Bimodule categories and monoidal 2-structure

We define a notion of tensor product of bimodule categories and prove that with this product the 2-category of C -bimodule categories for fixed tensor C is a monoidal 2-category in the sense of Kapranov and Voevodsky ([KV91]). We then provide a monoidal-structure preserving 2-equivalence between the 2-category of C -bimodule categories and Z( C )-module categories (module categories over the center of C ). The (braided) tensor structure of C1⊠D C2 for (braided) fusion categories over braided fusion D is introduced. For a finite group G we show that de-equivariantization is equivalent to the tensor product over Rep( G). The fusion rules for the Grothendeick ring of Rep(G)-module categories are derived and it is shown that the group of invertible Rep( G)-module categories is isomorphic to H2 (G, kx), extending results in [ENO09]

Monoidal 2-structure of Bimodule Categories

We define a notion of tensor product of bimodule categories and prove that with this product the 2-category of C-bimodule categories for fixed tensor C is a monoidal 2-category in the sense of Kapranov and Voevodsky. We then provide a monoidal-structure preserving 2-equivalence between the 2-category of C-bimodule categories and Z(C)-module categories (module categories over the center). For finite group G we show that de-equivariantization is equivalent to tensor product over category Rep(G) of finite dimensional representations. We derive Rep(G)-module fusion rules and determine the group of invertible irreducible Rep(G)-module categories extending earlier results for abelian groups.Comment: 40 pages, minor errors corrected, references added. To appear in J. Algebr

Increased Secreted Amyloid Precursor Protein-α (sAPPα) in Severe Autism: Proposal of a Specific, Anabolic Pathway and Putative Biomarker

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in verbal communication, social interactions, and the presence of repetitive, stereotyped and compulsive behaviors. Excessive early brain growth is found commonly in some patients and may contribute to disease phenotype. Reports of increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophic-like factors in autistic neonates suggest that enhanced anabolic activity in CNS mediates this overgrowth effect. We have shown previously that in a subset of patients with severe autism and aggression, plasma levels of the secreted amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein-alpha form (sAPPα) were significantly elevated relative to controls and patients with mild-to-moderate autism. Here we further tested the hypothesis that levels of sAPPα and sAPPβ (proteolytic cleavage products of APP by α- and β-secretase, respectively) are deranged in autism and may contribute to an anabolic environment leading to brain overgrowth. We measured plasma levels of sAPPα, sAPPβ, Aβ peptides and BDNF by corresponding ELISA in a well characterized set of subjects. We included for analysis 18 control, 6 mild-to-moderate, and 15 severely autistic patient plasma samples. We have observed that sAPPα levels are increased and BDNF levels decreased in the plasma of patients with severe autism as compared to controls. Further, we show that Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and sAPPβ levels are significantly decreased in the plasma of patients with severe autism. These findings do not extend to patients with mild-to-moderate autism, providing a biochemical correlate of phenotypic severity. Taken together, this study provides evidence that sAPPα levels are generally elevated in severe autism and suggests that these patients may have aberrant non-amyloidogenic processing of APP

High school curriculum design -- a course in communications technology

This project involved the re-design of a course curriculum in Communications Technology for Burrillville High School, located in Rhode Island. After researching current and historical trends in education, we attempted to build a curriculum that was more flexible than the previous. The new course is targeted toward college-preparatory students, as well as those entering the workforce. It will use modern educational practices and tools to expose students to a variety of current and future technologies, as well as possible careers

An assessment of the impacts of relocation in a Thai village.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) operates a high capacity coal-fired power plant in Mae Moh District, Thailand. In the past, EGAT relocated villagers for developmental purposes. This project evaluated the impacts of the different types of relocation projects, and determined which, if any, would be acceptable in the future. In order to obtain the information necessary for such an evaluation, surveys were administered to over 400 villagers and supplemented with nine focus group interviews

MADACS -- a system for the study of active mode hop suppression in tunable lasers

The goal of this project was to develop a software application for the study of active mode hop suppression in tunable lasers at New Focus, Inc., an optics company with offices in San Jose, California. The software will allow scientists and engineers at New Focus to develop next generation tunable telecommunications test lasers

Making famine history

This paper reviews recent contributions to the economics and economic history of famine. It provides a context for the history of famine in the twentieth century, which is unique. During the century, war and totalitarianism produced more famine deaths than did overpopulation and economic backwardness; yet by its end, economic growth and medical technology had almost eliminated the threat of major famines. Today's high-profile famines are "small" by historical standards. Topics analyzed include the role played by food markets in mitigating or exacerbating famine, the globalization of disaster relief, the enhanced role of human agency and entitlements, distinctive demography of certain twentieth-century famines, and future prospects for "making famine history."2014-09-18 JG: Record reinstated from backup after damaged text_valu