Benchmarking Clustering and Classification Tasks using K-Means, Fuzzy C-Means and Feedforward Neural Networks optimized by PSO

Clustering is a widely used unsupervised learning technique across data mining and machine learning applications and finds frequent use in diverse fields ranging from astronomy, medical imaging, search and optimization, geology, geophysics and sentiment analysis to name a few. It is therefore important to verify the effectiveness of the clustering algorithms in question and to make reasonably strong arguments for the acceptance of the end results generated by the validity indices that measure the compactness and separability of clusters. This work aims to explore the successes and limitations of popular clustering mechanisms such as K-Means and Fuzzy C-Means by comparing their performance over publicly available benchmarking datasets that capture a variety of datapoint distributions as well as the number of features, especially from a computational point of view by incorporating techniques that alleviate some of the issues that plague these algorithms. In particular, sensitivity to initialization conditions and stagnation to local minima are explored. Further, an implementation of a feed-forward neural network using a branch of guided random search techniques, viz. Particle Swarm Optimization as the weight optimization strategy is explored to look at the same problem from a classification point of view. The algorithms implemented in this work are studied and their results compared, from which insights about their suitability of application to particular datasets can be obtained

Districts and Data: Developing Capacity for Effective Data Use

The development of large and interconnected data sets has awakened educators to the value of strategically using data to inform education policy and improve instruction. Recognizing that using data effectively is critical to improving student achievement, numerous organizations and agencies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, are supporting school districts and other education agencies in building their capacity to generate and use data. Even with essential data systems and supports in place, districts face challenges related to the strategic use of data. Many districts do not know what questions to ask, what data to use, or how to interpret findings to improve policy and practice. This brief discusses four key recommendations related to the strategic use of data and suggests ways districts can overcome challenges associated with these recommendations. Data and supporting examples in this brief are drawn from work conducted as part of the evaluation of strategic data use initiatives

The Teacher-Student Data Link Project: Three Lasting Accomplishments

In 2010, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation invited five states and three pilot districts in each state to participate in the Teacher-Student Data Link (TSDL) project. Mathematica developed a report presenting findings from 2011, the project's first year of implementation. Building on that report, this brief articulates three lasting accomplishments of the TSDL project: (1) Building implementation support for states and districts; (2) Continuing collaboration among states; and (3) Creating new TSDL-inspired activities. The brief also presents additional resources regarding the activities of the pilot states and districts, best practices for initiatives like TSDL that intend to bolster linked teacher-student data, and a support network for education agencies involved in similar work

Microstructure-property relationships in Al-Cu-Li-Ag-Mg Weldalite (tm) alloys, part 2

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the ultrahigh strength Al-Cu-Li-Ag-Mg alloy, Weldalite (tm) 049, were studied. Specifically, the microstructural features along with tensile strength, weldability, Young's modulus and fracture toughness were studied for Weldalite (tm) 049 type alloys with Li contents ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 wt. pct. The tensile properties of Weldalite 049 and Weldalite 049 reinforced with TiB2 particles fabricated using the XD (tm) process were also evaluated at cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures. In addition, an experimental alloy, similar in composition to Weldalite 049 but without the Ag+Mg, was fabricated. The microstructure of this alloy was compared with that of Weldalite 049 in the T6 condition to assess the effect of Ag+Mg on nucleation of strengthening phases in the absence of cold work

Bringing Families In: Recommendations of the Incarceration, Reentry and Family Roundtables

Building on the findings of the New Jersey Reentry Roundtable and a growing concern around the state about how to improve outcomes for the more than 70,000 individuals expected to return home from prison over the next five years, the roundtable examined the complex role that families – broadly defined – play in the lives of prisoners during incarceration and after their release. This document presents a set of recommendations emerging directly from roundtable sessions and provides a road map for individual and collaborative efforts accepted by a range of key players in New Jersey, including government officials, community and faith based service agencies, advocacy groups, family members and formerly incarcerated people

Staff and Provider Education on Diabetic Foot Exams and Foot Care Using the Ophelia Process

Diabetes mellitus continues to grow in global prevalence and consumes an increasing amount of healthcare resources. Persons that live in disadvantaged groups have a higher prevalence due to a lack of understanding and access to care. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic disease and limb loss worldwide. Diabetes foot care is essential, as diabetes can be dangerous to patients’ feet. The purpose of this doctoral project was to increase diabetic foot care education and foot exams for staff and providers in a federally qualified health center (FQHC). Many people in this rural community do not understand the importance of diabetes and foot care. More staff training was therefore deemed necessary to support the dissemination of diabetic foot care information to eligible patients. Following the Ophelia process as an interventional guide to increasing staff and provider education would include stakeholders like board members, executive staff, clinical staff, and diabetic patients. A pretest of diabetic foot care knowledge was given to staff, a PowerPoint® educational presentation was given to all providers and clinical staff followed by a posttest

Antiphosphatidylserine antibody as a cause of multiple dural venous sinus thromboses and ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Objective: Rare disease Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by antibodies directed against phos-pholipids on plasma membranes. Through unclear mechanisms, APS confers hypercoagulability. APS may cause recurrent thromboses in the arterial and venous vasculature. We report a case of primary APS resulting in cerebral venous thrombosis and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for which only antiphosphatidylserine (aPS) IgM antibody was positive after extensive investigation. Case Report: A 48-year-old male was admitted after a witnessed generalized seizure with subsequent confusion. Imaging demonstrated thrombosis of multiple central nervous system (CNS) sinuses, including the superior sagittal sinus and bilateral transverse sinuses. The patient was heparinized with aggressive hydration, which proved inadequate, prompting endovascular thrombectomy. Three months later, despite anticoagulation therapy, the patient developed a STEMI when International Normalized Ratio (INR) was 1.8. Echocardiogram (ECHO) and PAN CT scan were normal. Initial coagulation studies demonstrated normal anticardiolipin antibody, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet count. Outpatient coagulation studies revealed normal an-tithrombin III, protein C/S, hemoglobin electrophoresis, homocysteine, anti-b2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies, and D-Dimer. Factor V Leiden, JAK 2 mutation, prothrombin gene mutation, and tests for paroxysmal nocturnal he-moglobinuria (PNH) were negative. A positive phosphatidylserine IgM was detected. The patient was continued on warfarin (10 mg daily) with a target INR of 3.0–3.5 and clopidogrel (75 mg daily). Conclusions: Despite extensive investigation, this patient only showed evidence of elevated aPS IgM antibodies, likely contributing to his CNS venous sinus thromboses and STEMI. It is important to screen for antiphosphatidylserine antibodies in cases of unprovoked thrombosis when standard thrombophilia analysis is unrevealing. This will assist in identifying pathogenicity and help prevent recurrence of subsequent thromboses. © Am J Case Rep, 2018