GPU-Accelerated and CPU SIMD Optimized Monte Carlo Simulation of φ4 Model

In this contribution we describe an efficient GPU implementation of the Monte-Carlo simulation of the Ginzburg-Landau model. We achieve the performance close to 50 % of the peak performance of the used GPU. We compare this performance with a parallelized and vectorized CPU code and discuss the observed differences

Hučivá Cave: a Magdalenian hunting camp in the Tatra Mountains

This article discusses the objectives of the Stone Age Man in Caves of the Tatra Mountains project, which aims to explain the mysterious absence of evidence for the Palaeolithic in the Tatra Mountains of Eastern Europe. We present preliminary work from Hučivá Cave, which demonstrates clear traces of Magdalenian settlement within this region

3D PET image reconstruction based on Maximum Likelihood Estimation Method (MLEM) algorithm

Positron emission tomographs (PET) do not measure an image directly. Instead, they measure at the boundary of the field-of-view (FOV) of PET tomograph a sinogram that consists of measurements of the sums of all the counts along the lines connecting two detectors. As there is a multitude of detectors build-in typical PET tomograph structure, there are many possible detector pairs that pertain to the measurement. The problem is how to turn this measurement into an image (this is called imaging). Decisive improvement in PET image quality was reached with the introduction of iterative reconstruction techniques. This stage was reached already twenty years ago (with the advent of new powerful computing processors). However, three dimensional (3D) imaging remains still a challenge. The purpose of the image reconstruction algorithm is to process this imperfect count data for a large number (many millions) of lines-of-responce (LOR) and millions of detected photons to produce an image showing the distribution of the labeled molecules in space.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Plastic scintillators for positron emission tomography obtained by the bulk polymerization method

This paper describes three methods regarding the production of plastic scintillators. One method appears to be suitable for the manufacturing of plastic scintillator, revealing properties which fulfill the requirements of novel positron emission tomography scanners based on plastic scintillators. The key parameters of the manufacturing process are determined and discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Application of the compress sensing theory for improvement of the TOF resolution in a novel J-PET instrument

Nowadays, in positron emission tomography (PET) systems, a time of fl ight (TOF) information is used to improve the image reconstruction process. In TOF-PET, fast detectors are able to measure the difference in the arrival time of the two gamma rays, with the precision enabling to shorten signifi cantly a range along the line-of-response (LOR) where the annihilation occurred. In the new concept, called J-PET scanner, gamma rays are detected in plastic scintillators. In a single strip of J-PET system, time values are obtained by probing signals in the amplitude domain. Owing to compressive sensing (CS) theory, information about the shape and amplitude of the signals is recovered. In this paper, we demonstrate that based on the acquired signals parameters, a better signal normalization may be provided in order to improve the TOF resolution. The procedure was tested using large sample of data registered by a dedicated detection setup enabling sampling of signals with 50-ps intervals. Experimental setup provided irradiation of a chosen position in the plastic scintillator strip with annihilation gamma quanta

Multiple scattering and accidental coincidences in the J-PET detector simulated using GATE package

Novel Positron Emission Tomography system, based on plastic scintillators, is developed by the J-PET collaboration. In order to optimize geometrical configuration of built device, advanced computer simulations are performed. Detailed study is presented of background given by accidental coincidences and multiple scattering of gamma quanta

A novel method based solely on field programmable gate array (FPGA) units enabling measurement of time and charge of analog signals in positron emission tomography (PET)

Abstract: This article presents an application of a novel technique for precise measurements of time and charge based solely on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device for positron emission tomography (PET). The described approach simplifies electronic circuits, reduces the power consumption, lowers costs, merges front-end electronics with digital electronics, and also makes more compact final design. Furthermore, it allows to measure time when analog signals cross a reference voltage at different threshold levels with a very high precision of ~15 ps (rms) and thus enables sampling of signals in a voltage domain

Polska, Ukraina, świat

Od Wydawcy: "Krakowska Szkoła Wyższa im. Andrzeja Frycza Modrzewskiego, największa niepubliczna szkoła wyższa w Małopolsce od początku swego powstania przywiązuje wagę do kontaktów z uczelniami zagranicznymi. Współpraca nawiązana z wieloma partnerami zagranicznymi nie tylko pozwoliła kadrze dydaktycznej i studentom Frycza nawiązać interesujące kontakty naukowe i biznesowe, wzbogacić księgozbiór o specjalistyczne publikacje, ale zaowocowała także wieloma cennymi programami. Współpraca Szkoły z Międzynarodowym Uniwersytetem REG I im. Akademika Stepana Demianczuka w Równem na Ukrainie - pierwszym partnerem zagranicznym, z którym umowę podpisano w grudniu roku 2001 - przebiega na wielu płaszczyznach (wymiana studentów i pracowników, udział w konferencjach, wspólne publikacje). Owocem jej je st też poniższa książka Polska, Ukraina, Świat pod redakcją Klemensa Budzowskiego i Anatolija Stiepanowicza Demianczuka, zawierająca dorobek naukowy pracowników obu uczelni."(...

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Selected aspects of protection of employed persons' privacy and form of employment — remarks on the grounds of the Polish regulations

Artykuł stanowi próbę analizy oraz oceny wybranych krajowych regulacji dotyczących ochrony prywatności osób zatrudnionych w kontekście europejskich przepisów o ochronie danych osobowych. Celem artykułu jest znalezienie odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy na gruncie polskich przepisów występują różnice w poziomie prawnej ochrony prywatności osób zatrudnionych ze względu na formę zatrudnienia oraz jaki mają one charakter. Aby tego dokonać, autor określa zakres semantyczny pojęcia zatrudnienia w prawie polskim, a następnie analizuje przepisy szczególne dotyczące ochrony prywatności w zatrudnieniu przyjęte przez krajowego ustawodawcę na podstawie upoważnienia zawartego w art. 88 RODO, jak również źródła prawnej ochrony prywatności osób pozostających w zatrudnieniu cywilnoprawnym.The article constitutes an attempt of an analysis and an assessment of selected national regulations concerning protection of privacy of employed persons in the context of European provisions on personal data protection. The purpose of the research paper is to find an answer to the question whether on the grounds of the Polish provisions any differences to the level of legal protection of employed persons' privacy occur and what their characteristics are. In order to achieve this, the author determines the semantic scope of the notion of employment and subsequently analyses specific provision concerning protection of privacy in employment adopted by the national legislator based on the authorization provided in the Article 88 of the GDPR as well as sources of legal protection of privacy of persons employed on a basis of civil-law agreements