Towards the final ATLAS Pixel Detector Control System

The innermost part of the ATLAS experiment is a pixel detector, built by 1744 individual detector modules. To operate the modules, readout electronics, and other detector components, a complex power supply and detector control system (DCS) is necessary. This includes a large number of crates, which house the different hardware components as well as a PC net where the different control projects are running. To test the final detector after its assembly before it is installed in the ATLAS cavern, a large test system has been set up at CERN, which allows to operate ca. 10 % of the detector in parallel. Since autumn 2006 this system is in permanent operation. As nearly everywhere the final control hardware is used, its reliability could be investigated and the performance of the control software could be studied. After an overview on our DCS hardware, we report on the experience with the control software

Early radiologic signal of responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade in microsatellite-stable/mismatch repair-proficient metastatic colorectal cancer

Background: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) results in radiologic tumour response dynamics that differ from chemotherapy efficacy measures and require an early signal of clinical utility. Methods: Previously untreated, unresectable microsatellite-stable (MSS)/mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients were randomly assigned to the oxaliplatin-based Nordic FLOX regimen (control arm) or repeat sequential two FLOX cycles and two ICB cycles (experimental arm). The radiologic response was assessed every 8 weeks. In this post hoc analysis, we explored early target lesion (TL) dynamics as indicator of ICB responsiveness. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. Results: Using a landmark analysis approach, we categorised experimental-arm patients into ≥10% (N = 19) or <10% (N = 16) TL reduction at the first post-baseline response assessment. Median PFS for the groups was 16.0 (95% confidence interval (CI), 12.3–19.7) and 3.9 months (95% CI, 2.3–5.5), respectively, superior and inferior (both P < 0.01) to the median PFS of 9.8 months (95% CI, 4.9–14.7) for control arm patients (N = 31). Conclusions: Radiologic TL reduction of ≥10% at the first post-baseline response assessment identified patients with ICB-responsive metastatic MSS/pMMR-CRC. This pragmatic measure may be used to monitor patients in investigational ICB schedules, enabling early treatment adaptation for unresponsive cases.publishedVersio

Absolute Radiometric Calibration of Broadband X-Band Transponders

Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems are often used for earth observation capable for acquiring accurate high-resolution data. In order to ensure the quality of these SAR data, the SAR system has to be calibrated first. For this purpose active targets with well-known backscatter properties, called transponders, serve as an external reference. The enhancement of the operational bandwidth up to 1.2 GHz of future civil SAR systems requires the development of appropriate broadband transponders and their accurate calibration. In order to be well prepared for these missions, DLR has been developed a broadband X-Band transponder and an innovative technique for the frequency-dependent determination of the transponder’s radar cross section (RCS) which promises an accurate measurement over the full transponder bandwidth. In this paper the calibration of a broadband transponder according to this new approach is described including the analysis of corresponding measurements. The derived results are verified with a second independent calibration method and finally evaluated

The clinical value of C-reactive protein and its association with tumour location in patients undergoing curative surgery for colorectal cancer – a ScotScan collaborative study

Introduction: The presence of preoperative systemic inflammatory response (SIR) is an established negative prognostic factor for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). C-reactive protein (CRP) is known to be implicated in detrimental immune responses. The biological differences between right-sided and left-sided CRC are gaining increasing attention. Our aim was to analyse the prognostic value of CRP and explore the association between tumour location and SIR. Material and methods: A total of 2059 patients treated for stage I–III CRC, identified from the prospectively sampled ScotScan Collaborative dataset, were included. The clinical and prognostic value of five CRP levels (&lt;10/11–30/31–60/61–100/&gt;100 mg/l) were examined. Additionally, the relationship between SIR and tumour location was explored. Results: Increasing levels of CRP were associated with impaired overall and cancer-specific outcome. Presence of SIR was independently associated with right-sided tumour location (p&lt;0.001). However, the impact of SIR on cancer-specific survival (CSS) was greater for left-sided tumour location, even when adjusted for other clinicopathological factors. Conclusions: This study confirms CRP as a routinely available, valid, and clinically relevant strong prognostic marker of SIR in CRC patients. Right-sided tumours were more often associated with SIR, but the prognostic impact was stronger in left-sided tumours

Технология и техника сооружения разведочно-эксплуатационной скважины на Рыбальном нефтяном месторождении (Томская область)

Создание проекта строительства разведочно-эксплуатационной скважины на нефть на Рыбальном месторождении.Creation of a project for the construction of an exploratory well for oil at Rybalnoye

Primary tumor–derived systemic nANGPTL4 inhibits metastasis

Primary tumors and distant site metastases form a bidirectionally communicating system. Yet, the molecular mechanisms of this crosstalk are poorly understood. Here, we identified the proteolytically cleaved fragments of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as contextually active protumorigenic and antitumorigenic contributors in this communication ecosystem. Preclinical studies in multiple tumor models revealed that the C-terminal fragment (cANGPTL4) promoted tumor growth and metastasis. In contrast, the N-terminal fragment of ANGPTL4 (nANGPTL4) inhibited metastasis and enhanced overall survival in a postsurgical metastasis model by inhibiting WNT signaling and reducing vascularity at the metastatic site. Tracing ANGPTL4 and its fragments in tumor patients detected full-length ANGPTL4 primarily in tumor tissues, whereas nANGPTL4 predominated in systemic circulation and correlated inversely with disease progression. The study highlights the spatial context of the proteolytic cleavage-dependent pro- and antitumorigenic functions of ANGPTL4 and identifies and validates nANGPTL4 as a novel biomarker of tumor progression and antimetastatic therapeutic agent

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy Versus Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation for the Treatment of Achalasia A Network Meta-Analysis

Objective: Comparison of short-and long-term effects after laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) considering the need for retreatment. Background: Previously published studies have indicated that LHM is the most effective treatment for Achalasia. In contrast to that a recent randomized trial found EBD equivalent to LHM 2 years after initial treatment. Methods: A search in Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted for prospective studies on interventional achalasia therapy with predefined exclusion criteria. Data on success rates after the initial and repeated treatment were extracted. An adjusted network meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis was used, combined with a headto-head comparison, for follow-up at 12, 24, and 60 months. Results: Sixteen studies including results of 590 LHM and EBD patients were identified. Odds ratio (OR) was 2.20 at 12 months (95% confidence interval: 1.18-4.09; P = 0.01); 5.06 at 24 months (2.61-9.80; P &lt; 0.00001) and 29.83 at 60 months (3.96-224.68; P = 0.001). LHM was also significantly superior for all time points when therapy included re-treatments , and 17.90 (2.17-147.98); P ≤ 0.01 for all comparisons) Complication rates were not significantly different. Meta-regression analysis showed that amount of dilations had a significant impact on treatment effects (P = 0.009). Every dilation (up to 3) improved treatment effect by 11.9% (2.8%-21.8%). Conclusions: In this network meta-analysis, LHM demonstrated superior short-and long-term efficacy and should be considered first-line treatment of esophageal achalasia. Keywords: achalasia, economic cost, endoscopy, esophagus, health, idiopathic achalasia, laparoscopic surgery, meta-analysis, motility disorders, network meta-analysis, review, surgery (Ann Surg 2013;258:943-952 A chalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder caused by degeneration of the myenteric plexus, resulting in esophageal dysmotility and incomplete lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. The disease is likely caused by a virus-induced autoimmune response, but this is still debated. 1 The incidence in the Western world is 1/100 000. 2-4 Treatment can be pharmacological, endoscopic, or surgical. Pharmacological treatment is only marginally effective and is reserved for patients with mild symptoms or who refuse other treatments. 7-9 Several studies and a large meta-analysis have indicated that laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) is the most effective treatment for achalasia. 3,4,10 However, a recent large prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing EBD and LHM has challenged this view. 11 This study found similar success rates for EBD and LHM 2 years after initial treatment. However, the number of EBD interventions per patient was notably higher than other studies. 3,11 The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine which treatment is most effective at relieving symptoms and to further clarify the impact of retreatments for patients with achalasia. METHODS This meta-analysis was registered in the international register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42012002071). 12 Search Strategy and Trial Selection A prospective search of Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed to identify relevant publications. The search keyword was &quot;Esophageal Achalasia.&quot; Subsequently, the search was limited by the terms &quot;Human,&quot; &quot;Clinical Trial,&quot; and publication language &quot;English.&quot; Publications from 1975 through October 2011 were considered for review To obtain indirect evidence by adjusted network meta-analysis, relative evidence is needed (LHM vs X; EBD vs X). Therefore, success rates were compared with those of either EBTI or open Heller myotomy (OHM). Direct evidence was achieved from head-to-hea

Similar exemplar pooling processes underlie the learning of facial identity and handwriting style: Evidence from typical observers and individuals with Autism

Considerable research has addressed whether the cognitive and neural representations recruited by faces are similar to those engaged by other types of visual stimuli. For example, research has examined the extent to which objects of expertise recruit holistic representation and engage the fusiform face area. Little is known, however, about the domain-specificity of the exemplar pooling processes thought to underlie the acquisition of familiarity with particular facial identities. In the present study we sought to compare observers’ ability to learn facial identities and handwriting styles from exposure to multiple exemplars. Crucially, while handwritten words and faces differ considerably in their topographic form, both learning tasks share a common exemplar pooling component. In our first experiment, we find that typical observers’ ability to learn facial identities and handwriting styles from exposure to multiple exemplars correlates closely. In our second experiment, we show that observers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are impaired at both learning tasks. Our findings suggest that similar exemplar pooling processes are recruited when learning facial identities and handwriting styles. Models of exemplar pooling originally developed to explain face learning, may therefore offer valuable insights into exemplar pooling across a range of domains, extending beyond faces. Aberrant exemplar pooling, possibly resulting from structural differences in the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, may underlie difficulties recognising familiar faces often experienced by individuals with ASD, and leave observers overly reliant on local details present in particular exemplars

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements