Genomic sequencing of meningiomas identifies oncogenic SMO and AKT1 mutations

Meningiomas are the most common primary nervous system tumor. The tumor suppressor NF2 is disrupted in approximately half of meningiomas1 but the complete spectrum of genetic changes remains undefined. We performed whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing on 17 meningiomas and focused sequencing on an additional 48 tumors to identify and validate somatic genetic alterations. Most meningiomas exhibited simple genomes, with fewer mutations, rearrangements, and copy-number alterations than reported in other adult tumors. However, several meningiomas harbored more complex patterns of copy-number changes and rearrangements including one tumor with chromothripsis. We confirmed focal NF2 inactivation in 43% of tumors and found alterations in epigenetic modifiers among an additional 8% of tumors. A subset of meningiomas lacking NF2 alterations harbored recurrent oncogenic mutations in AKT1 (E17K) and SMO (W535L) and exhibited immunohistochemical evidence of activation of their pathways. These mutations were present in therapeutically challenging tumors of the skull base and higher grade. These results begin to define the spectrum of genetic alterations in meningiomas and identify potential therapeutic targets

Computergestützte Analyse qualitativer Daten

The book does not meet the expectations that the title and foreword raise. It demonstrates the fact that the strict separation of theoretical background and code of practice is a difficult task to accomplish and hardly of any use in the field of qualitative research. Repeated reference to the variety of kinds of analyses that can be conducted using this kind of software does not hide the fact that the author's instructions include a very specific – presumably his own – way of doing qualitative research. In doing so, he provides an insight in to techniques of computer-aided processing of qualitative data, focusing on different types of text retrieval and inquiry for combinations of codes or variables

Aviation English in a Bilingual Context

With over one thousand fatalities attributed to language errors within the field of aviation, pilots’ level of self-efficacy in English, the official language of aviation, relates directly to their level of comfort in the cockpit and ability to perform their flight duties safely. There are international standards that evaluate a pilot’s ability to read, speak, write, and understand English before a pilot is permitted to test for his or her license. However, issues still arise and can be attributed to a pilot speaking limited English register of aviation English. This study investigates the use of English and Spanish in the applied context of aviation by researching bilingual cockpit interactions. Data pooled from a survey of pilots who speak Spanish as a native language were used to recognize patterns between language acquisition and proficiency within the cockpit as well as understand the frequency with which pilots hear their native language over the radio. The primary research question attempted to evaluate pilots’ comfort level in professional aviation situations that involved the use of non-native language. Additional research questions investigated how bilingual pilots react linguistically to emergency situations and how this affects their abilities to perform flight duties. Understanding pilots´ in-flight experiences in relation to language proficiency may contribute to a proactive safety culture by providing recommendations that could help prevent future accidents. Â

Triple-Band Concurrent Reconfigurable Matching Network

Reconfigurable Matching Networks (RMN) have found a wide range of applications, such as antenna impedance matching (Antenna Tuning Units -ATU-), the design of reconfigurable power amplifiers, applications in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), adjustable low noise amplifier design, etc. In this paper, we propose the experimental design and verification of a reconfigurable impedance synthesis network that can simultaneously work in three different bands and is completely independent so that the impedance variations in a frequency band are approximately transparent to the rest. The variable elements used in this paper are varactors. To verify its operation, it is applied to a process of matching a laser modulator in three different frequency bands for C-RAN (Cloud Radio Access Networks) applications. Experimental results demonstrate, as expected, that losses may depend on the state in which they are driven. Consequently, a state that can guarantee a good match could also imply greater losses, leading to a certain trade-off. The application of genetic algorithms in this context points out that it may be convenient to optimize the insertion losses of the complete chain instead of the return losses

Mobile application able to analyse the Internet connections

The wide use of wireless networks in every aspect of our life has risen new challenges andsituations that affect the majority of the population around the globe. Issues such asinterferences between each network, fading or security attacks have to be bearded in mindwhen a wireless network is set up or when a user wants to establish connection with one.Therefore the goal of this study is the use and development of a mobile application that is ableto analyse the wireless networks that the device, a smartphone in this case. With theinformation obtained from the application the user should be able to find possible solution tothe challenges that may arise and to improve the quality of the service that he or she is usingin different environments with different characteristics. The testing of the application involvedthe obtainment of information in three different scenarios, the results of the three scenarioswere satisfactory. In all three scenarios the environment could be analysed successfully andsolutions could be given to improve the connectivity to each of the access points. <br /

Numerically controlled oscillator for the Fermilab booster

In order to improve the stability of the Fermilab Booster low level rf system, a numerically controlled oscillator system is being constructed. Although the system has not been implemented to date, the design is outlined in this paper. The heart of the new system consists of a numerically synthesized frequency generator manufactured by the Sciteq Company. The 3 Ghz/sec rate and 30 to 53 MHz range of the Booster frequency program required the design of a CAMAC based, fast-cycling (1 MHz), 65K X 32 bit, digital function generator. A 1 MHz digital adder and 12 bit analog to digital converter will be used to correct small program errors by phase locking the oscillator to the beam. 6 refs., 1 fig

Diseño, implementación y optimización del sistema de compresión de imágenes sobre el ordenador de a bordo del proyecto de nanosátelite Eye-Sat

Eye-Sat es un Proyecto de nano satélites, dirigido por el CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) y desarrollado principalmente por estudiantes de varias escuelas de ingeniería del territorio francés. El objetivo de este pequeño telescopio no solo radica en la oportunidad de realizar la demostración de distintos dispositivos tecnológicos, sino que también tiene como misión la adquisición de fotografías en la bandas de color e infrarrojo de la vía Láctea, así como el estudio de la intensidad y polarización de la luz Zodiacal. Los requerimientos de la misión exigen el desarrollo de un algoritmo de compresión de imágenes sin pérdidas para las imágenes “Color Filter Array” CFA (Bayer) e infrarrojas adquiridas por el satélite. Como miembro de la comisión consultativa para los sistemas espaciales, CNES ha seleccionado el estándar CCSDS-123.0-B como algoritmo base para cumplir los requerimientos de la misión. A este algoritmo se le añadirán modificaciones o mejoras, adaptadas a las imágenes tipo, con el fin de mejorar las prestaciones de compresión y de complejidad. La implementación y la optimización del algoritmo será desarrollada sobre la plataforma Xilinx Zynq® All Programmable SoC, el cual incluye una FPGA y un Dual-core ARM® Cortex™-A9 processor with NEONTM DSP/FPU Engine

DPD Linearization Complexity Reduction of Remote Radio Heads in C-RAN with Radio over Fiber Fronthaul

Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) is a suitable technology for efficiently developing the cloud-RAN concept in Fifth Generation (5G) deployments based on Long Term Evolution Advanced LTE-A. Distortion coming out from the radiofrequency (RF) power amplifier should be taken into account in order to achieve the desired performance at the base station. In this paper, a complexity reduction technique based on a variable degree polynomial predistorter is proposed. The obtained results show that it is possible to achieve a reduction of operations with a penalty of 1.6 dB in ACLR and negligible impact on the EVM

Minimization of Feedback Loop Distortions in Digital Predistortion of a Radio-Over-Fiber System with Optimization Algorithms

This article proposes the linearization of an intensity modulation/direct detection radio-over-fiber (RoF) link with feedback loop. The goal is to carry out the predistortion process in a real scenario, in which the output signals are a few kilometers far from the baseband unit (BBU). First, the feedback loop is considered ideal, so the output signals are captured at the remote radio head side. Then, the feedback loop is taken into account, and both the input and output signals are captured at the BBU side. Applying optimization algorithms, such as Fibonacci, Golden, or Powell, it is possible to seek the optimal attenuation value within only a few iterations, which minimizes the distortion of the feedback loop. Experiments are carried out in a RoF system with 10 and 25 km length fiber within the long-Term evolution (LTE) standard. Measured results show how with a proper choice of the attenuation it is possible to reach analogous results regarding to an ideal feedback loop in terms of adjacent channel power ratio, the output signal power and error vector magnitude