High Density Memory Based on Quantum Device Technology

We explore the feasibility of ultra-high density memory based on quantum devices. Starting from overall constraints on chip area, power consumption, access speed, and noise margin, we deduce boundaries on single cell parameters such as required operating voltage and standby current. Next, the possible role of quantum devices is examined. Since the most mature quantum device, the resonant tunneling diode (RTD) can easily be integrated vertically, it naturally leads to the issue of 3D integrated memory. We propose a novel method of addressing vertically integrated bistable two-terminal devices, such as resonant tunneling diodes (RTD) and Esaki diodes, that avoids individual physical contacts. The new concept has been demonstrated experimentally in memory cells of field effect transistors (FET's) and stacked RTD's

Advances in Bayesian Optimization with Applications in Aerospace Engineering

Optimization requires the quantities of interest that define objective functions and constraints to be evaluated a large number of times. In aerospace engineering, these quantities of interest can be expensive to compute (e.g., numerically solving a set of partial differential equations), leading to a challenging optimization problem. Bayesian optimization (BO) is a class of algorithms for the global optimization of expensive-to-evaluate functions. BO leverages all past evaluations available to construct a surrogate model. This surrogate model is then used to select the next design to evaluate. This paper reviews two recent advances in BO that tackle the challenges of optimizing expensive functions and thus can enrich the optimization toolbox of the aerospace engineer. The first method addresses optimization problems subject to inequality constraints where a finite budget of evaluations is available, a common situation when dealing with expensive models (e.g., a limited time to conduct the optimization study or limited access to a supercomputer). This challenge is addressed via a lookahead BO algorithm that plans the sequence of designs to evaluate in order to maximize the improvement achieved, not only at the next iteration, but once the total budget is consumed. The second method demonstrates how sensitivity information, such as gradients computed with adjoint methods, can be incorporated into a BO algorithm. This algorithm exploits sensitivity information in two ways: first, to enhance the surrogate model, and second, to improve the selection of the next design to evaluate by accounting for future gradient evaluations. The benefits of the two methods are demonstrated on aerospace examples

Promising Practices and Unfinished Business: Fostering Equity and Excellence for Black and Latino Males

Boston Public Schools (BPS) commissioned companion studies as part of its efforts to address achievement gaps for Black and Latino males. The first study revealed the increasing diversity of Black and Latino males and stark opportunity gaps throughout the system that contribute in large part to wide attainment gaps for these students. We hypothesized that in schools doing comparatively better with Black or Latino males than their counterparts, educators would be strategically and comprehensively implementing evidence-based cultural, structural, and instructional practices tailored to meet their the needs and aspirations of these students. Through qualitative case studies of four schools, we identified several cross-cutting themes that provide the district and school leaders with some positive news about effective practices found in all good schools: strong school cultures, professional collaboration, differentiated instruction, and, in the elementary schools, family engagement. While we observed pockets of best practices specific to Black and Latino male education, we also brought to light unfinished business, in that none of the four case study schools had an intentional and comprehensive schoolwide approach to educating Black and Latino males. This lack of intentionality resulted in a paucity of evidence that the school administration and faculty as a whole: (a) know and value students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds; (b) adopt explicit and responsive approaches to race and gender; and (c) develop and implement a comprehensive approach to culturally responsive curriculum and instruction. We posit that lack of knowledge, intentionality, and coherence impedes further progress in educating Black and Latino males, and has implications for educators in schools, for staff members in community partner organizations, and for family members of BPS students

COVID-19 Surveillance Testing of Healthcare Personnel Drives Universal Masking Practice

Health Care Professionals (HCP) are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to the unpredictable clinical presentation of COVID-19 disease, limited SARS-CoV-2 testing, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, and the inherent inability to distance from patients. Infected HCP may infect others including coworkers leading to a simultaneous increase of number of infections and decreased availability of HCP in a community. [1] Due to PPE shortages, many healthcare systems have faced difficult decisions regarding utilization of PPE to protect HCP and patients and the communities they serve. We describe Norton Healthcare’s success utilizing surveillance COVID-19 testing of HCP to inform the decision to increase the use of PPE during a PPE shortage in the form of universal masking. Many healthcare systems could benefit from surveillance COVID-19 testing of HCP and universal masking of HCP

Detecting subsidence-induced impacts from longwall coalmining on wine grape ('Vitus vinifera') yields: A case study from the Hunter Valley

This thesis examines the impacts associated with active, longwall mining-induced subsidence on the yield of wine grape vines ('Vitis vinifera') in vineyards located in the Broke-Fordwich region of the Hunter Valley. As longwall mining has a distinctive, systematic impact upon surface topography, the question is posed whether or not vine yields are similarly impacted. A series of null hypotheses were developed and tested using data collected at multiple scales. The analysis of vineyard block scale, vineyard scale, and regional scale data over a five-year period revealed that there was no clear evidence of systematic and significant mining induced impacts upon overall vine yields. Instead, vine biophysical responses to climatic factors appeared to best account for the apparent 'negative' trends observed in the pre- and post-mining periods. This suggests that where present, mining-induced subsidence impacts are likely to be localized and site specific rather than systematic

A retrospective study of the impact of 21-gene recurrence score assay on treatment choice in node positive micrometastatic breast cancer.

To assess clinical utility of the 21-gene assay (Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score®), we determined whether women with HER2(−)/ER+ pN1mi breast cancer with low ( vs. 57.9% in the intermediate-risk group and 100% in the high-risk group (p \u3c 0.001). A total of 80.2% of the low-risk group were recommended endocrine therapy alone, while 77.8% of the high-risk group were recommended both endocrine and chemotherapy (p \u3c 0.001). The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score result provides actionable information that can be incorporated into treatment planning for women with HER2(−)/ER+ pN1mi breast cancer. The Recurrence Score result has clinical utility in treatment planning for HER2(−)/ER+ pN1mi breast cancer patients

High resolution remote sensing for native vegetation assessment and monitoring: an impact assessment approach

The last decade has seen major advances in remote sensing technology, particularly in high-resolution satellite imagery and airborne laser scanning (ALS). Fundamental differences in data capture mean that new assessment techniques are required, particularly for vegetation structure and multi-temporal analysis. Here, high-resolution remote sensing tools are developed using a longwall mine subsidence impact assessment framework, based primarily on a scrubby forest-woodland setting on the Woronora Plateau, NSW Australia. Linear regression and t-tests were used to compare vegetation structural metrics from field and ALS data, with ANOVA and post-hoc tests used to determine solar energy and moisture controls on vegetation variation at hillslope scale. Landscape stratification was based on insolation and topographic wetness surfaces derived from ALS-based digital elevation models (DEM). Image matching and linear regression was used to test 3D-method orthorectification accuracy for off-nadir QuickBird imagery using different-resolution DEM. High resolution ALS-derived digital elevation models (DEM) allow pixel-accurate orthorectification of off-nadir imagery, a necessary precursor to multi-temporal image analysis

Pragmatic abilities in narrative production: a cross-disorder comparison

We aimed to disentangle contributions of socio-pragmatic and structural language deficits to narrative competence by comparing the narratives of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n=25), non-autistic children with language impairments (LI; n=23), and children with typical development (TD; n=27). Groups were matched for age (6½ to 15 years; mean: 10;6) and non-verbal ability; ASD and TD groups were matched on standardized language scores. Despite distinct clinical presentation, children with ASD and LI produced similarly simple narratives that lacked semantic richness and omitted important story elements, when compared to TD peers. Pragmatic errors were common across groups. Within the LI group, pragmatic errors were negatively correlated with story macrostructure scores and with an index of semantic–pragmatic relevance. For the group with ASD, pragmatic errors consisted of comments that, though extraneous, did not detract from the gist of the narrative. These findings underline the importance of both language and socio-pragmatic skill for producing coherent, appropriate narratives