Dynamic Zoom Simulations: a fast, adaptive algorithm for simulating lightcones

The advent of a new generation of large-scale galaxy surveys is pushing cosmological numerical simulations in an uncharted territory. The simultaneous requirements of high resolution and very large volume pose serious technical challenges, due to their computational and data storage demand. In this paper, we present a novel approach dubbed Dynamic Zoom Simulations -- or DZS -- developed to tackle these issues. Our method is tailored to the production of lightcone outputs from N-body numerical simulations, which allow for a more efficient storage and post-processing compared to standard comoving snapshots, and more directly mimic the format of survey data. In DZS, the resolution of the simulation is dynamically decreased outside the lightcone surface, reducing the computational work load, while simultaneously preserving the accuracy inside the lightcone and the large-scale gravitational field. We show that our approach can achieve virtually identical results to traditional simulations at half of the computational cost for our largest box. We also forecast this speedup to increase up to a factor of 5 for larger and/or higher-resolution simulations. We assess the accuracy of the numerical integration by comparing pairs of identical simulations run with and without DZS. Deviations in the lightcone halo mass function, in the sky-projected lightcone, and in the 3D matter lightcone always remain below 0.1%. In summary, our results indicate that the DZS technique may provide a highly-valuable tool to address the technical challenges that will characterise the next generation of large-scale cosmological simulations.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, version accepted for publication in MNRA

On the use of ordered statistics decoders for low-density parity-check codes in space telecommand links

The performance of short low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes that will be included in the standard for next-generation space telecommanding is analyzed. The paper is focused on the use of a famous ordered statistics decoder known as most reliable basis (MRB) algorithm. Despite its complexity may appear prohibitive in space applications, this algorithm is shown to actually represent a realistic option for short LDPC codes, enabling significant gains over more conventional iterative algorithms. This is possible by a hybrid approach which combines the MRB decoder with an iterative decoding procedure in a sequential manner. The effect of quantization is also addressed, by considering two different quantization laws and comparing their performance. Finally, the impact of limited memory availability onboard of spacecrafts is analyzed and some solutions are proposed for efficient processing, towards a practical onboard decoder implementation

Increased age and male sex are independently associated with higher frequency of blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier dysfunction using the albumin quotient

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum quotient of albumin (QAlb) is the most used biomarker for the evaluation of blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (B-CSF-B) permeability. For years QAlb was considered only as an age-related parameter but recently it has also been associated to sex. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of sex in the determination of B-CSF-B dysfunction. Methods: The analysis was retrospectively conducted on subjects consecutively admitted to the neurological ward. CSF and serum albumin levels were measured by immunonephelometry and pathological QAlb thresholds were considered: 6.5 under 40 years, 8.0 in the age 40–60 and 9.0 over 60 years. Results: 1209 subjects were included in the study. 718 females and 491 males (age: 15–88 years): 24.6% of patients had a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, 23.2% suffered from other inflammatory neurological diseases, 24.6% were affected by non-inflammatory neurological diseases, and for 27.6% of patients the final neurological diagnosis could not be traced. Dysfunctional B-CSF-B was detected more frequently (44 vs. 20.1%, p < 0.0001) and median QAlb value were higher (7.18 vs. 4.87, p < 0.0001) in males than in females in the overall study population and in all disease sub- groups. QAlb and age were positively correlated both in female (p < 0.0001) and male (p < 0.0001) patients, however the slopes of the two regression lines were not significantly different (p = 0.7149), while the difference between the elevations was extremely significant (p < 0.0001) with a gap of 2.2 units between the two sexes. Finally, in a multivari- able linear regression analysis increased age and male sex were independently associated with higher QAlb in the overall study population (both p < 0.001) and after stratification by age and disease group. Conclusions: Accordingly, identification and validation of sex-targeted QAlb thresholds should be considered as a novel tool in an effort to achieve more precision in the medical approach

Technical effectiveness of cement-based mortar for high-reflective building envelope through building energy simulations: preliminary results

In areas with high levels of solar radiation, decreasing the amount of solar energy absorbed by the building envelope is useful to reduce the need of air conditioning and "heat island" effects. Most high-reflective products, however, suffer from low durability. The COOL-IT project is developing an innovative high-reflective cement based mortar for precast products to be used as outer layer in buildings for both vertical and horizontal surfaces, or for road pavement. The mix design is aimed at increasing the durability of this cement-based component while retaining high reflectance to solar radiation. This paper presents the preliminary results of the project, based on the simulation of the energy demand of a residential building, intended as a support to optimize the proposed mixes. The model is analysed in three different locations in Italy, for one year of operation. This allows evaluating the trade-off of the energy demand between the winter increase and the summer reduction

Patterns of tumor response in canine and feline cancer patients treated with electrochemotherapy: preclinical data for the standardization of this treatment in pets and humans

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a novel anticancer therapy that is currently being evaluated in human and pet cancer patients. ECT associates the administration of an anti-tumor agent to the delivery of trains of appropriate waveforms. The increased uptake of chemotherapy leads to apoptotic death of the neoplasm thus resulting in prolonged local control and extended survival. In this paper we describe the histological features of a broad array of spontaneous tumors of companion animals receiving pulse-mediated chemotherapy. Multivariate statistical analysis of the percentage of necrosis and apoptosis in the tumors before and after ECT treatment, shows that only a high percentage of necrosis and apoptosis after the ECT treatment were significantly correlated with longer survivals of the patients (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Further studies on this topic are warranted in companion animals with spontaneous tumors to identify new molecular targets for electrochemotherapy and to the develop new therapeutical protocols to be translated to humans

Real-time feedback systems for cardiopulmonary resuscitation training: Time for a paradigm shift

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Effect of randomizers on the power spectrum excess of space telemetry signals

none6siThis paper presents a thorough analysis of the spectral characteristics of space telemetry signals when randomizers are used to counter the power excess, that is, the increase of the power spectrum in some measurement bandwidths with respect to the transmission of an ideal random signal. We show that a long randomizer actually improves the spectral characteristics but is not able to solve some critical problems appearing when all-zero frames or almost constant data are transmitted. Suitable solutions are proposed to face these cases, ensuring a small power excess in all possible operation conditions. The impact of high-order modulations and error correcting codes is also investigated.openMassimo Battaglioni, Marco Baldi, Franco Chiaraluce, Roberto Garello, Enrico Vassallo, Gian Paolo CalzolariBattaglioni, Massimo; Baldi, Marco; Chiaraluce, Franco; Garello, Roberto; Vassallo, Enrico; Paolo Calzolari, Gia

Tumor Suppressors and Cell-Cycle Proteins in Lung Cancer

The cell cycle is the cascade of events that allows a growing cell to duplicate all its components and split into two daughter cells. Cell cycle progression is mediated by the activation of a highly conserved family of protein kinases, the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). CDKs are also regulated by related proteins called cdk inhibitors grouped into two families: the INK4 inhibitors (p16, p15, p19, and p18) and the Cip/Kip inhibitors (p21, p27, and p53). Several studies report the importance of cell-cycle proteins in the pathogenesis and the prognosis of lung cancer. This paper will review the most recent data from the literature about the regulation of cell cycle. Finally, based essentially on the data generated in our laboratory, the expression, the diagnostic, and prognostic significance of cell-cycle molecules in lung cancer will be examined

Closure of an iatrogenic tracheo-esophageal fistula with bronchoscopic gluing in a mechanically ventilated adult patient

Management of acquired nonmalignant tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) in mechanically ventilated patients is controversial. Surgical correction is often contraindicated because the high operative risk and spontaneous closure is unlikely due to the positive pressure ventilation. We present a case of successful closure of an iatrogenic TEF in a mechanically ventilated patient with bronchoscopic application of fibrin glue. The technique may be proposed in high-risk patients as either an alternative to surgery or as a first-line attempt before surgical correction