Atmospheric Meteorological Effects on Forecasting Daily Lightning Occurrence at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

As the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center increase their launch rate, any process that could assist in the automation of the currently-manual lightning forecast would be valuable. This work examines the possibility of machine-learning assistance with the daily lighting forecast which is produced by the 45th Weather Squadron. A dataset consisting of 34 lightning, pressure, temperature and windspeed measurements taken from 334 daily weather balloon (rawinsonde) launches in the timeframe 2012-2021 was examined. Models were created using recursive feature elimination on logistic regression and XGClassifier algorithms, as well as Bayesian and bandit optimization of neural network (NN) hyperparameters. The modeling process was repeated after eliminating 13 features related to windspeed. The best performing models on both datasets were the optimized NN models, with an F1 metric of 0.79 on the full dataset and 0.66 on the reduced dataset. For comparison, a model that predicted randomly achieved F1 = 0.47 on this dataset. The addition of 13 windspeed-related features more than doubled the complexity of the 21-feature no-wind model while increasing model performance by 13 percentage points. A notable inference from the statistical modeling is that the most important feature from both datasets was the Thompson convective index, which is related to temperature, dewpoint, relative humidity and lapse rate

Examination of Cybersecurity Technologies, Practices, Challenges, and Wish List in K-12 School Districts

With the growth in digital teaching and learning, there has been a sharp rise in the number of cybersecurity attacks on K-12 school networks. This has demonstrated a need for security technologies and cybersecurity education. This study examined security technologies used, effective security practices, challenges, concerns, and wish list of technology leaders in K-12 settings. Data collected from 23 district websites and from interviews with 12 district technology leaders were analyzed. Top security practices included cloud-based technologies, segregated network/V-LAN, two-factor authentication, limiting access, and use of Clever or Class Link. Top challenges included keeping users informed, lack of buy-in from staff and decision-makers, lack of expertise to implement modern best practices, and cost of resources. Top concerns included possible cyberattacks, leaked student data, and lack of user awareness. Finally, their wish list included technology personnel, access to Clever of Class Link, external system diagnostic checks, professional development for staff, and replacing aging infrastructure. The findings have implications for K-12 administrators, technology leaders, and teachers

The Ursinus Weekly, October 4, 1965

Agency premiers season with Rooftop singers • J. Allen Minnich, Ursinus professor, dies in 66th year • Wismer Hall completed; To be dedicated this Fall • Nine freshmen granted half-tuition scholarships • Frosh program new this year • Freshmen camp seen as success • Medical hypnosis Pre-Med topic • NSA test scheduled October 23; Ursinus to be site of testing • Editorial: There\u27ve been some changes made; New frosh orientation program • 1965 customs program a precedent? • Freshman camp improves today\u27s nick of time • Collegeville makes TV debut: Stars in WFIL community salute • Wismer hosts Berman collection: French impressionistic opening • Book integration now completed • Intramural corner • Cross country • Soccer team • Bowling workshop • M\u27berg swamps Bears • Ursinus adds host of educators to expanded staff • Greek gleaningshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1204/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, February 14, 1966

Happiness is the Lorelei: Traditional turnabout features peanuts, Whitians and kings • Dr. Riffe plans Shakespeare trips • St. Andrews Soc. offers stipend for study abroad • Agency Olatunji concert kicks off winter IF • Art is contemplation • Mrs. Pancoast to speak at Color Day • PSEA hears talk on ed. changes • Editorial: Situations to ponder • Controversy suggests student interest in local art exhibited in Wismer: What is it? they ask • Aching need filled by Supply Store a-go-go • Quiet hours shattered by fire as candle sets Hobson ablaze • Kersey lauds IF initiative • Paw prints • Intramural corner • UC dropped by E\u27town, routs Hopkins • Women\u27s JV wins opener • Bears outshoot PMC; Lose to Swarthmore: Troster paces Ursinus • UC student, Class of 1971, satires greatly organized Supply Store • Greek gleanings.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1216/thumbnail.jp

Selective depletion of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells induces a scurfy-like disease

The scurfy mutant mouse strain suffers from a fatal lymphoproliferative disease leading to early death within 3–4 wk of age. A frame-shift mutation of the forkhead box transcription factor Foxp3 has been identified as the molecular cause of this multiorgan autoimmune disease. Foxp3 is a central control element in the development and function of regulatory T cells (T reg cells), which are necessary for the maintenance of self-tolerance. However, it is unclear whether dysfunction or a lack of T reg cells is etiologically involved in scurfy pathogenesis and its human correlate, the IPEX syndrome. We describe the generation of bacterial artificial chromosome–transgenic mice termed “depletion of regulatory T cell” (DEREG) mice expressing a diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor–enhanced green fluorescent protein fusion protein under the control of the foxp3 gene locus, allowing selective and efficient depletion of Foxp3+ T reg cells by DT injection. Ablation of Foxp3+ T reg cells in newborn DEREG mice led to the development of scurfy-like symptoms with splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, insulitis, and severe skin inflammation. Thus, these data provide experimental evidence that the absence of Foxp3+ T reg cells is indeed sufficient to induce a scurfy-like phenotype. Furthermore, DEREG mice will allow a more precise definition of the function of Foxp3+ T reg cells in immune reactions in vivo

The Ursinus Weekly, January 10, 1966

Senate urges reading period before exams • The Freeland story • The Ursinus plan: To advance the quality of education at UC • UC receives $25,000 grant • Alumni fund hits new peak in contributions • Lantern contest proclaims winners • Roster changes • Examination schedule • We\u27ll not forget: A promise to Freeland; Old building to be razed to provide Library site • A senior\u27s view of Freeland: Can Library replace Freeland\u27s primacy? • An alumnus\u27 view of Freeland: Alumnus recalls Freeland as source of campus activities • Search into Ursinus history substantiates second oldest graduate\u27s assertion: Yes, Freeland was indeed everything • Delaware flattens UC: Rivell, Struthers only winners • Bears crush S\u27more; Fall to PMC • Intramural corner • Greek gleaningshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1214/thumbnail.jp