Individual-based chaos: Extensions of the discrete logistic model

Simple models of density-dependent population growth such as the discrete logistic map provide powerful demonstrations of complex population dynamics. Yet it is unclear whether the dynamics observed in such idealized systems would be present, under realistic conditions, in the context of demographic stochasticity, which is well known to exist in finite natural populations. Here, using a set of simple, individual-based models (IBM's) and their population-level iterative map counterparts, we computationally investigate the contribution of demographic stochasticity to density-dependent population dynamics in a simple model of seed production and recruitment. Notably, for a sufficiently large lattice, even in the presence of demographic stochasticity, many of the qualitative features of these idealized maps – including bifurcations – are still present. Demographic stochasticity and the constraints imposed by a finite lattice size appear to produce mixed dynamics that are partially stochastic, yet qualitatively similar to the deterministic models. The mechanistic assumptions and lattice sizes required to generate these dynamics cast doubt on whether they might be observable in annual plant populations. Nevertheless, we cannot rule out the theoretical possibility that such dynamics might be observable in ecological communities having similar mechanistic properties

The Marrow of Human Experience

Composed over several decades, the essays here are remarkably fresh and relevant. They offer instruction for the student just beginning the study of folklore as well as repeated value for the many established scholars who continue to wrestle with issues that Wilson has addressed. As his work has long offered insight on critical mattersn--nationalism, genre, belief, the relationship of folklore to other disciplines in the humanities and arts, the currency of legend, the significance of humor as a cultural expression, and so forth--so his recent writing, in its reflexive approach to narrative and storytelling, illuminates today's paradigms. Its notable autobiographical dimension, long an element of Wilson's work, employs family and local lore to draw conclusions of more universal significance. Another way to think of it is that newer folklorists are catching up with Wilson and what he has been about for some time.As a body, Wilson's essays develop related topics and connected themes. This collection organizes them in three coherent parts. The first examines the importance of folklore. What it is and its value in various contexts. Part two, drawing especially on the experience of Finland, considers the role of folklore in national identity, including both how it helps define and sustain identity and the less savory ways it may be used for the sake of nationalistic ideology. Part three, based in large part on Wilson's extensive work in Mormon folklore, which is the most important in that area since that of Austin and Alta Fife, looks at religious cultural expressions and outsider perceptions of them and, again, at how identity is shaped, by religious belief, experience, and participation; by the stories about them; and by the many other expressive parts of life encountered daily in a culture. Each essay is introduced by a well-known folklorist who discusses the influence of Wilson's scholarship. These include Richard Bauman, Margaret Brady, Simon Bronner, Elliott Oring, Henry Glassie, David Hufford, Michael Owen Jones, and Beverly Stoeltje.In these essays William Wilson illuminates folklore theory and practice, romantic nationalism, religious folklore, personal narrative, and much else. Each essay is introduced by a notable fellow folklorist, among them Richard Bauman, Margaret K. Brady, Simon J. Bronner, Henry Glassie, David J. Hufford, Michael Owen Jones, Elliott Oring, Steve Siporin, David Stanley, Beverly Stoeltje, and Jacqueline S. Thursby

Gamma ray monitoring of a AGN and galactic black hole candidates by the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory

The Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory's Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) has a powerful capability to provide nearly uninterrupted monitoring in the 25 keV-10 MeV range of both active galactic nuclei (AGN) and galactic black hole candidates (GBHC) such as Cygnus X-1, using the occultation of cosmic sources by the Earth. Since the Crab is detected by the BATSE Large Area Detectors with roughly 25(sigma) significance in the 15-125 keV range in a single rise or set, a variation by a factor of two of a source having one-tenth the strength of Cygnus X-1 should be detectable within a day. Methods of modeling the background are discussed which will increase the accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability of the results beyond those obtainable from a linear background fit with a single rise or set discontinuity

Process of Producing Equine Viral Arteritis Vaccine and Product Thereof

A process is disclosed for producing an avirulent attenuated live virus vaccine for use in immunizing horses against equine viral arteritis and for simultaneously obviating the transmission of the disease from a vaccinated horse to a non-vaccinated horse. The invention also includes the product derived from practice of the process and typical examples of the efficacy of the product are disclosed

Notes of a Meeting Held in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the Department of State on Monday, March 20, 1911

The document is a carbon transcript of notes from a meeting held in the State Department respecting the necessity of more such meetings, the present organization of the Department, expenditures, and esprit de corps. Present at the meeting were: The Assistant Secretaries, the Solicitor, the Director of the Consular Service, the Chief Clerk and the Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs of the Divisions and Bureaus of the Department.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/fmhw_speeches/1004/thumbnail.jp

Inaccuracy of Death Certificate Diagnosis of Tuberculosis and Potential Underdiagnosis of TB in a Region of High HIV Prevalence

Despite the South African antiretroviral therapy rollout, which should reduce the incidence of HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB), the number of TB-attributable deaths in KwaZuluNatal (KZN) remains high. TB is often diagnosed clinically, without microbiologic confirmation, leading to inaccurate estimates of TB-attributed deaths. This may contribute to avoidable deaths, and impact population-based TB mortality estimates. Objectives. (1) To measure the number of cases with microbiologically confirmed TB in a retrospective cohort of deceased inpatients with TB-attributed hospital deaths. (2) To estimate the rates of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB in this cohort. Results. Of 2752 deaths at EDH between September 2006 and March 2007, 403 (15%) were attributed to TB on the death certificate. 176 of the TB-attributed deaths (44%) had a specimen sent for smear or culture; only 64 (36%) had a TB diagnosis confirmed by either test. Of the 39 culture-confirmed cases, 27/39 (69%) had fully susceptible TB and 27/39 (69%) had smear-negative culture-positive TB (SNTB). Two patients had drug monoresistance, three patients had MDR-TB, and one had XDR-TB. Conclusions. Most TB-attributed deaths in this cohort were not microbiologically confirmed. Of confirmed cases, most were smear-negative, culture positive and were susceptible to all first line drugs