Unlocking the Decibel ScorePlayer

This paper discusses recent developments in the Decibel ScorePlayer project, including the introduction of a canvas scoring mode, python ScorePlayer externals, and enhancements to the ScoreCreator application. Firstly, the canvas scoring mode of the Decibel ScorePlayer app allows for other applications, such as Max, to send drawing commands to the ScorePlayer via OSC. Several examples of implementations of generative and animated notation scores are discussed and evaluated. An object model has been developed allowing for the creation of hierarchies of drawn elements. The object model defines a framework of commands that can be used to create and control these objects, and supporting examples describe the way in which scores can be developed to take advantage of this new scoring mode. Secondly, a python scoreplayer - external library has been developed, defining two python classes: scorePlayerExternal that makes a connection to the iPad, opening a UDP listening socket and letting the iPad know which port to send its replies to, and scoreObject which is responsible for creating and drawing objects populated on the canvas display window of the Decibel ScorePlayer. It acts as a wrapper to the raw OSC commands so that programming can be done using object-oriented paradigms. Thirdly, the ScoreCreator, an application developed for Mac OSX for automating the process of making scores for the Decibel ScorePlayer, has been expanded allowing for the defining of a range of score types and functionalities

Flight Readiness Review (FRR): Are you ready to fly?

A Flight Readiness Review evaluates the readiness to begin and safely conduct flight tests or flight operations. FRR approval is necessary in order to determine that the system under review can proceed into its test environment having met the standards to be considered airworthy. These standards require that the aviation system be under configuration management, have flight clearance, approved flight test plans, discrepancy tracking, and appropriate risk assessment processes in place. As an Autonomous Flight Lab we are interested in developing a protocol that will make this processes more accessible to individuals trying to utilize UAVs for various research projects. Currently there is no process in place to assist individuals in preparing an FRR. We have been working on generating a user friendly guide to developing quality student presentations in the form of FRRs. We began by observing student FRR presentations, determining the best procedure for risk assessment, and specifying base line operation requirements. In order to do so one must first identify the vehicle being used, the mission details, the necessary crew members, and the operational environment. Ultimately we hope that by having a procedure in place to assist individuals in developing FRRs, we can greatly reduce lab member dependency and need for multiple FRR revisions

In the Right Ballpark? Assessing the Accuracy of Net Price Calculators

Large differences often exist between a college’s sticker price and net price after accounting for financial aid. Net price calculators (NPCs) were designed to help students more accurately estimate their actual costs to attend a given college. This study assesses the accuracy of information provided by net price calculators. Specifically, we compare NPC estimates of financial aid to actual aid packages for a sample of low-income, first-time college students at seven postsecondary institutions which all utilize the federal template NPC. We find that NPC estimates of grant aid correlate highly with actual grant aid on average, but variation in individual financial aid packages among socioeconomically similar students can be substantial. We offer four recommendations. First, NPC aid estimates should include information on variability, and potentially, on sources of that variability. Second, a basic metric of academic merit such as SAT/ACT scores and GPA should be an optional addition to the federal template NPC. Third, institutions should update the data underlying their NPCs annually. Finally, we recommend that institutions use the “Explanations and Caveats” options on the federal NPC template to include additional information that may be helpful for students and families in anticipating their likely college aid and expenses. Our findings have implications for federal policy related to NPCs

X-Chromosome Inactivation in Rett Syndrome Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls due primarily to heterozygous mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2). Random X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) results in cellular mosaicism in which some cells express wild-type (WT) MECP2 while other cells express mutant MECP2. The generation of patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) facilitates the production of RTT-hiPSC-derived neurons in vitro to investigate disease mechanisms and identify novel drug treatments. The generation of RTT-hiPSCs has been reported by many laboratories, however, the XCI status of RTT-hiPSCs has been inconsistent. Some report RTT-hiPSCs retain the inactive X-chromosome (post-XCI) of the founder somatic cell allowing isogenic RTT-hiPSCs that express only the WT or mutant MECP2 allele to be isolated from the same patient. Post-XCI RTT-hiPSCs-derived neurons retain this allele-specific expression pattern of WT or mutant MECP2. Conversely, others report RTT-hiPSCs in which the inactive X-chromosome of the founder somatic cell reactivates (pre-XCI) upon reprogramming into RTT-hiPSCs. Pre-XCI RTT-hiPSC-derived neurons exhibit random XCI resulting in cellular mosaicism with respect to WT and mutant MECP2 expression. Here we review and attempt to interpret the inconsistencies in XCI status of RTT-hiPSCs generated to date by comparison to other pluripotent systems in vitro and in vivo and the methods used to analyze XCI. Finally, we discuss the relative strengths and weaknesses of post- and pre-XCI hiPSCs in the context of RTT, and other X-linked and autosomal disorders for translational medicine

Solar Viability in the Historic District of Worthington

Course Code: ENR/AEDE 4567This project explores the economic viability of introducing solar energy within the Historic District of Worthington, Ohio as well as energy efficiency measures for the municipality.Academic Major: Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainabilit

Cost Optimization and Technology Enablement COTSAT-1

Cost Optimized Test of Spacecraft Avionics and Technologies (COTSAT-1) is an ongoing spacecraft research and development project at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). The space industry was a hot bed of innovation and development at its birth. Many new technologies were developed for and first demonstrated in space. In the recent past this trend has reversed with most of the new technology funding and research being driven by the private industry. Most of the recent advances in spaceflight hardware have come from the cell phone industry with a lag of about 10 to 15 years from lab demonstration to in space usage. NASA has started a project designed to address this problem. The prototype spacecraft known as Cost Optimized Test of Spacecraft Avionics and Technologies (COTSAT-1) and CheapSat work to reduce these issues. This paper highlights the approach taken by NASA Ames Research center to achieve significant subsystem cost reductions. The COSTAT-1 research system design incorporates use of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf), MOTS (Modified Off The Shelf), and GOTS (Government Off The Shelf) hardware for a remote sensing spacecraft. The COTSAT-1 team demonstrated building a fully functional spacecraft for $500K parts and$2.0M labor. The COTSAT-1 system, including a selected science payload, is described within this paper. Many of the advancements identified in the process of cost reduction can be attributed to the use of a one-atmosphere pressurized structure to house the spacecraft components. By using COTS hardware, the spacecraft program can utilize investments already made by commercial vendors. This ambitious project development philosophy/cycle has yielded the COTSAT-1 flight hardware. This paper highlights the advancements of the COTSAT-1 spacecraft leading to the delivery of the current flight hardware that is now located at NASA Ames Research Center. This paper also addresses the plans for COTSAT-2

A pilot study showing that repeated exposure to stress produces alterations in subsequent responses to anesthetics in rats

The repeated use of a drug frequently leads to alterations in the response to that drug. We undertook this study to determine whether multiple exposures to the general anesthetic produced alterations in subsequent exposures to this anesthetic. For this study, adult male rats were anesthetized with 2.5% isoflurane for one hour. The rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each. Groups 1–3 were transported between their homeroom and the anesthesia testing room and were handled in an identical manner weekly for a period of 12 weeks, but were anesthetized on different schedules. Group 1 was anesthetized weekly for 12 weeks, Group 2 on either a 3 or 4 week schedule and Group 3 was anesthetized a single time, at the end of the 12 week period. To receive anesthesia multiple times, animals were transported from their homeroom to the anesthesia location and handled repeatedly. We took into consideration of the frequency of anesthesia exposure and the stress involved. Rats in groups 2 and 3 were placed in the anesthesia chamber, with O2 but with no anesthetic, every week when they were not scheduled to receive anesthesia. In Group 4, rats were not transported or handled in any way and stayed in the home room for a period of 12 weeks. Rats in this group were anesthetized once, at the very end of the study. Recovery of the rat’s righting reflex was used to assess the acceleration of recovery time from general anesthesia. Group 1 rats showed dramatically faster emergence from anesthesia after several rounds of anesthesia. Surprisingly, Groups 2 and 3 rats, treated in an identical manner as Group 1, but which were anesthetized on different schedules, also exhibited more rapid emergence from anesthesia, when compared to Group 4 rats, which were never handled or transported prior to a single anesthesia. These results suggest that the stress of transportation and handling altered responsiveness to anesthesia. Our results show that responsiveness to anesthetic agents can change over time outside of the normal developmental changes taking place in rats as they age

Establishing connectivity between the existing networked music notation packages Quintet.net, Decibel ScorePlayer and MaxScore

In this paper we outline a collaboration where live internet-based and local collaboration between research groups/musicians from Decibel New Music Ensemble (Perth, Australia) and ZM (Hamburg, Germany), was facilitated by novel innovations in customised software solutions employed by both groups. The exchange was funded by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst and Universities Australia. Both groups were previously engaged in the research and performance of similar musical repertoire such as John Cage\u27s \u27Five\u27 (1988) and \u27Variations I — VIII\u27 (1958-67) among others, the performances of which utilise graphic, animated and extended traditional Western music notation. Preliminary steps were taken to achieve communication between the three existing network music notation packages, the Decibel ScorePlayer, MaxScore and quintet.net, facilitating a merging – and ultimately an extension – of notational approaches previously prescribed by each music notation package. In addition to the technical innovations required to achieve such a project, we consider the outcomes and future directions of the project, as well as their relevance for the wider contemporary music community

Noyce Science Teacher Master of Arts with emphasis in Science Teaching Program: Meeting Challenges of 21st Century Classrooms. UNL Noyce Track I, Phase I, Final Report.

To meet the state’s and the nation’s need for more highly qualified science teachers, the 14-month Master of Arts with emphasis in science teaching (MAst) program was established in the College of Education’s Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, along with a Robert Noyce, Track I, Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation, awarded in 2010. This report presents a summary of the accomplishments of this Noyce grant, in which 60 post-baccalaureate science majors and professionals were provided with Noyce stipends to become science teachers. The MAst program is now in its sixth year, producing an average of 10 new science teachers per year. The project team, led by Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, was also awarded a second Noyce grant in 2015 to support 30 more individuals to become science teachers along with funding to continue to research the practices of beginning science teachers. The MAst program engages science professionals in a research-informed program of study that supports them in developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to meet the challenges of the modern American secondary science classroom