330 research outputs found
Lower Bounds for Structuring Unreliable Radio Networks
In this paper, we study lower bounds for randomized solutions to the maximal
independent set (MIS) and connected dominating set (CDS) problems in the dual
graph model of radio networks---a generalization of the standard graph-based
model that now includes unreliable links controlled by an adversary. We begin
by proving that a natural geographic constraint on the network topology is
required to solve these problems efficiently (i.e., in time polylogarthmic in
the network size). We then prove the importance of the assumption that nodes
are provided advance knowledge of their reliable neighbors (i.e, neighbors
connected by reliable links). Combined, these results answer an open question
by proving that the efficient MIS and CDS algorithms from [Censor-Hillel, PODC
2011] are optimal with respect to their dual graph model assumptions. They also
provide insight into what properties of an unreliable network enable efficient
local computation.Comment: An extended abstract of this work appears in the 2014 proceedings of
the International Symposium on Distributed Computing (DISC
Pathologic Correlation of PET-CT Based Auto Contouring for Radiation Planning in Lung Cancer
Purpose/Objective(s): Radiation therapy in lung cancer relies on CT and functional imaging (FDG-PET) to delineate tumor volumes. Semi-automatic contouring tools have been developed for PET to improve on the inter-observer bias of manual contouring and intrinsic differences in imaging equipment. A common method involves using a threshold at a given percentage of the max activity, which may be less accurate with smaller tumors and tumors with low source to background ratio. To overcome this deficiency, a gradient algorithm, which detects changes in image counts at the border of the tumor, has been developed. Few studies have correlated these methods to pathological specimens.
American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 52nd Annual Meeting October 31 - November 4, San Diego, C
A 3D inᅠvitro model of patient-derived prostate cancer xenograft for controlled interrogation of inᅠvivo tumor-stromal interactions
Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models better represent human cancer than traditional cell lines. However, the complex in vivo environment makes it challenging to employ PDX models to investigate tumor-stromal interactions, such as those that mediate prostate cancer (PCa) bone metastasis. Thus, we engineered a defined three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel system capable of supporting the co-culture of PCa PDX cells and osteoblastic cells to recapitulate the PCa-osteoblast unit within the bone metastatic microenvironment in vitro. Our 3D model not only maintained cell viability but also preserved the typical osteogenic phenotype of PCa PDX cells. Additionally, co-culture cellularity was maintained over that of either cell type cultured alone, suggesting that the PCa-osteoblast cross-talk supports PCa progression in bone, as is hypothesized to occur in patients with prostatic bone metastasis. Strikingly, osteoblastic cells co-cultured with PCa PDX tumoroids organized around the tumoroids, closely mimicking the architecture of PCa metastases in bone. Finally, tumor-stromal signaling mediated by the fibroblast growth factor axis tightly paralleled that in the in vivo counterpart. Together, these findings indicate that this 3D PCa PDX model recapitulates important pathological properties of PCa bone metastasis, and validate the use of this model for controlled and systematic interrogation of complex in vivo tumor-stromal interactions
A New Limit on the Neutrinoless DBD of 130Te
We report the present results of CUORICINO a cryogenic experiment on
neutrinoless double beta decay (DBD) of 130Te consisting of an array of 62
crystals of TeO2 with a total active mass of 40.7 kg. The array is framed
inside of a dilution refrigerator, heavily shielded against environmental
radioactivity and high-energy neutrons, and operated at a temperature of ~8 mK
in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory. Temperature pulses induced by
particle interacting in the crystals are recorded and measured by means of
Neutron Transmutation Doped thermistors. The gain of each bolometer is
stabilized with voltage pulses developed by a high stability pulse generator
across heater resistors put in thermal contact with the absorber.
The calibration is performed by means of two thoriated wires routinely
inserted in the set-up. No evidence for a peak indicating neutrinoless DBD of
130Te is detected and a 90% C.L. lower limit of 1.8E24 years is set for the
lifetime of this process. Taking largely into account the uncertainties in the
theoretical values of nuclear matrix elements, this implies an upper boud on
the effective mass of the electron neutrino ranging from 0.2 to 1.1 eV. This
sensitivity is similar to those of the 76Ge experiments.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Double-beta decay of Te to the first 0 excited state of Xe with CUORICINO
The CUORICINO experiment was an array of 62 TeO single-crystal
bolometers with a total Te mass of kg. The experiment finished
in 2008 after more than 3 years of active operating time. Searches for both
and double-beta decay to the first excited state in
Xe were performed by studying different coincidence scenarios. The
analysis was based on data representing a total exposure of
N(Te)t=y. No evidence for a signal was
found. The resulting lower limits on the half lives are y (90% C.L.), and
y (90%
C.L.).Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Post-Acquisition Hyperpolarized 29Silicon MR Image Processing for Visualization of Colorectal Lesions Using a User-Friendly Graphical Interface
Medical imaging devices often use automated processing that creates and displays a self-normalized image. When improperly executed, normalization can misrepresent information or result in an inaccurate analysis. In the case of diagnostic imaging, a false positive in the absence of disease, or a negative finding when disease is present, can produce a detrimental experience for the patient and diminish their health prospects and prognosis. In many clinical settings, a medical technical specialist is trained to operate an imaging device without sufficient background information or understanding of the fundamental theory and processes involved in image creation and signal processing. Here, we describe a user-friendly image processing algorithm that mitigates user bias and allows for true signal to be distinguished from background. For proof-of-principle, we used antibody-targeted molecular imaging of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a mouse model, expressing human MUC1 at tumor sites. Lesion detection was performed using targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hyperpolarized silicon particles. Resulting images containing high background and artifacts were then subjected to individualized image post-processing and comparative analysis. Post-acquisition image processing allowed for co-registration of the targeted silicon signal with the anatomical proton magnetic resonance (MR) image. This new methodology allows users to calibrate a set of images, acquired with MRI, and reliably locate CRC tumors in the lower gastrointestinal tract of living mice. The method is expected to be generally useful for distinguishing true signal from background for other cancer types, improving the reliability of diagnostic MRI
A Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events: Cuore, an Update
CUORE is a proposed tightly packed array of 1000 TeO_{2} bolometers, each
being a cube 5 cm on a side with a mass of 750 gms. The array consists of 25
vertical towers, arranged in a square, of 5 towers by 5 towers, each containing
10 layers of 4 crystals. The design of the detector is optimized for ultralow-
background searches for neutrinoless double beta decay of ^{130}Te (33.8%
abundance), cold dark matter, solar axions, and rare nuclear decays. A
preliminary experiment involving 20 crystals of various sizes (MIBETA) has been
completed, and a single CUORE tower is being constructed as a smaller scale
experiment called CUORICINO. The expected performance and sensitivity, based on
Monte Carlo simulations and extrapolations of present results, are reported.Comment: in press: Nucl. Phys. of Russian Academy of Sc
Artificial Sequences and Complexity Measures
In this paper we exploit concepts of information theory to address the
fundamental problem of identifying and defining the most suitable tools to
extract, in a automatic and agnostic way, information from a generic string of
characters. We introduce in particular a class of methods which use in a
crucial way data compression techniques in order to define a measure of
remoteness and distance between pairs of sequences of characters (e.g. texts)
based on their relative information content. We also discuss in detail how
specific features of data compression techniques could be used to introduce the
notion of dictionary of a given sequence and of Artificial Text and we show how
these new tools can be used for information extraction purposes. We point out
the versatility and generality of our method that applies to any kind of
corpora of character strings independently of the type of coding behind them.
We consider as a case study linguistic motivated problems and we present
results for automatic language recognition, authorship attribution and self
consistent-classification.Comment: Revised version, with major changes, of previous "Data Compression
approach to Information Extraction and Classification" by A. Baronchelli and
V. Loreto. 15 pages; 5 figure
CUORE and beyond: bolometric techniques to explore inverted neutrino mass hierarchy
The CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) experiment will
search for neutrinoless double beta decay of Te. With 741 kg of TeO
crystals and an excellent energy resolution of 5 keV (0.2%) at the region of
interest, CUORE will be one of the most competitive neutrinoless double beta
decay experiments on the horizon. With five years of live time, CUORE projected
neutrinoless double beta decay half-life sensitivity is y
at ( y at the 90% confidence level), which
corresponds to an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass in the range
40--100 meV (50--130 meV). Further background rejection with auxiliary light
detector can significantly improve the search sensitivity and competitiveness
of bolometric detectors to fully explore the inverted neutrino mass hierarchy
with Te and possibly other double beta decay candidate nuclei.Comment: Submitted to the Proceedings of TAUP 2013 Conferenc
Exploring the Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in the Inverted Neutrino Hierarchy with Bolometric Detectors
Neutrinoless double beta decay (0nubb) is one of the most sensitive probes
for physics beyond the Standard Model, providing unique information on the
nature of neutrinos. In this paper we review the status and outlook for
bolometric 0nubb decay searches. We summarize recent advances in background
suppression demonstrated using bolometers with simultaneous readout of heat and
light signals. We simulate several configurations of a future CUORE-like
bolometer array which would utilize these improvements and present the
sensitivity reach of a hypothetical next-generation bolometric 0nubb
experiment. We demonstrate that a bolometric experiment with the isotope mass
of about 1 ton is capable of reaching the sensitivity to the effective Majorana
neutrino mass (|mee|) of order 10-20 meV, thus completely exploring the
so-called inverted neutrino mass hierarchy region. We highlight the main
challenges and identify priorities for an R&D program addressing them.Comment: 22 pages, 15 figures, submitted to EPJ
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