Developing a K-12 district technology plan

Educational Technologies and technology integration into the curriculum have become hot topics in educational institutions and legislature across the country. Schools are scrambling to buy computers, install networks, buy software, and connect to the Internet. This interest in technology is rooted in various places: pressure from the state legislature and federal government, the business community, and parents in the district who see technology as necessary for their child\u27s success (Lockwood, 1999)

Target detection against narrow band noise backgrounds

AbstractWe studied the detectability of narrow band random noise targets embedded in narrow band random noise backgrounds as a function of differences in center frequency, spatial frequency bandwidth and orientation bandwidth between target and the immediately adjacent background. Unlike most target detection experiments the targets were not added to the background; they replaced the underlying background texture. Simulations showed that target detection probabilities could be accounted for by a simple transformation on the summed outputs of a two layer filter model similar to the complex channels model proposed by Graham, Beck and Sutter (Graham, N., Beck, J., & Sutter, A. (1992). Vision Research, 32, 719–743). Subsequently, the model was tested on the detection of camouflaged vehicle targets with encouraging results

A heteroencoder architecture for prediction of failure locations in porous metals using variational inference

In this work we employ an encoder-decoder convolutional neural network to predict the failure locations of porous metal tension specimens based only on their initial porosities. The process we model is complex, with a progression from initial void nucleation, to saturation, and ultimately failure. The objective of predicting failure locations presents an extreme case of class imbalance since most of the material in the specimens do not fail. In response to this challenge, we develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of data- and loss-based regularization methods. Since there is considerable sensitivity of the failure location to the particular configuration of voids, we also use variational inference to provide uncertainties for the neural network predictions. We connect the deterministic and Bayesian convolutional neural networks at a theoretical level to explain how variational inference regularizes the training and predictions. We demonstrate that the resulting predicted variances are effective in ranking the locations that are most likely to fail in any given specimen.Comment: 40 pages, 12 figure

Predictive modeling of plant messenger RNA polyadenylation sites

BACKGROUND: One of the essential processing events during pre-mRNA maturation is the post-transcriptional addition of a polyadenine [poly(A)] tail. The 3'-end poly(A) track protects mRNA from unregulated degradation, and indicates the integrity of mRNA through recognition by mRNA export and translation machinery. The position of a poly(A) site is predetermined by signals in the pre-mRNA sequence that are recognized by a complex of polyadenylation factors. These signals are generally tri-part sequence patterns around the cleavage site that serves as the future poly(A) site. In plants, there is little sequence conservation among these signal elements, which makes it difficult to develop an accurate algorithm to predict the poly(A) site of a given gene. We attempted to solve this problem. RESULTS: Based on our current working model and the profile of nucleotide sequence distribution of the poly(A) signals and around poly(A) sites in Arabidopsis, we have devised a Generalized Hidden Markov Model based algorithm to predict potential poly(A) sites. The high specificity and sensitivity of the algorithm were demonstrated by testing several datasets, and at the best combinations, both reach 97%. The accuracy of the program, called poly(A) site sleuth or PASS, has been demonstrated by the prediction of many validated poly(A) sites. PASS also predicted the changes of poly(A) site efficiency in poly(A) signal mutants that were constructed and characterized by traditional genetic experiments. The efficacy of PASS was demonstrated by predicting poly(A) sites within long genomic sequences. CONCLUSION: Based on the features of plant poly(A) signals, a computational model was built to effectively predict the poly(A) sites in Arabidopsis genes. The algorithm will be useful in gene annotation because a poly(A) site signifies the end of the transcript. This algorithm can also be used to predict alternative poly(A) sites in known genes, and will be useful in the design of transgenes for crop genetic engineering by predicting and eliminating undesirable poly(A) sites

Book Reviews

The Hebrew God: Portrait of an Ancient Deity Lang, Bernhard New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2002 Reviewed By Bill T. Arnold A Marginal Jew, vol. 3, Companions and Competitors Meier, John P New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, 2001 Reviewed By Mattie Greathouse The Gospel of Mark: A Soda-Rhetorical Commentary Witherington, Ill, Ben Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2001 Reviewed By Greg Carey After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity. Trans. Doug Scott Voli, Miroslav Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1998 Reviewed By Howard A. Snyder The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi Dorsey, David A. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999 Reviewed By Joel H. Hunt Make the Old Testament Live: From Curriculum to Classroom Hess, Richard S., and Cordon J. Wenham, editors Eerdmans, 1998 Reviewed By Joel H. Hunt Christology Schwarz, Hans Grand Rapids : William B. Eerdmans, 1998 Reviewed By Greg Carey New Testament History: A Narrative Account Witherington, Ben Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001 Reviewed By Ruth Anne Reese The Omphalos and the Cross: Pagans and Christians in Search of a Divine Center Ciholas, Paul Macon : Mercer University Press, 2003 Reviewed By Michael Harstad Participating in God: Creation and Trinity Powell, Samuel M. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003 Reviewed By James Holsinger Judges. Interpretation Commentary Series McCann, J. Clinton Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2002 Reviewed By Victor H. Matthews Clark H. Pinnock: Journey Toward Renewal: An Intellectual Biography Callen, Barry L Published in Cooperation with The Wesleyan Theological Society. Nappanee, IN: Evangel Publishing House, 2000 Reviewed By Howard A. Snyder Radical Christianity: The Believers Church Tradition in Christianity\u27s History and Future Callen, Barry L Nappanee, IN: Evangel Publishing House, 1999 Reviewed By Howard A. Snyder The Unity Movement Vahle, Neal Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press, 2002 Reviewed By Steven Tsoukala

2013-2014 Chamber Music Palm Beach No. 3

https://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_otherseasonalconcerts/1011/thumbnail.jp

Genome level analysis of rice mRNA 3′-end processing signals and alternative polyadenylation

The position of a poly(A) site of eukaryotic mRNA is determined by sequence signals in pre-mRNA and a group of polyadenylation factors. To reveal rice poly(A) signals at a genome level, we constructed a dataset of 55 742 authenticated poly(A) sites and characterized the poly(A) signals. This resulted in identifying the typical tripartite cis-elements, including FUE, NUE and CE, as previously observed in Arabidopsis. The average size of the 3′-UTR was 289 nucleotides. When mapped to the genome, however, 15% of these poly(A) sites were found to be located in the currently annotated intergenic regions. Moreover, an extensive alternative polyadenylation profile was evident where 50% of the genes analyzed had more than one unique poly(A) site (excluding microheterogeneity sites), and 13% had four or more poly(A) sites. About 4% of the analyzed genes possessed alternative poly(A) sites at their introns, 5′-UTRs, or protein coding regions. The authenticity of these alternative poly(A) sites was partially confirmed using MPSS data. Analysis of nucleotide profile and signal patterns indicated that there may be a different set of poly(A) signals for those poly(A) sites found in the coding regions. Based on the features of rice poly(A) signals, an updated algorithm termed PASS-Rice was designed to predict poly(A) sites

WebTraceMiner: a web service for processing and mining EST sequence trace files

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) remain a dominant approach for characterizing the protein-encoding portions of various genomes. Due to inherent deficiencies, they also present serious challenges for data quality control. Before GenBank submission, EST sequences are typically screened and trimmed of vector and adapter/linker sequences, as well as polyA/T tails. Removal of these sequences presents an obstacle for data validation of error-prone ESTs and impedes data mining of certain functional motifs, whose detection relies on accurate annotation of positional information for polyA tails added posttranscriptionally. As raw DNA sequence information is made increasingly available from public repositories, such as NCBI Trace Archive, new tools will be necessary to reanalyze and mine this data for new information. WebTraceMiner (www.conifergdb.org/software/wtm) was designed as a public sequence processing service for raw EST traces, with a focus on detection and mining of sequence features that help characterize 3′ and 5′ termini of cDNA inserts, including vector fragments, adapter/linker sequences, insert-flanking restriction endonuclease recognition sites and polyA or polyT tails. WebTraceMiner complements other public EST resources and should prove to be a unique tool to facilitate data validation and mining of error-prone ESTs (e.g. discovery of new functional motifs)

Constraining Intra-cluster Gas Models with AMiBA13

Clusters of galaxies have been used extensively to determine cosmological parameters. A major difficulty in making best use of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) and X-ray observations of clusters for cosmology is that using X-ray observations it is difficult to measure the temperature distribution and therefore determine the density distribution in individual clusters of galaxies out to the virial radius. Observations with the new generation of SZ instruments are a promising alternative approach. We use clusters of galaxies drawn from high-resolution adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) cosmological simulations to study how well we should be able to constrain the large-scale distribution of the intra-cluster gas (ICG) in individual massive relaxed clusters using AMiBA in its configuration with 13 1.2-m diameter dishes (AMiBA13) along with X-ray observations. We show that non-isothermal beta models provide a good description of the ICG in our simulated relaxed clusters. We use simulated X-ray observations to estimate the quality of constraints on the distribution of gas density, and simulated SZ visibilities (AMiBA13 observations) for constraints on the large-scale temperature distribution of the ICG. We find that AMiBA13 visibilities should constrain the scale radius of the temperature distribution to about 50% accuracy. We conclude that the upgraded AMiBA, AMiBA13, should be a powerful instrument to constrain the large-scale distribution of the ICG.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, 12 pages, 9 figure

Framing Male Circumcision to Promote its Adoption in Different Settings

The effectiveness of male circumcision in preventing transmission of HIV from females to males has been established. Those who are now advocating its widespread use face many challenges in convincing policy-makers and the public of circumcision’s value. We suggest that frames are a useful lens for communicating public health messages that may help promote adoption of circumcision. Frames relate to how individuals and societies perceive and understand the world. Existing frames are often hard to shift, and should be borne in mind by advocates and program implementers as they attempt to promote male circumcision by invoking new frames. Frames differ across and within societies, and advocates must find ways of delivering resonant messages that take into account prior perceptions and use the most appropriate means of communicating the benefits and value of male circumcision to different audiences