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Apr 26, 2020

The Legacy of Math Luminary John Conway, Lost to Covid-19

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, mathematics

Conway, who passed away on April 11, was known for his rapid computation, his playful approach, and solving problems with “his own bare hands.”

Apr 26, 2020

Differential Equations as a Neural Network Layers

Posted by in categories: information science, robotics/AI

The main idea of artificial neural networks (ANN) is to build up representations for complicated functions using compositions of relatively simple functions called layers.

A deep neural network is one that has many layers, or many functions composed together.

Although layers are typically simple functions(e.g. relu(Wx + b)) in general they could be any differentiable functions.

Apr 26, 2020

Probabilistic Deep Learning for Breast Cancer Detection

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, robotics/AI

In this article, I will demonstrate the use of Variational Inference to quantify the uncertainty in the weights of deep neural networks and make more informed predictions for a breast cancer classification dataset.

Apr 26, 2020

Preliminary results from a remdesivir trial could come in a week or two, researcher says

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Preliminary results from a clinical trial of remdesivir, an experimental antiviral drug being tested for coronavirus, could come in as little as one to two weeks, a top researcher said Sunday.

The final results aren’t expected until mid-to-late May, said Dr. Andre Kalil, a principal investigator for the trial. But he said “we can potentially have some early data in the next one or two weeks,” contingent on a preliminary analysis.

“In the next few weeks, we’re going to do the analysis, and we’re going to basically know if remdesivir is better or not than placebo,” he told CNN.

Apr 26, 2020

KIA Teases 800 Volt 300 Mile EV With 25 Minute Recharge Time

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, transportation

KIA and corporate cousin Hyundai build some efficient EVs that challenge industry leaders like Tesla. Yes, Elon an his minions are miles ahead in self-driving tech, but the Hyundai Kona EV and KIA Niro EV are world class cars that come close to meeting Elon’s plea to other manufacturers to build compelling electric cars.

The problem is, KIA and Hyundai don’t have a dedicated battery electric platform. Both the Kona and Niro share their underpinnings with hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. A pure battery electric car may be coming soon from KIA, however. Recently, Hyundai said it is planning to bring two new all electric models — the 45 Concept and the Prophesy Concept — to market this year and next. Both will be built on the company’s new Electric Global Modular Platform known internally as E-GMP.

Apr 26, 2020

Algorithm Developed to Predict the Evolution of Genetic Mutations

Posted by in categories: evolution, genetics, information science

Quantitative biologists David McCandlish and Juannan Zhou at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed an algorithm with predictive power, giving scientists the ability to see how specific genetic mutations can combine to make critical proteins change over the course of a species’ evolution.

Described in Nature Communications, the algorithm called “minimum epistasis interpolation” results in a visualization of how a protein could evolve to either become highly effective or not effective at all. They compared the functionality of thousands of versions of the protein, finding patterns in how mutations cause the protein to evolve from one functional form to another.

Continue reading “Algorithm Developed to Predict the Evolution of Genetic Mutations” »

Apr 26, 2020

Polio outbreaks in Africa caused by mutation of strain in vaccine

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

New cases of highly infectious disease that should be ‘consigned to the history books’ reported in Nigeria, the DRC, CAR and Angola.

Apr 26, 2020

There were more than 97,000 lightning flashes in Arizona during Wednesday’s monsoon storms

Posted by in category: climatology

Did you catch all that lightning last night? Don’t worry! There’s plenty of photos to see.

Apr 26, 2020

Air Force plans May start on $218 million conversion of new ‘nuke sniffer’ planes for Offutt fleet

Posted by in categories: energy, existential risks, transportation

Replacements are on the way for two decrepit 55th Wing jets that give the Air Force critical information about nuclear detonations in North Korea and elsewhere in the world.

The giant defense contractor L3Harris and the Air Force’s “Big Safari” acquisitions group are scheduled to start in May converting the first of three former Air National Guard fuel tankers into WC-135R radiation-detection aircraft. Work will start on the other two next year.

When they’re finished, all three aircraft will be assigned to the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base. The first is scheduled for delivery in 2022, said Maj. Malinda Singleton, an Air Force spokeswoman, with the other two following in 2023.

Apr 26, 2020

Introducing The 1400 HP All Electric Mustang Cobra Jet (w/ Video)

Posted by in category: transportation

Ford dropped a massive media bomb yesterday with the introduction of its most powerful Mustang ever. And what a car! It packs some 1400 HP and more than 1100 lb-ft of TQ — enough to blast the car from a standstill to 170 MPH in just eight seconds with nary a sound. Meet the original, Ford’s first electric Mustang, the Cobra Jet 1400.