The Structure of Phonological Networks Across Multiple Languages

The network characteristics based on the phonological similarities in the lexicons of several languages were examined. These languages differed widely in their history and linguistic structure, but commonalities in the network characteristics were observed. These networks were also found to be different from other networks studied in the literature. The properties of these networks suggest explanations for various aspects of linguistic processing and hint at deeper organization within human language.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Pooling as a Strategy for the Timely Diagnosis of Soil-Transmitted Helminths in Stool: Value and Reproducibility

Background: The strategy of pooling stool specimens has been extensively used in the field of parasitology in order to facilitate the screening of large numbers of samples whilst minimizing the prohibitive cost of single sample analysis. The aim of this study was to develop a standardized reproducible pooling protocol for stool samples, validated between two different laboratories, without jeopardizing the sensitivity of the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays employed for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). Two distinct experimental phases were recruited. First, the sensitivity and specificity of the established protocol was assessed by real-time PCR for each one of the STHs. Secondly, agreement and reproducibility of the protocol between the two different laboratories were tested. The need for multiple stool sampling to avoid false negative results was also assessed. Finally, a cost exercise was conducted which included labour cost in low- and high-wage settings, consumable cost, prevalence of a single STH species, and a simple distribution pattern of the positive samples in pools to estimate time and money savings suggested by the strategy. Results: The sensitivity of the pooling method was variable among the STH species but consistent between the two laboratories. Estimates of specificity indicate a \u27pooling approach\u27 can yield a low frequency of \u27missed\u27 infections. There were no significant differences regarding the execution of the protocol and the subsequent STH detection between the two laboratories, which suggests in most cases the protocol is reproducible by adequately trained staff. Finally, given the high degree of agreement, there appears to be little or no need for multiple sampling of either individuals or pools. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the pooling protocol developed herein is a robust and efficient strategy for the detection of STHs in \u27pools-of-five\u27. There is notable complexity of the pool preparation to ensure even distribution of helminth DNA throughout. Therefore, at a given setting, cost of labour among other logistical and epidemiological factors, is the more concerning and determining factor when choosing pooling strategies, rather than losing sensitivity and/or specificity of the molecular assay or the method

The Grizzly, January 27, 1989

Constructium Ursini • Ad Hoc Hoists Honor • New GPA: 2.25 or Dive! • Letter: Green Shirt Makes Reed Red • Fair Not Just for Freshmen • Security Shacks in Reimert • Beverly Oehlert Named to Pottstown Board of Directors • Final Red and Gold Day • Hoopsters Stunning in Second • Lady Bears Go For Title • U.C. Hockey Bids Boyd Bon Voyage • A \u27bears Recover from Fla. • Dryfoos, Knauer Newest Dirs. • Bailey Bandies With Bush • Grim Gripes: Wismer Hard to Swallow • Quintet Jazzes Up First Forum • Greenstein to Performhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1226/thumbnail.jp

What Does Soil-Transmitted Helminth Elimination Look Like? Results From a Targeted Molecular Detection Survey in Japan

Background: Japan is one of the few countries believed to have eliminated soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). In 1949, the national prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was 62.9%, which decreased to 0.6% in 1973 due to improvements in infrastructure, socioeconomic status, and the implementation of national STH control measures. The Parasitosis Prevention Law ended in 1994 and population-level screening ceased in Japan; therefore, current transmission status of STH in Japan is not well characterized. Sporadic cases of STH infections continue to be reported, raising the possibility of a larger-scale recrudescence of STH infections. Given that traditional microscopic detection methods are not sensitive to low-intensity STH infections, we conducted targeted prevalence surveys using sensitive PCR-based assays to evaluate the current STH-transmission status and to describe epidemiological characteristics of areas of Japan believed to have achieved historical elimination of STHs. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 682 preschool- and school-aged children from six localities of Japan with previously high prevalence of STH. Caregivers of participants completed a questionnaire to ascertain access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and potential exposures to environmental contamination. For fecal testing, multi-parallel real-time PCR assays were used to detect infections of Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichiura. Results: Among the 682 children, no positive samples were identified, and participants reported high standards of WASH. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first STH-surveillance study in Japan to use sensitive molecular techniques for STH detection. The results suggest that recrudescence of STH infections has not occurred, and that declines in prevalence have been sustained in the sampled areas. These findings suggest that reductions in prevalence below the elimination thresholds, suggestive of transmission interruption, are possible. Additionally, this study provides circumstantial evidence that multi-parallel real-time PCR methods are applicable for evaluating elimination status in areas where STH prevalence is extremely low.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

The Murchison Widefield Array: Design Overview

The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) is a dipole-based aperture array synthesis telescope designed to operate in the 80-300 MHz frequency range. It is capable of a wide range of science investigations, but is initially focused on three key science projects. These are detection and characterization of 3-dimensional brightness temperature fluctuations in the 21cm line of neutral hydrogen during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) at redshifts from 6 to 10, solar imaging and remote sensing of the inner heliosphere via propagation effects on signals from distant background sources,and high-sensitivity exploration of the variable radio sky. The array design features 8192 dual-polarization broad-band active dipoles, arranged into 512 tiles comprising 16 dipoles each. The tiles are quasi-randomly distributed over an aperture 1.5km in diameter, with a small number of outliers extending to 3km. All tile-tile baselines are correlated in custom FPGA-based hardware, yielding a Nyquist-sampled instantaneous monochromatic uv coverage and unprecedented point spread function (PSF) quality. The correlated data are calibrated in real time using novel position-dependent self-calibration algorithms. The array is located in the Murchison region of outback Western Australia. This region is characterized by extremely low population density and a superbly radio-quiet environment,allowing full exploitation of the instrumental capabilities.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Proceedings of the IEE

The Grizzly, February 2, 1990

Bio-gate Break-in Has Faculty Bugged • Wismer Transforms: Are We Impressed?! • Letter: Find Something New, GDI! • Townies Lay Reimert Siege • Updike Displayed • Meyer Enjoys U.C. • Ursinus Aquabears Sink E-Town and WMC • Runners Watch Their Step • Hoops Rebound! • Women on Track • Coach Lambdin Taking Charge • In U.C. We Trust • Ursinus Going Smoke Free? • Faculty Recital • Dean Lucas Excites Academicshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1250/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 16, 1990

UC Fraternity Pledging: A New Era Begins • First Year Conflict and Creativity • Letter: Miffed Mother Says • Dando Joins Board of Directors • Scotland Scholarship Available • Track Tragedy • Hoops Split • Swimmers Look To MAC\u27s • Track Team Tops • Aquabears Splash Supreme • A.O.T.W • Trump: The Article • Monsters: Puppets\u27 Best • UC Hosts Championship • Errors To Be Performed • Ursinus Dryers Are All Wet • Organ Recitalhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1252/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 9, 1990

Students Grapple With Rising Costs • USEAC Plants Seeds for First Ursinus Earth Day • Letter: Cynosure Cynic • Michener Bids Campus Adieu • The Trojans are Coming • Get your Act in Gear • Feb 14: A Woman\u27s Holiday? • UC Aquabears Squash Susquehanna • Susquehanna Drowned • Hoopsters Split Again • Making Tracks • Wismer Looking Gamely • Stop The Sex Wars • Grapplers Rebound With Big Victory • Gymnasts Prepare for Nationals • Athletes of the Week • Countdownhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1251/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, January 26, 1990

Campus Additions are Muddling Thru • Dennis Gould Makes His Life in Art With Inner Voice • Letters: GDI Supports Power\u27s Points; Corson Operator Boxing Impersonal; Fashion Focus Offensive • A Civil Voice Inspires • Bookstore Buyback Prices Fair? • UC Hoopsters Have Winning Potential! • Slippery When Wet! • Aquabears: Quality not Quantity • Lady Tumblers Hopeful • Grappling to Victory • Corson Special: Phone in a Box • Student Symposium • Lantern Finally Here • Vacancies Filled • Bears On Their Way! • Athletes of the Week • Changes on Track • Student-Faculty Interactions Beneficial for Both • Kriebel to Lecture at Museum • Workshops Offeredhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1249/thumbnail.jp