Camera trap arrays improve detection probability of wildlife: Investigating study design considerations using an empirical dataset.

Camera trapping is a standard tool in ecological research and wildlife conservation. Study designs, particularly for small-bodied or cryptic wildlife species often attempt to boost low detection probabilities by using non-random camera placement or baited cameras, which may bias data, or incorrectly estimate detection and occupancy. We investigated the ability of non-baited, multi-camera arrays to increase detection probabilities of wildlife. Study design components were evaluated for their influence on wildlife detectability by iteratively parsing an empirical dataset (1) by different sizes of camera arrays deployed (1-10 cameras), and (2) by total season length (1-365 days). Four species from our dataset that represented a range of body sizes and differing degrees of presumed detectability based on life history traits were investigated: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). For all species, increasing from a single camera to a multi-camera array significantly improved detection probability across the range of season lengths and number of study sites evaluated. The use of a two camera array increased survey detection an average of 80% (range 40-128%) from the detection probability of a single camera across the four species. Species that were detected infrequently benefited most from a multiple-camera array, where the addition of up to eight cameras produced significant increases in detectability. However, for species detected at high frequencies, single cameras produced a season-long (i.e, the length of time over which cameras are deployed and actively monitored) detectability greater than 0.75. These results highlight the need for researchers to be critical about camera trap study designs based on their intended target species, as detectability for each focal species responded differently to array size and season length. We suggest that researchers a priori identify target species for which inference will be made, and then design camera trapping studies around the most difficult to detect of those species

A Dielectric Superfluid of Polar Molecules

We show that, under achievable experimental conditions, a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of polar molecules can exhibit dielectric character. In particular, we derive a set of self-consistent mean-field equations that couple the condensate density to its electric dipole field, leading to the emergence of polarization modes that are coupled to the rich quasiparticle spectrum of the condensate. While the usual roton instability is suppressed in this system, the coupling can give rise to a phonon-like instability that is characteristic of a dielectric material with a negative static dielectric function.Comment: Version published in New Journal of Physics, 11+ pages, 4 figure

Preclinical Analysis of JAA-F11, a Specific Anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich Antibody via Immunohistochemistry and In Vivo Imaging.

The tumor specificity of JAA-F11, a novel monoclonal antibody specific for the Thomsen-Friedenreich cancer antigen (TF-Ag-alpha linked), has been comprehensively studied by in vitro immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of human tumor and normal tissue microarrays and in vivo biodistribution and imaging by micro-positron emission tomography imaging in breast and lung tumor models in mice. The IHC analysis detailed herein is the comprehensive biological analysis of the tumor specificity of JAA-F11 antibody performed as JAA-F11 is progressing towards preclinical safety testing and clinical trials. Wide tumor reactivity of JAA-F11, relative to the matched mouse IgG3 (control), was observed in 85% of 1269 cases of breast, lung, prostate, colon, bladder, and ovarian cancer. Staining on tissues from breast cancer cases was similar regardless of hormonal or Her2 status, and this is particularly important in finding a target on the currently untargetable triple-negative breast cancer subtype. Humanization of JAA-F11 was recently carried out as explained in a companion paper "Humanization of JAA-F11, a Highly Specific Anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich Pancarcinoma Antibody and In Vitro Efficacy Analysis" (Neoplasia 19: 716-733, 2017), and it was confirmed that humanization did not affect chemical specificity. IHC studies with humanized JAA-F11 showed similar binding to human breast tumor tissues. In vivo imaging and biodistribution studies in a mouse syngeneic breast cancer model and in a mouse-human xenograft lung cancer model with humanized 124I- JAA-F11 construct confirmed in vitro tumor reactivity and specificity. In conclusion, the tumor reactivity of JAA-F11 supports the continued development of JAA-F11 as a targeted cancer therapeutic for multiple cancers, including those with unmet need

Therapeutic Efficacy of the Humanized Jaa-F11 Anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich Antibody Constructs H2aL2a and H3L3 in Human Breast and Lung Cancer Xenograft Models

The Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-Ag-α) is found on ~85% of human carcinomas but is cryptic on normal tissue. The humanized highly specific hJAA-F11-H2aL2a and -H3L3 antibodies target TF-Ag-α without binding to TF-Ag-beta (found on surface glycolipids of some normal cells). The relative affinity of H3L3 is 17 times that of H2aL2a, which would seem to favor superior efficacy, however, increased affinity can result in less tumor penetration. To assess the potential therapeutic efficacy of these antibodies, four human cancer- mouse xenograft models were treated with H2aL2a and H3L3. The tumor xenograft models used were human non-small cell lung cancer, H520, and small cell lung cancer, HTB171 in nude mice and human triple negative breast cancer, MDA-MB-231 and HCC1806 in SCID mice. H2aL2a significantly decreased tumor growth in both breast and both lung cancer models. H2aL2a showed statistically equal or better efficacy than H3L3 and has superior production capabilities. These results suggest that H2aL2a may be superior as a naked antibody, as an antibody drug conjugate or as a radiolabeled antibody, however the higher affinity of H3L3 may lead to better efficacy in bi-specific therapies in which the binding is decreased due to the presence of only one TF-Ag-α binding site

Impact of Baseline Retinal Nonperfusion and Macular Retinal Capillary Nonperfusion on Outcomes in the COPERNICUS and GALILEO Studies

To evaluate the impact of baseline retinal capillary nonperfusion (RNP) and macular retinal capillary nonperfusion (MNP) status on outcomes at week 24 (W24)

Activation-dependent changes in human platelet PECAM-1: phosphorylation, cytoskeletal association, and surface membrane redistribution

PECAM-1 is a recently described member of the immunoglobulin gene (Ig) superfamily that is expressed on the surface on platelets, several leukocyte subsets, and at the endothelial cell intracellular junction. Recent studies have shown that the extracellular domain of PECAM-1, which is comprised of 6 Ig-like homology units, participates in mediating cell-cell adhesion, plays a role in initiating endothelial cell contact, and may later serve to stabilize the endothelial cell monolayer. PECAM-1 also has a relatively large 108 amino acid cytoplasmic domain, with potential sites for phosphorylation, lipid modification, and other posttranslational events that could potentially modulate its adhesive function or regulate its subcellular distribution. Virtually nothing is known about the contribution of the intracellular region of the PECAM-1 molecule to either of these cellular processes. Using human platelets as a model, we now demonstrate that PECAM-1 becomes highly phosphorylated in response to cellular activation, and coincident with phosphorylation associates with the cytoskeleton of activated, but not resting, platelets. The engagement of PECAM-1 with the platelet cytoskeleton enables it to move large distances within the plane of the membrane of fully-spread, adherent platelets. This redistribution may similarly account for the ability of PECAM-1 to localize to the intracellular borders of endothelial cells once cell-cell contact has been achieved

Doppler findings in a rare Coronary Artery Fistula

One of the primary forms of congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries is coronary artery fistula (CAF). It is defined as a direct communication between the coronary artery and any surrounding cardiac chamber or vascular structure, which bypasses the myocardial capillary bed. We present a newborn baby with a large coronary artery fistula connecting the left anterior descending (LAD) artery to the left ventricular (LV) apex. Associated cardiac abnormalities were found: a ventricular septal defect (diameter 4 mm), a patent foramen ovale as well as trivial tricuspid and mitral regurgitation. Here we demonstrate the echocardiograms of an extremely rare form of CAF diagnosed within the first days of postnatal life

The Hyperspherical Four-Fermion Problem

The problem of a few interacting fermions in quantum physics has sparked intense interest, particularly in recent years owing to connections with the behavior of superconductors, fermionic superfluids, and finite nuclei. This review addresses recent developments in the theoretical description of four fermions having finite-range interactions, stressing insights that have emerged from a hyperspherical coordinate perspective. The subject is complicated, so we have included many detailed formulas that will hopefully make these methods accessible to others interested in using them. The universality regime, where the dominant length scale in the problem is the two-body scattering length, is particularly stressed, including its implications for the famous BCS-BEC crossover problem Derivations and relevant formulas are also included for the calculation of challenging few-body processes such as recombination.Comment: 66 pages, 33 figure

Comparison of primary care models in the prevention of cardiovascular disease - a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary care providers play an important role in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. This study compared the quality of preventive cardiovascular care delivery amongst different primary care models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a secondary analysis of a larger randomized control trial, known as the Improved Delivery of Cardiovascular Care (IDOCC) through Outreach Facilitation. Using baseline data collected through IDOCC, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 82 primary care practices from three delivery models in Eastern Ontario, Canada: 43 fee-for-service, 27 blended-capitation and 12 community health centres with salary-based physicians. Medical chart audits from 4,808 patients with or at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease were used to examine each practice's adherence to ten evidence-based processes of care for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, hypertension, weight management, and smoking cessation care. Generalized estimating equation models adjusting for age, sex, rurality, number of cardiovascular-related comorbidities, and year of data collection were used to compare guideline adherence amongst the three models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The percentage of patients with diabetes that received two hemoglobin A1c tests during the study year was significantly higher in community health centres (69%) than in fee-for-service (45%) practices (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.4 [95% CI 1.4-4.2], p = 0.001). Blended capitation practices had a significantly higher percentage of patients who had their waistlines monitored than in fee-for-service practices (19% vs. 5%, AOR = 3.7 [1.8-7.8], p = 0.0006), and who were recommended a smoking cessation drug when compared to community health centres (33% vs. 16%, AOR = 2.4 [1.3-4.6], p = 0.007). Overall, quality of diabetes care was higher in community health centres, while smoking cessation care and weight management was higher in the blended-capitation models. Fee-for-service practices had the greatest gaps in care, most noticeably in diabetes care and weight management.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study adds to the evidence suggesting that primary care delivery model impacts quality of care. These findings support current Ontario reforms to move away from the traditional fee-for-service practice.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00574808">NCT00574808</a></p