Real-time reconstruction of long-lived particles at LHCb using FPGAs

Finding tracks downstream of the magnet at the earliest LHCb trigger level is not part of the baseline plan of the upgrade trigger, on account of the significant CPU time required to execute the search. Many long-lived particles, such as $K^0_S$ and strange baryons, decay after the vertex track detector, so that their reconstruction efficiency is limited. We present a study of the performance of a future innovative real-time tracking system based on FPGAs, developed within a R\&D effort in the context of the LHCb Upgrade Ib (LHC Run~4), dedicated to the reconstruction of the particles downstream of the magnet in the forward tracking detector (Scintillating Fibre Tracker), that is capable of processing events at the full LHC collision rate of 30 MHz.Comment: ACAT 2019 proceedings. 7 pages, 2 figure

DAX-1 Expression in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcomas: Another Immunohistochemical Marker Useful in the Diagnosis of Translocation Positive Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DAX-1 in a series of pediatric rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) with known translocation and compare it to Ap2\u3b2, known to be selectively expressed in ARMS. DESIGN: We revised a series of 71 alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (ARMS), enrolled in the Italian Protocols RMS 79 and 96, and 23 embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas (ERMS) as controls. Before investigating Ap2\u3b2 and DAX-1, ARMS were reviewed and reclassified as 48 ARMS and 23 non-ARMS. RESULTS: Translocation positive ARMS showed a characteristic Ap2\u3b2/DAX-1+ staining pattern in 78% of cases, while 76% of classic ERMS were negative for both. Ap2\u3b2 alone was positive in 3.9% of RMS lacking translocation, whereas DAX-1 alone was positive in 25.4%. Conversely, 9% and 6% of translocation positive ARMS were positive only for DAX-1 or Ap2\u3b2, respectively. The 23 non-ARMS shared the same phenotype as ERMS but had a higher frequency of DAX-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: DAX-1 is less specific than Ap2\u3b2, however it is a sensitive marker for translocation positive ARMS and can be helpful in their diagnosis if used in combination with Ap2\u3b2

Real-time dry matter content of corn silage by a microwave sensor

Daily dry matter (DM) intake in dairy cow is a central point to meet nutritional requirements and optimal performance, reducing the incidence of metabolic diseases. DM content of some forages, such as silages, can undergo huge variations during storing, affecting the total daily DM consumed. Reference laboratory method is time consuming and cannot be applied to daily changes in diet composition. Currently, new promising real-time technologies are available to monitor the DM content of feeds. The aim of the study was to test and calibrate a portable microwave sensor (MS) for DM content in corn silage samples. Twenty-two samples were collected from a corn silage front; sampling procedure was optimized to collect as much as DM content variability as possible within the samples. MS readings were performed with 3 different methods for each samples: 1) directly on the silage front, 2) with the MS over the collected sample and 3) with MS placed under the sample. After the first MS reading, a correspondent silage sample was obtained by a silage corer for readings 2 and 3 and the laboratory DM content assay. A simple regression analysis was performed (JMP, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, 2015) over obtained data. Results evidences as the best MS reading method is represented by the probe burdening on the sample (R2=0.75) with respect to the other methods. The obtained results outlined as, with a correct reading method, MS can be valuable tool to determine DM content of corn silage directly at farm level

Italy: Health System Review

Presentazione e valutazione del sistema sanitario italiano commissionato al CERGAS e al Gemelli di Roma da parte della World Health Organization

Avoidable blindness and value based healthcare: more value with a population approach

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Development of a high-throughput tracking processor on FPGA boards

We present the latest results on the prototype of a tracking processor capable of reconstructing events in a silicon-strip tracker at about 40 MHz event rate with sub-microsecond latency. The processor is based on an advanced pattern-recognition algorithm, called “artificial retina”, inspired to the vision system of the mammals. We design and implement one of the first functional prototype of this processor on a DAQ board based on Alters Stratix III FPGAs. Then, in order to test the maximum rate capability, we port and optimize the processor on a high-speed board equipped with Altera Stratix V FPGAs. Future applications of this novel approach as real-time track trigger at LHC experiments are also discussed

Management and Clinical Aspects of Burned Patients Affected by SARS-COV2

At the end of January 2020, SARS-CoV-2 started escalating worldwide. COVID-19 can exert its effects on immunity, inflammation, and multi-organ system disease, common denominators with the burn injury. The pandemic required major efforts to Burn centres in order to preserve burn patients’ care and contribute to the health care response. In our Burn Unit we autonomously developed a protocol for patients acceptance and surveillance of the hospitalized ones and the personnel. We briefly describe our experience with six cases of burn patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 highlighting the overlap between medical treatment of burn patients and COVID-19 patients. To avoid viral spreading epidemiologic control is essential, especially preventive measures such as isolation of infected patients and identification of the source of infection. In our surgical practice, we increased the use of enzymatic debridement avoiding procedures with a high risk of viral particles spreading. Personnel protection and dedicated pathways have been planned, optimizing air circulation and disinfection. Vaccines represent the best hope for the global population to stop the viral spread, despite new variants outbreaks

Thrombotic complications in adult patients with lymphoma: A meta-analysis of 29 independent cohorts including 18 018 patients and 1149 events

Thrombotic complications in hematologic malignancies have important clinical implications. In this meta-analysis we sought to obtain accurate estimates of the thrombotic risk in lymphoma patients. Articles were searched in electronic databases and references. Eighteen articles were identified (29 cohorts, 18 018 patients and 1149 events). Pooled incidence rates (IRs) were calculated by the use of a method based on the exact maximum likelihood binomial distribution. The global IR of thrombosis was 6.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0%-6.8%). The global IRs of venous or arterial events were 5.3% (95% CI, 5.0%-5.7%) and 1.1% (95% CI, 0.9%-1.2%), respectively. The IR of thrombosis observed in subjects with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was 6.5% (95% CI, 6.1%-6.9%), significantly greater than that observed for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (4.7%; 95% CI, 3.9%-5.6%). Within NHL, patients with high-grade disease had a greater risk of events (IR 8.3%; 95% CI, 7.0%-9.9%) than low-grade disease (IR 6.3%; 95% CI, 4.5%-8.9%). This meta-analysis shows that the IR of thrombosis in lymphoma patients is quite high, especially in those with NHL at an advanced stage of the disease. These results may help better defining lymphoma populations at high thrombotic risk, to whom prophylactic approaches could be preferentially applied.Fil: Caruso, Vanesa. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Di Castelnuovo, Augusto. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; ItaliaFil: Meschengieser, Susana. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Lazzari, María Ángela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: De Gaetano, Giovanni. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; ItaliaFil: Storti, Sergio. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; ItaliaFil: Iacoviello, Licia. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; ItaliaFil: Donati, Maria Benedetta. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Itali

Cognitive Functions and Cognitive Reserve in Relation to Blood Pressure Components in a Population-Based Cohort Aged 53 to 94 Years

In 288 men and women from general population in a cross-sectional survey, all neuropsychological tests were negatively associated with age; memory and executive function were also positively related with education. The hypertensives (HT) were less efficient than the normotensives (NT) in the test of memory with interference at 10 sec (MI-10) (−33%, P = 0.03), clock drawing test (CLOX) (−28%, P < 0.01), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (−6%, P = 0.02). Lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were predicted by higher systolic (odds ratio, OR, 0.97, P = 0.02; OR 0.98, P < 0.005; OR 0.95, P < 0.001) and higher pulse blood pressure (BP) (OR 0.97, P = 0.02; OR 0.97, P < 0.01; and 0.95, P < 0.0001). The cognitive reserve index (CRI) was 6% lower in the HT (P = 0.03) and was predicted by higher pulse BP (OR 0.82, P < 0.001). The BP vectors of lower MMSE, MI-10, and CLOX were directed towards higher values of systolic and diastolic BP, that of low CRI towards higher systolic and lower diastolic. The label of hypertension and higher values of systolic or pulse BP are associated to worse memory and executive functions. Higher diastolic BP, although insufficient to impair cognition, strengthens this association. CRI is predicted by higher systolic BP associated to lower diastolic BP

Demonstration of track reconstruction with FPGAs on live data at LHCb

The LHCb experiment is currently taking data with a completely renewed DAQ system, capable for the first time of performing a full real-time reconstruction of all collision events occurring at LHC point 8. The Collaboration is now pursuing a further upgrade (“LHCb Upgrade-II”), to enable the experiment to retain the same capability at luminosities an order of magnitude larger than the maximum planned for the current Run3. To this purpose, a vigorous R&D program is ongoing to boost the real-time processing capability of LHCb, needed to cope both with the luminosity increase and the adoption of correspondingly more granular and complex detectors. New heterogeneous computing solutions are being explored, with the aim of moving reconstruction and data reduction to the earliest possible stages of processing. In this talk, we describe the results obtained from a realistic demonstrator for a high-throughput reconstruction of tracking detectors, operating parasitically on real LHCb data from Run3 in a purposely-built testbed facility. This demonstrator is based on a extremely parallel, “Artificial Retina” architecture, implemented in commercial, PCIe-hosted FPGA cards interconnected by fast optical links, and encompasses a sizeable fraction of the LHCb VELO pixel detector. The implications of the results in view of potential applications in HEP are discussed