loss or gain of DNA methylation, alterations in chromosome conformation, and specific utilization of both proximal and distal transcriptional enhancers and repressors all contribute to this process. In addition, long noncoding RNAs are a new species of regulatory RNAs that either positively or negatively regulate transcription of target gene loci. IFN-γ is a pro-inflammatory cytokine with critical functions in both innate and adaptive arms of the immune. This review focuses on our current understanding of how the chromatin template is modified at the IFNG locus during developmental processes leading to its transcriptional activation and silencing

Novel nut and bolt task quantifies motor deficits in premanifest and manifest Huntington's Disease

BACKGROUND: We investigated the use of a simple novel nut and bolt task in premanifest and manifest Huntington's disease (HD) patients to detect and quantify motor impairments at all stages of the disease. METHODS: Premanifest HD (n=24), manifest HD (n=27) and control (n=32) participants were asked to screw a nut onto a bolt in one direction, using three different sized bolts with their left and right hand in turn. RESULTS: We identified some impairments at all stages of HD and in the premanifest individuals, deficits in the non-dominant hand correlated with disease burden scores. CONCLUSION: This simple, cheap motor task was able to detect motor impairments in both premanifest and manifest HD and as such might be a useful quantifiable measure of motor function for use in clinical studies

Detection and Plant Monitoring Programs: Lessons from an Intensive Survey of Asclepias meadii with Five Observers

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author’s publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Monitoring programs, where numbers of individuals are followed through time, are central to conservation. Although incomplete detection is expected with wildlife surveys, this topic is rarely considered with plants. However, if plants are missed in surveys, raw count data can lead to biased estimates of population abundance and vital rates. To illustrate, we had five independent observers survey patches of the rare plant Asclepias meadii at two prairie sites. We analyzed data with two mark-recapture approaches. Using the program CAPTURE, the estimated number of patches equaled the detected number for a burned site, but exceeded detected numbers by 28% for an unburned site. Analyses of detected patches using Huggins models revealed important effects of observer, patch state (flowering/nonflowering), and patch size (number of stems) on probabilities of detection. Although some results were expected (i.e. greater detection of flowering than nonflowering patches), the importance of our approach is the ability to quantify the magnitude of detection problems. We also evaluated the degree to which increased observer numbers improved detection: smaller groups (3–4 observers) generally found 90 – 99% of the patches found by all five people, but pairs of observers or single observers had high error and detection depended on which individuals were involved. We conclude that an intensive study at the start of a long-term monitoring study provides essential information about probabilities of detection and what factors cause plants to be missed. This information can guide development of monitoring programs