Performance Analysis of Effective Methods for Solving Band Matrix SLAEs after Parabolic Nonlinear PDEs

This paper presents an experimental performance study of implementations of three different types of algorithms for solving band matrix systems of linear algebraic equations (SLAEs) after parabolic nonlinear partial differential equations -- direct, symbolic, and iterative, the former two of which were introduced in Veneva and Ayriyan (arXiv:1710.00428v2). An iterative algorithm is presented -- the strongly implicit procedure (SIP), also known as the Stone method. This method uses the incomplete LU (ILU(0)) decomposition. An application of the Hotelling-Bodewig iterative algorithm is suggested as a replacement of the standard forward-backward substitutions. The upsides and the downsides of the SIP method are discussed. The complexity of all the investigated methods is presented. Performance analysis of the implementations is done using the high-performance computing (HPC) clusters "HybriLIT" and "Avitohol". To that purpose, the experimental setup and the results from the conducted computations on the individual computer systems are presented and discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor genes influence antibody responses to cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B vaccine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important medical problem that has yet no current solution. A clinical trial of CMV glycoprotein B (gB) vaccine in young women showed promising efficacy. Improved understanding of the basis for prevention of CMV infection is essential for developing improved vaccines.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We genotyped 142 women previously vaccinated with three doses of CMV gB for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR 1-4, 6, 7, 9, and 10, and their associated intracellular signaling genes. SNPs in the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRA) and integrins were also selected based on their role in binding gB. Specific SNPs in TLR7 and IKBKE (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit epsilon) were associated with antibody responses to gB vaccine. Homozygous carriers of the minor allele at four SNPs in TLR7 showed higher vaccination-induced antibody responses to gB compared to heterozygotes or homozygotes for the common allele. SNP rs1953090 in IKBKE was associated with changes in antibody level from second to third dose of vaccine; homozygotes for the minor allele exhibited lower antibody responses while homozygotes for the major allele showed increased responses over time.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data contribute to our understanding of the immunogenetic mechanisms underlying variations in the immune response to CMV vaccine.</p

Impact of Safety-Related Dose Reductions or Discontinuations on Sustained Virologic Response in HCV-Infected Patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. METHODS: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. RESULTS: SVR24 rates were 46.1% (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1, 2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced ≥1 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with ≥1 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not ≥5. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin.This study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland. Support for third-party writing assistance for this manuscript, furnished by Blair Jarvis MSc, ELS, of Health Interactions, was provided by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland

Impact of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations on sustained virologic response in HCV-infected patients: Results from the GUARD-C Cohort

Background: Despite the introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, peginterferon alfa/ribavirin remains relevant in many resource-constrained settings. The non-randomized GUARD-C cohort investigated baseline predictors of safety-related dose reductions or discontinuations (sr-RD) and their impact on sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients receiving peginterferon alfa/ribavirin in routine practice. Methods: A total of 3181 HCV-mono-infected treatment-naive patients were assigned to 24 or 48 weeks of peginterferon alfa/ribavirin by their physician. Patients were categorized by time-to-first sr-RD (Week 4/12). Detailed analyses of the impact of sr-RD on SVR24 (HCV RNA <50 IU/mL) were conducted in 951 Caucasian, noncirrhotic genotype (G)1 patients assigned to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for 48 weeks. The probability of SVR24 was identified by a baseline scoring system (range: 0-9 points) on which scores of 5 to 9 and <5 represent high and low probability of SVR24, respectively. Results: SVR24 rates were 46.1 % (754/1634), 77.1% (279/362), 68.0% (514/756), and 51.3% (203/396), respectively, in G1,2, 3, and 4 patients. Overall, 16.9% and 21.8% patients experienced 651 sr-RD for peginterferon alfa and ribavirin, respectively. Among Caucasian noncirrhotic G1 patients: female sex, lower body mass index, pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary disease, and low hematological indices were prognostic factors of sr-RD; SVR24 was lower in patients with 651 vs. no sr-RD by Week 4 (37.9% vs. 54.4%; P = 0.0046) and Week 12 (41.7% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.0016); sr-RD by Week 4/12 significantly reduced SVR24 in patients with scores <5 but not 655. Conclusions: In conclusion, sr-RD to peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin significantly impacts on SVR24 rates in treatment-naive G1 noncirrhotic Caucasian patients. Baseline characteristics can help select patients with a high probability of SVR24 and a low probability of sr-RD with peginter-feron alfa-2a/ribavirin

An ordinal game theory approach to the analysis and selection of partners in public:Private partnership projects

Nowadays, public–private partnership projects have become a standard for delivering public services in both developed and developing countries. In this paper, we are concerned with the analysis of private sector proposals and the selection of the private sector partner to whom to award the contract. To the best of our knowledge, this problem has not been addressed within a game theory framework. To fill this gap, we model this decision problem as a static non-cooperative game of complete information and propose a new ordinal game theory algorithm for finding an optimal generalized Nash equilibrium. The proposed algorithm determines a single ranking of proposals or bidders that takes account of multiple performance criteria and reflects both the public sector and the private sector perspectives, and can handle any number of private sector players and any number of contractual terms. An illustrative scenario is provided to guide the reader through the workings of the proposed ordinal game theory algorithm. The proposed ordinal game theory-based analysis framework can be used by the private sector to analyse any set of potential proposals most likely to be submitted by bidders and to assist with the choice of bidding strategies, and by the public sector player to analyse any set of potential proposals most likely to be submitted under any set of contractual terms and to assist with the choice of a realistic set of contractual terms and their performance measures

Graphene-based MMIC process development and RF passives design

This paper describes an available graphene process with respect to material properties and also the work in progress to complete the graphene process back-end implementation to be MMIC-compatible. This process extension is critical to enable fully integrated circuits and systems based on graphene transistors. A stable process back-end is proposed, characterized and tested on both silicon and quartz substrates. Based on this, a process cross-section is now available for EM simulations. A prototype chip of RF passive devices including spiral inductors, MIM capacitors and thin film resistors, TFRs, is fabricated and measured on both substrates. On-wafer measurements of the fabricated passive devices up to 30 GHz show good agreement with EM simulation results

A Survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Planting Greenhouse Operators in Yazd in Regard with Health Hazards Associated with Pesticide use in 2012-2013

Introduction: Pesticides used in agriculture in order to protect crops and plants from pests, diseases and weeds are regarded as one of the major sources of environmental pollution, with produce a negative effect on the health of living organisms, including humans.Therefore this study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of planting greenhouse operators in Yazd in regard with health hazards associated with pesticide use in 2012-2013. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study, which its population consisted of active nursery operators in Yazd. In this randomized study, 250 samples were selected out of 2233 greenhouse operators and then knowledge, attitudes and behavior of workers were measured using a questionnaire. After the study data were collected and codified, they ere entered into SPSS software. Moreover T-test and ANOVA tests were utilized to compare the average. Results: The results of the present study revealed that out of all greenhouse operators, 134 (6/53%) had received pesticideuse training were trained. Education of 74 (29%) of the operaters were reported at the initial level. Experience of 104 operaters (9/41%) was revealed 6-10 years. 73 (2/29%) of operaters aged between 25 and 35 years. Moreover, the results showed, none of the officers receive the full credit(Maximum knowledge score is 13). Attitudes of 243 operaters towards the use of pesticides in greenhouses was reported at a high level. Performance of 138 operaters were moderate. Conclusions: Although operaters nformation in such fields as precautions when working with pesticides lies relatively at a good level in some other contexts such as respiratory masks for spraying and special work uniform, lack of sufficient information was reported for indicating the need to develop and implement specialized training programs