Variation in sequence and location of the fumonisin mycotoxin niosynthetic gene cluster in Fusarium

In Fusarium, the ability to produce fumonisins is governed by a 17-gene fumonisin biosynthetic gene (FUM) cluster. Here, we examined the cluster in F. oxysporum strain O-1890 and nine other species selected to represent a wide range of the genetic diversity within the GFSC

Enhanced transport protocols

The book presents mechanisms, protocols, and system architectures to achieve end-to-end Quality-of-Service (QoS) over heterogeneous wired/wireless networks in the Internet. Particular focus is on measurement techniques, traffic engineering mechanisms and protocols, signalling protocols as well as transport protocol extensions to support fairness and QoS. It shows how those mechanisms and protocols can be combined into a comprehensive end-to-end QoS architecture to support QoS in the Internet over heterogeneous wired/wireless access networks. Finally, techniques for evaluation of QoS mechanisms such as simulation and emulation are presented. The book is aimed at graduate and post-graduate students in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering with focus in data communications and networking as well as for professionals working in this area

A scalable data-plane architecture for one-to-one device-to-device communications in LTE-Advanced

One-to-one device-to-device (D2D) communications are expected to play a major role in future releases of LTE-A, as well as in future 5G networks. Despite the abundance of works on resource allocation for D2D communications, few works, if any, discuss how D2D should be realized within the LTE-A protocol stack. While it is generally understood that D2D endpoints should be able to communicate both on the direct path or sidelink (SL) and on the relayed path (RP) through the eNB, little has been said on how this can be achieved in practice. In this paper we present a comprehensive proposal for a data-plane architecture for D2D communication: we define how communications should occur on the SL and the RP, and propose a solution for the challenges associated with mode switching between the SL and the RP. In particular, we argue that two different communication modes on the RP are required to allow D2D connections to be kept alive across cell borders in a multicell environment. Our proposal is scalable, since it does not require any signaling, and is guaranteed to not introduce losses. We evaluate our proposal through detailed system-level simulations, also focusing on its interplay with transport-layer protocols

Gliadel Wafer Implantation Combined With Standard Radiotherapy and Concurrent Followed by Adjuvant Temozolomide for Treatment of Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Glioma: A Systematic Literature Review

Since 2003, only two chemotherapeutic agents, evaluated in phase III trials, have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma (HGG): Gliadel wafers (intracranially implanted local chemotherapy) and temozolomide (TMZ) (systemic chemotherapy). Neither agent is curative, but each has been shown to improve median overall survival (OS) compared to radiotherapy (RT) alone. To date, no phase III trial has tested these agents when used in sequential combination; however, a number of smaller trials have reported favorable results. We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the combination of Gliadel wafers with standard RT (60 Gy) plus concurrent and adjuvant TMZ (RT/TMZ) for newly diagnosed HGG. A literature search was conducted for the period of January 1995 to September 2015. Data were extracted and categorized, and means and ranges were determined. A total of 11 publications met criteria, three prospective trials and eight retrospective studies, representing 411 patients who received Gliadel plus standard RT/TMZ. Patients were similar in age, gender, and performance status. The weighted mean of median OS was 18.2 months (ten trials, n = 379, range 12.7 to 21.3 months), and the weighted mean of median progression-free survival was 9.7 months (seven trials, n = 287, range 7 to 12.9 months). The most commonly reported grade 3 and 4 adverse events were myelosuppression (10.22 %), neurologic deficit (7.8 %), and healing abnormalities (4.3 %). Adverse events reflected the distinct independent safety profiles of Gliadel wafers and RT/TMZ, with little evidence of enhanced toxicity from their use in sequential combination. In the 11 identified trials, an increased benefit from sequentially combining Gliadel wafers with RT/TMZ was strongly suggested. Median OS tended to be improved by 3 to 4 months beyond that observed for Gliadel wafers or TMZ when used alone in the respective phase III trials. Larger prospective trials of Gliadel plus RT/TMZ are warranted

Gliadel Wafer Implantation Combined With Standard Radiotherapy and Concurrent Followed by Adjuvant Temozolomide for Treatment of Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Glioma: A Systematic Literature Review

Since 2003, only two chemotherapeutic agents, evaluated in phase III trials, have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of newly diagnosed high-grade glioma (HGG): Gliadel wafers (intracranially implanted local chemotherapy) and temozolomide (TMZ) (systemic chemotherapy). Neither agent is curative, but each has been shown to improve median overall survival (OS) compared to radiotherapy (RT) alone. To date, no phase III trial has tested these agents when used in sequential combination; however, a number of smaller trials have reported favorable results. We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the combination of Gliadel wafers with standard RT (60 Gy) plus concurrent and adjuvant TMZ (RT/TMZ) for newly diagnosed HGG. A literature search was conducted for the period of January 1995 to September 2015. Data were extracted and categorized, and means and ranges were determined. A total of 11 publications met criteria, three prospective trials and eight retrospective studies, representing 411 patients who received Gliadel plus standard RT/TMZ. Patients were similar in age, gender, and performance status. The weighted mean of median OS was 18.2 months (ten trials, n = 379, range 12.7 to 21.3 months), and the weighted mean of median progression-free survival was 9.7 months (seven trials, n = 287, range 7 to 12.9 months). The most commonly reported grade 3 and 4 adverse events were myelosuppression (10.22 %), neurologic deficit (7.8 %), and healing abnormalities (4.3 %). Adverse events reflected the distinct independent safety profiles of Gliadel wafers and RT/TMZ, with little evidence of enhanced toxicity from their use in sequential combination. In the 11 identified trials, an increased benefit from sequentially combining Gliadel wafers with RT/TMZ was strongly suggested. Median OS tended to be improved by 3 to 4 months beyond that observed for Gliadel wafers or TMZ when used alone in the respective phase III trials. Larger prospective trials of Gliadel plus RT/TMZ are warranted

Optimal joint routing and link scheduling for real-time traffic in TDMA Wireless Mesh Networks

We investigate the problem of joint routing and link scheduling in Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA) Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) carrying real-time traffic. We propose a framework that always computes a feasible solution (i.e. a set of paths and link activations) if there exists one, by optimally solving a mixed integer-non linear problem. Such solution can be computed in minutes or tens thereof for e.g. grids of up to 4x4 nodes. We also propose heuristics based on Lagrangian decomposition to compute suboptimal solutions considerably faster and/or for larger WMNs, up to about 50 nodes. We show that the heuristic solutions are near-optimal, and we exploit them to investigate the optimal placement of one or more gateways from a delay bound perspective

A MILP approach to DRAM access worst-case analysis

The Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) is among the major points of contention in multi-core systems. We consider a challenging optimization problem arising in worst-case performance analysis of systems architectures: computing the worst-case delay (WCD) experienced when accessing the DRAM due to the interference of contending requests. The WCD is a crucial input for micro-architectural design of systems with reliable end-to-end performance guarantees, which is required in many applications, such as when strict real-time requirements must be imposed. The problem can be modeled as a mixed integer linear program (MILP), for which standard MILP software struggles to solve even small instances. Using a combination of upper and lower scenario bounding, we show how to solve realistic instances in a matter of few minutes. A novel ingredient of our approach, with respect to other WCD analysis techniques, is the possibility of computing the exact WCD rather than an upper bound, as well as providing the corresponding scenario, which represents crucial information for future memory design improvements

Minimizing power consumption in virtualized cellular networks

Cellular network nodes should be dynamically switched on/off based on the load requirements of the network, to save power and minimize inter-cell interference. This should be done keeping into account global interference effects, which requires a centralized approach. In this paper, we present an architecture, realized within the Flex5GWare EU project, that manages a large-scale cellular network, switching on and off nodes based on load requirements and context data. We describe the architectural framework and the optimization model that is used to decide the activity state of the nodes. We present simulation results showing that the framework adapts to the minimum power level based on the cell loads