Enabling parallel and interactive distributed computing data analysis for the ALICE experiment

AliEn (ALICE Environment) is the production environment developed by the ALICE collaboration at CERN. It provides a set of Grid tools enabling the full offline computational work-flow of the experiment (simulation, reconstruction and data analysis) in a distributed and heterogeneous computing environment. In addition to the analysis on the Grid, ALICE users perform local interactive analysis using ROOT and the Parallel ROOT Facility (PROOF). PROOF enables physicists to analyse in parallel medium-sized (200-300 TB) data sets in a short time scale. The default installation of PROOF is on a static dedicated cluster, typically 200-300 cores. This well-proven approach is not devoid of limitations, more specifically for analysis of larger datasets or when the installation of a dedicated cluster is not possible. Using a new framework called Proof on Demand (PoD), PROOF can be used directly on Grid-enabled clusters, by dynamically assigning interactive nodes on user request. This thesis presents the PoD on AliEn project. The integration of Proof on Demand in the AliEn framework provides private dynamic PROOF clusters as a Grid service. This functionality is transparent to the user who will submit interactive jobs to the AliEn system. The ROOT framework, among other things, is used by physicists to carry out the Monte Carlo Simulation of the detector. The engineers working on the mechanical design of the detector need to collaborate with the physicists. However, the softwares used by the engineers are not compatible with ROOT. This thesis describes a second result obtained during this PhD project: the implementation of the TGeoCad Interface that allows the conversion of ROOT geometries to STEP format, compatible with CAD systems. The interface provides an important communication and collaboration tool between physicists and engineers, dealing with the simulation and the design of the detector geometry

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Ventricular Asynchrony Predicts a Better Outcome in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the clinical benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can be prospectively predicted by means of the baseline evaluation of left ventricular asynchrony. BACKGROUND: The reverse remodeling associated with CRT is more evident in patients with severe heart failure (HF) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) who have left ventricular asynchrony. METHODS: Baseline left ventricular asynchrony was assessed in 60 patients with severe HF and LBBB by calculating the electrocardiographic duration of QRS and the echocardiographic septal-to-posterior wall motion delay (SPWMD). Left ventricular size and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mitral valve regurgitation, and functional capacity were also evaluated. The progression toward HF (defined as a worsening clinical condition leading to a sustained increase in conventional therapies, hospitalization, cardiac transplantation, and death) was assessed during follow-up, as were the changes in LVEF after six months. RESULTS: During the median follow-up of 14 months, 16 patients experienced HF progression. Univariate analysis showed that ischemic cardiomyopathy, changes in the QRS duration after implantation, and SPWMD significantly correlated with events. At multivariate analysis, a long SPWMD remained significantly associated with a reduced risk of HF progression (hazard ratio: 0.91; 95% confidence interval: 0.83 to 0.99; p or =130 ms and in 9% of those with an SPWMD of <130 ms (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline SPWMD is a strong predictor of long-term clinical improvement after CRT in patients with severe HF and LBBB

High Prevalence of Intestinal Carriage of Campylobacter coli in Patients With Primary Antibody Deficiencies: A Silent Infection That Could Shift to a Life-threatening Condition

[No abstract available